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“The Bible comes alive only when we actively obey it.”

A thought by Mark Batterson from his book, Whisper: How to Hear the Voice of God (p. 73). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

What kind of relationship do you have with the Bible? 

Mark says, “I’m afraid that for some the Bible is like a painting that hangs on the wall. We occasionally give it a glance, but it’s nothing more than a pretty picture to look at. It’s as static as the status quo. Why? Because all we do is read it. We don’t do it. The Bible comes alive only when we actively obey it.”

Mark goes on, “The Word of God is as powerful as the four words ‘Let there be light,’ (Gen. 1:3) which are still creating galaxies! The Word of God is as powerful as one word, Ephphatha, which is opening deaf ears and asthmatic lungs! The prophet Isaiah said that His Word does not return void. (Isaiah 55:11) The prophet Jeremiah said that God is watching over His Word to perform it. (Jeremiah 1:12) So let’s not just read it; let’s stand on it. Better yet, let’s live it out.”

He then says, “The surest way to get into the presence of God is to get into the Word of God. It changes the way we think, the way we feel, the way we live, and the way we love.

“’If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.’ (John 15:7 ESV) Whatever you wish? Yes, whatever you wish. But here’s the catch: if the Word of God truly abides in you, you won’t want anything beyond the boundaries of God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

He continues, “The word abide is repeated nine times in the King James Version of the fifteenth chapter of John. It’s a present imperative verb, which indicates continual action. And it’s one of those biblical words that has seventy faces. It means to ‘be moved’; it’s one way the Spirit of God stirs our spirits. It means ‘to stand still’; it’s planting our feet on the promises of God and refusing to back down or back off. It means ‘to stay overnight.’… And it means ‘to dwell.’ God not only wants to take up residence within us; He wants to spend all eternity with us.

“Hearing the voice of God starts with quickening. If you want to hear the still small voice of God, abiding is key. And the final key to hearing is doing. Hearing without doing is hearsay at best and hypocrisy at worst. We can and must do better than that.”


So, what kind of relationship do you have with the Bible, do you actively obey it?
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