Skip to main content

“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?
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Jesus comes in the midst of the torrent."

  A thought by Max Lucado from his book,  You Are Never Alone  (p. 60). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.  (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.)   We all have storms in our lives, don't we? Max says, "No one gets through life scot-free. At one point or another the sky will darken, the winds will rage, and we will find ourselves in a modern-day version of the Galilean gusher." John 6:16–18 (NIV) says, "When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough." Max goes on, "The hearts of the followers began to sink as their boat was certain to do. Their skin was soaked, throats hoarse, eyes wide. They searched the sky for a break in the clouds. They gripped the boat for fear of the waves. They screamed their prayers for help. But they heard nothing. "If only Jesu
Post a Comment
Read more

“When you understand that life is a test, you realize that nothing is insignificant in your life.”

A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (Purpose Driven Life, The) (p. 57). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. To realize that from God’s perspective life is a test goes a long way in determining how you handle your life.   It is important to see that in testing your character is both developed and revealed.   Rick goes on to say that “even the smallest incident has significance for your character development. Every day is an important day, and every second is a growth opportunity to deepen your character, to demonstrate love, or to depend on God.” So there is a God purpose behind each situation in your life.   Even the bad ones are there to strengthen you and develop you.   You see those bad situations are really good ones because they are there for your good. I start each day with a reminder that God is good.   Not every situation that is going to come in my day is good but because God is good He will use e
Post a Comment
Read more

“What areas of my personality, background, and physical appearance am I struggling to accept?”

A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (Purpose Driven Life, The) (p. 35). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. Rick posed this question at the end of his chapter, You Are Not an Accident.   In this chapter he deals with the fact that God created you the way you are with a purpose.   In other words you are not an accident.   I am also reading the Apostle John’s view of Jesus and what He said and did while He was here on earth.   In the beginning of Chapter 9 there is a story about a blind man.   And the disciples who were with Him asked Him a good question, “Who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind? ”   Have you ever asked the same thing about something in you that you don’t like?   Like that characteristic is a curse or something.   Society has set a standard that is not a standard of God.   Remember, He created you and you are not an accident. Jesus did answer the question about the blind
Post a Comment
Read more