Note: I’ve come back to edit in the links to the Bible references. If you don’t know them, please spend time to look them up.

Since His Word strengthens and revives us, isn’t it the most important thing we can choose to do today?

Sometimes we get busy, distracted, bogged down, or just don’t feel like it. Here’s the trouble with going with feelings, we know our heart is not reliable. And so we need to choose to do the right thing, choose the good part (Luke 10:38-42) each day. Otherwise as we do not get our necessary food (Job 23:12), we become like an anorexic. They push and shove food around on their plate. It becomes cold and unappetizing. They have no appetite for it and begin to waste away.

The same thing can happen to us spiritually, as with a lack of spiritual food we become spiritually dead or weakened and are unable to fight successfully in the spiritual battle. Things are harder for us, not easier. We become like salt that has lost its savor.

Are you feeding your new man?

Choose to read some from His Word each day whether you ‘feel like it’ or not. Maybe read a little in the morning, and/or some at night if you are better then. And whatever you read, pray first, and talk to God during your reading. Pray as you come across difficult passages, or as you see something you need to thank God for. His Word is not to be taken lightly (Isaiah 66:2; 2 Cor 4:1-2). We are to read it to desire to know the Lord and His Word better. It is not a Ouija board, or a daily horoscope (how I have seen some treat it sadly). And it is not to be used out of context (which some do in ignorance, others in things like replacing Israel, or appropriating Scriptures spoken to them). Please check context.

I take this truth below literally. I believe God’s Word can strengthen us physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually and instruct us in wisdom. Remember, He wrote His Word ahead of time for our comfort and hope (Romans 15:4). Choose the Word today and each and every day.

My soul clings to the dust;
Revive me according to Your word.

My soul melts from heaviness;
Strengthen me according to Your word.

Psalm 119:25,28

Study His Word with the right attitude in mind

Our attitude is huge as we study. Study or be diligent to what? To be approved unto God. Is that your goal when you study His Word? His approval? If not, pray and ask God to change your desires to meet His.

Obedience to be in His Word. Jesus told the new believers to continue in His Word and in so doing, the truth would set them free (and they’d become disciples, John 8:31-32). Start by just obeying to continue in His Word. Ask Him to help you — He will.

Organizing our priorities. Let’s be honest. In these latter days there is much that will distract us from time in His Word. It can be bad or worldly things, and it can also be good things (think on Martha distracted by her serving Jesus and His disciples, while Mary chose the better thing of spending time with Jesus hearing His Word – Luke 10:38-42). Serving Jesus wasn’t bad, but Jesus clearly noted time spent with Him hearing His Word was better. I believe from out of that will flow the good things that we do, propelled by the wisdom from His Word and His Spirit bringing that Word to our remembrance.

Distractions can also be necessary things for us (like working and driving). Those things can tire us out, and instead of choosing the good part on our ‘off time’, we might just want to watch something mindlessly.

I’m not judging or condemning you for your choice to relax. I’m encouraging you to pick the good part when you can. Just try to do a little here and there as you are able. If you can listen to the Bible while driving — that would probably be a good choice for those who like to listen to the Word. Many of the ‘Christian’ stations have songs with decidedly unbiblical lyrics, so be cautious of doing that (be careful little ears what you hear/see/etc.). Try GraceGlobalRadio.org. You can listen at home online, or you can download their app on your phone.

Some practical steps we can take to know God’s Word Better

God gifted teachers, church – we all need one. But many do not have a church and have tried many times to find one unsuccessfully. Even if you cannot meet in person because you do not have a sound church in your area, you can listen online to sound grace-based teachers and meet with friends or family in your homes to listen. We all need a gifted teacher/pastor. And we need other believers to meet with, even if online. Do not isolate yourselves, this is not what God wants. You — even the one with shyness, or a loner – even someone who has been seriously hurt. God still desires you get out there and assemble together with other believers. He knows your sorrows.

I’ve been asked to leave churches before over disagreeing with important doctrine. I’ve also been asked to leave Bible studies before (for answering a question about an evangelist and his faulty doctrine regarding the gospel). Some told the teacher they’d not attend again if I spoke again. I’ve been rejected by a large group of believers before for disagreeing with Charles Spurgeon’s doctrine. I’ve been rejected by individuals before for many different reasons, almost always about taking heed to doctrine. This is not something I relish, many times my heart was broken. If the rejection is for standing for the truth though, and we spoke the truth gently, patiently, in love (as much as they allowed), we must leave that/them to the Lord. But please do not stop assembling together with other believers, they need us, and we need them.

Beware of videos – Are you a Berean each time? Are you stopping the video to look up passages they cite in context? Have you checked their SOF (Statement of Faith) first? Their gospel? Then you should not listen to them.

First, understanding the importance of how to interpret a passage (it’s called hermeneutics although you don’t need to know the word.) When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense. In other words, look at it literally unless you see figurative language of ‘as’ or ‘like’ etc. Ask the contextual questions and look up the cross references when you don’t understand. Always in prayer. Who, what, why, where, when, and how. Try to figure it out yourself in prayer and study. Then ask sound counsel.

Some ways to get back into reading the Bible again

Pick a Psalm and a Proverb from the Bible each day to read. Maybe divide up longer ones like Psalm 119 into a few days. It is easy to pick one to coincide with the date. This is literally how I started reading His Word again when I had let my Bible get dusty. Don’t set rules other than you plan to obey to be in His Word and take your time with it to understand. Always pray for Him to help you with the rest and stop and pray when you don’t understand something. Maybe make a note of it and ask other sound believers for help (Prov 11:14). And look to see if there are cross references you can look at in context. This is not all I am suggesting, this is just a start and an addition to regular studying.

I also started again by reading a book many times through. John, Romans and Galatians were the three that I read repeatedly when coming back to obey to continue in His Word. John will give you an evangelical look at Jesus. Ground you in His gospel and your response to it. Romans and Galatians will ground you in understanding His grace, and the free gift of salvation does not come by works. Ephesians will do the same as well as show you all your spiritual blessings and motivate you to walk worthy. Now I had read most of the Bible many times by the time I started dusting off my Bible and starting over. But slowing down, talking to Him as I went along, made such a difference. It was a new world that was opening up to me. I remember from Psalm 119:18:

Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

And I felt like the blind man in John 9. I was finally seeing, not just physically but spiritually.

Sometimes I’d underline something that seemed directed at me. Many times I’d make notes in a notebook — I think writing it down helped me personally. People learn differently, but reading and seeing the words (vs. audio or video) is better for me. Sometimes I’d look for cross references in other passages, always asking Him about it as I read. Now, looking up cross references is huge for me, so much to still learn. And seeing the passage in context, not just reading or using a verse here or there. And then learning the OT Scriptures that may apply to a passage. Understand that in the Old Testament, for a witness to be considered true, there was always two or three reliable witnesses. Apply the same precept to Scripture. Do you find two or three other places that say basically the same thing? If not, you may need to study a little more.

Knowing the Whole Counsel of God’s Word

Know both the Old and the New Testament. I suggest new believers start on the book of John and read it several times before they move on. Some tell new believers to start in Genesis, and I agree with getting to know the whole counsel of God. But they need guidance, and explanations about different covenants, types of covenants, times and reasons for things. Acts 20:25-32; Psalm 119:105, 130, 160, all demonstrate that we need the whole counsel of His Word for enlightenment. 2 Timothy 3:14-17 speaks of the Old Scriptures as well as the new. So the saying goes, the OT concealed, the NT reveals (something like that).

We see much typology in OT scriptures seen revealed in the New Testament. But we also see prophecies being fulfilled or still outstanding. People can get flummoxed with the Scriptures on the law, but when you understand the purpose of the law (to show us our exceeding sinfulness, and to point us to our need for Christ), it becomes clearer. And you need to understand the law never justified (or saved from hell) anyone. Coming to know these things help it make more sense.

We are not under the law (Romans 10:3-4) and never were although some want to put you under it. But it helps us understand the big picture from the beginning. So many do not get it, so they are lacking in foundational understanding. They read Revelation without any background from Daniel, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Isaiah, or many of the other prophets referred to in the book. They don’t understand the Olivet discourse passages. Yes, it takes time, but He rewards those who are humbled, submitted to Him and who learn to love and treasure His Word (1 Peter 5:5-7; Psalm 119:140,162)

Tell the Lord you are willing to ‘unlearn’ anything that does not line up with His truth taught in His Word. Too many cling to church phrases, not looking to see whether they are actually found in His Word. Sometimes the concepts are found there (like Rapture, or Trinity). But it is important to be sure you can justify what you are saying His Word says.

What does it mean to be a Berean

Be a Berean – Acts 17:11; 1 Thess 5:21; 1 John 4:1. Paul spoke of those in Berea who were more noble than those in Thessalonica (Bereans). Because they didn’t just accept what Paul said Scripture said. They looked it up, and Paul applauded them. Now-a-days some pastors and teachers might not like it if you question them nicely. But, look for yourself. Examine the context. To whom is the passage spoken? What does a certain word refer to? For example: “What kind of salvation?” (or saved). A majority of the time the word salvation or saved refers to deliverance from something other than hell. So, learn to parse out a passage.

Desire His will in your life and you will know the doctrine. If you do not desire His will, pray for Him to help you to want to want to do His will. See John 7:17 – Those who desire God’s will are better able to discern doctrine. That and being in the strong meat of His Word (Heb 5:12-14) helps us discern between good and evil.

Suggestions for sound study. No one is perfect in every single thing, but the doctrine of the gospel is first and foremost for ‘hearing’ any person. If they do not have the gospel right, why would you hear them? It is leaven that we are to beware of. Too many are quoting C.S. Lewis, Spurgeon, MacArthur, Washer, Comfort, Keller, Calvin, Luther, or books like Pilgrim’s Progress etc. Get into a pattern of checking their gospel out before you hear anything they have to say. I cannot tell you how many times someone has said, ‘listen to this video’, yet when I asked if they have checked out their doctrine, or heard their gospel, they have not. Yet they still want you to listen. No, that is unwise and I will not. Know their gospel before you waste time and potentially corrupt your own mind from the simplicity that is in Christ (2 Cor 11:3-4). Do not bear with them — it means don’t put up with them. Not hard to understand. Mark and avoid those bringing a doctrine contrary to the one we learned (Romans 16:17). Not ‘chew the meat and spit out the bones’, like some who are condescending regarding our stance on these things. YOU chew the poisoned meat and spit out the poisoned bones as you attempt to divide what is good from evil, I’d rather stick with that which is good (1 Thess 5:21).

My friends, if you’re suffering today, count it all joy as we share in His sufferings. But you might be suffering if you’re not getting the comfort and the guidance that comes from His Word. Some may be suffering because of choices. If you’re living with someone outside of marriage, you might be suffering there (and causing others harm by your witness). If you’re doing things that are jeopardizing your health with choices of overdoing (or underdoing), you might be suffering there. That kind of suffering doesn’t get us any rewards, just pain and chastening in this lifetime. He can’t bless us when we’re living outside of His will for us. So pray and make the right decisions with His help. It might be hard, but He’ll make a way when you decide to do the right thing. May not always be overnight but look to the Lord and His Word.

I know these are hard times. I’m just encouraging you all to choose the necessary or needed thing, the good part that will never be taken from us.

Between you and the Lord, ask yourself if you’ve been doing that. Don’t beat yourself up, just begin again. Choose this every day. Fail? Begin again.

Love in Christ.