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Open to God through His Word


I don't know about you, but I have a great need and desire to hear from God. I am thankful God is a God of communication and words. Deep inside us, he has planted the desire to know him. And in respone to our need for God, he has chosen to speak to us through the words and images we find in the Bible and through the promptings of his spirit.
Fortunately, as we read and reflect on Scripture, we see God speaking so that we may gain insight into who he is, who we are, and why we are here.


Scripture is a primary way that the Holy Spirit opens us up to the God who is beyond us. In the Bible God reveals to us both our sin and our belovedness. Our desires for nourishment, strength, comfort, and joy are all addressed in Scripture. Reading God's word, listening to Scripture puts us in a place to attend to the God who speaks. God is still speaking today and guiding us personally and intimately through the word. Regularly being with God in scripture is a way we open ourselves to truths and guidance outside us. excerpt adapted from Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun


How do I know what God has to say? How does Scripture intersect with my life?


These are great questions. So let's take a practical look at connecting with God through scripture.


Let's begin by reading and responding to a few specific scriptures which reflect the heart behind our need to get in God's word.



Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another--showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. 2 Timothy 3:16 The Message

Let the word of Christ--the Message--have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Colossians 3:16 The Message

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 New International Version


Think about it. Based on these verses, why would you spend your time reading scripture?

Comments

  1. The Bible is "Life's Instruction Book" written by God personally!

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