December 30, 2018
If you were to ask me what is the single greatest key to an effective Christian life, it would not take me two seconds to answer: meeting with God every day through the Word of God and prayer. Recently, I shared a personal testimony of why I love to read the Bible every day with my church. Here’s the “condensed” version! These are not things I read somewhere, but the real testimony of what reading the Bible has done in my life over the last 50 years.
1. THE BIBLE IS GOD’S WORD
2 Peter 1:20-21: But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God
2. THE BIBLE IS HOW GOD SPEAKS TO ME
Psalm 119:102: I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, for You Yourself have taught me.
3. THE BIBLE SHOWS ME THINGS I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MYSELF
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
4. THE BIBLE PUTS THINGS IN ORDER FOR ME.
Psalm 119: 130 The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
5. THE BIBLE LEADS ME TO A FRUITFUL LIFE
Psalm 1
1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.
6. THE BIBLE SHOWS ME EVERYTHING GOD HAS PROMISED FOR ME
2 Peter 1:4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.
7. THE BIBLE BUILDS MY FAITH, SO I CAN EXPERIENCE ALL HE HAS PROMISED FOR ME
Romans 10:17: so faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God
8. THE BIBLE BRINGS ME PEACE
Psalm 119:165 Those who love Your law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble.
9. THE BIBLE TRANSFORMS MY LIFE.
John 17:17: Sanctify them in Your truth; Your Word is truth
Romans 12:2: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
10. THE BIBLE HAS BEEN USED TO REVIVE ME, HUNDREDS OF TIMES
Psa 119:107 I am exceedingly afflicted; revive me, O LORD, according to Your word.
11. THE BIBLE EQUIPS ME FOR EVERYTHING I FACE.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
12. THE BIBLE IS NOT SOMETHING I NEED OCCASIONALLY, BUT EVERY HOUR OF EVERY DAY
Proverbs 8: 34-35 Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorposts. For he who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD.
13. THE BIBLE IS MY GUIDE FOR EVERY DECISION
Mt 4:4: But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’ ”
14. THE BIBLE HAS A CUMULATIVE EFFECT, YIELDING MORE AS I GET OLDER
Psalm 119: thy Word have I hid (STORED UP) in my heart that I may not sin against God
15. THE BIBLE KEEPS ME ON THE RIGHT PATH
2 Timothy 3:16: All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness
16. THE BIBLE MAKES ME WISER THAN MY AGE
Psalm 119:99-100 I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, because I have observed Your precepts.
17. THE BIBLE MAKES ME WISER THAN MY ENEMIES
Psalm 119: 98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine.
18. THE BIBLE IS MY MOST POWERFUL WEAPON AGAINST THE WORLD, THE FLESH, AND THE DEVIL
Eph 6:16-17 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
19. THE BIBLE SETS ME FREE!
John 8:31-32 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
20. THE BIBLE IS MY ONE CONSTANT IN A VERY CHANGING WORLD
Psalm 119:89 Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
21. THE BIBLE CAN CHANGE OTHERS, JUST LIKE IT’S CHANGED ME
Isa 55:10-11
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earthnd making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
AND A BONUS…
22. THE BIBLE IS SWEET AND PRECIOUS TO ME.
Psalm 19:10-11They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
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