Can you trust your Bible? (2)

“Risikili” – Part 5 – Can you trust your Bible? (2)

We continue with RiSiKiLi−

                       You know− Read it, study it, know it, live it.

As we continue with the theme of the value of God’s Word and figuring out the plan of God for ourselves, I’m posting the remaining Bible attributes listed by Bible Scholar/Pastor/Teacher Jack Hayford.

We must be able to trust God and His Word if we want to know His design for our lives and be able to verify that the plan in fact does line up with His Word, the Bible. Here is the rest of Pastor Hayford’s list extolling the truth and value of Scripture. (If you missed 1-5, just take a look at my last post – June 25, 2015.)

Pastor Hayford continued: 

THE ESSENTIAL PLACE AND POWER OF GOD’S WORD*

6.  The Regenerating Power of God’s Word

The Word of God regenerates new spiritual life where man has, by nature, died spiritually.  

For you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God (1 Peter 1:23 NASV).

7.  The Authority of God’s Word over Our Lives

As ‘spiritual’ people we are to refuse the ‘natural’ inclinations of fallen man, giving place instead to hearing and yielding to the authority of God’s own Word. 

Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. ⁹⁰ Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations; You established the earth, and it stands. ⁹¹ They stand this day according to Your ordinances, For all things are Your servants (Psalm 119:89-91 NASV).

8.  God’s Word and Our Soul’s Nourishment

Spiritual survival is not possible for long without feeding upon the Word of God. 

So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord (Deuteronomy 8:3 NKJV).

9.  God’s Word and Practical, Fruitful Living    

The regular application of the Word of God is the pathway to success and prosperity in living.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105 NKJV).

10. True Spiritual Growth Requires God’s Word 

True spiritual growth requires the Word of God, which makes spiritual maturity genuine.

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. ² I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; ³ for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? ⁴ For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal? ⁵ Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? (1 Cor. 3: 1-5 NKJV). 

11. Loving God’s Word As Jesus Follower

To follow Jesus and to know God, a continuing requirement of steadfast commitment to hearing, heeding, and studying the Bible is necessary.  

He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him (John 14:21 NKJV).

12. God’s Word: Purifier unto Holy Living

The Bible shows us Christ’s likeness so that we can be ordered and shaped into that image.

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; ²⁴ for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. ²⁵ But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does (James 1:23-25).

13. God’s Word, Evangelism, and Expansion

The spreading of God’s Word and the fulfillment of our personal potential come by the Word of God.     

For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater (Isaiah 55:10-11 NKJV).

14. God’s Word: Read It! Study it! Memorize it! 

God’s Word is the only conclusive source of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding concerning ultimate realities waiting to liberate and enrich those who will pursue its wealth.    

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15 NKJV).  

 

 

 

 

 

If you do not have revelation of these things, I implore you to ask God to help you receive this truth into your spirit− that it will be Ramah Word to you.  And ask Him to put into your spiritual belly a hunger for God’s Word that cannot be satisfied. He wants to do that and you will benefit in ways you could never have imagined.  

As said by Pastor Hayford, “There is no such thing as health or growth in Christian living apart from a clear priority on the place of the Bible in the life of the individual or the group. The Scriptures are the conclusive standard for our faith, morals, and practical living and are the nourishment for our rising to strength in faith, holiness in living, and effectiveness in service. The Holy Spirit who comes to fill us is the same Person who has given us the Book to guide and sustain us.”* 

*Spirit Filled Life Bible, Thomas Nelson, Page xii 

Note to readers: As you consider the points mentioned by Pastor Hayford, other readers and I would love for you to comment on how you’ve experienced having one of the 14 Bible attributes help you personally. Feel free to comment below. God bless you as you glean many blessings from the Word of God. Thanks for stopping by.

Risikili! – read it, study it, know it, live it!

 “Risikili” – Introduction

(Read it, study it, know it, live it.)

 

 

 

Do you own a Bible? If so, do you read it? When? Why? Do you read a Bible on line? What does it mean to you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why does the Apostle Paul call it a sword?

 

 

 

Today I want to begin a series of blog posts expressing, at least in part, the value of God’s Word, The Holy Bible, as I see it− and more importantly, as God sees it.

I stated in my introductory post for this blog, that I plan to have variety. And the main reason I blog is that I want to share my passion for God and His Word, the Bible. That same passion led me to write some children’s books because I want my grandchildren to know and love God and His Word. Now that I’ve self-published the books others are enjoying and learn from the stories.  (If you would like information about my books, please e-mail me > author@conniewohlford.com.) 

In this blog series, I call “Risikili,” I’ll include some of my own thoughts as well as those of a few Bible scholars who certainly express their thoughts with much greater eloquence than I.

I must admit that one purpose for blogging for me is to satisfy my need to release some of the pressure that builds up from the fire in my belly regarding the unspeakable value of the Word of God in the life of a Christian. This fire is then mixed with a frustration from observing that many believers seem to be apathetic toward God’s Holy Book even though it was given to us by our own Heavenly Father, Creator of the universe. This apathy results in men and women profaning that which is holy− their own Bibles. In other words, declaring God’s Word a common thing, unimportant to daily life and marginalizing any aspirations toward holiness and abundant living.

Keep in mind that I am talking about Christians− those of us who call ourselves followers of Christ. Yes, I said ourselves. At times, I've been guilty of not respecting God’s Word as I should and, with God’s help, I’m making strides in the right direction. 

I do hope people will tune in to this blog regularly and be inspired and encouraged about the Bible and the golden nuggets in Its pages. (If you’re interested in receiving updates on new posts, please “Subscribe” and type in your e-mail address in the provided space above my picture on the upper right hand side of this blog page.)  

These posts will by no means be exhaustive− that would be pretty impossible. For the world cannot contain the words, chapters and books that would express the totality of the value of God’s written Word to mankind. I desire for myself and others that we will Risikili! – read it, study it, know it, live it! 

I welcome your comments. In talking with others followers of Jesus, I know that many share my same passion about our Lord and His Scripture.

 

 

My post next week will be titled, “My Plan for You − Your Heart’s Desire.” I do hope you’ll stop by. If that title sounds familiar it might be because you read the poem in my post of March 19, 2015.   

If you will, please tell us (in the Comment section below) your favorite scripture passage. Thanks and God bless you today!