Trade Secrets (part 3)

Well the authorities have yet to show up at my door to arrest me for sharing the "trade secrets" over the past few days. So while I still have this forum I will finish my task today. If I stop in mid sentence it means they have come in to get me and I am on my way to a new ministry. However, I will look forward to how many men it will take to carry my rather long and large body out the doors.....my guess at least 6 biggun's. It will not be a job for the weak....:) Ok, preach, let's move on...

Over the past few days we have learned the following plan for "Getting a Good Grip in Life, by getting a good grasp of the Bible!" We have learned 4 of those steps so far and here they are...

1) READ THE BIBLE, EVERYDAY!
(Rev. 1.3, 1 Timothy 4.13)

2) STUDY THE BIBLE, CAREFULLY!
(Acts 17.11, 2 Timothy 2.15)

3) MEDITATE ON THE BIBLE, CONTINUALLY!
(Ps. 119.148 & 1.2)

4) MEMORIZE THE BIBLE, REGULARLY!
(Deut. 11.18, Ps. 119.11)

As you can see each of these is a step. A step not downward but literally upward as we learn and grow in HIS precious word. However, as you will see, all of these previous steps are for naught if we do not have the 5th and final step. Here it is...

5) APPLY THE BIBLE, FAITHFULLY!

²² But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says.
Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. James 1.22

I really like the NLT (nice loose translation #: ) ) on this one. The context on this is saving faith of course and the difference between head knowledge and true saving faith. But that same principle applies with any truth we receive from the word of God. It is one thing to know it but a much more critical element in the process to apply it. We must DO WHAT IT SAYS!!! Paul sums this up when teaching the Philippian believers how to have daily peace in their lives when he says....

The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Phil. 4.9

David also speaks to the importance of not only hearing the word of God, but the critical aspect of us needing to apply it....

How can a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed according to Your word... Ps. 119.9

So, let me wrap up with a few questions and thoughts..... Are you getting the word of God into your mind and heart? Making good and right decisions to put yourself into position to learn and grow in God's word? Spending sufficient time practicing being still so you can? It is a discipline and must be practiced, daily.

What changes do you need to make so you can maximize your time with our great God? Often we have to give up not necessarily bad stuff but often good stuff to grab the best. If it is bad, give it up, most definitely. But most times we need to reset our priorities. What priorities need changing in your life? Then do it.

What areas has God spoken to you, where you know you haven't applied HIS truth? Why not? What are you afraid of? Often times the opposite of fear is faith. God does not want us to depend on ourselves or our own resources but on HIM and HIM alone!!! Surrender your stubborn self to the will of HIM who loves us so!!!! Quit your fretting, worrying and controlling by confessing it as sin before HIM and launch out in faith upon HIS precious promises.

I will close again, with scripture of course, where David is showing us what to expect when HIS word is our delight not only in reading, studying, meditating, memorizing and of course heeding....

Ps. 1.3....

They are like trees planted along the riverbank,bearing fruit each season.

Their leaves never wither,and they prosper in all they do.

Now that's a promise I want to hold onto!!! All I can say to this...

You'll be glad you did!
Blessings
Bruce

Trade Secrets (part 2)

Ever been to the fridge (refrigerator for those who are slang challenged) to retrieve last nights leftovers? Pulled the leftovers out and warmed them up and preceded to munch away? As you were enjoying last nights meal again, today, it suddenly dawned on you that it was better today than it was last night???!!!

Now I know some of you don't do leftovers......that is your loss, but for those of us who do, I am sure you have had one of those experiences. Well, today is one of those days blog wise. We are bringing out yesterdays meal and rewarming it and seasoning it a bit more and eating it together. I believe it only gets better!!!

I am sharing the "trade secrets" of Getting a Good Grasp in Life, by getting a good grasp of the Bible. Yesterday we learned two simple yet powerful principles to begin our journey.....

1) READ THE BIBLE, EVERYDAY.... (Rev1.3 & 1 Timothy 4.13)

2) STUDY THE BIBLE, CAREFULLY.... (Acts 17.11 & 2 Timothy 2.15)

Now for today's seasoning....

3) MEDITATE ON THE BIBLE, CONTINUALLY....

Psalm 119.148...

My eyes are awake through the night watches,

That I may meditate on Your word.

This passage describes the servant of the Lord and his setting aside a specific time to think and meditate on God's word. Websters Dictionary defines meditate as "to reflect on, ponder and contemplate."

For believers to read, and study God's word is one thing, but in order to make good sound application, we must ponder what God is saying, teaching and communicating to us in a specific passage. Then we must ponder how it fits in our world. How and what we may need to change. It is through pondering, reflecting that this happens. The Holy Spirit engages us with God's word at this point. He is our Teacher and here is one place where HE teaches, convicts and corrects us, comforts and encourages us......

David, in Psalm 1, describes the pathway of Happiness in verse two where he says...Our delight should be in the law of the Lord and we should meditate in it day and night!!!

4) MEMORIZE THE BIBLE, REGULARLY....

Deut. 11:18...
Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine
in your heart and in your soul...

In one of my former ministries, we were in the process on implementing a new ministry for our kids that taught them to memorize God's word, when I was approached by one of the "respected" seniors of that church. He then proceeded to in his own way rebuke me and tell me he did not think it was right to memorize God's word.

Well, needless to say, he had no bullets in his gun, as it is clear throughout scripture that HE (GOD) wants us to hide HIS word in our hearts. I listed scripture after scripture for him. We implemented God's plan, in spite of human opposition and today several of those very kids (now grown adults with their own families) head up our youth ministry, teaching their kids and others to memorize God's word.

Memorization is not the ONLY process but is one of the steps of getting the right grasp in life. Adults too need to memorize HIS word. Find a verse that blesses you or speaks specifically to something that is happening in your life today and highlight it in your Bible. Then proceed to write it out on a note card, a sheet of paper or what ever means you choose and review it daily. Over and over until you can get it, quote it or even write it out from memory. Ask God to help you to do it....I can assure you, HE will, remember, this is HIS plan, not mine!!

Tell a friend what you are doing and have them pray with you about it. Tell them to ask you, when they see you, "how you are doing?" Quote it to them. If you miss part of it....THAT IS OK.... Keep on practicing till you get it! The goal is to have HIS word in you so HE can work HIS word through you!!! Fill your mind with HIS promises and truth and see if HE does not change the way we think!!!

I will finish the rest on the morrow. So now, today, I shared the secrets of Meditation and Memorization. May I suggest we get started today???!!!

You'll be glad you did!!!
Blessings
Bruce