Is It Really That Important????

sermonindex Sep 28, 2012

I know this thread will be quickly archived. These threads never last that long? But saints I ask. Is the Bible really that important to us? Please do not quote the pat answer. Just be honest. How important is the word to us?

I read of restricted nations where believers go to great lengths to own a copy of this blessed book? Even in places like N. Korea where one caught owning a copy of the word would bring instant death or imprisonment or death.

I recounted in a past thread how imprisoned believers in Eritrea treasured verses on scraps of paper. Saints how important is the word to us? Do we treasure it? Are we like Jeremiah who finds the words of life and eats them? They are the joy and delight of his heart?

There was a thread that was posted where Keith Daniels shared how Moody was transformed by reading chapters of the Bible. Sometimes for days on end. This was a man who had about the equivalent of a 6th grade education. Yet we regard him as one of the greatest soul winners in history. Yet this was a man God used to bring revival to America and Scotland. All because he found great faith through continually immersing himself in scripture.

Question. If that same book can change Moody. Will it not change us? I may not be the brightest bulb in this forum. I am a 61 year old blind man. I have no theological education. Compared to many of you my intellect is lacking? So I ask those of you who know Christ far more better than I ever will. Is the Bible really that important? Am I wrong to want to spend more time reading or listening to it?

Bearmaster.

E

enid Sep 28, 2012

Rather than start with my own opinions, I'll start with scripture.

Romans 10:17, 'So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.'

Matthew 24:35, 'Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.'

God's word is eternal, and for our faith to grow, we should be desirous and willing to spend time in God's word.

We read in scripture that man cannot live by bread alone, but by every word of God...

It also tells us in the Psalms of eating God's word, liken it to the honeycomb etc.

If we really delighted in God's word, and loved Him as we say we do, then, we won't have a hard time reading the word. And God will increase our understanding of His word.

I have seen things like the one minute Bible, and I wonder, what kind of person who professes Christ as Lord of their lives, can only manage one minute of 24 hours in His word?

God sees and knows all, so let Him see that we love Him and His word.

God bless.

sermonindex Sep 28, 2012

Enid I too have seen the One Minute Bible. For someone to spend one minute in the glorious word is like someone eating only a nutrition bar once a day and surviving. They would become weak and anemic. For sure that is what the church in America and even England is.

I am finding even in my own walk with Jesus I need more and more extended times in his word. And it seems it is never enough. But knowing persecution is coming. We need the blessed word to sustain us in the rocky times that lie ahead.

Bearmaster..

sermonindex Sep 28, 2012

I will answer your question this way.

Luke 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to every word that proceedeth out of His mouth.

This is the word of God that I cherish. It's what God is speaking right now. When He speaks it's always in connection with the written word, but it's the word made alive by the Spirit and not just by reading it because faith cometh NOT by reading, but HEARING and hearing by the word of God.

When we see the words, "Word of God", we automatically assume the bible. But that is not what the Word of God is. The Word of God is Spirit.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

It doesn't say the "Bible" became flesh.

Now don't go the other way and think that the bible is not important, the bible is MOST important. But if a believer doesn't have one, than he has the Word to speak to Him and teach him.

1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him.

John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

It's important that we hear God speaking to us, so that when we do read or hear the bible we will know that the same voice that is speaking to us is the same One who spoke to the characters in the bible.

And it's no wonder that those in distant lands that obtain a page or a fragment from the scriptures why they rejoice, the same God they serve speak to them through what they read and hear. They will hold on to every whip stitch, unlike us today who can get a bible now from the Dollar Store for a buck, we do not see it as important as those who can't get a bible because we need to come under some hardship. We need some persecution. Persecution is our glory.

S

stevet83 Sep 28, 2012

Amen bro! Thats a good place to be. Truth, truly does transform. It ain't wrong to believe that, but you'll get a lot of flack from others. Stay strong.

M

mama27 Sep 28, 2012

I thank you for your words, Bearmaster. I do not love the Word like I ought to, I do not love it like I WANT to....I pray that God would make me hungry. I am thankful that I am convicted - it means there is LIFE....

R

RuthJames Sep 28, 2012

I feel like im kind of in that same stage... mainly because of school, im a high school student that doesn't want to lose my faith..and with home work, unsaved students, and more homework, it seems to get more complex reading my Bible, even though it shouldn't be that way and i feel so bad for hurting Him, because HE is my creator, the lover of MY soul. I pray for God to open my eyes to the importance of His word.

sermonindex Sep 29, 2012

the Bible enriches me and empowers me to fight the devil. he sure hates it. psalms, gospels, epistles... I read, I seek, I find grace, I worship, I thank Him, I grow, I learn. What a wonderful gift that God preserves His truth. Amen!

sermonindex Sep 29, 2012

Ruth just start giving it 15 minutes a day. Say spend 15 minutes reading New Testament in the morning and 15 minutes reading Old Testament at night. In one year you would have gone through the Bible which is something mist adults have not done.

The thing is you establish solid Bible reading habits when you are young. They will reap great benefits when you reach adulthood.

Sister will be praying God makes a way for you to be in his word.

Bearmaster.

O

onemite Sep 29, 2012

I know the first bible that I read seeking God, I was given in one of those countries that bibles are forbidden. It sat in my closet for over a year before I heard the Lord's call. Since the Word became life to me, I cherish having a bible. I usually have it with me at all times.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not thinking the book itself has mystical powers, no. Even the words themselves can remain lifeless. Jesus said, "you search the scriptures taht you may find eternal life, and these are which testify of Me."

Once the Holy Spirit began teaching me and leading me to see Jesus in the words, well that WORD became ALIVE!
Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." This Word, coupled with the Holy Spirit, transforms us through the renewing of our mind, conforming us to the image of the Son.

His Word washes me!

Now I have to say, that sometimes I read and it's blah.
They are just words and I can't seem to get deeper than the words. The memory, however, of seeing them come to life, seeing Jesus in the O.T, and seeing the character of God causes me to persevere and search out my heart and draw near to God asking for what is hindering. I believe God is always willing to reveal Himself to us through His Word. Sometimes it takes time and perseverance to push through my own pride but God IS a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

R

RuthJames Oct 3, 2012

Bearmaster,
Amen, thank you so much. I would really appreciate the prayers. I've been reading a lot of the new testament lately as opposed to the old, but i'll catch up on it soon!
i have a question: Are you in an environment that loves Christ?

J

jimp Oct 4, 2012

hi, when i repented for the second time and was miraculously filled with Gods Spirit i searched for a church in new orleans. i found one in baker la.90 miles away. a small church filled with the spirit with bapist influance. i quit my good job in n.o. and got a job in baton rouge working at a gas station. the boss wanted me there to open up at 445am.i got paid for 2 hours and 15 minutes to read my bible for a year. the word was in my heart and on my lips. i memorized large portions that have sustained me these last 40 years since. God loves His word and will make a way if we agree to obey.jimp

sermonindex Oct 4, 2012

Brother blessed post. You remind us how precious the word is in those countries were scriptures are restricted . Brother may you keep pressing into God's Word and be blessed with fresh revelations from heaven.

Bearmaster

sermonindex Oct 4, 2012

Sister stay kn the New Testament for now. Camp at the feet of Jesus. Get to know him. Let him lead you into rich revelations from his word.

Ruth can't say I am in an environment that loves Christ. A lot of cultural Christians here. But few if any burn with a passion for Jesus and his word.

Will ve praying that God bless you richly from his word.

Bearmaster.

sermonindex Oct 4, 2012

Brother wonderful testimony about his word being in your life.

Bearmaster.

R

RuthJames Oct 4, 2012

Okay, i will be sure to do that.

Oh wow, how do you keep your faith as well as you do?
Amen!

sermonindex Oct 4, 2012

Ruth the only way I can keep ny faith intact in an ungodly world to to stay close to Jesus and his word. As Moody said if you want to keep a broken bucket filled stay close to the faucet where the water s running. We as broken vessels who want to stay continually filled with Jesus need to be continually in his word and prayer. This us why I encouraged you to camp in the New Testament. Just immerse yourself in Jesus through his word.

Sister I get the impression you are in a secular high school. But have a love for Jesus. Start praying God would bring another sister into your life you could fellowship with. Start praying for your school. For God has placed you there to a light for the unsaved. You, as a living letter for Jesus, may be the only Bible those students see. For sure there are many in your school Gof may want to save through you.

Dear sister, you are the next generation of believers that God may use to complete his work of reaching the lost. We call it fulfilling the great commission. No doubt the Lord has some great things planned for you.

Ruth people like me will soon pass on to glory. But sister the torch will pass to you. Prepare yourself to be used by Jesus. Stay in his word and prayer. For surely these are exciting times we live in as we wait for his return.

Breaux Bear..

G

ginnyrose Oct 15, 2012

Yes, I love the WORD.

It is the only piece of lit in my possession that gives life because it is inspired, no less, by the Holy Spirit.

Sometimes I wonder why I have so many books when they do not give me the delight the WORD does. Sometimes I read a book through twice. If it is really good, will read it through periodically and that is because it details how God worked in the life of the writer or someone else. I love to read testimonies of how worked in the lives of his people. Awesome.

Yes, I love the WORD...I regard it as a love letter from the Father to his child - me. I sense his pleasure, his delight many times when I read it. No other piece of lit has this power. It is because these words have been empowered by the Holy Spirit. Awesome!

G

Goldminer Oct 15, 2012

Although I am far from being a catholic, I recently read a biography on the life of Frances of Asisi, and was convicted by how he reverenced even pieces of the scriptures. If he found a shred of it he would reverently preserve it because he counted it sacred.

I see people sling their bibles around carelessly and it has always bothered me. It is God's word, and needs to be shown respect as such.

I could not live without God's word. I have been saved 36 years now and treasure my times of reading it now more than ever. I constantly ask the Holy Spirit to make my understanding fruitful because after that length of time I still know I can't understand it without Him, and I have so much more to learn.

It is a treasure right from the heart of God, we better not lightly esteem it. His word is a lamp unto my feet and light to my path....

sermonindex Oct 15, 2012

Wonderful testimonies. I an praying that God grant me a continual hunger for his Word. Goldminer Paul West would liove that testimony about Francis if Asasis.

Ginny thank you for reminding us the Bible is God's love letter to us.

Bear