I am ever more thankful that our God is a living relational God, who speaks to His children (and even to those who aren’t His children yet) in the now. But it is the written word of God – the Scriptures – that give us guardrails for hearing the voice of God and that reveal so much of His person, His will and His ways. He longs to speak to us and reveal Himself to us as we meditate in His wonderfully preserved written Word. So this resource is provided as a stimulus to motivate us all to carve out more time to commune with God in and through His written word. (some of this was inspired by the good ole Navigators)
I. Its Authority A. Inspired by God – II Tim. 3:16; II Peter 1:21 B. Endures Forever – I Peter 1:24,25; Matt. 24:35 C. Standard of Truth – Psalm 119:43, 142, 151, 160; John 17:17b; Acts 17:11 D. Verified by Jesus – Matt. 5:17,18; Luke 24:44; John 5:46,47
II. Its Value &/or Purpose A. For Knowing Christ – Psalm 40:7; Luke 24:27; John 5:39 B. For Growth – Matt. 4:4; John 17:17; Acts 20:32; I Peter 2:2 C. For Victory – Psalm 37:31, 119:9-11; I John 2:14; Eph. 6:17 D. For Guidance – Psalm 119:105; Prov. 6:22,23 E. For Self Insight/Revelation – Psalm 19:11,12; Heb. 4:12 F. For Peace – Psalm 119:165 G. For Freedom – John 8:31,32 H. For Useability – Isa. 66:2; II Tim. 2:15, 3:16,17 I. For Restoration – Psalm 19:7 J. For Revival – Psalm 119:25 K. For Hope – Rom. 15:4
III. Its Effect A. Burns Within/Stirs us up – Jeremiah 20:9 B. Powerfully impacts its listeners/readers – Jeremiah 23:29 C. Accomplishes God’s Purposes – Isaiah 55:11 D. Produces Reverence for God – Psalm 119:38 E. Produces Stability and Success – Psalm 1:2,3; Joshua 1:8 F. Produces a Willingness to Obey God – Psalm 18:21-23, 40:7,8 G. Produces Happiness & Blessing – Prov. 29:18; James 1:25
IV. Our Responsibility A. Know/Seek it – Ezra 7:10; Matt. 22:29 B. Meditate On it – Psalm 119:97-99; Jer. 15:16; Col. 3:16 C. Obey/Practice it – Ezra 7:10; Psa. 119:59,60; Luke 6:47; James 1:22-2 D. Long for it – I Peter 2:2 E. Share/Teach it – Deut. 6:6,7; Ezra 7:10; II Tim. 4:2; F. Read it – I Tim. 4:13; Rev. 1:3 G. Hear it – Jer. 22:29; Zech. 7:13; Rom. 10:17; Rev. 1:3 H. Fear it – Prov. 13:13 I. Study it – Ezra 7:10; II Tim. 2:15;
V. General Promises A. Rewards – Prov. 13:13 B. Will find good – Prov. 16:20
VI. Jesus and the Word – Psalm 40:7,8
VII. Progression Examples: Deut. 11:18-25; Ezra 7:10
Some Practical Considerations: 1. The earlier in the day you meditate in the scriptures, the easier it is to focus. Once the day gets going, tis awful hard to stop. 2. A plan always helps motivation. Don’t have to be bound to it; and you can always spontaneously read other things. But following a plan gives us a sense of direction and accomplishment. 3. Read the said passage as many times as it takes to begin to get a sense of what the Holy Spirit is saying through it to you. Rarely does the first reading mean anything to me. One sage said, “Read the first time generally. The second time specifically. The third time personally. 4. Pray before you read, while you read, after you read. Use Biblical prayers such as: “Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law.” Psa. 119:18; “Revive me according to Your word” vs. 25; “Teach me Your statutes” vs. 26; “Make me understand the way of Your precepts.” Vs. 33; 5. Put off non necessary things in the morning until you have met with God in His word and prayer. The news through whatever form; breakfast; emails, texts, phone calls; etc., can all wait. 6. Rising early requires in most cases retiring early (to bed that is). Burning the candle at both ends does not work for most of us. 7. Always let God’s word be the last thing that is on your mind when you go to sleep. Even a few verses can have a sanctifying effect. 8. Pray when you go to bed for your time in the morning with God. 9. Ask others to pray for your morning times with God. 10. Have your planner/calendar near you so when thoughts come to your mind of things you need to do or people you need to contact – you can jot it down, and then get back to your time in the Word. 11. For a shot in the arm – read through these scriptures (front) from time to time or read through Psalm 119. 12. Pray God’s word! Once you feel you have connected, and you see how the Holy Spirit is speaking through His word, respond in prayer specifically regarding however He has spoken.