“Intentional Holy Spirit-led reading, reflection, and study of Scripture are how the Lord blesses a student.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 4, 2023
You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. John 5:39, NKJV
Soon after becoming a Christian in the spring of my freshman year of college, my two friends and I were discipled by a local businessman. Tom impressed upon our impressionable minds and hearts to daily invest an hour with the Lord by seeking Him in His Word and in prayer. And how time did fly by as an hour seemed like five minutes since every word leaped from the heart of my heavenly Father to me. A personalized word for me, His beloved son. I was compelled to obey His commands wholeheartedly, His promises I held on to like divine currency, and His love I adored as a giddy bride enjoys her honeymoon. The Holy Scriptures then and now reveal the loving heart of my heavenly Father, the forgiving heart of my Savior and Lord Jesus, and the guiding heart of the Holy Spirit. His word is food for my soul, truth for my mind, and inspiration for how He wants to govern my life. In the Word I meet Jesus, the Word made flesh (John 1:14).
Search is a strong word meaning a strict, close, diligent, curious search as gold miners relentlessly go after the valuable rock or a game hunter tirelessly tracks down a trophy animal. Skim-reading the pages of God’s Word will not bring renewal to a mind or transformation to a life. Intentional Holy Spirit-led reading, reflection, and study are how the Lord blesses a student. Accomplished chefs would be offended by someone who merely picked at pieces of their preparations rather than taking time to luxuriate every morsel in the mouth, tasting each flavor while gradually satisfying the stomach. In a similar fashion, each word of Scripture is tasty to the palate of the heart, feeding the mind’s imagination and satisfying the soul’s appetite. Since the Scripture was/is inspired by the Spirit…the Spirit and study are necessary for understanding and application. Spurgeon eloquently describes the fruit of the Spirit-led searching of the Scriptures:
“Scripture grows upon the student. It is full of surprises. Under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, to the searching eye, it glows with the splendor of revelation as a vast temple paved with wrought gold and roofed with rubies, emeralds, and all manner of gems. No merchandise is like the merchandise of Scripture truth.” Priceless is the value of gleaning the wise nuggets of Scripture.
What is your routine for reading the Bible? There are a variety of ways to engage in a meaningful study of Scripture. To name a few approaches to learning and applying Scripture to your life…maybe you read through the Bible in a year, study the life of Jesus, reflect on the life of the disciples, learn from women and men of the Bible, or do a verse-by-verse study of the Bible. You may enjoy holding a worn Bible in your hands as a reminder of how God has blessed you through the words of Scripture. A holy book you have carried with you to church, on mission trips, and throughout the ups and downs of life experiences. Underline, highlight, and make notes on the pages where the Spirit speaks to your heart. A worn Bible reflects an abundant life in the Word. Sin will keep you from Scripture, or Scripture will keep you from sin.
Make it a habit like the Bereans in the book of Acts to search the Scripture with other believers. What the Spirit impresses on you most likely will look different to someone else, not the context and meaning, but the application. Also, the wisdom of the group protects you from inaccurately assuming what Scripture might say, or you may help bring clarity to another struggling to accept one of the Lord’s hard commands. Exhorting and encouraging one another in the Word is a most precious gift Spirit-filled believers give to one another. Yes, Scripture invites a Spirit-led search.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your son Jesus who is the Word, and for giving us your Holy Scripture to learn and grow from through Christ’s love, and in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Application
Consider refreshing your Bible reading and/or Bible Study with a new approach: Maybe you read through the Bible in a year, study the life of Jesus, reflect on the life of the disciples, learn from women, and men of the Bible, or do a verse-by-verse study of the Bible.
Related Reading
Proverbs 30:5; Daniel 9:1-10; Matthew 22:29; Ephesians 4:13-15; 2 Timothy 3:15
Worship Resource
Sovereign Grace Music: Psalm 119
Donate
If you are blessed by these daily devotionals please prayerfully consider a donation to support Wisdom Hunters Resources. We are trusting the Lord for His provision.
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