Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. Psalm 119:18
I received a phone call from my oldest sister last week. She is amazing. She is 96, lives alone but loves Jesus with all her heart. When I shared with her that our small group was beginning again, she asked me what we were going to study. We are going to focus on worship and she said, “Please remind everyone to read their Bible’s slowly”. I could hear the conviction in her voice and heart.
So my friends, that is our focus for today. Please take the time when you are spending time in the Word and with the Lord, to not rush. This is something I have already discovered for myself, but I don’t always remember to put into practice. I have found when I deliberately slow down, I discover insights and encouragement that I miss while reading quickly. This gives you time to learn and study, not just scan the words you are reading.
Reading slowly helps you remember to look for the who, what, where and when situations. There are some great technics people have used to teach others how to study the Bible. She uses what she calls the 5 P approach. It covers the basics in some easy to remember steps. The first P has to do with positioning yourself. Find a quiet place where you can concentrate. You then move to the next P, pore. Pore over the passage or verses slowly and carefully. The next P is for pull. As you read, you begin to pull out what the text reveals about God, His character or any other timeless truths we need to remember. Then it can get personal (not her P, but mine) and she suggests you ask Pose questions about your own life. In other words, how can you apply this to yourself? The final P is to plan obedience. This is a serious time to give date and time to following any obedience revealed in your study.
The Word of God has been given to us as a gift. It can and will change our lives, if we allow it. For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to the dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (NIV). Maybe that is why our flesh wants us to rush through reading it. But my friends, we do not have to fear what the word has to say–even if it pricks our conscious. The Holy Spirit working through the Word, is actually what our spirit wants and needs.
This morning I was reading in 2 Corinthians 6. Paul was recounting the hardships he endured for the gospel’s sake. I decided to write them down in my journal. (That’s another encouragement: journal while you read). Not only did it impress me with his perseverance and endurance, but it made my struggles seem weak and wimpy. But this time through, I realized the “tools” he used to get through those struggles were also listed! He went through them in purity, understanding, patience, and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left. When I got to the “weapons of righteousness”, it made me stop and ponder. The NLT writes it this way: We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. 2 Corinthians 6:7. NLT. My friends we can use the righteousness God has given us by Christ Jesus as a weapon. The more we become Christ like–the better offense and defense we have! It made me pause and think–no matter Satan wants God’s people to sin and mess up their reputation. It hurts the Kingdom. By reading slowly it stuck in my spirit. If you have a Study Bible, take time to read the notes–you might learn something!
So my friends, I will share again, Betty’s wisdom: Read the Bible slowly. It is definitely worth your time!
Father, I ask that you open our eyes as we read your word. Holy Spirit teach us new things, remind us of old things and give us the power and grace to obey, because we trust you. In Jesus’ Name. amen.
Faith Encounters 