Reasons To Read – Acts 17 vs 11

Now days, people believe almost anything they hear that makes sense or that feels right emotionally even though what they are being told is completely false. With the wealth of information in the world today through the millions of books, countless documentaries, movies, magazines, social media and that which is being taught in schools and universities, I am at the same time amazed and not amazed at how many people are still in bondage.

Information alone does not set people free; only revealed truth does. Truth is found in God’s Word. Everything for living a life of godliness and freedom is taught in Scripture. We are invited to live a life of abundance yet so many people aren’t living one and it’s simply because they do not go to God’s Word for it.

‘Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures DAILY to see if these things were so. – Acts 17 vs 11 (ESV)

It is of outmost importance that we get excited for the Word of God, yes, but it cannot just stop there.
We see that we are to take everything we hear and examine the Scriptures DAILY to see if what is being said is in fact true. To do this is a noble act. Daily we are being lied to, so daily we are to go to the source of truth to keep our minds renewed with what is good and Godly (See Romans 12:2 NIV & Psalm 25:12b AMP). The more we know what the truth says the more we will be able to discern the lies that continually bombard us daily and that hinder us.

The principle of a DAILY devotional time spent in God’s word is the key to keeping a firm foundation.
In my opinion, there is no spiritual discipline more fundamental than getting into God’s word and staying there.

With the Scriptures below, see what these men do with the Word and what the Word does with them…

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night.
And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season; Its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity].
Psalm 1 vs 2-3 (AMP)

How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts].
With all my heart I have sought You, [inquiring of You and longing for You];
Do not let me wander from Your commandments [neither through ignorance nor by willful disobedience].
Your word I have treasured and stored in my heart, That I may not sin against You.
Psalm 119 vs 9-11 (AMP)

I will meditate on Your precepts
And [thoughtfully] regard Your ways [the path of life established by Your precepts].
Psalm 119 vs 15 (AMP)

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. – Joshua 1:8 (ESV)

What man is to do with the Word
Man, is to delight in God’s word, meditate daily on it, examine his life according to it, conform his life to it, seek God with it, treasure it and store it in his heart, regard and esteem what it says and not depart from it.

What the Word will do with man
The Word, will plant you and feed you, it will cause you to yield fruit (See Birds devotional), it will cause you to prosper and bring you to maturity, it will keep you pure, prevent you from wandering, keep you from a sinful life, it will make your way prosperous which will give you success. This is becoming like Jesus!

Consider
• Do I truly love the Word of God?
• Think of a time when God spoke clearly to you from His Word, and how did you feel at that time?
• When was the last time God revealed some deep truths to you from His Word?
• What was the last thing you learned about God from personally reading the Bible?
• Are you obeying the Word by daily spending time in it allowing it to do with you as you have just read?