Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
Spinach, prunes, raisins, kale, and brussels sprouts. When I begin to list these food items many people begin to turn their noses up. Yes, they are good for you but how many of us really enjoy eating all of these? How many of you would willingly eat it if I offered them to you? I don’t mind spinach in moderation, cooked with something else, and I do enjoy brussels sprouts, but I’m not sure you will find me eating the rest, especially prunes😊
For some, I know you like them so I will not talk badly about the food, and I know these are full of nutrition and good stuff for our bodies. Instead, let’s talk about honey and dark chocolate, now that’s something I can get on board with.
Little yellow bees, flowers, pollen, hives, queens and workers…have you ever thought about the marvelous process of honey-making? Honey is no ordinary substance. It’s sweeter than sugar and contains trace vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It’s used in some beauty products because it's a natural humectant that’s good for skin. Studies show it’s also effective in treating some cold and sore throat symptoms.
Let’s not leave out the dark chocolate. Did you know that 100 grams of dark chocolate has as many antioxidants as 100 grams of the items of food I listed above. Dark chocolate also contains more than 700 compounds that are good for our bodies, and it can help reduce our food cravings.
Now, if I were to offer you honey or dark chocolate over spinach, prunes, raisins, kale, and brussels sprouts, would you willingly take it? It’s interesting how people think of the Bible as spinach or kale, something they need, but not something they crave. When you crave something, you are more apt to go and get it versus something you need. But the Bible tells us that its words are, ‘more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb- Psalm 19:10. God’s Word can heal and strengthen our hearts and minds. It can lower our cravings for the bad things in life. It's also surprisingly rich and delicious.
“God's Word is always available to keep me healthy and well-fed spiritually if I’ll quit longing for things I don't have and start "collecting and eating" His Word daily.” -biblelovenotes.com
Some may ask why we need the Bible, why is it so-called “healthy for us”? The simple answer: as Christians our life will become wonderful, challenging, difficult, satisfying, interesting, inspiring, life-changing and a new adventure. As a Christian our life will be fulfilling and worthwhile, but it won’t be easy. That is why we have the Bible, a wonderful guidebook to explain God’s creation design. We get to see our salvation unfold in a wonderful story, see our Savior’s incredible love for us, and we get the right instructions for the well-being of our souls.
When we seek counsel, guidance, wisdom, joy, and love in God's Word we can be assured that the Bible
Does not contain mistakes. -Psalm 12:6
Is not outdated. -Psalm 119:89
Guides us perfectly. -Psalm 119:105
Explains our salvation. -Romans 1:16
Is fully inspired by God and necessary for our faith. -2 Timothy 3:16-17
Is living truth that judges all things. -Hebrews 4:12
When we open God’s Word with the same excitement that we open dark chocolates or take a taste of honey, we will experience the depth of God’s love for us and be filled spiritually.
Yet, some may still feel the Bible is too difficult to just sit and get into, like reading a novel or watching a movie is. Others still find the excuse of being too busy for reading the Bible with all the other things on their daily to-do lists. These are just excuses, like not wanting to eat those raisins and prunes are. If you approach the Bible with the same craving you have for dark chocolate and honey you will find yourself craving more. The Apostle Paul wrote, "For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand."- Corinthians 1:13.
In other words, he is saying: "If you can read this, you can know God's will."
Nothing is written in the Bible that it is beyond basic understanding - after a little effort and study, even the parts that are "difficult” to understand. The Bible was written to be read and understood universally on life's issues. God has revealed His will clearly and we are all without excuse if we miss it.
Jen Wilkin says in her book Women of the Word, “From beginning to end, the Bible is a Book about God. The Bible does tell us who we are and what we should do, but it does so through the lens of who God is. The knowledge of God and the knowledge of self always go hand in hand.”
As we read God’s Word and His beautiful story unfolds on redemption, and how we should live, we can see it isn’t about us. It’s about God, it’s written so we can know Him, love Him, and glorify Him.
But before you dive into scripture and all the goodness it holds, I want you to ask yourself these questions.
Do I want to study God’s Word…
So that I can check it off my spiritual “to do” list? Because I believe that it is what “good” Christians do? In order to be seen a certain way by others? So that I will have the answers and people will be impressed with my biblical knowledge? Because I believe that if I do, life will turn out the way I want it to? Or God will give me a formula and guarantee that my children will follow Him? So I won’t feel guilty?
Or do I want to study the Bible…
To know God and His character? To glorify Him? To understand how He wants me to live? To be equipped to walk in a manner worthy of Christ? To reveal sin in my life so I can confess and repent of it? To teach me so I mature and reflect His character to others?
Let’s be honest with both God and ourselves. If you find your motives are from the first list (which we all have been guilty of at least once). Ask God to help you fall in love with Him and His Word.
Wherever or whatever time you study God’s Word, always start with prayer. Pray when you start, pray as you study, and pray when you finish. The Holy Spirit is our guide and teacher!
Whatever you do, do something!
And remember, it's even better than dark chocolate and sweeter than honey because you can never eat too much of it! The more you read it, the better you feel. So, every day let’s “taste and see that the LORD is good” (Psalm 34:8).
"Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts."- Jeremiah 15:16
This vivid depiction of the happiness that springs up in the heart from taking in God’s Word should deeply resonated with with all Christians as they walk in faith and and our delight should be in reading the Bible. God’s Word is precious to believers. As Jeremiah ate the words of the Lord, so too can we as we approach Scripture for the purposes of awe, transformation, and endurance. This is why I have taken some extra time to come up with short Bible studies we all can do to find more joy in reading scripture daily. Today we are going to continue our study on Godly Relationships with lesson 2.
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