How to Apply Scripture to My Life

Have you ever wondered how to go from reading Scripture to living it out fully?

This past Sunday our pastor, Darren Dye, provided a great example of how to do just that.

He took us from the life of Job to an illustration of living out God’s directives. It was a powerful experience which moved me to action and forgiveness way beyond my imagination.

I was deeply moved by this message and felt compelled to share it with you. Take some time out of your day and just listen. I pray it touches your heart and allows you to apply God’s Word by extending the grace of the Lord.

https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxfCx6i20GDsUmJil9Ea5EIjgE9JgkQ6Wo

BE SURE TO CLICK “Watch Full Video” once you get to the You Tube site.

February 28, 2023 0

How do you engage with God’s Word?

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. Jeremiah 29:13 (NLT)

Scripture tells us the Bible is the very expression of God. In 2 Timothy 3:16, we read all Scripture is God-breathed. His Holy Word is not just a furnished resource. His intonation and declaration of assurances and support assist our spiritual walk. We see this to be true in Romans 15:4. “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (ESV).

However, the basic knowledge of His Word only scratches the surface of properly handling this precious treasure (2 Timothy 2:15). Take the Pharisees, for instance. They were top scholars of the Word and had a precise academic understanding. Would you agree? Who knew the Torah better? They devoted their lives to memorizing and interpreting Mosaic law with its conformity and ceremonial acts. The Pharisees allowed their scholarly status to take a legalistic stance, leading them to believe works trumped God’s mercy and grace.

Quite frankly, this contradicts the accurate message of Christ Jesus, our Savior. In Ephesians 2:8-9, the Bible states, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (NIV). Our obedience in following God’s law is from a heart of love and respect for Him, who saved and called us to live according to His purpose. Pursuing God’s prohibitions has nothing to do with redeeming ourselves from eternal damnation. We are not capable of this miraculous task.

How you read, engage, and understand the Bible can affect your conduct as a Christian.

Scripture is a gift from God, so you can know Him as He reveals His love, goodness, truth, and redemption. God wants to extend very precise knowledge unique to you and so much more.

What is your vision of Scripture engagement?

Have you ever wondered what the Lord visualizes for you? What does He picture you doing? How does He want the story of your life to unfold?

God’s Windowpane of Transparency

He envisions you:

embracing Scripture independently with Him
reading and studying His Word as a beginning to move forward
believing the Bible is living—not just text
seeking ways to go BEYOND an educational knowledge of verses
committed to growing in relationship with Him and His voice
inviting His ways and perspective
treasuring His voice as life-authority
welcoming His refinement for a lifetime
going BEYOND head knowledge to full life-saturation
allowing the Bible to change your life completely (heart, mind, body, and soul)
slaying all obstacles and barriers keeping you from going BEYOND
feasting on Scripture as your sole substance with an eternal mindset

I pray as you ponder over this list, a couple of envisions will spark a revival in your spirit to engage with Scripture on a deeper level this week. May the Lord increase a hunger within your soul to infuse God’s Word into your life more than ever and through the journey you are transformed to be more like our beautiful Savior.

Go BEYOND surface level and live out God’s Word! The Lord envisions your life saturated with His love. Embrace the journey.

February 27, 2023 0

Can Scripture Become 3D?

Biblical text will remain flat as long as we allow it. Its two-dimensional design presents itself as a welcoming invitation to draw us in. God graciously allows us to freely choose if the altitude level of His Word will escalate in our lives.

Scripture’s Purpose and Our Identity

Promoting Scripture to the height God has intended requires us to understand two facets: the purpose behind the Bible and who we are in Christ. One might say it entails placing importance on the treasured treasure and deeming it as such.

The purpose behind the Bible.

What is its role?

There are hundreds of scholarly answers. Permit me to share my basic one with you.

The Bible is a living document freely awarded as a transformational powerful weapon to defend against the enemy. It is an effective mighty sword, waiting to be crowned as a prized possession if we choose.

The Lord gave us His Word as a gift of engagement with His very voice—the voice of love, hope, joy, peace, kindness, forgiveness, understanding, etc. He designed it to fully equip and expose us to the strength of Scripture and the life-changing experiences it documents. As a helpmate, alongside the Holy Spirit, the Bible can render a spiritual makeover: a life reflecting Him.

Reading God’s Word and boldly applying it supplies inspiration. Each story, miracle, and testimony produce the motivation to carry out life the way God envisioned. His words bring the dead to life, allow the blind to see, and heal the lame—all in an instant. Remember, God’s life-changing powers are limitless—no expiration date can be detected.

The Father furnished Scripture as a universal extension of Himself so we can encounter Him on each page. As we involve ourselves verse-by-verse, it can change our perspective. We perceive problems differently, hearts soften toward sandpaper people, deep-rooted joy launches overshadowing pain and sorrow, and unshakable peace ignites a vision of eternal hope.

Who we are in Christ.

God invites each believer to partake in the Bible—His Holy Word.

He aspires the advancement of each and every passage to be represented in a three-dimensional object—YOU—a life permeated with Scripture. The Lord considers you a living stone and has awarded you His very voice to mold and shape your life for the precise position in the wall of His church.

For us to adopt who we are in Christ, we must also intentionally foster a relationship with God’s Word. The Lord wants us to cherish and love it in the same manner in which we adore Him. God yearns for continual growth with Him in our spiritual pathway to maturity, therefore He grants us the Bible as a guide in life.

Scripture aids to distinguish who we are in the Lord and assists in deeply grasping the character of whom we deposit our trust. God deliberately utilizes Scripture to reveal Himself. It is through this discovery, we find His attributes, cling to His promises, and uncover His advice to build our faith and develop an unshakable hope in Him. The Bible can firmly solidify who we are in Christ.

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.” Luke 12:31-32 (NLT)

How would you describe the purpose of Scripture and how it defines you?

February 26, 2023 0