God has a personal message for you..are you listening to what He has to say?

Being a Christian is not a one time choice. It is not just about a prayer, a walk down the aisle, or even trying to make the "right" decisions rather than the "wrong" ones. It is a relationship. It grows, changes, and becomes complete as we continually seek God. Salvation is only the first step on our journey as a Christian. If you desire a relationship with God, you should hunger and thirst after Him. You should focus on the facts of God and strive for a knowledge of who He is. The same as we strive to learn about those things we are interested in, the same as we desire to spend time with those we love, the same as we desire of others let us desire even more to pursue our relationship with God!

Only 1% of professing Christians read their Bible daily. What a wake-up call that we are not living our lives as Christians to the full potential we are given. We are called to not only be "saved" we are called to be disciples. A disciple is "one who learns." How are we to know what our faith is based in if we do not have a concrete understanding of the Word of God? How can we defend our beliefs if we do not even know what they are?

Psalms 1:1-4 says "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law (teachings) of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." We are called to meditate on the scriptures day and night and surround ourselves with people who are meditating on the Word also.

Psalms 119:11 "I have stored up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." How are we to commit scriptures to memory and be able to recall them when necessary if we are not studying them? 2 Timothy 3 speaks such truth about the importance of studying, committing to memory, and living out the scriptures. Look over the chapter (it's short, only 17 verses so it won't take long!) when you can, but right now I want to focus on 16-17 "All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." What a clear message about the purpose and importance of scripture! We are to study the scriptures to learn His ways, to see the wrong in our lives and to be able to correct it, and to grow in righteousness. All of this is to prepare us to live our lives as Christians.

The most important aspect to daily studying the scripture is the personal aspect of Scripture. Do not just rely on the teachings of scripture from your pastors and group leaders.

A) Not all pastors teach Biblical truths. It is very easy to treat the Bible like a buffet by picking and choosing which scriptures "fit" your personal belief system. 2 Timothy accurately describes many of today's teachers. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 "For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead to suit their own desires, they will gather round them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn aside from truth and turn aside to myth."
How are we to know what is true versus what is masquerading as truth if we do not study the scriptures in whole to judge the scriptures in context? How are we to learn God's truth if we do not allow Him to speak it to us in personal study and prayer?
B) God wants to meet us where we are. He desires to speak life into our circumstances through His Word. Every day we need to approach God with a heart that resounds Psalms 119:18 "Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderous things out of your law." My personal study of scripture is what has revealed the most to me. God knows where I am at in each season, and He knows what it is that I need to learn to get through that season.

Do not let the fear of not being able to understand the Word discourage you. Remember I John 2:27 says "But the anointing that you received in Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie--just as it has taught you, abide in Him." If we abide in Him and are seeking out His revelations it will be revealed to us. Matthew 7:7 says "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened unto you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks the door will be opened."

As Christians our most important resource is the Bible. We need to be seeking to know God more every day and the easiest and most crucial way to do this is through scripture. Take time each day to hear the words God has for you! Just as you set aside time each day to strengthen your relationship with your children, your spouse, and your friends do not forget to set aside time to strengthen  your relationship with your Creator!