Continuing In The Word

Continuing In The Word

I’ve been preaching recently from the platform of Acts 2:42 where Luke =
tells us that the newly birthed church quickly established a pattern of =
“diligent discipline” in four basic areas . . . . things I like to call =
the pillars of successful church life. I think I’ve written about these =
in the past. They are Doctrine (or teaching), Fellowship, Breaking of =
Bread (worship via Lord’s supper, Love feast, etc.), and Prayer. =
Following my initial sermon, I felt prompted to further develop each of =
those four areas, so, for the past three Sundays prior to yesterday when =
I was out of the pulpit I did just that.

In the process, the Lord prompted me of some very simple and fundamental =
disciplines as regarding “Continuing In The Word”. For some strange =
reason, I feel I need to share these seven simple disciplines with you. =
I don’t know, . . . . maybe it’s so you can pass them on to someone =
else, or maybe you need to be encouraged in them yourself. I do know =
that, if you take serious and unrushed note of them, you’ll probably =
find at least one which you need to develop and practice further. I =
know I did, even after 59 years of following Christ and 47 years of =
vocational ministry. (You’d think I’d have it down “pat” by now, but =
apparently I don’t.)

So, . . . . How about these simple and practical disciplines to aid us =
in our continuing “walk with the Lord in the light of His word”?

1. Read it. Well! How basic! And yet how neglected. Everybody, even =
   an unbeliever!, knows that.

   Since we do, then let’s make a little more practical. Knowing we should =
   (and we must if we intend to be of much use to the Lord), then let’s =
   ask, “How long?” Or, “How much?” Or, “What part?”

   Well, that depends. It depends on whether or not you want to read the =
   Bible through in its entirety or just pick and choose like you’re at a =
   cafeteria. It also depends on your understanding of how a simple =
   reading of the Bible benefits you. If you examine scriptures you find =
   examples of reading scripture through in large chunks (such as with =
   Ezra, Solomon, and others), and you also see it used in smaller portions =
   (such as when Jesus announced His public ministry in the synagogue).

   As you may recall, one of my father’s favorite statements is, “what food =
   is to the body, the Bible is to the soul.” He then goes on to explain =
   the necessity of eating the spinach and peas as well as the steak, =
   potatoes, and ice cream. Most of us head for Psalms, Ephesians, or =
   maybe John or Romans, but avoid Leviticus or some of the “begat” =
   sections of genealogies.

   Dad points out, however, that some of the most nutritional foods are the =
   most distasteful . . . . or tasteless. It may be the same with the =
   Bible.

   So, “what” to read is simple to answer . . . . All of it.

   Your answer to “how long” or “how much” depends on the level to which =
   you want to immerse yourself in God’s Word. If you just want to dip =
   your toe in it, it won’t take long. If you want to wade around a bit, =
   probably ten to fifteen minutes a day of concentrated reading. But, if =
   you want to immerse yourself in it and soak up everything you can, then =
   you’re looking at substantially more time.

   The point is, however, that the first step to growing through the Word =
   is simple . . . . you’ve got to read it.

2. Meditate on it. This is a great word that takes you a step further =
   into reading it alone. It comes from a couple of Hebrew and Greek words =
   that essentially mean to ruminate God’s Word. Moses instructed Israel =
   to do so in Deuteronomy. Joshua made it clear to meditate on God’s Word =
   day and night (1:8). The Psalmist describes the person who mediates on =
   the law of the Lord will be blessed (1:2). The word appears at least =
   four times in Psalm 119. In verse 97 it is linked inseparably to the =
   acquisition of wisdom.

   What does it mean to “ruminate” God’s Word? I suppose words like =
   “ponder”, “consider”, “think about”, “concentrate on” come as close as =
   any in the English language. However, a picture from my childhood on =
   the farm helps me understand it a little more thoroughly I believe. =
   After cattle had eaten the grass or hay, they would contentedly lie down =
   and “chew the cud”. What I didn’t know at the time is that they were =
   “meditating” or “ruminating”. They had initially eaten (read), but they =
   were going a step further . . . . they were bring it up again from one =
   of their stomachs and re-eating it.

   To us that sounds repulsive, but it is essential to the life and health =
   of a cow. So is meditating on the Word of God to the believer. And =
   when we don’t do that, we become spiritually “ill” from incomplete =
   digestion and inadequate nutrition. Just as rumination to cattle is a =
   part of good health, so is meditation to the Christian. It takes more =
   than one reading at one sitting to absorb all God is wanting to say. =
   Just as rumination is actually a part of the digestive process to =
   cattle, so is meditation to the Christian. We need time to digest, =
   think about it, ponder it, bring it up again and think about it some =
   more, contemplate what God said, . . . . and . . . . what He’s saying to =
   us at that moment.

3. Memorize it. I am a terrible memorizer. My survival Russian =
   classes have proven that beyond a doubt. It helps to read it and =
   meditate on this complicated language as well. So it is with God’s =
   Word. The next logical step to being fed from God’s Word is to follow =
   up the reading and meditating with memorizing. Doing so does at least =
   three very important things . . . probably more.

   First, it keeps you from sin. The Psalmist declared in 119:111 that he =
   had kept in his heart (memorized) God’s Word in order that he might not =
   sin against God. My Dad wrote in all his Bibles, “Sin will keep you =
   from this book; this book will keep you from sin.”

   Secondly, it guarantees weaponry in times of spiritual battle. The =
   writer of Hebrews made it clear that the Word of God is a weapon sharper =
   than any sword man has ever made. Paul identifies it clearly as a =
   weapon for battle in Ephesians 6. Some theologs believe that John’s =
   reverence in Revelation 12:11 refers not to the word of their own =
   testimony but rather the word of God that was imbedded in their =
   testimony. An interesting thought.

   Third, it provides you with the resource of God’s Word when you are =
   called on to give an account of the faith that is in you. Scripture =
   assures us that the Holy Spirit will call all things to our remembrance =
   as we need them. In order to remember, you must first know . . . . it =
   must be in your mind. So, . . . memorize scripture; you’ll be glad you =
   did.

4. Study it. Acts 17 tells us that the Bereans were more noble minded =
   than the Thessalonians because “they searched the scriptures daily to =
   see if these things be true.” There is a time and place to delve deeply =
   into the Word of Truth. Paul urged young pastor Timothy to “Study to =
   show yourself a worthy and approved workman that will not be ashamed =
   because you have the insight to divide and explain the truth =
   accurately.” (My transliteration, of course.)

   I love to do word studies as they pertain to lengthy passages of =
   scripture. I also love to teach and preach expositorily through books =
   of the Bible. I cannot tell you how studying books such as Ephesians, =
   Romans, Joshua, Mark, John, I John, Philippians, Colossians, and others =
   has enriched my life and given me understanding. I also love to do =
   topical preaching that comes out of studying a particular subject and =
   searching God’s Word to find out everything it says about that subject. =

   I cannot imagine either preaching or simply living without extensive =
   amounts of time poring over, searching, examining, and comparing the =
   Word of God to itself. That’s when you discover the diamonds and the =
   veins of gold. It’s one thing to pick them up along the streams among =
   the rocks; it’s quite another to get out your pick and shovel and start =
   digging. Digging is harder work, but the rewards are greater. The =
   question is not how hard do you want to work, but how rich do you want =
   to be. The more you crave, the more you’ll slave.

5. Obey it. The late Ron Dunn once said, “you only believe the part of =
   the Bible you obey.” He may well be true. Our level of obedience to =
   the Word betrays our level of love for the Lord and for His Word. Jesus =
   said, “if you love Me, you’ll keep My commandments.” It holds true =
   today. Moses told the people of God more than once that obedience to =
   God’s Law was a prerequisite to receiving His blessing and being =
   successful in that to which He had called them. One example is Deut =
   4:1-2 —- “Hear now, O Israel, the decrees and laws I am about to teach =
   you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession =
   of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you. . . . =
   keep the commands of the Lord you God that I give you.”

   I cannot even begin to reference all the times the word “do”, “obey”, =
   “keep”, “observe” and others are used just in that book alone. Imagine =
   how many times they are used through the Bible. Moses said again in =
   Deuteronomy 6:3, “. . . be careful to obey . . .” Joshua declared in =
   1:8, that the primary reason for meditating on God’s Word was so that ” =
   . . . you may be careful to do everything written in it.”

6. Speak it. Joshua also said, “Do not let the word of this law =
   depart from your Mouth . . .” It becomes clear we are to vocally use =
   God’s Word. That’s one of the reasons for memorizing and for studying =
   it. In Dueteronomy 6:7 Moses told Israel to “. . . talk about them when =
   you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and =
   when you get up.”

   I’ve wondered why we seem to relegate this commandment only to the =
   preaching, teaching, and evangelizing aspect when it is obvious we’re to =
   do it in virtually every other setting. When we have a meal together as =
   families, how much of our conversation includes quoting scripture? We =
   talk about everything else except God’s Word. Are we afraid? Do we =
   think it isn’t relevant? Why this neglect?

7. Write it. Moses commanded Israel in Deuteronomy 6:9 to “write them =
   on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.” I loved to see =
   scripture verses on the entry ways of homes we’d visit in America. As =
   long as I can remember there was at least one scripture plaque in each =
   room of our house when I was growing up. That’s a form of “writing” it. =
   One of my great blessings comes from receiving letters and e-mails from =
   friends and family who have had an impression from the Lord to drop a =
   note with a specific passage of scripture included. Some people have =
   checks with scripture on them. I’ve seen many letters and cards come =
   our way with scripture labels attached. One of my favorite things has =
   been to see giant billboards along streets and highways with scripture =
   quotes on them.

   Yet, the simple act of writing passages of scripture in a notebook or =
   personal journal seems to have a specific impact on one’s life. I can’t =
   explain it, but I now that when I take time to write scripture out for =
   the eye to see (even like this with a computer), it does something to my =
   spirit. Since the eyes are the window to the soul, it may be that =
   simply seeing it in your own handwriting has some mystical impact on =
   your spiritual life. All I know is that it blesses you when you do it.

8. Teach it. Again, Moses instructed Israel to teach it (Deuteronomy =
   4:9; 6:7; etc.) . . . . especially to the children. In fact, he said it =
   more than once, even though once was enough.

   One of the great losses in most western countries is the blessing of =
   oral history and oral instruction. Some of my fondest memories come =
   from my paternal grandparents telling me stories of our past; some of my =
   greatest disappointments come from my maternal grandparents who never =
   told me anything about our past simply because they didn’t know much of =
   it themselves, and what little they did know they apparently didn’t =
   think was significant.

   When we teach the Word of God to our children, we are helping to create =
   a legacy. I praise God for my parents who diligently taught me God’s =
   Word. Some of my earliest recollections are of my Mother helping me =
   memorize scripture when I was just three years old, and of the three of =
   us sitting on the couch in Granite City, Illinois, as they taught me to =
   read from two sources . . . . Dick and Jane books, . . . . and the =
   Bible, which I could read with ease at age four. What I read or =
   memorized was always accompanied by an instructive explanation.

   Of course teaching it is also a part of the Great Commission, which =
   tells us that those who come to Christ, we are to “. . . . teach them to =
   observe to do all things . . . .” that we have been commanded.

   WONDERFUL BENEFITS:

   Well . . . . did you find any of those things where you need some =
   improvement? I certainly did. Now it behooves me to put my money where =
   my mouth is and become a “doer” of the Word.

   There are two distinct promises connected to how we treat and utilize =
   God’s Word. They are found in Joshua 1:8 and in Deuteronomy 6:1-7. Let =
   me list them quickly.

9. A deep sense of awe and respect for God (Deut 6:2b). It’s obvious =
   the connection between our relationship to God’s Word and to God =
   Himself. His Word is His revelation of Himself, His Description of His =
   Plan, and His Instruction for Our Living. We’ll never obey a God for =
   Whom we have little or no respect and awe. That’s why so many so-called =
   believers live like the Devil . . . . they listen more to him and fill =
   their minds more with his stuff than they do God’s Word.
10. An extension of life on this earth (Deut 6:2c). I don’t know how it =
    is, but there is a definite correlation between one’s attitude toward =
    God’s Word and longevity. In fact, many scientific studies have been =
    conducted about the relationship of spiritual things to health and life. =
    Without exception the studies reveal what the Bible explained centuries =
    ago . . . . spiritual ingredients such as faith, prayer, reading the =
    Bible, church attendance, giving, etc. all seem to improve health and =
    attitude, and also add years to one’s life expectancy. And just the =
    reverse is true as well . . . . the less spiritual influence, the =
    greater the risk of illness and disease, and the sorter the life span.
11. Life’s Experiences will be better (Deut 6:3a). Isn’t it amazing how =
    spending time in God’s Word seems to make life in general go better. =
    Remember the old Coca Cola add . . . . “Things go better with Coke”? =
    Wrong! Things go better with God’s Word. At least that what His Word =
    says, and I think He knows better than Coca Cola’s advertising agency.
12. Increase of family Deut 6:3b). Now there’s a novel idea. I wonder =
    if this helps explain why research shows that deeply religious people =
    seem to have larger families? It was years before I saw that statement. =
    Apparently God has promised us that, whether in literal physical =
    childbirth or in some other way, when we devote ourselves to His Word, =
    we will see increase. Maybe in family size, maybe in what we endeavor =
    to do, maybe in material possessions, maybe in ministry growth, . . . . =
    I don’t know. But the promise is clearly there, and we can expect =
    “increase” when we devote ourselves to God’s Word both in reading, =
    learning, and obeying.
13. Success in everything (Josh 1:7b). God has promised success, and =
    apparently proportionate to our obedience of His Word. Obviously that =
    doesn’t mean we simply arbitrarily pick a passage and decide we’re going =
    to obey that so we can be successful. Rather, it appears that success =
    is an assumed and expected byproduct of a heart devoted to obedience. =
    And, it doesn’t seem to make any difference where we may be. So that =
    means that both you and I can enjoy success even though we may live many =
    time zones apart.

    I do know this is true in the area of giving; I’ve seen it work over and =
    over again. It’s truly amazing. And, if it works in giving, then it =
    should work in every other aspect of life.

14. Prosperity (Josh 1:8b). Now don’t get fidgety! I’m not advocating =
    financial wealth. I am, however, adamantly saying that when God’s Word =
    is central in our lives in these practical ways, we will have, in every =
    area of time, talent, and treasure, all that we need for ourselves and =
    then some left over with which to bless others. That’s what my =
    definition is of prosperity . . . . “having enough to meet your needs =
    and then some left over for blessing others through obedience to God”.
15. God’s abiding presence (Josh 1:9b). God has promised to be with us =
    in special and practical ways through His Holy Spirit. What a thrill to =
    imagine that when I’m riding the Metro with all the smells and sounds I =
    described in earlier letters, God’s abiding presence is with me. What =
    an encouragement to remember that God showed up at language school, and =
    He created the language I’m trying to learn (PTL we have only three days =
    left of school after our return from Cyrpus!).

    In the darkest night or the brightest day, God is there. In fact, you =
    can read that in His own words as transcribed by David in Psalm 139.

    FINALLY:

    I hope these thoughts have encouraged you, my friend, to be a person of =
    the Word. It’s one thing to say we believe God’s Word; it’s quite =
    another to give practical application on a day by day basis, and to do =
    it in very simple but consequential ways. If you don’t particularly =
    need these suggestions, please pass them on to someone you may know who =
    does.

    Have a great week. Pray for us as we face five full days of meetings =
    with the 150 or so other missionaries who are ministering in Russian and =
    Ukrainian speaking countries.

    In His Bond and For His Kingdom,

    Bob Tolliver — Rom 1:11-12
    Copyright January, 2003
    Life Unlimited Ministries
    lifeunlimited@pobox.com

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    Bob Tolliver
    IBC – Hope4Kyiv
    lifeunlimited@pobox.com
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