IN LOVE WITH THE WORD

All Scripture is inspired by God

and profitable for teaching, for

reproof, for correction,

for training in
righteousness;
so that the man of God may be
adequate, equipped for every
good work.
II Timothy 3:16,17

There is no way I can count all the Bible conferences I have attended in my lifetime. I remember returning home after those “mountain-top” times with the Lord. Some meant more in my life than others did, but sure each one contributed a certain amount of spiritual growth for me at the time. Through the years, those conferences moved from being with high school student / student retreats. Those two were life changing.

For women, there are any number of retreats and conferences available they can participate in as often as they would like to. Some people attend those things because they are enjoyable and give a quick shot of spirituality. For others it may mean a salvation experience or re-dedication of a life that has perhaps run off of spiritual tracks. I like to think that these experiences are beneficial in a more mature way than when in high school. As an adult, the stakes are really high when it comes to our spiritual growth. More people count on our spiritual influence than we can consider.

Brian and I just returned from a wonderful five-day seminar at the Billy Graham Training Center (The Cove) where we were taught by Dr. Woodrow Kroll who for several years was the president and daily teacher on the Back to the Bible radio broadcast. Our topic was to do with do with experiencing the power of God's Word.

The first few session really blew me away. They didn't seem to deal with the Bible at all. We started out with our belief in God, how we know there is a God, how God speaks to us and how God spoke through His Son. I must say to you that it's been a very long time I thought in these elementary ways, especially talking about how we felt about God. What DO we think about God? I don't mean just listing His attributes. Person to person, what do I think about Him and how engaged am I with Him.

These times would lead us through many phases of looking at the Bible...what it is, what it does and how did we get it in the first place. I know it all seems Sunday school-ish but we got down to some things I hadn't thought of in years.

For instance, our leader held up is Bible and simply said:

“This is the only book God ever wrote.
I think He would be happy if we would read it.”

Another thought he had to share was that of our concern for people in distant countries who have no access to the Word of God; and yet, in many Christian homes, the Bible is the main decoration on coffee tables that are never read. Better to be without a Bible than to have one or more in our possession that is never read.

With that we were challenged to consider that our Bibles are the only way to know God and not reading it is going to affect how we feel about God and how well we know Him. We also heard over and over that the Word is God's spoken Word, actually words from His mouth to the prophets and others in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, He spoke through His Son and Spirit. We're not talking about mental telepathy in the formation of the Bible. God spoke verbally, word by word, what He wanted His Word to say, using Godly men to receive the words, doing what writing God wanted. but spoken words that make up the precious book we call the Holy Bible.

I have a renewed appreciation for this precious book I so often take for granted, but at this point want to take it in a more personal way...God's spoken words through others straight to me. When I get to Heaven, I'm convinced a question could possibly be asked of all of and it could be: “What did you do with My Word? Did you read it and follow my commands? Did it you make a habit of reading it or did it just sit on your bookshelf?” I believe God will hole us accountable for our treatment or mistreatment of His Word and how we made it a part of our every day living and loving.

Father, I'm so grateful You SPOKE the words of Your book. I recognize it's the only book that tells me about You. Your book is THE source of my knowing You and learning from You. Thank You for your Holy Spirit, Who teaches all you want me to know. May I be willing to walk in obedience and love as I know You desire. In Jesus name....Amen