But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” — Matthew 4:4 (ESV)
Last Sunday I was getting ready to preach in a church in Mexico. As I was meditating on the message, the Holy Spirit said, “Give them four chapters to begin their devotional life.” I took that to mean there would be young believers there who were not yet in the habit of reading their Bible. Some just didn’t know how to start. The Holy Spirit gave me a plan to help them. It might help you, too.
As I began the message, I asked, “How many of you read your Bible every day?” About half raised their hands. I encouraged the others that regular feeding on the Word is an important part of living in the Kingdom of God. It brings faith (Romans 10:17). It’s essential to sanctification (John 17:17). You can’t grow without it (1 Peter 2:2). The Word of God is the number-one weapon in your arsenal for fighting the forces of darkness (Ephesians 6:17). Without it, you’re a sitting duck!
The Lord gave me four chapters, one in each Gospel, beginning with John and working backward to Matthew. They provide a simple pathway to jump-start your time in the Word. Here are the chapters He gave me, each with a little glimpse of the contents:
- John 3. Man’s problem: our hearts need to be changed, and we can’t do it ourselves. God’s solution: Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
- Luke 14. What it takes to be a real disciple of Jesus Christ.
- Mark 4. How the Kingdom of God works.
- Matthew 28. The resurrection of Jesus and His instructions to His disciples.
Here’s the plan:
- Block time each day. If it’s ten minutes, that’s OK.
- Get your Bible (use a translation you can understand). Have a pen and something to write on.
- Get quiet, breathe deep, and ask God to teach you something. Pray like this before you read: “Lord, teach me Your Word. It is my daily bread.”
- Don’t get in a hurry. Read slowly. You’ve got eternity to finish.
- Think about how you might apply what you’re reading. I try to ask myself, “If this is true, then what should I be doing about it?”
- Write down anything that seems important or useful.
- Note anything you want to learn more about. That list will give you direction when you have finished these chapters.
Have a great time in the Word. The benefits are truly life-altering.
My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Proverbs 4:20–22
vls
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