Authentic Bible Study From James MacDonaldSample

Eat It Up

It’s not enough to hold the Bible, or just pick it up. You might say, "I carry my Bible with me everywhere I go. I have one in my purse and my glove compartment." We must live every day with the truth that God’s Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

You have to eat it up. I have quoted many times my life verse which is Jeremiah 15:16. “Your words were found,” (by me, a rebellious, nineteen-year-old student), “and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart.” I long for every person reading this to have that experience. But you have to eat it up first. You must consume it! That’s pretty straightforward.

Read it. And when you start, open with a brief word of prayer.

Question it. Now, I don’t mean object to it, I mean question it. Ask these questions as you read:

Is there an example here for me to follow?
Is there a sin for me to confess?
Is there a truth for me to understand?
Is there a comfort for me to embrace?

Plan it. Make a time for it. Have a goal to read consistently. Tell someone to hold you accountable for being in His Word everyday. Plan it into your schedule.

Pray it. Pray what Scripture says. And then when you’re done reading it and praying it, thank the Lord for speaking to you through His Word.

And share it. Take someone aside and say, "I got this out of the Word today. God really showed me today about . . ."

Will you get into God’s Word today? Will you dig into it afresh? We are not authentic Christians if we are not regularly connected to the Word of God.

Prayer – Pursue me by Your Spirit this week, God. Every morning when I wake up, stir it within me, God, to pick up Your Word, size up its value, and eat it up. Feed me on Your Word and help me as I develop this discipline of a sincere faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.