Avizandam In Scots law, this term describes the careful consideration given by the judge before an important decision. Join me each week as we explore various topics from a spiritual perspective and take matters. Avise endum I'm constantly encouraging people to read their Bibles. I remind my fellow pastors and elders to keep reading the Word of God. Most of us don't know our Bibles well enough.
And there's always the danger that those of us who preach and teach only read our Bibles to prepare for a sermon or class. That's a serious mistake. I am sometimes asked about my own method of reading the Bible. First of all, we must daily be reading the word. of God.
Jesus, quoting the Old Testament, said, Man, shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Notice the high view Jesus has of the Old Testament. It comes, he says, from the mouth of God. That is, it's the word of God. When the Bible speaks God is speaking.
Jesus also refers to every word that comes from the mouth of God. That means If we're serious about the scriptures, we read all of it. Yes, every word. All of Scripture comes from the mouth of God, not just our favorite passages. Man shall not live by bread alone.
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. This verb comes is in the present tense. This is a brilliant truth for us. Holy Scripture is not just words on a page written hundreds and thousands of years ago. Scripture comes, that is, is coming from the mouth of God.
This is a truth to bear in mind when we're reading our Bible, which is living, powerful. eternal, relevant, sufficient, and comes from the mouth of God. If we believe this, opening our Bibles and reading the Word of God should be the highlight of our day. We live physically by the physical food that we eat. Our spiritual life and growth comes from the Word of God.
It is food for Footer soul. and as we read the Word of God our faith is deepened. For faith comes by hearing. and hearing through the Word of Christ. That's what Paul says in Romans ten, verse seventeen.
In my own reading of the Bible, I I followed various methods. The Daily Reading Plan of Robert Murray McShane has been very helpful. If you follow his plan, you will read all of the Old Testament once a year. And you will have read Psalms, Proverbs, and all of the New Testament twice a year. That amounts to reading roughly four chapters per day.
Now, if you're young in the faith or are out of the way of reading Scripture, I'm not advocating you follow Robert Murray McShane's plan right away. At the moment I'm following my own plan. I bought a new Bible in August of last year. By August this year, Lord willing. I will have read all of the Old Testament books at least once.
Psalms a couple of times, and all of the New Testament at least twice. This requires discipline. We don't necessarily feel like reading our Bibles every day. But as we pray, as we open the sacred pages of Scripture, We remind ourselves that we're reading the very Word of God. We will marvel at its truths.
we'll find the strength and wisdom we need for that day. And we'll have the exhilarating experience of possibly sharing a verse we've read with someone. or applying a verse we've learned that day to a particular circumstance or challenge we're facing. Yes, the Bible is living. and powerful.
Reading all of Scripture helps us to have a balanced view of God's truth. And to praise God that all of Scripture is pointing. To our Lord Jesus Christ. We will also see the progress of Revelation. From the creation in Genesis and the fall to the recreation and revelation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
So, I'm a firm believer in reading the Bible not only intensely, that's the details, but also extensively. And then we will better understand the drama of redemption throughout Scripture. When I'm preparing to preach or teach, obviously I study that particular passage in much more detail and depth. I will consider the context of the passage. and its interfacing with the preceding and following passages in the overall theme and argument of the book.
And before preaching to others, it's very necessary. that I apply the truths of the text to myself. In the last ten years or so I've formed the habit of buying a new Bible every year. or two Bibles in three years. I love getting a new Bible.
As I read I underline verses which are important and which nourish my soul. Underlying Scripture helps me to concentrate and to compare Scripture with Scripture. Daily reading of Scripture nourishes my soul. God's word then is hidden in my heart that I may not sin against the Lord. Psalm 119, verse 11.
Yes. there are days when I may struggle in reading Scripture. but I can honestly say I delight in the word of God. It's my highest privilege to ask others to open your Bibles. as I preach the unsearchable riches of Christ.
So every day read the word of God. If you're a beginner, just read a few verses or a chapter. And don't allow what you do not understand to distract you from what you do understand. Keep praying that the Spirit of God will teach you. And remember Man shall not live by bread alone.
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. If you don't have a Bible, get one. If it's old and falling apart, get a new one. It will be a fresh start. you'll enjoy writing a note on it or underlining a verse.
and you will grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Keep reading. The word of God each day. Remember, it comes from the mouth of God. Avizando.
You're listening to the weekly Avizandam podcast from The Verdict, featuring Pastor John Monroe. John is Senior Pastor at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Listen to John's daily program, The Verdict, on broadcast radio or major podcast platforms. For more information about the Verdict Ministry, visit us online at calvarychurch.com/slash the verdict.
