walking in line with the word

Day Two:  Walking INLINE with the Word by Maggie Venn

Pray: Jesus, I ask that you show me something personal in my study today.  I want to hear you speak directly to me about my life and what you have for me.  I believe that you speak to those who believe in you and have a relationship with you.  So, today, I open my heart, ears and eyes to your will.  Speak to me, Lord!

I am sharing verses from The Message translation in this study but, feel free to read from which ever translation you are most comfortable.  It might be useful to have a notebook handy to jot your thoughts and answer some questions listed below.

Read:  John 14:21 (The Message):
21“The person who knows my commandments and keeps them, that’s who loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and make myself plain to him.”

Psalm 119:97-105 (The Message):
97-104 Oh, how I love all you’ve revealed;
I reverently ponder it all the day long.
Your commands give me an edge on my enemies;
they never become obsolete.
I’ve even become smarter than my teachers
since I’ve pondered and absorbed your counsel.
I’ve become wiser than the wise old sages
simply by doing what you tell me.
I watch my step, avoiding the ditches and ruts of evil
so I can spend all my time keeping your Word.
I never make detours from the route you laid out;
you gave me such good directions.
Your words are so choice, so tasty;
I prefer them to the best home cooking.
With your instruction, I understand life;

Psalm 119:9-16 (The Message):
9-16 How can a young person live a clean life?
By carefully reading the map of your Word.
I’m single-minded in pursuit of you;
don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted.
I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart
so I won’t sin myself bankrupt.
Be blessed, God;
train me in your ways of wise living.
I’ll transfer to my lips
all the counsel that comes from your mouth;
I delight far more in what you tell me about living
than in gathering a pile of riches.
I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you,
I attentively watch how you’ve done it.
I relish everything you’ve told me of life,
I won’t forget a word of it.

Study:  Wow!  Do you hear David’s passion and love for God’s Word in these Psalms?  Amazing!  We often forget that the people in the Bible were just average people.  People just like us!  They just did what God asked of them.  John Eldredge says, “The Bible is full of examples, not exceptions.”  Let’s allow David to be our example in his devotion to the Word of God.

Jesus compared obeying His commandments or the Word with loving Him.  So often we wonder if we are showing Jesus that we love Him.  Well, He tells us right here in the book of John how to love Him…obey His Word.

Pray and ask God to give you a heart to love and understand His Word!

Sometimes, getting into the Bible may seem a little overwhelming.  Because of that, we would like to offer you a method or roadmap, if you will, to help you get the most out of your personal Bible time with God.

Just as a roadmap shows us where to go, we believe that the Bible shows us how to have a relationship with God and how to follow His perfect plan for our lives.  The roadmap we want to share with you is the H-E-A-R-T Bible study (adapted from Harvest Bible Church). 

H - Hear the scripture.  Read the scripture aloud so that you can hear it.  Next, rewrite, sing or pray the scripture - either verbatim or in your own words.  Sometimes it helps to replace your name for the name in the text.  If the text is long, look for words and verses that really are speaking to you and write them down.  This will help mark or place the scripture in your heart and mind.  Psalm 119:11 I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart.

E - Encounter.  Let your mind circle around the text.  Ask God, “Lord, what is it You want me to learn from this scripture?”  Begin to listen to God.  Let Him guide you.  Get silent and wait on Him.  Write down what He gives you from the scripture.  Psalm 119:99-100 I’ve even become smarter than my teachers since I’ve pondered and absorbed your counsel.  I’ve become wiser than the wise old sages simply by doing what you tell me.

A - Apply.  Ask yourself, “How does this scripture apply to my life?”  This is an opportunity for you to inwardly digest the scripture while looking for:
- Promises to claim
- Attitudes to change
- Challenges to accept
- Sins to confess
- Commands to obey
- Actions to take
- Examples to follow
- Skills to learn

Psalm 119:9-10 How can a young person live a clean life?  By carefully reading the map of your Word.  I’m single-minded in pursuit of you; don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted.

R - Response.  Determine to respond to what God has shown you by asking yourself,” What in my live do I need to give over to God?”  Or simply enjoy what God is speaking to you through the Word and tell Him, “Jesus, it is so nice to be with you and hear from you today.”  Every day, you have an opportunity to discover God and subsequently respond to Him in life-changing ways.  Psalm 119:12 Be blessed, God; train me in your ways of wise living.

T - Transforming your life.  As you end your Bible study time, pray, “Lord, I have received and thought about your Word to me; now, help me to follow you.”  Psalm 119:105 With your instruction, I understand life.

Apply:  Choose one of the scriptures above and use the steps in the H-E-A-R-T method to study it.  In your notebook or journal, write the letters (H-E-A-R-T) separated by space to make notes as you study.  Take the time to write your thoughts as you practice the H-E-A-R-T study method. 

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