Making the Bible a Part of Your Everyday Life

Some Suggestions from Pastor Beetham.

How can people apply the Word of God to their life?

I think it is important to slow down and zoom in. What I mean is that once you have read the Bible or a book of the Bible, it is important not to rush past it. There is a beautiful place for focusing in on one verse at a time, after you are familiar with its context. Then you can meditate (literally slow down and say it to yourself over and over again, either out loud or silently). Memorizing verses is so helpful. And I find quality Christian books (not just the more academic ones like theology, but also very practical ones) to be hugely beneficial. God gave his church teachers to help edify his church. Books are much like those teachers God gave us. We need to make sure the authors we are reading for those purposes are sound (not all “Christian” authors are sound), but when we find them, and there are many good ones, we can dive in and benefit so much from them!

Finally, reading with prayer is essential. Bible study or Christian reading needs to be bathed in prayer if it is to have any life-changing power. We need to express our dependence on God’s Spirit as we read if we truly want to be changed. That goes full circle to what I said at first to begin these questions and answers: Apart from God, I can do nothing. But if we abide in him through prayer and his Word, we will bear much fruit in our lives!

Why is the Word of God important to the believer in Christ?

In John 15:5, Jesus tells us, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”  We learn there that he abides in us through his word, and we abide in him by depending on him through prayer. Without the word and prayer, I can do nothing! Wow, that is humbling. But I have over many years found it to be true. But when I am saturated in God’s word and in prayer, I find that he moves mightily in my life and bears much fruit in me! So, there is a power in the Word of God! This power is available to us seven days a week if we will connect with his word and depend on him in prayer.