May 7, 2004

Fully-Integrated Life:
“…holding fast the faithful word…”  (Titus 1:9)
(part two)

Last Sunday we talked about getting a grip on the Word….and letting the Word get a grip on you. 

For the next couple of days we will seek to apply the 5 ways that we get a grip on the Word as we seek to "Put It Into Practice."  

Let your hand help you remember these 5 ways to “Get A Grip on the Word.”  Start with the little finger and list these five things….one at a time:

       
• Hear the Word  (little finger)
• Read the Word  (ring)
• Study the Word  (middle)
• Memorize the Word  (index)
• Meditate on the Word  (thumb)

First, take an inventory.  What is your weakest area?  You probably already know before we talk about it, but let’s look at them one at a time.

HEAR THE WORD
You hear the Word on Sunday, right?  God has ordained the preaching of His Word for the good of His Church.  The Bible makes it clear; part of God’s design is the gifting of preachers and teachers in the Body of Christ.  These preaching and teaching gifts are for the good of the Body…

“for the equipping of the saints, unto the work of the ministry…”
(Eph 4:11-12)

We all need to be under the sound of the Word of God.  Hearing the Word is part of the way we get a grip on the word—and it gets a grip on us!

READ THE WORD
Yesterday we discussed reading from the Psalms and Proverbs every day (see archives).  You may also want to consider reading the Bible through in a year.  You can find a plan for this in many places (one place to consider is the Net Bible:  See  www.bible.org/bibleinayear.htm  ).

PUT IT INTO PRACTICE
Often, we begin the sermon by praying together:  “Lord God, speak to my heart.”  God wants to speak to your heart every time you hear His Word preached.

He also wants to speak to your heart every time you read His Word.  Never read the Bible just to “cover the material.”  Every time you open His Word pray:

Father,
Speak to my heart. 
In Jesus’ Name, Amen!