People of the Book
I love to start the New Year with a focus on things that are weighty and foundational. After all, if the foundation is correct, you can build something really spectacular.
That’s why I felt the Lord wanted us to kick-off this New Year with a strong pastoral challenge to be “people of the Book.” That phrase is one I heard from John Piper many years ago but it has always stuck with me. He writes:
“We are a people of the Book. We know God through the Book. We meet Christ in the Book. We see the cross in the Book. Our faith and love are kindled by the glorious truths of the Book. We have tasted the divine majesty of the Word and are persuaded that the Book is God’s inspired and infallible written revelation. Therefore, what the Book teaches matters.”
What this BOOK teaches matters. It really matters. Perhaps that is part of the reason the Lord invites us, even woos us, to read His words and promises to us. Consider this amazing promise from the Lord to Joshua.
“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”
Joshua 1:8, NLT
What an incredible challenge from the Lord. Who doesn’t want to prosper and succeed in 2017?!
But God gives us conditions. We must become “people of the Book.” Study it. Meditate upon its truth. And most importantly, obey what you have read!
Since what the Bible teaches matters, really matters, we must become people who…
LOVE it!
LEARNit!
LIVE it!
Let me ask you a question. Does God’s Word matter to you?
If it does, you’ll have a plan. You won’t approach the Scriptures in a random or casual manner. Because God’s Word matters, we must determine what that really looks like on a practical level.
Here’s a simple, yet practical idea to get you started.
Commit to reading through the entire Bible this year using a Bible Reading Plan. I use the One-Year Bible. You can choose from a variety of translations. What matters is that you have a daily plan for immersing yourself in God’s Word.
Become a person of the BOOK. Why…because it MATTERS!
I’m so excited you are doing this! The the Word spoken through you is so so relevent for the times we a living in.You are uncompromising.
Great encouragement for us all Ron! Knowing you for all these years, I would say you’re a “man of the Book!”
I want to be a “people of the book” too. I admit that I toyally struggle to find time to sit and soak in the Word. Never miss speaking to my God daily but to sit and soak in His Word is like a dream was added to my “when I retire list”. I just have never found a way to get that everyday quiet time discipline with God that I desire. Maybe I need to rethink what I expect that time to look like.
Awesome Job again Pastor ! Thank you for preaching THE TRUTH to us and for not sugar coating anything ….God bless you
Great hearing from you! Have an amazing year! Love you guys!
Yes….I love me bible plan. Thanks for truth Pastor….
Thank you for the encouragement….. That’s one of my hearts desire is to read God’s Word everyday. I want this to be a year that I experience God in a way I never have before. Deep calls the Deep!!! I want to go Deeper in the Word and greater Revelation than I’ve ever had before.
Ron, Blog my friend. Tom
Tom, Great hearing from you! Thanks for the encouragement!
Chrissy – thank you for the feedback! Have a great year of transformation in God’s Word!
Lauri – happy reading!
Melissa – thanks for the encouragement! Have an amazing year with Christ at the center!
Jean – I think you re on the right track! Rethink! You are not alone in your struggles. I believe it will be a powerful shift in your lifestyle with incredible fruit!
Mike – so good to hear from you! Treasure your friendship and praying for great blessings on you and God’s ministry through you!
Thanks for the constant encouragement, Diana! Love you and Joe!