The importance and value of spending time in God's word

The importance and value of spending time in God's word

Friends, this world is a busy place with many distractions that have no value in the context of the spiritual and eternal things we have been called to. We are instructed to walk by faith, not by sight. Faith is the knowledge and spirit one gains when spending time in the written word of God, which as Jesus says, is God's Spirit and life, Jn.6:63. In addition, it is the truth and the wisdom of God, and the ONLY thing in this world that can help us escape the vanity and voidness of this shadow of reality.

I'm not trying to be poetic or dramatic. I am absolutely serious. If we deny ourselves time in our God-given doctrine, Romans to Philemon, our minds veer quickly back into carnal behaviours which is at enmity with God. We deny ourselves the strength and fortitude of a sound mind, we deny ourselves the peace and comfort of God's promises, and we deny ourselves the knowledge of God's will and the opportunity to walk in the spirit and power that God affords us through that knowledge.

This is a simple reminder and heartful encouragement, to use the opportunities you have to spend time in God's word, and fill your spirit with the nourishment it needs, not only to take hold of this temporary day, but to prepare oneself for the reality of an eternal life in the ages to come, where those with a renewed mind and transformed heart in the word and will of God, will share in increasing reward and glory in the government of the heavens under Christ. Paul emphasises the benefits of knowing and living by God's word by writing the following to Timothy,

"For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.", 1Tim.4:8.

Allow me to inspire you by this list of 10 passages from Paul's epistles that encourage the validity of a steady intake of God's spirit and truth and to keep your minds on things of greater value and purpose than what this world has to offer.

Romans 12:2 - "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." 

2 Timothy 2:15 - "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Colossians 3:16 - "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

Ephesians 5:15-17 - "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is."

Philippians 4:8 - "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

1 Corinthians 2:12-13 - "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual."

2 Corinthians 10:5 - "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

1 Timothy 4:13 - "Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine."

Ephesians 6:17 - "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

Romans 15:4 - "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."

God bless.