How to Study the BibleSample

# God’s Word Is Alive By now, you have read several times that I believe God’s Word is alive and can change your life. But how? On a practical, personal level, how do the words of Scripture work in our lives? All through the Bible, we can read how its truths work in us. * Jeremiah 23:29 says it is like a hammer that can break even the most stubborn rocks into pieces. (There is no problem too big or difficult that God can’t break!) * Ephesians 5:26 tells us it is like water that washes the filth of the world off of us. * Psalm 119:105 teaches us the Word shows us which way to go because it is "a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." * Hebrews 4:12 tells us the Word of God is sharp and powerful and quick like a two- edged sword, dividing issues, exposing motives and purposes, and revealing our hearts. * John 8:31, 32 teaches us that as we continue in God's Word, we will know the truth and the truth will set us free. You see, the Word reveals to us our motives and shows us our true selves. For instance, it can help us realize when we are doing certain things because we are proud, jealous, angry or simply not loving others the way we could. Or we may discover that we are doing things for the wrong reasons—out of insecurity or fear of what someone else thinks. These are all good things! Because once we understand our motives, then God can help us change! Psalm 119:11 (NIV) says, I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against You . If we “hide” the Word in our hearts (by spending time reading and studying it), then when we need to make any number of decisions in our daily lives, the Word will arise within us and compel us to use its wisdom. I love Isaiah 55:11 because it reminds us that God’s Word is working in our lives. It says, So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth; it shall not return to me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it (AMPC). Maybe today you are dealing with a long-standing issue that seems impossible to conquer—a bad habit, an addiction, selfishness, or anything else that is making your life difficult. The truth is, on your own, you can’t conquer it. But God can. As you read and study His Word, it has the power to do what you cannot do. I challenge you to approach God’s Word with an expectancy that it can and will change your life. Whatever you are going through, pray and give it to God—let Him know that He is the only one who can turn things around. As you do—as you continue to spend time in His Word—you will slowly but surely see changes in every area of your life. Pray: “God, Your Word is alive, and it has the power to change my life. So, right now, I commit myself to You—all of my difficulties and weaknesses—and I ask You to transform me as I read and study Your Word. I can’t do it alone, but You have the power to do what I can’t. Thank You for the work You have already begun in my life! In Jesus’ name, amen.”