Women of the Word

Since we are women who are "not of this world", we need to be women of the WORD.  This book by Jen Wilkin inspired today's devotion.

https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B00IFG0844&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_1hJ.xbY1850Q4

Studying the Bible is so important in the life of a Christian because it keeps us firmly planted in God.
Personally, I love studying the Bible.  I find it so interesting, and I can't get enough of it.  However, it hasn't always been that way for me.  When I was young, I felt as if reading my Bible was a burden, and I knew Bible stories and some scriptures, but I didn't understand it.  It hadn't gotten to my heart.  As I've gotten older, the Bible has come alive to me.  The more I read and understand it, the more I love God, and the more I love God, the more I want to read His word.

Romans 15:4New Living Translation (NLT)

4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

2 Timothy 3:16-17New Living Translation (NLT)

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Hebrews 4:12New Living Translation (NLT)

12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Romans 10:17New Living Translation (NLT)

17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

I was always pretty bored in school.  The subject matter didn't interest me much, so it was really hard for to want to study.  But now as an adult, it is one of my favorite things to study the Bible.  I think when it comes to studying something, you have to want to learn it.  It has to grab your interest.  When you know the Lord, and have experienced His greatness, it becomes easy to want to know more about Him.  But I also remember a time that I was not as excited about Bible study, and so here are a couple things I have found useful to getting excited about the Bible.

1.  Get a good study Bible - in a version that you can understand.  Here are some good ones:

https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B005FD3X6U&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_EpJ.xbTCVCJ8D

https://www.amazon.com/Study-Bible-Personal-Paperback-Letter/dp/0310437334/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476277258&sr=8-1&keywords=niv+study+bible

2. Find out some background.  This is a great book that you can carry with you, but there are numerous books out there on studying the Bible.  It helps me a lot to know some of the historical background of the Bible and who is writing each book, and who they are writing to.

https://www.amazon.com/Know-Your-Bible-Explained-Applied/dp/1602600155/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1476277358&sr=1-1&keywords=know+your+bible

3. Memorize Scripture that applies to you and your life.  Use a 3x5 card pad, and jot down favorite scriptures, ones that speak to you, and when you need a scripture to "take every thought captive", whip out your 3x5 pad and there you have it!  Keep it with you at all times.

4. Find a good devotional.  This one is my favorite: https://www.amazon.com/My-Utmost-His-Highest-Paperback/dp/1572937718/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1476277443&sr=1-1&keywords=my+utmost+for+his+highest

5. Keep a bible with you at all times - on your phone: check out the Bible App!  In your purse - read when waiting at the pharmacy, doctor's office, etc.

6. Ask questions and Google.  https://www.gotquestions.org/ is a website where you can ask Bible questions and get great articles on almost every topic!  To Every Man an Answer is a call-in radio show that you can get on podcast.  They answer all kinds of great Bible questions.

7. Look for books about the Bible that pertain to your season of life.  Like we do here at PWOC.

8. Use a commentary or read the Bible in different versions.  A lot of people like to read The Message Bible.  It is like a commentary but you can read a verse in NIV or NLT and then look it up in The Message.  It is plain language that helps you to understand the idea being conveyed more clearly.

https://www.amazon.com/Message-REMIX-Paperback-Wood-Contemporary/dp/1617479497/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1476277711&sr=1-3&keywords=the+message+bible

Our theme verse, Romans 12:2 tells us to "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind", and how else are we to do this, but by reading, studying, and absorbing the word of God?  The thing is, you cannot just merely read and memorize the Bible.  You have to apply it.  You have to let it sink into your heart, and believe that there is truth in these words.  You will never be changed if you don't believe God is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do.  And we cannot start thinking and living the way God wants us to without knowing who God is, and without this book, we can only get so far.

Psalm 119:11New Living Translation (NLT)

11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

We need to hide the word in our hearts.  The more we learn it, the more we live it, the more we will believe it, and it will become a part of us.  We will have to work less at the things of God, because we are already becoming more like Him.

Isaiah 55:10-11New Living Translation (NLT)

10 “The rain and snow come down from the heavens
    and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
    producing seed for the farmer
    and bread for the hungry.
11 It is the same with my word.
    I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
    and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

God's word never returns void.  Therefore, it will never be a waste of time when we read God's word.

Another thing that is really important when reading the bible, is make sure you read everything in context.  You can take a verse by itself and it will sound great and may fit your moment or issue, but when you put it in context, you realize that was not what the Bible was talking about.  We have to be careful not to use scripture to fit what we want it to fit, but to make our lives submit to what scripture says.  So we are going to read through Romans 12 - the whole chapter so that we are applying our theme verse in context.

First I want to read some background on the book of Romans.  This is taken from:  https://www.insight.org/resources/bible/the-pauline-epistles/romans

"The apostle Paul wrote to the Romans from the Greek city of Corinth in AD 57, just three years after the 16-year-old Nero had ascended to the throne as Emperor of Rome. The political situation in the capital had not yet deteriorated for the Roman Christians, as Nero wouldn’t begin his persecution of them until he made them scapegoats after the great Roman fire in AD 64. Therefore, Paul wrote to a church that was experiencing a time of relative peace, but a church that he felt needed a strong dose of basic gospel doctrine."

Romans 12

12 And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.[b] 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

3 Because of the privilege and authority[c] God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.[d]4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection,[e] and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.[f] 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

“I will take revenge;
    I will pay them back,”[g]
    says the Lord.

20 Instead,

“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
    If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
    burning coals of shame on their heads.”[h]

21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Father God in Heaven, Help us to be women of your Word.  Help us to grow our love for reading and studying the Bible so that we may hide your Word in our hearts and take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.  Discipline us that we may live lives that show the world who you really are.  Bless us today to find peace and comfort and life in your Words that you have given us in your Holy Bible.  Please grow us and change us from the inside out.  Bless all the ladies that come to PWOC and heal any children that are sick.  Help us to do your will.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.