Prov 4:20-23 says, “My son, attend (perk up your ears) to my words; incline (stretch forward) thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life (spiritual) unto those that find them, and health (physical) to all their flesh. Keep (guard) thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Reading and heeding The Word, being a diligent student of the sayings, teachings, and precepts of The Bible, are the keys to true success in the Christian’s life. Success, both spiritual and physical. Both in the sweet by and by, and in the rough here and now. God’s Word will profit you now, in a very practical daily way, and will profit your eternal soul.

John 6:63 - It is the spirit that makes alive; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. Notice, you are not spiritual if you are not in the Word. God’s Words are spirit. God’s Word is living and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, and divides the soulless from the spiritual, and is a discerner (decisive) when it comes to the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb 4:12). It will divide what is your own mind or will, and what is God’s mind and will.

The Word is a seed, an incorruptible seed, which lives and abides forever (1Pt 1:23). It is perfect (Jam 1:25). The Bible is God's Book. It is God breathed (inspired). Holy men wrote this book as the Spirit of God moved them (2Pt 1:19-21). How do we know the Bible is God’s Word? Hundreds of fulfilled prophecies, written hundreds, and even thousands, of years before they happened.

God magnifies His Word, even above His Name (Ps 138:2). God's Word is pure (Prov 30:5). Psa 12:6-7 - The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. You can trust that God has preserved His Word, just as He promised.

We must receive this Word like the Thessalonians did - as being from God and not from man (1Thess 2:13). When you read or hear The Word spoken, do you receive it as Almighty God speaking directly to you, or do you see it as suggestions and stories written by men? We are to receive God’s Word as from God, and take it seriously.

God's Word is absolute truth. Joh 17:17 - Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. God's Word will never pass away. It is eternal (Mk 13:31). It does not change: Psa 119:89 - For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. It is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path (Ps 119:105). God's Word is a fire and hammer (Jer 5:14, 20:9, 23:29), consuming its hearers, and smashing lies and every false way into pieces.

God's Word should be consumed and ingested (Job 23:12, Jer 15:16, Ps 119:103, 19:10). We cannot neglect to eat our natural food, and expect to function properly for very long. How much more, do you suppose, should you not miss your spiritual meals if you intend on functioning in Biblical success? Most Christians are starved! We need to feast on God’s Word! Many are malnourished and weak in the faith for lack of Word!

We must meditate day and night in God’s Word, and obey it, to prosper and have good success (Josh 1:8). We must both read and heed His Word. We must be doers of God's Word (Jam 1:22-25 & Mt 7:24-27). The wise hear the Word and then do it. The foolish hear the Word, and go on their merry way. Fools deceive themselves, thinking that because they have heard the Word, that is enough. The one blessed in his deed is the one who continues in (does) what God’s Word says. He hears it, then seeks to apply it.

I encourage you to read the Bible through this year. It only takes about 80 hours. There are 8,760 hours in a year. Give 80 hours to reading The Word. That leaves 8, 680 hours for other things. Now, surely you can handle that, Christian! Turn off the TV for an hour. Eat and read at lunch. Get up a little earlier. Cut out a hobby. Do whatever you have to do to make time for reading God’s Word. It is life to those that find them, and health to their flesh. Until next time, rejoice in The Lord!