The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Guided Inquiries"
When reading the Bible, it helps to be guided by certain general inquiries that prepare our hearts and minds to find, assimilate, and respond to God's truth. We may not directly remember each question upon every reading. However, approaching the Scriptures with a focused heart and mind can effectively aid our reading.
A few such questions include…
Who is the Lord Jesus Christ? What has He done, what is He doing, and what does He promise to do forevermore for His Father and for us? "Search the Scriptures… they are they which testify of Me" (John 5:39).
How is the Lord Jesus glorified in the passage I read? "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given Him a name which is above every name" (Philippians 2:9).
What doctrinal truth do I learn? "The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple" (Psalm 119;130).
What truth am I reminded of? "Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth" (II Peter 1:12).
What truth, already known, is enhanced in my understanding? "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ" (II Peter 3:18).
What other Scriptures come to mind in light of the passage I read. "Whom shall He teach knowledge? And whom shall He make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little" (Isaiah 28:9-10).
What encouragement, hope, and edification do I find? "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1).
What correction and reproof leads to awareness, confession of sin, and repentance? "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (II Timothy 3:16).
What might I learn that enables my life and ministry to others? "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" (II Timothy 2:2).
How will I better glorify, trust, and obey the Lord in my heart and life through this reading? "Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (I Corinthians 10:31).
How does this reading seem personal between God and myself? "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple… When Thou saidst, Seek ye My face; my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek" (Psalm 27:4; 8).
Finally, how does this passage result in my joining those who "love His appearing" as we await the return of the Lord Jesus for His church?" (II Timothy 4:8).
Many other questions can certain serve as guiding lights in our reading and pondering of God in the pages of His Word. Again, we may not specifically think of each question upon every Scriptural consideration. However, we do well to plant such directing influences deeply in our hearts and minds. Thereby we make more possible a truly edifying experience of the wondrous gift of Scripture. We discover the living Word in the glory of the written Word, and the written Word in the glory of the living Word…
"In Thy light shall we see light."
(Psalm 36:9)
"Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me: for Thou art the God of my salvation; on Thee do I wait all the day."
(Psalm 25:5)
Weekly Memory Verse
I am the Lord. I change not.
(Malachi 3:6)
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