2:258 – Being Versed

#faithbites #faithjourney #redletterchallenge Versed

Are you good at something? Of course you are. You probably read and practiced it to know the subject. My #RoadToEdD is all about reading. You read, read some more, and then read more. Through the process you become one who can profess your knowledge.

Even though we know we need to read to understand, most Christians, don’t daily read the Bible. Most people, myself included, find a scripture or verse, and quote it, without knowledge, without context. When we do this, we show were are good at google searching but are not versed in the Word.

In my life, there are many things I want to be good at. I think about doing that thing, but unless I do it, it doesn’t get done. After thinking about it, I think about the work that needs to be done for me to be versed. Then usually I shy away.

In Faith, most of us think we know Jesus, but don’t spend the time needed to talk to him (prayer) and learn from him (reading scripture).

How do we move from talking to being in Jesus?

Scripture

• And he said to me, “Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the people of Israel.” So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. Then he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth. – Ezekiel 3:1-3
• Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. – John 15:4

Reflection

Ezekiel literally ate the word of God to have it nourish him. I’m not expect any of us to eat it literally, but what about figuratively? After church, we went to lunch and saw some people from church. I said first we got spiritually full, now we are getting physically fed.

Jesus wants us to be full so we can do good works. But if we aren’t versed in his words, we can’t be full. If we aren’t full, we are doing without direction and rest. Without rest, we are headed for burnout and then we try to fill our God-hole with things that take us away from abiding in Christ. We know that when we abide in Christ, he abides in us and then we bear fruit.

Challenge

That all being said, we need to create a habit to be fed. Book 10 minutes to read scripture. Download something like YouVersion or other Bible app and have it sent to you. Begin to read and be fed.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for feeding us with your word. Help us to create habits for reading and abiding in you. We want to know you. Give us the time and dedication to understand you through your word. Help all us, including myself, who are struggling with living in the Word. Remind us, that it is never too late to begin abiding in you. And when we make a mistake, which we will, you will forgive us. Hear our prayers, Lord. Amen