Read Matthew 4:4 and 2 Timothy 3:16

The alarm goes off at 6:15 and my day begins.  I get ready for the day and have breakfast. I turn on the TV for the day’s weather report.  The grandkids come over (who I watch before school).  I give them breakfast, we practice piano, and we read our morning devotional.  Based on our devotional, the grandkids are challenged to put their faith into action.  I say goodbye, “have a good day, be a good friend, share Jesus and I love you”.  But what is missing in this morning routine?  I have taken time to care for myself and others, but there was no personal time for God’s Word! 

Devotionals, like the ones I read to my grandchildren, and the one you are reading now, may be a great resource and a great way to start your day. Devotionals are meant to stimulate your desire to read more of the Bible. Devotionals are another’s thoughts, which may be inspiring, but are not the Word of God.  There is nothing which has a greater impact on our spiritual growth than reflection in His Word.  

In the context of Matthew 4:4, Satan has just tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread.  Satan is appealing to Jesus’ physical hunger while at the same time, tempting Jesus to meet His own needs. But Jesus replied, “It is written” … Jesus, who was the Word, (John 1:1-4) honors the Scriptures.  Jesus understood firsthand the power behind the Word of God.  Jesus then continues with His reply:

“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

Jesus set the example for us by using the power of God’s Word to overcome temptation.  His Word prepares us to expect temptation, to detect it and ultimately to reject it.

Second Timothy 3:16 teaches that God’s Word is His divine revelation, “All Scripture is God breathed…”  The Bible is a divine revelation that we can depend on to be infallibly true, pure and powerful.

His Word instructs us – to know God better and His plan of redemption through Jesus..

His Word reproves us – exposes sin, leading us to repentance

His Word corrects us – pointing out the evil nature of sin and its consequences, offering a solution through the Gospel message.

His Word is profitable for training in righteousness – pointing to the practical application of His Word.

Through Scripture we learn what is true, how to correct what’s wrong and then how to apply truth to our lives. I’d like to share a simple way to read and study the Scriptures for yourself, called “CLAP”.

Content – Identify the facts of the Scripture being read, don’t spiritualize.

Learn – How have you been instructed?  What have you learned from the passage?

Apply – How can you take what you’ve learned and personally respond to God’s Word? Application is about putting your faith into action.

Praise – Spend time in prayer thanking God, praising Him for what you have learned and how you’ve come to know Him better through His Word.

What steps do you need to take to make reading your Bible a daily habit?

“I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” – Job 23:12

Janene Nagel