I can recall being a student in grade school and not having to study a whole lot to do well in class.  Then as the years went on and I was placed in classes that were a bit tougher, the ability to excel became more challenging.  I talked to my mom about my difficulties and the first thing she asked me was did I study?  Well, no not really because I never really had to study before.  She reminded me that I was now working at a level that I had not been in my past and in order for me to succeed like I had in the past it was going to take a little more effort and dedication.  In other words, I was going to have to study.  I was going to have to make a conscious effort to open up my books, read them, take notes and commit to memory the material.  This revelation changed my mindset on so many different levels.  It was then that I realized at a young age, in order for me to get something I had never gotten I had to do something I had never done.  I had never dealt with work on such a high level, so therefore the effort I was giving in the past (which was very little to none) was no longer sufficient.  If I was going to get out of the class what I expected to get, a few adjustments were going to have to be made.

God is trying to do the same thing in our lives.  As we grow in Him more and more, there are going to be some thing’s that have to change.  We are not going to be able to overcome the trials and tribulations of life by keeping the same routine day-by-day, month-by-month, year-by-year.  God is calling us higher and an essential tool that is going to get us to where He is taking us is going to be us opening up the book.  Not just opening it up, cause anybody can do that, but actually reading and mediating on it.  The bible is God’s written instruction book on life.  It provides light to avoid pitfalls in the path of life.  Every situation you could possibly think of is in the bible.  This is why God desires for us to familiarize ourselves with His word.  It is not until we are able to fully appreciate it, will we be able to act upon it.

If there is something you do not understand while studying, research it.  Ask questions, look it up online, read books do whatever you need to do until you get your answers.  We have been blessed with new age technology so we have several tools available to us that will help us discover the meaning of anything we aren’t able to comprehend.  I love to read books, so research does not bother me.  I actually enjoy finding something in the bible I don’t understand because when I have to look it up I usually learn so much more than I would have expected.  I love how God has gifted people all over the world to write books today, just as He did in the bible days.

Once you get what you are reading and have the understanding you desire, you must then apply it.  As the saying goes, when you know better you do better.  This is what God is looking for.  As we learn about the word of God, we learn more about Him.  Then we should be able to apply what we have learned to our lives.  Apply it to our character.  Apply it to our personality.  That’s called transformation.

Reading the bible will do just that.  It will transform you.  Studying the word allows us to draw closer to God and teaches us how to live Godly lives.  With the help of the Holy Spirit we also become equipped when we study the word.  Equipped with what?  Equipped with the tools needed to overcome the enemy.  The enemy’s job is the kill, steal and destroy and you better believe he is going to be on his job whether you are in your word of not.  He doesn’t want you to use your weapon, ie. The bible.  Because he knows that if we take the time to get in our word the stronger we become.  The stronger we are, we are able to put him in his place and walk in the victory that God has already given us.

Just so you know, you are held responsible for what you know.  So as you learn and investigate the word of God you will be expected to do better.  The book of James tells us specifically that ‘if we know good then we ought to do it and if we do not do it, it is a sin’.  So be stubborn and learn the word but keep doing the same old thing if you want to, then you will be operating in sin.  Apply it to your life and you will have a makeover take place right before your eyes and you might not even know it.  God is not expecting you to do anything on your own, never forget that.  In this whole process, He will be right there with you.  He loves us just that much.  #iDeclare #studyresearchapply

Prayer:

Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus, I thank for teaching me your word.  I decree and declare that I will study, research and apply the word of God to my life.  I understand the importance of studying and I will not take it for granted.  I will not be afraid to ask questions.  I will allow the word to transform me from the inside out.  Thank you Jesus for your Holy Word.  In your precious name I pray, Jesus name. Amen.

Scripture Reading:

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Psalms 119:11 NLT “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”