2020: The Year of Living Biblically
Monday Morning Commentary
Throughout this year, as a church, we will focus on living biblically. By this we mean allowing the Word of God to direct us and guide in our daily life. God has given us His Word and He desires to speak to us every day through it. There is no reason for us to ever think that God doesn’t speak. He does, we just don’t avail ourselves to hear Him because of our lack of discipline to read the Bible. Therefore, this year, we want to commit ourselves to Bible reading. It's important to not look at this discipline as a legalistic practice but rather as a source for invigorating our faith and a means to attune our ears to hear from God.
We are more willing to read God’s Word when we understand that the Bible is revelation from God. Psalm 119:89 tells us, “Forever your word is established in the heavens.” God’s word is unchanging! The Word of God is steadfast. It can be trusted. We don’t have to fear that God will not be truthful, that His Word will deceive us or lead us astray. His Word is safe! Therefore, there is no need to add to it or try to conform it to cultural shifts. The Bible has endured through generations and will continue to endure and prove that God alone is worthy to be worshipped, trusted and obeyed.
The Bible has many laws. Oftentimes, people avoid Bible reading because they believe the law of God is constricting and will confine then. However, the opposite is true. When we choose to obey the law of God found in His Word, we find that the Bible is life-giving. How wonderful to be able to experience the will of God fulfilled in your life through obedience; to receive every promise of God through acceptance of God’s wisdom and surrendering to doing things His way.
The Bible is primarily the story of God’s deeds, not ours; the record of His promise, not our duties. One of the most encouraging things you can do is read of God’s faithfulness. Daily reading about how God has delivered people, healed people, guided people, comforted people, instructed people, given people success, granted people wisdom, corrected people, had mercy on people.... these stories are faith boosters, faith establishers, faith builders! Why? Because they testify of God’s love for His people and of God’s love for you!
Perhaps you’ve not valued God’s word. And you know that you haven’t because you’ve not seen the fruit of it in your daily life. Now is the time to begin to value it! Do so by acknowledging your need of the Holy Spirit’s help. Confess to God your lack of willingness or your pride to trust self instead of His Word. And ask the Holy Spirit to empower you make the choice every day to partake of the bread of life. Then, take note of how daily engagement in God’s Word begins to have significant ramifications in your life and in your Christian witness.
“You’ll never be more spiritual than you are Scriptural.” - Pastor Craig Mosgrove