He who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully.
What has straw in common with wheat [for nourishment]? says the LORD.
Is not My word like fire that consumes all that cannot endure the test
and like a hammer that breaks in pieces the rock [of most stubborn resistance]?
JEREMIAH 23:28-29 THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE
For starters, read it over.
Read it glacially—let My thoughts soak in like gentle autumn showers.
You can speed-read straw-books of human philosophy,
but do not race through timeless truths in the Book from Heaven.
As you read Scripture, think it through.
Care enough to listen attentively to My gentle whispers from eternity.
Not knowing is ignorance; not knowing and not doing is paganism;
knowing and not doing is sin; knowing and doing is wisdom.
LIVE WHAT YOU LEARN.
Do not stop with gaining knowledge, or you will be a half-wit.
Do not leave the Bible on a shelf—take it to the street.
Read My Word prayerfully in the Spirit in which it was written.
Take it personally—ask yourself what I would have you to do,
attitudes that need refining in My fiery purifying crucible,
actions that need hammering into a more Christlike lifestyle.
BEHAVE WHAT YOU BELIEVE.
Do not stop with treasuring My Word, or you will be a hermit.
Do not leave the Bible in your wonder—take it to your world.
After you have read it over, thought it through, and prayed it in—
remember to live it out.
For heaven’s and earth’s sake, do not copy the Pharisees—
memorizing Scripture, and missing the Savior;
teaching well and living poorly—what a tragic disconnect!
PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH.
Do not stop with telling others how to live, or you will be a hypocrite.
Do not leave the Bible in a pew—take it to the public.
What will you do with the Bible—take it or leave it?
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 277, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
