Diving a Little Deeper

Growing up, I remember every single morning going into the kitchen and seeing my dad pouring over Scripture at our table. Some of the greatest encouragements I’ve ever been told by my father were quoted from the Bible. I say all of this to show how I grew up hearing Scripture at home, in the church, and when I went to a Christian college. So, when a little over two years ago after a conversation with a friend made me realize I didn’t know the Bible like I thought I did, it was hard for me to wrap my mind around.

I realized I was biased toward certain parts of the Bible that were easier to understand or verses that usually just made me feel better. Truthfully, I failed to see the whole picture and how from the very beginning Jesus was always there. I remember reading a quote by Jen Wilkin that the Lord really used to push me forward on my quest to know the Bible better. She said, “The heart can’t love what the mind doesn’t know.” It was then I realized that something needed to change.

There are a lot of ways to dive deeper into Scripture, but a good foundation for myself was reading the Bible cover to cover. I needed to see how Jesus was woven through every chapter from beginning to end. First and foremost, the Holy Spirit showed me that the Bible is a book about God and His power, not about me and how great I think I am. Those parts of the Bible that seemed strange or out of touch with the world in 2018 started to come into focus and brought new meaning to my life about who God is and how His Word will stand through any age and remain forever (Isaiah 40:8).

I’ve realized that no one is immune to needing the Word of God in their life. We need the Word daily because it tells us who God is and shows us that He does what He says He’s going to do. He is a promise keeper. Scripture shows me daily that I am who He says I am. It shows me the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you and me (Romans 8:11). That victory and all things are ours through Jesus (Romans 8:37), and so much more.

If you’re like the Bre of years past and have realized your knowledge of the Bible is shallow, then there is no day like today to change that. Ask the Spirit to open your eyes to the deep well of knowledge and blessing that comes from studying God’s Word. Be encouraged by Isaiah 51:10-11, “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” God didn’t give us his Word just to fill up space. He gave it to us to accomplish great things in His name. Start today by equipping yourself with it and get going!