GIF God’s Word

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.”
(2 Timothy 2:15)

God’s Word
by Larry Burkett

I read the Bible in my private devotion time. I don’t actually study during those times. Rather, I’m looking to see if God might reveal something to me out of a passage of Scripture that I might have already read many times but had missed. Often you’ll do that, because at different stages of your life you’re more open to specific things.

Sometimes when I study the Bible, I am looking for something—a particular word—and I’ll look up all the verses that deal with that word or subject.

I use different translations: the New International Version in my private devotions or when I’m just reading the Bible. If I’m studying, I use the New American Standard version, and that’s primarily because I grew up using it. Once you’ve used one translation that long, it’s hard to change.

If I ever find what I think is a discrepancy in one translation, I’ll look that up in several translations or I’ll get out a lexicon and see if that determines for me the root meaning of a word. If that doesn’t work, I’ll go to someone who knows the root languages of Greek and Hebrew. Whatever they say pretty well settles it for me.

Unless we read God’s Word, we cannot know what God is saying to us. His Word is full of rich history, exciting events, instruction for daily living, encouragement, and strength.

When we pray we talk to Him. When we read the Bible, He is talking to us.

Daily Scripture Reading:

Ezekiel 15-17