September 6, 2009
READ, MARK, LEARN, AND INWARDLY DISGEST
Now that we have heard and understand the importance of letting God’s Word get beyond just lip service and tradition, but to let it penetrate our heart. It’s time to start looking at spiritual habits that allow the Holy Spirit to do just that – penetrate our heart. It is said that it takes 6 weeks to make or break a habit. Starting with this week, let’s begin a spiritual habit to let the Holy Spirit work and allow God’s Word to penetrate our heart and transform our lives. Taking the example from our liturgy, let’s enter God’s Word and READ, MARK, LEARN, AND INWARDLY DIGEST it.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER – “Holy Spirit, work in my heart today so that I will hear the Words God is speaking to me. But more than that work in my heart so those Words will penetrate my heart and transform my life. I pray this in Jesus Name. AMEN
Scripture readings for this week:
Old Testament: Isaiah 335:4-7a
Psalm: Psalm 146
Epistle: James 2:1-10
Gospel: Mark 7:24037
READ – read through each of the passages very slowly, and then read it again.
MARK – Read the passages again, but, this time underline, highlight, or journal words or phrases that jump out at you.
LEARN - Read the surrounding Scripture for context. Who is speaking the words? Who are the words addressed to? What is happening in their world? What kind of cultural things are going on? If you have a self-study Bible, examine the cheater notes for hints of meaning. Look at some of the cross-reference passages.
INWARDLY DIGEST - What does this mean? What message is God giving to the recipients? What message is God giving for you? Where do you see Grace? Jesus? Is God convicting you of something – confess your sin before God and receive forgiveness in Christ. Is God moving you to action? Pray that the Holy Spirit will give you direction. Is God offering you hope, comfort, and reassurance? Share that hope with someone in need.
SHARE - Deuteronomy 6 tells us: Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
God didn’t give us His Word so we can selfishly keep it all to ourselves – He wants us to SPREAD THE WORD. Talk about it at the dinner table, when walking the dog, when waiting in line. Talk about it with your spouse, your children, your neighbor, your Pastor, your friends. No matter who or where; don’t keep God’s Word for yourself, share with others what God has shared with you – not just His Word, but His love, His Gospel, His encouragement, His Grace.
I challenge us all to get into the habit of opening God’s Word in order to READ, MARK, LEARN, AND INWARDLY DIGEST it – in order that we can “be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
Bon Apetite!!
