Loving the Bible: It Changes Lives

What do you love?

Another question: What’s your favorite holiday dish?

Mine is sweet potato casserole… I love it. I crave for it. I even learned how to cook it. Why? Because when you love something deeply, you put time into it!

Is that how you feel about the Bible?

[4] If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. [5] But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him.

1 John 2:4-5 (NLT)

It’s impossible to say you love God and not love the bible.

Moses became a great leader through loving the Word of God and letting himself be challenged.

[10] But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” [11] Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? [12] Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” [13] But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”

Exodus 4:10-13 (NLT)

Do I ask God to send someone else?

Emotions and desires can get in the way of us listening to the Word of God.

• Fear and doubt
• Insecurity
• Comfort seeking

Which of these relates to you the most?

Fears, doubts, insecurity, and comfort-seeking leads us to making excuses:

• Blaming Your Past – it’s so hard for me to trust because…
• Don’t Have Time – job or school are keeping me too busy…
• Deserve a Break – long day at work, so I deserve to sin a little…
• Bitterness – this person hurt me so I can hurt them back

How do we change?

Moses took action. He trusted God over his emotions or other desires.
Every time we trust God over ourselves, we can change.

God specializes in changing us from the inside out.
Look to the bible for how to change.

[11] Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, would remain behind in the Tent of Meeting.

Exodus 33:11 (NLT)

[11] The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

Exodus 33:11 (NIV)

Persist – look for ways to learn. Keep trying and don’t give up.

Loving the Bible Changes Others

Something unexpected also happens when we change… others change around us! And grow!

What selfish lonesome dream am I pursuing?
Who do I love?
What is my life plan?
Am I living for myself or for others?

[1] As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!” [2] “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

Mark 13:1-2 (NIV)

The only thing that lasts is God’s Word… and the lives that we change and friends we help.

What are we loving? Dreaming of? Imaging?
Do you dream for others?

How can I apply God’s word to help others in my life grow?
Or do I just want to ignore others, saying “well, they have their own path”?

We must care enough to speak out.
The bible helps us speak the truth to others.

Dedicate them to yourself by means of the truth; your word is truth.

John 17:17 (GNT)

Am I having truthful conversations?

Do you have relationships that need to be reconciled?

[4] He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

2 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT)

He consoles us as we endure the pain and hardship of life so that we may draw from His comfort and share it with others in their own struggles.

Let’s respond by expressing our gratitude to God and to one another… helping each other.
And sharing with others what we have been given.