Both of my women’s Bible studies have started and I spend much of my early morning in God’s Word through the two studies I lead. I’ve always been impressed when teaching two studies how they align between the two. The same idea will be focused upon in each study and when I bring them both together, there is greater understanding of the idea.

So if it’s happened in the past, you would think I wouldn’t be surprised when it happens. But I am. And it has.

This past week I read (and re-read) these two statements.

“The best thing to do with the Bible is to know it in the head, stow it in the heart, sow it in the world, and show it in the life.”[i]

“A Bible at home does us no good unless we carry God’s teachings in our hearts and apply them when we are hit with a fiery dart.”[ii]

Reading the Bible isn’t enough. Studying God’s Word isn’t even enough. The words we read and study must make an impact on our lives. When we allow Scripture to penetrate our hearts, we are transformed. When we are transformed, we are able to change our world.

James, Jesus’ half-brother and pillar of the Jerusalem church said it this way. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22 – NIV)

Did you catch the phrase “so deceive yourselves?” Until we allow God’s Word to make an impact upon our lives, we are being deceived. Making ourselves believe we are followers of Christ without actually doing anything about it. That’s not the way we are live.

So how can God’s Word touch us in a way that we are compelled to make a change in our lives and to make an impact on our world? We read and listen with an open heart. A heart that is willing to allow transformation. Or as Luke 8:15 (NIV) says, “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”

How is your heart? Is it open to hearing and understanding all that God’s Word has in store? Is it available to listen when things are going well but doubts when troubles come? Is your heart really in it?

I’ve come to understand that it’s just not good enough to read God’s Word. It must reach our hearts and change us. If it doesn’t, we’re just reading another good book.

Jesus left us with a mission. “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28: 19-20 – NIV) When we allow God’s Word to touch our hearts, we cannot wait to share this message with others. That’s what “living it” is all about.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna