1. Have a passion to KNOW the word.
Psalms 119:89-112
~ David's love for God's Word is so evident from this passage.
Matthew 4:1-11
~ Jesus himself uses the Word to defend himself against temptation.
Matthew 6:5-8
~ It is important to read all passages in their CONTEXT.
Matthew 9:9-13
~ Jesus instructs a group of people to GO and LEARN.
Matthew 12:1-8
~ They DID NOT LISTEN to Him and ended up missing the truth !!
Matthew 22:23-33
~ When you don't know the Word, clever arguments could trip you up.
2. Have a conviction to OBEY the Word.
Matthew 7:24-27
~ Putting God's Words into PRACTICE in your life is the laying of your spiritual foundations.
John 8:31-32
~ TRUE disciples hold to the teachings of Christ.
James 1:22-25
~ God views it as very strange if we listen to Him but do not OBEY His words.
Isaiah 66:1-2
~ God esteems the man who is humble and TREMBLES AT HIS WORDS.
THE BIBLE:
"This book contains - the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners and the happiness of believers. It's doctrines are whole, it's precepts are binding, it's histories are true ands its decisions immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe and practice it to be holy. It contains light to guide you, good to support you and comfort to cheer you. It is a travelers map, the pilgrims staff, the pilots compass, the soldiers sword, the Christians character. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design and the glory of God its end. It should rule the heart, fill the memory and guide the feet.
Read it slowly, frequently, powerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment and remembered for ever. It involves the highest responsibility and rewards the highest (greatest) labour, and condemns all who trifle with its holy contents."