"If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed" (John 8:31; KJV). The word: “continue”, is often translated: “abide” and also means to cleave to, dwell and remain. There is the sense of sticking with it and being affected and obedient.   According to this verse, in order to be good followers of Jesus we must not only spend time reading the word but obey what we learn. There are advantages of doing this. In 1 John 2:5, the Apostle tells us that if we obey the word God's love is matured in us, and in his gospel the apostle John says that we will be loved by God and Jesus will reveal himself to us (John 14:21).

The parable of the sower in Luke 8:5-8 teaches us that the word in us bears fruit and in Colossians 3:16 we read that the word in us will give us wisdom. There is so much to be gained by being a student of the word (2 Tim 2:15) but the main thing is that the more time we spend fellowshipping with God in this way the more we get to know him and the more sensitive we are to his voice; after all the word is God speaking to us.

So, read the word slowly and listen as you do so; pray and ask God to open your spiritual ears to understand his word. Remember that no time doing this is ever wasted because God's word does not return void, it will always achieve its purpose (Isa 55:11). It will always bring wisdom (Col 3:16), guide and direct us (Ps 119:105), open our spirituals eyes to God’s promises (2 Tim 3:16) and build up our faith (Rom 10:17).

                  Please pass this on. All rights reserved.

Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our book:     “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to others.