Reading the Bible is like nurturing ourselves from the inside out. It washes away the world's stuff, our cares and our worries as we allow God’s Word to work in our hearts and minds. (Ephesians 5:26)
One of the best ways of allowing the Word to work is to “soak” it in. I find it helpful to use the “soap” acronym to remember to read and apply what I read.
To SOAK means:
S – Scripture – Read the Word and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you.
O – Observation – think about the passage. What is the message speaking to you? What did it mean to the original hearers?
A – Application – How can you apply what you have read to your day, and are there any changes or adjustments you need to make to your attitudes and actions?
P – Prayer- Pray and declare God’s Word over your life and any situation you are facing, and then put the Word to work in your circumstances throughout your day.
“All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realise what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Today I encourage you to:
Pick up your Bible (You can to buy one or download a free copy off the internet). Jesus said He has the words of life and that His Word is useful for teaching, instruction, correction, exhortation, and bringing revelation and knowledge of God’s plan and will for our lives. Plus, it is our sword to cut off any attacks of the devil and, when appropriately used, is effective in stopping evil in its tracks, tearing down strongholds and bringing the angels of heaven to our aid.
Read it daily: Make time to read the Bible and find out what God says about your life and what is possible when you believe and stand on what it says. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to teach and lead you to understand what you are reading as you build your faith.
Get around others who can encourage you to be both a reader and a doer of God’s Word so that what you see in the Word comes to pass in your life.
Speak it: Share and talk about what you’re learning with others. When you face a problem or have a need or request to find out what God’s Word says about it, take hold of that promise and bring it to God. Start to declare it as you pray, go about your day, and write the promises somewhere where you’ll see them remind you throughout the day.
God’s Word is powerful, and the more you read it and put it to work, the more you’ll realise who you are and what God’s plan and good and perfect will are for your life. (Romans 12:2)
“Praise the Lord, you His angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey His word”. (Psalm 103:20)
“Take up the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God”. (Ephesians 6:17)
Prayer: Lord, please help me consistently spend time each day taking in your Word and then doing what it says. I want to grow to know who I am and what you can do in and through my life. In Jesus name Amen