Verse of the Day 7/10

Through the Bible - Psalm 4-6, Acts 17:16-34

 

Good morning,

I was reading in 2 Kings this morning about king Josiah.  He came to the throne at the age of 8 and become a spiritual reformer in the nation of Judah.  The key to this was the "finding" of the Book of the Law in the temple.  The written word was spoken to the young king, he heard it and it touched his life, it changed him and inspired him to seek true and proper worship of the Lord God in the kingdom.

 

For today's verse we'll go to Acts 17 in yesterday's New Testament bible reading.

Acts 17:11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul's message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. 12 As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.  NLT
Or from the NKJV

11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.

 

In the Old Testament few people had access to the Word of God and in the case of Israel and Judah when those who had it neglected it and failed to proclaim it the nations suffered for it.

 

The Word of God more available in the New Testament but still not nearly as available as it is today or since the printing press was invented.  But like Josiah, those in Berea that had it put it to good use.  They heard the word spoken and preached to them then went and examined the scripture on their own or quite possibly in groups to confirm the what they had heard.  The NKJV says that they received the Word "with readiness", ready to take it in, to verify it and apply it.  Verse 12 states that as a result of this many believed and were saved.  Their seaching the scriptures resulted in people believing.  Was it merely the people who had the Word and studied that believed?  I believe that they heard the word, confirmed it in study, and applied it in their lives which caught the attention of those around them.

 

How precious is God's Word to you?  Many of us may have 3 or 5 or even 10 copies and translations of the Bible available to us but do we use them, open them.  Do we hear a message from our pastor and go back and "examine" the scriptures in the "Sermon Notes" to verify the pastors message and words?  Doing so would likely lead to living it out (more) in our lives.  Doing so would have an impact on those around us, even prominent men and women.

 

As you leave the church building this weekend will you be "open minded" and take the sermon notes with you, examine, study the passages, and do your best in the power of the Holy Spirit to apply what God teaches you?

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
More tools available at: http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Acts 17:10-16

 

Ministering at Berea

 

10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. 13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds. 14 Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there. 15 So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed.    NKJV