Biblical FoundationsSample

When we launched our Women’s Ministry podcast, Digging In, there were months of preparation that went into what was finally released. In one of our initial meetings, I met with Chris, who came to be the producer. I knew nothing about Chris, but he seemed to know everything about me. He had done his research. He knew my favorite color, the ages and names of my kids, my loyal commitment to Words-with-Friends, and the plot and characters from the fictional series, The Brazos Collection, that I had written. I teased that Chris knew more about me than my husband! Of course, that wasn’t true. Chris might have known everything that was written and searchable about me from the Internet, but he didn’t know me at all.

If we are not careful, we can find ourselves approaching God the same way. The Bible is first and foremost a book about God. But we shouldn’t only read and study Scripture to learn about God, we should read and study Scripture to know God, and learn to love Him. James 2 contains one of the most chilling verses in Scripture acknowledging that even the demons believe there is a God. Satan, himself, the great deceiver, knows the Word of God well enough to counterfeit it and lure followers of Christ away from obedience. That’s why having knowledge of God is insufficient. We must know and love God.

When Chris spouted all the things he had gleaned from researching me, he never described who I was or how I acted. He didn’t know if I were wise or foolish, kind or cold, friendly or aloof. Those things are discovered within relationship. Romans 2:4 tells us that God’s kindness is meant to lead us to repentance. We experience God’s kindness in relationship with Him.

First John 4:19 says, “We love God because he first loved us.” Have you ever experienced love from typed words on a page? Of course not. Love happens in relationship. For

the Bible to help us grow, we must first receive the gift of salvation that God offered through Jesus, His Son.

Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” When we acknowledge our need for a Savior and confess Jesus, our relationship with God begins. He speaks to us through His Word, the Bible, and He gives us His Spirit to help us know Him more. We have everything we need to know Christ and love God!

PRAYER:

God, I trust You. I trust Your Word. Help me know Your Word well enough that it may be the litmus test of truth in my life.