“Still, the Christian faith is not a “religion of the book.” Christianity is the religion of the “Word” of God, a word which is “not a written and mute word, but the Word which is incarnate and living”. If the Scriptures are not to remain a dead letter, Christ, the eternal Word of the living God, must, through the Holy Spirit, “open [our] minds to understand the Scriptures.”” CCC # 108
When you read the Bible are you inspired by the Word of God. Not just the word by the Word.
When I read the Bible, any more, I very often have difficulty not hearing God speak. Most certainly not always by voice nor even words in my mind, but, nearly always the Word speaks within the words.
Study the Bible. I don’t mean in a Bible study thought that can open your mind and learning on a deep lever. Study the Word of God on a deeper, more intimate level. Get personal with the Word in the word.
The word is “not a written and mute word, but the Word which is incarnate and living.” We need to read the Bible accordingly.
Ever read a story in the Bible and have it hit you between the eyes? Maybe have a verse or some of those ‘red’ words come out of nowhere?
The word of God is alive and active. Sometimes, He will spread through different words in the Bible in different ways to fit your current. Sometimes, He will take the word as a seed and plant it deep within.
One of those Scriptural seeds God planted in my soul was John 10:27-38. “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.”
I had read this verse many times, each time just words without meaning. Then, Jesus showed Himself to my daughter in a time of trial. He didn’t say His Name or show Himself clearly. He simply comforted her and told her, “trust Me.” The cover of my book, ‘I knew His Voice’ is based on this moment. When I asked her how she knew this was Jesus if He didn’t introduce Himself or fully show Himself. Her response was, ‘I knew His Voice.’ And BAM! This verse rushed back to me. Jesus exploded this verse into my mind and soul. I knew that if He did this for my daughter, than she was ok. She knew His voice so she was His sheep. She would be safe in eternal life.
Study the Word every day. Read and re-read these great stories. Slowly and quietly listen to what He says as you read. Plant those words that He doesn’t speak of directly.
Get inspired by the Word within the words.