"So then, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17, KJV).
Martin Luther said he studied his Bible in the same way he gathered apples. First, he shook the whole tree, that the ripest might fall; then he shook each limb, and when he had shaken each limb, he shook each branch, and after each branch, every twig; and then he looked under every leaf. He admonishes us:
"Search the Bible as a whole, shaking the whole tree. Read it rapidly, as you would any book. Then shake every limb - study book after book.
"Then shake every branch, giving attention to the chapters when they do not break the sense. Then shake each twig, by careful study of the paragraphs and sentences. And you will be rewarded if you will look under each leaf, by searching the meaning of the words."
Seek to know the Lord with all your heart. While you may have no difficulty in worshiping the omnipotent God, you cannot really know God unless you study His Word. The one who spoke and caused the worlds to be framed is waiting to reveal Himself to you personally.
Faith is not given to those who are either undisciplined or disobedient. Faith is a gift of God which is given to those who trust and obey Him. As we master His Word and obey His commands, our faith continues to grow.
It is my strong conviction that it is impossible to ask God for too much if our hearts and motives are pure and if we pray according to the Word and will of God.
Every time you and I open and read God's Word carefully, we are building up our storehouse of faith. When we memorize the Word, our faith is being increased. When we study or teach a Sunday school lesson, or hear a sermon faithfully expounding the Word, we are growing in faith.
TODAY'S ACTION POINT: I will read, study, memorize and meditate upon God's Word daily, knowing that in the process my faith will grow, for "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."
ACTION LINK: Learn more about the Old and New Testaments.
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