Self-Guided Tour

2 Timothy 4:3-4, “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.”

We've been to a few museums. Once to the Titanic Museum, once to Elvis’ home and once to a place called Beyond the Lens. When we were there, we were offered a guided tour through headphones, or we could go on our own. Although, with Elvis’ mansion we had to stay with our group and the guide, my husband and I chose to skip the headphones and move along with our group catching what some of the guide said here and there. Once home we found a video on YouTube of someone who walked us through a tour of hidden gems someone could miss while visiting Elvis’ estate. We definitely missed some things and have often wondered, if we had listened to the electronic guide, would we have heard some of those things.

     Part of our choice to forego the “tour” headphones was because we wanted to go through the museum our way. See what we wanted to see when we chose to see it, a create-your-own tour plan. Now, take that thought and let me ask you about Facebook. Do you like to see the newsy tidbits? What is a certain celebrity up to now? What new movie is out or coming out? What gossip can I catch up on today? I think the nose for news runs through all of us. But with Facebook we can gear it toward us. See what we want to see when we want to see it, a create-your-own news feed. Thanks to technology today that's easy to do.

     What does this have to do with the Bible? If it's easy to fall into our own self-guided tour of news feeds geared toward our likes, dislikes, and biases over the more well-known news, how do you treat your Bible study time? Do you read your Bible with the full council of God? Or is the Bible your own personal news feed where you read only what you like?

     Have you created your own Bible adventure? Do you find yourself only reading sections of scripture that make you feel good? I have many times. Psalms is especially great for whatever emotions we are going through, and they can complement my mood at any given moment. What about just skimming or skipping the Old Testament if it comes up in your Bible reading plan?

     “The gospels? Check! Proverbs? Awesome! Esther? Cool story! But Leviticus? Ugh…” -reviveourhearts.com

     Let's be honest, reading some of the Old Testament books can leave us with that feeling of ‘tell me when it's over’. When compelled to read those books, are they skimmed over out of duty? Or do you take the time to savor the goodness of God and His counsel in the words written.

     It's easy to wander off into our own Bible tour. Skip the long stuff, skim over the boring stuff, completely pass on the hard to swallow stuff (especially when we feel our toes being stepped on). Yet, what does the Bible say. Let's look at our opening verse again, “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.”

     With itchy ears they will accumulate teachers to suit their own passions.

     Friends, this is huge! The Bible is not our Facebook news feed. We cannot simply click to see more of that or click to see less of that. God has given us His complete revelation allowing us access to His knowledge and giving us very great and precious promises- 2 Peter 1:3-4.

     Paul is telling us we must read the entire council of God, or we may wander off into myths, mostly ideas of our own creation. Romans 15:4 is quite clear, “Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.” What was good enough in years past is still good enough for today. Why? Because it is God's Word. The entire Bible, the good, the bad, the ugly, the fun, and yes even the toe stepping parts are all pointing us to God. The council of God helps us grow to be more like Christ and less like this world. This is God's Word! This is our Savior and King speaking to us. Why would we choose to miss any of it by taking our own self-guided tour?

     Let's not be content with today's fake news that changes daily. News that only satisfies us momentarily. Let's dive into God's Word like eager children Christmas morning. Don't skip the hard stuff or skim over the long boring stuff. Throw out the one year reading plan just to cross it off your to-do list for each day. Open God's Word with fresh eyes and take your time. Let the Lord lead you on how much to read each day, what He wants you to think and ponder about. Soak in His words and truly grasp His precious promises. The Bible is God's letter to us. In the pages we can find peace and hope, encouragement and joy, and a deep loving relationship with our Lord and Savior. Go ahead, put on those ‘headsets’ and truly find all the goodness the Bible offers instead of taking your own self-guided tour.

The Bible is no ordinary book. The words within its pages are like medicine to your soul. It has the power to change your life because there is life in the Word! (See Hebrews 4:12.)  

Jesus says in John 8:31-32 (AMP), “If you abide in My word [continually obeying My teachings and living in accordance with them, then] you are truly My disciples. And you will know the truth...and the truth will set you free....”

The simple conclusion: Study God's Word consistently and apply the truths to our lives so we will be able to glorify and grow in Jesus in this world full of darkness and sin. No matter where you are in your walk with God, start spending time in His Word today and be determined to stick with it! You’ll find that every time you study the Bible and pay attention to what you’re reading, you’re learning something. Let's continue to deepen our walk with God with exploring new fun ways to study God's word with lesson 5.

Lesson 5- 6 Searches.docx

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