183. What’s your Bible for?

“What are you feeding it, Ash?” Feeding what Lord? “What are you feeding it, Ash?” Feeding what Lord? “What are you feeding it, Ash?” the Lord paused. In that pause I was face to face with what seemed like a wall made out of tightly packed rocks and dirt. I quickly realized that it wasn’t a wall at all but a lions den. 

My focus shifted to a tiny cub. He was taking his little paw and scooping away the dirt near the entrance, trying to break through to get outside but he couldn’t. It was like he was stuck, the entrance caved in, and he was left to dig his way out on his own. Like a dog digging out from under a fence, with each scoop of his paw the cub would make progress, but more dirt would fall back in around the rocks. His little face was matted. I tried to move the rocks away but they were too heavy. I kept looking around for things to help him dig. All I had in my hand was my Bible. 

I tried to use my Bible to break him out as best I could. I tried to use it to move the dirt away, but my arms were tired and with every scoop out, more dirt would fall back in. I tried to use it to break through the wall but with every pound against the clay to get through, more loose dirt would fall onto the cub. Nothing I tried was working. 

I sat there in tears next to this cub who desperately needed me, unable to help him. Unable to set him free. I ran out of options. I called out to the Lord and in that cry heard those words again. “What are you feeding it, Ash?” 

In that moment I knew. I dried my tears, opened my Bible and began to read scripture to this lion cub. I sat there reading chapter after chapter. Scripture after scripture, and as I read, feeding him the word, he grew. 

By the time I had finished reading, the Lion cub was no longer a cub. His tiny paw that could barely move dirt, pushed those fallen rocks away  with ease. His strength gained from being fed the word, set him free. 

So now I ask YOU. What are you feeding it?

What are you feeding yourself? Doubt, shame, guilt, discouragement, negative thoughts? Feed yourself the word!!! What are you feeding your family? Anger, frustration, resentment, bitterness? Feed them the word!!! What are you feeding your problems? Worry, anxiety, depression, panic? Feed them the word!!!

That Bible you have doesn’t do you any good if you use it as a paperweight, a hammer, a shovel, a dust collector, a coloring book to highlight on Sundays, a spot saver for your chair in church, or if you only open it at Eater and again at Christmas, etc.

Stop acting like prayer is your last resort life line and start using it as your first line of defense! 

That Bible you have can only be the true weapon of warfare that it is, if you read it, speak it and apply it daily. 

You are not too weak or defeated for your current circumstances. You are fighting with the wrong weapons.

John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Psalm 144:1-2 Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; 2 he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.

2 Timothy 3:16 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Romans 15:4 - For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Isaiah 55:11 - So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Jeremiah 15:16 - Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

Matthew 22:29 - Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

Proverbs 4:20-23

20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Isaiah 40:8 - The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

John 12:48 - He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.