Sink Deeper

May 3, 2024

There have been times in my faith walk where I have caught myself reading the Word just to read it and check it off the list. I knew that it was beneficial and would bring life to me, but I would get to the end of my devotion time and feel like I read something good, but it didn’t change me or teach me. In those times I would long for more and knew that the Word was meant for more. In those times, the question is how can I get down deeper past that surface, (reading the scriptures and being encouraged by them), to understanding why God wrote them and how they are meant to impact my personal life? The reality is that the Word is truly meant to be something powerful and life changing, not just history or encouraging ideas. I desire and I hope to inspire you to yearn for more, richer and deeper Word time. I expect that every single time we sit down to take in the Word of God we can walk away with a fresh revelation that illuminates a part of who we are in Christ and how we can live that out in reality. 

There could be multiple reasons that contribute to a distracted and surface level study time in the Word. I also believe there is one powerful thing that can reset it all and take us down deep to the riches found in the Word of God. This is the Holy Spirit. I can only begin to express the importance of our relationship with the Holy Spirit when it comes to studying the Bible. When we do not actively involve Him in our time in the Word, we can only go so far in the natural mind. We need the Holy Spirit to illuminate all facets of the truth of God ‘s word and to reveal His meaning and application to our lives. The Word is our greatest weapon as a believer. It is pure truth and it is pure power. It was created to enable the believer to literally change who they are, their circumstances, and impact the lives of those around them. But without the insight and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, (Who inspired its writing), its depth is limited.

It is actually very simple to get the Holy Spirit involved in your Bible time. He is the Spirit of truth who leads us into all truth (John 16:13). That is a part of His purpose. I believe He eagerly desires for us to involve Him as we read and study His Word.

When it is time to sit down and spend your quiet time in the Word, I urge you to begin by inviting the Holy Spirit to join in. You could simply say something like, “Holy Spirit, join me in studying the Word today. Show me the true depth of what You intended for me to receive from the Bible today. From Your Word, I desire to be changed, empowered, and fulfilled with more of You.” Just as well, you could also specifically pray Ephesians 1:17-19 AMPC, “[For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him, By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints, (His set-apart ones), And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength…” Additionally,  spend some time, even just a few moments, praying in the spirit before you dive in. This opens the door for the Holy Spirit to reveal a new realm of the Word. One unveiled by Him filled with life and power!

The Word is written very beautifully and even when we do read it through natural understanding, it is encouraging and helpful to our lives. But there is even more! It is just like a person. When you meet someone you like, your reaction at face value is that you like them, they were kind, or funny, endearing, easy to talk to, etc. You can point out multiple things that you liked about them. But as you get to know them, when you get down past the surface, there is even more to love and know about them. Likewise when we reading the Bible,  we need to have the understanding that while face value is amazing, the meatier stuff is beneath the surface. The meatier stuff affects our lives and makes a real difference in who we are and what we experience. When we are processing through each passage of Scripture, one aspect we need to understand is how it pertains to our life specifically. For example, if we read Colossians 4:6 NKJV, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”  We can feel uplifted by this verse and discern agreement at the heart level, but we can go deeper! We can ask the Holy Spirit revelation.  “What does this really mean…How should this really play out in my life specifically?” We can ask for understanding this as it pertains to US directly.  Then, when the opportunity arises to employ this Word, we can actually use the truth in this verse. We receive this through the lens and direction of the Holy Spirit.

Reading the Word through the lens of the Holy Spirit takes things to a whole new level. Connecting with the Holy Spirit in this way just begins with salvation.  Upon becoming born again, we are filled with the same spirit of Jesus of course, which is the Holy Spirit. Yet there’s the next step, the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This can be described as being in you and being on you. This is where we receive the empowerment to walk out Christian life here, on the earth. One way I’ve heard this described is: when you get saved it’s like you’re drinking water. It’s going in you, you’re drinking the Holy Spirit. But when you receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, it’s like jumping into the ocean. Now the water is on you, the Holy Spirit is on you. It brings new gifts and new perspectives because we now see and hear through the power of the Holy Spirit. If you have not yet received the baptism of the Holy Spirit or would like to know more, please look back at our series, “Get to Know the Holy Spirit.” It is Biblical and for today and without it we greatly miss out on the depth that the Holy Spirit has to offer. 

This week I challenge you to dig deeper. Purpose in your heart with me to see the Word impact your life more than it ever has before. Nourish your relationship with the Holy Spirit. He is the source of more! 

I like to close each teaching with an invitation to salvation for anyone that has not yet welcomed Jesus into their life. Maybe you’ve read this and felt a pull on your heart. Maybe you’re in a place where you just need a solution. If so, this was meant for you and if you’re ready for the “moreness” of God, then believe in your heart and say out loud the following prayer: “Jesus, I repent for my sins, please forgive me for living a life apart from You. I believe that you are the Son of God and that you died on the cross for my sins and were raised to life again. I confess you as Lord over my life. Take my life and do something with it. And I ask you to fill me with your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Name amen.”

It’s as simple as that. Welcome to the family! That is solely the most important decision you will ever make. If you prayed that prayer, please send us an email and let us know. We would love to help get you connected to a Life-filled church in your area and help you get started on your journey of “moreness” with God. Click the chat button at the bottom of each page and send us a message!