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| Are You Becoming a Gold Digger? |
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If you have ever worked a job, you know that some aspects of your job are fun while other aspects are not. It all depends on the reward. I know for myself that there are some aspects of being a pastor that I love such as preaching, teaching, and leadership. The reward of instructing and leading God’s people compel me to want to do these duties even more. However, other duties such as formulating an annual budget or some of the routine administrative duties that need to be done are not as appealing. To be sure, they get done, but not because I can’t wait to do them. I do them simply because they need to be done. These activities aren’t as rewarding.
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Lets say you had a choice between digging a ditch and digging for gold. Even though both jobs involve digging, you would probably respond by choosing to dig for gold. The difference is the reward at the end. There would be a possibility of culminating your dig with a treasure full of gold. This becomes a pretty compelling reason to want to dig.
This comparison could be applied to studying God’s Word. A lot of Christians look at Bible study as a chore that they would like to avoid. The have likened Bible study to digging a ditch. The reason for this is some have forgotten the gold at the end of the dig. The Bible is full of hidden treasures waiting to be mined. I would suggest that you and I may want to take some time today and meditate on Psalm 119 in order to remind ourselves of the wealth that is waiting to be discovered. |
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Pastor Tim, at this point in my life, it's hard for me to image anyone seeing Bible reading as a chore. Both you and Kathy have made this point, and I certainly don't disagree. For years I neglected a daily dig into God's Word/words, but this was more out of ignorance and neglect than a dislike for the actual practice. Frankly, when we have a proper understanding (from the heart, not just the mind) of what the Bible represents, we should continually thirst for more!
And there is a huge difference between digging for gold and digging into the treasure of God's Word. When you dig for gold, you may or may not find the treasure. But when you dig into God's word, the treasure is a certainty!!
Thanks for spurring us on Pastor Tim! |
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| The truths revealed for us in the Bible are the real "stairway to Heaven". Eternally speaking, and concerning this present life. Glory to God !! So let us dig,dig,dig................. |
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Glenn |
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December 05, 2007 at 7:32am |
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Pastor Tim, thanks for the reminder. Sometimes I let myself become to busy with household things and driving children around and of course work, but I will continue to dig and pray God will continue to direct my digging to the gold he has there for me.
peace |
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Pastor Tim, the Lord begun to bless me in my ministry the moment I decided to sit at His feet with the Bible in my hand. For about 15 years, I was meditating and writing on the Song of Songs. During 2002, I converted all my writings into a book and published the same. I am now meditating on the Proverbs for the past few months. The Holy Spirit leads me to meditate on each verse in this book and to write a message.
Job Anbalagan |
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Mike, I think for some, school was a negative experience and the idea of studying seems like drudgery. For others it may be sin (DL Moody said either the Bible will keep you away from sin or sin will keep you from the Bible). or even a legalistic barrier. For still others, they may have an experience oriented view of faith and see studying as being not necessary. The Holy Spirit will show them. With that said, I am like you Mike. It is hard to undertsand why digging in God's Word is a chore.
Paul, I have my shovel in hand and ready to dig!
Glen, I think we all struggle with balancing all of our resposibilities and all need those reminders. I know I do. When I find myself laxing in my study time, I search for my shovel and start digging.
Job, for 15 years you mediatated on one book. That's a long time. You must have gleaned great insights. I bet the book is full of gold nuggets! |
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Deb |
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December 05, 2007 at 10:41am |
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| Every time I read my bible, which is every day, I learn something new...some new insight, something I hadn't noticed before...but always something. It is to our own advantage to read it on a regular basis. |
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I love Psalms 118! I shall read it again now! Thanks for encouraging our studies.
1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate thereon day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
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Gene |
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December 05, 2007 at 10:53am |
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| The other part of Biblical Gold Digging is only reading those verses that support your thinking or doctrine. |
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Deb, I can see you and Shannon go digging for Gold a lot. Shannon, that is one of my favorite verses.
Gene, what you said is so true. I call them proof-texters:-) It is important not to bring an agenda when studying the Bible. |
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Kathy |
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December 05, 2007 at 11:38am |
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I love this blog, Pastor Tim! Here are a couple of extra stars to go with the other: 
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| Man, Pastor Tim, is this ever true! |
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| Kathy, Lara, and Victorious, thanks so much. Kathy, Thanks for the extra stars :-) |
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R |
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December 05, 2007 at 5:28pm |
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Hey Pastor Tim, I want to add this to what you've shared. If the person, going to read the word, will expect that God will talk to them (bring thoughts to their minds). They will find (and experience), a time with God that is more precious than gold... and it will compel them, to want to keep these appointments with Him. ~ But... if a person does not have this mind set (believeing God will interact with them), then it can be like hard labor. The other to me is conditioning oneself to walk in the Spirit, as we should be doing all the day long. R... |
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I dunno exactly where it is but Somewhere in the old testiment God said he was going to run a plum line through the house of Isreal. To me the time in the word kind of does that to my life. Of course I always fall short, but that's why I have my brothers and sisters in my home church and you folks.
8:2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, both men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. 8:3 And he read therein before the broad place that was before the water gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women, and of those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were `attentive' unto the book of the law. 8:4 And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Uriah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchijah, and Hashum, and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, `and' Meshullam. 8:5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: 8:6 and Ezra blessed Jehovah, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with the lifting up of their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped Jehovah with their faces to the ground.
I don't mind asking an occasional dumb question. What constitutes the book of the law. |
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