| Topic: |
Religions > Bible |
| User: |
"Peter G. Chase" |
| Date: |
25 Sep 2004 01:30:34 AM |
| Object: |
DN Butterfly, Botanist, or Bee? 9/25/2004 |
DRAWING NEAR
September 25
Butterfly, Botanist, or Bee?
"Take . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God"
(Eph. 6:17).
Your attitude toward Scripture will determine your effectiveness in
spiritual battle.
I remember enjoying the observations of a perceptive man who was
gazing at a beautiful garden. First he saw a butterfly flitting from
flower to flower. It spent a few seconds on the edge of each, but
derived no particular benefit from any of them.
Next he saw a botanist with large notebook and microscope in hand. As
the botanist carefully observed each flower and plant, he made
copious entries in his book. But after hours of meticulous study,
most of what he learned was shut up in his book. Very little remained
in his mind.
Then came a little bee. When it entered a flower, it emerged laden
with pollen. It had left the hive that morning empty, but would
return full.
When it comes to Bible study, some people are like butterflies, going
from one favorite verse to another, one seminar to another, or one
book to another. They're very busy and expend much energy but have
little to show for their efforts. They remain unchanged in any
significant way because they never really delve into the Word
wholeheartedly. They're content to simply flutter around the edges.
Others, like the botanist, may study in great depth but never apply
it to their lives. I know of entire commentaries written by
unbelievers. In some cases their grasp of Scripture is exceptional,
but they know nothing of true love for God and obedience to biblical
truth. What a tragedy! But you don't have to be a biblical scholar to
make that mistake. You need only to fail to apply what you learn to
your life.
Rather, strive to be like the bee, spending time in the Word
--reading, studying, taking notes, then emerging fuller than when you
began. Your mind will be filled with wisdom and biblical insights.
Your life will be sweeter and purer because the Word has done its
work (1 Cor. 2:13).
Are you a butterfly, a botanist, or a bee?
Suggestions for Prayer:
Thank God for the opportunities He gives you to study His Word. Take
full advantage of them.
For Further Study:
According to James 1:22-25, what's the difference between someone who
merely hears the Word and someone who obeys it?
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
1 Corinthians 2:13
13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom
teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things
with spiritual.
James 1:22-25
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving
yourselves.
23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like
a man observing his natural face in a mirror;
24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what
kind of man he was.
25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in
it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one
will be blessed in what he does.
~~~
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
http://www2.oneplace.com/Ministries/Grace_to_You/
and
http://www.gty.org.uk/
You may email John MacArthur in care of Grace to You at:
letters@gty.org
NOTE for those of you reading via newsgroups: If you wish to reach
me, please contact me via e-mail for quickest results.
In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase1@wideopenwest.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus Is?
http://www.gty.org/Gospel
http://www.gty.org/
http://www.nwbible.org/
To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and to discover that the prisoner was you. -Alistair Begg
.
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