I Love Jesus but Hate,… It’s In The Word

By Pastor John Mateos Ong

Have you ever experienced talking to someone and you were not able to utter a word? That is how it is with our spiritual and prayer life sometimes. Do you wait for the Lord to speak? Or are you done when you have said your piece?

The Lord speaks in different ways - through people, through dreams, or through circumstances. But one of the clearest ways in which God can speak to you is through His word.

Many people love the Lord but do not want to read the Bible. They have no intention of finishing it over and over again. If it aligns with your logic and intentions, then it is fine. But what if it does not?

2 Timothy 3:10-11 says, “You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.”

2 Timothy 3:14-15 says, “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

THE CALL

2 Timothy 1:8 says, “So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.” Do not be ashamed in sharing the word of God.

1 The Bible is God’s Word. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”

All the Bible is written by human authors but when you look at the totality of it, they all aligned. If you do not read the Bible, what is basis for belief?

2 The Bible renews the mind. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Fyodor Dw3ostoevsky once said, "Above all, don't lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others.” Close the feed and open the word.

3 The Bible equips. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” If you want to be equipped, read your bible.

What the Scripture does

Four Pillars

TEACHING SHOWS WHAT IS TRUE.

REBUKING SHOWS WHERE I AM WRONG.

CORRECTING SHOWS THE WAY BACK.

TRAINING SHOWS HOW TO WALK ON.

WHAT NOW?

3 Habits for the week ahead

A habit is something that you do everyday.

READ. Joshua 1:8 says, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Practice what you read. The purpose of reading is obedience.

THE ACTION: MAKE THE PLAN. - If something is important, write it on your schedule. Set an hour, a place, pick a plan and keep a notebook.

DELIGHT. Psalm 1:1-3 says, “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.”

THE ACTION: FROM DUTY TO DELIGHT

- Just show up.

- Ask God to give you hunger.

- Read slowly. Do not rush it.

- Notice what God reveals about this heart, character and promise.

- Celebrate small insights.

MEDITATE. Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Let it be absorbed by your heart.

HOW TO MEDITATE:

- Read it slowly. Twice, out loud.

- Repeat one phrase yntil it stays.

- Reflect what it says about Gor.

- Respond by obeying one thing.

Where can the word go?

Body

- You read the bible like a textbook.

- You know the facts, stories and doctrines.

- You can quote verses but they haven’t shaped your character.

- It’s knowledge in the mind, not yet reaching the heart.

Soul

- The soul is the seat of emotions, desires, affection and will.

- This is where the word begins to change you, not just inform you.

- You delighting His word as in Psalm 1:2 and the scripture becomes enjoyable, beautiful, comforting but convincing.

- You shift from knowing to becoming.

Spirit

- This is the deepest level.

- The spirit is the part of you that connects directly with God - the place of identity, conviction, revelation and union with Christ.

THE GOAL: LET THE BIBLE TAKE CONTROL. Psalm 119:05 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Don’t let a day go by when you have not read the bible. That you will not let one day go by without saying a word. That gives you control. If you go out of the house without reading the Bible, then you become out of control.

What is directly in front of your feet? Different things in front of different people. Whatever it is, the Lord is telling you to trust in Him. Can the Lord trust you with the things He is giving you? The word reveals just enough. If He shows you what is ahead, you might get overwhelmed. So He is showing you just enough. Trust Him.