Have you ever rewatched a show or movie that you’ve seen a million times (exaggeration, of course) and noticed something that you hadn’t before? Well, I was watching an episode of A Different World the other day as if I had never seen the show before, and came to a scene that I can recite by heart.
Mr. Gaines (one of my faves) said his line and I cracked up for about 10 minutes. I mean, I laughed from a good, healthy place. I had never heard that line before, as many times as I have seen this show from 19 such and such until now. I never heard him say it. I even decided to rewind it a few times just to laugh all over again. It was a late-night binge watch too, so I was good and tickled. I’m sure if you were here with me, you would have been over it LOL!
Bible Verses Keep On Giving.
Anyhoo, this got me thinking about times when I read scriptures over and over and get something different every time. As frequent Bible readers, we can get too familiar with the Word of God and only take scriptures at face value. Little do we know, there is always more if we dig deeper.
This is what God wants from us. That is why our Playbook says in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Now, that approval is met by continuously delving into Bible verses. It is our instruction manual, our way of life. And many revelations that we look for on a daily basis we can find by taking the time to seek God through His word.
So, What’s the Play Call?
Many times what we are searching for is right in the scriptures. There have been days when I was having a rough time, or just looking for a little something extra as I began to read, and God allowed me to come across it in my study time. In these times, I have found new meaning in a Bible verse that I thought I’d read enough to know.
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you re-read those “familiar” scriptures:
- Keep God’s promises at the forefront of your mind. Some things are “out of sight, out of mind”. And this can be especially true if you are not consistent with reading God’s word. It is easy to get discouraged when you forget what you have coming to you. Read God’s Word to remember His promises. “For he remembered his holy promise, And Abraham his servant.” Psalms 105:42
- Act after you read. Sometimes, we must take the time to put God’s Word and instruction into action in order to gain new insight from it. Ask God what He wants you to do with what you’ve read. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1:22
- Always pray. When you continuously pray, you will continuously want to know more about the One you’re praying to. It will cause you to go back and read what you think you already know, only for Him to be gracious enough to reveal more to you. “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
- Read first. I have found that when I choose to read my word before anything else, that is what has the precedent in my mind. God’s Word is free to consume my thoughts when I give Him my brain space before emails, text messages, and social media. “I love them that love me; And those that seek me early shall find me.” Proverbs 8:17
I know you probably read Bible verses every day, but take the time to ask God to show you something new that will enhance your life. I guarantee, it will change your perspective over and over again.
