the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.       Deut 30:14

I have been enjoying a study at church with speaker Fawn Brents.  She makes the study of theology in her Blueprints of Truth very interesting and understandable. 

Before the days of internet access, before the printing press was invented,  before the Bible was so easily obtainable and available in so many languages the word was told by reading from scrolls and by memorization. Spoken repeatedly until the exact words were printed on a persons heart and mind, scripture was spread by reading and speaking.  People would gather in large groups and listen as God’s Word was read aloud for all to hear.

Thy Word I have hidden in my heart (Ps 119:11) and in my life and on my electronic device.Today we can pick up a Bible at almost any store, read the Word online, and even carry a Bible on our pocket pcs, palm pilots and phones. No matter where I go my Bible is with me. Carrying a Bible, however, is not enough. His Word on my phone doesn’t write it on my heart. I must read it. I must study it. I must apply it to my life. Technology has made scripture so easily accessible we don’t spend time learning and memorizing. We simply log on and word search for the verse desired.  Long ago people would travel for days to hear the Word of God. How many times do we complain about 10 or 20 minute drive to the local church? 

I heard someone recently comment "standing in the garage does not make me a car; sitting in a pew does not make me christian". I’ll take it one step further. "Having a Bible does not mean I know the Word." Perhaps it is time to slow down and delve into the Word, memorize it, and apply it.