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`Hello! And welcome to Christianview Ministries Homepage! We have changed our homepage. Now you will find a different bible study, devotional, message, or sermon directly on the homepage every so often. Some of John MacArthur´s work appears as well as contributions by pastors from different ministries, such as Pastor Dick Helms from CyberChurch.com, Pastor Porfilio Reyes, evangelist M. Martinez, and others. We appreciate support of this ministry. Today´s message is on BUTTERFLIES, BOTANISTS OR BEES?....please read on. From: DRAWING NEARby John F. MacArthur.Butterfly, Botanist, or Bee? "Take . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17). 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. "Empowered For Service" will be available on this page soon.
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