How to Personalize Scriptures and Gain New Perspective
By Capazin Thornton
Did you know the Scriptures were intended to be read out loud—spoken, declared, recited? And the Psalms sung! Did you know God is speaking out from the pages of the Scriptures personally, powerfully, and prophetically to you?
3 Facts about the Scriptures
Here are three things you should know about the Scriptures:
- All Scripture is God-breathed and will profit you.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”—2 Tim 3:16
- The Word of God is living and very active.
“For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]…”—Heb 4:12a (AMP)
- The Word of God is personal, relevant, and relational.
Through His Word, God tells us how we can know Him and His will, experience salvation, bear fruit, grow, live in victory, and have loving relationships.
Specific Places to Personalize Scriptures
When we read Scripture, we must pay attention to who is speaking, who is being spoken to, the subject and context, and how the Scripture may apply to us personally.
Here are four places we can confidently personalize the Scriptures:
- Where God promises great blessing to whoever will receive it
For example, John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” Here, you can write your name next to world and whoever.
Here God reveals His tremendous love for us, that He gave His only begotten Son for us, He does not want any to perish, and He wants everyone to have everlasting life.
Another example is John 1:12: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”
- as many includes you and me;
- them includes you and me; and
- those who believe includes you and me.
So write your name in these places.
- Everywhere the Scriptures reveal who we are, what we have, and what we can do in Christ
The revelation of who we are, what we have, and what we can do in Christ is found in the New Testament letters. This revelation is called in-Christ realities.
Start with Romans. Then go through all the New Testament letters. Circle everywhere you see prepositional phrases related to Christ, such as in whom, by whom, through whom, of whom, in Him, of Him, by Him. These phrases reveal the spiritual blessings, resources, authority, and power every believer has in union with Christ.
This is huge! As you ingest, personalize, and speak these truths, you will gain new perspective, motivation, and strength.
- Every place in the New Testament letters where a promise is made or a benefit is conveyed to believers
For example: Romans 8:32: “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”
- Every place in the New Testament letters where directions and instructions are given to believers
For example: Ephesians 6:13: “Therefore, take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
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When you speak the Scriptures out loud, you become the voice of God’s Word. Angels hearken to the voice of God’s Word. The Word causes atmospheres around you to favorably shift. And, you gain new strength and a fresh victorious outlook.
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[Scripture References: 2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20-21; Ps 103:20]
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Has this blog helped you discover God speaking more personally to you from the Scriptures? Please feel free to post your comments.
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Capazin Thornton is a Christian speaker, Bible teacher, and author in Orange County, California.