Overcoming Hindrances to Engaging with God's Word

In this first part of a four-part series, we explore the significant hindrances we face when reading the Bible and how to pray against them. The Psalms provide a profound guide on how to approach these obstacles through prayer. Before delving into the hindrances, it's crucial to understand why engaging with God's Word is vital. The Bible offers life, faith, hope, joy, and fruitfulness. These are not just abstract concepts but tangible effects that transform our lives. When we read the Bible, we encounter the words that give life, build faith, instill hope, impart joy, and lead to fruitfulness.

However, as we approach the Bible, we often encounter hindrances. To combat these, I use the acronym IOUs, which stands for four prayers derived from the Psalms. These prayers address the common obstacles we face: a lack of desire to read, not seeing anything meaningful, being distracted, and not feeling anything. The first prayer is "Incline my heart to your testimonies and not to selfish gain." This prayer asks God to exert divine influence on our hearts, causing us to desire His Word over worldly distractions. Our hearts often lean away from God's Word, and we need His power to push our will towards loving and desiring the Scriptures.

The second prayer is "Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law." Even when we have the desire to read, we might not see the beauty and glory in the text. We ask God to open the eyes of our hearts to see the wonders in His Word. The third prayer is "Unite my heart to fear your name." Our hearts are often fragmented and distracted, pulled in many directions. We pray for a focused heart that can concentrate on God's Word. Lastly, we pray for satisfaction: "Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love." After overcoming the initial hindrances, we seek to feel the joy and satisfaction that comes from God's love.

These prayers are essential because our hearts naturally incline towards sin and distraction. We need God's help daily to push against these inclinations and to walk in His ways. By praying these prayers, we align our hearts with God's will and open ourselves to the transformative power of His Word.

Key Takeaways

• 1. JCmI7k4&t=64s'>[01:04]
  2. The Power of Inclination: Our hearts naturally lean away from God's Word towards worldly distractions. By praying for God to incline our hearts towards His testimonies, we invite His divine influence to reshape our desires and align them with His will.
  
  3. Seeing the Wonders in Scripture: Even with a desire to read, we might not see the beauty in the text. Praying for God to open our eyes allows us to behold the wondrous things in His law, transforming our reading experience into a revelation of His glory.
  
  4. Overcoming Distraction: Our fragmented hearts are often pulled in many directions, hindering our focus on God's Word. By praying for a united heart, we seek the ability to concentrate and fully engage with the Scriptures, allowing them to impact our lives deeply.
  
  5. Finding Satisfaction in God's Love: After overcoming initial hindrances, we seek the joy and satisfaction that comes from God's steadfast love. This prayer ensures that our engagement with the Bible is not just an intellectual exercise but a source of deep spiritual fulfillment.
  
  ** [01:04]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:21] - Understanding Hindrances
• [00:41] - Importance of God's Word
• [01:04] - Life and Faith through Scripture
• [01:46] - Hope and Joy in the Word
• [02:30] - Fruitfulness from Meditation
• [03:15] - Daily Engagement with the Bible
• [03:34] - Introducing IOUs
• [03:55] - Prayers from the Psalms
• [04:26] - Incline My Heart
• [04:45] - Open My Eyes
• [05:05] - Unite My Heart
• [05:33] - Satisfy Me with Your Love
• [06:07] - Divine Influence on Our Will
• [08:16] - Inclination and Christian Life

1. Psalm 119:36 - "Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain."
2. Psalm 119:18 - "Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law."
3. Psalm 86:11 - "Unite my heart to fear your name."

1. What are the five effects of engaging with God's Word as mentioned in the sermon? How do these effects manifest in a believer's life? [01:04]
2. What does the acronym IOUs stand for, and how does each component address a specific hindrance to reading the Bible? [03:55]
3. According to the sermon, why is it important to pray for God to "incline our hearts" towards His Word? [06:07]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of God's influence in overcoming the natural inclinations of our hearts? [08:16]

1. How does the prayer "Incline my heart to your testimonies" reflect a believer's struggle with worldly distractions? What does this reveal about the nature of our desires? [04:26]
2. In what ways does the prayer "Open my eyes" transform the reading of Scripture from a routine task to a revelation of God's glory? [04:45]
3. How does the concept of a "united heart" help in overcoming distractions during Bible reading? What does this suggest about the state of our hearts? [05:05]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between feeling satisfaction in God's love and overcoming initial hindrances to Bible reading? [05:47]

1. Reflect on your current Bible reading habits. Are there specific worldly distractions that often pull you away from engaging with God's Word? How can you address these distractions this week? [06:07]
2. Consider the prayer "Open my eyes." When was the last time you felt a sense of wonder while reading Scripture? What steps can you take to cultivate this sense of wonder regularly? [04:45]
3. Think about a time when your heart felt fragmented and distracted during Bible reading. What practical steps can you take to unite your heart and focus on God's Word? [05:05]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of feeling satisfaction in God's love. How can you incorporate a prayer for satisfaction into your daily routine to enhance your spiritual fulfillment? [05:47]
5. Identify one specific hindrance you face when reading the Bible. How can the IOUs prayers help you overcome this hindrance? What will you commit to doing differently this week? [03:55]
6. Reflect on the idea of God exerting divine influence on your will. How can you actively invite God's influence into your daily decisions and desires? [08:16]
7. How can you share the transformative effects of engaging with God's Word with someone in your life who may be struggling with their faith? What specific action can you take to encourage them this week? [01:04]