Lord, Give Me New Desire For Your Word
Mack Tomlinson encourages believers to pray for a renewed desire for God's Word, emphasizing devotional consistency over mere intellectual reading.
This sermon emphasizes the transformation that can occur in one's life through consistent and devoted reading of the Bible, drawing inspiration from the example of Bill McLeod who read the Bible devotionally for over 60 years. It highlights the power of prayer in seeking a new desire for God's Word and the impact it can have on one's spiritual life, leading to a deeper communion with the Lord and a fresh understanding of Scripture as daily nourishment.
Full Transcript
Years ago, 2002, I was real inconsistent with my Bible reading. I would go a day, I'd miss three, and I was struggling. I went to Canada to Bill McLeod's house for a week.
I was helping him try to write his biography. I was in his house, 20 below zero, in Winnipeg, and I saw these 20 black King James Oxford or Cambridge Bibles lined up on his desk. He would wear one out, he'd get another one.
Bill McLeod probably read the Bible through 300 times in his life, I imagine, and I was with him for a week. I knew his consistency, and I knew my inconsistency. So I didn't say, Lord, I'm going to be like Bill McLeod.
I can just pull this off. I left Winnipeg, and I said, Lord, I know how he reads, and I know the Spirit of God has been on him to read 12 chapters every day and meditate in them. For 60-something years, he did that, devotionally reading the Bible.
I went back to Texas, and I said, Lord, I can't change myself, so here's what I'm going to pray. I'm going to pray every day this prayer, Lord, give me new desire for Your Word. When you like to eat, you'll eat, won't you? When you like the Bible and you desire it, you'll read.
And God began to do that. I began to read, and it would be like a buffet spread. I'd get something.
He encouraged my heart. I'd pray it. The next morning, I was looking forward to reading the Bible.
And it's changed since then. This morning, I read a psalm, and I got something from it. Fresh manna from heaven.
Read the Bible, not intellectually. Read it devotionally, like a child is reading your Father's words. And commune with the Lord.
Sermon Outline
-
I
- Personal struggle with inconsistent Bible reading
- Encounter with Bill McLeod's disciplined Bible habit
- Recognition of the need for divine help
-
II
- Prayer for new desire to read God's Word
- Understanding desire as key to consistent reading
- God's response in creating a hunger for Scripture
-
III
- Reading the Bible devotionally rather than intellectually
- Approaching Scripture like a child communing with the Father
- Receiving fresh spiritual nourishment from the Word
Key Quotes
“Lord, give me new desire for Your Word.” — Mack Tomlinson
“Read the Bible, not intellectually. Read it devotionally, like a child is reading your Father's words.” — Mack Tomlinson
“When you like to eat, you'll eat, won't you? When you like the Bible and you desire it, you'll read.” — Mack Tomlinson
Application Points
- Pray daily for a renewed desire to read and meditate on Scripture.
- Approach Bible reading as a devotional communion with God, not just an intellectual exercise.
- Be consistent in your Bible reading, trusting God to cultivate a hunger for His Word.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Mack Tomlinson struggle with Bible reading?
He was inconsistent and found it difficult to maintain a regular habit of reading Scripture.
Who inspired Mack to change his Bible reading habits?
Bill McLeod, who read the Bible daily and consistently for many years.
What prayer did Mack Tomlinson start praying?
He prayed, 'Lord, give me new desire for Your Word' to cultivate a hunger for Scripture.
How does Mack suggest we read the Bible?
Devotionally, like a child reading the Father's words, not just intellectually.
What was the result of praying for new desire?
He began to look forward to Bible reading and received fresh spiritual nourishment.