Newness of Life Enjoying God's Word.

So, I sort got a new phone recently.  It is not actually new to me but it seems like it because I had to get a software update (called a Jelly Bean update, which I have no idea what that means) that erased most of all the files and such that I had on it.  But it reminds me of how I like getting something new, especially if I research and compare and take time to decide before I purchase it.  Then I own it, and then proceed to learn about it in order to make the best and most use out it, and finally I get to the place that I can enjoy the thing.
   As I think about walking in newness of life I cannot help but to keep remembering that any true success comes as I look to the treasure of God's Word.
  "If you seek God through His Word with an open, receptive heart, you cannot miss Him.  He will not let you miss Him.  He will meet you and touch you.  He will rekindle your spiritual fire through the power of the Gospel."- Ray Ortlund
  I like to first think about the privilege of owning a Bible.  I am gratefully aware that God has given me so much, including the means to buy a Bible (and actually several different copies for reading and study).   But I am also thankful to live in a great country where I still have the freedom to. Owning the Bible is not enough, though. 
  Learning the Truth of God's Word is essential in being able to walk in newness of life.  It takes time.   It takes effort.  It takes trading other seemingly valuable time and events to search and study and read the Word so I may grow and be healthy in the adventure of life.    Well, health comes first, then the growth.  I have learned the hard way sometimes and wondered why I saw no progress, no transformation in me.  It was because I thought I could skip the intimacy with God, while I sped past Him with my busyness of trying to get a morning devotion done to get on my way to work or prepare a lesson without putting into practice what I was clearly seeing in the Scripture passages.
"Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart."- Psalm 37:4
We can own our Bibles, and learn from the Word as we spend time searching and studying diligently, but real transformation can come as we enjoy His precious Word.  As we become more and more acquainted with Him as we meet Him in the passages, we really want to be not just hearers, but doers of what He says. Obedience actually becomes delight.  Promises actually come to life.  Hardships in life actually can be seen as they really are- gifts to draw us closer to God.  We truly begin to delight in Him as we delight in reading His Truth and begin to really see His majesty.  This brings enthusiasm to mundane life, a spring in our step, a knowing heart that can bring a smile to our face even in the most stressful days of work and caring for others and resolving conflicts and truly loving those around us.  Get into His Word and get a glimpse of His glory and go back again and again, because God's grace is measureless and amazing.
"Thy word is like a deep, deep mine; 
and jewels rich and rare
Are hidden in its mighty depths
For every searcher there." - Edwin Hodder

A prayer:
Lord, I want to know you so that I may delight in You.  You tell me that if I search for You, that I will find You.  Please help me to love your Word more than I have ever before.  In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.