Instead of cooking goodness out of their food, they ate it raw. Doubt, liberal theology, or not seeking the Spirit's interpretation of the Bible can leach the goodness out of life-giving Scriptures, leaving even avid Bible readers malnourished. We all talk about it, but I wonder if any of us fully recognise the power in those pages. Great wisdom is the inheritance of those who devour its words. Every time we open the Bible, we are investing in a future ministry.
Every word adds power to that ministry.
There is no substitute. Plunge deep enough into the Word, and you will emerge with a ministry. That's what the Word says. So I need to come under the sway of people exercising these gifts. To proudly imagine we don't need them is to slight our mighty Deliverer, spurn his loving gifts and insult his unapproachable wisdom.