Over this weekend she had two thoughts I’d like to share with you: As ministers, or small group leaders, or even in your own personal Bible study, how many of us have posed the question: “What does this verse mean to me?” If you read a chapter in Proverbs a day you would have come across this verse:

Proverbs 26: 11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.

When you ask what this means to you, in the end you are the one who gives this verse meaning. If it doesn't mean anything to you, then the verse isn't useful. That’s not why we read Scripture. We read so that the meaning God has already given to the verse can be applied to our lives. We don’t get to say what a verse means; God through the author of that particular verse has already done that. It is our job to find out what a verse means for us.

Yes, it’s just one word different, but that word makes a huge difference. Practice asking yourself and other what a verse means for you and I believe you will find personal application instead of personal interpretation. Secondly, are there any psychology buffs reading? If so, this chart will look familiar:

This is called Maslow's hierarchy of needs. The basic premise is that a person starts at the bottom, and once those needs are satisfied a person is able to move up the next level. A person who cannot find food and water cannot move up to the next level of safety, and so on. The very top of the pyramid is the chief end of a person, so says Maslow. Not so says the Christian! Once a person self-actualizes (or reaches the top) in reality they should not find comfort, but a haunting dissatisfaction. When we reach the top of the chart, we find how little we actually have, and how great our God is. We should see how desperately we need Him to complete us, and how we can never find wholeness without Him.

I praise God for being such a magnificent God, and for blessing my life with my wonderful bride.

11 "Who among the gods is like you, O LORD ?

Who is like you—

majestic in holiness,

awesome in glory,

working wonders?
12 You stretched out your right hand

and the earth swallowed them.
13 "In your unfailing love you will lead

the people you have redeemed.

In your strength you will guide them

to your holy dwelling.
14 The nations will hear and tremble…

18 The LORD will reign

for ever and ever."

Exodus 15:11-18