SOAKING IN THE WORD OF GOD
Good morning family!
Deuteronomy 32 starts off, “Listen, O heavens, and I will speak! Hear, O earth, the words that I say! 2 Let my teaching fall on you like rain; let my speech settle like dew. Let my words fall like rain on tender grass, like gentle showers on young plants. 3 I will proclaim the name of the Lord; how glorious is our God! 4 He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!” (NLT)
Just sit with that for a second. That’s the voice of the living God, echoing through time and space, falling like rain. Gentle. Persistent. Nourishing. That’s the picture. When God speaks, it’s not noise. It’s life. Isn’t that amazing?
I know rain on a vacation isn’t the most welcome thing. We’ve had guests at the Chalet that were so upset by the bad weather during their stay that they asked for money back. Can you believe that? I can’t control the weather. Some people want a guarantee that it’s going to snow while they’re here during the winter. Isn’t that crazy? I can’t make it snow anymore than I can stop it from raining. I’m not a weather wizard.
I remember we were on vacation in Georgia and I had paid for a groupon to go paddle boarding. You remember groupon? And they canceled the expedition because it was threatening to thunderstorm, but at the time we were supposed to be on the water it was absolutely perfect. So I called and complained. I was so angry. I can’t use that groupon again. Groupons are not sound long-term investments.
But here’s the thing: when we’re resting, relaxing, taking time off, we think of rain as an inconvenience. A nuisance. Something that messes up the plan. But anyone who’s ever tried to keep something alive in a garden knows—rain isn’t an obstacle to life. It’s the source of it. No rain, no growth. No water, no life.
Jesus knew this. In the wilderness, when the enemy came whispering twisted truths and offering shortcuts to glory, Jesus didn’t argue. He didn’t panic. He quoted the words of His Father. “It is written,” He said, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)
Every. Word. That. Proceeds.
This isn’t optional. It’s not bonus material for the super devout. This is the stuff of survival. You need God's Word more than you need breakfast. You need it more than clarity, more than comfort, more than control. The Word of God is your oxygen.
So when we open this Book, when we sit in silence and let His words fall on us like dew, we’re not checking a religious box. We’re being kept alive.
WHY WE'RE TAKING A BREAK FROM ACTS
I know many of you have been loving our time in the book of Acts. You’ve told me that—thank you. That kind of feedback means a lot. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stood up here wondering, Is this landing? Is anybody actually listening? And sometimes I wonder if God feels that way too. Are they even listening? Not just hearing the words, but receiving them. Letting them soak in. Letting them change us.
And listen—Acts has been amazing. It’s been rich and stretching and alive. It’s shown us what it looks like when the Spirit of God takes hold of ordinary people and uses them to turn the world upside down. It’s convicting. It’s energizing. But Acts is also a long book, and we’re not even halfway through. And sometimes—if we’re going to actually absorb it—we need to pause. Not because we’re tired of it, and not because we’re done. But so we can return with fresh hunger, ready for more. And I’m already looking forward to jumping back in this August.
But this summer… I want to invite you to something different.
We’re in a season when the pace shifts. School is out. People are traveling. The rhythms change. And that can be good. But if we’re not careful, we can slip into a kind of spiritual drift—where our attention goes everywhere but God. And before we know it, weeks go by and we’re running on empty.
So this summer, we’re not just pressing pause—we’re recalibrating.
We’re taking this season to soak in the Word of God. Not just to rest—but to rest in Him. To rediscover that the kind of soul-deep restoration we need doesn’t come from beach trips or airline tickets. It comes from hearing the voice of the living God. That’s the only thing that really satisfies.
So we’re going to spend this summer learning to engage the Word deeply and daily. Through different themes. Different practices. Some creative stuff. Some quiet stuff. Some fun along the way. But most of all, we’re aiming to let the Word form us. To shape our inner lives. To open our ears again.
Because this isn’t about information—it’s about encounter.
Are you with me?
WHAT ARE WE SOAKING IN?
What are you soaking in?
Because whatever you’re soaking in—that’s what’s forming you.
God says something strange and profound to Ezekiel in chapter 3. He tells him to eat the scroll. To make a full meal out of it. Eat it. Digest it. Let it become part of your body. Then—go speak it to the people. God wants messengers who’ve been transformed by the message.
It’s like God is saying, “You are what you eat.” And He’s right.
We all know this. If you eat nothing but junk, your going to feel like junk. I love how Nate Bargatze says it—he talks about how much he loves pancakes, and how tired they make him, but he never blames them. He’s like, “What is going on with me today? I think we need new pillows.” And his wife’s like, “You don’t think it’s that loaf of bread and syrup you just ate?”
It’s funny because it’s true. You are what you eat. Or, if I can tweak it for us: you are what you soak in.
And we are all soaking in something. Every single day. Your heart is being shaped—formed—by the voices you’re listening to. The patterns you’re giving your time to.
Statistically, the average American watches three hours of TV a day. That’s average. Some of us are doubling that on weekends with a Lord of the Rings marathon. (That might just be my family, but still.) We binge shows. We scroll endlessly. We soak in hours of commentary, opinions, marketing, gossip, entertainment—and barely blink. It’s not neutral. It’s forming us. Slowly. Powerfully.
There’s this thing I learned about on a work trip to Bath County, Virginia. It’s called forest bathing. Ever heard of it? Sounds weird, right? Turns out it’s this Japanese practice of immersing yourself in nature to experience physical and emotional well-being. I don’t know—I just call that hiking. But the idea behind it is actually pretty beautiful: the environment you put yourself in can literally change you.
Now think about that spiritually.
We are being formed—every day—by whatever we’re soaking in. Whether we’re aware of it or not. And honestly? It’s hard. I don’t remember most of the sermons I hear. I forget most of what I read in a book within a week. It just drifts away.
That’s why we need slow, steady, daily soaking in the Word of God. Not once a week. Not just when it’s convenient. Daily.
Because God’s Word is not just a message. It’s a means of transformation.
Hebrews 4:12 says, “12 the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (ESV)
That’s not casual. That’s not light. That’s invasive. That’s uncomfortable. That’s holy surgery. It cuts to our heart and exposes what’s there. It shapes us. It forms us. The Word exposes. It reshapes. It restores.
If we let it.
Which voices are forming you?
WHY READ THE BIBLE DAILY?
There was a study done by the Center for Bible Engagement back in 2009. I’ve mentioned it in the past. But it found that if you were to read the Bible only once a week, it has almost no measurable effect. Just showing up once a week and listening to a sermon. Just blowing the dust off and cracking open your Bible once a week makes no discernible difference to your life.
I came across this verse the other day from Acts 13. This is the next chapter we’ll get to in Acts, so I guess we can’t escape it after all. It says, “27 The people in Jerusalem and their leaders did not recognize Jesus as the one the prophets had spoken about. Instead, they condemned him, and in doing this they fulfilled the prophets’ words that are read every Sabbath.” (NLT)
They heard the Scriptures every week—but it wasn’t enough. When I get around to it isn’t enough. When I can find the time. It’s not going to make a difference.
That study found that the turning point is four times a week or more. That’s the point where the word of God makes a dramatic impact on anxiety, temptation, and evangelism. Last time I mentioned this study I pointed out that this is a more often than not. There is a critical mass that must be achieved. A critical mass of more often than not resulting in a 30% decrease in feelings of loneliness. A 32% reduction in anger issues. A 40% drop in bitterness in relationships. A 57% reduction in alcoholism. A 68% decrease in premarital sex. A 60% drop in feelings of spiritual stagnation. And on the other side, you are 228% more likely to share your faith with others. There's a 231% increase in the likelihood of discipling others. And a remarkable 407% increase in memorizing scripture.
Reading the Bible daily changes everything!
Because it’s only in that daily soaking that we are able to drown out the lies with the truth.
The kids love that song by Ellie Holcomb which says, “But I will fight the lies with the truth. Keep my eyes fixed on You. I will sing the truth into the dark. I will use my fightin' words.”
These are our fighting words. This is how we push back the darkness in our lives and in the world around us.
If I give myself over to that exercise and ask myself what lies am I believing about myself, it is that I am unlovable and nothing will ever change.
But that’s not the voice of God. That’s the voice of the flesh. That’s the voice of Satan. It’s not God’s word.
God rejoices over us with gladness. He reminds us that “God is love and whoever abides in love abides in God and God abides in him” (1 John 4:16, ESV).
Lamentations chapter 3, “21 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (ESV)
Titus 3, “4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (ESV)
That’s who God is. That’s what He’s saying. That’s what He wants you to hear—daily.
But if all you ever do is occasionally skim a verse, or half-listen to a sermon while you’re cleaning the house or doing other things, then don’t be surprised when the lies still run the show. Multitasking isn’t a thing. Science has debunked it. Your brain can’t actually focus on two things at once. So stop trying to fit God in around the edges. You can’t multitask, stop trying.
Ask yourself honestly—What lies are you believing about yourself?
That you’re unlovable. That everyone will reject you in the end. That this is all there is for me. I’ll never change. This is just who I am. God is disappointed in me.
Those are not the voice of God. That’s the voice of shame.
When you open the Bible, you are opening your ears to the living voice of God. You don’t open your Bible just to read a book. You open your Bible to hear from a Person. It’s not a study manual. It’s the voice of your loving Father. It’s how we listen to the voice of Jesus.
It’s how we fight the lies with the truth.
Are you sick of being beat down by lies that lead to anxiety, fear, and depression?
Fight those lies with the truth. Soak yourself in it daily. It’s the only way.
If you treat the Bible like a textbook or school assignment, it’s going to be boring. If you approach it like a conversation with the Living God, it will change you.
THE BIBLE CHANGES EVERYTHING
Check this out. Isaiah chapter 55. This is our text for the day.
“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. 3 Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.
4 Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. 5 Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know, and a nation that did not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, and of the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; 7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
12 “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall make a name for the Lord, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”
WATER FOR LIFE
Let’s end today by listening—really listening—to what God says in Isaiah 55 about His Word. And not just what it is—but what it does when we soak in it daily, slowly, faithfully.
God begins with this invitation: “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters…”
It’s not a command. It’s a call. A welcome.
And isn’t that where so many of us are right now?
Tired. Dry. Thirsty. Busy. Distracted. Depleted.
We are spiritually dehydrated, chasing a hundred things, but deeply parched inside. And into that, God says: Come to the water. Come drink.
This is the language of mercy. This is not the voice of a drill sergeant demanding a new habit. This is the voice of a Father who knows your heart and says: You’re thirsty. Come and drink.
In a world drowning in noise, He offers a different kind of stream—one that restores the soul. “He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” (Psalm 23:2–3)
This Word isn’t optional. It’s not a spiritual luxury item. It’s life. Matt Chandler says that the word of God is not icing on the cake, it is the cake. It’s how we survive the desert. It’s the difference between burnout and renewal, between collapse and joy. And when Jesus comes, He doesn’t change the invitation—He intensifies it.
“Whoever drinks the water I give will never thirst. Indeed, it will become a spring inside them, welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14)
This isn’t just hydration—it’s transformation. It’s water that becomes a spring inside you. You begin to carry the life of God around with you wherever you go.
This isn’t extra. This is everything. You don’t read the Bible because you’re supposed to. You read the Bible because your soul is dying of thirst. Because it’s water in the desert. And it brings you back to life.
MILK FOR STRENGTH
“…Come, buy milk without money and without cost.” (Isaiah 55:1)
First water—for life. Now milk—for growth.
God doesn’t just want to revive your soul, He wants to grow you up. Not just hydration, but transformation. Not just survival, but strength.
This is how our Father parents us. He meets us in our need, and then feeds us so we become what He’s made us to be.
Milk is what babies crave—it’s essential for growth. But it’s not just for infants. It’s for any soul that wants to become stronger, wiser, steadier, more like Christ.
“Like newborn infants, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1 Peter 2:2–3)
God’s Word nourishes our convictions, our character, our resilience.
You want to grow? This is how.
We feed infants a dozen times a day because their bodies are forming—But your soul is forming too. And it’s either being nourished or neglected.
Your soul is either being nourished or neglected.
A hungry newborn will latch on to anything that seems close enough. And that’s us. We get desperate—we try to grow through podcasts, productivity hacks, even theology without intimacy. But only God’s Word has the nutrients that truly strengthen your soul.
This milk is different. It’s not earned. It’s not bought.
This is the economy of grace. Where everything costs everything, but it’s already been paid for. And now God stands with arms open, saying: Come. Grow. Be strong. Be steady. Be nourished in My Word.
WINE FOR JOY
“…come, buy wine… without cost.” (Isaiah 55:1)
Water gives life. Milk gives strength. Wine? Wine is for joy.
Throughout Scripture, wine is a symbol of celebration, abundance, depth. “God gave wine to gladden the heart of man.” (Psalm 104:15)
The Word isn’t just duty—it’s delight. Not just for survival or sanctification—but for singing, dancing, laughing, worshiping.
Yes, the Bible can be hard. Yes, it takes discipline. But don’t miss this: it’s meant to make your heart sing. God’s Word doesn’t just sustain us—it gladdens us. It opens up a deeper joy than anything this world can touch.
He invites you not just to be alive, or to be strong, but to be fully, joyfully human—in Him.
Come, buy wine.
Come, feast in joy.
Come, be satisfied.
THE QUALITY OF GOD’S WORD
“Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.” (Isaiah 55:2)
God doesn’t serve leftovers. His mercies are new every morning. The water is pure. The milk is nourishing. The wine is rich and full-bodied. This feast doesn’t run out. There’s always more joy, more wisdom, more truth, more of God.
Psalm 36 says we “feast on the abundance of his house.”
This Book isn’t stale. It’s rich. It’s alive. It’s endless.
Come hungry. Come expectant. Come and taste what’s good.
GOD’S WORD IS NEVER WASTED
“10 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10-11)
Let’s just be honest: Some parts of the Bible feel boring. Long genealogies. Ancient measurements. Laws. Numbers. You hit Leviticus, and you're like, “Really, God?”
But hear this: We’re not reading for entertainment. We’re not reading for information. We’re reading for formation—transformation. God promises that none of it is wasted. Not a single verse. Not one drop.
Even when you feel nothing… His Word is working.
Like rain soaking soil. Like water saturating a sponge. One drop at a time. Critical mass. You may not feel transformation on Tuesday. But by October, your desires have shifted. Your instincts changed. You’re not who you were.
So read. Even when it’s dry. Even when you’re tired. Even if it’s for five minutes.
Because the living God speaks. And His Word never returns empty.
THE GREAT INVITATION: COME! DRINK! EAT! LIVE!
“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters… Come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” (Isaiah 55:1)
This is not a call to perform. Not a command to get your act together. Not a guilt trip into another religious habit.
It’s a feast. A wide-open invitation from the Living God: Are you hungry? Come eat. Are you thirsty? Come drink. No money required. No qualifications. Just hunger.
God isn’t inviting you into a study plan—He’s inviting you to His table. To eat what is good. To drink what satisfies. To taste the fullness of life.
And here’s the miracle: He’s not just offering you a Bible reading plan—He’s offering Himself.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us…” (John 1:14)
The Word is not just a book. The Word is a person. And when you open Scripture, you’re opening your heart to Jesus.
This is not routine. This is relationship. And over time, something happens. A slow accumulation becomes a tipping point. Your desires shift. Your vision sharpens. Your soul begins to burn. You realize: You’re not just reading the Bible—You’re being remade.
So open your Bible. Even if it’s five minutes. Even if it’s Leviticus. Even if you don’t feel a thing. Soak in the Word. One drop at a time. Because this Word is alive. And the One who speaks it is still calling: “Come… without money and without cost.” (Isaiah 55:1)
Don’t walk away hungry.
Come. Drink. Eat. Live.
Resources (*the views expressed within the following content are solely the author's and may not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Mountainside Church):
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