The Power of the Word of God

 

 

The Bible is not just any book, it is literally the inspired Word of God.  It is a history and science book.  It is prophecy fulfilled and prophetic of things to come.  It is a morality guide - it is your compass.  We can plug into it and gain accesses to the very Power of God.  Isn't that amazing!

 As we know God's Words alone created the omniverse.  He spoke all the worlds into existence.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.  Genesis 1:1-5  (You know the rest...)

So we know by the very ground we stand on, and the air we breathe, that God's Words hold more power than we can ever fathom.  When Christ walked this earth, His Words alone healed the sick, cast out demons, and even raised the dead!  Incredible!   

I am a firm believer in reading the bible every day.  Yes, I may skip a day here and there, but overall, I love to dive into God's Words on a daily basis.  For one thing, studying God's Words will not only benefit me spiritually and emotionally, but it proves to God how much I love Him and want to get to know Him better.  It also greatly helps me in my daily walk.  God's Word helps me make the best choices in every day situations.  If I'm thinking about lying, for example, I can stop and reflect on God's Word and know how displeasing this would be to the Holy of Holies.

 Be diligent [study Gods Word] to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  II Timothy 2:15 

But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” Luke 11:28

God's Word is our daily bread.  It is all we need to sustain us. After reading particularly powerful bible verses, do you ever feel like you have partaken of a wonderful feast?  God's Words make you feel alive and will satisfy you to the very core of your being. 

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”  Matthew 4:4 

There are so many wonderful things that God's Word brings, that I cannot possibly name them all.  I'll just focus on a few more areas.

God's Word is our salvation.  It tells us that Jesus shed his blood on the cross and died for our sins.  It tells us that, if we repent of our sins, and choose Christ as our Savior, that we will be saved.  We are loved by an amazing God!

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.  Romans 1:16

But remember, God's Word does not excuse us from living in a life of sin.  We are not to use God's grace as an excuse to do what we know is wrong.  God's Word is also great at convicting us of our sins. 

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?  Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?  Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  Romans 6:1-4

 If we abide in the Word and do our best to live by God's instructions, God's Word will keep us honest.  If we allow it, God's Word will show us where we need to improve, as well as showing us where we are on the right path.  Here is one of my favorite verses:

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12

When you read God's Word daily, it will really sink in to where you memorize scripture (even if you don't know the exact reference).  It is a good moral guide that you keep with you wherever you go. 

Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.  Psalm 119:11

God's Word is a reality check.  When you read the gospels and Jesus' own Words, you will realize that Christ never sugar-coated things.  He was very honest and told His listeners that life would be hard, some will be persecuted for their beliefs, and some will never find true happiness in this life. 

We live in a fallen world full of people not living a Godly life, and those people do not care how their actions affect others.  Because of such people, most of us will experience a lot of unpleasant things in life.  Living in a fallen world also means that diseases are allowed to exist and cause pain to the sufferer as well as to family members that endure loss.

Yet, if we endure, God's Word promises those who have repented of their sins, accept Christ as their Savior, and are striving to live holy lives, will gain eternal glory. (You can also read the beatitudes in Matthew 5 & Luke 20)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.  I Peter 1:3-9

Ephesians 6:10-18 is an amazing section of scripture that should be carefully studied many times over.  God's Word alone in that section offers up excellent advice on how to survive in this world. 

 

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;  praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:10-18

Since I am focusing on the Word of God today (and not the whole armor), I will end with these few thoughts.  In the above verses, the Word of God is described as "The Sword of the Spirit" which we are to take up daily and use as a weapon.  We are to be proactive by reading God's Word and using it to arm our minds, hearts, and souls so that we may live lives Holy and acceptable, as pleasing unto the Lord.

God's Words will bring you peace, joy, love, awe, conviction, and an overall honest look at life and make you take an honest look at yourself.  But never take my word, your pastor, or any one else's for it, read it for yourself!

Trade Covetousness For Compassion

 

When Jesus, the True Teacher in the School of Holiness, gives me a lesson, I know it is not meant for my heart alone.  God expects me to share what He teaches me.  

As soon as you learn the 10 Commandments, you learn that coveting is wrong:

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his [donkey], nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. Exodus 20:17 

The dictionary.com definition of covetousness is, "eager or excessive desire, especially for wealth or possessions: Social media so often encourages us to compare ourselves to others, inspiring covetousness and insecurity." (That last sentence really makes the definition sink in.)

But is it all that serious to covet what someone else has? Really think about it for a few minutes. What does wanting what someone else has lead to? Jealousy, discontent, hatred, resentment, anger, and greed. Just like any sin, if not dealt with and allowed to fester, it can cause serious spiritual and physical harm to yourself and to others. What can these feelings evolve to: anger at God, division between you and friends/family (sometimes permanently), thefts, affairs, and in extreme cases murder. 

When you focus too much on what you think you lack and what the other person has, you start to lose your love for people and your compassion for them.  All you can see is their fancy house, large bank account, good health, etc. What you fail to see are their heart and soul. Is that person living in a house three times the size of yours, driving new vehicles, and never wanting for things truly happy? Do they buy and buy to cover their loneliness? Do they take drugs, get drunk, have sex outside of marriage, etc. because they are trying to fill an empty void? Are they in danger of hell because they refuse to surrender to God and let His peace take over their mind and actions?  

Even when we struggle with poverty, what we consider imperfect looks, or any type of infirmity, we need to not care about what is in another person's bank account, what they look like, or if they are in perfect health.  We need to let compassion for their emotional and especially their spiritual state overtake our feelings of envy for what they outwardly have. When all we see when we look at other people are the things we want, rather than what people are going through, we displease the Lord.

Notice in the below verse that Jesus Himself says covetousness is as wicked as murder and blasphemy!  I believe it is because we often fail to love the person we are jealous of, and Jesus continually commands us to love. You may say you don't actually hate the person you envy, but can you truly love someone you are resenting?  

And he saith unto them, "Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?  And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."  Mark 7:18-23

Now let's look at the definition of compassion, also from dictionary.com, "a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering."

Wow! That definition beautifully sums up what Jesus wants us to feel for everyone. When you are feeling jealous of someone do you really "desire to alleviate the suffering" of that same person?  Rather than coveting what the other person has, we need to have compassion for what he or she is going through. Do not let your eyes be so green with envy that it blurs your vision to the point where you can no longer see when another person might be suffering. 

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 1 Peter 3:8

It is so easy to say see success from Hollywood's ungodly point of view that says money buys happiness, sex, and lots of material possessions. Instead, we need to see people from Jesus' point of view. Are these people happy? How many wealthy people commit suicide because possessions cannot bring peace ? How many beautiful people hate themselves because they cannot see themselves through the loving eyes of Jesus Christ? How many award-winning athletes are getting drunk or taking drugs to numb the pains of their past? How many people, no matter their economic status, or what they look like are suffering day to day because they do not understand that God washes them clean of sin and guilt and can bring them True joy when they live for Him and Him alone? These people do not need our cold-hearted covetousness! They need our love, compassion, and prayers! They need us to get over our own egos long enough to remember that the gospel of Jesus Christ matters more than any material possession, more than good looks, even more than perfect health!  When you realize their rejection of Jesus is sending them to hell, your compassion should increase ten-fold.  You need to remember to share the True gospel with all people, no matter how put together he or she may seem!   

We need strive to be like Jesus in every way we can, but especially in the area of love and compassion. The opposite of the topic of this blog is true as well, and we need to see ALL people as being in need of God's love and forgiveness and never refuse to share Jesus with those you arrogantly may think are not worthy of you time!  Regardless of status "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).  We need to minister to the successful as well as those who are more obviously hurting such as the homeless, drunk, mentally ill, etc. After all, the inner turmoil of the rich and the poor are not so different and we all need Jesus Christ as our personal Savior!

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons. Acts 10:34

Jesus' own words repeatedly tell us to love one another, but I will end with this blog with a verse in Ephesians written by Paul. It is a good reminder of my previous statement above that I believe we often fail to love the person we are jealous of, and Jesus continually commands us to love. You may say you don't actually hate the person you envy, but can you truly love someone you are resenting?   

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing [merciful & understanding] one another in love. Ephesians 4:2