The Word Is Alive
Donna Golen Schultz said, "But I'm worried". And He said, "Do not worry." So I said, "But I need to be concerned." And He said, "Be anxious for nothing." I said, "But I need to know." And He replied, "I know the end from the beginning...beginning to end. Trust Me." Amen.
That's what I posted as my Facebook status this morning. They're not just arbitrary words, made up in order to have something pithy to say on a Wednesday morning. And today I realized just how not-arbitrary they are. I was reminded once again of just how vitally important knowledge of God's word is in walking through this life.
I used to pride myself on the fact that I had purposeful quiet time with the Lord each and every morning, no matter what. There's nothing like caring for a 20 month old who wakes up at varying hours of the morning, to show me that my times are in someone else's hands. Most mornings are not spent with my cup of coffee (or two or three), in sweet communion, one-on-one with my Savior anymore. Most mornings, my intake of the Word comes from a precious devotional book, read while Ashton's drinking her morning "bubba." But that has not stopped me from talking. From the time I wake up, I am still talkin' to the Lord. He never fails to answer me. Just so you know, I don't hear the audible voice of God. I sure wish that I did. He speaks gently to my Spirit and He always speaks His Word. That's my point.
I realized that if I hadn't lived on a steady diet of God's Word for the last so many years, someone or something else would be speaking to me in the difficult seasons of life. Oh, it might be my own selfish, self-centered, easily carried away mind. Often, it would certainly be the voice of the Enemy, because I wouldn't know that he is a liar and the father of lies, so I'd take it all in. If I didn't have God's Word hidden in my heart, I'd have nothing and no one to speak truth to me. I remember reading more than once about Christians who were in prison, their Bibles confiscated, surviving and sustained by the Word of God that was stored up on the inside of them. They didn't need the physical Bible, because they had the Word hidden in their hearts.
"For the word of God is living and active." (Hebrews 4:12) Because they're not just words on a page, but God-breathed (2 Timothy 3: 16) straight from His lips to your heart, you will hear Him speak just the right word at the right time for the situation where you need to hear from Him the most.
Jesus said in John 14:26, "..the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." How can I be reminded of something that I've never heard before? Because the Word of God is stored up on the inside of me, the wonderful Holy Spirit sees me at my point of need, and reminds me of just what Jesus has taught me. Of just what Jesus has spoken to me over the years. He reminds me of what the Truth is, in a world that is so filled with lies and deception. In chapter 15, Jesus said, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you." When His words remain in me, I can ask for wisdom, guidance, comfort, strength to endure, and He will give it me! I believe that He gives me those answers more frequently than not through the Truth that is in His Word.
In Psalm 119:92 the psalmist said, "If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction." If I had not made the study of God's word my utmost delight over the years of my walk with Him, I surely would've perished many a time, in many an affliction. I would have followed the other voices. I would've given up in despair. I would have sinned. But in the midst of trouble, even when I can't get to hold a Bible in my hands, that living and active, God-breathed Word can be carried on the wings of the Holy Spirit, straight to my heart and bring a peace that passes all understanding.
I cannot entreat you any more earnestly than I am today to know and love the Word of God. Study it. Meditate on it. Live in it. Bathe in the living water. Don't take it for granted. There may come a day when you won't have it physically in your hand but you will know it firmly in your heart. It is sustenance. It is strength. It is power. It will carry you on eagle's wings through any situation, circumstance or condition. "Do not let this book of the Law depart from your mouth, meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." (Joshua 1: 8)
I pray that you will fill yourself to overflowing with God's living and active Word today and everyday. You'll never be sorry. I'm not!
That's what I posted as my Facebook status this morning. They're not just arbitrary words, made up in order to have something pithy to say on a Wednesday morning. And today I realized just how not-arbitrary they are. I was reminded once again of just how vitally important knowledge of God's word is in walking through this life.
I used to pride myself on the fact that I had purposeful quiet time with the Lord each and every morning, no matter what. There's nothing like caring for a 20 month old who wakes up at varying hours of the morning, to show me that my times are in someone else's hands. Most mornings are not spent with my cup of coffee (or two or three), in sweet communion, one-on-one with my Savior anymore. Most mornings, my intake of the Word comes from a precious devotional book, read while Ashton's drinking her morning "bubba." But that has not stopped me from talking. From the time I wake up, I am still talkin' to the Lord. He never fails to answer me. Just so you know, I don't hear the audible voice of God. I sure wish that I did. He speaks gently to my Spirit and He always speaks His Word. That's my point.
I realized that if I hadn't lived on a steady diet of God's Word for the last so many years, someone or something else would be speaking to me in the difficult seasons of life. Oh, it might be my own selfish, self-centered, easily carried away mind. Often, it would certainly be the voice of the Enemy, because I wouldn't know that he is a liar and the father of lies, so I'd take it all in. If I didn't have God's Word hidden in my heart, I'd have nothing and no one to speak truth to me. I remember reading more than once about Christians who were in prison, their Bibles confiscated, surviving and sustained by the Word of God that was stored up on the inside of them. They didn't need the physical Bible, because they had the Word hidden in their hearts.
"For the word of God is living and active." (Hebrews 4:12) Because they're not just words on a page, but God-breathed (2 Timothy 3: 16) straight from His lips to your heart, you will hear Him speak just the right word at the right time for the situation where you need to hear from Him the most.
Jesus said in John 14:26, "..the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." How can I be reminded of something that I've never heard before? Because the Word of God is stored up on the inside of me, the wonderful Holy Spirit sees me at my point of need, and reminds me of just what Jesus has taught me. Of just what Jesus has spoken to me over the years. He reminds me of what the Truth is, in a world that is so filled with lies and deception. In chapter 15, Jesus said, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you." When His words remain in me, I can ask for wisdom, guidance, comfort, strength to endure, and He will give it me! I believe that He gives me those answers more frequently than not through the Truth that is in His Word.
In Psalm 119:92 the psalmist said, "If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction." If I had not made the study of God's word my utmost delight over the years of my walk with Him, I surely would've perished many a time, in many an affliction. I would have followed the other voices. I would've given up in despair. I would have sinned. But in the midst of trouble, even when I can't get to hold a Bible in my hands, that living and active, God-breathed Word can be carried on the wings of the Holy Spirit, straight to my heart and bring a peace that passes all understanding.
I cannot entreat you any more earnestly than I am today to know and love the Word of God. Study it. Meditate on it. Live in it. Bathe in the living water. Don't take it for granted. There may come a day when you won't have it physically in your hand but you will know it firmly in your heart. It is sustenance. It is strength. It is power. It will carry you on eagle's wings through any situation, circumstance or condition. "Do not let this book of the Law depart from your mouth, meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." (Joshua 1: 8)
I pray that you will fill yourself to overflowing with God's living and active Word today and everyday. You'll never be sorry. I'm not!
posted by Donna Schultz | 11:22 AM
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