The Word of Life

The night that I bowed my head and asked Jesus to forgive my sins and come into my life, there were three very special girls present.

After we prayed and I experienced the inexpressible freedom and joy of the new birth,

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become      new.” 2 Cor. 5:17

one of them looked at me and said in earnest,

“Read your Bible everyday.”

This scene took place in a small meeting room in the girls dormitory at Zion National Park,where a friend and I had gotten summer jobs after high school

That night changed the direction and destination of my life forever; but, 

what has continued to change my heart still thirty one years later, is the Word of God.

I love God’s Word.

It is a blazing beacon of truth. When my soul has a dark night at sea, the light of HIs Word shines brightly; proclaiming peace, hope and security within the fall of its beam.

When my ship gets off course, it illuminates the way, correcting and redirecting me back to safe waters.

When I discovered the reality that there was ABSOLUTE TRUTH in the world, my soul found it’s much longed for resting place.

Searching for answers much of my teen years, dabbling in this and that, subscribing to the notion that there were many paths to God and that what worked for one might not work for another...never comforted my restless and wandering heart.

Encountering Jesus, the God of the Bible, and HIs Word did.

I will say unashamedly, it is the absolute rock of my existence. I seriously could not live without it. 

The other day, I heard a well known, solid Bible teacher commenting about inductive Bible study. As most of you know, that is a method of studying the Bible, verse by verse within the context of the book it was written in.

This technique is far different from picking and choosing verses at random or approaching the Bible with preconceived ideas.

She mentioned how studying inductively takes time and continued on, by sharing that some women had complained to her that they just didn’t have the time for that, stating,”Just tell me what to believe!”

I love her response, 

“Grow up! You are in a battle!”

Amen!

We are in a battle from life’s first breath: but, after we become citizens of the Kingdom, we either stand our ground or advance into new spiritual territory. Retreat is not an option, for victory is ours because of Jesus. 

We wouldn’t dare go into battle without the proper artillery and armor, and such it is in the Christian’s walk.

God’s Word is the essential weapon of mass destruction for taking down strongholds, banishing the lies of the enemy, and marching on with the banner of truth held high.

There are days when I get very overwhelmed with all the things going on around and inside of me.

If it weren’t for the truth of His Word assuring me, reassuring me and giving me the hope that only He gives..I would be left floundering in a sea of dark emotions.

It was about 2:30 a.m. that morning, July 25 when Jesus rescued me. A few short hours afterwards, I walked down the path from my dorm room and into work at the resort restaurant. One of the special girls with me that night was a hostess there and began walking towards me with a box. A package had arrived. For me. It was a Bible.

She had ordered it several days, if not weeks before, but there it was... arriving when I needed it most, on the very first day of my new life.

God’s Word is like that. In the days when you have been left bare, like a faithful friend and a rushing wind, it will come back to you.  It’s powerful truths will punch through the darkness and pierce the painful moments with absolute clarity.

To have it impact and sustain our lives, The Word must be ingested deep into our souls, by our:

Reading it

Understanding it

Applying It

Sharing it

We can’t afford to skip any of these steps in our preparation as soldiers. 

So go on, grab your Bible and may you discover anew or for the first time, the joy of God’s love letter to you today!

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” Luke 4:4

If you feel led to, post a current favorite passage!

I’ll start, with Psalm 103:

Bless the LORD, O my soul;

And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

2  Bless the LORD, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits:

3  Who forgives all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases,

4  Who redeems your life from destruction,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

5  Who satisfies your mouth with good things,

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6  The LORD executes righteousness

And justice for all who are oppressed.

7  He made known His ways to Moses,

His acts to the children of Israel.

8  The LORD is merciful and gracious,

Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

9  He will not always strive with us,

Nor will He keep His anger forever.

10  He has not dealt with us according to our sins,

Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

11  For as the heavens are high above the earth,

So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

12  As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

13  As a father pities his children,

So the LORD pities those who fear Him.

14  For He knows our frame;

He remembers that we are dust.

15  As for man, his days are like grass;

As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

16  For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,

And its place remembers it no more. [fn1]

17  But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting

On those who fear Him,

And His righteousness to children’s children,

18  To such as keep His covenant,

And to those who remember His commandments to do them.

19  The LORD has established His throne in heaven,

And His kingdom rules over all.

20  Bless the LORD, you His angels,

Who excel in strength, who do His word,

Heeding the voice of His word.

21  Bless the LORD, all you His hosts,

You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.

22  Bless the LORD, all His works,

In all places of His dominion.

Bless the LORD, O my soul!

* We are slowly increasing the dosage on the medicine, please pray with us for no side affects and maximum effectiveness!