Thursday, June 18, 2009

The Word of God



I am constantly writing notes, as I see, hear and read different things during the day. I’ve realized that there is more to learn about the Kingdom of God then I have time, in many life-times. This actually helps me trust and depend upon the Lord to direct my steps each day, to learn and serve, to love and live the abundant life. I’d collected bits and pieces on the subject of the Bible (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) and will start today to speak on a piece of the importance of the very “Word of God” in our lives. The Good Book.

Sola scriptura (“by Scripture alone”)

2Samuel 22:31 - "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.” Proverbs 30:5 - "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”

Matthew 4:4 - Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Luke 11:28 - He (Jesus) replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."


It’s true that going to church makes you a Christian, just about as much as walking into a garage makes you a car. I had to realize the lost state of affairs that I was in and, accepting his death for my sins and resurrection to conquer death that I might rise with him, I asked the Lord to come into my life, change my heart and take control. We all start the journey, from spiritual blindness to eternity in Heaven, with a spiritual eye-opening to the infinite Divine knowledge and truth of God and a thirst to learn and experience everything possible by the will of God, our Creator, who loves each and every one of us. The Holy Scriptures, the living Word of God, reveals that knowledge and truth as it speaks to our heart and soul, to help us grow and mature as Children of our Heavenly Father. Not words written by mere men, but God breathed (2Timothy 3:16), inspired and given by the Holy Spirit (John 14:25-26). They are the words of life – Scripture alone.

Hebrews 4:10-12 - Anyone who enters God's rest (salvation-rest through the gift of God, in the finished work of Jesus Christ for atonement & redemption) also rests from his own work (trying to earn your way to heaven by their own efforts), just as God did from his. (“It is finished.” - John 19:30). Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

We are not to bend or twist the Bible to fit what we believe, but change what we believe to fit the Bible. God meets you where you are today, but he doesn’t leave you where you are. A changed heart creates a changed person. I’ve heard it this way … we must guard ourselves against lowering the standard of God’s Word to our understanding or political correctness. And we must guard ourselves against raising our standard of tradition above the standard of His Word. The Bible is not meant to be paraded past the judgment bar of your mind. You can argue with it, but why? You can pick up and read any other book, but this is the book that reads you. It pulsates with life and power. It cuts, burns, crushes, and wields mountain-moving power. His Word has life. It is the voice of God to you. From our Lord, God Almighty, you cannot refuse it, deny it, distort it, or dilute it. You can only bow before it. We need to get the “L” out of the “World” and get more into the “Word”. It is freedom from the bondage of Sin and the instructions for purposeful joy in life.


2 Corinthians 3:17- 4:6 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age (Satan) has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.


1 Thessalonians 2:13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.

2Timothy 2:15 - Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.


Read any “good” books lately? We need to spend more time reading and learning from “The Good Book” – The Holy Bible – The Word of God. Sola scriptura!


Blessings in Christ. May His name ever be praised.

Brian

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