Tag: the power of scripture

The Word of God

~ servantone1 ~ Leave a comment

JESUS SPEAKING

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was Hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 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: 1 – 4)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Fasting is a practice which elevates an individual’s inward Spirit above the desires of their flesh. While fasting in the wilderness for forty days, Jesus was tempted by the devil, who implored Him to perform a miracle that would end His hunger. The Lord promptly rebuked Him; quoting an old testament passage that emphasizes the sustaining power of God’s word and the importance of obeying the Scriptures. Food is beneficial for our bodies, but the word of God is nourishment for our souls.

As the story goes, a Haifa policeman who knew his Bible well, began chasing a gang of smugglers. The criminals had used a donkey-drawn carriage to escape. Although the smugglers got away, the policeman managed to capture some of the donkeys. The wise officer made excellent use of his knowledge of scripture; in particular, Isaiah 1: 3, which says, “the ox knows his owner, and the donkey, his master’s crib.” He withheld food from the beasts of burden for several days before turning them loose. The hungry animals led the police directly to the smuggler’s hide-out!”

Those who desire a close relationship with God and a mastery over their fleshly desires must seek-out and become familiar with the Holy Scriptures. The word of God is sacred and eternal; it is a teacher and friend to all those who yearn to accomplish God’s will. When we lack knowledge and seek guidance, we need only turn to the bible for answers. Our Spirits feed on the word, and thus a healthy Spirit will devour, cherish, and commit to memory, the sacred scriptures.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts. Apart from You we can do nothing, but with You, we can accomplish great things. May we feed on Your word in our hearts, and use the scriptures to guide our thoughts and actions. Sustain us through the power of Your Holy Spirit, that we might withstand temptation and overcome suffering. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

The Power of Scripture

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

    So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you continue in my word then you are my disciples indeed, and you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” (John 8: 31-32.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

   God, in His wisdom, has chosen to use language (words) to reveal Himself to mankind. The written and spoken words of God and of His only Son Jesus Christ are recorded within the pages of The Holy Bible. These words have the power to grant eternal life; to purify and to heal; to transform and to enlighten. The word of God can do so many things; but unless it is harnessed and utilized, it isn’t likely to produce any meaningful change. Daily scripture reading is essential for the growth of the believer; a dusty bible is a reflection of the heart of its owner.
   Francis A. Schaffer was a brilliant 20th century American scholar and theorist. As a young adult he had been eagerly studying the works of the Greek philosophers. In his quest for knowledge he had been exposed to many interesting questions; for which there were no answers (he was drowning in theory, speculation, and conjecture.) At this same time he was also attending a very liberal church on the weekends, which failed to provide him with the answers he desired (because they did not preach bible based sermons.) ‘He thought, “I wonder whether I should stop calling myself a Christian, and discard the bible?” Then he reconsidered; choosing instead to face the fact that he had never actually read the bible.’ In desperation he began reading the scriptures for himself; with every turn of the page, his amazement grew. He had finally found the answers to his questions. His curiosity had led him to a genuine faith in Jesus Christ. Francis Schaffer never stopped reading his bible. He chose to commit the rest of his life to helping others discover the truth that he had received from God.
   Nearly 130 million books have been written throughout human history. Every year 50,000 new titles are published. Yet in a sea of literary works, only the Holy Bible contains the truth. The bible transforms lives; it creates affection, produces kindness, and generates love; it relieves addictions, and delivers from despair; it can heal the sick and bring hope to the hopeless; it contains the answers to life’s deepest questions; it is a powerful tool; yet like all tools, it can do nothing unless it is put to use. Read God’s word and discover your purpose. Grab hold of the promises of God and never let go. Open His Holy Scriptures and you will neither stumble nor stray from the path of everlasting life.
    “Lord Heavenly Father, show us the importance of daily bible reading. May we cling to Your words as a dying man clings to his last breath. Instill in us the desire to seek You. May we be transformed through the power of Your word. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that we may be more like Your Son; may others see our lives and praise Your Name. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!