Good morning -
It was an inside job; there could be no other explanation. All the evidence pointed to something from within. And what made it difficult to detect was that the changes were gradual and easy to overlook. Ultimately, however, the changes were radical; what it became was nothing like it was at the start. And that was good.
"we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs ." (1 Thessalonians 2:13)
God's word is uniquely able to do an "inside job" on all who believe. When we read, hear, and study the Bible it performs a hidden but radical work within. Like food and digestion, we don't fully comprehend the process but the results are evident. Like food, God's word must be internalized in order for it to perform its life-changing work.
I am firmly convinced that reading, hearing and studying God's word is an absolute necessity for spiritual life and vitality. One of life's tragedies is that of those who revere the Bible but seldom, if ever, read and study it. External appreciation of the Bible is no substitute for internalizing it through reading and study.
Several years ago it was vividly impressed upon me that my priority as a pastor was to "preach the word" (2 Timothy 4:2). Personal anecdotes, amusing stories, and the words of other writers are no substitute for God's word. Scripture alone "performs its work in you who believe."
The Apostle Paul previously stated, in 1 Thessalonians 2:12, "walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory." If we are called to live in a particular way as present and future kingdom citizens, doesn't it behoove us to do what we can to discover that lifestyle? The Bible alone is the source of that vital information as well performing "its work in you who believe". Both the information and the power are available through the word.
The source of much of my greatest joy is in discovering truth from Scripture to clearly and plainly share with others. That joy is not found in having something to share that will make me appear intelligent (I'm certainly not!), but in knowing the effect that this truth will have as others internalize it. It's a bit like discovering a really good restaurant: I want others to enjoy the same delicious food that I've found.
My prayer today is that these thoughts have given you a greater appetite for God's word. Hearing about the food at a great restaurant doesn't begin to compare to actually eating it, and so it is with Scripture.
May you enjoy the nourishing richness of the most lavish banquet of all as you today feast of God's word.
Pastor Steve
It was an inside job; there could be no other explanation. All the evidence pointed to something from within. And what made it difficult to detect was that the changes were gradual and easy to overlook. Ultimately, however, the changes were radical; what it became was nothing like it was at the start. And that was good.
"we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs ." (1 Thessalonians 2:13)
God's word is uniquely able to do an "inside job" on all who believe. When we read, hear, and study the Bible it performs a hidden but radical work within. Like food and digestion, we don't fully comprehend the process but the results are evident. Like food, God's word must be internalized in order for it to perform its life-changing work.
I am firmly convinced that reading, hearing and studying God's word is an absolute necessity for spiritual life and vitality. One of life's tragedies is that of those who revere the Bible but seldom, if ever, read and study it. External appreciation of the Bible is no substitute for internalizing it through reading and study.
Several years ago it was vividly impressed upon me that my priority as a pastor was to "preach the word" (2 Timothy 4:2). Personal anecdotes, amusing stories, and the words of other writers are no substitute for God's word. Scripture alone "performs its work in you who believe."
The Apostle Paul previously stated, in 1 Thessalonians 2:12, "walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory." If we are called to live in a particular way as present and future kingdom citizens, doesn't it behoove us to do what we can to discover that lifestyle? The Bible alone is the source of that vital information as well performing "its work in you who believe". Both the information and the power are available through the word.
The source of much of my greatest joy is in discovering truth from Scripture to clearly and plainly share with others. That joy is not found in having something to share that will make me appear intelligent (I'm certainly not!), but in knowing the effect that this truth will have as others internalize it. It's a bit like discovering a really good restaurant: I want others to enjoy the same delicious food that I've found.
My prayer today is that these thoughts have given you a greater appetite for God's word. Hearing about the food at a great restaurant doesn't begin to compare to actually eating it, and so it is with Scripture.
May you enjoy the nourishing richness of the most lavish banquet of all as you today feast of God's word.
Pastor Steve
posted by steve @ 9:31 AM
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