The Word is Alive

Today marks the six month anniversary of this blog. To be honest, I didn't realize that as I was finishing my Bible reading and mulling over some thoughts being tossed around in my mind. But, the realization of the significance of the day really goes along with the primary thought that has emerged from my Bible reading. God's Word is perfectly appropriate for today. I look back over the challenge post and realize how much God has used whatever I was reading for that day to greatly impact my life and growth in Him. As I've spent these last weeks reading and studying Isaiah, I've seen how there truly is nothing new under the sun - some of the things we are seeing in our Western society were going on thousands of years ago as well. And yet there are still days when I wonder if there is any relevance for me. How can I even think such a thing? God has proven His Word to be alive over and over and over again. The challenge that is impressed upon me today is to act like I truly believe in the powerful pertinence of God's Word. Instead of sitting down to a Sunday school lesson and saying, "Wow, how in the world am I going to teach this?" instead I need to say, "Lord, I'm so excited to see how Your Spirit guides us through this passage!" God is powerful. His Word is powerful. And His Word is pertinent and appropriate. Always and without fail.

The Best Desire

Nor let the eunuch say, "Behold, I am a dry tree." For thus says the LORD, "To the eunuchs who keep My sabbaths, and choose what pleases Me, and hold fast My covenant, to them I will give in My house and within My walls a memorial, and a name better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name which will not be cut off." Isaiah 56:3b-5 (NASB) I am having a hard time putting into words why this passage stood out to me so greatly this morning. As I read it, I wondered how many times I have realized that a desire of mine was not in line with the will of the Lord. I've surrendered it to Him, but also have clung to the sadness of letting that desire go. In doing so, I have lost some of the joy of the gift that is greater than any earthly desire fulfilled - the gift of salvation. God gives me the absolute best. And yet so often I still pine after these earthly desires just as a eunuch might have pined over the fact that he could never bear children to carry on his name. I am challenged to grow in this - to decrease my pining for desires of this earth and increase my joy and delight in the Lord Himself.

God's Incredible Word

If Your law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction. Psalms 119:92 (NASB) Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You. Psalms 119:11 (NASB) All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16-17 (NASB) Psalm 119 is a treasure-trove of praise for the Word of God. I used to dread it because of its length - now I devour it. It awakens in me new passions each time I read it. Today was no exception. Verse 92 was the only verse of these three in this morning's reading, but as I mulled over it, verse 11 came to mind. Then as I was preparing for tonight's Bible study I saw how the 2 Timothy passage fit in. God's Word is so incredibly powerful. It prepares us for everything we could possible face in life. But, the problem is that so many times we wait until we're in the middle of a need before we seek the wisdom of God's Word. These three verses all seem to indicate that we just might be doing it backwards. The indication here is that when the need arises, we are prepared because we already have the Word within in - we already have a familiarity with its wisdom. Oh how often I fail on that account. I stumble and struggle because I have not been open to God's teaching through His Word in the calm times. The more I get into the Word, the more I see that I have so much yet to learn. It's easy to get overwhelmed and wonder how in the world I will ever succeed in learning it all. But, the truth is that God gives me everything I need when I need it if I will just heed His teaching! So, I'm motivated anew to learn, to truly dig, and to listen oh so intently. His Word is amazing!