Hello By My Side friends.
Thanks for checking in to this September 2023 fall post of mine. The beginning of fall and particularly the month of September I find are always the beginning of new personal commitments, new perspectives, new habits, and new personal resolutions. Today, as we move into a new school year, and new fall season, I’d like to suggest a new habit for you to consider adopting. Discovering “The Bible”. Or for those of you who do read the bible, to go further into soaking in its wisdom.
The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God, as seen in the Bible, to help make us like the son of God. God’s Word, is the spiritual nourishment we must have to fulfill our purpose. The Bible is called our milk, bread, solid food, and sweet dessert. This four-course meal is the Holy Spirit’s menu for spiritual growth and strength.
Abiding in God’s Word, there are so many Bibles in print today than ever before, but a Bible on the shelf is worthless.
Millions of believers are plagued with spiritual anorexia, starving to death from spiritual malnutrition. To be a healthy disciple of Jesus, feeding on God’s Word must be our first priority. Jesus called it “abiding”. He said, “If you abide in my Word, then you are truly disciples”.
In day-to-day living, abiding in God’s Word involves three activities. 1) I must accept its authority. The Bible must become the authoritative standard for my life: the compass I rely upon for direction, the counsel I listen to for making wise decisions, and the benchmark I use for evaluating everything.
2) The Bible must always have the first and last word in my life. Many of our troubles occur because we base our choices on unreliable authorities: culture (“everyone is doing it”), tradition (“we’ve always done it”), reason (“it seems logical”), or emotion (“it just felt right”). All four of these are flawed by the Fall.
3) What we need is a perfect standard that will never lead us in the wrong direction. Only God’s Word meets that need. Solomon reminds us that “every word of God is flawless”. Paul explains, “Everything in the scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live”.
Next month we will explore how we can be “Transformed by God’s Truth” which is ultimately seen in God’s Word throughout the Bible itself. So for now, let’s perhaps consider this as “food for thought” in committing to explore the Bible more deeply as we move into this fall season of new beginnings.
God bless you all. Love MJ xo
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