We Need It: More of God’s Word

I talked about the flawless, eternal, alive, useful aspects of God’s Word in We Need It: God’s Word, but there's so much more to say!

God's wonderful Word:

(See full-text passages below devotion.)

 

1. Sanctifies us and builds our faith (John 17:17; Romans 10:17). 

It gives us life-changing wisdom and instructions (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 

 

2. Sustains us (Matthew 4:4). 

We need it regularly or our spirits become malnourished.

 

3. Always accomplishes God’s purposes (Isaiah 55:10-11). 

That doesn’t mean everyone accepts it, but it calls them to account. 

 

4. Inspires us to act. 

We don't simply hear it; we live it (James 1:22-24).

 

5. Teaches us how to live pure lives (Psalm 119:9).

 

6. “Dwells” in us when we write it, recite it, teach it and sing it to each other (Colossians 3:16).

 

7. Brings persecution when we love it enough to obey it without compromise (John 17:14).

 

8. Must be correctly studied and applied (2 Timothy 2:15). 

 

9. Is both a defensive and offensive weapon against Satan's lies (Ephesians 6:17). 

💙Beyond 1-minute for those who want more: 

Suggested reading: Be inspired by the faith of North Korean Christians who take their life into their hands to read Scripture in The Bible is Worth the Risk. Or read the story of a GI whose Bible literally saved his life in Bullets and Bibles. Or check out the Bible Love Notes collection of 1-minute devotions called Trust the Bible, and read one each day during your quiet time or study them with a friend or with your small group. There are over 50!

1. God's Word sanctifies us and builds our faith.

See Transformation, not Information.

John 17:17: "Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth."  

2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 

Romans 10:17: "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ."

2. Sustains us.

Matthew 4:4: Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"  

3. Always accomplishes God’s purposes.

Isaiah 55:10-11: "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

4. Inspires us to act.

Check out the "L-O-R-D" acronym in Godly Mirror Gazing.

James 1:22-24: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like." 

5. Teaches us how to live pure lives.

Check out the ten 1-minute devotions based on Psalm 119: Nine Disciplines of Growing Christians.

Psalm 119:9: "How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word."

6. “Dwells” in us.

Colossians 3:16: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."  

7. Brings persecution.

John 17:14: "I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world."

8. Must be correctly studied and applied.

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

9. Is both a defensive and offensive weapon.

Ephesians 6:17: "Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

Bible Love Notes