WATCHWORD:
The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63
It is the LORD who goes before you. Deuteronomy 31:8
“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32
Meditation:
From Word to Spirit
Recently our men’s group has been studying Philippians. We’ve had lively discussions, some on point, others not so much. Mostly reverent, some based on the trust within the group. Over all, we had an enriching time, learned a few things, and, because of the bond between us, openly shared. That is the beauty of such groups.
We all need that kind of support as we do our very best to walk with Jesus through this life. We can study the Bible inside and out, memorize chapter and verse, but the relevance of our study and our faith rests in the way and manner in which it is reflected in our lives.
I think we pay particular attention to those sections of the scripture that speak to us. For me, Romans 12, where Paul outlines, in 21 verses, key steps in living the Christian life, has been practical, helpful, and certainly worthy of adoption.
I’m wondering if that’s what we’re looking for in reading the Bible–the practical, the readily applicable to our everyday life. In Paul’s day, with the hardheaded Galatians, he encountered the Judaizers, who thought following a Christian life was “too simple”, “too easy”. He had a difficult time communicating the Truth and dispelling the cloud of confusion.
I believe we all have had the experience of finding new meanings as we read a previously familiar passage and suddenly it takes on power, and clarity. Maybe the Bible has been so many words to us that are cloudy and difficult to understand, then, all of a sudden, the words become spirit and life because Jesus re-speaks them to us in a particular way.
You know, God’s way of speaking may not be as you expect through spoken and printed words, but rather the unprinted version that echoes in our minds and in our hearts. When Jesus said, “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” Notice the present tense, because He speaks now, to each one of us. The Words have become part of our Spirit, a transformation of the heart.
The Christian walk is difficult. That was true in Jesus day and it is true for us, today. Jesus teaching to the crowd, resulted in many of them simply walking away. When confronted with spiritual needs of a spiritual message most people simply tuned out. What society seemed to want is a spectacle, material things, maybe they want a political savior. The more Jesus insists on being the means to eternal life, the angrier the crowd becomes, until most of the crowd abandoned Him. And eventually it was just the twelve disciples, willing to follow, although still struggling to except the claims.
Randy Alcorn says that the Christian life is far more than sin management. The worst thing we can teach people is that they’re good without Jesus. Instead, the lesson for us and for those we touch is that following Jesus is a decision. We will to believe. We choose to believe. God speaks to us in Joshua 24:15 – “…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…”
May God Almighty bless all the choices we will be making this day. Amen.
— Stan
Morning Prayer to the Father of Us All:
How I thank and praise You my Father, that You are my light and my salvation, my courage and the strength of my life, and that there is nothing to fear when You are nearby. Lord, my hope is in You for I know that no enemy can penetrate the spiritual wall of protection that surrounds me in Christ, and that nothing can touch my life that You do not permit if I remain in Him, who is my light and the upholder of my life.
Help me to study Your Word with all diligence, knowing that all I need to live godly in Christ Jesus is contained within its pages, and as I progress along my Christian walk, may I be ready to give an answer to all who ask about my eternal hope in Christ. Give me, I pray, the courage to speak boldly, but in love. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
