“We never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13, NLT)
Are you reading and studying God’s Word every day, letting its message soak into your mind and heart? As we consider the lives of the great Bible heroes, we see that they depended on the Word of God to guide and direct them. God told Joshua that if he wanted to be successful he would need to meditate on God’s Word (see Joshua 1:8). David valued God’s Word more than thousands of pieces of gold and silver (see Psalm 19:10). Job said he treasured God’s Word more than his daily food (see Job 23:12). Jeremiah said when he found God’s words, he ate them and they became his heart’s delight (see Jeremiah 15:16). Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”
The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to lead and direct us. We can trust the Word and the Spirit to guide us. God’s Word is powerful and we need to sow the truths of his Word into the soil of our hearts, giving it a chance to grow and work inside of us.
I like to think of God’s Word as if it is powerful medicine. In order for medicine to work in us we need to swallow it and internalize it. We must do the same with the Word of God. We need to read it, get it inside of us, and actually internalize it. The more we soak in God’s Word and the more we reflect on it, the more we will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to apply it to our lives.
In what ways does your behavior indicate that God’s Word is or isn’t a priority in your life?
Son Power is released in you through God’s Word.
Link
to chapter 8 “Living the Son-Powered Life Day by Day” and/or article “Living
the Son-Powered Life Day by Day” under Supernatural Power
Your Daily Commitment to Prayer
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7)
Talking to God about all of our life and believing he will answer our prayers is critical for the life of every Christian. As we talk with God about our life situations, the Holy Spirit empowers us with wisdom, guidance, and the strength to deal with each one. The Bible is clear that God will answer our prayers as we take time to soak in his Word.
Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7–8, NIV). And later in the New Testament we read, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” (1 John 5:14, NIV).
So often we want God to accomplish our will. It is important that we align ourselves with his will. As we pray, we need to ask God to enable us to see how he sees our current situation and pray for his solution. Whether we are facing everyday life, difficulties, or ministry opportunities, I believe Son Power is available to us in equal measure.
No matter what I am experiencing or what kind of decision I need to make, I use this equation to help me remember to rely on Son Power:
PRAYER + SUPPLY OF THE SPIRIT = DELIVERANCE
The principle here is that prayer (talking to God) about the problem or situation plus the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ will result in our deliverance. It is the supply of the Spirit that gives us life and empowers us to confront life. Paul described this in his letter to the Philippians: “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:19-21, NKJV).
As we face each day, we can be confident that God hears our prayers and is working in us to take care of us.
Honestly, are you daily seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength from God? What changes do you need to make in your habits to make this more of a priority?
Son Power gives wisdom, guidance, and strength through prayer.