Day: May 15, 2012

PDL 24 – Transformed by Truth

“So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”  Isaiah 55.11 ESV

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”  John 6.63 ESV

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3.16-17 ESV

Day 24 of 40: “The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to make us like the Son of God.”

God’s Word and Spirit work together to accomplish God’s purpose in creation, in history, and in me. God’s Word is True and Powerful… I’ve bet my life on it and I have not been disappointed. I like this quote from Warren:

God’s Word generates life, creates faith, produces change, frightens the Devil, causes miracles, heals hurts, builds character, transforms circumstances, imparts joy, overcomes adversity, defeats temptation, infuses hope, releases power, cleanses our minds, brings things into being, and guarantees our future forever.

For 40 years I’ve used the various methods described in this chapter of abiding in God’s Word. It’s been my life’s work… and I’ve personally experienced the variety of effects described above. But still… I’ve only scratched the surface. There’s so much to learn… so much I don’t understand – after all, the Bible spans over 4000 years of recorded history… different times, cultures, languages, and life experiences.

But through it all, it addresses God’s relationship with His people… with the human heart… with people made in His image, with people made for His purpose. God doesn’t change and His Word and Spirit are as applicable to me today as they were to a guy in a tent in Iraq 4000 years ago (Abraham). He never stopped learning (100 plus years) and neither am I. Continue reading “PDL 24 – Transformed by Truth” →

Morning Reading: Ecclesiastes 11:5 NLT

“Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things.” Ecclesiastes 11.5 NLT

PDL 23 – How I Grow

“Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Philippians 2.12-13 NLT

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4,23 NLT

“Dear brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind.” 1 Corinthians 14.20 NLT

Day 23 of 40: Spiritual growth requires intentional commitment.

“I must want to grow, decide to grow, make an effort to grow, and persist in growing.”

There’s a tension in spiritual growth between what I do and what God does. Warren note that I work out and God works in. That’s helpful,,, he has a way with words. Want, decide, try, persist – those are the things that I do. But their all a vain effort unless God changes me from the inside out. Continue reading “PDL 23 – How I Grow” →