“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” →

“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” →

“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Genesis 1:26 ESV

“God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him.” Romans 8:29 MSG

“Take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.” Ephesians 4.24 MSG

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2.12-13 ESV

Day 22 of 40: Being created in the image and likeness of God is a big deal – it places humanity in a position of privilege and is the intrinsic source of our dignity. As Warren points out – that’s why murder and abortion are offences against God.

We are like God in that we are spiritual, intellectual, relational, and morally conscious beings. But we are NOT God… not even close. So what’s the point of this chapter – Becoming like Christ? Continue reading “PDL 22 – Created to Become Like Christ” →