The Word of God -

I Wait For The Lord

“I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.” Psalms 130:5

Are you waiting for the Lord? Is your hope in His word? Many do not have patience. Patience involves perseverance when we are waiting for answers to our prayers. There may be some kind of delay, but the answer is on its way. Prayer is the key to receiving those answers from God. Patience is needed to wait upon the Lord to receive the blessings of the Lord. These days many do not want to wait due to self-gratification. We want it now instead of waiting for the answer or manifestation of what we are seeking from God. These days many do not take the time to read God’s word. Yet, God’s word is the bread of life to direct our path. In Hebrews chapter four, verse twelve, it reads as follows:

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Many do not want to hear what the word of God has to say because it pierces the soul and spirit. God’s word discerns our thoughts and intents of the heart. Those who are of the faith in the Lord Jesus, must stay the course and surrender every day their thoughts to the Lord. Our hope is in the word of the Lord. We must know that the everlasting God, the Lord, the creator of the ends of the earth does not faint or is weary, [see Isaiah 40:28]. Listen to what else Isaiah has to say,

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

In verse 30, Isaiah said that even the youth shall faint and be weary. But, those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary. They shall walk, and not faint. Even David knew that God satisfies the mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s [see Psalms 103:5]. Reading the word will renew your strength. The word is the provision of God. We must wait, and meditate on the word.

I wait for the Lord, and in His word do I place my hope. My hope is in the Lord God.

“For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.” Psalms 71:5

In your youth and old age, the Lord God will give you strength. God shall redeem your soul from deceit and violence. Let us praise the Lord for He will bring us out of trouble. Pray to the Lord to bring you out of trouble. Declare God’s wondrous work. Cry out to God not to forsake you when your strength fails. God will make haste to help you in your time of need. Pray and ask, and you will receive.

Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. Psalms 71:4

Let us pray like David and rely only on the word of God. Our confidence is not in the unfaithful man, but it is in God alone. The Lord is good and ready to forgive.

“In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.” Psalms 86:7

In the day of your trouble, call upon the Lord and He will answer you. Surrender your will and be quickened in your body and soul in the name of Jesus. Teach me thy ways Lord, and I will walk in thy truth, [Psalms 86:11]. Help me to wait upon you Lord and renew my strength today, in Jesus name, we pray, Amen.

What is Hindering your Growth?

“Hear ye therefore the parable of the Sower.” Matthew 13:18

The parable of the Sower can explain the causes that hinders a believer’s growth. We are to grow into the image of Christ, for Christ is the incorruptible seed. The seed is grown into four different kinds of soil. The seed is the word of the gospel of Christ. This is the seed of faith. Faith in Jesus Christ who is the head of the church. This is the lively hope of an inheritance that is incorruptible and undefiled.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that faded not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

1 Peter 1:3-5

We are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, yet at times, we would with draw from the seed of faith to go a different way. The way of self is a person who has a strong will that professes to be a believer but has not fully surrendered their will to God. Many do not have the ear to fully listen to the truth about who Jesus is. Jesus spoke in parables because of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven [see Matthew 13:11]. Jesus said the “people’s heart is become gross, and their ears are dull of hearing,” [Matthew 13:15].

Has your heart become insensitive and your ears dull of hearing? Let us look at the four soils where the seed was planted. The first seed is on the wayside which has no root at all. It has no root because the wicked one has taken it away. This seed is the root of bitterness, criticism, doubt and unbelief. The second seed is sown in stony ground. This is a person who is moved by strong appeal and at first receives the message of the word with joy but falls away because of fear. They have not counted the cost of the gospel of Christ. They could not withstand tribulation and persecution.

The third seed is sown in thorny ground. This seed takes root but does not grow up to bear fruit. The thorns have sprung up around the plant and has overshadowed them. The cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches have choked them from bearing fruit. The lust for other things has choked the word from bearing good fruit [see Mark 4:19]. The fourth seed is grown in good ground. This seed has roots and has grown up to bear good fruits in different amounts. Some bear 100-fold, while others bear 60 and 30-fold. This seed hears and understands the word of God.

It is said that a lack of cultivation is the cause of many believers to not grow up and bear good fruit. Lack of knowledge of the word of God has led to a lack of growth. Cultivation means to till and fertilize the land. The soil needs to be prepared by breaking up the hardness of the soil and feeding it with fertilizer to soften the soil for the seed. Remember, Jesus said that the heart has become gross. In otherwards the heart is dull or insensitive to know and understand the word of God, therefore it needs to be tilled and fertilized.

The importance of the Holy Spirit to come and soften the hearts of men and women is vital in receiving the word of God. We must pray for the Spirit to move upon our dull hearts to hear the truth of the word of God. If you find yourself in one of the three grounds that do not grow, repent and pray to be delivered from that ground of soil and come into the new ground and become a new creation in Christ Jesus.

Believe in the incorruptible seed, which is Jesus who will take care of you, for He is the good shepherd that gave His life for the sheep [see John 10:11]. Surrender your will to Him and He will make sure to take care of all your needs. Stay the course in faith and you will bear fruit. Remember the three soils where there is no fruit and pray that your heart and ear do not become dull of hearing.

John 15:16

O Ye of Little Faith

“And he saith unto them, why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.” Matthew 8:26

There is no one who wants to have little faith. We want to have faith that can move mountains as Jesus said in Matthew chapter 17, verse 20. However, in Matthew chapter 8, verse 26, we have Jesus rebuking the winds and the sea. Can we rebuke the winds and the sea? The answer is yes, if we have faith. The whole chapter of Matthew eight is about the authority of the Lord to heal, cast out demons and still the winds and waves. If you have not read chapter eight of Matthew, I would encourage you to do so. If your faith is little, then read the word of God to enlarge your faith.

“So, then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17

You might say that if you lack faith, you are not reading or hearing the word of God. It is the word that gives us the foundation to live out our life. It is the anchor that holds us in place to the promises of God. Those promises will last forever as it states in Isaiah chapter 40, verse 8, “The grass withered, the flower faded: but the word of our God shall stand forever.” Many people simply marveled and questioned about what Jesus did, but they could not believe. Can we believe or have faith in what Jesus did. Can we do what Jesus did? The answer is yes, if you have faith. Jesus gave us the power to pray in His name and ask Him for anything, and He will do it.

“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13

Listen to what the centurion said, “I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof; but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed,” [see Matthew 8:8]. Wow! That servant was healed. The centurion understood the meaning of authority since he had soldiers under his authority. Authority is the belief that God has absolute power and that He is the source of all power. Through Jesus name, we have the right or responsibility to do something by exercising authority through prayer and asking for anything such as healing.

We tend to limit ourselves when it comes to our faith in God. We have reasons for not acting in faith and this limits us from doing what God wants us to do. Sometimes even I forget that He has given the authority to rebuke pain, disease, and depression. Jesus healed, cast out demons, and rebuke the wind and sea. He is our example, and He did what the Father told him to do. We as His children should follow in the same course and become doers of the word.

We hear the word to gain faith. When faith has built up within our hearts, we begin to act it out.

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1:22

The centurion was acting out his faith by saying ‘just speak the word,” and my servant shall be healed. How did he know that his servant would be healed? He must have heard about the acts of Jesus and believed that He is the son of God. The word of God is full of prophecies and promises. One of the prophecies concerned with sickness stated, “He himself took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses,” [see Matthew 8:17]. This verse was prophesied by Isaiah. It was fulfilled through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus healed all who were sick. The disciples went about doing the same as Jesus did.

Today, the elders are called to pray, anoint with oil in the name of the Lord, for the healing of sickness [see James 5:14]. Now, look at the next verse that states, “the prayer of faith shall save the sick,” [James 5:15]. The prayer of faith is what will save the sick. If no one comes to pray for you, you can pray yourself for healing of your own sicknesses. Remember that Jesus himself bore your sickness so, you do not have to bear it any longer. Speak the word and you shall be healed. This is what the centurion did, and Jesus was so surprised at what He heard that He said,

“Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” Matthew 8:10

Jesus was astonished at the faith of the centurion. Will He be astonished at your faith or will you hear “O ye of little faith.” It is time to act out your faith in the name of Jesus. I have heard how the prayers of people have even saved them from impending storms. We have authority in the name of Jesus to rebuke sicknesses and the wind in the storm. Act in faith and see it come to past in the name of Jesus.

The Door and the Word

“But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.”
John 10:2

“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”
Psalms 19:7

The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. Is your soul being converted? Do you believe that the Law of the Lord is perfect? The Hebrew word for perfect is “tamim” and it means wholeness, soundness and integrity. It carries the meaning for wholeness and healthfulness. That a person is complete, whole, or finished. Are we complete, or whole in the Lord? This is the question we should be asking ourselves. Does the Law of the Lord convert your soul to righteousness? Here again is another question to ask ourselves. I find that I am always full of questions rather than answers. However, answers do come in time when I am open to receive what the Lord reveals in the written word. Can we ever be satisfied with the Law of the Lord. The answer is yes. All we have to do is listen and receive it as the truth. We receive when we believe. The Jewish New Year of 5784 has begun. The question of the mystery for the meaning of the “door” has brought different interpretations. For the Jew, they are taught the importance of the “Law of the Lord,” yet they cannot follow the law fully in their own strength. They stumble and fall on the path and may wonder at times why their own soul is not converted. There is no satisfaction when you only have half of the truth and not the whole truth. What about the blood on the door post in Exodus 12:13? The blood on the door is the sacrifice. Herein lies the truth for the beginning of the meaning of the door.

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
Revelations 3:20

Just imagine being in communion with the Lord. It is Jesus who is knocking at our door and calling for us to listen. However, there are many doors to choose from that would take us away from the truth of life. It is like those big doors on the set of the “Prize is Right” on television where the prizes are offered, and not all prizes given are winners. Behind every door is a room of objects that may be keeping you from hearing the voice of the Lord. Just look at verse nineteen of Revelations chapter three, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Are we passionate to repent of our own ways? The eye of the Lord is aware of the shame you are trying to hide. The Lord wants to clothe you in white raiment and to keep your name in the book of life. Remember who the judge is that is also standing at the door. In James chapter four verse twelve states, “there is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy.” Now look at Matthew chapter ten verse 28 which states, “fear not them who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” To whom are we to fear? I came across the following scripture, which is not mentioned in many teachings, but worth noting.

“The fear of the Lord tendeth to life, and he who hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.”
Proverbs 19:23

He who hath the fear of the Lord tended to their own behavior in life and shall be satisfied. Are you satisfied? How astounding is this word. Are you attending to your behavior in life. Do you have the characteristic of Jesus living in your own life? What about failure to observe the limits of what is appropriate in our behavior? We should read verses 12 and 13 of Psalms chapter 19.

“Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.”
Psalms 19:12-13

Cleanse thou me from secret faults and keep me from presumptuous sins, let them not have dominion over me. This should be our prayer and song every day. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever, [see Psalms 19:9]. Oh! Let us come with passion and repent of our behavior. Let us fear the Lord and know that His mercy endures forever. Let us keep the door open with the Lord and find pastures where we can feed upon. Let us hear the voice of the one and only true shepherd. Let us come to the Lord and allow him to sup with us. He brings the blessings we need daily in our lives. We cannot come any other way but through the door of Jesus. Jesus is the door for He gave His life for the sheep. In John chapter ten verse one, states, “He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.” The sheep will not listen to a thief or robber, only to the shepherd’s voice. Jesus as the good shepherd knows who belongs to him. Jesus is the resurrection and the life; do you believe this? Believe and receive the word of God. Let us have an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and it shall bring forth fruit with patience, [see Luke 8:15].

God is wanting to convert our soul, to transform us into a new creation in Christ Jesus. “All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ,” [2 Corinthians 5:18]. We have this wonderful ministry of reconciliation that the apostle Paul revealed in 2 Corinthians chapter five. Christ died for all in order that we might not live unto ourselves, for that only brings haughtiness. There is no peace when a man has extreme pride and haughtiness. There is no love or compassion found in such a man that lies with his mouth and is puffed up with himself. God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself. Yet, we can still repent today while there is still time. Jesus gave his own life to save us from ourselves. Christ was made sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him, [see verse 21 of 2 Corinthians chapter five].

“He hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:19-20

Be ye reconciled to God and be satisfied, thankful, at peace, for you are a new creation in Christ Jesus. As Christians we should be subject to one another and clothed in humility. Why? Because God resisted the proud, but giveth grace to the humble, [see 1 Peter 5:5]. Listen to what Peter said in verse 6 and 7 of chapter five.

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Casting all your care upon him; for He careth for you.”
1 Peter 5:6-7

He cares for you, for His law is perfect and His testimony is a sure thing. It is health to our bones and makes us whole. Let your soul be converted to the truth of the one who is knocking at your door today.

Who did sin, this man or his parents?

And his disciples asked, saying Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
John 9:2

Wow! What a question the disciples asked Jesus. Who did sin? It is so easy to point the finger, but Jesus said, “neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents, but that the works of God should be made manifest in him,” [see John 9:3]. It is the works of God made manifest in the blind man and not sin. How amazing is that? This blind man was told by Jesus to go and wash in the pool of Siloam after Jesus anointed the eyes with clay. The blind man did as Jesus said and he went to the pool washed and received his sight. Earlier this year the Antiquities Authority has been working on the completion of the excavation of the Pool of Siloam. The Pool of Siloam will be soon open to the public to visit exclaimed the Israeli Antiquities Authority (IAA). Just look at the picture below of the Pool of Siloam in November 2020.

The significance of the Pool of Siloam in Hebrew is the word “Shiloah” which means to be send forth. Also, it is said that the Pool of Siloam was used by the temple priest to perform a cleansing ceremony as seen in Numbers chapter 19. A red Heifer without spot or blemish was used for the cleansing of the believer from the contamination of the world. Thus, we have the example of Jesus himself later through his own blood having obtained our redemption. Sanctifying to the purifying of the flesh [see Hebrews 9:13].

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”
Hebrews 9:14

This blind man did not ask to be healed, yet through the compassion of Jesus he was healed. The blind man now could see, and many asked him how this happened. The Pharisees wanted to go after the man Jesus for healing on the sabbath day. The Jews would not believe that he was blind and asked his parents if this was true. The parents told the Jews that the blind man who could now see was their son, but they know not who opened his eyes to see. The parents feared the Jews for the Jews had already agreed that if any man confess Christ, they would be put out of the synagogue [see John 9:21-22]. Put out of the synagogue would mean they would be shunned or banished by everyone. Banishment from a group is a painful experience and carries the pain of suffering, yet Jesus is the true Shepherd and cares for those who belong to him.

What was the real truth why Jesus healed the blind man? Let’s look to verse 39 of John chapter nine.

For judgement I am come into this world, that they who see not, might see; and that they who see, might be made blind.”
John 9:39

Jesus came into this world for judgement in regard to who would believe in him. It is those who believe not that are condemned already, [see John 3:18]. Thus, if you are blind, you have no sin because you do not see the physical evidence within in your own environment. To see is to know the difference between right and wrong. Once you see lawlessness, your self-will enters into the picture of the act of violation against yourself and others. This is because of the original sin with Satan that entered the world through Adam. The apostle Paul stated, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so, death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned,” [Romans 5:12]. I call this the “catch-22” because it seems that it is a paradoxical statement. The truth about how sin entered the world can be still debated today. Yet, God provided a way out of the dilemma of sin for man through his son Jesus. Jesus is the word that was made flesh and that dwelt among those who saw and witnessed him. It was Jesus who stated that “he that hath seen him hath seen the Father God,” [see John 14:9].

Even today, some do not believe that Jesus and the Father God are one. Look at verse 10 of John chapter 14, “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak unto you, I speak not of myself; but the father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.” But the Father that dwells within Jesus is doing the work. It is the work of God to heal and cleanse us from all sin. It is the work of God made manifest in the blind man. This is the glory of God through the son of God that Jesus is the resurrection and the life, [see John 11:25]. Do you believe this?

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
John 17:17

Those who believe are sanctified by the truth in the word of God. In first John chapter two, verse 5, states, “whosoever keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected; by this know we that we are in him.” Is the love of God perfected in you? That is a question we each should ask ourselves. Is the light of God shining in our own heart? Can we testify how we were healed by God like the blind man? The blind man did what Jesus told him and he went to the pool of Siloam to wash, and he was healed by the words of Jesus. Healed by Jesus and sent forth to testify was the blind man. All for the glory of God. Oh! If only we would believe and see God manifest himself in our own life. Read the whole chapter nine of the Gospel of John. How many times did the blind man testify about the healing of his sight that he exclaimed, “why here is a marvelous thing, that ye know not from where he is, and yet he hath open mine eyes,” [see John 9:30].

The blind man spoke the truth about his healing from God, and he did not know whether he was a sinner or not. The Jews cast him out of the synagogue saying that he was born in sin and mocked him about teaching them about God. Oh, looked what happened next. Jesus found out that the blind man who now sees was cast out and found him and asked him “do you believe on the Son of God?” The blind man that now sees asked, “who is he.” Jesus told him he hath seen him and it was he that spoke with him. The blind man that now sees said, “I believe.” Let us believe in the Son of God like the blind man who now sees. Pray that you do not become blind like the scribes and pharisees who remained in their sin, rather than believing in the Son of God. We must believe in order to see the miracle of God in our own life. It is never too late to ask God to manifest himself in our own life. Ask, believe, and receive a miracle today.

The Sword of the Spirit

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”
Ephesians 6:17

We are on the fifth week in the Armor of God series taken from Ephesians chapter 6. If you missed reading any of the first four segments, I would encourage you to do so. The armor of God is the apostle Paul’s way of describing the warrior’s armor that every Christian should be putting on to combat evil every day. We need understanding and wisdom more today in fighting off evil and lust. We need to stay under the protection of God. With the helmet of salvation as our identity in Christ, we now take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. I have not met a single Christian who does not have a personal battle to win. We are fighting the good fight of faith to lay hold of eternal life. We each have our own personal battle to win.

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”
1 Timothy 6:12

We are fighting to keep the faith and not to let go of the author and finisher of our faith. Every Christian is called to have a good profession before witnesses. A good profession is based upon the word of God. We can be like Jesus and say, “it is written,” when we are tempted. Read about what Jesus did in Matthew chapter 4. If you were hungry, would you command the stones to become bread.

It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
Matthew 4:4

The sword of the Spirit is the word of God, and it will cut right through the thoughts and the intents of men’s heart. The word of God is the final answer for all human beings since it is the last will and testament of God. The sole purpose is reconciliation to the father God, but also to your brother, sister, mother, father, husband and wife. “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation,” [2 Corinthians 5:18]. This is the heart of God that we all be reconciled by Jesus Christ and then to each other. God’s love will cut through hate. Many churches are now observing Lent, a Christian religious observance of the 40 days that Jesus Christ spent fasting in the desert and endured the temptation by Satan. Lent is observed by the Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist, and the Roman Catholic Church. The practice of Lent in earlier times was very ascetic, and to some extent it may still carry a mystical journey. The exercise can be helpful in understanding the weakness of our own body. We cannot work out our own demons or selfish ambitions. We need the Holy Spirits help in releasing those feelings and letting go of them. This is the work of God and the grace of God. That we would know the mercy of God through Christ Jesus.

Let us remember that Jesus Christ was without sin whereas sin is ever present with us every day. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. It is through God’s grace that we can receive mercy and repentance through what Jesus did on the cross. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,’ [1 John 1:9-10]. Listen to what else John said.

He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself; he that believeth not God hath made him a liar, because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.”
1 John 5:10

If you do not believe, you have no witness, and you will not have the sword of the Spirit. Christ temptation in the wilderness by Satan was the test of his obedience to the Father. Would Christ act independently from his Father? No, Christ was dependent on the Father God, and so should we be dependent on the Father God. That dependence is through the word of God. The word of God becomes the sword of the Spirit. Christ combated Satan by saying “it is written,” thus using the written word of God as the final authority. The spiritual journey is through the word of God. It is the word that teaches us how we should walk in the world today. The word becomes our spiritual lifestyle. We should take the word with us everywhere we go, for it will instruct us how to live a Christian life.

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12

If you are not spending time in the word of God, you have lost one powerful weapon, the sword of the Spirit. The word of God is described sharper than any two-edged sword. Why? It is because of the Holy Spirit. We can only gain understanding of the word of God through the Spirit. “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth,” [ John 16:13]. If you are a believer, then you have His spirit living with you, for He has promised not to leave you comfortless, [see John 14:18]. Just look at verse 20 of chapter 14 of John, “I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” What mystery is this conveying? Is this not a relationship? We never walk alone, for the Holy Spirit is with us at all times. This is the mystery of the body of Christ. We belong to Christ for He has bought us with a price. Christ prayed to the Father to send the Comforter to abide with us. In John chapter 14, verse 26, Jesus said, “But the Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance.” As you read the word of God the Spirit is teaching you and reminding you of things that pertain to you personally. Dividing and discerning what is in your own heart and to change that heart of stone into the heart of love.

Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”
Ephesians 5:2

Walk in love as Christ has loved us. Christ who has willingly atoned for our sins. We are not to serve sin, for our old man was crucified with Christ that sin might be destroyed. This is how we became a new creation in Christ Jesus. Sin is ever present in the world today. Therefore, we need the word of God to discern our heart and mind so that we can be changed into image of Christ. This will build up our faith in God, for faith comes by hearing the word of God, [see Romans 10:17]. We must hold the word as truth in our lives. We must experience God through his word by the Holy Spirit. You must have a hunger for the word in order to receive its revelations. I have read that Smith Wigglesworth stated that the Bible was the only book he would read. He did not allow newspapers into his home. How astonishing and surprised I was to read about this. Wigglesworth sole learning was from the Bible as the word of God. Can we see its importance when we read what God said to Joshua after the death of Moses.

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
Joshua 1:8

Meditate in the word day and night, so that your soul and heart may be changed into the image of Christ. As you observe the word of God, your way will become prosperous. I have always loved going on spiritual retreats, for it was the opportunity of spending more time in the word of God to learn, grow, and have our eyes opened to new revelations. These revelations were not always joyful, sometimes it was painful due to personal demons that an individual had to deal with. As you spend time in the word, God will reveal your weaknesses in your own life. As he reveals it, we then repent. This is putting to death the deeds of the body that would allow sin to reign in our life. We learn also to bear on one another’s burden by praying for healing and for the Spirits intervention to fulfill the law of Christ. As God told Joshua not to depart from the book of the law, so shall we not depart from the Holy Bible, which is the sword of the Spirit. This sword of the Spirit will pierce our heart for it reveals the weaknesses of humanity and the way it can be saved. Continue in the word of God and hold it close to your heart.