The Word In Us

NOTE: This is a "reprint" of my original post at Laced With Grace from 9/12/2007.  Due to the subject matter and the fact that it fits with my next post, I felt that it was worthy of posting in its entirety at Bread Crumbs.

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Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. - Col 3:16 NKJV

I heard a radio preacher - it may have been Dr. David Jeremiah - include this verse in a sermon of his that was broadcasted a couple of weeks ago. What he said really hit home to me as he described how so many times if a person would eavesdrop upon a room full of Christians in conversation, most of the time one could not tell a Christian was in the room because there was no mention of God or the bible in the conversations. Think about it. How many Christians do you know with whom you can carry on a deep conversation about what you are both learning from your daily bible reading? When was the last time you had such a conversation?

This was a disconcerning thought to me, although not a new one. I know the statistics regarding how many Christians actually read God's Word every day, and without looking it up, I do know that the number is not the majority. I consider myself very fortunate to have a few friends, including my own brother with whom I can discuss scripture. We frequently discuss our learnings and sharpen each other as iron sharpens iron (Pro 27:17) because the Word of God is dwelling richly in us. I know without a shadow of a doubt that these dear individuals in my life are not only searching the bible for knowledge about God, but are letting God's word change the way they think and the way they act so that they can be conformed to God's image. What a blessing they are to me.

Just this week I have been blessed (and challenged!) by my brother and a dear friend by thoughts about what a particular passage in the bible really means. What would you share this week with a friend from your quiet time with God this week? How are you letting God's Word affect your life? Are you letting it dwell in you because you have saturated your mind with the thoughts and words of the Creator of the Universe? Conversely, are you barely in the Word, and thus letting the truth of scripture only strike a glancing blow at your heart and mind?

If the Word of God does not get the opportunity to dwell in us richly and deeply, we will not obtain or retain its benefits for ourselves, much less be of any use in teaching others about who God is. What type of a Christian do you want to be - powerful or powerless? Without a doubt I know what I prefer. I want to have the mind and heartbeat of God working in and on my life so I can make an impact for Him. How bad do you want to make an impact? Why not start today?

For His Glory,

Janna

Power Prayer

Hello everyone,

This week has been strange.  I feel like I haven't posted in forever, yet I have.  I feel like it is Friday, but it isn't.  And I feel like I've worked hard all week, but I haven't done that either.  Hmm....maybe I'm in the twilight zone!  Today in my daily reading I've come across a prayer of the apostle Paul that I find myself praying often for the people in my church in general whether I know them or not, ladies in my women's ministry lead team, small groups & so on.   I guess I pray this for a lot of people.  Actually, I even pray it for those who stop by this site and so this is my prayer for my readers today.  So what is this prayer? Colossians 1:9-11.  Let's take a look.

Col 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding:

Because you have been such a blessing to me with your comments, your own blogs, and just the fact that I know you stop by because of the little sitemeter, I pray for you.  I know that even if you don't see it yourselves, you are bearing fruit in your lives because of your faith and what you are doing in service to God, no matter how small.  I pray that you will grow closer to God through bible study and prayer so that you may know His will for your life and so that you will be filled with God's presence.

Col 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.

Friends, I pray that everything you do pleases God and pray fruitfulness for your lives.  Most of all, I pray that you increase in your knowledge of God because from Him is the source of all life.  Besides, He wants us to know Him. (Jer 9:23)

Col 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

Ah, my favorite part.  I pray for you strength to continue in this "race" you are running.  Strength to tackle the many projects and the many disappointments...strength that can only come from God's glorious power.  Soak that in for a minute.  We have access to God's glorious power.

Col 1:16-17 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

My final prayer for you today is this, that you will grow closer in understanding the God to whom you pray in all of His majesty.  I pray that you are awestruck with the sunshine, the rain, the snow (for  Tracy) or whatever He has put in your life today that makes you see Him, and that you remember that the God of all creation is smiling about you.  Have a blessed day!

Janna