What good is the Word?

When I’m deep in discussion with someone about topics I deal with in my profession, they often ask me how I know so much about what is happening in that specific area.

It’s not that I’m smart. I’m so involved in the topic that I have more access to information, details and current events related to that topic. I read constantly, bounce details and ideas off colleagues, and write about what is happening in that space. I live out that topic in my work world.

For believers, God has given us His word that provides us with all we need to fulfill his commandments. We can learn everything we need from the Word and take action on what God shows us as we understand Him more and more.

You can find any number of verses throughout the Old and New testaments regarding the power of God’s Word. This isn’t a point of doctrinal debate. God’s Word is power.

He gives us the power to take on his tasks:

Psalm 119:105 (KJV) – “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

And we have the power to spread His word – the Gospel of Jesus – to the world around us as in Luke 8 and the parable of the seed – God’s word.

There are so many distractions in this world that can keep us from sharing the Gospel. But God’s word is strong enough to pierce through the bubble of godlessnes and be used by us for His good work of spreading the message of salvation. God’s word empowers us to love and to take action.

2 Timothy 3:15-17 (KJV) – “15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Now, disciple, with whom may you share the power of God’s word today?

3 Questions for now

Everyone around you is reading more than most any human in the history of the world. Smart phones are in almost every person’s hand – young and old – and people constantly scroll through their preferred digital information source.

They actually read until it’s painful, and then they read some more. It’s addictive.

So how do you connect with people when competing against a never-ending information feed?

Here are questions that could help someone pause and engage with you:

• What’s got you so interested in that screen?

• What’s the hot topic of the day that has you glued to your phone?

• Ever feel empty, like you wasted time and didn’t accomplish anything after all that scrolling?

Whatever they say you can respond with, “Interesting,” and turn the conversation to a topic that leads to talking about Jesus.

“Oh, I’m reading about how politicians are ruining the world.”

“Interesting. They seem to not care about anyone but themselves. Ever wonder about who really cares about us?”

Be kind. Love them. Be bold.

Shawn’s noodling rant:

(“Noodling” is a term I swiped from my mentor. The meaning is to “ponder” or “think deeply about” a topic that God is challenging us with through scripture or the Holy Spirit, or both.)

Weight of the world is a heavy burden

I tell you what, daily life comes at you at times like a ton of bricks. You head down one path that is a positive turn for you, and then then “smack” everything changes.

The weight of the world seems to be bearing down on you at that point. The freedom of that positive direction suddenly morphs into a heavy burden.

This is something that has been difficult to deal with my whole life, as I’m sure it has for you.

What I’ve found is that no matter what happens (and hear me clearly, this is not easy), I must turn to God. Anger, frustration or lashing out at that burden won’t get me anywhere. I must gain composure, regain focus and dive into God’s word and prayer.

Sometimes all I’m doing is the proverbial tying a knot and hanging on. At some point God will reveal an answer. And, it’s painful when fear, worry and strife are like bricks hitting you until the pile of them has you pinned.

How to break out from under this burden?

Put your phone down, turn off the radio or television, stop griping at your friend or family member, and open the bible. Physically open the bible. Leaf through the pages, even if you don’t know where you’re going with this.

Find a passage you’ve underlined before and read it several times. Think about what God is saying in that passage. This may have nothing to do with your pile of bricks.

But now, disciple, you’re listening to God’s word … the word he breathed to all of us so that you might hear Him.

The answer or help you seek may not present itself right away. But now you’re on God’s path of understanding what He sees … what He has for you at that moment.

That pile of bricks may be hurting you, but it can’t eliminate God’s promise to us in that we have salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord for all eternity. Bricks will crumble, salvation stands forever.

Trust in the guidance and power of God’s word which He has delivered to us throughout the ages.

Psalm 18:32 (KJV) – “It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.”

Isaiah 40:31 (KJV) – “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.”

Colossians 1:10-11 (KJV) – “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; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.”

Now, disciple, how do I say more about God’s strength that He has for you than to quote His word again?

Ephesians 6:10 (KJV) – “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”