The Power of the WORD
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WELCOME TO THE WORD OF GOD
HEBREWS 4:12 NIVFor the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attributes of the heart.2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17 NIVAll Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
WHO IS A CHRISTIAN
A dictionary definition of a Christian would be something similar to "a person professing belief in Jesus as the Christ or in the religion based on the teachings of Jesus." While this is a good starting point, like many dictionary definitions, it falls somewhat short of really communicating the biblical truth of what it means to be a Christian. The word "Christian" is used three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). Followers of Jesus Christ were first called "Christians" in Antioch (Acts 11:26) because their behavior, activity, and speech were like Christ. The word "Christian" literally means, "belonging to the party of Christ" or a "follower of Christ."Unfortunately over time, the word "Christian" has lost a great deal of its significance and is often used of someone who is religious or has high moral values but who may or may not be a true follower of Jesus Christ. Many people who do not believe and trust in Jesus Christ consider themselves Christians simply because they go to church or they live in a "Christian" nation. But going to church, serving those less fortunate than you, or being a good person does not make you a Christian. Going to church does not make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you an automobile. Being a member of a church, attending services regularly, and giving to the work of the church does not make you a Christian.The Bible teaches that the good works we do cannot make us acceptable to God. Titus 3:5 says, "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." So, a Christian is someone who has been born again by God (John 3:3; John 3:7; 1 Peter 1:23) and has put faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8 tells us that it is ""by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."A true Christian is a person who has put faith and trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ, including His death on the cross as payment for sins and His resurrection on the third day. John 1:12 tells us, "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." The mark of a true Christian is love for others and obedience to God's Word (1 John 2:4, 10). A true Christian is indeed a child of God, a part of God's true family, and one who has been given new life in Jesus Christ
THIS WAS TAKEN FROM GOT QUESTION.ORG
Honoring God’s Word – Ken Barnes
Then Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. (Nehemiah 8:5 NASB)
The people of Israel showed honor and respect for God’s Word and so should we.
I lead Holy Communion at my church. When I read our scriptural reference to prepare us for the partaking of Communion, Brother George is standing while the rest of the congregation is seated. I always admire his stance. Brother George has come to be known as our walking Bible. He is seen with his Bible open and always has a Scripture verse for the moment. Most every church has a Brother George, I think we need more like him.
It is recorded in Nehemiah 8:3 (NASB) that Ezra read from the Book of the Law early morning to midday. They gave their undivided attention to Ezra’s reading of the Law.
Will it be any different for us? Do we show greater interest in our morning newspaper, our favorite periodical, or the trending Tweets or Facebook posts? At times, I might be guilty of allowing social media to trump God’s message to me—the Bible.
The Bible says, Taste and see that the Lord is good; (Psalms 34:8 NASB). The Holy Scriptures are food for our spirit. Having a Bible and not reading it, is like being given a life-time gift card for a gourmet restaurant and not using it. It shows we do not believe the food is really that good, and we will never know until we try it.
When Jesus was tempted by the Devil in the wilderness, he said “it is written” Matthew 4:4 (NASB). How can we say it is written if we do not know what is written?
FROM This year let’s have a plan to honor the Word of God. The most enduring legacy that you can leave those who will come after you, will be your hunger for the Word of God. The lasting image of your life will be you in your quiet place, feasting on God’s Word. FROM FAITHWRITERS.COM
Then Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. (Nehemiah 8:5 NASB)
The people of Israel showed honor and respect for God’s Word and so should we.
I lead Holy Communion at my church. When I read our scriptural reference to prepare us for the partaking of Communion, Brother George is standing while the rest of the congregation is seated. I always admire his stance. Brother George has come to be known as our walking Bible. He is seen with his Bible open and always has a Scripture verse for the moment. Most every church has a Brother George, I think we need more like him.
It is recorded in Nehemiah 8:3 (NASB) that Ezra read from the Book of the Law early morning to midday. They gave their undivided attention to Ezra’s reading of the Law.
Will it be any different for us? Do we show greater interest in our morning newspaper, our favorite periodical, or the trending Tweets or Facebook posts? At times, I might be guilty of allowing social media to trump God’s message to me—the Bible.
The Bible says, Taste and see that the Lord is good; (Psalms 34:8 NASB). The Holy Scriptures are food for our spirit. Having a Bible and not reading it, is like being given a life-time gift card for a gourmet restaurant and not using it. It shows we do not believe the food is really that good, and we will never know until we try it.
When Jesus was tempted by the Devil in the wilderness, he said “it is written” Matthew 4:4 (NASB). How can we say it is written if we do not know what is written?
FROM This year let’s have a plan to honor the Word of God. The most enduring legacy that you can leave those who will come after you, will be your hunger for the Word of God. The lasting image of your life will be you in your quiet place, feasting on God’s Word. FROM FAITHWRITERS.COM
This Day – Jane H. Young
When we think about our lives, there are so many days we can’t remember, and others we wish we could live again, but what about this day? “This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 NASB.
This is the day to start with a song in your heart, a smile on your face, and love in your heart. Make this day the one you want to relive. Make wonderful memories with your family and say “I love you”. Actually, spend time with them. Let them feel that they really matter to you. Be a shining light to everyone you work with. Make this day the day they remember, the day someone took time to notice them. After all, you will never have this day again. Let this day be the day that everyone you encounter sees Jesus in you. Most importantly, this is the day to make your life count with Jesus. Life isn’t just about any day. It’s about this day—the one you are living right now. If you have never asked Jesus into your heart, this is the perfect day to do so.
This is the day that God has made—this day, right now. Whatever moment you are breathing in, God made this day and this moment just for you. This is the day to be willing to change, to believe, to hope. Even if times are tough, find something good about this day— after all it is God’s gift to you.
Start this day and every day with a prayer: “Let me hear Your loving-kindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul.” Psalms 143:8 NASB. FAITHWRITERSJane lives in Myrtle Beach, SC. Her goal in life is to be a light for God in all she does. Contact
When we think about our lives, there are so many days we can’t remember, and others we wish we could live again, but what about this day? “This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 NASB.
This is the day to start with a song in your heart, a smile on your face, and love in your heart. Make this day the one you want to relive. Make wonderful memories with your family and say “I love you”. Actually, spend time with them. Let them feel that they really matter to you. Be a shining light to everyone you work with. Make this day the day they remember, the day someone took time to notice them. After all, you will never have this day again. Let this day be the day that everyone you encounter sees Jesus in you. Most importantly, this is the day to make your life count with Jesus. Life isn’t just about any day. It’s about this day—the one you are living right now. If you have never asked Jesus into your heart, this is the perfect day to do so.
This is the day that God has made—this day, right now. Whatever moment you are breathing in, God made this day and this moment just for you. This is the day to be willing to change, to believe, to hope. Even if times are tough, find something good about this day— after all it is God’s gift to you.
Start this day and every day with a prayer: “Let me hear Your loving-kindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul.” Psalms 143:8 NASB. FAITHWRITERSJane lives in Myrtle Beach, SC. Her goal in life is to be a light for God in all she does. Contact
C.S. Lewis' Top 5 Tips about Christian Living
Simply put, Christian living is God’s way of living. We could make an endless list of what a Christian does and doesn’t do.It would likely include things such as: read the bible daily, pray daily, love one another, or attend church. And, while all of those things are highly important aspects of living life God’s way, it often helps to look at some specific ways we can live a Christian life in direct relation to the obstacles we’re facing today. C.S. Lewis, a well-known apologist and Christian thinker, wrote well before our time, but he wrote highly applicable and practical truths about Christian living that still ring true today. While Lewis provides a wealth of wisdom, here are five tips relevant in today’s age taken from his book “Mere Christianity.”A Christian living in any era, but especially in today’s age: 1. Possesses True Humility “True humility isn’t thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less.” –C.S. Lewis, Mere ChristianityWe have a Gospel message and a Gospel mission, and we’re walking the tightrope between promoting a message that points to Jesus and promoting ourselves. While not always bad, we’re living in an age where self-promotion, selfies, and self-help books are prevalent. We battle with either thinking too highly of ourselves or not thinking highly enough—both of which consume us with “self.”Lewis’s words are beautifully simple and powerful. To be truly humble, Christians must think of themselves less.2. Chooses Truth Over Originality “Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.” – C.S. Lewis, Mere ChristianityWe’re told to just “be you” by nearly every person we encounter. And, while it’s important to remain true to oneself, we can become consumed with being unique, original, or different. I love Lewis’s advice: when we simply tell the truth according to scripture, we become original without ever noticing it. A Christian in today’s world chooses truth over originality.3. Pursues God Over Happiness“And out of that hopeless attempt has come nearly all that we call human history—money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery—the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.” – C.S. Lewis, Mere ChristianityWhether I’m logged online or driving in the car, I’m confronted by people, places, and things promising happiness. I want to be happy—we all do—so I often find myself chasing the next thing I believe will make that happen. If I can just {fill in the blank}, I’ll find true happiness.The Christian living in today’s age chases God over the pursuit of happiness. Catching glimpses of God becomes more important than grasping feelings of happiness. The irony is that it’s when we seek God that we experience true and lasting joy. 4. Understands Progress Often Means Turning Back“Progress means getting nearer to the place you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turn, then to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man.” –C.S. Lewis, Mere ChristianityTurning back or turning around is essentially the definition of repentance, which means to turn away from sin and turn to God. In today’s world, we applaud progress. We want to climb higher, faster, longer. We blaze ahead, often knowing we’re going in the wrong direction. We know that if we make a wrong turn, the GPS will re-route us.The Christian living in today’s world knows that the man who realizes he is on the wrong road and turns back soonest is the most progressive.5. Listens to the Holy Spirit“It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And so on, all day. Standing back from all your natural fussings and frettings; coming in out of the wind.” –C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity