I’ve come to realize through the years how much my wellness depends on being open to God’s word through scripture. I came to this conclusion once I started to work on building a relationship with the Lord and began changing my mindset about reading the Bible. In total honesty, I used to read it from the viewpoint of a list of dos and don’ts therefore I hated most of what I read. I’m admitting out loud that I loathed it because I often felt I could never measure up to all the requirements. Let me explain! I believe many of us have this experience…the Bible is where you go to find out what you’re doing wrong and how to avoid doing it.
Well maybe that is not your story but for me, that’s exactly how I was going about my Bible experience. I was reading scripture, browsing through the pages here and there for what I was doing wrong. A difference didn’t occur until I became open to scripture wrapping around my heart and coming alive in my soul which lead to the renewing of my mind beyond just the revelation of salvation through Jesus Christ. That’s what power lies in the Word. Let’s review some scriptures about the Word of God.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart
Psalm 119:105
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
What did I gain that I can share with you?
1. God’s Word is breathed out by God- Imagine the breath of God, His essence is in the pages.
2. God’s Word is living-It’s not just a history book it’s a living manifestation of God’s glory.
3. God’s Word is action- The word looks to achieve God’s glory in us
4. God’s Word divides soul and spirit- A division of intellect/emotions versus the nature of God.
5. God’s Word discerns our thoughts and intentions-This means He’s interested in knowing our thoughts and the emotions that drive the decisions we make. He cares!
6. God’s Word illuminates our path- We don’t have to wander around in darkness but allow God’s wisdom and knowledge to guide us.
7. God’s Word teaches, reproofs, corrects, and trains us in righteousness- This righteousness has to do with Christ our sin-bearer. It is His righteousness that we must be trained in that goes directly to the heart.
8. God’s word makes us competent and equipped for every good work. – This is so wonderful! He doesn’t send us out to do His purposes without equipping us for the good works He has planned. Notice it says good works, not just any old works but good works, that’s key.
I hope these points drive home for you as much as it does for me that we must be open to God’s Word to experience everything for our well-being. More than just do’s and don’ts it is the source of life through Jesus Christ that can and will sustain us daily. I don’t know about you but time to grab my Bible and be open.
BY: Rhonie McBerry
Rhonie is a licensed radiation therapist providing care to those battling cancer. She learned to embrace a new normal after being diagnosed with Crohn’s. disease and uses the power of words to encourage others to see past their darkest day to a brighter horizon. She is the author of Embracing a New Normal, God Has Drawn The Blueprints Vol I &II, Words That Surround Your Soul devotionals, and a host of blog posts on her website www.RhonieSays.com. Her hobbies include reading, photography, liturgical dance ministry, and eating sweets. Rhonie is the mother of two children and two granddaughters and she makes her home in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband of 22 years.
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“Every day may we grab for Your word as if our lives depended upon it because it does!”
This was the first line of the prayer that you interfused with this blog.
What an astounding set of words. Especially the “BECAUSE IT DOES”.
I’m sorry. Even if people don’t use the Bible as their own spanking paddle like you did, many of us are kind of subdued in our actually believing that the Word is Life, that it is Food,that it is our Faith-Producer. Our very lives do depend on it. Literally.
I know you wrote this, to try and get through to the us readers, how CRITICAL THE WORD IS.
Keep the megaphone in the ON and Volume-Max position, Rhonie.
Great article with such transparency of your personal life regarding your initial thoughts… The Bible is God speaking. We can hear from God by reading His WORD and meditating on it daily.
The Bible (2 Timothy 2:15) addresses how we should study to show ourselves approved unto God… It is obvious through your messages and prayers, your growth in Christ exhibits significant development.
Blessings,
Min. Dawson
Thank You beloved sister! I really needed to read this! I always respected the Word, believed it, prayed it, but I have severe ADDH and could never manage to do a Bible study. This week I finally decided to do one, the first one in my entire life, and need all the encouragement I can get, and your post came just at the right moment for me, thanks to God!
Nicely said. GOD’S word is the assent of my life, what hold me up when I’m falling, it’s what’s remind me from doing wrong. Keep me from worries, comfort me when feeling alone. It’s my shelter in time of trouble, My daily help, food when I hungry, clothes when needed to go out somewhere, transportion when I have to go somewhere, My breath when l wake up in the morning, May my life be withstanding for all that the LORD have given me. My family and friends
job, health and a sane mind to go through lifes adventure. My l remind someone about the goodness of the LORD, Let them see the light in me, never being jugdemental or aggressive be comforting and helpful if needed. Living a righteous life in the LORD, so l may see our LORD and SAVIOR one day.