9/21 Devotions From God’s Word

Word of God

There are so many things in this world that people read.  The technology of today allows us to have information from across the world at our finger tips.  This is a great responsibility that we must not take lightly.  More important than the information of the world, the question do we have the information that God would like us to have at our finger tips?

The Purpose of God’s Word

There is a two-fold purpose for the word of God. The first is we will have knowledge of salvation. God’s plan for redemption is spelled out throughout the scriptures

1 John 5:11-13 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Secondly, it is to have a reverential relationship with God. It is only by God’s word will we be able to know God. This knowledge should cause us to fall on our faces in reverent to the Lord.

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

The Power of Gods Word

Hebrews 4.12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged 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.”

The word of God is not like any other book that we have in our lives today.  The word of God will change the hearts of men, if only men will read and heed. 

The Preaching of Gods Word

Though some may say that preaching is outdated does not understand the word of God very well.  Gods plan for preaching His word is a necessity.  It is the proclamation of the truth of God and the impression from Holy Spirit that will lead to repentance.

1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

1 Corinthians 1:23 “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;”

**CAUTION**

Man of God – if God has called you pastor and part of your job is to preach can we look to what Paul says in 1 Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

It is not about how well your speak your message, it is the message that you are speaking that is important. 

Here Paul shows that he does not want to entice men with his words – but through the power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit.

This leads to the idea of the job of the Holy Spirit. This is found in John 16 for starters – speaking of the Comforter:

John 16:8-11 “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”

The way that we see the Holy Spirit working is through the changed lives of people. Whether they are saved or they are getting right with God again – it is the power of the word of God, and the impression from the Holy Spirit that is evident.

If Paul relied on the wisdom of men, he would not have made a difference – he would have just fit in with the rest of the religious people.

1 Corinthians 2:5 “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”

Here is the reason Paul wanted to ensure that he was not speaking after men, but of God. Giving them the truth of the word and allowing the movement of the Holy Spirit.

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