When you take a job, in addition to what’s in your paycheck, you want to know what’s in the benefits package. Whether that’s insurance, time off, or other company incentives, you want to know what’s at your disposal. You also want to know what tools you have available to you. Training, equipment, things like that.
I think a lot of us have forgotten that there are benefits to being children of God. There are tools available to help us get through life if we simply use them. Because this is such an important topic, I want to break this down over two weeks. Today I want to focus on one thing, the most powerful tool in our arsenal - the Word of God itself.
Why is the Word so important?
John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
Proverbs 4:20-22 - My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.
How are we using the Word? Are we reading it daily? Are we applying its promises to our life? This is our handbook for navigating the world. The challenges and life lessons found in the Scriptures, don’t just apply to all those years ago, but to today, and every day in the future, regardless of whether you read it in 2020, 1860, 1945, or 3587.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
That encouragement to Timothy sounds very much like today. In fact, every generation since Jesus thought this section reflected the days and times they lived in. This is why we know that the Word of God is our most powerful tool.
Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
When we ignore it, or leave it to collect dust on our coffee tables or bookshelves, we can’t apply it to our lives. Next week, we’ll talk about the benefit package we get when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Psalm 103:1-5 - Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
I look forward to breaking these benefits down with you next week! Until then, be blessed, my friends!