A Nugget from New Life Network
(excerpts by Dr. Larry Ollison)
Scripture for the Day (January 5, 2018)
“Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11).
As a pastor of a growing church, I continually have people ask me many questions. One question that I have been asked consistently over the years is this. “Pastor, I have this specific sin in my life and I need to quit. I can’t seem to do it on my own. Can you tell me how?”
The Word of God tells us in John 8:32 that the truth will set us free. The truth it is referring to is contained in God’s Word. Not only is the truth contained in God’s Word, but the truth is God’s Word.
We know as Christians we are to daily renew ourselves with the Word of God. The purpose of doing this is not just a ritualistic commandment to prove our obedience. The purpose is so that we can have the delivering power of the Word of God embedded in us; then as trials appear, we can be set free and when temptations arise, we will not yield. As the opening verse says, hiding God’s Word in our hearts will prevent us from sinning. Within God’s Word is the power to eliminate and overpower the temptation to yield to sin.
Many people have told me that as long as they are attending a Bible-believing church regularly and continually giving time to the study of God’s Word, that even though trials and temptations come along, there is still victory. These same people tell me that when they drift away from fellowship and from the daily reading and study of God’s Word, the trials and temptations overpower them.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that God’s Word will deliver us from the stress and depression that attaches itself to the problems in the world.
We encourage all of you to study God’s Word on a regular basis. The Bible is not just for preachers and theologians. The Bible is for every person on Earth. We live in a time where there are numerous translations of the Bible into language that we can readily understand. It’s not like we have only one choice anymore. The Word of God is not just a history book, it’s a living book. The word is quick (alive) and powerful and is sharper than any two-edged sword. It will set you free if you will take it off your coffee table, or out of your bookshelf, and just read it.
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)
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. (Hebrews 4:12)
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:16)
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)
