A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day Feb.12, 2019
For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12, Amplified Bible)
Have you ever thought about how your view of God was formed? Was it formed by a grandparent? Was it formed by a Sunday school teacher? Maybe it was formed by your parents or an aunt or uncle that was very religious. Maybe it was formed by what you have seen in the movies or heard from friends. Or maybe it was formed by a Pastor or preacher on television. Or maybe it was combination of all these things.
I really want you to think about this seriously because none of these ways are good ways to know God. They are all fraught with danger! Most people are heavily influenced by their family and friends when it comes to religion or even no religion. If they go to church at all they go to the church that their family or a friend goes to. That can be good or it can be bad according to what is being taught there.
I was brought up in a denominational church that did not teach us to seek a personal relationship with God. They just said, do as we tell you to do and God will be pleased. If you disobey, God will get you. There was no emphasis on reading the Word of God to determine who the Father, Son and Holy Ghost really were. The Pastor was responsible for talking to God and telling us what God wanted and what the Bible meant. That can be really dangerous!!!
I was 35 years of age before I gave my life to God (born-again). I did not want anything to do with the religion I had experienced as a youth. One of the first things God instructed me to do was read His Word so I could get to know Him (Father/Son/Holy Ghost) personally. What I found was that Jesus is the Word made flesh and we are flesh to be made the Word. The only way that will happen is if you and I read the Word for ourselves and develop a personal relationship with God.
Consider the following scriptures:
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)
But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (1 John 2:27)
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)
I don’t know where each of you are in your personal relationship with the Lord. If you were like me, a novice when I came to the Lord, and only had a view of God based on what other people told me, then here is a simple suggestion. Get a Bible and turn to the Gospel of John. Read one chapter a day out of John for 21 days. It will only take you a few minutes a day. Ask the Holy Spirit (the one who wrote the Bible) to speak to you and teach you as you read.
Get to know Jesus. He said my sheep hear my voice and they will not follow another. When you get to know Jesus you will start to understand the Word of God. You will start to understand why He did what He did and you will understand the power and authority that He has given us who believe. When you get to know Him personally, you will not need to rely on another person’s view. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free. Am I saying you should not go to church or listen to other Bible teachers and preachers? No, No, No!!! I am not saying that. What I am saying is that you need to know the Word yourself and you need a personal relationship with God. You cannot solely rely on someone else’s revelation and knowledge. They can’t tell you the answers to all your questions but God can. They can’t tell you what God wants you to do in every situation but God can. He is a big, powerful, awesome God and He wants to be your friend. You just have to spend time with Him.
