Last week, we searched the Word for verses that talk about God dwelling in us. I want you to look back at the list that you made and read those verses again. Refresh your mind and pray over these verses before we begin - praying the Bible is a very important part of my Christian walk, and something that helps my relationship to God grow more deeply.
The very first word in the sentence spoke to me a lot because it means we are not to fight God and His perfect ways, His plan for our lives -“to prosper and not to harm” - but to LET Him do a good work in us.
Over the past number of months, we have seen the world changing more and we are feeling that a revival of sorts seems less likely every day. But what the Christian is to keep in their hearts and minds is the words of Christ, and the words inspired by the Holy Spirit before and after He came to earth.
Jesus warned His disciples that in this world we will have trials and tribulations, but to remember that He has already overcome the world. And it was through His death and resurrection that we have can hold tight to that promise - “for God so loved the world…” is the reason why God gives us mercy and grace, and comforts the Christian through scripture, and to learn from scripture, but we can only do that through mediating on the word of God day and night. Only then can we have that closer relationship to God, once we are born-again - through God’s Word and through prayer.
The bible is comforting in any situation, whether it be when we pray for guidance in which university to apply to, which job to accept, what God wants for us to do next for Him. It’s not just a book with ‘feel-good quotes’, but the word of God is full of promises for the born-again Christian, “the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged 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”.
1 John 1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The Word is Christ, and when we are born again, we become a temple that Christ dwells in through the Holy Spirit. Like the words of Christ, we are to let those dwell in our hearts. It’s something I keep repeating but it is worth reminding not just you, but me as well. The “spirit of God dwell[s] in [us]” giving us new life, new desires.
I personally wouldn’t be a big reader but sometimes before bed I am reading and studying God’s word and can’t put it down. It was Romans 8 that I had been reading recently, and I read it over and over to try and understand what Christ was saying. It wasn’t until reading that chapter every day for 6 dats that it hit me - when the word of God dwells in your heart, you begin to have a explains that God has adopted us in His family when we become born-again, and we have inherited the kingdom through His Son Jesus, and by the Holy Spirit that dwells in us we have the assurance of salvation and the adoption... I don’t know about you, but to know this, on the days when you fear your faith will fail, you can go round in circles within this one chapter to keep assuring us that we are God's people. We are safe in the arms of Jesus, now and forevermore.
Most importantly, we are to seek God in all that we do. By reading and praying over scripture, we can see where God wants us to be and deepen our relationship with Him. To share the love of Christ and what He has done for us on the cross. And, to worship and praise Him with thankful hearts.
Through deepening our relationship with God, we are submitting to His Will - to serve God. Luke 4:43 says, “And he said until them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also…” We have a duty to share the good news of the gospel with others. We need to be praying scripture like Christ taught His disciples on the Mount, in the Lord’s Prayer - “THY kingdom come, THY will be done”.
LETTING the words of God make a permanent residence in our hearts and minds means that during those tough days, we will remember the comforts that He provides in scripture. And on the good days, we can use those verses to praise God in thanksgiving.
Spend this week reading a particular chapter every day. Spend time to understand what Christ is saying in that passage. Mediate and pray over those verses in the chapter. And don’t forget to share what chapter you’ve chosen!
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