Although the Bible is ancient, it's not a dead book. It's alive and as fresh as if He were speaking directly to you. The stories may have taken place centuries ago, but the principles and applications are current and relevant. It's our instruction book about how to live. Guidance for decisions and discernment about situations are found from Genesis to Revelation.
God's Word is active and piercing. The words don't simply sit on the page. They penetrate our hearts and judge our thoughts and motives. This convicting quality is why some people don't like to read the Bible. But self-discernment is essential if we don't want to keep making the same mistakes over and over again. Some Christians live on a surface level, never understanding why they react to situations the way they do. But if we'll approach the Word of God with an open spirit, it will bring to light our hidden motives and reveal unrecognized sins.
Spiritual discernment involves seeing not just our circumstances but also ourselves from God's perspective. Have you learned to embrace the piercing sword of Scripture, or have you avoided doing so because it makes you uncomfortable? Remember, God's Word cuts only so that it can heal.
From Dr. Charles Stanley
Today's Bible Verse...
To all who received him, to those
who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God —
children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a
husband's will, but born of God.
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
We
live in a time and culture of rights. "It's my right to ___." Just fill
in the blank. But we don't have a right to be God's child. We are given
that right by God's grace. This right came to us at great cost to God.
Jesus came to earth, lived, died and was raised from the dead. We
receive this grace through faith: God gives us new birth as we trust in
Jesus as Lord and we are baptized and reborn through the power of the
Holy Spirit (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:3-7).
To be born of God, to be born from above, to be born "again" is the
gift of adoption into God's family and brings us all the rights of heirs
in God's house (Galatians 3:26-4:7).
My Prayer...
Abba Father, thank you for including me in your family. May
my life today reflect your influence, character, mercy, holiness,
compassion, righteousness, and love. I want to be like you, my Father.
So just as I was born into your family by the power of the Holy Spirit,
please fill me with your Spirit today so that I will reflect you in all I
do and say this day. In the name of my older brother Jesus I pray.
Amen.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. You can email questions or comments to phil@verseoftheday.com.
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