The Washing of the Word

I start my day by reading 1, 2 or 3 different devotionals. Some mornings I’ll listen to praise and worship as well and even other mornings I’ll have the opportunity to catch a sermon online. I find it sooths and energizes my spirit and helps me enter the day with a fresh perspective. When the Lord speaks something He’d like me to share, I type it in my devotional and post it for all to read.

Often I’ll need to do a little research so I can reference portions of scripture or ensure I’m using a phrase or word in the proper context. When I have time, I like to read of others experiences and how their walk with the Lord has impacted their lives and those around them.

This is how I stay connected with the Lord. Like any relationship, it takes work on our part. However, through that work the Lord opens our eyes to Him and His ways. That relationship is what will sustain you during the hard times and is the essential element in my ability to walk through a world that seems to be spinning out of control.

David understood how important relationship was. The 23rd Psalm could only have been written by a person with a deep understanding of our Lord.

Psalm 23 (NIV) The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Blessings

The Washing of the Word

TGIF Today God Is First NextGen
by Charis Hillman Brown

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light unto my path.” -Psalm 119:105
“I don’t know how people do it,” said my friend. “I don’t know how people do it without the word of God to sustain them. It’s my lifeline.”

My friend had recently taken on a job in a large accounting firm where the work was very grueling. The long hours and work with no breaks was definitely challenging, and I knew she had sacrificed a lot in her personal life for her career. No matter, she knew it was just for a season, but during this season of “intense training” and limited friend and family time she knew she needed the word of God more than ever to sustain her.

In general, we tend to have a limited dependency on the Word. We may read it when we’re bored or when we need a pick me up. Others of us are more diligent to read the Bible every day. But, when our reading is nothing more than head knowledge, our spirits aren’t fed and we can tend to get frustrated and discouraged. Sometimes we read the Bible as a religious ritual, instead of asking for a ‘Rhema’ word – something God be saying to me today that helps me fulfill His plans and purposes for my life now. In order to prepare her heart to receive from God, another friend of mine would worship before reading. She received a lot more out of reading scripture than if she hadn’t added worship into her Bible study time.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” -John 1:1-4

Why should we read God’s word? Reading God’s word is so important to us as Christians. It brings light to old mindsets and healing to our hearts. It’s like saltwater on a wound, cleansing our hearts from the dirt and dust of the world.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” -1 Timothy 16 & 17

How often do you read the Bible? Make it a regular practice – you will notice positive changes in your life!