Your Personal Invitation
Come Wash in the Word!
In January every year many Christians and churches take the first weeks to fast and pray. Recommitting to reading the Bible daily is also high on the list of January commitments. When looking at the Precious Moments figurine pictured above I could not help but think of the importance of reading the Word of God every day. It is truly as you ‘wash in the Word’ that you come forth refreshed to face your day!
What Is Required?
To develop a personal relationship with the Lord involves reading and studying His Word. It is impossible to have a relationship even in the natural without knowing how someone thinks, what is important to them, what their character is and what issues they value the most. All of this and more is available when you read and spend time in the Word of God. His character, His values, His direction and guidance, His encouragement, His chastisement, and most importantly His love and mercy for you are so evident in His Word.
Sadly, many who call themselves Christian do not avail themselves to read beyond a head knowledge and simple verse recitation. Many professed Christ followers do not even read the Word for themselves. Instead, they rely on weekly sermons, group studies, and Christian television and resources to fulfill their Bible learning “duties.” Most often citing lack of time for personal Bible study, they miss completely the opportunity for God to unfold to them the depth of His wisdom, the richness of His compassion, and the sacredness of the His Holy Spirit. They miss the fullness of His guidance for their individual life.
If this is you, determine to change your relationship with the Word and with Jesus today. Jesus is the Word made flesh. It is never too late to commit to Him and growing through personal time in His Word.It is only through His written Word that you can truly come to know Him, His desires, His design, and His plan for your life and for His kingdom. As you read, you will begin to think like Him. Over time, His compassion and humility should permeate your personality. Your character should become more and more like His. This can only happen by placing His Word deep within your heart.
The Word of God literally will renew your mind and change it from a worldly view to a Godly view. It is supernatural. It is the Word of God poured into your very spirit that transforms you to be more like Him. As you grow through the Word being infused into your spirit you will then and only then produce the fruit of a life surrendered to Jesus.
Shaped by the Word
Without the Word there is no relationship. Without relationship there is no revelation. Without revelation there is no life in the Spirit. Without life in the Spirit one lives a life devoid of the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. So many Christians today live lives far beneath what the Savior died to give them.
It begins with the Word. Just as God created earth with His Word, the believer’s life is created and formed and shaped by the Word of God. Every step of maturation is shaped by the living Word of God being infused into the believer’s spirit. It is critical for a Spirit – filled life, for spiritual growth and for being fruitful for Him along the path of life in this world.
He came to set us free but if we do not know His Word, His heart, His nature as expressed through His Word, we remain slaves to the world economy and the worldly ways. Knowing God’s Word is critical to the life of the believer. It is life. Without it we perish to the ways of the world.
Your Extreme Life Makeover Awaits!
If much time is spent in the Word of God, the Word will begin to convict and cut away that which does not line up with God’s will. What is in the heart (it is always a heart issue) that is not of God will become uncomfortable as the Word cuts sharply to the heart and the matters of life that may need excision.
To immerse yourself in the Word of God is to put yourself at His feet for a heart makeover, yes even a life makeover. In this day of extreme makeovers none can compare to the radical restoration that God can perform in a life totally surrendered to Him and His will which can be readily known through His Word. This is simple really, yet ever so evasive to those who want to be Christian in name only. To achieve such a drastic heart change is only possible through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit within you as you let the Word of God penetrate and change your heart one beat at a time.
Your Personal Invitation
Jesus shed His precious blood for you. Be willing to shed unhealthy life patterns for Him. He wants only the best for you. He was willing to suffer and die for you and give you a blueprint to live His way. Immerse yourself in His Word and let it lead, direct, and change you. With His direction, let go of situations and people that may seem comfortable in the natural but are detrimental to you and your walk with Him.
If you have chosen Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of your life, you serve the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Be sure to read His Word from a Kingdom perspective. Let the King share Himself and His world with you. Let the King bring His will to earth as it is in His heavenly Kingdom through you.
Come wash in the Word every day. Enter a spa for your spirit to find relationship. Relax. Recharge. Release. Renew. Restore. Revive! So much awaits you in the Word of God. Let the Word be your guide in 2016.
It Is Never Too Late!
If you have not yet made the decision to accept Jesus into your heart, do it now. Do not wait another minute. Speak to Him from your heart (for it is always a heart issue). Tell Him you have fallen short in your life. Sincerely apologize for your sins. Ask Him to cleanse you and come into your heart and be Lord over your life. From this moment forward let His Spirit guide you along the narrow road that leads to everlasting life.
Quotes To Ponder This Week
”Sanctify them by Your truth, Your word is truth.” ~Jesus, John 17:17
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” ~John 1:1
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that food and acceptable and prefect will of God.” ~Romans 12:2
“…and be renewed in the spirit of your mind and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness.” ~Ephesians 4:23-24
“…Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” ~Ephesians 5:25b-27
“For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword.” ~Hebrews 4:12
“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.” ~Psalm 119:9
“By mercy and truth iniquity is purged; and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.” ~Proverbs 16:6
“The Bible is about a King, His Kingdom, and His royal family. It is a royal document chronicling the purposes, desires, and decrees of the King, as well as the activities, past history, and future destiny of His children and heirs. It also describes the King’s expansion program, His plan to expand His heavenly realm into earthly territory.” (65) ~Myles Monroe, 40 Days to Discovering God’s Big Idea For Your Life, Devotional
Please Join Me in Prayer
Father God, We thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to set us free. Thank You for the newness of this year. As we stand on the threshold let us take hold of Your Commission to each of us ‘for such a time as this.’ Let the Holy Spirit empower the Word to come alive for each member of the body of Christ, that the truth of God would become manifest, and that He would reveal what He would have us know to fulfill our destiny in Him.
Let us look forward with anticipation for Your plan for each life this year. Keep us ever present to hear Your voice as You lead and direct our steps. .Lead us by Your light to Your perfect will in each of our lives Great is Your faithfulness, oh God! We thank You that You keep Your hand on America. Forgive our sin and heal our land that we will remain One Nation Under God. We pray this in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen and Amen.
A Prayer Request
Please join us in prayer, covering the issues listed in this link: https://drmicheleburke.org/esthers-warriors-ministry/
May God richly bless the United States of America, bring to light every single crooked place and keep her safe. May we arise united once again as One Nation Under God in this auspicious season in our country’s history. We continue to pray for truth to prevail concerning Benghazi and all issues as we saturate this country in prayer and stand for all that is right in America and for all of us who call ourselves American. These are treacherous times and now more than ever we must maintain our walk. Fail not in this hour. #Pray for America.