Wednesday, August 26, 2009

WORD OF GOD, SPEAK TO ME...

MY TESTIMONY

Yesterday the GOOD NEWS BLOG celebrated 10,000 readers, in 74 countries, and 40 new Christians in just six months! THANK YOU for reading and sharing good news with others! To GOD be the glory, great things GOD has done!

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 119:97-104 (NRSV)

God's word is sweet

Oh, how I love your law!
It is my meditation all day long.
Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
for it is always with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for your decrees are my meditation.
I understand more than the aged,
for I keep your precepts.
I hold back my feet from every evil way,
in order to keep your word.
I do not turn away from your ordinances,
for you have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore I hate every false way.

DEVOTION

Every night before bedtime, I sit with my daughter as she has her nightly devotional time. She reads a scripture, we talk about it, and then we pray together. This time is one of the most precious things that I do every day! My daughter is just eight years old, but she is truly learning to love the Holy Word of God! I am so grateful that The Word is alive in her life, capturing her imagination, and guiding her footsteps as she lives in love in God's world!

One of my favorite Bible verses says, "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105)."

Another verse says, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

Both of these verses constantly remind me that The Word of God is not just a collection of stories about people who lived long ago; rather, it is also a living, breathing, Word from God, that leads me along the path of my life, affirming or rebuking my words, thoughts, and actions!

Wow! Hallelujah!

You know a Christian without knowledge of the Bible, is like a knight without his sword! Do you know that the Word of God is our ONLY offensive weapon against the wiles of the devil? Take a look at Ephesians 6: 11-18. (
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%206&version=KJV)

If you look closely, you will see that all other parts of the "armor of God" are defensive elements used in our fight against darkness and evil. It is only the Holy Word of God--or the Bible--that allows us to strike offensive blows against the enemy of our soul. So, since this is true, we must read and memorize the Bible as much as we are able!

I don't know about you, but whenever I am in trouble, I start speaking The Word of God over my life. I start reciting the promises of God. I start affirming to myself--and others--that God's Word is "Yay and Amen."

When I begin to speak The Word, doors begin to open, obstacles are removed, and depressions are lifted! When I speak The Word, hearts are changed, behaviors are transformed, and Spirit comes rushing to my defense and my aid.

In the midst of trouble I usually start talking to God like this, "God YOU SAID that all things would work together for my good because I love you (Rom 8:28). YOU SAID that if I ask, seek, and knock, the door will be opened to me (Matt 7:7). YOU SAID that whatever I ask in prayer, in accordance with your will, you would do ( 1 Jn 5:14). YOU SAID I could tell the mountains in my life to be removed and they would be gone (Matt 21:21)...

I could go on and on, but I'm sure you get my point. See, if God said it, then it is so! I love to "remind" God of God's promises to me! And I think that God loves to hear me speak Truth to the evil powers of this world!

So, go ahead, get in The Word of God! Take joy in the holy scriptures. Say like today's psalmist, "Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all day long...."

Today, we are reminded that The Word of God makes us wise, gives us understanding, and keeps us from evil!

Who wants to read their Bible today?! (I do!) Won't you pray with me?:

Holy God, thank you for my Bible! I am so sorry that I have taken Your Word for granted. Today, I will find a Bible that I can read and understand. I will begin to read and memorize Your Word so that I can share this good news with others! It is so wonderful that You love us so much that You gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life. I love and appreciate you so much; Word of God please speak to me so that I can share good news with others. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.




ANNOUNCEMENTS

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LISTEN TO PASTOR YOLANDA’S SERMONS ONLINE--To listen to audio recordings of Pastor Yolanda's Sunday sermons, please visit http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/57814 or click the widget to the right on this page!

PUT ALL OF YOUR HOPE IN JESUS--If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus"
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html

Pastor Yolanda is now publishing another blog entitled, “A Spoken WORD” in celebration of Holy Hip Hop, Gospel/Christian Rap and Spoken Word. Please check it out @ http://aspokenword.blogspot.com/

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Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews

You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.

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Thanks for reading and please come again. Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to all of our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.

From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com

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