The Word is Alive: The Power of the Bible for Real Life

“For the Word of God is living and active…”

Hebrews 4:12

I’ve found this to be a critical lesson for the maturing believer:

God’s Word is living and active.

Its relevance has not diminished over the centuries.

Its applications are not excluded from any circumstance.

And while I’ve learned so much over the years from Nancy Leigh Demoss, Kay Arthur, and Lysa Terkeurst –

and certainly from my pastor, my parents, and godly friends –

there is no better Teacher than the Holy Spirit, and no better text than God’s Word.

Which is why I encourage you to always, always make time alone with God your priority.

Before you tune in to Dr. Phil. Before you turn to Google. Before you read your favorite blog. Before you check with social media. Before you call your spouse or your mom or your best friend. And yes, before you hear from Beth Moore.

I’ll never forget the first time I really comprehended this truth.

I was a very young mom. And like all very young moms, I was overwhelmed.

I was overwhelmed by the diapers and the feedings and the lack of sleep.

But even more, I was overwhelmed by the incredibly high calling that was thrust upon me as my child entered the world.

I was utterly in love with my little bundle. And I was frighteningly aware that the stakes had never been higher.

I was awestruck and dumbfounded at the reality that I now bore responsibility for another soul.

Her spiritual journey would irrevocably involve me.

And while the choice to follow or not follow my Jesus would always be hers,

the responsibility to point her in the right direction…

with my words…

with my actions…

with my example…

would always be mine.

And the weight of that assignment from our Lord seemed like too much.

As I considered my own weaknesses, struggles, and sins, it almost seemed hopeless.

And as I looked around me at our anti-Christian culture which seems to decline further and decay more every day, I almost despaired.

But then I distinctly remember God drawing my attention back to Him (which is where it always belongs anyway), prompting me to refocus my eyes on the One with whom this calling originated.

And then He pointed me to His Word.

The Power of the Bible

The text was I Samuel.

And as I gazed and lingered and pondered with no aid besides my pen and no teacher besides my God, I was blown away by the things He taught me. As I read, not chapters at a time, but a few words at a time – thinking, praying, wondering, rereading, and considering – I gleaned insight after insight.

About ancient times. And about how God dealt with sin. And about how God answered prayers. And about how God worked, and how He used boys and men and kings.

Oh yes, I learned all of those things.

But I also learned even better things.

I learned about how God still deals with sin, and about how He still answers prayers, and about how He still works, and how He still uses boys and men and kings…and moms.

I wrote about one of the first of these lessons here. I pray it’s a source of encouragement to you as you minister to any child in your life.

But the takeaway for today? Get into God’s Word. And as His Word gets into you…well, I have a feeling you’ll be amazed at the lessons our Teacher has waiting for willing pupils.