written!

Written! Let’s take a minute to consider the written word.  Think about how different your life would be if you could not read or write. And how would our beliefs even exist if no one had captured the Scriptures in written form?  We complete our 21-Day Experiment in Prayer with a reading of John’s final chapter. I hope you’ve set aside some time on this Sabbath to reflect on what you’ve been reading.  Have you noticed God’s presence in special ways?  Are you seeing answers to prayers?

John tells us time and again (John 19:25, 20:31) the reason for his eye-witness account of Jesus–“so that” we would believe He is the Messiah.  He ends his record with these solemn words:  This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down.  We know that his testimony is true (John 21:24).  He goes on to say that Jesus did other miracles and that if “every one of them were written down” there would not be enough room in the whole world for all the books.

The Greek word for “written” is grapho.  You find the phrase “it is written” sprinkled throughout the New Testament.  It helps to understand that this phrase carries the implied weight of Scriptural authority. Remember how Jesus resisted the devil’s alluring temptations to power and personal glory with the words, “Tt is written…”  He wielded Scripture as His sword shield of authority against the tempter’s wiles. Let’s face it. The devil and his minions tremble at God’s written (and spoken) Word.

If Jesus needed to wield the “sword” of the written Word, how much more do we?  In my reading of John, I am reminded my own inability to withstand the battles of life without God’s Holy Spirit and the presence of Jesus, and His Word.  And mysteriously, the written Word “feeds” my very soul as food feeds my physical body.

Moving forward from our 21-Day Experiment, I challenge you to make the reading of God’s Word and prayer the top priority of your day. Your power in prayer correlates with your relationship with the “written Word.” When you read and believe the words of Scripture, your faith grows (Romans 10:17) and you find yourself on solid ground to withstand the devil’s attacks.

Recently a friend of mine, one of the busiest women I know, told me of her life transformation since she made her morning “quiet time” her priority.  I agree.  There is something extraordinary that begins to happen in our life of prayer and our relationship with God when we give Him our “first fruit” of our morning.

I’d love to hear from you to learn more about where you encountered God. I’ll be posting a blog each Monday about whatever God puts on my heart for the week.  Hope you’ll join me!