Saturday, June 16, 2018

The Power of the Word


Photo courtesy of pixabay.

Richard Spillman-  
       Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) "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."
   "A number of years ago in Palo Alto, California, this verse was put to the test when Pastor Ray Stedman used it to change his community.
   The zoning board held a hearing on a proposal to add a liquor store to a strip mall located between a church and a high school. (Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

    Citizens expressed their outrage, citing the need to protect the city’s youth from such a store’s temptation. The owner of the store testified that if the students wanted alcohol they would get it, even if his store was located further away.   
   Pastor Stedman remained quiet during the testimony, but the crowd wanted to know his opinion. He walked up to address the zoning board and opened his Bible to Luke 17:1-2.
   As he read the words aloud, a hush fell over the crowd. 

      “He said to His disciples,‘It is inevitable that stumbling 
       blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come!
       It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around
       his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that
       he would cause one of these little ones to stumble.
’”
   Without comment, Pastor Stedman walked back to his seat. After a few moments of silence, the liquor store owner stood up and withdrew his application.
   On that day, the Word was living, active, and sharper than the arguments of man. It was powerful enough to strike at the heart of those at the meeting.
   All too often we forget to look at the Word of God as more than just a Good Book. It is a sword in the hands of the righteous.
   The next time you are faced with a conflict, pray and ask God to equip you with the raw power of His Word.

The Power of the Word   (Used with permission)
Richard Spillman is a retired computer scientist who typically writes Christian nonfiction as well as maintains a Christian blog (www.spillmanrichard.com). His latest passion, however, is Christian fiction. His first novel, The Awakened, is waiting for a publisher. He has authored The Passion of Job and Do What Jesus Did, both of which are available on Amazon. He is also active on twitter at 
(https://twitter.com/awakenedtrilogy) and Instagram at (http://ink361.com/app/users/ig-3176880720/spillmanrichard/photos) where you can see pictures from his missionary travels around the world.

Religious man praying

   
 Father, it is great to know that using Your 
Word can make hearts change, as it happened to the liquor store owner.
   We can see that Your Word was living, active, and sharper than the arguments of man, and how it struck at the heart of those at the meeting.
   We often forget the Your Word is more than just a Good Book, but that it is a sword in the hands of the righteous.
   May we take heed to this message today, and with Your Spirit's guidance, 
begin to use Your Word in our daily confrontations, as needed.
   I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.


Today's Bible verses-

     2 Tim. 3:16 (KJV) "All scripture is given by inspiration 
       of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
       for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

       Eph. 6:14-17 (KJV) Stand therefore, having your loins
       girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate
       of righteousness; (15) And your feet shod with the
       preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) Above all,
       taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able
       to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (17) And 
       take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the
       sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
       
       
Today's quotes-

~ John Wesley- "Be active. Give no place to indolence or sloth. Give no occasion for anyone to say, 'ye are idle.' Lose no shred of time. Gather up the fragments, that nothing be lost. 'What soever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might . . . " Eccl. 9:10).

~ Charles H. Spurgeon- "What we need is spiritual power. O Spirit of the living God, we want Thee! Without the Spirit's power we can do nothing, but with it we may do all things."

3 Answers from Billy Graham About Absent and Abusive Fathers

Today's popular post-


#66 Living on this Side of Pentecost


Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: "Living on this side of Pentecost, we have far greater availability of the Spirit's ministry than had the saints of the Old Testament.

We should know in a far greater degree the power and reality of prayer and the life of prevailing prayer through the Spirit."



List of recent sermons of CFC ministersCFC Potsdam church has a live service at 10 am Sunday's for shut-ins. If for some reason you can't make it to the church you usually attend, click on the above link, and still get fed!


Upcoming posts-


     #63 Teach the Stewardship of Time & Possessions
19th Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

     #64 The Stewardship of Life & Possessions
21st- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

         Constant Communion
23rd- Saturday's post by Lee Forbes

#65 Help Your People Discover and Develop Their Spiritual Gifts
26th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel



Quiet mountain waters








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2 comments:

  1. Powerful truth! My teenage granddaughter is memorizing chapters of the Bible. I know His Word will not return void and will dwell in her heart throughout her life, coming to mind as she needs encouragement.

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    Replies
    1. Praise the Lord, Elaine. You're a powerful influence on her, and she is reaping a great example for her life!

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