Why should we study the Word of God as if our life depends on it?

Our Friday Devotion comes to us from Council Member, John Adams:

Why should we study the Word of God as if our life depends on it?

Because it does. Many Christian surveys and polls have revealed that the great majority of professing Christians today in the United States spend very little, or no time, studying their Bibles. As a result, most are shockingly ignorant regarding even the most basic elements of the Gospel and the key doctrines of their faith.

The Bible predicted that times would come when people would have "...a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof", and we wonder why the Church in America seems so impotent to impact our culture.

Grace Harbor Church and School is committed to encouraging all of its members to start reversing this disturbing trend by becoming actively and regularly involved in some form of systematic Bible study.

Why? Because without God's Word, we are literally dead, powerless, and without hope.

Jesus said He was "...the Way, the Truth, and the Life" and that no one could come to the Father except through Him. In fact, Jesus himself is "the Word", as clearly stated in...

John 1:1-2 - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

As the Lord's brother James urged believers, "don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the Heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the Word of Truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created" James 1:16-18.

When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus refused to be baited into any displays of His miraculous divine powers, but instead He rebuked Satan and drove him off SIMPLY BY SPEAKING THE WORD.

As Christ told His doubting disciples, "The Spirit gives life, the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and they are Life" John 6:63.

Pastor Rick Warren, in his best selling book, "The Purpose Driven Life" perhaps said it best when he wrote, "The Bible is far more than a doctrinal guide book. God's Word generates life, creates faith, produces change, frightens the devil, causes miracles, heals hurts, builds character, transforms circumstances, imparts joy, overcomes adversity, defeats temptations, infuses hope, releases power, cleanses our minds, brings [good] things into being, and guarantees our future forever! We cannot live without the Word of God. Never take it for granted. You should consider it as essential to your life as food."

If we would only devote 15 minutes a day to reading God's Word, we would read through the entire Bible in one year. In just 30 minutes a day, we could complete it in just six months. We think of nothing to devoting hours to recreational activities, watching television and movies, pursuing hobbies, or just doing nothing.

I would urge us all to reevaluate our priorities and make a firm commitment to spend consistent. focused, and life-giving time each day to the Word of God and see just how God might revive and empower His people and His Church.

God Bless each one of you.

John Adams

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