Building One Another

DWELL IN THE WORD Vol 10 No 2

January 18, 2011

Dear Friend,

The verse below written by the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonian Church is quite remarkable.

“We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers. “ I Thessalonians 2:13*

Immediately we see that God’s word is not simply human words that address significant matters concerning faith and life but the words are actually words from our God who is not silent.

Further we learn that these words of God are not neutral, passive, or inactive. They are at work in you! As you read them, study them, hear them, and learn them, they shape you, change you, mold you and mature you as a follower of Jesus, one who loves the Lord who loves you.

What thrilled the Apostle Paul’s heart is that the Thessalonians received the word of God as the word of God! Do you? In our day people have all sorts of views of the nature of the Bible, yet what Paul makes clear is that God’s Word is food for the soul. 

Reading it, meditating on it, living it brings life.  Read a chapter of the Old Testament every day, perhaps starting with I Samuel.  Read a Psalm a day.  Read a chapter of the New Testament a day, perhaps beginning with the Gospel of Mark.

When you read a passage, jot the date in the margin and any significant happenings in your life. It will become a spiritual journal of your life joined with our Lord’s life and a great blessing to you.

“Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

With joy - E. Stanley Ott

Copyright 2011 E. Stanley Ott

*Scripture from the NRSV