Thursday, February 4, 2016

The Power of the Word of God

Then Jesus declared, I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.  John 6:35 NIV

Wonder Bread
In John 1:1-3 (NIV), a very important declaration is made:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.
“…without Him nothing has been made that has been made.” As I read this passage, my mind makes a direct connection to the creation account of Genesis chapter 1, remembering that everything exists because God said for it to exist.  God spoke His will…His WORD.  Here in John chapter 1, we learn that Jesus, the son of the Living God is also God’s SPOKEN WORD.  When God said “Let there be light…” in Genesis 1, the power of those words was Jesus himself…there with God in the beginning…so says John chapter 1. He was with God…and more, He WAS, and is God; separate, but one in the same.  Jesus is the living Word of God…The Word become flesh.
Because of these realities: Jesus, the son of God…is the Son of God, and was/is the spoken Word of God. Jesus, even the Son of God, is God.  This is why when Jesus spoke to the storms in Mark 4:39 Peace, be still! the storms obeyed!  It was the same voice that had spoken all of creation…the entire universe into existence. It is this same voice that created the entire universe that called into the open tomb of Lazarus in John 11:43 Lazarus, come forth! and what happened except that Lazarus came forth!! 
This Jesus…this one who was the spoken Word of God in creation…this one who was and is the Son of God said of Himself in John 6:35 “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry…” What was He saying except that He wanted His disciples to take Him in…His words, His teaching, His Spirit…just as if they could devour Him figuratively like bread? …And that if they could so do, they would never go hungry…hungry in their spirit, hungry in their soul.  Feed upon Jesus, upon His word…drink deeply from the fountain of His Holy Spirit’s counsel and you will be…satisfied!  Read the Bible!  Meditate upon its words.  Pray for wisdom, for illumination as you read.
We read yesterday from 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that all Scripture is God breathed…inspired by God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
·      Do you want to grow up in every aspect of your Christian faith? 
·      Do you desire to navigate the pitfalls of this life without falling prey to the snares of the tempter?  Read the Bible.
·      Do you desire to be wise in raising your children, in teaching others in The Way, in serving your husband or wife as Christ in marriage?  Read the Bible.

In Matthew 7:24-27, we read the parable of the two builders.  The foolish man built his house upon a foundation of sand and when the storm raged, the house was destroyed.  The wise man built his house upon the rock and when the storm raged, the house stood despite the storm.  Jesus said: Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. “…these words of mine…” Whose words? Jesus’ words.  Where are the words of Jesus? They are in the Bible.
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, Matthew 4:4 NIV.  Do you want to grow up big and strong?  Get ahold of God’s Wonder Bread.  Read the Bible.
Tomorrow, I will share a testimony from a man who longed for the Book of God, the Holy Bible.  His words are clear and profound.  I pray for his hunger and urgency to become my own. 

Almighty God, how we need the Bread of Life.  There are so many distractions, so many fake breads in this world.  Many are sweet, but they do not make me strong.  Feed me from your Word, Oh God.  My soul is hungry.

In Jesus’ holy name I pray, Amen.

(submitted by Kerry Patton)

Devotional Archive