*Locks of Love Fizz' Sisterlocks Journey*: November 2010

"Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path."
Psalm 119: 105

"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.."
Isaiah 40: 8

"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."
Hebrews 4: 12

Where did the Bible come from? The Bible is God’s Holy Word. It is inspired by God and can guide you to new life in Jesus Christ and teach you how to live a Godly life. It was written over a period of 1600 years, by more than forty different writers, on three different continents, and in three different languages—and every book of the Bible has a unified message and points us to God. Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed.” When it says “God-breathed”, it means that the Spirit of God inspired the writers to write what God wanted us to know. This fact is confirmed by the Spirit within us which testifies to the truth in the Bible. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and powerful.” In other words, the unique “living” feature of the Bible is confirmed as it speaks personally to you. Scripture has the power to transform our lives and feed our souls.

The Bible can give you spiritual power over evil. Even Jesus Christ, when He was tempted, quoted the Bible and displayed power and victory. The Bible is “The sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.” Fourth, the Bible can teach you how to live. “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Fifth, the Bible can show you in your own life, what is good and what is not good. Often we are blind to our own faults; just like in the dark you cannot tell the difference between a bright shirt and a dark shirt. The Bible “judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” And sixth, you can use the Bible to help others. God wants us to be victorious over sin and evil. “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.” God has given you tremendous spiritual power through faith in His Holy Word.

Have you ever heard the saying, “Practice makes perfect?” Maybe you have tried eating really healthy before. And if you have, you know that the effects don’t happen overnight, but have to be continued for a lasting effect. It’s the same with reading God’s Word. As Christians, it is important for us develop a daily pattern of prayer and Bible study. Then we will see the effects of following God’s word throughout our whole lives. The apostle Peter said in II Peter 3:18 that we “should grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Spiritual growth, just like physical growth, requires a source of nutrition. Jesus said He is the “living bread that came down from heaven” (John 6:51) and that whoever “eats this bread will live forever” (John 6:58). So in order for us to receive the benefits of our relationship with God, we have to spend time every day with Him in His word to grow in our faith.

How do we start?

• Set aside time each day: It doesn’t have to be a long period, but it helps if the time is consistent, early in the morning before work, for example.

• Pray before you read; ask the Holy Spirit to be your teacher.

• Have some paper and a pencil: Write down what you are learning and read back over your notes as a reminder of what the Spirit is teaching you.

• Put what you read into practice. If you read this morning about loving your enemies, try being kind to those who are mean to you that day.