Greetings everyone. As I got up this morning to start the day, the word “STUDY” dropped into my spirit. In every facet of our lives, from the time we first start learning until we no longer draw breath, we will have tests in our lives. If you don’t study, you’re not going to do well in and on the test. We are going to feast on that today.
Today’s Prayer
Father, as we find ourselves living in the rapidly changing and fast-paced society of today, one in which misinformation and temptations to follow “other gods” are rampant, help us see it all as a test of our own Christian beliefs and of the truth of Your Word. Through all the darkness and uncertainty of today, let us live as though all were light! Surely that will be our spirit’s greatest test, won’t it? Help us remember to keep our eyes on You, for You have declared Yourself to be the LIGHT and the WAY; and while remembering, let us “count it all joy!” In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Let’s eat.
Getting a Sharper Image By Study
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2 (KJV)
The Bible says that the reason that people have not been saved is because their minds are blinded. Satan has blinded their minds by filling them with unbelief where salvation is concerned. Well, how do you cause your mind to see the gospel?
There are two ways for the mind to get a clear sharp image of the gospel. The first way is by preaching. Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). When you hear the word of God preached, it begins to change your image of who you are in Jesus, and it begins to change you. It makes you more like Jesus. The more of the Word of God you hear, and the more you get to fellowship with other saints, the more you get a sharper image of Jesus.
The second and in my mind the most important way to cause the mind to see is by studying the Word of God. Jesus studied the Word of God. The bible tells us that at 12 years old He was found with the elders studying the Word. He is walking the earth as a man and He knows he has a job to do. And in order to fulfill God’s will He has to get into the Word. That is why when Satan came out against him he used the same tools that man would have to use. He got out the Word and said, “It is written.” He told the devil what was written in the Word of God, because He knew what was written. He knew what was written because He studied it. Once Jesus spoke the Word, the Bible says the devil left Him for a season.
The very same thing will happen to you if you spend time studying the Word of God. You study so that you can see yourself doing what Jesus did. And if you do what Jesus did, you’ll get Jesus’ results. It’s like developing photographs. Years ago they developed pictures in a dark room. They would take that picture and dip it in a solution. It was not ready until the image became sharp and clear. And so we stay in the Word of God on a subject until it becomes sharp and clear. We study until we see the image of Jesus in the Scripture.
Eventually you will have to have a sharp image of yourself doing the works of Jesus. So while you are hearing the Word of God preached, and while you are studying the Word of God, you will see yourself casting out devils and walking in righteousness. You will see yourself laying hands on the sick and they shall recover. You will see yourself as always having more than enough and winning over the devil. Stay in the Word until you see the sharper image.
Quote of the Day
We are at this moment as close to God as we really choose to be. True, there are times when we would like to know a deeper intimacy, but when it comes to the point, we are not prepared to pay the price involved. ~J. Oswald Saunders~