(by pastor Norman)

“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires” (Hebr 4:12, NLT). God’s word has the power to analyze and judge our very thoughts. It can help us to put off the old life and put on the new (Rom 12:2, Eph 5:26); cleanse us, make us more like Christ (2 Cor 3:18, Eph 5:1), set us apart for the abundant life He has for us (John 10:10) and cause us to be His effective ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20). This all requires faith and the Bible tells us that, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom 10:17; NKJV). We need God’s word to grow our faith! We are taught that we should make every word of our Bible a priority, meditate on it day and night and abide or stay in God’s word (Matt 4:4, Josh 1:8, John 8:31-32). However, many people read God’s word but their lives are not affected or changed. The apostle Paul wrote that the natural mind or the mind of non-Christians cannot receive the things of God (1 Cor 2:14), they are a mystery to them (1 Cor 2:7). When we asked Jesus into our lives to be our Lord and Saviour (Rom 10:9,10) our inner man or spirit was made new (John 3:3,6-7) and the Holy Spirit came to live in us (Gal 4:6). As we prayerfully study God’s word, the Holy Spirit reveals that word to our spirits (John 14:26) allowing the power and glory of the word to fill, grow and change us! Now that’s exciting!