Jul 26 2024

Today's Bible Verse

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

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In this verse from Hebrews, we have a powerful description of the Word of God. It is quick, powerful, sharper than a sword, and a discerner of thoughts and intentions. The Bible is all these things because it is the Word of the Lord, a living and active tool through which the Lord works and moves in the world. Today, we'll talk about why it is so important that we spend time in God's Word by looking at these analogies from the writer of Hebrews.

What does it mean for the Word to be quick and powerful? When we read with an open mind, we can see the truth about ourselves and our need for the Lord quickly and powerfully. It dispels illusions that we might have about ourselves, revealing us as we are—needing the Lord to save us from sin and give us grace. The Word is an instrument of conviction and gives us a solution: calling out to the Lord.

The writer also compares the Word to a sword that divides the soul and spirit, and figuratively, the joints and marrow. One interpretation of this phrase is that God's Word helps us see sin in our lives we had not recognized before. While we once could not see that some things in our lives were wrong, the Bible helps us discern what is true; it eliminates any misunderstanding. It cuts through sin and falsehoods, exposing them as they are.

The Word also discerns our thoughts and reveals our intentions. Sometimes we act without realizing our motivations. We might cut someone off in traffic, but rather than doing it to save a few seconds of time, our true motivation might be to feel like we have power or control. The Word can help us come to realizations like these, convicting us and helping us become more like Jesus. As seventeenth century minister and author Matthew Henry wrote in his Bible commentary, "The Word will turn the inside of a sinner out, and let him see all that is in his heart."

The best way to become more like Jesus is to spend more time in His Word. Ask Him to show you what you need to see about yourself, and then make up your mind to do as He has instructed. Also, develop a habit of reading the Word. The Bible can be a challenging book, and a daily habit of sitting down and truly thinking through its different passages is essential to experiencing its power in your own life.

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you so much for your Word. Thank you for the power of your promises. Help me to remember your Word, digging into its riches and promises all the days of my life. Help me to know you better, Lord, and make your Word alive to me. In Jesus' name, amen.

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Jul 25 2024

Yesterday's Bible Verse

The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.:

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Yesterday's Bible study

In this verse from Matthew, a centurion (Roman army captain) expresses great faith in the Lord. He has come to Capernaum to ask Jesus if He would heal his servant boy, who was suffering from terrible pain. When Jesus offers to come, the centurion says today's verse: that Jesus does not need to physically be near the servant to heal him. Jesus, amazed by the man's faith, says his servant has been healed. In a number of remarkable ways, this passage teaches us about the importance of faith.

First, we can see that faith has nothing to do with our upbringing or status. The centurion was Roman—someone the Jews would have seen as their enemy. He was wealthy and in a position of authority, but he knew he needed the Lord. Prejudice from the Jewish people, his own comrades, or those of equal social standing did not stop him from seeking out Jesus. He believed that Jesus had what he needed, and he was willing to act on this faith.

The centurion believed that the Lord did not have to be in a physical location to heal a particular person. He believed that Jesus was truly God—that He knew everything that was going on around Him and He could heal without limits. This faith made Jesus pause, amazing Him by its firm conviction. Even the Jews, who were Jesus' own people, had not demonstrated such faith.

This gives us a model that we can apply to our prayers. We should always ask the Lord to move in our lives from a position of belief. Indeed, we know that He has the ability to do all that He has said; nothing is impossible for God. In addition, we should pray from a position of knowing that the Lord is good. The Lord did not desire that the centurion's servant continue to suffer; He was quick to heal.

Notice, also, that the Lord did not require the beautiful faith of the centurion to heal his servant. Jesus was about to leave for the centurion's home when the centurion said His physical presence wasn't necessary for healing. Jesus did not wait for the centurion to demonstrate his powerful faith before agreeing to heal. In the same way, the Lord simply wants us to come to Him and ask for what we need. As we strive for unconditional faith like the centurion's, we can take comfort knowing that we serve a God who is merciful and meets us right where we are.

Yesterday's Prayer

Dear Lord, help me to have the same degree of faith that the centurion had. I want to love you and know you as he did. Thank you, Lord, for being a God of healing. Thank you for caring for each of us, Lord. In Jesus' name, amen.
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