LIFE Posts - The Living Word, part 2
This week we continue our study about the Living Word of God, continuing to use the Freedom curriculum to guide our study.[1]
As we did last week, let’s start by looking at scripture in which the Bible says things about itself.
Jeremiah 23:29 (AMP2015) 23:29 “Is not My word like fire [that consumes all that cannot endure the test]?” says the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks the [most stubborn] rock [in pieces]? [2]
Isaiah 55:11 (AMP2015) 55:11 So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. [3]
The above verses describe both the power of God’s Word and His Will. We see that the truth that the Word reveals will break any stony places that oppose God’s Will – God’s Word will accomplish what He intends it to. Living a life of surrender to God we must decide in advance that we will believe what God’s Word says, as well as what the Holy Spirit reveals to us in our study of the Word. This will require us to 1) exercise faith, since the world is constantly telling us that the Bible is wrong, and 2) focus, since we need to be sensitive to the Spirit’s direction. Jesus tells us in more detail about this in John 6:63.
John 6:63 (AMP2015) 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh conveys no benefit [it is of no account]. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life [providing eternal life]. [4]
As we discussed last week, we need to approach the Word as Jesus Himself, and in doing so seek a deeper relationship with Him through His Word. The Spirit will reveal to us facets about Jesus when we approach the Word in a desire to know Him more – this revelation makes the Word come alive as we saw last week in Hebrews 4:12.
We’ve talked before about being purposeful in our walk of sanctification – as we focus our energy and prioritize our relationship with Jesus we will find our time in the Word will grow deeper and more meaningful. Ways we can deepen our relationship with Jesus and the Word are:
Make God’s Word priority. Consider your time spent with the Word to be as important as eating or breathing. Our spirit needs to consume the Word to grow and stay strong. Submit your schedule to the Lord and honestly assess what you spend your time on.
Meditate on the Word. Read the Word and spend time chewing on what you’ve read all day long (Joshua 1:8). Emphasize quality rather than quantity. Let the Spirit guide and direct you to what He wants you to read, rather than simply following a scheduled reading plan someone else put together. After reading a first time, re-read the scripture, and ask the Holy Spirit what He wants you to take away from it. In fact, before beginning to read, invite the Holy Spirit to reveal Himself in your time in the Word.
Believe what you’ve read in the Word. Decide in advance to believe the Word is true, even if you don’t understand it completely or if what it says flies in the face of human “reason.” Remember, faith is required on our walk of the narrow path; without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6), and faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ (Romans 10:17). This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep pursuing to understand something in the Word you don’t understand – there are great riches in pursuit of learning and understanding more. Ask the Holy Spirit for revelation of what resources you should perhaps invest in to learn the Word more deeply. Instead of saving and spending money on a new golf club, fishing pole, video game, or any other worldly item, perhaps He will direct you to obtain spiritual resources such as Biblical training or commentaries. (See Luke 12:34.)
Do what the Word says. James 1:22-25 tells us to be doers of the Word, not just hearers, because we will be blessed only when we obey what it says. We’re given this instruction because the enemy knows that we can be deceived into “knowing” with our minds but not letting it penetrate our whole being. Just as David commanded his soul in Psalm 103 to act (bless the Lord, oh my soul), we too need to decide to submit to the Word’s instruction and do what it says.
Putting this into action requires daily discipline, which is essential for us to remain on the narrow path that leads to the life of ongoing sanctification that Jesus calls us to. The Word brings correction and encouragement to walk out the call Jesus has for each of us. Please allow me to share a recent personal experience with the Word and my study of it.
Recently after asking God for direction for which part of the Bible that He wanted me to read, I felt directed to read 1 Corinthians. I’ve learned to go more slowly than I used to during my Bible reading quiet time, and to re-read passages multiple times. Over the course of several days, I read 1 Corinthians chapter 1 multiple times. I started going through some of the Logos Bible Study resources I have on 1 Corinthians, getting steeped into the historical background of the book. This allowed me to have a better understanding of the book’s form and style, as well as the things Paul brings to the Corinthian’s attention. Yet while this was all very interesting to me intellectually, I didn’t yet understand or see a direct and immediate application of it in my life – so I asked the Holy Spirit for understanding of how to apply it. Almost immediately, my eyes were drawn to 1 Corinthians 1:8, which says:
1 Corinthians 1:8 (NASB 2020) 1:8 who will also confirm you to the end, blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. [5]
Like a light being switched on brings illumination to a darkened room, this deeply impacted me, but I have to first give context for the reason. Being transparent, in my personal walk I’d been feeling down and discouraged. There has been a lot going on in my and my family’s life over the past couple of years. Between work, home, and serving in various activities, there has always been a lot to be done, while there have been major challenges that have arisen. I’ve felt like I’ve been at a point of burning out due to sheer physical and mental exhaustion – but didn’t want to admit that to myself. The devil loves to operate against us when we’re tired because we’re less likely to recognize the subtle attacks he brings against us. Being worn out, while at the same time yearning to do more (with family time, serving others, and being better at my job) and to see breakthrough for things we’ve prayed for, my ability to see clearly became hindered. Instead of dwelling on and in God’s power, grace, and mercy I began to fall into a trap of thinking “it’s all on me” and that I just needed to work harder – I’ve seen others work so much harder than me. We’ll talk more about spiritual warfare in a future LIFE Post, but for now I’ll just emphasize the result of the warfare for my mind – I’d fallen into believing that it was my effort that needed to be increased, that my failures were my responsibility and mine to address, and I was not strong or good enough or as strong as others. This led to all sorts of emotions and incorrect unconscious thinking patterns which further wore me out.
With that background shared, here’s how the Spirit used the Word and blessed my request to Him to illuminate my understanding. After having my attention pointed to 1 Corinthians 1:8, I saw that the “who” at the start of the verse is Jesus. My attention was then directed to the fact that this verse tells me that it is Jesus who will “confirm me to the end.” Using reference material, I found that the Greek word for confirm is Strongs 950, which is:
“βεβαιόω bebaióō; contracted bebaiṓ, fut. bebaiṓsō, from bébaios (949), sure, fixed. To make firm or reliable so as to warrant security and inspire confidence, to strengthen, make true, fulfill.” [6]
The Holy Spirit used this to reveal to me that my perspective on my circumstances was wrong. I’d mistakenly gotten off of the narrow path of sanctification because I was relying upon my own strength, not God’s. I had allowed comparison to others make me believe that I wasn’t working as hard or wasn’t as good or wasn’t as blessed as others. I had allowed disappointments due to prayers not being answered in the timeframe I’d believed and hoped for to shift me into trying to “work” for the outcomes I believed for. Instead of living a life of surrender to God, I’d unconsciously “taken control” – so it is no surprise that I’d found myself worn out physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. The Holy Spirit revealed, through this one verse and study of it, my errors – my sin – so that I could then repent.
This revelation brought wonderful relief to me, bringing the feeling as if I shrugged off a heavy load off of my shoulders. The thoughts that I had to do things right (on my own) were corrected. My imperfections do need to be addressed, yet I am reminded that it is Jesus who makes my sanctification firm and reliable, confident, and strengthened. My part is to surrender to His Will and direction, and to follow Him. The world (and the devil) wants us to feel shame when we’re shown our faults and failures. The counter to that is the Bible - the Word tells me that it is God’s kindness that leads me to repentance (Romans 2:4), that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1), and that Jesus has told me that I’m to yoke myself to Him (Matthew 11:28-30) because I will find rest for my soul.
Prayerfully consider the following, journaling your thoughts and responses. Share with a brother or in Christ one on one, or in a small group setting.
Application/Questions/Journal your thoughts
- What does your daily time in the Word look like? Comparing your time spent reading God’s Word vs. time spent on any other interest you have (hobbies, investing, social media, etc.) – which is greater? This isn’t a call out to cause any condemnation – but rather illumination and awareness. If the comparison reveals something you don’t like, submit it to the Holy Spirit and ask for Him to give you a hunger for the Word. From my testimony above, though I have tried to keep a constant, daily time in the Word, I still found myself out of alignment with the Word’s instructions for me. Allowing the Word to “read us” instead of the other way around can be challenging for everyone. What ways can you identify to protect your time with the Word?
- What do you do when you encounter something that doesn’t make sense or is difficult to understand when you read the Word? Do you ask the Holy Spirit for help understanding? If not, now is a great time to start! Some tools you can use to deepen your understanding and dig in more are:
- Look at additional Bible translations: Translations like the New Living Translation (NLT) are written in more modern language than others like the King James Version, which was written in the 1600’s. Others, like The Message, are a paraphrase of the original language, done so to attempt to teach the intention of the message instead of a word-by-word alignment to the original language. Some of my favorite translations are the NASB, ESV, Amplified, NLT, and NET. Submitting to the Holy Spirit and using multiple Bible translations can bring depth to your pursuit. There are many online Bible resources that will allow you to view multiple translations for free: www.Biblia.com, www.Bible.com, www.BibleGateway.com, www.Biblestudytools.com
- Dig in with Bible dictionaries and commentaries: There are also many Biblical dictionaries and commentaries available online, though submit to the Holy Spirit any resource you use. The Internet has both good and bad resources on it, so caution is required. Logos Bible Study is a resource I have personally used for many years to enable deep study, and offers a wealth of resources in its catalogue. Here is a link that should enable the start of a free trial of their subscription offering and $10 off an additional purchase if you are interested. (Full disclosure, that link will also give me a referral reward if you sign up for a subscription.)
- Discuss with your small group: We all need to grow and learn, and rest assured if you have a question, you’re not the only one with that question! Bringing up a question about what you’ve read to your brothers or sisters in Christ will enable everyone to learn together.
Scripture of the week
Deuteronomy 6:6–9 (NLT) 6:6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 6:7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 6:8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 6:9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Psalm 119:97–100 (NLT) 119:97 Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long. 119:98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide. 119:99 Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws. 119:100 I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments.
Psalm 1:1–2 (NLT) 1:1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 1:2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.
Weekly prayer
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the gift of Yourself in Your Word, and that with this gift You’ve given us all the direction we need to live in Your Will. Holy Spirit, please kindle a hunger for Your Word, and guide me into deep understanding of You through my reading and meditating on Your Word. Help me protect my time with Your Word, and don’t let me approach it in any way that doesn’t allow it to change and protect me. As You illuminate my understanding, please use me to share Your truth with others. I ask this in Jesus’ Holy Name. Amen.
Freedom Facet
God’s Word is powerful, and God’s Word brings life. As we make God’s Word a top priority in our life, we will find our pathways illuminated with guidance and direction (Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:130). Our ongoing sanctification requires us to walk on the narrow path that leads to life; while Jesus said the way is difficult (Matthew 7:13-14), when we use His Word as our guide, we will see how to take each step without falling or leaving the path. Speaking God’s Word will set the tone of our tongues, speaking life instead of death..
Jesus's Freedom is for those who call Him Lord - those who believe in Him. If you’ve not yet accepted Christ Jesus as Your Lord, and would like to, say the following prayer aloud.
Lord Jesus, I confess and realize that I am a sinner, and without You, I am lost and separated from God. Thank You for going to the cross and dying for my sins – I ask for Your forgiveness for my sins, and I thank you and receive the forgiveness of my sins Your Word says is now mine! Holy Spirit, I thank You that You now reside within me. I lay down my will for Yours and ask for Your daily guidance and direction to make me more and more like You. Amen!
The Bible tells us that if we confess Jesus as Lord with our mouth and believe in our hearts that God resurrected Jesus from the dead, we are saved for eternity. If you’ve just accepted Jesus as Lord, know that heaven is celebrating right now (Luke 15:10)! Rejoice because you are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), and now have begun the process of sanctification becoming like Him. Keep coming back, as we explore Freedom facets and what our Identity in Christ truly is. Share this joyous news with a brother or sister in Christ and get connected in your local church! LIFE is yours!
Small Group Invitations - Week of September 20, 2026
Below are invitations to just a couple of Men's Small Groups that are happening this week, both a part of Celebration Church, Georgetown, Texas. If these don't work for you, or if you're not a Celebration Church, TX attendee - regardless of the church you attend - being a part of small group is immensely important! If you're not involved in one, I pray that you find one that works for your schedule and you get plugged in. Being connected in the local church will bless you immeasurably! Also - with the fall semester starting, many churches are offering Freedom small group classes. If one is available near you, I pray you plug in to it - the Freedom Small Groups are life changing!
Tuesday Morning Men's Fellowship Group: 6am - 7am at Rudy's BBQ in Round Rock, Texas. Join us for a time of fellowship where we'll discuss the message from the Pastors on Sunday, the newsletter contents, or whatever is going on in the lives of the brothers meeting.
Friday Morning Celebration Men: We're back at the Georgetown Campus Annes this week - Join us at 6:30 am at for fellowship, a message from one of our pastors, and a discussion about God's Word. We'll conclude at 8am so people can get to work.
[1] Freedom Church of the Highlands, Birmingham, AL; Freedom – Celebration Church, Georgetown, TX
[2] Amplified Bible | 2015 (AMP). 2015. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
[3] Amplified Bible | 2015 (AMP). 2015. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
[4] Amplified Bible | 2015 (AMP). 2015. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
[5] New American Standard Bible. 2020. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[6] Zodhiates, Spiros. 2000. In The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament, electronic ed. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.