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
I love how Wayne Cordeiro says that the Word of God fillets our heart, what a good way to put it. Digging into the Word can be uncomfortable at times and that is a good thing, that means it is working in our lives. Much like physical medication brings physical healing; the (spiritual) Word of God brings healing to our souls. When you need a powerful dose of healing a Dr. will give you a shot of medication. Like a Dr. - God will give us a shot through His Word. He will cut through our flesh in order to deliver His healing Word to our soul. A shot can be painful, but it is necessary in order to bring the cure. God's cure for our failures... His healing Word. Let's dig in!
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
Be blessed... your brother in the Lord.
Mike Bibeau
So true, so true..awesome word Mike. It really resonates with me where you said it (His Word)will bring rebuke, but it never leaves us there. Just like he asks fathers here on Earth not to provoke their children to anger, neither does he. He loves us. He means good for us and only desires to expose us so that we might shine even brighter and reveal Him even clearer to the world around. Transparent living is challenging, always challenging..but that's how His word beckons us to live and breathe and be.
ReplyDeleteSo when you mess up and feel the conviction of God, rejoice! Again I say rejoice! That's His love for you, not condemnation.
Here are some awesome scriptures about God's correction being yet another manifestation of His love. If any of you are feeling the conviction of His Spirit, celebrate (I know it sounds crazy, but it's true)! That's His love bringing about the awareness of our need for repentance and correction to get in alignment with His will and blessings. Respond to the Refiner's voice, make the neccesary corrections and press on in the full confidence that He loves you and is dedicated to moulding you in to the man/woman of God you were created to be!
Now let these verses wash over you today:
Hebrews 12:16 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
Proverbs 3:12 for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
Revelation 3:19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
Psalm 141:5 Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it. Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds.
(Now this might be the toughest one to swallow, but in this specific scripture their is manifold wisdom. When God uses another brother or sister in the Lord to help point out blind spots in your walk, or even confront you on sin in your life, receive it as a kindness and don't repay evil for good. Easier said than done (especially if the person telling you this is less than gracious in their approach) but in your humility God will lift you up in so many amazing ways. Truely, taste and see that the Lord really is good!
So true there is healing in the pain... God is constantly checking and correcting the condition of our hearts. Love it! :)
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