August 17, 2019
Greetings and blessings to you all. I will continue to talk about the importance of the Word of God. Second Tim. 4:2 says “preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instructions.” The pastors have to know the Word of God in order to follow this mandate. But what about us? Is there a mandate for us as followers and Disciples of Christ? In 1 Peter 3:15 it says “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” So, it appears to me that the Pastors as well as the followers of Christ has to KNOW the Word of God in order to be obedient to what God has commanded. In order for all of us to do this it will involve bringing an open mind, an open heart, and a faithful life to the word of truth. We should begin to eat the words in Psalm 119:105 “ thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” In the book of Joshua it speaks of Joshua’s strength and courage. It was not in the battle with the Canaanites that God was concerned about; but it was making the Word of God a priority for Joshua and the people. When a battle is in front of us in the form of health, relationship, financial issues, and career issues….the real issue is conquering our unbelief and stubbornness of heart that resist our Maker and refuse to obey His Word. We must learn to use “the sword” which is the Word of God against our inner enemy of doubt. For example some of us are still living in open disobedience. We are not trusting Christ with “the mustard seed faith” that could move mountains. Sometimes it appears that being obedient seems “stupid”, or “crazy”. Joshua thought the same thing when he was commanded to march around Jericho for 7 days in order to defeat the Canaanites. Again by reading and studying then applying the Word of God(like Joshua) we will learn that to defeat the enemy we must first defeat the unbelief within and come to the place of total dependence on God. Saints, apply this verse to your lives. “The Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success.” Joshua 1:8
With the Love of Christ
First Lady Vivian C. Currie
Pastor ALC