Reading the Bible

  The Spirit has dealt with my heart this past week concerning "spiritual malnourishment" among the family of God. I shared about that concern during today's message at New River Worship Center. I have not been able to turn loose of the thoughts that God has placed and continues to place in my heart. We are in great need of spiritual strength that can only come from God. I believe much of that strength will come upon us as we take up "the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God" (Ephesians 6). How often do we take up the "sword of the Spirit?" How often do we meditate on the promises that are  revealed in the Word of God? How much time do we dedicate to the reading of the Word of God? How often do we make excuses concerning our lack of reading the Bible?  Do we believe that God accepts our excuses as reasonable ones or have we convinced ourselves that God understands our limitations and our lack of commitment to the reading of the Bible?  It is time that we realize the promise spoken in Hebrews 4:12, "The Word of God is alive and powerful..." The Word of God was designed to make a difference in our lives and remember that the Word of God WILL MAKE a difference as we allow the Spirit to apply its principles to our individual lives.