If you are like most people, you would like to change your life. For the better of course! Did you know that in 2016 the U.S. self-help market* was worth 9.9 billion dollars? Self-improvement books are an 800 million dollar business. These markets are growing. We all have things we want to change. Sometimes, we are so desperate, we will try anything!
Nothing in my life, short of salvation, has changed me like God’s word. The word causes me to look deeply into my life and seek change. The word gives me hope when my heart is broken. The word gives me wisdom when I’m clueless or have a plan in mind that probably will not end well. The word gives me words when I don’t have words and prayers when I desperately need them, but can only organize my thoughts to repeat, “please God!” over and over.
Hebrews
The overarching theme of Hebrews “God has spoken”! The author makes a case for just how powerful the speaker and the speech is. He also points out that although our powerful God once spoke through profits, Jesus was God, right here with us speaking with the same power, demonstrating for us that we could all understand God’s word and experience change from that word.
In this verse, we learn that God’s word will reveal our innermost thoughts and desires, basically, all the bad stuff we hate to admit even enters our lives. But we can not hide from the word of God, it’s able to get down deep and effect powerful change. Referenced here is a verse from Jeremiah 23:29
Does not my word burn like fire?” says the Lord. “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?
God tells us he will refine us like fire. One of the tools of our refinement is his Word.
Here’s a lesson I have learned. When the word convicts, pay attention. God is lighting a fire that needs your attention. As we are refined, we develop beautiful lives. Not beauty as the word defines, but beauty as God defines. God is relentless. He loves you and will pursue you until you address what the word reveals. Sometimes, I’m willing to change almost anything except what needs changing when what I need to do is stay in the Word, listen as God speaks to my heart, and then get serious about taking my direction from the creator of the universe rather than the latest self-help author.
What about you? Where do you look for advice concerning the changes that need to be made in your life?
As you ponder this verse ask yourself:
- Am I willing to cooperate with God to expose and correct my sin?
- When I read God’s word, is there a repeated theme that strikes me about the way I’m living my life?
- Am I willing to work with God in rooting this sin out of my life?
Father, I pray that as we read and think about your word we will allow it to unveil our sin. I ask that you give us willing hearts and determined minds to cooperate with the change you would like to see in us. Grow us up into women who are mature Christ-followers determined to allow your refining word to do the work in us rather than turning to other resources.
* (John LaRosa, Research Director of Market Data LTD)
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