DCFC Online November 21st - Encouraging Words of Affirmation - Ps Lynda

Love languages – one of them is words of affirmation.  Someone might speak an encouraging word, or tell you something they appreciate about you and it goes a long way, buoy your spirits.  Equally, they can crush you.

Words are powerful….    Right from the beginning, God spoke and created… there was nothing and then there was our universe &  flowers & puppies…..

God’s Word today and the place it has in our lives.

 

5 points

• Read the Word of God to know God

  

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2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT

¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. ¹⁷ God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

We can be assured that the Bible is true and accurate – because it is from God through the pens of His servants.

• Shows us the path (through His promises and commands…)
• Shows us where we have got off the path
• Shows us how to get back on the path.
• Prepares & Equips us   - EVERY good work.

•  

Psalm 119:105 NLT

Nun

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
    and a light for my path.

 

Illuminates the next step, or the area where you are.    It’s a Lamp (not floodlight) . We may sometimes want to know far ahead, but keep just taking the next step and the next step.  For example:- There are times where I don’t know what to do, what’s the way forward here. 

One of my favourite verses is Micah 6:8 (NIV)

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humblywith your God.

A great example of how God’s Word can light out path.  A situation in your life – you’ve been hurt, used & you come to a point of having to make a decision of how to proceed in your life – in the natural, in your flesh – revenge, you might be justified for wanting to cut that person out of your life, to be reluctant to forgive when you have forgiven many times before..    do what is right  -  forgiveness is what is right, to show mercy (perhaps with some new boundaries in place,  and a way forward of what needs to be done so that trust can be restored & be humble, trusting Him to help you.

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Isaiah 40:8 NLT

⁸ The grass withers and the flowers fade,
    but the word of our God stands forever.”

 

Darkness seems to get darker, where we hear many stories of pain and suffering, of children being horrendously used. Where evil is called good and vice versa, may feel like we are standing on sinking sand.

Regimes, pandemics, empires    -come and go  -what is stable and unchanging is the Word.  It endures, it has the last say, the final word.  Build our lives on the rock of His Word.

Never will I leave you nor forsake you

Be anxious for nothing – pray to me

Fear not, for I am with you , you are mine.

 

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Hebrews 4:12 NLT

¹² For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Trustworthy – asked the question “How do you allow the Bible to reveal possible hidden motives or places where your heart needs to be reoriented to the truth?

If I’m feeling resistant to forgiving someone, do I let verses about forgiveness challenge my thinking and give space in my perspective to be convicted? And then follow through with subsequent change -  Or do I look for ways to justify my thinking and sidestep opportunities to be convicted?  

 

Do I allow the Word of God to change me, to cut out that which is not God-honouring or motivations of my heart that are unworthy

 

Friends, I don’t know where you are today, if you read the Word and meditate on it daily, maybe you’re an occasional reader or you can’t remember where your Bible even is…. 

Make getting to know Father God by reading His Word. Reading devotions are great, help us understand the Word and certain topics, but I believe we need to read God’s word for ourselves as well.

A  great resource is the  You Version Bible App…  you can read the Word, daily devotions, or plans on many different topics.

This week, allow God’s Word to heal you, teach you, grow you, to comfort you to encourage you.

Like to know more  - contact us we’d love to help you.