Thursday, February 9, 2012

Lessons Learned -- #2

Lesson 2:  THE POWER OF SCRIPTURE

2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness."

The Bible is not just a collection of random stories stapled together to make a big book.  It's a chronicle of redemption;  a story masterfully woven together by the Creator of the Universe that has running through it the scarlet thread of Jesus' saving blood.  It is living.  It is powerful.

In 2010, we went through the Radical study as a family.  As part of that study, we were challenged to embark on the Radical Experiment.  It had several components, one of which was to spend time outside your "context", but another major point was to read through the Bible in a year.  So beginning in 2011, we pledged to do that as a family.  Throughout our months of preparation and during our time in Ghana, we were reading through the Bible chronologically as a family.  Each week we would watch a video sermon focused on that weeks readings.  I know it doesn't come as a surprise, but I think it's one of the best things we have ever done as a family.  I highly recommend it!  To sit with your family around God's Word is powerful.

One example we saw of the power of scripture was during one of Cindy's visits to the Outcast Camp in Gambaga.  She did not know that she would be asked to share words of encouragement with the ladies in the form of a devotional.  When asked to do so on the spot, Cindy chose to merely read God's word.  She read through Romans 3 and then just offered for anyone wanting to know more to speak to her or any of the other ladies there.  Immediately, three ladies raised their hands signaling they had just chosen to make Jesus their Savior and LORD!  WOW!!  Read God's Word and people are saved.  No strategy.  No fluff.  No gimmick.  Just God's Word.  Why do we try to complicate the gospel?

I wonder how we would feel if, on Sunday, someone stood before us in our churches and simply read aloud God's Words.  I would love to see the power that would undoubtedly be released among God's people if we did so.

Don't underestimate the power of God's breath.

Following . . . .

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