His Word

   Hide God's Word in your heart..... six simple words, fairly easy to accomplish, yet often the one thing we find so many excuses for not taking the time to do.  I teach a middle school Sunday School class at my church and I tell the kids each week to hide God's word in their hearts.  They kind of laugh at me and when I challenge them to get serious about God's word, they look at me like I'm crazy. And then the excuses start pouring out. " I'm too busy, I don't have a Bible., I have too much homework, I'm too tired at night and too rushed in the morning"...etc. My response " yeah?, tell me about it!!!"  We all have a LOT going on, but none of it matters as much as taking the time to sit and revel at the Word of our Lord, to let His letter pour over us and soak into our very being, becoming part of who we are.  His Word hidden in our hearts has great and lasting impact on how we live our lives and how we influence others.
   In January this year, my dad asked us (my entire family)  who wanted to read through the Bible with him this year? He was planning to do it with or without us and when he asked us it seemed like a nice endeavor to take on as a family.  Those of us who committed chose a Bible reading plan that suited our need and desire and off we went.  The first few months were great for most of us.  A busy Spring hit our family and most of us got behind.  As Summer came to a close I sent out a text to check in with all readers and to encourage anyone behind to pick up the pace and finish strong, myself included, and I dove head (or heart) first into His Word!  It has been a long process of kings and priests, temple building, Paul's missionary journeys, and so forth.  What a book!!!! I knew it before but it seems I am reading it for the first time.  I am loving the wonderful things that show the character of God and his relationship to us.  I have loved seeing His interaction with those who chose to serve Him and those who did not.  I have learned He is such a patient and just God in new ways.  And I am overwhelmed that He who controls it all loves me.  I am becoming consumed by His Word and today something amazing happened.
   After our workout this morning my sister remarked about her Bible reading and I replied that I had just read what she was speaking about. We have chosen two different plans (mine straight through and hers chronologically). After a short discussion on the passage she said to me  "next year you should read chronologically."  "i already plan too" I said.  That was it the amazing thing! I am already planning to read through this amazing book again!!!!!  You would think I wouldn't want to tackle it, but instead I have have uncovered new truths, found His Word to be timeless, have seen passages and stories that are applicable to the situations I face everyday.  But most of all, I am armed with the SWORD of truth, His Word!!! It has become my weapon of choice in the battle of life.  So that is why I say each Sunday "hide God's Word in your heart."  Our kids don't know what they will be up against, but if knowing His Word now becomes part of their very being, how well they will be prepared for life!


Heavenly Father,
How well you know us Lord and how much you care for you children that you would provide such a gift to us. Thank You for giving us Your Word.  It's truths and wisdom are the foundation for a life lived for Your glory.  Help me to fall in love with You daily as Your Word reveals You to me in new and exciting ways. I am so thankful to have a physical book in my possession when there are so many who have not even seen your Word.  Help me to hide Your Word in my heart that it becomes the breath that I breathe and sustains my life. Amen