Walking With the Word
by Malcolm Wood
In a world, not too spiritually different to ours, described as 'dark and full of crooked and perverse people', the Apostle Paul encourages his readers to let their lives shine brightly, encouraging them to hold tightly to the word of life.
How tightly are you holding to the word of life? In these days we need to be people of the Word - people who have an understanding of the Scriptures and their relevance to life in the 21st century. Perhaps you need to spend more time ‘in the Word’, feeding and nourishing your spirit.
To shine as lights in the darkness we need to apply the truths that we read and learn about in the Bible in our own lives. When these seeds of truth are allowed to grow and develop fruit they will bless others and bring glory to the Father.
We may fill our heads with all the great stories, events, truths and doctrines which the Scriptures contain, but unless these things affect the way we live and bring change to our lives, we’re wasting our time.
Few people bury their heads in an instruction manual but never attempt to use the device or piece of equipment they’re reading about. The user becomes much more familiar with the device as he uses it and it becomes part of his life, day by day.
Isn’t that as it should be with us and the Lord? Yes we require understanding, but a deeper fuller appreciation of Him only comes about through daily relationship with him
The disciples had the advantage of walking daily with Jesus, listening to His teaching first hand and witnessing the miracles. The truths of His teaching were applied in the circumstances of life around them.
We need a deeper understanding of the Word of God, as, by His Spirit, we walk daily with Jesus, ‘the Word that was made flesh for us’. Not only is a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures necessary, but also hands-on experience of the outworking of its truths.
These thoughts are reflected in two verses of the hymn by C Simmonds:-
I want to walk with Jesus Christ,
All the days I live of this life on earth;
To give to Him complete control
Of body and of soul.
I want to learn to read His word,
For this is how I know the way
To live my life as pleases Him,
In holiness and joy.
When we live like this the words of another hymn become a reality: ‘When we walk with Lord in the light of his word what a glory he sheds on our way’ (J.H.Sammis).
Prayer: Help me, dear Lord, to spend more time with You and Your Word, and daily walk with You, so I may become more like You. Amen.
Malcolm Wood and his wife Anna became part of the Ellel family as House Managers at Ellel Grange in 1990. Since then they have been involved with many aspects of the developing Ministry. From 2001 until 2015 they were Directors of Ellel Scotland where they hosted several International Schools and Operation Blairmore and helped pioneer the exciting Creative Inspiration Weeks. They have three sons.
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