TRANSFORMING TUESDAY: In The Beginning Was The Word

Do you always find a way to recite certain verses when a certain situation arises? Why is that? I know there are many verses that I know and can quote word for word by heart. Some of these verses I've heard in my household, church, and other verses I've heard because I was a Bible Quizzer. Bible Quizzing is when children from other churches compete against each other concerning a specific book of the Bible. We would remember sooooo many verses from a book of the Bible and get asked questions on it; kind of like the game show Jeopardy. Almost all of the bloggers were Bible Quizzers. I remember I only wanted to Bible Quiz for the trophy, for the trips, and candy -- essentially all of the tangible rewards. My mom would always pressure me into studying and I could never understand it, until now as I read today's reading -- the spiritual rewards.

One of my favorite verses that I learned as a child is: "In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God." (John 1:1)

This verse has always stuck with me because I found it repetitive and easy to remember. It wasn't until today that I stopped and had to think about what it truly meant. This verse tells us that the Bible and God go hand-in-hand. In the beginning all there was was God's word: him commanding the world to do something. In Genesis he said let there be light and there was light. He also created the foul of the air and the fish of the sea. And he created us from dust, but in his own image. The word is just what is sounds like: a single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing. Has God ever spoken a word over your life? Has God ever given you a word to speak over someone else's life?

The Bible gives ALL glory to God. In the beginning the word was with God and the word was God. To understand the word, you have to understand who God is. God is life. God is truth. God is the light of the world which cannot be overcome by darkness. He will always be that glimpse of hope. And although God made this world and everything in it, he still was not accepted by the world. Why is that? Do we not want truth? Do we not want grace? Do we not want to be blessed? Or do we not know? The Bible says that before this world is over and done with, everyone will have had a chance to know God. It is through people like us and John the Baptist who proclaim the goodness of Jesus to our friends and strangers alike. It could be something as simple as a Facebook post, an Instagram post, or even a tweet that can educate someone on the goodness and love of Jesus. Just as John the Baptist, we  bear witness to his grace and mercies everyday. And even when we cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel in our own situations, we have the word to turn to because these are his messages to us.

What is the Word?

The Word essentially is our instruction guide to life. We may be in this world, but we are not OF this world. The Word consists of direct language from God delivered through the writings of those individuals he has called. The Word is our sword against evil and our shield against the devil. It is a recorded book miracles and testimonies. It is evidence of hope. It is peace of mind. 

What does the Word Say?

The word tells us not to steal, kill, or hate. The word tells us to love our neighbors. The word tells us to repent, be baptized, filled with the Holy Ghost, and speak in tongues. The word tells us that the battle is not ours but it's the Lord. The word tells us that God will supply all of our needs. The word tells us that no man knows the day or the hour when the Son of Man will return for his people. The words tells us that we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us. The word tells us so much about how to navigate through life. Everything that has happened today has happened in the Bible: truth has a way of repeating itself. 

Fun Facts About the Word:

• The last word in the Bible is "Amen"
• Amen means: "So be it" 
• Roughly 50 Bibles are sold every minute
• That's roughly 72,000 a day
• The Bible is the best-selling book of the world
• The Bible is available in just about every language
• The Bible is the most shoplifted book
• Although the Bible says not to steal, I find it comforting that people choose to steal Bibles (they should be given away)

Facts taken from: http://christian-talk.forumotion.com/t1466-interesting-facts-about-bible-did-you-know-that

In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God. We cannot see God  physically but we provided with his power through the word that he has prepared for us. When we need restored faith we turn to Galatians 2:20. When we need strength to make it through the day we turn to Isaiah 40:28-31. When we need a healing we turn to 3 John 2. The Word is evidence of who God is. It is for us to use whenever we deem necessary. Think of how important it was for things to be recorded (written down) in the old days: we didn't want to lose anything. We even do that now; we write down everything that is important because we don't want to forget things. When you can't seem to remember, when you've forgotten, or when you feel lost, go to the Bible and be drawn nearer to God. It will tell you everything you need to know.

I challenge you to draw nearer to God this month by studying his word. Try to make it your duty to remember scriptures so that when adversity arises you can speak against those mountains using the word. One great place to start is the first chapter that I was ever taught (I was probably younger than 5 years old): Psalms 23. And even if you find it hard to remember things on your own, get your family involved. Everyone deserves to know the word :)

Matthew 25:35 " Heaven and Earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO TRANSFORM YOUR TUESDAY :)

TRANSFORMING TUESDAY: JAMERA