Day #24: Wednesday, January 27th

Transformed by the Word

Scripture References: John 15:4-5, Matt. 7:24, Jn. 13:17

Devotional

As Jesus said in Matt. 4:4, “No one can live only on food.  People need every word that God has spoken.”  Spiritual growth is the process of replacing the lies of the enemy with truth.  Jesus prayed for us to the Father, “Sanctify them by the truth;  Your word is truth.” (Jn 17:17) To be transformed into the image of Jesus, we must fill our lives with His Word.  “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life,” Jesus said.

Transformation begins with the decision that you will make feeding on God’s Word a first priority in your life.  Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” (Jn 8:31). 

Accept the authority of the Word
Allow God’s Word to become the authoritative standard for your life, meaning that it is the compass you rely on for direction, the counsel you listen to for making wise decisions, and the benchmark you use for evaluating everything.  It must be the first and last word in your life.  Decide that regardless of culture, tradition, reason, or emotion, you choose the Word as your final authority.

Take In God’s Word

• Receive God’s Word with an open and receptive attitude.
• Read the Word, allowing God to speak to you daily.
• Research and study the Word by asking yourself what it means and writing down insights for personal change.
• Remember and memorize God’s Word, making it a solid fabric of your life and mind.
• Reflect on God’s Word by selecting a verse or short passage and reflecting on it over and over in your mind.  

Worry is focused thinking on something negative.  Meditation is doing the same thing, only focusing on God’s Word instead of your problem.  

Finally, apply the principles of God’s Word by being a “doer” of His Word.  Jesus said,

“Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matt 7:24 NIV).

​Jesus also pointed out, “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”  (Jn 13:17 NIV)

Today ask yourself, What has God already told me to do that I haven’t started doing yet?  Then write down some action steps that will help you act on what you know.  As D.L. Moody said, “God has not given us His word for information but rather for transformation.”  Be changed today by His truth.

Prayer

Lord, I want to fill my life with Your Word.
I will make it the standard for my life.
Regardless of how I feel, Your Word will be my final authority.
I will receive, read, research, remember, and reflect on Your Word every day.
I commit to practice and be a doer of the Word.
Because of it, I will be blessed in every thing I do.
Change me through Your Word which is truth.
In Jesus’ Name.