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Hebrews 4:12-13 Have you been cut by the sword today? Day 313

Good afternoon fellow soldiers,

There is a lot that can be said about the Word.  I hope this short devotional will help to encourage you as you get close to the end of this years journey.  Even if you are behind schedule, know that every minute in the Word is beneficial to your walk with Jesus.

Blessings,

Jeff

Not  only is scripture God breathed 2 Tim 3:16 it is also alive.  A pastor I know of once commented that you don't have to believe that a sword is sharp in order for it to cut you.  One of his methods of evangelism was just to get non-Christians to read the Bible.  They don't have to believe that it is inspired or alive in order for the Spirit to use it to divide the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

This is one of the reasons I issued the current challenge to read through the Bible in a year.  Chapter 15 of The Westminster Confession of Faith is Of Sanctification.  The exposition states that the Word read and preached is one of the external means of sanctification.  If we only look to our pastor to teach us what the Word says, we are really no better off than Roman Catholics who are actually discouraged from reading the Bible.  God's word must abide in us in order to grow spiritually.

I was a Christian for about 7 years before I was challenged to have a daily quiet time of reading the Bible and prayer.  Going to a weekly Bible study is good, but daily personal study is absolutely necessary.

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