The Bible is overflowing with valuable instructions and promises on how best to live out our lives. Unfortunately, we won’t know this golden information if we a) don’t read the Bible or b) don’t read it often. If we don’t read it, we obviously will not know anything about what it says and to our detriment, we won’t be able to hold on to and utilize its valuable and divine wisdom, counsel and guidance. If on the other hand, we only read it once in awhile or hear a few verses in a church service, it won’t be enough to penetrate our heart, mind and soul, assisting us in weathering life’s many storms and bearing good fruit. Scripture is meant for us to read, study and meditate on every day. The words were never meant for passivity; they are alive and active and need to be implemented into our every day lives.
A good portion of the emails and social media posts I receive from viewers center around stress, worry and not feeling happy. People long to feel a sense of lasting peace and joy in their lives. The great news is that lasting peace and joy is accessible to every believer…but we have to do our part. Jesus tells us in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Jesus promises peace for us, but He does not promise a life without problems. In fact, He reassures us that we will have them (John 16:33). Jesus reassures us however, that despite the problems we will face, His divine peace (and joy) is always available. It is easy to accept these powerful words when things are good, but we also need to believe and lean into them when things are not good. And, we will need “deep roots” of faith for this.
We are told by the apostle Paul, “the Peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:7. Read that again. The ‘Peace of God’ which ‘transcends all understanding’ will guard our minds and hearts in [with] Jesus. We can experience peace every day of our lives IF we trust God and His Word…even if and when we don’t understand. If we do not do our part by having faith in God’s Word—worrying and stressing every time trouble and uncertainty sets in for example—Scripture can tragically be diminished into nothing more than empty words and promises. The truth is, no Word from His mouth will ever return empty; rather, they will accomplish all of what He desires and achieve the intended purpose for which they were sent (Isaiah 55:11).
I challenge all of us to pick up our Bibles more often—daily if possible—and begin marinating on these powerful and life-transforming words with a new sense of vigor, appreciation and urgency. If we do our part, reading the Words and promises of God often, meditating on them and believing in them, they will take root in our lives and bear fruit. Not only will we grow deep, immovable roots of faith, we’ll also experience a daily peace and joy that transcends understanding.
Three scripture verses I’m meditating on this week (Join me!):
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it; Let your eyes look straight ahead and fix your gaze directly before you” -Proverbs 4:23, 25.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” -Philippians 4:8.
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” -Colossians 3:2.
God bless you!
-Meisha
