When we have conversations with close friends, mentors, teachers, or family members, their words may affect us. They could be giving encouragements or wise teachings and both of them are important to people’s lives.
When we are feeling down or depressed, we may need encouragements. For example, one of my friends supported me to continue my studies when I was almost about to give up.
Of course, there are other times for encouragements, to build someone up, for instance. The most encouraging statement from my mentor was that I am a 120% functioning person, even though I have two disabilities.
When we are living in the wrong way or don’t know how to live properly, we may need wise teachings. What my father taught me was that I need to become an independent person, so he taught me how to do things properly before I came to New Zealand.
Therefore, words are like a foundation to become more aware of ourselves and to make us wiser.
Teachings of the Bible
Likewise, the word of God is there to teach us how to live properly as believers in Jesus Christ.
The Bible is not just about knowledge to share it among communities. Of course, we have to share the word among them.
However, getting the word of God into our brains is not enough. The word of God requires actions to be involved as well. If there are no actions involved, we won’t be living as believers in Christ effectively (James chapter 1, verses 22-25).
Testing of faith
Since the followers of Christ belong to the kingdom of heaven and are called to be set apart from the world (1 Peter chapter 1, verses 13-17), we probably have to consider the world as a testing place for children of God in spite of the forgiveness of God.
I can tell you that living out the Bible is hard. For me, it is not about knowledge; it is more about practice.
Memorising Bible verses
Since I have been wanting to encourage people spiritually, I had to look up various Bible verses when I was writing devotionals. Now, I am used to finding New Testament Bible verses in Bible Gateway site without searching where their locations are in the Bible.
Nevertheless, I want to memorise Bible verses more, especially the Old Testament ones, so that I can encourage others spiritually even when I don’t write devotionals.
Although I have the good biblical knowledge, I am very weak at putting my faith into action. For example, I often don’t do what I preach through my own Christian writing. Due to this, I am now nervous to write.
However, since I have been called to become a Christian Writer, I am not going to let nervousness to overtake me but instead am going to write confidently as I surrender my writing to God.
Memorising Bible verses has help me to live the way God wants me to whereby I believe I need to continually surrender to God.
God's guidance
The Bible is the very word of God, who has loved us immensely. He sent His only beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us, so that we may gain eternal life (John chapter 3, verses 16-18). Furthermore, God has been taking care of us every second (Deuteronomy chapter 31, verse 8).
Since God sacrificed His Son, Christ, for us and graciously gives whatever we need according to His will (Romans chapter 8, verses 31-32), why don’t we surrender to God wholeheartedly and make reading the Bible as our priority in order to live out a life guided by God’s Spirit?
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy chapter 3, verses 16-17)
Kevin Park is studying at Carey Baptist College and finds that Christian-writing is his ultimate will of God and his ultimate method to build the kingdom of God. He started to become a Christian writer from 2013. Other than his writing life, Kevin desires to see that each finds everlasting satisfaction in God, the Almighty. You will be able to contact him at kevin.park1991@gmail.com. He loves to encourage others spiritually.
Kevin Park’s previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/kevin-park.html