Have you ever been captivated by a smiling baby? Suddenly your entire countenance lights up! You stop everything just to act silly and encourage the baby to keep smiling. You don’t want it to end, right? That purity and delight is super contagious. We want to experience that innocence. We want to forget the evil and troubles. We want to laugh in carefree abandon—just like that child! Well, my friend, God’s Word can have the same effect on us!
For those who love God, His Word can captivate us like the smile of a baby!
When God is our center, His Word draws us in as a constant reminder of His promises that our purity and innocence will be restored. It lights our countenance much like the innocent smile of a baby. This failing world system is not our home. It is not our place of greatest hope. Someday, all that is wrong will be made right. Our human failings towards each other will be erased and we will live without this thorny flesh constantly spoiling the goodness of relationships.
There is coming a day when God’s presence will reign supreme and we will all live in joyful abandon!
God’s Word reminds us of the hope we have in Christ through the gift of salvation. That is one of the reasons I have come to LOVE Psalms 119. It is replete with reminders of the POWERFUL thinking that comes from LOVING God’s Word:
Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches.
Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.
My soul clings to the dust; revive me according to Your word.
My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to Your word.
Remember the word to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe Your commandments.
You are good, and do good; teach me Your statutes.
The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver.
Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, because I have hoped in Your word.
Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.
Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart. Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold!
The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
Your word is very pure; therefore Your servant loves it.
Psalms 119:11, 14, 18, 25, 28, 49-50, 66, 68, 72, 74, 81, 89, 92-93, 105, 111, 127, 130, 140 NKJV
From these verses we glean that God’s Word gives us hope, enlightenment, strength, comfort, knowledge, goodness, satisfaction, contagious joy, security, delight, life, light, a heritage, wisdom, and understanding! God’s Word is pure and holy—just like Him. The more we study and memorize it, the greater our hope.
The greater our hope is in God; the more we love His Word and it transforms us so His presence shines through our countenance.
We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.
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5 Responses
God is everything we need. We just have to trust him.
do you have to be baptized to go to heaven?
Thank you for asking!
Not according to the Bible! Salvation is by grace through faith and NOT of works (Baptism is a work). If you would like to know what the BIBLE says about how to get to heaven, please read: https://gofaithstrong.com/how-to-be-saved/
Let me know if I can answer any more questions. You can KNOW God and you can KNOW you have everlasting life, my friend!
Hey,
I would like some clarification on Halloween. I enjoy decorating for Halloween and to me it’s just fun. I like the lights and the pumpkins and other stuff. I don’t feel my conviction is from Christ I feel it’s from what I’ve heard from humans. I worship JESUS CHRIST and I know we are from light and not darkness and that Halloween seems to be dark. I know I’m not. I’m curious as to what God feels. Can you help with Scripture? Thank you!
Hi Kim. Great question!
The Bible does not speak at all about Halloween, but it gives concepts. For example, in the Old Testament in Israel, witchcraft was punishable by death (Exodus 22:18). The New Testament teaches that the occult and Christianity are not compatible. (See Acts 8:9-24, which is the story of Simon). Also, in Acts 13:6-11, Elymas the sorcerer is violently opposed to Christianity. I looked up an article, from Got Questions (https://www.gotquestions.org/Christians-celebrate-Halloween.html) which I agree is accurate according to the Bible and it states:
“Paul called him a child of the devil, an enemy of righteousness and a perverter of the ways of God. In Acts 16, at Philippi, a fortune-telling girl lost her demon powers when the evil spirit was cast out by Paul. The interesting matter here is that Paul refused to allow even good statements to come from a demon-influenced person. Acts 19 shows new converts who have abruptly broken with their former occultism by confessing, showing their evil deeds, bringing their magic paraphernalia, and burning it before everyone (Acts 19:19).
So, should a Christian celebrate Halloween? Is there anything evil about a Christian dressing up as a princess or cowboy and going around the block asking for candy? No, there is not. Are there things about Halloween that are anti-Christian and should be avoided? Absolutely! If parents are going to allow their children to participate in Halloween, they should make sure to keep them from getting involved in the darker aspects of the day. If Christians are going to take part in Halloween, their attitude, dress, and most importantly, their behavior should still reflect a redeemed life (Philippians 1:27). There are many churches that hold “harvest festivals” and incorporate costumes, but in a godly environment. There are many Christians who hand out tracts that share the Gospel along with the Halloween candy. The decision is ultimately ours to make. But as with all things, we are to incorporate the principles of Romans 14. We can’t allow our own convictions about a holiday to cause division in the body of Christ, nor can we use our freedom to cause others to stumble in their faith. We are to do all things as to the Lord.”
Since we were created for God’s glory, we must decide whether our celebration of Halloween—whatever it looks like—is glorifying Him. We were created for so much more than we can imagine! https://gofaithstrong.com/how-to-become-the-most-beautiful-you/
I hope this gives you some answers, my friend!
Kimberly Faith