Still. Now. Always.
Have you ever read one of those verses that makes you stop mid-sentence and go, “Wait… what?” If you've been reading the Bible for any length of time, you know that is often how God speaks through His Word.
Here was my "wait...what?" moment this morning...
That "eth" isn’t old-fashioned fluff. I'm thankful for a Pastor who drives this fact home every chance he gets. It has you paying attention to those three letters at the end of a word.
Even when you don’t feel it!
Even when you forget it!
Even when your life feels quiet or stuck or sideways!
His Word doesn’t just sit in a devotional notebook.....it lives in you.
It made me wonder....what is His Word doing in me right now?
Not just what it did in the past when I got saved…
Not just what it might do in a future season when I’m more “together”…
But what is it working in me today?
Sometimes I notice it:
A verse will come to mind in the exact moment I need it.
A truth I’ve read a dozen times suddenly hits differently.
Conviction rises when I’m about to speak out of anger or act in pride.
Sometimes, it almost feels like the Word of God calls to me from across the room.
There are times, though, I don’t notice anything at all.
But just because it’s quiet does NOT mean it’s inactive!
Do NOT be deceived. The Bible is not JUST a book.
The Thessalonians received Paul’s message as the very Word of God, not a man-made opinion or some clever speech.
When we come to the Bible as God-breathed and alive, and not just “inspirational,” we’re opening ourselves up to be changed! And not just once...but continually!
What Word has God spoken that you’ve dismissed or forgotten?
What promise have you stopped expecting to produce fruit?
Have you been treating the Word like a momentary message.....or a living force inside you?
Here was my "wait...what?" moment this morning...
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us,ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 1 Thessalonians 2:13
It was that last part that grabbed me!
“Effectually worketh.”
Not worked as in past tense.
Not will work as in some distant future.
But worketh.....as in right now.
It was that last part that grabbed me!
“Effectually worketh.”
Not worked as in past tense.
Not will work as in some distant future.
But worketh.....as in right now.
Still.
Continually.
Faithfully.
That "eth" isn’t old-fashioned fluff. I'm thankful for a Pastor who drives this fact home every chance he gets. It has you paying attention to those three letters at the end of a word.
"Eth" is continual.
This verse says that the Word of God effectually worketh! It’s a reminder that God’s Word never retires. It never runs dry. It never becomes irrelevant.
Even when you don’t feel it!
Even when you forget it!
Even when your life feels quiet or stuck or sideways!
His Word doesn’t just sit in a devotional notebook.....it lives in you.
It shapes, convicts, strengthens, and sanctifies.
It keeps going!
It made me wonder....what is His Word doing in me right now?
Not just what it did in the past when I got saved…
Not just what it might do in a future season when I’m more “together”…
But what is it working in me today?
Sometimes I notice it:
A verse will come to mind in the exact moment I need it.
A truth I’ve read a dozen times suddenly hits differently.
Conviction rises when I’m about to speak out of anger or act in pride.
Sometimes, it almost feels like the Word of God calls to me from across the room.
I remember when Tia was about 3 or 4, she leaned over the table and said, "Your Bible is loud." I have no doubt at all that her child ears heard the Word of God calling to her!
There are times, though, I don’t notice anything at all.
But just because it’s quiet does NOT mean it’s inactive!
Like a seed in the soil,
the Word works in the unseen....
slowly, steadily, deeply.
Do NOT be deceived. The Bible is not JUST a book.
The Thessalonians received Paul’s message as the very Word of God, not a man-made opinion or some clever speech.
And that was everything!
Because when you believe it’s God speaking, you begin to expect that it has power.
It has purpose.
It has weight.
It has authority.
When we come to the Bible as God-breathed and alive, and not just “inspirational,” we’re opening ourselves up to be changed! And not just once...but continually!
So.....let me ask you this....
What Word has God spoken that you’ve dismissed or forgotten?
What promise have you stopped expecting to produce fruit?
Have you been treating the Word like a momentary message.....or a living force inside you?
Did those questions sting a little? I get it, I've been there....more than once.
I don't ask to cause you to condemn yourself.
I ask because I know what it’s like to forget that God’s Word is alive....even when I’m not feeling it.
I ask because sometimes we need a gentle nudge to remember that what He has spoken still holds power.
This isn’t about shame.
It’s about awakening.
It’s about leaning back in.
It’s about expecting again.
Because His Word doesn’t expire.
It doesn’t fade.
And it’s not done with you yet.
The Word of God effectually worketh.
Still.
Still.
Now.
Always.
I don’t know about you, but I’m deeply encouraged by this! I needed that gentle reminder this morning! I needed to hear again that God’s Word isn’t finished with me. That it’s not up to my strength to carry out His plan. That even on my quiet, unsure, foggy days....His Word is still doing something deep inside.
So if all you’ve done this week is read one verse…
If all you could manage today was a whispered prayer or a half-hearted quiet time…
Take heart.
His Word worketh.
Still.
And I can't wait to see what it's going to do next!!
I don’t know about you, but I’m deeply encouraged by this! I needed that gentle reminder this morning! I needed to hear again that God’s Word isn’t finished with me. That it’s not up to my strength to carry out His plan. That even on my quiet, unsure, foggy days....His Word is still doing something deep inside.
So if all you’ve done this week is read one verse…
If all you could manage today was a whispered prayer or a half-hearted quiet time…
Take heart.
His Word worketh.
Still.
And I can't wait to see what it's going to do next!!
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