Keys To Growth - 3

....let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom. Colossians 3:16

I think I was only 9 years old when I asked for a Bible for Christmas. (I got it.) This desire can have only been Holy Spirit born because my family were not active Christians although my sister and I always went to Sunday School and our parents would generally attend church on Family Service days every month. 

When I was 13 I asked Jesus to be my Lord and Saviour and then began my real journey in God's word.  I used the Scripture Union Daily Bread devotional notes for years and their key verse was Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.  I believed it, and though I had no significant personal discipling or strong teaching in church until in my 20s I tried faithfully to read and understand God's word.

One of the joys of my life is weekly Bible Study with a group of wonderful ladies.  Whoever thought that studying God's word could be such fun and cause so many laughs along the way.  It is also a wonderful time of developing loving, supportive relationships.  Ladies, I thank God for each of you!

This verse from Colossians 3 has certainly been a 'life verse' for me.  I am so glad that I have studied the word in my early years because I found that I now have a 'storehouse' of scripture within me which is so useful.  As I write these devotionals, scripture verses often just come to mind.  I can't always remember where they are from but I can use a concordance (usually www.blueletterbible.org on line), and I can locate them.

God's word teaches us how to grow in so many ways.  It is our handbook of how to do life successfully.  It is nourishment for our spiritual life which will challenge us and help us grow as healthy disciples of Jesus Christ.  The only way for the Word to dwell richly in us, is for us to make it a part of our daily routine and to meditate upon it and allow it to change us.  It is also good to have this word come up in our spirit when we are around people who need a word of encouragement.

If you are not a part of a Bible Study group, I would thoroughly recommend it.  If there's not one near you, why not start one and you might find a wonderful source of fellowship and strength in your community as I did.  We use the Know Your Bible Studies (KYB) which delve into the word and make us think and apply the scriptures to daily life.  They are available in many languages.  If you want to know more you can email me.

Prayer:  Jesus, thank you for your Word which guides me through this life.  Please increase my desire to have it dwelling richly in me, not only to cause growth in me but to be a well from which I can draw encouragement for others too.  Amen