The mother and her two daughters came with a heavy heart that day for the prayers. They have to sell the only piece of land they had to get the two daughters married and pay off the debt and build a small house. These were some of the intentions they had when they came to attend the prayer session. When I started to pray for them I noticed the one of the daughter’s hands shaking and when asked they said, “She was scolded by her teacher in front of others in the school days and after that when in tension or she is scared her hands would shiver. She went through a lot of treatment but there was no change in the situation.”
I started praying again and then I had a revelation to read Isaiah 41:10 and the Lord Jesus will heal the girl. The girl took the bible and started reading the verse. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10). After reading the verse the girl looked at her hand and exclaimed with joy “Lord Jesus healed me from my shivers.” She was suffering from this for 7 years and was healed the minute she read the verse.
We see a lot of miracles, signs and healing taking place in retreat center and Bible conventions. The reason for the healing is that the word of God entering the hearts of the people listening and spreading the love of God. The Lord blesses and touches the people who listens and lives by the word of God.
The Lord intervened in the life of St Augustine who was lost in the worldly pleasures like any other youth of the day. When he was walking in the garden thinking about salvaging his life he heard an inner voice prompted him to read the word of God. He quickly went to his room and read the word of God. He read from Romans chapter 13 verse 11 onwards. “And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh” (Romans 13: 11-14). These versed transformed the life of Augustine. The word of God touched his life. He repented for his sins and lived a sinless life. He went on to become a saint and this is the power of the word.
Bible the Message of God
The Lord talks to us through the Bible. The word is the message of love from God to us His creation. Through each book in the Bible the Lord talks to us and reveals himself to us through the Bible. Those who want to know the will of God can know that through the reading of the Bible. The Bible shows us that he created us and wants us to live us in in love. The word God in the Bible reflects the love He has for us.
All those who read the word of God and lives as per the word of God will have eternal life. The word of God fills us with life. It comforts us in times of trouble, healing in sickness and strength in our weakness.
The Word of God Guides Our Life
The word of God is the guide in our life. David the Psalmist says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119: 105). The beginning of the world, human race, the destination of man, and the ways to reach that destination is all mentioned in the Bible. Thus the Bible paves the way for us to attain heaven.
Life Giving Word
“It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Mathew 4:4. Jesus taught us that for a man to attain life in fullness food for the body is not enough but food for the soul as well because the word of God is life and spirit. The one who listens to the word of God attains eternal life. “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24).
One Who Hears the Word of God Will Not Err
Jesus said, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.” The one who reads the word of God and lives as per the word of God will not err in his ways. The word of God will teach us to lead a life without sin. Jesus says, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them” (John 14: 23). The one who abides by the word of God has the protection of the Triune God.
The Old Testament and the New Testament
The Bible is comprised of 73 books. 46 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament. The Old Testament comprises of books which talk about God’s plan for the salvation of Man. the New Testament comprises of God talking to us through Jesus and the apostles. The life of Jesus is the focal point of the New Testament. The 4 Gospels talk about the life and teaching of Jesus our savior. The other books of the New Testament are; the Acts which talks about the first Church, the letters of St Paul and book of Revelation. The New Testament completes the Old Testament. In the Old Testament the history of Israel is mentioned whereas the New Testament focuses on the salvation through Jesus.
The most printed, the most sold, the most translated book and the most read book in the world is the Bible. The Bible is meant not only for the Christians but it is for the whole world. Let us accept the word of God and I am sure the Lord will speak to us through His word.
The Bible should be the inspiration and the way for every Christian. We should be able to find a solution to all our weakness. We should not put even one step forward without being guided by the word of God (Pope John Paul II).
Joshy Anappara