Women of the Word
Have you ever been stuck in a cycle of hearing and not doing? That was my life for years. I went to church and heard The Word preached Sunday after Sunday. I heard for years that I should read my Bible and pray. For years I struggled with sin and could not overcome it. I couldn’t get strong spiritually. It wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I finally decided to read God’s word. It was then that the roller coaster lifestyle changed. It was then that I realized willpower alone couldn’t do it for me and only the strength that comes from reading God’s word daily could.
It used to be difficult to read my Bible. Starting out reading a few minutes a day seemed like an eternity. But I stuck with it out of pure obedience. I slowly began to enjoy reading it. One day I decided to go to a Bible Study group and that is where my love for His Word truly began. My life began to transform before my eyes. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2 NIV). I couldn’t get enough of it, and I have never looked back.
I remember a few years back when our family suffered a huge loss from one of our family members passing. I remember getting so many sympathy cards in the mail in the days after. It was a time of such heartbreak and grief. These sympathy cards were the kind that had scripture verses already printed in them. I couldn’t believe that as I read those scriptures the power that it contained. As I read these cards it was literally like a wave of healing that ministered to my soul. The verses were alive and active and healed my mind and heart in those moments. Every day I opened more cards and the scriptures felt like they jumped off the card and into my heart. I’ll never forget that as long as I live. I know I shouldn’t be shocked because His Word promises it is a living word. It is a Word that is vibrant with life, a word that carries the power of life and the power of transformation. I love the amplified version of this verse: “For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 AMP).
There are now scientific studies proving the benefits of reading God’s word daily. You may have seen this on social media or elsewhere but here are several statistics for reading your Bible daily or a minimum of 4 days a week.
Feeling lonely drops 30%
Feeling spiritually stagnant decreases 60%
Sharing your faith increases 200%
Discipling others jumps 230%
Bitterness in relationships decreases 40%
Anger drops 32%
Peace increases 32%
Memorizing Scripture jumps up 40%
Alcoholism decreases 42%
Watching Pornography went down 60%
Lastly, an interesting note regarding scripture and the Armor of God. The sword of the Spirit, which is defined as the Word of God, is the only offensive weapon listed in the whole outfit. Everything else is listed as weapons of defense. This is why is it vital to sing songs of scripture and to pray scripture over your situation. It is the only thing that has the power to change us and the world around us.
I am grateful for all the women around me and in the Champ Fam who are women of The Word. There is a deep hunger for the word in our community. Many women are continuously devouring Godly books and Bible Studies and I am so thankful for you all! “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17 NIV).
To all of you women of The Word out there you inspire me, you bless me, and you make me a better woman, wife, mother, and friend! Thank you!
I love you!
Janelle