Is Your Church Alive?

Written by John Grant 

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 

Seeing the commissioning of a new naval vessel is a wonderful sight and experience. Amidst all the pomp and circumstance dockside, the ship is moored at the dock, quiet as a church mouse and not a sight of a single person aboard.

Then at the appointed time someone says: “Officers and crew of the (name of vessel), you may board and bring the ship to life.” Then the crew comes running from behind the audience and boards the ship. It literally comes to life, as the crew scurries to their assigned duty stations. Smoke pours from the stacks, lights come on and sailors man the rails.

Feast on the Word

"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4)

The Word of God is to your spirit as bread is to your body. When your body feeds on physical food, it produces a physical power called strength. When your spirit feeds on the spiritual food of the Word, it produces spiritual power called faith. 

And just as you can't eat one meal and then feed on the memory of it for several weeks, you can't just remember what the Word says and stay strong in faith. You have to read it. Even if you've read it a hundred times, you need to read it again.

Try this: Close your eyes and see yourself slicing a lemon. Now stick that lemon slice between your teeth and when I say, "Three," bite down on it so hard that the juice squirts into your mouth. One. Two. Three. Bite!