Acts 20:32 - The Bible Becomes Flesh!
Acts 20:32; The Bible Becomes Flesh!
Acts 20:32 (NIV) "Now I commit you to God and to the word of
his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among
all those who are sanctified.
The word of his grace may be considered an adjectival phrase
meaning "his gracious word." A parallel expression is "the word of his
power" (Heb. 1:3), or "his powerful word"--the word that has the power
to uphold the universe. [SDA Commentary]
The creative energy that called the worlds into existence is in
the word of God. This word imparts power; it begets life. Every
command is a promise; accepted by the will, received into the soul, it
brings with it the life of the Infinite One. It transforms the nature
and re-creates the soul in the image of God. ED126
It is implied here that the gospel is not a dead letter; that it
has power to accomplish a great work; that it is adapted to the end
in view, the conversion and sanctification of the soul. (Barnes'
Notes)
He commended them to God (this is prayer) and to the Word (this
is preaching and teaching), for "prayer and the Word" will build up
a local church [Wiersbe Expository Outlines]
Grace is a beautiful word for the love of God in action
providing redemption for lost people. Grace is the unmerited favor God
gives to us in the forgiveness of our sins and all of the spiritual
resources that build up the new life in Christ. Grace is God's active,
creative blessing in the lives of those who respond to Him in faith.
[Disciple SB]
There are many hundreds of thousands of books in the Library of
Congress in Washington, D.C. Books on countless subjects, by countless
people over hundreds of years. Some of those writings have been the
seed bed for philosophies, political parties, religious movements and
more. The writers have come and gone; most are no longer remembered.
God's Word is remembered because it IS His Word, and it WORKS. The
sad thing is, many of us don't pay any more attention to God's Word
than to any other book. In the Bible are the tools to enable every
believer to lead a victorious life. But day after day, the Bible sits
unopened. We must take that Word, read it, think about it and so devour
it that it feeds us. Memorize it! That Word transforms our thoughts
and actions. Christian, take it today and feed on it and put it in
your heart, that you might not sin against Almighty God, and partake
of the victorious life! [In His Time; Walk With Wisdom]
The Word of God is a constant and continuing source of joy for
the Christian. I don't think I've ever met a joyless Christian who
was regularly employed in searching the Scriptures. The result of
such searching is to see beyond the words of the One who inspired
them. Of all the habits the Christian can cultivate, this is one of
the most blessed and profitable. Some books are exhausting and
exhaustible. The Bible is the only Book that rewards the student with
increasing insight as he allows the Word of God to flow through and cleanse
him. Indeed, it is the only Book that can cleanse and purify the
life of its reader. Other books can inform, but only the Scripture
can transform, infill, and inspire. Al Bryant [Time with God SB]
Every day I have the honor of sitting down with a book that
contains the words of the One who created me. Every day I have the
opportunity to let him give me a thought or two on how to live. If I don't
do what he says, he doesn't burn the book or cancel my
subscription. If I disagree with what he says, lightning doesn't split my
swivel chair or an angel doesn't mark my name off the holy list. If I
don't understand what he says, he doesn't call me a dummy. In fact, he
calls me "Son," and on a different page explains what I don't
understand. In the Eye of the Storm by Max Lucado [Inspirational SB]
Buoyed By God
Several years ago, a speedboat driver was in a serious accident.
In recounting what had happened, she said that she had been flying
along at top speed when her boat veered just slightly, hitting a wave
at a dangerous angle. The combined force of her speed and the size
and angle of the wave sent the boat spinning wildly into the air.
She was thrown from her seat and propelled deep into the water. She
was thrust so deeply into the water that she could not see any light
from the surface. Dazed, she had no idea which direction was "up."
Rather than panic, the woman remained calm and waited for the
buoyancy of her life vest to begin pulling her up. Then she quickly swam
in that direction.
We often find ourselves surrounded by many voices, each with a
different opinion, and we simply don't know which way is "up." When this
happens, we need to exercise patience and spend time with the Lord. We
must read His Word, the Bible, and wait for His gentle tug on our
hearts to pull us toward His will. The more we read, the more confident
we will become, especially when His written Word and that gentle
tug in our hearts come into agreement.
Remember, a few minutes, hours, days, or even months of
"waiting" may mean the difference between sinking or swimming! [God's
Little Devotional Bible re Eze.13:2]
Billy Graham once said he read a psalm each morning to enrich
his relationship with God, and a chapter of Proverbs each evening to
guide his dealings with his fellowmen. [The 365-Day Devotional
Commentary re Pro.19-22]
Read it through, pray it in, live it out, pass it on. George
Gritter [Spirit Filled Life Devotional SB]
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