In his book, Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren said that there are five bases for decisions: tradition, culture, feelings, logic, and God’s Word. The first four change through time but God’s Word stands firm eternally.  Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. (Psalm 119.89).  The traditions and culture fifty years ago may not be the same traditions  and culture today. How many times have you felt like returning or actually returned an item you so eagerly purchased the day before because you changed your mind? Of these five, only God’s Word is unchanging and is a reliable unchanging standard.

2 Tim 3:16-17 says ¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. ¹⁷ God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. The Bible is a guide for the next step.  Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path (Psalm 119:105). It is a life preserver. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word (Psalm 119:37).

God has put paramount importance to his word right there beside his name:  for you have exalted above all things your name and your word (Psalm 138:2b). It constitutes half of the condition in the promise in John 15:7   If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. After the first condition of “remaining” or “obeying”, did you take note of the second condition”if my words remain in you“? And what follows is “ask whatever you wish”! Have you heard of such a promise? Check it out. Don’t believe anyone until you see it in the Bible yourself!

James 1:⁵ If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. ⁶ But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

God’s encouragement, affirmation, rebuke, correction, and equipping have countless times helped me in my day-to-day challenges. At the same time, in my undeserved privilege of listening to people with their trials and sharing with them the Word, I often see the stark contrast between their disposition before and after hearing the Word that ministers to them. God does accomplish his good and holy purposes through his word. It has the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

Isa 55:10-12 ¹⁰ “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry ¹¹ It is the same with my word.  I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

Give the Word a try!