This is an old church newsletter article I wrote a while back. I just wanted to recirculate it again because the practical applications of scripture that I spoke of in this article have helped me to 'stay on my spiritual toes' so to speak, and I hope they will help you as well.
KEPT BY THE WORD by Linda
After casually talking with several brothers and sisters at church, I've had to rejoice at the different ways we are being 'kept'. It's been great to hear testimony after testimony about the Lord's great love and mercy and how He's been speaking to many of us, in one way or another, about truly being His. It's really been encouraging to me, so I'd like to share my testimony about this matter of being 'kept', with the hope that it will encourage you also.
I have been particularly blessed in the fact that Jesus speaks to me a lot through His Word, so I don't have to wonder if I'm hearing His voice or the voice of the enemy; (for I am confident that the Lord never speaks contrary to His Word.)
I've been 'kept' by God's Word from early on in my walk. Let me explain.....since the day of my first Bible study, the Lord so impressed one scripture in my mind that I have lived by that word ever since. Colossians 3:17 tells us this, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." Think about it -- what do we do that isn't done in word or deed? Doesn't that cover just about every aspect of our lives? So, over the years, I formed sort of a 'Holy Habit', I guess you could say. Everytime I do something, from as small as mailing off a letter, to as big as making a life-changing decision about something, I always say to myself, "In Jesus' Name." This has helped me become more God-conscious in my everyday living and it's been so helpful in keeping me aware of how I am to live and move and have my being in Him. It's helped me to form a relationship with the God of this universe that has been unbelievable; because everytime I say those words and utter that Name, He's right there to guide and direct me. It's really been an awesome journey.
Another scripture that has been instrumental in 'keeping' me is James 4:17, "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." ( WHOA ! ) These words have kept me from falling time and time again. They've been a great 'check' and have especially made me so aware of the words I speak. My mom used to have a saying -- "Good intentions pave the road to hell." I don't know where that phrase originated, but I now know what it means because of God's Word. When we, without much thought, say to someone, "I'll call ya later" or "Sure, I'll pray for you" and then don't do it because those words were said without real "intent", what does that make us? -- A liar ! And the Bible says that ALL liars will have their place in the lake of fire. That's enough to scare the Bejesus out of anyone! It did me. Anyway, I now think twice before making any promises.
It's also made me 'do' things that I probably would have first passed over doing until the Lord brings that scripture to my rememberance (and He always does.) I'll then go back and do whatever it is I should have done in the first place. It's made me more of "a doer of the Word." It really has 'kept'' me from sin. I thank the Lord so much for that and for His lessons in faithfulness.
He really has made a way of escape from the sins that so 'easily beset us' if we "heed what we read." We will be kept!!!
Blessings,
Linda <><
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