As we discussed yesterday, people are often told that they can experience the extraordinary life found inside God, but many are not implementing the essential elements necessary to make that happen. As I said yesterday, I’m surprised at how many people have been in church for many years but still have not read the whole Bible even one time.

God, in his wisdom, gave us the Bible, which he has declared to be himself and has given us the commission to know him through it. Jesus said, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:31-32. God wants us to know (be intimate with) the truth. Why? Because knowing God is freedom and because the word is God!

John 1:1  “In the beginning was the word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

The word of God is God! Maybe we need to ask ourselves if we actually believe what the word of God says about itself. Is the word of God indeed God himself? Do we truly consider it as such? If the word of God is indeed God himself, then we should set our minds fully upon it! We should be fierce in our determination to make our minds focus on experiencing the God of the universe through his divine word!

Colossians 3:1-3 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Why should we be so careful about meditating on God’s truth? It is because our input determines what we believe. Why should we be so concerned about what we believe? It is because what we believe determines our choices.

God told the Israelites that they were to go in and possess the land he had promised them. But when the 12 Spies went into the land of Canaan to spy out the land according to the command of God, only two out of the 12 believed God, Caleb and Joshua. The outcome of those who chose to believe God versus those who didn’t were vastly different. The men, 20 years and older, who decided to align themselves with the ten doubters, ended up dying in the desert, but those who chose to believe God, Caleb, and Joshua, became great leaders and later went in and possessed the land God had promised them. How did they do it? By believing God!

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, for those who come to him must believe that he is, and that he rewards those who diligently seek him.

Only those who believe God can please God because the only way God can bless us is when we believe him. God’s greatest desire is to give you everything that he is and that is why he allows trials in your life. All those trials you experience are opportunities for you to learn to walk by faith and not by sight.

Your input determines what you believe and what you believe determines your choices. It’s interesting how a person makes choices, but then those choices turn around and make the person. When a person believes right, they choose right. Talent is something that God gives you, but character comes from choosing the right input.

God gave us his word because he wanted to give us himself. He wants us to know his wonderful life more than we desire it for ourselves! My dearest friend, the extraordinary life of God is indeed available, but experiencing that life will only happen when you choose to…

Implement the Essentials