Not By Bread Alone

What is the greatest influence in your daily faith journey? Church? Theologian? Mentor? Generally, most people, including me, would credit numerous influences throughout their faith journey. However, my greatest influence is the ongoing sustenance of God’s eternal word.

No other influential source compares with consistently immersing my mind and saturating my spirit with the living oracles of God. The more I immerse myself in and meditate on his counsel, the more he increases my insatiable desire to allow it to permeate my innermost being.

As Christ followers with often busy lives, it is so easy for us to neglect our most essential source of sustenance. God’s word remains relevant for today. It continues to be alive and active – transcending the ink and parchment of sacred ancient texts. Timothy reminds us that all Scripture is God breathed. God’s word created the world, became flesh in the person of Jesus, and is the non-negotiable rite-of-passage for every Christ follower in their discipleship journey. Over the years, contemplating almost every translation, formal and dynamic, I realized that only the consistent milk and meat of God’s word, with the help of the Holy Spirit, can nurture and sustain my spiritual life – sanctifying and equipping me to be a doer of the word – for his will and purpose.

Do you regularly immerse yourself in God’s Word? In the time-consuming hustle and bustle of today’s busy world, Christ followers, more than ever, cannot thrive without daily immersion in God’s word. Discover the life-giving influence of the living oracles of God. Jesus and the disciples lived and breathed Scripture. Scripture was the foundation of their education, meditation, ambition, and commission. Consequently, they committed most scripture to memory. May we strive to emulate their commitment and obedience by scheduling daily time to immerse ourselves in God’s word, because, as Jesus asserts, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word. Help me to set aside a daily time to immerse myself in the study and memorization of your word. Holy Spirit counsel and teach me your word that I may be fully equipped for your will and purpose.

Throughout the Day: Remind yourself that God’s word is essential sustenance – choose a verse to memorize daily.