30 Days of Prayer: Pray to have a Hunger for the Word (Day 9) - Be Whole, Mom
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Did you know that at most only 2 out of 10 professed believers read and study the Word daily? Even in little increments. Only about 20% of the Body is digging into the Word of God, which we know is said to “cut bone and marrow” (Heb. 4: 12).
If we want to sharpen our swords and see victory in our lives, we must first know how to wield the weapon we have been given: the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Welcome to Day 9 of the 30 Days of Prayer series. We are digging in and firmly planting ourselves in the Truth of our Abba that our lives, and those around us, may be changed.
We live in tragic times. Many, many people are struggling daily with anxiety, stress, pressure, and many other weights of darkness. This is not even mentioning the billions more who are starving, being murdered, and enduring physical harm regularly, too. The darkness in the world can feel very overwhelming.
Friends, this one is gonna hurt. But, I believe we need to chat openly about something and because I love you and pray for you daily, I hope you can receive it from the heart of a sister as it is intended.
..if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chron. 7: 14
The darkness prevails because the Light in the world, your Light, is not shining. And, it’s time to turn up the fire in your heart if we want to see people saved and set free.
I know the struggle going on within you, because the enemy is totally going to jump in and try to object vehemently, but please sweet sister, press on. Don’t let him halt you from experiencing the plans of the Lord for your life.
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” ~ Acts 17: 11
First, let’s strike back at the lies of the enemy and knock those little suckers out right off the bat. The enemy LOVES to try to attack the study of the Word as though it is not understandable by the normal person. This is a lie. The Word is comprehendible if you are diligent to learn how to study it.
You do not have to pour hours and hours of time into the Word each day; the Lord honors even the small amounts we as moms are able to give to study. I know it can feel overwhelming to look at this thick book and imagine trying to understand and remember all of it, but the most amazing thing about learning anything new is that “a little here, a little there” goes a LONG way over time.
Stand firm.
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” ~ John 16: 13
Second, Yahweh has sent the Counselor, the Holy Sprit (the Advocate and Helper), to those who believe in and have faith in the salvation of Christ on the cross. We have with us our personal Helper to guide us in all Truth and to learn to rightly divide the Word.
Does that mean we will not err? No, of course not. BUT, the Spirit will continue to guide us one step at a time as we continue to learn and understand all that is contained in scripture, in its many layers.
Keep going.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” ~ Prov. 1: 7
Finally, no you do not have to be a trained theologian to be able to grasp these concepts. It may take time and research and work, but the Truth of God is available to all who seek to gain understanding. Yes, your flesh man may not want to do the work to learn and grow, but if you desire maturity in the faith, these things must be brought under the control of the Spirit. We know what it is to teach our children to “even if you don’t feel like doing ___, do it anyway.”
One wise piece of advice I was given years ago, pertaining to me not wanting to submit to the leading of my husband and honor him, was “Act first and your feelings will follow.” This is the practical side of LEAD your emotions, rather than let them lead you.
The heart is deceitful above all things…” ~ Jer. 17:9
Does this mean we do not hear our emotions? No, not at all. We can listen to them, feel them, acknowledge them, and then choose wisely. Ignoring our emotions or telling ourselves we are evil for even having them is a chain of bondage that does not lead to Truth.
Our emotions are not wrong or sinful or evil, but rather simply emotions. Feel the feeling, but than lead the feeling with Truth AND the Love of God.
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Why Do We Need to Study the Word?
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” ~ Matt. 5: 14-16
Ok, now that we’ve addressed some of the most common lies that hinder us from studying, let’s dive into another important layer: WHY study in the first place?
We all see the darkness that is happening all around us every day. People are hurting. Suffering is everywhere. And, there is no sign of things slowing down.
The enemy is not slowing down his multi-tiered fight either (see the previous post to unmask the enemy here). He attacks from many angles, not only encouraging the destructive and aggressive tactics to eliminate lovers of God, but ALSO subtly planting deceitful suggestions of hope that eliminate the NEED for God.
How can we navigate his incredible craftiness and recognize lies and deceit if we do not first know the fullness of the Truth? In order to see the lies and recognize them rightfully, we must first know what the Truth looks like, and what the Light is.
What Does the Word of God Say?
Let’s examine that Word, “Light,” more to see if we can uncover some Truths.
And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.” ~ Gen. 1: 3-4
“The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.” ~ Is. 60: 19
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” ~ Is. 9:2
“The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?” ~ Ps. 27:1
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” ~ Ps. 119: 105
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” ~ John 1: 1-5
“There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” ~ John 1: 6-13
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” ~ John 3: 16-21
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” ~ John 8: 12
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” ~ 1 John 1: 5-7
“Then Jesus told them, ‘You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.’” ~ John 12: 35-36
“Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.” ~ Luke 11: 34-36
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Related: Pray to Have Eyes that Can See
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.” ~ Eph. 5: 8-13
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” ~ 1 Pet. 2: 9
“The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.” ~ Rev. 21: 23-25
What is the Spirit showing you through these verses?
The Darkness Cannot Prevail in the Presence of the Light.
What happens to a dark room when a light is turned on within it? Does the darkness linger? Can it at all remain?
In the same way, sweet sisters, if we want to see change emerge in our lives, in our homes, in our cities, and beyond, we must begin to cultivate the Light within ourselves that we may shine it brightly in our lives and bring Light into this dark world.
The Light begins with the Word of God, from Genesis to Revelation.
How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your commands in my heart
that I might not sin against you.” ~ Ps. 119: 9-11
I know that it can feel daunting, but the Lord is with you and will honor your heart to know His Word better and desire to seek Him and know HIM better THROUGH the Word.
Even 15 minutes each day will reap great rewards. And then, as you read, and as the Holy Spirit illuminates scriptures to you in the reading, apply what you learn.
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” ~ James 1: 22
This book was incredibly helpful to me, just in helping me to learn some of the fundamentals to bible study, AND even just giving me some pointers to get me started.
I HIGHLY recommend it.
It is not a bible study, nor a devotional, but a helpful guide to one way to study the Word and have it come to life for you.
He’s got you.
Abba Father, help me to value the Word, Your Word, and deeply desire to know it better. Help me to persevere in diligently studying, even if only a few minutes a day. Teach me all that You have for me, and help me to learn the Truths that are critical for my life and my walk with You. I love You so very much, but know that there is much more to learn. I deeply want to be a Light that others see and are drawn to for their own salvation. Help Your Light to shine brightly out of me. I so deeply want to see people freed from the weights of the world. Help ME to be freed. Show ME where the lies live in my heart that I need to have uprooted and cut out of me. Cut them out, Lord. Destroy the lies and the confusion they breed within me. And lead me in the Way everlasting. In Your Son Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Sweet sister, dig into Him and His Word. And never, ever let it go.
Shalom.
Was this post an encouragement to you today? Share and comment below. Your comments mean the world to me, encouraging me immensely, and help me to push onward in this work that the Lord has called me to do.
