This may come as a shock to anyone who lives in the upper Midwest, but I replaced more vehicle batteries more often while living in the desert heat of Arizona than I have in the bitter cold of northern Wisconsin. Car batteries wear out pretty quickly in the blistering furnace that is Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, reinforced by endless miles of concrete. Not because of the cold, but because of the heat. More than two years of life from a car battery there is outstanding. Many don’t make it that long.
I recall my most dramatic jump start experience in Phoenix. It took place at 2 AM. I do not remember why I needed to jump start this particular vehicle at a time of night when only scorpions, snakes and tarantulas should be active. I do remember the wind chill – it was July, so the wind chill was a balmy 90 degrees.
Faith often needs a jump start, especially during stressful times. God’s Word offers tremendous spiritual energy. God’s people simply need to use it, access it, meditate upon it, and put it to work.
God’s word is spiritual dynamite, literally. God himself says so. One of the words for “power” in the original language of the New Testament (Greek) gives us the English word, “dynamite.” Here is one occurrence: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power (dynamite!) of God for salvation to everyone who believes—to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16) The gospel is the “dynamite” of God!
Here’s another passage that points to the awesome power of the Word: “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates even to the point of dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, even being able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) God’s word is living (alive!) and active (powerful in action!; Greek word is ἐνεργὴς – see our English word “energy”? Think Energizer bunny!)
Think of the power in the pages of the Scriptures. That’s God’s power for you! It’s there because it’s God’s Word. And where God’s Word is, there God is, with all his presence and power. For you! You can read a book, a blog, a poem, a letter, online content without end. But nothing will empower faith and life like the living and active Word of God, the dynamic Gospel of Christ!
When faith falters and needs a jump start, there’s only one place to turn to. Go there daily. Go there often. Go there now…
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
I recall my most dramatic jump start experience in Phoenix. It took place at 2 AM. I do not remember why I needed to jump start this particular vehicle at a time of night when only scorpions, snakes and tarantulas should be active. I do remember the wind chill – it was July, so the wind chill was a balmy 90 degrees.
Faith often needs a jump start, especially during stressful times. God’s Word offers tremendous spiritual energy. God’s people simply need to use it, access it, meditate upon it, and put it to work.
God’s word is spiritual dynamite, literally. God himself says so. One of the words for “power” in the original language of the New Testament (Greek) gives us the English word, “dynamite.” Here is one occurrence: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power (dynamite!) of God for salvation to everyone who believes—to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16) The gospel is the “dynamite” of God!
Here’s another passage that points to the awesome power of the Word: “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates even to the point of dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, even being able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) God’s word is living (alive!) and active (powerful in action!; Greek word is ἐνεργὴς – see our English word “energy”? Think Energizer bunny!)
Think of the power in the pages of the Scriptures. That’s God’s power for you! It’s there because it’s God’s Word. And where God’s Word is, there God is, with all his presence and power. For you! You can read a book, a blog, a poem, a letter, online content without end. But nothing will empower faith and life like the living and active Word of God, the dynamic Gospel of Christ!
When faith falters and needs a jump start, there’s only one place to turn to. Go there daily. Go there often. Go there now…
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
RSS Feed
