God's Word is LIGHT

Light – is the very first thing that the Words of God created in Genesis 1:3 when He said, "Let there be Light!" In the natural sense, sunlight is one of the most powerful and essential forces on earth, our health and our existence depends on it. Some of the benefits of sunlight includes: Enables us to See, Causes us to Grow, Strengthens our immune system, Calms our Nerves, Eliminates Darkness, just to name a few.So much of our culture revolves around getting to sunlight. Most of our vacation plans focus on getting to more sunlight on a tropical beach somewhere. (Can I get an Amen?!)

Naturally speaking, light is essential. In the same way that sunlight is necessary to our physical body, God's Word is also essential to the health of our natural and spiritual lives.

Wherever the Light of God's Word hits – it transforms.

In John 1, we see that Jesus was the Word of God made flesh, and it says that Jesus was, "the light of all mankind." God's word is truly the light for all mankind. When we open The Book, that's when light begins to flood into our lives.

The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. – Psalm 119:130

Just like the list of natural benefits of sunlight, there are similar and powerful benefits of the Light of God's Word.

The Benefits of the Light of God's Word:

• Clarity (Causes us to see)

• Growth ( Causes us to grow)

• Strength (Gives strength against toxins)

• Peace (Brings peace that nothing else can)

• Power (Empowers us to overcome)

When we walk into a room with the lights off, we stumble around grasping for something of substance to hold us up and guide us. Sometimes it works out and sometimes we go the wrong direction or what we grab onto isn't strong enough to hold us and we trip and fall. Much of culture lives in the dark; grasping for meaning, peace, value and fulfillment. But because they don't have God's word to light up the right path, they attempt to live from principles that are contrary to the truth of God's word; so their fulfillment falls flat. However, when we begin to adjust our lives in the direction of the light of God's word, that light brings clarity. King David understood this truth which is why he said,

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. – Psalm 119:105

In an article like this, I'm not going to attempt to tell you all of the things that culture tries to tell you that are in direct opposition to the word of God, but I hope to encourage you to commit to spending more time with God through His word. The more time you spend in God's word, the more it will expose the truth from the lies. God's word sets a certain pattern that we can pattern our lives after. When we follow that pattern we experience more of what God designed for us. This verse in Romans describes how consistently reading and applying God's word transforms us.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2

My prayer is that you would begin to use God's word as the true light to your path that God designed it to be. That you would you would let God's word transform and guide your life into all that God has for you. As you see in Romans 12:2, the end result of consistently applying God's word is that we better understand how to please God and fulfill the purpose for our lives! That's what I want to see for you also!Below are some questions and application steps to help you apply the incredible word of God to your life. Have a great day and I'd love to hear from you in the comments section below.

Discussion Questions:

• When's the last time you considered what God wanted and took time to look for that answer in the Bible?

• When the light of God's word shines on your life, are you willing to make changes to your life?

• Is there any area of your life right now that you know isn't consistent with God's Word that you need to ask God to help you make changes?

Application:

• Consider beginning a reading plan to help strengthen your bible reading consistency. Go to www.bible.com or search Bible in your app store.

• Begin by reading your Bible for 15 minutes a day. And after you read always ask yourself, "How should I be different because of what I just read?"