Dec. 2nd Devotional

Tuesday December 2, 2008 -
1 Thessalonians 2:13-16
Verse 13 is a very revealing verse concerning the strength and success of the early church and why they were able to reach so many is such a short period of time.
In the first place, they received the Word of God as the Word of God and not as the word of men. How we view the Bible, and respect its precepts determines what we will do with it. One who views the Bible as the word of God will obey even the most unpleasant precepts. For example, the Bible says "Give and it shall be given unto you, pressed down, shaken together and overflowing shall me give unto your bosom." If you view that as the Word of God you will give rather you have a little or a lot. If you don't believe it, then you will keep your money and wonder why you are not prosperous.
Secondly, because of the way that the Word of God was received the Bible says that the Word of God worked effectually in them. The word effectually means to put forth power, be operative, to work.
Many tell me that they really don't get much from the Word of God, maybe it is because of the way they are looking at it. How about you? Is the Word of God effectual in your life?