For you to live a joyful life, and be the full expression of the will, righteousness, and glory of God, you have to know the Word for yourself and live by it. Those who don't know the Word of God can hardly fulfil God's desire and plans for their lives. The Word of God made you (1 Peter 1:23), and except you live by the Word, you'll not be the "you" that God dreamed of, nor fulfil His destiny for you. This is why we teach the Word and encourage God's children to be students of the Word. You must know the Word for yourself.

 

Don't live on the basis of assumptions. Don't let people influence you with their "religious" opinion of God. Don't accept that something is from God just because it sounds good, nice or religious.

 

Jesus said in John 5:39, "Search the scriptures..."; Paul said in 2 Timothy 2:15, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." The Word of God is the mind of God expressed; His will written and expressed for us. What an extraordinary advantage, that you can study the Word for yourself, understand it, and live accordingly! It's a great blessing!

 

The measure of your glorious and victorious life will be to the degree of your knowledge of God's Word, and how much of it you put to work. It's not about how long you've been a Christian; it's about how well you know and apply the Word.

 

Thank God we have the unparalleled advantage of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, who grants us understanding of the Word! He's the Author of the Scriptures; so as you study, you can depend on Him to guide you, and grant you insight into divine mysteries and secrets.

 

Give the Word your attention and time. Study and put your heart in it. If you want to live a life that's beyond the ordinary, it's by the Word, through the power of the Holy Spirit.