How to Live Surrendered to and Saturated with the Word of God
For 29 years I was lost and looking for love in all the wrong places, until I began attending a Bible-believing church. It was in this place that the living and active word of God broke my hard heart and brought me to my knees before the Lord. In repentance and faith I committed my life to Jesus Christ. From that moment to now, the Lord has been teaching me how to live surrendered to and saturated with the word of God.
Surrendered: The Authority of the Word of God
One of the most transformative truths that I was taught from the pulpit was that the word of God is the final authority on every issue of life. In order to grow and bring God the glory he deserves from my life, I had to make the decision to submit to the authority of scripture. Not an easy task by any means, but a necessary one.
Day after day I surrendered my previous thinking, prior experiences, and the popular opinions of the world around me to the scriptures. The word of God became the standard by which I measured everything else.
From marriage to motherhood to ministry and everything in between, I looked to the word of God to light my path and direct my steps. I searched the scriptures for God’s mind on every issue of life.
Sin patterns were broken as I surrendered to what was pleasing to the Lord. I was being sanctified as I sought God’s will over my own. But in order to be surrendered to the authority of the word of God I had to make reading my Bible a priority in my life.
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17)
Saturated: Making the Word of God A Priority
When God saved my soul and made me a new creature I had no clue about anything in the Bible. He quickly got me up to speed as I devoured the scripture with an insatiable hunger for more. It was like the veil was lifted off my eyes and I could clearly see and understand truth. God’s word was a mirror to the depths of my soul and a magnifying light upon the darkness in my heart. And I loved it.
I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. (Psalm 119:162)
I began to prioritize time daily to read, memorize, and meditate on the word of God. In the early years of my walk with Jesus I stayed at home with our four young kids and watched a few others, so my days were loud, busy, and full! I had to get up at least an hour before the kids so I could be saturated with the word of God. By making the word of God the priority of my morning, I was preparing my heart and mind to serve my family with love and joy.
I desperately needed that time with the Lord. Before Jesus, I was an impatient, irritable, and stressed-out Momma. But after Jesus saved my soul, sanctified my heart, and began to saturate my mind with truth, my view of motherhood changed. What had felt like a burden became a blessing.
Fast forward 11 years and the house is quieter but my calendar is just as packed. I’m a pastor’s wife, mom, ministry leader, Bible teacher, and writer. In order to do what I’m called to do well, and for God’s glory, I have to be in the word daily. When I’m squeezed by the stress of life I want the word of God to come from the overflow of my saturated heart.
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:42)
Through daily reading, discipleship, Bible studies, and attending the Bible Institute at our church, the Lord renewed my mind, redirected my heart, and renovated my life. The word of God became my authority and priority as I continually surrendered my will to his word, and saturated my mind with the scriptures.
The word of God can be your authority and priority as well. Take some time to examine your schedule. Are there any time-wasters you could eliminate or cut down on? Free up some time in your day to sit at the feet of Jesus and soak up his word. As you saturate your mind with the scriptures, he equips you for service and enables you to share his wonderful words of truth and life. What a privilege and delight!
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Colossians 3:16)
Annie McGuire
As a disciple of Jesus Christ, I spend my time passionately pursuing his presence, studying his scriptures, and teaching his truths. I serve alongside my husband as he pastors a new church plant, and have the privilege of leading the women’s ministry and serving in the children’s ministry. We have four kids who are leaving the nest quicker than I’d like, and writing is my labor of love.
My Blog: www.dailyhisdisciple.com
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