Words make a difference! They can lift and encourage, they can rip down, they can spur you on, or leave you in despair. Words matter. Words can impact our emotional state, they can calm fears or can create greater anxiety.
The Word of God also makes a difference for our lives. My prayer is that over this summer you have had or have taken increased time to really dig into the Word of God. Getting to know Jesus, the Living Word, is vital for spiritual growth. It is like fertilizer for your soul.
I invite you to read the following selections of verses from John 1, as written in
Voices Together # 235
In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God and the Word was truly God.
From the very beginning the Word was with God.
And with this Word, God created all things. Nothing was made without the Word.
From this Word, everything that was created received its life, a life that gave light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness, and darkness has never put it out.
The Word was in the world, but no one noticed,
even though God had made the world with the Word.
The world belonged to the Word, but its nations did not welcome the Word.
Yet some people accepted the Word; to them was given the right to be the children of God.
They were not God’s children by nature or because of any human desires;
God was the one who made them children.
The Word became human and lived here with us.
We saw the Word’s true glory, the glory of a parent’s only child,
full of grace and truth.
Prayer:
Living God, by the power of your Spirit, help us to hear your holy Word,
that we may truly understand; that understanding, we may believe;
and believing, we may follow in faithfulness and obedience,
seeking your honour and glory in all that we do, through Jesus Christ.
Amen
I invite you to pray for the many needs around the world, Haiti, Afghanistan, the elections in Canada etc., as well as for needs within our church community.
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Amen!