A core value in Youth for Christ, is to be devoted to the Word of God and prayer. It is vital for you and I as Youth for Christ staff, to read and know the Word of God. I would propose that those who are influenced by the Scriptures, influence their world. John Wesley, a leader in the Great Awakening and founder of the Methodist church, said,

“I want to know one thing, the way to heaven—how to land safe on that happy shore. God himself has condescended to teach the way: for this very end he came from heaven. He hath written it down in a book. O give me that book! …Let me be homo unius libri [a man of one book]. Here then I am, far from the busy ways of men. I sit down alone: only God is here. In his presence I open, I read his Book; for this end, to find the way to heaven.”

It is paramount that we carve out time alone, to read the Word of God,

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.” (Hebrews 4:12-13 italics mine)

There is a a great exchange when we read and act upon the commands and promises found in Scripture. In the observance of God’s word, the Holy Spirit begins to expose our “innermost thoughts and desires.” Like at creation, when the Spirit hovered over the waters, waiting for God to speak and the creation to begin, He now hovers over you, inhabiting you, with the intent to create! The creation He both intercedes and works for, is the conforming of the Children of God in Christ-likeness. The mission of the Word and Spirit of God is that we may live in fellowship with God Himself, acting as His children in both thought and action. We are accountable to Him, that our “innermost thoughts and desires” (both the good and bad) may be exposed to Him, to be transformed by Him. It is in the reading and observing of God’s Word that we begin to understand the ways in which the Holy Spirit is inviting, pruning, convicting, comforting and nourishing us into Christ-likeness. He does this, that our joy may be full (John 15:11).

It is to our benefit, when we read the Word of God, that we surrender to it, pray it, be corrected and empowered by it. May your, and my life be profoundly formed by the Word of God.

Again, those who are influenced by the Scriptures, influence their world.

Are you devoted to the Word of God and Prayer? My prayer for you this week, is for an increased hunger to read and be formed by the Word of God.

Praying with you,

Adam Shepski

Youth for Christ International