"If your law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have revived me. I am Yours, save me, for I have sought your precepts."
Psalm 119:92-94

Just before turning 21 I went from knowing about Jesus as a Savior to becoming a true disciple, and declaring in my heart He would become the Lord of my life. No longer was the knowledge of Him a religion, but He became very real and personal as I sought to know Him through His Word and spent time alone in prayer. I learned to pray throughout the day, and not just a short appointed times where I gave off my request. I learned to worship and adore Him through prayer. Then I learned He wanted to speak to me personally! I would hear Him through emphasized Scripture by the Holy Spirit and would receive revelation and understanding as never before. The Word literally became alive as He says it is in His Word:

"For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

Obviously reading the Word and allowing the Holy Spirit to be our teacher is the key to being a true disciple of Christ.

"But when He, the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose it to you. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you." John 16:13-14

We cannot just read the Word academically. The Word of God is revealed by the Holy Spirit. The natural man cannot receive the things of the Spirit. The hidden mysteries are discerned spiritually. Without a personal relationship with the One who wrote the Bible it is no more than a great history book. You may attain knowledge, and you can quote it, but you will not be able to live it.

"But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised." 1 Corinthians 2:14
(Please refer to the entire chapter for better understanding)

However, even with this knowledge I had to develop a love for the Word of God. I was so taken with Psalm 119, which is the longest Psalm in the Bible, where David is expressing His deep love of God’s Word. When I would read it, which I did often, I would be so convicted and grieved, because I didn’t have the love David did, but I desperately wanted it. So I cried out to God in prayer, and I asked Him to give me the same love David had for His Word. Again, this was in my early twenties, and I can assure you He answered that prayer. It has been within the last year I remembered those early days and praying for something I now know I cannot live without. His Word truly is my lifeline in all circumstances of life. I recognize His Word is love letters to us. It is the absolute truth. There are no errors in God’s Word itself. It has within the pages of the Bible all the answers to life. He did not leave us as orphans wanting or lacking. John 16:15-18

"If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. I will ask the Father and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever, that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him, or know Him, but you know Him, because He abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you."

May I attest to the truth of Psalm 119:24 throughout my life. Truly if His law had not been my delight I would have perished many times over in my afflictions, but He does always revive me through the living, active, powerful promises of His Word. He cannot lie. He is God and He is love. Join me in placing all your faith in Him and His timeless Words of true wisdom that never expires. We not only get a great return in this life, but I ultimately look to the returns on my investment when He returns! I know I belong where He is residing. As much as I love and enjoy all His blessings He has given now, it is nothing in comparison to the home He has prepared for our arrival in heaven. Don’t miss out on the home He has prepared for you. It is the most costly and important invitation you will ever receive!
In His love.

"If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:3

Masterpiece Fitness

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Never more has God revived me than yesterday as I participated in the Hanging Rock to Pilot Mountain 50K Trail Run. I placed second in my age group fully aware it was not in my own strength alone.

(Photos of one of many creek crossings and at the finish after receiving award.)