Forthright Magazine http://www.forthright.net Straight to the Cross COLUMN: Friend to Friend The Power of the Written Word by Phil Sanders Some people lament that the days of miracles ceased and that all we have today is just the Bible. Unfortunately, some think the power of God is limited to miracles. They don't realize how truly powerful God's word is. Here are some things God's Word does in our lives today: 1. It gives understanding (Psalm 119:130). "The unfolding of Thy words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple." 2. It gives life (John 6:63). "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life." 3. It cleanses us (John 15:3). "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you." 4. It sanctifies us (John 17:17). "Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth." 5. It purifies the obedient and causes them to be born again (1 Peter 1:22,23). "Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God." 6. It has the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." We need to have great love for the Word of God, to read it, to study it, to meditate on it, and to share it. The Word is most powerful when it is heard and obeyed. ---- Read this article online, tell us what you think, see who's commenting, click here: http://forthright.antville.org/stories/740541/ ---- COLUMN: Final Phase No Results by J. Randal Matheny At the office, the colleague just turns around and walks off when invited to church. After the sermon, the whole church files out without a word of compliment to the preacher. The special series of gospel lessons ends without a single response. No results. Not a good feeling. The lack of results leaves us deflated, discouraged, or depressed. Like the lady who called my wife yesterday to cancel our third Bible study. Somehow, we sensed a certain finality to the cancellation. Man was created by a God who spoke "and it was so." The Lord always fulfills what he intends. My word, says God, "will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it" (Isaiah 55:11, NIV). So we are not wrong to want and look for results. In fact, God wants results from our labors. He calls them "fruit." But not every effort will be crowned with success. Not all preaching pricks the heart. Not all teaching makes converts or convicts of sin or lifts the fallen. Has some flaw in the process or some failure on our part caused the lack of results? We may indeed fail in many ways, but no results also is part of God's big picture. After decades of preaching, righteous Noah saved only seven others -- his immediate family. God told Jeremiah, before the prophet preached his first sermon, that the people would not listen. Jesus instructed his disciples to shake the dust off their feet in cities where the message would not be well received. No results has long been part and parcel of the righteous' experience. In the midst of no results, God still will make his word effective. "My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please" (Isaiah 46:10). Even the stubborn-hearted will not delay his salvation (v. 11). In spite of rejection, the divine light will not dim. So when my search for souls turns up no results, I need not get glum. I do need to remember to be faithful myself and to keep speaking the Word. Because somebody, somewhere, will heed the call of God and show the success of the gospel. To his glory and honor. ---- Read this article online, tell us what you think, see who's commenting, click here: http://forthright.antville.org/stories/740435/ ---- You can help us get the word out. Here's how: http://forthright.antville.org/stories/340415/