OUR DAILY BREAD : exploratory procedure

[cimi]

November 5
Wednesday


EXPLORATORY
PROCEDURE

READ:
Hebrews 4:11-16
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I have a friend who recently underwent a laryngoscopy. I winced as he explained how his doctor took a camera with a light on the end and stuck it down his throat to try to find the cause of his pain.

It reminded me that God's Word is like a laryngoscopy. It invades the unseen areas of our lives, exposing the diseased and damaged spiritual tissue that troubles us. If you're wincing at the thought of how uncomfortable this divine procedure might be, consider Jesus' words: "Everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed" (John 3:20). Internal intrusions may be uncomotrtable, but do you really want the disease?

Welcoming God's Word to penetrate the deep, dark places of our hearts is the only way to find true healing and the spiritual health we long for. Believe me, the procedure will be thorough. As the writer of Hebrews assures, God's Word is "sharper than any two-edged sword" (4:12)__piercing all the way through the external stuff of our lives, all the way down to our thoughts, intentions, and motives.

So what are you waiting for? With God's Word you don't need an appointment. The divine Surgeon is ready when you are! __Joe Stowell
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`````````````````````Ever present, truest Friend,`````````````````
`````````````````````Ever near Thine aid to lend,`````````````````
```````````````````Guide us as we search the Word,```````````````
```````````````Make it both our shield and sword. __Anon.``````````
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Let God's Word explore your inner being.

***************Today's Bible Reading __ Hebrews 4:11-16**********

11 Let us therefore be
diligent to enter that rest,
lest anyone fall according
to the same example of
disobedience.

12 For the Word of God is
living and powerful, and
sharper than any two-edged
sword, piercing even to the
division of soul and spirit,
and of joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the
thoughts and intents of the
heart. 13 and there is no
creature hidden from His
sight, but all things are
naked and open to the eyes
of Him to whom we must
give account.

14 Seeing then that we
have a great High Priest
who has passed through
the heavens, Jesus the Son
of God, let us hold fast our
confession. 15 For we do
not have a High Priest who
cannot sympathize with
our weaknesses, but was
in all points tempted as we
are, yet without sin. 16 Let
us therefore come boldly
to the throne of grace, that
we may obtain mercy and
find grace to help in time
of nee.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

The companion to the Word of God (v.12) in our spiritual
development is the privilege of prayer. In verses 15-16, the writer of
the letter to the Hebrews explains the value of prayer by reminding
us of two great truths: (1) because Christ has experienced the same
heartaches we face, He understands and cares for us deeply (v.15);
(2) God is able to respond to our needs (v.16). He truly is where we
"find grace to help in time of need." __Bill Crowder