July 18, 2025 • 19 mins
Welcome back to Curious for Christ! In today’s episode, we’re exploring something deeply personal, incredibly practical, and spiritually powerful: how God’s Word actually transforms you—from the inside out.
Maybe you’ve been feeling spiritually dry, unsure where to start in Scripture, or wondering why reading the Bible doesn’t feel as life-giving as it used to. This episode will meet you right there.
We’ll walk through five powerful ways the Bible brings healing, clarity, strength, and renewal—not just in theory, but in real-life moments of doubt, disappointment, and spiritual longing.
Featured Scriptures include:
- Hebrews 4:12 – “The Word of God is alive and active…”
- Romans 12:2 – “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
- Psalm 119:103 – “How sweet are your words to my taste…”
- Matthew 5:8 – “Blessed are the pure in heart…”
- Ephesians 6:17, 5:26, and more.
You’ll hear about:
- Why reading the Bible stirs deeper desire for God
- How the Word becomes your weapon in spiritual battles
- What it means to grow spiritual fruit you can’t manufacture on your own
- And how sitting with Scripture helps you stop hiding, striving, or spiraling—and start trusting again
Whether you’re new to reading the Bible or returning with a heavy heart, this episode will show you how the Word of God is not just informative—it’s transformational.
Resources & Episodes Mentioned:
- Episode 99: How to Fall in Love with the Bible (and Be Transformed from the Inside Out) — with Philip Nation
- Episode 97: 7 Faith-Based Principles for Healing & Spiritual Growth - with Kathy Heinen
Stay until the end for a short, heartfelt prayer to help you fall in love with God’s Word again.
Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro & Real Talk About Bible Reading
1:03 – The Living Power of God’s Word (Hebrews 4:12)
7:33 – #1: It Transforms You From the Inside Out
9:47 – #2: It Awakens Your Desire for God
12:49 – #3: It Strengthens You for Battle
13:49 – #4: It Washes and Heals Our Wounds
14:44 – #5: It Grows Spiritual Fruit You Can’t Manufacture
16:26 – Recap & Final Reflection + How to Start Today
17:25 – Closing Prayer
18:01 – Thank you & Outro
Let’s Stay Connected
If this episode encouraged you, would you share it with a friend who feels distant from God or His Word?
And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a new episode. You are not alone—and God is speaking.
The question is:
Will you make space to listen?
Until next time,
Stay curious and keep drawing near.
Thanks for listening! Your support means the world. Join our Curious for Christ Facebook Group and become an Insider for weekly inspiration and encouragement on your faith journey.
Want to go deeper? Let's connect—set up a FREE Discovery Call today. See you next time!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome back to Curious forChrist, and for those who are
new to the show, welcome.
I'm your host, Alexandra, andtoday we are diving into a
conversation that might justreignite your soul.
What really happens when we readthe Bible, not just skim it or
quote it, but actually fall inlove with it.
(00:21):
Hebrews four, verse 12 says thatthe word of God is alive and
active, but what does that meanin everyday life?
Why does it matter, and why isit so crucial not just to hear
about the Bible or paraphrasethe stories we grew up with, but
to open it for ourselves word byword.
(00:41):
Maybe you felt disconnected,spiritually dry, or unsure where
to even.
Dart, or maybe you've beenreading scripture, but you
wonder why it hasn't felttransformative Wherever you are
on your journey, this episode ismeant to ground you in both the
spiritual power and thepractical impact of soaking in
God's word.
(01:02):
Let's go back to the foundation.
Hebrews four, verse 12.
The word of God is alive andactive, sharper than any
double-edged sort.
The Bible is not just the book,it has tremendous power in your
life today and for eternity.
And I want to say somethingupfront.
It doesn't matter if you grew upin Sunday school.
(01:23):
It doesn't matter if you hadcatechism or like me, studied at
a Catholic university and tookBible classes taught by priests.
That alone doesn't bring youclose to God.
Proximity to tradition isn't thesame as intimacy with his voice.
And here's something I alsonoticed.
Sometimes we hold on to what wedid yesterday.
(01:47):
I used to be so close to God, orI used to study the Bible
regularly and we use that as anexcuse to co spiritually.
Today, like Faith is anoverarching fact about who we
are.
God is inviting us to meet withhim now in the present moment,
(02:07):
and he does that through hisword.
I was recently talking to awoman at work about a difficult
situation and I said, really,from a place of faith, you know
what?
I trust God.
And to me that meant I releasedthe stress I want peace and
therefore.
I trust and she respondedquickly.
(02:29):
Well, me too.
I went to Sunday school everyweek.
I grew up in that church.
I forgot the name that she said.
And it felt to me, not in ajudgmental way, it was just an
observation, but she wasreaching for all the things
she's done, the places she'sbeen, the background she has as
a way to validate her faith.
Not because I worry that I donot have faith.
(02:52):
That's what she probably meantand that is understandable.
We all do that sometimes, buther response told me something
more that this situation, theone she's facing right now is
hard to trust God with.
That's the truth.
And honestly, I get it.
I've been there.
There are times I want to say,God, I've walked with you.
(03:15):
I know the Bible.
I've led Bible studies, butstill I don't feel like trusting
you in this moment.
That's when I have to remindmyself, it doesn't matter that I
have LED studies before.
God already knows that.
He also knows that I have a hardtime trusting right now and that
(03:40):
I'm struggling.
I don't need to pretend.
That's good news.
He can handle my doubts.
But I cannot stay there.
Instead, I must go back and openhis word and say, God, what do
you want to say to me today?
How can you meet me in thisspecific situation so that I can
trust you again?
(04:01):
Because trust isn't something wejust decide once and keep
forever.
It's something we return to onemoment at a time.
So let's go back to Hebrewsfour, verse 12, because it goes
on to say that God's wordpenetrates even to dividing soul
and spirit.
That's very specific, and itjudges the thoughts and
(04:22):
attitudes of the heart.
Nothing in all creation ishidden from God's sight.
It exposes what's really goingon beneath the surface and
lovingly brings it into thelight.
Because we can deceive ourselvesor we can hide.
But the Bible reveals truth.
It reveals us.
It's like a mirror, a sword, acompass, and a bomb all at once.
(04:47):
And that's why it's so importantto read it daily because in
order to change, to grow, to befree of our anxiety, to grow in
confidence, we must first assesswhere we are.
Just like a GPS, it can onlyguide us to our destination once
it knows our starting point.
(05:08):
And the Bible not only revealsour true condition, but also
leads us step by step intocloseness with God and the peace
that is only found in Hispresence.
It's also incredibly reliable.
The Bible didn't survivecenturies of persecution,
translation, and transmission byaccident.
(05:29):
It is the most historicallyverified book in existence.
There are over 5,800 Asianancient Greek manuscripts of the
New Testament alone.
By contrast, Homer's Iliad, oneof the most respected ancient
works, has only about 643manuscripts, like 10 times less.
(05:51):
So when you hold the Bible,you're not holding an outdated
book.
You are holding somethingeternal, intentional, and
divinely preserved for you.
So let's walk through five waysScripture transforms your life
and brings deep lasting healingWelcome to Curious for Christ.
(06:19):
Do you ever find yourself lying,awake at night wondering about
God's plan for your life?
Maybe you wake up with bigdreams, but feel unsure where to
start or what your next stepshould be.
If you're curious aboutexploring your faith and finding
purpose, then you've come to theright place.
Hi, I'm Alexandra.
I too felt lost and sure of thedirection my life was taking.
(06:42):
I yearned to understand mypurpose and have someone guide
me, but I kept telling myself Iwas too busy.
The timing wasn't right, and mylack of clarity prevented me
from being consistent until Ifound Christ.
He brought peace into my lifeand revealed the way to find
purpose by anchoring myself.
(07:04):
In him.
In this podcast, we'll journeytogether exploring the Bible to
gain a deeper understanding ofhim and cultivate your own
personal relationship withChrist.
So open up your Bible, put inthose earbuds and listen up
because God is speaking to you.
He's making everything new andyou don't wanna miss it.
(07:24):
Let's get started.
number one, Scripture transformsyou from the inside out.
Romans 12, verse two says, donot conform to the pattern of
this world, but be transformedby the renewing of your mind.
(07:47):
God's word doesn't just changeyour behavior, it rewires your
thinking.
When you read scriptureconsistently, it begins to
reshape your inner world.
Fear turns into faith, scarcity,lack becomes trust.
Striving becomes surrender.
You start to interpret lifethrough a redeemed lens, which
(08:10):
means you start seeingeverything, your emotions, your
choices, relationships throughthe truth of God's word.
Instead of reacting out of fear,shame, or past wounds, you begin
to respond with grace, withtrust and wisdom, because your
mind is being renewed by Christ.
You don't just know scripture.
(08:30):
You start to think like Jesus.
That's real transformation, notfrom the outside in, but from
the inside out.
So for example, instead ofseeing failure as proof, you're
not enough.
You see it as a place whereGod's strength can meet your
weakness, as in secondCorinthians 12, verse nine says.
(08:52):
And when you feel anxious, youdon't spiral.
You stop and invite God intoyour uncertainty, trusting his
peace is available.
Philippians four verses six andseven.
And when someone hurts you, youdon't clinging to bitterness
like I have.
You remember, you've beenforgiven and you begin to
(09:13):
forgive.
Ephesians four, verse 32.
Through this redeemed lens, lifedoesn't all of a sudden becomes
free of trouble, but it does geteasier to deal with.
Because you see that it is notrandom.
God invites you to be moreanchored in his truth, or he is
bringing more clarity to aspecific situation, or he is
(09:36):
growing your character and thenyou are filled with hope because
you see that you can change,that God can be trusted and that
he is with you.
Number two, it awakens yourdesire for God.
Psalm one 19 verse 1 0 3 says,how sweet are your words to my
taste?
(09:56):
Sweeter than honey to my mouthwhile the psalmist was speaking?
Not to a lover, but about God'sword.
Do you want more faith?
Start reading.
Don't wait for desire to showup.
Ask God to stir your anger justlike the psalmist.
Romans 10, verse 17 says, faithcomes from hearing and hearing
(10:19):
through the word of Christ.
When we begin reading, not as aJudy, but as a way to know him,
we start to crave his presencemore than approval, more than
noise, more than distraction.
There's a study that I love.
And you probably have seen it.
Over the internet or on socialmedia.
But children were asked thatwhat they wanted most in the
(10:42):
world while adults, the parentsassumed that they would say
toys, fame, or money, or meetinga celebrity that they loved.
Almost every child said the samething.
I just want more time with mymom and dad.
Parents were in tears.
I was in tears because.
(11:03):
They had forgotten.
We forget what we long for.
Deep down is time with our God,and that's exactly what the word
gives us.
We come looking for answers andrealize that what we need most
is time with our Father.
God's word also purifies ourmotives.
Sometimes we say we want God,but we also want what we want.
(11:26):
We're torn.
We want Him and our comfort, ourdreams, or our timeline.
But God, through his word,begins to purify us.
And impurity just meanssomething is mixed in that
doesn't belong.
Think of a diamond in geology.
An impure diamond has inclusionsor blemishes, like tiny flaws
(11:49):
that disrupt clarity or diminishlight reflection and lower its
perceived value.
That's what impurity does in UStoo.
So God's word helps us recognizethose inclusions.
The other things that we'veadded to our must have list.
And when we, when he invites usto release them, we can res, we
(12:10):
can start to resist.
We say, but wait, what aboutthat dream?
I thought you wanted for me.
What about that?
That thing that I want.
And we look at the dream, welook at those desires that we
want, and then we stop seeinghim clearly, we begin to doubt
his goodness, his presence, hiscare.
But Jesus says in Matthew five,verse eight.
(12:32):
Blessed are the pure in heartfor they will see God.
When you read God's word with anopen heart, it won't just
satisfy you.
It will awaken a holy hunger tosee him more clearly and love
him more deeply.
Number three, the word of Godstrengthens you for battle.
(12:55):
Ephesians six, verse 17 says,take the sword of the spirit,
which is the word of God.
The word of God is the sword ofthe spirit.
You may not be in a physicalbattle, but emotionally,
mentally, spiritually.
Life is war.
The word is your weapon.
It doesn't just inform you.
(13:15):
It arms you when you're temptedto believe lies like, I've
never, I'll never get throughthis or.
I'm not lovable, or God forgotme.
The word rises up with truth.
Matthew 28, verse 20 says, I amwith you always.
Psalm 1 39, verse 14 says, youare fearfully and wonderfully
(13:36):
made without the word.
We fight battles unarmed.
We don't even know we are beinglied to, but with it, with the
word of God, we stand secure.
Even in the storm.
Number four, the Bible, the wordof God, washes and heals our
wounds.
Ephesians five, verse 26 saysthat he might sanctify her,
(14:00):
cleansing her by the washingwith water through the word
scripture is soul therapy.
It cleanses us from shame andspeaks to the parts of us that
are weary and wounded.
It heals the old stories we'vecarried.
I have to be perfect to beloved.
God won't come through.
(14:22):
I'm too broken.
God's word doesn't just affirmus.
It restores us.
Isaiah 43 verse one says, youare mine, says the Lord.
And if this resonates, listen toepisode 97 from Cures For Christ
with Kathy Hein, and we go deepinto healing and spiritual
growth through scripture Numberfive.
(14:46):
It grows spiritual fruit youcan't manufacture.
Matthew 13, verse 23 says, butthe seed falling on good soil
refers to someone who hears theword and understands it.
Scripture makes your soil goodsoil, and next week I will talk
about that very process and whatit means.
(15:09):
This is something that God hasworked in me.
I had a lot of bitterness in myheart and needed a lot of
healing, and honestly, thatbitterness choked his word and
made it ineffective in my life.
So I had to sit for a very longtime just being in his word and
spending hours with God aloneand going to church.
(15:31):
But for now, I will just saythat his word softens hardened
places.
It helps truth sink deep, andwhen it does, you start seeing
fruit that no self effort couldproduce.
Peace in the chaos.
Joy in grief, patience inuncertainty.
(15:51):
Courage in weakness.
Okay.
Reading the Bible is not aboutfinishing it fast.
It's about surrendering to aprocess God designed just for
you to grow your life in hisspirit.
And honestly, we will never readit all the way through.
I mean, I've, I've read itmultiple times, but since it is
(16:14):
living and active, I discovernew things daily.
Its meaning takes deeper placein my heart.
It is new every day.
So let me repeat the five truthsabout God's Word.
Number one, it transforms youfrom the inside out.
Number two, it awakens yourdesire for God.
(16:35):
Number three, it strengthens youfor battle.
Number four, it washes and healsyour wounds.
Number five, it grows spiritual.
It grows spiritual fruit.
You can't manufacture.
So today, when you sit with God,with your Bible, whether in your
living room with a cup of coffeeor in your yard in nature, start
(16:57):
asking God, what do you want tosay to me today?
This is how transformationhappens.
Being open to the word andopening your Bible and reading
it.
Daily.
And if you don't know where tobegin, feel free to check out
episode 99 with Philip Nation,who is the publisher of Thomas
(17:17):
Nelson Bibles and the OpenBible.
It's full of wisdom andpractical help for deepening
your Bible reading journey.
Let me pray.
God, help us fall in love withyour word again and again and
again.
Not as, not as a checklist, butas.
Communion with you.
Let it be the answer to ourquestions, the healing for our
(17:39):
wounds, the guidance for ourconfusion, and the joy of our
heart.
More than anything else, makeour heart a good soul where your
truth sinks deeper than theoutside noise.
We don't want to just know ofyou.
We want to walk with the Authorof Life itself.
You our father.
In Jesus name I pray.
(17:59):
Amen.
So this is it for today.
I hope this episode encouragedyou, and if so, would you share
it with someone who's feelingdistant from God's Word?
Thank you for listening andbeing part of this cure for
Christ community.
I really appreciate you beinghere.
You're Not alone and God isspeaking.
The question is, will you makespace to listen?
(18:20):
Until next time, stay curiousand keep drawing near.
Bye for now.
Hi, I hope you enjoy today'sepisode.
If so, would you like to take 30seconds and share it with a
friend who may also strugglewith knowing God and his purpose
(18:40):
for their life?
Also, leave a review on ApplePodcast and let me know what
topics you'd like to hear aboutin the future.
Your voice matters.
I'll meet you back next Friday.
For another episode.
Welcome back to Curious forChrist, and for those who are
new to the show, welcome.
I'm your host, Alexandra, andtoday we are diving into a
conversation that might justreignite your soul.
What really happens when we readthe Bible, not just skim it or
quote it, but actually fall inlove with it.
(00:21):
Hebrews four, verse 12 says thatthe word of God is alive and
active, but what does that meanin everyday life?
Why does it matter, and why isit so crucial not just to hear
about the Bible or paraphrasethe stories we grew up with, but
to open it for ourselves word byword.
(00:41):
Maybe you felt disconnected,spiritually dry, or unsure where
to even.
Dart, or maybe you've beenreading scripture, but you
wonder why it hasn't felttransformative Wherever you are
on your journey, this episode ismeant to ground you in both the
spiritual power and thepractical impact of soaking in
God's word.
(01:02):
Let's go back to the foundation.
Hebrews four, verse 12.
The word of God is alive andactive, sharper than any
double-edged sort.
The Bible is not just the book,it has tremendous power in your
life today and for eternity.
And I want to say somethingupfront.
It doesn't matter if you grew upin Sunday school.
(01:23):
It doesn't matter if you hadcatechism or like me, studied at
a Catholic university and tookBible classes taught by priests.
That alone doesn't bring youclose to God.
Proximity to tradition isn't thesame as intimacy with his voice.
And here's something I alsonoticed.
Sometimes we hold on to what wedid yesterday.
(01:47):
I used to be so close to God, orI used to study the Bible
regularly and we use that as anexcuse to co spiritually.
Today, like Faith is anoverarching fact about who we
are.
God is inviting us to meet withhim now in the present moment,
(02:07):
and he does that through hisword.
I was recently talking to awoman at work about a difficult
situation and I said, really,from a place of faith, you know
what?
I trust God.
And to me that meant I releasedthe stress I want peace and
therefore.
I trust and she respondedquickly.
(02:29):
Well, me too.
I went to Sunday school everyweek.
I grew up in that church.
I forgot the name that she said.
And it felt to me, not in ajudgmental way, it was just an
observation, but she wasreaching for all the things
she's done, the places she'sbeen, the background she has as
a way to validate her faith.
Not because I worry that I donot have faith.
(02:52):
That's what she probably meantand that is understandable.
We all do that sometimes, buther response told me something
more that this situation, theone she's facing right now is
hard to trust God with.
That's the truth.
And honestly, I get it.
I've been there.
There are times I want to say,God, I've walked with you.
(03:15):
I know the Bible.
I've led Bible studies, butstill I don't feel like trusting
you in this moment.
That's when I have to remindmyself, it doesn't matter that I
have LED studies before.
God already knows that.
He also knows that I have a hardtime trusting right now and that
(03:40):
I'm struggling.
I don't need to pretend.
That's good news.
He can handle my doubts.
But I cannot stay there.
Instead, I must go back and openhis word and say, God, what do
you want to say to me today?
How can you meet me in thisspecific situation so that I can
trust you again?
(04:01):
Because trust isn't something wejust decide once and keep
forever.
It's something we return to onemoment at a time.
So let's go back to Hebrewsfour, verse 12, because it goes
on to say that God's wordpenetrates even to dividing soul
and spirit.
That's very specific, and itjudges the thoughts and
(04:22):
attitudes of the heart.
Nothing in all creation ishidden from God's sight.
It exposes what's really goingon beneath the surface and
lovingly brings it into thelight.
Because we can deceive ourselvesor we can hide.
But the Bible reveals truth.
It reveals us.
It's like a mirror, a sword, acompass, and a bomb all at once.
(04:47):
And that's why it's so importantto read it daily because in
order to change, to grow, to befree of our anxiety, to grow in
confidence, we must first assesswhere we are.
Just like a GPS, it can onlyguide us to our destination once
it knows our starting point.
(05:08):
And the Bible not only revealsour true condition, but also
leads us step by step intocloseness with God and the peace
that is only found in Hispresence.
It's also incredibly reliable.
The Bible didn't survivecenturies of persecution,
translation, and transmission byaccident.
(05:29):
It is the most historicallyverified book in existence.
There are over 5,800 Asianancient Greek manuscripts of the
New Testament alone.
By contrast, Homer's Iliad, oneof the most respected ancient
works, has only about 643manuscripts, like 10 times less.
(05:51):
So when you hold the Bible,you're not holding an outdated
book.
You are holding somethingeternal, intentional, and
divinely preserved for you.
So let's walk through five waysScripture transforms your life
and brings deep lasting healingWelcome to Curious for Christ.
(06:19):
Do you ever find yourself lying,awake at night wondering about
God's plan for your life?
Maybe you wake up with bigdreams, but feel unsure where to
start or what your next stepshould be.
If you're curious aboutexploring your faith and finding
purpose, then you've come to theright place.
Hi, I'm Alexandra.
I too felt lost and sure of thedirection my life was taking.
(06:42):
I yearned to understand mypurpose and have someone guide
me, but I kept telling myself Iwas too busy.
The timing wasn't right, and mylack of clarity prevented me
from being consistent until Ifound Christ.
He brought peace into my lifeand revealed the way to find
purpose by anchoring myself.
(07:04):
In him.
In this podcast, we'll journeytogether exploring the Bible to
gain a deeper understanding ofhim and cultivate your own
personal relationship withChrist.
So open up your Bible, put inthose earbuds and listen up
because God is speaking to you.
He's making everything new andyou don't wanna miss it.
(07:24):
Let's get started.
number one, Scripture transformsyou from the inside out.
Romans 12, verse two says, donot conform to the pattern of
this world, but be transformedby the renewing of your mind.
(07:47):
God's word doesn't just changeyour behavior, it rewires your
thinking.
When you read scriptureconsistently, it begins to
reshape your inner world.
Fear turns into faith, scarcity,lack becomes trust.
Striving becomes surrender.
You start to interpret lifethrough a redeemed lens, which
(08:10):
means you start seeingeverything, your emotions, your
choices, relationships throughthe truth of God's word.
Instead of reacting out of fear,shame, or past wounds, you begin
to respond with grace, withtrust and wisdom, because your
mind is being renewed by Christ.
You don't just know scripture.
(08:30):
You start to think like Jesus.
That's real transformation, notfrom the outside in, but from
the inside out.
So for example, instead ofseeing failure as proof, you're
not enough.
You see it as a place whereGod's strength can meet your
weakness, as in secondCorinthians 12, verse nine says.
(08:52):
And when you feel anxious, youdon't spiral.
You stop and invite God intoyour uncertainty, trusting his
peace is available.
Philippians four verses six andseven.
And when someone hurts you, youdon't clinging to bitterness
like I have.
You remember, you've beenforgiven and you begin to
(09:13):
forgive.
Ephesians four, verse 32.
Through this redeemed lens, lifedoesn't all of a sudden becomes
free of trouble, but it does geteasier to deal with.
Because you see that it is notrandom.
God invites you to be moreanchored in his truth, or he is
bringing more clarity to aspecific situation, or he is
(09:36):
growing your character and thenyou are filled with hope because
you see that you can change,that God can be trusted and that
he is with you.
Number two, it awakens yourdesire for God.
Psalm one 19 verse 1 0 3 says,how sweet are your words to my
taste?
(09:56):
Sweeter than honey to my mouthwhile the psalmist was speaking?
Not to a lover, but about God'sword.
Do you want more faith?
Start reading.
Don't wait for desire to showup.
Ask God to stir your anger justlike the psalmist.
Romans 10, verse 17 says, faithcomes from hearing and hearing
(10:19):
through the word of Christ.
When we begin reading, not as aJudy, but as a way to know him,
we start to crave his presencemore than approval, more than
noise, more than distraction.
There's a study that I love.
And you probably have seen it.
Over the internet or on socialmedia.
But children were asked thatwhat they wanted most in the
(10:42):
world while adults, the parentsassumed that they would say
toys, fame, or money, or meetinga celebrity that they loved.
Almost every child said the samething.
I just want more time with mymom and dad.
Parents were in tears.
I was in tears because.
(11:03):
They had forgotten.
We forget what we long for.
Deep down is time with our God,and that's exactly what the word
gives us.
We come looking for answers andrealize that what we need most
is time with our Father.
God's word also purifies ourmotives.
Sometimes we say we want God,but we also want what we want.
(11:26):
We're torn.
We want Him and our comfort, ourdreams, or our timeline.
But God, through his word,begins to purify us.
And impurity just meanssomething is mixed in that
doesn't belong.
Think of a diamond in geology.
An impure diamond has inclusionsor blemishes, like tiny flaws
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that disrupt clarity or diminishlight reflection and lower its
perceived value.
That's what impurity does in UStoo.
So God's word helps us recognizethose inclusions.
The other things that we'veadded to our must have list.
And when we, when he invites usto release them, we can res, we
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can start to resist.
We say, but wait, what aboutthat dream?
I thought you wanted for me.
What about that?
That thing that I want.
And we look at the dream, welook at those desires that we
want, and then we stop seeinghim clearly, we begin to doubt
his goodness, his presence, hiscare.
But Jesus says in Matthew five,verse eight.
(12:32):
Blessed are the pure in heartfor they will see God.
When you read God's word with anopen heart, it won't just
satisfy you.
It will awaken a holy hunger tosee him more clearly and love
him more deeply.
Number three, the word of Godstrengthens you for battle.
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Ephesians six, verse 17 says,take the sword of the spirit,
which is the word of God.
The word of God is the sword ofthe spirit.
You may not be in a physicalbattle, but emotionally,
mentally, spiritually.
Life is war.
The word is your weapon.
It doesn't just inform you.
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It arms you when you're temptedto believe lies like, I've
never, I'll never get throughthis or.
I'm not lovable, or God forgotme.
The word rises up with truth.
Matthew 28, verse 20 says, I amwith you always.
Psalm 1 39, verse 14 says, youare fearfully and wonderfully
(13:36):
made without the word.
We fight battles unarmed.
We don't even know we are beinglied to, but with it, with the
word of God, we stand secure.
Even in the storm.
Number four, the Bible, the wordof God, washes and heals our
wounds.
Ephesians five, verse 26 saysthat he might sanctify her,
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cleansing her by the washingwith water through the word
scripture is soul therapy.
It cleanses us from shame andspeaks to the parts of us that
are weary and wounded.
It heals the old stories we'vecarried.
I have to be perfect to beloved.
God won't come through.
(14:22):
I'm too broken.
God's word doesn't just affirmus.
It restores us.
Isaiah 43 verse one says, youare mine, says the Lord.
And if this resonates, listen toepisode 97 from Cures For Christ
with Kathy Hein, and we go deepinto healing and spiritual
growth through scripture Numberfive.
(14:46):
It grows spiritual fruit youcan't manufacture.
Matthew 13, verse 23 says, butthe seed falling on good soil
refers to someone who hears theword and understands it.
Scripture makes your soil goodsoil, and next week I will talk
about that very process and whatit means.
(15:09):
This is something that God hasworked in me.
I had a lot of bitterness in myheart and needed a lot of
healing, and honestly, thatbitterness choked his word and
made it ineffective in my life.
So I had to sit for a very longtime just being in his word and
spending hours with God aloneand going to church.
(15:31):
But for now, I will just saythat his word softens hardened
places.
It helps truth sink deep, andwhen it does, you start seeing
fruit that no self effort couldproduce.
Peace in the chaos.
Joy in grief, patience inuncertainty.
(15:51):
Courage in weakness.
Okay.
Reading the Bible is not aboutfinishing it fast.
It's about surrendering to aprocess God designed just for
you to grow your life in hisspirit.
And honestly, we will never readit all the way through.
I mean, I've, I've read itmultiple times, but since it is
(16:14):
living and active, I discovernew things daily.
Its meaning takes deeper placein my heart.
It is new every day.
So let me repeat the five truthsabout God's Word.
Number one, it transforms youfrom the inside out.
Number two, it awakens yourdesire for God.
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Number three, it strengthens youfor battle.
Number four, it washes and healsyour wounds.
Number five, it grows spiritual.
It grows spiritual fruit.
You can't manufacture.
So today, when you sit with God,with your Bible, whether in your
living room with a cup of coffeeor in your yard in nature, start
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asking God, what do you want tosay to me today?
This is how transformationhappens.
Being open to the word andopening your Bible and reading
it.
Daily.
And if you don't know where tobegin, feel free to check out
episode 99 with Philip Nation,who is the publisher of Thomas
(17:17):
Nelson Bibles and the OpenBible.
It's full of wisdom andpractical help for deepening
your Bible reading journey.
Let me pray.
God, help us fall in love withyour word again and again and
again.
Not as, not as a checklist, butas.
Communion with you.
Let it be the answer to ourquestions, the healing for our
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wounds, the guidance for ourconfusion, and the joy of our
heart.
More than anything else, makeour heart a good soul where your
truth sinks deeper than theoutside noise.
We don't want to just know ofyou.
We want to walk with the Authorof Life itself.
You our father.
In Jesus name I pray.
(17:59):
Amen.
So this is it for today.
I hope this episode encouragedyou, and if so, would you share
it with someone who's feelingdistant from God's Word?
Thank you for listening andbeing part of this cure for
Christ community.
I really appreciate you beinghere.
You're Not alone and God isspeaking.
The question is, will you makespace to listen?
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Until next time, stay curiousand keep drawing near.
Bye for now.
Hi, I hope you enjoy today'sepisode.
If so, would you like to take 30seconds and share it with a
friend who may also strugglewith knowing God and his purpose
(18:40):
for their life?
Also, leave a review on ApplePodcast and let me know what
topics you'd like to hear aboutin the future.
Your voice matters.
I'll meet you back next Friday.
For another episode.
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