09/07/13 GOD'S WORD
The Holy Bible. It is not magical but it does have miraculous power. It is not mythical but it does reveal divine mysteries. It is not man made stories about God, but it is God speaking to men. It is the greatest treasure you will ever hold in your hand or hide in your heart.
God's word: read it, study it, hide it in your heart, walk in its light, draw from its power, live in its truth.
The Bible is not a Talisman or Magic Wand or Potion; the Bible is not a book of spells. Neither is it just a compilation of lofty words or ideas. There are people who treat the Bible and prayer superstitiously and there are people who view the Bible and prayer as man-made steps to attain higher ideals. Both views are erroneous.
The Bible is the word of God. He is the source of its miraculous power. God designed it, communicated it and empowers it. The miraculous power is not in the leather, paper and ink, but in the nature of the revelation of God.
A miracle is the result of God suspending or superseding natural and/or supernatural laws. The Bible, being the word of God, is enabled by God to do the miraculous.
The Bible has miraculous power as God endows it. Sometimes the word of God is effective separate from man's cooperation and sometimes it is joined to man's cooperation. God sends His word to confront and convict people of their sins and His word will accomplish His purpose (Is. 55:11). At other times God requires believers faith to activate the word of God (He. 4:2).
The presence of the Bible in a room will not convert the lost. In fact, the preaching of the word will not convert the lost. God does not convert anyone simply because Christ died and rose again, though His death and resurrection are essential for salvation. God does not save anyone because they hear or read the gospel message. It is only when people believe the gospel message that they get saved. So, the miracle power of the Bible is God derived and God designed. The Bible, as applied by the Holy Spirit of God, will convict and convince the unsaved of their lost condition and their need for salvation through Christ. The Bible will impart faith, which results in salvation. The Bible regenerates the sinner. All of these things are miraculous, God events outside of natural and supernatural norms.
The "World's Bible Handbook" (Robert T. Boyd, World Publishing, Nashville, Tn. 1991) lists God's design for Scriptures (p.20). Let me share some of those thoughts, to help explain the Scriptures miraculous power.
Searches the heart: He. 4:12
Illuminates: Ps. 119:105, 130
Produces Faith: Ro. 10:17; Jn. 20:31
Gives Life: Ps. 119:50, 93; He. 4:12
Regenerates: Ja. 1:18; 1 Pe. 1:23; Ps. 19:7
Cleanses: Jn. 15:3; Ps. 119:9
Produces Growth: 1 Pe. 2:2
Produces Hope: Ps. 119:40; Ro. 15:4
Overcomes Sin and Temptation: Ps. 119:11; 1 Jn. 2:1
I know this is a very limited presentation, but I hope it helps.
