Inspired Impact

Last night my wife and I were getting on Facebook and noticed one of our relatives in another state had said “Hey, where are the Easter pictures?”.   So we loaded some up so they could see family and the new grandbaby.  Isn’t it utterly amazing when you think about it, how we can record a moment in time for posterity in a picture, or a video even and load it up on the computer for all to see !  Technology is great but inspiration is even better !  When Peter wrote his final letter he touched on this here: “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Pt.1:21). He was telling us that we have the Scriptures not by man’s concoction or invention, we have them as God “moved” the writers to speak exactly what He wanted them to record for us !   Down through the centuries we have the moments and thoughts God shared first with them and one of the greatest proofs that we do is when you read them carefully and regularly you see how they transform your mind into something far better than we could through reading a book authored by a mere mortal. Then soon your behavior begins to change to be more Christlike !

As a new Christian I began to notice this when I started to read my Bible each night before I went to bed. The renewal process Paul wrote of in Romans 12 had begun to work, “. . . be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” (vs.2).   When you get moody, cranky, less calm, easily irritated with others – check what you are putting into your mind !  Sometimes its things we shouldn’t really be reading or listening to (other Christians may even do so or influence you its fine but you notice you’re not behaving or thinking so well), sometimes its not that we’re putting those things in so much as not putting God’s Word in.   How careful are you paying attention to the sermon at church or when you read, have you prayed beforehand asking God to help you focus and apply what you read?   If you give your heart totally to God as you start to take in His Word (what was recorded very well centuries ago and preserved for our benefit today) you will find your thinking then your actions improve vastly !!

We are bombarded daily by a vast array of media which can conflict with the Scriptural message God has recorded for you: bad pictures, bad music, bad philosophies, bad news, etc. – why not take a little media fast for a day or two and just put the Word into your mind? Avoid the TV, computer, or the headphones and exchange them for the HOLY BIBLE, watch how better your disposition becomes !!  I will warn you, at first it may agitate you if you’re “media hooked”, but then as your fast continues you will be more calm and more able to focus and gain from the Word what you could not otherwise, because the Good News is affecting you !