Deb Gerard’s Blog

 
We had a guest speaker in church today.  He gave a tremendous message on lessons learned on the road through throat cancer.  He ended his message by quoting Jim Elliot, a missionary to the Auca Indians.   Jim was martyred by the very ones to whom he came to bring the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ.  In the inside cover of Jim’s Bible, he had written, “He is no fool who gives  what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose”.  I have heard that quote many times in the past and every time it has hit me profoundly.  To give away what I cannot keep would include things like my stuff.  How much time and energy my stuff gets!  How much of my thoughts deal with my stuff!  The truth is not one stitch, not one key, not one bubble of my stuff will leave this earth when I do!  To gain what I cannot lose…. What is included in that category? First, and most obvious, is the forgiveness of my sins-the very sins that previously damned me to an eternity in hell.  Once I asked for this forgiveness and it was granted by my just and loving and holy God, I can never lose it!  The cool thing is that forgiveness extends to cover past, present and future sins.  I have gained eternal life through reliance of what Christ did on the cross.  He was resurrected from the dead and He is going to resurrect me because I have put my faith in Him!  Once gained, I cannot lose it for the very Word of God says I am safe in the palm of His Hand and no one can push, pull, drag me out of there!!  I have gained peace, joy and hope while here in this life because I know whose I am, I know who has me and I know where I am going!  Lastly, I have gained a story of real deliverance by grace that no one can deny or negate and forever belongs to me.  So, what do I do with all that I have gained and cannot lose?  The Good Book says I am to share it and let others know the reason for the hope that is in me.  I just did!  The question is— what are YOU going to do with it?

I am sitting here at my computer tonight totally in awe of the power and life in the Word of God.  In the last week, I have been involved in a significant number of biblical counseling situations.  In all of these sessions, the foundation has been the sufficient Word of God-as in sufficient to deal with any and all problems that present themselves.  The amazing thing I am discovering is that the Word IS, indeed, sufficient!   I have seen the Word speak to an angry wife and cause her to see that a gentle answer truly does turn away wrath.  I have watched as a young girl came to understand that “self control” is a much needed fruit of the Spirit!  I have even had the privilege of being used by God to share the truth of the Gospel and hear this precious woman pray the most sincere words of repentance in response to God’s Word.  I have, with my heart in my throat, encouraged a woman to use the steps of confrontation found in Matthew 18. I have seen her, though afraid, act on them because she believed they were true and right.  I watched as a young mom so believed the words of Proverbs 25 applied directly to a wrong action she had taken that she went and undid it!  The disciples knew that the Word of God was the truth.  They had seen the results from the application of the Word of God to an individual life.  They were willing to die for its truth and to stand on it through whatever the circumstances. 

 The power and life I have seen in this Word of God has strengthened my faith.  Because this week happened, I am bigger in Christ, stronger in doctrine, more sure in pronouncement and more trusting in the God whose Word this is.