02.25.03

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. - Colossians 3:15-17.

Two months ago the spirits of those aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln were in great shape because they were heading home. But then new orders came requiring them to remain in the Persian Gulf area. Jonathan Carpenter is a 24-year-old serving aboard the ship. Carpenter said about the new orders, “We've been extended, and we don't know how long. It could be months - it could be years. I miss home cooking, a shower that I don't have to wear shower shoes in, and I miss the seasons.” How does Jonathan Carpenter endure the uncertainty and absence from home? He says he finds strength to continue on through reading his Bible.

The apostle Paul tells us to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly….” To “dwell in” means, “to live in”. We are to have the word of God living in us. Joshua 1:8 defines to a certain extent what it means to keep the word of God dwelling in our lives, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.” To have the word of Christ or the word of God dwelling/living in us requires a continual effort. We should constantly have the words of God upon our lips, which will require some memorization (Psalm 119:11). We should constantly be thinking the thoughts of God mining deeper and deeper into the meaning of His word as we meditate upon them. Also, we should not only know and think about the words of God but we should put those words into practice in our lives as we abide in Him (John 8:31-32).

If the word of Christ is dwelling richly in you then you will see your faith increase (Romans 10:17) and instead of fear you will have hope (Romans 15:4). Jonathan Carpenter is just one of countless millions who can testify to the power of the word of God.

Would you like to have more faith? Would you like to have hope instead of fear? Then allow the word of Christ to dwell richly in your heart and life.