Strengthened by God's Word

In Psalm 119:28, King David shares such a powerful principle. He says: My soul dissolves because of grief; renew and strengthen me according to [the promises of] Your word (AMPC).

We have all been there—we’ve all had days when circumstances have left us weary and upset. When that happens, David says that God’s Word is the place where we will find the strength to move forward.

Just like we go to a filling station when our car runs out of gas, I often view my time in God’s Word like stopping at a “Holy Ghost filling station.” When life has worn me down and sapped my strength, I can go to His Word to get filled up again. 

You see, God’s Word renews our minds and brings us peace (see Romans 12:2). When we reflect on His promises and the good plans He has for us, it literally revives our spirit and fills us with hope and expectation. 

God’s Word also strengthens us to keep going, not give up, and not give in to temptation. The truth is, we need God’s strength just to do what’s right. I wake up some days and don’t really feel like being very nice. But after spending time in the Word, the Lord gives me the strength and desire to walk in love and treat people properly.

Isaiah 40:31 (AMP) contains such an amazing promise. It says, Those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] will gain new strength and renew their power.... 

This may sound funny, but the busier my schedule gets and the more I have to do, the more time I need to spend with God—reading His Word, talking to Him in prayer, or just sitting quietly in His presence.  

Stay Connected to the Vine

I occasionally use props at my conferences to help illustrate a point I’m trying to make. When I teach on the importance of spending time with God and reading and studying His Word, I sometimes display four or five different plants. 

The first plant is very green and healthy looking; this plant represents a person who regularly spends time with God and His Word. The next plant still looks pretty good, but you can tell it’s beginning to wither just a bit; this one represents the person who has gone a day or two without spending any time with the Lord.

I think you can see where this is leading. One by one, each plant looks a little bit worse. And so just like a plant can’t go without water and sunlight, we can’t go without spending time in God’s Word without it showing in our lives. 

I can tell you from experience that when I go too long without having my private time with Him, it’s much easier for me to get negative and down. Soon, those around me also begin to notice.

Jesus says, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing (John 15:5 AMPC).

People sometimes ask me, “Joyce, how in the world do you accomplish so much?” The answer is, I don’t. There is no way I can do it all without God’s help and strength!

Yes, God has given me a natural gift to teach. However, without Him—cut off from that “vital union” with Jesus—my natural gifts and talents aren’t enough. It is only through my relationship with God that I can truly share anything valuable with other people. 

However, with Him I have spent the last 40 plus years completely amazed at how He can use my husband, Dave, and me to literally reach hurting people all around the world!

If you really want to have a great life, it begins right here. Because when you spend time with God in prayer, by reading His Word, or in any other way, you are super-charging your life. You are inviting God’s strength, peace, joy, direction, passion and fulfillment into everything you do. 

I encourage you to make a regular appointment with God and take some time to let Him refresh and recharge you. Stay connected to the Vine and allow Jesus to pour His life and strength into your mind, emotions and spirit. As you do, He promises to give you the strength you need to handle anything that comes your way.