Acts 20:32 “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

This farewell address by Paul to the elders of Ephesus is justly famous, because it describes a pattern of ministry that every minister should follow. Ephesus was special to Paul, because he stayed there longer than anywhere else once he started his active ministry, except for Rome, where he was imprisoned. Whether you are called to a traveling ministry, as he was, or to be planted in a specific location, the description from verse 18 on should be fairly descriptive of you, if you are faithful to God’s kingdom and the Body of Christ. It is this verse, however, that jumps out at me, because of the statement of dependence on the Word of God. Far too many ministers, churches, and even whole denominations seem to be losing their mooring in the Bible. When “variant translations” haven’t changed things sufficiently to their liking, they have chosen to ignore or even openly deny the truth of the Bible. That’s essentially handing the keys to the devil, because apart from the gracious Word of God, we have no wisdom or strength to withstand his schemes. However, as Hebrews proclaims, “The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) If we will submit ourselves to what God says to us through His Word, then we will be able to resist the devil to the point that he flees from us. (James 4:7)

This verse really resonates for me, not only because I am 75, and quite aware that my time of personal ministry is limited, but because I grew up steeped in the Bible, reading it through for the first time by the time I was 10. The finest compliment that has ever been paid to me was by one of the members here, a recovering alcoholic, who said to me one day in a Bible study, “You’re addicted to the Bible. I know addiction, and You’re addicted to the Bible.” I wept tears of joy and gratitude. I would say that my highest goal in ministry has been to get believers to love and absorb the Word as I do, because that is the most effective way to connect to the Author. Several people under my ministry have gone into ministry themselves, and my prayer for them is that they too would focus on the Word. I am happy to say that there is indication they have done so!

Father, thank You for Your Word, and for Your incredible faithfulness. Help me indeed impart a love for You and Your Word to all to whom I minister so that we may be faithful servants, giving You pleasure and glory. Thank You. Praise God!