Author(s): Joyce Meyer

Christian Living & Discipleship

People are destroyed because they lack knowledge (Hosea 4:6). I have studied God's Word for more than forty years, and it has been the best investment of time I could have made. I am amazed at what I did not know in my early years as a Christian and therefore could not apply to my life. I went to church each week in those days, but I did not study God's Word for myself. Spending time on our own studying God's Word is necessary for us to grow in our faith. Hearing others teach God's Word is important too, but studying it for ourselves is what plants it deeply in our hearts. … No matter what has caused your pain or how deep the wounds may be, I can assure you that God will also heal you and teach you how to be an overcomer in life if you ask Him to and apply His Word to your life. John 8:31-32 says that if we continue in God's Word, we will know the truth and the truth will make us free. However, just reading it doesn't make us free; we must apply it and do what it instructs us to do.