Bible League: Living His Word "Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!"Although we cannot earn our salvation by obeying the commands of God, the commands still point the way to the life God has wanted us to live from the very beginning. We become aware of God's commands in a number of ways. We become aware of them through our consciences (Romans 2:15), or through the commands contained in the Old Testament that still apply in New Testament times, or through the commands contained in the New Testament, or through the more personal commands God gives us through the inner guidance of the Holy Spirit. However God's commands come to us, the words of our verse for today still apply. If we obey them, things will go well for us. That this should be the case is something less than surprising for the person who believes in God. After all, God is the designer and creator of heaven and earth. He knows how things should go because He determines how they should go. He knows that if we obey Him things will go well for us. Further, if we obey God's commands, then things will go well for us because we will have avoided any need for God's discipline. The Bible tells us that God chastens and corrects those He loves (Proverbs 3:11-12). Instead of just ignoring our disobedience, God calls us back to His will and ways through discipline. Satan, of course, tries to encourage our disobedience. The whole point of his evil, renegade regime is to try and undermine God's Kingdom by fostering disobedience to the commands of the King. He relishes the complications and drama that disobedience to God brings into our lives. If things are not going well for us in a particular area of our lives, perhaps the first thing we should ask ourselves is whether we have gotten out of line with God's commands in that area. Sometimes the simplest explanation is the best explanation. Today, let us ask God for the grace to obey His commands. Let us ask Him for help in returning to a state of peace and well-being from the chaos and drama that sin has introduced into our lives. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingPsalm 62, 63, 64 Psalm 62 -- My soul rests in God alone. My salvation is from him. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 63 -- David's Psalm of Thirst for God (2Sa 16) NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 64 -- Hear my voice, God, in my complaint. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Romans 1 Romans 1 -- Paul Longs to Visit Rome; Consequences of Sin NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.“I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” Insight This widow gave all she had to live on, in contrast to the way most of us handle our money. When we consider giving a certain percentage of our income a great accomplishment, we resemble those who gave “a tiny part of their surplus.” Here, Jesus was admiring generous and sacrificial giving. Challenge As believers, we should consider increasing our giving—whether of money, time, or talents—to a point beyond convenience or safety. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon John 17:23 I in them.If such be the union which subsists between our souls and the person of our Lord, how deep and broad is the channel of our communion! This is no narrow pipe through which a thread-like stream may wind its way, it is a channel of amazing depth and breadth, along whose glorious length a ponderous volume of living water may roll its floods. Behold he hath set before us an open door, let us not be slow to enter. This city of communion hath many pearly gates, every several gate is of one pearl, and each gate is thrown open to the uttermost that we may enter, assured of welcome. If there were but one small loophole through which to talk with Jesus, it would be a high privilege to thrust a word of fellowship through the narrow door; how much we are blessed in having so large an entrance! Had the Lord Jesus been far away from us, with many a stormy sea between, we should have longed to send a messenger to him to carry him our loves, and bring us tidings from his Father's house; but see his kindness, he has built his house next door to ours, nay, more, he takes lodging with us, and tabernacles in poor humble hearts, that so he may have perpetual intercourse with us. O how foolish must we be, if we do not live in habitual communion with him. When the road is long, and dangerous, and difficult, we need not wonder that friends seldom meet each other, but when they live together, shall Jonathan forget his David? A wife may when her husband is upon a journey, abide many days without holding converse with him, but she could never endure to be separated from him if she knew him to be in one of the chambers of her own house. Why, believer, dost not thou sit at his banquet of wine? Seek thy Lord, for he is near; embrace him, for he is thy Brother. Hold Him fast, for he is thine Husband; and press him to thine heart, for he is of thine own flesh. Daily Light on the Daily Path 2 Timothy 2:3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.Isaiah 55:4 "Behold, I have made him a witness to the peoples, A leader and commander for the peoples. Hebrews 2:10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." Ephesians 6:12,13 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. • Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 2 Corinthians 10:3,4 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, • for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 1 Peter 5:10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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