Do What it Says

Exodus 38:8
Then Bezalel made the bronze washbasin and it's bronze stand from bronze mirrors donated by the women who served at the entrance of the tabernacle.

The priests were commanded to wash in this washbasin. This is akin to the way spending time in the word can wash us clean of the filth we've acquired by living in the world.

This washbasin was made from mirrors which was no coincidence. This reminds us that it is not enough to just read the Bible, we must do what it says.

James 1:22:25
But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

Lord, please help me to remember the things you teach me from your word so that I can obey. Holy Spirit, please remind me of the things I am learning and give me strength to oppose my sinful nature and obey. In Jesus' name, amen.

MEMORY VERSE

Salvation Not By Works

Titus 3:5

He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

Titus 3:5

Salvation Not By Works

Jesus, The Light of My World

John 11:9-10

Jesus replied, "There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world. But at night there is danger of stumbling because they have no light."

John 9:4-5

"We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world."

Lord, I'm struggling to understand what you meant in these two passages. They seem so out of context to the conversations they are in. Maybe you were speaking of the short amount of time you had left here? Yet, I'm convinced there is more you want me to see here. Please help me to understand. Guide my search to find the treasures here.

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So the disciples didn't want you to go to Judea because the people there wanted to kill you. You were basically telling them that you could see clearly that you needed to go there. You needed to give light and understanding to those people by raising Lazarus from the dead.

I should not take time arguing or questioning you when you are clearly leading me. Instead, I should quickly carry out the task you have assigned me. When you are clearly leading me, even if it's to a place that seems guaranteed to be a death sentence for me, I can go with confidence. I can know that I will walk safely because I go in the daylight of your presence and purpose. When I walk in your light, I have no danger of stumbling.

© Kclarksphotography | Dreamstime.com

Thank you, Jesus, for helping me to understand these passages. Please, deepen my understanding. In Jesus' name, amen.

MEMORY VERSES

James 1:19-21

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters. You must be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

James 1:19-21

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

I Can't Throw the Stone

John 8:7

They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, "All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!"

Lord, help me to not be quick to condemn others for their sin. I am just as sinful as anyone. It's only your grace, mercy and continual forgiveness that saves me.

Romans 8:12-14

So, dear brothers and sisters you have no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you keep on following it, you will perish. But if through the power of the Holy Spirit, you turn from it and it's evil deeds, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

As I'm learning to walk in victory and having some success in not doing what my sinful nature urges me to do, don't let me look down on others who are still struggling to learn this.

I can't help thinking of the parable of the proud Pharisee and the repentant tax collector from Luke 18:9-14

Luke 18:14

"I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

Lord, I praise you for pointing this out to me before it becomes a huge issue in my walk. I have looked at others, who I know have heard the Freedom Workshop message, and wondered, "Why aren't they getting this?" Lord, please forgive me for my self-righteous attitude. Next time I'm tempted to do this please remind me of what you just taught me.

Other believers are in process, just like I am. Of course, if I see a brother or sister engaging in blatant, habitual sin, then I need to lovingly and with YOUR words, rebuke them. But not when they are simply stumbling along as they strive to obey you.

I can, however, remind them to run to you. And I can share the truths from Romans 8:12-14 with brothers and sisters in Christ who may not have learned them yet.

I praise you, Jesus, for the changes you are working in me. I want to decrease so you can increase. I want to be more and more like you, who did not condemn the woman, but told her, "Go and sin no more." In Jesus' name, amen.

MEMORY VERSES

James 1:14-15

Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. Those desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

James 1:14-15

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Search the Scriptures

John 7:52

They replied, "Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself - no prophet ever comes from Galilee!"

Well, the Pharisees were correct in saying that we need to search the scriptures. However, they seemed to have conveniently forgotten their own learning of the Scripture. As a result, they came to the wrong conclusion. 

Isaiah 9:1-2

Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan river and the sea, will be filled with glory. 

The people who walk in darkness

will see a great light.

For those who live in a land of deep darkness,

a light will shine.

These verses are very particular about the place to which they refer. Galilee is also the area where Jesus did most of his teaching and miracles. He grew up in Nazareth, but he was born in Bethlehem. 

This map comes from BibleStudy.org

The Pharisees were completely misled in their understanding of the Scriptures. They only saw what they wanted to see in them. If we search the scriptures with a sincere heart and not our personal agenda, we will always find that Jesus is who he claimed to be.

Lord, help me to get rid of my preconceived ideas and beliefs when I'm reading your word. Help me to search it with a sincere desire to know you and understand the truth.

MEMORY VERSES

James 1:14-15

Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. Those desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

James 1:14-15

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Speak Life

John 5:14

But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, "Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something worse may happen to you."

Lord, how many times did you offer forgiveness of sins before you gave physical healing. Yet in this instance, you didn't even offer. Instead, you told this man to stop sinning. It must have been obvious to you that he was not ready to repent. This is so sad to me. This man may have been healed, but he was still dead.

John 5:25-26

"And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it's here now, when the dead will hear my voice - the voice of the Son of Man. And those who will listen will live. The Father has life in himself, and he has granted that same life-giving power to his Son.

Lord, speak your words through me to share that life-giving power with the dead around me. I have the power to speak life because I have your power within me. It's your word that saves, not my words. That's why I want to memorize as much of your word as I can. Help your words to be constantly coming out of my mouth. 

For that to happen, I need to be intentional. I need to be thinking about the verses I'm learning and reviewing them in my mind. Lord, that doesn't come naturally to me. I tend to get caught up in the details and minutia of my life. Please remind me to think about my verses when my mind is free of other demands. Help this to become a habit so that I automatically meditate on and review my verses every chance I get. I want to be so steeped in your word that it seems to exude from my very pores and I can't help speaking your words to everyone I meet. In Jesus' name, amen.

MEMORY VERSES

2 Corinthians 4:15-17

All of this is for your benefit. And as God's grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

2 Corinthians 4:15-17

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Spiritual Food

John 4:34

Then Jesus explained: "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work."

Lord, what are you wanting to say to me through this verse? It seems important because you reminded me that I am fasting from sugar and sugar substitutes right now. Maybe it has something to do with choosing what is better for me. Physical food is good and keeps me alive here on earth, but spiritual food is better and will keep me alive for eternity.

Thank you for showing me that my spiritual appetite needs to be filled with more than just reading my Bible, prayer and going to church. I also need to be obeying what you tell me to do and making the most of every opportunity to tell others about you.

I praise you for task you have given me to help disciple young Christians in our Salt & Light Group. This is a huge responsibility. I pray that you would give both Jenny and me wisdom and your words to share with these precious new believers. Please give us discernment to know how to guide them and when to correct them. Help us to encourage them as they grow in you.

Lord, I pray also for the leadership of Salt & Light. I pray that you will give Debbie and the servant team wisdom and discernment as well. Thank you for putting them in leadership over us. Please protect them as they are on the front lines in this spiritual war. In Jesus' name, amen.

2 Corinthians 4:15-17

All of this is for your benefit. And as God's grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

MEMORY VERSES

2 Corinthians 4:15-17

All of this is for your benefit. And as God's grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

2 Corinthians 4:15-17

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Write Your Laws in my Heart

Matthew 23:5-7

"Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels. And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in seats of honor in the synagogues. They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called 'Rabbi'."

This picture is from Redeemer of Israel blogspot.com. Please see my disclaimer below.

Lord, I want my worship of you to be a sincere outward reflection of the change you are accomplishing inside me. I want to worship you in spirit and in truth.

John 4:24

For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.

I don't want to be prideful or hypocritical.

Lord, you told the Israelites to bind your word to their foreheads and hands. You told them to put tassels on their clothing. The purpose of both these commands was so that they would be reminded to do what you said.

Numbers 15:37-11

Then the Lord said to Moses, "Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: Throughout the generations to come you must make tassels for the hems of your clothing and attach them with a blue cord. When you see the tassels, you will remember and obey all the commands of the LORD instead of following your own desires and defiling yourselves, as you are prone to do. The tassels will help you remember that you must obey all my commands and be holy to your God. I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt that I might be your God. I am the LORD your God!"

Now we have the Holy Spirit to remind us to obey you, although it doesn't hurt for us to display scripture around our homes to help us remember.

Holy Spirit, please show me when I am being a hypocrite or being prideful. Remind me to follow God's ways in all I do.

Hebrews 10:16

"This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the LORD: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds."

Lord, please put your laws in my heart, and write them on my mind. Indeed, by memorizing scripture, I am allowing you to do just that. Help me to think about your word throughout my day. You know how prone I am to follow my own desires and defile myself. Please tap me on the shoulder and catch my attention before I do this. I want to stay pure in my thoughts and actions. In Jesus' name, amen.

In my research for this post I found this blog post by Daniel Smith: Redeemer of Israel. I must give the disclaimer that Daniel is a Mormon. I am in no way advocating the Mormon faith. However, he does give a great explanation of the prayer boxes and tassels that Jesus speaks of in Matthew 23:5-7

This Week's Memory Verses

Jeremiah 17:5

This is what the LORD says: "Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts from the LORD."

Hosea 6:6

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

I Want to Obey

Matthew 21:28-31

"But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' The son answered, 'No, I won't go,' but later he changed his mind and went anyway. Then the father told the other son, 'You go,' and he said, 'Yes, sir, I will.' But he didn't go. 

"Which of the two obeyed his father?"

They replied, "The first."

Lord, may I always be willing and ready to obey you from a sincere and grateful heart. I don't ever want to just give you lip service like the second son did.

Psalm 119:129-133

Your laws are wonderful.

No wonder I obey them!

The teaching of your word gives light,

so even the simple can understand.

I pant with expectation,

longing for your commands.

Come and show me your mercy,

as you do for all who love your name.

Guide my steps by your word,

so I will not be overcome by evil.

Like a Little Child

Jeremiah 17:5

This is what the LORD says: "Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts from the LORD."

Hosea 6:6

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Matthew 18:2-4

Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven."

Jesus, I want to be like a little child. Increase my faith and help me to be humble. A child is not afraid to look foolish. They are eager to please. Help me to be like that for you.

1 Peter 2:2

Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness.

Jesus, I cry out for the nourishment of pure spiritual milk. I want to grow into a full experience of salvation. Help me to crave this nourishment more and more. In Jesus' name, amen.

This picture was borrowed from: http://www.treasuringchristonline.com/teaching-kids-theology-matters/

Gems of Truth

Hosea 6:6

I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.

Hosea 6:6

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Matthew 13:52

Then he added, "Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old."

The teachers of religious law knew the Old Testament backwards and forward. True they were also steeped in erroneous traditions which they attached to the law. But Jesus was saying that when one of these teachers truly understands and becomes one of His followers, then the Holy Spirit is able to sort all that out and show them treasures from the Word. The traditions they once thought were so all important are stripped away and in their place sparkles the gems of truth that were hidden inside. The Holy Spirit also shows them new gems of truth as they grow and learn to know Jesus better.

I can relate to this. Not that I've ever really been steeped in religious traditions. But I do have a strong background of solid Bible teaching. I have a vast treasure trove of gems of truth just waiting for me to discover them!! The Holy Spirit is training me to bring them out of my storeroom.

I praise you, Jesus, for helping me to see this and for how you are training me!

Building My House on The ROCK

Psalm 119:133

Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.

Psalm 119:133

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Matthew 7:24-25

"Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because it is built on bedrock"

Jesus, I want to be wise and follow what you teach. I want to build my house on the ROCK that can never be moved.

2 Samuel 22:2-3

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.

2 Samuel 22:32

For who is God except the LORD? Who but our God is a solid rock?

Jesus, in doing what you taught I find my safety and sanity. Your way is perfect and all your promises prove true. 2 Samuel 22:31

2 Timothy 2:19

But God's truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: "The LORD knows those who are his," and "All who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil."

Isaiah 52:11

Get out! Get out and leave your captivity, where everything you touch is unclean. Get out of there and purify yourselves, you who carry home the sacred objects of the LORD.

I am no longer a captive to my sinful nature! You are calling me to come out of my captivity and purify myself by turning away from evil. I am now one of your sacred objects. Help me to keep myself pure by turning from evil and doing what you instruct in your word.

Lord, I am overwhelmed by how you have spoken to me once again in a fresh way using a verse that has long been familiar to me. You are awesome and mighty and worthy of all praise! You are the ROCK that is higher than I! In Jesus' powerful and mighty Name, amen.

God's Intentions

Psalm 119:133

Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.

Psalm 119:133

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Matthew 5:43-44

"You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!

Most of us assume that this is a contradiction of the old testament law found in Leviticus 19:18. But if you read it you will find nothing about hating your enemy.

Leviticus 19:18

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself, I am the LORD.

Many of these old testament laws, which were intended to extend mercy, were twisted by human reasoning and tradition. They became instruments of revenge instead. Jesus was bringing us back to the mercy that was intended by the law and at the same time blasting the mindset that would misinterpret these laws for their own purposes.

Lord, help me to discern your true intentions in your word and not rely on the human reasoning and traditions that are so often attached to it, even my own. Your intentions tend toward mercy and grace leading to repentance. Please help mine to be the same. In Jesus Name, amen.