Handling God's Word

You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. (Deuteronomy 4:2)

• Words matter.
   
• Especially when they are the very words of God.
   
• Moses warned Israel, “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God”.
   
• Moses often reminded Israel of God’s mercy and faithfulness to them in the past.
   
• But he also stressed the importance of obedience to God’s commands as they prepared to enter the Promised Land.
   
• He told them that obedience would result in blessings of life and a rich inheritance.
   
• Every command and regulation mattered to God.
   
• The value His people placed on God’s Word showed their view of Him.
   
• Today, when we value God’s Word, handle it with great care, and obey what it says, we give God the reverence He truly deserves.
   
• God’s Word needs no additions or subtractions.
  
  
  

Stay Connected With God

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)

• We keep our connection with God alive by spending time in His Word and in prayer.
   
• Then we are to be doers of His Word.
   
• The writer of Psalm 119 recognized the importance of a connection to God.
   
• He asked God to teach him His statutes and give him understanding of His law.
   
• Then he prayed that he would observe it with his whole heart, walk in the path of God’s commandments, and turn away his eyes from looking at worthless things.
   
• By meditating on God’s Word and then applying it, the psalmist stayed connected to God.
   
• God has given us His Word as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path to lead us to Him.
   
• May the mind of Christ our Savior live in us from day to day,
   
• May His love and power controlling all we do and say.
   
• Let us stay connected to God every day.

Handling God's Truth

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

• We are human.
   
• We sin and we make mistakes.
   
• We will make mistakes sometimes as we share God’s Word with others.
   
• But we have an obligation to diligently seek His truth.
   
• We must exercise care when we talk about God’s Word.
   
• Then we must boldly proclaim Him.
   
• And we pray that His Spirit will guard our hearts and the hearts of those we seek to serve.
   
• We pray that God will guard His truth.
   
• God and His Word are deserving of our greatest care.
   
• May God’s Word fill our memory, rule our heart, and guide our words.
   
• May we be God’s diligent workers rightly dividing His word of truth.
  

Show Our Love

For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. (John 13:15)

• It is easier and faster to tell others what to do.
   
• Showing others how to do require time and effort.
   
• In teaching, it is easier to tell students what is wrong with what they did.
   
• It is more difficult to show them how to do it right.
   
• But the latter is more effective.
   
• For many years, the Jewish people had only the law to tell them what to do and what not to do.
   
• But then came Jesus Christ.
   
• He showed them how to live the life God had been telling them about all along.
   
• Jesus didn’t just say, “Be humble”; He humbled Himself.
   
• Jesus didn’t just say, “Forgive others”; He forgave us.
   
• Jesus didn’t just say, “Love God and your neighbors”; He demonstrated love by His actions.
   
• Christ’s perfect example of love shows us how great God’s love is for us.
   
• It also shows us how we are to show His love to others.
   
• Love is God’s will in action.
   
• Let us show our love than talking so much about it.
  
  

Jesus is in our Boat

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. (Mark 4:39)

• When the disciples were stuck in a life-threatening storm, they ran to Jesus.
   
• What do we do when we are stuck in a troubling situation with nowhere to run?
   
• Some of us may try to bail ourselves out of trouble by seeking revenge, slandering the one who has caused our problem, or just cowering fearfully in the corner as we sink into despair.
   
• We need to learn from the disciples who fled to Jesus as their only hope.
   
• Jesus may not bail us out immediately.
   
• But remembering that He is in our boat makes a difference.
   
• Jesus is always with us in the storms of life, saying things like “Peace, be still!”
   
• Let us look for Jesus in our storm.
   
• Let Him fill us with the peace that comes from knowing He is near.
   
• Lord, teach us to run to You in the midst of trouble.
   
• Lord, forgive us for trying to bail ourselves out.
   
• Lord, lead us to the peace of trusting Your wisdom and ultimate deliverance.
   
• Thank You Lord that You are always ready to help us.
   
• Let us make Jesus our first option when the storms of life threaten us.