God's truth says, The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple, Psalm 19:7. In John 15:3, Jesus says that we are clean by the Word He has spoken. As we apply God's Word to our soul - by study, memorization and meditation - our souls (mind, will and emotions) are cleansed and guarded.
The Word of God is alive and powerful. (“For the word of God is living and active” Hebrews 4:12). You can depend on it to change your life, deliver you from bondage, reveal His will for your life, and give you wise guidance. Instead of running to others first for advice this year, dig into God's Word.
Memorizing Scripture: get a partner, select specific verses (how many, what version), understand the words and look them up (try these websites: www.biblegateway.com and www.blueletterbible.org), think on them (meditate! pray it, paraphrase it, so it becomes a part of you, read and say the verses aloud. type/print your verses, place them in a big Ziploc bag, and tape them in the back of the shower!... use index cards... say them back to God as you go to sleep... take them everywhere you go... etc.
Ignorance of God’s Word makes us easy targets for the enemy! You can’t recognize lies if you don’t know the Truth. The truth is not about me, it’s all about HIM! 2 Cor. 11:3-4, they were led astray because the way of Truth is simple! don’t be one who constantly needs thrills and emotional highs. There’s no high like the Most High (Beth Moore)!
Pleasing God - Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ - Gal. 1:10. Greek word for please means, to fit, to gratify, to accommodate oneself to, to be acceptable. A desire to fit in, to get attention, to gain someone else’s acceptance - a very good reason for our unhappiness and for us being so quick to sin (it can easily lead to sin). We become slaves to the people from whom we’re seeking approval. Only ONE knows us completely and holds our future and loves us with an unconditional love! Only ONE can satisfy! Jer. 29:11-13... in what way do we need to seek God?
Can you think of a time when you sought someone else’s approval and it led to sin?
For you, what would it mean to seek only God’s approval? how does He want you to respond?
This will not be easy. There's a battle between the flesh and the spirit (Gal. 5:17). they’re opposites! Paul’s struggle -Romans 7:7-25. Who’s our enemy? 1 John 2:15-17, 1 Peter 5:8, Gal. 5:19. Following your own heart: what does Jer. 17:9 say? When you feel overwhelmed... 1John 4:4! What has the Spirit given us - 2 Pet. 1:3-4. 2 Cor. 9:8, God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. In Jesus, we are successful! The battle has been won! He goes before us, and fights for us!
Make this year a Jesus-year. Be a doer, not just a hearer of the Word! Commit and plan to memorize His Word!
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