Hi Folks!
These words describe the heart of our precious Master. I believe it was He
who lived and spoke these words when He was living in the earth 2000 years
ago. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the living Word of God made flesh and I'm convinced
that He lived, breathed, spoke and obeyed to the full, His very own Words.
For if He didn't, He could not be our Savior as He is this day. Unlike the
first Adam, Jesus fully obeyed the words of his Father until the end.
Before going any further would you mind re-reading our scripture from Ps
119:97-105 a couple more times and imagine the Lord speaking these
words in prayer to His Father. His words are loaded with power and love...
Well, how did you go? Aren't they rich! If you were to be granted a wish from
God that you could be like anyone of your choosing in the whole universe,
who would you choose? I'm sure you would want to choose Jesus as the person
you would most want to be like. He is by far the most wise, loving, kind,
influential and powerful person of all time. He is presently living in the
highest place of honour and authority in the whole universe, and the faithful
ones will live right by His side for eternity! Wow, what a place to be!
The good news is, we can be just like Him. Firstly, God has re-created
us into His very own image as His own special sons and daughters. Secondly,
we are commanded in Ephesians 5:1 to be imitators of
God, therefore, as dearly loved children. Folks, our God is all knowing
and wise and He would not have commanded us to act like Himself if we were
not able to. He has already given us the grace so that we can both know Him
and imitate Him. What is this grace? Well, part of it is "His Word".
As I mentioned in the last couple Ps Heart messages, there are 3 basic things
that every Christian should be established in in their life...
Prayer
The Word
The local Church
I will look a little at the Word of God in this message and it's vital importance
in the life of every believer. Have you ever thought about this - How am I
to imitate a God that I cannot see? For the most part none of us get to see
too much of the Lord while living within these unglorified bodies on the earth.
But, we "can" see Him through His holy Word. His will, plan and
purpose for not only our life, but for the entire world are found in His Word.
His personal attributes, character, thoughts, feelings and desires are all
found there. All the wisdom of the ages and the creative power that fashioned
the universe are found hidden within the pages of the Holy Bible.
It's no wonder the Lord Jesus knew the Father so intimately during His short
stay in the world. He told us how much He loved the Word and that it was His
meditation all the day. The words of His Father were never far away from His
mind at any given time throughout each day. The Word made Him wiser than His
enemies that were always trying to trick Him into displeasing God through
disobedience to the Holy Scriptures, and falling away as Adam did. The Lord
was in love with His Father's eternal words and it was through them that showed
even the Lord Himself which way to go. It's was the Word that lightened the
pathway before Him. Jesus was a free man because He walked in the light of
the Word continually.
If we want to be like the Lord then we have to follow His own example of Holy
living. He lived by the Book and we have to also if we are to be like Him.
Isn't this what He requires of each one of us? As it is written from the Words
of His own mouth...
If you hold to My teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will
know the truth, and the truth will set you free John 8:31-32
(NIV)
It's the truth of God's words that we hold onto that set us free. How can
you hold onto something that you don't even know? The word "know"
here is not just knowledge, but "intimate knowledge". Our intimate
walk with the Lord is all wrapped up in our intimate knowledge of His Words.
This is not just knowing about what the Word said to me last week at Church,
or what I learned last year at Bible school. The words from God are to be
living and fresh food to our soul. God's words are food to our spirit man
as natural foods that we eat are to our physical body. There should not be
a day go by where we are not having a personal feast on the Words of Life.
An example of this was foreshadowed in the lives of the children of Israel
when they were to gather fresh manna daily. When finally leaving
the desert to enter the promised land, Joshua was exhorted by God himself
to...
...not let this book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it
day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.
Then you will be prosperous and successful Joshua 1:8
(NIV)
If you are anything like me you may forget a thing unless you are reminded
of it often. Our minds need a constant renewing to what the Bible has to say.
The world through the media, television and internet to name just a few, are
continually attempting to bombard our minds with thoughts and ideas that are
contrary to the will and heart of our Father. Much of what is happening in
our world is a direct assault to the cross and life of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our minds and hearts are not to be open sewers for the world and the devil
to empty their lies and filth into. We are to be totally transformed each
and every day by the entire renewing of our minds with the Word of God. see
Romans 12:2
The Church of the early days were passionate about the Holy Scriptures and
many of our forefathers shed their innocent blood to ensure the Words of life
could nourish our soul in our day and time... not to mention the shedding
of the spotless blood of the Son of God himself! As one famous man of God
once said, "I could walk into a Church and find 100 men who would die
for the Bible, but only 1 who would read it".
Reading and thinking on the Holy words of the Bible is so important to you
and I if we are to overcome the evil of our time. We were created to overcome
all through Him who loves us! I believe in you and I am believing with you
dear brother and sister for a fresh infilling of love for His holy words.
In closing, here are some more..
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was
God. He was with God in the beginning John 1:1
Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge
in Him Proverbs 30:5
Your word I have hidden in my heart that I may not sin against you
Psalm 119:11
Your testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors Psalm 119:24
Your words were found and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy
and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts
Jeremiah 15:16
David
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Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Your precepts. I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your word. I have not departed from Your judgments, for You Yourself have taught me. How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:97-105