“The reason why many are still troubled, still seeking, still making little forward progress is because they haven't yet come to the end of themselves. We're still trying to give orders, and interfering with God's work within us.”
~A.W. Tozer
Growing in knowledge of the Word of God is essential to the ability to obey His ways, to grow in wisdom, and discern truth.Perhaps one of the reasons we, as Christians, have not made more impact on our world for the cause of Christ is that many have not learned or been taught the Word of God, His instruction, His ways, or His wisdom. These verses below show us how important His messages, truth, and ways are to our ability to live a godly life. Without the wisdom of God, we are subject to the world’s philosophies and will be led to foolishness in our lives.• What do these verses teach you about the importance of the word of God? Make notes in a journal about the importance of knowing and following God’s Word.PSALM 1:1-6 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.
PSALM 19:1-11 The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their utterances to the end of the world. In them He has placed a tent for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; It rejoices as a strong man to run his course. Its rising is from one end of the heavens, And its circuit to the other end of them; And there is nothing hidden from its heat. The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.PSALM 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.2 TIMOTHY 3:16 (NLT) All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.MATTHEW 4:4 (NLT) But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, 'People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"2 TIMOTHY 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.There is profound significance living in the power of the Holy Spirit.No matter what I did one morning, I could not get my computer to come on. I saw that the cord was in the right spot on the side of my computer. Yet, when I got down to check the plug, I realized it had fallen slightly away from the wall and had lost connection with its power source. The computer still had all the potential to do endless work, but could not fulfill its potential apart from its power source.
Similarly, we are just not equipped to live spiritually strong without preparation. No matter how hard we try, we still sin, act selfishly, and are tempted in life. Yet, God intended when we engaged in faith by trusting Him for our life and salvation that we would also grow with His Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives and learn to walk by His wisdom, trust Him to work through us, believe that He would answer prayer and rest in His ability to forgive us and use us.Simply put, living by the Spirit of God is the only way to make us able to live a truly Christian life.Growing in understanding of how to let the Holy Spirit lead and rule your life gives you the power to live the Christian life. Without His strength and wisdom, you are not able to live a full Christian life. Merely “gutting it out” will not work. Your works will never be good enough to enable you to live a Christian life. Only as the Spirit works through you will you be able to grow—it is Christ in and through you.
Ponder the following verses about what it means to be “Spirit-led”:JOHN 20:21-22 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”JOHN 14:26 (NLT) “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”ROMANS 8:26 (NLT) And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.GALATIANS 5:22-23 (NLT) But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!1 CORINTHIANS 6:19 (NLT) Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself.JOHN 16:13-15 (NLT) “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’”TITUS 3:5-6 (NLT) [H]e saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.GALATIANS 5:16 (NLT) So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves.
What routines or habits are you building into your life this year so that you can spend more time in God's Word? Are you reading it, listening to it, pondering it and gathering His wisdom for your life? How are you setting an example in word and in deed to those around you (your children, Mom Heart group members)?