How to obey God's Word

Scripture

Psalm 119: 34-40

Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart. Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found. Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money! Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word. Reassure me of your promise, made to those who fear you. Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good. I long to obey your commandments! Renew my life with your goodness. (NLT)

Observation

I love the request made by David.

1. Give me understanding of your word so I can obey your instructions

2. Make me walk along the path of your commands.

3. Give me an eagerness for your laws

4. Reassure me of your promise

5. Help me abandon my shameful ways

6. I long to obey your commandments.

Application

The truth is unless God gives me the ability to obey his word, I cannot do it.  Will power, self control, trying harder, making more promises will no work.  Self effort always fails.  I need to be spirit- filled, led, and empowered.  God gives me the ability to obey his commands.  He wants me to be obedient more than I want to.  The key to obedience is Him, my relationship with the Father.

Prayer

1. Help me to understand your word so I can obey your instructions.

2. Make me walk along the path of your commandments

3. Give me an eagerness for your laws

4. Reassure me of your promises

5. Help me to abandon my shameful ways

6. I long to obey your commands

Do it in me, please!!!!!!!!

How can I be pleasing to God

Scripture

Psalms 119:9-11

How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find you— don’t let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. ( NLT)

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. ( ESV)

Observation 

This passage answers the question: How can I stay pure?  How can I defeat sin?

1. Obeying the word of God

2. Seek God with your whole heart.

3. Hide God's word in my heart

Application

Love, learn, and live God's word

Read, journal, memorize, speak the Bible.

Make it a part of my daily life

Seek God in prayer, pray in the spirit, pursue his presence.

My purity is a work of the Holy Spirit in my life.  As I spend time in prayer and in the word, the Holy Psirit will transform me, change me, break and mold me.  

Prayer

May I spend more time in prayer and more time in the word.  As I do, I ask that you make me pure and pleasing to you.

Giving Honor

Scripture 

2 Samuel 1: 19, 21-24

Your pride and joy, O Israel, lies dead on the hills! Oh, how the mighty heroes have fallen!

O mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain upon you, nor fruitful fields producing offerings of grain. For there the shield of the mighty heroes was defiled; the shield of Saul will no longer be anointed with oil. The bow of Jonathan was powerful, and the sword of Saul did its mighty work. They shed the blood of their enemies and pierced the bodies of mighty heroes. How beloved and gracious were Saul and Jonathan! They were together in life and in death. They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions. O women of Israel, weep for Saul, for he dressed you in luxurious scarlet clothing, in garments decorated with gold. (NLT)

Observation

It is understandable that David mourned for Jonathon, he was his best friend.  They loved each otherm they were close.  Yet David also mourned for Saul.  Saul was David's enemy, he tried to kill David on several occassions.  David truly grieved the death of his enemy.

David honored his king.  He did not agree with every decision that Saul made or endorsed Saul's lack of character but David honored the king, the man who held the position.

Application

I need to honor those in authority over me. I may not agree with every decision they make or even like the person, but I can honor the position of authority and honor the person who holds the position.  I may not respect the person but I can honor them.

1. Keep my tongue.

Don't speak evil against leadership.

2. Try to influence for good.

3 humble myself

Truth is I make bad decisions and lack character.  I should not hold my leaders at a higher standard than I hold myself. 

Prayer

 I have been guilty of speaking evil of my leadership, not being supportive, and not honoring them completely.  I can say one thing to their face and another when they are not present.  I can get glee when the president fails regardless if it is best,  I just want him to fail.  This is wrong and it is evil.  I ask for forgiveness and cleansing. Change my heart.

Jesus is fighting for you

Scripture

Psalm 118: 14-16

The LORD is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things! The strong right arm of the LORD is raised in triumph. The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things! (NLT)

Observation

1. God is my strength.

He gives me the power to live for him, to be pure, to fulfill his will.

2. God is my song.

He is my joy, my reason for living, my love, passion.  He gives me life.

3.  He is my victory

Because of Him I can defeat the devil, overcome sin, bring him glory.

4. His strong right arm is on my side.

This is a visual of a powerful, victorious, strong soldier, warrior.  Jesus is fighting for me, interceding for me.

Application

1. I rest in and trust in his providence.

He is in complete control, guiding me, leading me, caring for me, providing for me.

2. I can live victoriously.

He gives me the victory.  Jesus is fighting for me.  He is my advocate.  He is my defender.  Whom shall I fear?  If God is for me, who can be against me?

3. I find joy in my relationship with Jesus.

This world cannot satisfy.  Fame, wealth, power all fall short and leave me empty but Jesus fills me with life, passion, and joy.  He makes life worth living.

4. Life is lived by faith, trusting and depending upon Jesus.

Prayer

I do trust you, need you, and depend upon you.  You are my life, my joy, my only thing, my everything, my all in all.  You give me victory, provide for me, are my joy. I depend upon you, worship you.  Give you all the glory, honor, and praise.

What does God reward?

Scripture

1 Samuel 24:17-21

And he said to David, “You are a better man than I am, for you have repaid me good for evil. Yes, you have been amazingly kind to me today, for when the LORD put me in a place where you could have killed me, you didn’t do it. Who else would let his enemy get away when he had him in his power? May the LORD reward you well for the kindness you have shown me today. And now I realize that you are surely going to be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will flourish under your rule. Now swear to me by the LORD that when that happens you will not kill my family and destroy my line of descendants!” (NLT)

Observation

Your character is displayed in the unexpectant times.  David had an opportunity to kill his enemy Saul but he didn't.  He spared his life and trusted God for his future.

1. David repaid good for evil.

2. David showed kindness to a man who try to kill him.

3. God rewarded David.

4. David became king without killing Saul.

5. David won the hearts of the people.

Application

1.  Do good to those who do evil to me.

2. Never take vengeance.

3. Never seek position

4. Trust God to take care of my enemies

5. Trust God to get me where he wants me when he wants me there.

Prayer

Father develop that kind of character in me.  May my faith in you be so strong that I will show kindness to my enemies and trust you with my future.

What makes a person rich?

Scripture

Proverbs 15:17

A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate. ( NLT)

Observation

I desire to be rich in relationships. This proverb teaches me that people will bring more satisfaction than things.  I like a good steak but I would rather eat a fair meal with good friends than a good meal with people I do not enjoy being with.  Life about relationships not things.

Application

1. Invest in my relationships.

We are told to invest financially for retirement and there is wisdom in that but the most important investments I will make are into my family and friends.  

2. Prioritize my relationships.

Jesus, Cathy, kids, family, friends, personnel

Prayer

Father, help me get the first thing first.  I don't want to spend my life accumulating material things but I want to have rich, deep, meaningful relationships.

Freedom!!!!!!!

Scripture

John 8: 31-32, 34-36

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. (NLT)

Observation

1. Disciples remain faithful to Jesus teaching.

2. Know the truth

3. The truth (Jesus) will set me free.

4. Everyone who sins is a slave to sin,

5. I am not a slave but a son.

6. When Jesus sets someone free, they are completely free.

Application

1. Know who I am.

I am a child of God, a joint heir with Jesus, I have been adopted into God's family.

2. Know the truth

A. Truth is a person. Jesus is the truth.  Abide in him, focus on my relationship with Jesus.

B. Know the Bible. It is the Word of God and the standard of all truth.  Love it, learn it, live it.

3. Believe I am free.

By faith receive the freedom that Jesus has provided for me.  I am completely, truly free.  I am free indeed!

Prayer

Thank you for loving and setting me free.  Thank you for adopting me into your family.  Thank you for setting me free from the bondage and slavery to sin.  I ask that you deliver me today from all unrighteousness.  I ask that you set me free and that I live as a free person not a slave.  It is for freedom I are been set free.