One of the primary reasons we need to be in a disciplined study of the Scriptures is so we can saturate ourselves in the truth. When we know the truth and we are presented with that which is false, we will instinctively recognize it. Measuring philosophies or theologies or opinions or sermons or books or doctrines or counsel by the Word of God is like exposing the crookedness of a stick by placing a straight stick beside it. The ultimate compliment an audience can pay me is to bring their Bibles and follow along as I speak so they can double-check what I say against what God says. I am authentic as a Bible teacher only in proportion to my faithfulness to God’s Word.
And in order to give God’s Word out so that others can hear His voice in their ears, I must – it’s not an option – I must read it, study it, understand it, and live by it. And when I do, His Word makes a lasting impact and bears eternal fruit, because it’s powerful.
Sep 3, 2013
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust
in your brother’s eye and pay no attention
to the plank in your own eye? Matthew 7:3
This past week my two brothers, two sisters, and I had lunch with our father! It was the first time we had all been together at the same time with him since Mother’s funeral six years ago. All of us treasured the rare moments of fellowship and conversation, not knowing when we would have the opportunity again.
Nor shall leaven be seen among you in all your quarters.
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil. § Abhor what is evil. § Abstain from every form of evil. § [Look] carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.
Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. § Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity. § Such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners. § In Him there is no sin.
Ex. 13:7; Prov. 8:13; Rom. 12:9; 1 Thess. 5:22; Heb. 12:15;
Ps. 66:18; 1 Cor. 5:6–8; 11:28; 2 Tim. 2:19; Heb. 7:26; 1 John 3:5
The serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.
Your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
My brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil … Take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. § Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Gen. 3:4–5; 2 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 6:10–11, 13–17; 2 Cor. 2:11
The streets of our heavenly home are not only made of pure gold but, amazingly and almost incomprehensibly, they are also described as being as transparent as glass. Surely gold that is polished until it looks like transparent glass would function as a mirror.
The Bible tells us that when we get to Heaven all of our sins and flaws will fall away, and we will be like Jesus. With our unique personalities and characteristics, every single one of us is going to perfectly reflect the character of Christ. And as we walk on streets that reflect like mirrors, every step we take and every move we make is going to bring glory to Him.
Wait on the Lord; be of good courage,
and He shall strengthen your heart.
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary … He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. § Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. § You have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; for the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.
The testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. § Do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.
Ps. 27:14; Isa. 40:28–29; 41:10; 25:4; James 1:3–4; Heb. 10:35–36
He makes me to lie down in green pastures.
The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest … “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. § Rest in the Lord. § He who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works.
Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace. § We should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ.
I sat down in his shade with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.
Ps. 23:2; Isa. 57:20–21; Matt. 11:28; Ps. 37:7;
Heb. 4:10; 13:9; Eph. 4:14–15; Song 2:3–4
