WEEK 3 DAY 4

 WEEK THREE: WALKING WITH GOD

DAY # 4: THE NECESSITY OF A DEVOTIONAL LIFE

There are two major aspects of a devotional life: one is PRAYER, which is our talking to God. The other aspect is BIBLE STUDY, which is God talking to us. Both are necessary and the best way to establish both are built around five easy principles:

Hearing the Word > Matthew 13:9; Luke 18:8

Reading the Word > Revelation 1:3

Studying the Word > Proverbs 2:1-4; Acts 17:11

Memorizing the Word > I Peter 3:15 and II Timothy 2:15

Meditating on the Word > Joshua 1:8; Philippians 4:8

Remember II Timothy 3:16-17?

Doctrine tells us what is right.

Reproof tells us what is wrong.

Correction tells us how to get right.

Instruction tells us how to stay right!

Andrea Bocelli and The Lord’s Prayer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLWbvRMbxUI 

Direct all comments & questions to:  jblackwood1946@gmail.com

WEEK 3 DAY 3

 WEEK THREE: WALKING WITH GOD

DAY # 3: THE NECESSITY OF WALKING (PART II)

MEMORY VERSE: “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” Colossians 2:6

In Ephesians 6:17 the Bible is called “the sword of the Spirit.” It is a weapon we have for our use as we do spiritual warfare with Satan. The Devil despises the Word of God. He cannot stand to hear it. When the Sword of the Spirit is drawn and used --- Satan will flee…for a season. Remember Matthew 4?

Take your Bible and read Hebrews 4:12. That verse speaks of the penetrating value of the Word upon us. It knows and discerns our thoughts and intentions. It is a living and powerful truth!

Psalm 119:11 says “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Memorizing scripture and having it in your heart is utterly priceless. There are few, very few people today who are committed to memorizing parts of Scripture. And yet, there are many Muslims who commit to memory the entirety of the Koran.

When we allow the Word to dwell in our hearts as it says in Colossians 3:16, it gives us joy and wisdom and peace!

Other readings: Psalm 37:31; I John 2:14; Deuteronomy 6:6-7 and Joshua 1:8-9

“Standing on the Promises” by Elevation Choir

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrgA8E94w-s  

Direct all comments & questions to: jblackwood1946@gmail.com

THE NECESSITY OF WALKING WITH GOD

 DAY # 2: THE NECESSITY OF WALKING WITH GOD (PART I)

 

MEMORY VERSE: “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.”   Colossians 2:6

 

Walking daily with the Lord demands authenticity – realness—being genuine. If you claim to be a Christian, then you are to walk as a Christian. Your behavior and lifestyle should reflect what you profess. I John 2:6 talks about this emphatically!

 

Daily walking with the Lord means:

 

1.    There will be growth. Babies need nourishment if they are to grow up. They will need solid food after they come off of milk. Baby Christian always need nourishment from the Word of God.  See I Corinthians 3:1-2

2.    There will be power to defeat temptation and sin. That strength comes from the very Word of God. Look at the account of Jesus in the wilderness and how He used the Word to defeat Satan! Matthew 4:1-11

3.    Service to the Lord. In John 12:26 Jesus said that “if anyone serves me, let him follow me.” Living in obedience to the commands of His Word.

 

Daily walking with the Lord will produce growth. It will enable you to overcome sin and temptation. And it will enable you to serve the Lord … each and every day!

 

Read Jeremiah 15:16 – He found God’s Word. He consumed it.  He enjoyed it and he obeyed it!

 

Direct all questions & comments to:   jblackwood1946@gmail.com

WEEK THREE: ESTABLISHING A DEVOTIONAL LIFE

 DAY # 1: ESTABLISHING A DEVOTIONAL LIFE

 

MEMORY VERSE: “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.”   Colossians 2:6

 

We begin today with a brief conversation about the importance of walking with God. “Walking” speaks of our conduct and behavior and habits and lifestyle. It is knowing God and loving God and serving God! If you and I went on a long walk together we would probably return knowing each other a little more.

 

In the Old Testament there are several references to great men who “walked with God.” In Genesis 5:24, it states that “Enoch walked with God.” He lived daily for God. He talked daily with God. He listened to God daily. In Genesis 6:9 we find that the great Ark Builder, Noah “walked with God” as well.

 

Paul used the word “walk” in Colossians 2:6.

He also used it in the book of Ephesians.

 

Ephesians 2:10 speaks of “walking in our good works.”

Ephesians 4:1 says we are to “walk worthy of our calling.”

Ephesians 4:17 declares we are not to walk like the rest of the world.

Ephesians 5:1 is a command for us to “walk in the light.”

Ephesians 5:15 talks of a discerning, wise walk.

 

Daily walking with the Lord!

 

Direct all questions and comments to:  jblackwood1946@gmail.com

 

THE BIBLE: A REVIEW

 DAY 7: A REVIEW AND SUMMARY

 

MEMORY VERSE: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

                                                                                                             II Timothy 3:16-17

This week has been a long week.

Maybe even a hard week for some.

But we have survived and we live to fight another day!

 

We have discussed many significant truths this week about the Bible and our personal relationship to it. The truths may have seemed simple --- and they are. Because all great truths are simple!

 

What particular truth has stood out the most to you?

Why has that specific truth resonated more with you?

Does this week help explain why society is so biblically illiterate?

They have Bibles but don’t know what is in them!

 

Thank God for the gift of His Word.

Psalm 138:2 says “you have exalted your word above all things.

Direct all questions and comments to:    jblackwood1946@gmail.com

 

A DIVINE AUTOBIOGRAPHY

 DAY 6: THE BIBLE, A DIVINE AUTOBIOGRAPHY

 

MEMORY VERSE: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

                                                                                                            Ii Timothy 3:16-17

 

One way to approach the study of God’s Word is to look at it as a divine autobiography. It is really a book about God Himself. There we discover the person and character of God. You can look at a sunset or the beach or a mountaintop and see something of the greatness and majesty of God. But you cannot look at a sunset and discover that God is gracious, merciful and forgiving. God reveals Himself in and through the pages of Holy Scripture.

 

Scripture alone declares to us the plan of salvation.

Scripture alone tells us about the afterlife and judgement.

Scripture alone teaches us about a resurrection day.

Scripture alone discusses the reality of a heaven and a hell.

Scripture alone speaks of the comfort and power of God.

Scripture alone proclaims the uniqueness of Jesus Christ!

 

Do you see why we are such blessed people? To have a personal copy of the Bible at our disposal, day and night is such a blessing. And yet, much too often we neglect and let it sit there and collect dust.

 

We are to trust and obey that Word every day!

See James 1:22; Psalm 119:55-60; Luke 6:46-49; Psalm 37:31

 

Please direct all comments & questions to:  jblackwood1946@gmail.com

THE NECESSITY OF STUDY

 DAY 5: THE NECESSITY OF STUDY

 

MEMORY VERSE: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

                                                                                                                 II Timothy 3:16-17

 

Acrostics are sometimes helpful in various educational settings. Let me give you one about the studying of God’s Word:

 

L = listen   Romans 10:17

E = eat       Psalm 1:1-2

A = arm     Psalm 119:9-11

R = read    I Timothy 4:13

N = necessary Matthew 4:4

 

When we study the Word, that Word does the following in our lives:

Encourages our faith

Causes us to prosper

It protects us

It challenges us

It causes us to mature and grow

 

That is why study is necessary and why it must be a priority!

 

Has it become a necessity for you?

Do you sense your need to give it priority?

Then, it is all up to you.

 

Direct all comments and questions to:  jblackwood1946@gmail.com