No Excuses- In
the Word 1-6-17
As a child I
was accused of having excuses for everything. I think that it was because I heard
my mother say that I should always have a reason for everything I do and I took
it literally. I see sometimes that it carried on into adult hood as I see
myself excusing myself from doing things I just do not want to. I find myself
thinking of a reason that I do not have to do it instead of just being honest
with myself and doing that thing I would rather not do because I know it is the
right thing to do. Or I could decide not to do a thing that I do not feel good
about doing and be okay with it knowing I made the right choice; there is no
guilt or condemnation if I do the right thing.
Therefore, [there is]
now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ
Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but
after the dictates of the Spirit. Romans 8:1
God has given us the
instruction on how to live our lives in righteous living but we need to read it
to find the truth. If you recall the truth will set us free!
My child, never forget
the things I have taught you. Store my
commands in your heart. If you do
this, you will live many years, and your life
will be satisfying. Proverbs 3:1-2
He sent his own
Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an
end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so
that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no
longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. Those who are
dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are
controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your
sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control
your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful
nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never
will. That’s why
those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please
God. Romans
8: 3-22
If we are full of the truth then we
will be full of the Spirit and then according to Romans 8:9 we will not be
controlled by our sinful nature but by the Spirit of God within us. Remember
that when Jesus died on the cross and came back to talk to people and give them
wisdom to pass on to us? He told them then that He would leave them the
Comforter, or the Holy Spirit, to guide us and He keeps us focused and helps us
with understanding.
Then in Proverbs 3:5-8 it tells us to
not lean on our own understanding; so we have direction in Romans of how that
is possible via the Holy Spirit guiding our path through the Word of God as He
will in our lives. To understand the Word of God, not in your own understanding
but I God’s meaning of things, in truth, we can do the following;
-
Pray and ask God to give you direction
for your reading each day. Do not just read it by rote as it will be like
snacking on chips and dip and not having a real meal. You will enjoy the fact
you ate something but it will not benefit your body, or life.
-
Read the Word with meaning and purpose.
Search out a word to see what the Bible says about it, or find a certain idea
you want to know about and truly study to show yourself aproved by God. Do not
just study ‘because they said to’. Step one was asking God for guidance and
direction in reading, remember? Ask for direction in studies to gain more meat
of the Word
-
Take time out for a ‘Selah Moment’.
Stop and think about what you just read and how it applies to your life.
-
Then apply it to your life! Make the
reading of the Word of God nourishment for your soul. Walk the walk you just
read!
Just remember this; there is no excuse
for not reading the Word or taking time to pray. If you find yourselves
intimidated by the size of a study start small; my own books have been written
for a beginning daily read or study on certain subjects to encourage you to
find the time, or make the time to get focused on Him. I know there are others
out there with the same idea. Just get started it is not too late! No excuses
you have the direction… In His Word!
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for
giving us direction in Your Word and prayer. Help us to follow the paths you
have laid out for us today, in Your Word, in Jesus name, amen.
Read some more: Proverbs 3:1-35, Romans 8: 1-30, Romans 9:1-33.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your
heart;
do not depend
on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will
in all you do,
and he will
show you which path to take.
7 Don’t be
impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear
the Lord and turn away
from evil.
8 Then you will
have healing for your body
and strength
for your bones. Proverbs 3:3-8