Going Deeper with God's Word

Charles Spurgeon once said, “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” That’s a reminder that the Bible has the power to make a difference in our life. When we go beyond just getting into the Bible, but we also let the Bible get into us, we receive the benefits it has to offer. Psalm 119:98-100 reminds us of a few of those benefits.

98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. -Psalm 119:98-100, ESV

It’s good to read the Bible but God wants each of us to dig deeper. The psalmist reminds us of three ways we can go deeper with God’s word and the benefits they bring. We can memorize it, meditate on it, and obey it. There is a lot of growth that happens in our life when we begin to do these three things. As a matter of fact, these practices can take us beyond the understanding of our enemies, our teachers, and the aged.

Enemies are those people that devise our demise and bring us problems. Teachers are those that have gained understanding through study. The aged are those that have gained understanding through life experience. Consider what the psalmist is saying. When God’s Word is always with you because you have memorized it, you will have the wisdom to handle problem people. When you mediate on God’s Word there is an understanding you receive that even some teachers have not attained. When you obey God’s Word there is truth you learn by experience that even some who have lived more years than you don’t understand.

Why does that happen? It is because we have given God more time and space to teach us. When God is our teacher and the Bible our is textbook, we are bound to grow. Don’t just settle for reading God’s Word. Go deeper today. Memorize it. Meditate on it. Obey it.

Don't Be Too Proud

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. -Romans 12:16

We live in a world that puts people in their place. People are willing to pay for extra services like special boarding times on flights, unique privileges at car rental companies, credit cards that come with concierge hotlines, and the finest rooms in hotels. These can be tremendous blessings, but they can also make us feel a little more important than the next guy.

God calls us to be like Jesus, who did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. Instead, He became an ordinary person, just like us. In fact, the Creator of the universe came to us as a helpless baby, lived as a humble servant, and ultimately died as a victim of an unjust execution. He didn’t consider Himself too important to be with us, to be like us, or to suffer for us.

Many people use their contacts and relationships for selfish ambition. They select those people who will help them climb the social ladder. Christ demonstrated and taught that we should treat all people with respect – those of a different race, the handicapped, the poor, young and old, male and female. We must never consider others as being beneath us. Paul says we need to “live in harmony” with others and not be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. Are you able to do humble tasks with others? Do you welcome conversation with unattractive, non-prestigious people? Are you willing to befriend newcomers?

Consider just enjoying people. Every single person you see today was created by God and for His pleasure. Each one is a gift. Pay attention to the people you meet. Talk with them. Pray for them. Encourage them. Have fun with them.

In the past few days, have you taken a few extra moments to enjoy being with someone? Each person you meet is a gift from God. Whom might you enjoy being with today?

God, forgive me for brushing past people without recognizing what a gift each one is. Save me from feeling superior, and help me to find the treasure in the folks I meet. Amen.

A Godly Attitude

Have you ever needed an attitude adjustment before? Sometimes our perspective, thought life, or feelings can get out of whack. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to measure your attitude and see if it needs some adjustment.

Does everyone seem to be getting on your nerves? Have you been feeling jealous, bitter, or anxious lately? Can you remember the last time you celebrated? Do you feel the urge to be right no matter what? Does it seem like everyone has it better than you? Have any friends or family commented on your attitude?

God has some input for each of us when it comes to our attitude. If we pay attention to God’s Word, it becomes apparent what He wants for us concerning our attitudes. Not only that, but God’s Word can guide and shape our attitude into what it needs to be. Consider this passage.

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV

Did you catch that? There were three commands given to us that we know for sure “this is God’s will”. I think each of those commands has a profound effect in shaping a godly attitude. Let’s go over each one.

When it comes to our attitude, we know God wants us to “rejoice always”. God wants us to be filled with His joy in such a way that it physically manifests in our life as rejoicing. We can rejoice always because our reason for rejoicing is not circumstantial. It’s about the Savior, not the situation. You see, when you have a Savior whose character doesn’t change, there’s always a reason to rejoice.

We also know that God wants us to “pray continually”. We should have an attitude that is always looking to God. When you have a great day, talk to God. When you have a horrible day, talk to God. When you have a mediocre day, talk to God. Keep those communication lines open and don’t let your attitude get so out of whack that you think, “I don’t need to talk to God today.”

Finally, we know that God wants us to “give thanks in all circumstances”. Sometimes we can get so focused on what we don’t have that we overlook the blessings that we do have. Remember what you have in Christ Jesus. I am a firm believer that Christians are the richest people in all the world and I’m not just talking about money. We have the precious gifts of God. Give thanks today. You’d be surprised what it does to your attitude when you count your blessings and give heartfelt thanks to God.

So how did you measure up? Do you need a bit of attitude adjustment today? I know sometimes I do. Thankfully, we know for sure three things we can do.

Rejoice.
Pray.
Give Thanks.

Shine a Light

If you have ever seen The Muppets, you may be familiar with the elderly duo of Statler and Waldorf. Statler and Waldorf sit in a box seat in the Muppet Theater and take great delight in mocking and heckling the Muppets. They usually have the last word of the show which is a snide remark that gets them laughing at the Muppets. Statler and Waldorf have a unique position in the Muppets. They are close enough to see what is going on and offer their critiques yet are far enough away not to be involved in the events of the show.

I wonder how often as Christians we are tempted to take the position of a Statler and a Waldorf. Do we sit high above in the balcony seats only to offer critiques and snide remarks about what is happening in the world around us? Do we take great pride in belittling things that are different? Have we removed ourselves so far from those around us that we are no longer involved in their lives?

As a Christian, don’t be a Statler and Waldorf. God would rather us a light a candle than curse the darkness. Jesus reminds us that, if we follow Him, we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16). Have we taken that light to places and people that need it? It’s easy to sit back, uninvolved, offering an occasional comment or critique of the world. It takes a bit more work to love the world around you and shine a light. The great beauty of the gospel is that it reminds us that God came to us when we couldn’t get to Him. God having every right to condemn a world full of sin and strife chose to redeem us through love.

Jesus was often critiqued by some of the Statler’s and Waldorf’s of His day. They condemned Jesus for spending time with sinners. However, that is exactly the reason Jesus came, to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). Jesus leaves the ninety-nine sheep to find the one that is lost (Luke 15:3-7). O how we miss the mark when we forget Jesus taught us that we too must reach those who are lost.

So, the next time it feels easier just to sit back and complain, make a choice to shine a light. How could you help someone in need? What encouragement or truth could you share to bring clarity? How could you show the love of God to another? There is plenty of darkness in the world. When you come across it, change it by shining your light for Jesus.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. -Matthew 5:14-16, ESV