Take Him at His Word

Greetings,

When I was in college I had an English Lit professor, who was HARD CORE.  For every misspelled word or wrong word usage, it was an automatic letter grade off.  My only B all semester long was when I spelled doesn’t d-o-s-e-n-‘t.  OUCH!  Since then, computers and spell check have made my life easier.  But I am still prone to errors now and again.  Take for example last Tuesday’s DEVO.  I, as lovingly pointed out by one of you precious DEVO readers, said “God’s failing love,” instead of “God’s unfailing love.”  The horror! I definitely deserve a lower grade for that one.  Thank God He does not make grammatical errors, and as such we can take Him at His word.

Deuteronomy 4:2 “You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor shall you take anything from it, so that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God…” (Modern English Version).

God is clear. His word is perfect and reliable, and we better not go around adding our own thoughts or interpreting it to suit us.  If God says His forgiveness is ours unconditionally, then we better not go around saying we have to get our lives in order before we come to Him.  If He says He will provide for all our needs, we better not go around saying God only takes care of us some of the time.  If God says honor your mother and father, we better not go around saying we will but only if they are worthy. 

We can take God at His word, and the best way to know His word is by reading it for ourselves and praying it over ourselves.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for Your powerful and mighty word.  We need the stability and truth that Your immutable commandments provide.  Help us to treasure Your word because Proverbs 2 promises us that when we accept Your word, “knowledge will bring joy to our souls, wise choices will watch over us, and understanding will keep us safe.” We believe it and receive it! In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

Take Him at His Word

John 4:50 “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” The man took Jesus at His word and went home.

Greetings,

Last night Hormone had a softball game, and I texted him that I would bring a sandwich.  He didn’t respond with, “Are you sure?” Or, “Don’t forget.” Nor did he text or call to remind me.  Why? Because I have demonstrated that I am pretty much reliable in always taking him a sandwich when I said I will.  In other words, Hormone takes me at my word.

Taking someone at their word takes the pressure off.  No need to worry or doubt.  It diminishes stress and invites peace.  Just ask the man in the verse above.  How might the quality of our life and faith improve if we just took Jesus at His word?

Jesus said so many necessary and powerful things; here are three:

Matthew 11:24 Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Matthew 19:26 With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you…Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.

Let’s take Him at His word today. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, we desperately want to believe You and take You at Your word.  Sometimes, however, we get so focused on our problems that we lose sight of You.  Help us to take a step of faith in Your direction.  We want to be like that man in the verse above – simply believe and go on with our lives. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

The Right Direction~

Tuesday greetings~

Psalm 23:3 “He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

“Paths of righteousness” means He leads us in the right paths and sends us in the right direction.

All of us want to stay on track.  Dead ends and roadblocks are no fun, and they waste time.  They can also be dangerous. 

When my older sister first received her driver’s license, six of us piled into the station wagon and headed for a joy drive down to the mall.  We were enjoying ourselves when all of a sudden she hit the brakes with such force that our heads – especially my precious one – violently snapped forward then backward.  She had taken a wrong turn due to poor lighting and stopped literally within an inch of ramming through the concrete wall of an actual store in the mall.      

If any of us had been paying attention, we would have seen the obvious sign:

 

God wants us all to take the tried and true road that leads to blessings and peace, and the Bible provides all the road signs we need to get us there.  Right out of the gate we can all be 100% certain that God leading will never take us through the avenue of adultery, the boulevard of backbiting, or lane of lying.   

And even though God desires to lead us in the right paths, we must be willing to follow.  Jeremiah 6:16 says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask which paths are the old, reliable, eternal paths. Ask which way leads to blessings.  Live that way, and find a resting place for yourselves.” 

The responsibility to live that way is on us; no one forces us.  If we are not sure, we ask.  We stay connected to God, and He will get us there. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, we want to travel the reliable, eternal paths that lead to blessings.  Sometimes the road signs are clear, and sometimes we need clarification.  We ask You now for guidance for ourselves and our families.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~