The Importance of the Word of God

So what is it about the Bible that's so important? Jesus knew...

And He still does. When God the Son came down to earth as a human being, He experienced first hand the importance of knowing the Holy Scriptures. In fact, I was amazed once again when reading in the Gospel of Matthew just how important God’s Word really is.

In Matthew chapter four, we learn that the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness. It was here after forty days and forty nights of fasting that Satan tempts Jesus. Right away, the devil goes into attack mode saying, "IF You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." (ch. 4 v.3) Now the Bible says that physically, Jesus was hungry. Remember, He is fully God, but also fully man.



Instead of listening to Satan and giving in to His hunger, Jesus answers in a very interesting way. He begins His response with three very important words. These words are critical for us to understand what to do when we are tempted to do something wrong.

It is written... Yes, Jesus, answers Satan with the Word of God, the written Word, and He quotes Scripture saying, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."

Jesus successfully passes the first test: The lust of the flesh.

Test number two isn't far behind. The Bible says the devil took Jesus up into the holy city and set Him on the top of the temple and says, "IF You are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' and 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' (ch. 4 v.6)

So that old deceiver tries to get tricky. He tries to twist Scripture for His own purpose. But Jesus knows God's Word perfectly. Remember, He is the Author.

Listen to what Jesus says, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the LORD Your God.'" Jesus was not fooled and He did not give into the lust of the eyes. Jesus wasn't about to show His power in a way that was prideful. That's not what God is about.

In a last ditch effort, the devil tries one more time by taking Jesus on a very high mountain and shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. Then Satan says, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." (ch. 4 v. 9)

Nothing doing. Jesus lays it on the line. "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only shall you serve." (ch. 4 v. 10)

And the Bible says Satan left Jesus and angels came and ministered to Him.

Wow, Jesus passes the final test—the pride of life— with flying colors.

You see, that old deceiver hasn't changed much from the time He tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden. Remember what He said to Eve in Genesis? "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" (Gen. 3:1) See how the devil tries to create doubt?

Eve caves into doubt in three key areas: The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Genesis 3:6 says, "So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, (the lust of the flesh) that it was pleasant to the eyes, (the lust of the eyes) and a tree to make one wise, (the pride of life) she took of its fruit and ate."



She totally disregarded God, choosing to disobey His Word about eating that fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden. God said in Genesis 2:16, 17 "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day you eat of it you shall surely die."

And humankind is still experiencing the effects of sin and death, both physically and spiritually. But Jesus made a way out!

Jesus came to save us from our sin. He passed all the tests—perfectly. That's why only Jesus could be the sacrifice for our sin that separates us from a Holy God. When we ask Jesus to forgive our sin and come into our heart and life, we are forgiven. He gives us life both spiritually and physically.

When the winds of doubt blow through the corners of my mind, I can learn to humbly submit myself to God and the truth of His Word. James 4:7,8 says, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Don't let Satan tempt you into wondering "IF". It's easy to begin to doubt when life doesn’t work out as we had hoped—when sickness comes our way, or financial stress, or loneliness. Jesus is God. He is always right. There is no "ifs". You and I can rely on Him and the promises of His Word to see us through!

From a practical and personal perspective, I went shopping yesterday for an outfit for my niece's wedding. I found a nice skirt and jacket combo, but after that I came home with one too many "deals". Looking at it from God's perspective, I gave in to the lust of the eyes for sure. We don't have the money for extra purchases right now. So, I'm packing up my bag with my extra clothes, even though they looked so nice, (I'm keeping the pretty combo for the wedding) and I will be returning what I really don't need to the store today.



I'm glad for the convicting and practical power of God's Word. How about you?

Live the adventure,
Susan

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." I John 2:15-17

The "Scoop" on this Mother's Day

Okay, here's the real deal. I'll tell it to you straight...

Some of you, my dear blogging friends, have wondered about my Mother's Day!

We woke up, went to church like usual, and participated in a very nice service worshiping the Lord. My friend, Crystal, who is very talented with gardens, brought in long stem red and pink roses for all the mothers at our little country church in the city.

Then my hubby dear and my brother-in-law stayed after church to fix broken wiring in a light in the church sanctuary. My sister and I ran across the street from the church for pizza for our hungry kids. By three o'clock the "boys" were done their deacon duty and my sister went home to help her sons with homework and her husband, a Lieutenant in the Philadelphia Fire Department went into work.

My hubby Jim (who had to work early Sunday morning for the computer service company he works for, met us at the morning worship service) then drove our six-year-old home, (my little guy wanted to ride with Daddy). I had a few golden moments of driving in silence before I picked up my sixteen-year-old who went to visit my late husband's mother and their family.

After picking up my oldest son, we raced home so my hubby and teenager could cut our one acre lawn that is growing like wild before a rain storm hit! I cleaned up a dog poop that our epileptic Yellow Lab left for me in her dog crate, opened all the windows in the house so it didn't smell like a barnyard, and gave the dog her flea and tick treatment and heart-worm pill.

After the guys were done the lawn, I opened my Mother's Day cards, (very nice-oh my little guy was so excited to give a card that he and his brother recorded their voice to and had music) and a small but much appreciated gift from my hubby of cut Savannah tea, which has a yummy chocolate, almond, and vanilla flavor!

Then we hurried off to the evening church service. On the way home we picked up some cheesecake from the grocery store because I had an intense craving after hearing my other sister had a slice for Mother's Day from The Cheesecake Factory. Add to that a cup of my new tea made by my loving hubby, my day was nearly complete. Of course, bedtime duties for my little one were next. But hey, that's part of what being a mother is all about!

Nothing super special, but fine nonetheless. My husband kind of felt bad, but I told him our trip to Outback Steakhouse the week before made a nice Mother's Day gift and it sure beat the crowds yesterday!

How about you? How did you celebrate Mother's Day this year?

Happy Mother's Day

"As one

whom his
mother comforteth,
so will I comfort you..."
Psalm 66:13

Goal Defender

Hi everyone. Here's a picture of my little goal defender during his Fall soccer season. My 6-year-old is in the green shirt on the right closest to his coach. The kids named their team "The Green Bombers." Isn't that cute? My son played soccer for the first time on a team last Fall and loved it sooooooo much that he is playing it again this Spring! He loves to kick that ball down the field. My oldest continues to play his favorite All-American sport: baseball. Hopefully I'll have a pic soon of my teenager. I tend to capture word-pictures more often than picture-pictures (smile). I thank God for my two boys. Have a great day my friends!

In Review

Something special happened yesterday...

I finished reading the Old Testament in the Bible! Hurray--all thirty-nine books. What an adventure! I began in Genesis on January 1, 2007. And even though I am not on track for reading through the Bible in a year, I am continuing to follow the chronological calendar for Bible reading which takes you through the Bible according to a chronological time-line.

Why do I believe reading through the Bible is so important? Well, many reasons, but one of the most important reasons I have learned in recent years is how the Word of God gives us perspective in life. There are great insights God gives us through not only history, but through the direct revelation of His Word, (the entire Bible is the revealed, inspired, God-breathed Word of God). The Holy Spirit will show us what we need to know both now and for eternity. Not one word of the Bible will ever fail!

In 2006 I read through the NKJV Daily Bible in a year. I enjoyed reading a little of the Old & New Testament, and a bit of a Psalm and Proverb. For example, Day One's reading included Genesis 1:-2:25, Psalm 1;1-6, Proverbs 1:1-7, & Matthew 1:1-25.

So today I begin the New Testament in Matthew. I am continuing to read this year in the NKJV (New King James Version) Women of Faith Devotional Bible, 2003 edition. I wonder what new adventure God will take me on today?

After finishing the book of Nehemiah, I read the four chapters in Malachi this past week.

Here are a few of my underlines and devotional thoughts from Malachi:

1:11 "From from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; In every place incense shall be offered to My name, And a pure offering; For my name shall be great among the nations, " says the Lord of hosts.

What kind of offering do I give to the Lord? Is it with a pure heart and motives? Do I realize how great and awesome God really is? Does my life reflect His glory?

2:5 "My covenant was with him, one of life and peace. And I gave them to him that he might fear Me; so he feared Me and was reverent before My name."

Do I respect the Lord in all my ways? Am I realizing God's promises of life and peace on a daily basis? How might my life change if I yield myself each day to his promises? How might my life and the lives of those around me change today?

2:15 "But did He not make them one (referring to the marriage covenant), Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth. For the LORD God of Israel says that He hates divorce, For it covers one's garment with violence," says the LORD of hosts. Therefore take heed to your spirit that you do not deal treacherously."

The marriage covenant is sacred. God desires that husband and wife stay together, love each other as He loves us and that we raise up our children in the nurture and counsel of the LORD so people may know HIM. May I be rebuked for thinking this life, this marriage, and parenting is all about ME... oh LORD, forgive me if I have dealt treacherously, in times past I have... show me where and how I need to change today! May I forgive as the LORD has forgiven me...

3:2 "But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like launderers' soap."

Oh Lord, purify me. Cleanse me and may You have Your way in my life. Your way is the only right way.

3:6 "For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob."

Praise You Lord that You are the One who gives stability to my life--stability to this faltering world! Your mercies are new every morning. This is the day you have made and I will rejoice in it! You have all things in Your control and I rest in that truth.

3:16 "Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them. So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name."

Time spent with the LORD is precious. Time spent talking with friends in the LORD is precious. Going to a Bible-believing and teaching church and being part of that fellowship is vital to my well-being and my walk with Jesus. May I never take that privilege for granted. God knows and He sees all. He is keeping record.

3:18 "Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him."

O LORD, give me a discerning heart... forgive me for the times I have made rash decisions and judgments.

4:2 "But to you who fear My name THE SUN of RIGHTEOUSNESS shall arise with healing in His wings..."

You LORD JESUS are truly the Son of Righteousness and the SUN of Righteousness. You are The Light and bring warmth and goodness into my life and to this world. One day, You will make all things right. I look forward to that day when I will see You face to face!

Living the adventure, won't you join me?

In Jesus' love,

Susan

A Journey on Mystic Mountain

The sun shone high in the sky late yesterday afternoon. I slipped on my black Eastern Mountain Sports vest and stepped out of my 4-wheel drive. The mountain loomed before me.

“Are you ready to go?” I glanced at my 6-year-old son. He clasped his little hands together with determination.

“Let’s go Mom,” he said with a nod.

We carried our supplies to the base of Mystic Mountain and proceeded to climb. Soon we came to my son’s favorite section of the mountain. He had been waiting all year for this.

To our right was a basin of blue-green water that hugged the base of a cave carved in the rock formation. And there it stood, right next to the water. Large and green, it beckoned my son to rouse him from his winter’s sleep.

My son picked up his metal club with a rubber tip and tapped his little red golf ball into the hole that awoke the sleeping monster. A loud buzzing sound blared from a box on a nearby pole. The 100 ft. long green ivy bushes shaped into a swimming Loch Ness Monster lit up with tiny white lights.

With nobody else venturing out on this chilly Spring day, he decided to roll his golf ball into the hole a second time, watching with glee as the old Loch Ness Monster lit up again.

Moments later, we stood at the entrance of the rock cave.

“This is the hardest part, Mom,” my son informed me.

We each tapped our golf balls to the end of the dark tunnel and walked to the other side. As I picked up my small pink ball, my son ran onto the wood-slat bridge and stood in the middle.

“See? Look at that, Mommy,” he said pointing to a small alcove to the right of the bridge.

I grasped the rough rope and peered over the side. Four brightly colored golf balls bobbed in their watery doom.

“I told you this was the hard part.”

I threw my head back and laughed at my little guy’s wisdom. He knew that at the end of the tunnel there was a gap between the bridge and the tunnel. If a person hit his golf ball too hard, it could easily roll into the water.

We continued on our journey, following the path up the other side of the miniature-golf mountain. I smiled at my little son, watching him run to each new golf site. We soon reached the end and met my sixteen-year-old son at the baseball batting cages where he had been steadily practicing for his game.

We sat on a bench together and sipped our bottles of water. The sun shone brightly overhead and in the quietness of my heart, I thanked God for another day to spend with my sons—another day to feel the breeze on my face and the warmth of the sun—another day to live and love and laugh.

A Shoulder to the Work

Well, this is my 200th post! I can hardly believe it! This time around I will NOT post 200 things, rest assured - LOL!

Instead, let's take a look at something in the book of Nehemiah. I love that book. I love so many books in the Word of God, it's hard to choose a favorite. All sixty-six books of the Bible are exactly what we need to know.

Something that really stood out to me was that Nehemiah was a praying man. He was also very insightful. I believe the reason for that goes back to idea that he prayed. And when He prayed, he REALLY prayed.

Check out chapter 1, verses 5 & 6: "Lord God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You... hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now."

Your servant. Nehemiah knew who God was and what his place was before the LORD. He knew what it meant to work hard. And guess what? The good hand of God was upon him and the people in their work in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem.

However, it was interesting to note in chapter 3 verse 5 that the nobles did NOT put their shoulder to the work of their Lord. "Wow," I thought. "How could those nobles be so snobby? What, did they think they were above helping out?"

But then I thought in my life how often I despise certain jobs. For starters, raking lawn clippings.

Today, part of my work after speaking to a MOPS group (see last Thursday's post), included building a fort with pillows and blankets with my six-year-old son and later raking the grass clippings in my yard. Now the fort part was fun, but the raking I could live without. I would have much rather read a book. However, that is the work that God called me to do today. There will be time for reading later.

And you know what? The work was good for me. Just like Nehemiah, God's good hand was upon me both this morning and this afternoon.

I am glad for the work that God has given, yes, even raking the yard.

What work has God given you to do? Let's put our shoulder to the work of the LORD and do it!

Live the adventure,

Susan

*Just an added note, as I was reviewing Nehemiah this morning (on 4-25), I noted that it was just a certain group of people of Israel called the Tekoites that had nobles that did not do their share of the work.