April 8, 2014

From Gary... In or out???

This picture reminded me of my Bible Reading from yesterday....
Luke, Chapter 5
  17  On one of those days, he was teaching; and there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every village of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. The power of the Lord was with him to heal them.  18 Behold, men brought a paralyzed man on a cot, and they sought to bring him in to lay before Jesus.  19 Not finding a way to bring him in because of the multitude, they went up to the housetop, and let him down through the tiles with his cot into the midst before Jesus.  20 Seeing their faith, he said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” 
  21  The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” 

  22  But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, answered them, “Why are you reasoning so in your hearts?   23  Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you;’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk?’   24  But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (he said to the paralyzed man), I tell you, arise, and take up your cot, and go to your house.” 

  25  Immediately he rose up before them, and took up that which he was laying on, and departed to his house, glorifying God.  26 Amazement took hold on all, and they glorified God. They were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today.”
God forgives sins- so should we. Simple concept and worth applying to our everyday lives. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Have an attitude and ultimately you will have to answer for that in the judgment.  May God continue to forgive my sins and also help me to forget other people's past.  I pray that this would be your prayer as well!!!

From Gary... Bible Reading April 8






Bible Reading   
April 8

The World English Bible



Apr. 8
Numbers 7, 8
Num 7:1 It happened on the day that Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle, and had anointed it and sanctified it, with all its furniture, and the altar with all its vessels, and had anointed and sanctified them;
Num 7:2 that the princes of Israel, the heads of their fathers' houses, offered. These were the princes of the tribes. These are they who were over those who were numbered:
Num 7:3 and they brought their offering before Yahweh, six covered wagons, and twelve oxen; a wagon for every two of the princes, and for each one an ox: and they presented them before the tabernacle.
Num 7:4 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Num 7:5 "Accept these from them, that they may be used in doing the service of the Tent of Meeting; and you shall give them to the Levites, to every man according to his service."
Num 7:6 Moses took the wagons and the oxen, and gave them to the Levites.
Num 7:7 He gave two wagons and four oxen to the sons of Gershon, according to their service:
Num 7:8 and he gave four wagons and eight oxen to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
Num 7:9 But to the sons of Kohath he gave none, because the service of the sanctuary belonged to them; they carried it on their shoulders.
Num 7:10 The princes gave offerings for the dedication of the altar in the day that it was anointed, even the princes gave their offerings before the altar.
Num 7:11 Yahweh said to Moses, "They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, for the dedication of the altar."
Num 7:12 He who offered his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah,
Num 7:13 and his offering was: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
Num 7:14 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;
Num 7:15 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;
Num 7:16 one male goat for a sin offering;
Num 7:17 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
Num 7:18 On the second day Nethanel the son of Zuar, prince of Issachar, gave his offering.
Num 7:19 He offered for his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
Num 7:20 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;
Num 7:21 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;
Num 7:22 one male goat for a sin offering;
Num 7:23 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Nethanel the son of Zuar.
Num 7:24 On the third day Eliab the son of Helon, prince of the children of Zebulun
Num 7:25 gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
Num 7:26 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;
Num 7:27 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;
Num 7:28 one male goat for a sin offering;
Num 7:29 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Eliab the son of Helon.
Num 7:30 On the fourth day Elizur the son of Shedeur, prince of the children of Reuben
Num 7:31 gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
Num 7:32 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;
Num 7:33 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;
Num 7:34 one male goat for a sin offering;
Num 7:35 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Elizur the son of Shedeur.
Num 7:36 On the fifth day Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, prince of the children of Simeon
Num 7:37 gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
Num 7:38 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;
Num 7:39 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;
Num 7:40 one male goat for a sin offering;
Num 7:41 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old: this was the offering of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
Num 7:42 On the sixth day, Eliasaph the son of Deuel, prince of the children of Gad
Num 7:43 gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
Num 7:44 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;
Num 7:45 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;
Num 7:46 one male goat for a sin offering;
Num 7:47 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Eliasaph the son of Deuel.
Num 7:48 On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, prince of the children of Ephraim
Num 7:49 gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
Num 7:50 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;
Num 7:51 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;
Num 7:52 one male goat for a sin offering;
Num 7:53 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Elishama the son of Ammihud.
Num 7:54 On the eighth day Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh
Num 7:55 gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
Num 7:56 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;
Num 7:57 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;
Num 7:58 one male goat for a sin offering;
Num 7:59 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
Num 7:60 On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, prince of the children of Benjamin
Num 7:61 gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
Num 7:62 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;
Num 7:63 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;
Num 7:64 one male goat for a sin offering;
Num 7:65 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Abidan the son of Gideoni.
Num 7:66 On the tenth day Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, prince of the children of Dan
Num 7:67 gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
Num 7:68 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;
Num 7:69 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;
Num 7:70 one male goat for a sin offering;
Num 7:71 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
Num 7:72 On the eleventh day Pagiel the son of Ochran, prince of the children of Asher
Num 7:73 gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
Num 7:74 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;
Num 7:75 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;
Num 7:76 one male goat for a sin offering;
Num 7:77 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Pagiel the son of Ochran.
Num 7:78 On the twelfth day Ahira the son of Enan, prince of the children of Naphtali
Num 7:79 gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
Num 7:80 one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense;
Num 7:81 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;
Num 7:82 one male goat for a sin offering;
Num 7:83 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Ahira the son of Enan.
Num 7:84 This was the dedication of the altar, on the day when it was anointed, by the princes of Israel: twelve silver platters, twelve silver bowls, twelve golden ladles;
Num 7:85 each silver platter weighing one hundred thirty shekels, and each bowl seventy; all the silver of the vessels two thousand four hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary;
Num 7:86 the twelve golden ladles, full of incense, weighing ten shekels apiece, after the shekel of the sanctuary; all the gold of the ladles weighed one hundred twenty shekels;
Num 7:87 all the cattle for the burnt offering twelve bulls, the rams twelve, the male lambs a year old twelve, and their meal offering; and the male goats for a sin offering twelve;
Num 7:88 and all the cattle for the sacrifice of peace offerings twenty-four bulls, the rams sixty, the male goats sixty, the male lambs a year old sixty. This was the dedication of the altar, after it was anointed.
Num 7:89 When Moses went into the Tent of Meeting to speak with Yahweh, he heard his voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubim: and he spoke to him.

Num 8:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Num 8:2 "Speak to Aaron, and tell him, 'When you light the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand.' "
Num 8:3 Aaron did so. He lit its lamps to light the area in front of the lampstand, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
Num 8:4 This was the workmanship of the lampstand, beaten work of gold. From its base to its flowers, it was beaten work: according to the pattern which Yahweh had shown Moses, so he made the lampstand.
Num 8:5 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Num 8:6 "Take the Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them.
Num 8:7 You shall do this to them, to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of cleansing on them, let them shave their whole bodies with a razor, and let them wash their clothes, and cleanse themselves.
Num 8:8 Then let them take a young bull, and its meal offering, fine flour mixed with oil; and another young bull you shall take for a sin offering.
Num 8:9 You shall present the Levites before the Tent of Meeting. You shall assemble the whole congregation of the children of Israel.
Num 8:10 You shall present the Levites before Yahweh. The children of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites,
Num 8:11 and Aaron shall offer the Levites before Yahweh for a wave offering, on the behalf of the children of Israel, that it may be theirs to do the service of Yahweh.
Num 8:12 The Levites shall lay their hands on the heads of the bulls, and you shall offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering to Yahweh, to make atonement for the Levites.
Num 8:13 You shall set the Levites before Aaron, and before his sons, and offer them as a wave offering to Yahweh.
Num 8:14 Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the children of Israel, and the Levites shall be mine.
Num 8:15 "After that, the Levites shall go in to do the service of the Tent of Meeting: and you shall cleanse them, and offer them as a wave offering.
Num 8:16 For they are wholly given to me from among the children of Israel; instead of all who open the womb, even the firstborn of all the children of Israel, I have taken them to me.
Num 8:17 For all the firstborn among the children of Israel are mine, both man and animal. On the day that I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified them for myself.
Num 8:18 I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel.
Num 8:19 I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the Tent of Meeting, and to make atonement for the children of Israel; that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come near to the sanctuary."
Num 8:20 Moses, and Aaron, and all the congregation of the children of Israel did so to the Levites. According to all that Yahweh commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so the children of Israel did to them.
Num 8:21 The Levites purified themselves from sin, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them for a wave offering before Yahweh; and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them.
Num 8:22 After that, the Levites went in to do their service in the Tent of Meeting before Aaron, and before his sons: as Yahweh had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so they did to them.
Num 8:23 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Num 8:24 "This is that which belongs to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall go in to wait on the service in the work of the Tent of Meeting;
Num 8:25 and from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting on the work, and shall serve no more,
Num 8:26 but shall minister with their brothers in the Tent of Meeting, to perform the duty, and shall do no service. You shall do thus to the Levites concerning their duties."


Apr. 8, 9
Luke 6

Luk 6:1 Now it happened on the second Sabbath after the first, that he was going through the grain fields. His disciples plucked the heads of grain, and ate, rubbing them in their hands.
Luk 6:2 But some of the Pharisees said to them, "Why do you do that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath day?"
Luk 6:3 Jesus, answering them, said, "Haven't you read what David did when he was hungry, he, and those who were with him;
Luk 6:4 how he entered into the house of God, and took and ate the show bread, and gave also to those who were with him, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests alone?"
Luk 6:5 He said to them, "The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath."
Luk 6:6 It also happened on another Sabbath that he entered into the synagogue and taught. There was a man there, and his right hand was withered.
Luk 6:7 The scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against him.
Luk 6:8 But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man who had the withered hand, "Rise up, and stand in the middle." He arose and stood.
Luk 6:9 Then Jesus said to them, "I will ask you something: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?"
Luk 6:10 He looked around at them all, and said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did, and his hand was restored as sound as the other.
Luk 6:11 But they were filled with rage, and talked with one another about what they might do to Jesus.
Luk 6:12 It happened in these days, that he went out to the mountain to pray, and he continued all night in prayer to God.
Luk 6:13 When it was day, he called his disciples, and from them he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles:
Luk 6:14 Simon, whom he also named Peter; Andrew, his brother; James; John; Philip; Bartholomew;
Luk 6:15 Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Simon, who was called the Zealot;
Luk 6:16 Judas the son of James; and Judas Iscariot, who also became a traitor.
Luk 6:17 He came down with them, and stood on a level place, with a crowd of his disciples, and a great number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases;
Luk 6:18 as well as those who were troubled by unclean spirits, and they were being healed.
Luk 6:19 All the multitude sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.
Luk 6:20 He lifted up his eyes to his disciples, and said, "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God.
Luk 6:21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
Luk 6:22 Blessed are you when men shall hate you, and when they shall exclude and mock you, and throw out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake.
Luk 6:23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven, for their fathers did the same thing to the prophets.
Luk 6:24 "But woe to you who are rich! For you have received your consolation.
Luk 6:25 Woe to you, you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.
Luk 6:26 Woe, when men speak well of you, for their fathers did the same thing to the false prophets.
Luk 6:27 "But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
Luk 6:28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.
Luk 6:29 To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him who takes away your cloak, don't withhold your coat also.
Luk 6:30 Give to everyone who asks you, and don't ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again.
Luk 6:31 "As you would like people to do to you, do exactly so to them.
Luk 6:32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
Luk 6:33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
Luk 6:34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much.
Luk 6:35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.
Luk 6:36 Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful.
Luk 6:37 Don't judge, and you won't be judged. Don't condemn, and you won't be condemned. Set free, and you will be set free.
Luk 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you."
Luk 6:39 He spoke a parable to them. "Can the blind guide the blind? Won't they both fall into a pit?
Luk 6:40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.
Luk 6:41 Why do you see the speck of chaff that is in your brother's eye, but don't consider the beam that is in your own eye?
Luk 6:42 Or how can you tell your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck of chaff that is in your eye,' when you yourself don't see the beam that is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck of chaff that is in your brother's eye.
Luk 6:43 For there is no good tree that brings forth rotten fruit; nor again a rotten tree that brings forth good fruit.
Luk 6:44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people don't gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.
Luk 6:45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.
Luk 6:46 "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and don't do the things which I say?
Luk 6:47 Everyone who comes to me, and hears my words, and does them, I will show you who he is like.
Luk 6:48 He is like a man building a house, who dug and went deep, and laid a foundation on the rock. When a flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it was founded on the rock.
Luk 6:49 But he who hears, and doesn't do, is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great."

From Mark Copeland... The Implanted Word (James 1:21-25)

                          "THE EPISTLE OF JAMES"

                        The Implanted Word (1:21-25)
                                
INTRODUCTION

1. This study is based upon Jm 1:21-25, in which we read concerning
   "The Implanted Word" (the KJV uses the word "Engrafted"):

   21  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of
   naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is
   able to save your souls. 22  But be ye doers of the word, and not
   hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23  For if any be a hearer
   of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his
   natural face in a glass: 24  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his
   way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25  But
   whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth
   [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work,
   this man shall be blessed in his deed. (James 1)

2. Several observations can be made about the Word of God from this
   passage, and the first pertains to what the Word is able to do in our
   lives...

I. THE POWER OF THE WORD OF GOD

   A. NOTICE THE WORDS OF JAMES HIMSELF...
      1. "which is able to save your souls" (1:21)
      2. Stated very clearly, the Word of God has the power to SAVE OUR
         SOULS!

   [To see how, let's consider some other scriptures...]

   B. ITS POWER TO SAVE IS FOUND IN ITS ABILITY TO...
      1. CREATE ANEW
         a. I.e., to cause us to be born again - 1Pe 1:22-25; Jm 1:18
         b. This is because of what the Word of God contains:  God's
            way of salvation through Jesus Christ!
      2. SANCTIFY
         a. The word "sanctify" means to "set apart for a holy purpose"
         b. David sang of the Word's ability to sanctify God's people
            - Ps 19:7-11
         c. In His prayer, Jesus spoke of the sanctifying influence of
            God's Word - Jn 17:15-17
         d. Thus the Word of God can serve to set us apart for His
            purpose!
      3. PRESERVE
         a. The young were told to preserve their way by the Word of
            God - Ps 119:9,11
         b. The elders were admonished to keep the church pure by
            the same Word - Ac 20:28-32

[When we take the time to consider the POWER of the Word of God, it
becomes evident that the Word is very important to the Christian!

But the value of "The Implanted Word" can only be realized when
certain conditions are met.  We find those conditions mentioned in our
text...]

II. BENEFITING FROM THE POWERFUL WORD OF GOD

   A. THERE ARE THINGS WE MUST LAY ASIDE! (21a)
      1. James mentions such things as "all filthiness and overflow of
         wickedness" (NKJV) - cf. Paul's description of things to
         lay aside - Col 3:5-9
      2. For the Word of God to bear its fruit in our lives, the "weeds
         of sin" must first be uprooted!
         a. We cannot hope to benefit from our study of the Word if we
            continue to dwell on that which is spiritually filthy and to
            engage in wickedness
         b. Could this be why many do not get much out of Bible study?

   B. WE MUST HAVE A PROPER ATTITUDE! (21b)
      1. James says to "receive with meekness" the Word of God
      2. A humble and receptive attitude is essential to get the most
         out of the Word of God
      3. It helps to remain humble if we remember two things:
         a. We are sinners too!
         b. We can be easily deceived also!
      4. We should study, not to learn facts, not to win debates, but to
         learn God's truth to save ourselves and those around us!
      5. Is this prayer of David our own?  "Open thou mine eyes, that I
         may behold wondrous things out of thy law." (Ps 119:18)

   C. THE WORD MUST BE "IMPLANTED" IN OUR HEARTS! (21b)
      1. It is only the "implanted" Word which can truly save our souls
         a. Therefore we must be sure to take the words out of the pages
            and implant them into our hearts!
         b. Otherwise we are no different from the Jews who gave lip
            service to their Words written on stone
      2. A distinguishing feature of the those under the NEW COVENANT
         is that the Word of God is to be WRITTEN IN THEIR HEARTS - He 8:6-13
      3. Where is the Word of God today?
         a. Is it only in ink inscribed on paper?
         b. Or we have we read it often enough, meditated upon it enough,
            that it has become IMPLANTED in our hearts as well?
      4. Is this possible without daily reading of the Bible?

   D. IT MUST BE APPLIED IN OUR LIVES! (22-25)
      1. We must be "doers of the Word and not hearers only"
      2. Otherwise, we deceive ourselves (and usually ONLY ourselves)
         a. God is not deceived
         b. Nor is the devil
         c. Most likely our children will see through us
         d. And so will many others!
      3. Notice that the true blessedness of the Word comes...
         a. NOT by "looking into the perfect law of liberty" ALONE
         b. BUT by "continuing in it," and being "a doer of the work"
      4. Yes, it is not just the READING of the Word which provides JOY,
         PEACE and HAPPINESS, but the actual application of the Word in
         lives through faithful obedience!

CONCLUSION

1. Notice that James calls the Word of God the "perfect law of liberty"
   - Jm 1:25
   a. This is because in its power to:
      * CREATE ANEW
      * SANCTIFY
      * PRESERVE
   b.  ...it provides TRUE FREEDOM:  LIBERATION FROM THE GUILT AND
      DOMINION OF SIN!

2. Of course, what gives the Word this power is the message it contains:
   THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST (God's power unto salvation - Ro 1:16)

3. Undoubtedly you have heard it...but hearing it is not enough!
   a. You must lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness - that
      is, to REPENT - Ac 17:30-31
   b. You must receive the message of the gospel with meekness - in other
      words, to BELIEVE - Jn 3:16
   c. You must also be a "doer of the Word" - for example, to OBEY HIS
      COMMAND TO BE BAPTIZED
      1) For Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to those who OBEY
         Him - He 5:9
      2) And in addition to the commands to believe and repent, He calls
         us to be baptized! - Mk 16:16; Mt 28:19; Ac 2:38; 22:16

Receive with meekness these very words of Jesus and His apostles, for
that is how the Word of God is able to save your soul!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011