Songs of the Season week 3

HOW TO MAINTAIN A HEART FOR GOD’S WORD

Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart, they do no wrong but follow his ways.       Psalms 119:1 - 3  

How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees.      Psalms 119:9 - 12

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times. Psalms 119:18, 20

What Are the Practical Steps to Maintain a Heart For God’s Word?

I MAKE THE BIBLE THE FOUNDATION OF MY LIFE.

“Everyone who hears these words of mine, and puts them into practice, is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24

Four Unreliable Foundations  

Popular culture

Tradition

Reason

There’s a way that seems right to man, but in the end it leads to death.       Proverbs 16:25   

Emotion

I FEED MYSELF ON THE WORD OF GOD. 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.   Colossians 3:16a

I RECEIVE IT WITH MY EARS. 

Faith comes through hearing the word of God.    Romans 10:17a

I READ IT WITH MY EYES.

I RESEARCH IT WITH MY HANDS AND WITH MY MOUTH.  

I MEDITATE ON IT WITH MY MIND.

I REMEMBER IT WITH MY HEART.

I’VE GOT TO LIVE BY THE WORD OF GOD. 

IT’S THE WORD OF GOD THAT WILL GIVE YOU … 

HOPE when you’re in crisis. 

COMFORT when you are in despair.  

STRENGTH when you are weak.  

WISDOM when you’re confused.  

GUIDANCE when you’re looking for direction.  

POWER to fight against temptation.  

I’ve hidden your word in my heart so that I might not sin against you.    Psalm 119:11

I GROW THROUGH IT.

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. Psalms 119:18 

Four different attitudes that you can have toward the Bible:

The hardened soil.  

I must cultivate an open mind.  

The shallow soil.  

I must make time for God’s Word.  

A soil with weeds.  

I must eliminate the distractions.  

A willing mind.

I must cooperate with what God says.  

I’VE GOT TO ACT ON IT. 

Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.      James 1:22

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.    Psalm 119:105