Weekend Words

From Beside the Still Waters...

Our Response to God's Word: Read Luke 8:5-15, James 1:19-27

"If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed." - John 8:31

How we respond to what the Bible tells us is serious because it affects our walk with God and our eternal destiny.  The Scriptures give clear warning about those who disobey, disbelieve, or distort what God says in His unchanging Word.  Instead of allowing the Bible to change their lives, many try to find ways around passages they don't want to accept.  In 2 Peter 3:16 we read of those who twist the Scriptures "unto their own destruction."  Rejecting sound Bible teaching causes people to change the truth of God into a lie (Romans 1:25).

We need to respond to God's word with a ready, receptive mind and a willing, surrendered heart.  Then we will experience the transforming power and abiding presence of God, and it will be evident in what we say, where we look - yes, every choice we make.  James 1 directs us to lay aside anything that hinders our reception of the word, such as earthly interests and preconceived ideas.  If we hear God's Word in a careless manner and neglect to do what it says, we are deceived.

We must be doers of the Word by applying it to our lives personally and responding in prompt obedience.  God's word is like a mirror.  Being a "forgetful hearer" is like taking a quick glance in a mirror but not combing our messy hair or washing our dirty face.  We need to gaze into "the perfect law of liberty" with close attention, and then do what it says.

By daily reading and meditating on God's word, we will grow spiritually and be blessed.  Let us believe and obey it precepts, heed its warnings, claim its precious promises, and apply its truth to our lives.  "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly" (Colossians 3:16).

Mark Kropf - Halsey, OR

Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it. - Luke 11:28

From Amish Peace... I posted this two years ago, but came across it again today :)

Satisfied

He fills my life with good things.  My youth is renewed like the eagle's! - Psalm 103:5

Where do you find your satisfaction?  What feeds your soul?  I'm an introvert, so I get "recharged" when I have time for quiet, Scripture reading, and reflection.  I have family members who get charged up by being with friends.

Like anyone else, the Amish have the same basic needs - for love, respect, information, community, safety and fun - but compared with us they have very different ways of satisfying those needs.  Here is how Joe Wittmer, PhD, explains it:

Some non-Amish individuals have mistakenly assumed that the Amish are like them in need, or at least should want to be like them.  For example, recently after concluding a speech I had made concerning the Amish, an individual in the audience asked, "Are you telling us that they really don't want to drive a car, that they really don't want running water and that they really don't want to own a television set or a computer?  Come on Dr Wittmer, this is the new millennium, the 21st Century!  Amish people surely must secretly want these things."  The answer is an unequivocal "no!"

The Old Order Amish really do not want to use our modern devices or appliances and they really do not want to be like us in most respects!  Matter of fact, Amish relatives will often tell me how they truly feel sorry for certain non-Amish acquaintances of theirs because of the stressful lives they see them living.

Can you relate?  The world may look at us as Christians and see all that we are "missing out" on, yet we know what satisfies our souls.  God is the only thing that can truly satisfy.  His love never fails.  His love renews, refreshes, and makes us feel as if we can soar.  And the more we have of God, the less we desire anything else.  We will actually end up feeling sorry for those who don't have what we have.  Turn to God today and be satisfied.