RECIPE FOR USING GOD'S WORD

I love recipes -- especially recipes that use common, ordinary ingredients and that are simple and easy to follow. Have you ever thought about a recipe for using God's Word?

A young man once told me that people in his church would gather just for the purpose of spending time in prayer. "But," he added sorrowfully, "they feel they don't need to read the Word as they've already read it."

Immediately I thought of Romans 10:17: "(F)aith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (KJV). I wonder how they expected to have faith that their many prayers would be heard and answered?

No doubt all of us could quote Psalm 119:11: "Thy word have I hidden in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." But have you ever read the Living Bible paraphrase of that verse? I love it! "I have thought much about your words, and stored them in my heart so that they would hold me back from sin" (LB).

And as far as a recipe for using God's Word is concerned, the following verses are as plain and explicit as can be, easy to follow, too. "Blessed Lord, teach me your rules. . . I will meditate upon them and give them my full respect. I will delight in them and not forget them. . . Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word. . . how I need a map -- and your commands are my chart and guide . . . Your laws are my counselors . . . Revive me by your Word . . . (G)ive me your instructions . . . encourage and cheer me with your words . . . I cling to your commands and follow them as closely as I can" Ps. 119:12-31 (LB).

I usually don't quote this much Scripture; but this is so good I can't find a suitable stopping place!

We're still in the beginning of a new decade. Why don't we, along with the Psalmist David, make these Scriptures our prayer for this New Year? While we're about it, let's add the rest of these Scriptures starting with verse 31b through 38: "Lord, don't let me make a mess of things. If you will only help me to want your will, then I will follow your laws even more closely. Just tell me what to do and I will do it, Lord . . . As long as I live I'll wholeheartedly obey . . . Make me walk along the right paths . . . Turn me away from wanting any other plan than yours . . . Reassure me that your promises are for me, for I trust and revere you."

Now that we have the recipe, how about following the instructions?

Amen and Amen!

Preacher's Kid