From the words that spoke creation into being, to the declarations that will signal the New Heavens and the New Earth (Rev 21:1-5), God’s Word brings things into being. Our spiritual life begins by God’s word (James 1:18) and the only way we continue in our faith is through God’s word.
So when we are told to “receive with meekness the implanted word” (James 1:21) we do well to pay close attention! But how do we do that? What does it mean to “receive with meekness the implanted word”? Let me suggest a few ideas:
1. Seek out God’s word. Put yourself in a place where God can speak to you by regularly, systematically reading and meditating on God’s word. Listen to good teachers of God’s word.
2. Seek humility before God’s word. Whatever the problem, humility is part of the answer! We humble ourselves when we acknowledge our need for the Word. We are not as smart as we think we are, so we confess ignorance and ask the Lord to teach you.
3. We “receive” God’s word when we allow it to be the authority in our lives. We do not stand over the word, it stands over us. We humble (and gladly!) submit to the authority of God’s word.
4. Don’t disdain the delivery system that God chooses. You may think yourself wiser, cooler, and more “correct” than any given preacher/teacher/author/friend. But if you kill your pride and humble yourself to hear, God can speak to you through an old ass! (Numbers 22:21-31).
5. Apply yourself to the word. Actively study the word for yourself. Don’t rely on others to chew and digest the word for you. Step up to the table yourself!
6. Apply the word to yourself. Actively ask the Lord to show you ways to apply the word to your live. Use the word to do a fearful and searching moral inventory. Look for ways to change because of the word.
7. Just do it! (James 1:22)
If you are receptive to the word God “implants” in your heart and persistently follow through on its application you will be “blessed in all you do” (James 1:25)!
In our efforts to communicate well and get our message across, the tendency is to over-analyze and over-explain. We want to unpack meaning and drive home application, so we pile on the words.
There is a time for tomes and a long thoughtful readings (like Psalm 119). But this morning I was reading Psalm 117 (the shortest psalm) which simply states:
117:1 Praise the Lord, all nations!
Extol him, all peoples!
(2) For great is his steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord!
114:1 When Israel went out from Egypt,
the house of Jacob from a people of strange language, 2 Judah became his sanctuary,
Israel his dominion.
O Lord, where is your holy dwelling place? Where is your kingdom? When your people were on the move, when you were delivering them from Egypt – then, O Lord, your people themselves became your sanctuary, your people became your dominion! You dwell with your people, your church!
3 The sea looked and fled;
Jordan turned back. 4 The mountains skipped like rams,
the hills like lambs.
When you move with your people, when your powerful presence in with your people – then all obstacles flee before you! Insurmountable barriers melt like wax!
5 What ails you, O sea, that you flee?
O Jordan, that you turn back? 6 O mountains, that you skip like rams?
O hills, like lambs?
Your people can only, in joy, ask the triumphal questions – yes, taunts - of the victors!
7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,
at the presence of the God of Jacob, 8 who turns the rock into a pool of water,
the flint into a spring of water
O Lord, it is not your people, but your presence with your people that parts seas, moves mountains, brings streams in the desert, and transforms the wilderness! Yes, tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord – amidst His people!
Stoneybrook Relay For Life: Team Southwest walks again! Mark your calendars for May 8-9th and join in the fight against cancer. This will be our next big outreach event. We would like everyone to be a part of this great opportunity! Here are some pictures from last year’s relay.
Log onto www.relayforlife.org/stoneybrookfl to register as a participant and begin fundraising online. See Susan Feltman or Nancy Welch for details
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