The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Lamp

  • Have Ears to Hear

    “But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.”

    Matthew 13:16

    Most people ignore the Word of God. We know the latest scores of sporting events, the latest movies that are out, the most recent headlines, popular shorts to be watched, and so many more irrelevant issues of the day. Yet we neglect to know the true life changing Word of God. Not only does it teach us about Jesus, the only way to heaven, but the Bible is to guide Christians’ every day lives. Many have memorized the following verse: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). However, do many Christians actually do this?

    Remembering that the Bible is all about Jesus, a Christian cannot live a Christ-like life without setting one’s heart upon knowing the Word of God – for it will reveal Jesus to us. “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). Glory means “the recognition belonging to a person, honor, renown. God’s glory made itself manifest in and through Jesus Christ (see John 1:14, 2 Corinthians 4:6).” Knowing Jesus reveals the glory of God. As you read through the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), you will often find that the people glorified God when they saw Jesus’ miracles (see Matthew 15:31). To know God and His glory, one must know Jesus and His Word. Remember what Jesus told his disciples. “And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me” (Luke 24:44). Because all of the Bible teaches of Jesus, Christians must know the Bible and what it says if we are to know Christ better.

    Understanding these things, Believers are to take time to read God’s Word. As we read, hearing from God, we must understand what it is we are hearing from God. “Who hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 13:9). It is then we begin to study and truly understand the Bible. Read what Jesus said about those who understand God’s Word. “But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear” (Matthew 13:16).

    After reading and beginning to understand God’s Word, Christians must ponder upon the Word of God. The word ponder means “to think deeply, carefully, and for a long time about something, often when trying to make a hard choice or understand a complex idea.” As we ponder upon God’s Word, we begin to have His Word in our hearts. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). Heart means “the totality of man’s inner or immaterial nature… These are the deepest, innermost feelings.” When God’s Word is in our hearts, we can adhere to its’ teachings. “21. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.22. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:21-23). It is important to keep (obey) God’s Word. It is then a Believer can have a relationship with Jesus. “14.Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15.Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” John 15:14-15). We become Jesus’ friends.

    Once one reads God’s Word, hears from God, and ponders upon it, Believers are then able to implement the principles found into our lives. It is at that point we become more like Jesus. Then one can understand the plan and purpose God has for that life. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). It is a process. Keep in mind that many followed Jesus while He walked on this earth. The crowds pressed upon Him often. The disciples followed Him. Yet remember what Jesus told them. “24. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.25. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 16:24-25). It is then that one can truly know Him.

    Finally, Believers are to get busy. Remember how the writer of Hebrews prayed for the Believers before the book closed. “20. Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21. Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21).

    Have you recognized the importance of Christians knowing and understanding God’s Word, which prepares us to know and walk with Jesus?

  • Search the Scriptures Daily

    “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
    Psalm 119:11

    Christians know that God’s Word is the Bible. We must also recognize the importance of using it correctly. In order to understand the correct way to use God’s Word, one must first know what it says. Each Christian should have their own personal copy of the Bible realizing the importance of not only having it, but also reading it and knowing what it says.

    How do Christian’s learn what God’s Word truly says? “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). Read the Bible, search it, and understand what it says. It is important to learn how to compare Scripture to Scripture. The Bible is the best commentary on itself!

    As one searches the Scriptures, one is to remember it and hide it in one’s heart. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). When a Christian has the Word of God in one’s heart, what are they to do with it? “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). One must allow God’s Word to direct their life. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17).

    Much as Christians are to learn how to understand God’s Word, they are to learn how to use the Word of God correctly. Christians are to recognize those who know Jesus, and to recognize true teachers of God’s Word. There are many teachers in the world. We are to listen to the ones who truly know Jesus (are Christians), teach the truth of Jesus, and live those truths out in their lives. “7. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation … 17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:7, 17). If they teach the true Word of God, living those truths out in their lives, follow them.

    What is the most important thing we should understand about knowing and living by God’s Word?  “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:5). It really does not matter what one thinks, it matters what God said in His Word. Once we understand this, we have a hope the world does not have. We know from reading the Bible that God promised Jesus from the beginning of time. God gave His Son, Jesus, to bring us to a relationship with Him. This can only be obtained by understanding the Gospel Message. “1. Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2. By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Why doesn’t everyone in the world understand the importance of the Gospel Message? “3. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). Satan does not want anyone to know the simplicity of the Truth of the Gospel Message. That is why it is important for us to first live a life that reveals Jesus, and then tell the world what Jesus has done — so that they, too, may be saved.

    Do you search the Scriptures daily, understanding and sharing the Gospel message?

    How to be Saved

  • Obey, or Run Away

    “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”
    Psalm119:105

    Have you ever recognized God speaking to you through His Word? Did you understand there was something He wanted you to do? Have you ever chosen to do what you want to do instead of following the plan God has for your life? God’s Word is to be a light for your path giving you direction. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm119:105). 

    One cannot help but remember back to a man in the Bible who chose to do what he wanted to do over what God wanted him to do. He was told by God to do a job. However, instead of obeying God, he ran the other direction. This man’s name was Jonah. He was a prophet of the Lord.

    God told Jonah, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me” (Jonah 1:2). Instead of obeying God, read what Jonah did. He went, found a ship, bought a ticket, boarded the ship, and went to sleep. No problems! Everything is lovely! He must be in God’s will for everything to have worked out so well! However, see what God’s Word tells us: “But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD” (Jonah 1:3). He thought he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord – all because he did not want to do what God wanted him to do. One important thing to consider: can anyone hide from God? “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?” (Psalm 139:7). The following verses (in Psalm 139:8-12) declare there is no place one can hide from God. Nevertheless, Jonah was so comfortable in his position of flight from God that he went to sleep in the belly of the ship.

    Jonah was still asleep when a great storm arose that terrified even the seasoned mariners that were in charge of the ship. They were afraid the ship would be broken. “Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep” (Jonah 1:5).

    Jonah knew the storm had come because of him. Jonah had not implemented what he knew: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm119:105). Jonah was supposed to follow the path God’s Words had given to him. Jonah knew what God had told him to do. Instead, he went the opposite direction, ending up on a ship in the midst of a terrible storm. Jonah told the men to throw him overboard, and the storm would cease. “15. So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging. 16. Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows” (Jonah 1:15-16).

    God knew what they would do. See what He had already done. “Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights” (Jonah 1:17). 

    What did Jonah do once he was imprisoned in the belly of the fish? “Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly” (Jonah 2:1). Jonah understood. It was his fault that he was there. Jonah cried out to God to help him. “When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple” (Jonah 2:7). Jonah recognized his failings, promising to do what he was supposed to do. “But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD” (Jonah 2:9). Once he repented, “And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land” (Jonah 2:10).

    Jonah went to Nineveh. He warned the people. Everyone from the king down repented and turned to God. Because of Jonah’s warning, the whole city was saved. However, Jonah will forever be known as a reluctant prophet who was swallowed by a great fish for disobeying God.

    Are you willing to disobey God’s plan for your life, running away ending up ineffectual, until you recognize God and repent?

    Or will you choose to make God’s Word a lamp unto your feet, and a light unto your path?