Making God's Word A Priority

“Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:7–8 ESV) Making God’s Word A Priority - Reading The Bible In 2022 - Why should I make God’s Word a priority? So that, I can … 1. See Truth Clearly “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) “The unfolding [opening, revealing] of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130 ESV) fi fi “And we have the prophetic word [of Scripture] more fully con rmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this rst of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:19–21 ESV) Why should I make God’s Word a priority? So that, I can … 1. See Truth Clearly 2. Defeat Evil Successfully “Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11) “Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand rm.” (Ephesians 6:13) fi “and take … the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” (Ephesians 6:16 ESV) “But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4) Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (Matthew 4:7) Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” (Matthew 4:10) “Then the devil left him .…” (Matthew 4:11 ESV) “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11 ESV) Why should I make God’s Word a priority? So that, I can … 1. See Truth Clearly 2. Defeat Evil Successfully 3. Grow Strong Spiritually “… since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;” (1 Peter 1:23) “‘… but the word of the Lord remains forever.’ And this word is the good news that was preached to you.” (1 Peter 1:25) “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk [milk of the word], that by it you may grow up into salvation—” (1 Peter 2:2 ESV) “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained [exercised] by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” (Hebrews 5:12–14 ESV) Why should I make God’s Word a priority? So that, I can … 1. See Truth Clearly 2. Defeat Evil Successfully 3. Grow Strong Spiritually 4. Know God Personally fi “… the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and pro table for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:15–17 ESV) fi “In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and x my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.” (Psalm 119:14–16 ESV) fi “In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and x my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.” (Psalm 119:14–16 ESV) Why should I make God’s Word a priority? So that, I can … 1. See Truth Clearly 2. Defeat Evil Successfully 3. Grow Strong Spiritually 4. Know God Personally How can I make God’s Word a priority? 1. Plan (what? when? where?) 2. Read (pray for understanding; ask questions) 3. Apply (pray for transformation; trust & obey) 4. Meditate (think & talk to yourself) 5. Share (with family, friends) ✤ The Ballad of the Bread Lickers (poem)