Walking in the truth...

 

3 John 4  "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."  (NIV)

"Walking in the truth"---Not merely professing faith in Jesus Christ (the Truth), but living out that faith on a daily basis.  Letting our words and actions show that we follow Christ.

Deut. 32:47  These are not just idle words for you, they are your life."  (NIV)

Thank you, Lord, for our salvation, now teach us how to walk daily in your truth.  Our faith is in you and you are the pathway we wish to follow.

The Word is alive and active...

 

Hebrews 4:12  "For the Word that God speaks is alive and active; it cuts more keenly than any two-edged sword:  it strikes through to the place where soul and spirit meet, to the innermost intimacies of a man's being: it examines the very thoughts and motives of a man's heart.."  (Phillips)

The Word that God speaks is Jesus Christ.  All God wants to say, he said in Jesus.  We are to listen.  What does the word do or say?  We are told here that the Word is both alive and active.  Every time we read God's word in scripture or call on God's Word, Jesus, we find life and activity.  Each reading can speak new thoughts and insights.  Each contact can right something in our life through his life.  Jesus is the way, truth, and life---we need all of those things through him.

God's Word also cuts and strikes.  We are pruned and cleaned up by God's Word.  We are rebuked and shown where change is needed.  Because God's Word is Truth, we will not be allowed to hold on to lies and false teachings.  We will be shown truth and expected to obey it.

God's Word examines our thoughts and motives.  We will see ourselves as God sees us.  It's not pretty.  When we see ourselves naked and exposed before him, we will repent.  Then we can see him welcoming us home as his children.  God's Word is our salvation and our peace in Jesus Christ.

Thank you, LORD for your living and active Word that speaks life to us and into us through Jesus Christ.

"...and will look up"...

 

Psalm 5:1-3  "Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.  Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God; for unto thee will I pray.  My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up."  (KJV)

I very seldom use the KJV translation of the Bible, but I learned these words as a song taken directly from this version.  The final words, "and will look up" remind me very graphically that when I pray my attention and expectation is directed to a specific source---my God, my Father in heaven.  I'm not looking to the world for answers.  I'm looking upward to God.

I like the NIV translation also---"and wait in expectation."  That is what prayer is all about.  Looking upward to God, who loves us, and waiting in expectation for his answers.  We trust him.  We know he is loving and faithful and will answer all our prayers.  

Hear my heart and my cries and my meditations this morning, O LORD!  I will look up and wait in expectation of your blessings!  Thank You!