Several years ago, two or three years into my hard and fast following of the Lord, I had a panic that I never in my life want to experience again.
It was one of those morning when the transformation of Jesus was not very evident in me. Things had gone wrong and more wrong in our morning routine. I was running late. (I hate to be late!) I had fussed at everyone. After throwing everything in the car, feverishly buckling children in car seats, and slamming every door I could get my hand on, I was off.
The Spirit begin to convict me. I begin to pray and try to say a verse He brought to my mind. I could not remember the verse. I was panicked. I was crying, trying to remember the verse. With one hand on the stirring wheel I reached to the passenger seat to get my Bible, it was not there. I had left my Bible at home. I wept even more. I needed my Word. I needed that verse. I prayed asking God to help me. Literally crying out, "Help me." He did. That day I vowed never again to be without a copy of God's Word near by.
When I read God's instructions to the kings (Which by the way, He knew they would want before they even asked. Isn't He something? Always thinking ahead.) I grinned from ear to ear.
When he sits on the throne as king, he must copy for himself this body of instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. (17:18)
Then He speaks directly to my heart with benefits of having the "body of instruction" close by. I shout "Amen" to the benefits. When a copy of the "body of instruction" is kept close by (which is a must) and he reads it daily he will be taught to:
- Fear the Lord
- Not to become proud
- Not to turn away from the Lord's commands
This new covenant girl can testify to the power of God's Word. I love it! I devour it! It has taught me to fear the Lord. Each day it continues to teach me not to be proud and not turn away from the Lord's commands. His Word is...
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
16 Comments:
Wendy, I hear your passion and hunger for God's Word. It IS a "must have". I have a Bible in the glove compartment of my car...you're right, we need it with us at all times.
This morning the thought that struck me was from Deut 17:16. The Lord says, "You must never return to Egypt". I was contemplating my "Egypt"...the place of slavery, captivity...the place where I am/was held hostage. Once God brings freedom and release, He commands us to never return again.
It's not easy, but Deut 20:1 provides the strength, "The LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you!"
No turning back, no turning back,
Joy
PS. Thanks for your continued prayers for my Dad and my family. Waiting on Him and with Him.
I loved your explanations today, Wendy! Do you know how much we look forward to your teachings?
Thank you for serving us!
I, too, love the "guidelines for a King" section. I have been a Christian all my life, but I hate to say that I have not been reading His Word, daily, for all those years! I hate to admit it; but, in fact, it's only been about two years that I have been doing a scheduled, daily time with God. If only I had known what I know now! I do not even know how I made it through all those days on my own rather than listening for his sweet whispers...People that do not read scripture do not know what they are missing. And what I've noticed is, that the more I read...the more sweeter it is, and the more I want to continue to read it throughout the day. It's like you said, you just can't be apart from it. My Bible has become my most precious possession. I was thinking about your verse at the end: "all Scripture is God-breathed..." we talk all day to our family members, friends...reading the Bible is just like talking to God. The more He reveals Himself to me, the more captivated I am about Him.
I loved the part that said the King must do "regular" reading...
This regular reading will help us to not turn from God's commands in even the smallest of ways. If we are not in God's Word, a small sin, may not really be that big of a deal...but even our thoughts can be sinful to God.
I looked up regular (I like dictionary.com too):
usual & customary
recurring at fixed times
habitual
conforming to accepted discipline
automatic
consistant
daily
dependable
carried out with an accepted rule
Today I'm clinging to God and His Word! Love you all,
Lori - Mesa, AZ
Wendey--those same verses were the ones that stood out for me. The gift of His complete Word--which the Israelites didn't have--is sucha blessing.
On this beautiful spring day in Wisconsin, I realize the importance of reading the Old Covenant rules and regulations, just like winter, we can appreciate the new life after going through winter. And I am ever so thankful for the sacrifice that Jesus made to cover my sins!
Have an awesome Spring day!
Wendy,
I also noticed right away the guidelines for a King. Lori, thank you too for your insight. This is my first time reading the chronological Bible, and I am richly blessed each day. It is as you say, the more you read it, the sweeter it is!
I also was struck by Deuteronomy 18:15,18b-19
“The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him...I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell the people everything I command him. I will personally deal with anyone who will not listen to the messages the prophet proclaims on my behalf. "
I never cease to be amazed at the foretelling of the coming of Christ in the Old Testament.
Thank you all for all your words and insights! Joy, you are daily in my prayers!
Karen, CA
Wendy I can relate to that morning so much and I too always want His word close to me. Thanks for your insight.
Thanks Ladies for your revelations as well. I have been in the word daily for about 5 years but this is my first time clear through chrological and I am learning so much. Thanks.
Blessing everyone
Lynn - OR
God's plan for prosperity for our spiritual life and our natural life is found when the Word of God is in our hearts and upon our lips.
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Joshua 1:8
Blessings!
Debbie - North Carolina
Debbie
Joshua 1:8 is God's verse for me in 2009. I love it!
Does anyone else have a key verse for 2009?
God gives me a new every year.
Good Afternoon Ladies,
God's word is such a simple instruction manual for living. Yet we make it so difficult. He tells us to keep it,follow 10 simple commands and fear him. How often we forget to make it so complicated! I wasn't saved until I was 19. Looking back I often wonder how feeding on His word daily would have changed my early years.
Joy, still lifting you up and hearing your heart.
Lori,thank you for stopping by my blog and your encouragement. I am glad your getting schooled in the kitchen. I made Wendy's cake over the weekend and it was very good.
Wendy if you want to post a picture I sent that is fine.
Thanks again for the recipe.
All of you that are praying and encouraging me I want to thank you. My heart is so uplifted when I get the encouragement or feel your prayers. I have had some problems with my blog and hope to post again soon.
Have a great Tuesday
Diane
Wendy~
Thank You sooo much for this study. What a huge blessing it has been. I so look forward to this everyday. I tend to read in the early afternoon so I always "feel" that I am late in making comments, which i shouldnt feel that way.
Joyful-Keeping you in prayer and hope to hear good news on your dad.
I live in N. Ca and it is beautiful today, sunny and clear.
I keep all you ladies in my prayers with thankfulness for this study.
Blessings and Love,
Debra
Debra,
I think it's great that some people post later...it's a treat to pop back in, and see more comments! I love the way we all get different things out of the same verses...also, reading comments throughout my day keeps me thinking about the verses more. So, personally, I'm glad we are all posting at different times.
It's suppose to be 90 degrees here today!
Much blessings to you all,
Lori - Mesa, AZ
Hello Ladies, it's 75 in Missouri today and I am enjoying it.
What stood out to me today was Moses' instructions to the Levites, reminding them that they don't need land because the Lord is their "special possession." Oh, I need to remember this more.
Like you all have commented, I sometimes wonder how I did life without God, without really being with Him daily. Even now though, I sometimes worry if the time I spend is enough. Then, my sweet Jesus reminds me that He is my special possession that I have all day long. I just need to turn my face to Him and my focus will be re-adjusted to the truth. "It is not what we do for Him, but what He does for us."
Have a great St. Patrick's Day!
My verse for 2009, continued from 2008, is Isaiah 49:16 - "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me." I am permanently His. Praise God.
Thanks for the encouragement. I am still working on my family values as you taught at She Speaks 2008. Oh, how I miss hearing your teachings.
God bless you.
Hi Wendy and other women of faith. This is my second post on your blogg and I am new to this but am anxious to share with all of you. I get so much out of all your reflections. Sometimes I am amazed what insites you are given when sometimes the reading may get redundant or just seems to be a listing of rules ect.to me on a certain day. I so appreciate your insites giving new life to God's word for me! And especially what it may mean for us today. The scripture verse that has become real for me in 2009 is from Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." It amazes me how as we live life's peaks and valleys how being in His word helps to make sense of it all! Learning to put everything into His hands because he truly knows the whole picture...we only get pieces at a time helps us to our trust in Him more and more. Let go and Let God!
I am enjoying the signs of Spring this glorious day in Illinois. The welcome warmer weather, the return of the robins, and new life pushing through the earth. All a reminder to me of the new life we find in our Savior Jesus Christ!
Deb71577 Illinois
My verse this year is 1 Corinthians 2:2 "For I resolved to know nothing (this year) except Jesus Christ..."
Knowing You Jesus, Knowing You,
There is no greater thing...
Joy
My verse is Psalms 119:105
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto path."
Diane
I'm sorry I'm a little behind here... uh, not little... uh, never mind! LOL
My nugget for the day was also Deut 17:19, "He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives."
Do you know, I didn't have a verse for 2009 but God just gave it to me!! jan 1, I committed to reading my Bible daily with the chronological study... and I am doing just that! Not just reading, but doing some serious digging!
I am developing a habit that I pray I will commit to for the rest of my life.
Filling my treasure chest,
Susan
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