Live By The Book
1. The Book, The Holy Word Of God
2. Jesus Came To Fulfill The Law
3. The Greatest Commandment
4. “The Just Shall Live By Faith”
5. “Man Shall Not Live By Bread Alone”
6. Believe In The Lord
7. Trust In The Lord
8. Be Kind
9. Don’t Forsake The Things Of God
10. What Does God Require?
11. Be Thankful
12. “I’m Sorry”
13. This One Thing I Do
14. Let The World Know
15. Scriptures To Live By
1. The Book, The Holy Word Of God
I hear and see different idioms used by the young people today and most of them don’t seem to make any sense to me. But, on the other hand, some of the old ones may not make sense to them, such as, “It’s raining cats and dogs” or “A dime a dozen”. One that I thought of this morning is, “By the book”. Before a sports event the referee may tell the players to “Play by the book” which means to play by the rules. An employer may demand that everything be done by the book, which means to do everything by the guidelines of the company. This term can be used when there isn’t an actual written book, but proper regulations and rules should be strictly followed. My title of the new devotional series is, “Live By The Book” and I am speaking of THE BOOK, The Holy Word Of God. Let’s look at some of the scriptures that God has given to us to follow. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (II Timothy 3:16-17)
2. Jesus Came To Fulfill The Law
In the Old Testament people were under the law and had to offer up sacrifices to pay for their sin in not wholly following the law. Jesus came to offer Himself for our sacrifice. We don’t have to kill a lamb to pay for our sin, because Jesus is the true Lamb of God. And while we are not required to live under the law, we are to “Live By The Book” and follow God’s Word.
“16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:16-19)
3. The Greatest Commandment
As we begin our daily scriptures to “Live By The Book”, what better place to start than with the greatest commandments!
“28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?
29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” (Mark 12:28-33)
Jesus was giving the commandment found in Deuteronomy 6. The Israelites were to talk of this throughout the day teaching their children and post it in signs where it could be read often and remembered and practiced. How different this world would be if we put God above everything and loved our neighbors.
“4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
4. “The Just Shall Live By Faith”
Charlie Kirk touched a lot of lives as he lived by his faith in God. It is quite evident that his faith has continued to touch thousands since his assassination. He died for his faith, but it is great that he also lived by his faith. I used to hear people say that they would die for the Lord, but it is of great importance that we live for the Lord. We began this series on “Live By The Book”, but as I have watched stories of lives that were changed because one man dared to live by faith, it has challenged me to do all I can to live by my faith. Pastor Rick Byerly preached Sunday on faith and one thing in particular stuck in my mind. He said, “Faith honors God, and God honors faith.” “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” (Galatians 3:11) Philippians 1:21 is another great scripture on living and dying for Christ. “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
5. “Man Shall Not Live By Bread Alone”
When we plan our day, what do we think about? Running errands, appointments, work, activities, what else? Eating! The question is asked almost daily at our house, “What do you want to eat?” We live in a country where our choices are overflowing. Even in the winter seasons, we can usually find some fresh fruit and vegetables. During Bible days, bread was a big part of their diet. So, when Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone…” He wasn’t talking about only having bread to eat, though that may have been all they had during certain times. He was talking about how we need God and His Word to live. “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) Jesus was quoting from Deuteronomy 8:3, “And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.” We need spiritual food. Jesus is the Bread Of Life.
“47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
48 I am that bread of life.
49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (John 6:47-51)
6. Believe In The Lord
How do we “Live By The Book”? We can begin by believing. Believe that God is the only living and true God. Believe that the Bible is the Word of God. “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” (John 20:31) Believe that we have all sinned and that Jesus came to pay the penalty of our sin so that we can have everlasting life.
“14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:14-18)
Do you believe? If you believe in Jesus and confess your sin to Him, you can be saved.
“9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:9-17)
7. Trust In The Lord
We put our trust in the Lord for our salvation. Salvation is the most important aspect of our lives. If we can trust the Lord to save us for eternity, why is it sometimes hard to trust Him for other things in our lives? When we are trusting Jesus to take us through death, why is it hard to trust Him to take us through troubles we have in life? We know the scripture, John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” We trust Him to know the way to heaven, so why is it sometimes hard for us to trust Him to know the way day by day? We are looking at ways to “Live By The Book”. Here are a few verses in The Book that show we are to trust in the Lord.
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
“The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” (Nahum 1:7)
“Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:” (Isaiah 26:4)
“The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” (Psalm 18:2)
8. Be Kind
A week ago, when I first began to think about living by the book, I thought of Ephesians 4:32. The Apostle Paul instructed the early church to be kind to one another. Years ago I made a book of Bible verses, and used photos of my grandchildren to illustrate the pages. My oldest granddaughter who may have been 7 years old, or so, told me this was her favorite verse. So I took her picture being kind to her little brother. I’m backing up two verses in this scripture to get the full meaning of what Paul was telling them. When I’m out and about I hate to hear people speaking so bitter and angry towards others. It’s sad that we can be polite to strangers, and speak so rude to our own family members. Be kind. We don’t know what someone else is going through. Our grocery bill is higher than ever, and it’s just Michael and me. We didn’t spend this much on groceries when we had five children living here. It must be hard for large families. The woman who is waiting on your table, or the guy checking out your groceries, may be sick and working their shift to feed their families. Several years ago Michael was sitting at a stop light and a car ran into him from behind, and pushed him into the car in front of him. The man in the first car got out really angry. Michael found out that the woman behind him was on her way home from chemotherapy. Be kind. We don’t know how much people are suffering.
“30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:30-32)
9. Don’t Forsake The Things Of God
It’s the Lord’s Day! What a beautiful day to spend with the Lord and His people. When I was going through chemotherapy my oncologist told me that my resistance would be very low and I should not go anywhere or be around anybody. And actually, I was too weak to go anywhere. I didn’t really miss going to the grocery store. But, I did miss going to church. I think I had to stay in for about six months. I could watch the worship services online, but it was not the same. I missed the fellowship with my family, and with my church family. I was so thankful to the Lord when I was finally able to go back to church. And I am still thankful that I can go to church and hear the Word of God, and sing songs of praise! I enjoy the fellowship I have with so many friends at church. The Lord is going to call us home, and I think it will be soon. Don’t forsake the things of God. Keep reading your Bible. Keep praying. Keep going to church. Keep doing what’s right in the sight of God. Let’s finish right!
“23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:23-25)
10. What Does God Require?
In The Old Testament people offered up sacrifices to pay for their sin. The Prophet Micah asks if God is pleased with thousands of rams. Jesus came to be the final sacrifice for sin. So, what does God require of us? Micah 6:8 tells us what God requires. Our search would not be complete without this verse as we look for ways to “Live By The Book”. Do justly, do what it just and right. Love mercy, have compassion on others. Walk humbly with thy God. We must put away our pride and bow our heart to accept Jesus as our Savior. We must put away our pride to allow Jesus to be Lord over our life. The very first thing listed that the Lord hates in Proverbs 6:16-19 is “a proud look”. Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God… it’s required.
“6 Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?
7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:6-8)
11. Be Thankful
September came and went faster than I could imagine. We are so busy, our time just flies by and it won’t be long until we are planning our Thanksgiving meal, and making our Christmas lists. I am actually already working on Christmas ornaments and picking up a few gifts for the grandchildren. The cooler temperatures put me in a mood for Thanksgiving. But, we really shouldn’t wait for a special day to be thankful. If you can’t think of anything to be thankful for, be thankful for God’s mercy. This is repeated several times in the Psalms. “O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalm 107:1) God’s Word tells us to be thankful for everything. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (I Thessalonians 5:18) II Corinthians 9:15 is a very special verse. “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” Jesus gave thanks when He was preparing to die on the cross for our sin. We could never thank Him enough for dying for our sin and giving us eternal life. My Bible reading today was in Luke 17 where Jesus healed ten lepers and only one gave Him thanks. Let’s be the one!
I had this devotional saved and ready to send. Michael came and helped me with the evening dishes and as he walked away I said, “Thank you!” I had not put anything down about saying, “Thank you”, to each other so I came back to my computer. It’s important to be thankful to the Lord, and it’s also good to be thankful to each other! It makes me smile when someone tells me, “Thank you!”
12. “I’m Sorry”
Yesterday we talked about saying, “Thank you.” Today it’s, “I’m sorry.” Children still need to be taught to say, “Thank you” and “I’m sorry”. “I’m sorry” can be a little harder. It cuts into our pride to admit we were wrong. I recently said something that hurt someone’s feelings. I prayed and asked God to forgive me, but I couldn’t rest until I told that person I was sorry. Being sorry helps bring us to the point of confessing our sin. “For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me. For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.” (Psalm 38:17-18) When we confess our sin to God, He forgives us and cleanses us from our sin. “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.” (Psalm 32:5) Another way that we can say, “I’m sorry” is when we are trying to help someone bear a burden. “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2) When someone is hurting we can say, “I’m sorry” and it conveys the message that we have compassion, that we are sorry for their pain and sorrow, and that we are there to help them through their trouble. “I’m sorry” is such a little thing to say, but it can make a big difference when we express it from our heart. “And of some have compassion, making a difference:” (Jude 22)
13. This One Thing I Do
As we near the end of our devotions on “Live By The Book” I am praying each day that God will lead me for each entry. Tonight, I remembered when the Apostle Paul said, “This one thing I do…” A little trivia time, do you know what Paul was saying? What was the one thing he said he does? He was writing to the church at Philippi. Have you thought of it yet? “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14) We talked yesterday about confessing and saying, “I’m sorry.” After we do these things we sometimes can’t forget our sin. A sight, a sound, some little thing will remind us of the bad things we did in the past. Paul had persecuted Christians, but he said, “forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Jesus said, “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62) “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12) “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” (Hebrews 10:17) If we want to live by the Bible, we need to live for the Lord and go forward, and stop looking at our past.
14. Let The World Know
I am working on a Christmas play and I want to include a role of the shepherds that I don’t usually see in Nativity stories. The angels appeared to the shepherds and told them to go to Bethlehem, and the shepherds went. Do you know what they did after they found Mary, Joseph, and the Baby Jesus? They praised God and went and told the good news. I want our shepherds rejoicing and telling the people in the audience as they leave the holy scene at the manger.
“16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.” (Luke 2:16-20)
We sing a song that begins, “Do people wonder if you really know God? Can they tell by the way that you live.” (“Do You Know My Jesus?” by William F. Lakey) I have three Bible verses that show us ways we can let people know that we know Jesus.
First, we can tell the good news just like the shepherds did. “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;” (Psalm 107:2) Next, we can be a reflection of Jesus, the Light of the world and let our light shine. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) Another way we can let people know we are Christians is through the love we have for one another. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35) Do people wonder if you really know God?
15. Scriptures To Live By
This completes our two week series on “Live By The Book”. Many times in writing these devotionals I will say, “One of my favorite verses is…” I want to share some of my favorite scriptures, truths found in God’s Word that we can live by.
“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” (Jeremiah 33:3)
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” (Malachi 3:10)
“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (Psalm 37:4)
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (I Peter 5:7)
“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.” (John 10:28-29)
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
I think I could go on and on… there are so many, many, wonderful verses in the Bible that we can live by. Do you have a favorite?
