Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Today let’s close our immersing theme by finding life verses to live by.

Today’s scripture, Psalms 119:105 (NIV) declares…
[105] Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Consider…
Awhile ago, my wife listened to a sermon where the preacher said everyone should have a life verse to live by. I had never heard that verbalized in that way before, but it’s true.

Life verses are the passages from God’s word that inform and shape your life. These verses are foundational to how you view and live your life.

For example, Matthew 4:2-4 (NIV) shares…
[2] After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. [3] The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” [4] Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Jesus’ response to temptation was to call on the word of God. Yet, I noticed something about Jesus’ recitation, it was only the last portion of Deuteronomy 8:3 (NIV), which says in it’s entirety…
[3] He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

This realization is important, because Jesus shows us that speaking God’s word over our situations is about application not recitation. Jesus quoted the portion of the Deuteronomy verse that was applicable to the physical hunger temptation He was facing.

That tells me that it is acceptable to say, it is written, ‘God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’ (Philippians 4:19 KJV), when facing lack.

And it’s appropriate testify that it is written, ‘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 KJV), when struggling to understand the bad things happening in our lives.

The Holy Spirit is telling us to not be so focused on being theologically correct, that we’re spiritually inept, when it comes to applying the word of God to our lives.

Therefore, don’t let proper context preclude you from reminding yourself in the midst of uncertainty that, it is written, ‘I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.’ (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV).

The Holy Spirit showed me Psalms 119:48-50 (NIV) as proof that God wants us to cling to His word when we’re struggling…
[48] I reach out for your commands, which I love, that I may meditate on your decrees. [49] Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. [50] My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.

That makes me think of the encouragement found in…

• Psalms 121:1-2 (NIV)…[1] I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? [2] My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
• Psalms 23:1 (NLT)…[1] The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
• Isaiah 54:17 (KJV)…[17] No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
• Philippians 4:13 (KJV)…[13] I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
• 1 John 4:4 (KJV)…[4] Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

…and so on.

Alas, we don’t really have a problem immersing ourselves in the affirming word of God, but the Holy Spirit is challenging us to immerse ourselves in the transforming word of God too.

Verses like…

• Romans 12:2 (NIV)…[2] Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
• Ephesians 4:21-24 (NLT)…[21] Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, [22] throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. [23] Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. [24] Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
• Colossians 3:12-15 (NIV)…[12] Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [13] Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [14] And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. [15] Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
• Matthew 5:44-45 (NIV)…[44] But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
• Psalms 51:10 (NIV)…[10] Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

…and so on.

The Holy Spirit is saying if we’re going to speak God’s truth over our lives, then speak ‘the whole truth and nothing but the truth’ (shout out court t.v.).

The Lord is admonishing us to not be selective hearers of His word, but to apply it in totality. He gave me Joshua 1:8 (NIV) for emphasis…
[8] Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Notice success is an outcome of obedience to God’s word.

That reminds me, James 1:22 (NIV) admonishes…
[22] Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

The Holy Spirit is impressing upon me that God doesn’t want us to just speak the word, He wants us to live it. As the Holy Spirit was speaking, I heard brother Daryl Coley singing…

When the music stops
That’s when I live my song
When the band goes home
That’s when I live my song
When we’ve said Amen
And the crowd begins to fade away
That’s when I live the life
That I sing about in my song

If I sing a song of love
I’ve got to live it
If I sing a song of joy
I’ve got to live it
If I sing a song of peace
If I sing a song of happiness
I’ve got to live the life
That I sing about in my song

God wants us to live out His word that lives in us. That’s because Psalms 19:7-8 (NLT) testifies…
[7] The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. [8] The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living.

Lastly, the Holy Spirit pointed out the fact that it’s important that we live according to God’s word because light is seen not heard. Jesus told us to be salt (experience d) and light (seen) for God (John 5:13-16).

To that end, the Holy Spirit highlighted a key life scripture for all of us is Ephesians 5:8-10 (NIV)…
[8] For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light [9] (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) [10] and find out what pleases the Lord.

Today, be intentional about immersing your life in God’s word that gives you life. Let His word do His transformational work in you, so that others will see and know that He is God.

Today’s song is…
When The Music Stops

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)