PUTTING GOD’S TEACHING INTO PRACTICE
As I am writing this note, the news story about the rain devastating Iowa is being broadcast. It is called a 500-year flood. Nearly one third of Iowa is already under water and water levels continue to rise. There are calls for mandatory evacuations as levees threaten to burst. It is a disaster and the worst is yet to come.

I have been thinking a lot about storms recently and not just the 500-year kind, but the storms of life that come upon us all because we live in a fallen world. David Guzik says, “Jesus warns us that the foundations of our lives will be shaken at some time or another, both now (in trials) and in the ultimate judgment before God.”

So what can help us weather these storms of life? Jesus said to build a foundation on the rock. “To build on the rock means to be a hearing, responding disciple, not a phony, superficial one.”

Guzik comments further, “Merely hearing God's Word isn't enough to provide a secure foundation. It is necessary that we are also doers of His Word.”

We have an opportunity to listen to God’s Word on a regular basis, don’t we? We come to church and hear good messages spoken. If we are shut in the house because of illness, we can turn on the television to watch and listen to some awesome preachers and today we can hear Larry and Chris teach on the radio.

James also speaks to this issue of listening and doing the Word of God. He says to listen to the Word. But if we do not put it into practice, we commit self-deception. We must do what it says. Do you put into action what you have studied?

How does this work in practice? James tells us in the context of listening and doing. He says control your speech more effectively. “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” 

He then describes the kind of religion the Father approves of – to look after orphans and widows in their distress. By caring for less fortunate people, we put God’s Word into practice, build our faith and stand firm in storms.
God is continually speaking to us from His Word. Are we listening? Are we doing? James said, “If we are doing, we will be blessed in what we do.” Jesus also told his disciples this very thing about blessings in John 13:17.

A Bible Commentator wrote on this passage: “There is a special blessing for those who not only agree that humble service is Christ’s way, but who also follow through and do it.”

What is it God’s been speaking to your heart about from his Word? Is there a step of obedience you’ve been putting off? It may mean having to give up something or give something. It may mean dealing with unforgiveness. It may mean obeying God even when you don’t understand.

(For an example of obeying God even when you don’t understand, see King David’s first attempt to move the ark which failed completely. Why did he fail? He didn’t follow God’s specific directions. You can check the story out in 1Chronicles 13:8-14; 15:13-15).

I want to end this note with these words of commentary from an unknown author on Jesus’ teaching from Mark 4:24, 25 about considering carefully what we hear. “The light of Jesus’ truth is revealed to us, not hidden. But we may not be able to see or to use all of the truth right now. Only as we put God’s teachings into practice will we understand and see more of the truth. The truth is clear, but our ability to understand is imperfect. As we obey, we will sharpen our vision and increase our understanding.”

This collection of Bible verses from the NIV for Independence Day is designed to encourage the celebration of freedom, both spiritual and physical, for the 4th of July holiday.

Psalm 118:5
In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free.
Psalm 119:32
I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.
Psalm 119:45
I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.
John 8:32
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
John 8:36
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Ephesians 3:12
In him [Christ] and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

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