The SimplyRevised Podcast

In the story of Moses, we find direct parallels for us today. And since Moses is given as an example of faith in Hebrews 11, there is something the Lord intends for us to learn from the life of Moses about our faith. Join Steve as he discusses the faith of Moses from Exodus 3. 

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episode links:

simplyRevised (home) https://www.simplyrevised.org/

Southbelt Church of Christ http://southbeltchurchofchrist.com/

Biblegateway (online Bible) https://www.biblegateway.com/

music by Eric Gwin http://ericgwin.com/

 

Lesson Notes--A LAMP TO MY FEET

Introduction

Key Verse: Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

One key to growth in the Lord is spending time with the Lord. Over the past several lessons, we have talked about what we can do to encourage our growth in the Lord. We talked about our “Commitment to Growth” and in our last lesson we talked about the “Importance of Prayer”. I will link these previous episodes in the show notes for today. In this lesson, I would like to talk about the Importance of Bible reading and Bible study

Lesson

Drifting away

I don’t know that any Christian plans to fall away from the Lord. Sometimes Christians may and do fall away from the Lord because of a sudden or a tragic event. More commonly though, I would imagine, Christians fall away not because of a sudden or tragic event, but from slowly drifting away. Over time we substitute good habits for lesser habits. These lesser habits may not necessarily be “bad" habits, just lesser habits. Habits that are a substitution for the things that help us remain connected to and growing in the Lord.

For example, we may spend less time with other Christians or being involved at church and more time fishing or going out shopping with friends. We may push something as important as prayer back in our schedules until it is just pushed out. Less and less time may be spent in reading God’s Word and more time given to other things in our day such as scrolling on Facebook or reading our favorite sports magazine.

It’s not that we plan to drift away from the Lord. However, if we are not careful, good habits can get crowded out by lesser habits.

God’s Word

Staying connected to the Lord through His Word is not something we as Christians can do without. God’s Word is vital for our growth and for remaining connected to the Lord.

I recently asked on our Facebook Page, “Why it is important for Christians to read the Bible?” Some of the comments were a) “To be able to give a defense for your faith.” b) “It shapes our view of the world. We see things through spiritual eyes when we are in the Word.”

Thank you for the great comments and I could not agree more!

In Psalms 119:105, we read, “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” Would we expect to be able to navigate our way safely in the dark without light? Given time, we will run into something and injure ourselves or others. As Christians, we cannot grow in the Lord or navigate this life without the light of His Word. It would be as foolish as trying to navigate without light.

Let me offer a few practical benefits to the study and reading of God’s Word. I hope these suggestions will encourage you in reading and studying God’s Word.

1. Illuminates our path - As we read in Psalms 119:105, God’s Word lights our path so we can walk on solid ground. We hear so many different suggestions as to what we should do or where we should go. In God’s Word we find His direction for us. His Word eliminates the confusion and noise we so often hear in the world.

 

2. God’s Word provides direction - His Word directs us and keeps us focused on our goal as Christians. The apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 3:14, “ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” This was Paul’s focus. Reading and studying God’s Word helps us maintain our focus. There are plenty of distractions in our day, plenty of things to pull our focus away from the Lord. His Word helps us maintain our focus.

3. His Word helps us understand our purpose in the Lord - In the Bible, God has revealed Himself to us. He also reveals His desire for us. He is long-suffering toward us “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9). The Lord’s desire is for each of us to know Him, to repent of our sins, and to experience a new life in Him. Additionally, He desires our growth. The apostle Peter, writing in 2 Peter 1:5 says that we are to make every effort to add to [our] faith. This is, to grow. As He is our Creator, He knows how we grow best and what is needed for our growth. In 1 Thessalonians 4:7, we read “For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.” His purpose is for our holiness, to be conformed to the image of His Son Romans 8:29. Through His Word, we are guided by the Spirit as we learn of God’s desire for us.

4. Through His Word, we maintain fellowship - In the daily reading and studying of God’s Word, we maintain fellowship with the Lord and with others. Early Christians, as we read in Acts 2:42, continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship. Part of the unity and fellowship enjoyed by the early Church was a fellowship centered on the Word of the Lord. His Word unifies us as believers and draws us closer to one another as we share life in God’s Word together. His Word also draws us closer to Him. In James 4:8, we read “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” We have the promise of God’s Word: that if we seek Him, He will draw close to us. How do we seek Him? We do this through prayer, fellowship with other Christians, and through His Word.

Wrap-Up

I hope, in some way, these simple thoughts help us gain a better understanding of the value in daily Bible reading and study. His Word is truly a lamp and a light for us today. I also pray that these words honor the Lord.

If you have found this lesson of benefit, you could help us by sharing this lesson with your friends or encouraging others to visit simplyrevised.org. It is our prayer that God is glorified by our efforts and that others are encouraged and strengthened in the Lord.

Episode Links

simplyrevised (home) - https://www.simplyrevised.org/

Music by Eric Gwin - http://ericgwin.com/

the simplyRevised podcast - http://simplyrevised.libsyn.com/

podcast "Commitment to Growth" - http://simplyrevised.libsyn.com/20-commit-to-growth

podcast "The Importance of Prayer" - http://simplyrevised.libsyn.com/21-the-importance-of-prayer

* All Scripture quoted from the New King James Version unless otherwise noted

How we communicate has certainly changed through the years. Communication is a vital and a needed part of our lives. In thinking about how communication has changed, has this change affected the way we as Christians pray? Join Steve as he talks about the importance of prayer.

 

Links:

visit simplyRevised - simplyrevised.org

music by: Eric Gwin - ericgwin.com

Southbelt Church of Christ - southbeltchurchofchrist.com

The Lord expects us to grow in Him (2 Peter 1:5) we are to give “all diligence to add to our faith”. The apostle Paul when speaking to those at Corinth says in (1 Corinthians 3:1-3) "And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?"

The Lord expects our growth, In His word, we find the expectation to grow. So how do we do this? Do we have a desire to grow in Him? In this lesson, Steve talks about our commitment to grow in the Lord.

Links: simplyrevised.org

Have you ever read through God's Word? Reading through the Bible in a year is not always easy. There will be things that come up that can throw you off track such as an illness or that out-of-town business trip. However, even if you don't make it through the entire Bible in one year, any time in God's Word is beneficial. Steve shares five things you can do with God's Word this year!

links:

simplyrevised.org

biblecharts.org

Sermon Audio: Christian Generosity

II Corinthians 8

Speaker: Steve Ellis

Southbelt Church of Christ

Join us today for episode 17 of the simplyRevised podcast as we discuss the truly rich blessing of God's Word, the Bible. 

Episode links and notes: http://bit.ly/2AHO29v

As Christians in our homes, what is our pursuit? What holds the prominent position in our home? Join us for today's episode as we talk about our goals and pursuits. 

Links:

simplyrevised.org

music provided by Eric Gwin

online Bible: biblegateway.com

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock." (Matthew 7:24a). This is the difficult part, doing the words of the Lord. It’s easy to hear His words, but to do His words first means we must trust His words. Are His words true? Can we trust the words of the Lord? Can we build our lives on the words of the Lord? 

Join us today as we discuss these questions.

 

Links: complete episode notes simplyrevised.org subscribe to the simplyRevised newsletter articles by simplyRevised the simplyRevised podcast online Bible: biblegateway.com music for this episode is provided by Eric Gwin Apologetics Press (home)   How did We Get the Bible? Dr. Brad Harrub, Ph.D.  The Bible and Science - Kyle Butt (Is the Bible from God?: Session 1)

If we are going to grow and build healthy lives, we must begin with a solid foundation. The rulers of Israel had rejected the chief cornerstone (Acts 4:11) - they had rejected Jesus. Jesus is the true cornerstone, He is our foundation, and without Him anything we build cannot be stable. Many have rejected the truth of who Jesus is, just as the religious rulers of Israel did. There are still many today who would laugh and mock at the thought of Jesus and the resurrection of the dead. But what about us, do we reject the chief cornerstone - Jesus? 

 

 

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