Neal continued our series on the book of Joshua. This morning we looked again at Joshua Chapter 1 and read in particular vs 8 which reads:
“Study the book of instruction continually, meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all that you do”
This is as true for us today as it was for the children of Israel and they only had five books to read – we now have the whole bible! This book is our instruction book for life and yet we often treat it like some instructions for putting a wardrobe together or setting up our TV – we probably don’t even read them most of the time!
Getting the right bible for you is important – Read some different ones and see which one you like – So long as you read it, meditate on it and let the Holy Spirit speak to you – this is one of the ways that God speaks to us, directs us and leads us in our day to day lives? We looked at some scriptures to assist us:
Psalm 119 vs 105 – Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path – Light in the darkness – Thinks of what this means for us – Its very practical!
Psalm 1 vs 1-3 – Planted and rooted in the word- Bearing fruit and prospering in all you do – Isn’t that a great promise?
Colossians 3 vs 16 – Let the word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdom
Ephesians 6 vs 17 – Take the sword of the spirit which is the word of God – offensive weapon – Attack the enemy with the word of God when he speaks lies and untruths – Speak back truth form the word and it will make a huge difference!
Hebrews 4 vs 12 – For the word of God is alive and powerful- It is sharper than the sharpest two edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit between joint and marrow – Its powerful!
Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan and Jesus cam against that by quoting from the bible each time – From Deuteronomy actually - It is alive and powerful to keep the enemy quiet – However to do that you need to know the bible and the promises of God so you can quote them back to him!
The bible talks about us setting our minds on the things of the spirit – This is important as we need to SET our minds and not them wander – Its amazing that when you sit down to read the bible everything else will crowd in and try to take your mind away – This is a trick of the enemy – we have to learn to recognise it and deal with it!
Romans 8 vs 5-6 and Colossians 3 vs 2 speaks of this?
Lamentations 3 vs 21-23 is a great promise to learn – This I call to mind and therefore I have hope – The steadfast Love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end – Great is his faithfulness, his mercies afresh each morning.
We need to “call to mind” God promises and remember his works in our lives
Psalm 72 vs 11-12 – Then I recall all you have done, I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago, They are constantly in my thoughts”
At the end of the meeting we meditated on Psalm 23 to see what God would show us and reveal to us through the Holy Spirit speaking to us.
For Groups
This week – spend time in the word of God – Not chapter after chapter but perhaps a verse or two and meditate on what is said and how it affects you and what God is saying – You can use the following examples if you wish in group or by yourself?
Lamentations 3 vs 21-24
Romans 8 vs 1-3
James 4 vs 7-10
Philippians 4 vs 6-8
