"How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to (NLT says, 'by obeying') Your word." (Psalm 119:9)
Really, "How can?"--- anything! Many church people go to many seminars trying to find, "How can?" Our text gives the answer, "By taking heed according to Your Word." According to Strong, the phrase translated, "taking heed," means "to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc." What an absolutely phenomenal description of the attitude and practice of a Follower of Jesus Christ, hedging about, guarding, protecting, attending to Jesus Christ and His Words. 2 Peter 1:8 declares, "For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
I cannot emphasize too much nor too often the eternal reality that everything you and I read in the Bible, "became flesh and dwelt among us," in Jesus Christ, and since the Cross, the words, yes, The Word Himself, can dwell in us. The Bible is not a "how to" book. It is a "Who to" Book. Furthermore, Christianity is not a religion as defined in the dictionary, "A personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices-- a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith." While most of these precepts are inherent in Biblical Faith, God does not call us to such. He calls us to Himself through Jesus Christ, by Jesus Christ, and in Jesus Christ. If one takes Jesus from Christianity, principles, seminars, worship, prayer and intercession, yea from human existence, there is nothing left but emptiness, a dark void in the universe, devoid of life, liberty, and an endless pursuit of a happiness which never appears.
I conducted Bible conferences and seminars as a part of my work in Eastern Europe during the communist era. I did a marriage seminar in Poland once using 1 Peter. Another year I did a youth camp using "The Sermon on the Mount." I had some interesting reactions when I announced my texts, but when we were finished, the testimonies confirmed just how powerful is the Bible's, "How can?"
Father, in Jesus, I cannot thank You enough for the revelation that Your Words are Your Word, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
