Day #19

Begin this time talking with God, but also listening.

Note:

Please be careful to watch what the TARGET for the day is.  Two days ago, some of you missed the directions:0

Read James 1:25 and write it in your notes.

Do you remember the story of Moses?  Moses was given the task of leading God’s people, the Israelites, out of slavery.  God worked many miracles all throughout that story to reach his people and answer their cries for help.  One day Moses was sent up onto a mountain by God, while he and the Israelites were still in route to the Promised Land.  On that mountain, Moses received God’s laws for how to live a pleasing life before Him… the 10 COMMANDMENTS.

 These commandments had a purpose, but not what many would think.   Many thought that once they knew what pleased God and what did not, they would be able to live in freedom and obey perfectly… in other words not get in trouble.

Question:  Have you ever wanted someone to give you a check-list for how to handle a problem?  After all, following a check-list that would give a perfect outcome would be awesome right?

But, low and behold, the Israelites found a problem.  They learned that God’s laws and standards were so high, that they could not merely obey in outward action… they also had to obey in their minds and thoughts.  In other words, if you were just angry in your heart against someone, you were guilty of MURDER before Holy God!!  The Israelites also learned that if they broke just one commandment, they were guilty of BREAKING ALL 10!!  What?  This seemed impossible.  What were they to do?

Well, God had a design in all of this.  God’s purpose was to help His people finally see that simply obeying rules would not make them right with Him, because they alone would NEVER be right with Him.  Why?  Because humans are sinners.  Humans are imperfect.  Humans need a Savior to stand in their place and be perfect for them.  They need JESUS CHRIST!

Did you hear?  We need someone who can be perfect in our place, since we cannot.

Read James 1:25 once more.

Now read Romans 7:12 and write it in your notes.

The Old Testament Law, the 10 Commandments, is HOLY, RIGHTEOUS, and GOOD.  It still has no power by itself to enable sinful people, like you and me, to conform to it.  So the law, by itself, NEVER frees anyone.  By itself, the law enslaves those who pursue to obey it.

Read

Galatians 3:10-4:7

Romans 2:1-3:20

Romans 5:20

Romans 6:14-15

Romans 7:1-25

BUT THE STORY DOES NOT END HERE…

The best way that I can describe the following is to think of the process of making coffee.  The “law” will be the hot water.  Alone, the hot water cannot make coffee.  The hot water must go through coffee grounds and a filter too, right?  When the hot water comes through the coffee grounds (the story of Jesus Christ) and the filter (the power of the Holy Spirit), then, and only then, is the coffee made and useful to others.

In real words, the law only becomes freeing when it is followed by someone who has believed and accepted the life of Jesus Christ, the Gospel, and received His gift of the Holy Spirit which changes a heart.

Being a rule follower, a GOOD person, will never be enough.  You will always mess up and fall short before Holy God.  Following God’s laws are a blessing for those who believe and accept Jesus Christ.

Not sure what this means?  Please text me;)

  Click on the MEMORY VERSES tab above.  We have a new memory verse.  Print it out and tape it up several places.

Click on the PRAYER REQUESTS tab above.  Please pray for the ones listed.

Click on the PRAISE tab above.  Type in one thing that you are thankful for today.  Try to make it different than any you have listed.

TARGET OF THE DAY

Have you been a doer of the word yet?  If so what was the situation?  Did you obey?  What was the outcome?  I know this may seem hard... but write the answers in the comments under your name.