To Be a Part of Jesus' Family

"Your word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You" (Psalm 119:11).  Hiding (keeping) God's Word in our hearts is a deterrent to sin.  This alone should inspire us to memorize Scripture.  But memorization alone will not keep us from sin; we must also put God's Word to work in our lives, making it a vital guide for everything we do.  How do we do this?  By reading God's word and doing what it says.   

I am a firm believer that you cannot give what you don't have and you can't pray what you don't know.  So don't expect great things/results without great prayers.  I'm not talking eloquent, polished prayers...  I'm talking humble, confident prayers from knowing the Word of God.  

Only in God's eternal Word will we find lasting solutions to our problems and needs.

As with any career you pursue, or walk of life you choose you must be educated on the subject matter to fully understand and execute that task implemented.  If you were going to be a surgeon you'd probably learn how to use a scalpel.  Well if you call yourself a Christian you should also read the Word of God so as not to take Lord's name in vain (to misuse/misrepresent God).  To truly be a part of Jesus' family we must hear and do (obey) his words (Luke 8:21).  You can't obey an instruction if you've never heard it before, so we must read God's word so we can obey what it says to do.  

We are sanctified (cleansed and made holy) by truth through believing the Word of God.  God's word is truth.  Daily application of God's Word has a purifying effect on our minds and hearts.   Scripture points out sin, motivates us to confess, renews our relationship with Christ, and guides us back to the right path.  "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105).

"Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise.  Use his words to teach and counsel each other... and whatever you do or say, let it be a representation of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father" (Col. 3:16-17).