Dear Heritage Family and Beloved Friends,
I felt compelled to share a Bible Study with you this week concerning our greatest need of the hour. All discipleship has to be based on the Word of God are it is a drifting anchor.
God has forever settled His Word in the heavens. Please take time to read and digest this brief study as a staple in your life which is as necessary as daily bread.
The greatest need in this hour is discipleship, “You could call this the home stretch Gospel”.
Faith comes by hearing the Word of God…
Romans 10:14-18
14 But how will people call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how will they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher (messenger)? 15 And how will they preach unless they are commissioned and sent [for that purpose]? Just as it is written and forever remains written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”
16 But they did not all pay attention to the good news [of salvation]; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”17 So faith comes from hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the [preaching of the] message concerning Christ.
18 But I say, did they not hear? Indeed they have;
“Their voice [that of creation bearing God’s message] has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the [farthest] ends of the world.”
1. Do you think a Sunday morning sermonette is what God would call hearing the Word of God?
2. Do you make sure your children are hearing the Word of God?
3. Do you realize at the judgment seat of Christ you will be judged by the Word of God, Himself?
Spiritual prosperity is impossible without the reading of the Word of God.
Personal discipleship is impossible without the word of god read. By laymen, church officers and ministers.
SPIRITUAL LIFE WILL WITHER.
Psalm 1
The Message
1 How well God must like you— you don’t walk in the ruts of those blind-as-bats, you don’t stand with the good-for-nothings, you don’t take your seat among the know-it-alls.
2-3 Instead you thrill to God’s Word, you chew on Scripture day and night.
You’re a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom.
4-5 You’re not at all like the wicked, who are mere windblown dust— Without defense in court, unfit company for innocent people.
6 God charts the road you take. The road they take leads to nowhere.
THE ROAD TO HEAVEN IS WELL MARKED IN THE WORD OF GOD
Psalm 1:1
This has been called “The Preface Psalm” because in some respects it introduces the complete book of Psalms as a godly message.
It opens with a benediction, “Blessed,” as does the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5:3).
Psalm 1:1 shallow thinker is quick to mock or disdain.
Amplified Bible
Psalm 1:1-3
1
Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example],
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of scoffers (ridiculers).
2
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night.
3
And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season; Its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity].
1. If we do not delight in the Word of God, we do no not delight in the God of the Word.
2.If we neglect the Word of God, we also neglect the God of the Word.
The book of Hosea, chapter 8, gives us good interesting into what happens when people, are put off by the Word of God.
11
For Ephraim has constructed many altars for sin; They are altars intended for sinning [which multiply his guilt].
12
I wrote for him the ten thousand precepts of My law, But they are regarded as a strange thing [which does not concern him].
13
As for My sacrificial offerings, they sacrifice the meat [as a mere formality] and eat it, But the Lord is not pleased with them and does not accept them. Now He will remember and take into account their wickedness and guilt, and punish them for their sins. They will return [in captivity] to [another] Egypt [that is, Assyria].
4. By neglecting the Word of God we show that we don’t have a desire for God to guide our lives.
Psalm 119: 132-133 Amplified Bible
Turn to me and be gracious to me and show me favor, As is Your way to those who love Your name.
Establish my footsteps in [the way of] Your word; Do not let any human weakness have power over me [causing me to be separated from You].
5. By our neglect of the Word of God we show that we do not desire God’s Approval.
2 Timothy 2:15 Amplified Bible
Study and do your best to present yourself to GOD APPROVED, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth.
6. It means we have surrendered spiritual interest for carnal satisfaction.
7. When people neglect the Word of God they will not care if others neglect the Word of God.
When we neglect the Word of God it reveals more than a man may think.
a. It is an indicator that his chief interest is in time and not eternity.
b. It shows that men think they can live by bread alone. Read Matthew chapter 4 verse 4 and Luke chapter 4 verse 4.
c. Can you walk in the dark without a lamp? Read Psalms 119:105
Thank you for taking time to read this and study it along with an open Bible.
It goes without saying, “Upon the solid Rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.”
We love you and thank you for the privilege we have to share life together in what we have called for so long Heritage Fellowship. Your love, prayers and support are what keeps us moving on a long road in the same direction.
Pastor Cleddie and GayNell Keith