A Nugget from New Life Network
(from Dr. Larry Ollison’s Cutting Edge)
Scripture for the Day (August 20, 2015)
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psalm 1:1-3)
Let’s count to ten. Okay, are you ready? Here we go. One – three – nine – eight – two – four – six – five – seven – ten! There, we did it! But it was confusing wasn’t it? Do you know why? Of course you do. Anything that is not in its proper order causes confusion.
For example, if you had a flat tire and put the lug nuts on before you put on the spare tire, you wouldn’t get anywhere and your problem still wouldn’t be solved. You can kick the car. You can kick the tire. You can curse the manufacturer, and you can blame everyone else who has ever driven your car; but the truth is, it’s your own fault and you can’t blame anyone else. You didn’t do things in the proper order.
When we are dealing with the Word of God and what God has for us in our lives, it is much the same. We must keep things in order. For example, John 8:31-32 is a scripture verse we quote often. Jesus said, “If you continue in My Word, then you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” When people hear this verse, they get excited because Jesus gave them good news. He said that He would set them free. Everyone wants to be set free! No one wants to be in bondage. But unfortunately, many people expect to get set free without doing the things that need to be done to get there.
In the same way we normally count from one to ten, we must take things in order. Otherwise there is confusion. Jesus said, “If you continue in My Word, then you are my disciples indeed.” And then we would know the truth and then we would be set free.
Here’s the order. First, we are to continue in His Word. Second, we become His disciples. Third, we know the truth, and fourth, we are made or set free. Now, you can’t do number four (in other words, be set free) without doing number three (knowing the truth). You can’t know the truth unless you continue in the Word. But if we take everything in its proper order, then we will be obedient, and when we are obedient, God moves on our behalf and we receive the end result.
Another verse we must do in order is Matthew 6:33. Here Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” In the verses before, Jesus talked about all the things that we need here on earth – clothing, lodging, and food. Then He said: 1) seek the Kingdom of God; 2) seek His righteousness; and 3) all these things we need will be added to us. But many Christians are expecting God to meet their needs when they haven’t done the first and second things that must precede the third thing.
Everything we do must to be done in order. First Corinthians 14:33 says, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.” God does not author confusion. Many promises of God go unfulfilled because we don’t do what He said in His Word to do. We must not deceive ourselves. When God’s Word is conditional – when God says “if you do this, I’ll do that” – then we must do “this” in order to see “that” fulfilled. If we don’t do our part, we cannot blame God.
We encourage you to be a doer of the Word and not merely a hearer. Our faith is built on a foundation of doing His Word. You will never reach the great potential God wants in your life without doing what He says to do.
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Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. (Luke 6:38)
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings, Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. (Proverbs 4: 20-22)
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (James 4:10)
