| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Hearing from God” Our Bible verse for today: “How happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk according to the Lord’s instruction!” Psalm 119:1 (CSB) Our thought for today: “Obey the dos and don’ts” When it comes to hearing God speak to you through the Bible the first and most obvious thing to look for are His clearly expressed dos and don’ts. There are many circumstances of life that are directly addressed by God with a specific do or don’t – the Ten Commandments being the primary list (Exodus 20:1-17). So, if you’re wondering whether or not it’s okay to murder your annoying neighbor, the sixth commandment will answer that question for you. Likewise, the issues of using God’s name as a curse, or committing adultery, or stealing, lying, or coveting, are addressed directly and forcefully by God in that short list. He has left little room for doubt regarding those issues. And beyond the Ten Commandments, there are also many other examples in the Bible where God clearly forbids specific behaviors – homosexuality being an obvious and very contemporary example. Then there are many times when we are explicitly and directly told there are things God requires us to do. These are the dos of the Bible. The fourth commandment instructs that we are to faithfully observe the Sabbath. In the New Testament the writer of the letter to the Hebrews makes clear (Hb 10:24-25) that God’s intent in that fourth commandment is that we are to faithfully attend the gatherings of our church family. So, if you are wondering if it’s okay with God to skip church this Sunday just because you don’t feel like going, you already have the answer. Observing the Sabbath by going to church is one of the clear dos of the Bible. There are many more. Numerous passages in both the Old and New Testaments clearly instruct us to help and care for those in need. Many others speak of our responsibility to protect the unity of the church. Still others instruct us about being good stewards of the things God has entrusted to our care. The point is that in the Bible God has addressed many of the biggest and most important issues we will face in life by giving us specific dos and don’ts. So, the question isn’t whether God has told us what or what not to do regarding those issues, the question is whether or not we will take the time to search the Bible for the answers when we are faced with those issues (as discussed in yesterday’s devotional). In a future devotional in this series, we will think about methods that help us to quickly locate God’s specific instructions when we need them. For now, when it comes to hearing from God, please understand that He has already provided you with many of the answers you need. Those answers come in the form of clear dos and don’ts. God bless, Pastor Jim (If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville) |
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