Obedience Rewarded Through God’s Word of Truth

Scriptures: Deuteronomy 11:18,19 (CSB) - “Imprint these Words of mine on your hearts and minds, bind them as a sign on your hands, and let them be a symbol on your foreheads.  “Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, and when you lie down and when you get up.”
     
When I was a young child, my parents did not reward me with money,  abundant material things, or build a treasury for college nor a dowery. For, such they themselves had not the means to do so. Emphasis was placed in stock for kingdom things. My father sought first the kingdom of God, and he led his household along those lines. I often say to others:” Me and my siblings were reared on scriptures. I ate and drank scriptures in my up bringing. He of course, had tasted and saw that the Lord was Good (Ps. 34:8), and he feared the Lord (Deut. 6:2). His  obedience and love for God was rewarded in the earth and in heaven.  I benefited from my father’s  obedience to God’s Word in his walk. Faithfully leading and modeling can affect change in children and is vital in a long run. God never fail us by His Word of truth. The scriptures above (Deut. 11:18,9), and repeated in (Deut. 6:4-9) demonstrate how serious the Lord is about His Word and instructions - that through obedience – our life may be long (Deut. 6:2).

 There are legacies of the faith that should inspire others (II Tim. 1:5)   (!). Treasure God’s Word, like a family’s heirloom of the faith, “in heart mind and soul.  (2). The Holy Bible is the most effective worldwide reference book of life’s instruction since creation; read it. (3). The Word clothes as a garment for all seasons/situations.  (4). God’s Word is likened to precious fruit preserve and is kept , set ready in our heart/mind for a  time of need. (5). God’s Word should be put to memory.  (6). God’s Word is like a tool; something to work with and to rely upon. You can bank on it. The return is unmeasurable, resulting in higher returns than silver or gold. Seek things above (Col. 3:1-7)— but seek His kingdom first— all other things will be added to ones’ life according to His will. Set your affection on things above, not on earthly things. What is unseen is eternal.
     
What one values is surely what he does. The world values money, education(degrees), status, power, security and comfort which cannot be transferable to eternity. They are temporal. Things of this world will pass away (John 2:17). However, eternal values are forever. For, God and people are eternal.
 Consider the following as eternal values:
•  Doing what is good (benevolent deeds), Gal. 6:10), (Jam. 1:27), (I Pet. 4:20), (Col. 3:23)
•  Praying to God ( Phil. 4:6-7) and delight in His Word (Ps. 119:130)
•  Obey God’s will (I Sam. 25:22)
•  Evangelism and mission mindedness (Mark 16:15), (Matt. 28:19-20)
•  Live righteously (Eph. 4:31,32), (Prov. 16:28)
•  Give attention to God’s Word (Prov. 4: 20-22) God’s Word stands forever (Isa. 40:8)
•  Love others- God demonstrated His eternal love for us (Saved).
•  Value God’s  worship and praise (Ps. 145:1-3), (Phil. 4:20).
•  Value a relationship with God through Jesus.

“You shall” respect, love and trust God’s Word; in doing so, we discover that He desires to have His Word fill our hearts, to establish a covenant relationship. Such a relationship guarantees good practices in life; good principles to live by; a spiritual guide to order one’s steps and admonition to teach -to equip future generations.

Prayer: Lord God, You have given me everything that I need to live an obedient life on this earth. For it is through Your Holy Scripture (Word) that I live, move and have my being. Your Word is everlasting and gives life.  In Jesus’ Name. Amen

(by Novella D. Carpenter)