40 Days in the Word:
How to Build Your Life!
Mt 7:24-27 (NIV)
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.
James 1:19-25 (NIV)
19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
Build your whole life on the Bible:
1. it with your ears. (James 1:19-21)
Rom. 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Accept the word by being:
- V____________ be quick to listen and slow to speak…”
- V____________ and slow to become angry…”
- V____________ “get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent”
- V____________ “humbly accept the Word planted in you, which can save you…”
2. Read it with your eyes. (James 1:22-25)
God’s Word is a mirror that reflects what you look like on the inside. Don’t just glance at it, gaze on it intently, not forgetting what God is showing you, put his instructions into action immediately so you can become the person God wants you to be.
3. Research it with your hands and mouth. (James 1:25)
Bible Study requires: writing down what you learn and talking about what you learn (small groups)
Acts 17:11 (NLT) The people of Berea were more open?minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to check up on Paul and Silas, to see if they were really teaching the truth.
4. Review and remember it with your mind. (James 1:25)
Josh. 1:8 (NIV) Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
5. Respond to it with your actions. (James 1:22)
Matthew 7:24?27 (the wise man did what Jesus said and his house withstood the storm; the fool didn’t apply the teaching of Jesus to his life and his house was demolished.)
Stack the Wood!