July 18
Take Heed to the Word
1 Timothy 4:15-16

  1. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
  2. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Paul was saying Timothy should be careful to understand and take seriously "these things."  He was giving him instructions and insight and it’s important to take heed to that.  He says to take heed to yourself and the doctrine and to continue in the instructions he’s received.

There are teachings and instructions we receive from various sources.  Whether from reading and studying the Bible ourselves, messages from our Pastor or other Preachers & Teachers, we hear the Word and by that receive instruction or doctrine from the Holy Spirit.

It’s important that we ponder these things and understand what the Lord is saying to us and then submit ourselves to what the Lord is saying.  It’s important to examine ourselves and see that we are doing what the Lord has instructed us to do.  It’s important that what we say and what advice we give to others also agrees with the Word of God.

We shouldn’t just blow off what we hear as a "good message" but we need to make sure we are putting it into practice in our lives.

 

Confession:

I will pay attention to instructions the Lord gives me.  I will give myself to understanding what He is saying to me.  I will take heed that how I live and the advice I give to others is truly from the Lord.

 

 

Obedience is a tree of life!