26 March 2017
Two-Minute Features | 02 April 2017 | 19 March 2017

God's Word Brings Refreshment to our Souls (TMF:615)

Friday, March 31, 2017
Peace to Live By: God's Word Brings Refreshment to our Souls (TMF:615) - Daniel Litton
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       So, then, really it all comes down to the fact that, “the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb,” as David said. Indeed, there is nothing in this world, no other book or even religion, which can bring us true life. The Bible is not just one of many books that is completely true. The Bible is the only book in the world which is completely true. God’s Word is the greatest word to be desired because of its complete truthfulness and refreshment of our souls. David would say elsewhere, in the most famous Psalm, that God restores our souls, and leads us in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake (see Psalm 23:3-4). How does God do this? How does he lead us? Well, he accomplishes his leading of us through his Word. When we read his Word, it refreshes and restores our souls. It shows, gives, and enables us, by the power of the Spirit of God, to follow his righteousness.

Having an Underlying Joy that is Always Present (TMF:614)

Thursday, March 30, 2017
Peace to Live By: Having an Underlying Joy that is Always Present (TMF:614) - Daniel Litton
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       Now, David says, “the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.” It is true that through God’s Word we cultivate an underlying joy that is present regardless of our circumstances in life. We have this joy because no matter what is going on, whether good or bad, we understand that God is in control and is behind all the details. There is nothing that filters into our lives which is outside of God’s control. God just didn’t set the world in motion and then step back to see how things would turn out. That’s a deistic perspective. God is very involved in our world, and does have say in everything. The writer of Hebrews so clearly tell us of Jesus that, “he upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Hebrews 1:3, ESV). If Jesus, as God, is not in control of everything, then he isn’t in control at all. Even though mankind still has free will, God is still in complete control.

The Bible Gives Us Liberty in Perceiving its Truth (TMF:613)

Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Peace to Live By: The Bible Gives Us Liberty in Perceiving its Truth (TMF:613) - Daniel Litton
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       The Bible not only gives us answers for life’s issues, but it also gives us liberty in its Truth. So, the commandments of the Lord are “pure, enlightening the eyes” and are “clean, enduring forever.” Through Scripture, we can understand morality. We can understand the things God considers evil, to be avoided, and we can understand the things that are good. God clearly defines what is appropriate, and what we should avoid. Humans derive different opinions based on what they think, based on their emotions, and based on elements of the culture in which they reside. We know, though, that truth cannot be developed based off of people’s opinions. Just like there are natural laws and order in the world and universe, so it is with morality and goodness. What is really true and good, clean and pure is what God says is right.

Anyone Can Understand the Great Things of Life (TMF:612)

Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Peace to Live By: Anyone Can Understand the Great Things of Life (TMF:612) - Daniel Litton
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       The Bible is able to care for our spiritual life and godliness. We are to fear God, or reverence him for who is, and this reverence of him, his greatness, is clean for us and will endure forever for those of us who know him. God’s Word also makes “wise the simple.” Anyone of us ‘average’ persons can understand the great things of life, and gain great wisdom and insight through studying God’s Word. The writer of Hebrews tells us, ““For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12, ESV). By the Scriptures we can discern both good and evil. By them we can know what is God’s will and what is not. By following God’s Word, we are led into life, into the right and correct ways of living. James tells us in his epistle, “the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing” (James 1:25, ESV).

God’s Word Can Bring Us Back on Our Feet (TMF:611)

Monday, March 27, 2017
Peace to Live By: God’s Word Can Bring Us Back on Our Feet (TMF:611) - Daniel Litton
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       So, we need God’s “knowledge,” his Word, to have “life and godliness.” And Peter notes how God has given us “his precious and very great promises,” to be “partakers of the divine nature.” That’s serious business; that’s true life. It is these “promises” that continue to make us more like Jesus by escaping the ways of this world (2 Peter 1:3-4, ESV). David also points out how God’s laws revive our souls. When we are feeling down and out, God’s Word can bring us back on our feet. It can bring us out of the dumps. Sometimes we are down because of a certain life situation. Sometimes we are down and out because we are longing for something in our lives that we don’t have yet. And sometimes, things just in general aren’t going that good, or least, that’s the way we perceive our surroundings. But whatever the situation or case, the Bible can lift us up out of our slumber. It is written in Proverbs, “The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net” (Psalms 25:14-15, ESV).