Put the Word into Practice

An important part of living in close relationship with God is learning to become doers of the Word and not hearers only. If we read and hear the Word, but neglect to follow the instructions it gives us, we are going to live far short of God’s best for our lives.

It’s so important to understand that God always has our best in mind. When He instructs us to do something in His Word, we can be assured it is for our ultimate good. 

For example, God’s Word says, Give, and will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over (Luke 6:38 NIV). This is one of many scriptures that encourages us to be generous to others. And God’s purpose in this is two-fold: He wants to use us to help other people and show them what He is like; and He also desires to greatly bless us and fill our lives with good things!

Jesus says, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock” (Matthew 7:24-25 ESV).

When we live within the boundaries of God’s Word and do what it says, we build a strong, safe foundation for our lives. Again, His Word is “alive,” and it has the power to change us. This means the more we read and study it, the more God creates a desire inside of us to do it. He also supplies us the strength and ability to do it.

For instance, Matthew 5:44 (NIV) says, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. You may read this and think, This is a difficult thing to ask! Although this may seem impossible to do, God isn’t expecting us to do it on our own.

As you study God’s Word, I encourage you to stop and apply what the scriptures are saying to your own life. Maybe you’re reading the book of Matthew, and when you get to Verse 44, it hits home because you’re dealing with a difficult person who isn’t treating you fairly. Right then, you can stop and pray:

“God, You know what I’m going through with ___________. Right now, it seems impossible to think about doing something good for them, but I ask You to change my heart. Open my eyes to see this person as You see them. Help me to reach a point where I can love even those people who are difficult to love.”

God honors our prayers, and He will always help us to do what He says!

When you study the Word, I encourage you to jot down notes about some of the things His Word says to do. It could be things like:

• Believe the best about the people at work (see 1 Corinthians 13:7).
• Be a good listener (see James 1:19).
• Do something nice for somebody today (see Galatians 6:10).
• Be patient with my spouse! (see 1 Corinthians 13:4).
• Keep a grateful heart all day long (see Psalm 107:1).

God’s Word is the prescription for having a great life. And the more we read it, study it, love it and do it, the more we will see His goodness in every area.

Pray: “Father, I know that You have my best in mind at all times. As I read and study Your Word, I ask You to give me a desire to do everything it says to do so I can have everything you want me to have in life. Thank You for changing my heart and transforming me, one day at a time. Help me to always be obedient to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.”