WORDS OF LIFE SERIES 22 James 1:22. Are we allowing the Word to govern our lives?

By what do you
BIBLE STUDY NOTES DAYS OF HEAVEN UPON live? To live by God’s standard we must lay up His Word in our heart – look up
EARTH Colossians 3:16.
by Francis W. Dixon 2. WE ARE TO KEEP GOD’S WORD ALWAYS BEFORE US (VERSE 18).
The reference here is to the Jewish custom of wearing phylacteries, or little
Study 1 ALL THIS, AND HEAVEN TOO! boxes containing portions of the scriptures, which were worn on the arm and
(Scripture Portion: Deuteronomy 11:7-25 KJV) the forehead. Thus, we see that our eyes and hands are to be governed by the
Word; what we see and what we do are to be in line with God’s truth. There
The theme of this new series is a thrilling one! Each of the ten studies are a thousand-and-one problems relating to Christian conduct that arise in the
emphasises a different aspect of the Christian’s walk, work, warfare and life of every Christian: is it right to go here? Or do this? The Bible has the
witness, and unfolds God’s provision for every one of His children to experience answer, and we are to keep the Word always before us so that we see and do
‘days of Heaven upon earth’. But, is it possible for us to experience these days everything in the light of God’s Word.
now? Deuteronomy 11:18-21 assures us that such an experience is possible 3. WE ARE TO TEACH GOD’S WORD TO OUR CHILDREN (VERSE 19).
for all who are willing to meet the simple conditions which God lays down. Look up Proverbs 22:6. On every hand today our young people are very
The Lord has a two-fold purpose for all His children: First, His plan is that after ignorant of the truths of God’s Word. Comparatively few of them have the
we have spent a little time down here in the world (John 16:33), and proved the privilege that young Timothy had (2 Timothy 3:14-15), but in giving His
sufficiency of His grace (2 Corinthians 12:9), and the unfolding of His will prescription for happy family life, God exhorts all parents to bring their children
(Romans 8:28), we shall go to live for ever with Him in Heaven (John 14:2). But up “in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
second, His plan is that we should experience here and now ‘days of Heaven 4. WE ARE TO SPEAK GOD’S WORD ALL DAY LONG (VERSE 19).
upon earth’. Compare the following characteristics of Heaven and notice that When we sit, walk, lie down or get up we are to speak – compare
they are the very blessings that God promises to us here and now. When we 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
get to Heaven we shall have these blessings in full, but here and now we may (1) When we sit. Do you ever speak of Christ when you entertain friends?
have a foretaste. For example: There is no more honouring theme, and certainly none so satisfying!
In Heaven On Earth (2) When we are out walking. Look up Luke 24:13-35. What health-giving
(1) Perfect peace Revelation 21:4 Isaiah 26:3 benefit there is in taking a walk and meditating upon the Word and holding
(2) Fullness of joy Psalm 16:11 John 15:11 communion with the Living Word (John 1:1)!
(3) Deliverance from sin Revelation 21:27 Romans 6:14 (3) When we get up. Happy is the Christian who begins the day alone with
(4) Freedom from fear Revelation 22:3-4 1 John 4:18 God, seeking Him in His Word, and yielding afresh to His claims! Is this
(5) The presence of Christ 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Matthew 28:20 your habit?
(6) The privilege of service Revelation 22:3 John 15:16 (4) When we go to bed. Yes, and happy is the Christian who ends the day by
(7) Perfect love Ephesians 3:14-15 1 John 2:5 reading again from the pages of the Word! Is this your habit?

We see that God promises to us not only Heaven in the future, but Heaven 5. WE ARE TO DISPLAY GOD’S WORD IN THE HOME (VERSE 20)
upon earth; or, to put it in the context of the title of this study, He promises – ‘All What does this mean? Surely, it means that we are to honour God’s Word in
this, and Heaven too!’ How can we have such days? On what does this the home so that all who come and go can see whose we are and whom we
experience depend? serve. Notice the question in 2 Kings 20:15. What is your answer to it? Do
your visitors know at once that your home is a Christian home? Have you
It depends upon our attitude towards, and our right use of, the Word of God.
made Joshua’s vow (Joshua 24:15)?
In Deuteronomy 11:18-21 we are told five things to do with the Word of God, the
These are the simple conditions that must be fulfilled if we are to experience
Bible, and if we will faithfully do these things we shall experience ‘days of
‘days of Heaven upon earth’. But notice, in conclusion, that as we give the
Heaven upon earth’.
written Word its rightful place in our lives, the Living Word will take His rightful
place in our lives. The two Words are inseparable, and if we would have much
1. WE ARE TO LAY UP GOD’S WORD IN OUR HEART (VERSE 18).
of Him, who is the Word incarnate, it can only be as we give His written Word
This means that we are to store the Word in our heart and not merely in our
the rightful place in our lives.
head – look up Psalm 119:11; and we are to hear the Word, believe it, receive
it, apply it and translate it into daily living – look up and compare Hebrews 4:2; WORDS OF LIFE MINISTRIES
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