40 Days in the Word Week 7

40 Days in the Word - How do we integrate God’s Word into our lives?

Message by:
Pastor Terry Carwford
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV

1. BUILD ON IT!

   
   Matthew 7:24
   “Everyone who hears these words of mine, and puts them into practice, is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
   
   

4 Unreliable Foundations for your life:

POPULAR CULTURE “Everyone is doing it!”
Exodus 23:2
“Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd,

TRADITION “We’ve always done it that way!”
Mark 7:8
You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”

REASON “It sounds logical!
Proverbs 16:25
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

EMOTION “Feels right, so must be right”
Judges 21:25 (Message)
At that time there was no king in Israel. People did whatever they felt like doing.

2. FEED ON IT.

   
   Colossians 3:16
   Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

3. GROW THROUGH IT

   
   Luke 8:4-15
   While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” 9His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “ ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’ “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

The hardened soil = a closed mind

Luke 8:5, 12
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up….12Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.

Action: I must cultivate an open mind

The The shallow soil = a superficial mind

Luke 8:6, 13
Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture... 13Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.

Action: I must make time for God’s Word!

The The soil with weeds = a preoccupied mind

Luke 8:7, 14
Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants... 14The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.

Action: I must eliminate the distractions.

The The good soil = a willing mind

Luke 8:15
But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

Action: Cooperate with what it says!

For more information, please visit: Covenant Church

40 Days in the Word Devotions

40 Days in the Word Week 6

40 Days in the Word - Interpreting a Bible Passage

Message by:
Pastor Terry Carwford
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV

Romans 8:31-38
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

SOME BASIC RULES OF BIBLE INTERPRETATION

1. Consider the historical context: WHO is being spoken to? WHY?

   
   Romans 1:1, 11-13
   Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God… 11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.




2. Let the Scripture interpret the Scripture.




3. Read from the text, not into the text.

   
   Too often we come to the Bible with our own pre-conceived ideas. If we do that, we’ll eventually fall into the trap of trying to make the Scriptures say what we want them to say instead of drawing out from them what the author—and God—intended. The technical word for this error is eisegesis—reading into the text. What we want to do is the opposite, called exegesis, which means drawing out from the text what the author intended to communicate.




4. Look for the most obvious meaning.

Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Conclusion:

Through Jesus, God has a loving and eternal plan for us.

I am not exempt from pain and trouble.

The boundless love of Christ gives us ultimate victory.

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Pre-planned, called, justified and glorified - Jesus and us.

For more information, please visit: Covenant Church

40 Days in the Word Devotions

40 Days in the Word Week 5

40 Days in the Word - How to Study a Bible Passage

Message by:
Pastor Terry Carwford
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV

The key to Bible Study is asking good questions like…

1. What does it say?
2. What does it mean?
3. What other verses explain it?
4. What will I do about it?

Philippians 2:19-30
But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly. But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need; because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you. Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard;because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.

God wants us to get something out of His Word.

2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

1. Observation: What does it say?

Paul intended to send 2 men to the church at Philippi.

Paul endorsed them as role models who deserve honor.

What does it mean to be like these men? What are they like?

2. Interpretation: What does it mean? A Godly man is…

Caring.
vs. 20-21 “takes a genuine interest”

Cooperative Trustworthy.
vs. 22 “has proved himself.”

Committed.
vs. 25 “my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier”

Courageous.
vs.27-30 “almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life

3. Correlation: What other verses explain it?

Philippians 4:14-18
Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.
You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.

4. Application: What will I do about it?

S.P.A.C.E.P.E.T.S Questions
SIN TO CONFESS?
PROMISE TO CLAIM?
ATTITUDE TO CHANGE?
COMMAND TO KEEP?
EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW?
PRAYER TO PRAY?
ERROR TO AVOID?
TRUTH TO BELIEVE?
SOMETHING TO THANK GOD FOR?


For more information, please visit: Covenant Church

40 Days in the Word Devotions

40 Days in the Word Week 4

40 Days in the Word - SEEING WHAT GOD WANT’S ME TO SEE

Message by:
Pastor Terry Crawford
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV

ILLUMINATION: Letting the Holy Spirit show me the meaning of God’s Word and how it applies to my life.

John 14:26
“The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

John 14:17 (NLT)
“He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.”

John 16:15
“…the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.”

Ephesians 1:17 (CEV)
“I ask the glorious Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you his Spirit. The Spirit will make you wise and let you understand what it means to know God.”

Ephesians 1:18-19
“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GOD OPENS MY EYES?

1. I see the solution to my problem.

   
   Genesis 21:19
   “Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.”




2. I see the barrier to my progress.

   
   Numbers 22:31
   “Then the Lord opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.”
   
   

3. I see the defense for what’s attacking me.

   
   2 Kings 6:17
   “Elisha prayed, ‘O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha!”
   
   

4. I see how God is walking with me.

   
   Luke 24:31
   “Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.”

PREPARING TO SEE WHAT GOD WANTS ME TO SEE

1. I must begin a relationship with Jesus Christ.

   
   1 Corinthians 2:14
   “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
   
   John 3:3
   Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
   
   

2. I must ask God, in faith, to open my eyes.

   
   Psalm 119:18
   “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your Law!”
   
   James 1:5-6
   “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt.”
   
   Matthew 7:7
   "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
   
   Psalm 32:8
   “I WILL instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I WILL counsel you and watch over you.”




3. I come with a humble attitude.

   
   Psalm 25:9
   “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.”
   
   Proverbs 3:5-6
   “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”




4. I cleanse my heart of sin and conflict.

   
   Matthew 5:8
   “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
   
   1 John 2:11
   “Whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.”
   
   

5. I commit, in advance, to do what God says.

   
   Psalm 119:33-34
   “Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.”
   
   James 1:22
   “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. DO what it says!”

For more information, please visit: Covenant Church

40 Days in the Word Devotions

40 Days in the Word Week 3

40 Days in the Word - How the Bible Changes Us

Message by:
Pastor Terry Carwford
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV

John 6:63
Jesus: “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life!”

Hebrews 4:12
“The Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

HOW DOES GOD’S WORD CHANGE ME?

1. It re-creates my life.

   
   James 1:18
   “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth …”
   
   1 Peter 1:23
   “You have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God.”




2. It eradicates my guilt.

   
   Ephesians 5:25-26
   “…Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word.”
   
   John 15:3
   “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.”




3. It activates my faith.

   
   Romans 10:17
   “ Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.”




4. It stimulates my growth

   
   Acts 20:32
   “I commit you to God and to the Word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”
   
   2 Tim. 3:16-17
   “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”




5. It illuminate my mind

   
   Psalm 119:130 (CEV)
   “Understanding your Word brings light to the minds of ordinary people.”
   
   Psalm 119:105
   “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”




6. It elevates my mood.

   
   Rom. 15:4
   “Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
   
   Psalm 119:114 (MSG)
   “You're my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me.”




7. It liberates my potential.

   
   John 8:31-32 (NAS)
   “If you continue in My Word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free!”

HOW DO I GAIN THESE BENEFITS?

1. Learn the Word.

   
   Mark 12:24 (LB)
   Jesus: “Your trouble is that you don't know the Scriptures...”




2. Accept the Word.

   
   1 Thessalonians 2:13
   “When you received the Word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the Word of God, which is at work in you who believe.”




3. Act on the Word.

   
   John 13:17
   “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you DO them.”

For more information, please visit: Covenant Church

40 Days in the Word Devotions

40 Days in the Word Week 2

40 Days in the Word - WHY CAN I TRUST THE BIBLE?

Message by:
Pastor Terry Carwford
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV

2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Psalm 119:86a
All your commands are trustworthy

1. IT IS HISTORICALLY ACCURATE!


Hebrews 6:18
“It is impossible for God to lie!”

Ps. 33:4
“The Word of the Lord is right and true.”



2. IT IS SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE!


Psalm 148:5-6 (NLT)
Let every created thing give praise to the Lord, for he issued his command, and they came into being. He established them forever and forever. His orders will never be revoked.”



3. IT IS PROPHETICALLY ACCURATE!


2 Peter 1:21 GW
“No prophecy ever originated from humans. Instead, it was given by the Holy Spirit as humans spoke under God's direction.”

Matthew 26:56
But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.”

Revelation 22:6
“The angel said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord …sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place."



4. IT IS THEMATICALLY UNIFIED!


Luke 24:27
“Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, Jesus explained to them what was said in ALL the Scriptures concerning himself.”

John 5:39
"You search the Scriptures because you believe they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!”



5. IT IS CONFIRMED BYJESUS!


Matthew 5:18
Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter not the least stroke of a pen will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished!”



6. IT HAS SURVIVED ALL ATTACKS!


Matthew 24:35
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

1 Peter 1:24-25
“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever."



7. IT HAS TRANSFORMING POWER!


John 8:31-32
Jesus said “If you continue in my Word, then you are my disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free!”

Romans 12:2
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

For more information, please visit: Covenant Church

40 Days in the Word Devotions

40 Days in the Word Week 1

40 Days in the Word - BUILDING MY LIFE ON THE BIBLE

Message by:
Pastor Terry Carwford
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV

JAMES 1:19-25 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 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. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

5 Ways to build my life on the Bible:

1. I receive it with my EARS.

Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

James 1:19-21 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 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.

For good reception I need to be quiet, calm, clean and humble.

2. I READ it with my EYES.

James 1:22-25 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

God’s Word is like a mirror which helps us evaluate ourselves.

3. I RESEARCH it with my hands and mouth.

John 5:39 (NLT)

“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!

Acts 17:11 (NLT) And 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 see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.
- writing down what I learn
- talking about what I learn (why groups)

4. I REVIEW and REMEMBER it with my mind.

James 1:25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

The Bible term for remembering & reviewing God’s Word is MEDITATION.

Joshua 1:8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; 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. I respond to it with my ACTIONS.

James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Matt. 7:24-27

“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. 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. 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. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

For more information, please visit: Covenant Church