Practicing

I was reading last night in a book called, "The Pursuit of Holiness" and was challenged to really take to heart the things in the Word.  I was convicted of the many times that I have read the Word and not let it sink into my heart to the point of being applied.  I was challenged to make specific applications from the Word rather than generalizing the application.  I truly believe that this is vital to the Christian life.  If I am not being changed by the Word, then how is it profitable?  Head knowledge puffs up.  Holiness and obedience don't happen overnight.  It is something that must be practiced over and over again.  I love how the Lord shows more and more areas that we need to grow in as we choose to submit to Him out of love for Him and His perfect ways.

I was reading in Psalm 86 tonight and a few verses jumped out to me...

For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.

also...

Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and will glorify Your name forever.

What an incredible blessing it is that when we sin (over and over again), the Lord is ready to forgive. That word, "ready" brings joy to my heart... it speaks of His preparedness in the form of Christ's blood on my behalf. Christ has paid it all... He is ready to forgive! I also appreciate the challenge in this prayer from David asking the Lord to teach him in order that he may walk in truth. He also commits here to be thankful to the Lord and glorify the Lord. David understood what it meant to hear the Word of the Lord and apply it. Rather than stopping it at the general level, I think the Lord would have me think of specific ways to apply these truths. First, I need the Lord to teach me His ways... He teaches through His Word, He teachers me through preaching, He teaches me through others. This means that I must surround myself by the Word and by people that will bring the Word to me. Secondly, I need to walk in the truth that I hear from people... so not only do I need those that will speak truth into my life, but I also need those that will challenge me to walk by truth and hold me to it. There are so many things we have to thank the Lord for. We had a friend over this weekend from TX and she spent time thanking the Lord for some things that I hadn't even though of thanking Him for. I can certainly grow in the area of thankfulness to God both in my private prayer and in public. The last thing here is that I must bring glory to the Lord. God is worthy of all my praise and because of this, I must be careful to recognize Him in all good things. Every good and perfect thing comes from above. He glorifies Himself through His work, but too often, I attempt to steal the glory that belongs only to Him. This week, I am going to make it a goal to apply these things on practical levels in whatever places the Lord puts me... at work, at church, with friends, etc. He is great and greatly to be praised. Let's practice praising Him now. After all, we'll be doing it for all eternity!