SWEETER THAN HONEY
BREAD
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. 10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. 11 By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Psalms 19:7-11 (NIV)
103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalms 119:103 (NIV)
1 And he said to me, “Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the house of Israel.” 2 So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. 3 Then he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth. 4 He then said to me: “Son of man, go now to the house of Israel and speak my words to them.” Ezekiel 3:1-4 (NIV)
8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: “Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” 9 So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, “Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.” 10 I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. 11 Then I was told, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.” Revelation 10:8-11 (NIV)
12 For 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. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIV)
1 Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. 2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. Psalms 119:1-2 (NIV)
9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. 10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalms 119:9-11 (NIV)
14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. Psalms 119:14 (NIV)
89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Psalms 119:89 (NIV)
97 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. 98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. 99 I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. 100 I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. Psalms 119:97-100 (NIV)
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalms 119:105 (NIV)
130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalms 119:130 (NIV)
140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them. Psalms 119:140 (NIV)
165 Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. Psalms 119:165 (NIV)
BUTTER
“Our claim is that God has revealed Himself by speaking; that this divine (or God-breathed) speech has been written down and preserved in Scripture; and that Scripture is, in fact, God’s Word written, which therefore is true and reliable and has divine authority over men.” John Stott
“Beware of reasoning about God’s Word – obey It.” Oswald Chambers
“What is more elevating and transporting than the generosity of heart which risks everything on God’s Word?” John Henry Newman
“For us to grow in maturity, it’s not enough to just read God’s Word. We need to obey it and put it into practice. Much as an athlete builds physical muscles through repetition and conditioning, we build spiritual muscles by learning, obeying, and living God’s Word. Sound Bible study transforms our lives by training our minds and hearts. Bible literacy protects us from error and increases our love for God himself. By giving us His Word and His Spirit, God has given us everything we need for spiritual maturity. Failure to grow is always our choice, never God’s. What are we doing today to help us grow and mature as Christians?” Donna Evans
“His Word cannot be falsified, disqualified, modified or nullified. His Word cannot be distorted or inverted or reinvented or demerited or interpreted away. His Word is beauty, it is wooing, and it will all be accomplished absolutely. The debate of the day may change, the crisis may change, the screaming headlines of the genuinely horrifying may change — but, in the entire heaving cosmos, this remains unchangeable, unstoppable, undaunted: The Word of God. His Word is absolute and resolute and it will remain until time concludes. God’s Word is more permanent than any words written in granite — or in headlines or campaign slogans or PR statements or press releases or laws. Mountain rock is fleetingly temporary compared to the forever permanence of the Rock of His Word. Culture cannot shape it and society cannot silence it and scarred people cannot help but be wooed by it, healed by it, held by it. And the Lover of the letter, He soothes: ‘The mountains may pass away, but my truth will not pass away, the grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever, and though the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but My steadfast love shall not depart from you.’” Ann Voskamp
“(We were)…attempting to drink from a fire hose, and truly, in some respects, it was almost too much to take in. Almost. I wish every woman in my life had the opportunity to sit under such solid teaching that didn’t make much of the speaker but rather—made much of GOD. Because here’s the thing—I don’t need someone to stand at a podium and tell me how to be a good mother in five alliterated points. I don’t need a complimentary monogrammed water bottle reminding me that I’m valuable. I don’t need a rousing speech that makes me want to do more and be better, as though grace has no place in sanctification. I don’t need a soul-coddling self-esteem boost, as though my sin is never an issue.” Glenna Marshall on The Gospel Coalition Women
HEART SAVOR
• God’s Word is not just idle words for me – it is to be my life. 45 When Moses finished reciting all these words to all Israel, 46 he said to them, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. 47 They are not just idle words for you–they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” Deuteronomy 32:45-47 (NIV)
• God’s Word is alive, powerful and effective.
• My life is blessed when I walk according to the Law of the Lord. It allows me 20/20 vision of this life.
Beth Yoe's Sharing Bread 