DAILY DISCIPLINE #15
By Colleen Donahue
"Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you." Deuteronomy 4:2
When I began to read the Bible daily I started to venture out of the familiar ground of the New Testament and into the "Old" starting with Genesis. The historical accounts of life and death, battles and settlements, men and women, and God's role in all life --- it became interesting and practical. The fifth book that Moses wrote, called Deuteronomy, became my favorite. It's a summary of the history of the chosen people from the time they left their captive state in Egypt to the point of entering into the "promise land" of Canaan. The book is exciting but also practical for today.
Since reading Deuteronomy and spending hours slowly studying it, I've noticed one thing repeated over and over - "You are to walk in my ways, keep my commands, obey my law .." This theme is expressed many times and in many ways.
We are to be an obedient people - loving God and obeying His commands. When something is said once in the Bible you can be sure it's important. When it's repeated you know you'd better take notice, but when it's said over and over again we become fools not to take action.
What are God's commands? What are we supposed to obey in today's society? This is our theme for this study. All of the commands that you'll look up will be from the New Testament so as not to be confused with Old Testament commands pertaining to specific people during a specific time period. (This is not to say there aren't any Old Testament commands relevant for today but since space is limited we'll stay in the New Testament.) So let's begin ---
WHAT IS GOD COMMANDING OF YOU?
Day I -Some commands tell us to go.
Matthew 28:19 / Mark 16:15 / Luke 10:1-3 / Luke 10:36-37
Day 2- What are we commanded to have?
Mark 11:22 / Ephesians 5:18 / I Timothy 5:21
Day 3- What should we hold on to?
I Thessalonians 5:21 / I Timothy 1:19 / Heb.3:14 / Revelations 2:25
Day 4 -Who are some people that we should honor?
Matthew 19:19 / Luke 18:20 / I Timothy 5:3 / I Peter 2:17
Day 5 -What are we to keep?
Matthew 19:17 / 1 Timothy 5:22 / I John 5:21
Day 6 -What should we lay aside?
James 1:21 / 1 Peter 2:1
Day 7 -What should we be?
Matthew 5:12 / Matthew 5:48 / Matthew 10:16
Day 8 -What shouldn't we be?
Matthew 6:5 / Luke 12:4 / 1 Peter 3:14 / Romans 12:2
Day 9 -What things should we consider?
Romans 6:11 / 2 Timothy 2:7 / Hebrews 3:1 / Hebrews 12:3
Day 10- What are three things to continue in?
John 15:9 / Romans 12:12 / Colossians 4:2 / 2Timothy 3:14
Day 11 -What are you to do?
Matthew 5:44 / Luke 6:35-36 / Philippians 2:5-7, 14
Day 12 -What are you commanded NOT to do?
Matthew 6:1-2 / 1 Timothy 1:3-4 / James 2:11 / 1 John 3:18
Day 13 -What are we to endure?
2 Timothy 2:3 / 2 Timothy 4:5
Day 14 -What are you to flee from?
I Corinthians 6:18 / 1 Timothy 6:9-11 / 2 Timothy 2:22
Day 15 -Who or what are we to follow?
Matthew 4:19 / 1 Corinthians 14:1 / 1 Timothy 6:11 / 2 Timothy 2:22 / 3 John 11
Day 16 -Who are we to give to?
Matthew 5:42 / Romans 12:13,20
Day 17- How are we to give?
Matthew 10:8 / I Corinthians 16:2 / 2 Corinthians 8:12 / 2 Corinthians 9:7
Day 18 -What are some of the things we should abstain from?
Acts 15:20,29 / 1 Thessalonians 4:3 / 1 Peter 2:11
Day 19 -What should we avoid?
Romans 16:17 / 1 Thessalonians 5:22 / 1 Timothy 6:20 / Titus 3:9
Day 20 -What are we commanded to ask for?
Matthew 7:7 / Luke 11:9 / John 14:12-14 / John 15:7 / John 16:23-24 / James 1:5 / 1 John 5:16
Notice that most of these verses don't specify what we are to ask for. God has put us in different situations so that our asking will be to meet the needs of where He has put us.
Day 21 -What are we commanded to believe?
Mark 1:15 / Hebrews 11:6 / 1 John 3:23
Day 22 -What shouldn't you believe?
I John 4:1
Day 23 -What are we to beware of?
Matthew 7:15 / Luke 12:1 / Luke 12:15 / 2 Peter 3:17
Day 24 -Who are we commanded to bless?
Matthew 5:44 / Luke 6:28 / Romans 12:14
Day 25 -What are we to cast out?
Matthew 7:5 / I Peter 5:7
Day 26 -What aren't we to cast away?
Hebrews 10:35
Day 27- How are we commanded to live?
Romans 12:18 / 1 Corinthians 7:28-35 / 1 Peter 4:2
Day 28 -Who are we to love?
Matthew 5:44 / John 13:34 / 1 Peter 2:17 / 1 John 4:21
Day 29 -What aren't we to love?
I John 2:15
Day 30- How are we to pray?
Matthew 6:9-13 / Matthew 7:7-11 / Jude 20
Day 31- What are we to put away?
I Corinthians 5:13 / 1 Corinthians 13:11b / Ephesians 4:25,31
Now that you've read only a few of the New Testament commands, are you a bit overwhelmed? How many do you remember? As we reach the end of this study it's important to see why we need the Holy Spirit. Jesus knew that we wouldn't remember all these commands and he didn't want us preoccupied with trying to live life like the Pharisees, who made it their life's calling to know and follow God's rules and created even more rules for everyone!
When we set our hearts to wholly love and obey God, then He actually puts His laws into our minds and writes them on our hearts (see Jeremiah 31:33). When Jesus was about to leave this world He promised to give all his followers His own Spirit who would remind us of everything he said and commanded. This means that at the time we need it, we'll have it. Jesus said, "But 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 14:26
The one vital condition for obeying God's Word is that we ask Him to fill us with His Holy Spirit. Luke 11:13 says this, "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" By all means, memorize Bible verses but then rely on the Holy Spirit to bring them to mind when they are needed. He will be faithful to do that for you.
| Daily Discipline Table of Contents |