Bible Study: Ponder Upon God's Word

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Today is Thursday October 21, 2010 and we are reading through and studying the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Luke, chapters 2-3. In these chapters we will read about, the birth of Jesus, Jesus in the Temple as a boy, John the Baptist, Jesus getting baptized, and His earthly genealogy. If you would like to read today's chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: imfollowingjesus.com/bible-october-21

Today's Message: Ponder Upon God's Word
The word ponder is defined as to seriously think about something, to meditate upon it. The Bible says, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” - Psalm 1. As Christians, it is important that we not only read God's Word, but ponder or meditate upon it. Why? Here is the answer, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” - Joshua 1:8.

So, how do we become prosperous by reading God's Word? The Bible says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” - Romans 12:2. Pondering God's Word renews our mind so we know the truth about the world and learn that the only prosperous life is a life with God in it. The world thinks that if you hand your life over to God it means that you have to live a dull, boring life. My preacher said something the other night that rang a bell, he was talking about how everyone, including his mother, questioned him when he started going to a Baptist church, they even asked him if he was in a cult because he was going three nights a week. I remember when I started going to church and got the same response too. If a cult is what it is defined as, a group sharing belief, then isn't the world a cult as well? Aren't those who live in the world pondering upon and doing what the world believes in? It is time to renew our minds by pondering upon God's Word and not on what the worlds sees as acceptable.

Mary was blessed to have been given the privilege to carry the baby Jesus for God, I often wonder what she thought the whole time, I imagine she often wondered if she were doing the right things. After she gave birth to Jesus and held that little baby in her arms, people were coming from all over to see the miracle that they have been hearing about. “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn....And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” -Luke 2:7,16-19.

Mary pondered over all the things she had been told of herself, not only by the angel that visited her before she conceived, but over the things she witnessed. I imagine since she was a witness to the miracles of God, that she was even holding God in her arms, that it did not keep her from pondering what else the Scriptures had to say about her son. While we can all have faith in God, there is a difference between someone who has faith and lives by faith. The only way we can live by faith is by hearing His Word. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” - Romans 10:17.

Pondering God's Word keeps us faithful, obedient, and gives us morals, Jesus did not receive the power of the Holy Spirit inside of Him until He was thirty years old, so how do you think He remained sinless, He pondered the Scriptures. At the age of twelve He is found in the Temple, “And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it....And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” - Luke 2:42,43,48-52.

There is something awesome beyond words to express in the thought of Jesus as the Creator of all things submitting to earthly parents who were part of His creation, but the Son of God was a submissive son of Mary and Joseph. Although Mary did not understand all Jesus was saying, she kept His words in her heart. There are times when we may not understand what God is trying to tell us, but if we keep His sayings in our heart we will eventually understand when the time is right for Him to reveal them to us. “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” - I John 5:20.

John the Baptist was the forerunner who would lay the foundation of the Gospel (preaching repentance) awaiting Christ's ministry. “As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?...And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.” - Luke 3:4-7,15-17.

Why was he known as John the Baptist? The word baptist in this case means someone that baptizes. The scope and design of John's ministry were, to bring the people from their sins, and to the Savior. He came preaching, not a sect, or party, but a profession, the sign or ceremony of repentance was washing with water. Those that profess and promise repentance, must show it by reformation, according to their places and conditions. The Gospel requires mercy, not sacrifice and its design is, to engage us to do all the good we can, and to be just to all men. Not only by doing what we have pondered upon do we increase our faith, but when we are just to all. “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” - Galatians 3:10,11. Pondering Upon God's Word helps us to be just and live by our faith in Jesus Christ.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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