“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God”– Matthew 4:4

We have to eat to live. Yet, Jesus reminds us (and Satan), food is not all that is needed. You could have all the food in the world and yet remain empty and lifeless.

The one thing that truly energizes and fills and sustains is the Word of God. With God’s Word as your constant companion and sustenance, you can be content even when other food is withheld, just like Jesus was after fasting for 40 days.

But notice that we are to live by every word that proceeds from God’s mouth, not just our pet passages or favorite verses. There is not a word in God’s Word that we do not need, that we cannot profit from. God’s Word is a well-rounded meal and we are not meant to leave any part of it out.

Do you agree with Jesus? Do you see that consuming everything this world has to offer would still leave you empty, and yet each word of God is able to build you up and strengthen you for life’s journey?

If you agree with Jesus, do you live like Jesus? Do you forgo Satan’s temptation to find fulfillment in earth-bound pleasures, in order to enjoy the far greater pleasure of communion with God?

Are you living on bread alone, or by every word of God’s Word?—Baptist Bible Hour

Being a student of the Bible is great, but it is useless apart from obedience. Some have become smug and complacent, critical and argumentative, loud and proud, but they refuse to serve God. They are students but not servants. They love to learn but they never learn that the learning is for living! Having been the pastor of a great many Bible college students I’ve seen this over and over again. Some of them get so excited about Bible study that they lose sight of why they’re doing it. By the time they graduate they feel they are ready to go back home and enlighten their poor ignorant pastor–or take his place. They are forever studying the word, but they never get around to living out the “pure religion” mentioned in James 1:27, which is “To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

“Christ sent me…to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect“– 1 Corinthians 1:17

Preachers sent from Christ are sent to preach the gospel, the good news of Christ’s atoning work on the cross.

The fact that they are sent to preach the gospel reveals that there is a need for declaration and explanation of the cross of Christ. This was not a self-explanatory event. It is only because of the inspired commentary on the crucifixion — including the commentary of Jesus himself — that we are able to understand the majesty of this tragedy.

To the bystanders at Calvary (including Christ’s disciples) this was the deepest grief imaginable, the death of all their joys, the end of all hope. But through the resurrection, ascension, and explanation of Jesus Christ we come to see that the cross is in fact our highest consolation, the death of all our sorrows, and the consummation of all hope.

Through His death sinners are reconciled to God and given eternal life. How could such an astounding display of love and mercy possibly be rendered ineffective? Paul says the cross is made of none effect when we get in the way.

It was therefore Paul’s determination not to let the message of the cross be obscured behind his own personality or his own talents or his own shortcomings. May we likewise resolve to hold up the cross, to point to the cross, with as little of ourselves showing as possible.–Baptist Bible Hour

“Now the just shall live by faith.” – Hebrews 10:38

As I read this I can still hear old brother Lester Roloff singing “Living by faith”. Having spent time with him and watching his life for many years I can tell you he lived as the song says and the scriptures states. Although I didn’t agree with him on everything it was refreshing to see someone committed to a life of faith. Dear friend, that is what God requires from all of us. It is the only way to please Him (Heb. 11:6). We do not have to be rich, highly educated, or greatly talented to please God, but we must trust Him. It is a horrible offense not to do so.

Adrian Rogers said, “This great statement, so abundantly true, actually was first stated in the book of Habakkuk. The writer of Hebrews is quoting the prophet Habakkuk.

Habakkuk was perplexed. He lived in a day of violence, degradation, apostasy and danger. He bombarded Heaven, asking God to answer—to explain things so he could make sense of it all. But God said, “Habakkuk, you couldn’t understand it anyway, if I told you what I’m up to. You think I’m not working? I’m working, and Habakkuk, here is your responsibility. You are to live in this uncertain age by faith. You want me to tell you how to live? Don’t live by explanations. Live by faith.”

Now, that’s not hocus-pocus or smoke and mirrors. That has spiritual steel and concrete in it…“the just shall live by faith.”

This is the only way to live. In fact, this verse is quoted three times in the Word of God. I wonder if God is trying to tell us something. I know He is. The challenge for us today—and every day—is to live by faith.”

As we grow in grace, we are sure to grow in charity, sympathy, and love. We shall, as we ripen in grace, have greater sweetness towards our fellow Christians. Bitter spirited Christians may know a great deal, but they are immature.

Those who are quick to censure may be very acute in judgment, but they are as yet very immature in heart.

He who grows in grace remembers that he is but dust, and he therefore does not expect his fellow Christians to be anything more.

He overlooks ten thousand of their faults, because he knows his God overlooks twenty thousand in his own case. He does not expect perfection in the creature, and, therefore, he is not disappointed when he does not find it.

When our virtues become more mature, we shall not be more tolerant of evil; but we shall be more tolerant of infirmity, more hopeful for the people of God, and certainly less arrogant in our criticisms.– Charles Spurgeon