Hold On Tight

Romans 12:9-10 (CEV)
Be sincere in your love for others. Hate everything that is evil and hold tight to everything that is good.  Love each other as brothers and sisters and honor others more than you do yourself.

In Alexis' devotion this morning, an example was given of preschool children going to the playground holding on to a rope to ensure their safety as they walked across the parking lot.  As the toddlers moved from point "A" to point "B", the teacher could be sure none would be lost, as long as they held tightly to the rope.  In our scripture today, we see that we are to hate everything that is evil and hold tight to everything that is good.  In order to remain safe as we travel through this evil world, we must hold tightly to God's Word.  Now I’m not saying that we should go through our daily lives with the Bible tucked under our arm.  What I mean is we must open it, read it, meditate on it and memorize it!  “How can a young person stay on the path of purity?  By living according to your word.  I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.  I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”  Psalm 119:9-11 (NIV)

The subtlety the world uses to glamorize sin and convince us that certain types of lifestyles are acceptable can only be recognized and overcome by knowledge of the Truth!  God’s Word is Truth.  It is life’s instruction manual; a guide wire I can follow when I’m not sure which way to go; a safety net that catches me when I fall; a lifeline when this sinful world has sucked the life right out of me!  The more I study and memorize scripture, the more I hate evil and am able to stand against it.  I am so thankful that God has provided everything necessary for me to live a godly life – by His Word and His Holy Spirit I can live safely and victoriously!

“By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.  We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence.  And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises.  These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.”  2 Peter 1:3-4

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