How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord. How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart. —PSALM 119:1-2
How bless is the man who fears the Lord, Who greatly delights in His commandments. 2 His descendants will be mighty on earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. 4 Light arises in the darkness for the upright; He is gracious and compassionate and righteous. —PSALM 112:1-4
2 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS:
- Why is it that some people are exposed to the Word of God and it makes a huge change in their lives?
- Why do other people hear the Word of God and it makes little change in their lives?
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves…25 But one who look intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. —JAMES 1:22 & 25
PRINCIPLE: How we respond after we hear the Word of God determines the level of impact it will have on us.
BIG IDEA: Asher people - people who are to be envied with desire - are those who are deeply committed to the Word of God.
THREE ASHER TRUTHS RELATED TO GOD’S WORD:
1.Asher People Have Lives That Are Greatly Respected
How blessed [greatly to be envied] are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord. —PSALM 119:1
BLAMELESS DEFINED: “…blamelessness refers to public respectability as an outgrowth of private moral character.” (Bakers Bible Dictionary)
KEY: Asher people are envied and respected publicly because of their excellent moral character (things like: integrity, honesty, authenticity, graciousness, kindness, humility, wisdom, courage, truthfulness, faithfulness, etc…). And the excellent moral character of Asher people is rooted in their uncompromising obedience to God’s Word.
PRINCIPLE: Asher people order their private world according to the Word of God and are consequently rewarded in their public world with great respect.
2. Asher People Seek God With Obedient Hearts
How blessed [Asher] are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all [whole] their heart. —PSALM 119:2
KEY: How do I seek God with all my heart? By responding (with my mind, emotions, and will) to the testimony of God about Himself recorded in His own Word.
“He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” —JOHN 14:21
PRINCIPLE: Asher people understand that Jesus discloses himself to those who seek Him with obedient hearts.
3. Asher People Benefit Practically From Being Deeply Committed to God’s Word
Asher children will become leaders.
How blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments. 2 His descendants will be mighty on earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed. —PSALM 112:1-2
Asher families will have enduring financial success.
Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. —PSALM 112:3
KEY: Asher people believe and practice the financial principles of God’s Word, which is the secret to their enduring (long-term) financial success. They will be amply supplied today and have eternal treasure in Heaven.
Asher people will receive God’s grace in abundance.
Light arises in the darkness for the upright; He is gracious and compassionate and righteous. —PSALM 112:4
KEY: Asher people will have days of sadness, sickness, sorrow, setbacks, stress, and discouragement. BUT, in those dark days, they will have the light of God’s grace and compassion arise and shine brightly for them.
PRINCIPLE: It is as predictable for Asher people to be comforted by God’s grace as it is for the sun to rise in the morning. Wait for the light - it will come as surely as the dawn!
QUESTION: How do we become doers and not only hearers of God’s Word? By personally feeding on God’s Word!
When he sits on the throne as king, he must copy for himself this body of instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. 19 He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the Lord his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees. 20 This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. And it will ensure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel. —DEUTERONOMY 17:18-20
KEY: Asher people are deeply committed to God’s Word. They are self-feeders on the Word of God.
SEVEN THINGS I NEED TO FEED MYSELF ON GOD’S WORD
- God’s Word: A Bible - to read and feed on
- A Bible Read Plan - to provide daily direction
- A Pen - to mark my Bible and take notes
- A Dictionary or Bible Dictionary - to look up words and concepts I don’t understand
- A Journal - to record anything the Holy Spirit brings to my attention or adjustments He wants me to make in my life
- A Daily Planner - to plan my thoughts, ideas, and directions, or distractions I receive while feeding on God’s Word
- A Workable System - a simple system for daily devotions (B.I.B.L.E.)
B.I.B.L.E.
- Bible Verse: What verse did the Holy Spirit call to my attention?
- Interpretation/Insight: What does it mean?
- Breakthrough: The “ah ha!” or big idea
- Life Application: What adjustments is the Holy Spirit asking me to make?
- Entreaty: Prayer
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
- Go to the store and get the stuff you need.
And/Or - Get the Beachcities My Walk With God journal.
BOTTOM LINE: Asher people are deeply committed to God’s Word, because they know that the practical secret to their success in life is the transforming power of the Word of God.