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Thursday, June 23, 2005

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Genesis 16:1-12, 15-16
Psalm 106:1-5
Matthew 7:21-29

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authoritative

"The reason was that He taught with authority and not like their scribes." —Matthew 7:29

The religious leaders of Jesus' day did not teach with authority as He did. They informed, educated, and enlightened people, but they didn't always expect the people to respond and obey. Jesus did. He warned us not to give lip-service to God's word and nullify the commandments (Mt 15:3-8). Jesus said that if we didn't hear His words and put them into practice, our lives would collapse (Mt 7:26-27). He clearly expected us to be doers of the word (Jas 1:22). He taught with authority, and He's the same today (Heb 13:8).

When Jesus does anything, He does it as Lord, and the nature of lordship is to command and call for obedience. Look at the readings in the previous few pages of this book. Did you take Jesus at His word? Did you accept Him as Lord? Did you respond to Jesus' authority with obedience and submission? It matters not how much of the Bible we know, but how much of it we obey. It's not those who say "Lord, Lord" but those who obey "Lord, Lord" that will enter God's kingdom (Mt 7:21).

Prayer:  Lord, I submit my life and will to You.

Promise:  "The Lord has heard you, God has answered you." —Gn 16:11

Praise:  Dave uses every opportunity to witness to his agnostic boss about Jesus' love for him.

Reference:  (Follow the authoritative teachings in the Bible. We have several tape series to help you read the Bible every day. Overview of the Bible is six audio tapes starting with AV 10A-1 or three video tapes starting with V-10A. 15-minute Bible Teaching - New Testament is forty audio tapes starting with #700. An Introduction to each Book of the Bible is 32 audio tapes starting with AV 21-1 or 17 video tapes starting with V-21.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 20, 2004

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