Somebody Loves You

Raul Ries: You can't grow without the Word of God. You can't grow. You'll never become the spiritual leader of your home. Your wife will never respect you, your children will never respect you, if they don't see you as strong men of God with authority. Not flexing your muscles, but the authority of the Word of God. What does God say in his Word?

Guest (Male): Welcome to Somebody Loves You Radio, the Bible teaching ministry of Raul Ries in Diamond Bar, California. Today, Raul will show us why it's so important that we put a high value on being in God's Word. Now, you may feel over-programmed and overwhelmed, but it's still crucial to carve out quiet moments with the Lord.

Keep listening for a challenge to anchor your heart and mind in the Word of God so that you can live out your God-given calling as the spiritual leader of your home. Here is Raul Ries with our study, A Man's Submission to God.

Raul Ries: I want to encourage you tonight as I was going to be speaking out of the book of Psalms. Psalm 119, the longest Psalm in the Bible, verse 11 only. And the reason I chose this text is because we're fellowshiping tonight with a bunch of men. There are no women here, I hope. It's all men. And one of the great weaknesses that I have seen in talking and speaking in so many men's conferences is the weakness of men not knowing God's Word.

Not knowing God's Word. In combat, you can't do without your weapon. You need your weapon 24/7. Paul the Apostle puts it so beautiful in the book of Ephesians where he says, if you're going to be in this world and you're going to be fighting the battles of this world, and you're not going to be fighting just physically but spiritually, then you need to learn to put on the whole armor of God. You need to know how to do that.

And when I read this Psalm, it just kind of laid me back a little because in verse 11 he says for our text tonight, he says, "Your word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you." What is he saying? He's saying that if the Word of God is in you, it's going to keep you from sinning against God. It's going to keep you from pornographic things. It's going to keep you from evil thoughts. It's going to keep you from drinking beer and wine and maybe smoking a little thing here and there.

Whatever your weaknesses may be—it could be women, it could be whatever—if you're not really in the Word of God and you really don't have the sword, then you really are not going to be able to fight the fight that is before us. And yet people are always asking this question, what kind of a person does God use to do his work? First of all, I want you to know that he uses ordinary people just like you and me. Just like you and me.

I never dreamed—my desire, my goal in the martial arts was to have schools all over the country and all over the world. That was my desire. I was a businessman, and I was doing very well. And when God called me, I never wanted to be a pastor; Pastor Dale knows it, we grew up together. I never wanted to have a church. I never wanted to be a speaker, because first of all, I didn't think I could speak.

And it's really important that you understand that God is the one that calls, anoints, and uses, and opens the doors and shuts the doors. It's not you promoting yourself, but promotion doesn't come from the east or the west. It doesn't come from the north or the south; it comes from the Lord. He takes up one and he puts down the other. We need to understand that.

And it's really important for all of us here to understand that the psalmist David, when he writes here, is not only asking a great question that we ask here—what kind of a person does God use to do his work?—because there are so many men that are so confused in their own personal lives that they feel because they've been naughty at home or they've been naughty at work, and because maybe you're tripping and you're falling, that God is done with you. That's not true.

There's not one perfect person in here tonight, not even myself. We're all imperfect. We miss it every single day. It is all by the grace of God. The grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ that we stand before here tonight. And so when you think of the kind of person that God uses, which is first of all a man of the Word—I have a whole series on this—he's a man of prayer, he's a man full of the Holy Spirit, he's a man full of wisdom, and there are other things that he talks about in the book of Acts.

And so it's really important for me to understand that God uses ordinary people like you that are sitting to the left and to the right, behind you and in front of you, and like myself, because the Bible is very clear when it comes to God using men just like you and me. Remember Paul when he was writing to the Corinthians? In 1 Corinthians 1:26-27, Paul said, "For you see your calling, brothers, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called.

But God has chosen the foolish things of this world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty." Now, he uses ordinary people just like you and me, but there are qualifications to be used by God. And the first thing that we need to understand is that the beauty that God has for each one of us, it is God's love and grace shown to each one of us individually every single day of my life.

And he uses anyone that will submit to him and wants to be obedient to the Word of God. That's so important. Obedient to the Word of God. Because if we're not obedient to God's Word, then how can God really use me to the fullness when I'm not obeying what he says here? I would become a Pharisee, I would become a hypocrite, an actor. And yet Jesus, he will work through that person's life so that he, God, Jesus, will get the glory back to himself because people will be amazed, how can God use that person? You. It's neat. I love the way God uses people.

And sometimes we sit here and we don't understand that God has gifted us. We have gifts and talents that haven't been uncovered by the power of the Holy Spirit as we search the scriptures and we read the Word of God and we study it. And as God begins not only to use my life, but God already has been using my life, but I haven't recognized the anointing over my life that God instilled in me so that he can use me so that he can get the glory and the honor from such a weak vessel that is only clay—a little water, it becomes mud. That's you. That's me.

Paul the Apostle in 1 Corinthians 10:31 said, "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." All to the glory of God. In Ephesians chapter 2:8-10 he says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; it is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are his workmanship, we are his poiema." We get the word poem in English. Check that out.

He says, "created in Christ Jesus for good works, not bad works, good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Walking in fellowship with God will bring good works in your life. We're not saved by good works; we're saved by faith. God wants to work in us and through us. Now, my question to you tonight is, what kind of a person are you in the hands of God tonight?

I would pray that you would want to be a man of the Word. Which means it takes laboring. It takes time to read. It takes time to pray. It takes time to dig in the scriptures. And to me it's just incredible when you read and you study God's Word. Because in the book of Psalms 119:97 he says, "Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation," notice, on Wednesday nights only? No. All day. All day long.

From the time I get up in the morning to go to work, how can I go to work and how can I be this spiritual father and husband to my wife and to my children, and then go to work with my employees or employer and be a leader if I haven't spent time with God in his Word? What kind of guidance do you have? What kind of fuel do you have? It's really important.

The first thing that I do when I get up in the morning is I spend time with God. I don't care if I'm surfing or not. You know why? Because I know my weaknesses. I want to make sure that I know God before I go anywhere. Why? Because the devil knows how to plan everything against us. And you want to make sure that the sword is sharp, not dull. Otherwise it will be no good in combat. And the sword is the Word of God to us today.

Guest (Male): You're listening to Somebody Loves You Radio with Raul Ries. Now, as you commit to spending daily time in the Word of God, we encourage you to visit us at somebodylovesyou.com for helpful study resources. Raul's six-lesson series geared specifically toward Christian dads is available on both CD and USB. We'll tell you how you can get a copy of that in just a few moments. But now, let's get back to more with Raul Ries.

Raul Ries: So as we study God's Word, it gives us insight to what we should believe about God and eternity. There are no lies. We will know exactly what God's Word says so we cannot be deceived. We cannot be deceived by Satan. How is the Word of God used throughout the Bible? Well, number one, what the Word of God is called in scriptures. Number one, these are titles. Number one, it is called the Book of the Law.

The Book of the Law. In the book of Nehemiah, when they were standing for hours and the children that could understand were standing with the parents and the grandparents listening to the Word of God. Interesting. He says in verse 3, "Then he read from it," the Word of God, "in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from the morning until midday." Can you imagine? Six hours of Bible study. We only have one hour. Six hours.

He says, "before the men and women and those who could understand." Notice, people that were sitting down listening to the Word of God—that's why we have this nursery, we have children's church—why? Because they don't understand. But those that can understand are welcome to come in and sit and hear the Word of God. And then he says what? "And the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law." The Word of God, the importance of opening the scriptures, reading, listening, making sure that I understand what God is saying.

Number two, it is called the Law of the Lord. Psalm 1:2, he says, "but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law he meditates day and night." From sunup to sundown. Thirdly, it is called the scriptures. In John 5:39, Jesus said, "You search the scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of me, Jesus." Fourthly, it is called the holy scriptures.

In Romans 1:2, "which he promised before through his prophets in the holy scriptures." It is also called the Word of God, Hebrews 4:12, we already read that. Six, it is called the Word. James 1:21-23, "Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror." You forget what you really are like. It will have no impact in your life. Seven, it is called the Word of Life. Philippians 2:16, "holding fast the word of life," so that I may rejoice, Paul says, "in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain." Speaking of the rapture of the church. I haven't wasted my time.

Eight, it is called the book. Revelation 22:19, "And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." Notice how many times in that scripture he uses the book. Secondly, second point is how the Word of God is described in scripture. Titles are given to the Word of God like number one, it is scriptures that are pure, pure, undefiled.

Psalm 19:8 says, "The statues of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes of the beholder." Imagine that. And secondly, it is the scriptures that are restraining my life. In Psalm 119:11 he says, "Your word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you, God." It restrains you at work. It restrains you in your playground, wherever you are, the Word of God will keep you from sinning.

Thirdly, it is the scripture that is perfect. In Psalm 19:7 he says, "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." Fourthly, the scriptures are sure. Psalm 111:7-8, "The works of his hands are verity and justice; all his precepts are sure. They stand fast forever and ever and are done in truth and uprightness." And then the scriptures are truth.

Psalm 119:142, "Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and your law is truth." The scriptures also are enduring. Isaiah 40:8, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever and ever and ever." Seventh, the scriptures are effectual. Isaiah 55:11, "So shall my word be that goes from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish what it pleases, it shall prosper in the things which I sent it forth."

Isn't that neat? Wherever God sends his Word, it is doing its work. It never comes back void. There's good results always by the Word of God. Eight, it is inspired. 2 Peter 1:19-21. He says, "So we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed, as a light that shines," speaks of illumination, "in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts;

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of men, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." I love that. By the Holy Spirit. So imagine how powerful the Word of God is in our lives if we really study it, if we consume it day and night. Thirdly and lastly, what we need to believe about the scriptures.

Number one, these are proofs given in the Word of God. Number one, that we have life in his name, that he'll give us life in the name of Jesus. John 20:31 says, "but these things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name." And what does it do secondly? It gives us eternal life. Eternal life.

1 John 5:13, "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life and that you may continue to believe in the name of the only Son of God, Jesus Christ." So these are really important to me. Number three, we can have healing in our lives. In Psalm 107:20 he says, "He sent his word and it healed them and delivered them from their destructions."

Fourthly, that we may have freedom from sin. John 8:32, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Fifthly, that we may have conviction. Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even the division of soul and spirit, and the joints and marrow; it is a discerner of the thoughts and the intents of everyone's heart."

And six, that we may see clearly. There are no clouds, no blindfolds. He says that we may give not only instruction, but here again he says, "The statues of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes." And then seven, it gives us instruction as believers. Deuteronomy 11:19, "You shall teach them to your children, speaking to them when you sit down in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you get up."

Notice, fathers, men, the importance of you being the leader of your home with the Word of God in the morning, in the afternoon, and in the evening, whenever you get a chance. Eight, that we may be obedient to the Word of God. Remember Joshua 1:8? "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate day and night, and you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then if you do that, you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success."

With your wife, with your children, with your job, with the church, with everything and anything you come in contact with because of the Word of God. And then ninth, that we may love God's Word fully and completely. Psalm 119:47, "I will delight myself in your commandments which I love, oh God." And tenth and finally, that we may handle the Word of God accurately. 2 Timothy 2:15, be diligent to present yourselves approved to God. The old King James says, make sure you study the Word of God. He says, "a worker who needs not to be ashamed, but rightly dividing the word of truth." Imagine that. How important is God's Word in my life? Very, very important.

Guest (Male): There is no question that living out your role as a Christian dad is not easy, but we hope today's message has been a motivation for you to strengthen and equip yourself with God's Word. You're listening to Somebody Loves You Radio with Raul Ries. The title of today's study was A Man's Submission to God. To get an unedited version with much more teaching, just call us at 800-634-9165 and for a donation of $5 or more, we'll send a copy to you.

We'd also like to tell you about additional inspiration from Raul's six-part father's series, available on either CD or thumb drive. Now as you learn more about the Lord's heart for dads, you'll see that you don't have to be the most talented, wealthy, or educated father in order to guide your children into a spiritually meaningful life. You simply need to set a consistent example of faith-filled righteousness.

To order Raul's six-lesson study for fathers, visit somebodylovesyou.com or call 800-634-9165. We'll send you the CD set for $19 or the thumb drive for just $10. That's 800-634-9165. Or write to Somebody Loves You Radio, PO Box 4440, Diamond Bar, California, 91765. Every gift you give makes it possible for us to keep sharing the everlasting truth from God's Word. Thank you so much for your partnership.

Next time, we'll continue this series with more insight into the importance of personal devotions. You'll find that no matter how busy you are, the best thing you can do for your family every day is to pray and study God's Word. Now with a final comment, here is Raul once again.

Daniel Webster says this: "The Bible is a book of faith, and a book of doctrine, and a book of morals, and a book of religion, of special revelation from God; but it is also a book which teaches man his own individual responsibility, his own dignity, and his equality with his fellow man." Webster said that. So we read the Book of Books. John Bunyan said, I have it in every one of my Bibles. He said, "This book will keep you from sin, but sin will keep you from this book."

This book will keep you from sin, but sin will keep you from this book. Never, ever forget that tonight, you guys. Blessed is the man that studies and prays, but blessed is the man that eats up God's Word and devours it and becomes a man of the Word, a man of prayer, a man of the Holy Spirit, and a man of wisdom. And a man who loves and cares for his family and provides for his family and is not afraid of Satan, but he confronts Satan with the Word of God.

Guest (Male): This program is sponsored by Somebody Loves You Radio in Diamond Bar, California.