Embracing God's Word and Advocating for Justice

In our journey of faith, one of the most pressing questions we face is how to fall in love with the Word of God and remain committed to reading it daily. This is not just a matter of discipline but a heartfelt desire that requires divine intervention. I often use the acrostic IOUS as a prayer guide: Incline my heart to your testimonies, Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your law, Unite my heart to fear your name, and Satisfy me with your steadfast love. These prayers, drawn from the Psalms, remind us that our inclination to engage with Scripture is a gift from God, not merely a product of our willpower. When we find ourselves distant from the Word, we can turn to these prayers, asking God to realign our hearts and open our eyes to His truth.

Another important aspect of our Christian walk is finding the balance between trusting in God's vengeance and standing up for others. We are called to advocate for those who are wronged, showing love and kindness in our actions. This is not about defending ourselves but about stepping in for others who are being mistreated. Our response should be one of love, seeking to show kindness and justice, even when it might be easier to remain silent.

In marriage, we often face the challenge of determining which issues to actively work on and which to let go. If an issue involves sin, it requires ongoing attention. However, if one partner perceives something as sin and the other does not, it may need to be placed in the "compost pile," trusting God to work in His time. Time and the seriousness of consequences, especially concerning children, are factors to consider. The presence of a compost pile is a reminder of our imperfections and the need for grace. The gospel is our source of strength, not just for forgiveness but for the ongoing struggle against sin.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Falling in love with the Word of God requires divine intervention. The acrostic IOUS—Incline, Open, Unite, Satisfy—serves as a prayer guide to align our hearts with God's Word. This approach acknowledges that our desire to engage with Scripture is a gift from God, not merely a product of our willpower. [02:14]
• 2. Advocating for others is a Christian duty. When we see someone being mistreated, our response should be one of love and justice. This involves stepping in to show kindness and support, even when it might be easier to remain silent. [04:58]
• 3. In marriage, discerning which issues to address and which to let go is crucial. Sin issues require ongoing attention, but differences in perception may lead to placing some matters in the "compost pile," trusting God to work in His time. [07:39]
• 4. The presence of a "compost pile" in marriage is a reminder of our imperfections and the need for grace. It signifies the ongoing struggle against sin and the importance of relying on the gospel for strength and forgiveness. [09:12]
• 5. The gospel is not just for forgiveness but for the ongoing fight against sin. It provides the power to keep striving for holiness, even when we face the same struggles repeatedly. This is the essence of living a life of faith. [10:22]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:12] - Falling in Love with the Word
• [00:30] - The IOUS Prayer Guide
• [01:09] - Praying for Inclination and Insight
• [02:14] - Divine Intervention in Scripture Engagement
• [03:52] - Trusting God's Vengeance vs. Advocacy
• [04:58] - Advocating for Others
• [06:02] - When Not to Respond
• [06:50] - Marriage: Issues to Solve or Compost
• [07:39] - Sin Issues in Marriage
• [08:29] - Consequences and Seasons
• [09:12] - The Reality of the Compost Pile
• [10:06] - The Ongoing Struggle with Sin
• [10:22] - The Power of the Gospel

1. Psalm 119:36 - "Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!"
2. Psalm 119:18 - "Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law."
3. Psalm 86:11 - "Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name."

1. What does the acrostic IOUS stand for, and how does it guide us in our prayer life? [00:30]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of divine intervention in our engagement with Scripture? [02:14]
3. What distinction does the sermon make between advocating for others and defending oneself? [04:08]
4. How does the concept of a "compost pile" relate to handling issues in marriage according to the sermon? [07:39]

1. How might the prayer "Incline my heart to your testimonies" change one's approach to daily Bible reading? [01:09]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that advocating for others is a reflection of Christian love and justice? [04:58]
3. How does the sermon suggest we discern which marital issues to actively address and which to let go? [07:39]
4. What does the presence of a "compost pile" in marriage signify about human imperfection and the need for grace? [09:12]

1. Reflect on your current relationship with the Word of God. How can you incorporate the IOUS prayer into your daily routine to deepen your engagement with Scripture? [02:14]
2. Think of a situation where you witnessed someone being mistreated. How can you step in to advocate for them in a way that reflects love and justice? [04:58]
3. In your marriage or close relationships, identify an issue that might belong in the "compost pile." How can you trust God to work in His time on this matter? [07:39]
4. Consider a time when you felt distant from the Word of God. How did you or how can you use prayer to realign your heart with God's truth? [02:48]
5. How can the gospel empower you to continue fighting against sin in your life, even when facing repeated struggles? [10:22]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to rely more on the gospel for strength and forgiveness. What steps can you take this week to address this? [09:48]
7. How can you show kindness and support to someone in your community who is experiencing injustice or mistreatment? [05:30]