'..."All that the Lord has said will we do..."' Exodus 24:7 > How can you make God's Word more personal and effective in your life? By receiving it as a practical, not a theoretical Word. The Bible is not God's attempt to offer illuminating insights, interesting theories or good advice for our consideration. No, it's an authoritative, indisputable statement of eternal truth for us to live by. It's intended for real-world application. '"Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house upon the rock"' (Matthew 7:24 NKJV). The obedient builder's rock-solid foundation withstood the storm's violence. Conversely, '"Everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them"' Jesus says, is a fool, and the storms will erode his foundation (v. 26-27). Now, Jesus didn't condemn this man for building an inadequate structure, or failing to hear, understand and believe His words, but for failing to act on them. 'Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says...the man who looks intently into the perfect law...not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does' (James 1:22-25 NIV). If we think reading, knowing, and even believing God's Word fulfils our obligation to it, we're self-deceived. Because it's God's Word, His intention for it must be fulfilled. That requires not just believing, but behaving the Word. James didn't say, 'he will be blessed in what he believes,' but 'he will be blessed in what he does!' When Moses read God's Word to the Israelites, they said, 'All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient.' Amen.