“Loving the booK” How to treasure God’s Word “I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” – Job 23:12

Treasures of Loving God’s Word “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua 1:8

Treasures of Loving God’s Word “But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Psalm 1:2-3 Treasures of Loving God’s Word

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” Psalm 119:11 “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.” (NIV) 1 John 3:9 Treasures of Loving God’s Word

“O how I love Thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through Thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for Thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Thy precepts.” Psalm 119: Treasures of Loving God’s Word

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” John 10:27-28 “Thus saith the Lord; As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear...” Amos 3:12a

Sheep Reveal Importance of Treasuring God’s Word “I am the Good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of Mine.” (John 10:14)

“My sheep hear My Voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27)

Five “Feeding Habits” of Sheep 1. Sheep must have pastures prepared for them. “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures...” (Psalm 23:2)

Five “Feeding Habits” of Sheep 2. Sheep must begin feeding early in the morning. “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is...” (Psalm 63:1)

Five “Feeding Habits” of Sheep 3. Sheep always eat down to the roots. And when He was alone, they that were about Him with the twelve asked of Him the parable.” (Mark 4:10) “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:14)

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance

Five “Feeding Habits” of Sheep 4. Sheep gain maximum benefit from food by “cud chewing”. “Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.” (Leviticus 11:3)

Sheep’s 4-Stomach Digestive System (1) (4) (3) (2)

Sheep’s 4-Stomach Digestive System

(1) (4) (3) (2) Sheep eat large amounts of grass, including sticks, stones, etc. It enters into the 1 st Stomach [Rumen] until sheep is done eating. When undigestible food is removed, the remaining food passes into the 2 nd Stomach [Reticulum]. Here it becomes CUD. After the Cud has been chewed to very fine pieces, it then passes on to the 3 rd Stomach [Omasum] where the bacteria and protozoa break down the cellulose. After the cellulose has been broken down, it then passes to the 4 th Stomach [Abomasum] where the digestive juices begin the final process.

Five “Feeding Habits” of Sheep 5. Sheep need a balance between eating and exercise. “... and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” (1 Timothy 4:7-8) “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13)