Open His book-Ahh! The wonder of it.

April 20, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

In today’s portion of Psalm 119, the psalmist recognizes that following God’s ways, as outlined in the Bible, brings good and will reveal wonders about God.

Psalm 119:17-18 Gimel.

Deal bountifully with Your servant,
That I may live and keep Your word [treasuring it and being guided by it day by day].
Open my eyes [to spiritual truth] so that I may behold
Wonderful things from Your law. (AMP)

Do you open God’s Word regularly seeking to know Him better and learn a better way of living? The Word of God is to be treasured as it guides and reveals God to us. I like the conclusion that the psalmist comes to in the last verse of this section, verse 24. “Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.” Knowing and using God’s Word brings delight, good counsel and hope to the one who seeks answers that are found within the pages of the Bible. Does that describe you? Are you a seeker of truth, guidance and wisdom that comes from God? Prayerfully consider how much time you are spending in God’s Word each week. Do you seek out groups where you can study His Word and learn? If you don’t know where to find such groups- here are a few suggestions. 1) ask your pastor what is available at your own church. If you don’t attend a church or your church does not have groups that match your schedule, here’s someplace else to look. 2) Bible Study Fellowship and Community Bible Study are organizations that present the Bible all over the world. Look them up on-line and see if there is a class you can join that is near where you live. The studies are complete, well laid out and based on the Biblical truths in God’s Word. Here are the links to their websites: https://www.bsfinternational.org and https://communitybiblestudy.org

The study of God’s Word will always result in delight and wonder as God reveals himself to you.

Being a student of the Bible brings great reward,

Linda

Integrity- is it attainable?

April 17, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Psalm 119 Beth

⁹How can a young person stay pure?
    By obeying your word.
¹⁰I have tried hard to find you—
    don’t let me wander from your commands.
¹¹I have hidden your word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against you.

The Psalmist begins part 2 of Psalm 119 by questioning how can you keep yourself pure or living uprightly with integrity? This is a question that both young and old ask themselves daily. The psalmist confesses he is seeking God and asks God’s help in staying true or close to God’s ways. He wants to be obedient and walk with God. He then gives the action he has taken to stay true to God. He has hidden God’s Word in His heart to protect himself from temptation and sinning. God’s solution for keeping us close to Him and keeping us away from sinful actions is to have us immerse ourselves in His Word and commit it to memory. Why is this an answer? God in His wisdom knows that we need to imprint His Word and His ways upon our hearts. Memorizing or internalizing the Word of God does that for our heart, mind and soul. How long has it been since you memorized a piece of scripture? It is easy to get started. Choose a favorite verse, write it on a card or use the App Scripture Typer on your phone and review it daily. Before you know it you will have it memorized and ready for recall when you need it most. Recalling Scripture gives you strength and power to walk with integrity, just as Jesus would have you do.

The Jews had a portion of scripture in the Old Testament that they recited twice a day. The Shema, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, was their confession of faith. God is wise and wants us to know His word and have it in our hearts and on our lips. He knew that having these words on their lips repeatedly would help to keep them focused and walking with Him. ⁴“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. ⁵And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. ⁶And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. ⁷Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. ⁸Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. ⁹Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

May you delight in God’s Word today!

Linda

Biblical A,B,C’s- let’s take a look!

April 13, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

As I have been praying about writing after the Lenten season, the Lord has renewed my conviction that His Word is essential to our Christian walk and good spiritual health. I am going to walk through Psalm 119 in successive weeks stopping to blog and meditate on selected verses. I pray you will be blessed as we journey through this magnificent Psalm together.

Pslam 119:1-2

Aleph

¹Joyful are people of integrity,
who follow the instructions of the Lord.
²Joyful are those who obey his laws
and search for him with all their hearts. (NLT)

This psalm is known as an acrostic as it goes through the Hebrew alphabet, aleph to taw. Each section has 8 verses and are all about God’s Word. In these opening verses the Psalmist tells us that joy is to be had in following God’s Word, walking in obedience and seeking after God. Can you agree with the psalmist? Do you find joy in reading and knowing God’s Word? Does walking in obedience make your life more joyful and keep you in touch with God? Do you hunger for a deep meaningful relationship with God and seek Him out each day?

Nehemiah 8:9-10 tells what happened when the people of God heard the word read to them. “Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” How does the Word of God affect you? The Israelites were sad and grieved over their sins as God’s Word revealed to them how they were sinning and not walking with Him. Then Nehemiah reminded them that a right relationship with God brings joy and strength from the Lord! Their repentance brought them into a place of joy in the Lord. Offer up a prayer with a repentant heart right now, then claim His joy and strength in your day.

Jeremiah 29 13 As we journey through this psalm, claim the joy that God has for you as you seek him with a humble and repentant heart. Remember, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13