Tag: God’s Word

Friends of the faith- Oh, so precious!

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Psalm 119:57-64 is a testimony from the psalmist that God is His true place of fulfillment and contentment.  He can rely upon God to sustain, fill and be his all in all just as He promises in His Word..  “The Lord is my portion;   I promise to keep your words.”  Later, in verses 63-64, he concludes that God is his friend and he will be a friend to anyone who trusts in God and lives by His Word.  He realizes that His love can be found everywhere on earth. He asks the Lord to teach him as he knows that God’s Word will sustain and strengthen him.   “I am a friend to all who fear you,  to all who follow your precepts.  64 The earth is filled with your love, Lord;  teach me your decrees.”  

How do you chose your close friends?  Do you choose people that align with your beliefs in God?  The psalmist proclaimed that he is a friend to all who know and follow God’s Word.  Paul spoke of this in Romans when he urged all believers to be united in Christ. He prayed for them in Romans 15:5-6.  “May the God who gives endurance and romans 15 5 6encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”   Is this a prayer you could pray for your fellow friends in Christ?  To really show the world our Savior, we need to be of one mind and voice as we glorify God.   The psalmist says that his true friends in the faith follow God’s Word and are teachable.  Does that describe you?  Are you open to learning from God’s Word?  

friend pushTake this prayer of Paul’s and claim it for your life.  Pray for your friends of the faith, to come alongside you and join together as one mind and one voice to witness to the dying world around us.

Proclaiming the gospel in love,

Linda

Comfort, can you find it?

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Psalm 119-50 Your Word Has Revived Me brownIn today’s portion of Psalm 119:49-56, the Psalmist is proclaiming that God’s Word comforts him and guides him in all situations.  Are you making this claim for your life?  49 Remember your word to your servant,  for you have given me hope.   50 My comfort in my suffering is this:  Your promise preserves my life.  The psalmist goes on to explain that God’s Word has brought him comfort when he was being ridiculed by those around him (vs. 51-52) and with this own indignation over all the sin he sees in the world (53-54).  He clings to God’s Word day and night as his comfort (55-56).   

psalm 23 4Where does your comfort come from?   The Bible is filled with verses that tell us that comfort comes from God.  He is the God of all comfort.  David proclaimed God’s comfort in Psalm 23:4    Even though I walk  through the darkest valley,  I will fear no evil, for you are with me;  your rod and your staff,   they comfort me.   David knew that the things God provides for us bring protection and comfort.  Jesus speaks of God’s comfort when we mourn over our sin, Matthew 5:4  in the AMP  “Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn[over their sins and repent], for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted].”  Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 about Jesus who is our ultimate source of comfort.  “16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

Like the Psalmist we can proclaim that God brings comfort into our lives when we know Jesus, when we depend upon His indwelling Holy Spirit and we proclaim and cling to His Word.   God’s Word will guide us to Him day and night.  Jesus will bring comfort into our lives as we cling to His Word.  Cling to His Word today and you will be comforted.  God is faithful in all His promises.

comfort-from-god-2th2_16-17wpJesus my comforter,

Linda

Resolve to speak of your Hope

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In this next portion of Psalm 119, verses 41-48, the psalmist is struggling with resolve.  He is troubled by those that question his faith and he wants to have an answer for them.  He wants to be faithful to God’s Word.  Look at the number of I will’s he states.  He really wants to use God’s Word and live it!

Waw

41 May your unfailing love come to me, Lord,
    your salvation, according to your promise;
42 then I can answer anyone who taunts me,
    for I trust in your word.
43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth,
    for I have put my hope in your laws.
44 I will always obey your law,
    for ever and ever.
45 I will walk about in freedom,
    for I have sought out your precepts.
46 I will speak of your statutes before kings
    and will not be put to shame,
47 for I delight in your commands
    because I love them.
48 I reach out for your commands, which I love,
    that I may meditate on your decrees.

psalm 119 42In verses 41 and 42 the psalmist is asking God for his help so he can reply to those who would taunt him for or about his faith.  He asked God to give him an answer from His Word to reply to his tormentors.   Peter also tells us in 1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”  We are to always be prepared to talk about Jesus and the hope we have in Him.  Does that describe your attitude towards telling others about Jesus, and what He has done for you?  We are not to brag or boast over our privileged position as a child of God but to convey our love for others, our concern about their future and our belief that life with Jesus frees us from sin and all the baggage this world heaps upon us.  Jesus 1 peter 3 15has and is the answer to the world’s problem of sin as He alone is the redeemer.

Just like the psalmist, you can ask God to give you the words to say in reply to naysayers.  We need to stand firm and boldly speak of Jesus.  He will give you the words, just as He has promised.  Keep studying and learning about God and He will reveal more and more about Himself.  Remember 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  God’s Word equips us for every good work and gives us replies to those who would question our faith.

It is a blessing and a comfort to be prepared.

Linda

Need Encouragement? Look into His Word.

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Psalm 119:25-37 (Section 4)   Daleth   

I have read this section in various translations and the New Living seems to speak to me the most.  It would seem the writer of this psalm has been hit by the trials and tribulations of the world and has been knocked down, verse 25.  He is pleading with the Lord to revive him through His Word.  Have you ever felt that way?  When you seem at your wits end, you open the Word of God and He speaks to your needs right at that moment.  It is so uplifting and reviving to your spirit.

25 I lie in the dust;
    revive me by your word.                             

He told God his plans, verses 26-28, and is now asking for help, encouragement, teaching and time to meditate.
26 I told you my plans, and you answered.
    Now teach me your decrees.
27 Help me understand the meaning of your commandments,
    and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.
28 I weep with sorrow;
    encourage me by your word.

He asks God to keep him from lying to himself.  This describes our real life struggle with the world and keeping faithful to our walk with God.
29 Keep me from lying to myself;
    give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.

In the last 3 verses, the author resolves to preserve, choose God and pursue God’s commands.  Is that your resolve today?
30 I have chosen to be faithful;
    I have determined to live by your regulations.
31 I cling to your laws.
    Lord, don’t let me be put to shame!
32 I will pursue your commands,
    for you expand my understanding.

 Is the world beating you up and you need some refreshment and rest?  Come to God’s Word and He will restore, encourage, teach and revive your spirit so you can move boldly forward in your walk with Him.

psalm-119-2930Praise God for His faithfulness and the power of His Word,

Linda

 

Integrity- is it attainable?

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Psalm 119        Beth

psalm 119 119 How can a young person stay pure?
    By obeying your word.
10 I have tried hard to find you—
    don’t let me wander from your commands.
11 I 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. 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat 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. 8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

shemaMay you delight in God’s Word today!

Linda

 

Biblical A,B,C’s- let’s take a look!

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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

psalm 119 1-2Aleph

1 Joyful are people of integrity,
    who follow the instructions of the Lord.
2 Joyful 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 13As 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

Seeking God and a right attitude,

Linda