"Though princes sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees." (Psalm 119:23)
What is to be our reaction when we are slander? The natural thing for us is to defend ourselves and maybe even retaliate in some way. The Bible tells us that we are not to defend ourselves when we are slandered for the sake of the gospel. We are to count it joy when we are persecuted for "righteousness sake." The natural man would retaliate, but as Paul told the Corinthians, we are not natural but spiritual.
What then should be our reaction to the slander? The Psalmist's answer was to meditate on the decrees of the Lord. Psalm 2 tells us that we are to "take refuge in him." Psalm 3 tells us that He will be a shield around me. Psalm 4 tells us that we can rest in Him because He will make us to dwell in safety. Psalm 5 tells us that when the enemies come against us the Lord will "surround us with His favour as with a shield."
If we take time to meditate on the promises and decrees of the Lord then we will forget those that slander us. We need to remember that it is not our responsibility to defend the gospel but to proclaim it. The Lord does not need our help in defending His Word or His message but we need His help to defend us. Just as His Son received the scorn of His mockers without retaliation so should we. Remember that God vindicated His Son by raising Him from the dead and God will vindicate us by raising us up with Him. Let us remember to meditate upon His Word.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Scorn and Contempt
"Remove from me scorn and contempt, for I keep your statutes." (Psalm 119:22)
I remember when I was a child I couldn't talk very well. I had a great deal of difficulty pronouncing many different words. Older children use to make fun of me and scorn me. I felt terrible. I hated to go to school because I knew that I would be laughed at again.
In Psalm 22:6 the writer uses the words that our Lord used many years later as He faced the scorn of His accusers. He said, "But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people."
Our Lord was scorned because He was willing to die for the sins of the world. He knew that He had to suffer those words and attitudes if He was to be the Saviour of the world. The Jewish people despised those that had to die the death of a cross. To them it was a contemptible way to die. But those people did not know the words of the prophet Micah who wrote, "You will bear the scorn of the nations." Micah 6:16
Jesus bore the scorn of the nations. He died that we would not have to pay the price of our sins. The price to pay was death and He paid that debt.
He was treated with scorn and contempt but God vindicated Him. He raised Him up from the tomb and set Him at His own right side to make intercession for us.
No one likes to be treated with scorn or contempt but we can bear it if we know that God will vindicate us. If we are suffering for Him then we can say with the song writer, "It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus."
I remember when I was a child I couldn't talk very well. I had a great deal of difficulty pronouncing many different words. Older children use to make fun of me and scorn me. I felt terrible. I hated to go to school because I knew that I would be laughed at again.
In Psalm 22:6 the writer uses the words that our Lord used many years later as He faced the scorn of His accusers. He said, "But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people."
Our Lord was scorned because He was willing to die for the sins of the world. He knew that He had to suffer those words and attitudes if He was to be the Saviour of the world. The Jewish people despised those that had to die the death of a cross. To them it was a contemptible way to die. But those people did not know the words of the prophet Micah who wrote, "You will bear the scorn of the nations." Micah 6:16
Jesus bore the scorn of the nations. He died that we would not have to pay the price of our sins. The price to pay was death and He paid that debt.
He was treated with scorn and contempt but God vindicated Him. He raised Him up from the tomb and set Him at His own right side to make intercession for us.
No one likes to be treated with scorn or contempt but we can bear it if we know that God will vindicate us. If we are suffering for Him then we can say with the song writer, "It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus."
Monday, June 28, 2010
Rebuke
“You rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed and who stray from your commands.” (Psalm 119:21)
No one likes to be rebuked but we all need to be rebuked at one time or another. Many times we have felt that we are strong and we do not take heed to the Word of God. Our pride blinds our eyes and we need to be rebuked. Sometimes it is by another person just as Paul rebuked Peter before the church in Antioch. Sometimes it is by the Word of God.
When Paul wrote to his young friend and associate, Timothy, he said, “All scripture is God breathed and is useful in teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” II Timothy 3:16-17
The Bible has a great deal to say about rebuking. The Lord Jesus said, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.” Revelation 3:19 If we sin it is a mark of love if we are rebuked by the Lord. We need to examine ourselves to see why we are being rebuked and correct our errors.
Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, apart from our Lord Himself, said, “Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you.” Proverbs 9:8 When we are rebuked by the Lord, how do we respond? If we are wise it will bring us closer to the Lord. When Peter was rebuked by Paul he accepted it and later in his ministry he calls hi, “our dear brother Paul.” II Peter 3:15
If you are proud, the Word of God will be a rebuke to you. We need to listen to that rebuke and be wise.
No one likes to be rebuked but we all need to be rebuked at one time or another. Many times we have felt that we are strong and we do not take heed to the Word of God. Our pride blinds our eyes and we need to be rebuked. Sometimes it is by another person just as Paul rebuked Peter before the church in Antioch. Sometimes it is by the Word of God.
When Paul wrote to his young friend and associate, Timothy, he said, “All scripture is God breathed and is useful in teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” II Timothy 3:16-17
The Bible has a great deal to say about rebuking. The Lord Jesus said, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.” Revelation 3:19 If we sin it is a mark of love if we are rebuked by the Lord. We need to examine ourselves to see why we are being rebuked and correct our errors.
Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, apart from our Lord Himself, said, “Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you.” Proverbs 9:8 When we are rebuked by the Lord, how do we respond? If we are wise it will bring us closer to the Lord. When Peter was rebuked by Paul he accepted it and later in his ministry he calls hi, “our dear brother Paul.” II Peter 3:15
If you are proud, the Word of God will be a rebuke to you. We need to listen to that rebuke and be wise.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Consumed With Longing
“My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times.” (Psalm 119:20)
David loved God’s Word. To him it was life itself. His desire was to know God and to follow His Word. The Lord called David a man after His own heart.
Paul had a similar longing for the Word of God. In writing to the Philippians he said that Christ was his life. May people live for pleasures, or sports, or their job or other things. Some people are consumed with sports. They watch hours of sports on television. They participate in may sports themselves. One might say they are consumed with sports. Paul was consumed with Christ. David was consumed with the Word of God. What are you consumed with?
How much time do you spend each day in God’s Word? Is God’s Word alive to you? Are you saturated with God’s Word? Many people I know who call themselves Christians have never taken time to read the Bible through. On, they read the Bible. They spend time with their favourite passages, but they have never read the Bible completely through from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament shows how God prepared a people for the coming of His Son. The Gospels show how the world received His Son. The Book of Acts and the Epistles show how the church proclaimed His Son. The book of Revelation shows the finally victory and the crowning of His Son.
The Word of God is the story of God’s Son. If we say we love Him then we will want to know Him. If we want to know Him then we will want to spend time in His Word. We will say as the Psalmist said, “I am consumed with longing for your laws at all times.”
David loved God’s Word. To him it was life itself. His desire was to know God and to follow His Word. The Lord called David a man after His own heart.
Paul had a similar longing for the Word of God. In writing to the Philippians he said that Christ was his life. May people live for pleasures, or sports, or their job or other things. Some people are consumed with sports. They watch hours of sports on television. They participate in may sports themselves. One might say they are consumed with sports. Paul was consumed with Christ. David was consumed with the Word of God. What are you consumed with?
How much time do you spend each day in God’s Word? Is God’s Word alive to you? Are you saturated with God’s Word? Many people I know who call themselves Christians have never taken time to read the Bible through. On, they read the Bible. They spend time with their favourite passages, but they have never read the Bible completely through from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament shows how God prepared a people for the coming of His Son. The Gospels show how the world received His Son. The Book of Acts and the Epistles show how the church proclaimed His Son. The book of Revelation shows the finally victory and the crowning of His Son.
The Word of God is the story of God’s Son. If we say we love Him then we will want to know Him. If we want to know Him then we will want to spend time in His Word. We will say as the Psalmist said, “I am consumed with longing for your laws at all times.”
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Stranger
“I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me.” (Psalm 119:19)
When I was growing up we used to sing a song that said, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through.” As I grow older the more I realize the truth of that old gospel song. Though we are place upon this earth to live for seventy or eighty years it is just a short time in light of eternity. John Newton knew the shortness of this life in comparison to eternity when he penned the words, “When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise, than when we’ve first begun.”
As a stranger upon this earth we need someone to guide us. That is why the Psalmist prayed that God would not hide His commands from him. He knew that to live here as a stranger and a pilgrim he needed God’s commands. Many times we live our lives as if we were here for eternity rather than for a short time. When we realize, as David did, that our time is short and it is a preparation for eternity we too will pray that we know God’s commands.
Jesus told His disciples that He was going to prepare a place for them and He was coming back for them. If He is preparing a place for us we need to prepare ourselves for that place. God’s Word gives us instruction on how to live. We need to be prepared people. Our prayer should be that God will teach us His ways and that we will walk in those ways.
When I was growing up we used to sing a song that said, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through.” As I grow older the more I realize the truth of that old gospel song. Though we are place upon this earth to live for seventy or eighty years it is just a short time in light of eternity. John Newton knew the shortness of this life in comparison to eternity when he penned the words, “When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise, than when we’ve first begun.”
As a stranger upon this earth we need someone to guide us. That is why the Psalmist prayed that God would not hide His commands from him. He knew that to live here as a stranger and a pilgrim he needed God’s commands. Many times we live our lives as if we were here for eternity rather than for a short time. When we realize, as David did, that our time is short and it is a preparation for eternity we too will pray that we know God’s commands.
Jesus told His disciples that He was going to prepare a place for them and He was coming back for them. If He is preparing a place for us we need to prepare ourselves for that place. God’s Word gives us instruction on how to live. We need to be prepared people. Our prayer should be that God will teach us His ways and that we will walk in those ways.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Open My Eyes
"Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law."
(Psalm 119:18)
Many people today do not think that they have time to read the Old Testament. They feel that most of the Old Testament is irrelevant for today. If they have time to read the Bible they want to spend time reading what is relevant to life today, so they read the New Testament.
However, I believe that the Old Testament has much to say to us today. God's Word is active and alive and that includes the entire Bible. Though we are not bound by the Law, or saved by the Law, or kept by the Law, yet the Law still tells us how we should live. Jesus said that He had not come to destroy the law but to fulfil it.
There are many glorious truths that are taught in the Old Testament. We need to pray that God will open our eyes so that we may see the wonderful things that God has for us in His Law. I know many people who omit the book of Leviticus in their reading because they do not see that it has anything to us today. Leviticus has much to say about relationships and we would do well to read it with eyes that have been opened by God the Holy Spirit.
Whatever part of the Bible we read we should take time to pray before we open the Word that God would open our eyes so that we would see the wonderful things that He has for us in His Law.
(Psalm 119:18)
Many people today do not think that they have time to read the Old Testament. They feel that most of the Old Testament is irrelevant for today. If they have time to read the Bible they want to spend time reading what is relevant to life today, so they read the New Testament.
However, I believe that the Old Testament has much to say to us today. God's Word is active and alive and that includes the entire Bible. Though we are not bound by the Law, or saved by the Law, or kept by the Law, yet the Law still tells us how we should live. Jesus said that He had not come to destroy the law but to fulfil it.
There are many glorious truths that are taught in the Old Testament. We need to pray that God will open our eyes so that we may see the wonderful things that God has for us in His Law. I know many people who omit the book of Leviticus in their reading because they do not see that it has anything to us today. Leviticus has much to say about relationships and we would do well to read it with eyes that have been opened by God the Holy Spirit.
Whatever part of the Bible we read we should take time to pray before we open the Word that God would open our eyes so that we would see the wonderful things that He has for us in His Law.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Obey
"Do good to your servant, and I will live; I will obey your word."
(Psalm 119:17)
Obedience is not part of many people's vocabulary today. Like the Psalmist we desire that God will do good for us and give us life but we are not willing to practice obedience. People do not like to commit themselves to obedience. It has been taken out of many marriage vows because it is an antiquated idea, yet today we find that almost half the marriages end in divorce. Today we would rather demand our rights than obey the laws. God has given us many rights and privileges as His children but He demands obedience from us. Obedience demands a conscious act of our will. We must say that we will obey. It is not enough for us to promise our lives and talents if we will not obey what He demands of us.
I read about a minister who asked the youth of his congregation to point out any antiquated words or expressions that we may use in his sermons. One word they pointed out was obey. They said it was not part of their vocabulary today.
The people in Joshua's day promised Joshua that they would remain faithful to their God but Joshua would not accept their commitment until he knew that it came from their hearts. When the people finally uttered those three small words, "We will obey!" then he knew that they would do what they had promised. Like the children of Israel, we too must say from our hearts, "We will obey!" and then we can expect that God will do good to us and give us life.
(Psalm 119:17)
Obedience is not part of many people's vocabulary today. Like the Psalmist we desire that God will do good for us and give us life but we are not willing to practice obedience. People do not like to commit themselves to obedience. It has been taken out of many marriage vows because it is an antiquated idea, yet today we find that almost half the marriages end in divorce. Today we would rather demand our rights than obey the laws. God has given us many rights and privileges as His children but He demands obedience from us. Obedience demands a conscious act of our will. We must say that we will obey. It is not enough for us to promise our lives and talents if we will not obey what He demands of us.
I read about a minister who asked the youth of his congregation to point out any antiquated words or expressions that we may use in his sermons. One word they pointed out was obey. They said it was not part of their vocabulary today.
The people in Joshua's day promised Joshua that they would remain faithful to their God but Joshua would not accept their commitment until he knew that it came from their hearts. When the people finally uttered those three small words, "We will obey!" then he knew that they would do what they had promised. Like the children of Israel, we too must say from our hearts, "We will obey!" and then we can expect that God will do good to us and give us life.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Summer Reading Part 1
Here are some of the books I have been reading this summer.
1. Scandalous by D. A. Carson
This book deals with the central teaching of the Gospel regarding the death and ressurection of Jesus. Don Carson reminds us that we have no Gospel appart from the crucifixion and ressurection. This is a must read.
2. Finally Alive by John Piper.
John Piper reminds us that we must be born again. He then goes on to explain what that means.
3. The Trellis and the VIne by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne. We often look at new people in our churches and try and fit them into the needs in our programs rather than looking at their giftedness and building our programs around them. Some programs may have to go to make room for new.
4. What is the Gospel? by Greg Gillert. This too is a must read. Many people do not know what the Gospel really is but they think they do. The Gospel is good news and this little book explains the good news.
1. Scandalous by D. A. Carson
This book deals with the central teaching of the Gospel regarding the death and ressurection of Jesus. Don Carson reminds us that we have no Gospel appart from the crucifixion and ressurection. This is a must read.
2. Finally Alive by John Piper.
John Piper reminds us that we must be born again. He then goes on to explain what that means.
3. The Trellis and the VIne by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne. We often look at new people in our churches and try and fit them into the needs in our programs rather than looking at their giftedness and building our programs around them. Some programs may have to go to make room for new.
4. What is the Gospel? by Greg Gillert. This too is a must read. Many people do not know what the Gospel really is but they think they do. The Gospel is good news and this little book explains the good news.
Delight
"I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word."
(Psalm 119:16)
Today many people own Bibles. I would guess that most Christians have at least two or three in their homes. They probably have a number of modern translations and they have purchased these to help them in their personal Bible study. However, I would also guess that most Christians do not read the Word of God daily, much less, study it.
A lot of Christians would say, "Amen" to the Psalmist's words but for many these are not the feelings of the heart. If I delight in the Lord's decrees then I will not neglect the Word. I will want to read it daily. I will want to study it for myself. I will desire to read every part of the Word.
It is sad that today the most popular book is the Bible but it is also the most neglected book. We should purpose in our heart not to neglect the Word. We should plan to read it from cover to cover. We should pray about it; we should memorize it; we should meditate upon it. We must not neglect the Word.
Do we delight in the Word? If the answer is "yes" then we should be found in the Word. If the answer is "no" then we should pray that God will reveal Himself through His Word to us. When we see God in the Word, then we will have trouble delighting ourselves in His Word and it will not be a neglected book.
Josiah was only a young man but he purposed in his heart to follow the Lord. As they were repairing the Temple some of the workers found a copy of the Scriptures. The Book had been ignored for so many years but as Josiah heard the Scriptures read his conscience was pricked and he desired to obey the Word. He purposed then not to neglect the Word of God. Josiah delighted in the Word because he obeyed it and did not neglect it. Can we do less?
(Psalm 119:16)
Today many people own Bibles. I would guess that most Christians have at least two or three in their homes. They probably have a number of modern translations and they have purchased these to help them in their personal Bible study. However, I would also guess that most Christians do not read the Word of God daily, much less, study it.
A lot of Christians would say, "Amen" to the Psalmist's words but for many these are not the feelings of the heart. If I delight in the Lord's decrees then I will not neglect the Word. I will want to read it daily. I will want to study it for myself. I will desire to read every part of the Word.
It is sad that today the most popular book is the Bible but it is also the most neglected book. We should purpose in our heart not to neglect the Word. We should plan to read it from cover to cover. We should pray about it; we should memorize it; we should meditate upon it. We must not neglect the Word.
Do we delight in the Word? If the answer is "yes" then we should be found in the Word. If the answer is "no" then we should pray that God will reveal Himself through His Word to us. When we see God in the Word, then we will have trouble delighting ourselves in His Word and it will not be a neglected book.
Josiah was only a young man but he purposed in his heart to follow the Lord. As they were repairing the Temple some of the workers found a copy of the Scriptures. The Book had been ignored for so many years but as Josiah heard the Scriptures read his conscience was pricked and he desired to obey the Word. He purposed then not to neglect the Word of God. Josiah delighted in the Word because he obeyed it and did not neglect it. Can we do less?
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Three Unforgetable Sermons
There are three sermons that I have heard over the last year that I cannot get out of my mind nor do I want to.
The first is by Paris Reidhead. Here is an excerpt.
The second is by John Piper. Here is part 1.
The third is by David Platt. This is an introduction to his book.
Try and find the entire sermons. They are powerful.
The first is by Paris Reidhead. Here is an excerpt.
The second is by John Piper. Here is part 1.
The third is by David Platt. This is an introduction to his book.
Try and find the entire sermons. They are powerful.
Meditate
"I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways."
(Psalm 119:15)
Meditation is a lost art today. Nobody seems to have the time to meditate. In the rush of things that we must do, places to go, wee just do not seem to have the time to meditate. But I don't believe that people don't have the time to meditate today; I believe they just don't know how to meditate, or they don't take the time to meditate.
The Lord's first command to Joshua was to meditate upon the Word of God. He was commanded to meditate upon it day and night. If he did this he was told that he would be a successful warrior for God. How can we who live in the busy twentieth century have the time to meditate? Let me suggest a few ways.
First, we must have the Word of God in our hearts. To do this we must have the Incarnate Word in our hearts. Then we must take time to memorize God's Word.
Second, as we drive our cars, or walk, or jog, or ride our bicycles we will turn the verse over in our heads. We will think about each phrase and each thought. We will think about what the writer meant when wrote those words. We will wonder what he felt as he penned those lines. We will think about what God is saying to mankind today and we will think about what God is saying to me today.
Third, we should pray God's words back to Him. Claim His promises. Pray the prayers of the saints of old. This can be done as we walk with Him or as we meet with Him in our prayer closets.
Fourth, when we lay upon our beds and cannot sleep we need to take the time to pray and meditate upon the Word of God. Maybe God has aroused us to pray for a special need. Maybe it is just the quiet time when our thoughts can be turned to Him alone without the pressures of life squeezing them out.
Then we will be able to pray as the Psalmist prayed, "I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways."
(Psalm 119:15)
Meditation is a lost art today. Nobody seems to have the time to meditate. In the rush of things that we must do, places to go, wee just do not seem to have the time to meditate. But I don't believe that people don't have the time to meditate today; I believe they just don't know how to meditate, or they don't take the time to meditate.
The Lord's first command to Joshua was to meditate upon the Word of God. He was commanded to meditate upon it day and night. If he did this he was told that he would be a successful warrior for God. How can we who live in the busy twentieth century have the time to meditate? Let me suggest a few ways.
First, we must have the Word of God in our hearts. To do this we must have the Incarnate Word in our hearts. Then we must take time to memorize God's Word.
Second, as we drive our cars, or walk, or jog, or ride our bicycles we will turn the verse over in our heads. We will think about each phrase and each thought. We will think about what the writer meant when wrote those words. We will wonder what he felt as he penned those lines. We will think about what God is saying to mankind today and we will think about what God is saying to me today.
Third, we should pray God's words back to Him. Claim His promises. Pray the prayers of the saints of old. This can be done as we walk with Him or as we meet with Him in our prayer closets.
Fourth, when we lay upon our beds and cannot sleep we need to take the time to pray and meditate upon the Word of God. Maybe God has aroused us to pray for a special need. Maybe it is just the quiet time when our thoughts can be turned to Him alone without the pressures of life squeezing them out.
Then we will be able to pray as the Psalmist prayed, "I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways."
Monday, June 21, 2010
Rejoice
“I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.” (Psalm 119:14)
Do we find the Word of God burdensome or do we rejoice in obeying it as one who rejoices in great riches? There are many people today who do not rejoice in obeying the Word. They read the Word because all Christians are to read it but they find the time that they spend with it more of a chore than a delight. The Psalmist read the Word because he enjoyed reading it. It was the voice of God speaking to him and he delighted to hear the voice of God.
The Psalmist did more than rejoice to read the Word; he rejoiced to obey the Word as well. We have many people today who delight to study the Scriptures but they do not delight to obey the words that they have studied. The Psalmist knew that the statues of God were perfect and in obeying them he was becoming more like his God. Jesus has called us to discipleship and to be disciples we must desire to be like our Master. The Word tells us the path to discipleship. It is a path of obedience. If our desire is to be more Christ like then we will rejoice in the Word of God for it is the guidebook to discipleship.
Do we find the Word of God burdensome or do we rejoice in obeying it as one who rejoices in great riches? There are many people today who do not rejoice in obeying the Word. They read the Word because all Christians are to read it but they find the time that they spend with it more of a chore than a delight. The Psalmist read the Word because he enjoyed reading it. It was the voice of God speaking to him and he delighted to hear the voice of God.
The Psalmist did more than rejoice to read the Word; he rejoiced to obey the Word as well. We have many people today who delight to study the Scriptures but they do not delight to obey the words that they have studied. The Psalmist knew that the statues of God were perfect and in obeying them he was becoming more like his God. Jesus has called us to discipleship and to be disciples we must desire to be like our Master. The Word tells us the path to discipleship. It is a path of obedience. If our desire is to be more Christ like then we will rejoice in the Word of God for it is the guidebook to discipleship.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
With My Lips
“With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.” (Psalm 119:13)
Have you ever noticed that when Christians get together they talk about everything from their jobs to sports and to their families but they seldom talk about the Lord and the Word of God. God delights when His people talk about Him and His Word.
The Psalmist knew what it meant to talk about the Word of God. He took great delight in meditating on it, singing it, speaking of it and praying it back to God. We need to take a lesson from the Psalmist and make God’s Word part of our conversation.
First, we should share the truths that we have learned from God’s Word with another person. Second, we should sing the Word of God. There are many delightful choruses that use the words of Scripture. Finally, we should use the Word of God in our prayers. Claim the promises of God in prayer for God delights to fulfill His promises.
However, to do this we must know God’s Word. We will have to spend time reading it, memorizing it and meditating upon it and then we will find the Word of God is upon our lips.
Have you ever noticed that when Christians get together they talk about everything from their jobs to sports and to their families but they seldom talk about the Lord and the Word of God. God delights when His people talk about Him and His Word.
The Psalmist knew what it meant to talk about the Word of God. He took great delight in meditating on it, singing it, speaking of it and praying it back to God. We need to take a lesson from the Psalmist and make God’s Word part of our conversation.
First, we should share the truths that we have learned from God’s Word with another person. Second, we should sing the Word of God. There are many delightful choruses that use the words of Scripture. Finally, we should use the Word of God in our prayers. Claim the promises of God in prayer for God delights to fulfill His promises.
However, to do this we must know God’s Word. We will have to spend time reading it, memorizing it and meditating upon it and then we will find the Word of God is upon our lips.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Teach Me
“Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees.” (Psalm 119:12)
It was a sad day for the disciples. Jesus was dead, or so they thought. They had seen Him arrested and lead away to the judgment hall. They had heard the cry of the people against Him and they had seen Him carry His cross up Calvary’s road. As they walked along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus they talked of all the things that had happened in the last few days. While they talked another man joined them and walked along with them. They couldn’t believe that their companion did not know that their Lord was dead. It was then that He began to teach them from the Word and slowly their eyes were opened and they understood. Finally, when He broke bread with them they realized who their companion was the Lord. Just as quickly as they realized who He was then He was gone. They sat there wondering at what had just happen. Then one of them said, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:32).
I am sure that these two disciples had studied the Scriptures over and over again but they still needed the Divine Teacher to open their eyes so that they could understand with their hearts. We too may have studie4d the Scriptures for ourselves but we have missed seeing the Lord. We need to pray as the Psalmist did, “Teach me your decrees.”
The disciples had spent three years with Jesus but when they came to the empty tomb they didn’t understand the Scriptures that He must rise from the dead. John tells us, “They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.” (John 20:9). We need to pray that God the Holy Spirit would open our eyes so that we might understand the Scriptures. John tells that the Holy Spirit is the one who will be our teacher and guide us into all truth.
It was a sad day for the disciples. Jesus was dead, or so they thought. They had seen Him arrested and lead away to the judgment hall. They had heard the cry of the people against Him and they had seen Him carry His cross up Calvary’s road. As they walked along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus they talked of all the things that had happened in the last few days. While they talked another man joined them and walked along with them. They couldn’t believe that their companion did not know that their Lord was dead. It was then that He began to teach them from the Word and slowly their eyes were opened and they understood. Finally, when He broke bread with them they realized who their companion was the Lord. Just as quickly as they realized who He was then He was gone. They sat there wondering at what had just happen. Then one of them said, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:32).
I am sure that these two disciples had studied the Scriptures over and over again but they still needed the Divine Teacher to open their eyes so that they could understand with their hearts. We too may have studie4d the Scriptures for ourselves but we have missed seeing the Lord. We need to pray as the Psalmist did, “Teach me your decrees.”
The disciples had spent three years with Jesus but when they came to the empty tomb they didn’t understand the Scriptures that He must rise from the dead. John tells us, “They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.” (John 20:9). We need to pray that God the Holy Spirit would open our eyes so that we might understand the Scriptures. John tells that the Holy Spirit is the one who will be our teacher and guide us into all truth.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Hidden In the Heart
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11)
Moses was dead and Joshua was the new leader of the Israelites. Moses had lead them for forty years and now, as they were about to enter the Promised Land, he was gone and he would never lead them again. I am sure that Joshua felt inadequate as he stood by the Jordan River. How could he begin to replace Moses? Though Moses was unique, he was not indispensable. God had a new man and Joshua was that man.
As Joshua waited before the Lord he was given a promise. The promise was that God would go with him and be with him. However, there was a condition attached to the the promise that condition was that he was to be obedient to the Word of God. God gave him this message, “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8
The same command is given to us as was given to Joshua. If we are to be prosperous and successful in our Christian walk then we must be obedient to the Word of God. We are to meditate on it, we are to mull it over in our minds and we are to talk about it. In order to meditate on the Word of God I have to have God’s Word in my heart. I have to read it, study it, memorize it, talk about it, and pray it back to God. God’s Word has to be hidden in my heart.
The Psalmist wrote, “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night” Psalm 1:2 Is our testimony the testimony of Joshua? Do we delight in the Law of God?
Moses was dead and Joshua was the new leader of the Israelites. Moses had lead them for forty years and now, as they were about to enter the Promised Land, he was gone and he would never lead them again. I am sure that Joshua felt inadequate as he stood by the Jordan River. How could he begin to replace Moses? Though Moses was unique, he was not indispensable. God had a new man and Joshua was that man.
As Joshua waited before the Lord he was given a promise. The promise was that God would go with him and be with him. However, there was a condition attached to the the promise that condition was that he was to be obedient to the Word of God. God gave him this message, “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8
The same command is given to us as was given to Joshua. If we are to be prosperous and successful in our Christian walk then we must be obedient to the Word of God. We are to meditate on it, we are to mull it over in our minds and we are to talk about it. In order to meditate on the Word of God I have to have God’s Word in my heart. I have to read it, study it, memorize it, talk about it, and pray it back to God. God’s Word has to be hidden in my heart.
The Psalmist wrote, “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night” Psalm 1:2 Is our testimony the testimony of Joshua? Do we delight in the Law of God?
Thursday, June 17, 2010
I Will Seek You
“I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.” (Psalm 119:10)
The Psalmist knew that even though he desired with all his innermost being to know God and to obey His commands, there would be those temptations to stray away from the commands of the Lord. Therefore he uttered the prayer that we have written here.
We can be sure that if we seek the Lord with all our heart, He will be found by us. “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” James 4:8. “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” John 6:37. The Word of God is full of promises that God desires to be close to us but He will wait for an invitation. He will wait until we desire Him with all our heart.
But there is another side to David’s prayer. Even though he desired to know the Lord he knew that the temptation to stray would come and in himself he could not keep from straying from the commands of the Lord. He knew that he needed the Spirit of God to keep him from straying. The same power that saved us can keep us.
Do we desire to know the Lord intimately? Are we willing to obey His commands? If we are, then we must know that only God can keep us from sin.
The Psalmist knew that even though he desired with all his innermost being to know God and to obey His commands, there would be those temptations to stray away from the commands of the Lord. Therefore he uttered the prayer that we have written here.
We can be sure that if we seek the Lord with all our heart, He will be found by us. “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” James 4:8. “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” John 6:37. The Word of God is full of promises that God desires to be close to us but He will wait for an invitation. He will wait until we desire Him with all our heart.
But there is another side to David’s prayer. Even though he desired to know the Lord he knew that the temptation to stray would come and in himself he could not keep from straying from the commands of the Lord. He knew that he needed the Spirit of God to keep him from straying. The same power that saved us can keep us.
Do we desire to know the Lord intimately? Are we willing to obey His commands? If we are, then we must know that only God can keep us from sin.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Pure
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your Word.” (Psalm 119:9)
The Psalmist asks a question that has been asked on young men in every age. He then answers it by saying that we must live according to the Word of God.
The preacher in Ecclesiastes 11:9 says that we must live in light of the judgment of God. Young men often feel that they are invincible. They feel that they can do no wrong and if they do then God will forgive them. The preacher reminds us that we are to always live our lives with eternity in view.
Paul told his young son in the faith, Timothy, that he was to feel youthful lusts. Young men are prone to the temptations of the flesh. We are to guard our hearts. We are to keep our ways pure.
How do we do that? The Psalmist tells us that we must live according to the principles of His Word. Young men need to have role models that they can follow. Good role models are dads, pastors, teachers or older friends. They also need to have other young men that can hold them accountable. Young men should be encouraged to join an accountability group. Young men also need to be students of the Word. They should privately spend time in the Word but they also need to spend time with others in the Word of God. This is more than going to church and hearing good Bible teaching. They should join a small study group.
The world will tell young men that it is not macho to keep oneself pure but the Word of God reminds us that without holiness we will not see the Lord.
The Psalmist asks a question that has been asked on young men in every age. He then answers it by saying that we must live according to the Word of God.
The preacher in Ecclesiastes 11:9 says that we must live in light of the judgment of God. Young men often feel that they are invincible. They feel that they can do no wrong and if they do then God will forgive them. The preacher reminds us that we are to always live our lives with eternity in view.
Paul told his young son in the faith, Timothy, that he was to feel youthful lusts. Young men are prone to the temptations of the flesh. We are to guard our hearts. We are to keep our ways pure.
How do we do that? The Psalmist tells us that we must live according to the principles of His Word. Young men need to have role models that they can follow. Good role models are dads, pastors, teachers or older friends. They also need to have other young men that can hold them accountable. Young men should be encouraged to join an accountability group. Young men also need to be students of the Word. They should privately spend time in the Word but they also need to spend time with others in the Word of God. This is more than going to church and hearing good Bible teaching. They should join a small study group.
The world will tell young men that it is not macho to keep oneself pure but the Word of God reminds us that without holiness we will not see the Lord.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Do Not Forsake Me
“I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.” (Psalm 119:8)
The Psalmist often felt close to God but at other times he felt that he was forsaken by God. In his times of feeling forsaken he cried the prayer of this verse, do not utterly forsake me. He could not stand being utterly forsaken by God.
Many of the prophets felt forsaken. Elijah went to Mount Horeb and wanted to die because he felt all alone. He did not feel that way while he sat at the Brook Cherith waiting for it to dry up but now he felt forsaken.
Jeremiah felt forsaken when he was thrown into the pit and left to die. God did not did not abandon him to the pit
Jesus felt forsaken when he was hanging on the cross. His cry was that He would not be forsaken.
Prophets and people of God have all felt forsaken at one time or another but during that time they relied on the promises of God who said that He will never leave us or forsake us.
The Psalmist often felt close to God but at other times he felt that he was forsaken by God. In his times of feeling forsaken he cried the prayer of this verse, do not utterly forsake me. He could not stand being utterly forsaken by God.
Many of the prophets felt forsaken. Elijah went to Mount Horeb and wanted to die because he felt all alone. He did not feel that way while he sat at the Brook Cherith waiting for it to dry up but now he felt forsaken.
Jeremiah felt forsaken when he was thrown into the pit and left to die. God did not did not abandon him to the pit
Jesus felt forsaken when he was hanging on the cross. His cry was that He would not be forsaken.
Prophets and people of God have all felt forsaken at one time or another but during that time they relied on the promises of God who said that He will never leave us or forsake us.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Praise
“I will praise you with an upright hear as I learn your righteous laws.” (Psalm 119:7)
In order to praise God we must be in a proper relationship with God. The Psalmist says this means that our hearts must be upright. In the previous verse he mentioned that if we are to be free from shame we must consider the commands of God. Whenever we are ashamed we usually hang our heads and lower our eyes. We cannot look others directly in the eye. We are not upright in our hearts.
One of the definitions of upright is to be morally correct. In order to be morally correct we must know what God requires and we learn this by studying His Word. We find that we must be just because God is just; we must be holy because God is holy; we must be pure because God is pure.
It is when we are morally correct that we can bring our praises to God. Samuel had told Saul that obedience is better than sacrifice. If we are to bring our sacrifice of praise to God then we must be living in obedience.
In order to praise God we must be in a proper relationship with God. The Psalmist says this means that our hearts must be upright. In the previous verse he mentioned that if we are to be free from shame we must consider the commands of God. Whenever we are ashamed we usually hang our heads and lower our eyes. We cannot look others directly in the eye. We are not upright in our hearts.
One of the definitions of upright is to be morally correct. In order to be morally correct we must know what God requires and we learn this by studying His Word. We find that we must be just because God is just; we must be holy because God is holy; we must be pure because God is pure.
It is when we are morally correct that we can bring our praises to God. Samuel had told Saul that obedience is better than sacrifice. If we are to bring our sacrifice of praise to God then we must be living in obedience.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Consider
“Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.” (Psalm 119:6)
No one likes to be put to shame yet most of us at some time or another have been shamed. The Psalmist tell us that if we do not want to be put to shame then we should consider all God’s commands.
Consider means to take careful thought about our actions. When the returning exiles we putting off the building the Temple because they believed that it was more important for them to have good houses to live in, the prophet Haggai told the people to consider their ways or to give careful thought to what they were doing. James tells his readers that they are to consider it all joy when trials come because it will result in perseverance and perseverance will result in becoming mature. It is not our normal reaction to rejoice when trials come that is why we must give it careful thought. If we don’t give it our careful thought then we will take a “poor me” attitude.
John tells his readers that if we do not want to be put to shame when our Lord returns then we must continue doing what is right. To continue means that we must persevere which according to James is the result of considering our trials as pure joy.
How do we avoid shame? We must not just give lip service to the commands of God but we must consider all His commands. Then we will not be ashamed at the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
No one likes to be put to shame yet most of us at some time or another have been shamed. The Psalmist tell us that if we do not want to be put to shame then we should consider all God’s commands.
Consider means to take careful thought about our actions. When the returning exiles we putting off the building the Temple because they believed that it was more important for them to have good houses to live in, the prophet Haggai told the people to consider their ways or to give careful thought to what they were doing. James tells his readers that they are to consider it all joy when trials come because it will result in perseverance and perseverance will result in becoming mature. It is not our normal reaction to rejoice when trials come that is why we must give it careful thought. If we don’t give it our careful thought then we will take a “poor me” attitude.
John tells his readers that if we do not want to be put to shame when our Lord returns then we must continue doing what is right. To continue means that we must persevere which according to James is the result of considering our trials as pure joy.
How do we avoid shame? We must not just give lip service to the commands of God but we must consider all His commands. Then we will not be ashamed at the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Steadfast
“Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!” (Psalm 119:5)
The Psalmist could have prayed for many things but his one desire was that he would be obedient to the Word of God. He knew that it is difficult, yes even impossible, to obey the law of the Lord completely so he prayed for God to help him be obedient.
How many of us today pray that we will be steadfast in obedience? We want to be steadfast in our calling and our work. We want to be steadfast in our relationships but do we desire to be steadfast in obedience of God’s Word?
Paul’s prayer for the Corinthians that they would stand firm; that nothing would move them; that they would always give themselves to the work of the Lord. His prayer was that they would be steadfast.
Paul had been a drift at sea where even the sea anchors could not hold them from drifting with the gale. He knew that if we were to be steadfast then we had to be anchored on something solid. Is our anchor in the Lord and His Word? If we have put our anchor in anything else then we will find that in the storms of life that we will drift. It is the storms of life that will show whether our anchor is securely fastened.
The Psalmist could have prayed for many things but his one desire was that he would be obedient to the Word of God. He knew that it is difficult, yes even impossible, to obey the law of the Lord completely so he prayed for God to help him be obedient.
How many of us today pray that we will be steadfast in obedience? We want to be steadfast in our calling and our work. We want to be steadfast in our relationships but do we desire to be steadfast in obedience of God’s Word?
Paul’s prayer for the Corinthians that they would stand firm; that nothing would move them; that they would always give themselves to the work of the Lord. His prayer was that they would be steadfast.
Paul had been a drift at sea where even the sea anchors could not hold them from drifting with the gale. He knew that if we were to be steadfast then we had to be anchored on something solid. Is our anchor in the Lord and His Word? If we have put our anchor in anything else then we will find that in the storms of life that we will drift. It is the storms of life that will show whether our anchor is securely fastened.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Obedience
“You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.” (Psalm 119:4).
Saul, the first king of Israel, had gone to battle against the Amalakites. When he saw the fat cattle he decided that he would keep some for himself even though the command of the Lord to him had been to destroy everything. When Samuel finally caught up with Saul at Gilgal and confronted him with his sin, Saul immediately rationalized his actions by saying that he had kept back the best for sacrifices to the Lord. Samuel=s words to Saul have been words to all of us since that day, “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” (I Samuel 15:22b).
The Lord expects that His commands are to be fully obeyed. In His eyes the ends never justify the means. We must never do wrong that good may come. Maybe we are tempted to tell a lie so that we could protect someone from hurt; maybe we are tempted to cheat so that we can use our talents, gifts, and possessions in the Lord=s work. The words of this Psalm come back to us, “You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.” Remember, the Lord wants our obedience, not our sacrifices.
Saul, the first king of Israel, had gone to battle against the Amalakites. When he saw the fat cattle he decided that he would keep some for himself even though the command of the Lord to him had been to destroy everything. When Samuel finally caught up with Saul at Gilgal and confronted him with his sin, Saul immediately rationalized his actions by saying that he had kept back the best for sacrifices to the Lord. Samuel=s words to Saul have been words to all of us since that day, “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” (I Samuel 15:22b).
The Lord expects that His commands are to be fully obeyed. In His eyes the ends never justify the means. We must never do wrong that good may come. Maybe we are tempted to tell a lie so that we could protect someone from hurt; maybe we are tempted to cheat so that we can use our talents, gifts, and possessions in the Lord=s work. The words of this Psalm come back to us, “You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.” Remember, the Lord wants our obedience, not our sacrifices.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Walk In His Ways
"They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways." (Psalm 119:3)
It is impossible to do wrong and walk in His ways. The Christian life has often been compared to a walk, a walk with the Lord. When we walk with the Lord we will be in agreement with Him. The prophet Amos said, "Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?" When we walk in His ways we have agreed to do so and therefore, we must be in agreement with Him.
The Bible talks about two men who walked with God; Enoch and Noah. Enoch walked with God because he had this testimony, "He pleased God." One Sunday School student described Enoch this way: "Enoch and God were friends and they would take walks together everyday. One day when God and Enoch were out walking God said to Enoch, 'It is getting late and you are so far from home, why don't you come home to my house?' So Enoch went home with God."
Is your walk with God like Enoch's? Would you have to first go home and make things right before you could go home with your heavenly Father? Our walk should be such that when God invites us home with Him we could go immediately. Our testimony should be, "We pleased God."
It is impossible to do wrong and walk in His ways. The Christian life has often been compared to a walk, a walk with the Lord. When we walk with the Lord we will be in agreement with Him. The prophet Amos said, "Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?" When we walk in His ways we have agreed to do so and therefore, we must be in agreement with Him.
The Bible talks about two men who walked with God; Enoch and Noah. Enoch walked with God because he had this testimony, "He pleased God." One Sunday School student described Enoch this way: "Enoch and God were friends and they would take walks together everyday. One day when God and Enoch were out walking God said to Enoch, 'It is getting late and you are so far from home, why don't you come home to my house?' So Enoch went home with God."
Is your walk with God like Enoch's? Would you have to first go home and make things right before you could go home with your heavenly Father? Our walk should be such that when God invites us home with Him we could go immediately. Our testimony should be, "We pleased God."
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Blessed
"Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart." (Psalm 119:2)
TO be blessed is to be happy, but happy as Jesus defined it, not as the world does. The World says we are happy if we have material things, Jesus said we are happy if we are poor in spirit. The world says we are happy if we feel happy, Jesus said we are happy if we mourn. And so Jesus went through happiness showing that true happiness is really in contrast to the worldly happiness.
The Psalmist knew what it meant to be happy and he knew how to find true happiness. He said that happiness comes from obeying the Word of God. I have met many people who think that God is a tyrant Who does not want His subjects to have any fun. They think that His favourite words are "thou shalt not." But the Word of God is not like that, there has to be the negative commands for our own good, but there is much more in the Word of God about what we should be doing. The writer of Hebrews put it this way, "Let us ..."
But there is more than just blind obedience to His Word if we are to be blessed. We must seek Him with all our heart. I have met many Christians that have desired His gifts more than they desire the Giver. As one writer put it, they desired the ring more than the beloved. We will not be blessed, have happiness, if we desire thee gifts above the Giver. The road to happiness is a desire to know Him, and to know Him we must know and keep His Word.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." (Matthew 5:8)
TO be blessed is to be happy, but happy as Jesus defined it, not as the world does. The World says we are happy if we have material things, Jesus said we are happy if we are poor in spirit. The world says we are happy if we feel happy, Jesus said we are happy if we mourn. And so Jesus went through happiness showing that true happiness is really in contrast to the worldly happiness.
The Psalmist knew what it meant to be happy and he knew how to find true happiness. He said that happiness comes from obeying the Word of God. I have met many people who think that God is a tyrant Who does not want His subjects to have any fun. They think that His favourite words are "thou shalt not." But the Word of God is not like that, there has to be the negative commands for our own good, but there is much more in the Word of God about what we should be doing. The writer of Hebrews put it this way, "Let us ..."
But there is more than just blind obedience to His Word if we are to be blessed. We must seek Him with all our heart. I have met many Christians that have desired His gifts more than they desire the Giver. As one writer put it, they desired the ring more than the beloved. We will not be blessed, have happiness, if we desire thee gifts above the Giver. The road to happiness is a desire to know Him, and to know Him we must know and keep His Word.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." (Matthew 5:8)
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Blameless
"Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord." (Psalm 119:1)
I have yet to meet anyone who is faultless but I do know many who are blameless. Some people think that faultless and blameless are the same thing, but they are not. When I trusted Jesus Christ as my personal saviour I was declared righteous, that is, God no longer saw my sin but He saw me through the precious blood of His Son Jesus. When Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica, he told them that God would make them unblamable in holiness. The writer of Hebrews tells us that without holiness we will not see the Lord. I am so thankful for this truth; that God provides the holiness that He requires of me. When we look at others, we see their faults, and we wonder how God can declare that person to be holy. When God looks at us, He sees us through the faultless life and the precious blood of Jesus and since He was faultless, we are blameless.
The Psalmist says that the blameless walk according to the law of the Lord. In this Psalm the Psalmist has a great deal to say about the Word of God. The Word tells us how we can conform our lives to be like His Son's. Because God has declared me blameless by His Son I will try to be more like Him. To do this I must go to His Word to learn how I should live. The Psalmist says that we are to walk according to the law of God.
I have yet to meet anyone who is faultless but I do know many who are blameless. Some people think that faultless and blameless are the same thing, but they are not. When I trusted Jesus Christ as my personal saviour I was declared righteous, that is, God no longer saw my sin but He saw me through the precious blood of His Son Jesus. When Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica, he told them that God would make them unblamable in holiness. The writer of Hebrews tells us that without holiness we will not see the Lord. I am so thankful for this truth; that God provides the holiness that He requires of me. When we look at others, we see their faults, and we wonder how God can declare that person to be holy. When God looks at us, He sees us through the faultless life and the precious blood of Jesus and since He was faultless, we are blameless.
The Psalmist says that the blameless walk according to the law of the Lord. In this Psalm the Psalmist has a great deal to say about the Word of God. The Word tells us how we can conform our lives to be like His Son's. Because God has declared me blameless by His Son I will try to be more like Him. To do this I must go to His Word to learn how I should live. The Psalmist says that we are to walk according to the law of God.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Day of Inspiration
Last Thursday, May 27, the Bible League of Canada sponsored a day of inspiration for its donors. Since the Bibles for Missions stores are a major contributor to TBLC we were invited. We hired a bus and many of our volunteers traveled to Kitchener where they were treated to lunch, a number of reports from the partners and supper. Everyone I talked to said that it was worth it. It helped them to see the big picture. The partners reported from China, Argentina, Africa, North America and more. Thank you Bible League of Canada and a special thank you to Joyce who organized the whole day.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Slowing Down
You may have noticed that I have not posted in awhile. I was away at the Bibles for Missions board meetings and Annual meeting this past week. I will post something from the Bible League of Canada's day of inspiration very soon.
Also our classes have ended for the summer. I am starting to plan for the fall. Mike is thinking of doing an evening series on the prayer life of Samuel and I am thinking of a morning series on the Lord's prayer. Any other ideas?
Also our classes have ended for the summer. I am starting to plan for the fall. Mike is thinking of doing an evening series on the prayer life of Samuel and I am thinking of a morning series on the Lord's prayer. Any other ideas?
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