Are you Dedicated to God? ~ Raul Ries

“Therefore submit to God…”

A young man, some years ago, lay dying. His mother believed him to be a Christian and was greatly surprised and distressed one day when, on passing his room, she heard him say, “Lost! Lost! Lost!” Immediately she opened the door and cried, “My boy, is it possible you have lost hope in Christ, now that you are dying?” “No Mother, no!” he replied, “It is not that. I have hope beyond the grave but I have lost my life! Twenty-four years I have lived and done nothing for the Son of God, and now I am going! My life has been spent for self. I have lived for this world and now, while dying, I have given myself to Christ but my life is lost!”

Thought for the Day:
Dedication is writing your name on the bottom of a blank sheet And handing it to the Lord for Him to fill in.

Paul Sets His Sights on Jerusalem ~ WOW the Bible in 7 minutes a day

Paul Sets His Sights on Jerusalem

Acts 20:17-21:16; Psalm 119:92-94; Proverbs 21:30

From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. And when they had come to him, he said to them: "You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

"And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

"So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

Now it came to pass, that when we had departed from them and set sail, running a straight course we came to Cos, the following day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. And finding a ship sailing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. When we had sighted Cyprus, we passed it on the left, sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload her cargo. And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days. They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem. When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed. When we had taken our leave of one another, we boarded the ship, and they returned home.

And when we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day. On the next day we who were Paul's companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. When he had come to us, he took Paul's belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'"

Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, "What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, "The will of the Lord be done."

And after those days we packed and went up to Jerusalem. Also some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us and brought with them a certain Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to lodge.

Acts 20:17-21:16

WORSHIP

Unless Your law had been my delight,
I would then have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget Your precepts,
For by them You have given me life.
I am Yours, save me;
For I have sought Your precepts.
Psalm 119:92-94

WISDOM

There is no wisdom or understanding
Or counsel against the LORD.
Proverbs 21:30

Are you demonstrating responsibility with your influence? (94-4) ~ Barry Werner

Are you demonstrating responsibility with your influence? (94-4)

November 5th, 2009 in Power and Influence | leave a response

When God allows you the privilege of leadership, whether in your family, work or church, there are certain responsibilities that accompany the call. Read 2 Samuel 13:1-39.

After David sinned with Bathsheba, the prophet Nathan warned the king that the sword would never depart from his house (2 Samuel 12:19). True to the prediction, David endured domestic problems from that day on – deception, adultery, incest, even murder. When these sins against God happened in David’s own home, David stopped taking the actions he knew were right before God, and using human wisdom, never figured out how to deal with the rebellion effectively. In fact it was as if he forgot the responsibility that went with his call to lead the people of Israel.

According to notes in the Maxwell Leadership Bible – If You Won’t Carry the Ball, You Can’t Lead the Team:

David suffers the first of several horrible consequences of his sin with Bathsheba shortly after some military conquests. David’s son Amnon, rapes his half sister, Tamar. When David hears about it, he does nothing – surprising and upsetting David’s son, Absalom. After two years, Absalom murders Amnon. The whole mess plays out almost like a soap opera.

By this point, David’s leadership has shrunk to a mere shadow of its former self. Note the changes in David’s leadership:

• He no longer works proactively, but passively interacts with those closest to him (vv. 30, 31).

• He no longer expresses joy, but is full of grief and mourning (v. 31).

• He no longer acts on his convictions, but buys into rationalizations about his loss (vv. 32, 33, 39).

• He no longer solves problems, but licks his wounds (vv. 34-36).

• He no longer pursues his desires, but remains paralyzed regarding Absalom (v. 39).

Leadership calls for deliberate action using the wisdom and influence God gives you for each situation. Failure to act denies the power of God that gave you the gift of leadership and the responsibility that goes with it. As stated in Maxwell’s title, If You Won’t Carry the Ball, You Can’t Lead the Team.

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Tags: Responsibility

« What areas of conflict are you delaying resolution? (94-3)

I am pleased to meet you ~ Mike MacIntosh

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
Proverbs 15:8

What a great verse. God is delighted when we pray to Him! You see, prayer causes us to stay close to the Lord and, in return, we grow spiritually. It is hard to get away from God unless you stop talking with Him. If you stop communicating with your spouse, children, or friends, your relationships with them are bound to suffer. You will drift apart and become strangers. But continue talking and sharing, and your relationships will grow stronger.

The same is true with your relationship with God. Habitual, continual prayer--walking and talking with God--will cause you to grow closer to Him.

I pray that if we meet twenty years from now, we will be able to swap stories of miraculous answers to prayer and tell one another of our endured disappointments and defeats, frustrations and failures--but we will still be walking steadfastly with the Lord, and that makes all the difference.

Crafted with care ~ Jon Courson

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations. James 1:2

Newer translations render this verse, ‘Count it all joy when ye fall into various trials’. Why? Because the Greek word for both ‘trial’ and ‘temptation’ is one and the same.

You see, what God will send or allow as a trial to strengthen our faith, Satan will seek to exploit to get us to sin. Conversely, what Satan throws our way as a temptation, God allows to be a trial. Satan wants to use the event to tear us down and wipe us out; God wants to use the same event to show us how faithful He is and how real He can be.

Think of it this way: If Jerry, a master woodworker, invited me to sit in a chair he had made, I wouldn’t do so wondering if it would hold me up, but rather marveling at how well it was crafted. If, on the other hand, our youth director, Tad, invited me to sit in a chair, I would be leery, knowing it would probably either be pulled out from or collapse underneath me.

So too, the chair that Satan seeks to pull out from under us is the very one God uses to show just how strong He can be.

In the Book of Job, we see Satan trying to wipe Job out by afflicting him physically, causing him to lose his family, and ruining him financially. But God was proving something else. God was showing how faithful He would be. As a result, all of history would marvel in studying how, in the midst of what Satan meant for evil, God used for good as He sustained Job all the way through, and rewarded him ultimately.

When a trial comes your way, Satan will be there the same day to try and get you to do what Mrs. Job suggested her husband do — to curse God and die (Job 2:9). But God will be there as well, waiting to show you His strength in seeing you through.

Spiritual Greatness ~ Mark Balmer

Based on “Foolish Wisdom” by Pastor Dave Folkerts; 10/31-11/1/09,

Message #DF143; Daily Devotional #3 - “Spiritual Greatness”

Preparing the Soil (Introduction): Have you ever done anything so foolish you looked back on it and said, “What was I thinking? How could I have been so stupid?” We may not have realized its foolishness at the moment, but I’m sure we have all looked back at something we said or did and wished we could change it. I imagine that is how James and John, the sons of Zebedee, felt after asking Jesus to seat themselves on the right and left of the throne of God (Mark 10:35-37). Jesus, being the compassionate teacher that He was, did not chastise James and John but used the opportunity to teach a fundamental principle to His disciples: If you want to be great in God’s kingdom, you must be the servant of all (Mark 10:42-45). James and John were asking for position. Jesus taught that spiritual greatness comes through humility. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) Jesus emphasized that even He had come to serve, not to be served (Mark 10:45).

Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): Jesus humbled Himself to come to earth to set the captives free. His whole life exemplified humble service to others. Christ followers should have this same attitude: Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:5-8) We have been freed from having to earn our salvation. We are free to follow His example. The world will tell us this is foolishness. God promises us it is not. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:10) The rewards the world offers are fleeting, but God’s rewards are eternal. ‘Well done, good and faithful servant’ (Matthew 25:21) outweighs any acclamation the world can give us.

Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Pastor Dave gave us four steps to help us be God’s servants. First, we must ask God what it is He wants us to do and trust that He will not ask more than He will give us the strength to accomplish. Second, we need to take the first step, again, trusting that there will be something solid for us to stand on once we do. Third, do it with the right attitude. In humble obedience we freely follow His example of service and express our gratitude for all He has done for us. Fourth, leave the results to God. We may never know the extent of the results. His purposes are greater than we can ever realize (Isaiah 55:8-9). Today, begin to discover the spiritual greatness God has for those who are His servants.

Cultivating (Additional Reading): Romans 12:1-16; 1 Peter 5:6

Never Go to Bed Angry ~ Joyce Meyer

When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down.
— Ephesians 4:26

Now I don't know about you, but I'm glad this verse is in the Bible because it helps us to build character by giving us a guideline to follow in handling our anger: let go of anger before bedtime. There is only one problem. What happens when we become good and mad just before bedtime? If we become mad in the morning, at least we have all day to get over it. But when we become mad close to bedtime, we have to make a quick decision.

Why is it so bad for us to go to bed angry? I think it is because while we sleep, what we are angry about has time to get a hold on us and take root in us. But the Word says, "Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him]." (Ephesians 4:27) This verse tells us what happens if we refuse to get over our anger by bedtime: It opens a door for the devil and gives Satan a foothold. Once Satan gets a foothold in our lives, then he can move on to a stronghold. You may wonder, Well, if I am mad, what should I do about it? Get over it! You may think, That's easy for you to say, but you're not in my situation. I may not be in your situation, but you are not in my situation either. We all have different situations. If you are going to live a joyful, victorious life, you have to do so by choice and not by feeling.

In Deuteronomy 30:19 the Lord tells us, "I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life." Choose life by refusing to give in to anger. Take responsibility for your anger and learn to deal with it—process it and bring closure to it, and that will relieve the pressure.

He waits at the wellspring ~ Jack Graham

“… for apart from me you can do nothing.”

-- John 15:5

Sitting at Jesus' feet is not just a priority in the life of Christ-followers. It is an absolute necessity. This truth resounds throughout the Scripture urging you and me into his presence.

Listen to David’s own words about his need for God’s presence. He said, "O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water" (Psalm 63:1).

There is a desperate reliance in David’s prayer. Time with God was like life itself to him… as critical as water itself!

So I need to ask you this. Are you desperate for God? Is Christ Jesus critical to your existence? Well, you may say, "Pastor, I’m no David. I’m nothing like him."

Well, I beg to differ! Like David, God didn’t create you to live separately from him. Your soul hungers for him just as David’s did. God desires you to fellowship with him, to know him, and he wants to speak to your heart just as he spoke to David’s.

The question is… are you being obedient to that call?

It’s time to live like Christ Jesus is the most critical relationship in your life. Seek him like water in the desert! Spend time in his presence daily and let nothing distract you from this goal.

IT’S TIME TO LIVE LIKE CHRIST JESUS IS THE MOST CRITICAL RELATIONSHIP IN YOUR LIFE!

The Israelites Passing through the Red Sea, by Faith ~ Bob Hoekstra

By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned. (Hebrews 11:29)

By faith, Moses called God's people to apply the blood of the Passover lamb that they might be delivered from the judgment that was to befall Egypt. "By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them" (Hebrews 11:28). Then, Moses led the people out of Egypt, eventually passing through the Red Sea, by faith.

Instead of sending Israel directly north toward the promised land, the Lord sent them eastward toward the Red Sea. "So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea" (Exodus 13:18). From the outset of their journey, the Lord became their guide. "And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light" (Exodus 13:21).

Yet, Pharaoh's heart hardened against Israel once again. "So the Egyptians pursued them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and overtook them camping by the sea" (Exodus 14:9). Soon, the people were trapped between the formidable sea and a mighty army. They were overtaken with fear, so Moses pointed them to the Lord. "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today" (Exodus 14:13). Then, as the Lord had instructed him, "Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided. So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left" (Exodus 14:21-22). Into this intimidating setting, by faith in the Lord, the children of Israel advanced. "By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land."

Again, as the Lord commanded, Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. "Then the waters returned and covered the chariots, the horsemen, and all the army of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them. Not so much as one of them remained" (Exodus 14:28). The rebellious Egyptians could not follow where God's people had gone by faith. "Whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned."

Almighty God, when the way is blocked before me and an army of circumstances closes in behind me, help me to stand by faith, looking to You to open a way. Lord, I want to follow You, asking You to lead me where my enemies cannot go, in Jesus' name, Amen.

To stir with love... ~ Jon Courson

Acts 17:13-14

"But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds."
NKJV

Life Lesson

We should stir one another up to good works not to strife, envy, confusion and discontentment.

Whenever you see someone trying to stir up others, ask yourself the simple question; why? What is their motivation? Is the motivation love because you know this person has so obviously cared about others in the past? Or, does the motivation seem unnatural because this person, who has shown little care in the past, all of a sudden is now saying something 'because they care.' Be careful.

Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?" NKJV

The motivation of the crowd in Acts17:13 was envy. It is no great gift to stir others up in a bad way. It takes no talent nor discretion, and very little wisdom to stir up others in strife, envy or confusion. In the book of Hebrews, Paul exhorts us to stir one another up:

Heb 10:24-25 "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." NKJV

Notice what Paul says 'stirring up' produces. Instead of strife, envy, confusion and discontentment, stirring up others should produce love and good works based in fellowship. This is important. Will the end result be encouragement or discouragement? It should be encouragement. Our faith, in action, should provoke others to love and good works. Sadly, there are Christians who do nothing. They don't stir even themselves up much less provoke anyone else to do good things. How self-centered. Fellowship with God should never be selfish, but should include others and serve others. We should love one another enough to be encouragers. It's not about what we get from fellowship, but it's what we give or contribute to fellowship.

• Can you stir people up in a good way?

• Can you help people continue on when they doubt?

• Can you help people hang in there when they are weak?

Yes, you can, and friend, that is an incredible gift.

Dear Father,
Thank You for my church family and for the opportunity to fellowship with them and to serve them. I pray that I would be an encourager and please forgive me for the times when I have not. Please give me opportunities to encourage my friends and family to love and do good works, and give me the discernment to know when my motivation is wrong. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Persevering through Pressure ~ Chuck Swindoll

Hebrews 6:18

Doubts often steal into our lives like termites into a house. These termite-like thoughts eat away at our faith. Usually, we can hold up pretty well under this attack. But occasionally, when a strong gale comes along—a sudden, intense blast—we discover we cannot cope. Our house begins to lean. For some people it completely collapses. It is during these stormy times, during the dark days and nights of tragedy and calamity, that we begin to feel the destructive effects of our doubts—running like stress fractures through the structure of our lives.

For me, there are three times when the intensity of doubt reaches maximum proportions.

One such time is when things I believe should never happen, occur. There are times when my loving, gracious, merciful, kind, good, sovereign God surprises me by saying yes to something I was convinced He would say no to. When bad things happen to good people.

I once received a letter from a woman who heard a talk I had given entitled "Riding Out the Storm." Little did she know how meaningful it would be to her. Just as she was entering into the truth of that message, she arrived at home to discover that her young, recently married daughter had been brutally murdered.

Why did God say yes to that? Why did that bad thing happen to that good person? The effect of such termites within our soul is great. They eat away at us, and doubt wins a hearing.

Doubts also increase when things I believe should happen, never occur (the other side of the coin). When I expected God to say yes but He said no. Numerous parents of young men and women have said good-bye and sent their children away to war, convinced God would bring them home again. But sometimes He says no.

Joni Eareckson Tada (and a thousand like her) trust confidently for awhile that the paralysis will go away—that God will say, "Yes, I'll get you through this. I'll teach you some deep lessons, and then I will use you with full health in days to come as I heal you completely." But God ultimately says no. When we expect Him to say yes and He says no, doubts multiply.

The third situation in which doubts grow takes place when things that I believe should happen now, occur much, much later. Of all the doubts which creep into our soul perhaps few are more devastating than those that happen when we are told by God, in effect. "Wait, wait, wait, wait . . . wait . . . wait!" All of us have wrestled greatly with His timing.

These "pressure points" provide a perfect introduction to the verses in Hebrews 6. This is that great chapter that begins with a strong warning, continues with words of affirmation, and closes with words of reassurance and ringing confidence. It addresses the Christian hanging on by his fingernails as he feels himself sliding down the hill. It shouts: "Persevere! Hang tough! Be strong! Don't quit!" Even when God says no, and you expected yes. Even when He says yes, and you anticipated no. And especially when He says to wait, and you expected it now.

If you're in that painful space right now, my word for you is: persevere! Hope in God—this is not the end.

In Jesus’ Name ~ Charles Stanley

John 14:9-14

Sometimes we may wish Jesus had said to His disciples, “Ask Me anything, and I will answer.” But that instruction would not have adequately described how to connect to heaven’s throne. Therefore, the Lord gave very specific instructions for petitioning Him: “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do,” (John 14:13, emphasis added).

The power of Jesus Christ’s name throws open the doors to God’s throne room. In fact, we are granted eternal access when we call upon Him for salvation. Formerly, the way was barred because holy God will not tolerate sin stains. But since believers have been made righteous, they can enter His presence with confidence (2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:16). Furthermore, our association with Jesus gives us authority to petition the almighty Father and expect an answer (Matt. 7:7; 1 John 5:14).

Yet the phrase “in Jesus’ name” isn’t some magic incantation that automatically gets what a person desires. Rather, it is a way to ensure that hearts are right and requests are in line with God’s will. When we ask in Jesus’ name, we are telling Him we want an answer that is based upon His complete knowledge of our situation. Moreover, we are surrendering our desires to be denied, changed, or granted as He sees fit.

We must not treat our prayer privilege lightly. Asking for silly or selfish things in the Lord’s name is useless. He isn’t about the business of granting wishes. Instead, believers are invited to tap into Jesus’ power for the purpose of seeing His will done and His gospel spread.

A Bond Beyond ~ Bob Coy

Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb?" Isaiah 49:15 (NKJV)

God's relationship with the children of Israel would have driven any sane person mad. Over and over, time and again, generation after generation, He would pour out unprecedented blessings on their lives, only to watch them turn their backs and forsake Him.

In fact, when you pull back and look at the Old Testament from beginning to end, it's really a gut-wrenching relationship. No one could blame God for forsaking them as they had done to Him on countless occasions. Yet He didn't. Why is that?

That answer comes from a question. It was through the prophet Isaiah that God posed this question to His people: "Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb?" God is pointing them to the intimate connection shared between a mother and her nursing baby, which is a reflection of His love for His people.

As most all of us know, there are very few things in this world that can come between a mother and child. And yet, sometimes this bond can be broken, which is why God goes on record as saying that even when maternal bonds break, His bond with His own children won't:

"Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you." (Isaiah 49:15b NKJV)

God is saying, "Look at the most sacred and secure relational bond out there and know that my love for you as my children goes even beyond that!" It's this bond that prevented God from forsaking His children, even after they had forsaken Him.

That's good news for us too, because those who are in Christ are also God's children (1 John 3:1). And He will never leave or forsake us because we have a bond with Him that goes beyond any other we could ever experience in this lifetime.

Discuss with your group the special bond children have with their mother. What words would you use to describe the relationship you had with your mom? How is that relationship unlike any other?

Dig into Isaiah 49:14–16. What is the claim in verse 14 based on? What is the promise provided in this passage? What do you find interesting in verse 16?

Decide as a group to pray for mothers. Remember these special servants who help us understand the nurture and care God has for his children.

Forever the Same ~ Greg Laurie

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

— Hebrews 13:8

The Bible describes a time in Israel's history when "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 17:6). But I also think that is a good description of our time. Rather than living by a set of absolute standards like the Ten Commandments, many people are making up their own standards and using a sliding scale for morality, thinking they are at least better than the next person.

It reminds me of the prophet Isaiah's warning, "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20). That is where our culture is today. We mock what is good and pure, and we celebrate what is wicked and sinful. Good is called evil and evil is called good in our upside-down world.

That is why I think our generation could easily be called the iGeneration, because we think it is all about us. It is all about our getting what we want, when we want to get it. Now that we can get our information on demand, we don't want to be told what we can see or hear—or let others decide when we can hear and see it. We want what we want, and we want it when we want it. And many are taking the same approach to morality.

So how do we reach a culture like this? Answer: we reach it the same way Christians reached their culture 100 years ago and 300 years ago and 500 years ago and 2,000 years ago. We reach our culture with the authority and the message of God's Word, because that never changes, no matter what. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).

Twitter Proverbs from Rick Warren

• "Every civilization decays by forgetting the obvious - especially that which is permanent" - G.K. Chestertonabout 13 hours ago from web

• "There's trouble ahead when you live for the approval of others...Your task is to be true, not popular" Luke 6:26(Mes)about 16 hours ago from web

• DMark, a well-known mentor once told me "You're nobody till someone writes a book against you." HA! Ignore it.about 17 hours ago from web

• Your primary identity is defined by your Savior, not your sins. "Anyone in Christ is a new creation" 2 Cor5:17about 17 hours ago from web

• Sinful inclinations ARENT your Identity!Don’t say“I’m an alcoholic”(or whatever) Say “I'm a Believer who struggles with,,,”about 17 hours ago from web

• "A wise person is hungry for truth, while the fool feeds on trash." Proverbs 15:14 (NLT)12:18 AM Nov 3rd from web

• Finding time to read the great spiritual classics is no mystery.Turn off the TV. Nothing on TV today will matter in10 yrs12:17 AM Nov 3rd from web

• Today, by the Spirit's power, I’ll do the best I can with what I have out of love for Jesus. My definition of success7:36 AM Nov 1st from web

• Thanks to all you pastors who joined in our noisy conference call this AM. What fun! YOU are truly a group of radicals!10:33 AM Oct 30th from web

• The world is hungry for humble people with absolute confidence in God. Obedience,not ego, is the source of true confidence10:22 AM Oct 30th from web

• I have zero confidence in myself but unlimited confidence when obeying what God has clearly commanded all of us all to do.10:16 AM Oct 30th from web

• PASTORS: Our next CONFERENCE CALL IS IN 10 MIN. at 10am PST. If u get PD CONNECTION email rw@saddleback.com 4 ACCESS CODE8:54 AM Oct 30th from web

• ALL Pastors subscribed to PD CONNECTION email me rw@saddleback.com 4 your ACCESS CODE 2 our next Conference call on Friday!3:28 PM Oct 29th from web

• "Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled & aflame! Be alert servants of the Master." Rom.12:11(Msg)10:48 AM Oct 29th from web

• "Be content with who u are &don't put on airs.God's strong hand is on u;he'll promote u at the right time"1Peter5:6(Msg)10:47 AM Oct 29th from web

• It is impossible to exxagerate God! "Christ's love is so great you'll never fully understand it" Eph3:19 NLT10:45 AM Oct 29th from web

• RT @shawnmichael Rick, you are officially cool. You just got a shout out from Bono ion stage at the Rise Bowl,12:20 AM Oct 26th from web

• RE:Web Flamers "Warn a DIVISIVE person once,then warn him a second time. After that,have NOTHING to do with him."Titus3:104:01 AM Oct 24th from web

• God so loved the world he gave his only begotten system, so that whosoever believes could argue over interpretation. NOT!7:07 PM Oct 23rd from web

• When believers focus on loving Jesus,differences melt away.When we focus on anything else,the more divided we are.Gal.3:286:58 PM Oct 23rd from web

Accountable To God ~ Kay Arthur

Jeremiah, Part 1 (Return To Me)
Program 29 – Accountable To God

I know it‟s not exactly right. I know it‟s a little shady. I know I shouldn‟t be looking at this or doing this, but you know everybody else does. Surely, surely God understands. O Beloved, He understands that you‟re in sin, and He understands that He‟s got to hold you accountable. Watch out!

Our theme all week, our introduction into Jeremiah 13, 14 and 15 is God‟s word to Jeremiah when he becomes weary. When he‟s running with the footmen and he becomes weary in a land of peace. He says, [“How are you going to contend? How are you going to compete with horses? In the thicket of the Jordan?”] (PARAPHRASE, Jeremiah 12:5) We‟ve looked at God telling them that they are to cling to Him. [And that if they will cling to Him, if Israel will cling to Him, if Jeremiah will cling to Him then He will make them a people for praise, and renown, and glory and if not, if they will not confess their sins then He is going to have to judge them.] (PARAPHRASE, Jeremiah 13:11, 17)

In our last program we saw in Jeremiah chapter 13 that [the king and the queen mother had to take a lowly seat. The crown fell from their head.] (PARAPHRASE, Jeremiah 13:18) We saw that this happened in 597 B.C. when Jehoiachin and his mother were taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar along with ten thousand others into Babylon. All the mighty warriors were gone, all the craftsmen, all the silversmiths they were gone only the poorest were left in the land. (See 2 Kings 24:15-16)

And so God continues to talk to them. And He says in Jeremiah 13, verse 20, ―‗Lift up your eyes and see those coming from the north…,‘‖ remember evil comes from the north, ―‗…where is the flock that was given you, your beautiful sheep? What will you say when He appoints over you—and you yourself have taught them— former companions to be head over you? Will not pangs take [a] hold of you like a woman in childbirth?‘‖ (Jeremiah 13:20-21) Is it not going to come suddenly? He says, ―‗If you say in your heart, ―Why have these things happened to me…?‖‘‖ The answer is, ―‗…Because of the magnitude of your iniquity….‘‖ You thought you could get away with this. ―‗…Your skirts have been removed…,‘‖ (Jeremiah 13:22) just pulled them off of you. Remember; He likens Judah to His wife. And He says, the skirt has been stripped off you. That‟s what they would do as a punishment for prostitutes, for harlots. ―‗…Your heels have been exposed. Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then [also you] can do good who are accustomed to doing evil.‘‖ (Jeremiah 13:22-23) He says, “Evil has become such a part of you that it‟s second nature. You can‟t change. You can‟t change.”

Beloved, don‟t ever compromise with sin. Don‟t ever say, as I said in the opening of the program, “I know I shouldn‟t, but….” He says, ―‗…I will scatter [you] like drifting straw to the desert wind. This is your lot, the portion measured to you from Me….‘‖ I‟m going to scatter you, ―‗…Because you have forgotten Me and trusted in falsehood. So I…have…stripped [the] skirts off [from] over your face, that your shame may be seen. As for your adulteries and your lustful neighings, the lewdness of your prostitution on the hills in the field, I have seen your abominations....‘‖ (Jeremiah 13:24-27) He says, “You‟re lusting. You just want taste a little bit of sin. You just want to experience it. It‟s not right, but you‟re just going to look. I mean, you have to know so that you can tell the guys they shouldn‟t do it.

O Precious One, listen to me, [extract the worthless from the precious.] (PARAPHRASE, Jeremiah 15:19) That‟s worthless it‟s going to destroy you. He says, ―‗…I have seen your abominations. Woe to you, O Jerusalem! How long will you remain unclean?‘‖ (Jeremiah 13:27) And then we come to chapter 14. And when we come to chapter 14 listen to what he says, ―That which came as the word of the LORD to Jeremiah [regarding] …the drought….‖ (Jeremiah 14:1) The drought has been mentioned in chapter 3 verse 3. (See Jeremiah 3:3) It‟s been mentioned in chapter 12 verse 4. (See Jeremiah 12:4) Now he mentions it again. ―‗Judah mourns…her gates languish; they sit on the ground in mourning, and the cry of Jerusalem has ascended. Their nobles have sent their servants for water; [and]…they have returned with…vessels empty; they have been put to shame and humiliated…they cover their heads. Because the ground is cracked, [and] there has been no rain on the land; the farmers [are]…put to shame, they have covered their heads…even the doe in the field has given birth only to abandon her young….‘‖ (Jeremiah 14:2-5) She drops her calf, and she walks away. There‟s no food. There‟s no nourishment. There‟s no water. ―‗The wild donkeys stand on the bare heights; they pant [the] air like jackals, their eyes fail…there is no vegetation.‘‖ (Jeremiah 14:6) They can‟t even see anymore it‟s just a blur. And they‟re stumbling around because of the drought. The drought means no growth, no crops.

It says, ―‗Although our iniquities testify against us, O LORD, act for Your name‘s sake! Truly our apostasies have been many, we have sinned against You. O Hope of Israel, [our] Savior in times of distress, why…?‘‖ (Jeremiah 14:7-8) Where did You go? Where are You? ―‗…Why are You like a stranger in the land…like a traveler [that] has pitched his tent for the night?‘‖ (Jeremiah 14:8) And you‟re gone. ―‗Why are You like a man dismayed, like a mighty man who cannot save? Yet You are in our midst, O LORD, and we are called by Your name; do not forsake us!‘‖ (Jeremiah 14:9)

In the midst of the drought, in the midst of languishing, what do you need? Who do you need? The One that is in control of the rain, you need to cling to Him as the waistband clings to the waist of a man lest the crown fall from your head. ―Thus says the LORD to this people, ‗Even so…,‘‖ even though they‟ve been in all this, ―‗…they have loved to wander; they have not kept their feet in check. Therefore the LORD does not accept them; now He will remember their iniquity and call their sins to account.‘‖ (Jeremiah 14:10)

Drought, it‟s awful. In February of „09 this came out on CNN.com: “China Suffering [the] Worst Drought in 50 Years.” Another one from South Africa: “Drought-hit Farmers Need Miracle,” and this came out in „09. And it says, “Port Elizabeth—Farmers in the drought-stricken Eastern Cape— which is experiencing its worst drought in at least 50 years— say a miracle is necessary to bring much-needed rain to the region. That‟s why many will be watching to see whether Angus Buchan‟s faith that his prayer service Uitenhage, U-I-T-E-N-H-A-G-E, on Friday will bring a miracle—rain. The drought has been carrying on now for three years.” But listen to this, “Israel Faces its Worst Water Crisis.” This is an article that came out in a magazine called, “Dispatch from Jerusalem,” that‟s put out by Bridges For Peace. And it says this that, “Dr. Amos Porat, head of Climatology Department of the Israel Meteorological Service said that the „07, „08 (2007-2008) rainy season in the north of Israel was one of the five or six worst in the last 70 years, a timeline that extends a full decade [now] before the modern state of Israel was born. …Daniel Carmel, a tourist boat captain on the Galilee, had the Jbest advice in the midst of…crisis. „The water situation is [so] bad, so we need…prayer for rain. Pray for us. Pray for rain.‟” This came out in February of 2009. What is happening? And drought usually precedes famine unless it‟s a famine from a siege. It‟s judgment from God because God controls the rain. Watch what happens in chapter 15.

The Lord said to Jeremiah, ―…‗Do not pray for the welfare of this people. When they fast, I am not going to listen to their cry…when they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I am not going to accept them. Rather I am going to make an end of them by sword, famine and pestilence.‘‖ (Jeremiah 14:11-12)

I have another article here that‟s very, very interesting. It‟s an article that, in a sense, just makes you creepy. “Liberia Declares [a] State of Emergency as Caterpillar Plague Wrecks [the] Crops.” And this came out in January 28, 2009. Liberia has caterpillars all over. It is “A plague of caterpillars that has destroyed plants and crops and contaminated water supplies, threatening an already fragile food situation. Tens of millions of caterpillars have invaded at least 80 towns and villages in Central…northern Liberia, preventing some farmers from reaching their fields and causing [people]…to flee [from] their homes.”

Listen to what he says, ―But, ‗Ah Lord GOD…!‘‖ Jeremiah is speaking, he says, ―…I said, ‗Look, the prophets are telling them, ―You will not see sword nor will you have famine, but I will give lasting peace in this place.‖‘‖ (Jeremiah 14:13) Really? We‟ll talk about it in just a minute.

You can‟t sin against God and get away with it. The Bible says in Numbers, ―‗…be [ye] sure your sin[s] will find you out.‘‖ (Numbers 32:23) And so God is delivering a message to the people through Jeremiah the prophet. And as He delivers this message, He is saying, [and] famine and pestilence.‘‖ And then He says, ―…‗Look, the prophets are telling them, ―[You‟re]…not [going to have a] sword [you‟re not going to] have [a] famine…I [am going to] give…[ever] lasting peace in this place.‖‘‖ (Jeremiah 14:12-13)

Now just think about the dilemma of the people. Think about it. Here‟s one prophet saying, “Hey, sword, famine, pestilence.” Here‟s another prophet saying, “Oh no, that is not going to happen. You‟re going to have lasting peace.” Now which one do you want to listen to? You want to listen to the one that says everlasting peace.

You say, “But how do I know which one to listen to?” And this is absolutely key because the Bible says, [Hey, you know the truth from the false because if what the false prophecies doesn‟t come to pass you know it‟s false.] (PARAPHRASE, Deuteronomy 18:22)

But in this case they can‟t wait to see which one is right. They‟ve got to make a choice. How do you make a choice of who to listen to? This is absolutely key. That‟s what this program is about. This is why I want you to go online. This is why I want you to go to “preceptsforlife.com.” I want you to study with us. I want to take you deeper and deeper to help you discover truth for yourself, to disciple you, and then help you disciple others. And this is what I long to do. And this is what I want to equip you to do so that you can ―‗…extract the precious from the worthless….‘‖ (Jeremiah 15:19) So that [you won‟t faint or grow weary with the footmen, but you will be able to compete with the horses in the Jordan of the thicket, no matter what happens.] (PARAPHRASE, Jeremiah 12:5)

No matter if sword does come, or famine does come, or pestilence does come. I will tell you this, you ain‟t seen nothing yet in the United States of America if we continue to abort babies. We are filling the land with innocent blood just like Manasseh did and God will not tolerate it. (See 2 Kings 24:3-4) If we continue to be immoral, we are sinking down into a pit that we are digging with our own hands. We are self-destructing. America is nowhere mentioned in the end time prophecy which means we amount to nothing. The crown is going to fall from the head of America.

You say how do I know that? The way they knew. You know the Word of God, and then you take the Word of God, and you bring society up against the Word of God because God doesn‟t just expect Israel to obey Him, God expects us to obey Him. God expects us to keep His commandments. God has given America great light, and we have shunned the light. You know that the times have changed. You know that what was once illegal morally is now legal. You know that we are a generation of adulterers, of fornicators, of homosexuals, of pedophiles, of people caught up in pornography. It‟s a major money-making industry. We are a land full of drugs. We are a land full of rebellion. No other civilized nation on the face of this earth or a nation of our status has as many people incarcerated in prison as the United States of America has. We are in trouble.

And these false prophets are saying, ―‗…― [You will not] have famine…I will give you [ever] lasting peace….‖‘[And] the LORD said to me, ‗The prophets are prophesying falsehood in My name. I have neither sent them nor commanded them nor spoken to them; they are prophesying to you a false vision, divination, futility and the deception of their own minds.‘‖ (Jeremiah 14:13-14)

I have listened to many of them on Christian television and it is a deception of their own minds. And because the people out there don‟t know the Word of God, because they haven‟t discovered it for themselves, and the only thing that they get is by listening to these people, they are deceived. ―‗Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who are prophesying in My name, although it was not I who sent them…they keep saying, ―There will be no sword or famine in [the] land…,‖‘‖ and he says, ―‗…by sword and famine those prophets [will] meet their end! The people also to whom [you‟re] prophesying will be thrown out into the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and there will be no one to bury them….‘‖ (Jeremiah 14:15-16)

You saw this in the day of the great plague in Europe where they just put bodies on carts. They were just piling them up on top of one another. It was the bubonic plague, there was no one to bury them. They just died in their misery. And he says, “These people are going to be thrown out into the streets. And as they‟re thrown out into the streets there is no one to bury them.” ―‗…Neither [they], nor their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters—for I will pour out their…wickedness on them.‘‖ (Jeremiah 14:16) That‟s why, Beloved, you don‟t want to step over the line the least little bit. He says, ―‗You will say…to them…,‘‖ you, Jeremiah, will say to them, ―‗…―Let my eyes flow down with tears night and day…let them not cease; for the virgin daughter of my people has been crushed with a mighty blow, with a sorely infected wound.‖‘‖ (Jeremiah 14:17) It‟s like STDs; just yuck. ―‗―If I go out to the country, behold, [the] slain with the sword…if I enter [into] the city, behold, [the] diseases of famine…!‖‘‖ (Jeremiah 14:18)

Have you seen people that have been in famine? Have you seen what it does to their teeth? Have you seen what it does to their bones? Have you seen what it does to their belly? He says, ―‗―…For both prophet and priest have gone roving about in [a] land that they do not know.‖‘‖ (Jeremiah 14:18) And then he asks God, ―Have You completely rejected Judah...have You loathed Zion? Why have You stricken us so that we are beyond healing? We waited for peace, but [no] good came…for a time of healing, but behold, [there is] terror! We know our wickedness, O LORD, the iniquity of our fathers…we have sinned against You. Do not despise us, for Your own name‘s sake; do not disgrace the throne of Your glory….‖ (Jeremiah 14:19-21)

The throne of His glory is God‟s covenant with these people. He says, ―…Remember and do not annul Your covenant with us. Are there any among the idols of the nations who give rain…?‖ (Jeremiah 14:21-22) Is there any idol that can give rain? No, [they have eyes, but they can‟t see. Ears, but they can‟t hear. Hands, but they can‟t work.] (PARAPHRASE, Psalms 115:5-6) ―…Or can the heavens grant showers…? (Jeremiah 14:22) Can the heavens all of a sudden say, “Hey, clouds today let‟s fill with rain and bring showers”? Oh, no. He says, ―…Is it not You, O LORD our God…?‖ (Jeremiah 14:22) You are the only one that gives rain.

Africa is in an awful drought. China is in an awful drought. Israel is in an awful drought. Who‟s behind it all? Who alone can bring rain?

It‟s not a matter of climate. It‟s not a matter of Mother Nature. It is simply Father God. ―…Therefore we hope in You…,‖ now listen to this carefully, ―…for You are the one [that has] done all these things.‖ (Jeremiah 14:22) The caterpillars, the drought, the pestilence, You‟ve done it. You alone can cure it. And you and I are the ones that need to repent, and return and pray.

God's Word Greater Than Gold ~ Bob Caldwell

God's Word Greater Than Gold Psalm 119:2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart! The magnificent power of God's Word is portrayed from beginning to end in this amazing psalm. Here, in the first 64 verses, the great virtue of His Word is lifted off the pages. God's Word can do what no other thing can do for us in the physical dimension in which we live. Those who seek a blessed life are those who keep God's "testimonies." What God has declared as true is more sure than life itself. Just as truths discovered within the laws of nature become principles that make a flight to the moon possible, in like fashion God's spiritual truths have the force to take us to spiritual heights beyond our imagination (v. 2). When integrated into our hearts, the virtue within God's Word has the power to keep us from sin's poison. It is God's truth that sets us free from the chains and oppression of evil (v. 9-11). It is the personal experience of those who live within the promises of God's Word that have discovered comfort in affliction and life more abundant even through sorrow's cruel blows (v. 50). It is because of our logical and heartfelt expectation of what God's Word can do, that, like this psalmist, we are drawn to seek God's Word more than the covetous seek gold. It is the wise person who seeks to know and live God's Word with all his heart (v. 2). If we do not, we deceive ourselves in thinking we hold a true regard for God's Word or for God Himself. To say we love God but not His Word is like saying we like flowers but not their scent, form, or color. Those who see the genuine value of God's Word for what it really is and where its wisdom can take us will pursue it with diligence that moves us to deeply meditate and search out God's ways (v. 4-5, 15). All who know their own "blind spots" will find themselves passionately crying for God's divine help to see His unseen wonders, the glorious things that the natural man will never behold. It was our Lord Jesus who found great joy when He beheld humble "babes" seeking what the greatest minds never could find. Thus Jesus said to God, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes" (Matt. 11:25). Come to Him now with the humble, hungry heart of a sincere child and you too will see wondrous things that are waiting to be known in the pure and rich Word of God.
Psalm 119:1-64 1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the LORD! 2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart! 3 They also do no iniquity; They walk in His ways. 4 You have commanded us To keep Your precepts diligently. 5 Oh, that my ways were directed To keep Your statutes! 6 Then I would not be ashamed, When I look into all Your commandments. 7 I will praise You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments. 8 I will keep Your statutes; Oh, do not forsake me utterly! BETH 9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. 10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. 12 Blessed are You, O LORD! Teach me Your statutes. 13 With my lips I have declared All the judgments of Your mouth. 14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. 16 I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. GIMEL 17 Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word. 18 Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law. 19 I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me. 20 My soul breaks with longing For Your judgments at all times. 21 You rebuke the proud—the cursed, Who stray from Your commandments. 22 Remove from me reproach and contempt, For I have kept Your testimonies. 23 Princes also sit and speak against me, But Your servant meditates on Your statutes. 24 Your testimonies also are my delight And my counselors. DALETH 25 My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word. 26 I have declared my ways, and You answered me; Teach me Your statutes. 27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works. 28 My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word. 29 Remove from me the way of lying, And grant me Your law graciously. 30 I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me. 31 I cling to Your testimonies; O LORD, do not put me to shame! 32 I will run the course of Your commandments, For You shall enlarge my heart. HE 33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, And I shall keep it to the end. 34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. 35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it. 36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness. 37 Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way. 38 Establish Your word to Your servant, Who is devoted to fearing You. 39 Turn away my reproach which I dread, For Your judgments are good. 40 Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me in Your righteousness. WAW 41 Let Your mercies come also to me, O LORD— Your salvation according to Your word. 42 So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word. 43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, For I have hoped in Your ordinances. 44 So shall I keep Your law continually, Forever and ever. 45 And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Your precepts. 46 I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings, And will not be ashamed. 47 And I will delight myself in Your commandments, Which I love. 48 My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments, Which I love, And I will meditate on Your statutes. ZAYIN 49 Remember the word to Your servant, Upon which You have caused me to hope. 50 This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life. 51 The proud have me in great derision, Yet I do not turn aside from Your law. 52 I remembered Your judgments of old, O LORD, And have comforted myself. 53 Indignation has taken hold of me Because of the wicked, who forsake Your law. 54 Your statutes have been my songs In the house of my pilgrimage. 55 I remember Your name in the night, O LORD, And I keep Your law. 56 This has become mine, Because I kept Your precepts. HETH 57 You are my portion, O LORD; I have said that I would keep Your words. 58 I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; Be merciful to me according to Your word. 59 I thought about my ways, And turned my feet to Your testimonies. 60 I made haste, and did not delay To keep Your commandments. 61 The cords of the wicked have bound me, But I have not forgotten Your law. 62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You, Because of Your righteous judgments. 63 I am a companion of all who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts. 64 The earth, O LORD, is full of Your mercy; Teach me Your statutes.
Psalm 119:1-64 This extravagant psalm is the longest chapter in the Bible; 176 verses or lines of poetry, all arranged in an acrostic in which each letter of the Hebrew alphabet (22 in number) begins eight verses of poetry. It was designed to teach the supreme importance of God's word and impress this upon the memory and thinking of each and every believer who recited it. v. 1 undefiled – blameless in the way – derek (Heb.) road or path. For the psalmist, the life of faith is a way. The word for "way" reappears 12 more times in this psalm (v. 3). The men and women of the early Christian church were called followers of "the way" (Acts 9:2; 18:25-26; 19:23; 22:4; 24:14). Who walk – halak (Heb.) Life with God is a journey (1 John 1:7). Law – torah (Heb.) instruction v. 2 whole heart – an undivided focus upon God as the center of life and action v. 3 They also do no iniquity – The godly man or woman does not live in sin. v. 4 precepts – The first synonym for torah. v. 5 statutes – Another synonym for torah. v. 6 commandments – The Hebrew word (in singular form) is mitzvah, familiar to even non-Jews in the name of the coming-of-age ceremony, the Bar Mitzvah, in which a Jewish boy takes the first step to manhood and becomes a "son of the commandment." v. 7 uprightness of heart – honestly and without hypocrisy righteous judgments – mishpat (Heb.) ordinances v. 9 a young man – In the ancient Hebrew tradition of Wisdom, a na'ar or lad needs instruction on how to live; hence the connection with torah (God's instruction). cleanse his way – 'orach (Heb.) live his life on God's "path" taking heed – patterning one's life v. 10 With my whole heart I have sought You – Wholeheartedness is the key to walking on God's path, unlike the double-souled man of James 1:8. wander – Again, the picture is of a path, which the careless or thoughtless can stray from. v. 11 word – 'imrah (Heb.) utterance or speech; i.e. the active and living communication of God. 'imrah is a favorite of the poet; he uses it a total of 19 times in this psalm. That I might not sin against You – live a life that does not offend God's character v. 13 With my lips I have declared – There is a proper spiritual movement from learning to speaking or teaching. All the judgments of Your mouth – All the decisions that God pronounces. v. 14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies – Note again the conjunction of "way" and "testimony" (yet another synonym for the Word of God). v. 15 meditate – talk (also to oneself) contemplate – focus on v. 17 keep Your word – observe Your Word v. 18 Open – galah (Heb.) also means to discover wondrous things – marvelous truths v. 19 I am a stranger in the earth – The Bible teaches that the believer is a sojourner, a "resident alien" in the world, living a transient life, exposed to dangers and discrimination. Do not hide Your commandments from me – Only God's instruction can guide us safely through such an obstacle course. v. 21 You rebuke the proud–The cursed, who stray from Your commandments – God speaks out against the arrogant, those who wander from the path of His instruction for life. v. 22 Remove from me reproach and contempt – the contempt of the arrogant pictured in the previous verse v. 23 Princes also sit and speak against me – Ps. 1:1 v. 24 my delight – my enjoyment my counselors – men of my counsel (Heb.) v. 25 soul – nephesh (Heb.) innermost being clings to the dust – faced with death revive me – give me new life v. 26 I have declared – retold or recounted v. 27 Your precepts – Your "decrees" v. 28 heaviness – anguished grief or sorrow; the image is of wax melting before a flame v. 29 the way of lying – the other path; the way of deception and falsehood, of appearance rather than reality and grant me Your law graciously – Better translated, "Through Your instruction give me grace." v. 30 I have chosen the way of truth – in contrast to the "way of lying" from the previous verse Your judgments I have laid before me – Through a conscious decision the psalmist has set his mind upon God's Word. v. 32 course – derek (Heb.) way or path for You shall enlarge my heart – give me true understanding v. 33 Teach me – Hebrew verse, like most other poetry, uses sound patterns to connect ideas and statements together. Associations are formed in the brain when words and phrases sound like previously used terms. (This is why poetry, like music, really needs to be heard.) The Hebrew form of the verb that begins this verse ("teach") is horeni; it sounds like the word for "law/instruction" (torah); so the connotation is: "teach me / ‘instruct' me in the way of your statutes." I shall keep it to the end – probably in the sense of "certainly keep it" v. 34 understanding – biyn (Heb.) prudent discernment I shall observe it with my whole heart – Wholeheartedness is the mark of a person whose attention is focused upon knowing and obeying God. v. 35 Make me walk – "Walk" is the verbal form of derek ("way" or "path"). "Walk me on the path" would be a more exact translation. Admittedly, this sounds a little strange in English, but we do have expressions such as: "Please walk me through the process step-by-step." v. 36 Incline my heart – "turn" or "bend" my heart in the right direction; the inner work of the Holy Spirit in His battle against our flesh (Gal. 5:17) covetousness – a preoccupation with selfish personal gain or profit v. 37 Worthless things – shawv (Heb.) worthless content, emptiness revive me – give me new energy v. 39 reproach – public dishonor and disgrace v. 40 Behold – The second half of this verse again articulates the poet's desire for a fresh input of God's energy into his life; hence re-vival and re-vive v. 41 mercies – Note the plural form; the word refers to specific and multiple acts of kindness on God's part. Note also the parallelism between "mercies" and "salvation." v. 42 him who reproaches me – Or, the enemy who taunts me. This verse has the tone of appealing to God for help against specific foes. v. 43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth – Utterly probably means "in any way" or "to any degree." v. 45 And I will walk at liberty – literally, "I will walk in a wide-open place"; in freedom and security (see Ps. 118:5-6 study notes) v. 46 kings – those at the top of the social and power hierarchy v. 48 My hands also I will lift up – In a posture of prayer; traditionally, prayer was done standing with raised arms. v. 49 Remember the word to Your servant – the specific promises and covenant commitments God has made to His people in general and the psalmist in particular v. 50 Your word has given me life – this is the united testimony of all of God's people through the ages v. 51 The proud – In Hebrew thinking, those who do not follow God's commandments and go their own way are the "proud." v. 53 Indignation – The translation tones down the original Hebrew considerably: "burning rage" is a better choice. v. 54 Your statutes have been my songs – The Word of God, sung by His people. In the house of my pilgrimage – the biblical view is that our physical bodies are "dwellings" or "tents" on our journey through life and beyond (2 Cor. 5:1; 2 Peter 1:13) v. 56 This – The Name of God from v. 55. We "take possession" of our relationship to God and our spiritual heritage by faith. v. 57 portion – share or inheritance v. 58 I entreated Your favor with my whole heart – "My" is lacking in Hebrew; better translated, "with a whole (i.e. undivided) heart. v. 61 The cords of the wicked – as a prisoner bound with ropes v. 63 companion – chaver (Heb.) friend
"Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart!" –Psalm 119:2 We pray today, Lord, that You would give us a thirst for Your Word, and that You would reveal Yourself to us through the verses we read there. Thank You, Lord, for making Yourself knowable through the Bible and for the grace and mercy we see in its pages.
Chapel Missions India We sponsor an HIV+ boy whose name is Prashanth and my daughter decided to nickname him "Precious." When my family lifts up Precious to the Lord, I feel that he is truly one of my children. Prayer Points please lift up the family finances of those who already sponsor, that they would be able to continue with their support for the many children and families with AIDS that still need sponsorship, that the Lord would provide for their needs