Have you ever spent an entire night before and examination studying in the hopes that you can earn a passing grade? I never found cramming to be an effective way of learning. The rapid review of facts may give and illusion of comprehension but there will be no knowledge. “Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not. Do you not fear me? declares the LORD. Do you not tremble before me? I placed the sand as the boundary for the sea, a perpetual barrier that it cannot pass; though the waves toss, they cannot prevail; though they roar, they cannot pass over it. But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart; they have turned aside and gone away. They do not say in their hearts, ‘Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives the rain in its season, the autumn rain and the spring rain, and keeps for us the weeks appointed for the harvest.’”Jeremiah 5:21-24 Continue Reading…
Turn, walk, and love the fear of God: Jeremiah 5 and 6
A virtuous call to love God and those around us: Proverbs 31
What does Proverbs 31 mean to us today? Does the text only apply to women? What if your not married? It is easy and quite common to say that verses 10 through 31 are an exhortation for women depicting how they should live their lives. However, I believe that the scripture is profitable for everyone in every circumstance they find themselves in. Even through proverbs 31 speak of a woman’s conduct I believe that there is a call for everyone to live a virtuous life seeking God within the text. If we all seek to diligently follow God we will exemplify these virtues described in Proverbs 31. Continue Reading…
Are you identified by God’s desires at work in you: Psalm 99
Do you delight in God? Has your relationship with God deepened as you learned to trust Him every moment of every day. The time that we spend meditating on the truths of Scripture will not return void in our lives. As we see how God worked throughout the Bible we will learn who He is by His actions displayed faithfully throughout time. In Psalm 99 the psalmist celebrates God’s desires justice. “The strength of the King loves justice; You have established equity; You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob. Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His footstool; Holy is He.” Psalm 99:4,5 As you have grown to love and follow God has your heart become burdened by the things that burden Him? Do you desire justice as He does? As you look throughout scripture it is evident that God desires and loves justice. His disciple will be marked by His desires. Are you identified by His desires at work in you? Do you desire justice? Continue Reading…
Embrace the life changing word of God: Psalm 86
Is perseverance a premeditation that must be resolutely fixed in our minds before encountering any situation of tribulation where perseverance must be wielded? Our relationship with God is critically important to our outlook on life, our perception of our abilities and our expression of compassion and love towards one another. What happens as we consistently turn to God for our nourishment and hope by meditating upon His Word? “Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to hear Your name.” Psalm 86:11 As we continually seek out God and open our heart, mind, soul and strength to His teaching in scripture we will wholeheartedly learn that God is truly to deliver us. ”In the day of my trouble I shall call upon You, for You will answer me.” Psalm 86:7 Continue Reading…
Lesson from the life of a toddler and the joy of a puppy: Psalm 28
I love the lessons that we learn from babies. Their nature is completely raw and laid bare as they express their feelings. How often does a toddler require assurance that they are safe? I have often observed young children happily playing only to suddenly express worry and cry out looking for their parents. The child is longing for the assurance that they are safe and that help is readily available. This same need for assurance can be seen in the behavior of a newborn puppy who is eagerly playing one moment and in an instant they are looking about them making sure that their owner is at hand. There is an inherent need found with in all of creation for security, rest and peace. As we grow up we continue to seek out assurance that we are safe. Many times the item we seek out for assurance becomes an idol that doesn’t truly give any lasting security, rest or peace. Continue Reading…
Weathering a stormy moment of crisis: Psalm 11
A moment of crisis and indecision is before you. The decision you make effects your family and friends. In your mind one way will bring hope for tomorrow and the other brings ruin and despair but you cannot know with any certainty what to do. Sleepless nights, futile advice from friends and self-help books offer no respite. What do you do in this moment?
In Psalm 11 David is faced with tribulation in a moment of crisis. What did he do? His refuge that offered lasting help and hope was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. How do we find refuge in the seemingly untangle God? How did David hope in God? Continue Reading…
The incontrovertible necessity for daily renewal with God: Psalm 5
Do you truly believe that God is your King? When David states, “Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, for to You do I pray.” in Psalms 5:1 what is he thinking about God? The king of Israel was stating that God was the king of his life. How can we presume to live our lives without God when a powerful and mighty man is running to God for his help and strength. Do you believe that your wisdom and intelligence are great enough to carry you through this life without God? We will never have joy if we do not run to God. It is counterintuitive to seek out our help from God but He is the only source of that lasting joy and hope that our deepest desire craves.
There was a point in my life when I regarded a daily time in God’s Word as a secondary part of my routine that I would seek out only after my desires were met. I was wrong. After many months of consistent time seeking out God in the Old Testament I can affirm the absolute necessity for every believer to take time each day to meditate on the truths of God. The relationship with God that is kindled from your daily time in the Word will remind you of who God is and his amazing nature. When your perspective is grounded daily on God you will find strength to endure every moment. Continue Reading…
Delightful nourishment found in God alone: Psalm 1
Where is delight found? How are we to live in the midst of this sinful world as followers of Jesus Christ? Psalms 1 offers truths all believers need to understand. These six verses contrasts the lives of believers and sinners. What truths are gleaned from this Psalm? Don’t follow the advice of the sinners who tout their wisdom as greater than the wisdom of God. Don’t dwell and abide with sinners because their ways will become your ways. Find your delight in God alone by dwelling unceasingly on the things of God. Why should we care or even desire to meditate on the things of God? Continue Reading…
A covenant with my heart, mind, soul, and strength: Job 31 and 32
“I have made a covenant with my eyes; How then could I gaze at a virgin?” Job 31:1 What is Job saying? What is the impact of this statement? Is the chapter talking only about sexual lust? Can we withstand temptation if we have not set our hearts first to follow only the things of God? When Job says that he has made a covenant with his eyes to not look with lust upon a virgin, he has set himself toward looking away from what his eyes inherently want to lust after. In the same way today we need to set our heart, mind, soul and strength on the things of God long before we wade through our daily routine. Hope in the moment of temptation will be found when you find yourself desiring God above the lustful things of this world. Continue Reading…
Joy returns when God is placed first: Nehemiah 11 and 12
What is happening in Nehemiah 11 and 12? You are faced with many names again which may make you want to tune out the details of the text. What is happening in the story of Israel? “And they offered great sacrifices that and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with a great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.” Nehemiah 12:43 ESV Why are details given about the priests and Levites? Why was there such joy in Jerusalem? Why list the priests and Levites who returned with Zerubbabel? Continue Reading…
