January 1, 2017
“Blessed” (Happy, fulfilled, completely satisfied) is the one who doesn’t follow the counsel and way of the world, but instead finds direction from God’s Word. The person who follows the “law of the Lord,” which is the Word of God, follows a narrow path that few find, yet is available to all who would delight in it. This blessed life is marked by meditating on the Word, moving it from the head to the heart through reading, studying and internalizing it day and night. This life is like a “tree planted by streams of water,” drawing on the life from the Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ, who is revealed by the written Word.
How will you begin this new year 2017? Whose counsel will you follow?
December 19, 2016
The psalmist David expressed his confidence that the Lord would “fulfill His purpose” for him. He did not ask God to bring to pass his own plans, but that God would “fulfill” what He planned for David’s life. He prayed, “God use me for the express purpose for which You made me!” This can be our prayer too. We can join David in praying, “Lord, fulfill Your purpose for me.”
November 30, 2016
Our communication with God is to be two-way: We talk to Him in prayer and He speaks to us through His Word. Daily prayer and Bible reading is a believer’s lifeline to the Father. Are you facing a difficult decision? Are you in need of encouragement or advice? Go to the Father. Make known your requests. Read His Word. Pray “Lord, give me understanding according to Your Word.” Let the Spirit speak into your situation. Listen. He has spoken. He still speaks.
October 15, 2016
Do you need to be revitalized? Has life lost its joy? When no amount of rest and relaxation seems to revive you. When recreation does not distract you from a dull discouragement. Where will you turn? The Psalmist tells us to turn to the Lord, to ask Him for life and joy!
October 6, 2016
The Psalmist called his generation not to neglect telling the next generation of the “glorious deeds of the Lord.” Certainly, this call is in obedience to God’s Word, which commanded parents to teach their children of Him (Deut. 6:7). Yet, I am convinced that we must also tell them not only what God has done in the past, but also what He has done in our own lives in the present. Tell your children the whole of God’s Word and especially do not “hide” the part of how Jesus Christ saved a sinner like you.
September 25, 2016
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Psalm 96:1-10
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evangelism
In the 96th Psalm, the Psalmist wrote that the nation of Israel should worship and bear witness to the glory of God so that all the earth would join in. The mission of that nation was to let their worship of God be a witness among the nations. We too can be missional through our worship and witness.
September 19, 2016
David wrote that God’s love for us is “better than life.” Not his love for God, but God’s love for him. Knowledge of God’s love brought praise to his lips. God’s love has been most clearly revealed in Jesus. For as the apostle John wrote, “This is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). God’s love as expressed in Jesus should be the motive for our worship.
September 15, 2016
David loved to write and sing praises to the Lord. Can you think of a better reason to sing? Get your praise on today and watch your worries slip away. Let God be your fortress and strength. For He loves you with a “steadfast love.”
September 12, 2016
More than a motto on our money, this is a declaration of faith. Trust in God above all others. Written by the one who slew Goliath, it is not hyperbole, but a tested conclusion, i.e. “since God is greater than man (even giant ones), I will not fear man, because I trust in God.” Wherever there is fear, especially fear of man, there is lack of faith.
September 11, 2016
On this 15th anniversary of 911, it is good to be reminded that God hears our heartfelt prayers. This Davidic psalm speaks of the spiritual discipline of praying three times a day. Just as we eat three meals a day to sustain our bodies with bread, so we should commune with the Bread of Life in prayer to feed our souls. David started with “evening” prayers because the Jewish day began at sunset. He arose at daybreak to morning prayers and paused at noon for midday prayers. Prayer times marked his days more than meal times. Do you have a spiritual discipline of daily prayer times?