Psalm 119: 64-96
Lord, In this section I see there are actually four things David has in his song prayer.
My condition: Here he explains to You what he is going through, (As if you didn't know already). He is not afraid to fill you in on what's going on in his life.
.
Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.
Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies
Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.
And that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
My eyes fail, looking for your promise; I say, "When will you comfort me?"
Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke, NIV
I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke NLT
How long must your servant wait?
The arrogant dig pits to trap me, contrary to your law.
For I am being persecuted without cause.
They almost wiped me from the earth,
The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
My Praise: Even in his trials, He praises You and Your work and word. May I remember to do so as well!
You are good, and what you do is good;
The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
Your hands made me and formed me;
I know, LORD, that your laws are righteous,
All your commands are trustworthy;
Your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.
Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.
If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
To all perfection I see a limit, but your commands are boundless.
My Pleas: Here, David pleads with You for what he needs.
Do good to your servant according to your word, LORD.
Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
Teach me your decrees.
Give me understanding to learn your commands.
May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.
Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes.
May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees, that I may not be put to shame.
When will you punish my persecutors?
Help me,
In your unfailing love preserve my life,
Save me, for I am Yours;
My Part: This is what he is doing and what I must do as well.
For I trust Your commands.
But now I obey Your word.
I keep Your precepts with all my heart.
But I delight in Your law.
For I have put my hope in Your word.
For Your law is my delight.
But I will meditate on Your precepts.
But I have put my hope in Your word.
I do not forget Your decrees.
But I have not forsaken Your precepts.
I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have preserved my life.
I have sought out Your precepts.
That I may obey the statutes of Your mouth.
But I will ponder Your statutes.
Lord, keep me faithful in following You. I would expect You to keep Your promises to me as You cannot lie or change. I must confess that most of the time I am more willing to do the first three of these segments than the fourth. Lord, forgive Your servant. Restore a fire to read, memorize, live out, and trust Your laws, statutes, commands, decrees, and precepts so they may guide my heart, mind, actions, and mouth!
Saturday, August 17, 2013
More Lessons from a Mustard Seed
Matthew 17:20
I planted some mustard seeds because I wanted to see why the Lord chose that out of all of the seeds he had created. I grew up on a farm and have planted thousands of seeds. All of the seed packets it said that it would take seven to ten days to for the seeds to germinate let alone show above the ground.
The seeds I planted on a Sunday were an inch above the ground by Tuesday! God showed me that the smallest faith, when "planted" in the fertile soil of a soul, kept watered with the Word, and kept in the "Son"shine will grow quickly.
The seeds I planted in the large pot at home grew to be about a foot tall, were robust and even flowered. The pot was out in the yard where it was in the elements. We had some hard downpours of rain and big wind storms this summer. The plants took a bit of a beating, but thrived.
We were to have a major storm so I brought the pot up to the house and placed it just outside the front wall of our screened in porch under the eves troth for protection. It survived the storm, but in 2 days most of the leaves had been stripped off by worms.
I may be wrong, but I believe God showed me that trials are good for us and keep our faith strong and healthy, even though we get a bit beaten up while they are being endured. But if we are placed, or keep ourselves placed, in a "safe" place; the little worms of doubt, disappointment, fear, bitterness, etc. can eat away at that faith and eventually kill it altogether.
I planted some mustard seeds because I wanted to see why the Lord chose that out of all of the seeds he had created. I grew up on a farm and have planted thousands of seeds. All of the seed packets it said that it would take seven to ten days to for the seeds to germinate let alone show above the ground.
The seeds I planted on a Sunday were an inch above the ground by Tuesday! God showed me that the smallest faith, when "planted" in the fertile soil of a soul, kept watered with the Word, and kept in the "Son"shine will grow quickly.
The seeds I planted in the large pot at home grew to be about a foot tall, were robust and even flowered. The pot was out in the yard where it was in the elements. We had some hard downpours of rain and big wind storms this summer. The plants took a bit of a beating, but thrived.
We were to have a major storm so I brought the pot up to the house and placed it just outside the front wall of our screened in porch under the eves troth for protection. It survived the storm, but in 2 days most of the leaves had been stripped off by worms.
I may be wrong, but I believe God showed me that trials are good for us and keep our faith strong and healthy, even though we get a bit beaten up while they are being endured. But if we are placed, or keep ourselves placed, in a "safe" place; the little worms of doubt, disappointment, fear, bitterness, etc. can eat away at that faith and eventually kill it altogether.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Psalm 119 My Peas- My Part Part 4
Psalm 119: 49-64
My Pleas:
Remember Your word to Your servany
You have given me hope
My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise renews my life
You are my portion
Lord be graciuos to me according to Your promise
The earth is full of Your love, O Lord
Teach me Your decrees
My Part:
I do not turn from Your law
I remember Your ancient laws, O Lord
I find comfort in them
Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge
In the night I remember Your name, O Lord
I will keep Your law
I have promised to obey Your words
I have sought Your face with all my heart
I have considered Your ways
I have turned my steps to Your statutes
I will hasten and not delay to obey Your commands
Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget Your law
At midnight I rise to give thanks for Your righteous laws
I am a friend to all who fear You, to all who follow Your precepts
Precious Lord, You have given me HOPE! It is one of the things You gave me at salvation, the moment I believed. You gave me so much: the Holy Spirit to lead me into ALL truth, forgiveness, grace, mercy, a new heart, ears, eyes, prospective on life and death...and HOPE! All I had before then was optimism, which can be false leading. I have hope that I can live a life that would glorify You and bless others, hope that I will not die when this body expires, but will live eternally in Your presence with all others who are Family. I have hope that I can believe Your promises.
Lord, the earth is filled with Your love. If we just look at mankind and how animals treat each other, we would have to wonder if that were true. David says: "Though the wicked bind me with ropes", and says that "indignation grips him because of the wicked who have forsaken Your law". However; when I look at all You have given us to enjoy, Your creation, sunrises, sunsets in glorious vibrant colors, the variations of plants and animals, and food...Your love is abundant. You did not have to do any of this for us; but You did! You have even given Dick and me "Crazy Eddy" the squirrel as a companion in the yard!
You know we are but dust and have feet of clay. But You saw fit to give us salvation and the Holy Spirit, hope of heaven, and a way to remain faithful in confession and repentance! What precious gifts that cost You so very much! How can I ever thank You enough?
My Pleas:
Remember Your word to Your servany
You have given me hope
My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise renews my life
You are my portion
Lord be graciuos to me according to Your promise
The earth is full of Your love, O Lord
Teach me Your decrees
My Part:
I do not turn from Your law
I remember Your ancient laws, O Lord
I find comfort in them
Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge
In the night I remember Your name, O Lord
I will keep Your law
I have promised to obey Your words
I have sought Your face with all my heart
I have considered Your ways
I have turned my steps to Your statutes
I will hasten and not delay to obey Your commands
Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget Your law
At midnight I rise to give thanks for Your righteous laws
I am a friend to all who fear You, to all who follow Your precepts
Precious Lord, You have given me HOPE! It is one of the things You gave me at salvation, the moment I believed. You gave me so much: the Holy Spirit to lead me into ALL truth, forgiveness, grace, mercy, a new heart, ears, eyes, prospective on life and death...and HOPE! All I had before then was optimism, which can be false leading. I have hope that I can live a life that would glorify You and bless others, hope that I will not die when this body expires, but will live eternally in Your presence with all others who are Family. I have hope that I can believe Your promises.
Lord, the earth is filled with Your love. If we just look at mankind and how animals treat each other, we would have to wonder if that were true. David says: "Though the wicked bind me with ropes", and says that "indignation grips him because of the wicked who have forsaken Your law". However; when I look at all You have given us to enjoy, Your creation, sunrises, sunsets in glorious vibrant colors, the variations of plants and animals, and food...Your love is abundant. You did not have to do any of this for us; but You did! You have even given Dick and me "Crazy Eddy" the squirrel as a companion in the yard!
You know we are but dust and have feet of clay. But You saw fit to give us salvation and the Holy Spirit, hope of heaven, and a way to remain faithful in confession and repentance! What precious gifts that cost You so very much! How can I ever thank You enough?
Saturday, August 3, 2013
For His Name Sake
Romans 1:5 "Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done
for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his
name."NLT
"Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name's sake." NIV
"through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations," ESV
O, Lord! I am so very blessed that You gave the Apostles the privilege and authority to tell Gentiles what You have done for them! Where would I be if You had not? You could have died for the sins of the Jews only, as they were and are Your chosen people. But You died for us ALL...Jew and Gentile alike! 99.8% of all of the Christians I have met were Gentiles! My Lord, and my God! How can we Gentiles ever thank You enough for our so great salvation? May we never get an "entitlement" attitude, Lord, but instead never lose the wonder and gratitude of Your inclusion of us in Your plan for Your name sake!
"Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name's sake." NIV
"through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations," ESV
O, Lord! I am so very blessed that You gave the Apostles the privilege and authority to tell Gentiles what You have done for them! Where would I be if You had not? You could have died for the sins of the Jews only, as they were and are Your chosen people. But You died for us ALL...Jew and Gentile alike! 99.8% of all of the Christians I have met were Gentiles! My Lord, and my God! How can we Gentiles ever thank You enough for our so great salvation? May we never get an "entitlement" attitude, Lord, but instead never lose the wonder and gratitude of Your inclusion of us in Your plan for Your name sake!
Psalm 119: My Pleas- My Part Part 3
Psalm 119: 41-48
My Pleas:
May Your unfailing love come to me, O Lord
Your salvation according to Your promise
Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth
My Part:
Then I will answer the one who taunts me (the world)
I trust in Your word
I have put my hope in Your laws
I will always obey Your law for ever and ever
I will walk about in freedom
I have sought out Your precepts
I will speak of Your statutes before kings
I will not be put to shame
I delight in Your commandments because I love them
I reach out my hands to Your commandments which I love
I meditate on Your decrees
Dearest Lord, a few of David's phrases jump out at me today: walking in freedom does not mean doing as I please. It means being free in my soul because of Your salvation and Your word that I have hidden in my heart. These things are what give me hope no matter where I am and no matter what is happening to me.
I would at this time have to change something he said. He said, "I will always obey Your law for ever and ever". I know me! I would have to say that "I want to", or "I wish I would" obey Your law for ever and ever".
However; in reality it is a choice I make on a moment to moment basis whether to obey all of Your commandments or disobey them, isn't it? I stand convicted! Please forgive Your servant for my disobedience and disregard for your commandments at times.
The world and our culture taunts those of us who walk with You by Your word. It is ONLY because of my salvation and You lifting the blindness from my eyes and heart that I am different and free. Thank You for Your undeserved grace and marvelous mercy! There may come a time sooner than I think when all of us Christ Followers will have to speak of Your statutes before kings. At that time give us the word to say as You did for Paul as he spoke before King Agrippa, so they do not hear us, but You, Lord! May we be bold not fearful, even if it means the end of our earthly time here that You will be glorified!!!
My Pleas:
May Your unfailing love come to me, O Lord
Your salvation according to Your promise
Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth
My Part:
Then I will answer the one who taunts me (the world)
I trust in Your word
I have put my hope in Your laws
I will always obey Your law for ever and ever
I will walk about in freedom
I have sought out Your precepts
I will speak of Your statutes before kings
I will not be put to shame
I delight in Your commandments because I love them
I reach out my hands to Your commandments which I love
I meditate on Your decrees
Dearest Lord, a few of David's phrases jump out at me today: walking in freedom does not mean doing as I please. It means being free in my soul because of Your salvation and Your word that I have hidden in my heart. These things are what give me hope no matter where I am and no matter what is happening to me.
I would at this time have to change something he said. He said, "I will always obey Your law for ever and ever". I know me! I would have to say that "I want to", or "I wish I would" obey Your law for ever and ever".
However; in reality it is a choice I make on a moment to moment basis whether to obey all of Your commandments or disobey them, isn't it? I stand convicted! Please forgive Your servant for my disobedience and disregard for your commandments at times.
The world and our culture taunts those of us who walk with You by Your word. It is ONLY because of my salvation and You lifting the blindness from my eyes and heart that I am different and free. Thank You for Your undeserved grace and marvelous mercy! There may come a time sooner than I think when all of us Christ Followers will have to speak of Your statutes before kings. At that time give us the word to say as You did for Paul as he spoke before King Agrippa, so they do not hear us, but You, Lord! May we be bold not fearful, even if it means the end of our earthly time here that You will be glorified!!!
Psalm 119: My Pleas- My Part Part 2
Psalm 119: 25-48
My Pleas:
Renew my life accoprding to Your word
Teach me Your decrees
Let me understand the teaching of Your precepts
Strengthen me according to Your word
Keep me from deceiptful ways
Be graciuos to me through Your law
Do not let me be put to shame
Teach me to follow Your decrees
Give me understanding
Direct me in the paths of Your commands
Turn my heart toward Your statutes and not for selfish gain
Turn my eyes away fom worthless things
Renew my life according to Your word
Fulfill Your promise to Your servantr so that You may be feared
Take away the disgrace I dread
Renew my life in Your righteousness
My Part:
I recounted Your ways and You answered me
I will meditate on Your wonders
I have chosen the way of truth
I have set my heart on Your laws
I hold fast to Your statutes, O Lord
I run in the paths of Your commands
I will follow Your decrees
I will keep them to the end
I will obey them with all my heart
Sweet Lord, I cannot love , meditate on, and obey what I do not know. It is only be spending time with You and Your word that You can teach, lead, strengthen, guide, and renew me! Help me to meet with You EVERY day, undistracted in Your throne room!
Lord, You have been so gracious to us in the wonderful sweet brothers and sisters You have given us here. Needs have been met before we ever knew they would be there. Thank You for ALL of our provisions and for providing our needs...not just for material things, but the sweet fellowship and prayers of other believers.
My Pleas:
Renew my life accoprding to Your word
Teach me Your decrees
Let me understand the teaching of Your precepts
Strengthen me according to Your word
Keep me from deceiptful ways
Be graciuos to me through Your law
Do not let me be put to shame
Teach me to follow Your decrees
Give me understanding
Direct me in the paths of Your commands
Turn my heart toward Your statutes and not for selfish gain
Turn my eyes away fom worthless things
Renew my life according to Your word
Fulfill Your promise to Your servantr so that You may be feared
Take away the disgrace I dread
Renew my life in Your righteousness
My Part:
I recounted Your ways and You answered me
I will meditate on Your wonders
I have chosen the way of truth
I have set my heart on Your laws
I hold fast to Your statutes, O Lord
I run in the paths of Your commands
I will follow Your decrees
I will keep them to the end
I will obey them with all my heart
Sweet Lord, I cannot love , meditate on, and obey what I do not know. It is only be spending time with You and Your word that You can teach, lead, strengthen, guide, and renew me! Help me to meet with You EVERY day, undistracted in Your throne room!
Lord, You have been so gracious to us in the wonderful sweet brothers and sisters You have given us here. Needs have been met before we ever knew they would be there. Thank You for ALL of our provisions and for providing our needs...not just for material things, but the sweet fellowship and prayers of other believers.
Psalm 119: My Pleas- My Part Part 1
Psalm 119:7-24
My Pleas:
Don't let me stray from Your commands
Teach me (through the Holy Spirit)
Do not forsake me (You have promised)
Do good to Your servant, and I will live
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law
Do not hide Your commandments from me
Remove from me scorn and contempt
My Part:
I will praise You with an upright heart
I will obey Your decrees
I will live according to Your word
I will hide Your word in my heart that I may not sin against You
I will recount all the laws that come from Your mouth
I will obey Your word
My soul is consumed with longing for Your laws at all times (Not usually)
For I keep Your statutes (I try most of the time)
Your servant will meditate on Your decrees
Your statutes are my delight, they are my counselors (delight, Lord? I probably cannot say that either)
Lord, of course I want You to fulfill my pleas, but You know "my part" has not been true enough and You know I need help. Dearest Lord, thank You for Your grace. When I was first saved all of this "My Part" was true. I could not get enough of Your word. I thought about it all the time and woke up thinking about it, Lord, I need You to restore me to the joy of my salvation and revive me! Don't let me stray but convict me of unconfessed sin so I may confess and repent. Restore our fellowship to that beautiful, wonderful state of completeness!
My Pleas:
Don't let me stray from Your commands
Teach me (through the Holy Spirit)
Do not forsake me (You have promised)
Do good to Your servant, and I will live
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law
Do not hide Your commandments from me
Remove from me scorn and contempt
My Part:
I will praise You with an upright heart
I will obey Your decrees
I will live according to Your word
I will hide Your word in my heart that I may not sin against You
I will recount all the laws that come from Your mouth
I will obey Your word
My soul is consumed with longing for Your laws at all times (Not usually)
For I keep Your statutes (I try most of the time)
Your servant will meditate on Your decrees
Your statutes are my delight, they are my counselors (delight, Lord? I probably cannot say that either)
Lord, of course I want You to fulfill my pleas, but You know "my part" has not been true enough and You know I need help. Dearest Lord, thank You for Your grace. When I was first saved all of this "My Part" was true. I could not get enough of Your word. I thought about it all the time and woke up thinking about it, Lord, I need You to restore me to the joy of my salvation and revive me! Don't let me stray but convict me of unconfessed sin so I may confess and repent. Restore our fellowship to that beautiful, wonderful state of completeness!
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