Tag: Meditate

That I may live and keep your word.

Psalms 119:17  Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.  Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.  I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me!  My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times.  You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments.  Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I have kept your testimonies.  Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.  Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.

Isaiah 29:10-12     For the LORD has poured out upon you a spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes (the prophets), and covered your heads (the seers).  And the vision of all this has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed. When men give it to one who can read, saying, “Read this,” he says, “I cannot, for it is sealed.”  And when they give the book to one who cannot read, saying, “Read this,” he says, “I cannot read.”

Isaiah 29:18     In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.

Isaiah 32:3     Then the eyes of those who see will not be closed, and the ears of those who hear will give attention.

Isaiah 35:5     Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

Matthew 13:13     This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.

Matthew 16:17    And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

John 9:39     Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.”

Acts 26:18    to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

2 Corinthians 3:14-18     But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away.  Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts.  But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

Ephesians 1:17-18     that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,  having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

This is true  a love of God not desiccated by study but refreshed, informed and nourished by it.”

The Psalmist didn’t need new revelation; he needed to see the revelation that was already given. He didn’t need new eyes; he needed to see with the eyes he already had.

“In order to keep God’s word, must we not pray to understand it? What then is this prayer? Not – give me a plainer Bible – but open my eyes to know my Bible. Not – show me some new revelations beside the law – but make me behold the wonders of the law.” (Bridges)

There are wondrous things in Scripture; but they can only be seen when the eyes are opened by God.

It also means that not everyone sees the wondrous things in God’s word, but that when one does see them, they should regard it as evidence of God’s blessing and favor.

God has given man a sense of wonder, and there are certain things that prompt it. The new and unexpected can cause wonder; the beautiful and great and cause wonder, and the mysterious and unknown can cause wonder. We can say that God has provided for this sense of wonder by giving us His word. The Holy Spirit can make us alive to the Bible, and constantly see things that are new and unexpected; things that are great and beautiful; things that are mysterious and unknown. It is a shame to many Christians that they look for their sense of wonderful to be satisfied without looking to the Word of God.

Think of all there is in the Bible that you don’t see. Think of all the wonder, all the treasure that is there, but you don’t see it. You can see such things, though you can’t see everything, and sometimes you will think you see things that are not really there. Yet those who see more than you are not necessarily smarter or better; their eyes are just more open.

“If we want to see wonderful things in the Scriptures, it is not enough for us merely to ask God to open our eyes that we might see them. We must also study the Bible carefully. The Holy Spirit is given not to make our study unnecessary but to make it effective.” (Boice)

A father’s instruction

“For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his paths.”

Psalms 119:9  How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.  With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!  I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.  Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes!  With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth.  In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.  I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.  I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

Proverbs 1:10   My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.

Proverbs 4:1     Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight,

Proverbs 4:10-17    Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many.  I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness.  When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble.  Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.  Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil.  Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on.

Proverbs 5:7     And now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth.

Proverbs 6:20-35   My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching.  Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck.  When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.  For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,

Ecclesiastes 11:9-10     Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

Ecclesiastes 12:1   Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;

Joshua 1:7     Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.

John 15:3     Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.

2 Timothy 3:15-17     and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

There is much we do when we are young men and women that as we grow older make us somewhat ashamed at now.  The thoughts we had, actions we took, and things we did were influenced by our own sinful desires or that of others.  Sometimes we got away with it and other times not so fortunate, at least that is what we were thinking.

I have seen young men and women who have never leave this type of life.  They never learn from it, but rather, grab hold and then continually try to justify what they are doing well into their mid to later adult life.  I wonder how many times they rejected wisdom, teaching, knowledge and instruction on a different path for their life.  Yet they choose to continue.

“For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD.“

“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak“

I have seen others who can never forgive themselves for what they have done.

 They know the thoughts that led them into the action they took and only a few years later, when knowledge and wisdom and instruction started to break through their heart, they see very clearly how selfish, mean, prideful, conceded, rude, and destructive they were.

This is where the gospel of Jesus Christ is so meaningful.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him“

“Your sins are forgiven.”

“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”

“Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.’ And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.”

“By faith you are saved, not by works, lest any man should boast“

God removes our sins from us “as far as the east is from the west”

There is a forgiveness from God, through Jesus Christ, that cleanses our heart, mind, and soul.  Satan will tell you this is not so.  He will tell you you are not good enough. He will lie to you and say your sin is far to great and God will not forgive you.  He will bring up past sins and tell you over and over again you are worthless and not forgiven.  Yet God says:

“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.“

Do not continue to walk in the ways of your youth.  Run to God, who is the author and finisher of life and able to completely forgive us.  Repent and ask for forgiveness of sin and know that HE HAS FORGIVEN YOU!  Believe it, cling to it, rely on it, and trust in it always.

Choose to follow this new path of light.  Continue to feed your heart, mind and soul with His word.  Learn to respect and reverence His perfect purpose and plan for your life.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

When the cares of my heart are many

Psalms 94:19  When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.

Psalms 43:2-5     For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you rejected me? Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?  Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling  Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.  Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

Psalms 61:2     from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,

Psalms 63:5-6     My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips  when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

Psalms 77:2-10    In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted.

When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah  You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.  I consider the days of old, the years long ago.  I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.” Then my spirit made a diligent search: “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable?  Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time?  Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah  Then I said, “I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”

Habakkuk 3:16-18    I hear, and my body trembles; my lips quiver at the sound; rottenness enters into my bones; my legs tremble beneath me. Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble to come upon people who invade us.  Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls,  yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

Romans 5:2-5     Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,  and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

2 Corinthians 1:4-5    who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

1 Peter 1:7-8     so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,

Life certainly throws curve balls at us when we least expect it.  There are times when all seems so right , good, peaceful, and in harmony.  There are times when it is not.  When you go through this valley there are not so good friends that come to join you.  Their names are uncertainty, soul deep heart ache, and chaos.  They are much like stinky fish.  Once you come into contact it just seems to cling to you.  They all seem to talk at once seemingly trying to out do the other.  Closing your eyes does not make them go away.  Going to a secluded room only makes them more active.  What is a person to do when these three show up and seek to bring their friends – despair, loneliness, hate, anger, and confusion all having super glue like attachment to the heart, soul, and mind.

God’s word proclaims promises, hope, refuge, strength, and power.  Keeping it in our heart, mind and soul has an effect even though these other intruders have taken residence.  Slowly the super glue bonds start to weaken and they leave.  They stand at the door trying to get in but there is something about God’s word that keeps these unfriendly guests at bay.  Even should they gain entrance, God is there and you are never alone with them.  Keep and hold His word tight.  Claim His promises of protection, steadfast presence, refuge, strength, power and love.

I will glorify You forever and ever

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”

“I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

Psalms 86:12  I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.

Psalms 103:1   Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,  who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,

Psalms 104:33     I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.

Psalms 145:1    I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.  Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.  Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.  One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.  On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

1 Chronicles 29:13     And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

Proverbs 3:5     Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Revelation 5:9     And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,  and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”  Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,  saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”  And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

1 Corinthians 6:20     for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Revelation 19:5     And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.”  Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.

Sometimes we get side tracked and don’t remember the blessings we have been given and are living with. When we forget there is no doubt that being thankful, grateful, singing praise, shouting for joy, commending His might acts of grace, mercy and love, are also left behind.  Look at David and his comments stating that “I will give thanks”, “I will bless you name”, “I will sing praise”, “Bless the Lord O my soul”, and then again where multitudes of angels, creatures, elders saying “worthy is the Lamb”.  We were bought with a great price for a single purpose, to bring us into fellowship with God where we would humbly serve, honor, glorify, follow and obey Him.  We would praise Him and with thankful hearts glorify Him with all we think, say and do.  Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me.  Blessed the Lord.

God is Great

“There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.”

Psalms 86:10  For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.

Psalms 77:14     You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.  You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph.

Psalms 145:3    Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.  One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.  On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

Exodus 15:11    “Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?

Daniel 6:26    I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end.  He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.”

Acts 2:19     And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;  the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.  And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’  “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—

Psalms 105:5    Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,

I will meditate on your majesty and wondrous works.  When I read this, two approaches to looking at and meditating on seem to happen.  The first is I start remembering various wonders that are recalled in scripture – creation, Noah’s ark, judgement – flood, Abraham and promises made and fulfilled to him, Joseph, Pharaoh, Moses, Splitting the Red Sea, water from a rock, numerous times of God intervening in battles when all seemed lost, numerous times God called out the sin of a nation and performed judgement on them, battle of Jericho, stopping of the  Jordan river, prophets, David and Goliath, manna, Jonna and the whale, John the baptist, Jesus and all of the miracles He performed, death and resurrection of Jesus, sending the Holy Spirit to indwell all who believe.  This list of what has been recorded can go on and on.  The second thing I start to remember is His wonders that I have seen in my life.  Saving me from an explosion, softening my heart and mind and bringing Dawn and I to a place where  we saw the absolute need for salvation, Saving us, guiding us, giving us 4 sons, giving us two daughter-in-laws, so far, blessing us through out our lives together, answering prayers, teaching us, correcting us, revealing to us, confirming to us, speaking to us and using us in ways that are through His leading, putting people into our lives, and making His promises alive in our heart and soul.  Behind all of these there are many more specifics and all are at the hand of God.  No life is wasted when it is placed in the hands of God.  Spend time today thinking of and meditating on His greatness, grace, mercy and love.

Be Strong and Courageous

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

Zechariah 8:9  Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Let your hands be strong, you who in these days have been hearing these words from the mouth of the prophets who were present on the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.

Joshua 1:6    Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.

1 Chronicles 22:13    Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the rules that the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed

1 Chronicles 28:20    Then David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.

Isaiah 35:4    Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”

Haggai 2:4   Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts,  according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not.

Ephesians 6:10    Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Being strong in the Lord requires us to have faith.  To not have Fear requires us to have faith. To be courageous requires us to have faith. Doing what the Lord would have us do requires us to rely in, cling to and trust in Him.  No matter what our circumstance is God is bigger.  No matter how big the problem is God is bigger.  No matter how tough the situation is God is mightier.  Our God reigns.  Think about what is in this verse from Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD,

Crying and burdened heart

Psalms 77:1   I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me.  In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted.  When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints.  You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.  I consider the days of old, the years long ago.  I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.” Then my spirit made a diligent search:  “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable?  Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time?  Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?”  Then I said, “I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”  I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.  I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.  Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?  You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.  You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph.  When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled.  The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side.   The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook.   Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

An aching and burdened heart lost in trials and troubles, seeking God.  You can hear their cry throughout this Psalm.  Searching for comfort that seems not to come.  You can sense the battle between what they know about God’s steadfast love and what they are feeling in the moment.  Focusing on God and not the issue is the answer but if you have ever been so low and felt so unworthy everything is out of focus.  It is a reminder also for each of us to be there for our brothers and sisters and help regain this presence / focus of God.  The old hymn as a verse “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full into His wonderful face, and the things of this world will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace”

No Time

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

“ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

“and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things,  so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places”

Psalms 63:1   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. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

Psalms 42:8    By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.

Psalms 77:4  You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.  I consider the days of old, the years long ago.  I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.” Then my spirit made a diligent search:

Psalms 119:55   I remember your name in the night, O LORD, and keep your law.

Psalms 139:17  How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!  If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.

Psalms 149:5   Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds.

Lamentations 2:19   “Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the night watches! Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord! Lift your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint for hunger at the head of every street.”

Psalms 31:19    Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!

Psalms 36:7   How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

To desire God is to long after Him with a want to know Him more. To know Him and long for Him is to be at the well of living water. To remember Him at night while laying on our bed brings rest to our soul. To meditate on Him in the night is to have hope for the morning. In the shadow of His wings there is absolute safety, peace, joy, hope and rest.  How many days go by where God is but a second thought if a thought at all?  How are we to find rest for our soul if we spend no time desiring/seeking the only one who is able to give true rest?  It is hard to find something that you are not looking for.  It is hard to walk by faith in the promises God speaks in and through His word you do know. It is hard to humbly serve, honor, follow and obey God when there is no time spent with Him.  It is hard to proclaim praise to God for something you give hardly a second thought. Neglecting God’s word has many detrimental affects – all of which seem to compound over time to a place where your heart, mind, and soul do not hear whispers of God. If your heart, mind, and soul are void of His word do you ever wonder what fills that void?  I can tell you – SELF, PRIDE, COMPLACENCY, WORRY, ANGER, ANXIOUSNESS, UN-REPENTANCE, SHORT TEMPER, LACK OF KINDNESS, LACK OF GIVING and SACRIFICIAL GIVING, UNCERTAINTY, UNFULFILLED, UNFORGIVING, NO PRAISE, NO DISCERNMENT, LACK OF DISCIPLE MAKING, UNABLE TO SEE THE LOST, UNABLE TO GIVE THE REASON FOR THE HOPE IN YOU, WEAK OR NO FAITH, and NO DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE COMPARED TO THOSE WHO ARE LOST.  God’s word does not magically fill your heart, mind and soul.  Nor does it find solid ground if it is only thought about once per week for an hour while at church.  Commit to place Him and His word first in your live each day.  Do not let the busyness of the life and what it has to offer over shadow and void your life of knowing God and humbly serving, honoring, following and obeying Him.

As a Deer Pants

“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!  If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.”

Psalms 119:62   At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules.

Matthew 6:33   But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Psalms 42:1  AS a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.

Psalms 119:147  I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words.  My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.

Psalms 63:1 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.  So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.

Psalms 63:6  when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;  for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

Psalms 84:2    My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.

Psalms 143:6  I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.   Answer me quickly, O LORD! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit.

Isaiah 26:8  In the path of your judgments, O LORD, we wait for you; your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul.  My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.

Psalms 130:6    my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.

Examine, Consider, Remember

“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves”

“if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard”

 

Psalms 4:4
Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.

Psalms 63:6
when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

Psalms 77:6
I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.” Then my spirit made a diligent search:

2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

Lamentations 3:40
Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD!

Ezekiel 18:28
Because he considered and turned away from all the transgressions that he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die.

Revelation 3:2-3
Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.  Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.

Revelation 2:5
Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

Haggai 1:7
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways.

Col ossians 1:21
And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard.

Consider your ways, ponder in your heart, meditate in your heart, examine your ways, remember, and WAKE UP, are all reminders in God’s word given to us.  Why are these reminders for us recorded?  It is so easy to get busy with life and things of family and work that soon our heart and mind are full, exhausted, and occupied.  How easy we forget Jesus Christ sacrifice freely given and the call on our lives to humbly serve, honor and glorify God.  Our lives are blessed when we walk with Him. Our lives are fuller when we not only meditate and consider our ways but when we do this in light of His word. We need His word in our lives daily.  Without it we have nothing but what the culture we live in and accepts as what is right and we do what seems “right in our own eyes”.  Purpose in your heart to read it, meditate on it, and consider your ways in light of it.