Monday, May 21, 2012

Psalm 119 ~ Week 16

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Ayin

121 Don’t leave me to the mercy of my enemies,
    for I have done what is just and right.

King David was a righteous king. He could look around and see clearly all the injustices. This is a plea for God to guard Him especially since he made the effort to be just and right.

Today we can see Jesus came for us and we can plea this because we are clothed in Christ, not because of what we have done but what He has done.
 
122 Please guarantee a blessing for me.
    Don’t let the arrogant oppress me!

David is looking for a sure promise. I liked how Spurgeon put it referring to this verse, "We should have been crushed beneath our proud adversary the devil if our Lord Jesus had not stood between us and the accuser, and become a surety for us. It is by his suretyship that we escape like a bird from the snare of the fowler. What a blessing to be able to leave our matters in our Surety's hands, knowing that all will be well, since he has an answer for every accuser, a rebuke for every reviler. "

123 My eyes strain to see your rescue,
    to see the truth of your promise fulfilled.

David could only look ahead to the promise to come. What a blessing it is for us to be able to look back and clearly see Jesus and the promise fulfilled. He is our Rescue. This is pointing to Him.

124 I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love,
    and teach me your decrees.

As those devoted to God we can know and rest in the fact that He loves us so much that He died for us. His amazing love wraps around us. In that love we can be sure He will teach us His ways and we can safely rest in them.

125 Give discernment to me, your servant;
    then I will understand your laws.

Only by His wisdom can we truly understand His laws and follow them fully. He has given us the Holy Spirit to teach us and guide us in all truth. What a blessing that is! We must ask and follow.

126 Lord, it is time for you to act,
    for these evil people have violated your instructions.

Oh how this prayer is often on my lips. How often do you see injustice and cry out to God? Yet He sees and acts at the proper time. It breaks His heart, all sin does but at the proper time the Judge will act.

127 Truly, I love your commands
    more than gold, even the finest gold.

This is also a prayer of mine. I want to love His commands more than the most precious gold. Do you? Oh that we may!

128 Each of your commandments is right.
    That is why I hate every false way. 

I pray too that as we walk this out we will hate every false way. That we will stay far from it knowing that His commands are the only right way. Let us take that way.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

CD Review: Sweet Hour of Prayer with Readings of Oswald Chambers

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I received a copy of this CD free of charge from the publishers for the purpose of review.

This CD was a really relaxing CD. It was filled with good quality classical music and readings of Oswald Chambers writings. These two things combined made for a great compilation of preparing your heart and mind for worship.

To purchase a copy of this title go here.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Book Review: Happily Ever After by Gary Chapman

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I received a copy of this book free of charge from the publisher for the purpose of review.

I really like Gary Chapman. It was very helpful to me to understand the Five Love Languages. This was how I first became aware of him as an author. It was a very helpful book. Because of that I thought this title deserved a fair read. I was not disappointed.

The book focuses on many areas of marriage, including, money, sex, in-law relationships, parenting and resolving conflict. It is very helpful and practical providing case studies and solutions. There is one chapter in particular called Everybody wins. It is always good to be reminded that as a married couple you are on the same team. You both are created in the image of God. Over all it was all helpful and good stuff to know. I think it would be most helpful for the early years of marriage.

To get a copy of this book go here.

Psalm 119 ~ Week 15

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There are really only two ways we can go, toward God or away from God. Really if we sit stagnant that is not going toward Him. We need to forever keep our eyes on Him and let His sustain us even in the hardest of times. David knew this very well by experience. What path are we taking? One toward God or away from Him? We have a choice. God or the world but not both. That is why it is so important to have a Christian world view to view all things through Him. 

 

 Samekh

113 I hate double-minded people, but I love your law.
I am going to quote Boice here because I liked what was said about double-mindedness.  “Double-minded people are people who know about God but are not fully determined to worship and serve him only. They are those who want both God and the world. They want the benefits of true religion, but they want their sin too . . . The Psalmist hates this double-mindedness; he also hates it in himself. “Otherwise, why does he continue by asking God to sustain him, according to his promise, and uphold him so that he might be kept from sin?” (Boice) 

We must love His law not to follow it by legalism but as the very words our loving Father speaks to us. We so desire to please Him because of His vast love for us we cannot help but to keep His law. No room for double mindedness in that viewpoint. He is the end and all we desire as we live in this world. We learn to appreciate things as His creation and see them through the Christian worldview.

114 You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.
I liked what David Guzik had to say about this, "A good hiding place has strength, height, is not easily seen, and is reliable. Jesus is our safe-room or panic-room"

Have you ever thought of Jesus as your panic room? I often find myself in a state of panic when the kids are all quarreling wondering what I am going to do!? Jesus needs to be where I run for refuge and wisdom. He is also my shield from the drama. I must discipline myself to do this each time. How about you?
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“There is a time in which I may be called to suffer in secret; then thou hidest me. There may be a time in which thou callest me to fight; then thou art my Shield and Protector.” (Clarke)
 
115 Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God!
It is so important to watch the company we keep. Obedience is hard and with friends going the wrong way it can be even harder. We need to stay away from those who will make it harder for us to obey the truth of God.

116 Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.
We can trust His promises. They are true. If we can keep our hope in them through HIM we will live. He will never let us down, He is our sustainer and the reason we even have breathe.

117 Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees.
God is the one who keeps us in His hands. Nothing can touch us without His permission. God will deliver us in His wisdom as He upholds us, His children. We must regard and trust His decrees. We must!

118 You reject all who stray from your decrees, for their delusions come to nothing.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross; therefore I love your statutes.
God takes His truth and word seriously. If we do not we become an enemy to Him. Are we a people who love His statues?

120 My flesh trembles in fear of you, I stand in awe of your laws.
Again, I liked what Boice says and will end with this, "“It is only as we tremble before the exalted and holy God that we will ever see the world and its distorted values to be the empty things they are. If we do not tremble before God, the world’s system will seem wonderful to us and consume us pleasantly.” (Boice)

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Book Review: As Silver Refined by Kay Arthur

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I received a copy of this book free of charge from the publisher for the purpose of review.

Kay Arthur is a Bible Teacher that God has used in huge ways to mold and shape me by teaching me how to really study the Bible for the truth of His word. This is key in all things we do. When I had the opportunity to review this title I was very excited. It was a great book and timing was amazing with it because this year has been the hardest year of my life. This has helped me keep my eyes on Jesus and trust.

Now, as typical Kay, this book is laced with Scripture throughout. It is contextually correct in reference in addressing the issues of accepting life's disappointments. There is much more to our disappointments than what we may first think. This book addresses this. It is very encouraging and also includes many testimonies of people who have been through the "fire" and come through better as they allowed God to mold and shape them through it.

It is a great book for anyone open to God's truth in suffering. It is a beneficial aid in healing hurts. We must know who God is and His power in order to grow through trial. We must learn to trust Him. This book helps you stay focused on that and what really matters.

To get a copy of this book from Precept go here.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Join the 2012 Bible Study Expo

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Interested in Bible study? Want to hear a little bit about some of the latest studies from the mouth of your favorite authors? Then join in on the Bible study expo. On May 17th from 1 - 5 you can listen to 15 minute interviews all online with each author explaining the story behind each study.

Attendees may register for free book give-aways which will occur during each 15 minute
author interview segment, and are encouraged to participate in live chats with the authors
and other Bible Study leaders via Facebook or Twitter.

Hope you join in!

Go here to learn more.

 
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