Psalm 119:17-24
Do good to your servant, and I will live; I will obey your word. Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me. My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times. You rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed and who stray from your commands. Remove from me scorn and contempt, for I keep your statutes. Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees. Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.
Back to Psalm 119, though not out of “sharing my struggles mode.” I love Psalm 119, and am drawn to it when I find my passion for God’s Word dwindling, as I said on October 26. I especially love this section, as it reminds me that I need to be “consumed with longing for God’s laws at all times.” (emphasis mine) I don’t know about you, but that does not describe me, as much as I wish it did.
Actually, I guess that I am consumed with a longing for God’s Word quite frequently. I walk through my day desiring to spend some alone time with Him, somehow, sometime. However, it is in the follow-through that I tend to fall short – dramatically short. Somehow I can find time to study for my writing and my teaching, but with two little ones (who don’t like to sleep late in the morning, or much during the night sometimes), and a hubby with a strange work schedule, and, well, life in general, I find that it is my time in the Word with Jesus that tends to slip first. Since my second little guy has come along, I have had so much trouble getting back into this vital habit. I know how terribly important it is. I know how much better I feel when I go to Him first thing in the morning. I also can tell you that I am tired, and feel as though I am burning the candle at both ends most of the time.
I wonder how I am supposed to do all that I am called to do, and still find time for the rest that God commands of us. I am consumed with longing for God’s Word, because I do not get near enough time to just soak it up and consume it. I want God to open my eyes that I would see wonderful things in His Word. I want His statutes to be my delight and my counselors. I want these things so bad I can taste it. Yet, to my shame and dismay, I can tell you that today, once again, I have desired them only and not tasted at all.
Something’s got to give! I wish I had some answers here, but I don’t. I don’t know if this is something you struggle with, or not. I know I meet countless people who know the importance of a daily devotional time, but like me have trouble “working it in.” You and I cannot do what we are called to do if our roots do not go deep into the Word, into Jesus, into His truth, into His life-giving waters. Pray for me friends! And I will pray for you, that God would make a way, give us the energy, and draw us into a daily, maintainable time with Him. Deal?
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Friday, November 03, 2006
Encouragment
Hebrews 3:13
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
My goodness! The e-mails just came pouring in after I poured my heart out to you all. What a blessing! I can’t believe the encouragement and support you all poured out on me . . . I’m speechless. Well, almost. :)
I was thinking today about how it is so easy for me to look at Scripture and tell you what it means and how we should live accordingly. But I’ve gotten out of the habit, for the most part, of just sharing my heart with you, and what’s going on in my life. We need that, don’t we? Satan has a way of convincing us we’re all alone in our fights and struggles – we’re the only one’s who every mess up or make this kind of bad choice. When that is not the case at all!
This verse in Hebrews has been and still is my “call to action” verse for Morning SonRise. I want to encourage you daily, and I think one way I can do that is to share my struggles, disappointments, and failings with you. In this way, you will know that you are not alone! You are not the only one who messes up, and wonders when you’ll get it right. Not that I am giving excuses and saying it’s OK to mess up. We still need to fight the good fight, and do our best to grow ever-closer to Christ, in His likeness. However, we cannot allow Satan to corner us, and separate us from each other, hardening us through the lies he piles on top of the bad choices we make.
Find encouragement, then, dear friend, that I am not perfect – I am actually so far from perfect that I wonder how God could use me. It is only through His grace and by His mercy that I am allowed to work with Him, because I think I get more wrong then I do right, sometimes!
So, don’t be surprised to hear more of my life and the struggles I am wrestling with. Perhaps together we can walk this path and grow in Christ, supporting and encouraging each other as long as it is called Today.
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
My goodness! The e-mails just came pouring in after I poured my heart out to you all. What a blessing! I can’t believe the encouragement and support you all poured out on me . . . I’m speechless. Well, almost. :)
I was thinking today about how it is so easy for me to look at Scripture and tell you what it means and how we should live accordingly. But I’ve gotten out of the habit, for the most part, of just sharing my heart with you, and what’s going on in my life. We need that, don’t we? Satan has a way of convincing us we’re all alone in our fights and struggles – we’re the only one’s who every mess up or make this kind of bad choice. When that is not the case at all!
This verse in Hebrews has been and still is my “call to action” verse for Morning SonRise. I want to encourage you daily, and I think one way I can do that is to share my struggles, disappointments, and failings with you. In this way, you will know that you are not alone! You are not the only one who messes up, and wonders when you’ll get it right. Not that I am giving excuses and saying it’s OK to mess up. We still need to fight the good fight, and do our best to grow ever-closer to Christ, in His likeness. However, we cannot allow Satan to corner us, and separate us from each other, hardening us through the lies he piles on top of the bad choices we make.
Find encouragement, then, dear friend, that I am not perfect – I am actually so far from perfect that I wonder how God could use me. It is only through His grace and by His mercy that I am allowed to work with Him, because I think I get more wrong then I do right, sometimes!
So, don’t be surprised to hear more of my life and the struggles I am wrestling with. Perhaps together we can walk this path and grow in Christ, supporting and encouraging each other as long as it is called Today.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
From the (clogged) Heart
I have no verse from which I write today, just my heart . . . and my stomach. I have messed up - made a bad choice - and now, as I wait for the axe to fall, it seems to be all I can think about. I can't wrap my mind around Scripture, or what I'm supposed to be preparing for this week's lesson in Bible study. My stomach is sick and I feel like I have something stuck in my throat. It doesn't help that I feel it's being blown out-of-proportion, though it may not be. I don't know - I'm probably a little too close to the situation to really know.
I accept all blame and culpability. It was my choice, done in the knowledge (though not consciously) that it wasn't the way things are supposed to work, and I take all the blame. So, why is it so hard to accept the consequences? I mean, if I know I screwed up, I know I made a bad choice, why is it so hard to then accept that there are repercussions of those bad choices? I find myself playing in my head any number of scenarios, and what I would say in each one. On the one-hand I want to lash-out, and show them that there are certain things outside of my control that lead me to this choice. However, it was still my choice to make and I chose wrong. On the other hand, I want desperately to do what Jesus wants me to do. I just know, from experience, that that path is almost always the more difficult.
As I think about this, and look over what I am writing, it occurs to me that I could very well be talking about some big, bad moral sin. HA-HA! If I told you the circumstances, which I do not feel at liberty to do just yet, you'd probably laugh and wonder why I'm freaking out so bad. I don't know. Perhaps that is why I am writing this . . . it is what is in my heart - a big log stuck in there, blocking all other reason and thought. It could also be James 5:16 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%205:16;&version=31;) speaking here - getting this off my chest and hoping it will free me to focus on what I really need to be doing.
So, what do I do in the mean-time? I find myself asking God, "What do You have for me in this?" Surely, there is something here for me to learn, and to walk away with. More humility for one, and that's always a plus (as much as it hurts). But what else? I don't know, I suppose I have to wait and see. I just pray that I can walk through this with integrity, honesty, and with the light of Jesus shining forth.
I could sure use your prayers. And hopefully this will be over soon, and I can walk away looking a little more like my Man, Jesus.
I accept all blame and culpability. It was my choice, done in the knowledge (though not consciously) that it wasn't the way things are supposed to work, and I take all the blame. So, why is it so hard to accept the consequences? I mean, if I know I screwed up, I know I made a bad choice, why is it so hard to then accept that there are repercussions of those bad choices? I find myself playing in my head any number of scenarios, and what I would say in each one. On the one-hand I want to lash-out, and show them that there are certain things outside of my control that lead me to this choice. However, it was still my choice to make and I chose wrong. On the other hand, I want desperately to do what Jesus wants me to do. I just know, from experience, that that path is almost always the more difficult.
As I think about this, and look over what I am writing, it occurs to me that I could very well be talking about some big, bad moral sin. HA-HA! If I told you the circumstances, which I do not feel at liberty to do just yet, you'd probably laugh and wonder why I'm freaking out so bad. I don't know. Perhaps that is why I am writing this . . . it is what is in my heart - a big log stuck in there, blocking all other reason and thought. It could also be James 5:16 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%205:16;&version=31;) speaking here - getting this off my chest and hoping it will free me to focus on what I really need to be doing.
So, what do I do in the mean-time? I find myself asking God, "What do You have for me in this?" Surely, there is something here for me to learn, and to walk away with. More humility for one, and that's always a plus (as much as it hurts). But what else? I don't know, I suppose I have to wait and see. I just pray that I can walk through this with integrity, honesty, and with the light of Jesus shining forth.
I could sure use your prayers. And hopefully this will be over soon, and I can walk away looking a little more like my Man, Jesus.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Pure Ways
Psalm 119:9-16
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
It seems to me there are four things listed in this passage that will ignite a passion within us for God and His Word, helping us to live pure lives.
First, we need to hide His Word in our hearts. Scripture memorization is so helpful in so many ways. It aides us when we are facing temptation, doubt, or deception. We can use it when helping or teaching others, or when the Spirit is helping and teaching us. We must hide God’s Word in our hearts, giving us the tools to build up ourselves and those around us whenever and wherever the Spirit provides the opportunity.
Second, we need to recount, verbally, all God’s laws and precepts. We need to talk about what God is teaching us and what we are learning. We need to have those we can talk to about all that God is doing in our lives, reminding ourselves of His amazing activity. We need to teach God’s laws, His Word, and all He is doing to our children and their children. There is just something about verbalizing such things that makes it more real and vibrant.
Third, we need to meditate on God’s precepts, and consider His ways. I think this goes hand-in-hand with #2, above. When we have time to stop and think, instead of letting our minds wander to our to-do list, to things that are perhaps unhealthy or stressful, or whatever, we should let our minds focus on God and His ways. Consider what He has done and is doing. Consider the passage of Scripture you read recently and what God is trying to teach you, personally, in it. Meditate on God’s precepts, consider His marvelous ways!
Fourth, we must not neglect God’s Word. Nothing can spark a fire in us like the Word of God, itself… Himself. No amount of Scripture memorization and meditation, of talking about God and His works, of thinking about His Word and focusing on Him can replace time in the Word, with the Word. So, find 10 minutes today when you can sit quietly down, and open up your Bible. Jesus will meet you there – expect the miraculous!
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
It seems to me there are four things listed in this passage that will ignite a passion within us for God and His Word, helping us to live pure lives.
First, we need to hide His Word in our hearts. Scripture memorization is so helpful in so many ways. It aides us when we are facing temptation, doubt, or deception. We can use it when helping or teaching others, or when the Spirit is helping and teaching us. We must hide God’s Word in our hearts, giving us the tools to build up ourselves and those around us whenever and wherever the Spirit provides the opportunity.
Second, we need to recount, verbally, all God’s laws and precepts. We need to talk about what God is teaching us and what we are learning. We need to have those we can talk to about all that God is doing in our lives, reminding ourselves of His amazing activity. We need to teach God’s laws, His Word, and all He is doing to our children and their children. There is just something about verbalizing such things that makes it more real and vibrant.
Third, we need to meditate on God’s precepts, and consider His ways. I think this goes hand-in-hand with #2, above. When we have time to stop and think, instead of letting our minds wander to our to-do list, to things that are perhaps unhealthy or stressful, or whatever, we should let our minds focus on God and His ways. Consider what He has done and is doing. Consider the passage of Scripture you read recently and what God is trying to teach you, personally, in it. Meditate on God’s precepts, consider His marvelous ways!
Fourth, we must not neglect God’s Word. Nothing can spark a fire in us like the Word of God, itself… Himself. No amount of Scripture memorization and meditation, of talking about God and His works, of thinking about His Word and focusing on Him can replace time in the Word, with the Word. So, find 10 minutes today when you can sit quietly down, and open up your Bible. Jesus will meet you there – expect the miraculous!
Monday, October 30, 2006
Obedience
Psalm 119:4-8
You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.
As we continue our journey into Psalm 119, we see one of the keys to the victorious Christian walk – obedience. I love the second sentence here, as it is my heart’s cry – “Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying Your decrees!” I couldn’t have said it any better. That last sentence, however, should say something a little more like, “I will try to obey your decrees…” Try seems to be about all I can muster most days. I would imagine a lot of people feel the same.
I wonder if we’re too hard on ourselves. I know I have many friends who say that about me, and I’m beginning to see how it could be true. I took this weekend “off.” With having a cold, my little guy still fighting a nasty cold and not sleeping, and my husband out-of-town, I decided to take it easy and just relax. Yet all weekend long I fought guilt, thinking I was slacking and not doing enough – devotionals to write, messages to prepare, and books to read. I wonder if sometimes I confuse overwork and getting everything done I think needs to be done, with obedience. That’s definitely something I’m going to need to pray about.
How about you? Do you sometimes confuse obedience with working too hard, doing all the right things (though with wrong motive or attitude), finishing your “to do” list, going to all the right church functions . . . . this list could be endless, couldn’t it. I think we need to remember that God is looking at our hearts more than our actions. And when our hearts are in the right place, our actions will easily follow.
And so, “I will praise Him with an upright heart as I learn His righteous laws.” That’s something I can do. How about you?
You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.
As we continue our journey into Psalm 119, we see one of the keys to the victorious Christian walk – obedience. I love the second sentence here, as it is my heart’s cry – “Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying Your decrees!” I couldn’t have said it any better. That last sentence, however, should say something a little more like, “I will try to obey your decrees…” Try seems to be about all I can muster most days. I would imagine a lot of people feel the same.
I wonder if we’re too hard on ourselves. I know I have many friends who say that about me, and I’m beginning to see how it could be true. I took this weekend “off.” With having a cold, my little guy still fighting a nasty cold and not sleeping, and my husband out-of-town, I decided to take it easy and just relax. Yet all weekend long I fought guilt, thinking I was slacking and not doing enough – devotionals to write, messages to prepare, and books to read. I wonder if sometimes I confuse overwork and getting everything done I think needs to be done, with obedience. That’s definitely something I’m going to need to pray about.
How about you? Do you sometimes confuse obedience with working too hard, doing all the right things (though with wrong motive or attitude), finishing your “to do” list, going to all the right church functions . . . . this list could be endless, couldn’t it. I think we need to remember that God is looking at our hearts more than our actions. And when our hearts are in the right place, our actions will easily follow.
And so, “I will praise Him with an upright heart as I learn His righteous laws.” That’s something I can do. How about you?
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