PSALM 1 INTRODUCTION Word-Lovers VS World-Lovers.

Byadmin
This entry is part 1 of 3 in the series Psalm 1, Introduction

Psalm 1, Introduction

Psalm 1 affirms there are two kinds of people – those who delight in the WORD, and those who enjoy in the WORLD.  Word-lovers delight, meditate, and live by God’s Word in every decision through the day.  They are hungry for Scripture.  They thrive through good and bad days and have God’s blessings. Time in the Word builds faith (Romans 10:17), truth (John 8:31-32), and renewal (Romans 12:2).  Word-lovers receive the promise of God’s blessing as they delight in and meditate on the Word (more about this in Psalm 1, Part Two).   Having a passion for the Word becomes a lifestyle that reaps extravagant blessings from God!

 

Those who do not love the Word, have little, if any, faith.  The World-lovers resemble chaff that is blown away at the slightest breeze.  Although the chaff surrounds the seed, the wind separates it from the seed forever. 

WORD-lovers know and receive the multitude blessings of God that light our path and hear the Holy Spirit teach us.

Blessed is the one… 2 whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. Psalm 1:1,2

 

LIGHT

God’s Word lights our path and leads us in the right ways.  The word “light” is in the word delight.  Loving God’s Word (delighting) pierces the invading darkness of sin.  Darkness, a metaphor for sin, ignores God’s rules and commands, but the light exposes sin, habits, behaviors, and attitudes that are not God-honoring.  The Light, one of the names of Jesus, points us in the right way. 

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105).

My soul is hungry for Scripture every day.  Reading a daily devotional with a verse or two is commendable.  Also, dive into your Bible.  Read a chapter, one of the books (there are 66), or read through the New Testament, then the Old.  Plan to read from cover to cover, then reread it. 

Explore ways to feed on scripture.  Too often, we live on the crumbs when we could be having a feast!  Jesus prepares a table (Psalm 23), a feast through the Word.  Whether you’ve read the passage the first time or the 50th time, there is something new and fresh for your day.  God’s Word is alive and active (Hebrew 4:12).  The self-revelation of God leaps off the pages as the Holy Spirit speaks right to you for your specific “need of the day.”  The spotlight shines deep into the reader’s heart and convicts, corrects, instructs, and teaches the way to live (2 Timothy 3:16,17).  You will grow spiritually fat, a good thing!

In 2 Peter 1, the apostle Peter writes that we need to pay attention to what is written because the Bible is the completely reliable word from God.  It’s not an old, out-of-date document, but is alive and divinely inspired, infallible Word of God.

We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, 

and you will do well to pay attention to it,

as to a light shining in a dark place.

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture

came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things.

For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets,

though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by

the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:19-21

 

GOD SPEAKS

Increasing time in the Word helps us hear the Holy Spirit’s voice.  God draws near.  Transformation happens.  Life looks brighter.  Confidence takes hold.  Battles are won.  Joy abounds.  Contentment sets in.  Security is found.  God leads, and I know I’m safe in Him.  Word-lovers are blessed!

Blessings are guaranteed to the one who desires and meditates on the Word!  Have you received your blessing today? 

Go to Psalm 1, Part 2, Delighting, Meditating, Thriving

 

 

 

Series NavigationPSALM 1: PART 2 DELIGHTING, MEDITATING, THRIVING >>

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What Does “A Suitable Helper” Mean?

Byadmin

Women and men have twelve pairs of ribs, even though God took one from Adam to form Eve.  God didn’t need a rib to create but chose to make her part of him.   

So God created mankind in his own image,
 in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.  Genesis 1:27

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him’… Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.  Genesis 2:18,22

Adam was a marvelous creation of bone, flesh, seeing, thinking, observing, working, creating.   The only part of creation where God took something he created in Adam to form another person was the making of a woman, the gift of a suitable helper.  The scripture says, “God brought her to Adam.”  After naming the animals and birds, seeing a woman standing in front of him must have caused an adrenalin rush.  God said, “everything is good!.  Adam chimed in!  Living together in the garden that God had made must have been more than fabulous and fulfilling. They were in paradise!

                                           Photo by Priscilla Du Preez,  Unsplash

SUITABLE

Suitable is from the Hebrew word, “neged” (neh’-ghed), which means, “ in front of, in sight of, opposite to” (Strong’s 5048).   It also indicates this “suitable” person is conspicuous, vigorous, a leader, effective, to stand boldly out, explain, praise, expound, expose, plainly profess, report, tell, utter.  This uneventful word, “suitable” doesn’t possess a lot of class in itself, but when you look at the meaning God gave the woman, that changes everything!  She was equal to him, opposite of him, able to help, a companion, one who would speak up and advise, and face the joys and sorrows of life together and complete each other.  Each one had a mind to think, a heart to feel, and a spirit that would live forever. 

It gets better.  Look at the word helper!

HELPER

Too often, the thought of a helper is someone less than the other, such as an unskilled worker who helps a skilled one. Or, one who is less in status or education than the one being helped.  Often a woman’s role has been related to a subservient role to the man.  Not so in God’s created order.  A woman is a helper, but so is God.

  • God – The word “helper” (the Hebrew is “ezer,” a help, helper), it is the same word used of God 66 times in Scripture. This “ezer” (pronounced “ay-zer”) speaks of God’s strength, power,  and protection, help, and being a rescuer.
  • Eliezer – The name of the son of Moses was called Eliezer (my God is helper – “Eli – my God; Ezer – helper). “My father’s God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharoah.” Exodus 18:4   Here the word “helper” references God.
  • Ebenezer – The prophet Samuel raised a stone monument, the Stone of Help because the Lord had helped them win a victory over their enemies (1 Samuel 7:12).
  • The Holy Spirit, described by Jesus as a “helper.” And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. John 14:16, 17
  • The people proclaimed God, their help in ages past. God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble.  Psalm 46:1 

The Holy Spirit, co-equal with God, is our advocate, advisor, counselor,  paraklētos (called to one’s aid) as an intercessor, consoler, comforter, helper, who pleads another’s cause before a judge, counsel for the defense, legal assistant, giving evidence that stands up in court.  This is the Helper, the Holy Spirit.   

Ephesians gives the command to follow God’s example (Ephesians 5:1). and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us  This same chapter gives instructions for Christian households.  The husband and the wife are to, Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.  Ephesians 5:2,

Jesus, in the very nature God,  is our chief example of submitting.  Although Jesus is co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit, he came to earth and made himself nothing and took on the very nature of a servant.  He humbled himself and was obedient to death on the cross to pay for our sins, even when we didn’t deserve that kind of love (Philippians 2:5-8).  

COMPLETION

The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18

Wives are to be as the picture of the church submitting to Christ, and husbands are to be like Jesus in giving himself up for her (wife) like Jesus did. That is the ideal picture of why God used Adam’s rib to make Eve, each significantly completing the other.  Not that each one was not complete in himself or herself with unique and varied gifts and talents, but that each was made to be the crown of the other, equal and a fitting companion.  

Ephesians gives the picture of pure love – Jesus giving his life for the church.  We are to follow God’s example and walk in love.  Jesus loved us and gave himself up for us.  As a household of faith, we are called to follow God’s standard of love, submitting to the other because we love and respect the Lord (Ephesians 5:21-23).

  • Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
  • Wife –  submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.
  • Husband –  love your wife, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. 

God’s gracious and compassionate love is revealed by creating a man and a woman as one flesh – “bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh,”  the closest companion possible, equal, partner, lover, and friend.    

 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’   This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.  However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.  Ephesians 5:31-33

God created both man and woman in the image of God.  Jesus is equal to the Father but chose to submit to the Father and become our Savior.  The Holy Spirit is equal to the Father and to Jesus, yet the Holy Spirit points us to Jesus and is our Helper — with us and in us (John 14:16).   The Three-in-One exhibit no rivalry, competition, or inferiority but are co-equal and fully God, working together to accomplish God’s will and plan.  Marriage between a man and a woman is to model that kind of love.

God’s creation from Adam’s rib brought forth a suitable helper who was equal, opposite to, and together they became one flesh. 

 

Have you read God’s Word today?   Find more God-secrets just for you!

 

PSALM 1, PART 3 LOSS OF WORLD-LOVER, GAIN OF WORD-LOVER!

Byadmin
This entry is part 3 of 3 in the series Psalm 1, Introduction

Psalm 1, Introduction

Psalm 1, verse 4, identifies the World-lovers. Their time is invested in what the world loves.  Psalm 1 describes these World-lovers as chaff that quickly blows away with the slightest breeze.  

4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not (be able to) stand in the judgment,
    nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. Psalm 1:4-5

Our culture, once defined as a Christian nation built upon the principles of Scripture and God’s blessings, now is taking bold effort to erase God from political parties, courthouses, and from the oath of office, “So help me, God.”  The Ten Commandments are removed from public buildings, nativity scenes banned from public squares, and crosses torn down from public land. 

The twenty-third president of our country, Benjamin Harrison, penned, “If you take out of your statutes, your constitution, your family life all that is taken from the Sacred Book, what would there be left to bind society together?” America is removing God from our foundation.  The nation is blessed whose God is the Lord (Psalm 32:12). 

2 Timothy 3:2,4  says, “In the end times,  people will be lovers of themselves… and lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.”  Culture is accepting of values that God says are abominations and perverse.  Culture allows and approves of abortion, sexual sins, careless language, dishonesty, and hatred. Insanity is on the rise.  For example, in New York, it’s illegal to declaw a cat, but acceptable to leave an aborted newborn baby to die. 

The more we read and understand Scripture, the more we will be able to stand on the side of truth. We can discern right and wrong and conduct our lives to bring honor to God.  Knowing the Word guards against deception.

Those who are ignorant of God’s commands are unable to discern God’s voice. 

CHAFF

Chaff is the inedible, thin, dry, scaley husk around the seed.  The chaff is devoid of nutritional value and quickly blows away with the slightest breeze.  Chaff is close to the grain.   It surrounds the seed like husk around an ear of corn, the part we strip off and throw away before eating the corn.  In Psalm 1, verse 1, we read the description of those who walk, stand, or sit – metaphors speaking of a lifestyle – in the wrong company with the wicked.    

1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,

 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.

Walking in step with the wicked, standing with the crowd, or spending time sitting with those who disregard speak of the cultural values and activities of the World-lover.  Which voices speak louder – the world, or the Word?  If uncertain as to God’s value on some of the above mentioned cultural-approved morals –such as abortion, sexual sins, homosexuality, dishonesty – the louder cultural voices will shape a  lifestyle that God cannot bless. 

World-lovers are on the broad road, the cultural way, that leads to destruction and separation from God. 

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14

There is a way that gains the blessings of God, the way of the righteous who are Word-lovers.

RIGHTEOUS

 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.  Psalm 1:6 (NIV)

Word-lovers forge through the distractions of busyness, work, and family responsibilities.  Word-lovers are seed cultivators with the good soil that produces a harvest (Parable of the Seed, Matthew 13:18-23).  The seed, God’s Word,  produces a harvest of fruit – character, faith,  and devotion to God.  Word-lovers thrive like trees planted by the waters. 

Word-Lovers who passionately love God have the assurance that Jesus passionately loves them.

Those who truly love me are those who obey my commands…and I will passionately love you in return and will manifest my life within you.  John 14:21 TPT

PATH OF DESTRUCTION

Those who love the world will be cast away from the Lord,  “but the way of the wicked leads to destruction (Psalm 1:6).  Matthew 7 speaks a chilling thought about people who claim to be Christians, but who have not been Word-lovers!

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘LORD, LORD,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.   Many will say to me on that day, ‘LORD, LORD, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’   Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:21-23).

Studies reveal Bible-centeredness is decreasing.  Many Christians fall into the category of non-Bible readers.    Many of our children and adults don’t know the stories of the Bible. Several churchgoers only hear scripture during a sermon.  A vast majority have not read from cover to cover and are not experiencing the daily “feast” with God as the Holy Spirit speaks.

NOW IS THE TIME to become a Word-lover and guarantee the blessings that come from one who delights in and meditates on the Word!  Consider these next steps in establishing a reading pattern that will take you deeper into spiritual growth and new life.   Whether you’re an avid reader of Scripture or just beginning the Word-lover journey, God meets us where we are and promises to dish out the blessings until “my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5).   Let today be the start of feasting in God’s Word!  Blessed is the one who delights in and meditates on the word day and night.

 

 NEXT STEPS:

  1. MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH GOD DAILY

Open your heart!  Schedule a daily time in the Bible and stick to it!  Start with 15 minutes.  Read at least a chapter a day.  Grow until you are reading five or ten chapters or even a total book of the Bible at one sitting.  

  1. USE A BIBLE READING PLAN

Have a Bible reading plan with the goal of reading from cover to cover.  See the Bible Reading Helps page here. When you sow into the Word, you will reap the best from God!

  1. JOURNAL

Listen and hear as God speaks to you.  Write it down.  Then respond and walk-in those affirmations. Align with the Word as it teaches, trains, corrects, and leads.  You will discover the secrets of God’s blessings in every area of your life as a Word-lover!

O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. Psalm 119:97

 

 

 

 

 

Series Navigation<< PSALM 1: PART 2 DELIGHTING, MEDITATING, THRIVING

New Youtube Video, “Be Still,” Psalm 46:10

Byadmin

When the tragedies of life hit, there is a refuge in the infinitely perfect God. Even if mountains fall into the sea (that’s alarming and catastrophic), God is an ever-present help.  The Psalmist writes, “Therefore, we will not fear.”  Whether the political disarray of our nation, the world concerns, the evil that abounds, or in our own tragedies of life, God says to “be still,” “stop” and “cease from striving,” “let go,” and know He is God.  Trust Him. God is not alarmed by the news. God is not surprised by the domination of corrupt people.  God is not unaware of what you are facing. The God who knows your thoughts and the number of hairs on your head is in command. The God who can boast in the resurrection, and created us in His image is more than able to be that “ever-present” help in trouble. 

Bryce National Park, photo by Judy

“Be still and know that I am God.” This verse has been a steady and staying verse for me. It’s a beautiful Psalm written by the sons of Korah, gatekeepers of the Temple and for
soprano singers in the temple (a little tidbit info). This Psalm inspired Martin Luther to write the song, A Mighty Fortress is our God.

Let this simple song of scripture encourage you today!

Click on the link and enjoy! https://youtu.be/L6JC-RUKBYg

I’ll be posting more youtube videos, so stay tuned. You can find me at youtube by putting in my name, Judy McEachran. 

PSALM
46

God
is our refuge and strength,

    an ever-present help in
trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the
earth give way

    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam

    and the mountains quake with their surging.

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

    the holy place where the Most High dwells.

5 God is
within her, she will not fall;

    God will help her at break of day.

6 Nations are
in uproar, kingdoms fall;

    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

 

7 The Lord Almighty is
with us;

    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

 

8 Come and see what the Lord has
done,

    the desolations he has brought on the earth.

9 He makes
wars cease

    to the ends of the earth.

He
breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

    he burns the shields with fire.

10 He says, “Be
still, and know that I am God;

    I will be exalted among
the nations,

    I will be exalted in the
earth.”

11 The Lord Almighty is with
us;

    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

 

 

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IS THE WORD IN YOU TODAY?

Byadmin

Merely by speaking God brought the world into existence. God spoke.  Creation happened.   God created words.  According to Oxford Living Dictionaries,  there are probably three-quarters of a million words in our English language.  The website, Ethnologue, Languages of the World,  details 7,111 known living languages.   Words have power and coupled with God’s authority, that Word changes us as we live in the Word.  One of the best ways to know God, dwell in God’s presence, and love Him is to enjoy the Word daily.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was WITH God,

and the Word WAS God.  John 1:1

 

 

Wrodcloud IS THE WORD IN YOU TODAY post April 18, 2019

 

IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD

Word (logos) as in “the Word of God” is a divine reason and creative order identified as Jesus in John 1.  Jesus gives us God’s Word, and he IS the Word.

  • GOD SPOKE

God spoke the world into existence.  God speaks….and it happens. And God said, Let there be light, and there was light (Genesis 1:3).  Ten times in the first chapter And God said, brought an immediate, actual creation.  And it was done!  He spoke, and it came to be (Psalm 33:9).

  • GOD WROTE

God wrote to Moses and the Israelites with His own finger (Deuteronomy 9:10),  These commands were written and stored in the Ark of the Covenant, a portable tabernacle, complete with a cloud of God’s very presence, and a fire at night.

  • GOD DWELLS

God’s words of commands and promise were placed in the Ark, which when the Israelites were not traveling, was located at the center of the camp, a symbol of where God wants to be with his people – in the center of their lives.  The Ark with God’s Words was the place of God’s presence among the people.

word Jesus
Photo by Erwan Hesry

AND THE WORD WAS WITH GOD

THE WORD IS JESUS

The Word is Jesus and was with God at creation.  In Genesis 1:1, In the beginning God (the Trinity – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit) created the heavens and the earth.  Colossians tells us that Jesus was the image of the invisible God who created all things.  For through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth (Colossians 1:16  ESV).

AND THE WORD WAS GOD

Jesus, the Word of God, is the very image of God.  As God wanted to be the center of the His people with the Ark of the Covenant and later the temple, Jesus wants to be at the very center of our lives.  Jesus only spoke what God told him to say (John 12:49-50).

John 1:14 says, The Word (Jesus) became flesh so he could dwell among us.  He laid aside some of His glory to come and live among us.   Jesus, the Savior who paid for our sins by his perfect and sinless life, nailed them to the cross.   With his resurrection, we have eternal life.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)

When Jesus comes to set up his kingdom, his name is the Word of God (Revelation 19:13).

God spoke life into existence, and God gave written words so we could know God and live in His presence.  As we fill our hearts and minds with God’s words, God will dwell with us. (Jeremiah 31:33, Hebrews 10:16). And we will know an abundant life!

If you love me, keep my commands.  John 14:15

rod-long-355994-unsplash

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night,

so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will

be prosperous and successful.  Joshua 1:8

 

My husband often says it is easy to believe God loves us.  The hard part is, do we love God? One of the best ways to show our love for God is to devour His Word.  Read it like a love letter from the man you’re going to marry.  Keep reading it over and over.  As the word fills our mind and hearts, faith grows.  Our relationship with God grows.  Our nature and character become transformed into being more like Jesus.

Tie them around your finger. Write them on your heart. Proverbs 7:3 ESV

I’m going to keep reading through, again and again, meditating, learning, and growing.  I hope you will too!   I’d enjoy hearing some of the insights you are gleaning along the way!  Write in the comments or send me an email on the contact page.

photo-1530636200389-1a383ed86b46

HAVE YOU READ THE WORD TODAY? 

Jesus is the Word!  The Word of God is eternal, like Jesus, who was in the beginning, was WITH God, and WAS God.  The Bible we hold in our hands is filled with the spoken and written words from God.

GOD SPEAKS and creates life in us through his word.

GOD WROTE our Bible through divine revelation  For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21).

GOD DWELLS with us as we identify and walk with God at the center of our lives.  As God dwelt with the Israelites with the Ark of the Covenant (his commands and promises), so God dwells in the word, our Bible, in the living and active words.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any

double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul

and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts

and attitudes of the heart  (Hebrews 4:12)

Job said I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread (Job 32:12).

Jesus said, we can’t live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).

When we fill hearts and mind with the Word, God will be our God, and we will be his people. (Jeremiah 31:33, Hebrews 10:16).

I’M PRAYING FOR YOU!

Dear Lord, fill us with your Word and your presence as we read today.  Be the center, the priority of our lives today!  Strengthen our hearts and minds with truth and love.   Thank you for giving us Your eternal, life-changing words!  We love you for it!  Amen!   

 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. 

Colossians 3:16 ESV

 

 

 

PSALM 1: PART 2 DELIGHTING, MEDITATING, THRIVING

Byadmin
This entry is part 2 of 3 in the series Psalm 1, Introduction

Psalm 1, Introduction

God promises abundant blessings to those who delight in and meditate upon His words. Blessed is the one, the recipient of the lavish gifts of God that supply all our needs and deepens faith.  God’s extravagant blessings touch our relationships, family, home, work, finances, and physical health.   God personally charts our path and leads us in the best ways. 

BLESSINGS COME TO WORD-LOVERS.

Blessed is the one…whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.  Psalm 1:1, 2

Blessed means, “how happy.”  It means, “to go straight,”  “be level,” “right.”  The more critical aspect of God’s blessings deals with our faith, which yields satisfaction and contentment.

  • Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven and whose sins are covered (Romans 4:7).  
  • Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.  6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled (Matthew 5:3,4,6).

God’s blessings more often deal with building our faith than with gaining more material blessings, although God has promised he will supply all that we need (Philippians 4:19).  God’s blessings are consistent as we delight and meditate in God’s Word. 

DELIGHT

Delighting is a response of wanting to hear more, experience the presence of, or be with someone we value. There’s a passion for God’s Word. When we delight in the Word, we can’t wait to read the next chapter, we can’t wait to be in His presence, and we can’t wait to know more of God’s character. 

Delighting compels me to:

1) be consistent in my reading each day,

2) please and honor the Lord,

3) willingly surrender my will to align with God’s will,

4) builds inner strength, confidence, peace, comfort, and contentment, and to

5) believe the promises, and

6) align my conduct with God’s Word.

It’s not surprising that the longest chapter of Scripture, Psalm 119,  describes the benefits of loving God’s Word.  The 176 verses speak to the importance of knowing and loving the Writer.  God’s character spills off the page into our spirit and does the eternal work of making us into the likeness of Jesus.

Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live,
for your instructions are my delight. Psalm 119:77 NLT

MEDITATE

MEDITATING trains the mind to think and process the Word.  The Holy Spirit anchors faith and believing as we meditate.  Meditating improves our physical and emotional health. Sleep improves, worries lessen.  Anxious thoughts give way to peace.  Conviction of sin leads to repentance. Attitudes become more positive.  Meditating causes a deeper hunger for the words of Life. 

God’s appointed leader, Moses, received the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai, written with the finger of God when leading the Israelites to the Promised Land.  God spoke directly to Moses at the Tent of Meeting (Exodus 33:7,9).   When Moses would leave the Tent, Joshua, the next leader of Israel,  lingered in the presence of the Lord, with an eager heart for God. When God assigned him to succeed Moses, God directed his success based upon his attention to God’s law. 

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night,

so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.

Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8

Thriving and success wasn’t just for Joshua but each student of the Word.  It’s a promise to all Word-lovers.

THRIVE

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:3

Trees thrive by water!  Trees (about 50% water) and humans (about 60% of water)  need a fresh supply each day.  The person who delights in and meditates on has the promise to thrive in all seasons and situations of life. 

A companion verse that offers the same promise of blessing, Jeremiah 17:7-8, says,

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

Time each day will grow and deepen spiritual roots into that Living Water of refreshment and sustenance. There’s a promise,  “Whoever drinks of the water that I will give shall never thirst again” (John 4:14). Through the ups and downs of life, we will be like a healthy, thriving tree that is in good soil with plenty of water. 

Jesus said there would be rivers of living water within (John 7:38).  Rivers, that’s plural; not just a few drops, a trickle or a small stream, but rivers that provide abundance and refreshment in seasons of plenty and seasons of drought. “It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” (Jeremiah 17:8).  Jesus,  our Shepherd, will give all we need.  We will lack nothing (Psalm 23:1).

I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches. I will study your commandments

and reflect on your ways.  Psalm 119:14, 15 NLT

Today the promise of abundant blessing will follow the Word-lover who delights and meditates on God’s love letter.

End of Part 2, Go to Psalm 1, Part 3  Loss of World-lover, Gain of Word-lover!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PART 2. GOD HAS CHOSEN YOU TO BE HOLY

Byadmin

God chose Moses, a murderer, David, an adulterer, Jonah, a disobedient prophet,  Peter, a denier, and Paul, a persecutor of Christians. Each one, though imperfect, was chosen by God and transformed into a powerhouse of faith and maturity.  Moses led a nation out of slavery; David was King over Israel. Jonah obeyed and Ninevah repented, and Peter and Paul carried the gospel to their worlds.  

We, too, are chosen by God.  We are called to be holy.  Holiness is counterintuitive to human nature. It’s not identified on a resume or gained with financial success or titles.  Holiness is being “set apart” unto God, loving Him more than anything else in this world.

Peter’s boisterous and reckless nature didn’t deter Jesus from loving him and choosing him as one of his inner circle of disciples.  For three years, Jesus continued to coach him into the Kingdom. From the call to follow Jesus through his entire life and even martyrdom, Peter helps us understand that we, too, can live a holy life.  In his letters, Peter teaches that God chooses us, gifts us with an eternal inheritance, gives us the Holy Spirit as our helper, and provides everything we need to be holy. 

 

 

GOD CHOSE YOU

It amazed Peter that Jesus chose HIM.  The first time Jesus climbed into his boat and the first miraculous big catch of fish, Peter left everything to follow.  After growing in discipleship for three years, just before Jesus was crucified, Peter denied knowing Him.  But Jesus pursued him.  Following Jesus’ resurrection, the angels in the tomb told the disciples to be sure Peter knew that Jesus had risen from the dead, “Tell the others, and Peter” (Mark 16:7).  God’s love never gives up, even when we fail. 

In 1 Peter, his opening verses show his gratitude in being chosen by God:  

God planned long ago to choose you and to make you his holy people, which is the Spirit’s work. God wanted you to obey him and to be made clean by the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I pray that you will enjoy more and more of God’s grace and peace.  1 Peter 1: 1,2 ESV.

Paul, Peter’s contemporary, lends his voice to the truth that God chooses us to live a holy life.  For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight (Ephesians 1:4).

It’s a good thing God chose me before I was born because he surely would not have afterward.   Charles Spurgeon

GOD GIVES YOU AN ETERNAL INHERITANCE

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.  (1 Peter 1:3-5),

Our birth into God’s family brings the promise of inheritance.  Not only the inheritance in heaven of eternal life, but it also provides for the development of holiness on earth.  We are God’s people and under His care. 

With an inheritance from God, we are being built into a spiritual body as a chosen people, a holy nation, called out of darkness into God’s wonderful light (1 Peter 2:8,9).  

As pilgrims passing through this earth, we recognize the more splendid and eternal residence is in heaven.  Therefore, we live a holy life here as we grow to love God more and be like Jesus.  Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Peter 2:1

 

Ridding ourselves of the works of flesh takes practice.  When I first practice a new arpeggio up the keyboard, my fingers struggle to play it right or fast enough.  I practice slowly.  I play it over and over until I master it.  My fingers and muscles learn to stretch and become more agile.  Accuracy improves. You’ve heard the saying, “Practice makes perfect.” It is similar to holiness.   It takes time and practice.

Thankfully, God gave the Holy Spirit to help us. 

 

GOD GIVES YOU THE HOLY SPIRIT

God planned long ago to choose you and to make you his holy people, which is the Spirit’s work (1 Peter 1:1).

Consider Peter’s life in the Gospels as compared to his life in the book of Acts.  In the Gospels, he was arrogant, rebuking Jesus (Matthew 16:23).  He was fearful of the Jewish leaders (John 20:19),  his flesh was weak (Matthew 26:41), and he denied Jesus (Luke 22:54-62).  But in Acts, Peter is a new person. He’s bold ((Acts 9:32-35), unafraid (Acts 4:18-22),  healing the sick and raising the dead (Acts 9:36-42), and obeying the leading of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:9-15). Peter’s knowledge of Jesus, not only as the Messiah but as the resurrected Savior, renewed and repurposed him into the confident disciple that would change the world.  Look at some ways the Spirit worked through Peter.

 -His first sermon reached three thousand new converts (Acts 2:41).  

-On the way to church with John, a lame man asks for money.  He said, “Look at us.  Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of  Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” The lame man got up, pinched himself in wonder, and began jumping around in joyous praise! (Act 3:1-10).  Peter boldly preached to the amazed crowd and called them to know Jesus.  (Acts 3:11-16). 

–Peter’s fearless preaching about Jesus landed him in prison.    The magistrates told Peter and John they could no longer speak in the name of Jesus.  Peter and John refuse.  “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”   They let Peter and John go.  They couldn’t decide how to punish them because all the people were praising God (Acts 4:18-22).   

–The Holy Spirit gave divine knowledge to Peter as the church started.  Peter asked Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit. . . you have not lied to men but to God. Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last.  So great fear came upon all those who heard (Acts 5:1-11).  

–Peter’s rooftop revelation opened his understanding and sent him to the Gentiles (Acts 10:9-15).  Though not “kosher,” the vision dispelled the law of separation from the Gentiles (Acts 10:28).  In obedience, Peter went to Caesarea, to the home of a Gentile, Cornelius.  While Peter was preaching of Jesus’ death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit came upon Cornelius’ entire household.  The Holy Spirit filled them, just as the 120 Jewish disciples did on the day of Pentecost.    

-When King Herod killed James, he also arrested Peter and secured him with four squads of soldiers.  Peter, bound with two chains between two soldiers and guards by the door.  Even though he wasn’t sure if he would die the next day, Peter slept. But an angel of the Lord woke him, and his chains fell off.  Peter followed the angel out of prison.  They passed the guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city, and it opened (Acts 12:8-11). Amazing!

The Spirit’s work in Peter’s life gave him extra Holy-Spirit-power.  Peter never again denied Jesus.   He never faltered, even in the heat of persecution and prison.  He was obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  His faith was unshakeable.  With that firm faith in the knowledge of Jesus, Peter boasts of God’s ability to give everything needed to live a holy life.  Everything!!

GOD PROVIDES EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO LIVE A HOLY LIFE

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness (2 Peter 1:3).

God chooses us and empowers us to be holy.  The Holy Spirit gently nudges us to surrender as the work of holiness transforms our nature into the nature of Jesus.   

When I yield, I can do the things that honor God rather than please my human nature.  I can say “no” to temptation and say “yes” to self-control.  I can forgive, speak kindness, show mercy.   Not of my own power, but God’s divine power, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, is available to help in this pursuit of holiness.  But we must yield.

So prepare your minds for service. With complete self-control, put all your hope in the grace that will be yours when Jesus Christ comes.  In the past you did not have the understanding you have now, so you did the evil things you wanted to do. But now you are children of God, so you should obey him and not live the way you did before.  Be holy in everything you do, just as God is holy. He is the one who chose you.  In the Scriptures God says, “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:13-16 ESV).

The promise of an eternal inheritance motivates obedience.  The presence of the Holy Spirit leads to righteousness.   

What God did for Peter, He will do for you and me, but we must answer the call to be holy.

Always live as God’s holy people should, because God is the one who chose you, and he is holy (1 Peter 1:15 CEV)

Go with us to Part 3, GOD’S WORD IS ESSENTIAL TO HOLINESS 

The divinely inspired Word of God is a treasure to the believer on the journey of holiness. 

 

 

 

 

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