October 5, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 12): Stability

The Psalm of the Word

Forever, O Lord,
Your word is settled in heaven.

Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations;
You established the earth, and it stands.

They stand this day according to Your ordinances,
For all things are Your servants.

If Your law had not been my delight,
Then I would have perished in my affliction.

I will never forget Your precepts,
For by them You have revived me.

I am Yours, save me;
For I have sought Your precepts.

The wicked wait for me to destroy me;
I shall diligently consider Your testimonies.

I have seen a limit to all perfection;
Your commandment is exceedingly broad.

(Psalm 119:89-96)

The world around us is constantly changing. Yet God’s word is “firmly fixed in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89, ESV). This allows us to have stability in our lives if we follow God’s word.
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September 29, 2015

Mediocre Christianity

Swamp

The church in Laodicea was condemned for being “lukewarm” (Revelation 3:16). They thought they were in “need of nothing” (Revelation 3:17), but they were not healthy spiritually. Jesus told them they needed to “be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19).

At times, we may be like the Laodiceans – not what we should be as Christians, but not completely unfaithful either. We may not be zealously serving God, but are also not willfully rejecting Him either. Instead, we are in a state of spiritual mediocrity. What does this look like in our individual lives? When we find ourselves in such a state, how can we change it? That is what we will consider in this article.
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September 28, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 11): Persecution

The Psalm of the Word

My soul languishes for Your salvation;
I wait for Your word.

My eyes fail with longing for Your word,
While I say, “When will You comfort me?”

Though I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
I do not forget Your statutes.

How many are the days of Your servant?
When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me?

The arrogant have dug pits for me,
Men who are not in accord with Your law.

All Your commandments are faithful;
They have persecuted me with a lie; help me!

They almost destroyed me on earth,
But as for me, I did not forsake Your precepts.

Revive me according to Your lovingkindness,
So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.

(Psalm 119:81-88)

This lesson is about the persecution that comes from following God’s word. This is important for us to remember as we will face persecution as well (2 Timothy 3:12). These verses not only speak of the reality of persecution, but the hope we have despite of it.
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September 21, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 10): Life

The Psalm of the Word

Your hands made me and fashioned me;
Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.

May those who fear You see me and be glad,
Because I wait for Your word.

I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are righteous,
And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.

O may Your lovingkindness comfort me,
According to Your word to Your servant.

May Your compassion come to me that I may live,
For Your law is my delight.

May the arrogant be ashamed, for they subvert me with a lie;
But I shall meditate on Your precepts.

May those who fear You turn to me,
Even those who know Your testimonies.

May my heart be blameless in Your statutes,
So that I will not be ashamed.

(Psalm 119:73-80)

God is our Creator – the giver of life. Understanding this fact should cause us to serve the Lord and do so in a certain way. Let us notice the connection between God being our Maker and our Master.
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September 15, 2015

Lacking Sense

Man in dark

The book of Proverbs focuses on wisdom that comes from above. It contains many contrasts between wisdom and foolishness. Several passages describe one who lacks sense, which means he is void of understanding or wisdom. Paul said we are to “walk, not as unwise men but as wise” (Ephesians 5:15). So let us consider some of the passages from Proverbs about those who lack sense and see what we can learn from them.
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September 14, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 9): Affliction

The Psalm of the Word

You have dealt well with Your servant,
O Lord, according to Your word.

Teach me good discernment and knowledge,
For I believe in Your commandments.

Before I was afflicted I went astray,
But now I keep Your word.

You are good and do good;
Teach me Your statutes.

The arrogant have forged a lie against me;
With all my heart I will observe Your precepts.

Their heart is covered with fat,
But I delight in Your law.

It is good for me that I was afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes.

The law of Your mouth is better to me
Than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

(Psalm 119:65-72)

It may sound strange when we read it, but the psalmist said that it was good that he was afflicted. How could affliction be considered a good thing? And what kind of affliction was he talking about? Let us consider these questions.
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September 8, 2015

Imagining Jesus

Jesus and the moneychangers

“The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables” (John 2:13-15).

When Jesus came to Jerusalem for the Passover, He “cleansed” the temple, driving out the money changers and those selling animals. His actions must have been quite a shock to those who were driven out that day, as well as to those who were there to witness the event. Of course, many today would also be shocked to read this in the Bible.
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