September 7, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 8): Portion

The Psalm of the Word

The Lord is my portion;
I have promised to keep Your words.

I sought Your favor with all my heart;
Be gracious to me according to Your word.

I considered my ways
And turned my feet to Your testimonies.

I hastened and did not delay
To keep Your commandments.

The cords of the wicked have encircled me,
But I have not forgotten Your law.

At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to You
Because of Your righteous ordinances.

I am a companion of all those who fear You,
And of those who keep Your precepts.

The earth is full of Your lovingkindness, O Lord;
Teach me Your statutes.

(Psalm 119:57-64)

The theme of this lesson is David’s statement, “The Lord is my portion” (Psalm 119:57). What does this mean? And how is it connected to the overall theme of this psalm (the word of God)? Let us consider these questions.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: The Psalm of the Word Tagged With: , , , , ,
September 1, 2015

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

Question Mark Sign

This is the most important question one may ask. We know that all who are of accountable age “have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Many disregard sin as being an inconsequential matter. Others mock the very concept of sin. Yet the Scriptures paint a grave reality. Sin makes “a separation between you and your God” (Isaiah 59:2). Paul plainly affirmed, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , , , , , ,
August 31, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 7): Remembrance

The Psalm of the Word

Remember the word to Your servant,
In which You have made me hope.

This is my comfort in my affliction,
That Your word has revived me.

The arrogant utterly deride me,
Yet I do not turn aside from Your law.

I have remembered Your ordinances from of old, O Lord,
And comfort myself.

Burning indignation has seized me because of the wicked,
Who forsake Your law.

Your statutes are my songs
In the house of my pilgrimage.

O Lord, I remember Your name in the night,
And keep Your law.

This has become mine,
That I observe Your precepts.

(Psalm 119:49-56)

This lesson will address the importance of remembering God’s word. His word will not do us any good if we do not know it. Furthermore, God’s word will not help us if we forget it. So let us consider what the psalmist said about remembering God’s word – why to do it and how to do it.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: The Psalm of the Word Tagged With: , , , , , ,
August 24, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 6): Liberty

The Psalm of the Word

May Your lovingkindnesses also come to me, O Lord,
Your salvation according to Your word;

So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me,
For I trust in Your word.

And do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
For I wait for Your ordinances.

So I will keep Your law continually,
Forever and ever.

And I will walk at liberty,
For I seek Your precepts.

I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings
And shall not be ashamed.

I shall delight in Your commandments,
Which I love.

And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments, which I love;
And I will meditate on Your statutes.

(Psalm 119:41-48)

How can it be said that we have liberty when we are also bound to follow God’s law? Many people are confused by this concept. But let us consider David’s words about following God’s law and walking at liberty.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: The Psalm of the Word Tagged With: , , , , ,
August 18, 2015

Do Not Exceed What Is Written

Hand on Bible

“Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other” (1 Corinthians 4:6).

Paul had to address several problems in his first letter to Corinth. One had to do with the brethren elevating men and regarding them as more important than they were. The apostle used himself and Apollos as an example in order to teach them “not to exceed what is written.” His warning was for them to not go beyond the limits of what God’s word allows. This principle is found throughout the letter. In this article, we will consider some points that Paul addressed in this letter in order to teach us – or remind us – not to exceed what is written and go beyond the boundaries of God’s word.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
August 17, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 5): Revival

The Psalm of the Word

Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,
And I shall observe it to the end.

Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law
And keep it with all my heart.

Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it.

Incline my heart to Your testimonies
And not to dishonest gain.

Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity,
And revive me in Your ways.

Establish Your word to Your servant,
As that which produces reverence for You.

Turn away my reproach which I dread,
For Your ordinances are good.

Behold, I long for Your precepts;
revive me through Your righteousness.

(Psalm 119:33-40)

“Revivals” are common in the religious world – assemblies conducted for the purpose of bringing people to Christ or leading a Christian to rededicate his life to the Lord. They are similar in some ways to “Gospel Meetings” that are more common among brethren, but notably different. The difference is rooted in how we understand this revival to be happening. The verses we will consider here are helpful in understanding how we can be revived.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: The Psalm of the Word Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
August 12, 2015

Those Who Have No Right to Speak God’s Word

Microphone

We sometimes hear celebrities, politicians, and other godless people quoting (or misquoting) the Bible. They often do so in an attempt to defend an unscriptural position (e.g. support for same-sex “marriage,” opposition to the death penalty, etc.). When we hear them, we might think, “What business do they have in speaking about the Bible?” God asked the same type of question in the following text.

“But to the wicked God says, ‘What right have you to tell of My statutes and to take My covenant in your mouth? For you hate discipline, and you cast My words behind you. When you see a thief, you are pleased with him, and you associate with adulterers. You let your mouth loose in evil and your tongue frames deceit. You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother’s son. These things you have done and I kept silence; you thought that I was just like you; I will reprove you and state the case in order before your eyes” (Psalm 50:16-21).

There are certain ones who have no right to speak God’s word. Let us notice who was identified in the text.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,