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.
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August 10, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 4): Strength

The Psalm of the Word

My soul cleaves to the dust;
Revive me according to Your word.

I have told of my ways, and You have answered me;
Teach me Your statutes.

Make me understand the way of Your precepts,
So I will meditate on Your wonders.

My soul weeps because of grief;
Strengthen me according to Your word.

Remove the false way from me,
And graciously grant me Your law.

I have chosen the faithful way;
I have placed Your ordinances before me.

I cling to Your testimonies;
O Lord, do not put me to shame!

I shall run the way of Your commandments,
For You will enlarge my heart.

(Psalm 119:25-32)

All of us will face difficulties in life. Job said, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1, KJV). In this lesson, we will focus on how God’s word is our source of strength, particularly when we are dealing with difficult circumstances in life. During such times, we must turn to God’s word to find the strength that we need.
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August 3, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 3): Companionship

The Psalm of the Word

Deal bountifully with Your servant,
That I may live and keep Your word.

Open my eyes, that I may behold
Wonderful things from Your law.

I am a stranger in the earth;
Do not hide Your commandments from me.

My soul is crushed with longing
After Your ordinances at all times.

You rebuke the arrogant, the cursed,
Who wander from Your commandments.

Take away reproach and contempt from me,
For I observe Your testimonies.

Even though princes sit and talk against me,
Your servant meditates on Your statutes.

Your testimonies also are my delight;
They are my counselors.

(Psalm 119:17-24)

People value friendships, family relationships, and being part of a community. But often, God’s people will be strangers and outcasts. His word provides comfort and guidance when we feel as the psalmist did – as “a stranger in the earth” (Psalm 119:19). In this lesson, we will consider the idea of God’s word providing companionship for us.
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July 7, 2015

The Song of Moses

Passage of the Jews through the Red Sea - Aivazovsky

After crossing the Red Sea and witnessing the destruction of the Egyptian army by the power of God, Moses and the Israelites sang praises to the Lord. The song recorded mentioned several reasons why the Lord is worthy of praise. As we consider these reasons, we should also recognize that God is worthy of praise for the same reasons today.

Let us briefly consider the reasons why Moses and the Israelites praised the Lord on this occasion.
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December 15, 2014

The Root of the Problem (Part 20): No Fear of God

The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome

When Paul indicted all under sin, he quotes several passages from the Old Testament to describe the sinful state of man: there is none righteous, there is none who does good, their feet are swift to shed blood, etc. (Romans 3:9-17). At the end he reveals the mindset that leads to all these failings:

“There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Romans 3:18).

When one does not fear God, there is no motivation to listen to God. In both the Old and New Testaments, fearing God is connected with one’s obedience.
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December 8, 2014

The Root of the Problem (Part 19): Lack of Love for God

The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome

If we are to put away sin from our lives, we would do well to remember what Jesus describes as the greatest commandment.

“And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38).

It is essential that we love God. But it must be a real love – something that goes beyond mere emotion or appreciation. Loving God should lead us to obedience.
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November 4, 2014

All Things Work Together for Good

Gears

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

This verse is popular among religious people. It is often used to refer to a wide range things – finding a spouse, obtaining a job, recovering from an illness, receiving some unexpected financial benefit, etc. Are all of these types of things under consideration in this verse or was Paul discussing something specific?
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