December 7, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 21): Reverence

The Psalm of the Word

Princes persecute me without cause,
But my heart stands in awe of Your words.

I rejoice at Your word,
As one who finds great spoil.

I hate and despise falsehood,
But I love Your law.

Seven times a day I praise You,
Because of Your righteous ordinances.

Those who love Your law have great peace,
And nothing causes them to stumble.

I hope for Your salvation, O Lord,
And do Your commandments.

My soul keeps Your testimonies,
And I love them exceedingly.

I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies,
For all my ways are before You.

(Psalm 119:161-168)

In this lesson, we will focus on the idea of reverence. If we fear God, we should hold His word in the highest regard. This will necessarily lead us to respond in a certain way toward His word.
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December 1, 2015

God’s Words to Adam

Garden of Eden

Adam was created by God and was the first man to live on the earth. The first three chapters of Genesis record his beginning up until his fall. In these chapters, God made several statements directly to Adam. In this article, we will consider what God said to Adam and see what we can learn from these statements.
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November 30, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 20): Truth

The Psalm of the Word

Look upon my affliction and rescue me,
For I do not forget Your law.

Plead my cause and redeem me;
Revive me according to Your word.

Salvation is far from the wicked,
For they do not seek Your statutes.

Great are Your mercies, O Lord;
Revive me according to Your ordinances.

Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
Yet I do not turn aside from Your testimonies.

I behold the treacherous and loathe them,
Because they do not keep Your word.

Consider how I love Your precepts;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness.

The sum of Your word is truth,
And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.

(Psalm 119:153-160)

One of the more well-known verses in this psalm identifies God’s word as truth (Psalm 119:160). However, it is not enough to merely recognize that the word is truth. We must also obey it if we hope to be saved.
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November 23, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 19): Help

The Psalm of the Word

I cried with all my heart; answer me, O Lord!
I will observe Your statutes.

I cried to You; save me
And I shall keep Your testimonies.

I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I wait for Your words.

My eyes anticipate the night watches,
That I may meditate on Your word.

Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your ordinances.

Those who follow after wickedness draw near;
They are far from Your law.

You are near, O Lord,
And all Your commandments are truth.

Of old I have known from Your testimonies
That You have founded them forever.

(Psalm 119:145-152)

This lesson is about the help that we can receive from God. In particular, the psalmist emphasizes prayer. However, as we should expect by this point in this psalm, we cannot appeal to God without regard to His word.
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November 16, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 18): Righteousness

The Psalm of the Word

Righteous are You, O Lord,
And upright are Your judgments.

You have commanded Your testimonies in righteousness
And exceeding faithfulness.

My zeal has consumed me,
Because my adversaries have forgotten Your words.

Your word is very pure,
Therefore Your servant loves it.

I am small and despised,
Yet I do not forget Your precepts.

Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
And Your law is truth.

Trouble and anguish have come upon me,
Yet Your commandments are my delight.

Your testimonies are righteous forever;
Give me understanding that I may live.

(Psalm 119:137-144)

The focus of this lesson is on righteousness. God’s word is righteous because He is righteous. We can also be righteous if we follow His word.
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November 10, 2015

Was James a Heretic?

James

There are several statements in James’ epistle that are contrary to popularly held religious beliefs. Let us briefly consider these passages in light of what many churches teach today.
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November 9, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 17): Grace

The Psalm of the Word

Your testimonies are wonderful;
Therefore my soul observes them.

The unfolding of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.

I opened my mouth wide and panted,
For I longed for Your commandments.

Turn to me and be gracious to me,
After Your manner with those who love Your name.

Establish my footsteps in Your word,
And do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.

Redeem me from the oppression of man,
That I may keep Your precepts.

Make Your face shine upon Your servant,
And teach me Your statutes.

My eyes shed streams of water,
Because they do not keep Your law.

(Psalm 119:129-136)

We typically think of grace as a New Testament feature, and it is certainly emphasized there. “For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). However, grace still existed in the Old Testament and this passage reminds us of that fact. Let us notice how God’s grace and God’s word are related.
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