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.
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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.
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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 29, 2015

Ten Years

Deep in Thought

“So, remove grief and anger from your heart and put away pain from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting” (Ecclesiastes 11:10).

Every hour, day, and year that passes is forever lost. Once time has passed, we can never get it back. Jesus said it is impossible to “add a single hour” to our lives (Matthew 6:27).

Within the last year, I have hit three different ten-year milestones in my personal life – the tenth birthday of my oldest son; ten years working with the church in Morgantown; and, with this article, closing out the first ten years of Plain Bible Teaching. This has led me to reflect upon how much can happen in a decade. So in this article, we are going to focus on five different ten-year periods in the Bible and see what lessons we can learn.
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July 27, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 2): Purity

The Psalm of the Word

How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Your word.

With all my heart I have sought You;
Do not let me wander from Your commandments.

Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.

Blessed are You, O Lord;
Teach me Your statutes.

With my lips I have told of
All the ordinances of Your mouth.

I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.

I will meditate on Your precepts
And regard Your ways.

I shall delight in Your statutes;
I shall not forget Your word.

(Psalm 119:9-16)

After emphasizing the fact that God’s word is a blessing to us, David discussed a characteristic that will be developed in the lives of those who faithfully follow the word – purity.
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July 20, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 1): Blessing

The Psalm of the Word

How blessed are those whose way is blameless,
Who walk in the law of the Lord.

How blessed are those who observe His testimonies,
Who seek Him with all their heart.

They also do no unrighteousness;
They walk in His ways.

You have ordained Your precepts,
That we should keep them diligently.

Oh that my ways may be established
To keep Your statutes!

Then I shall not be ashamed
When I look upon all Your commandments.

I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart,
When I learn Your righteous judgments.

I shall keep Your statutes;
Do not forsake me utterly!

(Psalm 119:1-8)

David began this psalm by introducing the idea that God’s word is a blessing to us. Why should we recognize the word of God as a blessing, and what should we do as a result?
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