I know it has been MONTHS since we last posted. Things were crazy and we needed a break...
But as of June 1st things will be in full swing again.
We moved the blog to http://chapteraday.harvestreston.org
see you there!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Psalm 119:105-112
NUN – The 14th Letter of the Hebrew Alphabet
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
(Psalms 119:105)
This is a verse that I would venture to say we are all familiar with. We have probably heard it so many times in fact that we now can hear it and process it with out catching what it really says. Let’s take a minute here and take it apart.
The Word here is compared to a LAMP and a LIGHT.
Now the word used here for LAMP means just what it says… a lamp. We use lamps to light up spaces. Rooms, hallways, even outdoors, lamps provide light so we can see OUR ENVIRONMENT for what it is, and SAFELY INTERACT WITH IT.
The Word light on the other hand talks specifically about the role light has in illuminating things. This is really interesting. Not only does light illuminate our SURROUNDINGS but it can illuminate US. It reveals truths about who we are and where we are.
Notice what this lamp and this light do for us: THEY GUIDE OUR FEET and ILLUMINATE OUR PATH. See, the thing that the Word is Illuminating is the path we walk on, and it does it so that we can safely navigate the road we walk in this world.
Now, knowing this about the Word, do you realize that walking in this World without really reading, studying, meditating on God’s Word is like going into the woods at night with a flashlight but never turning it on?
You know the truth about God’s Word, but are you applying it? You know that it is a light, but are you USING IT?
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
(Psalms 119:105)
This is a verse that I would venture to say we are all familiar with. We have probably heard it so many times in fact that we now can hear it and process it with out catching what it really says. Let’s take a minute here and take it apart.
The Word here is compared to a LAMP and a LIGHT.
Now the word used here for LAMP means just what it says… a lamp. We use lamps to light up spaces. Rooms, hallways, even outdoors, lamps provide light so we can see OUR ENVIRONMENT for what it is, and SAFELY INTERACT WITH IT.
The Word light on the other hand talks specifically about the role light has in illuminating things. This is really interesting. Not only does light illuminate our SURROUNDINGS but it can illuminate US. It reveals truths about who we are and where we are.
Notice what this lamp and this light do for us: THEY GUIDE OUR FEET and ILLUMINATE OUR PATH. See, the thing that the Word is Illuminating is the path we walk on, and it does it so that we can safely navigate the road we walk in this world.
Now, knowing this about the Word, do you realize that walking in this World without really reading, studying, meditating on God’s Word is like going into the woods at night with a flashlight but never turning it on?
You know the truth about God’s Word, but are you applying it? You know that it is a light, but are you USING IT?
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Psalm 119:97-104
Mem – The 13th Letter of the Hebrew Alphabet
Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide. Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of Your laws. I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept Your commandments.
(Psalms 119:98-100)
Do you love the Word of God? Do you think about it all day long? Do you see it as a constant guide? Is it sweet to your taste, sweeter than honey? I hope in light of today’s verses you can answer yes to those questions…
This section of verses compares and contrasts the Word of God with worldly sources of wisdom. It points out that the source of our understanding should be the WORD OF GOD; and it reminds us that the wisdom we draw from God’s Word is far superior to the stuff of this world.
WORD vs. ENEMIES – By nature, our enemies (the world, the flesh, and the devil) are always trying to get a leg up on us. They want the upper hand so they can DEFEAT us. In this psalm, we read that we can be WISER than those enemies if the Word of God is our constant companion! You wanna beat the devil? You wanna gain the victory over your flesh? You wanna see the things of this world lose their grip on you? Then let the Word be your guide as you walk the straight and narrow path that traverses this broken place we call earth. Love the Word of God; let it dictate how you walk, where you walk, when you walk, and who you walk with. It truly can give you the victory!
WORD vs. TEACHERS – We can learn a lot from our teachers. They are people who want to share with us what they have learned as they have walked through life. However, the Word can give us insights into life that a teacher never could. The Word can cut in and discern the thoughts and intents of our hearts… a teacher can never do that! If we can “Think Biblically”, we may find that the insights we have into what is going on in the world around us excel even our teachers. Even the smartest of the smart in this world are nothing in comparison with the Word of God!
WORD vs. ELDERS – I am sure in life you will have people tell you that “you’ll get it when you are older”. Sometimes this is true, but other times it is an excuse. There are times when those who are older and “wiser” (in the worldly sense) than we are can give UNBIBLICAL bad advice. Just because someone is older doesn’t mean that what they have to say is correct. Ultimately, the Bible is where we need to go to get TRUE WISDOM.
MY FRIENDS, DRINK DEEP AT THE WELL OF GOD’S WORD!
Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide. Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of Your laws. I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept Your commandments.
(Psalms 119:98-100)
Do you love the Word of God? Do you think about it all day long? Do you see it as a constant guide? Is it sweet to your taste, sweeter than honey? I hope in light of today’s verses you can answer yes to those questions…
This section of verses compares and contrasts the Word of God with worldly sources of wisdom. It points out that the source of our understanding should be the WORD OF GOD; and it reminds us that the wisdom we draw from God’s Word is far superior to the stuff of this world.
WORD vs. ENEMIES – By nature, our enemies (the world, the flesh, and the devil) are always trying to get a leg up on us. They want the upper hand so they can DEFEAT us. In this psalm, we read that we can be WISER than those enemies if the Word of God is our constant companion! You wanna beat the devil? You wanna gain the victory over your flesh? You wanna see the things of this world lose their grip on you? Then let the Word be your guide as you walk the straight and narrow path that traverses this broken place we call earth. Love the Word of God; let it dictate how you walk, where you walk, when you walk, and who you walk with. It truly can give you the victory!
WORD vs. TEACHERS – We can learn a lot from our teachers. They are people who want to share with us what they have learned as they have walked through life. However, the Word can give us insights into life that a teacher never could. The Word can cut in and discern the thoughts and intents of our hearts… a teacher can never do that! If we can “Think Biblically”, we may find that the insights we have into what is going on in the world around us excel even our teachers. Even the smartest of the smart in this world are nothing in comparison with the Word of God!
WORD vs. ELDERS – I am sure in life you will have people tell you that “you’ll get it when you are older”. Sometimes this is true, but other times it is an excuse. There are times when those who are older and “wiser” (in the worldly sense) than we are can give UNBIBLICAL bad advice. Just because someone is older doesn’t mean that what they have to say is correct. Ultimately, the Bible is where we need to go to get TRUE WISDOM.
MY FRIENDS, DRINK DEEP AT THE WELL OF GOD’S WORD!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Psalm 119:89-96
Lamedh – The 12th Letter of the Hebrew Alphabet
Even perfection has its limits, but Your commands have no limit.
(Psalms 119:96)
What an awesome little section of scripture. The focus is on the ETERNALITY of God’s Word. The psalmist tells us that God’s word will abide forever, and points out that the commands contained in it remain relevant even today.
The last verse of the section is my favorite. The psalmist reminds us that though even those things we think are “perfect” here on earth have a limit, His Word has NO LIMIT.
Think about the most perfect day you have ever had… No matter how great it was it, came to an end. The perfect family never stays perfect… The “perfect guy” or “perfect girl” never turns out to be as perfect as they look on TV, and even a baseball pitcher who throws a perfect game will never have a perfect season, let alone a perfect career.
All the things we call PERFECT here eventually come to an end. A flaw appears, or the circumstances change, and what was once perfection becomes a thing of the past.
The Word of God is different. It is PERFECT. Not in the way things of this world are perfect though… It is perfect in the heavenly sense. It will endure forever. Knowing that, do you think you should spend a little more time in it, and take what it says a little more seriously? Think about it.
Even perfection has its limits, but Your commands have no limit.
(Psalms 119:96)
What an awesome little section of scripture. The focus is on the ETERNALITY of God’s Word. The psalmist tells us that God’s word will abide forever, and points out that the commands contained in it remain relevant even today.
The last verse of the section is my favorite. The psalmist reminds us that though even those things we think are “perfect” here on earth have a limit, His Word has NO LIMIT.
Think about the most perfect day you have ever had… No matter how great it was it, came to an end. The perfect family never stays perfect… The “perfect guy” or “perfect girl” never turns out to be as perfect as they look on TV, and even a baseball pitcher who throws a perfect game will never have a perfect season, let alone a perfect career.
All the things we call PERFECT here eventually come to an end. A flaw appears, or the circumstances change, and what was once perfection becomes a thing of the past.
The Word of God is different. It is PERFECT. Not in the way things of this world are perfect though… It is perfect in the heavenly sense. It will endure forever. Knowing that, do you think you should spend a little more time in it, and take what it says a little more seriously? Think about it.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Psalm 119:81-88
Kaph – The 11th Letter of the Hebrew Alphabet
This set of verses is really unique. The Psalmist describes himself as “Waiting for God’s rescue” and “straining his eyes to see God’s promises come true”. At times we might feel like this. We are waiting, waiting, waiting… and we may begin to feel like God’s rescue will never come, or His promises will never be realized. It is at this time that we realize WHY it is so imperative that we are in God’s Word. If we have been in the Word, we will not lose heart, for we will be reminded daily of the promises of God, and we will see vivid examples in the pages of scripture showing us how He has always been faithful.
My friends, stay in the Word. It doesn’t guarantee that life will always go your way, but it does keep us in a place of HOPE and ASSURANCE. You will go through times of difficult just like the psalmist describes… but the Word will be the thing that keeps you from being swept away!
This set of verses is really unique. The Psalmist describes himself as “Waiting for God’s rescue” and “straining his eyes to see God’s promises come true”. At times we might feel like this. We are waiting, waiting, waiting… and we may begin to feel like God’s rescue will never come, or His promises will never be realized. It is at this time that we realize WHY it is so imperative that we are in God’s Word. If we have been in the Word, we will not lose heart, for we will be reminded daily of the promises of God, and we will see vivid examples in the pages of scripture showing us how He has always been faithful.
My friends, stay in the Word. It doesn’t guarantee that life will always go your way, but it does keep us in a place of HOPE and ASSURANCE. You will go through times of difficult just like the psalmist describes… but the Word will be the thing that keeps you from being swept away!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Psalm 119:73-80
YODH – The Tenth Letter of the Hebrew Alphabet
You made me; You created me. Now give me the sense to follow Your commands. May all who fear You find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in Your word.
(Psalms 119:73-74)
Here in this little section the psalmist talks about how God MADE him, and continues to care for him in every way, even by DISCIPLINING him! As he talks about this “Womb to Tomb” relationship with the Lord, He points out what a central role the Word plays.
As we look at this section, I want to focus in on the first two verses in particular (vs 73-74). The truth contained in the first verse is universal… God made each and every one of us! The second half of the verse is left up to us. Will we allow the Lord to give US the sense that we need to really FOLLOW HIS COMMANDS?
The Lord’s wisdom often runs contrary to the ways of this world. Often, for us to have the “sense” we need to follow the Lord, we will end up looking at least slightly crazy from the perspective of this world. Self-preservation is the focus of the wisdom of this world, but God’s wisdom teaches self-sacrificial love. Self esteem is a must have for those who operate by this present ages rules, but from God’s perspective, humility is the way up. Truly, we need God’s wisdom to follow His commands… and that means rejecting a lot of what this world calls wisdom.
If we seek the wisdom of the Lord and reject the wisdom of this world, then the second verse can be a true statement of the testimony we will leave: A SOURCE OF JOY FOR THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD!
The key my friends, is what we find at the close of verse 74… Where is your hope? Is it in the Lord, or is it the things of this world? The decision of where you place your hope will greatly affect the path you take and the mark you make… the choice is yours!
You made me; You created me. Now give me the sense to follow Your commands. May all who fear You find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in Your word.
(Psalms 119:73-74)
Here in this little section the psalmist talks about how God MADE him, and continues to care for him in every way, even by DISCIPLINING him! As he talks about this “Womb to Tomb” relationship with the Lord, He points out what a central role the Word plays.
As we look at this section, I want to focus in on the first two verses in particular (vs 73-74). The truth contained in the first verse is universal… God made each and every one of us! The second half of the verse is left up to us. Will we allow the Lord to give US the sense that we need to really FOLLOW HIS COMMANDS?
The Lord’s wisdom often runs contrary to the ways of this world. Often, for us to have the “sense” we need to follow the Lord, we will end up looking at least slightly crazy from the perspective of this world. Self-preservation is the focus of the wisdom of this world, but God’s wisdom teaches self-sacrificial love. Self esteem is a must have for those who operate by this present ages rules, but from God’s perspective, humility is the way up. Truly, we need God’s wisdom to follow His commands… and that means rejecting a lot of what this world calls wisdom.
If we seek the wisdom of the Lord and reject the wisdom of this world, then the second verse can be a true statement of the testimony we will leave: A SOURCE OF JOY FOR THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD!
The key my friends, is what we find at the close of verse 74… Where is your hope? Is it in the Lord, or is it the things of this world? The decision of where you place your hope will greatly affect the path you take and the mark you make… the choice is yours!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Psalm 119:65-72
Teth – The Ninth Letter in the Hebrew Alphabet
Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver.
(Psalms 119:72)
In this section of our Psalm, the writer begins to talk about how valuable the Word of the Lord has been to him. As I began thinking about this section, specifically about Verse 72, I caused this question to rise in my mind: “How valuable is the Word of God to you?” Another way to put it would be to ask, “How much is your Bible worth?”
Now, I want you to think about this, because how YOU might answer that question initially may be quite different from the truth. So, let me ask you a couple of other questions to help you out…
1. What is the most valuable thing you own?
2. If time and attention were the “tell tale signs”, what would they indicate is thepossession that is most important to you?
3. If we asked your family, how valuable would they say your Bible is to you?
4. If we asked your family, what things would they say are worth more to you than your Bible?
Think about these questions for a little while, and then look at the Psalmist. He says the Word of God was worth more than MILLIONS in GOLD and SILVER. That is pretty intense. There is a lot you can do with millions. Can you honestly repeat the sentiment of the psalmist? Does it show?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
