Psalm 119:148 - A page turner

My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
     that I may meditate on your promises.

Every once in a while I will see a post on Facebook "It's 2 am and I need to go to sleep, but I can't put down this book I am reading!" From the verse above, the author of this portion of Psalm 119 felt this way about the word of God. When we allow the word of God to penetrate our heart and ask God to speak to us personally through his word, his word becomes more than just a book and we too will have this kind of passion about the Bible.

Lord, thank you for your word. Please help us to love your word and meditate on it often. Amen.

Psalm 119:58 - Study and meditation

I have sought your face with all my heart;

        be gracious to me according to your promise.

This part of Psalm 119 is about study of and meditation on the word. The word is our portion or sustenance, Through seeking his face, considering our ways and giving thanks, we turn toward his statues, obey and remember his law regardless of our circumstances, We also connect with others and enjoy the love the Lord offers. 

Lord, thank you for the benefits of seeking you. Please help us to always seek your face with all our hearts. Amen.

Matthew 6:19-24 - Bible Study Challenge Day 5

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Question 1 - What treasures do we lay up here on earth?
Out treasures can be stuff. We fill our lives and houses with stuff. In the last few day I have spent a bunch of money on a bunch of stuff. It is easy to find our value in the stuff we purchase. Our treasures may be the things/activities we give our time and effort to, especially if it is more time and effort than we give to God. Our treasure may be our savings or retirement account. It's good to think ahead, be prepared and plan to take care of ourselves when we retire, but investments can fail, big expenses can drain us financially and all can be lost. We must be careful we are putting our trust and value in God, not our savings.

Question 2 - How can we keep the light in us?
We are a vessel for light. The more broken we are, the more light gets out to share with the world. We must fill our vessel daily/hourly through prayer, study and meditation, by believing and trusting in God.

Question 3 - Who or what competes to be our master?
So many things!!! Anything we obey rather than God. This could be our job, spouse, children, presidents, food and other addictions, money, etc...

Psalm 95:7-8 - Hear his voice

Today, if only you would hear his voice,
     “Do not harden your hearts

I believe hearing God is essential. Before you even begin your walk with God, he will draw you to him, if you will only listen with your heart. While you are on our spiritual journey, he continues to guide you, you just have to open his word and your mind. As a Christian, you are instructed by his word and through the meditation of your heart-being still and hearing his voice.

Lord, thank you for speaking to us. Please help us to hear your voice. Amen

Psalm 77:12 - When in doubt...

I will consider all your works
     and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

Psalm 77 begins with doubt. David can't sleep and is in distress. He asks God if he has left. But the remedy to this is to meditate on God's miracles and mighty works. David thinks about the ways in which God has saved his people in the past. We can do the same thing. If we are worried or doubtful, think about the ways he has helped you in the past. Remember a time when he performed a miracle in your life. If you don't have this kind of history with God, find someone who does and allow their faith to teach you and lead you to Christ.

Lord, thank you for giving us a solution for doubt. Help us to meditate on your mighty deeds. Amen.