An individual's spiritual skillfulness
to understand and apply the precepts and principles of God's Word unto his or her daily living is a distinct and observable indication of that individual's spiritual maturity.
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Thought for Meditation
An individual's spiritual skillfulness to understand and apply the precepts and principles of God's Word unto his or her daily living is a distinct and observable indication of that individual's spiritual maturity.
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Weekly Sermon
In Psalm 119:22-23 the psalmist, this faithful servant of the Lord, stated, “Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies. Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.” As a whole, the theme of Psalm 119 is – The desire of the Lord’s suffering servant to seek the Lord through His holy Word. In Psalm 119:22-23 the psalmist speaks for the first time concerning the affliction and reproach under which he was suffering. Indeed, he was suffering reproach and contempt. He was being slandered. Many were speaking against him. Yet the psalmist, as a faithful servant of the Lord, also presented his response unto that affliction and reproach. In the closing portion of Psalm 119:23, he declared, “But thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.” Even so, with a study throughout Psalm 119, we may learn how a faithful servant of the Lord responds in the face of affliction and reproach. Thought for Meditation
In order to be Biblically and spiritually minded, rather than worldly and carnally minded, an individual must be daily reading, studying, and meditating in the truth and wisdom of God's Holy Word. Weekly Sermon
Psalm 119:23-24 reads, “Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes. Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.” In Psalm 119:17-24 the psalmist referred to himself as a servant of the Lord twice. In Psalm 119:17 he prayed unto the Lord, saying, “Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.” Again in Psalm 119:23 he expressed his commitment unto the Lord, saying, “Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.” Indeed, the psalmist presented himself as a faithful servant of the Lord who had committed himself to walk in a right relationship with God’s Word. Furthermore, the psalmist presented himself as a faithful servant of the Lord in contrast to the proud of this world, who walked in disobedience to God’s Word. In Psalm 119:21-22 he revealed this contrast, saying, “Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments. Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.” Finally, the psalmist presented himself as a faithful servant of the Lord who was suffering reproach and was responding aright to that reproach. In Psalm 119:23 he indicated this response, saying, “Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.” Even so, throughout this passage this faithful servant of the Lord revealed four ingredients whereby we also might walk as faithful servants of the Lord. Weekly Sermon
Psalm 119:18-20 reads, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.” Through these three verses, the psalmist, this young man of God, this faithful servant of the Lord, expressed the burden of his heart for the Lord’s guidance in his life. Even so, in these three verses we find nine characteristics concerning the burden of the Lord’s servant for the Lord’s guidance. Thus if we would also walk as faithful servants of our Lord, we must also maintain a burden for our Lord’s guidance in our lives. Yea, we must also maintain these same characteristics in our burden for our Lord’s guidance. Meditations in Ezekiel Ezekiel 2:3 – “And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day.” 1. To Confront Them for Their Stubborn Rebellion Ezekiel 2:4a – “For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them.” 2. To Uphold the Authority of God’s Holy Word Ezekiel 2:4b – “And thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD.” 3. To Call Them unto Humble Repentance Ezekiel 2:5 – “And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.” 4. To Stand Fearlessly against Their Reproach Ezekiel 2:6 – “And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.” 5. To Be Faithful Regardless of Their Response Ezekiel 2:7 – “And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.” 6. To Remain Obedient unto God’s Holy Word Ezekiel 2:8 – “But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.” A. As an example unto them B. As a rebuke unto them C. For your own fellowship with the Lord D. For your own enablement in ministry Please share this post with others:
Thought for Meditation
Do you possess a heart of faith like Mary did, or do you possess a spirit of unbelief like Zacharias did? Weekly Sermon
Psalm 119:9-16 reads, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.” Through the grammatical constructions of Psalm 119:9-16, we may note five elements of truth in these eight verses. The first element that we note in this passage is the concern of God’s man. In the opening portion of verse 9, the psalmist, this young man of God, expressed his spiritual concern and burden through the grammatical form of a searching question – “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?” The second element that we note in this passage is the responsibility of God’s man. In the closing portion of verse 9, this responsibility was delivered through the grammatical form of an instructional answer – “By taking heed thereto according to thy [God’s] word.” The third element that we note in this passage is the praise of God’s man. At the center of these eight verses, in the opening portion of verse 12, the psalmist, this young man of God, revealed the spiritual assurance and faith of his heart through the grammatical form of an exclamatory praise – “Blessed art thou, O LORD.” The fourth element that we note in this passage is the request of God’s man. In these eight verses, the psalmist, this young man of God, lifts up two requests unto the Lord through the grammatical form of a heart-felt prayer. In the closing portion of verse 10, this young man of God lifted up his first request unto the Lord – “O let me not wander from thy commandments.” Then in the closing portion of verse 12, this young man of God lifted up his second request unto the Lord – “Teach me thy statutes.” The fifth and final element that we note in this passage is the commitment of God’s man. Actually, this matter of commitment encompasses the majority of these eight verses, including the opening portion of verse 10, all of verse 11, and all of verses 13-16. In these verses, the psalmist, this young man of God, presented his fervent and faithful commitment through the grammatical form of a personal declaration. In verses 10-11 he declared, “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Then in verses 13-16 he declared, “With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.” In this message let us focus our attention upon the fourth element of the passage – the request of God’s man; and let us consider the two-fold request that this young man of God lifted up unto the Lord. Yea, let us consider these two requests with the recognition that we ourselves also ought to lift them up from our hearts unto the Lord each and every day. Weekly Sermon
This sermon is a companion to a previous sermon: Taking Heed according to God’s Word (Part 1) – Psalm 119:9-16 Psalm 119:9-16 reads, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.” In the opening portion of Psalm 119:9, the psalmist expressed the spiritual concern and burden of his heart with the question, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?” He desired to know how he himself, as a young man of God, might have his way cleansed and might continue in the cleansed way. In the closing portion of Psalm 119:9, the answer of God’s Word is delivered – “By taking heed thereto according to thy [God’s] word.” Through this principle we lean that we may have our way cleansed and may continue in the cleansed way by taking heed to conform our way in accord with the standard of God’s Word. We must give our attention and our obedience to the Word of God. Certainly this will require commitment on our part. It will not just happen. We must specifically prepare ourselves and commit ourselves every day to the task. So then, what is involved in the commitment to take heed unto our way in accord with God’s Word? Throughout Psalm 119:10-16 the psalmist, this young man of God, presented eight points of commitment that he had made in this matter. Through his example we learn what is involved in the commitment to take heed according to God’s Word. Now, the eight points of commitment that the psalmist made may be divided grammatically into two parts. The psalmist’s first four commitments he presented in the past tense as those commitments that he had already done. In them we find our responsibility to apply ourselves unto God’s Word. We must apply ourselves to make our Lord and His Word the governing priority and principle of our hearts. The psalmist’s second four commitments he presented in the future tense as those commitments that he intended to do. In them we find our responsibility to apply God’s Word unto ourselves. We must apply the truth of God’s Word to our daily living so that our daily purposes and pursuits are conformed thereto. Already in the first part of the message, we considered the first four commitments of the psalmist and our responsibility to apply ourselves unto God’s Word. Therein we learned first from Psalm 119:10 that we must commit ourselves to seek after our Lord with all our heart, second from Psalm 119:11 that we must commit ourselves to hide God’s Word in our hearts, third from Psalm 119:13 that we must commit ourselves to declare all the wisdom of God’s Word, and fourth from Psalm 119:14 that we must commit ourselves to rejoice in the way of God’s Word. In this second part of the message, let us consider the second four commitments of the psalmist and our responsibility to apply God’s Word unto ourselves. Weekly Sermon
Psalm 119:9-16 reads, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.” In the opening portion of verse 9, the psalmist expressed the spiritual concern and burden of his heart with the question, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?” He desired to know how he himself, as a young man of God, might have his way cleansed and might continue in the cleansed way. In the closing portion of verse 9, the answer of God’s Word is delivered – “By taking heed thereto according to thy [God’s] word.” Through this principle we lean that we may have our way cleansed and may continue in the cleansed way by taking heed to conform our way in accord with the standard of God’s Word. We must give our attention and our obedience to the Word of God. Certainly this will require commitment on our part. It will not just happen. We must specifically prepare ourselves and commit ourselves every day to the task. So then, what is involved in the commitment to take heed unto our way in accord with God’s Word? Throughout Psalm 119:10-16 the psalmist, this young man of God, presented eight points of commitment that he had made in this matter. Through his example we learn what is involved in the commitment to take heed according to God’s Word. Now, the eight points of commitment that the psalmist made may be divided grammatically into two parts. The psalmist’s first four commitments he presented in the past tense as those commitments that he had already done. In them we find our responsibility to apply ourselves unto God’s Word. We must apply ourselves to make our Lord and His Word the governing priority and principle of our hearts. The psalmist’s second four commitments he presented in the future tense as those commitments that he intended to do. In them we find our responsibility to apply God’s Word unto ourselves. We must apply the truth of God’s Word to our daily living so that our daily purposes and pursuits are conformed thereto. In this first part of the message, let us consider the first four commitments of the psalmist and our responsibility to apply ourselves unto God’s Word. Weekly Sermon
This sermon is a companion to two previous sermons: With Uprightness of Heart – Psalm 119:7 (Part 1) With Uprightness of Heart – Psalm 119:7 (Part 2) With Uprightness of Heart – Psalm 119:7 (Part 3) Psalm 119:7 reads, “I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.” In this verse we find three ingredients. First, we find the ingredient of praising the Lord. Second, we find the ingredient of an upright heart. Third, we find the ingredient of God’s true and righteous Word. Furthermore, in this verse we find a progression to these three ingredients. Although we encounter the ingredient of praising the Lord first in the sentence, it is actually the last ingredient in the progression of thought. The opening portion of this verse speaks of praising the Lord our God “with uprightness of heart.” Indeed, in order to so praise the Lord our God, we must first possess the ingredient of an upright heart. In fact, in order for our praise to be acceptable unto the Lord our God, it must flow out of an upright heart. So then, in the progression of thought “uprightness of heart” must come before acceptable praise unto the Lord. Yet the closing portion of the verse then proceeds to reveal the means to such “uprightness of heart,” saying, “When I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.” Indeed, the ingredient of an upright heart comes only as and after we learn the righteous truths of God’s Holy Word. In fact, God’s true and righteous Word is the very foundation for an upright heart. An upright heart can only be built upon the foundation of God’s righteous Word. So then, in this series of messages, let us consider the relationship of God’s righteous Word to an upright heart and the process to develop “uprightness of heart” through the truth of God’s righteous Word. In the first three parts of the message, we have already considered the first six steps in this process: (1) Our hearts must be gleaning from the truth of God’s Word; (2) Our hearts must be governed by the truth of God’s Word; (3) Our hearts must be guarded by the truth of God’s Word; (4) Our hearts must be growing through the truth of God’s Word; (5) Our hearts must be guided through the truth of God’s Word; and (6) Our hearts must be grounded in the truth of God’s Word. In this fourth and final part of the message, let us consider the last three steps in the process to develop “uprightness of heart” through the truth of God’s righteous Word. Weekly Sermon
This sermon is a companion to two previous sermons: With Uprightness of Heart – Psalm 119:7 (Part 1) With Uprightness of Heart – Psalm 119:7 (Part 2) Psalm 119:7 reads, “I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.” In this verse we find three ingredients. First, we find the ingredient of praising the Lord. Second, we find the ingredient of an upright heart. Third, we find the ingredient of God’s true and righteous Word. Furthermore, in this verse we find a progression to these three ingredients. Although we encounter the ingredient of praising the Lord first in the sentence, it is actually the last ingredient in the progression of thought. The opening portion of this verse speaks of praising the Lord our God “with uprightness of heart.” Indeed, in order to so praise the Lord our God, we must first possess the ingredient of an upright heart. In fact, in order for our praise to be acceptable unto the Lord our God, it must flow out of an upright heart. So then, in the progression of thought “uprightness of heart” must come before acceptable praise unto the Lord. Yet the closing portion of the verse then proceeds to reveal the means to such “uprightness of heart,” saying, “When I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.” Indeed, the ingredient of an upright heart comes only as and after we learn the righteous truths of God’s Holy Word. In fact, God’s true and righteous Word is the very foundation for an upright heart. An upright heart can only be built upon the foundation of God’s righteous Word. So then, in this series of messages, let us consider the relationship of God’s righteous Word to an upright heart and the process to develop “uprightness of heart” through the truth of God’s righteous Word. In the first two parts of the message, we have already considered the first five steps in this process: (1) Our hearts must be gleaning from the truth of God’s Word; (2) Our hearts must be governed by the truth of God’s Word; (3) Our hearts must be guarded by the truth of God’s Word; (4) Our hearts must be growing through the truth of God’s Word; and (5) Our hearts must be guided through the truth of God’s Word. In this third part of the message, let us consider the next step in the process to develop “uprightness of heart” through the truth of God’s righteous Word. Weekly Sermon
This sermon is a companion to a previous sermon: With Uprightness of Heart – Psalm 119:7 (Part 1) Psalm 119:7 reads, “I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.” In this verse we find three ingredients. First, we find the ingredient of praising the Lord. Second, we find the ingredient of an upright heart. Third, we find the ingredient of God’s true and righteous Word. Furthermore, in this verse we find a progression to these three ingredients. Although we encounter the ingredient of praising the Lord first in the sentence, it is actually the last ingredient in the progression of thought. The opening portion of this verse speaks of praising the Lord our God “with uprightness of heart.” Indeed, in order to so praise the Lord our God, we must first possess the ingredient of an upright heart. In fact, in order for our praise to be acceptable unto the Lord our God, it must flow out of an upright heart. So then, in the progression of thought “uprightness of heart” must come before acceptable praise unto the Lord. Yet the closing portion of the verse then proceeds to reveal the means to such “uprightness of heart,” saying, “When I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.” Indeed, the ingredient of an upright heart comes only as and after we learn the righteous truths of God’s Holy Word. In fact, God’s true and righteous Word is the very foundation for an upright heart. An upright heart can only be built upon the foundation of God’s righteous Word. So then, in this series of messages, let us consider the relationship of God’s righteous Word to an upright heart and the process to develop “uprightness of heart” through the truth of God’s righteous Word. In the first part of the message, we have already considered the first three steps in this process: (1) Our hearts must be gleaning from the truth of God’s Word; (2) Our hearts must be governed by the truth of God’s Word; and (3) Our hearts must be guarded by the truth of God’s Word. In this second part of the message, let us consider the next two steps in the process to develop “uprightness of heart” through the truth of God’s righteous Word. Weekly Sermon
Psalm 119:7 reads, “I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.” In this verse we find three ingredients. First, we find the ingredient of praising the Lord. Second, we find the ingredient of an upright heart. Third, we find the ingredient of God’s true and righteous Word. Furthermore, in this verse we find a progression to these three ingredients. Although we encounter the ingredient of praising the Lord first in the sentence, it is actually the last ingredient in the progression of thought. The opening portion of this verse speaks of praising the Lord our God “with uprightness of heart.” Indeed, in order to so praise the Lord our God, we must first possess the ingredient of an upright heart. In fact, in order for our praise to be acceptable unto the Lord our God, it must flow out of an upright heart. So then, in the progression of thought “uprightness of heart” must come before acceptable praise unto the Lord. Yet the closing portion of the verse then proceeds to reveal the means to such “uprightness of heart,” saying, “When I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.” Indeed, the ingredient of an upright heart comes only as and after we learn the righteous truths of God’s Holy Word. In fact, God’s true and righteous Word is the very foundation for an upright heart. An upright heart can only be built upon the foundation of God’s righteous Word. So then, in this series of messages, let us consider the relationship of God’s righteous Word to an upright heart and the process to develop “uprightness of heart” through the truth of God’s righteous Word. Weekly Sermon
Psalm 119:2 reads, “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.” In Psalm 119:2 the psalmist spoke of those who seek the Lord “with the whole heart.” Now, to pursue something “with the whole heart” is to do so wholeheartedly, to do so with all one’s focus, with all one’s commitment, with all one’s priority, with all one’s energy, with all one’s enthusiasm. In fact, throughout this psalm the psalmist speaks six times concerning the pursuit of something “with the whole heart,” and five of those times he is delivering a testimony concerning his own heart and life. So then, from these six references, we find three pursuits wherein we ought to follow the psalmist’s example to pursue them “with the whole heart.” |
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