Ps. 119:93
The word of the Lord is amazing! It is quick and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword: piercing even to the dividing assunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents the heart. By God's word I am wounded as iniquity is found in me, but faithful are the wounds of a friend and He is the friend that sticketh closer than a brother. This sword brings life and encouragement. As the cancer of death is revealed and cut out, the wound is bound up and life replaces it. it is the source of my faith and strength! As I endeavor to mermorize the word of God my spirit rejoices within me and the life in these words fill me with joy. I am saved and nothing can change that. Oh, but how miserable, lonely, and weak I would be in this world without the word of God! I am so thankful He has preserved every word so that I may live as he said, by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God, through the King James Bible.
www.scrantonrevivalbaptist.org
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Thanks For the Affliction
No, Seriously
Ps 119:65-72
Here's an incredible view of chastisement. How strong a yearning to walk in the law of the Lord that, when affliction comes by the hand of God that I would say "Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O Lord, according unto thy word." (vs. 65) Praise God!!!! That's exciting stuff! God has promised to chastise, correct, redirect, spank, punish, or otherwise deal with those that are His for the purpose of conforming us to the image of His only begotten Son, and He makes good on that promise (See Heb. 12:7-13, Rom. 8:29). What a glorious promise to look forward to. I believe the measure of our desire to be conformed to the image of Christ can be measured by our view of the chastisement and affliction of God. Why does the psalmist say that God has dealt well with His servant? Verse 67 says, "Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word," and again in verse 71, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted: that I might learn thy statutes." Hey, God, do whatever it takes for me to walk in Your perfect law! Have you ever prayed for affliction? Have you ever prayed for persecution? Have you ever prayed for hardship by which you may pressed into the mold of the Word of God?
As a disciple of Christ I desire to learn God's commandments, to intimately know His word, His precepts, and His ways. In short, to intimately know Him. In so doing there are some afflictions to endure when I go astray whether intentionally or as a result of my own ignorance. Oh God, how oft I go astray in laziness and lack of discipline! Strengthen thou me, Oh Lord, that I stay on the right path. What a wonderful, perfect, loving, Father I have!
See 2Cor. 1:9 and Phil. 3:7-10
www.scrantonrevivalbaptist.org
Ps 119:65-72
Here's an incredible view of chastisement. How strong a yearning to walk in the law of the Lord that, when affliction comes by the hand of God that I would say "Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O Lord, according unto thy word." (vs. 65) Praise God!!!! That's exciting stuff! God has promised to chastise, correct, redirect, spank, punish, or otherwise deal with those that are His for the purpose of conforming us to the image of His only begotten Son, and He makes good on that promise (See Heb. 12:7-13, Rom. 8:29). What a glorious promise to look forward to. I believe the measure of our desire to be conformed to the image of Christ can be measured by our view of the chastisement and affliction of God. Why does the psalmist say that God has dealt well with His servant? Verse 67 says, "Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word," and again in verse 71, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted: that I might learn thy statutes." Hey, God, do whatever it takes for me to walk in Your perfect law! Have you ever prayed for affliction? Have you ever prayed for persecution? Have you ever prayed for hardship by which you may pressed into the mold of the Word of God?
As a disciple of Christ I desire to learn God's commandments, to intimately know His word, His precepts, and His ways. In short, to intimately know Him. In so doing there are some afflictions to endure when I go astray whether intentionally or as a result of my own ignorance. Oh God, how oft I go astray in laziness and lack of discipline! Strengthen thou me, Oh Lord, that I stay on the right path. What a wonderful, perfect, loving, Father I have!
See 2Cor. 1:9 and Phil. 3:7-10
www.scrantonrevivalbaptist.org
Friday, November 21, 2008
Killed by Desire?
Proverbs 21:25-26
How can that be? To constantly desire a thing and be unable to get it. The slothful man will not work for that which he desires. As he desires the thing, possibly even devise a plan and dream to get it, his feet even taking him in that direction, telling others as he goes about the prize that he will shortly win, only to come up short because he will not continue on the path as his hands refuse to work - the dream dies. He won't put forth the effort needed to reach the goal and the dream dies. Along with the dream, a part of the man dies. Desire after desire, pursuit after pursuit, death upon death, then regret begins to set in, after regret is self-loathing, then because the load of regret and hatred toward one's self acceptance sets in, then death. The body may live on, but the man is dead. The life is miserable, empty, void of hope. It's only a matter of time before physical death takes over the man who's spirit long ago died within him and no longer cares for any thing that may befall him.
How can that be? To constantly desire a thing and be unable to get it. The slothful man will not work for that which he desires. As he desires the thing, possibly even devise a plan and dream to get it, his feet even taking him in that direction, telling others as he goes about the prize that he will shortly win, only to come up short because he will not continue on the path as his hands refuse to work - the dream dies. He won't put forth the effort needed to reach the goal and the dream dies. Along with the dream, a part of the man dies. Desire after desire, pursuit after pursuit, death upon death, then regret begins to set in, after regret is self-loathing, then because the load of regret and hatred toward one's self acceptance sets in, then death. The body may live on, but the man is dead. The life is miserable, empty, void of hope. It's only a matter of time before physical death takes over the man who's spirit long ago died within him and no longer cares for any thing that may befall him.
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