May 31 Treasures of my heart...

If my heart treasures and fears the Lord, my heart will be pure and my words will help others find their way to Jesus Christ and everlasting life.

If my heart treasures the ordinances of God’s Law, my heart will be assured and my words will be righteous.

If my heart treasures God’s Word more than fine gold and sweet honey, my heart will be rich, full to overflowing and my words will be generous and gracious.

If my heart treasures the warnings and values them as commands from my Master, then my heart will be at peace, my words will sow blessings into the lives of others, and that will be my reward.

If my heart treasures God’s revelation of my sin and His chastisement, my heart will crave forgiveness and my words will be humble.

What will your words be today?

May 30 Meditating on the Word of God

Psalm 19 can be divided into three parts. Part 1 (Vs 1 - 6) says Our God, the God of this universe shows His glory in all of His creation. There is no place where His glory is not seen or felt. Just as no one on earth can escape the impact of the sun no one can escape the majestic presence of God. Day and night, north and south, east and west every direction and secret place are open to Him.

Part 2 (Vs 7 - 11) says this majestic God has given us His law, His Words, to live by. His commandments, which lead us to righteousness. In every way they are good for us. In every way they are designed to get us to a better state. Where we are wrong they make us right, where we are right they strengthen and keep us.

Part 3 (Vs 12 - 14) declares but as for me I am undone. I can’t even comprehend the magnitude of my own flaws and failure. I need God to stem the tide of unrighteousness in me. I will be overwhelmed by my own nature if God does not deliver me. I want to be free from sin. I want my internal and external states to reflect the glory of God.

This is my prayer today for us all: Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Amen.

May 24 – 31 Meditating on the Word of God

Psalm 19: 7 – 9 " 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.”

This is our third week and third verse. We are still thinking about meditating on the Word of God. Look for posts throughout the week and please share your insights and thoughts. Final thoughts and the next verse will be posted on or before next Saturday. May God bless your time with Him this week. Leslie

May 21 Meditating on the Word of God

Psalm 1: 1 " Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful...

To do or not to do, that is the question...

Ginny talked about choices: Who do I seek out and listen to for advice? Who do I want to be like? Who do I admire? What choices am I making when it comes to my life's decisions and directions? Psalm 1:1 says you are blessed, happy, fortunate if your answers to those questions do not include ungodly individuals. Got counsel?

Who do I hang with? Standing in the way of sinners represents a drawing near to them and paying attention to their agenda. It is dangerously flirting with temptation, perhaps not expecting to experience the consequences of wrongdoing. Like the moth flying too close to the flame, attracted by the pretty light, oblivious to the life threatening heat of the fire, eventually dying because of coming too close. Psalm 1:1 says you are blessed, happy, fortunate if the company you keep does not include sinners you desire to imitate. Got companions?

This is the closest and the worst positon of all. In the midst of ungodly, sinful, God rejecting souls. Taking bread, fellowshipping and counting yourself as one of the gang. This is not the recipe for happiness that God intends for us. I'm thinking of the prodigal son who found himself wallowing in the pig pen. Rejected and scorned by those whose counsel he stood in, whose ways he sat in and who was cast out as soon as his resources were depleted. Not blessed. Got committment?

To do or not to do, that is the question...as always, thanks for listening. Leslie

May 16-23: Choices, Choices (Reflections on Psalm 1: 1-2)

I love this verse of Scripture! Psalm 1: 1-2 clearly points to the fact that we have to make a choice in life. No one gets through life without doing so. Even when we think we are straddling the fence, we are making a choice. This scripture is one that I hide in my heart and remind myself of daily. With every breath we take, every step we make, we are choosing to live or die. Moses in Deuteronomy 30: 19, admonishes the people of God to choose life by living life on God's terms. These precious verses of Scripture help us to read the signs of life that support us in the choices we make. Blessed or "happy" is the man that is vigilant about the company he or she keeps. Our grandparents had the wisdom that only faith in God can bring. They taught many of us to choose our friends wisely. They encouraged us to not sit in the cynic's seat in terms of our speech and our thinking. They taught us that wrongs done in the dark will always come to the light.

I have been doing a study of the how the Word of God has come to us. It's amazing to me that whenever we spend time in the Word, we are hearing the voice of God. Not the voice of men...but God's Voice! Wow, what an amazing thing. What a joy it is to know that our Eternal, Holy and Majestic God cares enough to speak to us! Is it any wonder the Psalmist tells us there is JOY and Delight in the Word of the Lord!

God created man to worship and have fellowship with Him. It is part of the fabric and fiber of our souls. That's why spending time with the Lord meditating on His Word is such a delight--such a pleasure. I have included one of my favorite praise songs in this entry. I invite you to use it to meditate on the Word of God--and our complete need for it! Keep the joy in your heart this week! Spend some time with HIM in the WORD!

May 16 - 23 Meditating on the Word of God

Psalm 1: 1 - 2 " Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful .2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law he meditates day and night."

This is our second week and second verse. We are still thinking about meditating on the Word of God. Look for posts throughout the week and please share your insights and thoughts. Final thoughts and the next verse will be posted on or before Saturday May 22, 2009. Bless you. Leslie

May 15 Meditating on the Word of God Part 3

Joshua 1:8c ...that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein...

Give God’s Word first place all the time and let it shape your actions.

God continues his conversation with Joshua, "As you do this it will become part of your lifestyle to do what it says. When you give it first place, when you know what it says. Then your actions will be consistent with what is written there. If you give my Word first place all the time your actions and my Word will match. What you do will be a reflection of me. And by the way the world will know me through you.”

Reading and studying the Word are good and necessary but don't stop there. God's instructions are that we DO what it says. He requires that we practice His commandments, that we obey His Words." I recall a teacher once saying that there weren't "Ten Suggestions.". How does that work for you? Would love to hear from you. God bless you and as always, thanks for listening. Leslie

May 14 Meditating on the Word of God Part 2

Joshua 1: 8b...but (thou) shall meditate therein day and night,

Give God’s Word first place all the time

From the next phrase in Joshua 1:8 God continues His conversation about what else Joshua should do with the Book of the law...meditate on it day and night. It's as if He says "Keep my Words near you at all time. This will happen if you think on, meditate on, pray through My Words day and night. All the time. When you wake, when you work, when you rest, when you sleep, when you plan. Always be in a state of thinking deeply about what My Words say."

God isn't kidding. He knows what we face each day. He knows the competition that vys for our attention. He knows what it takes to run the race. What do you do with God's Word? Does it influence your thinking? Consider God's advice to Joshua, it still works today, give it a try. As always, thanks for listening and be blessed. Leslie

May 12 Meditating on the Word of God

Joshua 1:8 "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth...."

Give God’s Word first place.

Can you imagine God having a conversation with Joshua..."Lessons in Leadership" straight from the mouth of God. Maybe He said something like "Joshua, take this Book, take My Words and give them such a place in your life that they (My Words) are on the tip of your tongue at all times. Let it guide your thinking, frame your words, your decisions, your leadership style, your behaviors and actions, your attitudes, your motivations, your hopes, your dreams and visions, and your desires. Let everything you say and do be colored by the lenses of My Words."

What are your thoughts on the importance of God's Word in your life? Share your thoughts by posting a comment. Would love to hear from you. As always, thanks for listening and be blessed. Leslie

May 9 - 15 Meditating on the Word of God

Joshua 1:8 "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

This is our first week and first verse. Please share your insights and thoughts throughout the week. Final thoughts and the next verse will be posted on or before Saturday May 15, 2009. Bless you. Leslie

Are you serious?

The Bible In your Heart Series

1 Corinthians 2: 12 – 14 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Introduction We are continuing in preparation for our new series “The Bible in your Heart.” Before we begin, I would like you to think for a moment, focus in on a conversation when someone told you something fantastic, unbelievable, or so incredible that you had to stop and say, “Are you serious?” if your neighbor came and said they had written a letter to President Obama and that he was personally coming to their house for a dinner meeting tomorrow night, you might say “For real, are you serious?” Well, I think you get my point. Some statements cause you to wonder whether there is any truth to them. Some statements cause you to look around and say, “Are you serious?” But there are three statements I’m going to make today that I pray you take seriously. They have to do with knowing, understanding, and receiving the Word of God. You see, we will be meditating on, memorizing, and applying a different verse each week. Because our goal is to be transformed by the Word of God. Here are three statements from these verses that are absolutely true and must be taken seriously if this is going to occur.

Redeemed – So first, when I say that in order to know the Word of God you must first be saved, I am absolutely serious. There is only one way to receive the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit takes up residence in your heart at the moment “you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;” No amount of tarrying, no amount of “good works”, no amount of self-inflicted pain and suffering will get you the Holy Spirit. You must accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord in order to receive the Holy Spirit. And according to this verse we have received the Spirit of God 1Jo 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: So, when I say that in order to know the Word of God you must first be saved, I am absolutely serious.

Revealed - So second when I say that in order to understand the Word of God the Holy Spirit must first reveal it to you, I am absolutely serious.From verse 12 that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. and 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; The Holy Spirit’s job is to teach us. Earlier in Verse 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Do not be fooled by books or teachings which suggest that there are quick, easy and fast ways to get to know the Scriptures. Understanding the Word of God is a spiritual process, controlled by God, guided by His Spirit in His time, in His way, on His terms. If you get it, understand it, it is because the Spirit of God has revealed it. Not because you are smart, not because you are so good, but because He is good. So second when I say that in order to understand the Word of God the Holy Spirit must first reveal it to you, I am absolutely serious.

Received - And last when I say that in order for you to practice and apply the Word in of God in your life you must receive it, I am absolutely serious. V14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: Sometimes it is amazing what people do who do not know God, but then again that’s why they do what they do. Pastor says frequently “If they knew better they’d do better.” Unlike the natural man, we have another choice. To take the revealed Word of God and live it out. Not just satisfied with knowing about the Word of God, but living it out. Struggling with self, taking on the hard challenges, casting down those imaginations, becoming conformed to the image of Christ. Fair warning: James 4:17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin. To put that a bit more lightly "The best vitamin for a Christian is B1." So last then, when I say that in order for you to practice and apply the Word in of God in your life you must receive it, I am absolutely serious.
So now we begin. This week read, study, meditate, live out and memorize if you can Joshua 1:8. Let’s see what the Spirit of God reveals to us this week. As always, thanks for listening, Leslie

Welcome

Stay tuned for a wonderful opportunity to fellowship around God's Word. An invitation is forthcoming!