Diving in again! Stay tuned!!

Watch this space. Devotional materials from my heart to yours, designed to glorify God and bless us as we sit at His feet together.

Meditating on the Word of God Joshua 1:8

Joshua 1:8d "...for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success."

And the winner is...

Give God’s Word first place all the time and let it shape your actions. God’s Word will give you prosperity and God’s Word will give you success.

From God to Joshua: "When your actions are consistent with what My Words say then I promise two things will happen for you: First, you will prosper, that is you will make progress, and have a way of life that is wise and prudent. Second, you will have good success, your actions shaped by my Word will create a life and lifestyle that has integrity, character, wisdom, prudence and is progressive and productive. I will be glorified. That is success."

God has given you His Word. What place does God’s Word have in your life? Begin today. Take heed, pay attention to the Word. Take it with you, reread it, and meditate on it.
· Give God’s Word first place in your life, all the time.
· Give God’s Word first place all the time and let it shape your actions
· Give God’s Word first place all the time and let it shape your actions, God will give you His prosperity and success.

Does that challenge you like it does me? Would love to hear from you. God bless you and as always, thanks for listening. Leslie

Section 1 The Bible in Your Heart

Scriptures for Section 1: The Bible in Your Heart
Joshua 1:8
Psalm 1: 1 - 2
Psalm 19: 7 - 9
1 Peter 2: 1 - 2
2 Timothy 3: 16 - 17
Hebrews 4: 12

The Invitation - Back again!!

For the second time around I will be using John MacArthur's book -The Heart of the Bible - Explore the Power of Key Bible Passages. My copy of the book was given to me by Virginia Winters, a co-worker of mine. We studied this book together for a time and it was a powerful and delightful study. It encourages you to study and memorize one Bible verse weekly surrounding 10 themes.

This time I am extending an invitation to anyone who would like to join this journey. It will take about a year. You are welcome to join in at any time and participate as much or as little as you like. I will be posting one verse each week from MacArthur's list with a brief comment or prayer of my own. Guest posters are welcome and comments are encouraged.

If you like you can receive an email each time a new post or comments are added. Otherwise just check in when you think about it. Pray for me and everyone who will choose to participate in any way. As always, thanks for listening. Leslie

July 4 Knowing and Trusting Our Great God Jeremiah 9: 23 - 4

Jeremiah 9: 23—24 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

Have you considered that it pleases God that we know Him and understand Him? Sometimes we spend a considerable amount of time trying to please others and to be thought well of by them. But God says if we can think on and receive His love, instead of relying on our own thinking He will be pleased. God says if we will recognize and accept His acts of judgement, justice and mercy, instead of relying on our own strength and attempts at control, then He will be pleased. God says if we will align our ways with His standards of righteousness, instead of relying on our money and possessions to fulfill us, then He will be pleased. Not only will He be pleased but He uses the word delight. I don't know about you but it doesn't seem like God is asking for all the complicated things I think I have to do to please Him. Maybe it's like all those art works that our sons Paul and Stephen brought home from Kindergarten and we put them proudly on the refrigerator. No, they weren't Monet's or VanGogh"s but they were made with love by their own hands and we were thrilled (yes, delighted!) to have them. Hmm, I'm going to go think about that for a while. If He speaks to your heart about this let me know. Be blessed. Leslie

June 14 Meditating on the Word of God

2 Timothy 3: 16 -17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works...”

Have you ever had the experience of reporting to a new job for the first day? In many companies after you are hired they send you to a new employee orientation or training. They may give you a handbook or manual to study, and maybe they assign someone during your training period to help you get started. But then there is that day when you are on your own. Did you find yourself wondering, well, am I really ready to do this? Do I know enough yet? I hope I don’t mess up or make any mistakes. I’d like to suggest that it is similar for the Christian. Once we are saved by acknowledging our sin and asking Jesus Christ to come into our hearts and save us we have a whole new job ahead of us. But our God does not leave us to figure out what to do on our own, even though many of us try. He has left us a manual and a helper, the Holy Spirit that is 100% able to keep us on the right track. That is what 2 Timothy 3:16 – 17 tells us. Let pull a few phrases of this verse apart. First..

All Scripture is given...

Every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God has the attributes that are listed here. When the Words He speaks are revealed to us, and we accept them as His Word, it is by faith that we receive them all into our hearts. We cannot, should not, pick and choose what we want to accept. We should be in a hurry to know it and do it.

The Word of God is also WHOLE, it is inerrant. There are no inconsistencies, mistakes, or misstatements. God breathed through man and is able to ensure that what He wants said, gets said. He is also able to speak directly into our hearts and minds through the Holy Spirit.
What a wonderful opportunity, a wonderful gift our God has provided for us. He cannot be totally comprehended by us but He has left us love letters, Words to read and meditate on that tell us: who He is, what He does, and what His expectations are of us. He has left us enough of Himself that we could spend our whole lifetime attempting to glean all the meaning of it and still not begun to have scratched the surface, yet be so transformed by what little we do understand if we take it in and obey it.
The fact that it is given also seems to imply an expectation. Considering that the list that follows speaks of what The Word is good for then I should look to it. It is as if God says to me “I am giving you My Word because you will need to use it to become ready for the person I would have you become and the work I would have you to do.” What are we doing with the gift of the Word of God that He has so generously given to us? Let me know what you think. Blessings upon you, Leslie

June 4 Meditating on the Word of God

1 Peter 2: 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby:"

Instead of routinely responding, or habitually practicing those evil behaviors, I need to make a concerted, conscious choice to put those things away and instead crave, thirst, earnestly desire the Word of God so that I can grow through it, in it. If I do not, malice, envy, jealousy and evil speaking will grow in me. Drink it in!

The taste of milk is delightful to a baby. They are happy and their enjoyment is great when they are drinking milk. They love how it tastes. So, if you have tasted the goodness and kindness of the Lord, and indeed you did when you accepted His free offer and gift of salvation, redemption from sin, then come back to the place where you first found yourself in the presence of the Living Stone, The bread of Life, the Light of the World, come back there to the cross and see the one which the world rejected. Get to know more of the glorious living stone chosen by God and precious to Him. Drink it in!

Come drink, taste, eat, behold, consume, eagerly, even greedily seek to know and be known by this Living Stone. Like a baby, cry out when you have not had enough, cry out when your spiritual stomach is empty, and don’t stop until you are full and satisfied with Him. Full of God’s Holy Spirit, full of His wisdom and knowledge, full of His love and compassion, full and transformed into His image. Drink it in!

Got milk?

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 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 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