Let Your New Year’s Resolution Be to Learn God’s Word!

Scripture: Psalms 119: 97-104

MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

Scripture Commentary: Wisdom comes when you learn and apply God’s word to your life

God’s word makes us wise – wiser than our enemies and wiser than any teacher who ignores it. True wisdom goes beyond amassing knowledge; it is applying knowledge in a life-changing way.

Intelligent or experienced people are not necessarily wise. Wisdom comes from allowing what God teaches to guide us. In this life, we walk through a dark forest of evil. But the Bible can be our light to show us the way ahead so we won’t stumble as we walk.

It reveals the entangling roots of false values and philosophies. Study the Bible so you will be able to see your way clear enough to stay on the right path.

God Bless You and Yours, and Happy New Year!

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 119

To Build Without God Is Futile

Scripture: Psalms 127: 1-5

(A Song of degrees for Solomon.) Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Scripture Commentary: All you have is a gift from God

Families build homes and watchmen guard cities but both of these activities are futile unless God is with them. A family without God can never experience the spiritual bond God brings to relationships. A city without God will crumble from evil and corruption on the inside.

Don’t make the mistake of leaving God out of your life. If you do, all of your accomplishments will be futile. All that you have – home, car, family – is a gift from God. He gave you the ability to have all of this, but without His grace and mercy, what would you have and/or who would you be?

Look at some of the homeless and say to yourself, “If not for God, this would be me.”

Make God your highest priority, and let Him do the building. Get from being into yourself and get into the Lord Jesus Christ, Our Savior.

God Is Rich in Mercy – He Loves You

Scripture: Ephesians 2: 1-5

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Scripture Commentary: “God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ”

Be honest with yourself. You have sinned. You have followed the prince of the air, Satan and were part of his evil spiritual kingdom.

It’s a fact that all people, without exception, commit sin. Without Jesus Christ you have a sinful nature. You can’t save yourself.

Paul tells us that we do not need to live any longer under sin’s power. Jesus destroyed the penalty of sin and satan’s power over us by His death on the cross.

Satan’s power and rule is temporary to those who choose to follow him. Why spend an eternity in hell with the devil when Christ is victorious? Through faith in Christ we stand acquitted of our sins when you accept Him as Savior.

God gave you choice. You choose good or evil.

God loves you so much that sent His son to save you. Our eternal life with Christ is certain because you are united with Him in His powerful victory.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Ephesians Chapter 2

Return to God and Ask His Forgiveness

Scripture: Hosea 14: 1-2,4

Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall!(1) Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.”(2) “I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.”(4)

Scripture Commentary: Our only hope is in God’s mercy – we cannot save ourselves

God punished Israel for its gross repeated violations of his law, but he did so with a heavy heart. God wanted to restore the nation and make it prosper. The people could return to God by asking him to forgive their sins. The same is true for us. Return to God. We can pray Hosea’s prayer and know our sins are forgiven because Christ died for them on the cross.

Forgiveness begins when we see the destructiveness of sin and the futility of life without God. Then we must admit we cannot save ourselves; our only hope is in God’s mercy. When we request forgiveness, we must recognize that we do not deserve it and therefore cannot demand it. Our appeal must be for God’s love and mercy, not for His justice.

Although we cannot demand forgiveness, we can be confident that we have received it because God is gracious and loving and wants to restore us to Himself just as He wanted to restore Israel.

God never fails!

Read the Entire Chapter:
Hosea Chapter 14

Delight Yourself in God’s Never-Changing Word

Scripture: Psalms 119: 65-72

TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes. The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law. It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

Scripture Commentary: Delight yourself in the goodness of God

The psalmist talks about keeping the laws and yet being free. Contrary to what we often expect, obeying God’s laws does not inhibit or restrain us. Instead it frees us to be what God designed us to be.

By seeking God’s salvation and forgiveness, we have freedom from sin and the resulting oppressive guilt. By living God’s way, we have freedom to fulfill God’s plan for our lives.

God’s word makes us wise – wiser than our enemies and wiser than any teachers who ignore it. Wisdom comes from allowing what God teaches to guide us.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 119

Faith is the Substance of Things Hoped For

Scripture: Hebrews 11: 1,3,6

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.(1) Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.(3) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.(6)

Scripture Commentary: Faith is believing that God is who He says He is

What is the substance of your faith? Do you believe God is the author of everything? Do you have faith in Him? Will you put your life and faith in his hands?

Two words describe faith: sure and certain. These two qualities need a secure beginning and end. The beginning of faith is believing in God’s characteristics; He is who He says He is.

He is the only God, the beginning of everything, the creator of the universe. The end is believing God’s promise; that He will return, and He will do what He says.

When we believe that God will fulfill his promises we demonstrate true faith. God will not settle for mere acknowledgement of His existence. He wants a personal, dynamic relationship with you that will transform your life.

Remember, if God asks you to do something, He will give you the necessary strength to carry it out. Have faith.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Hebrews Chapter 11

Lord, Teach Me Your Ways

Scripture: Psalms 119: 25-32

DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously. I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame. I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

Scripture Commentary: Teach me, O Lord, and give me understanding and I will keep it in my heart

As we travel through life, The Bible is the map, and it points out safe paths so we can avoid obstacles that may be in our way. This is the map God uses to teach us His word and His ways. If we ignore the map, we will wander aimlessly through life and risk missing our real destination.

Bookstores are filled with rule books and self-help books, but the authors never come and help us follow the rules. But God does. This is the uniqueness of our Bible. God not only provides the rules and guidelines, but He also comes with us personally each day and strengthens us so we can live according to those rules. We must invite Him in and respond to His direction.

We need His guidance. Reach out to Him.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 119

Passions and Pleasures Lead to Addiction

Scripture: Titus 3: 3-8

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Scripture Commentary: What passions and pleasures derail you?

Slavish Addiction comes when you constantly give yourself over to passions and pleasures. Many believe freedom is doing what they please without consequence. People are addicted to immediate gratification. They are slaves to their own gratification.

Paul summarized what Christ does for us when He saves us. We move from a life full of sin to one where we are led by God’s Holy Spirit. We are no longer slaves to our worldly vices as our sins are washed away. Washing refers to the water of baptism, which is a sign of salvation.

In becoming a Christian, the believer acknowledges Christ as Lord. They recognize his saving work and gain eternal life with all its treasures. The Holy Spirit renews us continually. We don’t earn or deserve salvation; it is all God’s gift. Christ frees us from our desires and the control of sin.

Let yourself be freed!

Read the Entire Chapter:
Titus Chapter 3

Have Mercy on Those Who Doubt

Scripture: Jude 1: 22-23

Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Scripture Commentary: Unbelievers need mercy and kindess – Your role as a witness is vitally important

We need to show mercy and compassion to those who doubt. Effective witnessing saves people from God’s judgement. Some see us as witnesses through our compassion and kindness. Others experience our witnessing of God when we snatch them from the eternal fire.

Hating “even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh” means we hate the sin, but love the sinner. Unbelievers are lost and need salvation. Do not take your position as witnesses lightly. It is a matter of eternal life and eternal death.

We must be careful not to fall into the quicksand of compromise. When reaching out to others, we must be sure that our own footing in Christ as our Lord and Savior is sound.

Be careful. Don’t become so much like non-Christians that no one can tell who you are or what you believe. Influence them for Christ – don’t allow them to influence you to sin.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Jude Chapter 1 (KJV)

Jesus Didn’t Avoid the Call, He Suffered for Us All

Scripture: 1 Peter 4: 1-5

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

Scripture Commentary: Sin loses its power when we focus on Christ

Some people will do anything to avoid pain. As followers of Christ, however, we should be willing and prepared to do God’s will and to suffer for it if necessary. Sin loses its power to defeat us in our suffering if we focus on Christ and on what He wants us to do.

When our bodies are in pain or our lives are in jeopardy, our real values show up clearly, and sinful pleasures seem less important. If anyone suffers for doing good and still faithfully obeys in spite of suffering, that person has made a clear break with sin.

When you have turned to Jesus, you may be scorned for not participating in activities that you know are against Jesus’ teachings. But know this: your priorities have changed, and you are now heading in the opposite (and the right) direction.

Believers have nothing to fear – Jesus will be the final judge over all!

Read the Entire Chapter:
1 Peter Chapter 4