Psalm 119:2 NLT
Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.
If there is one chapter in the Bible for me that brings me great joy, and along with great conviction at the same time, it would be Psalm 119.
“Joyful are those who obey the laws and search for him with all their hearts.”
Our greatest joy will always come from when we obey and stand right to the Word of God.
If we feel out of sorts, you can be confident that there is something that we are doing that is out of step with God’s Word.
Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
When we measure our spiritual health, these are the attributes to consider at all times. If we are not experiencing one or more of the fruit, we should be examing our hearts with God to find out what we are doing to cause the disconnect.
Psalm 26:2 NLT
Put me on trial, LORD, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.
Psalm 139:23-24 NLT
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Doing this is not a passive act; this takes intentional effort on our part with an honest desire to remove the activity in our lives that separate us from the fruit that come from living in the Spirit of God.
Psalm 119:5-6 NLT
Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands.
For my actions to be consistent with the Word of God, I need to study the Word of God consistently.
The main reason we study the Word of God is to reflect what we do against what He calls us to do. The Bible is to be a mirror to reflect on our lives. And we will get more from the Bible if we read it with that intention.
We should guard against examing the lives of others through the lens of the Bible. When we do this, it puts us in a dangerous spot; it takes our attention off of where it should be, which is examining our hearts compared to the Word of God.
Matthew 7:3-5 NLT
“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
There is a place for helping others, but this is to be done gently and humbly. And be careful here to make sure that we are not imparting our wills onto the life of another. If the change does not happen by God, it will not last and end up in heartache.
Psalm 119:7 NLT
As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should!
True worship of our Living God is by “living as I should.”
Living for God is truly showing appreciation for what He has done for us.
Psalm 119:11 NLT
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Memorizing scripture to change our hearts is a miracle of God. I can’t overstate this enough.
My Pastor preached a message, and one of the verses caught my attention. It was Psalm 86:5, and it says, “Oh Lord, You are so good, so ready to forgive. So full of unfailing love for all who ask for Your help.”
For some reason, I decided that I was going to memorize this verse, so I printed this on a sticky note and attached it to my computer. I read it over and over until you could wake me in the dead of night and say to me what is Psalm 86:5, and I could recite the verse with unflinching accuracy.
As I went about living and working, I found myself in positions where I had to make decisions in the heat of the moment. These decisions involved helping others or going about what I needed to get done; as I was about to decide to do what I needed to get done, this verse exploded in my head.
I couldn’t believe it!
The funny thing is, I was able to help this person and still get to what I needed to do. God controls time, and when we do what is right, God will provide the time to do it all. Praise God!!
Psalm 119:105 NLT
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:125 NLT
Give discernment to me, your servant; then I will understand your laws.
We need to know our place before God to get discernment. When we get out in front of God, we place ourselves in a dangerous spot. We are exposed without a shield of protection.
When we face challenges and trials, our minds tell us we have to do something. The people around us tell us we have to do something. There is a lot of pressure!!
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NLT
Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.
Psalm 27:14 NLT
Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.
Sometimes the active thing to do is WAIT.
Read the Bible, pray and counsel with spiritually, trustworthy people that you know. And at the right time, “He will lift you up in honor.”
1 Peter 5:6-7 NLT
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Heavenly Father, I come before You with a humble, submitted heart.
I pray that You reveal to me the things in my life that I need to change to bring honor to Your name.
I pray that you give me the desire, strength, courage, and ability to serve those around me with unconditional love and a humble spirit.
Please let the meditation of my heart and the actions I take be pleasing to You.
In the name Jesus Christ, I pray with a humble and submitted heart, Amen!! 🙏❤️
