A Look at God's Word, Day Eight

If you have just started looking at this study, you might also be interested in reading Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6 and Day 7.

Psalm 119

(Samech)

113       I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

114      Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

115       Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

116       Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

117       Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

118       Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.

119       Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.

120      My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

Questions to Ponder:

       34. What should we hate?

       35. What should we love?

       35. What should we determine to keep?

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(Ain)

121       I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.

122      Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.

123      Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.

124      Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.

125      I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.

126      It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.

127      Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

128      Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

Questions to Ponder:

       36. Why should we want understanding?

       37. How much should we love God’s commandments?

       38. How should we esteem God’s precepts?

The answers to the questions will be posted after the study is complete.

As we continue "A Look at God's Word," we would love to feature your pictures of the Bible. Please submit your JPEG images to rubieslikeruth@gmail.com. 

A Look at God's Word, Day Seven

If you have just started looking at this study, you might also be interested in reading Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, and Day 6.

Psalm 119

(Mem)

97        O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

98        Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

99        I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

100      I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

101      I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

102      I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.

103      How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104      Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

Questions to Ponder:

       29. What should we meditate on? God’s laws and testimonies (v. 97, 99)

       30. Why should we refrain our feet from every evil way? So we can keep God’s Word (v. 101)

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(Nun)

105      Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

106      I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

107      I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.

108      Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.

109      My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.

110      The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.

111       Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

112       I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.

Questions to Ponder:

       31. What is a light for our path? God’s Word (v. 105)

       32. What should be our heritage forever? God’s testimonies (v. 111)

       33. What should we incline our hearts to 

do? Always perform God’s statutes (v. 112)

The answers to the questions will be posted after the study is complete.

As we continue "A Look at God's Word," we would love to feature your pictures of the Bible. Please submit your JPEG images to rubieslikeruth@gmail.com. 

A Look at God's Word, Day Six

If you have just started looking at this study, please start by reading Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, and Day 5.

Psalm 119

(Caph)

81        My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.

82        Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?

83        For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.

84        How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?

85        The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.

86        All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.

87        They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.

88        Quicken me after thy loving-kindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.

Questions to Ponder:

       25. What can we hope in? 

       26. What are all of God’s commandments? 

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(Lamed)

89        For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

90        Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.

91        They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.

92        Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.

93        I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.

94        I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.

95        The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.

96        I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

Questions to Ponder:

       27. How long is God’s Word settled in heaven? 

       28. Who established the earth? 

The answers to the questions will be posted after the study is complete.

As we continue "A Look at God's Word," we would love to feature your pictures of the Bible. Please submit your JPEG images to rubieslikeruth@gmail.com. 

A Look at God's Word, Day Five

If you have just started looking at this study, please start by reading Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, and Day 4.

Psalm 119
(Teth)

65        Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.

66        Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.

67        Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

68        Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.

69        The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.

70        Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.

71        It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

72        The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

Questions to Ponder:

       20. What are the benefits of God allowing us to be afflicted? 

       21. What is the value of God’s law? 

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(Jod)

73        Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

74        They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.

75        I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.

76        Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.

77        Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.

78        Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.

79        Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.

80        Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.

Questions to Ponder:

       22. Who made and fashioned us? 

       23. What are two things we can know? 

       24. What should our heart be sound in? Why? 

The answers to the questions will be posted after the study is complete.

As we continue "A Look at God's Word," we would love to feature your pictures of the Bible. Please submit your JPEG images to rubieslikeruth@gmail.com. 

A Look at God's Word, Day Four

If you have just started looking at this study, please start by reading Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3.

Psalm 119

(Zain)

49        Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

50        This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

51        The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.

52        I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.

53        Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.

54        Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.

55        I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.

56        This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

Questions to Ponder:

       15. What should we cling to even when others mock?

       16. What should be our songs?

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(Cheth)

57        Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.

58        I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.

59        I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

60        I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

61        The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.

62        At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.

63        I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.

64        The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.

Questions to Ponder:

       17. Who is our portion? 

       18. When can we rise to give thanks? Why?

       19. Who should be our companions?


The answers to the questions will be posted after the study is complete.












As we continue "A Look at God's Word," we would love to feature your pictures of the Bible. Please submit your JPEG images to rubieslikeruth@gmail.com. 

A Look at God's Word, Day Three

If you haven't read these yet, start with Day One and Day Two.

Psalm 119

(He)

33        Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.

34        Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

35        Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

36        Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

37        Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

38        Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.

39        Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.

40        Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.

Questions to Ponder:

       10. Who teaches us and gives us understanding? 

       11. Why should we want to know God’s ways and have understanding? 

       12. Instead of covetousness and vanity, what are we to incline our hearts to? 

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(Vau)

41        Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.

42        So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.

43        And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.

44        So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.

45        And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

46        I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.

47        And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.

48        My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

Questions to Ponder:

       13. What are we to trust and hope in? 

       14. What should we love?

The answers to the questions will be posted after the study is complete.

As we continue "A Look at God's Word," we would love to feature your pictures of the Bible.

Please submit your JPEG images to rubieslikeruth@gmail.com. 

A Look at God's Word, Day Two

If you missed "Day One," please read it here.

Psalm 119

(Gimel)

17        Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.

18        Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

19        I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.

20        My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.

21        Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.

22        Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.

23        Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.

24        Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.

Questions to Ponder:

       5. What should our soul long for? 

       6. What are to be our counselors? 

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(Daleth)

25        My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.

26        I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.

27        Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

28        My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

29        Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.

30        I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.

31        I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.

32        I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

Questions to Ponder:

       7. What should we do when we understand God’s precepts? 

       8. Which was can we choose? 

       9. What should we stick to? 

The answers to questions will be posted after the study is completed.

As we continue "A Look at God's Word" we would love to feature your pictures of the Bible.

Please submit your JPEG images to rubieslikeruth@gmail.com.

A Look at God's Word, Day One

In my personal Bible reading, I recently read through Psalm 119. As my brother brought to my attention a few years ago, almost all of the verses speak in some way about the Word of God. I have also noticed that though Psalm 119 speaks volumes about God’s Word, it also deals with us and our desire for His Word. As you read through the verses with me in the next few days, may the Lord bring out special verses that will challenge you in your walk with Him.

Psalm 119

(Aleph)

1          Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.

2          Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

3          They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

4          Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

5          O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

6          Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

7          I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.

8          I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

Questions to Ponder:

       1. What are we to walk in?

       2. Who are blessed? 

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(Beth)

9          Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

10        With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

11         Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

12        Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.

13        With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.

14        I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

15        I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

16        I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

Questions to Ponder:

       3. What can we do to help prevent sinning against God?

       4. What are we to rejoice in, meditate in, and delight in?


The answers to questions will be posted after the study is completed.

As we continue "A Look at God's Word" we would love to feature your picture of the Bible. 

Please submit your JPEG images to rubieslikeruth@gmail.com.

Escaping Temptations

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Temptations come in many different packages. Some temptations are bound in a book, others are burned on DVD. Others are in glossy magazines or blogs or conversations or stores or thoughts. Every single person has temptations – we’re not alone! “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man.” It is somewhat comforting to know that others struggle too, but it is still discouraging. How can that help me today with my temptation?

Perhaps we should look at the source of temptations: “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” (James 1:13-14) Notice that we are tempted when we are drawn away of our own lust. God cannot tempt us with evil, but as we see in 1 Corinthians 10:13, He does give us a way to escape! With every temptation, there are always two paths from which to choose: one is our own lust drawing us away; the other is God making a way for us to escape. Our sinful nature wants to give into temptation. As a result, we often overlook God’s way of escape, but it is always there.

If our temptation is reading too much, His way to escape might be to pass by the bookshelf leaving the books untouched. If our temptation is wasting time playing games, His way to escape might be staying off the computer/game system completely. If our temptation lies in thinking about things we should not, His way to escape might be to put our thoughts elsewhere (praying for someone, memorizing a verse). There are hundreds of different ways to escape. We just need to ask God to show them to us and then keep our eyes open so that we can see them.

Drawn by Aldona Barron (see below)

As a personal testimony, I know that it works! When I have been tempted to watch something that I shouldn’t, the way of escape has often been to leave the room. Once, it was to simply stay in my bedroom when the television was turned on. God is always faithful. Whenever I feel a temptation coming on, all I need to do is ask my Father to show me His way to escape and if I really want to resist, I can easily see a path winding away from the temptation.

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Guest Artist, Aldona Barron: 
"My name is 'Aldona Barron.' I am a Christian young woman who is seeking to know Christ more and more, trying to please Him in all I do and say."
He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30

"I Want to be First in Your Life"

The God that we serve is a jealous God (see Deuteronomy 4:24). He wants to be our Father. He wants to be our love, our focus, our all!

 “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon (or wealth).”

Matthew 6:24

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

1 John 2:15-16

According to these verses, we either love God or the world. We either serve God or the world. There is no “middle ground.” It has often been said, “You cannot serve God with one foot in the world.” Both feet need to be planted in the word of God, rooted and built up in Him.

God desires to be number one in our lives. Are we following our desires or His?