Meditate. Consider what the Lord has taught you…and how you have responded to Him.
[Aleph] Joyful are people of
integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD. Joyful are those who obey
his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with
evil, and they walk only in his paths. You have charged us to keep your
commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your
decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands.
As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should!
I will obey your decrees. Please don't give up on me! Psalm 119:1-8
Psalm 119 may have been written by Ezra after the Jews returned from Babylon and rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem. Psalms is the book with the most verses. Psalm 119 has 176 verses, in twenty-two sections written repeating the one letter of their alphabet in each verse of the corresponding section. So, in the first section all the verses begin with Aleph, the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In the next section, all the verses begin with Beth, the second letter in their alphabet. In the English translation this is not apparent, but that was a common thing to do in the Hebrew culture, repeating the first letter in each word to assist in memorization since at that time not everyone had Bibles.
This section of Psalm encourages
those who are seeking to obey and please the Lord in the way they live. It ends
with…Please don't give up on me! We should live with the same—living to please
the Lord…and praying that the Lord not give up on me. We are only human. We are
going to mess up…but as long as we are repentant…God will forgive us.
If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves
and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful
and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we
claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word
has no place in our hearts. 1 John 1:8-10
God is faithful and just. He wants
to have a relationship with us.
Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has
commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning. I say
this because many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus
Christ came in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist.
Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked so hard to achieve. Be
diligent so that you receive your full reward. Anyone who wanders away from
this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the
teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son. 2
John 1:6-9 (Underlined for emphasis.)
That relationship is up to us…to seek Him and to serve Him by serving and loving others.
Prayer ~ Lord God, please don't give up on me! You have challenged us to carefully keep your commandments—though it is by grace we are saved…not by works and keeping laws. I pray that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees, I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands and You will be glorified by my very thoughts, words and actions. I’ve been searching for You with all my heart and I find joy in knowing You…in having a relationship with You.
Verse of Salvation ~ God saved
you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a
gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so
none of us can boast about it. For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us
anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians
2:8-10
Morning Glory in Israel
Glory be to God...for the gift He gave us.
Don't give up on me.
Bible Trivia Answer for the
Question ~ From what diseases did Jesus heal people?
Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching
in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he
healed every kind of disease and illness. News about him spread as far as
Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever
their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or
paralyzed—he healed them all. Matthew 4:23-24 (Underlined for emphasis.)
Examples of His healings:
Leprosy - Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. "Lord," the man said, "if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean." Jesus reached out and touched him. "I am willing," He said. "Be healed!" And instantly the leprosy disappeared. Matthew 8:2-3.
Demon possession - That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and He healed all the sick. - Matthew 8:16.
Paralysis
- Some people brought to Him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their
faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Be encouraged, my child! Your
sins are forgiven." ... So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the
authority on earth to forgive sins." Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed
man and said, "Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!" Matthew
9:2, 6.
Woman’s blood issue - Jesus turned
around, and when He saw her He said, "Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith
has made you well." And the woman was healed at that moment. Matthew
9:22.
Blindness - After Jesus left the girl's home, two blind men followed along behind Him, shouting, "Son of David, have mercy on us!" They went right into the house where He was staying, and Jesus asked them, "Do you believe I can make you see?" "Yes, Lord," they told Him, "we do." Then He touched their eyes and said, "Because of your faith, it will happen." - Matthew 9:27-29.
Bible Trivia Question for next week ~ What does it mean to be “blessed”?
Happy Birthday, Harriet.
Blessings on you…today and always!
Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character
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