Tag: statutes

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Wisdom Prayer

Lost Sheep!

Lost Sheep!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who feel like they have gone astray like a lost sheep. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In John 10:11 (ESV) Jesus says,

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

In John 10:14: (ESV) Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.” Psalm 119:169-176 (ESV) involves a cry, a plea, praise, longing for salvation, and a reference to sheep.

“Let my cry come before you, O Lord;
give me understanding according to your word!
Let my plea come before you;
deliver me according to your word.
My lips will pour forth praise,
for you teach me your statutes.
My tongue will sing of your word,
for all your commandments are right.
Let your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
I long for your salvation, O Lord,
and your law is my delight.
Let my soul live and praise you,
and let your rules help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
for I do not forget your commandments.”

Do you ever feel like the sheep in this psalm? The psalmist says he has gone astray, but emphasizes his commitment to not forgetting God’s commandments.

If you feel like you have gone astray, cry out to God, and make your plea before him.

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Wisdom Prayer

The Sum of Your Word Is Truth!

The Sum of Your Word Is Truth!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know the sum of your word is the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Imagine you are a witness in a trial. Bibles are still used in courtrooms for swearing in witnesses. Will you take your oath seriously?

The psalmist is confident in God’s word as exhibited in Psalm 119:153-160 (ESV).

“Look on my affliction and deliver me,
for I do not forget your law.
Plead my cause and redeem me;
give me life according to your promise!
Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek your statutes.
Great is your mercy, O Lord;
give me life according to your rules.
Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
but I do not swerve from your testimonies.
I look at the faithless with disgust,
because they do not keep your commands.
Consider how I love your precepts!
Give me life according to your steadfast love.
The sum of your word is truth,
and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.”

Where do you stand with regard to the Bible? Do you believe it is true, or is it just a book of stories? Will you tell the truth if you swear on a Bible? God’s word is truth. Trust it. Read it. Live by it.

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Wisdom Prayer

Cry Out For God!

Cry Out For God!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who cry out to you for help. In Jesus’s name, amen.

People can cry out the God for a million different reasons. It can be in desperation, in defeat, at a moment of loss, or in a crisis. Whatever the circumstances, God is aware.

Psalm 119:145-152 (ESV) begins with a whole hearted cry to the Lord.

“With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord!
I will keep your statutes.
I call to you; save me,
that I may observe your testimonies.
I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I hope in your words.
My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,
that I may meditate on your promise.
Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;
O Lord, according to your justice give me life.
They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;
they are far from your law.
But you are near, O Lord,
and all your commandments are true.
Long have I known from your testimonies
that you have founded them forever.”

Are you at a point where you are crying out to God? If not, consider approaching Holy God with reverence and honor. If yes, you are crying out, believe God led you to read this post.

Jesus Christ said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Will you trust his holy and inspired word? It is okay to cry out like the psalmist. Live expecting God to intervene in yours and other’s lives.

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Wisdom Prayer

Love God’s Commandments Above Gold, Above Fine Gold!

Love God’s Commandments Above Gold, Above Fine Gold!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who say they “love your commandments above gold, above fine gold.” In Jesus’s name, amen.

If you did not have access to a Bible, how much would you be willing to pay for one?

Perhaps you, like a lot of people, have more than one in your home.

Meanwhile, around the world, translators work tirelessly to complete Bible translations for unreached people groups, so men and women, boys and girls, who do not have access to Scripture can have an ability to read one in their own language.

In Psalm 119:121-128 (ESV) we see the value placed on God’s Commandments. The psalmists loves them more than gold. That is not just any gold. It is fine gold. Gold that has been refined and refined to remove impurities.

“I have done what is just and right;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
Give your servant a pledge of good;
let not the insolent oppress me.
My eyes long for your salvation
and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
and teach me your statutes.
I am your servant; give me understanding,
that I may know your testimonies!
It is time for the Lord to act,
for your law has been broken.
Therefore I love your commandments
above gold, above fine gold.
Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;
I hate every false way.”

Do you spend time reading your Bible? Have you come to value the words of Scripture, or have you begun to take your Bible for granted. Is it worn out, or is it gathering dust?

Perhaps it is time to dust off God’s word and recommit to daily reading. Start with a book like Luke. It was written by Doctor Luke who wanted a friend to know the truth about Jesus.

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Wisdom Prayer

Thousands of Gold and Silver Pieces!

Thousands of Gold and Silver Pieces!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know the law of your mouth is better than thousands of gold and silver pieces. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Many have gone astray and been far from God. Now, some of the worst offenders keep God’s commandments. How can it be that God would be so gracious as to accept someone back into the fold who has been unfaithful? God forgives mistakes for those who are truly sorry for their transgressions.

Psalm 119:65-72 (ESV) tells us the psalmist’s story.

“You have dealt well with your servant,
O Lord, according to your word.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
68 You are good and do good;
teach me your statutes.
69 The insolent smear me with lies,
but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
70 their heart is unfeeling like fat,
but I delight in your law.
71 It is good for me that I was afflicted,
that I might learn your statutes.
72 The law of your mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.”

What is God’s value to you? Could that value be measured financially? Would you exchange your love of God for a bribe? A large bribe? The psalmist cannot be bought.

Be like the psalmist.

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Uncategorized

Before Kings!

Before Kings!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who speak of your testimonies before kings, and who shall not be put to shame. In Jesus’ name, amen.

I wonder if the Apostle Paul thought about Psalm 119:46 (ESV) when he was standing before King Agrippa. The verse says,

“I will also speak of your testimonies before kings
and shall not be put to shame.”

Apostle Paul’s appearance before the king is recorded in Acts 26.

Look at Psalm 119:46 in context of Psalm 119:41-48 (ESV) where the psalmist declares his love for God’s commandments.

“Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
your salvation according to your promise;
then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
for my hope is in your rules.
I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever,
and I shall walk in a wide place,
for I have sought your precepts.
I will also speak of your testimonies before kings
and shall not be put to shame,
for I find my delight in your commandments,
which I love.
I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.”

Apostle Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3). He was privileged to speak to kings.

We may not be in the presence of kings, but it is possible there will be opportunities to speak of God’s testimonies before captains of business like CEOs, government officials, or anyone open to hearing about the Gospel. If you find yourself in such a position, than share about all God has done. Be bold. God can protect you from being put to shame.

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