“But [Jesus] answered, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’” Matthew 4:4 These words stopped me in my tracks today. Even with as much as I’ve heard and read them over the years. God pulled back the curtain to reveal something […]
“I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.” Psalm 119:16 This verse compelled a specific prayer of my heart: Lord, may I delight in Your statutes. Not just obeying them because I know I’m supposed to – although we are to exercise discipline to obey even when we don’t “feel” like […]
“This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.” Psalm 119:50 During the past few months I have been focusing a lot on prayer. Really wanting to strengthen that part of my spiritual life and to better understand prayer’s intricacies. And finding comfort in the knowledge that the Spirit intercedes for […]
“The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD […]
“For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.” Titus 1:7-8 In this list of qualifications, one phrase stood out to me this morning: “a lover of […]
“You have dealt well with your servant, O LORD, according to your word.” Psalm 119:65 How often do I forget that my Lord deals well with me? That His goodness constantly pursues me, surrounds me, and is stored up for me? The goodness of my precious Lord, which does not always present itself in the […]
“It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: ‘Come, let us go up […]
“Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.” Psalm 119:161 Our heart should be so captivated by the words of God that even persecution fails to draw it away from Him. “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not […]
“Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.” Psalm 119:73 How amazing it is to know that the hands of God Himself made and fashioned each of us. Every detail. Our personalities, our looks, our strengths, our passions…all chosen by our Creator and all purposed for His […]
“When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies” Psalm 119:59 Reading these words, my heart feels the impact of the intentionality here. The writer is taking a proactive stance, considering his behavior, his words, his life, and determining to turn everything and follow his God. It’s easier to be more […]
In Pleasant Places 