Consider Your Wayz!

15 October 2006

A Mighty Fortress is Our God!

post in: devotional — abixby @ 9:13 pm

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10

This morning as I awoke the theme of “our God is our Fortress” was on my mind.

What a wonderful truth. When the conflict and strife come upon us we can trust in the name of the Lord as our defense! He is a strong tower. Another comforting verse during times of conflict when we feel that we are being overwhelmed by the powers of evil is:
”You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

Martin Luther was assured of this truth on more than one occasion in his life. He spent many years buffeting his body trying to gain favor with God not realizing that Jesus Christ had accomplished this work for him already. Then years later after he placed his faith and trust in Christ alone for this merit he was still tested by those who sought to take his life. Martin Luther could say with confidence “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God!”.

Are you trusting God to be your defense or are you trusting in your own works to save you from your troubles?

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.

1 Stukje Chaos

5 October 2006

My Soul Thirsts for God!

post in: devotional, meditation — abixby @ 5:45 am

As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
Psalm 42:1, 2a

Behold, I long for Your precepts;
Revive me in Your righteousness.
Psalm 119:40

It is with great excitement and an insatiable desire that I read these words that the Lord has given to encourage, strengthen, rebuke, and exhort us regarding our relationship to Him and to His Word! God has given us these wonderful words which are as streams in the desert refreshing the thirsting soul.

This evening I had opportunity to hear my eldest brother expound on this passage briefly; what a blessing to know that the Word of God has instruction for us regarding all of life’s practices.

Psalm 119:1-16, 33-40

1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way,
         Who walk in the law of the LORD!
2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,
         Who seek Him with the whole heart!
3 They also do no iniquity;
         They walk in His ways.
4 You have commanded us
         To keep Your precepts diligently.
5 Oh, that my ways were directed
         To keep Your statutes!
6 Then I would not be ashamed,
         When I look into all Your commandments.
7 I will praise You with uprightness of heart,
         When I learn Your righteous judgments.
8 I will keep Your statutes;
         Oh, do not forsake me utterly!

9 How can a young man cleanse his way?
         By taking heed according to Your word.
10 With my whole heart I have sought You;
         Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
11 Your word I have hidden in my heart,
         That I might not sin against You.
12 Blessed are You, O LORD!
         Teach me Your statutes.
13 With my lips I have declared
         All the judgments of Your mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
         As much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on Your precepts,
         And contemplate Your ways.
16 I will delight myself in Your statutes;
         I will not forget Your word.

33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes,
         And I shall keep it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;
         Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
         For I delight in it.
36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies,
         And not to covetousness.
37 Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,
         And revive me in Your way.
38 Establish Your word to Your servant,
         Who is devoted to fearing You.
39 Turn away my reproach which I dread,
         For Your judgments are good.
40 Behold, I long for Your precepts;
         Revive me in Your righteousness.

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15 October 2006

A Mighty Fortress is Our God!

5 October 2006

My Soul Thirsts for God!

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