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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for June 2014
July 1, 2014
Psalm 119:6 – Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
Thought: The word “respect” involves a pleasurable regard. Note that the writer had respect for ALL of God’s commandments. He had not neglected, violated, or disregarded any of them. If a person picks and chooses the commands he will and will not obey, he really has no regard for God’s law. In essence, obedience is an all or nothing proposition.
James 2:10
July 2, 2014
Psalm 119:7 – I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned of thy righteous judgments.
Thought: There is such a thing as a straight and narrow way for man to walk. That way is mapped out in the pages of God’s Word. When man lives in harmony with God’s will, his heart can be said to be upright. Only those who come to God with “straightness of heart” can properly worship Him.
I Chronicles 29:17
July 3, 2014
Psalm 119:8 – I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
Thought: To be forsaken by someone brings a host of negative emotions upon an individual. Too, there may be some extreme difficulties brought into one’s life because another has forsaken him. However, if God is with us when others forsake us, we know we can overcome. But, if God forsakes us, there is no other help to be found. Fortunately, God has promised His children that He will never forsake them.
Hebrews 13:5
July 4, 2014
Psalm 119:9 – Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Thought: The Word of God enables man to be cleansed from the filth and stains of sins. First, the Word of God reveals what sin is. By knowing what actions are sinful, an individual can refrain from the practice thereof. This keeps one clean. The Word of God also reveals what man must do in order to obtain cleansing after he has sinned. When he submits to the divine conditions, the blood of Christ makes him as clean as the new fallen snow.
Ephesians 5:25-26
July 5, 2014
Psalm 119:10 – With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me now wander from thy commandments.
Thought: The Word of God is likened unto a path. It is a path that takes one into the very presence of the Almighty God. This path must be walked in order to find God. Walking along the path involves keeping the commands of God. The psalmist understood this. His desire was that he not wander from the commandments. He knew that to leave the path was to miss seeing his God.
Proverbs 21:16
July 6, 2014
Psalm 119:11 – Thy word have I hid mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Thought: Sin is the transgression of the Word of God (I John 3:4). Many people sin because they do not have the law of God in their heart. If it is within the heart, when temptation presents itself, the sword of the Spirit can defeat even the strongest attacks of the devil against us. Do you desire less sin in your life? Hide God’s Word in your heart.
I John 3:9
July 7, 2014
Psalm 119:12 – Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.
Thought: In order to be taught, one must be teachable. In order to be taught, one must desire to learn. In the second part of this passage, we find both of these qualities were present in the psalmist. “Teach me thy statutes,” he told the Lord. He was saying: “I can be taught,” and “I want to be taught.” When we manifest these traits, we, too, will learn God’s will.
Psalm 25:4-5
July 8, 2014
Psalm 119:13 – With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
Thought: One of the key words of this verse is the little word “all.” The psalmist understood the importance of “all” of God’s judgments. He was willing to declare them all. Sadly, there are many who call themselves preachers today who will not do this. Those elements of the Word that they feel are negative, judgmental, and express condemnation, they will not proclaim. They are not like the inspired man of God of old. He was not afraid or ashamed to declare “all” of God’s judgments.
Acts 20:26-27
July 9, 2014
Psalm 119:14 – I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
Thought: We see commercials and news stories in which individuals win large sums of money. When they are told, they are elated. They yell. They scream. They cry. They almost fall down. It would be wonderful if individuals could be that overjoyed in the study and application of God’s Word. God’s Word is a treasure chest. It contains riches, jewels, and gems that can enrich our lives immeasurably. See if you can find one of those gems today!!!
Matthew 13:44
July 10, 2014
Psalm 119:15 – I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
Thought: We often think of respect as an attitude. It involves honor, reverence, and appreciation for something because of its value. Respect also action. The definition of the word “respect” here is: to look into, to scan, and to pay attention to. It is the respect in one’s heart that leads to one’s respect through obedience to God’s Word. Those who will not complete the precepts of God do not really have any reverence for God’s Word.
Proverbs 1:28-30
July 11, 2014
Psalm 119:16 – I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Thought: There are two ways that one can forget. First, a person can learn something and unintentionally forget. It can no longer be recalled in one’s mind. Second, a person can intentionally forget something. Here, a person simply sets aside that which he knows and understands. We must seek to do neither of these things when it comes to God’s Word. To forget God’s Word will only bring heartache and destruction to our lives.
Hosea 4:6
July 12, 2014
Psalm 119:17 – Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.
Thought: As long as a man is living, his desire should be to keep God’s Word. Obedience to God’s Word gives one direction in life. Obedience brings one into the favor of God. Obedience also keeps the conscience clear. Obedience renders hope in the hereafter. My friend, as long as you live, keep God’s Word. It will bring you your greatest reward.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
July 13, 2014
Psalm 119:18 – Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
Thought: The words “wondrous things” can involve two types of things. First, they can refer to that which is marvelous and extraordinary. Second, they can refer to things that are difficult to comprehend. God’s Word contains both things. Our forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ is marvelous. The concept of the trinity is difficult to comprehend. In order to fully appreciate these and other truths, our eyes need to be open to them. An honest and good heart is the key.
Proverbs 8:6
July 14, 2014
Psalm 119:19 – I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
Thought: It is a terrible feeling to be in a strange place and not have a map to guide you. It is an awful feeling to be in a strange city and have your GPS quit. The same is true in life. Earth is not man’s home. God has prepared heaven as our home. To get there, we need a map to get us through this strange place. That map consists of the commandments of God. If they are hidden from us, we will wander about lost here and will never reach our ultimate destination.
Luke 18:34
July 15, 2014
Psalm 119:20 – My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.
Thought: The inspired writer longed for the judgments of God “at all times.” Many only long for God’s counsel some of the time. When death comes, individuals want comfort from God’s Word. When on beds of affliction, individuals desire to hear portions of God’s Word. God’s Word, however, has all that is needed for life and godliness. It has answers for every aspect of life. We need to develop a desire for it “at all times.”
Job 23:11-12
July 16, 2014
Psalm 119:21 – Thou has rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
Thought: When a person is traveling to a destination, he usually gets upset when he deviates from the correct way. Most will stop and ask for the correct directions to get back on the right path. If one refuses to do this, he is considered stubborn and proud. The same holds true of those who err from the paths of righteousness. One should desire to get back on the straight and narrow. Those who refuse are stubborn and arrogant.
James 1:16
July 17, 2014
Psalm 119:22 – Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
Thought: If a person claims to be a faithful child of God, he must keep the testimonies of God in order for reproach and contempt to be removed from him. Consistency in one’s talk and walk is extremely important. Those who live their lives in harmony with God’s will cannot be easily spoken against. A pure life can only be mocked and ridiculed by the enemy.
I Peter 4:14
July 18, 2014
Psalm 119:23 – Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
Thought: The leaders of our nation may reject divine authority, but we, the servants of God, will continue to meditate in His divine statutes. We know that He is the Governor of the nations. We know that His way is right. We know that transgressing His laws will only bring heartache and destruction. Let our leaders go their own way, but we will continue in the way of the Lord.
James 1:25
July 19, 2014
Psalm 119:24 – Thy testimonies also are my delight, and my counselors.
Thought: When he had a problem at work, he opened the Word of God. When he was struggling with his faith, he got out the Good Book. When a moral issue needed to be decided, he sought his answer in the pages of the Bible. He knew the Bible came from God. It was his divine counselor. It was trustworthy in all of its answers about the issues of life.
Psalm 33:11
July 20, 2014
Psalm 119:25 – My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
Thought: There are many people who could be classified as “the living dead.” Some of these people are dead in their trespasses and sins. Some of them are dead in the sense of living purposeless lives. Their lives can be brought to life. They need to be connected to the precious Word of God. It can bring the dead to life. Sins can be forgiven and a life of meaning can be obtain.
Romans 8:1-2
July 21, 2014
Psalm 119:26 – I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
Thought: God hears. God really does hear. Often we wonder whether He does. By both faith and experience, we know that He hears. May God help us to never forget this truth. If we believe that He really hears, we will always go to Him in prayer. We will declare unto our heavenly Father all our ways.
Psalm 34:17
July 22, 2014
Psalm 119:27 – Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
Thought: Once we have come to understand the ways of God, we should be so amazed and so overcome with joy that we burst forth talking about His wondrous works. God’s word is filled with advice and wisdom, with many amazing stories, and with mind-blowing accounts of so many characters. Surely, there is something in God’s Word that will cause us to speak!
Psalm 145:5
July 23, 2014
Psalm 119:28 – My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
Thought: Exercise, vitamins, food, water, and other sources provide strength for the human body. The soul also has a fountain to which it can go to receive extraordinary strength. That fountain is the Word of God. It feeds and nourishes the soul with divine strength. This strength enables the child of God to overcome insurmountable obstacles. All of us should pray: “…strengthen thou me according unto thy word.”
Ephesians 3:16
July 24, 2014
Psalm 119:29 – Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
Thought: So much of one’s walk with God is two-sided. One side involves the efforts of God on man’s behalf. The other side involves man’s efforts to do as God has commanded. It has been said: “Pray as if all depends on God, and work as if everything depends on you.” Our knowledge of God’s Word is two-sided. We must study the Word. Then, God grants His word graciously unto us.
Matthew 5:6
July 25, 2014
Psalm 119:30 – I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
Thought: When this writer is traveling to an unknown destination, I put a GPS on the dashboard before me. It directs me down the right roads. He tells me when to turn. It often warns me of trouble on the path. In the end, it gets me to my destination. The same is true of God’s Word. When we arise, we must put the judgments of God before us. We must allow them to direct our way to our eternal destination.
Proverbs 3:6
July 26, 2014
Psalm 119:31 – I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O Lord, put me not to shame.
Thought: There are two coins with two sides that exist in the realm of obedience. On one side of one coin is written “obey.” The other side of this coin has written the words: “honor, respect, and favor.” The second coin contains the word “disobedience” on one side. The other said has the word “shame” written on it. Those who obey God’s will are honored and favored by God. Those who disobey will stand before Him in shame. Which coin is in your pocket?
I John 2:28
July 27, 2014
Psalm 119:32 – I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
Thought: The phrase “to enlarge the heart” means to make it free; to deliver it from all hindrances to what is right; to fill it with noble and holy purposes; and to stimulate and animate it” (Barnes, e-sword). The word “when” could also be “then.” If man fully engages himself in obedience to God’s will there is freedom and animation in life. Life is filled with purpose. The obedient child of God is fully alive.
John 10:10
July 28, 2014
Psalm 119:33 – Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
Thought: There are many people who are eager to hear God’s Word. Initially, they are zealous in their obedience to God’s will. However, over time, they run out of steam. They cease their walk with God and quit keeping the statutes of God. The psalmist was of a different stripe. He resolved saying: “I shall keep it unto the end!”
Hebrews 3:14
July 29, 2014
Psalm 119:34 – Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Thought: Doing something with one’s “whole heart” makes all the difference in the world. When the whole heart is involved there is both motivation and dedication to what one is doing. The psalmist was resolved to observe the law of God with is whole heart. This whole-hearted obedience would impact his whole life. In fact, his life would be made whole by his obedience.
II Chronicles 15:15
July 30, 2014
Psalm 119:35 – Make me go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
Thought: There are many different paths that man travels throughout life. Some of them bring difficulty. Some bring harm to health and relationships. Some are easy. Some are hard. Some of these paths are walked without a choice. There is one path, however, that all can choose. It is the path of the Lord’s commandments. This path always brings delight to heart and life. Please, choose to walk therein!
Jeremiah 6:16
July 31, 2014
Psalm 119:36 – Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Thought: Satan has convinced us that the acquisition of “things” that are not essential to life is essential to our well-being. We labor and toil to have “things.” In our pursuit of things, we have minimized our desire for the testimonies of God. May God help us to cease being covetous and bend our hearts in the direction of His testimonies.
Luke 12:15
Read devotionals for August 2014