 |
|
Sunday schedule of services have changed, refer to home page
| |
|
OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for November 2014
December 1, 2014
Psalm 119:159 – Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O Lord, according to thy lovingkindness.
Thought: Again, the psalmist asks to be made alive. His spiritual passion was waning. He did not find joy in living a righteous life before God. However, he knew one thing that could bring him to life again, the lovingkindness of God. God’s blessings are expressions of His lovingkindness. When we are recipients of His bounty, our passion is ignited again. We develop a deep desire to be faithful to God and serve Him. If you have little zeal in your service to God, stop for a while, and do as the old hymn exhorts: “Count your many blessings. Name them one by one.” Your awareness of God’s lovingkindness will bring you to life again.
Psalm 36:7
December 2, 2014
Psalm 119:160 – Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
Thought: Man seems to enjoy rebelling against the will of God. He seems to delight in making light of the commandments of God. He seems to relish his ability to neglect the things God has required in His Word. What man fails to understand is that God’s commands will never go away. His righteous judgments endure forever. Man’s ability to rebel and neglect the statutes of God will not cause them to disappear. One day, the rebellious and negligent will meet the eternal judgment of God again.
Romans 2:3
December 3, 2014
Psalm 119:161 – Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
Thought: There are many ways that one can express reverence and respect for something. He can bow in another’s presence. He can kneel in awe. He can also rise to his feet and stand in awe to show respect. Here, the psalmist said that his heart stood in awe of God’s Word. This is important because the heart is the seat of all actions. If the heart fears God’s Word, the behaviors will follow suit. Does your heart stand in awe in the presence of God’s Word?
Isaiah 66:2
December 4, 2014
Psalm 119:162 – I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
Thought: After a battle had been won, the victor got to partake of the spoils of the enemy. When the battle was long and hard, the spoils were the reward. When the spoils were abundant, there was great joy on the part of the winning army. The psalmist used the joy of spoils to describe his joy over the Word of God. When he opened God’s Word he found treasures and blessings in abundance. His heart rejoiced at the bounty!!!
Numbers 31:9
December 5, 2014
Psalm 119:163 – I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
Thought: Lying and truth are opposites. The righteous have a responsibility to both. They are to hate lying. They are to love truth. The word “love’ involves “having an affection for.” We can have an affection for God’s Word because His law is an extension of Himself. The two are conjoined to one another. To love the law of God is to love God. It is impossible to love God without loving His law.
I John 2:5
December 6, 2014
Psalm 119:164 – Seven times a day do I praise thee, because of thy righteous judgments.
Thought: When the psalmist considered the righteous judgments of God, they caused him to praise the Lord. He did not just praise him once, but seven times a day. The psalmist understood and appreciated the value of God’s judgments. He prized them within his heart. His heart was so full of thanksgiving and awe for God’s law that it poured out in praise. Has God’s law filled your heart to the point that it must sing the praises of God?
Revelation 16:7
December 7, 2014
Psalm 119:165 – Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
Thought: Those who love the law of God, keep the law of God (John 14:15). Those who keep the law of God shall not be offended. The word “offended” means “shall not stumble.” Those who keep God’s law are walking on solid ground. Their feet are safely and firmly rooted. When challenged, they will always say: “We ought to obey God!”
I Peter 2:6-8
December 8, 2014
Psalm 119:166 – Lord, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.
Thought: Hope and obedience are closely tied together. A person cannot possess hope if he does not comply with the Lord’s commandments. Those who keep the commandments embrace a wonderful hope. Yes, hope is conditional. It is the possession of those whose faith in God propel them to keep the commandments of God.
I John 3:3-4
December 9, 2014
Psalm 119:167 – My soul hath kept thy testimonies: and I love them exceedingly.
Thought: It is one thing to love something. It is something radically different to love something exceedingly. The psalmist loved the testimonies of God exceedingly. The word exceedingly means “with abundance.” It could have been translated: “I love them with muchness.” If you were to measure your love for God’s precepts, where would you fall? Do you love them a little, some, moderately, much, or with muchness?
John 14:21
December 10, 2014
Psalm 119:168 – I have kept thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.
Thought: The manner in which we live our life should be important to us. We should not sail through life with no direction. We need a compass and a map. The Word of God should be these things to us. As we travel, we should be aware that God is watching every path we take. He is concerned about our direction. Let’s travel the path that leads us to Him.
Proverbs 5:21
December 11, 2014
Psalm 119:169 – Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord: give me understanding according to thy word.
Thought: Man likes things to be the way he thinks they ought to be. He wants to understand things the way he thinks things ought to be. The problem is that man’s thinking is not always in harmony with God’s Word. Our desire ought to be like the desire of the psalmist: “…give me understanding according to thy word.” NOTE: When this understanding comes, we may have to give up our personal understanding. Yes, our will may have to be resigned to the divine will.
Proverbs 3:5-6
December 12, 2014
Psalm 119:170 – Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.
Thought: From time to time, the child of God falls victim to the evil one. In those times, he stands in need of deliverance. Supplication is closely tied to deliverance. God’s servant repents of his transgression, confesses his sin, and prays to God for forgiveness. If the disciple does this, God has promised in His Word to deliver him from the bonds of iniquity.
Acts 8:22-23
December 13, 2014
Psalm 19:171 – My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
Thought: The statutes of God teach us many things. One of the things they teach us is how to praise God. God has revealed to us the things He desires from man when he worships him. Sadly, many believe that God is pleased with anything and everything as long as man comes with a sincere heart. Not so. We can only worship God properly when we have been taught His statutes.
John 4:24
December 14, 2014
Psalm 119:172 – My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
Thought: The commandments of God are righteousness. The commandments of God are right. The commandments of God make men right in the sight of God. The commandments of God make men righteous. When a man comes to understand these things, he will have no difficulty obeying the commands of God. He will not see them as being burdensome. He will not refer to them as human works. God’s commands are righteousness, everyone of them!
Romans 7:12
December 15, 2014
Psalm 119:173 – Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
Thought: Every day we arise to a world of choices. What will I eat for breakfast? What will I wear to work? What kind of a disposition will I have today? Will I work hard or will I relax a bit on the job? The most important question that we will ask ourselves is: “Will I chose the precepts of God?” If we say, “Yes,” as the psalmist did, much of our day will be predetermined. When hard problems come our way, the decision will have already been determined by God’s Word.
Luke 10:42
December 16, 2014
Psalm 119:174 – I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord; and thy law is my delight.
Thought: Some might say that the law is my burden. Others might say that the law is my guide. Still others might say the law is my boundary. How many of us can honestly say: “Thy law is my delight”? The word “delight” means “enjoyment.” For those who hold this view, the law is more than a necessity for life. It serves all of the right purposes, but it brings joy and happiness to the one who follows it. It is as delightful as a cup of hot chocolate on a cold day or a cold milkshake on a warm summer night.
Psalm 40:8
December 17, 2014
Psalm 119:175 – Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.
Thought: There is on old saying that goes: “I need all the help I can get.” Most think this way until it involves conforming their lives to the judgments of God. Sadly, this is one of the greatest helps that man could receive. God’s judgments are good and right. They are for man’s benefit. They will grant him a long and peaceful life here. They will also grant him access into life in the hereafter. Yes, if you need help, God’s judgments can do just that.
Isaiah 26:8-9
December 18, 2014
Psalm 119:176 – I have gone astray like a lost sheep: seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
Thought: There are two kinds of sheep in the fold. There are some who completely rebel and forsake the flock of God. There are others who are like sheep who wander from time to time. The latter really love their shepherd. They deeply desire to do his will. However, they are weak and frail. They get diverted from their course. The Shepherd wants them all to return to His fold. Which type of sheep are you?
John 10:27
December 19, 2014
Psalm 119:1 – Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
Thought: In this verse the psalmist speaks of “the way.” God has provided “the way” for people to travel in this life. Its destination does not end in this life, however. “The way” continues after a person has died. It is the way into the unseen realm of the dead. It is the way into everlasting life. It is the way into eternal bliss. The way can only be obtain through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
John 14:6
December 20, 2014
Psalm 119:2 – Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
Thought: To seek something, one must be conscious of his actions. To seek something, one must be intentional in his actions. To seek something, one must be willing to exert some energy. When individuals lose some money, they demonstrate all of these traits as they seek to find it. A house will be turned upside down until the money is found. This is how man needs to be in his search for God: conscious, intentional, and diligent!
Deuteronomy 4:29
December 21, 2014
Psalm 119:3 – They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
Thought: There is a thought that some, even Christians, love to promote. It goes like this: “We are all just a bunch of sinners.” It is true that all have sinned. A Christian, however, has been cleansed of sins. He has put to death the old man of sin. He no longer habitually practices a life of sin. It is possible for him to go seconds, minutes, hours, and possibly days without committing sin. He is the man the psalmist speaks of. He does no iniquity.
I John 3:9
December 22, 2014
Psalm 119:4 – Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
Thought: “Thou hast commanded!” Those are extremely powerful words. Commands, when issued, are intended to be obeyed. Obedience, however, is often predicated on the one who has issued the command. In this case, it is God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, who has commanded. He is the eternal, all-powerful, all-present, and all-knowing One. He is the giver and sustainer of life. He is the Savior of all mankind. When he commands, He is worthy to be obeyed. Yes, He has commanded.
Jeremiah 7:23
December 23, 2014
Psalm 119:5 – O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
Thought: Every day we awake to two possibilities. I will walk in my ways. Or, I will allow God’s way to be my way. God’s way is found in His holy Word. Those who keep His statutes are being directed by God. What say you? Will your ways be your ways? Or, will your ways be directed by God?
Hebrews 13:21
December 24, 2014
Psalm 119:6 – Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
Thought: It is easy for us to respect the commandments of God that are easy for us to obey. It is easy for us to respect the commandments we understand. It easy to respect the commandments with which we agree. But, what about the commands that are difficult, that do not make sense, and with which we do not agree? These are difficult to respect. If we do not respect them, we will not obey them. We must follow the example of the psalmist and have respect unto all the commands of God.
Deuteronomy 13:18
December 25, 2014
Psalm 119:7 – I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
Thought: God’s Word (righteous judgments) and man’s spirit (uprightness of heart) are vital components of our worship (praise thee). Acceptable worship of the holy God of heaven has always involved spirit and truth. Cain came with the right spirit, but not according to the truth of God’s Word. Israel often came to God with the right elements, but they did not approach God with the right spirit. As we approach our heavenly Father, may we give heed to His righteous judgments and may we bow with uprightness of heart.
John 4:24
December 26, 2014
Psalm 119:8 – I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
Thought: Within this passage is the key to fellowship with God. It is found in the words: “I will keep thy statutes.” A good soldier will obey his commander. A good citizen will obey the laws of the land. A good employee will obey the policies of his employer. As long as a person keeps the rules, he stays in the good graces of his superior. The same is true with God. If we will obey Him, He will never forsake us.
II John 9
December 27, 2014
Psalm 119:9 – Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Thought: Many questions that are asked have simple, correct answers. Here, we find one of those questions. If a young person wants to live a pure and holy life, all he must do is adhere to the Word of the Lord. Sadly, many do not want to hear the simple answers. The simple things often go against one’s desires. Such is the case here. Youth want to “sow their wild oats” instead of submitting to their Wonderful Father. No, many do not want the simple. They simply want to indulge self.
II Timothy 3:15-17
December 28, 2014
Psalm 119:10 – With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
Thought: As we approach the New Year, all of us have decisions to make. Hopefully, many of these decisions will involve our spiritual life. One of the most importance choices we could make is to seek God with our whole heart. Divided loyalties involve no loyalty to any one thing. To invest wholly in one thing shows how important something is to the one making the investment. Let’s show God how important He is. Let’s render unto Him our whole heart.
Matthew 6:24
December 29, 2014
Psalm 119:11 – Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Thought: “I just cannot memorize things.” This is a comment this writer has heard often. Most use it as an excuse for not memorizing the Word of God. However, these same individuals can remember football statistics. They can remember the birthdays of their grandchildren. They can remember the times when their favorite television shows will be playing. They can remember recipes. The statement, “I just cannot memorize things,” is an excuse that covers a person’s lack of desire to remember God’s Word. Those who will not put God’s Word in their heart are missing a powerful weapon in their arsenal against sin.
Job 22:22
December 30, 2014
Psalm 119:12 – Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.
Thought: God’s Word can be taught to us in a host of ways. We can be taught orally by another. We can be taught by studying the written Word itself. We can be taught through experiencing the truths of God’s Word in real life. Some will learn easily. Others will have to repeat the lessons over and over again in order to internalize them. When God’s Word is firmly planted within, we come to know just how much we need to bless the Lord.
Psalm 86:11
December 31, 2014
Psalm 119:13 – With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
Thought: Think about that: “We can speak the things God has spoken.” God has spoken unto man through His Word. Now, we can take those words and proclaim them to others. These words are powerful. They are enlightening. They bestow hope. They give life. They save. There is no greater privilege than to be able to be a mouthpiece for God. May this next year be one that sees many heralds of the glad tidings of good things in Christ. (It has been a joy doing these devotionals for OceanSide. I love the church there dearly. May God bless Dalton as he leads you in these devotionals in 2015. Sincerely, vme).
Romans 10:13-15
Read devotionals for January 2015