Because the Psalmist so often gives words to my own heart’s experience, I read the verses as if they were mine, to personalize them. Or as we like to say, “take them to heart.” The following is what that looks like for Psalm 116 — …
Life with the Spirit offers dialogues with God that nourish your spirit and soul. Through my first reading of the Bible in 1979, I was inspired to believe and listen for the voice of my new Lord. My journals are now salted with conversations with …
I once had a dear friend who loved “to keep Christmas.” As the season drew near she would begin preparing — cleaning house, rearranging things to make room for a display of her huge nativity collection, shopping for gifts, writing cards, setting her December schedule around …
Okay, on to Verse 2 of Psalm 84! My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. Psalms 84:2 NASB At first glance a simple little verse, but ponder it …
Psalm 84 is chock-full of Hebrew “word pictures,” which invite the student to ponder for a while, then be amazed at the goodness of God and a life shared with him. (I began writing this post with the idea of covering briefly ALL the beautiful …
I want to share a sample of the rich food I receive each morning from reading five Psalms and one Proverb. For instance, on the 24th of the month, I read Psalm 116 through Psalm 120, and Proverbs 24. On that day, I am reminded of …
In recent days of studying my daily Psalms, two verses about light have captured my attention and given me joy. First, Psalm 97:11: Light is sown like seed for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. (NAS) The image that comes with this …
Are you one of those reluctant to read the Old Testament prophet books like Jeremiah and Ezekiel, and those pesky little guys like Obadiah and Nahum? Many are, which is why I wrote a Bible Study course called Finding the Heart of God in Every …
Man’s steps are ordained by the Lord, how then can man understand his way? Proverbs 20:24, NASB This verse is in my “pet peeve” file — because I hear it applied in erroneous ways, as if all men’s steps are ordained by God, predetermined, making …
The mention of reading the Biblical book of Numbers often brings eye rolls. But like every other book in the Bible, God reveals His heart in this book in unique ways not seen elsewhere. …
Do you remember those parental scoldings that turned into lectures — where all you could do was get comfortable and endure while Mom or Dad went on and on in an attempt to get something through your “thick skull”? These usually came because our repeated …
…Aaron’s sons, the anointed priests… were ordained to serve as priests… Numbers 3:3, NIV The word ordained in this verse is also translated as consecrated in other Bible versions. If I asked you to define either word, I doubt you would come within a mile …
