The Lord has really been rocking me J.I. Packer’s “Knowing God”. After finishing up chapter 15, where Packer discusses the wrath of God, I wanted to share some quotes from him.

Bible history… loudly proclaims the severity as well as the goodness of God.

Clearly, the theme of God’s wrath is one about which the Biblical writers feel no inhibitions whatever. Why, then, should we? Why, when the Bible is vocal about it, should we feel obliged to be silent?

There seems to be a misunderstanding of the anthropomorphic language of Scripture – that is, the Biblical habit of describing God’s attitudes and affections in terms ordinarily used for talking about human beings. The basis of this habit is the fact that God made us in His own image so that human personality and character are more like the being of God than anything else we know. But when Scripture speaks of God anthropomorphically, it does not imply that the limitations and imperfections which belong to the personal characteristics of us sinful creatures belong also to the corresponding qualities in our Holy Creator; rather, it takes for granted that they do not.
Thus, God’s love, as the Bible views it, never leads Him to foolish, impulsive, immoral actions in the way that its human counterpart too often leads us. And in the same way, God’s wrath in the Bible is never the capricious, self-indulgent, irritable, morally ignoble thing that human anger so often is. It is, instead, a right and necessary reaction to objective moral evil. God is only angry where anger is called for.

… All that God does subsequently in judicial action toward the unbeliever, whether in this life or beyond it, is to show him, and lead him into, the full implications of the choice he has made.

The unbeliever has preferred to be by himself, without God, defying God, having God against him, and he shall have his preference.

The essence of God’s action in wrath is to give men what they choose, in all its implications: nothing more, and equally nothing less.

God’s wrath is His reaction to our sin, and “law brings wrath” (Rom. 4:15) because the law stirs up sin latent within us and causes transgression – the behavior that evokes wrath – to abound (Rom. 5:20; 7:7-13).

If you want proof that the wrath of God, revealed as a fact in your conscience, is already working as a force in the world, Paul would say you need only look at life around you and see what God has “given them over to.”

Yet if we know God, it is vital that we face the truth concerning His wrath, however unfashionable it may be, and however strong our initial prejudices against it. Otherwise we shall not understand the Gospel of Salvation from wrath, nor the propitiatory achievement of the cross, nor the wonder of the redeeming love of God. Nor shall we understand the hand of God in history and God’s present dealings with our own people; nor shall we be able to make head or tail of the book of Revelation; nor will our evangelism have the urgency enjoined by Jude – “save some, by snatching them out of the fire” (Jude 23). Neither our knowledge of God nor our service to Him will be in accord with His Word.

O LORD,
Bend my hands and cut them off,
For I have often struck thee with a wayward will,
When these fingers should embrace thee by faith.
I am not yet weaned from all created glory,
Honour, wisdom, and esteem of others,
For I have a secret motive to eye my name in all I do.
Let me not only speak the word sin, but see the thing itself.
Give me to view a discovered sinfulness,
To know that though my sins are crucified
They are never wholly mortified.
Hatred, malice, ill-will,
Vain-glory that hungers for and hunts after
Man’s approval and applause,
All are crucified, forgiven,
But they rise again in my sinful heart.
O my crucified but never wholly mortified sinfulness!
O my life-long damage and daily shame!
O my indwelling and besetting sins!
O the tormenting slavery of a sinful heart!
Destroy, O God, the dark guest within
Whose hidden presence makes my life a hell.
Yet thou hast not left me here without grace;
The cross stands and meets my needs
In the deepest straits of the soul.
I thank thee that my remembrance of it
Is like David’s sight of Goliath’s sword
Which preached forth thy deliverance.
The memory of my great sins, my many temptations, my falls,
Bring afresh into my mind the remembrance
Of thy great help, of thy support from Heaven,
Of the great grace that saved a wretch as I am.
There is no treasure so wonderful
As that continuous experience of thy grace toward me
Which alone can subdue the risings within:
Give me more of it.
– The Dark Guest, The Valley of Vision

I started reading this book called “Love Walked Among Us: Learning to Love Like Jesus” by Paul E. Miller. He also wrote another book I am currently reading, “A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World” which introduced me to his books (easily readable, heavily challenging, encouragingly applicable). In the 1st chapter of “Love Walked”, he talks about how love looks and acts. His example is from Luke 7:11-17:

Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!” And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country.

In the chapter, Miller focuses on Jesus’ compassion. I looked up compassion, which is defined as ‘a deep awareness of, and sympathy for, another’s suffering’. In discussing the miracle of Jesus bringing the son back to life, Miller says:

But Jesus’ eye is on the widow… He’s not thinking about Himself and how He can benefit from this amazing display of power. He isn’t distracted by His own miracle – He remembers the person. He cares for both the son’s physical need and the mother’s emotional need.

Jesus possesses both tenderness and power. Usually tender people lack strength and strong people lack gentleness. But Jesus shows both goodness and strength.

He ends the chapter with, “Look, feel, and help”, stating that help without looking and feeling demonstrates a love that is cold, while looking and feeling without helping demonstrates a love that is cheap.

It made me think of the Gospel along these lines – Look, feel, and help.

Jesus looked upon us and our sinful state. As a man, He felt what it was like, knew what it was like, to be what we are (yet He was without sin!). And He helped / acted (helped seems far too weak a word!) by dying on the cross so that He took on our sins and so that we who believe would receive His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21).

I just felt the desire to share this. I pray this encourages us as we continue learning how to love.

How constantly our Master used the title, the “Son of man!” If He had chosen, He might always have spoken of Himself as the Son of God, the Everlasting Father, the Wonderful, the Counsellor, the Prince of Peace; but behold the lowliness of Jesus! He prefers to call Himself the Son of man. Let us learn a lesson of humility from our Saviour; let us never court great titles nor proud degrees. There is here, however, a far sweeter thought. Jesus loved manhood so much, that He delighted to honour it; and since it is a high honour, and indeed, the greatest dignity of manhood, that Jesus is the Son of man, He is wont to display this name, that He may as it were hang royal stars upon the breast of manhood, and show forth the love of God to Abraham’s seed. Son of man—whenever He said that word, He shed a halo round the head of Adam’s children. Yet there is perhaps a more precious thought still. Jesus Christ called Himself the Son of man to express His oneness and sympathy with His people. He thus reminds us that He is the one whom we may approach without fear. As a man, we may take to Him all our griefs and troubles, for He knows them by experience; in that He Himself hath suffered as the “Son of man,” He is able to succor and comfort us. All hail, Thou blessed Jesus! inasmuch as Thou art evermore using the sweet name which acknowledges that Thou art a brother and a near kinsman, it is to us a dear token of Thy grace, Thy humility, Thy love.

“Oh see how Jesus trusts Himself
Unto our childish love,
As though by His free ways with us
Our earnestness to prove!

His sacred name a common word
On earth He loves to hear;
There is no majesty in Him
Which love may not come near.”

—Morning and Evening / Charles Spurgeon

photo by Elnias / sxc.hu

I am a huge fan of nature. I love seeing God’s handiwork. I am constantly impressed by the Lord’s creativity in the world. One particular creature that I watch often is the sparrow. They are everywhere. I can watch them near my job, my home, the gym, my church… wherever.

Yesterday evening, as I sat in my car, I leaned back and watched the sparrows as they hopped around on the power line, chirping and communicating with one another. I looked at the corner of the nearby building and saw a makeshift nest where another sparrow was sitting. Wow, I thought. They go about life without a care in the world. They just live, not worrying about what to make their nests out of, where they will sleep, what they will eat. They live. And while they’re living, they come across food on the ground that my Father provided them. They weren’t worried about finding food; it seems like they just know that it will be there, and so they don’t concern themselves with it. They hop about, they chirp, they sing.

And so, I thought – Take a lesson from the sparrow. If the Lord takes care of them, how much more will He provide my needs? The Bible teaches us this:

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:29-31 ESV

Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!
Luke 12:24 ESV

I desire to be like the sparrow, and to have the same faith that they have in God’s provision. May I live my life and trust Him to provide in due time. May I remember how He cares for them, and how much more He cares for me.

All Scripture is taken from the ESV translation of the Holy Bible.

MIND
–noun
1. (in a human or other conscious being) the element, part, substance, or process that reasons, thinks, feels, wills, perceives, judges, etc.: the processes of the human mind.

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
2 Corinthians 10:5

So much has been going on in my life these past months. I am grateful to God that I haven’t lost it, although many times, I have felt like I would. It is only by God’s grace and mercy that I am doing as well as I am. During this time, I have greatly struggled with consistency. I always feel so… helpless. Many times I feel badly repenting nightly for the same sin of idolatry, basically admitting that I am not spending time in prayer or in the Word of my Heavenly Father because I have obviously (and sinfully) found something else more important. Yet, He hasn’t taken me out yet. Every morning, I wake up amazed that I am alive to see another day that I do not deserve. Psalm 145:8 shows itself to be true in my life everyday:

The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

He definitely is.

In light of my struggle with consistency and loving the Lord my God as I should, I read an interview with John Piper on Sovereign Grace’s blog, and in it, Piper said something that stirred and motivated me:

A great tree will fall with many small chops. Pray for daily grace to keep chopping.

I pray that the Holy Spirit will encourage my heart to do so – to keep chopping, and be patient with myself as the Lord is patient with me.

I often look through the queries that were entered that brought people to my website. Some make sense. Some? Not so much!

23 Jan, Fri, 19:10:53 Yahoo: tis so sweet to trust in jesus a different rendition
23 Jan, Fri, 22:13:20 Google: sermon – glorify God
24 Jan, Sat, 00:35:41 Google: Mansuur Mohammed youtube
24 Jan, Sat, 13:12:00 Google: sermon the will of God
25 Jan, Sun, 18:18:31 Yahoo: life expectancy for hepatitis c
25 Jan, Sun, 20:33:21 Google: “I see your face in every sunrise” “you’re beautiful” stars, moon lyrics
25 Jan, Sun, 21:41:24 Google: sermons on letting god be glorified
25 Jan, Sun, 23:18:05 Yahoo: “I Need Thee Oh” lyrics (hymn)
26 Jan, Mon, 04:15:48 Google Images: King James Version – Holy Bible On Audio CD matthew
26 Jan, Mon, 12:49:11 Google: “let june decide”
26 Jan, Mon, 13:39:30 Google: james mcdonald, CD “I am done with that”
27 Jan, Tue, 07:29:06 Yahoo: its not against flesh and blood but against
27 Jan, Tue, 13:42:58 Yahoo: life expectancy for a person with hepatitis c
27 Jan, Tue, 17:28:47 Google: infj
27 Jan, Tue, 20:28:26 MSN Search: how many calories eliptical 4 miles 40 minutes
27 Jan, Tue, 20:44:09 Google Images: charo washer
27 Jan, Tue, 20:56:27 Google: 3A
28 Jan, Wed, 08:40:30 Google: life in return
28 Jan, Wed, 13:24:27 Yahoo: we do not wrestle against flesh
29 Jan, Thu, 04:36:01 Google: INFJ

God does not choose those who will choose Him. God chooses those who would never choose Him. God chooses the unlovely, the sinner, the wicked… not just the undeserving, but the ill deserving like me. If God didn’t elect us, predestine us, choose us, all of this culmination of this constellation of verbage in the Bible testifies together that we don’t love God 1st, He loves us 1st. We don’t choose God 1st, He chooses us 1st. We don’t pursue God 1st; He pursues us 1st. God’s not lost; we are, and He’s the One on a rescue mission to save His enemies.
Mark Driscoll, Part 1: Trial and Sin

Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake.

Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad’s of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.

2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and contrivance to promote the aforementioned things.

3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.

4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.

5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.

9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.

10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.

11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances don’t hinder.

12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.

13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.

14. Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.

15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger to irrational beings.

16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

17. Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

18. Resolved, to live so at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.

19. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.

20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.

21. Resolved, never to do anything, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him.

22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power; might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.

23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God’s glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.

24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.

25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.

26. Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.

27. Resolved, never willfully to omit anything, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.

28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.

30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.

31. Resolved, never to say anything at all against anybody, but when it is

perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.

32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that in Prov. 20:6, “A faithful man who can find?” may not be partly fulfilled in me.

33. Resolved, always to do what I can towards making, maintaining, establishing and preserving peace, when it can be without over-balancing detriment in other respects. Dec.26, 1722.

34. Resolved, in narration’s never to speak anything but the pure and simple verity.

35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.

36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. Dec. 19, 1722.

37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent, what sin I have committed, and wherein I have denied myself: also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec.22 and 26, 1722.

38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord’s day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.

39. Resolved, never to do anything that I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or no; except I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.

40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.

41. Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly in any respect have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.

42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, 1722-23.

43. Resolved, never henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God’s, agreeable to what is to be found in Saturday, January 12. Jan.12, 1723.

44- Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. Jan.12, 1723.

45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan.12 and 13.1723.

46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eve: and to be especially careful of it, with respect to any of our family.

47. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented, easy, compassionate, generous, humble, meek, modest, submissive, obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable, even, patient, moderate, forgiving, sincere temper; and to do at all times what such a temper would lead me to. Examine strictly every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5,1723.

48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or no; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.

49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.

50. Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.

51. Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.

52. I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.

53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.

54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it. July 8, 1723.

55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, 1723.

56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether ~ have done my duty, and resolve to do it; and let it be just as providence orders it, I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty and my sin. June 9, and July 13 1723.

58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May27, and July 13, 1723.

59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July ii, and July 13.

60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4, and 13, 1723.

61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc. May 21, and July 13, 1723.

62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty; and then according to Eph. 6:6-8, do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man; “knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.” June 25 and July 13, 1723.

63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. Jan.14′ and July ‘3′ 1723.

64. Resolved, when I find those “groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom. 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those “breakings of soul for the longing it hath,” of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be wear’, of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.

65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton’s 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26, and Aug.10 1723.

66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.

67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.

68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10, 1723.

69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. Aug. 11, 1723.

70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak.

Aug. 17, 1723

From Donald S. Whitney, Center for Biblical Spirituality:

Once, when the people of God had become careless in their relationship with Him, the Lord rebuked them through the prophet Haggai. “Consider your ways!” (Haggai 1:5) he declared, urging them to reflect on some of the things happening to them, and to evaluate their slipshod spirituality in light of what God had told them.

Even those most faithful to God occasionally need to pause and think about the direction of their lives. It’s so easy to bump along from one busy week to another without ever stopping to ponder where we’re going and where we should be going.

The beginning of a new year is an ideal time to stop, look up, and get our bearings. To that end, here are some questions to ask prayerfully in the presence of God.

1. What’s one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?

2. What’s the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?

3. What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?

4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?

5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?

6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?

7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?

8. What’s the most important way you will, by God’s grace, try to make this year different from last year?

9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?

10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?

In addition to these ten questions, here are twenty-one more to help you “Consider your ways.” Think on the entire list at one sitting, or answer one question each day for a month.
11. What’s the most important decision you need to make this year?

12. What area of your life most needs simplifying, and what’s one way you could simplify in that area?

13. What’s the most important need you feel burdened to meet this year?

14. What habit would you most like to establish this year?

15. Who do you most want to encourage this year?

16. What is your most important financial goal this year, and what is the most important step you can take toward achieving it?

17. What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your work life this year?

18. What’s one new way you could be a blessing to your pastor (or to another who ministers to you) this year?

19. What’s one thing you could do this year to enrich the spiritual legacy you will leave to your children and grandchildren?

20. What book, in addition to the Bible, do you most want to read this year?

21. What one thing do you most regret about last year, and what will you do about it this year?

22. What single blessing from God do you want to seek most earnestly this year?

23. In what area of your life do you most need growth, and what will you do about it this year?

24. What’s the most important trip you want to take this year?

25. What skill do you most want to learn or improve this year?

26. To what need or ministry will you try to give an unprecedented amount this year?

27. What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your commute this year?

28. What one biblical doctrine do you most want to understand better this year, and what will you do about it?

29. If those who know you best gave you one piece of advice, what would they say? Would they be right? What will you do about it?

30. What’s the most important new item you want to buy this year?

31. In what area of your life do you most need change, and what will you do about it this year?

The value of many of these questions is not in their profundity, but in the simple fact that they bring an issue or commitment into focus. For example, just by articulating which person you most want to encourage this year is more likely to help you remember to encourage that person than if you hadn’t considered the question.

If you’ve found these questions helpful, you might want to put them someplace—in a day planner, PDA, calendar, bulletin board, etc.—where you can review them more frequently than once a year.

So let’s evaluate our lives, make plans and goals, and live this new year with biblical diligence, remembering that, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage” (Proverbs 21:5). But in all things let’s also remember our dependence on our King who said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Copyright © 2003 Donald S. Whitney.

Copyright Disclaimer: All the information contained on the Center for Biblical Spirituality website is copyrighted by Donald S. Whitney. Permission granted to copy this material in its complete text only for not-for-profit use (sharing with a friend, church, school, Bible study, etc.) and including all copyright information. No portion of this website may be sold, distributed, published, edited, altered, changed, broadcast, or commercially exploited without the prior written permission from Donald S. Whitney.

After being challenged and taught by way of Mike Bullmore’s sermon, “Feeding on God: Cultivating a Fruitful Life in the Word”, I read Scripture tonight and tasted its deliciousness. I thought through what was being said, what it meant, how it affected me, what it said about God, what it said about men… It was great. My passage of choice? Psalm 119:1-8. As one who struggles with consistency in the Word of God, an older sister in the Faith advised me to read Psalm 119 a couple of months ago. I am grateful for the Lord’s grace in being with me as I read. With that said, I want to share some of my thoughts on the passage and some of the things that the Lord revealed to me in it.

Aleph
119:1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the Lord!
2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
who seek him with their whole heart,
3 who also do no wrong,
but walk in his ways!
4 You have commanded your precepts
to be kept diligently.
5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
6 Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn your righteous rules.
8 I will keep your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me!

Being blameless in your way is directly connected to walking in the law of the Lord. Those persons with a blameless way are happy persons. Their happiness is rooted in keeping God’s testimonies and seeking Him with their whole heart.

Walk and way = one in the same. If you walk somewhere, it’s the way that you are going. If you walk in the ways of the Lord, your way will be blameless.

God has commanded His precepts (His law) to be kept diligently. He has not asked nor has He pleaded or suggested. He’s commanded that I keep His precepts diligently (constant in an effort to accomplish something, attentive & persistent, pursued with persevering attention, painstaking).

Humility, honesty, a prayer – “Oh that MY ways may be steadfast (fixed in direction, steadily directed, unwavering, firmly established) in keeping Your statutes (law)!”

“Then I shall not be put to shame” – If MY ways were steadfast, I wouldn’t be ashamed before You. I’d have no reason to be because my ways would be firmly established in keeping Your law.

Eyes ‘fixed’ – fastened, set or intent upon, not fluctuating or varying. My eyes will be set on God’s commandemnts, never varying.

I will praise God with an upright heart when I learn His righteous rules. Can I do this without learning them> Can my heart be upright without knowing what He expects? No.

The resolve after pondering and realization – I will keep your statutes… Those people that do are truly happy, blessed, not put to shame, able to praise You with an upright heart… Yes, Lord, I will keep Your statutes! There is great benefit!

“Do not utterly forsake me” – A plead/cry for mercy? Is this connected with verse 5 (Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!)? Maybe this is an instance of “I will do this; please endure with me!”

I am excited about working through Psalm 119 8 verses at a time, taking my time and not imposing upon myself timelines. I am grateful for the stirring that the sermon caused as well, and I pray it will be of benefit to others.

Grace and peace!

To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of David. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Psalms 8:1-9 ESV

I wanted to share one of my favorite songs sung around this time of year!

What Child Is This? – Selah (CLICK TO LISTEN)

What Child is this who, laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.