Devotional Song: Go to this link … Please go to this video link to hear the group 4Him singing the poignant and pertinent song, The Message, … praying that we live – in faith – God’s will and His ways, found in “the message” of His word.
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Highlight Passage – NKJV: Deuteronomy 6: 6 [NKJV] …
6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
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Highlight Passage [Context] – NKJV: Deuteronomy 6: 4-9 [NKJV] Go to this link …
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Reference Passage #1: Psalms 119: 27-28 [NKJV] …
27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts; so shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.
28 My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to Your word.
Reference Passage #2: Isaiah 55: 11 [NKJV] …
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Reference Passage #3: 2nd Timothy 3: 16-17 [NKJV] …
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
My Journal for Today: Have you ever wanted more power in your life? … Duh!!! … Hasn’t everyone? Well, the Psalmist in Psalms 119: 27-28 (copied above) apparently had moments like that; and he sought his strength by meditating on God’s word. And certainly the Prophet Isaiah must’ve felt the same thing as God relayed to him the power which comes from Scripture, i.e., when it is exercised for God’s purposes and His will (see Is. 55: 11). And finally, the Apostle Paul recognized the transforming power of God’s word as He declared to his protégé, Timothy [see above], how powerful Scripture is to equip the Saint for doing what the group 4Him sings about in today’s linked song, i.e., become a clarion message for Christ.
Years ago, my mentor, a retired Physician and Bible Scholar, told me that if I wanted to know God more intimately and receive more of His blessing of power in my life (especially in dealing with sin – see Ps. 119: 9-11) that I simply must bury God’s word (i.e., His truth) deeply into my heart; and he took me on a trek to memorize many passages of Scripture; and it probably was the most empowering and transforming exercise of the faith that I ever undertook.
Then, led by the truth of 2nd Tim. 3: 16-17 and Joshua 1: 8, my mentor helped me to develop the discipline of using solitude every morning (i.e., “a quiet time”), to delve deeply into God’s word – with prayer – and to seek after God’s will and His ways for my life. I began that discipline in 1988; and I’ve been spending quiet time with God – every day – since then; and in the last few years I’ve even been publishing my journaling of my devotional writings online in two places – every morning.
I do this – not to brag or show off – my discipline; but because I know that I can work toward my goal of Christlikeness more effectively if I maintain this discipline; and journaling helps me to focus more intently on God’s truth, especially as to applying it to my life, writing as if someone else might also benefit from my insights. Very few likely are reading here; but that matters not. I’m writing here because I want more of God’s power in my life and this discipline of being here, journaling in this manner, helps me to seek after and receive that power.
I brag only on my God, the Holy Spirit, who has been able to enable and empower a VERY LAZY sinner and move him (i.e., me) into daily devotional journaling now for the past 20+ years; and I pray that I never take a “vacation” from this discipline. In fact, part of my motivation to be here is that I fear that my flesh is weak and I don’t want to break my discipline of being here with my God every day; and you can see that my God is helping me to do that … especially if you look at His track record of empowering me by going to this link.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, thank You for Your word which empowers my life – EVERY DAY!!! … Amen
Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.
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