Archives for September 2017

How do you feel about affliction? What is your go-to response? I admit my first reaction is usually to avoid it and run from it at all costs. I like ease and comfortability. The verses we journaled last week from Psalm 119:65-80 are rich lessons for us in our approach to and attitude toward affliction.

Did you notice that this stanza begins with a note of gratitude?

You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord, according to your word. —Psalm 119:65

Think of all the ways God has dealt well with us. He loves us, He chose us, He called us, He drew us to Himself. He rescued us, He declared us righteous, He forgave us, He put His Spirit with us, He adopted us into His family. He makes us kings and priests and co-workers with Him, and He rewards all our work for Him.

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. —Psalm 119:67

It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes. —Psalm 119:71

A few weeks ago I found myself in a whirlwind of emotions. Our son lives and works in West Palm Beach, Florida. When word that Hurricane Irma was heading his way, I began to communicate with him regarding his plans. He’s pretty laid-back and not risk averse so he was going to wait and see. As things progressed and evacuations were called for, my stress level began to rise. He is on staff at a large church in the area and because they have several campuses in several cities, they were still in the decision process on canceling their weekend services. Our son decided to wait on their final decision before making evacuation plans. Meanwhile I’m reading of gas shortages, traffic jams, hearing stories from friends and families of past “disasters” when trying to evacuate a Florida hurricane. Well-meaning friends and family were calling and texting to inquire about Jacob and his plans. My husband was on the road that week, so I was home alone trying to process this battle of feelings and faith.…continue reading

These verses of our psalm are perhaps some of my favorite from Psalm 119. Over 20 years ago, these were some of the Scriptures the Lord used to bring about tremendous healing and freedom in my life.…continue reading

I’m so glad you’re hanging with us as we make our way through Psalm 119! I pray that the Lord has encouraged and enlarged your heart as you’ve journaled your verses each week.

This week—oh this week—I’m not even sure where to begin! These passages are so very rich and we could spend weeks on them. Instead, I’m going to share just a few thoughts from this passage as I journaled, meditated upon and studied these verses.

Home is the place where we feel comfortable and can be ourselves. Our homes reflect our personalities and our priorities—the color on our walls, our decorating style (or lack thereof), the activities taking place within these walls, the people who occupy the space with us. All these go into the making of the place we call home.

The Scriptures tell us that our hearts are to be a home for the Word of God and work of Christ.

Hello friends! I hope you’ve had a great week in God’s Word as you’ve read through Psalm 119. As we mentioned last week, each section of Psalm 119 begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It’s an acrostic. This week we will be reading and writing out the first two letters, Aleph and Beth.

I’ve recently discovered a new Bible study resource—Journibles. Have you heard of them? I had not until a friend shared them with me. I was intrigued, so I headed over to Amazon to check them out. I decided to purchase one on Psalm 119 (one of my favorite psalms). It was $4 and I felt worth the cost to try it out. (Sidebar: I have a tendency to “collect” books and Bible study resources and never use them to their fullest potential).

I love Journibles! It’s simple. It’s powerful! You are given space to write out verses of Scripture going through one book of the Bible at a time. If you’ve read any of my posts or studied with me in person, you know I encourage slowing down to take in God’s Word rather than rushing for the sake of “getting through” a chapter or Bible study.

God’s Word is water and nourishment for our hungry and thirsty souls and spirits.…continue reading