The Protection of Meditation

PSALM 119:9-16

How can a young man cleanse his way?

By taking heed according to Your word.

10 

With my whole heart I have sought You;

Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!

11 

Your word I have hidden in my heart,

That I might not sin against You.

12 

Blessed are You, O Lord!

Teach me Your statutes.

13 

With my lips I have declared

All the judgments of Your mouth.

14 

I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,

As much as in all riches.

15 

I will meditate on Your precepts,

And contemplate Your ways.

16 

I will delight myself in Your statutes;

I will not forget Your word.

NKJV www.biblegateway.com

If there were a seminar on overcoming sin, many Christians would sign up, hoping to discover the secret to victory over their temptations. But the answer isn't elusive; it's right under our nose. All we need to do is open our Bible. Every answer the psalmist gives to his initial question of how to keep our ways pure involves Scripture.

   LIVE ACCORDING TO GOD'S WORD  (Psalm 119:9-10). This means we must spend time reading and meditating on Scripture in order to know what it says and means. But that alone isn't enough to guard us from sin; we must obey it.

   TREASURE GOD'S WORD IN YOUR HEART (v. 11). Since temptation usually comes unexpectedly, we must be prepared for it even when we can't grab a Bible. That's why having Scripture stored in our mind and heart is so important.

   REJOICE IN GOD'S WORD (v. 14). There is great joy and peace that comes with knowing Scripture. In fact, it should be worth more to us than all the wealth and possessions this world offers.

   MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD (v. 15). We must take time to attune our heart and mind to the Lord, ponder His words, and receive the Spirit's help translating His instructions for our particular situation. This isn't a rushed process; it's a slow yielding of ourselves to the truths we read as we discover how to apply them. And consistency may require a deliberate commitment.

   When we faithfully practice biblical meditation, we will discover that the Holy Spirit has been busy transforming our thoughts, emotions, and actions so we'll be more pleasing to God and less attracted to sinful pleasures. That is good news!

Stanley, Charles F. "The Protection of Meditation," In Touch: Daily Readings For Devoted Living, February 2019, Atlanta: In Touch Ministries Inc. page 13.

My prayer for myself is that I will have the strength to put into practice what I have just read!!!

"The Joshua Code: 52 Scripture Verses Every Believer Should Know"

 The Joshua CODE: 52 Scripture Verses Every Believer Should Know by O. S. Hawkins is written on the premises of Joshua 1:8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night . . ." This is a book for memory and meditation. Please, use this book as a guide to hide God's word in your heart!!!

www.oshawkins.com

My first exposure to Dr. Hawkins was viewing him on the Huckabee TV show on TBN during December 2018. I liked his enthusiasm for wanting to assist people to know, understand and meditate on God's word, the Holy Bible. Then he hooked me in by adding, "All royalties from this book are donated to Mission:Dignity, which helps retiree missionaries, ministers, workers, and their spouses." With many books sitting on my shelf begging to be read, another book was NOT in my plans. But, it was in His plans. Always wanting to support missionaries, I came home with three books for my bookshelf. Well, I started reading VIP:Very Influential Person and am still reading. I am using the other two books as morning and evening devotionals. None of the three are gathering dust on the book shelf.

The following is a quote on John 3:16 from chapter 2, page 23, unknown, yet wise old sage:

For God . . . the greatest Lover

so loved . . . the greatest degree

the world . . .the greatest company

that He gave . . .the greatest act

His only begotten Son . . . the greatest gift

that whoever . . .the greatest opportunity

believes . . . the greatest simplicity

in Him . . . the greatest attraction

should not perish . . . the greatest promise

but . . . the greatest difference

have . . . the greatest certainty

everlasting life . . . the greatest possession

Each chapter is very short, but powerful. Go slow! Take time to read, study and meditate!!!

Our Heavenly Father

"This, then, is how you should pray:

"'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'" Matthew 6:9-13 NIV, www.biblegateway.com

When Christ taught His disciples to pray, He told them to call God "Our Father" when communicating with Him. Jesus often addressed God as "My Father," but now they, too, shared in that privileged family relationship. All of us who've been born again are part of the household of God and have this same right.

   Consider some of the ways our heavenly Father cares for His children. He...

LOVES. God's love is unconditional, since it's based on His nature rather than our performance (1 John 4:16).

LISTENS. When we pray, He gives us His full attention (Psalm 55:16-17).

PROVIDES. The Father assumes responsibility for meeting all our needs (Phillipians 4:19).

GUIDES. He is the one who directs our path when we trust in Him (Proverbs 3:5-6).

PROTECTS. The Lord shields us spiritually, emotionally, and physically, sifting every experience through His sovereign fingers (Psalm 121).

STAYS. He's not an absentee parent, since He will never leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8).

DISCIPLINES. The Lord disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness (Hebrews 12:5-11).

   Though experiences with our earthly dads may have distorted our perspective of the heavenly Father, we can learn to see HIm as He truly is. By viewing Him through the truth of Scripture instead of our preconceptions, we will see evidence of His loving care and discover a security we've never known before.

Stanley, Dr. Charles F. "Our Heavenly Father." In Touch: Daily Readings For Devoted Living. Atlanta: InTouch.org. November 2018. page 27.

"The Assassins" by Oliver North review

The Assassins, a novel, by Oliver North and Joe Musser begins on 14 October 2007 at the Royal Saudi Air Force Early Warning Center, King Khalid Air Base, Saudi Arabia. "When the tiny blip first appeared on his radar screen...He stared at the radar image for several seconds before acting on what he saw. Instead of flying straight toward..." pages 1 and 3. After 524 pages of nonstop-intrigue, the authors conclude with, "Tentative and fledgling efforts toward peace and democracy took root in Iran just as they had in Iraq ̶ which grew stronger day by day...."

The President is speaking on 3 November 2007 just after much devastation here in America. "I just read the FBI assessment that the New York, Chicago, and Atlanta attacks were all 'home grown' suicide bombers. If they're right, at least two of these kids were born here in America, grew up among us, and still came to hate us enough to kill themselves trying to kill other Americans....we've got to find some way to stop these radical.. from spewing this hatred. Encouraging young people to build bombs, put them in backpacks, and blow themselves up...." As I read this novel, it is time for me to think, what can I do to stop this hatred we are constantly hearing about? A friend of mine reminded me that if I am not a part of the solution, I am a part of the problem. This novel was written in 2005 as the third in a series of four. Even as a novel, it was written to encourage me to think! To pray! Ask God how I can be a part of today's solution.

Spoiler, one of my favorite people died. But, you will want to read the rest of the story to find our who, when and where.The authors take the reader from the Middle East to South America to Cuba to the United States and back to the Middle East. All around the world people want the same thing, peace!

After this final battle, The President speaks on 11 November 2007 from the Rose Garden. "So, the irony today is that it's Veterans' Day once again. And more than ever, as Americans we've been made aware of the significance of those who have sacrificed for us. Today's generation of men and women in the military are still fighting the ongoing battle against tyranny so that the bells of freedom can ring loud and clear not just across this wonderful land but all over the world... I want to conclude my remarks today with this reminder: we need to always remember this day of sacrifice and courage. Please bow your head and think for a moment of these brave men and women who serve without protest and who go quietly but steadfastly about their sworn duty to uphold and defend the Constitution of these United States of America...." page 515.

"The Jericho Sanction" by Oliver North review

The Jericho Sanction by Oliver North and Joe Musser, second in the Peter Newman novel series, provides the reader with nonstop excitement. After three years, Rachel and Peter Newman alias John and Sarah Clancy have their identity exposed. How and by whom? Read the rest of the story.

Rachel and her friend, Dyan are kidnapped. By whom and which lady was the target? Again, read the rest of the novel. As the saying goes, "No man is an island." This novel involves many connections including family, work, friends, neighbors and associates.

It is refreshing to enjoy a novel of intrigue without the profane language. Also, as the reader, I have a new understanding and respect for our military and their leaders.

A quote repeated from page 538, read many times throughout the novel:

                "...I'll look forward to seeing you again soon. You guys will be in my prayers."

                "As you and yours shall be in mine," replied the old man.

Exciting, entertaining, uplifting!!!

"Mission Compromised" by Oliver North review

Wow!!! In just over a week, I devoured 600+ pages. Oliver North and Joe Musser's novel "Mission Compromised" held my attention from the first page to the last words. As the players are introduced and their stories told, the reader does not know their fate until the last pages or paragraphs.

It takes gifted authors to put down on paper explicit details of the pain of war, the devastation to military families, the tenderness of love, and the love of God. All of these elements are intertwined in these pages. AND, by the last page, they all made sense to me, anyway, I pray as you read this book, the elements will make sense to you too.

If you want a novel to hold your attention full of excitement, danger and romance without the foul language, this is for you. It was refreshing to read war and romance without all the four-letter words in any paragraphs.

Enjoy as I did!!!

I am looking forward to reading the author's other novels. More reviews to follow.

The Call of God and Call for a Believer

The Call of God

Please read 1 Samuel 3:2-18

   As a young child, Samuel lived in the temple with his mentor, Eli the priest. One night, after hearing his name called, the boy ray to ask Eli what he wanted. The priest, however, hadn't spoken, so he sent the child back to bed. This happened two more times before Eli realized that the Lord was the one calling the boy. Then he instructed Samuel to respond by asking the Lord what He wanted to say.

   Almighty God still speaks to us today. For example, we start hearing Him when He calls us to salvation. The Holy Spirit makes us aware that something is missing in our life, and then He points us to Jesus Christ as the answer.

   Without the Savior, we are lost and hopeless. Everyone is born with a sinful nature that's bent away from God. The Father, who is holy and perfect, requires holiness in His presence. Therefore, the penalty for sin is death—eternal separation from Him. But God loves us, so to correct that situation, Jesus came to earth, lived the perfect life, and died as a substitute for mankind. He took the penalty for our sin.

   Salvation is the greatest gift. To receive it, all we have to do is trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Then, He abides with us and continues to speak, gently guiding and encouraging us toward righteousness.

   Have you sensed the heavenly Father speaking to you? If so, don't delay. Ask Him to forgive your sin; then accept Christ's substitutionary sacrifice on your behalf, and choose to follow Him. Share your decision with a pastor or trusted Christian friend so that you can have guidance on this beautiful new journey.

Stanley, Charles F. "The Call of God." In Touch: Daily Readings for Devoted Living. Atlanta: In Touch. May 2018. page 10.

The Call for a Believer

Ephesians 4:1+

4 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,. .  

NASB, https://www.biblegateway.com/

 . . . After leading us to salvation, God still has work to do in our life. If we listen carefully, we'll be able to hear our Father directing us in three ways.

   First, THE LORD CALLS US TO SANCTIFICATION. This means being set apart by Him and for Him. Through His Spirit, He continually reminds us to use His power and resources so we can obey and live righteously.

   Second, HE CALLS US TO SERVICE. The Lord has planned good works for us to accomplish (Eh. 2:10), and He gives us abilities, time, and resources for that purpose.

   Third, HE CALLS US TO ACCOUNTABILITY. Romans 14:12 teaches that one day we all will give an account of how we used the resources God gave us to glorify Him. This report will be based on the truth we've heard and the opportunities that were available. So we should be sure to listen daily as our heavenly Father reminds us to utilize it all for His glory.

   Has life become so hectic that God's voice is inaudible? Foster your own ability to listen by spending time in the Word and waiting for answers when you pray. And teach your children to tune in so they can hear God, too. What a shame it would be to tackle life without guidance from above.

Stanley, Charles F. "The Call for a Believer." In Touch: Daily Readings for Devoted Living. Atlanta: In Touch. May 2018. page 11.