Tag: God’s word

Hebrews 4:1-16 – Promised Rest

Read Hebrews 4:1-16

If you’re the parent of young children, you know the word “rest” sounds like a distant memory. It’s fleeting for you, and you wonder if you’ll ever be able to rest again. If it’s not burning the candle at both ends to get it all done each day, it’s lying awake at night worrying about something. But that rest is only a glimpse of the rest our author describes, the rest God promises and hopes for us.

Have you made an intentional attempt at resting each week? God set the prime example for us when he created the world and then rested. God knew we would benefit so much from rest. More importantly, God wanted us to stay close to Him, and this gift of rest is meant to keep us connected to our Creator. Our author has some startling things to say about our resting. Continue reading “Hebrews 4:1-16 – Promised Rest”

Mark 4:1-20 – Check the Soil

Read Mark 4:1-20

“Once again,” are the words Mark writes as he begins this story. Mark’s gospel is such a great collection of stories telling us about Jesus’ life and how he interacted with the world. Mark’s style of writing doesn’t necessarily follow a strict timeline, so enjoy every story as it unfolds.

Jesus loved to preach with parables, but his meaning was often hidden. He even tells us why in this reading. Thankfully, Jesus shared the meaning with his disciples so we, too, can understand and appreciate the real-life examples. This parable is one of my favorites, although I probably say that about most of them. Continue reading “Mark 4:1-20 – Check the Soil”

Psalm 119:9-16 – God’s Word Equips Us

Read Psalm 119:9-16

Fun Fact: Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible! In its entirety, it’s a great meditation on the importance and beauty of God’s word in nurturing our faith. I love how this section speaks to us as believers, whether we’ve been believers for ten minutes, ten years, or our whole lives.

The psalmist says, “I have hidden your word in my heart.” Is it safe in our hearts, far enough away from the clutches of sin? You might wonder how this happens exactly. Over the years, I have helped countless children in my Sunday School classes commit Bible verses to memory. Once in our heads, we can let them rest in our hearts. That way, God’s wisdom is always safe inside us, ready to nurture or empower us. Continue reading “Psalm 119:9-16 – God’s Word Equips Us”

Psalm 19:7-14 – More Than Just Words

Read Psalm 19:7-14

Why should we listen to God’s Word? The psalmist gives us eleven verses full of reasons and benefits. We can’t really deny any of these descriptions. Yet it’s almost as if they are shared in defense of God’s Word, as if God’s Word were under attack. I see evidence of such an attack all these years later, don’t you?

Some people view the Bible as a book of rules or just a collection of words. It’s much more than that. The psalmist uses words like “instructions,” “decrees,” “commandments,” “commands,” “laws,” and “a warning.” Those are some direct and descriptive words. What a good reason to pay attention! For those of us who have always wanted an “Instruction Guide for Life,” we need look no further. Continue reading “Psalm 19:7-14 – More Than Just Words”

Psalm 119:11 – Hide It!

“I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11)

This verse sums up precisely why I often reflect on one verse at a time. It is easier to memorize or “hide” God’s word in our hearts when it’s in smaller chunks. When we can associate a given situation with a verse, it helps us to recall when those situations arise.

Context (Psalm 119:9-16): This is only a small excerpt from the longest chapter in the Bible. This psalm’s central theme is the importance of God’s word. The psalmist knows our lives depend on our obedience to the truths of Scripture. Other descriptors for God’s word include decrees, regulations, commandments, and laws. The whole psalm follows this pattern of singing the praises of God’s instruction book for us. Continue reading “Psalm 119:11 – Hide It!”

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