PRECEPTS
Today’s Reading: Psalms 119:73-128
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
One of the Hebrew language Bibles on the communion table in Christ Church in Jerusalem. The church is located 200 metres inside the Old City’s Jaffa Gate. More than any other Bible passage, Psalm 119 gives emphasis to the importance of God’s Word!
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Psalms 119:73b, 104 and 105
Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments…Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
The word “precept” is repeated 20 times in Psalm 119! The New Oxford Dictionary gives a meaning of this word: “A general rule intended to regulate behaviour or thought.” This may fall short of the true meaning of the word. The word “principle” comes from the same Latin word as “precept.” When we say that a man or woman is “a person of PRINCIPLE,” we are getting the right idea. Our key verses ask God for “UNDERSTANDING” and then answers that prayer as to how to get “UNDERSTANDING!” We feed our hearts and minds in God’s precepts every day and a person of PRINCIPLE is growing. It’s like the gestation period of the elephant…two years. Our through-God’s-Word readings and blogs over these two years should produce a new person of “PRINCIPLE.” Amen?
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, may Your precepts flow into the very core of my being, bringing healthy spiritual growth. I pray that I will emerge from this two-year period of absorbing Your Word daily as a “PERSON OF PRINCIPLE.” In other words, Father God, I hope to resemble Jesus more and more. In His Name I ask for Your precepts to be the DNA of my life now and in the future. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
In my first years as one who sought to follow Jesus, I decided to read the biographies of people who were, in my judgment, good people. Millions of such biographies should be written. There are too few! I found a common denominator in adherence to basic principles by which they ordered their lives. One such person is Abraham Lincoln, a former President of the United States. In 1957 a devotional book made up of select Biblical passages was discovered. It was owned and used by Lincoln. It’s called, The Believer’s Daily Treasure. A subtitle is, Texts of Scripture Arranged for Every Day of the Year. Here is a paragraph from a book called, Abraham Lincoln – Lessons in Spiritual Leadership, by Elton Trueblood:
“Frequently, Lincoln employed a verse from the Bible to clinch a point. He had been importuned saying that he would not interfere with slaves or slavery in states where they were acceptable. ‘I have,’ he wrote to William Speer of Tennessee, ‘done this many many times, and it is in print, and open to all who will read. Those who will not read or heed what I’ve already said would not read or heed a repetition of it. If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead.'”
That Bible quote is found in Luke 16:31. In my reading of Lincoln’s words, I have found that they are generously sprinkled with Scriptures. Lincoln knew the precepts of God’s Word thoroughly. I believe that his daily reading of God’s Word helped immensely to produce this great man of PRINCIPLE!
Yours for two years of gestation in the womb of Holy Scripture and for the birth of men and women of PRINCIPLE,
David
P.S. Click here for a look at one of the Bibles of Abraham Lincoln. His Bible was brought from the Smithsonian for the inauguration ceremony of President Obama.
Inside Christ Church in Jerusalem, which is the oldest Protestant Church in the Middle East. It was completed in 1849 and soon after became known as the “Jewish Protestant Church.” On the communion table are two Hebrew language Bibles (one of which is pictured above).
Oh how wonderful to have this blog each day. It is better than any devotional guide I know of. Some come close but this one is superb. What great opportunity we have to just click on referenced verses and they just pop up. David’s experiences and his insight and walk with God are great teaching. That along with Reynold’s photos are marvellous. I have not been to the Holy Land and find that the photography is so helpful. Thanks Maines family and all who put this blog together each day.
Ditto,Doreen.I strongly agree with each word you typed and am reminded,I tend to forget Reynold’s involvement.The pictures bring some of the subject matter to life when they help in “understanding” and understanding is the base of wisdom.God bless
I agree wholeheartedly!! Sorry I do not have internet now so will be sporadic in postings. But, I will try my best to get an early post in, stopping at McDonald’s before I go swim. Pray I get internet soon. There is nothing better than 5-6 am in prayer and the blog. I pull up the day’s blog from 2017 so it is the same as what will post for that day, and I start it at 5 am with my other daily readings. Then I can get the new post on shortly after 6 am. It may sound crazy to other people who aren’t into the Lord in the morning as we are, but there is just nothing like it! Amen!! Bless your day, fellow saints in the Lord!
And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Mark 4:39 ESV
God Is Great – Hillsong Worship
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV7C_AKq1kA
I agree wholeheartedly!! Sorry I do not have internet now so will be sporadic in postings. But, I will try my best to get an early post in, stopping at McDonald’s before I go swim. Pray I get internet soon. There is nothing better than 5-6 am in prayer and the blog. I pull up the day’s blog from 2017 so it is the same as what will post for that day, and I start it at 5 am with my other daily readings. Then I can get the new post on shortly after 6 am. It may sound crazy to other people who aren’t into the Lord in the morning as we are, but there is just nothing like it! Amen!! Bless your day, fellow saints in the Lord!
And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Mark 4:39 ESV
God Is Great – Hillsong Worship
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV7C_AKq1kA
I don’t think these words would be in conflict with today’s scripture.God bless
Me Above
By Your stripes,I am healed,
By Your blood,I’m ever saved,
And by Your word,the truth revealed,
Then by Your love my sins were waived.
By Your grace,there’s no debt,
But by my shame I did repent,
So I’ll not let the world forget,
That You’re the King Your Father sent.
By my life I’ll praise You,
By my walk I’ll spread Your love,
So that when my life here is through,
You’ll take me to my home above.
G W(Bill) Marshall / 19 Feb, 2014
Agree with you Doreen and William. We would be missing a lot without this daily reading guide and blog through the Bible. What insight and wisdom! Thinking of Ann and Ron’s request today. Sending thoughts and prayers for her recovery. Appreciate David’s message and prayers today in his blog.
Amen: Doreen and Bill in full agreement with your words and poem.
Continuous pray for Anne, praying that the fever and infection will be gone in Jesus name. Blessings to all Eleanor M.
Father God, your Word is truly inspired. It inspires us also. Thank You. Please guide us today in your perfect ways, specifically in the work You have for us to do. We are to go about doing good, as Jesus did, and does through us. Amazing!
Please give us discernment and wisdom to know what to do and how to do it, and cleanse our hearts of all impure motives. Help us work and serve with glad and grateful hearts.
Bless all your workers today, Lord, and may your Kingdom reach out to every corner of this world You made. All belongs to You, and we commit every part to You, Lord, in Jesus’s name, amen
Amen.