In your anger...

1 Psalm 4:4 (New International Version):

In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.

2 Psalm 4:4 (New International Version):

When you are angry, do not sin.
Think about these things quietly
as you go to bed.

Interesting... So maybe that is the secret to not sinning when you are angry? I happen to be great at opening my mouth in my anger. Seems like I've been working on that for years and years. Usually when I going to bed, or already in bed, I've already forgotten half the day.

But I wonder if he's talking about waiting before responding here. I have learned to write an e-mail in anger and then save it as a draft and read it an hour later, or the next day. Usually I end up re-writing it with much more tact. I think that's what he's talking about here. Any time I'm angry, I should do my best to wait before giving an answer in anger, or acting in anger. Give it a day, ponder on it, and see if I still come to the same conclusion.

Apparently, it's not just me. I find it extremely easy to sin when I'm angry... and apparently, David did as well..

1 New International Version (NIV)

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

2 New Century Version (NCV)

The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Remembering God's Power

Serve the LORD with fear
and rejoice with trembling.

Psalm 2:11

It's always hard to understand (at least for me) what 'with fear and trembling' means. I suppose for now I'm content with the idea of always remembering God's power.... that he created the world, and everything in it. That he sees everthing, and nothing is hidden from him.

And I think I do understand what 'Serve' means, so at least I can start there....;)

Blessed is the man ...

1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

It's really sad... I feel sometimes like I've forgotten all about God's word and the act of meditating on it. I remember I used to write down a verse or thought each day from my quiet time each morning while reading the bible so I could think about it later during the day.

It's been a very long time since I've done anything like that. I think I'll do that today... memorize Psalm 1:2...

But his delight

is the law of the Lord,

and on his law

he meditates day and night.

* 1,2

New International Version (NIV)

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

The Seeker

Those who know your name will trust in you,

for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 9:10

New International Version (NIV)

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

Interesting...

Makes me wonder how often I really seek him, or whether I really know him. What does it really mean to seek him? Probably a little more than hide-n-seek I would think.

Seeking as for a hidden treasure? As in Raiders of the Lost Ark perhaps?

The point is, however, that's he's never forsaken anyone that did seek.

A little inspiration... and hope... :)

Hating Sin... Day 2

Psalm 36:2*

For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.

30 Days at the foot of the cross... Day 2

It's such an interesting verse... flattering myself to much to hate my sin. 'I'm not really that bad...'. I suppose that's what he means. He goes on to say:

he commits himself to a sinful course
and does not reject what is wrong.

I can't even say I'm not guilty of that. Knowing something wrong, but knowing I'm planning on doing it anyway, or allowing it to happen. At what point do I run out of grace?

Hebrews 10:26-27*

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

This is definitly not something I want - nor want to even think about. But is it really something I can afford not to think about? Day 2 asks very poignent questions that cut deep to the roots, and beg me to evaluate where I truly stand...

* New International Version (NIV)

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

Thirty Days...

I've decided to read through Thirty Days at the Foot of the Cross as my 40th birthday comes up on May 22nd.

I feel like (and it should be somewhat obvious from the lack of postings here) that I've been somewhat lacking lately in my growth spiritually.

Anyway, Day 1 was all about unconditional love and how if we are imitating God, we should be becoming more like him in every way daily, especially when it comes to loving others...

Ephesians 5:1-2 (New International Version)

Ephesians 5

1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

New International Version (NIV)

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society