God Bless gentlemen.
To those who couldn’t make it this past weekend, you missed an amazing time in the Word! It was great to have more vocal participation from everyone, you comments and thoughts not only help others in understanding, but they also help you individually vocalize what God is speaking to you. This forces you to formulate the thoughts in your mind, which is a major part in meditating on the Word of God.
And speaking of meditating on God’s Word, congratulations to the men who were able to memorize last month’s scriptures! I did my heart good to hear God’s Word being spoken from the mouths of His people. Paul wrote that “we all, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” (2 Corinthians 3:18) If we would be changed into Christ likeness we must steadily see Him. This happens in the Word. “The Lord revealed Himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the Word of the Lord” (1 Samuel 3:21). Bible memorization has the effect of making our gaze on Jesus steadier and clearer.
A great question was brought up Saturday about the word “precepts”. I wanted to expand on my answer. Precepts are defined in scripture as statues, principles, or doctrines. The Hebrew word for precepts means to set as an overseer, or to put in charge of – guidelines. Similar to the list of instructions (guidelines) parents would give a babysitter. Think of the painted lines on a two lane highway. They are “guidelines” to keep you moving safely on the highway. Move to the right and you end up in a ditch, move to the left and you end up meeting a Mac Truck @ 80 mph! But inside the “guidelines” all is well. Though the highway lines are “restrictions” and “limitations” they are designed for your benefit! The same with the Word of God. That’s why David says, “I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.” Only inside the “guidelines” is freedom. Outside the guidelines is death and destruction (definitely NOT freedom). By staying within the “precepts” of God, we can move through this life with freedom.
Thanks to Hubert for the great session on finances. There were sooo many questions and not enough time. Hopefully in the future we can set up something. For those who missed it, we’ll try to get you the info.
I’m praying for you guys everyday, literally. May God strengthen you as you move through this life!
Don’t forget next month’s verses:
Romans 12:1,2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
God Bless!!!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Walk This Way, Psalm 119:101 (April 10th 2009)
This week’s memorization verse is:
Psalms 119:101 - “I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey Your Word.”
David points out that he has made a decision. “I have kept” is a phrase that denotes action. Forceful action demonstrated on oneself. If we don’t apply some “force” our feet will go any and every where. We have to make conscious decisions not allow our “feet” to go where they naturally want to go.
Notice the verse says “every evil path”. Even before we get to the actual evil, the Psalmist says that he avoids even the road (path) to the evil. A lot of times as men we think we know our “tipping point” – how far we can go without actually getting in trouble. I bet 90% of the time I’ve jacked up has been because I flirted too close to the road to evil. We don’t really wake up in the morning and say, “you know what, I’m gonna get in some evil trouble today!” Nah, that’s not how it works. It starts by playing too close to, flirting with disaster.
The only way to live a life of obedience is to consciously, forcefully, and mightily keep our feet off of the path to evil. Think of all the things we could have avoided in life. Your particular “evil path” might be that girly you need to consciously, forcefully, and mightily stay away from. It may be your homey(s) that don’t have your betterment in mind. It may be that bookstore or video store. It may be those thought patterns that lead your mind to places or times in your past that you don’t need to be reminiscing on. What ever it may be, let’s join David in this verse and avoid them at all costs.
Let’s start now Gladiators!
Psalms 119:101 - “I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey Your Word.”
David points out that he has made a decision. “I have kept” is a phrase that denotes action. Forceful action demonstrated on oneself. If we don’t apply some “force” our feet will go any and every where. We have to make conscious decisions not allow our “feet” to go where they naturally want to go.
Notice the verse says “every evil path”. Even before we get to the actual evil, the Psalmist says that he avoids even the road (path) to the evil. A lot of times as men we think we know our “tipping point” – how far we can go without actually getting in trouble. I bet 90% of the time I’ve jacked up has been because I flirted too close to the road to evil. We don’t really wake up in the morning and say, “you know what, I’m gonna get in some evil trouble today!” Nah, that’s not how it works. It starts by playing too close to, flirting with disaster.
The only way to live a life of obedience is to consciously, forcefully, and mightily keep our feet off of the path to evil. Think of all the things we could have avoided in life. Your particular “evil path” might be that girly you need to consciously, forcefully, and mightily stay away from. It may be your homey(s) that don’t have your betterment in mind. It may be that bookstore or video store. It may be those thought patterns that lead your mind to places or times in your past that you don’t need to be reminiscing on. What ever it may be, let’s join David in this verse and avoid them at all costs.
Let’s start now Gladiators!
Good Judgment, Psalm 119:66 (March 30th 2009)
This week’s verse to memorize is:
Psalm 119:66 “Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe your commands.”
Good judgment…I must say that this has been, by far, the most complicated, complex, convoluted issue in my life – having good judgment. I would say that over 90% of the jacked up stuff that’s happened to me has been based on my own bad judgment. I wish, so often, that I could travel back in time and tell my self, “Olu, don’t do it that way, try to handle it this way.” It is difficult, and as men we are forced to make a lot of judgment calls. Be it at home, at work, church, in our own lives and in the lives of those close to us. Just think where you would be today if you used “good judgment” in all the decisions you’ve ever made! (A small tear just trickled down my face…LOL)
The Great Preacher Spurgeon compared our actions somewhat to that of birds that fall for a “bird call” by a hunter then ends up getting shot! Due to the bird’s lack of judgment, he is unable to distinguish between a call from an actual bird vs. a man-made call from a deadly hunter. Our own flesh, Satan, and this World System all serve as cunning hunters with their tricks and traps that appear harmless and at times beneficial. We need that “good judgment” from God to aid us in making correct decisions. And this good judgment only comes from the commands of God – His Word, The Bible.
Earlier in chapter 19, the scripture says the commandments of the Lord are pure, enlighten the eyes. God’s Word gives us clear understanding of things otherwise not understood. The muddy world is made clear through the Word of God. So as you memorize these verses, know that applying God’s word to your hearts (memorizing) will help you have “good judgment” now and forever in your life!
PS. Keep your running shoes on!!!
God bless…
Psalm 119:66 “Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe your commands.”
Good judgment…I must say that this has been, by far, the most complicated, complex, convoluted issue in my life – having good judgment. I would say that over 90% of the jacked up stuff that’s happened to me has been based on my own bad judgment. I wish, so often, that I could travel back in time and tell my self, “Olu, don’t do it that way, try to handle it this way.” It is difficult, and as men we are forced to make a lot of judgment calls. Be it at home, at work, church, in our own lives and in the lives of those close to us. Just think where you would be today if you used “good judgment” in all the decisions you’ve ever made! (A small tear just trickled down my face…LOL)
The Great Preacher Spurgeon compared our actions somewhat to that of birds that fall for a “bird call” by a hunter then ends up getting shot! Due to the bird’s lack of judgment, he is unable to distinguish between a call from an actual bird vs. a man-made call from a deadly hunter. Our own flesh, Satan, and this World System all serve as cunning hunters with their tricks and traps that appear harmless and at times beneficial. We need that “good judgment” from God to aid us in making correct decisions. And this good judgment only comes from the commands of God – His Word, The Bible.
Earlier in chapter 19, the scripture says the commandments of the Lord are pure, enlighten the eyes. God’s Word gives us clear understanding of things otherwise not understood. The muddy world is made clear through the Word of God. So as you memorize these verses, know that applying God’s word to your hearts (memorizing) will help you have “good judgment” now and forever in your life!
PS. Keep your running shoes on!!!
God bless…
Gladiators, Come Out and Play! (March 25th 2009)
Fellow Gladiators!!!!
Well, its been about a week since our first meeting, and I am still excited and tremendously blessed by what God is doing! And, as Satan would have it, I've have had several opportunities to put in practice what we studied and have to "FLEE" a couple of times or so! LOL! It's funny how the more "fresh" we keep the Word of God in our hearts, the more impact it has on our lives. Since last week I've been more aware of things to flee from, and I must say God has given me strength for the victory!
That's why memorizing His Word is so important. I don't know about you, buy when I walk out of a movie theater from just seeing an action packed crazy off the chain flick (something like the 1st time I saw the Matrix), as soon as I walk out of the theater I'm soooo hype! I'm running along the sides of walls, fighting invisible Darth Lords with my invisible light saber, sparing with Jason Bourne during a high-speed boat chase, I mean just hype! (OK, I'm secure in the fact that I may be a nerd...). But as we keep God's Word fresh and on the forefront of our minds, its more powerful than any rush you get from your most exciting past time. And it stays with you providing a 24-hour action packed adrenaline flow!!! And that's what we need to make it in this life of ours. 24-hrs of action packed adrenaline flow. And its only found when we have His Word in our hearts.
Just as a reminder, be reading the rest of the notes passed out during last Gladiator Inc. (I attached a copy in case they mysteriously disappeared). Paul went on to tell Timothy what as a Man of God we need to Follow, Fight, and be Faithful to.
The verses to memorize are:
Psalm 119:45
I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.
Psalm 119:50
My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.
Psalm 119:66
Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands.
Psalm 119:101
I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word.
God Bless!!!
Well, its been about a week since our first meeting, and I am still excited and tremendously blessed by what God is doing! And, as Satan would have it, I've have had several opportunities to put in practice what we studied and have to "FLEE" a couple of times or so! LOL! It's funny how the more "fresh" we keep the Word of God in our hearts, the more impact it has on our lives. Since last week I've been more aware of things to flee from, and I must say God has given me strength for the victory!
That's why memorizing His Word is so important. I don't know about you, buy when I walk out of a movie theater from just seeing an action packed crazy off the chain flick (something like the 1st time I saw the Matrix), as soon as I walk out of the theater I'm soooo hype! I'm running along the sides of walls, fighting invisible Darth Lords with my invisible light saber, sparing with Jason Bourne during a high-speed boat chase, I mean just hype! (OK, I'm secure in the fact that I may be a nerd...). But as we keep God's Word fresh and on the forefront of our minds, its more powerful than any rush you get from your most exciting past time. And it stays with you providing a 24-hour action packed adrenaline flow!!! And that's what we need to make it in this life of ours. 24-hrs of action packed adrenaline flow. And its only found when we have His Word in our hearts.
Just as a reminder, be reading the rest of the notes passed out during last Gladiator Inc. (I attached a copy in case they mysteriously disappeared). Paul went on to tell Timothy what as a Man of God we need to Follow, Fight, and be Faithful to.
The verses to memorize are:
Psalm 119:45
I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.
Psalm 119:50
My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.
Psalm 119:66
Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands.
Psalm 119:101
I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word.
God Bless!!!
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