Psalm 15 1:2
1 O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent?
Who shall dwell on your holy hill?
2 He who walks blamelessly and does what is right
and speaks truth in his heart;
David asks, who is it that fellowships with Christ? Not just an occasional visit, but one given the honor and gift of taking up residence in his very home. The 2nd of his answers is interesting. “He who…speaks truth in his heart.”
A pastor once said we ought to get into the habit of “Preaching to ourselves” instead of “Listening to ourselves.” Any time my mind is tickled by a lie about life, but more importantly one that challenges the authority and Love of Christ, I must immediately and boldly proclaim “That is a lie!” BUT, it can’t stop there. I must boldly proclaim the Truth!
A “blah, I hate Monday, this is going to be a horrid day,” has us in the grave and half buried before we have even discovered what that day might actually bring. How sad it would be to walk away from heavenly, God ordained opportunities because “I just know” they will be missing today. Oh foolish and deceived heart! Do you hear what you have just proclaimed about your Creator? Yes, I know you were just talking about the day, but perhaps your heart has revealed more than you intended or realized.
God has proclaimed (Psalm 84:11-12) nothing I need is withheld, His goodness is waiting for me each morning. I can end each day with the words and testify “Today nothing was withheld. My Savior gave all I required to make it through.” If every day is filled with Him and his goodness, how can I proclaim an opportunity like that to be horrid!!!???
“This is the Day the Lord has given to me, I will rejoice and I will be glad he has given it, should be the truth my heart speaks in reply.”
An “I can’t believe this is happening to me, God has given me more than I can bear” has to be torn down with the truth “God will give grace sufficient, my weakness is where his strength is manifested. There is a wealthy place at the end for me, He will walk through this valley with me…….
In the beginning we may desperately speak the truth in order to keep our hearts from bolting but eventually as that truth becomes reality, our sin ravaged, blind hearts and minds will be liberated with the experiential power of that truth so we can look at the same trial spiritually. It is here what we know to be true (have read, been told, cling to), and what we experience to be truth melds. Knowledge, truth and experience becomes one, an unbreakable cord and the means to continual fellowship with the one we not only “know about” but the One we “Know”
As you read the Psalms, this cycle is repeated by David many many times. He lets the Lord know what is on his heart. His fears, his anguish, the evil works of those opposing him, but then he always comes back to the truth of who his Savior is, a shield, buckler, high tower, rock of defense, strong tower, a God who has save, a God who has redeemed, a God who has rescued, the true and the righteous…
Don’t listen to yourself, preach to yourself.
And now the the giveaway!!!
For this giveaway I have the following:
- For your mind, a book- “When I Don’t Desire God: How to fight for joy”
This is an amazing book for those seeking to find satisfaction in Christ.
- For your ears, a music CD- “Music Inspired by THE STORY”
This CD will have you dancing one minute and then sobbing the next. This 2 CD set presents the story of 18 men and women in the Bible sung by CCM artist – Matthew West, Liah Nash, Mark Hall & Megan Garrett from Casting Crowns, Brandon Heath, Bart Millard, Newsboys, Mandisa, Natalie Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman and many more.
- For your mouth, chocolate- A GHIRARDELLI Milk Chocolate Bar
You can enter the following ways:
- The most important request I have is that you would leave a comment sharing a truth about God which has ministered to you, brought you comfort, carried you through a difficult time…..
- Share this post on FB
- Tweet this blog
- Subscribe to my blog
Please return and let me know how you have entered & let the truth we serve a Savior who has been and will always be faithful, loving us with an unquenchable, limitless, love encourage your heart.
overcoming loneliness 
Philippians 4:13 is one verse I think of very often. As a home school mom, and as a wife, I get very overwhelmed with all of my responsibilities. I just remember that “I can do all things through Christ” and push on. Some days I am more successful than others! 🙂
Chris
Great thoughts Chris. I home school as well and struggle often letting “things” turn my focus away from whats important.
Romans 12:12 “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” This verse was particularly comforting when my daughter was in the NICU. During the ups and downs of her first year it was a good reminder to just trust in god.
Rachel
I love the verse Rachel! Thank you for sharing.
Don’t enter me Jody- let others have an opportunity, but I wanted to tell you that I really like the new look of your site.
Thank you Sharon. It struck me that the black might appear depressing and contrasting to the message. The camel made me smile : )
Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
I am by nature very fearful and easily dismayed. God knew that and He put this verse in Isaiah just for me. Not really, but these words have given me strength and courage many times through the years.
Velda, thank you for sharing that verse. I love that verse. I love how Scripture does seem to be specially written for us!
I need to reassure myself daily that I have the power of Him who raised Christ from the dead within me (Rom 8:11)… I need to rest in this knowledge at all times.
Thank you Jenna, I needed that reminder today : ) He has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness!
PS I need to bounce some diet questions off you sometime!
Posted to FB and G+,
Yahweh Jireh… ‘nuf said
🙂
John
His name is indeed enough! Thanks John!
Thanks for sharing! I entered via numbers 1,2, and 4. I commented on your latest post, Jody. You are definitely ministering to me!
Becky
Got you down Becky. Thank you for being open and sharing your experiences with us!
I entered via 1, 2, 3 and 4.
The awesome truth that I have had recently is that no matter the struggle I go through, nothing is forever except my relationship with God and His love for me. It definitely makes my priorities clear remembering that truth!
Thank you so much for the reminder! I have such a hard time keeping my gaze upon the eternal and truly worthy! This is an area God really seems to be addressing in my life the past few months. John Piper’s book “Don’t waste your life” has been an amazing resource for me as I have purposed to do this!!
Jody – I came upon your site through Merritt Onsa’s LiveSimplyLove, and was drawn to your writings about pain, lies, loneliness…thank you for sharing. I loved this entry on Ps 15 you wrote and will meditate on it further! I have struggled with lies most of my life, and have complied them in one column with a truth column of God’s Word to the right of each one. These lies haunt me, lies like “I am identified by my past”, but God’s Word comforts me and teaches me that “…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). In struggling with the ugliness of my past and shame, Satan wants me to live in that sadness, but God continues to reveal to me that those dark places in my life contain treasure (Isaiah 45:2-3). As God helps me to transform my mind (Romans 12:2) and trust in His truth, I become aware of these lies and they lose their power over me. Probably my favorite verse right now is John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” Thank you for your willingness to share!
Wow Elizabeth, I could make your reply a post. Making columns with the lies opposite the truth is a wonderful thing to do! You are right, it is hard to quite the voice of the deceiver who refuses to ignore the mistakes and failure of the past. It is a wonderful thing to have the assurance of Salvation knowing He, the Righteous and True Judge, has forgiven, cleansed, and remembers no more. Jesus His Son stands as our Advocate. His blood and His righteousness is all the Father sees. Praice the Lord for His abundant Love, Mercy, forgiveness, and Grace!!
Preach the gospel to yourself every day.
― Jerry Bridges
That makes us appreciate more if this verse:
“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin” Romans 4:7-8
Thanks for sharing such an encouragement, reminder and recommendations. I second the motion! 🙂
I love the verse. Thanks for sharing. I love the opening paragraph of your blog, “The Bible Filled my empty life.”!
thank you thank you for speaking truth. finding this blog post was God’s gift to me today. thank you!
Kristen, I am so excited that you stumbled upon me. How in the world do you find this blog? Do you have a blog I can checkout/