It's all in the Book

Romans 10:8-11 (NIV) 

⁸  But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: ⁹  That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. ¹¹  As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 

For those of us who have ever wondered if we are saved, or have been asked by someone new to the faith if they are saved, Romans 10:8-11 are the answer. Concentrate on verse 9 and you can remove all doubt. Learning this fact, early on in our Christian walk is wise. How do we learn these things you ask? By reading and studying God's Word regularly.

Early in my journey with Jesus I was sharing short messages at local nursing homes. I would find a scripture to read to them and then would do just a little bit of studying up on the verses. Often I would gravitate to Psalms. Oh, how I discovered a wonderful way to read and learn God's heart. The beauty in so many different lines from this book took my breath away.

Often, God would use the Psalm I was preparing, to speak to my heart and help me discover things I never considered before. For instance, Psalm 139: I read this during a season when I was wondering if God had a clue about what my life was like. Then I had my answer, immediately in verse one. "You have searched me Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar."  These words, while intimidating to some extent, were comforting.

And that is how Scripture is; it speaks to us and meets us right where we are. Words we need to hear have already been spoken/written and can be found on the pages of our Bibles. When seeking truth or direction, or answers to questions which stump us, we need only look as far as our own Bibles. 

Romans 10:8-15

Everywhere

Everywhere

WEEK 3 - ADVENT DEVOTIONS

December 11

Psalm 139

1. Write out the Psalm passage.
2. What images came to mind when you heard these words?
3. How does this passage stretch your understanding of God?

Have someone close in a simple prayer.

Conclude together by saying “We go now in peace, ending this time in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.” Blow out the candle.

Here are some other ways you can put your faith into 

practice with this week’s focus of  “Everywhere.”

For Adults

Lean into a more conversational tone of prayer this week. Tell God what you ate that day, tell Him how work went, tell him about what your kids did, tell Him what annoyed you, tell Him what excited you, tell Him what you are doing this weekend. Pray to God just as if you are talking to a friend, sharing about everything. Where do you notice God’s presence?

For Teens

Grab a small journal or piece of paper, one that could fit in your pocket or purse. Make tally marks on the page every time you see something that reminds you that God is with you. Start over with new marks each day and see if your tally number goes up throughout the week as you notice more and more moments that remind you He is there.

For Kids

Have your child draw different pictures of them and God throughout the week. Have them pick a normal activity and draw God and them going through life together. Example: Draw a picture at school, doing chores, or playing. Explain to them that whatever they are doing and wherever they are, God is with them.

—Catherine Scurria & David White

He Knows You Best ... And Loves You Most

"O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways."  Psalm 139:1-3

"You know me, yet you still like me," so says a family friend with a smile.  This is a marvelous thing when we stop to think about it, that one can continually open up to be known, confident that another will love him or her just the same.  Being "real" in relationship, and yet no less loved, is a healthy pattern that leads to ever-deepening friendships of love, trust and joy.

God knows us (Psalm 139:1-4).  He knows everything about us: "... when I sit and when I rise ... my thoughts ... my going out and my lying down ...all my ways ... a word [before it] is on my tongue..."  And God still loves us!

God is always with us (Psalm 139:5-12).  We are always in his presence; he is with us: "... behind and before ... up in the heavens ... in the depths ... when I rise on the wings of the dawn ... on the far side of the sea..."  And God still loves us!

God made us (Psalm 139:13-16).  Before we had awareness, he: "... created my inmost being ... knit me together ... fearfully and wonderfully made me ... saw my unformed body..."  And God still loves us!

Often times, we try to hide the darknesses of our soul and, when we do, we stymie relationships.  In fear, we become superficial with our friends and, in shame, we try to distance ourselves from our God.  But God knows us far better than we know ourselves, and he loves us far more than we love ourselves!  

Rather than letting our deep secrets separate us from God, let us run to him in complete openness, honesty and trust.  He already knows everything about us and he still loves us.  In fact, he delights in us!

And just as we have been made one with the Father through his Son, so we are also one with all who believe in Jesus.  Let us wisely build bridges of trust and trustworthiness, so that the body of Christ moves as one in love and ministry.

Praise ye the Father for his loving kindness;

Tenderly cares he for his erring children;

Praise him, ye angels, praise him in the heavens,

       Praise ye Jehovah.

                                        Elizabeth Rundle Charles 

Psalm 139:7-12

When I first entered a 12-step program, one of the things I heard said during a newcomer's meeting was, "You are as sick as your biggest secret."  Those words had an impact on me, as I had lots of secrets I had been carrying around since childhood.  Some things I even kept from myself, by staying in denial, never admitting that my life wasn't perfect.

The verses from Psalm 139 were very powerful to me.  Read them and apply them to where you are right now and see if you too aren't spiritually impacted.

Where can I go from your Spirit? 

   Where can I flee from your presence? 

 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; 

   if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 

 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, 

   if I settle on the far side of the sea, 

 even there your hand will guide me, 

   your right hand will hold me fast. 

 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me 

   and the light become night around me,” 

 even the darkness will not be dark to you; 

   the night will shine like the day, 

   for darkness is as light to you.

These words, as poetic as they are, have a wonderful and deep meaning.  For me it means no more secrets.  God knows it all and loves me anyway.  What does it mean to you?  Won't you share?

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Read the entire Psalm 139 at Biblegateway.