Living Water Ministries

Day 16: So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. Matthew 19:6

What Does Matthew 6:19 Mean? ►

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,

Matthew 6:19(ESV)

Verse Thoughts

The Lord Jesus knows that the human heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked and that an attitude of materialistic, money-orientated consumerism will degenerate into greed, covetousness, double-mindedness and a divided heart – for we cannot serve mammon and God at the same time. Love of money and love for God cannot co-exist – one or the other will always reign supreme in the heart of man.

But the Lord also knows that materialistic consumerism can quickly enslave both men and women and will divert their attention away from what is eternally valuable to that which is temporal, fading and passing away.

Money and possessions are not evil in themselves and when rightly used can be of enormous benefit to God and to others. It is not wrong to possess the good things of this world.. but it is dangerous when goods and money start to possess our hearts, our choices and our behaviors.

It is the misguided love of money that is rooted in all sorts of evil attitudes and ungodly actions and so we are instructed by the Lord Jesus Himself not to lay up for ourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. We are called to lay up for ourselves treasure in heaven – eternal treasures.

Many ministries in Christendom today are encouraging their followers to have their best life now.. with little interest in spiritual enrichment or heavenly investments. Prosperity teachers encourage their followers to seek worldly wealth , temporal affluence and the riches of todays materialistic society, but as believers we are called to recognize the diabolic trap of laying up treasure on earth instead of making heavenly investments – for where our treasure is – there will our heart be also.

Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/matthew-6-19

What does Matthew 19:6 mean?

Pharisees have questioned Jesus about when it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife. The implied question is whether she needs to be guilty of infidelity to him or if he can simply decide that he does not like her anymore (Matthew 19:1–5).

Jesus, as He almost always does, replies to the Pharisees’ question by pointing them to the Scriptures they know so well. He has declared, from Genesis, that marriage was God’s design for humanity from the very beginning of creation. He made us male and female, after all (Genesis 1:27). God, before sin even entered the world, described the natural state of things as a man leaving his parents and holding fast to his wife, becoming one flesh with her (Genesis 2:24). Mysteriously, and as partly demonstrated through sex, marriage connects two people so closely together that they become one flesh, one person, in the eyes of God.

Now Jesus drives the point home. Marriage is not something humans have made for themselves by tradition and custom. God does this. He joins a man and woman together in this way. And what God has joined no mere human should dare to divide or separate. Jesus will explain an important exception to this in the following verses (Matthew 19:9), but He begins with the deepest and truest intent of the heart of the God. Those God joins in marriage are not meant to be separated by divorce.

Context Summary

Matthew 19:1–12 is Jesus’ response to a question from Pharisees about divorce. After establishing that marriage was designed to be lifelong by God at creation, Jesus insists that divorce is unlawful except in the case of sexual immorality. The disciples suggest it would be better not to marry, at all, in that case. Jesus says that is not true, and a life of celibacy is only for certain people, such as eunuchs of various kinds.

Chapter Summary

Pharisees ask Jesus if it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause. Jesus reminds them marriage was designed by God at creation. Divorce, then, is lawful only in the case of sexual immorality. A rich young man asks Jesus what good thing he must do to have eternal life. Jesus insists only God is good. He challenges the man’s sincerity by asking him to give all his wealth to the poor and follow Him. The man’s refusal demonstrates how easy it is to prefer wealth to dependence on God. In response to the disciples’ question, Jesus says salvation is impossible with men but not with God.

1 Peter 3:7

New Living Translation

Husbands

7 In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.

In the same way, you husbands must give honor, respect, understanding and kindness to your wives showing love. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together making your life one journey together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her with love as you should so your prayers will not be hindered and stopped

What Does 1 Peter 3:7 Mean? ►

You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

1 Peter 3:7(NASB)

Verse Thoughts

Peter spent a significant part of his letter covering Christian conduct and the respect that believers should show towards one another and the community at large. He also gave clear guidelines when dealing with those having governmental authority. “Honour all people, love the brotherhood, fear God and honour the king,” is his comprehensive charge.

Having dealt with society at large, he moved on to Christian slaves and the behaviour and attitude they should have towards their masters, before addressing the relationship between a husband and his wife. Peter instructs servants to be submissive to their masters, irrespective of whether they are good and gentle men or unreasonable overlords who cause their slaves unjust suffering.

He reminds them of Christ’s teaching that there is no reward for being nice to those that are good to you. And he used Christ’s own suffering as the perfect example of someone who when reviled, did not revile in return… and when suffering, did not respond with threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously.

It was in this context of godly submission in the midst of suffering, that Peter moved from the conduct of slaves to the conduct of wives and their husbands, and for six whole verses he addresses the virtues of a godly wife, before attending to the conduct of Christian husbands. The possible reason that Peter gave his extended instructions to wives, is because they may have been married to a pagan husband prior to salvation and whose attitude towards women would be very different from that of Christian men.

Just as citizens were to defer to the government and slaves to their masters, so wives were called to submit to their husbands. There is no way that Peter is suggesting that wives are inferior to their husbands or that women have a lower status than men. However, God implemented a clear and unchangeable order in the universe, in nations, in societies, and within families. Just as Christ submitted to His heavenly Father, so wives are to reflect His humility through submission to their own husbands.

When Peter penned his instructions about the corresponding conduct of husbands towards their wives, the beautiful order that God instituted when He created man in His own image, becomes clear, “You husbands,” he wrote, “in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman. Show her honour as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.”

A Christian husband is expected to be understanding toward his wife and show her love, consideration, and courtesy. There is no question that men should treat their wives as second-class citizens, but as one who shares equality in the eyes of God and becomes a helpmeet that compliments his word, his work, and his will.

Peter explains that women are the weaker sex and should be shown special consideration by their physically stronger spouse. However, in the current climate where woman unwisely demand full (or greater) equality with men, Peter’s premise would be challenged and rejected. But this demonstrates that the foolishness of our ungodly society has refused to honour God’s declared order and denies the One who created them. They have gone their own evil way and muddied the God-given differences between men and women – between a husband and his wife.

Weakness does not imply inferiority and nowhere in the Bible is this concept ever implied, which is why Christian husbands just like Christian wives are to live together in an understanding way. A husband is to treat his wife as someone who is weaker, because she is a woman and to show her honour as a fellow heir, “so that your prayers will not be hindered.”

We are told elsewhere, that in Christ there is neither male nor female, Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free… but that we are all one in Christ. We all enjoy the same gift of grace through faith and all are forgiven of our sins and have received eternal life. The rules and regulations that govern God’s order are neither tedious nor unfair, and Peter even points out that when a husband is treating his wife as God ordained, his fellowship with the Father will be strengthened.

When Christian marriages maintain God’s order, fellowship with the Father flourishes. And when we are in close communion with God, we are able to live and pray in spirit and in truth. When a husband and wife follow God’s order, 1 Corinthians 13 becomes the bedrock upon which their marriage is founded. When a Christian man honours his wife as a fellow heir of grace, he will manifest godly love and will show understanding, patience, kindness, and honour to his spouse.

When God’s order is followed, a husband will not fall prey to jealousy or arrogance, nor will he act unbecomingly, but will rejoice in righteousness and truth. He will bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, and endure all things – for Christ’s sake.

How wonderful it is to know that Christian marriage is a picture of Christ and His Church. How beautiful it would be if all Christian marriages of today reflected the instructions Peter gave to husbands and wives in this passage on godly conduct.

Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/1-peter-3-7

What does 1 Peter 3:7 mean?

In verses 1 through 6, Peter has given instructions to Christian wives about submitting to their own husbands and how to pursue true beauty. That teaching for wives follows naturally from commands to all believers: that we should submit freely to every human authority for the Lord’s sake. But before moving on, Peter stops to briefly instruct husbands about how to live with their wives.

The heart of the verse is that men should honor and respect their wives. Note, this would have been a radical idea in Peter’s era. Particularly in comparison to modern society, women of this time period were oppressed, discounted, and often treated badly. Various versions of women submitting to their husbands would have been commonplace. Christianity’s emphasis on “submission” to God ahead of the husband would have been unique by itself. However, the teaching that men should honor their wives, as equal, co-heirs of God’s grace through faith in Christ, was revolutionary.

Driving the seriousness of this point home, Peter points to a consequence. Christian husbands who refuse to honor their wives will see their prayers hindered. Either God will not receive those prayers in full or the husband will find it difficult to pray. Any husband who is abusive, disrespectful, or otherwise belittling to his wife is defying the will of God—period. He must repent and change his behavior before that line of communication with God will be fully reopened.

Specifically, men are instructed to give honor to their wives “as the weaker vessel.” Notice carefully that this does not say wives are actually weaker in any specific way. Rather, husbands must honor their wives “as” they would honor or care for something more fragile than themselves. The point is purely about how husbands are to treat their wives: as protectors.

Finally, husbands are commanded to live with their wives “with knowledge.” This may mean with a growing understanding of who their wives are. Or, it may mean with the knowledge that God has given them a responsibility to give honor to their wives. In either case, the responsibility of the husband is very much the same.

Context Summary

1 Peter 3:1–7 continues Peter’s command to Christians, specifically, that they should be subject to human authorities. Here he tells Christian wives to be subject to their husbands, even unbelieving husbands. Why? In part, husbands may be won to Christ by the example of their Christ-changed wives. Christian husbands are also commanded to honor their wives or risk having their prayers hindered.

Chapter Context

Peter continues teaching about Christian submission to human authorities, now addressing Christian wives. Believing wives must be subject to their own husbands, even if the husband is not a follower of Christ. By doing so, they might win them to Christ through the example of their own changed lives and hearts. Christian husbands must honor their wives. All believers must live in unity together and refuse to seek revenge. In part, God means to use our hopeful response to suffering to provoke the world to see His power in us. Christ, too, suffered and then died, was resurrected, and ascended to heaven.

1 Timothy 2:5-6

New Living Translation

5 For,

There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.

This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.

There is one true God and one in between man who can bring God and humanity together- that man once flesh is Christ Jesus

He gave his life by life on Calvary’s cross with thorns on his head to purchase freedom for all this is the message God gave to all the world just at the right time

What Does 1 Timothy 2:5 Mean? ►

For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

1 Timothy 2:5(NASB)

Verse Thoughts

We live in a pluralistic, pagan society, where all roads lead to God! All truth has become relative and every tree is seen as a god to be hugged! We live in a world that has turned its back on the One, True Creator – a world that is embracing any foolish philosophy of man that takes their fancy.

We have become a race that has twisted every truth in the Word of God and formed a myriad of false deities, after which fallen men are lusting. But there is one God, and not the multiple gods’ of man’s imagination.

And God has given an unfolding revelation of Himself, and His singular authority in the universe, in His Word. And God has given us a final and full revelation of Himself, in the lovely person and face of Lord Jesus Christ, Himself.

No one comes to the Father by Me, were the words of Jesus. Every man and woman; every boy and girl, every saint and sinner; every prophet, priest and king have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God. And the only way to God is through Christ.

Christ is the single intermediary and singular Mediator between God and man. Some see this as exclusive, and indeed it is, for there is no other name given under heaven by which we must be saved, but it demonstrates God’s wisdom and grace, for He did not give multiple ways to come back into fellowship with Himself, but one simple way – believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.

God did not make it difficult for man to come to Him. The Lord made the way of salvation so simple that even a little child could understand. Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again, so that whosoever believes on HIM, will not perish but have everlasting life.

No one comes to the Father but by Me, were the words of Christ to a lost race of sinners, for He is the Word of God, Who was made flesh and was chosen to be the one intermediary; the singular intercessor; the sole adjudicator; the only mediator between God and man. The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory – glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/1-timothy-2-5-b

What does 1 Timothy 2:5 mean?

This is one of the most memorized, quoted, and useful verses in the Bible. Paul begins with the Old Testament truth that the God of the Bible is the only God who actually exists. This statement is the Shema, meaning “the saying,” the foundational saying of the Law: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:4–5).

The second phrase transitions to the concept of a mediator. A mediator is a person who serves as an intermediary between two people or parties. Jesus serves to bring people to God (John 14:6) and is the only way to God (Acts 4:12). Hebrews 9:15 mentions this same theme, saying, “Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant …” Similarly, Hebrews 12:24 uses the phrase, “Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant.”

Paul also highlights the humanity of Jesus, calling him “The man Christ Jesus.” He is God in human form, one hundred percent God and one hundred percent man (John 1:1–14).

This verse not only speaks to the reality of the Christian God, but also that Jesus Christ is the only way to be reconciled to God. No other being, spiritual or human, is needed as a go-between for us and God. The symbolism of the torn temple veil (Matthew 27:51) applies here: Jesus is the way we communicate with God, period. There is no additional step, and there is no other channel.

Context Summary

First Timothy 2:1–8 provides a perspective on prayer. Christians are not only supposed to pray, but to pray for all people. This even includes kings, rulers, and government officials. The basis for this is that God wants to see such people saved; His love for them is as great as it is for anyone else. The earthly hope of a believer, then, is the ability to live in peace. Preaching one message was Paul’s primary service to God: that all men are saved in the same way, which is by faith in Christ. The men of a church, then, should lead prayer with an attitude of cooperation and love.

Chapter Context

In this passage, Paul encourages Timothy to lead his church in prayer, including prayers for government and worldly leaders. This flows naturally from the Christian view of humanity, which sees all men as loved by God and in need of the same salvation from sin. A large portion of the chapter is taken by Paul’s comments on the role of women in worship services. Rather than focusing on flashy clothes and dramatic behavior, women are to be modest and godly. In addition, women should not take on specific spiritual leadership roles reserved for men

Day 14: Enjoy life with the wife you love. Enjoy every day of your short life. God has given you this short life on earth—and it is all you have. So enjoy the work you have to do in this life. (Ecclesiastes 9:9).

Give all the free time you have to your wife love her dearly enjoying each precious moment life is short and you may not have another chance so enjoy that work which you already have in life now

Ecclesiastes 9:9

New Living Translation

9 Live happily with the woman you love through all the meaningless days of life that God has given you under the sun. The wife God gives you is your reward for all your earthly toil.

Ecclesiastes 9:9

Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun; for this is your reward in life and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun.

Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Ecclesiastes/9/9/cross-references

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea” (Psalm 46:1-2)

God is out hiding place our refuge and our strength, he is our our help in any kind of trouble we shall not be afraid the earth give way, thought the biggest mountains be moved into the center of the wide oceans.

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More than Good Luck – Psalm 46:1-2

Tuesday February 23

More than Good Luck – Psalm 46:1-2 (KJV)

“God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed and the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.”

Baptism is the best thing that has ever happened to us.

Baptism is not a good luck charm that makes life easy for us, but it surrounds us with God’s abundant grace for the challenging and changing times in life. It gives meaning to: “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” And, “God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed and the mountains fall into the midst of the sea.”

Baptized for our own personal journeys through life with all its pains, problems, and pitfalls, we are surrounded by God’s grace. We probably will not understand all that comes our way, or all we pass through, but we do believe and find that His grace is sufficient for us through Jesus our Savior, and God will give joy and peace to us in our believing. So we move on, ready for life and ready for death, secure in the wonderful surrounding grace of God.

Baptism is the best thing that has ever happened to us.

Lord Jesus,

This Lenten season we again thank you for sharing in our life that we might share in Your gift of new and eternal life. Help us move through our times of doubt and unbelief.

Amen.

Rev. Layton L. Lemke, Former Board Member and Volunteer – NYA, Minnesota

What Does Psalm 46:1 Mean? ►

{To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.} God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1(KJV)

Verse Thoughts

Our God is a strong shelter and a rock of refuge in Whom we can hide during the storms and difficulties of life. He is our tower of strength, our firm fortress and our secure stronghold to Whom we can run for protection and safety in an increasingly Christ-rejecting, God-denying anti-Semitic and anti-Christian world.

But no matter how the nations rage and war against the Lord and His children we have His unfailing assurance that the Lord of hosts is with us and will never leave us nor forsake us – and the God of Jacob is our rock of refuge, our safe stronghold and our ever present help in time of trouble.

As His children we are called to fear not, for Christ has won the final victory and we are assured that His triumph is credited to us as well.

The shelter that He affords is not to indulge or pamper us but to reassure us, strengthen us and enable us to stand fast in the evil day – and having done all to stand.. as the spiritual battle between our righteous God and Satan’s wicked forces, continues to rage throughout the godless nations of the world.

Let us be still and KNOW that God is our refuge, our strength and our ever-present help in time of need.

Never let us forget that the Lord of Hosts IS still with us the God of Jacob IS still our refuge.

Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/psalm-46-1

Psalm 24:1

New Living Translation

Psalm 24

A psalm of David.

1 

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.

    The world and all its people belong to him.

All of the World and all in it belongs and was created by God even mankind, humans, all the people it all belongs to him.

What Does Psalm 24:1 Mean? ►

The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it.

Psalm 24:1(NASB)

Verse Thoughts

Psalm 24 prepares us for the magnificent entrance of the King of Glory into the great city of Jerusalem. We are reminded that this coming King of glory is the eternal Lord of Hosts. He is the great Creator and invisible Sustainer of the universe and He is the One to Whom all the inhabitants of the earth belong.

The very first verse makes an incredible statement about the ownership of the world and everything contained within it boundaries – “The earth is the LORD’S, and the fullness thereof”. The world, and all those who dwell in it belong to the God of our Salvation. The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains”, is David’s bold pronouncement. “The world belongs to God, together with all those who dwell within its borders”.

A brief reflection on the first chapter of Genesis reminds us of the incredible significance of this simple statement, for by the word of His mouth the earth was spoken into being, as the Sprit of God hovered over the darkness… on the face of the deep. And light and darkness; day and night; dry land and sea; heaven and earth; sun and moon and the construction of the great domed firmament, that divides the waters above from the water below, was assembled with supernatural precision.

No wonder the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy when earth’s foundations were laid; the seas burst from the womb of the morning and the chains of the Pleiades were secured. But herbs and grass; fruit and trees; birds of the air, fish of the sea and every living creature soon filled the earth and were instructed to be fruitful and multiply – together with man, who was built from the dust of the earth in the image and likeness of God – Who breathed His own life into the heart of man.

David was right to praise the Lord and ponder over the magnificence of His Person and plans. He was correct to acknowledge the sovereignty of God and greatness of His Being. Let us never forget to rejoice that the earth and everything in it… the world and all its inhabitants, belong to the Lord. Let us remember that He was the One Who laid the foundation on the seas and established it on the rivers.

Let us never forget that He is the immortal, invisible God Who and has set eternity in the hearts of all His people and that by faith in His only begotten Son we have the forgiveness of sin and life everlasting.

Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/psalm-24-1

Psalm 24 1

Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior.

Psalm 23:5-6

New Living Translation

5 

You prepare a feast for me

    in the presence of my enemies.

You honor me by anointing my head with oil.

    My cup overflows with blessings.

6 

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me

    all the days of my life,

and I will live in the house of the Lord

    forever.

You give me bread

You give me fish

You give me food that I can call my own preparation of a meal to feed me when I have nothing in front of those who hate and scorn me.

You bless me in abundance of blessings overflowing by blessing me with oil of many blessings I can not name them all

Surely your good honor and numerous unfailing love will follow me all the days that lay in my plan of my life and God will prepare me a place in the house of the Lord forever in honoring me with Love and as his child forever.

A DAILY DEVOTION FOR OCTOBER 19TH

Worship In The Wilderness

READ THE SCRIPTURE: PSALM 23:5-6

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 23:5-6

In verses 5 and 6 David changes the metaphor a bit–from the good shepherd to the gracious host. Jehovah spreads a sumptuous meal before him, a great banquet, in the presence of his enemies. This figure encompasses all the figures David has used before. That God feeds and provides, leads and protects, is all bound up in this symbol of a gracious host.

Interestingly enough, this figure grows right out of the historical situation in which David wrote. When David was driven into the wilderness by his son’s rebellion, he found himself out in the desert, hungry and weary, his army in disarray. As recorded in 2 Samuel 17, three men who were not even Israelites, Shobi, Machir, and Barzillai “brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils, honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows’ milk for David and his people to eat. For they said, ‘The people have become hungry and tired and thirsty in the desert’”(2 Samuel 17:28-29).

David saw in this that God, as a gracious host, was preparing a table before him in the presence of his enemies. Paul said it this way: “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

A final note is that the word follow in verse 6 literally means “pursue.” David says that God’s goodness and mercy shall pursue him, in contrast to his enemies’ pursuit to dethrone and destroy him. David’s desire was to go back to the tabernacle and to worship there. God’s mercy and kindness ought to evoke the same response from us. We worship not in a tabernacle, but, as Jesus said, “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). We worship in the inner man, where God dwells. When we see that the Good Shepherd does feed us and does lead us and does protect us, our response ought to be worship–a recognition of all that Jehovah is, a word of thanks for what He has done, and the statement, “Here is more of myself for You to put to Your intended purpose.” That is true worship.

Father, You are the Good Shepherd. You are utterly trustworthy. You feed me, lead me, guard me, and protect me. I surrender myself to You in grateful worship.

Life Application

God offers to treat us as guests at His table! He lavishes His love on us sinners. Are we resisting that astounding love, and failing to worship Him with our lives?

Daily Devotion © 2006 by Ray Stedman Ministries. For permission to use this content, please review RayStedman.org/permissions. Subject to permission policy, all rights reserved.

What Does Psalm 23:5 Mean? ►

What does Psalm 23:5 mean?

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.

Psalm 23:5(NASB)

Verse Thoughts

In this psalm, we see a beautiful portrait of God, as our good and faithful shepherd, Who leads us by still waters and guides us into the way of peace. He is indeed, worthy of our worship and praise. He is the One Who upholds and protects; Who blesses and comforts, Who bountifully provides good things for us, in the presence of our enemies. And He is the One Who intercedes for us in heavenly places.

The picture that is painted, in this well-loved psalm of David, is that of our faithful God, our merciful and gracious Saviour – our good and caring Shepherd, Who keeps us, protects us and provides for us, through all the changing scenes of life.

Our merciful God first identified Himself as ‘Jehovah-Jirah’, our gracious Provider, to Abraham.. when he was halted, by the Lord, from offering-up his son, Isaac, as his sacrifice of love and obedience. And throughout both testaments, we discover God as the One Who provides rain for the earth, nourishment for the ravens, a father for the fatherless and a righteous judge for the widow.

Our faithful God is the one who fed the hungry multitude, provides comfort for the broken-hearted, gives succour to the weak, strength to the weary, hope to the afflicted and salvation to all who trust in Christ Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins – for while we were yet sinners, God in His grace provided a kinsman-Redeemer, to save His people from their sins.

Our good and loving God supplies all our needs, according to His riches in glory, through Christ Jesus our Saviour. And here in this well-loved and oft repeated psalm of David, we discover.. the Lord has prepared a table before us in the presence of our enemies. The good Shepherd of the sheep has anointed our head with oil, and our cup of blessing overflows with His goodness and love.

Though we may be afflicted on all sides.. pressured, perplexed and persecuted for righteousness sake, we have not been forgotten or abandoned by our heavenly Lord.. for Jesus is with us always and forever, even to the end of the age. He has prepared a table before us, in the presence of those that hate and despise us, and He has covered it with all we need and every spiritual blessing – which He purchased for us through His own blood, on Calvary’s cross.

Though we live in the war-zone of this fallen, world system, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.. and the peace of God, which guards our hearts, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.

The anointing oil that is poured over our heads is the soothing ointment of His never-ending love. It is a precious promise to all His children, for we have been made a kings and priests of the living God – and have a guarantee that His word is true and His promises are ‘Yes’ and ‘Amen’ in Christ.

Surely with David we can proclaim.. my cup of blessing runneth over, for His grace is limitless, His love is boundless and His mercy endures from one generation to another.

Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/psalm-23-5

This verse may describe a gracious host as he provides a banquet for an honored guest, or it may continue the metaphor of the shepherd-sheep relationship. If it refers to a host preparing a banquet, David views himself as the Lord’s honored guest with David’s enemies present as captive onlookers.

If it refers to a shepherd-sheep relationship, David compares the Lord’s generosity to that of a shepherd who generously prepares a feast for his sheep, spreading the food on a table or trough. As the sheep slept, they were protected by a circular stone wall and the shepherd who slept across the opening. Jesus identified Himself as the door to the sheepfold (John 10:7–9).

A gracious host would anoint his guest by applying a soothing oil to the guest’s head. A shepherd would use oil to treat his sheep’s wounds. David may have been thinking about the Lord as his host or shepherd when he wrote, “you anoint my head with oil” (Psalm 23:5). The cup David depicts as overflowing may refer to the brimming cup the host provided or to the large cup a shepherd used to give water to thirsty sheep. Either interpretation leads to the conclusion that the Lord provides for us more generously than the heart can desire.

Context Summary

Psalm 23:4–6 shifts in mood from the tranquility portrayed in verses 1–3. It is a somber passage, but carries the assurance that the Lord protects His sheep and fills their days with His blessings. This passage differs from the first three verses by addressing the Lord, David’s shepherd, directly. In verses 1–3 David talks about the Lord, but in verses 4–6 he talks to the Lord.

Chapter Summary

David celebrates the protection and guidance of God. Sheep guarded by a skilled shepherd are led to food and water, and protected from harm. In the same way, David praises God for giving him peace. The knowledge of God’s protection and provision are a great comfort. This psalm incorporates themes of supply, defense, assurance, and care from God

Day 13: 40 Day Love Challenge

Mark 3:25

New Living Translation

25 Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart.

We are to love one another showing love and reverence toward one another in all we do. Including in one’s own family. This is what it states in Mark 3:25

Mark 3:25

New Living Translation

25 Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart.

Families like strangers and friends equally can be divided and separated. So we should love our own families as our best friend and as we love Christ showing good and honor to one another in reverence of each other’s need forgiveness there be conflicts in the family it will fall apart and will not survive

What does Mark 3:25 mean?

Jesus is using the parable of a divided kingdom and a divided house to show that if He is using Satan’s power to cast out demons, Satan’s kingdom won’t survive. Satan would gain no strategic value by allowing Jesus to use Satan’s authority to attack his own work.

“Divided” is from the Greek root word merizo, which means to separate into component parts and distribute those parts. “Stand” is from the Greek root word histemi. It means to maintain authority and force, to keep whole. The word translated “house” refers to the members of the house—the family.

This phrase is better known in American culture for its use by President Abraham Lincoln during the U.S. Civil War. Lincoln’s use pleaded for a united nation, rather than one bound for destruction through conflict. Jesus’ intent, here, is to point out that it would be foolish for Satan to use his own power to interfere with demons.

Jesus’ “house” can weather minor lapses in unity such as Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial. To be a serious threat, the rebelling authority needs to be on par with the leader of the house. That is, the members of the Trinity would have to work against each other. Jesus’ attitude toward the Father prohibits this. He, “though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,” (Philippians 2:6) and “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8).

But Jesus’ family contains much more than just the Trinity. In Mark 3:34–35, Jesus explains that His family includes anyone who follows God. Paul talks about the inherent oneness of the church in Ephesians 4:1–6. The church is built on the unity of the Trinity and has “… one body and one Spirit…one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4–6).

Although Jesus designed the church for unity, even Paul witnessed a lot of false teachings, jealousy, pride, and sin as he ministered to the Gentile church. Today, there are seemingly countless examples of churches whose members disagree on a grand scale, causing their local church to fall. Paul reminds us that we choose if we will remain loyal to our local body of believers (1 Corinthians 1:10–13). We should remember that ultimately we are members of God’s universal church which is based on the unity of the Trinity and the one faith of its members. God’s house will never fall (Matthew 16:18).

Context Summary

Mark 3:22–30 continues as the Pharisees from Galilee show their disapproval of Jesus (Mark 3:6). Here, in the fourth story about people’s reaction to Jesus, scribes from Jerusalem join in. They have heard that Jesus healed a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute (Matthew 12:22–23). The scribes quickly judge that Jesus is performing miracles through the power of Satan. This stubborn belief, in the face of logic, leads Jesus to condemn their blasphemy and warn that if they continue along this vein, they will be damned forever. Matthew 12:22–32 and Luke 11:14–23 also record this confrontation; in Luke 12:10 Jesus talks similarly about blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

Chapter Context

The bulk of chapter 3 deals with how different people react to Jesus’ teaching and His assumption of authority. The Pharisees’ confusion transitions into plotting. The crowds that continually follow Jesus for healing become more frenetic and dangerous. Jesus’ own family, afraid for His sanity, try to pull Him away. But true followers also show themselves. Twelve join together to become a core group, while a slightly bigger crowd, more interested in Jesus’ teaching than miracles, earn the honor of being called His true family

Mark 3:25

25 Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart.

Psalm 25:12

New Living Translation

12 

Who are those who fear the Lord?

    He will show them the path they should choose.

In scripture God reminds us so often that we shall not fear in all we do but have faith in Him scripture Psalm 25:12 says

Psalm 25:12

Who are those who fear the Lord?

    He will show them the path they should choose.

Who are we as His children that we should fear? Who are we that should fear the Lord? The most high who is all nothing but love. Who are we that we should show fear and back away from the Lord He will show us guidance and the path less traveled for us to go. This scripture says it all it shows the love of the Lord in it as you read and hear it. God is an absolute abundance of love not to be feared. So next time you feel fear pray and send it all to the one who always listens. Bring your fear to God.

What Does Psalm 25:12 Mean? ►

Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose.

Psalm 25:12(NASB)

Verse Thoughts

When the psalmist asks the rhetorical question in Psalm 25, “Who is the man who fears the LORD?” he immediately supplies the response” “The Lord will instruct the God-fearing man in the way he should choose.”  The man who shows reverence and respect to the Lord, is someone whom God, Himself will lead, guide, direct, and enlighten. He is the person the Lord will teach and train. He is the God Who will direct his people in the ways we should go and the choices we should make.

The man who fears the Lord is the one who will receive wisdom, from on high… and this Psalm was written by David, the shepherd boy from Bethlehem, whom God anointed to be Israel’s great king… for David was a man who reverenced the Lord. David was a man after God’s own heart because he honoured the Lord and trusted His word, despite the numerous challenges and conflicts he had to face, and the many offenses he was called to endure, for righteousness sake. 

In Psalm 25, David asks a question that every one of us should be asking. “Who is the man who fears the LORD?”  David is giving a wake-up call for spiritual self-examination. He knows that fear of the Lord is an issue of faith, that should pull on the heart-strings of all God’s people, for only those whose hearts are right with the Lord will walk along the path of God’s leading.

It is only as we trust in the Lord, with all our heart, and refuse to lean on our own understanding that we truly benefit from God’s leading and guidance. It is only as we glorify the Lord in the beauty of holiness that we will not wander from the way we should go. The man that fears the Lord is one that has come to some understanding of the immensity of God’s grace.

The man who fears the Lord and show reverence for His name has come to an understanding of what God’s holiness, justice, peace, love, goodness, and grace really means, in relation to sinful humanity and this fallen creation. Such a man is given a glimpse into the character of God as one by one, His beautiful attributes come into clearer focus.

The man that fears the Lord is one that has come to some understanding of the immensity of God’s goodness and grace. The man who reverenced the Lord is the one who esteems His holiness, regards His justice, experiences His peace, and rests in His love.

The man that truly reverences God is the one who has come to a deeper understanding of God’s grace, and a growing realisation of the high cost of salvation. He begins to explore the depths of God’s grace, and the profound love to which He stooped, when He set aside His glory and came to earth as man’s Kinsman-Redeemer, in order to bring fallen humanity back into a right relationship with Himself.

The man that fears the Lord trusts Him as a Father; worships Him as Saviour; submits to the leading of His Holy Spirit, serves Him in reverential praise and godly fear. He is the one who rejoices to keep His commands, to love as Christ loved us, for His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

The man who fears the Lord and trusts in His love is blessed indeed, for he is a sinner saved by grace. He will never be disappointed for God will guide him in the way he should take and teach him the path that he should choose and set His feet on the highway to holiness. He will lead us in the path of life, instruct us on the pathway of justice, restore to us a knowledge of the holy, and show us the way of wisdom, for all the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, and all His ways are righteous and true.

The man that humbles himself before the Lord in godly fear need not worry about the arrow that flies in the daytime nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness… for He is our refuge, our fortress, and the God in Whom we trust. His promise to ALL His people is, I will be with you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand – and I will teach you the path that you should choose.

Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/psalm-25-12

Verse 12. What man is he that feareth the Lord? Let the question provoke self examination. Gospel privileges are not for every pretender. Art thou of the seed royal or no? Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. Those whose hearts are right shall not err for want of heavenly direction. Where God sanctifies the heart he enlightens the head. We all wish to choose our way; but what a mercy is it when the Lord directs that choice, and makes free will to be goodwill! If we make our will God’s will, God will let is have our will. God does not violate our will, but leaves much to our choice; nevertheless, he instructs our wills, and so we choose that which is well pleasing in his sight. The will should be subject to law; there is a way which we should choose, but so ignorant are we that we need to be taught, and so wilful that none but God himself can teach us effectually.

EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS

Verse 12. What man is he that feareth the Lord? Blessed shall he be — 1. In the sacred knowledge of Christ’s will; Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. 2. Blessed shall he be in the quiet peace of a good conscience; “His soul shall dwell at ease.” 3. Blessed he shall be in the present comfort of a hopeful progeny; “His seed shall inherit the earth.” Robert Mossom.

Verse 12. What man is he that feareth the Lord? There is nothing so effectual to obtain grace, to retain grace, as always to be found before God not over wise, but to fear: happy art thou, if thy heart be replenished with three fears; a fear for received grace, a greater fear for lost grace, a greatest fear to recover grace. Bernard.

Verse 12. He that feareth the Lord. Present fear begetteth eternal security: fear God, which is above all, and no need to fear man at all. Augustine.

Verse 12. Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose, i.e., that the good man shall pitch upon. God will direct him in all dealings to make a good choice, and will give good success. This is not in a man’s own power to do. Jeremiah 10:23 . John Trapp.

That feareth the Lord – Who has a proper apprehension of his holiness, justice, and truth; and who, at the same time, sees himself a fallen spirit, and a transgressor of God’s holy law, and consequently under the curse. That is the person that truly and reverently fears God.

Him shall he teach – Such a person has a teachable spirit.

The way that he shall choose – The way that in the course of Providence he has chosen, as the way in which he is to gain things honest in the sight of all men; God will bless him in it, and give him as much earthly prosperity as may be useful to his soul in his secular vocation.

Psalm 25:8

New Living Translation

8 

The Lord is good and does what is right;

    he shows the proper path to those who go astray.

Trusting in the lord is not an easy task though throughout all he’s shown us we have seen evidence of what scriptures say in psalm 25:8 that the Lord our God is good and he does what is right seen in the eye of his father in heaven he lives and shows us the problems in our own lives to show us the correct path to walk and guide us so we may not go astray

What Does Psalm 25:10 Mean? ►

The LORD leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all those who keep his covenant and obey his decrees.

Psalm 25:10(NLT)

Verse Thoughts

God has strewn our path with encouraging promises, which are scattered throughout His Word. He has pledged to lead us in the paths of righteousness and make the way we take straight and secure. But can we trust His promises? Can we be certain that His Word is true? Indeed we can and this truth is expressed in many of the early psalms of David.

Often in the Book of Psalms, we see David lifting up his heart to the Lord in prayer and praise and calling out to Him for guidance and pardon. His prayers often contain a request for God’s help in the face of his enemies, which demonstrates a quiet confidence that God is faithful to His Word and will not let him down.

The promises of God are founded on nothing less than the perfection of God’s holy nature. They are rooted in the eternal faithfulness of His everlasting Word, and His Word is securely anchored on the rock of our salvation which is Jesus… Whose name is ‘Faithful and True’ – “for Faithful is He who hath promised, Who also will do it.”

It was David who knew this to be true in his own life, and we find him reflecting on the wonder of the Lord as he prayerfully considers the goodness of God and His faithfulness in meeting sinners and teaching them the way of truth. “All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and truth,” he writes, “His ways lead to gracious love, and He shows His fidelity towards those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.”

The faithfulness, mercy, goodness, and grace of God, are no less true today than during that time when David discovered the Lord was his Shepherd, Who gently leads him beside the still waters, faithfully guides him into the way of peace, guards him in the valley of the shadow, and prepares a plentiful table of good things in the midst of all his enemies.

It is only as we remain in Christ, rest in His love, and walk in the path He has planned for us, that we will discover all His paths are strewn with goodness and grace. God is working in our lives with an eternal perspective, and it is only as we walk in harmony with the Lord and remain in accordance with His revealed plans and purposes that we will remain in harmony with His truth.

The way we travel may not be the path of our choosing, nor the way we expected to trudge. The path we take may be covered with difficulties and dangers… but His grace is sufficient for every eventuality we may encounter. He knows the best way for each of us to take for He is the WAY, and we need to trust Him to lead us aright, even when the route is overshadowed by dark and thunderous clouds. 

As we trust His Word, carry out His will, abide in Him, and He is us, we will bear the fruit of patience and hone our faith in Him. His way will lead us deeper into fellowship with Himself and enable us to mature in the faith, grow in grace, and gain a deeper knowledge of the holy… for He desires us to enjoy a satisfying and unbroken communion with Himself.

The Lord knows that only as we commune with Him and obey His new commandment to, “love as I have loved,” will He be able to pour His streams of living water through us, and equip us to be channels of comfort and refreshment to all those with whom we come in contact.

Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/psalm-25-10

What does Psalm 25:8 mean?

David acknowledges that the Lord is good and morally correct. For those who trust in Him, He never does anything eternally hurtful, but always what is in our best interest. His words and deeds are always right, therefore we can trust God at all times and in every situation. He is so good and upright that He guides sinners to salvation and a life of righteousness.

Isaiah depicts all human beings as sheep wandering away from God (Isaiah 53:6). But in love God provided the way back to Him through Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross. Isaiah 53:6 also says, “the LORD has laid on him [Jesus, the Lamb of God] the iniquity of us all.” Although the Lord delights to guide sinners to salvation, many are unwilling to receive His instruction. Jesus wept over Jerusalem and lamented, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37).

Context Summary

Psalm 25:8–14 was written by David about the character of God. He expresses the fact that it is wise to trust in God. David trusted God when life seemed tenuous. His foes made treacherous plans to disgrace him, but David trusted God to deliver him, forgive him, and guide him through life. Ephesians 2:8–10 is a companion passage. It teaches that God has a plan for all whom he saves.

Chapter Summary

This prayer of David uses the Hebrew alphabet as a pattern. This is an acrostic, where verses each begin with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The final verse, however, repeats the letter used in verse 16. David declares his trust in God and the value of the Lord’s wisdom. Mixed into these praises of God’s truth are multiple requests that David be forgiven of his sins. The psalm ends with David asking for rescue from his enemies, and for a similar redemption for the nation of Israel