Psalm 103:13-14
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him 14 For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. Meditative thoughts: Luther said in the introduction to the Lord’s Prayer that “God tenderly invites us to believe that He is our true Father and that we are His true children, so that with all boldness and confidence we may ask Him as dear children ask their dear father.” In what way does God want us to be encouraged when the word Father is applied to Him? How does God remembering where we came from assure us that we can rely on Him to be compassionate to us? Romans 10:17 (ESV)
17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Meditative thoughts: How does this verse emphasize the importance of God’s Word for my faith in Christ to exist? How is God strengthening my faith as I spend time in the Bible each day? Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (ESV)
“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.” Meditative thoughts: Love is not love if it is forced, so why do I love God? Why is God calling on me to love Him with all my soul and might? How does Jesus influence my answers? Psalm 118:1 (ESV)
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;for his steadfast love endures forever! Meditative thoughts: How do I show my gratitude to the Lord? How has God shown me steadfast love that endures? Psalm 19:14 (ESV)
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Meditative thoughts: The thoughts that God would have me speak and think will always be good and good for me. When I need someone who can help, Jesus is the Lord who is always listening. I Corinthians 12:3 (NIV84)
3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. Meditative thoughts: Consider how blessed you are not only to know about Jesus but to believe in Him as your Savior. What is the benefit of having Jesus as Lord of your life? John 3:16-17 (ESV)
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Meditative thoughts: Many Christians know verse 16, but what additional comfort is verse 17 for you? Think about the word “love” and how much God proved he loves you through Jesus. Psalm 118:8-9 (ESV)
8It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. Meditative thoughts: In God’s wisdom, He allows us to face struggles in life. According to these verses, where will we find hope? Think about the various ways God was a refuge to all the people in the Bible who turned to Him and the promise God makes to us because of Jesus Christ. Exodus 20:8-11 (ESV)
8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” Meditative thoughts: What is the benefit to me [what will I gain] when I listen to this command from my God? How am I denying and cheating myself of the strength and comfort God offers through His Word and the Sacraments? 1 Corinthians 8:5-6 (ESV)
5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. Meditate on this passage by considering the following: Get back to the basic truth by answering this question, “Do I believe that God exists and who is my God?” What is the difference between the God of the Bible and any other imitation or false god? Think about how the answer is connected to the person and work of Jesus Christ. |
Walking in the Word |