Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Reflecting God Devotions for Holy Living – Wednesday, 1 January 2014 “Sweeter Than Honey” Scripture Psalm 119

Reflecting God Devotions for Holy Living – Wednesday, 1 January 2014 “Sweeter Than Honey” Scripture Psalm 119: 17 Deal bountifully with your servant,
    so that I may live and observe your word.
18 Open my eyes, so that I may behold
    wondrous things out of your law.
19 I live as an alien in the land;
    do not hide your commandments from me.
20 My soul is consumed with longing
    for your ordinances at all times.
21 You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,
    who wander from your commandments;
22 take away from me their scorn and contempt,
    for I have kept your decrees.
23 Even though princes sit plotting against me,
    your servant will meditate on your statutes.
24 Your decrees are my delight,
    they are my counselors.
25 My soul clings to the dust;
    revive me according to your word.
26 When I told of my ways, you answered me;
    teach me your statutes.
27 Make me understand the way of your precepts,
    and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
28 My soul melts away for sorrow;
    strengthen me according to your word.
29 Put false ways far from me;
    and graciously teach me your law.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
    I set your ordinances before me.
31 I cling to your decrees, O Lord;
    let me not be put to shame.
32 I run the way of your commandments,
    for you enlarge my understanding
“Sweeter Than Honey” by Janine Metcalf
She never earned a doctorate, wrote a book, or received prestigious honors. Still, Reverend Estelle Crutcher was an extraordinary and wise woman of God. That is because she intimately knew her beloved God and His Living Word. Her counsel was tempered with Spirit-filled wisdom, gleaned from hours, indeed decades, of feasting on God’s living bread. When she spoke believers and unbelievers alike listened.
I’ll never forget studying the Gospel of Matthew at her feet. I noticed not just a phrase or two, but every word was underlined. Why? She smiled and quoted a psalm, “How sweet are [God’s] words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Ps. 119:103).
The Bible opened her eyes to potential in others. Missionary Rhonda Slingerland recalls Grandma asking, “Rhonda, Darling, is God calling you to leave your law firm to serve Him? If so, please pay attention.” Rhonda knew this was the divine nudge she needed to step out in obedience.
The Bible also opened Grandma’s eyes to her personal needs. A few months before death, she confessed, “I believe God is ‘mellowing me out.’ I need His sanctifying strength more than ever.”
May “the wonderful things of God’s law” that shaped this precious one’s heart imprint us as well.
Hymn for Today:
“Where He Leads I’ll Follow” by William A. Ogden
 “Where He Leads I’ll Follow” by William A. Ogden
1. Sweet are the promises,
Kind is the word;
Dearer far than any message man ever heard;
Pure was the mind of Christ,
Sinless I see;
He the great example is, and pattern for me.
Refrain:
Where He leads I’ll follow,
Follow all the way.
Where He leads I’ll follow,
Follow Jesus ev’ry day.
2. Sweet is the tender love
Jesus hath shown,
Sweeter far than any love that mortals have known;
Kind to the erring one,
Faithful is He;
He the great example is, and pattern for me.
Refrain:
Where He leads I’ll follow,
Follow all the way.
Where He leads I’ll follow,
Follow Jesus ev’ry day.
3. List to His loving words,
“Come unto Me!”
Weary, heavy-laden, there is sweet rest for thee;
Trust in His promises,
Faithful and sure;
Lean upon the Savior, and thy soul is secure.
Refrain:
Where He leads I’ll follow,
Follow all the way.
Where He leads I’ll follow,
Follow Jesus ev’ry day.
Thought for Today:
“Reflective study and meditation on the things of God will lead us to experience the depth and richness of God’s Word in life here and for eternity”(Rhonda Carrim).
Prayer Needs:
Developing Christian leaders in Iraq.
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