Trust, the Word, and Refining Fire (Blogging Through the Bible)

I love how Psalm 11 and 12 tie in together for me in our readings from Thursday and Friday. I'm a day late sharing this post because I spent most of Friday to take time to soak in the Word of God...particularly the two verses that stood out to me from these two chapters. Never be in a rush when it comes to your time in God's Word. Meditate on it throughout your day, and let God speak to you as only He can.

My heart is filled with thankfulness to God as I've contemplated how trustworthy He is.

He is my strong tower that I run to when this world starts to weigh heavily on me. I honestly don't know how people go through this world without God. His unfailing love and protection have been with me through many a trial. I don't know how I would make it without Him!

Not only is He my strong tower that I can run to, but He has also given me the gift of His Holy Word, the Bible, as a lamp to my feet and a light to my path in this dark world. His words are pure, faithful, and true! His words are a purifier of my soul as I daily read the Bible to discover the heart of God. They refine me so that I can reflect the beauty of Jesus in my life.

Trust God.

Read His Word.

Let His words refine our hearts.

Reflect Jesus.

And by doing all of this...

May we draw others into a saving relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Amen.



***Here are the rest of my S.O.A.P.s for this week***



Thursday, December 4, 2014

Psalm 11

Scripture: Psalm 11:1
In the Lord I put my trust;
How can you say to my soul,
“Flee as a bird to your mountain”?

Observations: Our trust is in God alone. We do not need to flee to any other source for comfort or for justice in whatever trials we may face. We can trust God to be faithful during the trials of our lives.

Application: In times of trouble, take refuge in the Lord God alone. Trust in His unfailing love and protection.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, it is to You I run when I face the trials of this life. Help me to keep my eyes focused on the truth of Your Word concerning me as I face the valleys of this life. May I always keep my trust in You alone for my deliverance. In the saving name of Jesus I pray. Amen!

Friday, December 5, 2014

Psalm 12

Scripture: Psalm 12:6  
The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

Observations:
The words of the Lord:

1.     Pure –We can rely on the words of the Lord. They are true and faithful.

2.     Like silver tried in a furnace –Silver is purified of all its dross (“unwanted material that is removed from a mineral to make it better”) by passing it through the fire until it becomes entirely pure.

3.     Purified seven times – Seven is the number of perfection or completeness in the Bible.

Over and over again in the trials of my life, God’s words have been proven true. Not only am I being refined in the trials of this life, but the Word of God is continuously being proven as faithful and true.

Application: The words of the Lord are perfectly pure…no falsehoods, no deception, and no flattery. I want my speech to reflect to others that I follow Jesus. I want people to see His reflection in me with the words I speak. 

Psalms 19:14...Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray that my words would be filtered through the power of the Holy Spirit living in me. Help me to be mindful of the thoughts I think which lead to the words I speak. May the words I choose to speak bring honor and glory to Your name. Thank You for Your words that are true and faithful – words that never return void. Help me to walk in Your example so that others will be drawn into a personal relationship with You. In the life-changing name of Jesus I pray. Amen! 


Have a great weekend, and I'll see you back here on Monday for another Blogging Through the Bible post.

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie