sin taken away

Job 14

v17

My transgression [is] sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity.

Praise the Lord that we don't have to retain our sin like this.

John 1:29

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

From: Grace Greater than Our Sin

By Julia Johnston, 1911 and Daniel Towner, 1910

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin.

listen to MP3 file

buy and sell honestly

Psalm 120

v2

Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, [and] from a deceitful tongue.

I'll make sure to be honest about buying and selling things over the Internet.

From: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

By Mar­tin Lut­her, 1529 and translated by Fred­er­ic Hedge, 1853

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.

listen to MP3 file

Your law is my delight

Psalm 119:161-176

v174

I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law [is] my delight.

I'll try to learn to delight in the things the Lord says. One way to do that could be to do something fun while I study the Bible, like drinking a cup of coffee.

all prayer

Ephesians 6

Key v18

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

I've been praying for prayer requests from the meetings in my own prayer time. I've been falling behind, because I've been getting more prayer requests than I've been praying for.

I'll also pray at another time.

From: ’Tis the Blessèd Hour of Prayer

By Fan­ny Cros­by, 1880 and W. How­ard Doane

’Tis the blessèd hour of prayer, when our hearts lowly bend,
And we gather to Jesus, our Savior and Friend;
If we come to Him in faith, His protection to share,
What a balm for the weary, O how sweet to be there!

Blessèd hour of prayer, blessèd hour of prayer,
What a balm for the weary, O how sweet to be there!

listen to MP3 file

honor your parents...

Ephesians 6

Outline

v1-4

children and parents

v5-9

servants and masters

v10

be strong in the Lord

v11-17

the whole armor of God

v18

praying always

v19-20

we should speak the gospel boldly

v21-22

a faithful servant sent to comfort

v23-24

love Jesus in sincerity

seek His statutes

Psalm 119:145-160

v155

Salvation [is] far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.

We should seek the things the Lord says instead of being like wicked people.

From: Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

By Ro­bert Ro­bin­son, 1758 and John Wy­eth, 1813

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise [Thy name]! I’m fixed upon it,
[Name] of Thy redeeming love.

Sorrowing I shall be in spirit,
Till released from flesh and sin,
Yet from what I do inherit,
Here Thy praises I’ll begin;
Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Here by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.

(I changed the words "the Mount" to "Thy Name".) listen to MP3 file

my delights

Psalm 119:129-144

v143

Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: [yet] thy commandments [are] my delights.

When we're in sad situations, we should cheer ourselves up with the Lord's Word.

From: How Firm a Foundation

By John Rippon, 1787 and Jo­seph Funk, 1832

When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.

listen to MP3 file

I hate vain thoughts

Psalm 119:113-128

v113

I hate [vain] thoughts: but thy law do I love.

Sometimes during meetings when it's quiet or I'm tempted to think vain thoughts, I read my Bible.

From: How Firm a Foundation

By John Rippon, 1787 and Jo­seph Funk, 1832

In every condition, in sickness, in health;
In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth;
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

listen to MP3 file

all the day

Psalm 119:97-112

v97

O how love I thy law! it [is] my meditation all the day.

Think about the Lord's Word at other times, not just in the morning.

From: How Firm a Foundation

By John Rippon, 1787 and Jo­seph Funk, 1832

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

listen to MP3 file

I do not forget

Psalm 119

v83

For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; [yet] do I not forget thy statutes.

Sometimes it's tempting to neglect memorizing the Bible. I should still memorize, because I should not forget the things God says.

redeem the time

Ephesians 5

Key v16

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Thayer says this means,

...to make wise and sacred use of every opportunity for doing good, so that zeal and well doing are as it were the purchase money by which we make the time our own...

Vine says this means,

...making the most of every opportunity, turning each to the best advantage since none can be recalled if missed.

Application

I've been recording an MP3 file for my podcast almost every day. (That's like an episode of a radio program, but it's only on the Internet.) When I don't have time, like today, I won't record. That way, I can redeem the time.

reprove

Ephesians 5

Outline

v1-6

don't do impure things

v7-14

reprove wrong doing

v15-17

redeeming the time

v18-20

giving thanks always

v21-33

how marriage is a picture of Christ

From: The Sands of Time Are Sinking

By Anne Cou­sin, 1857 and Chré­ti­en d’Ur­han, 1834

The sands of time are sinking, the dawn of Heaven breaks;
The summer morn I’ve sighed for-the fair, sweet morn awakes:
Dark, dark hath been the midnight, but dayspring is at hand,
And glory, glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.

O Christ, He is the fountain, the deep, sweet well of love!
The streams of earth I’ve tasted more deep I’ll drink above:
There to an ocean fullness His mercy doth expand,
And glory, glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.

listen to MP3 file

good to be afflicted

Psalm 119:65-80

v71

[It is] good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

When we have a hard time, the Lord can work it for good. We should take the opportunity to learn His Word.

From: The Bible Stands

By Hal­dor Lil­le­nas, 1917

The Bible stands and it will forever,
When the world has passed away;
By inspiration it has been given,
All its precepts I will obey.

The Bible stands though the hills may tumble,
It will firmly stand when the earth shall crumble;
I will plant my feet on its firm foundation,
For the Bible stands.

listen to MP3 file

I remembered

Psalm 119:49-64

v52

I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.

When I feel discouraged, I should remember Bible verses.

From: The Bible Stands

By Hal­dor Lil­le­nas, 1917

The Bible stands like a mountain towering
Far above the works of men;
Its truth by none ever was refuted,
And destroy it they never can.

The Bible stands though the hills may tumble,
It will firmly stand when the earth shall crumble;
I will plant my feet on its firm foundation,
For the Bible stands.

listen to MP3 file

don't covet

Psalm 119:33-48

v36

Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

Remember to not be covetous today.

From: All for Jesus

By Mary James, 1871 and Asa Hull

Worldlings prize their gems of beauty,
Cling to gilded toys of dust,
Boast of wealth and fame and pleasure;
Only Jesus will I trust.

All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my days and all my hours;
All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my days and all my hours.

listen to MP3 file

don't lie

Psalm 119:17-32

v29

Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.

Work on not lying today.

From: Take My Life and Let It Be

By Frances Havergal, 1874 and Hen­ri Ma­lan, 1827

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.

listen to MP3 file

enjoy memorizing

Psalm 119:1-16

v16

I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

A few of my friends and I have been memorizing Romans. I've been having a hard time enjoying it. When I memorize, I'll remember these promises in Psalm 119. I'll try to enjoy memorizing more by thinking about how His Word is what I need for the problems in my life.

From: How I Love Thy Law, O Lord

In "The Psalter," 1912 and by William Bradbury, 1858

How I love Thy law, O Lord!
Daily joy its truths afford;
In its constant light I go,
Wise to conquer every foe.

Sweeter are Thy words to me
Than all other good can be;
Safe I walk, Thy truth my light,
Hating falsehood, loving right.

I didn't have a microphone with me to record an MP3 file today.

working

Ephesians 4

Key v28

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with [his] hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

I've been seeking the Lord for direction about whether I should just do school or also work. This is one of the verses that has helped me decide to try to work at the same time.

From: When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder

By James Black, 1893

Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun,
Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care;
Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

When the roll, is called up yon-der,
When the roll, is called up yon-der,
When the roll, is called up yon-der,
When the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there.

listen to MP3 file

walk worthy

Ephesians 4

Outline

v1

walk with the Lord

v2

be meek and lowly

v3-6

keep the unity

v7-16

speaking the truth in love

v17-30

let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth

v31-32

be kind to each other

From: What a Friend We Have in Jesus

By Jo­seph Scriv­en, 1855 and Charles Con­verse, 1868

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.

listen to MP3 file

call upon the Lord

Psalm 118

v5

I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, [and set me] in a large place.

I knew that Psalms talked a lot about praising the Lord, but this time I'm studying Psalms, I'm surprised how much Psalms talks about prayer.

This verse says, "I called upon the Lord in distress..." When we are frustrated or discouraged, we should pray.

From: What a Friend We Have in Jesus

By Jo­seph Scriv­en, 1855 and Charles Con­verse, 1868

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

listen to MP3 file

praise the Lord

Psalm 117

v2

For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD [endureth] for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

Since I've been studying through Psalms almost daily, it probably seems very familiar to hear about praising the Lord. Still, I am a witness that the Lord's merciful kindness has been great towards me in my life. The things He has said in the Bible have always been true. It wouldn't be wrong for me to remind us again, to praise the Lord.

From: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

By Jo­ach­im Ne­an­der, 1680 and in Bremen Germany, 1665

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;
Praise Him in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, who over all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

listen to MP3 file

the Lord has heard

Psalm 116

v5

Gracious [is] the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God [is] merciful.

This Psalm gave me the encouraging promise that the Lord has heard me when I've prayed to Him.

From: Does Jesus Care?

By Frank Graeff, 1901 and J. Lin­coln Hall

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress
And the way grows weary and long?

Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

listen to MP3 file

idols

Psalm 115

v8

They that make them are like unto them; [so is] every one that trusteth in them.

Whatever I have trouble making into an idol, make sure not to trust that today.

Fear and praise the Lord instead. He has been mindful of us, and He will bless us.

From: The Lily of the Valley

By Charles Fry, 1881 and Wil­liam Hays

He all my grief has taken, and all my sorrows borne;
In temptation He’s my strong and mighty tower;
I have all for Him forsaken, and all my idols torn
From my heart and now He keeps me by His power.
Though all the world forsake me, and Satan tempt me sore,
Through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal.

He’s the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.

listen to MP3 file

tremble you earth

Psalm 114

v7

Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob;

The Lord did great things when He brought His people out of Egypt, and even inanimate objects trembled in front of Him. We should fear the Lord.

From: Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken

By John New­ton, 1779 and Franz Hay­dn, 1797

Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our God!
He, whose Word cannot be broken,
Formed thee for His own abode.
On the Rock of Ages founded,
What can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation’s walls surrounded,
Thou may’st smile at all thy foes.

See! the streams of living waters,
Springing from eternal love;
Well supply thy sons and daughters,
And all fear of want remove:
Who can faint while such a river
Ever flows their thirst t’assuage?
Grace, which like the Lord, the Giver,
Never fails from age to age.

listen to MP3 file

bow the knee

Ephesians 3

Key v14

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

We should kneel and pray for inner strength, faith, and love. We should pray to know the love of Christ and be filled with the fullness of God.

From: Romans 5:15

By Isaac Serafino (me)

But not as the offence, 
so also [is] the free gift. 
For if through the offence of one 
many be dead, 
much more the grace of God, 
and the gift by grace, 
[which is] by one man, Jesus Christ, 
hath abounded unto many.

listen to MP3 file

preach and pray

Ephesians 3

Outline

v1-6

the mystery is the salvation of the non-Jews

v7-11

preach the gospel to all people

v12-21

kneel, pray, and ask boldly

From: Amazing Grace

By John Newton, 1779 and 19th Century American melody

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

listen to MP3 file

joyful mother

Psalm 113

v9

He maketh the barren woman to keep house, [and to be] a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.

Praise the Lord for children being born.

The Lord is great, but He humbles Himself.

From: No, Not One!

By Johnson Oatman, 1895 and George Hugg

No friend like Him is so high and holy,
No, not one! No, not one!
And yet no friend is so meek and lowly,
No, not one! No, not one!

Jesus knows all about our struggles,
He will guide till the day is done;
There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one!

listen to MP3 file

be generous

Psalm 112

v9

He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.

We should be generous.

From: All for Jesus

By Mary James, 1871 and Asa Hull

All for Jesus, all for Jesus!
All my being's ransomed powers:
All my thoughts and words and doings,
All my days and all my hours.

All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my days and all my hours;
All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my days and all my hours.

listen to MP3 file

fear Him

Psalm 111

v5

He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.

The Lord provides the satisfaction we need. Fear Him.

The Fear of The Lord

By Isaac Serafino (me)

The fear of the Lord
Tendeth to life:

And he that hath it
Shall abide satisfied;

He shall not be
Visited with evil.

Proverbs 19:23

listen to MP3 file

enemies

Psalm 110

v1

The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

I should make sure I'm on the Lord's side today. If my enemies are His enemies, He is going to deal with them. Also, I sure don't want to be His enemy.

Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus

By George Duf­field, 1858 and George Webb, 1830

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the Gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer;
Where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle, the next the victor's song.
To those who vanquish evil a crown of life shall be;
They with the King of Glory shall reign eternally.

listen to MP3 file

a lying tongue

Psalm 109

v2

For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.

Don't tell a lie against somebody today.

Take My Life and Let It Be

By Fran­ces Ha­ver­gal, 1874 and Hen­ri Ma­lan, 1827

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.

listen to MP3 file