Date: Tuesday July 01, 2014
Today's Chapters: Psalm 119
Message Title: Let The Bible Be Your Influence

In 2013, the American Bible Society did a study to see how many Americans believed the Bible had an influence on people today. More than half believed that it did not, yet, amazingly, one in five Americans read their Bible regularly. The article from the Huffington Post, sited this, “If the Bible is so commonplace in America, wouldn't its moral teachings counteract the downward trend? Almost a third of respondents said moral decline was a result of people not reading the Bible, while 29 percent cited the "negative influence of America" and one in four cited corporate corruption.” The truth is, the Bible does not have an influence on people today, and Christians are to blame. Look at how many versions of the Bible there are? There is a Bible written for every lifestyle, which is wrong because people are changing the Bible to fit their lifestyle rather than changing their lifestyle to fit the Bible. God will not bless a nation that refuses to follow His Word. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” - 2 Timothy 3:16,17.

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, containing 176 verses, the object of this psalm is the Bible, also known as the Law and the Word of God. It was written by Ezra, who was a scribe and priest who God sent from Babylon to Jerusalem to bring a revival to the city of God. When he got there it was worse than he thought, no one, including the priests, were living by the Word of God. This entire Psalm was written to remind us that it is important to read, study, and follow His Word, not because it is required, but that it would lead us to live a blessed, prosperous life with less affliction. “ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.” - Psalm 119:1-6.

A precept, properly appointed, that is, a mandate (of God; collectively for the Law); a commandment, or statute. Precepts are commands from God intended to be a rule of action, applied particularly to moral conduct. God has given us commands to keep us morally fit, the first ten were the basics of living a corrupt free life with God as our authority. God could not and still does not force a person to live by His commands, and He already knows we cannot follow all of them. While we are no longer subject to all of the commands of the Bible, it is a good reminder to study them to make sure we understand what is morally correct in God's eyes. “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” - 1 Corinthians 6:19,20.

Another interesting fact about Psalm 119 is, it is divided up by the Hebrew alphabet, each section is eight verses, and in alphabetical order. God has a specific reason for everything He has contained in the Bible, from the people who He used to pen His Word to the people He used as testimonies, it is all used to teach us that we do not have to be special people, we just have to be faithful people. It is the Word of God in us that helps us to know and keep God's precepts. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.” - Psalm 119:11-16.

There really is nothing more satisfying to a saved soul than reading the Word of God, it literally gives life to a dead soul. Life is hard, and at times even harder, it can weaken the soul to the point that it feels as though it is dead, but the Spirit of God moves through these pages and livens us like nothing else can. “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” - Proverbs 30:5,6.

The great thing about knowing God's Word, we get to call Him on it, He will never back down on what He says in His Word. “VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word. So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.” - Psalm 119:41-45.

God loves to prove to us that He can do what He promises, but in order for Him to show Himself, we must seek Him and trust that His Word is true. If one in five Americans read their Bible on a regular basis, then they must not live by every Word because if they did we wouldn't be in the mess we are in right now, and that goes for every country. To see a country prosperous and blessed, every Christian needs to live by every Word of God, and not let go of it, no matter what we face. “NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word. Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments. My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.” - Psalm 119:105-109.

I was on a job interview, the woman said that they were a Christian company, that they often prayed and had devotions with God, she encouraged me to be the same way, and asked me if I had a problem with that. That was the first time I ever heard of a company saying that to me, in fact, I have not gotten jobs because I said I was a Christian and wanted to wear a skirt. God has given us all free will, those who choose God's ways are going to face affliction many times because of their beliefs, that is when you really do find His Word a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” - James 1:12.

Today's Prayer: (Psalms 119:65-69) God, Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes. The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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