May 30 – Psalms 119

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Psalms 119. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

“You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your principles! Then I will not be disgraced when I compare my life with your commands. When I learn your righteous laws, I will thank you by living as I should!” (Psalms 119:4-7 NLT) Do you cherish the commands, laws, decrees, and instructions from God? Do you live by them? God’s Law teaches us what he considers righteous. God’s Law teaches us how he sees pure living. Learning from them brings us more and more into alignment with God’s desires for our lives. Are we going to mess us, slip up, and have moments where we do not honor God? Unfortunately the answer is yes. That is where Jesus work on the cross comes in and grace is able to abound.

What I love about the ending of that verse is the reminder it gives us that when we live according to God’s Laws we are thanking God for teaching us how to honor him. Do you think about how you live being thanks to God, especially in reaction to the grace and salvation you know and experience as a Christian?

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March 22 – Deuteronomy 32-34 and Psalm 91

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Deuteronomy 32-34 & Psalm 91. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word.

Moses has reached the end of his life. For forty years he lived in the luxuries of Egypt. For the next forty years he was a shepherd in the wilderness to his father-in-law’s sheep. For the last forty years he was shepherd to the nation of God’s people. He has lead these people through a lot. But because of his betrayal at the waters of Meribah at Kadesh, Moses did not get to go into the land.

God took him up on Mount Nebo where he got to see the whole Promised Land. I sometimes wander how this took place. On Interstate 68 in Maryland there is a mountain called Sideling Hill that the intestate cuts right through. Where it cuts through there is a rest area with a scenic overlook. From that scenic overlook you can see miles upon miles. But from that vantage point I cannot see all of Maryland. I would imagine like my view from Sideling Hill, Moses could not see all of the Promised Land. I sometimes wander what God did so that Moses could see it.

Regardless of how he saw it, he did, and it is here that Moses breathed his last. What I find interesting is this line in Moses’ story … “Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever.” Deuteronomy 34:7 NLT. Moses had served his purpose. God has used him greatly. But Moses did not have complete faith in God, so he did not get the reward of entering the Promised Land even though his body said it could keep on going.

Friends, honor God with your entire life. Trust him with everything. Trust that God will do what God says he will do. Do not let the frustrations of the people around you, the situations you go through, and the struggle you have effect the way you interact with God. Moses paid the ultimate price for it with his life.

At West Side we are beginning a new prayer partner campaign. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.