Tag: Psalm 119:9

The Anchored Soul – Day 8 – A Spiritual Bath for the Mind

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The Word of God acts as a “spiritual bath” for the mind, an idea described in the Bible as being “washed” and “renewed” from the inside out. I once heard Pastor Jack Hibbs say that it is good for the Christian to be “brain-washed”! He went on to explain that our minds should be washed and cleansed by the Word of God! I loved that!

The Washing of the Word

Our minds naturally gather the “dust and grime” of worldly opinions, fears, and negative patterns. Without regular cleansing, these thoughts can form strongholds of bitterness or doubt. However, Jesus spoke of a different process: a daily immersion in truth that cleanses our views and thoughts.

This isn’t just about learning new information; it’s a “spiritual rejuvenation” where the Holy Spirit uses Scripture to scrub away moral filth and replace it with God’s righteousness. When we meditate on the Word, we aren’t being “brainwashed,” but rather liberated from the deceptions of the world.

Below is a list of Scripture that you can meditate on:

  • Ephesians 5:26: “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word”.
  • Romans 12:2: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”.
  • John 15:3: “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you”.
  • Psalm 119:9: “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word”.

For the next week, identify one specific “worldly thought” or recurring negative pattern that has been cluttering your mind (for example, anxiety about the future, feelings of inadequacy, or a spirit of bitterness). Then ask the Father to guide you.

Father, I thank You for the cleansing power of Your Word. As I read and meditate on Your truth today, wash my mind of every thought that does not align with Your Word. Renew my perspective, replace my fears with faith, and let Your peace guard my heart and mind through Christ Jesus. Amen!

Help Me, Lord!

On By KateIn Devotionals, Thoughts and MeditationsLeave a comment

~Malachi 4:2a But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings;

~Luke 9:11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

Every believer has either been, is currently, or awaiting a trial. What kind of trial have you experienced? What did you do during the trial. How did you make it out of that trial. As Christians, we have everything we need in order to deal with it. There are so many self-help books out there, but the one Book that keeps being put on the back burner is the Bible. Within its pages are the answers to all our trials. The Bible knows how to deal with the pain as a result of any trial. We just have to take time away from the distractions and settle into our Bibles.

Finding healing … we all are in need of some kind of healing, aren’t we? Some of us have physical problems. Some have spiritual problems. Others have emotional problems. We live in an age where there is a doctor for every kind of problem known to man! When it comes to the spiritual problems, however, Preachers are the ones most turn to. Healing cannot be found if the sick one does not apply the recommendation given to them. A doctor can prescribe a pill or recommend a surgery, but if the patient does not take that advice, he will not get better. It is the same with spiritual help. The Pastor can recommend but he cannot force the Christian to read his Bible, etc.

God is perfect, however, and promises to heal those who seek Him. God’s healing is not a “hope so” but a definite one! Does everyone who has physical problems get healed by God? No! Sometimes those with illness are more able to help others because they have the compassion to serve because of their illness. God does not promise to heal all physical problems, but he does promise to be there with you. He will also provide rest and healing to those who are spiritually sick and have become weary.

~Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

You can tell when you have come across a Christian stricken with a chronic illness, and has drawn close to God. This person does not have his eyes on his own pain and suffering, but has placed them on the needs of others. You can also tell a Christian who has not been drawing close to God during his trial.

~Job 7:11 Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

You have been around people like this, haven’t you? I have and it is not encouraging to say the least! The person who does not seek healing in God’s Word becomes so bitter that the only thing that comes out of their mouth is complaining.

(1) Matthew 11:29 says to take Christ’s yoke upon us and learn of Him. If you picture a yoke in your mind’s eye, you will see it has two openings – for two oxen heads. I recently heard a message about who you yoke up with. For example, you can’t yoke a donkey with an ox because the donkey pulls back, while an ox pulls forward. You have to yoke yourself with someone who is going in the same direction as you.

Now, place yourself in one opening and look to the other – it is there that Christ has promised to be – right along side of you so that your burden, whatever that may be, is lighter. You are not carrying it alone in your spiritual battle! You are not alone in your physical battle! You are not alone in your emotional battle! My friend, Jesus is in the other opening of your yoke! Woah! That packs a wallop, doesn’t it? Half of our battle is realizing that we are not alone and that someone cares about us.

(2) Secondly, Christ says in verse 29 to learn of Him and you will find rest. Being in the Word of God will cleanse you and, thus, bring spiritual and emotional healing.

~Psa 119:9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

The chronically ill Christian can avoid bitterness by being in the Word. It is there he will learn what Christ would have him to learn. Jesus brings healing with each word. But you must read it to glean. It’s like the old saying, “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.” The answers to your problems may not be the answers you were looking for but they will always be what the Lord says is best for your life. Furthermore, your problem may not go away but your attitude about it will have changed.

Jesus has the medicine for us for every area of our lives. He may not choose to heal our problems but He has exactly what we need, when we need it, for our spiritual life. Rather than wallow in self pity and be miserable and bitter, we must lean on Christ who is helping us carry the weight of our trial in our yoke.

Discipline yourself from dwelling on your trial. Instead, place your eyes on someone else so you can help. It is when we are busy helping others that we are able to keep our eyes off our own trial. When you take your eyes off others, you will soon find yourself hurting more and becoming bitter.

Learn from Christ and find rest! Great is His faithfulness and He’s always available to help!!!

Help Me, Lord!

On By KateIn Devotionals, Thoughts and MeditationsLeave a comment

~Malachi 4:2a But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings;

~Luke 9:11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

Every believer has either been, is currently, or awaiting a trial. What kind of trial have you experienced? What did you do during the trial. How did you make it out of that trial. As Christians, we have everything we need in order to deal with it. There are so many self-help books out there, but the one Book that keeps being put on the back burner is the Bible. Within its pages are the answers to all our trials. The Bible knows how to deal with the pain as a result of any trial. We just have to take time away from the distractions and settle into our Bibles.

Finding healing … we all are in need of some kind of healing, aren’t we? Some of us have physical problems. Some have spiritual problems. Others have emotional problems. We live in an age where there is a doctor for every kind of problem known to man! When it comes to the spiritual problems, however, Preachers are the ones most turn to. Healing cannot be found if the sick one does not apply the recommendation given to them. A doctor can prescribe a pill or recommend a surgery, but if the patient does not take that advice, he will not get better. It is the same with spiritual help. The Pastor can recommend but he cannot force the Christian to read his Bible, etc.

God is perfect, however, and promises to heal those who seek Him. God’s healing is not a “hope so” but a definite one! Does everyone who has physical problems get healed by God? No! Sometimes those with illness are more able to help others because they have the compassion to serve because of their illness. God does not promise to heal all physical problems, but he does promise to be there with you. He will also provide rest and healing to those who are spiritually sick and have become weary.

~Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

You can tell when you have come across a Christian stricken with a chronic illness, and has drawn close to God. This person does not have his eyes on his own pain and suffering, but has placed them on the needs of others. You can also tell a Christian who has not been drawing close to God during his trial.

~Job 7:11 Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

You have been around people like this, haven’t you? I have and it is not encouraging to say the least! The person who does not seek healing in God’s Word becomes so bitter that the only thing that comes out of their mouth is complaining.

(1) Matthew 11:29 says to take Christ’s yoke upon us and learn of Him. If you picture a yoke in your mind’s eye, you will see it has two openings – for two oxen heads. I recently heard a message about who you yoke up with. For example, you can’t yoke a donkey with an ox because the donkey pulls back, while an ox pulls forward. You have to yoke yourself with someone who is going in the same direction as you.

Now, place yourself in one opening and look to the other – it is there that Christ has promised to be – right along side of you so that your burden, whatever that may be, is lighter. You are not carrying it alone in your spiritual battle! You are not alone in your physical battle! You are not alone in your emotional battle! My friend, Jesus is in the other opening of your yoke! Woah! That packs a wallop, doesn’t it? Half of our battle is realizing that we are not alone and that someone cares about us.

(2) Secondly, Christ says in verse 29 to learn of Him and you will find rest. Being in the Word of God will cleanse you and, thus, bring spiritual and emotional healing.

~Psa 119:9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

The chronically ill Christian can avoid bitterness by being in the Word. It is there he will learn what Christ would have him to learn. Jesus brings healing with each word. But you must read it to glean. It’s like the old saying, “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.” The answers to your problems may not be the answers you were looking for but they will always be what the Lord says is best for your life. Furthermore, your problem may not go away but your attitude about it will have changed.

Jesus has the medicine for us for every area of our lives. He may not choose to heal our problems but He has exactly what we need, when we need it, for our spiritual life. Rather than wallow in self pity and be miserable and bitter, we must lean on Christ who is helping us carry the weight of our trial in our yoke.

Discipline yourself from dwelling on your trial. Instead, place your eyes on someone else so you can help. It is when we are busy helping others that we are able to keep our eyes off our own trial. When you take your eyes off others, you will soon find yourself hurting more and becoming bitter.

Learn from Christ and find rest! Great is His faithfulness and He’s always available to help!!!

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Peace Through Troubled Times – Natural Affection

On By KateIn Devotionals, Peace Through Troubled TimesLeave a comment

2Ti 3:1-3  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  (3)  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

As I see the day of the God’s wrath during the Tribulation fast approaching, I see less and less affection displayed by parents toward their children. Love for our children is not merely touching and hugging. It involves godly correction through the Scriptures and teaching them to do right.

Pro 22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Children are left to themselves and are not taught what is acceptable. For example:

  • It’s not polite to whisper into another’s ear while others are around
  • It’s not nice to gossip
  • Be polite when speaking with older people and be respectful
  • Say: please, thank you, excuse me, I’m sorry
  • Don’t chew food with your mouth open
  • Take care of your toys and don’t be rough with them, etc.

Children need direction and guidance. When they are left to themselves, they develop a rebellious attitude. This does not teach them to respect others but instead to disrespect. Children need to be taught restraint otherwise they can’t control their behavior when they are outside the home. Our homes are a preparation for the battlefield of the world. If we don’t teach our children how to handle situations, they will be unprepared for life when they leave home.

The end result are children who will grow up not knowing how to train their own children. The future family will become a mess! Is it any wonder why kids today are so disrespectful and full of pent up anger? I feel so sad when I see these things happen. The Apostle Paul considered this sinful and he grouped it with murder!

Rom 1:21-32  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  (22)  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,  (23)  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.  (24)  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:  (25)  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.  (26)  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:  (27)  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.  (28)  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;  (29)  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,  (30)  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,  (31)  Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:  (32)  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

There is nothing more beautiful than a godly family with the father leading and protecting; the mother teaching and nurturing; and children learning to become responsible human beings. But a complete family can only be godly if they are centered in God’s Word. The father is responsible in leading his family in the way they should go through the Scriptures. Is it any wonder we do not see much of this today? Children cannot learn how to avoid sin if they are not taught how.

Psa 119:9  BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

The Bible is rarely used in the home and therefore the outcome is a family that is not taught how to handle day-to-day situations. All the answers are in our Bibles.

If you are not truly born-again, you won’t see today’s topic as a sin. But there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Day 3 – Taking Heed

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BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. (Psa 119:9)

I wanted to write about how God uses the Word to bring conviction against sin to us. However, as I read and re-read this verse, it became apparent to me that the Lord used the words “young man (or woman)” here. Why would God use this adjective to describe the man? He could have just used the word man. So why did God interject with the word “young”?

I’ve seen older Christians who have remained “spiritual babes” because they have not spent time in the Word. Taking time in the Word is work but a blessing follows. Some of us work for a living and at the end of the pay period, we receive a check. At the end of our hard work of reading and studying, we also receive a check – a spiritual check. However, our check lasts for eternity. Paul spoke on these spiritual babes. 1 Cor. 3:1-2, “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.” Paul likened the spiritual babes as carnal. They were still more concerned about the things of the flesh than spiritual things. After all, isn’t that what a human baby does? He cries and cries unto he is fed. He is only concerned about his own needs at this point. Not once does this baby consider that Mommy is really tired and could sleep an extra hour if he would just hold off! Paul used the right choice of words here, didn’t he?

The more we grow in the Lord and by His Word, the more we become spiritual adults. We no longer have the same struggles we did as younger believers. We’ve learned to trust more in the Lord; we’ve learned that we can never lose our salvation and we’re sure of it and can prove it from the Word; we’ve learned that God is faithful and won’t abandon us; we’ve received this peace that young Christians and spiritually immature Christians can’t understand. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phi 4:7) Suffice it to say, however, that just reading the Word is not sufficient. One has to heed its warnings, as the Psalm continues to point out. What’s the use in reading a self-help book if you don’t apply what you’ve learned, right? Applying God’s Word to our lives is the key to maturing as a believer.

I know I sound like a broken record, but God stresses over and over in His Word that we need to be IN the Word and applying it to our lives! Without it we die spiritually. That baby would die without his Mommy feeding him, right? So will the babe in Christ stunt his growth in Christ by not opening his Bible and gleaning from its spiritual nourishment.

There’s a banquet table awaiting the believer who stops to eat!

Dear God…
May I come to you each day
With an open mind and heart
Let me search until I find
Your will, may I not depart