Today's Scripture:
Psalm 119 (Yes all 176 verses!) But for today the emphasis is on verses: 2, 10, 34, 58, 69, 145

Key Verse:
Psalm 119:11

"Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee."

The Point:

A Thriving Heart Depends on God's Word!

There is an important lesson to learn in life about recognizing the difference between the way that seems right and the way that is right! Our perceptions are subject to being deceived because we are finite and imperfect beings. Proverbs 16:25 sums this up well, "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Intuition can be a good indicator in recognizing the way that is right, but it will only be reliable if it is based on a dependable source of truth. Most people prefer to "train" their intuition through personal experience and occasionally through the experience of others. God's people know there is only one reliable source of truth and it's not their experience, knowledge, or talents - it is the Word of God!

So, what is the Biblical pattern for "training" our intuition? Romans 12:1-2 describes the process like this, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 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." We must be actively involved in transformation through the renewal of our mind (which includes our hearts) and that requires hiding God's word in our hearts. (Psalm 119:11 quoted above)

Today's Scripture (Psalm 119) describes in detail the greatness, power, majesty, and glory of God's Word! Every Christian needs to develop a profound reverence and love for God's Word and Psalm 119 is a great place to start. We can't afford to be "half-hearted" about this and to make that point the following verses have been selected from Psalm 119 to emphasize our "whole heart" for today's challenge. Consider each of these as you answer the Reflection Questions that follow:

Psalm 119:2 "Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart."

Psalm 119:10 "With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments."

Psalm 119:34 "Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart."

Psalm 119:58 "I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word."

Psalm 119:69 "The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart."

Psalm 119:145 "I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord: I will keep thy statutes."

1. Think about your daily quiet time with God. Do you have one? If you do, how often do you read His Word seeking Him with your whole heart?
2. Consider your thoughts, words, and deeds over the last week, how easy is it to "wander from His commandments?"
3. Has there been a time when you confessed sin to God and made a conscious decision to observe His principles in the future?
4. One does not have to study God's Word for very long before you realize you need His mercy. Have you allowed yourself to think circumstances in life are not fair and you questioned God's justice?
5. Have you walked with God long enough to learn the advantage of keeping His precepts with your whole heart?
6. There are times in everyone's walk with God that we cry out to God, do you come away from that experience with a new zeal to be obedient?