The priority of sharing the Good News

DAILY BIBLE READING:

2 Kings 17:1–18:12 
Acts 20:1-38 
Psalm 148:1-14 
Proverbs 18:6-7

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Acts 20:24 "But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

It's so easy to lose our focus in this life, isn't it? We begin our journey as followers of Jesus when we got saved. We had every intention of obeying Him and doing the things that He desires.

And then life happened.

We got distracted by the craziness of life. We settled into our routines. We began looking much more at what is going on around us than the God who reigns above us.

And we forgot what God desired for us.

So, what is our ultimate purpose? Why does God leave us here on earth after we are born again?

Matthew 6:33 tells us what our main priority is. "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness..." We are to focus on the growth of the Kingdom of God and we are to pursue holiness / righteousness.

So, how does the Kingdom of God grow? 

It grows when people receive the message of Gospel and submit themselves to the authority of King Jesus over their life. When they do this, they enter the Kingdom and then pursue a life of holiness because that's what followers of Jesus do.

But folks can't get saved unless someone is telling them about Jesus and what He did for them on the cross. So, this is at the top of our list of priorities ... we've got to tell people about Jesus.

And this is what our Verse for Today is about. The Apostle Paul came to a point in his life where he was confronted with the fact that he was going to be imprisoned and possibly killed. Yet, he wouldn't stop sharing the Gospel. It was his primary goal in life. He knew the message of the Gospel could save people from a Christless eternity in Hell and he wouldn't stop sharing it even if he were killed for doing so. 

Acts 20:24 "But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace."

Because of this commitment, Paul could approach his death with a clear conscience:

Acts 20:26-27 "Therefore I declare to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, because I did not avoid declaring to you the whole plan of God."

Are you sharing the Gospel with others? 

Is there someone you know who needs to hear what Jesus did for them? 

Then ask God to prepare their hearts. Ask Him to give you an opportunity to share the Gospel. Then take advantage of that opportunity when it comes.

Where people will spend eternity is at stake. They need to be saved. Will you share the news with them that can save them?

A benefit of praising God

DAILY BIBLE READING:

2 Kings 15:1–16:20 
Acts 19:13-41 
Psalm 147:1-20 
Proverbs 18:4-5

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 147:1 "Hallelujah! How good it is to sing to our God, for praise is pleasant and lovely."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

There are so many wonderful blessings to enjoy throughout our day if we will only stop to look for them. 

Yet, it is also true that this isn't Heaven. We live in a broken world. It began to malfunction when Adam sinned (read Genesis 3). It's as if he put water in the gas tank and things have never been the same since.

If we aren't careful, in this messed up world, we may begin to focus on the bad things. The news stories are almost always bad. People get killed, employees get laid off, marriages end in divorce, children die of cancer, churches split, terrorism happens, and so much more.

So, to swim again the flow and develop a mind that is positive (Philippians 4:8) and set on the joy of crossing of the finish line (Colossians 3:2), it will take discipline. It will take consistent hard work, especially if we have previously tended to be negative.

Our Verse for Today gives us the content. It tells us what we can do to lift our attitude and perspective.

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 147:1 "Hallelujah! How good it is to sing to our God, for praise is pleasant and lovely."

First of all, it begins with the word "Hallelujah."

• "Hallel" = praise
• "Jah" - is the short version of Jehovah which means "the Lord"

After callings us to praise the Lord, our verse tells us that praising the Lord is "pleasant" and "lovely." It's positive. It's constructive. It's beautiful.

So, what exactly does it mean to praise the Lord?

It means that we focus on an attribute of who He is (not necessarily what He has done) and celebrate that.

For instance, if I am going through a really tough time and feel like my life is out of control, I can focus on the fact that God is omnipotent (can do whatever He pleases) and that He is fully in control of every single event in my life. So, I could praise Him for that attribute. In doing so, it will help me to find comfort in my chaos.

Or maybe I'm taking a walk and notice a particularly beautiful sky or a flower. I can enjoy the beauty of the moment and then praise my God. Why? Because He is the one who created it (John 1:1-3) and is actively, moment-by-moment, sustaining it (Colossians 1:15-17). My praise could take the form of a prayer like this: "Heavenly Father, You are an incredible artist. The beauty of Your creation gives me a glimpse into how wonderful You are. Thank you for this moment."

On and on we could go. We can praise God for His infinite wisdom, His power, His glory, His grace and mercy, His love, His forgiveness, etc., etc., etc.

If you want to lift your mood and enjoy the God who made you, find some attribute of God that is relevant to where you are in life right now and praise Him for it.

You may not feel like praising Him right now. But, let it at least be an act of your will. If you continue to choose to praise Him, eventually, your emotions will get on board and it will bring joy to your heart.

Oh, and by the way, this is why being a part of a church family is so important. Our regular, weekly gatherings are intended to be a time of praise and worship. If you are overwhelmed with the trials of life and struggling to praise God, you will be surrounded by others who are praising Him. Simply being in that environment will greatly help you to get into a right state of mind.

Psalm 147:1 "Hallelujah! How good it is to sing to our God, for praise is pleasant and lovely."

Preaching in the age of technology

First of all, I don't claim to be a tech guru. I simply realize that there are a few technology opportunities that I understand that I have taken advantage of.

One of them is podcasting. I had been uploading sermon videos for quite a few years but realized that people would much rather listen to a sermon online than watch it online. So, I created a podcast for our church a year ago. I learned a little bit during the process and found a website to house my Sunday morning sermons (podpoint.com).

Since then, I've watched the number of streams and downloads grow (currently, an average of 10 folks listen to a sermon every day). 

This isn't a celebration of anything I've done or am doing. It is an offering of gratitude that God is allowing me to influence even more people for His glory as I spend hours each week in study and then deliver a message to His people.

Further, it is an encouragement to Jesus-followers to understand that our scope of influence isn't limited to the people we bump into each day. We could influence people on the other side of the world that we will never meet until we arrive in our Heavenly home. So, dear Christian, use technology for God's glory to increase His Kingdom.

Here is a snapshot of the analytics page on Podpoint where I house my Sunday morning sermons:

Look smart, keep quiet

DAILY BIBLE READING:

2 Kings 13:1–14:29 
Acts 18:23–19:12 
Psalm 146:1-10 
Proverbs 18:2-3

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Proverbs 18:2 "A fool does not delight in understanding, but only wants to show off his opinions."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

In our Verse for Today, we find ourselves considering a type of person that is labeled a fool. They get that label because they talk too much.

When we look at Proverbs 18:2, we realize that the fool has a limited well of knowledge. Yet, they want to show off their limited knowledge so they talk ... and talk ... and talk.

Further, Proverbs 18:2 says that they "(do) not delight in understanding." This points to the fact that when they are talking, they aren't learning. 

It's only as we listen that we can learn. But, since the fool is intent on spouting off what he or she knows, they limit their ability to gain more knowledge.

So, today, don't be a fool. 

Listen. 

Truly listen. 

Listen so that you can learn. 

Listen so that you can hear what people are really saying. 

Listen so that you can hear what the author of a book is saying. 

Listen to God's Word so that you can hear what He is saying.

And as you listen, you will learn. 

And as you learn, you will be able to gain more knowledge out of which you can bless others. But, even then, try to listen much more than you speak.

Let me leave you with a verse from God's Word and then a quote from an American author:

James 1:19 (CSB) "My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak..."

Samuel Clemens (a.k.a Mark Twain): "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt."

Betrayal and integrity

DAILY BIBLE READING:

2 Kings 10:32–12:21 
Acts 18:1-22 
Psalm 145:1-21 
Proverbs 18:1

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

2 Kings 12:20 (CSB) "Joash’s servants conspired against him and attacked him at Beth-millo on the road that goes down to Silla."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Once again, I've chosen a Verse for Today that is unusual. It certainly doesn't bring a warm fuzzy to our chests.

But, it carries a principle that we need to take so seriously.

The story is of Joash, King of Judah. Among other things, he led in a renovation of the Lord's Temple. He valued the place that God was worshiped and he wanted to clean it up and fix it up so that it was worthy of the God who was worshiped there.

But, there came a day when Joash woke up as on every other morning. He believed that he would get some things done that day and then lay his head on his pillow that evening. Little did he know that he would be assassinated on that day.

So, who was it that murdered King Joash? It was his very own servants. It was the men who he regularly trusted and felt most comfortable with.

2 Kings 12:20-21 "Joash’s servants conspired against him and attacked him at Beth-millo on the road that goes down to Silla. It was his servants Jozabad son of Shimeath and Jehozabad son of Shomer who attacked him. He died and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David, and his son Amaziah became king in his place."

We are capable of committing similar offenses (even if it is lesser in degree) when we gossip about others. When someone considers us to be a friend or at least a trusted acquaintance and then we talk badly about them behind their backs, we are committing the act of betrayal that Joash's murderers were guilty of.

I have observed someone cut someone else down and then, when that person walked into the room, they spoke fondly of them as if everything was OK. And it turned my stomach. It is outright betrayal.

Friend, be a person of integrity. 

All of us are capable of gossip. All of us are capable of saying things about others that we know should not be said. I have done that before.

But, we need to acknowledge such things as sin that should not be tolerated. We need to confess those sins and repent (determine not to do it again).

When someone considers you to be a trust friend or acquaintance, prove yourself to be such - not simply when they are around. Let them never be surprised that you are saying things about them behind their back that is directly opposed to what you are saying to them in their presence.

Be a friend or acquaintance who others have more than sufficient reason to trust.

One reason to talk less

DAILY BIBLE READING:

2 Kings 9:14–10:31 
Acts 17:1-34 
Psalm 144:1-15 
Proverbs 17:27-28

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Proverbs 17:28 (CSB) "Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent ​- discerning, when he seals his lips."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Present day "men of God"

DAILY BIBLE READING:

2 Kings 8:1–9:13 
Acts 16:16-40 
Psalm 143:1-12 
Proverbs 17:26

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

2 Kings 8:11 "Then he stared steadily at him until he was ashamed. The man of God wept,"

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Ok. I realize that the Verse for Today that I have chosen is a little unusual. But, I want you to reflect on a phrase that appears in it.

"The man of God"

As we read 2 Kings 8 and come across verse 11, we realize that the designation, "man of God," is referring to Elisha. He is God's prophet and was set apart by God to speak to God's people on His behalf. 

Elisha, in that role, got a title: "man of God."

But, as we read elsewhere in the Old Testament, we realize that this title is used of other men that God chose to speak and lead on His behalf. 

The official title, "man of God," is used 78 times in the English Standard Version of the Bible (KJV - 78; NIV - 82; HCSB - 83). It is used to speak of the men who God set apart to speak to His people and lead them. 

An overwhelming majority of the time, it was used to refer to Moses and Elijah as in the following verses:

Moses:
"This is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the people of Israel before his death." (Deuteronomy 33:1)

Elijah:
"And she said to Elijah, 'What have you against me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance and to cause the death of my son!'" (1 Kings 17:18)

The title, "man of God," does not mean that these men were sinless. The flaws of the men who wore this official title are well documented in Scripture. It did, however, acknowledge that these men were set apart by God for a special task. They were to speak to God's people on His behalf and lead them in the ways of the Lord.

When we come to the New Testament, in a new era, where we are told that everyone of us is on equal footing at the cross (Galatians 3:28), we may think that the phrase, "man of God," would no longer apply and wouldn't be appropriate. 

But, that conclusion would be wrong. Read the following two references in the New Testament as the Apostle Paul wrote to Pastor Timothy:

"But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness." (1 Timothy 6:11)

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

In these two texts, the Apostle Paul was calling Pastor Timothy a "man of God." It was fitting because Timothy was called by God to speak to God's people on His behalf and to lead them. However, since it was the New Testament era, Timothy wasn't a prophet - he was a pastor.

From these two verses, we realize the the phrase, "man of God," is still used in the church age. Men who have been called by God to pastor God's churches wear the title just as the prophets of old did. Pastor / preachers get this designation.

While present day "men of God" sin like Moses and the rest of the Old Testament prophets did, it is also true that they are set apart by God for a special purpose. No man should go into the pastoral ministry unless there is a clear calling upon his life from God.

When these "men of God" are in sin, they need to be confronted. If the sin continues and they do not respond with repentance when taken through the steps of discipline found in Matthew 18:15-17, they need to be rebuked publicly in a church setting (see 1 Timothy 5:19-20).

When these "men of God" preach, those who listen need to search the Scriptures to see if the things being said align with the truth of the Bible (see Acts 17:11).

But, if there is no big sin to confront and these men are faithfully preaching God's Word and leading in a way consistent with Scriptural principles, then their position as a "man of God" needs to be taken seriously. 

This does not mean that there are special privileges for these men or anything of the sort. It does not mean that they are better than any other follower of Jesus. It simply means that they have a calling upon their life to teach and lead God's people on His behalf.

They are "men of God."

Disagreements don't have to separate us

DAILY BIBLE READING:

2 Kings 6:1–7:20 
Acts 15:36–16:15 
Psalm 142:1-7 
Proverbs 17:24-25

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Ephesians 4:32 (CSB) "And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Our Verse for Today is not found in today's daily reading. Yet,  in our Bible reading today, we see where it was desperately needed.

In Acts 15, we read that Paul and Barnabas wanted to go back to visit some of the cities in which they had previously preached. They wanted to see how the believers were fairing. But a very serious argument occurred as they were selecting who would go with them.

Acts 15:36-40 "After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, 'Let’s go back and visit the brothers and sisters in every town where we have preached the word of the Lord and see how they’re doing.' Barnabas wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take along this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed off to Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas and departed, after being commended by the brothers and sisters to the grace of the Lord."

Barnabas, the perpetual encourager who was always willing to overlook offenses, wanted to take John Mark. Paul, a man who was more task-oriented than people-oriented didn't want John Mark to go. This young man had deserted them on a previous trip and Paul didn't want a quitter anywhere near him.

The argument got so heated that Paul and Barnabas separated. Barnabas took John Mark and Paul chose Silas.

Fortunately, Paul later recognized that he was wrong. Any apologies that may have been said are not recorded in Scripture. Yet, we see clear evidence that Paul eased up on John Mark and sought to affirm him rather than reject him. 

Just read these words penned by the Apostle Paul as he wrote his last letter before he was executed by the Romans. He asked Timothy to come to him soon and...

2 Timothy 4:9-11 "Make every effort to come to me soon ... Bring Mark with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry."

Did you see that last sentence? Paul not only wanted to see John Mark, he said that he was useful to him in ministry. Previously, he wanted to do ministry without him but now he was saying that Mark was a helpful associate in ministry.

Isn't it great to see that two men serving the Lord actually demonstrated in their own lives the kind of grace that they preached about to others? 

Oh, and by the way, Mark wasn't sitting on the sidelines waiting for Paul to affirm him. He was actively involved in ministry as he faithfully assisted the Apostle Peter and wrote the Gospel that bears his name.

So, from this, we can draw at least two applications to take with us today:

- We're going to disagree with others from time to time. But, it doesn't need to separate us. Recognize that since we have been forgiven and accepted by Jesus, we should extend the same acts of grace to others.

- We should not rely upon the affirmation of others to determine what we do for the Kingdom. While it feels good to be accepted by others, we are ultimately working to please our King. So, get busy in ministry regardless of what others may or may not think of you.

Responding to correction

DAILY BIBLE READING:

2 Kings 4:18–5:27 

Acts 15:1-35 

Psalm 141:1-10 

Proverbs 17:23

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 141:5 (CSV) "Let the righteous one strike me - it is an act of faithful love; let him rebuke me - it is oil for my head; let me not refuse it. Even now my prayer is against the evil acts of the wicked."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Our Verse for Today can only be understood and appreciated by someone who genuinely wants to pursue holiness. All others will simply pass over it and not give it a second thought.

This verse is powerful. The Psalmist is saying that even though it would be painful to his pride, he recognizes that being rebuked is actually an act of love. He wants those painful words!

Why? 

Because the Psalmist realized that if someone truly loved him and desired for him to live in such a way that his actions would be pleasing to the Lord, then he needed them to point out his sins. Sometimes, his sinful heart may not acknowledge the sin. Other times, he may not even be aware of the sin. So, he needed those who loved him to point them out.

And rather than resisting this potentially painful experience, he longed for it. He wanted to live in such a way that his actions pleased the Lord and he needed others to help him grow in holiness.

So, friend, how do you respond to correction? Do you resist it? Do you get angry? Do you sever relationships when someone is painfully honest with you?

Or do you desire for others to point out your weak spots so you can address that area of your life?

Friend, we need each other. If we truly love each other and desire holiness, we need to love each other enough to point out areas of concern in each other so we can grow in holiness.

Application:

- Ask God to grow your desire for holiness.

- Give others permission to point out sin in your life.

- When you are corrected, listen and then pray about what God is saying.

- If necessary, point out areas of sin in those around you but make sure that you are doing so because you love that person.

Christian positive thinking

DAILY BIBLE READING:

2 Kings 3:1–4:17 
Acts 14:8-28 
Psalm 140:1-13 
Proverbs 17:22

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Proverbs 17:22 (CSB) "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

What we think about is just as important as what we eat. In reality, it's probably more important.

I'm sure that you've noticed within our American culture that quite frequently a food or beverage will be labeled unhealthy. Whether it's sugar, or sugar substitutes, or fried foods, or carbonated drinks, we are told to avoid these products because they are not good for our body.

However, our culture is not nearly as concerned with what our minds feast on. Yet, our Verse for Today reminds us that the state of our minds directly affects the state of our bodies. It tells us that if we are happy, it is like medicine to our bodies and if we are broken and depressed, it adversely affects our body in powerful ways.

Proverbs 17:22 "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones."

Everyone of us has experienced the truth of this verse. 

We can remember spending time with friends and laughing so hard that our cheeks hurt - but we felt so alive! We needed less sleep. Any aches we may have had temporarily disappeared. We just felt great!

Yet, we may also know what it is like to feel utterly defeated, completely hopeless, and hopelessly depressed. Even if the sky was brilliantly blue, the sun was shining, the birds were singing, and everything else was going wonderfully well, we didn't notice. We just felt like staying in bed all day. We had no energy. Our body ached. And we dreaded another day.

Friend, what you think about and how you respond to what happens to you directly affects everything else in your life. If you allow your mind to dwell on the negative, then eventually, your body will feel the effects ... and it's a downward spiral. Yet, if you insist on thinking only about what is good and right, this too will affect your body and everything else.

As a Christian, we struggle with our thought life just like anyone else. Yet, there is no reason that we should be negative. There is so much going for us!

God is our Father.

Nothing can happen to us without coming from His hands.

He has promised to work everything for our good.

Jesus, our older brother, died to make us a part of His family.

God's Holy Spirit has taken up residence in our body.

One day, we will be with our Lord in Heaven forever and ever.

On and on we could go.

So, keep your chin up and only think about what is good!

Colossians 3:2-4 "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

Philippians 4:8 "Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable - if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy - dwell on these things."

Stress and the need to get away

Sometimes the stresses of life can overwhelm us. 

Stresses at work. 

Stresses at home. 

Stresses of relationships. 

Stresses of money. 

Etc., etc., etc.

As a former Bible teacher used to tell me (using the King James Bible phrase 'come apart' which means to separate yourself from your present situation): 

"Come apart or you'll come apart."

Being a pastor certainly carries it's own set of stresses, most of which are not visible to those we serve. And added to these stresses is the fact that a pastor is on the clock 24 hours a day, seven days a week and he never officially "clocks out" so he can never fully unwind.

Many other professions are, in their own way, equally stressful. It's not necessarily that things are bad or unhealthy. It's just the nature of the job.

So, I needed to come apart or I felt like I would come apart.

Well, my wife and I took a mini-vacation recently. We went to Memphis for a few days to just de-stress and focus on each other as we celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. While I did some work and made some ministry phone calls on our little get-away, being away just made it feel a lot less stressful.

(And please realize that I serve in a great church. The folks I serve love me and I certainly love them. But, stress can build even in the best of scenarios.)

While I was on vacation, I watched as my Fitbit generated the Resting Heart Rate (RHR) data. It was incredibly insightful when I compared my vacation RHR data to my RHR data when I am in my ministry context. Looking at the data, it seems clear that stress has adverse affects on the body and a periodic vacation is a very healthy and needed thing.

But, before I show you the chart with the data, let's define what a resting heart rate is...

Resting Heart Rate: the number heartbeats per minute when your body is in a state of rest. This measurement is usually taken moments after you have awakened in the morning.

"The usual range for resting heart rate is anywhere between 60 and 90 beats per minute. Above 90 is considered high. ... (In his prime, champion cyclist Lance Armstrong had a resting heart rate of just 32 beats per minute.) Stress, medications, and medical conditions also influence the heart rate." (from Harvard Health Publications)

So, here are my numbers. I'm a runner so my numbers are lower than average (low is good). I bet you can tell when I was enjoying some "away" time with my wife.

Resting Heart Rate for past 30 days

The slippery slope on this chart started as we were preparing to leave on vacation. The lowest recorded RHR (58 bpm) was logged by my Fitbit on the last morning of my vacation as we prepared to head back.

My personal data isn't that drastic. My running habit certainly keeps the numbers lower than they ordinarily would be (Running is a wonderful stress reducer.). But, it does show that getting away and de-stressing is good for our mind and body.

And if it's true of pastors, it's true of you, my friend. 

Returning to holiness

DAILY BIBLE READING:

2 Kings 1:1–2:25 
Acts 13:42–14:7 
Psalm 139:1-24 
Proverbs 17:19-21

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 139:23-24 (CSB) "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Psalm 139 is a wonderful Psalm for quite a few reasons. Let me share two.

First, there are three "omni's" that speak of God's immensity:

Omniscient = God knows all things completely.
Omnipresent = God is completely everywhere at all times.
Omnipotent = God can do anything God wants to do.

So, when we look at the structure of Psalm 139, we realize that it can easily be divided into three sections. Further, each of these sections align with one of the "omni's" of God.

Psalm 139:1-6 = Omniscience of God
Psalm 139:7-12 = Omnipresence of God
Psalm 139:13-16 = Omnipotence of God

It is significant that the Holy Spirit led the Psalmist to illustrate these three attributes of God in relationship to him. God is omniscient (He knew everything about David); God is omnipresent (no matter where David went, God would be there); God is omnipotent (God was actively working to form David when he was en utero).

The remainder of the Psalm speaks of the Psalmist's amazement that such an incredible, infinite God would care so much for him (Psalm 136:17-18). He further asked that his infinite God would pronounce judgement on those who hate Him (Psalm 136:19-22). And finally, he asks that his infinite God would assist him in his desire to be holy and set apart for God (Psalm 136:23-24).

This final section is what I have chosen for our Verses for Today. Psalm 136:23-24 can be a wonderful prayer that we offer up to God if we want to do a thorough "spring cleaning" in our heart. 

Oftentimes, unconfessed sin can be forgotten and therefore never resolved. There can also be sin patterns in our hearts that we don't even notice. These scenarios and more will keep us from enjoying our God.

So, consider praying the words of Psalm 136:23-24 from your heart for the next few days and listen intently to what God may reveal. If there is some sin that you become aware of, completely confess and repent (turn away from it).

Our infinite God and Father wants us to live in such a way that we are not burdened down with guilt (legal and experiential). He also wants us to reflect His glory to others (show others by our lifestyle how good He is). The only way He can do this is if we are clean in His sight.

So, let the words of our Verses for Today be what God uses to begin the cleaning process.

Psalm 139:23-24 "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way."