PRAYER FOR GOOD CONDUCT

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer!" (Psalm 19:14 NKJV).

We pray for many things, but seldom do we pray for good conduct. As believers in Jesus, good conduct should be our way of life. Thus it should be at the top of the list of things we pray for. Our verse speaks of the subjects of conduct, the standard of conduct, and the Sanctifier of conduct.

Subjects of conduct – “Words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart.” The Psalmist is concerned about two important matters of conduct: his mouth and his meditations.

Mouth: It is very important to have a mouth that is sanctified. Too often the tongue is a cesspool of iniquity spewing out filth all the time. Many tongues are full of lies and profanity which hurt people and dishonor God. But a good tongue is a benefit to everyone.

Meditations: Since our thoughts are the key to our deeds, we need a good thought life. It was Solomon who said, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Prov. 23:7). We are what we think! Evil thoughts will produce evil conduct. If we want holiness in life, we need to pray for a sanctified thought life.

Standard of conduct – “Acceptable in Your sight, O Lord.” The Psalmist prays that his conduct will meet with God’s approval which is the highest of standards. Some folks only want man’s only approval. However, the true standard of right and wrong is God’s standard. We need to choose to live by God’s standards if we want be of high moral character.

Sanctifier of conduct - “O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” The Lord is the One who can sanctify us; He is our Redeemer. After He saves us, He gives us strength to live a holy life. Thus Paul could say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). Since we are not able to break sin’s grip on our lives, Christ both saves and strengthens us.

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“A changed life is the result of a changed heart!”

Anonymous

Word Study

Declare

In Heb. 11:14 we read, “For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland” (NKJV).

Declare is the is the Greek word emphanizō (ἐμφανίζω = em-fan-id'-zo). It made up of two words: “en” which means in, into, and “phanizō” which means to show, make visible, make conspicuous, to lay something open to view so all can see. Thus the word means to exhibit, reveal, make known, and appear.

In Classical Greek emphanizō means to demonstrate, to show in a secular sense and to make manifest in a religious sense. In the Septuagint emphanizō means to manifest, show, to make known, or to reveal. In the New Testament, emphanizō depicts the making of an official report, to inform, to demonstrate, and to appear. In John 14:21, the Lord Jesus promised to emphanizō reveals, manifest Himself only to those who love Him and are loved by the Father.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – The Messiah would own the title of King (Psalm 2:6)

New Testament Fulfillment – Matt. 2:2

Bible Facts

Foods Jesus Ate

Jesus ate bread (Matt. 26:26), which has been a common food throughout history. He ate clean meats such as lamb (Luke 22:15) and fish (Matt. 4:19). He may have eaten eggs because of His statement that eggs is a good gift (Luke 11:12-13). The Old Testament says that Jesus would eat butter and honey (Isa. 7:15). Luke 24:42-43 says that Jesus ate broiled fish and honeycomb after His resurrection.

Bible Quiz

Where did Job live?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: According to Ephesians 2, what part of the building did the apostle Paul compares the Lord Jesus to? Chief corner stone (Eph. 2:20)

That’s in the Bible

"Smote them hip and thigh”

"And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter; and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock of Etam” (Judges 15:8 KJV).

“Smote them hip and thigh” - The expression “smote them hip and thigh” carries the idea of savagely attacking your enemies with anything. For killing his former wife and father-in-law (15:6), Samson retaliated by killing many of the Philistines. The lesson here is that violence breeds violence; sin begets sin and ends in destruction. Yet, Scripture is clear and straightforward: we are not to seek revenge or retaliate against people. Rom. 12:19 declares, “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord” (NKJV).

Did You Know – Christian History

David Nasmith was born March 1799 in Glasgow, Scotland. He was the founder of The City Mission Movement in the UK, the US and in Europe.

Nasmith was a devout Christian. Although he began life in manufacturing as an apprentice, his energy and passion was missions. At the age of 15, he was one of the founders of ‘Youths’ Societies.’ The aim of the society was to support the Bible Society, Foreign Missions, and Tract distribution. Still not content, Nasmith applied to mission organizations but was refused on the grounds that he was not educated enough. Realizing that God had other plans for him, he turn his focus home to Glasgow where he worked increasingly with the poor and prisoners of the city.

In 1826, Nasmith set up the Glasgow City Mission. His vision was to offer Christian care to any in need, whether physical, emotional or spiritual. The mission was also concerned with the education of the people they were caring for. Glasgow City Mission responded to high illiteracy rates by being one of the first charities in the world to provide evening literacy classes for adults. They also provided ground-breaking evening ‘Chimney Sweep Schools for children’ who had to work at the cost of their education. Nasmith went on to start City Missions throughout the UK, and from this model, the City Mission movement spread around the world.

The many City and Gospel Missions around the world are testimony to his work. He inspired others to set up City Missions around the world. These are also known as Gospel Rescue Missions in the USA. City Missions are practical religion outside the walls of the church and an example of Evangelical parachurch organizations. Nasmith also founded the Young Men’s Christian Association in Glasgow, and set the institution at work in other cities and around the world. His life work was noted for being instrumental in welding the various denominations together for useful purposes.

Unlike other reformers, no church or college has been named after Nasmith. No church doctrine or point of theology is attributed to him. What can be found all over the world is the fruit of his vision in the form of City Missions, practical religion outside the walls of the church. It is important to reform society and to take the message of Christ’s love and personal salvation to those who do not come into the doors of the church.

Nasmith died poor at the age of 40 on Christmas Day 1839 at Guildford, Surrey, England.

A Little Humor

How do you know when a politician the truth? When he pulls his ears, he is telling the truth; when he rubs his nose, he is telling the truth; but when he opens his mouth, he is lying.

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“No reformation can ever take the place of regeneration!”