Tuesday, January 6, 2009

TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD) ~~~~~The Beginning~~~~~

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER in the WORD.

We are just beginning this journey together. So whether you are joining in the blogging or just coming for reading and commenting - we welcome you.

Our intention is to be accountable to read the Word together this year. And then the bloggers will blog (and comment) and the others will read and comment. Please let it be a source of encouragement and challenge and accountability.

There really are no set rules. Like I previously posted - do not let this become a burden. Our enemy would love that. Because if we view it as a burden - we will quit. Just as we saw this week in our reading (Luke 4), when Jesus was tempted by Satan, he quoted Scripture. He stood on the Word of God. We must do the same. When tempted - we do not give into the temptation. We do not quit. We dive deeper into the Word. That is our line of defense - for EVERY situation.

Enough for my intro for this week... So, now I want to share with you a couple of very familiar passages that ministered to me. It was from the very first day.



Psalms 1:1-2, "(Blessed-happy- is the man... ) his delight is in the law of the Lord and on His law he meditates day and night."

and

Psalms 2:12, "Blessed -happy- are all who take refuge in Him."

I spent some time meditating on these two verses. Happiness. We all desire it. But many times - we search in all the wrong places. These verses tell us where and how to be truly happy.

Three thoughts:

First, my "delight" must be in the Word... and that will lead to spending time there. Consistently. A priority in my life. It is vital for my Christian walk. Blessed (happy) is the man/woman who delights in the Word.

Second, I will meditate on this Word - day and night. As I meditate - it will literally fill and/or filter my thoughts.

Third, I will be happy/blessed when I run to Him for refuge. Where do I run in times of need? in times of hurt? in times of distress (STRESS)? in times of trouble? even in times of rejoicing? The answer is in Him. He is to be my refuge.


Here are a few other passages that were referenced in this scripture about refuge. I will let them speak for themselves. I pray that they will minister to you as they did to me.


Psalms 34:8, Psalms 84:12, Psalms 146:5, Proverbs 16:20, Isaiah 30:18


Let me end with a note about that last passage. (Isaiah 30:18) The Lord WAITS to be gracious to you. He exalts Himself to show mercy to you. We take our refuge in Him. We find the happiness that we so desire. And He waits to be gracious to us. He is wanting to show us His mercy.


Oh that is good.

So, now it is your turn. Sign in to Mister Linky. Remember to leave a comment. Post on your blog. Link back to here for more TUESDAYS TOGETHER. For the non-bloggers, please leave your comments. And even share your thoughts and lessons learned this week too. We want you to be a part of our journey together whether you blog or not. Then we all need to visit each other. Share in the encouragement and challenge and accountability.






11 comments:

Blog is no more said...

DeeDee, you did not say anything about the version of Scripture to use, but I use the New Century version, I can just understand it better. ;)

Anyway, Proverbs 16:20 speaks to me - "Whoever listens to what is taught will succeed, and whoever trusts the Lord will be happy."

I have a post over at my place about this verse.


DeeDee, this is great! Glad you had the Inspiration to start this.

DeeDee said...

It does not matter what Version of Scripture to use. I am currently using the ESV. But I will often read a particular passage in several different versions.

So... it is your choice.

Sweet blessings to you all!
~dd

Laurie Ann said...

This is a wonderful way to start off the new year. Reading God's Word has been a delight for me. I love it. Great thoughts, DeeDee. (I use the NIV mostly, but have recently discovered the Amplified and ESV and NLT and revert to ye olde KJV when necessary. I love them all. I'm still making friends with The Message version - it's definitely different!)

Tricia said...

Hey DeeDee! I am so glad you are doing this, it is a great way to share what God has shown us and read what He has shown others. I think it is so neat that we are all reading the same passages, yet the Lord speaks to all of us differently, He speaks just what we need to hear...

Blessings!

Susanne said...

I love this!! This is just the kind of accountability I need... thanks so much, DeeDee! I'll try to check in next week!

Amydeanne said...

While it's been crazy here today and I have had blog issues, and a few other children issues! lol This is a great reminder to make sure I go and sit down and do this right now!!
I don't get to read much in one sitting, and I'm working at retaining my info this year! Instead of just skimming! bad habit from school days!

Kelly @ Sufficient Grace Ministries said...

Thanks so much for doing this DeeDee. At first, I was thinking, "Can I commit to one more thing?" But, now I'm so glad I did. This is a wonderful idea. And I hope we can all encourage one another as we grow and go deeper in the Word. I like what you said about taking delight in His Word and meditating on His word day and night. Aren't we always so blessed when we spend our time with Him?

Susan said...

Dee Dee,

Thank you for sharing. You're a blessing to me!

:-) Susan

Kelly Ellison said...

I just love reading about how the Lord speaks through His word.

Amen to your point about needing to be in the word consistently. Praying that the accountiblity of this group will encourage us all to be in His word more consistently.
Thank you for your blog!
Kelly

Denise said...

Sweetie, I have been in the hospital, just got home today. Sorry I missed the first tuesdays together in the word. I will be posting mine friday. Then join you on tuesday. I love you.

Darlene said...

I am reading the plan...just too much drama on Tuesday...I forgot it was even Tuesday till too late!!

I hope to take part this next week and then be on track.

Keep Praying....
Darlene