before the sun goes down

"Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in His sight" (I Chronicles 19:13).

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

I Have a Testimony Because of His Testimonies

"Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them" (Psalm 119:129).
 
This is a testimony about His testimonies.

Why don't we delight in the Book of books?
 

It is the key to all wisdom, its precepts are true.  Why should we not build a love for it in children?

My parents started reading the Scriptures to me from
the time I was still in the womb.  It was what was used to show me the way of salvation, and I received Jesus as my Saviour at age 3 1/2.   All through my childhood and teen years, it was my joy and stay. Now it is a treasure and map for my life, and the sword with which I can do battle, and contend for souls!  

God promises to bless those who meditate on it day and night.
Why do we neglect such a gift?  

I have read the Bible through many times now in the past years, and continue to do so.  Each time, I learn something new. Look up Psalm 119:97-104 to see a few of the great things that come from spending time with God in His word:
Those who meditate on God testimonies will
*love God's word
*be wiser than their enemies.
*understand more than their teachers.
*understand more than the ancients.
*refrain their feet from the evil way.
*not depart from God's way.
*will find God's words to be sweet and nourishing.
*will be able to recognize and reject false ways.

I memorized Psalm 119 back in 2007. It has been such

an overwhelming blessing to me.  It is one of my favorite psalms. (I only have 150 favorite psalms!) :)

I give God the glory for saving and keeping a wretch like me, and I earnestly plead with you, brethren, by the mercies of
God, that you use your time for the Kingdom of God.
 
I would ask, What are your days but as an handbreadth?  That is what Psalm 34:4-5 tells us.  That is not much time. Another word for that is a "span."  Ever hear of a lifespan? We don't have that long to be here!  

If you know Jesus as your Saviour, "What on earth are you doing for Heaven's sake?" Are you studying and meditating
on Scripture as God has commanded and promised to bless?
(Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1)

Are you actively witnessing, handing out tracts, sharing the gospel as our Saviour commissioned us to do? (Mark 16:15) What are you doing with the days you have left?

Should we not heed Paul's exhortation to be "redeeming the
time, because the days are evil"
(Ephesians 5:16)? Does it not say, "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" (Psalm 90:12)? "...And he that winneth souls is wise" (Proverbs 11:30)?

Consider the following averages of how people use their time:


"How much time does the AVERAGE MAN who lives to be 70 spend on
various activities? He will spend, according to Pace Productivity (who are experts in time use):"
 
23 years sleeping (8 hours a night)
19 years in leisure
7 years in travel
6 years in eating
3 years in illness
2 years in personal grooming
1 year in religious pursuits (such as church, prayer, bible reading, witnessing, etc.)

I SURE DON'T WANT TO BE THE AVERAGE MAN!


I sure don't want to have to stand before my Lord, and have to

tell Him that I wasted the breathe and time He gave me to spend hours and hours, days and days, weeks and weeks, months and months, years and years, doing questionable, or even OK activities, and neglected the real reason I was left on earth: To glorify my Creator and Saviour, by letting my light so shine, preaching the word, loving and spending time in the Bible, winning souls, being ready to give an answer about what I believe, standing against evil, encouraging my brethren in the Lord, and seeing God do MARVELOUS things!

May we wake up, sin not, and get to work, for some have not the
knowledge of God, and it is to our shame. (Read I Corinthians 15:34)

I have seen people obsessed with video games, fanatic
about sports, and passionate about cars, etc. This is usually seen as a fine, expected thing to get into. Why is it then considered some strange thing, when a Christian gets excited about being
passionate and open about the Bible and following what it says?

As David asked, "IS THERE NOT A CAUSE?" I wish to be
a man of valor for Christ, driven by Gods will, directed by God's word, digging into God's work! That is a cause that I will cast myself into with all my heart! For the rewards are eternal. Read Psalm 119:139 to see the heart throb that we need for the Book. So many people have forgotten the words of God.  They need to hear. Who will tell if you don't?

"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation,

that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of
whom I am chief"
(I Timothy 1:15).



"But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast know the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (II Timothy 3:14-17).


There is still time to win a battle before the sun goes down.