Tag Archives: Keep

Singing with the King (27) – One Thing: (3) Purpose

One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD. (Psalm 27:4)

Men greeting sun One thing. This is a very unifying approach to life, to faith—to whatever. The Hebrew text could actually say: One one I have asked. It may sound redundant, but think about it. Life is filled with one things that we must do, that need our attention. But what is the one One? Or should I say, Who is the only One. Four areas of your life will be changed forever by making the Lord, The One: Priority, Perspective, Purpose, and Practice.

Purpose:

To Love , Obey and Glorify; and unto Salvation…

The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the LORD’S commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good? (Deuteronomy 10:12)

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-5)

For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:20)

By the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began. (2 Timothy 1:8-9)

We have been given a new purpose. We are no longer to look unto our own things, rather we are to look to Jesus. The Sovereign Lord and Creator of the universe has called us to obedience and good works; to fear, glorify and worship Him only. To become like Christ is possible because we have the mind of Christ, and we have His Spirit dwelling within. Indeed, we have for the first time life, not just existence. And with that new life comes new purpose.

Singing with the King (24) – The Ways of the Lord

For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. (Psalm 18:21)

Walking On Road For us to keep the word of the Lord requires commitment, it requires the heart as well as the mind; is that not the nature of obedience? Two verses to put this into the proper context:

Jesus answered, “the foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! The LORD our God is one LORD, and you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and all your mind, and all your strength.’” (Mark 12:29-30)

If you love Me, you’ll keep My commandments. (John 14:15)

After reading that previous verse, it should be obvious what it is we are to keep, if we do indeed love the Lord. And in this Psalm, David kept the ways of the LORD.

Some of the definitions of the way, are path, journey, direction, manner, habit, course of life, and moral character. Do you see how this is so much more than simple obedience? Indeed, keeping or walking in His way defines us: how we think, what we think, what we do, our attitudes, our perception, our character, our ambition; indeed our very lives. Why is that? Consider the radical change that has taken place within us:

When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions. (Colossians 2:13)

For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light. (Ephesians 5:8)

You have been radically transformed from death to life, from darkness to light. Go out there and live Christ, and light up the lives around you!

Singing with the King (15) – Promises, Promises

I will sing your praises forever and will always keep my promises. (Psalm 61:8)

I Promise Always is a pretty tough word to keep. When was the last time you broke your promise? The punishment for such a breach is quite severe:

The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is a false witness and he has accused his brother falsely, then you shall do to him just as he had intended to do to his brother. Thus you shall purge the evil from among you. The rest will hear and be afraid, and will never again do such an evil thing among you. (Deuteronomy 19:18-20)

A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who tells lies will perish. (Proverbs 19:9)

It could be weeks, months, or years; or just in the last few minutes. It could have been huge, or it could have been small. Maybe you ran out of time. Or it got too complicated. Or it was hurting too much. Or maybe, you had no intention of keeping your promise in the first place. Consider the following:

Who may stay in God’s temple or live on the holy mountain of the Lord? Only those who obey God
and do as they should. They speak the truth and don’t spread gossip; they treat others fairly and don’t say cruel things. They hate worthless people, but show respect for all who worship the Lord.
And they keep their promises, no matter what the cost. (Psalm 15:1-3)

He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out. (Proverbs 10:9)

Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass. (Joshua 21:45)

Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

Whether keeping your word, or your promises, may your character reflect the Lord Jesus Christ.