Psalm 1
Remain grounded by staying in God’s Word.
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. —Psalm 1:1-3
Psalm 119:105 – Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
When thinking about this Psalm, considered the times you were in a dark room unable to see. Without the ability to see exactly what’s around you, you’re prone to bump into one of a bed post, dresser, or television stand. You can injure yourself while trying to navigate to another part of the room.
As we live in a world surrounded by darkness, we’re often injured by trials, tribulations, and sin. No matter how badly we want to navigate through this dark place, we will only hurt ourselves and others without God’s Word. It is God’s Word that will allow us to see where we have been, keep us mindful of the steps ahead, and allows us the opportunity to choose the path we know we should be on (Psalm 1:1, Psalm 37:23). However, we can’t flick God’s Word on and off when convenient. We must stay in His Word and allow it to guide our steps.
The light is available to us…we only need to use it.
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/timschell
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/bjearwicke
1 Corinthians 10:31 – Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
1. There are many compartments in our lives. Many Christians live their lives like train compartments. One compartment may represent their home life; another compartment is for work; and another for church, etc. Each compartment carries its own set of rules, standards, and customs.
In the compartment of our home life (for example), we may act, lead, and love according to our upbringing and our position in the home. Because the home is closed to the outside world (unless you welcome people over), you will often be the most ‘loose’ with your mouth and behavior than in any other compartment.
The work ‘compartment’ encompasses another set of rules, standards, and customs separate from the home compartment. Some work centers encourage (or influence) people to dress, talk, and conduct themselves in a specific manner to be accepted or promoted. There is an unwritten desire or need to become one of the ‘guys or girls’ in the office where they are known by their superiors positively. In many work centers, the goal is to reach the ‘top,’ and many do so without the slightest concern for how they get there. Such strivings may influence or ‘encourage’ people to compromise their moral standards and conduct.
The church ‘compartment’ is fitted with a set of rules, standards, and customs different from the other two. This compartment is filled with outward displays of piety and godliness. Some churches also carry specific (or unwritten) rules for dress or conduct. Additionally, congregations will often worship the Lord in similar fashion (based on their affiliation or cultural background). Their children are well kept and their family is pictured as the Christian model for all, even if this is not true in the home compartment.
2. Only one rule must exist among our life compartments. Our lives may have different compartments of home, work, church, etc., but only one rule must govern them all, to the glory of God. Jesus has given two great commandments that should govern our conduct (Matthew 22:36-40).
As Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, he stated that whether they ate, drank, or whatever they did, to do it for the glory of God. Some definitions of glory from the translated Greek are magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, grace; majesty; the kingly majesty that belongs to him as supreme ruler, majesty in the sense of the absolute perfection of the deity.1 In every thing we do and in every situation, God is to be glorified.
3. How to glorify God in each compartment of life.
Some people would ask, ‘how do I glorify God in eating or drinking?’
If we look back on the definition of glory above and consider the things that we eat, drink, and do on a daily basis, consider this:
- Do you eat to where you become gluttonous? Filthy? Pig-like? Do you eat foods that God would not be pleased to see you eat? Do you eat fattening foods that cause you to gain excessive weight, creating numerous health problems? Would this type of eating honor God and your body, where the Holy Spirit dwells (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)?
- For the things you drink, do you become drunk with alcohol (even if it is in your own home)? Do you drink to the point where you would dishonor your own body by consuming liquids that are clearly unhealthy and destroy your body? Would the Lord be pleased and glorified?
- What about your conduct… When working with difficult bosses, do you apply Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:38-45? Or do you treat them like the world would treat them, curse at them, and ensure they know you don’t like them? Do you work each task and responsibility to the best of your ability? Do you love others as yourself and give each person the very best of what you have to give?
4. Living for God’s glory is moment-to-moment. Living for God’s glory requires a concentrated effort with each situation and circumstance. It will require some of the following (this is not an exhaustive list):
- Times of prayer and intimacy with the Lord throughout the day
- Bridling the tongue from speaking falsely, course joking, and saying evil things (Proverbs 21:23; Ephesians 4:29, 5:1-4; James 1:26, 3:3-13)
- Meditating on scriptures throughout the day that help us stay focused on the Lord (Psalm 1:1-3)
- Fellowship with like Christians that motivate and encourage you
- Remaining unspotted from the world and its ways (this may require separating yourself from certain events and people) – Psalm 1:1; James 1:27
1 – Blue Letter Bible. “Dictionary and Word Search for doxa (Strong’s 1391)”. Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2012. 26 Jan 2012. http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1391&t=KJV
Psalm 1:1-5 – Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
The first Psalm begins with how a man can be blessed. Immediate attention is given to those characteristics:
1. A blessed man does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly. The ungodly may say if someone hits you, hit them back twice as hard. However, the Word of God calls us to love, forgive, and show mercy. A blessed man must be cautious of the sources they receive counsel. A blessed man must allow the scriptures and godly counsel to direct and guide them.
When fighting the good fight of faith, you’ll experience adversaries such as the flesh, Satan, and your lust. It seems that no matter how many times you resist their tempting calls, they continue to attack. Like a boomerang, they return with tempting thoughts, gestures, or situations again and again. Now, if you’re not careful, you’ll fall for their subtle calls to give in. However, in Christ Jesus, there is victory because HE is the great overcomer (Hebrews 12:1-4).
1. Being tempted does not mean you sinned. Your response to temptation determines whether you will give birth to sin or to continue living righteously before God. Jesus lived without sin and was tempted by Satan (see Matthew 4:1-11). He overcame using the Word of God.
What is Doctrine?
Doctrine is considered an instruction or teaching that can be learned or developed through experience. Doctrine is associated with a person’s beliefs; the way they ‘see,’ perceive, or relate to the world around them. Each person has a countless number of doctrines on the issues, people, and situations they experience on a daily basis. The number of doctrines a person has is countless and continues to be shaped and expanded throughout a person’s lifetime.
Within Christianity, sound biblical doctrine is based on the biblical teachings, experiences, pastors, ministers, and interactions with fellow brothers and sisters in the local church community. Within the context of this message, doctrine will encompass God’s Word. God’s Word is the foundation of good sound doctrine:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Friendships (and associations) are important to our lives as social beings. They give up opportunities to express ourselves, share our best and worst moments, do things together, etc. Who we choose to be considered a friend (or even an associate) is very important to the success of our own lives.
However, you must be very careful about who you choose to associate with. If you do not, you may find yourself in compromising situations that may change the course of your life forever. You should be cautious in your associations if:
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