Day 4 A Sentimental Journey Through Psalm 1:1 and Psalm 1

Day 4 A Sentimental Journey Through Psalm 1:1 and Psalm 1  

3 CROSS-REFERENCES (CONT.)
On Day 2, we looked at several cross-references for Psalm 1:1. Today, we will continue to look at more of them. I may or may not write them out here. Please look them up on your own regardless. They are important. Just because I may not talk about them, it doesn't mean they won't speak into your life. I'm just trying to look at the verses that I think are most important in my life and will share my thoughts with you about them. you might find others most important in your life. So, please, look all of them up in your favorite versions of the Bible (yes, the versions was a plural--meaning look up several translations in order to get the most out of this exercise). 

WHY ARE CROSS-REFERENCES IMPORTANT?
They help deepen our understanding of the verse we are studying and help deepen our understanding of the chapter, the Bible Book, and the Bible as a whole. 
How? They get us to look at more books of the bible and see how they work hand-in-hand with the book we are reading and studying, along with the book we are studying, and the Testament as a whole, and the Bible as a whole. 
This is the beauty about the bible. One word in one verse can be traced to other verses and chapters within the book we are studying, within the Testament we are studying, and the Bible as w hole. They all come to play each time we look at one word, let alone look at a verse or a passage. I know I have repeated this again for the third time in two paragraphs, but please know there is a reason for it. It is important. That's why.
Every time we read one word in the Bible, or one verse, we must, without fail, take it in context. Hence, we must look at how it applies, and adds meaning to: the verse we are studying, the four verses before and after, the chapter we are studying, the Book we are studying, the Testament in which we are studying, and the Bible as a whole. We must take each of those into account each time we read one word and one verse of the bible, let alone multiple. Cross-references help with this. (Note: We will talk more about context in a section later in this study of Psalm 1:1, by the way.)

CROSS-REFERENCES OF PSALM 1:1 (CONT.)

Matthew 16:17

Luke 11:28: Here is an example of reading a verse and seeing right away how important context is. The verse addresses things that are not said in the verse. We are missing information. So, we must look at the context  (and should do so anyway, regardless). Read Luke 11:15-36 for the best context of Luke 11:28. Prayer journal your thoughts.

Now, after reading it and praying on it and about it, let's look at: 

Luke 11:28 / New King James Version (NKJV)
28 But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” 

-- NKJV: Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

How else are we blessed? When we hear the Bible (read it, think it, study it, pray it) and do what it says (apply it to our lives). 

Lord, help me to do so. Help me to live in this manner. Teach me to apply the Word to my life so I may live it and do what God tells me to do.

John 13:17 is another example of needing context. Read John 13:12-21 and prayer journal the context and what verse 17 means in particular and how it applies to Psalm 1:1. 

John 20:29 needs more context as well. Let's look at John 20:24-31. 

Want more blessing in your life? Life John 20:29:

John 20:29 / New American Standard Bible (NASB)
29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”  

-- NASB: Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.  

Lord, what an important verse. Help me to live this verse in my life--and to live it well. Teach me how.

Revelation 22:14

Psalm 81:12 is an example of how not to live out Psalm 1:1. 

Genesis 5:24 Walk with God, not with anyone who can lead you astray.

Leviticus 26:27-28

1 Kings 16:17-34 is a very important passage to remind us of the slippery slope we walk if we walk with or near the wrong crowd. Read this passage carefully and pray over it a great deal. It is important for us to think about everything this means in our lives. For example, we need to be careful of those who we vote into office at elections. We also need to make sure the leaders in our lives are truly leaders we should respect and follow. What else is God saying to you about this verse? Any of us could fall prey to these verses, regardless of how much we try to deny it. We are all sinners. We really could fall into this trap and think these things. So, how can we avoid them personally and with those we allow in our lives? 

Spend a great deal of time today and tonight pondering these verses. Carry them with you today and tonight and keep listening to what God has to tell you about 1 Kings 16:17-34 in your life. 

We will look more at cross-references tomorrow. 

Write a summary of today's reading, studying, prayer journaling, and praying of the Word of Psalm 1:1 in your prayer journal.
Now, write a prayer about what you have learned and what God has put on your heart.