Psalm 1:2 EXB

Day 9 A Review Day

Day 9 A Review Day

HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD WE PLAN FOR A REVIEW DAY?
I will be honest and upfront here. A Review Day is best spent all day and night long. It’s best as a retreat where we can spend as much time as possible in the review, so we can savor it fully.
I’ll confess. I’ve been known to spend more than one day on a Review Day. In fact, more often than not, I devote several days (two days to seven days) in order to do the best review. If you are doing this on your own, you might consider doing the same. After all, no one ever said you have to finish this in 40 days. The only concrete must, and requirement for this Devotional Bible Study, is to do this study every single day for forty days at the minimum.
But, do what you can today and in the future. It’s okay to return to all of this after you finish Day 40 and do more of a review at that time and as time allows. Also, review this study, and your prayer journal of it, every year or more. Again, the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it.  

RE-READ YOUR PRAYER JOURNAL DAYS 1-8
Re-read everything in your prayer journal, including things you wrote today. And, as you do prayer journal about anything that jumps out at you. As you do, prayer journal all of the questions below for everything you write in your prayer journal:
Things to prayer journal and contemplate as you re-read:
Instruction: Make sure to answer each question below for each word, sentence, paragraph, page, AND day that jumps out at you from your prayer journal.
What jumps out at you? Why does it jump out at you?
What questions do you have?
How does this inspire and motivate you?
What does this mean to you and your life?
How can you apply this to your life—starting today? Write out an action plan to apply this to your life.
Why is this important to me to remember?
What am I saying to God?
What is God saying to me?
Take your time and be thorough as you re-read and prayer journal.

RE-READ THE READINGS FROM DAYS 1-8
Re-read everything in the book, including things from today. And, as you do prayer journal about anything that jumps out at you. As you do, prayer journal all of the questions below for everything you write in your prayer journal:
Things to prayer journal and contemplate as you re-read:
Instruction: Make sure to answer each question below for each word, sentence, paragraph, page, AND day that jumps out at you from the reading.
What jumps out at you? Why does it jump out at you?
What questions do you have?
How does this inspire and motivate you?
What does this mean to you and your life?
How can you apply this to your life—starting today? Write out an action plan to apply this to your life.
Why is this important to me to remember?
What am I saying to God?
What is God saying to me?
Take your time and be thorough as you re-read and prayer journal.

BIBLE VERSES
What are the top seven Bible verses that spoke to you the most this week? Write them, word for word, in your prayer journal and answer the following:
Things to prayer journal and contemplate as you re-read:
Instruction: Make sure to answer each question below for each of the seven verses.
What jumps out at you? Why does it jump out at you?
What questions do you have?
How does this inspire and motivate you?
What does this mean to you and your life?
How can you apply this to your life—starting today? Write out an action plan to apply this to your life.
Why is this important to me to remember?
What am I saying to God?
What is God saying to me?
Take your time and be thorough as you re-read and prayer journal.

SUMMARY
Now, write a summary for everything you’ve prayer journaled today. The longer a summary you write, the better. After all, once again, the more you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it.

PRAYER
Write out a prayer to God about the last eight days, plus today. Make it a lengthy prayer. Pour out your heart to Him. Then, listen to Him for an hour or more after you finish saying your prayer.
Make sure to prayer journal all of this. Prayer journal your prayer and everything He says to you.   

Day 8 Psalm 1:1 (Cont.)

Day 8 Psalm 1:1 (Cont.) 

8 COMMENTARY STUDY

8b My additional study  
One of the things I love about Biblehub.com is how they put all of the commentaries on one page, like this for Psalm 1:1:

http://biblehub.com/commentaries/psalms/1-1.htm

So, it makes it easy to look all of the commentaries on Psalm 1:1. 
During my personal study, I've discovered how 'blessing' means what brings and constitutes real happiness (Barnes' Notes on the Bible. Source: http://biblehub.com/commentaries/psalms/1-1.htm). 

There is a real happiness given by the Lord, which is really joy. then, there is a happiness that is temporary and depends upon circumstances--and that is an earthly happiness. It's short-term and rarely lasts. It drifts with the wind, so to speak. Joy, heavenly happiness and blessedness, comes from the Lord and is eternal. It does not depend on circumstances. It's much deeper than that. Joy is found in God and in His Word, nowhere else. Psalm 1:1 reminds us of this.

A happy and blessed individual does not take part in wickedness, listen to it, remain in its presence, or support it in any way. In fact, those things, advice, circumstances, behaviors, presence, and people are avoided. They can lead us to temptation at the very least, sin is the next step if we keep continuing down that road.

We learn how walking signifies a way of life and how we should conduct our lives. Hence, our way of life should not include wickedness or sin, or those whoa re, but should include God and His Word. (Again, see: Barnes' Notes on the Bible. Source: http://biblehub.com/commentaries/psalms/1-1.htm). 

If we are not to listen to the counsel or advice of the wicked, who should we listen to? The Word of God is the answer. Psalm 1:2 supports this as well. There is no other advice we should ever take. The Bible should be where we turn to first for answers, not second, third, or even last. (The Book of Proverbs and Psalm 119 are examples of this.)

I am to be careful with who I associate with.This is the bottom-line and who I listen to.

Something else, though, that comes to mind that I haven't read anywhere else is how I can be my own worst enemy. I can have the little antagonist sitting on my shoulder, trying to get me to justify my bad behavior. Hence, I can get myself into bad situations and give myself bad advice. So, it's important to make sure to test myself against the Bible as well.

There are two types of people in this world: believers and unbelievers. I should associate most with true Christians, not just those who profess it. Those are the ones I should be with the most. 

That being said, Jesus also hung out with those who were not the saints. He did so in order to bring people to God. However, He made sure to put himself in situations where he could handle what the sinners said and did. He made sure He could handle the situation with them. If He knew He couldn't at the time, He would go off alone to pray and be with His Father, God. Also, Jesus hung out mostly with believers. But, he associated with the ungodly--only in the situations he could handle--and not be handled by them.

Prayer journal your thoughts. 

9 SUMMARY PRAYER JOURNAL ENTRY  

Write a summary prayer and write it in your prayer journal, regarding Psalm 1:1.

Day 7 Psalm 1:1 and Psalm 1 (Cont.)

Day 7 Psalm 1:1 and Psalm 1 (Cont.)

Can you believe what all we've accomplished with Psalm 1:1 up to this point? It's been a great deal. I have pages of journaling. There are actually pages upon pages, as a matter of fact. How about you? 
Also, I don't know about you, but I can't believe how much time we've already spend studying this one verse. It's rather mind-boggling.
Our study of Psalm 1:1 has been all self-made to this point. We've looked for the depth of the verse and what it means to us and our lives, through prayer, reading the verse and praying on it, through looking up cross-references, and context. Now, we will look at what others say about it in our Commentary Study. 

WHY DO COMMENTARY STUDY AND WHY DO IT NOW AND NOT EARLIER?
First of all, if someone else has studied this, why didn't we look at what they said first? We went through all of our own study and could have just gone straight to the experts, right?
Well, it's true. We could have.
BUT...
It isn't advisable to just trust man and what man says. Man is a sinner and gets things wrong, for starters. We should never, ever trust a human and what they say, even the great pastors and Bible teachers out there. Rather, we should always check the best source to see what it has to say: The Bible. We should check the Bible against itself first. 
Also, what one person might get out of a verse is something completely different than what God wanted you to get out of a verse. Therefore, it's important for you to study what the Bible says for yourself. 
Then, it's good to see what others have to say. This can add to your understanding. Just make sure what they say lines up with the Bible and everything you've learned. If it doesn't, dismiss it. 

HOW DO YOU CONDUCT A COMMENTARY STUDY?  
Study the verse for yourself first through reading it, through prayer, through cross-references, through context. Then, start a commentary study. 
I always, without fail, look at least three resources at the very least. I recommend five, though. If you can do more, though, great. that's even better. So, for the purpose of our study, we will make it five. After all, we want more of an understanding.
So, where do you find the resources? 
Here is where: 
A Bible Study Tools Commentaries

I recommend using all of these: 
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible 
Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible Complete
The Treasury of David
John Gill's Exposition of the Bible
B Biblehub.com
 Use these:
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Calvin's Commentaries
Clark's Commentary
Darby's Bible Synopsis
Keil and Delitzsch OT Commentary  
Pulpit Commentary
Wesley's Notes on the Bible
C BibleGateway.com
Look up the verse you are studying. Put it in the search box, hit enter. 
When it goes to the screen where it shows you your verse, click on the icon to the right that says, SHOW RESOURCES. 
A box to the right will appear with multiple commentaries and other resources. 
I recommend using at a minimal: Matthew Henry's Commentary. But, you can also use, NIV Application Commentary, Reformation Study Bible, and/or others.   
For the purposes of our study, the five we will use at the minimal are:
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible 
Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible Complete
The Treasury of David
John Gill's Exposition of the Bible  
Keil and Delitzsch OT Commentary   
Use additional resources listed above, or on the sites I linked. I will also bring in these resources and more.  

8 COMMENTARY STUDY
Each Commentary study we do will consist of two parts: 
8a Your personal study
8b My additional study

8a Your personal study 
Go ahead. Study at least the five commentaries we've determined previously.  
Make sure to do LOTS of prayer journaling. With each text, I recommend at least half a page of prayer journaling, preferably an entire page. That's just of notes as you read the commentary. 
Then, prayer journal your response to each of the following for each commentary:
What jumped out at you and why?
What questions do you have?
What issues or problems might you have? 
What did you learn?
What did God say to you?
What did God say to you?
What do you want to apply to your life?
How did this commentary add to your understanding of the verse we're studying? 
Write a summary. 
Write a prayer to God in conclusion.

Day 6 Psalm 1:1 (Cont.)

Day 6 Psalm 1:1 (Cont.)

4 CONTEXT
Today, we're going to look at the context of Psalm 1:1. We will look at six verses before and after the verse. 
Since Psalm 1:1 is the very beginning of the book, we will go into the previous book of the Bible, which is Job. So, let's look at Job 42:10-17 and Psalm 1:2-8. 
Stop. there are only six verses in Psalm 1. It's really Psalm 1:1-6. So, to look at six verses after Psalm 1:1, we will also need to look at Psalm 2:1-2 as well.

CONTEXT?  WHAT IS IT AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? 

Context is knowing how a verse fits in the Bible--and how it makes sense there within. 

Context is knowing where your verse fits and makes sense given the four to six verses before or after your verse (even if it means going to another chapter or book of the Bible). 

Context is knowing how your verse fits in the chapter you are reading, along with the chapter before and after. 

Then, it's knowing how the verse fits in the book of the bible.

Then, context is knowing how your verse fits in the Testament in which it resides.

Context is then knowing where the verse fits in the entire Bible. 

To take a verse alone and think we understand what it means is wrong. This is not correct. Don't fall for this trap. We need to know where our verse fits in to everything I just listed previously. If we don't, we will MISUNDERSTAND the verse. This is why context is so important.  

JOB
Now, let's look at Job 42:10-17.
Prayer journal your thoughts about what you just read, what jumped out at you, what God says to you, and what you say to God. What does God want you to do or remember? Which verses jumped out at you the most? Prayer journal why they did. Also, prayer journal how this helps you understand Psalm 1:1, if at all. Then, read ahead.
I'll be honest. Job 42:10-17 doesn't help me one bit in understanding Psalm 1:1 more. It is a wonderful story, sure. God blessed Job. (Blessing is a key here.) But. how does this help me know more about Psalm 1:1?
Well, I think it would help to learn more about the story of Job. So, that will mean studying some of the Book of Job. (And, that brings us more into the Bible for this study, which is a good thing.)
I recommend reading the first chapter of the book to see if this helps increase understanding. So, let's do that. Read Job 1 now.
Prayer Journaling: Prayer journal your thoughts. What are the key verses, in your opinion, of Job 1? What verses jumped out at you most? What did you learn? What did God say to you? What did you say to God? What do you want to apply to your life? Prayer journal your thoughts again at this point.
The verses that spoke to me, which can and probably will be different from yours were: Job 1:1, Job 1:1-3, Job 1:6-12, Job 1:13-21, Job 1:22. Okay... So, the entire chapter is important in my opinion.
And, Job 1 sure helps us understand Job 42:10-17--then Psalm 1:1. Prayer journal why this is the case. Explain in your prayer journal what you learned and how it all ties together.
Psalm 1:1 reminds us of everything found in Job 1 and 42:10-17. Job was an upright man who loved and feared (revered) God. God blessed Job. And, God will bless the man who lives Psalm 1:1.
Prayer journal your thoughts. 

PSALM 1:2-6; PSALM 2:1-2
You might want to read Psalm 1:1 to begin with and then read the rest with one of your favorite versions of the Bible.

Prayer Journal: Prayer journal about anything that jumps out at you and why. What verses jumped out at you and why? Any questions? thoughts? Issues? What did God say to you? What did you say to God? How do these verses help you to understand Psalm 1:1? Write a summary. Write a prayer to God. 

You may consider doing all of the above with several more translations of the Bible. 

5 APPLICATION

Prayer journal about each of the following:
What can you apply to your life from Psalm 1:1?

From the cross-references?

From the context?

Make an action plan for each in your prayer journal and put it on your calendar and in your schedule.

6 WHAT I SAY TO GOD
This is personal to you. Go through Days 1 to this point and write out what else God is saying that you haven't written already.

7 WHAT GOD SAYS TO ME 
This is personal to you. Go through Days 1 to this point and write out what else God is saying that you haven't written already.   

What Do You Do When You Listen to God?

What Do You Do When You Listen to God?

We've talked about listening to God and how to do that. But, here's a question. So, what do you do when we are listening to God? Are we doing anything?

The simplest is we should always be listening to God, even as we live. 

Okay... What does that mean? 

Most of the time we spend with God throughout our days and nights should be listening (and not talking or ignoring). So, that means the bulk of our time listening is as we carry on with life and do our normal life things: clean the house, cook, drive to work, work, watch TV, wait in line or for an appointment, eating and drinking, exercising, reading a book, etc. We should keep our minds and hearts turned toward Him and listen at all times. 

We should also realize that when we read and study the Bible, in times of prayer, and during our quiet times, and the times devoted to be just God and us alone with no distraction, we should also listen. This is the time I recommend before we start, while in the middle of, and after doing anything of spending quiet time with God, we should have times when we aren't doing anything and listen to God. 

During the quiet and alone time with God, I recommend not doing anything, but prayer journaling whatever He says. We may focus our thoughts by saying something from what we just read or studied, or a memory verse, or just, Lord, for example. Then, wait. When our minds wander, repeat one of those things. Bring our attention back to listening. I recommend doing this for at least ten minutes or so each time, if time allows. 

There will be days you might not hear a single thing from God. That's okay. There may even be weeks and months when this happened, but trust me, if you are regularly in the Word, this is very, very rare. God will talk if we are in His Word. He speaks every time, for it is the Word of God, the Holy Bible. 

But, if you don't hear anything from God, even after ten minutes or an hour, it's okay. Really. It's about being with Him. This matters more than anything. 

There are days my husband and I don't say much to each other at times. Does this mean we love each other less? No. Not at all. It's quite the opposite actually. We are comfortable enough with one another, our love, and marriage that we don't have to fill the quite times with words or actions. It's just being present that means so much. These quiet times I think make our marriage because we are able to hang out together with no pressure. We are not filling it with noise.

It's the same with God. Do not fill the silences. It's okay if you aren't hearing anything. Seriously. Just be present. He is. I guarantee you will get far more out of these nothing times than some times when He or you are talking a great deal. 

Silence is not bad. It's a lie we believe to think that this is the case. It's insecurity speaking as well. Be secure in your relationship with God, where there doesn't always have to be mindless, senseless conversation. There can be moments that are quite special where He and you give each other time. Time is the most precious gift we can give one another. Time is saying to one another, you're important and matter to me. Words and actions do not always convey this.

I also recommend having once a week where you have an hour or more where you do not do anything but listen to God. And, once a quarter, spend at least half a day in silence with God. Then, once a year, spend a day or more in silence.

All of that may sound extreme. Hours with God--just listening? Isn't this a waste of precious time?

Tell me something. Who is the most important one you should ever listen to? 

How can you hear God if you're always busy?

In the noise of this world, which surrounds us, it's hard to hear God. We need to be intentional about this.

Also, can we listen to God while we listen to music? Of course. If it brings us to worship, you bet. I recommend doing this each week as well. I even recommend having intentional time of this, along with listening to sermons as well. 

But, it's the silent times I recommend most. Sneak them in in segments throughout your day. It will bless you. God and you will develop a closer relationship. Your life will also transform.

At first, listening to God in the silence is awkward at best. But, don't give up. Keep doing it. In time, it gets easier. Practice makes it easier and more rewarding. Hang in there. Don't give up. And, don't fill the silences. Listen. Hang out with God if nothing else. Just be there--as He is. Enjoy one another's company. 

Can you think of anything more important or rewarding in your life? 

Enjoy God. That's what listening is. 

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease 2010-2014.)

Take advantage of opportunities

Snow: Is it yucky or is it an opportunity?

Snow: Is it yucky or is it an opportunity?

Is snow a pain, miserable, and yucky--or is it an opportunity? That is the question. 

The weather in my area has been below freezing for two days. We actually got some snow--and it rarely snows here. My husband has been on two-hour delays getting into work the last two mornings. 

Is the snow and ice yucky? Is it something to dislike? Is it something to groan about and complain? 

Snow shows the power and glory of God. The beauty is staggering. It brings moisture and freshens the air. 

Sure, it can be a challenge to drive in, but if you leave early enough (which is the key, by the way... just a tip from this Colorado native gal) , it can be fun. 

Another thing to love about snow: It makes breathing easy. I can breathe easier when it snows. 

Another two-hour delay of hubby going into work. That means less writing time for me today, which with a writing conference coming up, time is precious for my writing. But, do I focus here? No. No way. Why? I like to take advantage of opportunities. The snow brought us a special opportunity to do something unusual on a work day. We went out for breakfast. What a special time. 

Also, I rarely turn on my radio in the car. I use it for quiet time to be with God and listen. but, I turned it on today to a Christian music station--and the song that came on as I got close to home was one of my favorites. So, I sang at the top of my lungs and worshiped God through the glory and splendor of the snow. It gave me an opportunity I would not have had otherwise. I was able to have some special time with both my men this morning--God and hubby. 

Yep. Life is good. 

So, the next time you have something that your first instinct is to take as yucky in your life, turn it into something good. Take advantage of the opportunity God gives you through the yuck. 

To God be the glory!

(Images credit: Microsoft images online 2008-2014.) 

New Cover and Title

I decided to change the title and cover of this book to make it cleaner looking. So, here it is. It is far more appropriate and fitting.

Image courtesy of graur razvan ionut / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Day 5 Psalm 1:1 (Cont.)

Day 5 Psalm 1:1 (Cont.)

HOW LONG IS IT GOING TO TAKE US TO GET THROUGH THE BOOK OF PSALMS? (DO THE MATH)

I think you might be wondering this question at this point. I would be, if I were you. After all, we are not even one-third through our study of Psalm 1:1 and we have already been studying it for two days. So, doing the math, it would take us 6 days to get through each verse at this rate. 

There are 2,461 verses in the Book of Psalms.

This means 2,461 x 6 = 14,766 

14,766 / 365 = 40.455 years is what it will take us to get through this study. right? (Hang on.) 

Now, more math... 

14,766 / 40 = 369.15 books of 40 days is also what it would take. 

This sounds extreme. Who on earth wants to do that?

Please relax. We will look more at this dilemma today. But, first, let me say that some verses, we will spend more than six days studying and some verses, we will spend less. It all depends on what God calls us to do. We will leave it to Him.

My guess, though, is we will spend three days per verse. So, let's do more math.

3 x 2,461 = 7,383 days

7,383 / 365 = 20.227 years

7,383 / 40 = 185 40-day books.

HOW HORRID OF A STUDY!

Who would ever want to do this, let alone commit to it?

That still sounds like a big number, doesn't it? How intimidating. How, shall I be honest here, boring will this be? 

Who on earth would want to do this type of study? It sounds pretty horrid to spend that much time in one book few the Bible, doesn't it? Even with a book as incredible as the Psalms, this sounds about as pleasant as slamming one's hand in a car door--repeatedly. 

However, do you know something we are doing here as these reactions well up within us? We are making judgment. We are actually doing worse than that. we are assuming--and you know what they say about assuming. 

Whoever said Devotional Bible Study has to be as unpleasant as slamming your hand in your front door, or car door, repeatedly? Or, what about pulling healthy teeth? 

It doesn't have to be. 

But, isn't that the way we think today? 

I will address these concerns in the next couple sections of today's Bible study. Hang in there.

ONE VERSE AT A TIME BIBLE STUDY

We should never read, study, or memorize only one verse of the Bible.

Let me repeat: Never.

Why? If we do, we take that verse out of context. We might study it and figure out what just that verse means to us when we read and understand it, but we fail to look at the context, which brings a completely different understanding to the one verse. 

I know. You might disagree with me. After all, most sermons nowadays are based off of one random verse from the Bible. 

But, try this one on for hand. Look up Matthew 18:8-9. read those verses alone. 

According to those verses, we need to cut off our hands or pluck out our eyes. 

But, if we read Matthew 18:1-11 (please do so now), then we gain a much greater understanding of Matthew 18:8-9. Don't we? 

Isn't this just an extreme example? Surely context with each verse of the Bible isn't this important. Right? You may think. 

This is what happens EVERY time we take just one verse and read it and memorize it out of context. Matthew 18:8-9 is what happens when we do not take things into context. Every time. Every single time. We lost the full meaning of the verse. We lose most of what God is saying then and now when we do this. 

Now, let me take one more stand about this. It isn't bad enough that we miss most of what God is saying--then and now. But, then we need to take this into consideration. We are incorrectly handling the Holy Bible. We are not properly handling the Word of God. 

Do understand the gravity of these two errors? 

Yet, isn't that we do all the time--without thinking. 

Stop right there. that's the problem. We aren't thinking.

So, do me a favor, the next time you hear a sermon, are doing a bible study, or hear a radio message, read at least four verses before and after the verse or passage of that message. Move to the next Bible chapter or book, and read them, if you need to in order to get the context. Make sure what you are hearing is really from God and isn't from man, from his or your wishful thinking, or from error. 

Therefore, we should study at least the entire chapter, not just the verse when we do study the Bible. 

How this study differs from those is we will study a verse at a time, but we will also study the entire chapter and the entire book. This helps up keep proper context. 

A FULL STUDY OF A VERSE
I think the reasons why we do not get as much out of reading the Bible and studying it, as we could or should, is because we move too quickly. We try to rush through things. When we rush our Bible reading and/or study, we do not get out as much out of them as we could. Moreover, we do not allow ourselves the time to allow things to fully digest, and for us to grasp it deeply, so we do not learn everything we can from it. Moreover, we do not allow God the time to talk a verse through in our lives.
What an injustice we do with the Word of God.
We are a rush, busy-busy-busy, fast food, digital society that even wants Bible study to be this way. When we take this mentality with us to the throne, and approach the Word of God (and God Himself), we are severely disrespectful to God and the Bible. We are irreverent. We act as though neither are sacred and holy.
Furthermore, when we rush Bible reading and study, it's all about us. Me, myself, and I, the trinity in our lives. Our lives. Ourselves. Our wants. Our needs. Our schedules. We are self-centered. Me-focused. Selfish people.
What about God? What does He want? (Have we even stopped to ask Him? And, did we give Him time to fully answer before we rushed off tto the enxt rat race or crisis?)

DAILY BIBLE READING

One of the dangers of doing a verse by verse Bible study, like this one, where we take several days to study each verse, is that we might miss the rest of the Bible and focus only on the chapter or book we are studying. This is a grave error and should make you concerned. This is why it's important to continue with your Daily Bible Reading. 

What is your daily Bible reading? It's reading the Bible all the way through every 1, 2, or 3 years. I recommend every three years at the minimum. Why? So, the context of the entire Bible stays fresh in your mind. That's why. 

So, make sure you continue this. If you aren't doing it yet, start. To read the Bible through in a year, you need to read 3.25 chapters per day for 365 days. (There are 1,189 chapters in the Bible.)

FOR EXAMPLE: I am reading the Old Testament all the way through in 2 years and the New Testament through in one year. But, I'm also reading the Psalms and Proverbs all the way through in another daily Bible reading plan in a year as well. 

So, having a daily Bible reading plan will help you read the rest of the Bible, other than Psalms, during the time we do this study. This is important

But, also with the cross-references we will do with each verse, we will cover more of the Bible. This is important as well. 

OTHER BIBLE STUDIES

It is possible to do our daily Bible reading, this study, and another Bible study. It just means making sure to schedule in time each day to do all three. 

As a matter of fact, I would recommend this. You can apply what you learn here to the other Bible studies--and you;ll get a great deal more out of them. 

LONG-TERM COMMITMENT

Taking everything we just read in today's lesson, are you ready to really make this a true long-term commitment, where you study it from verse one to verse 2,461? 

Sure. It's intimidating. But, this shows how God is at work. God never calls us to our comfort zones. Never. Rather, He calls us outside of them so He can show us He is God and we, and other humans,a re not. He shows us His glory in the meanwhile. That's why this is a commitment that's so worthwhile. God will use us. He put this idea and book into our hands for a reason. 

Stop. Ask Him the reason now. Prayer journal about this before you continue.

Now, let's continue with our study of Psalm 1:1.

AN AGREEMENT OR TWO

God put this book into your hands for a reason. He had your eye, curiosity, and attention brought to this book and study for a reason. Rest assured. But, you already prayer journaled about this, so you should know why--and in time more of the answer will be revealed.

So, do not continue forward until you make at least one of these commitments, if not both.

It's important for us to take seriously studying the Word of God. today, we looked at many of these reasons. Therefore, let's make an agreement or two now. 

1 Let's agree to finish this book. 

2 And/or let's agree to make the long-term commitment to finish this entire study of the Book of Psalms. 

So, which will it be? 1 or 1 and 2? 

Prayer journal your thoughts at this point. 

Now, if you are reading this as an e-book, write out this commitment, word for word, in your prayer journal. In fat, even if you are using a paper book of this study, I would also put this in my prayer journal. 

But, first, know the significance of this act. Read each of the verses below and prayer journal a summary of each: 

Leviticus 19:12

Numbers 30:2

Deuteronomy 23:21-23

Matthew 5:33

Prayer journal your thoughts at this point. 

1 I, (write your name here) __________________________________________________ , commit to finishing this book cover to cover--and finishing everything it says. In doing so, I will not skip one word or one prayer journaling suggestion. I make this vow on, (write today's date here) _____________________________________________________________ .

2. I, (write your name here) _________________________________________________ , commit to finishing this book, AND every single book of this series. I will do everything it says and will not miss one word or prayer journaling suggestion. I make this vow on, (write today's date here)  ____________________________________________________________  .

There. We just made a vow to God. So, this is far more important than anything else in our lives and we have promised ourselves and Almighty God this. 

I do not know about you, but I am far more intimidated at this point and am even more scared. I made the promise to #2 and know that this means I have set in stone what the next twenty years or so (maybe more, maybe less) of my life will look like. (Yikes.)

Prayer journal your thoughts at this point. 

Now, let's continue with our study of Psalm 1:1.

PSALM 1:1 (CONT.)

We need to be careful who we hang out with, whose advice we listen to, and make sure we do not allow God to be mocked or scorned. We need to figure out if we should keep each of our friends and make sure to marry right or make sure our current marriages are right with God. 

If we do all of this, then we will be blessed and happy.

GO AT YOUR OWN SPEED

As you do this bible study book, if you are doing this as an individual study, if you want to divide any day into two or three days, or even more, then by all means, do. go at the speed God is telling you. Do not continue forward until you no longer hear God speaking to you. Give Him time to speak in your life. Don't rush through it and do not rush God or His Word.

If you are doing this Bible study as a group, make sure to make notes in your prayer journal to study more of this later. Then, when you are done with this book, go back and study more those notes you made in your prayer journaling. 

Do each day of this study in at least one day, if not more. But, only do two days or more if you will in fact meditate, pray, and think on it day and night. Otherwise, you are not getting as much out of it as you can. 

But, whatever you do, do not do more than one day at a time. Again, we do not ever want to rush God or His Word. 

3 CROSS-REFERENCES (CONT.)

Job 31:5 is the key verse, but look at Job 1:1-15. Prayer journal your thoughts.

Proverbs 1:15 is the key verse, but read Proverbs 1:8-22 as a whole. Prayer journal your thoughts.

Proverbs 4:14-15 are the key verses, but read Proverbs 4:20-23 as a whole. Prayer journal your thoughts.

I do not know about you, but I could spend a week studying, meditating, and praying on those three cross-reference passages we just went through. Each of them is jammed pack with jewels to observe and cherish. 

If you want to think on these verses for the rest of the day and night, then by all means, do. If not, then, continue onward. 

Proverbs 13:20

Ezekiel 20:18 is the key verse, but read Ezekiel 20:14-22 as a whole. Prayer journal your thoughts. 

1 Peter 4:3 is the key verse, but read 1 Peter 4:1-7 as a whole. Prayer journal your thoughts.  

Psalm 64:2

Genesis 49:6

2 Chronicles 22:3

Job 10:3

Job 21:16

Proverbs 1:22

Proverbs 3:34

Proverbs 9:12

We could study more cross-references, but, let's not. This has been more than enough. 

CONCLUSION
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.