What Is The Word "For?"

"For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; and rebukes for discipline are the way of life...."  (Proverbs 6:23)

Paraphrase:  The Word of God, "is a lamp."  The Word of God, "is light."  The Word of God is rebuke, "for discipline [in] the way of life."

Or:  Jesus Christ, "is a Lamp."  Jesus Christ, "Is Light."  Jesus Christ is rebuke, "for discipline [in] the way of life."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that, "Your Words are a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

This Is NOT Dichotomy

"You have given him his heart's desire, and have not withheld the request of his lips....My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?  Why are You so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?"  (Psalm 21:2 & Psalm 22:1)

When one reads Psalm 21 and then Psalm 22, one notices quite a contrast.  Psalm 21 is mostly a Psalm which relates "victory."  Psalm 22 is a Psalm which relates a lot of "defeat."  The question remains:  What do we do with these life experiences?

Now I can pass on some "glory, hallelujah" encouragement, but I can also pass on an equal reality:  This is life, yes, life in Jesus Christ.  Every person in the Bible reveals this truth.  My encouragement to us today is that we live our lives in Jesus Christ as the Hebrews 11 people chose, "But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel"------- no matter what.

Father, in Jesus' Name, "Our fathers trusted in You."  So do I.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"Uphold My Steps In Your Paths...."

"Uphold my steps in Your paths, that my footsteps may not slip." (Psalm 17:5)

One meaning for the Word translated, "uphold," is, "support."  I'll take both.  

New translations translate our text as a fact.  "My footsteps have held fast to Your paths...."  Have they?  The translation which I use as my "default" translation, however, the NKJV, translates it as a prayer. 

The human race has lived out many regrets because it has not followed Jesus in the prayer, "Uphold, support my steps in Your paths."  Had we surrendered our lives to Jesus Christ in such a prayer/life style, "....footsteps may not (have) slip[ped]."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I repeat David's prayer, "Uphold my steps in Your paths...."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2