Tag: Repentance

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Prepare the Way of the Lord

Tim Farley

Reading the Word Matthew 3:1–6 (ESV) 1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’ ” 4 Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the … Continue reading Prepare the Way of the Lord

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A Defense Against Sin

Tim Farley

  Reading the Word Psalm 141:1–10 (ESV) 1 O LORD, I call upon you; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you! 2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice! 3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! 4 Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies! 5 Let a righteous … Continue reading A Defense Against Sin

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God Speaks Peace to His People

Tim Farley

Reading the Word Psalm 85:1–8 (ESV) 1 Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. 2 You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah 3 You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger. 4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us! 5 Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? 6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? 7 Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, … Continue reading God Speaks Peace to His People

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Restore Us!

Tim Farley

  Reading the Word Psalm 80:14–19 (ESV) 14 Turn again, O God of hosts! Look down from heaven, and see; have regard for this vine, 15 the stock that your right hand planted, and for the son whom you made strong for yourself. 16 They have burned it with fire; they have cut it down; may they perish at the rebuke of your face! 17 But let your hand be on the man of your right hand, the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself! 18 Then we shall not turn back from you; give us life, … Continue reading Restore Us!

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Our Idols

Tim Farley

  Reading the Word Psalm 78:54–58 (ESV) 54 And he brought them to his holy land, to the mountain which his right hand had won. 55 He drove out nations before them; he apportioned them for a possession and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents. 56 Yet they tested and rebelled against the Most High God and did not keep his testimonies, 57 but turned away and acted treacherously like their fathers; they twisted like a deceitful bow. 58 For they provoked him to anger with their high places; they moved him to jealousy with their idols. Understanding … Continue reading Our Idols

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Considering Our Prayers

Tim Farley

  Reading the Word Psalm 66:17–20 (ESV) 17 I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue. 18 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. 19 But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. 20 Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me! Understanding and Applying the Word These verses conclude Psalm 66. Here we read that the psalmist called out to God. This is a way of saying that the psalmist prayed … Continue reading Considering Our Prayers

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Create in Me a Clean Heart

Tim Farley

Reading the Word Psalm 51:10–13 (ESV) 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Understanding and Applying the Word David has admitted his sin and taken full responsibility. Now he requests that God would create in him a new heart and renew a right spirit within … Continue reading Create in Me a Clean Heart

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I Shall Be Whiter than Snow

Tim Farley

Reading the Word Psalm 51:5–9 (ESV) 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Understanding and Applying the Word There have been some interpreters over the … Continue reading I Shall Be Whiter than Snow

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Have Mercy on Me, O God

Tim Farley

Reading the Word Psalm 51:1–4 (ESV) 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Understanding and Applying the Word This is one of the most well-known of the psalms. The words … Continue reading Have Mercy on Me, O God

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Turn from Evil and Do Good

Tim Farley

Reading the Word Psalm 37:27–34 (ESV) 27 Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever. 28 For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. 29 The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever. 30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip. 32 The wicked watches for the righteous and seeks to put him to death. 33 … Continue reading Turn from Evil and Do Good

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