Hello everybody and welcome in to episode #294 of the Bible 2021 podcast. We are reading Psalm 119:25-56 today and our focus is on Life From the Word When We are Sucking Dust.We are a daily 10ish minute podcast, where we will dig in to the truth of the Word of God by reading one Bible chapter a day and discussing it. Welcome to new listeners in    Our goal is to encourage DAILY Bible reading, so you can jump in at any time and join with us. We want to invite as many people as possible to join us in daily Bible reading, so help spread the word and share the podcast! Don’t forget about our web-page, Bible2021.com – contact page, show notes, transcript and more– Click here for our Bible 2021 reading plan\

Let’s open with a great question from listener Johnny C. based off of yesterday’s episode on how to sin less. As a reminder, we discussed Psalm 119:11, which says, “¹¹ I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.  Psalm 119:9-11

He writes, “What are some good verses to memorize to help us in our fight against sin. Also, I’ve noticed you talk about cereal a lot – what is your favorite cereal? ”

Great questions, Johnny C. Let’s start with first things first. My all time favorite cereal has been Boo-Berry, one of the monster cereals by General Mills. That was always my favorite as a kid, and – as I recall, we could get it year round back in the 1800s when I was a kid. Unfortunately, two terrible cereal catastrophes have happened since then. #2, Monster cereals are no longer available year round. #1 General Mills changed the formula of Boo-Berry a few years ago from oat flour to corn flour, and at the time, I believe, made a few more changes. This has resulted in a far more inferior product, which I still eat around October every year, and is still good, but it makes me long for the good old days. I am quite sure they have original Boo-Berry in Heaven. My current favorite is Oreo O’s, especially the only available now in South Korea version which has marshmallows. Now, what was the other question you wrote about? Oh yes – some verses to memorize in your fight against. Great question, and here are ten that should be very useful (in no particular order):

10 Bible Verse to Help You Fight Sin and Resist Temptation: 

1. Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
2. Ephesians 6:10-11 ¹⁰ Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 
3. 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
4. Galatians 5:16 ¹⁶ I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh.
5. Matthew 6:13 (Lord’s Prayer) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
6. Jeremiah 17:7-8 The person who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence indeed is the Lord, is blessed. ⁸ He will be like a tree planted by water: it sends its roots out toward a stream,
7. John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” 
8. Matthew 26:41 ⁴¹ Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
9. John 16:33 I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.
10. 1 Timothy 6:11 “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.”

    BONUS 5:

11. James 4:7-8 ⁷ Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 
12. 1 Peter 5:8-9 ⁸ Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. ⁹ Resist him, firm in the faith,
13. 2 Timothy 2:22 ²² Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 
14. James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
15. Psalm 97:10 “You who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.” 

Great question, Johnny C! May the Lord uses these passages to help us in our struggle against sin and temptation!

Fantastic opening verse for us today as we continue forward in Psalm 119 and begin with verse 25:

²⁵ My life is down in the dust;
give me life through your word. Psalm 119:25

Apparently the writer of this Psalm found himself in a terrible place when he was writing – his life is down in the dust. That’s even worse than being down in the dirt – I hate dust! But notice his request – he’s not asking for riches or revenge, or healing – his request is much deeper than that: GIVE ME LIFE IN YOUR WORD. The Hebrew verb used here is pretty interesting, it is: חָיָה châyâh, which means, “to live,” and it is in the Piel form or stem, and the piel usually has an intensive sense. For example, a verb that means “to hit” in it’s regular stem would mean “to smash” in the piel – a verb that means “to kill” in the regular stem is translated “to slaughter” in the piel. What is a more intensive translation of “enliven me”? Perhaps, invigorate me? Revive me? I’m not sure, but this is an INTENSE cry by the Psalmist for God to revive Him. How will that resuscitation come? FROM THE WORD. The Word of God has life and it brings life, because God’s Word is LIVING and ACTIVE says Hebrews 4:12. The Psalmist knows that when God’s Word penetrates to the depths of His being, it will enliven him, revive him, and lift him up out of the ash heap. Indeed, no less than NINE times in this one prayer does our psalmist ask for God to intensely revive him, including: 

vs. 50 ⁵⁰ This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

vs. 93 I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.

vs. 107 ¹⁰⁷ I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word.

and

vs. 154: Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.

So – are you sucking dust right now, along with the psalmist? Are you struggling and afflicted? Are you in great need of deliverance and rescue? If you are, it is a wonderful and biblical prayer to ask God to quicken/enliven/awaken/resuscitate/envigorate/revive/jump start/jolt you with His Word. Your flesh will likely NOT want to turn to God’s Word in whatever crisis you are in, but let me tell you, dear friend- nothing will bring light to your eyes and life to your soul like God’s Word. Get up out of the dust and go and seek the Lord and Read His Word – YOU. WILL. BE. QUICKENED!

Let’s read our Psalm.

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Bible Memory passage for the month of October: ⁷ Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸ The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.  1 John 4:7-8 

The Bible 2021 Podcast Is a ministry of Valley Baptist Church A Church in Salinas, California.

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