Gilbert, Author at Gilbert Thurston

Psalm 119:97-128

July 16, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

I challenged everyone in the Textually Active message to read through Psalm 119 this week so here are some of my thoughts on each 8 verse section and then an application point for myself for the day. Feel free to read along and share your thoughts as well.

Psalm 119:97-104: Vs. 104 tells us to hate wrong paths. I once read that FBI agents never touch a counterfeit bill until many times months into their training. Instead the study and handle a real bill so much, that when they finally encounter a fake one it is obvious. In the same way, we should be so familiar with God and His Word that it’s easy to discern the counterfeit pleasures satan tries to lure us with.

Psalm 119:105-112: Vs. 105 is one of the most popular ones in the entire Bible, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”. Think about that for a second…when you’re on a dark path in the forest, a lamp only gives you enough light for the next few steps. God’s word is the same way…too many people want relevation for months and years down the road when God wants to give you just enough light to take the next step. I believe He does this because if He gave us more light on our future, we might get scared of some of the obstacles we see down the road and freeze in our tracks, thus not getting where God wants us to be. Also real quick, vs. 112 would make a great prayer for you to pray.

Psalm 119:113-120: Vs. 120, “My flesh trembles in fear of you, I stand in awe of your laws”. One of the great things about reading scripture over and over again is that you begin to create a mental concordance to help you understand other verses. That’s what happened as I read this verse, immediately that Holy Spirit reminded me that, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding”. (Proverbs 9:10)

Psalm 119:121-128: I love verse 124. As I’ve been reading this morning I have felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit about some things in my life, but this verse reminds me that God will judge me according to His love (re: Jesus dying for my sins) and not on my ability or in this case inability to keep all of the law. So the question for some might then be, “Then why do we try to obey God’s Word”? The answer is simple…You don’t do good works because you’re trying to be saved, rather out of gratitude that you are saved”.

Psalm 119:65-96

July 15, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

Psalm 119:65-72: Love how in verse 72 the Psalmist says that the Word of God is more valuable than silver or gold. Literally people have a book of great treasure in their possession ut how many people treat it as the valuable commodity that it is?

Psalm 119:73-80: Vs. 74, “May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word“. My prayer is that when other followers of Christ see us, we’d be so on fire for God that it would cause them to hunger for more of God themselves.

Psalm 119:81-88: Up until now in today’s reading it has talked a lot about affliction and persecution. I love how in verse 82 he asks God, “When will you comfort me” not “will you comfort me”? A huge difference in attitude and perspective…how’s yours?

Psalm 119:89-96: Vs. 95, “The wicked are waiting to destroy me, but I will ponder your statutes”. Throughout today’s reading the Psalmist has talked about the persecution that he faced. The only way to avoid persecution is to live a quiet, inconsequential life where you never speak up for what is right, offer a differing opinion or try to make an eternal difference. Following God is not always going to make you popular, but as long as you’re His and following His Word in everything, then who cares what others think…Live your life for an audience of One.

Psalm 119:33-64

July 14, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

Psalm 119:33-40: Vs. 36, “Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain”. It’s very easy to become selfish but we must always remember the example of Jesus and the words of the apostle Paul who encouraged us to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility to consider others better than ourselves” (Phil. 2:3).

Psalm 119:41-48: Vs. 45, “I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts”. If Christianity is just about rules and regulations then you will feel like you’re trapped and that life is suffocating you. Luckily though Christianity is about a relationship with Jesus who came to set you free! When you are truly walking with Him, it’s the most freeing thing you’ll ever experience.

Psalm 119:49-56: I love how verse 54 talks about God’s word being like the soundtrack for your life story…cool!

Psalm 119:57-64: Vs. 60, “I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands”. In the same way it frustrates you when you have to tell your kids over and over again to do something, it’s the same way with God. So we should be quick to be obedient to the commands of God because not only does it show Him we’re faithful and can be entrusted with more, but it also means we won’t be disciplined for disobedience. So whether you obey for the potential benefits or you obey to avoid punishment, the key is to obey and do it immediately.

Psalm 119:1-32

July 13, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

Psalm 119:1-8: Verse 2 really jumps out at me, “Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart“. I don’t obey Jesus because I have to, I’m to obey Jesus because I want to…I’m seeking after His will and not mine and I delight in obeying.

Psalm 119:9-16: Verse 11 is one of my favorites in the entire Bible…”I have hidden your Word in my heart that I may not sin against you“. Scripture memory is one of the most important things we can do as a follower of Christ because the Word of God is the only offensive weapon we have to defeat the devil. Think about what Jesus did everytime He was tempted…He quoted scripture. So what makes us think we are any better than Him? So are you going into the battle each day without your weapon? If so, the solution is to memorize God’s Word. Which by the way I’ll be teaching how to do in the “How to Connect with God” class on 7/25. To sign-up for it, e-mail me… gilbert@unitedworshipexperience.org.

Psalm 119:17-24: Verse 18 is a wonderful prayer to pray everytime you sit down to read God’s Word…”Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law”.

Psalm 119:25-32: The beginning of verse 30 says, “I have chosen the way of truth”. In other words, following God daily is a choice. You will not accidentally wake-up one day and be spiritually mature…that only comes through daily seeking and obeying God with all your heart.

My Application: Today as I write sermons and attend Council Meeting tonight, I will consciously remember that God’s Word is far more important than my opinion.

Inside Today’s Experiences

July 12, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

I did a magic show last night for the kids at church so all the tech stuff was still set-up this morning…so it was an easy morning.
Nothing out of the ordinary to report…not the best day but not the worst either.
The band had a lot of fun doing Fall Out Boys, “I Don’t Care”.
I loved being backstage during both Experiences and hearing the crowd singing “Desert Song”…so cool just to hear all those voices singing to God.
I’m hoping people are being inspired through this series to take God’s Word more seriously…I know I for one was changed by some of the research I came up with about the history of the Bible.
It was great having a bunch of teens on the stage at the end of each Experience to pray for them before their big work serving the community this week.
It was even better keeping the on the stage for the final song.
You could tell some of them were so excited to be on the stage with all the lights and everything.
We’ll have to figure out a way to get them back up again to help out some time.
Andy was picking on me about my shirt, saying it looked country, so he made me a huge belt buckle that he wanted me to wear during the second Experience…yeah right.
Don’t forget to read Psalm 119 this week…
…also don’t forget about the class I’m offering on July 25th from 9am-11am where I’ll teach you how to study the bible.
If you haven’t already signed up, e-mail me at gilbert@unitedworshipexperience.org.
Nap time now followed by dinner with friends!