New Mercies...

Gracious... aren't we all in need of a "do over" each morning. I'm convinced the Lord knew this when He placed the scripture in Lamentations:

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
²³ they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness."

Lamentation 3:22-23

I went walking this morning and had this glorious view. Very little beats a morning walk with a good friend and a reminder of God's tender mercies. 

I'm getting ready and prepared to start my study on Nehemiah. I'm very excited and anxious to see where this study will take me. I learned an incredible new way to pray over preparing yourself to read the Word. Pastor Scott preached this morning on Psalm 119:33-40. The beginning of each of those scriptures is a way to pray before and after reading the Word. Exciting stuff!! 

³³ 

Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees,

    that I may follow it to the end.

³⁴ 

Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law

    and obey it with all my heart.

³⁵ 

Direct me in the path of your commands,

    for there I find delight.

³⁶ 

Turn my heart toward your statutes

    and not toward selfish gain.

³⁷ 

Turn my eyes away from worthless things;

    preserve my life according to your word.

³⁸ 

Fulfill your promise to your servant,

    so that you may be feared.

³⁹ 

Take away the disgrace I dread,

    for your laws are good.

⁴⁰ 

How I long for your precepts!

    In your righteousness preserve my life.

When you've been in church all your life, like I have, you get EXCITED when you learn something new. And believe me... there is ALWAYS something new to learn. Pastor Scott said it best this morning - if you read the Word and you aren't moved... there is something wrong. The bible is ALIVE and just as relevant today as the day it was written.

Anyway... I can't wait to share where the study of Nehemiah goes. Especially now being armed with a whole new approach to its study! 

Until next time...