Plant Yourself In The Right Place

Day 1

1How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers!
PSALMS 1:1 (CSB)

Commentary

Who you spend your time with and what you do has spiritual consequences in your life. This verse begins, “How happy is the one…”. It’s clear that anyone who lives in such a way, avoiding ungodly things, will find genuine happiness.

It’s the avoidance of man’s wisdom, for God’s wisdom. It’s the rejection of sin, for holiness. And it’s avoiding Satan’s lies for the Truth of Christ Jesus.

This is the description of the life of a genuine believer in Christ, one who seeks God’s ways instead of man’s ways. The more you immerse yourself in the things of God, the more you will reap this happiness, this joy of Christ in your life.

Soul Search

Am I steering clear of things that hinder my walk with Jesus?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, whatever there is in my life that prevents me from taking this verse and applying it to my life, please help me to move it out of the way. Thank you, Lord! In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen

Day 2

2Instead, his delight is in the LORD’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.
PSALMS 1:2 (CSB)

Commentary

This is more than a Christian who listens to a sermon, maybe has some fellowship, and then goes on the rest of the week living life. This verse is a description of genuine discipleship.

The disciple of Christ is one who doesn’t do the right thing because he or she should, but rather takes true delight in doing that which pleases the Lord. He or she has their nose in their Bible throughout the week and is diligent to study it and meditate on God’s Word, in order to push that knowledge from the mind into the heart.

To be the person described in verse one means you have to be the person described in verse 2.

Soul Search

Am I allowing God’s Word to saturate my heart?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, may this heart of mine be a sponge for all things You. That my eyes would be laser-focused on Your will and being a true reflection of Jesus, day in and day out. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen

Day 3

3He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
PSALMS 1:3 (CSB)

Commentary

When you’re a disciple of Jesus, like described in the first 2 verses, this is the result. You’re now a “well-watered” tree that is producing “good fruit” or works for God’s glory. One who is rooted deep in the right ground.

Notice it says, “bears its fruit in season”. When you’re walking in-step with Jesus, there will be seasons. There will be times of preparation and times when you execute on what God has placed on your heart to do.

Everything, and I mean everything that you do, which God has sent you to do, will not fail. You will always prosper where the Lord has planted you, as long as you’re following as He leads. This is what Philippians 4:13 is all about. We can think of the water as Jesus, Who is bringing life to our roots, the strength needed to do all things which He calls you to do.

13I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.
PHILIPPIANS 4:13 (CSB)

Soul Search

Am I thriving in the Lord or have I not been following His lead?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, if I am doing anything that You didn’t send me out to do, then make it clear to me. Help me to understand what it is that You have for me to do. Plant me in the lives of those You send me to, and may I be one who is well watered by You. In Your mighty name, I pray. Amen

Day 4

4The wicked are not like this; instead, they are like chaff that the wind blows away.5Therefore the wicked will not stand up in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
PSALMS 1:4-5 (CSB)

Commentary

The previous 3 verses describe the way of the Christ-follower; that’s one option every person has. This next way is in contrast to the Christ-rejector. This is the second and only other way a person can go. Boil it all down, and what we have is not black or white, red or blue, conservative or liberal, or any other division label used in our world; all we have is saved or unsaved.

No one can ride the fence into eternity. I heard someone say that it’s Satan who owns the fence. Meaning those on the fence ultimately end up on path number two. You’re either a believer in Jesus or you’re not; you have to make a choice. And it’s the true believer who dwells in the house of the Lord all their days, finding the joy of the Lord. Being one who is planted by the watering streams and producing the fruit that only someone who is truly in Christ can produce.

Though there may be haters and fakes among us now, there will come a day when they are blown away from us like chaff in the wind. They will realize upon death that they made a very wrong choice.

Soul Search

Does my heart hurt for the lost? Am I reaching out to them with the Gospel?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I lift up to You those in my life who don’t know You. That if they hear Your voice today or feel Your tug, they would respond with a resounding YES! Use me, Father, to nudge them closer to You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen

Day 5

6For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.
PSALMS 1:6 (CSB)

Commentary

As believers, we face all sorts of troubles in this world, yet our God is watching over our every step. In fact, Scripture states that it’s God who determines our steps.

9A person’s heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps.
PROVERBS 16:9 (CSB)

We have this promise that He is always with us, no matter what. That our Good Shepherd is leading us and protecting us.

Those who don’t belong to Jesus are left to continue on doing what their wicked hearts desire. Not only suffering now from an emptiness that they are unable to fill, but face an eternity apart from the only One who could’ve filled that empty void in their soul.

Be thankful to the Lord that He has saved you and counts you as His own.

Soul Search

Do I have a thankful heart today for what God has done for me?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for saving me. For not giving up on me, though I am a wretch. May I be seeking You each and every day, to get to know You better and to be the disciple that You want me to be. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen