“My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.” — Psalm 57:7

The historical background of this Psalm is when David was on the run from the mad king, Saul. From a cave, David cried out to God asking for liberation from his persecutors. He trusted in God even though his surroundings were dark and dreary.

The key of the chapter, in my opinion, is found within this verse. Twice he repeated that his heart was “fixed.” His seat of emotions were firmly established, stable, and settled on God. Everything within and without might have pointed towards impossibility, but David wasn’t going to follow his heart, he was going to make his heart follow God. His heart was fixed upon the God who never lies, fails, or lost a battle.

When life is difficult and appears impossible, we must fix our changing emotions on our unchanging God. Focus on God instead of your circumstances. Your eyes will follow your heart’s direction, so fix your heart on God, and your eyes will not be distracted by your surroundings.

And the verse goes on to tell us how he was fixed upon God, possibly even the result of it as well. It is found in singing and praising God. When the world around you is falling apart, sing and praise God. By singing and praising, you fix your heart upon God. And when your heart is fixed upon God, it results in singing and praising God.

by Jeffrey Bush

“The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: And he that hath it shall abide satisfied; He shall not be visited with evil.” — Proverbs 19:23

When you fear the Lord, the promise is twofold: 

1. Satisfaction. Every human is looking to be satisfied, which simply means to be full and fulfilled. The search for satisfaction drives people to drugs, money, relationships, different stage of life, position, power, or possessions. But the result of each area is not fulfillment rather emptiness. The true satisfaction is in Christ. Hungering and thirsting after Him will truly fill a person (Matthew 5:6). 
2. Security. The fear of the Lord brings an insurance and deliverance from evil. Though temptations are common to man, God always gives a way to escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). He provides a security from falling. Flesh causes one to fall into temptations, but the fear of the Lord rescues from temptations. 

Satisfaction and security come from fearing the Lord. So the question is what is the fear of the Lord. According to Proverbs 1:7 and 9:10, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. According to Proverbs 8:13, the fear of the Lord is to “to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth.” To fear the Lord is to reverence and respect Him and to live a life aware of God’s presence in order to honor Him. The fear of the Lord offers fruit that nothing else can offer. God satisfies, and God secures. Live in the fear of the Lord all the days of your life! 

by Jeffrey Bush

“Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; Thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.” — Psalm 17:3

I shamefully cannot echo the first words of David in this verse. I know there is much I need to work on, therefore I cannot say, “thou hast tried me and shalt find nothing.” But I can relate to the last words, and desire to apply them in my life. “I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.” 

While God was proving and visiting David’s life, David’s request was to purpose not to use his mouth foolishly. What a goal! 

Trying times in life seem to force the scum to bubble up until it spills out of the mouth. Arguments, pressures, and life in general have a way of creating words that cause us to transgress. The reaction might be towards a situation or person, but the transgression is ultimately against the Lord. 

David had determined and decided beforehand that he was not going to let his mouth get him into trouble. At times he requested for God to keep a watch at the door of his lips (Ps. 141:3). At other times he said he would put a bridle on his own mouth (Ps. 39:1). And he even advised others that if they want to love life, they should keep their tongue from evil (Ps. 34:12-13). 

Purposing the mouth to not transgress is a goal, a challenge, and wise advice each individual should accept. The mouth can hurt those closest, damage a reputation, and burn bridges. On the other hand, the mouth has power to build up, be a medicine, and show affection and appreciation. The mouth can start a fire or quench a fire. Purpose in your heart that your mouth will not transgress.

by Jeffrey Bush

“As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine” — 1 Timothy 1:3

Timothy was requested to stay in Ephesus for a reason. He was to “charge” the people and church. It appears Timothy was shy and even sickly (4:12; 5:23), possibly because he didn’t start the church, was not an apostle, or felt inadequate. Nevertheless, he still had the responsibility to lead (“charge”). 

Wherever God has placed you, and with the position God has given you, you must lead. Whether you feel like a capable parent, an adequate spouse, or an exemplary ministry leader, you have a responsibility to lead where God has placed you. Here are a few things to remind yourself: 

1. The Master has intentionally placed you where you are for a reason. You may be filled with insecurities or feel inadequate, but don’t forget Who placed you there. So lead. 
2. Do not forget that leading begins with leading yourself. Get victory in areas the devil has placed strongholds. Encourage yourself in the Lord. Stay disciplined. Maintain a good attitude. Keep priorities. Lead yourself so you can lead others where God has placed you. 
3. Don’t allow fear, difficulty, or timidity stop you from leading in the area God has placed you. Times are not easy, tasks are not simple, people are not always nice, but you still must lead in the area God has placed you.
4. Lead lovingly, lead conscientiously, and lead wisely. Don’t lead with a big stick rather with a tender heart. Walk with the Lord and lead as He leads you. 

“Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.” — 1 Timothy 1:4

The older preacher, Paul, tells the younger preacher, Timothy, to avoid conversations and discussions that sidetrack him from doing his job. They were “endless” issues that caused disputes (“minister questions”).

There are some things in life that may never be understood, or they are just plain mysteries. They leave you with a question instead of godly edification. Such topics do not edify, so the Bible says don’t heed to (don’t waste your energy or time on) such conversations. The idea is to stay on point; don’t be lured in and sidetracked by such conversations.

Here are a couple of questions to help detect if conversations are really worth having:

1. Does your conversation matter in eternity? It’s so easy to jump on issues that are based on politics, preferences, or personal views. The debate may seem important at the moment, but does it really matter in the scope of eternity?
2. Does your conversation edify? Losing your temper doesn’t get your point across. Making enemies of other brethren is not Christlike. Is your conversation, debate, or discussion constructive or destructive to others? Is your tone, your texts, or your typing skills lifting up Christ or hurting the cause of Christ?

With social media, podcasts, videos, and articles readily available to anyone, it is easy to get caught up in discussions, debates, and conversations that sidetrack us from sharing the gospel, discipling believers, and enjoying the work of God. For the good of yourself, your family, and your ministry, discipline yourself to stay on point.

by Jeffrey Bush

“The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.” — Proverbs 20:7

Every parent wants the best for their children’s future. Setting your children up for a good future is more than being wise or logical, it is a Biblical principle. Proverbs 13:22 says, “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children” and 19:14 says, “House and riches are the inheritance of fathers.” 

The focus of Proverbs 20:7 is not on the future financial stability rather the future spiritual stability. How a parent lives now will affect their children later. When a parent walks in integrity (honesty, uprightness, character), the children will be blessed. Your lifestyle now affects your children. When you live a life of integrity, it is the best thing for your conscience, for your stress, for your own life, and for your children as well. Your life in the present affects your children’s life in the future.