Joys of those who delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night (Psalm 1)

 Psalm 1:1-2 Joys in delight in law of Lord, meditating on it day and night (opposite of devil, flesh, world).

 - The lion never breaks into the zoo

 - Give your heart to God and let your eyes delight in him (Proverbs 23:26, John 14:6)

When God wants us, he doesn't applaud our gifts he affirms his presence.

God doesn't call us to be awesome,  he calls us to tell others about him.

Take the hard road of discipline

The Lord disciplines those he loves (Hebrews 12)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,

“My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

The Lord knows those who are his (2 Tim 2:19-26)
God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”

Run away from infantile indulgence. Run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace—joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God. Refuse to get involved in inane discussions; they always end up in fights. God’s servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool, working firmly but patiently with those who refuse to obey. You never know how or when God might sober them up with a change of heart and a turning to the truth, enabling them to escape the Devil’s trap, where they are caught and held captive, forced to run his errands. 2 Tim 2:22-26 MSG

Message: The living Word of God engages and intrigues us right where we are