Many see the Word of God. . .few observe!Rachel, did you read and study the Bible today? Have you dipped your heart in the Word of God? Where should you start? Consider the following verse from Psalms.
 
Psalm 19:7a (NIV)
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. 
 
The Torah was considered the first five books of the Bible. It was the law given to Moses for the Hebrew people. It could be considered the anchor of God’s Word, the cornerstone of the Jewish faith and the foundation of the greatest commandments given by Jesus. It includes the Ten Commandments, the Hebrew Shema (Deut. 6:4-6) and other commandments upon which the Christian faith is based. The Hebrew word for law is Torah.
 

• 9368 תּוֹרָה (tô·rā(h)): n.fem.; ≡ Str 8451, 8452; TWOT 910d--1. LN 33.333–33.342 law, regulation, i.e., a legal prescription of something that should or must be done (Ex 12:49; Lev 6:2); 2. LN 33.224–33.250 teaching, instruction, i.e., information that is imparted to a student (Ps 78:1; Pr 1:8); 3. LN 33.35–33.68 Torah, the Law, i.e., a written code (Ne 8:2); 4. LN 33.35–33.68 unit: סֵפֶר הַ־ תּוֹרָה (sē·p̄ěr hǎ- tô·rā(h)) Book of the Law, i.e., a written code (Dt 28:61); 5. LN 33.35–33.68 unit: תּוֹרָה מֹשֶׁה (tô·rā(h) mō·šě(h)) Law of Moses, i.e., a written code (Jos 8:31); 6. LN 33.35–33.68 unit: תּוֹרָה יהוה (tô·rā(h) yhw(h)) Law of the Lord, i.e., a written code (1Ch 16:40); 7. LN 41.25–41.28 manner, custom, i.e., the usual way of doing something (2Sa 7:19)[1]

 
This scripture in Psalms describes those first five books as perfect. The Hebrew word translated perfect in the New International Version is Tamim.
 

• 9459 תָּמִים (tā·mîm): adj.; ≡ Str 8549; TWOT 2522d--1. LN 79.60–79.61 without defect, unblemished, i.e., pertaining to having a good quality animal without handicap, implying a prime animal of high monetary value (Ex 12:5); 2.LN 88.1–88.11 blameless, innocent, i.e., pertaining to a person or condition of moral goodness, with a focus of being guiltless and not liable for sin or wrong (Ge 6:9; 17:1; Dt 18:13; 2Sa 22:24, 26; Job 12:4; Ps 15:2; 18:24[EB 23],26[EB 25]; 37:18; 84:12[EB 11]; 101:2, 6; 119:1, 80; Pr 2:21; 11:5, 20; 28:10, 18; Eze 28:15+); 3. LN 79.123–79.128 perfect, i.e., pertaining to having no known physical defect whatsoever (Dt 32:4+); 4. LN 88.36–88.38 perfect, i.e., pertaining to not having any moral defect (2Sa 22:31, 33; Job 36:4; 37:16; Ps 18:31[EB 30],33[EB 32]; 19:8[EB 7]+); 5. LN 59.23–59.34 entire, whole, i.e., the totality of an object (Lev 3:9; Eze 15:5; Pr 1:12+); 6. LN 73 right, true, i.e., pertaining to that which is genuine, implying sincerity (1Sa 14:41; Jos 24:14; Jdg 9:16, 19; Am 5:10+); 7. LN 67.65–67.72 full, i.e., pertaining to a period of time which is full and not lacking any amount of time, so filling to the very end of that time (Lev 23:15; 25:30; Jos 10:13+)[2]

 
Validation for the Word of God begins with the Old Testament Torah. It is morally sound and without defect. Most importantly it refreshes the soul.
 
Does your heart need a dip in the fresh water of God’s Word? Do you need to remove the thick barnacles that have naturally gathered on your heart, mind and soul? Fresh water will accomplish that task. It causes salt water barnacles to die and fall off the hulls of ocean going ships.
 
Take a refreshing dip in His Word now.
 
Cathy and Danny Sartin
Deeper Still Missions
 
 n. noun, or nouns
fem. feminine
Str Strong’s Lexicon
TWOT Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament
LN Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon
LN Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon
LN Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon
LN Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon
LN Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon
LN Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon
LN Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon
[1] Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
adj. adjective, or adjectival
Str Strong’s Lexicon
TWOT Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament
LN Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon
LN Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon
EB English Bible versification
EB English Bible versification
EB English Bible versification
+ I have cited every reference in regard to this lexeme discussed under this definition.
LN Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon
+ I have cited every reference in regard to this lexeme discussed under this definition.
LN Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon
EB English Bible versification
EB English Bible versification
EB English Bible versification
+ I have cited every reference in regard to this lexeme discussed under this definition.
LN Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon
+ I have cited every reference in regard to this lexeme discussed under this definition.
LN Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon
+ I have cited every reference in regard to this lexeme discussed under this definition.
LN Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon
+ I have cited every reference in regard to this lexeme discussed under this definition.
[2] Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved.
Bible Nuggets are written for pastors, youth leaders and missionaries who desire to go deeper still in God’s Word. 
Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.
 

Western Cape, South Africa

We captured this photo of a rainbow from end to end last year. Now we are praying for rain. It is dry, dusty and parched.

Animals are frequently eating grass in the yard of our cottage. It is one of the few places that gets watered in this reserve. The vegetation is barren and brown.

That same thirst is reflected in our hearts. We are reading God's Word and finding that we can't get enough. We are doing a personal study of the end times as reflected in Scripture. The signs are ominous and foreboding.

Some signs jump out at you like the establishment of Israel and the struggle over Jerusalem. God's city Jerusalem is the major sticking point in the peace talks.

Other signs have slowly moved into view as apostasy has crawled into the church of today. Twisted beliefs and bad behavior are leading to the false prophets so clearly talked about in the Bible.  Paul states that people will become lovers of themselves.

When we open the Word with people here in the Robertson Valley people gather on the fresh green grass and feed. Last Sunday I spoke at the Worcester Christian Fellowship youth group and found an inviting and fun crowd. The eagerness in their eyes was encouraging and thrilling. The worship with the congregation was refreshing. It felt like standing in a heavy rain after days in the desert.

One testimony caught my eye. It was from missionaries in Nigeria. They sent video (to the pastor) of Christians digging their own grave. His description by the pastor was riveting. They were then forced to kneel and pray in the grave. Then they were shot. It was the grace of the believers that was striking.

The most encouraging part of our climate in the world today is the promises of God. God gives us a glimpse at the end of His story. God will prevail over all the wickedness in the world. He will bring into existence a new heaven and a new earth. It will be lush!

We can never look at a rainbow and not remember the promises of God. Despite the stories on the news his promises will arrive right on time. Thank you Lord Jesus for the refreshing breeze of your promise.


Copyright © 2015 Deeper Still Missions, All rights reserved.

Report from Africa #1
Amathunzi Nature Reserve, South AfricaWe are back in the solitude and silence of Africa.
 
Our prayer walk today took us on an unusual path. We were seeking to visit a dried up dam near our cottage. Our walk took us down the well used road until we hit a seldom used path used by the safari car. The rough path reflected the seldom use.
.
Animal droppings seem to be everywhere. Gemsbock, Zebra, Mongoose, Bush Rat, Eland, Kudu and many other signs spot our trail. Then Cathy notices a single quill from a Porcupine. Excited she picks up her treasure and smiles.

The trail takes us toward the dam until I notice something just off the path. Dozens of Porcupine quills dotted an area nearby. Apparently the long black and white banded quills had been used to protect an alarmed animal during an altercation.

Once we arrived at the dried up dam only a few Egyptian Geese were present. The dam was almost dried up. 

We attempted to find another path back to the main road. We could see our cottage in the far distance. But no road appeared on the return trip. We followed a dried bed of water that pointed in the direction we desired to go. But it became smaller and smaller. Finally it disappeared into the brush.

Well we said, let's cut across the field until we find the road. The brush became thicker and more dense. We were beginning to struggle to find a open piece of ground to walk on. Finally we found a couple of animal tracks that cut a small path forward. We took it and carefully followed it until the road appeared.
We talked to each other about the pioneer path we had forged. But it was a mixture of sojourning, following worn ruts, tiny trails of hoof prints and struggling to step over the bush.

That is the kind of spiritual path that each of us travels on. No ones path is the same. We try and follow trails forged by others. We see our spiritual goal in the distance but the path seems to go blind every so often.

Jesus cut a pioneer path forward during his years of ministry. He expects us to do the same. Despite the waves of life and the winds that blow against you he expects us to also cut new ground ahead. It is our path that may become a fresh trail that leads others to the truth of Jesus.

Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved.
This on the field report is written for those who support Deeper Still Missions and our goal of missionary retention. Pictures are taken by Cathy and Danny Sartin in Africa.
Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.