This episode is a continuation of the previous episode and specifically cites some helpful phrases from Psalm 118 you can easily memorize and say at crucial moments. Language is one of the most powerful ways that our brain perceives and interprets what’s happening in our life circumstances. And so liturgies are memorable phrases we tell ourselves that help us interpret life. The more powerfully worded liturgies we say to ourselves shape our lives by telling us the story we are in. And God has given us powerful liturgies in the Scriptures that we can use to say a quick prayer or speak truth to ourselves or others. Neuroscience shows us that our brain is constantly re-wiring. This is called https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuroplasticity (neuroplasticity). Building new neural pathways. Brain circuits that make thought patterns and behaviors more routine and easier to repeat. Neural pathways that shape our responses and reactions. That shape our very lives. Neuroscience is just learning these things because of advanced imagery. We can see new neural pathways develop in the brain through repetition and the kind of things that enhance that happening. Repetition of things that we do, see, and say is the most powerful way to rewire neural pathways in our brains. This has huge implications when it comes to our habits. Habits of things we allow ourselves to watch. Habits of things we allow ourselves to say. They literally hardwire our brains. Of course the Bible has always been way ahead of this for thousands of years by giving us powerful phrases to repeat as liturgies to shape the wiring in our brain and therefore shape our lives. Biblical liturgies are phrases written by the Holy Spirit that we latch onto in order to better rehearse the story our life is in. Repetition. Spoken. Powerful. Since we’ve been looking through Psalm 118 in recent episodes, let’s find some powerful liturgies there. Psalm 118:1–4 ESV 1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! 2 Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” 3 Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” 4 Let those who fear the LORD say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Psalm 118:6–8 NIV 6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? 7 The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I [shall - ESV] look in triumph on my enemies. Psalm 118:8 NIV It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans. Psalm 118:17 ESV I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD. Psalm 118:24 ESV This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:25 NIV LORD, save us! LORD, grant us success! Psalm 90:17 NIV May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 118:27 ESV The LORD is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Psalm 118:28–29 ESV 28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. 29 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! The forever God will be my God forever! Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter https://twitter.com/davecover (@davecover) Follow A Bigger Life on Twitter https://twitter.com/abiggerlifepod (@ABiggerLifePod) This podcast is a ministry of https://www.thecrossingchurch.com/ (The Crossing), a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located.