248 Psalms 051; 1 Timothy 001
Well, well, well King David what have you been up to? The hero has fallen to a beauty named Bathsheba and now Nathan the prophet has to go and confront him. David did more than commit adultery, in trying to cover up the affair, he then committed murder. This Psalm is the heart of a person who has truly repented. One of the reasons David could repent so well is because he knew God so well. He starts out, "Generous in love---God, give grace! Huge in mercy---wipe out my bad record." You can truly turn around when you know you will be received with open arms. Here is a great request from David: "Bring me back from gray exile, put fresh wind in my sails! Give me a job teaching rebels your ways so the lost can find their way home." David has been through some deep waters and of his own choosing and now he wants to help other wayward people. God can use anything in our life to lift up the Lord and Christ's ways. Let Him!
Paul was great at developing leaders around him. He was not perfect since we know of those who deserted him just as Judas betrayed Jesus. In these next letters we get see some of Paul's ways in helping bring leaders along. Paul teaches humility by pointing out that his calling is by the grace of God, since at one time he was the chief of sinners by persecuting the church. Paul also points out that the teaching of the Gospel must be done in love. The reason he was bringing up love and humility to Timothy is to help Timothy with those who come along and challenge the teachings of the Gospel. Timothy must be firm, but it must be done in love and humility.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
247 Friday, September 4, 2009
247 Psalms 048 – 050; 2 Thessalonians 003
More Psalms from the sons of Korah: By now you should be asking, "Who are the sons of Korah?" In 1 Chronicles 6:31-32 we find David appointing them over song before the Ark. They were like the professional singer/song writers of that period even up to the time that Solomon finished the Temple.
You have to tell the story over and over again. In Ps. 48 it is written, "Then you can tell the next generation detail by detail the story of God." We totally over estimate how much people remember. Keep telling the story and that means you have a story of God's work in you. Have you written it down? Have you somehow recorded it for others to hear or to see? Think of all the things we record and save to show, but do we record the acts of God in our lives to pass on to family, friends, and those who will listen; if not you, then who?
How do you like Paul's statement, "I'm finding that not all ' "believers" ' are believers." This is a difficult subject to learn. We want to believe that when people say, "I believe in Christ" that they really do, but not all do. We all need to pray for a discerning spirit, and pray that it does not turn into a critical spirit.
Paul says, "Don't you remember the rule we had when we lived with you? ' "If you don't work, you don't eat." ' Help those who are down and out, but also help them to get up and out. There is dignity in work. Adam worked in the garden of Eden before the fall. In other words, work was not a result of sin entering the world. God works!
More Psalms from the sons of Korah: By now you should be asking, "Who are the sons of Korah?" In 1 Chronicles 6:31-32 we find David appointing them over song before the Ark. They were like the professional singer/song writers of that period even up to the time that Solomon finished the Temple.
You have to tell the story over and over again. In Ps. 48 it is written, "Then you can tell the next generation detail by detail the story of God." We totally over estimate how much people remember. Keep telling the story and that means you have a story of God's work in you. Have you written it down? Have you somehow recorded it for others to hear or to see? Think of all the things we record and save to show, but do we record the acts of God in our lives to pass on to family, friends, and those who will listen; if not you, then who?
How do you like Paul's statement, "I'm finding that not all ' "believers" ' are believers." This is a difficult subject to learn. We want to believe that when people say, "I believe in Christ" that they really do, but not all do. We all need to pray for a discerning spirit, and pray that it does not turn into a critical spirit.
Paul says, "Don't you remember the rule we had when we lived with you? ' "If you don't work, you don't eat." ' Help those who are down and out, but also help them to get up and out. There is dignity in work. Adam worked in the garden of Eden before the fall. In other words, work was not a result of sin entering the world. God works!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
246 Thursday, September 3, 2009
246 Psalms 045 – 047; 2 Thessalonians 002
The sons of Korah wrote these Psalms which means David did not write all the Psalms, but he did write the majority of them. This first Psalm is a Psalm written for the wedding of David. Notice how the Psalm praises David for being handsome and wise. There are some unsuspecting things said in all these Psalms.
In the last Psalm it tells us to pull ourselves out of the traffic of life and take a good look at God. This is great advice for anyone wanting to live for God or not wanting to live for God.
In Paul's writings he tells us that there is a false Christ coming, therefore all the more reason to step out of the traffic of life and take an attentive look at our Savior. We do not know when the anti-Christ will come, but come he will. Study the real and you will know the fake.
Thank you for your labor for the kingdom of God. Thank you for all you do for those you love as well. God bless you and I'm sure God has!
The sons of Korah wrote these Psalms which means David did not write all the Psalms, but he did write the majority of them. This first Psalm is a Psalm written for the wedding of David. Notice how the Psalm praises David for being handsome and wise. There are some unsuspecting things said in all these Psalms.
In the last Psalm it tells us to pull ourselves out of the traffic of life and take a good look at God. This is great advice for anyone wanting to live for God or not wanting to live for God.
In Paul's writings he tells us that there is a false Christ coming, therefore all the more reason to step out of the traffic of life and take an attentive look at our Savior. We do not know when the anti-Christ will come, but come he will. Study the real and you will know the fake.
Thank you for your labor for the kingdom of God. Thank you for all you do for those you love as well. God bless you and I'm sure God has!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
244 Tuesday, September 1, 2009
244 Psalms 042 – 044; 2 Thessalonians 001
David asks some great questions in his writings and here is one, "Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues?" Toward the end of the Psalm he asks the same question. His prayer is "Fix my eyes on God--soon I'll be praising you again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God." The problem and the solution all wrapped up in one paragraph. What is blue is really a tool to bring us closer to God, the eternal. The down times is to bring us to Moreal--what is more real? That is the place I am asking God to take me to and it is named Moreal. On the other side of town is a place known as Lessreal. Sometimes Moreal seems Lessreal, but that is the weapon of that place known as Lessreal. Fix your eyes on Jesus and watch your faith flourish.
Listen to Paul inspire and build up the troops. "We're so proud of you; you're so steady and determined in your faith despite all the hard times that have come down on you." It is important to encourage others in the faith, so to help them through the hard times and the good times. I thank God for you and your help in seeking to follow in the steps of Jesus. There are good times and hard times but let us keep our eyes on the prize of God in Christ Jesus. Have a blessed day.
David asks some great questions in his writings and here is one, "Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues?" Toward the end of the Psalm he asks the same question. His prayer is "Fix my eyes on God--soon I'll be praising you again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God." The problem and the solution all wrapped up in one paragraph. What is blue is really a tool to bring us closer to God, the eternal. The down times is to bring us to Moreal--what is more real? That is the place I am asking God to take me to and it is named Moreal. On the other side of town is a place known as Lessreal. Sometimes Moreal seems Lessreal, but that is the weapon of that place known as Lessreal. Fix your eyes on Jesus and watch your faith flourish.
Listen to Paul inspire and build up the troops. "We're so proud of you; you're so steady and determined in your faith despite all the hard times that have come down on you." It is important to encourage others in the faith, so to help them through the hard times and the good times. I thank God for you and your help in seeking to follow in the steps of Jesus. There are good times and hard times but let us keep our eyes on the prize of God in Christ Jesus. Have a blessed day.
Monday, August 31, 2009
243 Monday, August 31, 2009
243 Psalms 039 – 041; 1Thessalonians 005
To open the mouth or not to open the mouth--that is the question. David had had it up to here and he made an effort not to open his mouth. The Psalm tells us that as much as he tried to keep quiet it finally came spilling out. David spills his guts to the Lord and it was an honest and very open conversation. Please understand what a theme that is throughout the Scriptures. It started with Adam telling God the truth even though it was illogical. It continued on with Abraham and Moses trying to convince God that His choices where not the wisest. It will help you so much to get it off your chest unto the Lord. Go ahead let God hear it--He already knows--so tell Him.
When it seems everyone has turned against you what do you do? David says that they say, "He's got some dirty, deadly disease. The doctors have given up on him." David's response, "God, give grace, get me up on my feet. I'll show them a thing or two." God can get me up on my feet and help me and that will be a witness to them. Always turn to God for his grace and mercy. Always let God know where you are and God will meet you.
Are you ready for the coming of the Lord? He will come as a thief in the night. Are you ready? Are your family and friends ready? This is no joke. One day it will be pay day. One day Jesus comes back to set it all right--to settle all the scores. Are your affairs in order? Live for the day that this wonderful, but righteous Savior will come back to gather His people unto Himself.
To open the mouth or not to open the mouth--that is the question. David had had it up to here and he made an effort not to open his mouth. The Psalm tells us that as much as he tried to keep quiet it finally came spilling out. David spills his guts to the Lord and it was an honest and very open conversation. Please understand what a theme that is throughout the Scriptures. It started with Adam telling God the truth even though it was illogical. It continued on with Abraham and Moses trying to convince God that His choices where not the wisest. It will help you so much to get it off your chest unto the Lord. Go ahead let God hear it--He already knows--so tell Him.
When it seems everyone has turned against you what do you do? David says that they say, "He's got some dirty, deadly disease. The doctors have given up on him." David's response, "God, give grace, get me up on my feet. I'll show them a thing or two." God can get me up on my feet and help me and that will be a witness to them. Always turn to God for his grace and mercy. Always let God know where you are and God will meet you.
Are you ready for the coming of the Lord? He will come as a thief in the night. Are you ready? Are your family and friends ready? This is no joke. One day it will be pay day. One day Jesus comes back to set it all right--to settle all the scores. Are your affairs in order? Live for the day that this wonderful, but righteous Savior will come back to gather His people unto Himself.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
242 Sunday, August 30, 2009
242 Psalms 036 - 038; 1 Thessalonians 004
"Yet in his largeness nothing gets lost; not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks." so says the Psalmist. This pretty much means you. You do not drop through the cracks. This kind of knowledge is too wonderful for us to wrap our minds around it. In the next Psalm we hear these words, "Keep company with God, get in on the best." In the end, it's not the prayer time, keeping a journal, or the meditation etc. it is keeping company with God. When you keep company with the Lord then you get the first things of life and the second things as well.
The last verse for us to focus on in the Psalms is this dynamite statement, "Wait passionately for God, don't leave the path. He'll give you your place in the sun." A little counter-intuitive in the phrase "wait passionately for God..." since we think passion has to do with action. This very well may be where you are right now in your life--wait passionately for God." You could be in a worse place. The promise is that you will find your place in the sun.
Jesus is coming back. The grave does not have the last word. There is a Resurrection from the dead. Paul gives great instruction on this timely topic--read it slowly. Have a great Resurrection day and may Jesus come today.
"Yet in his largeness nothing gets lost; not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks." so says the Psalmist. This pretty much means you. You do not drop through the cracks. This kind of knowledge is too wonderful for us to wrap our minds around it. In the next Psalm we hear these words, "Keep company with God, get in on the best." In the end, it's not the prayer time, keeping a journal, or the meditation etc. it is keeping company with God. When you keep company with the Lord then you get the first things of life and the second things as well.
The last verse for us to focus on in the Psalms is this dynamite statement, "Wait passionately for God, don't leave the path. He'll give you your place in the sun." A little counter-intuitive in the phrase "wait passionately for God..." since we think passion has to do with action. This very well may be where you are right now in your life--wait passionately for God." You could be in a worse place. The promise is that you will find your place in the sun.
Jesus is coming back. The grave does not have the last word. There is a Resurrection from the dead. Paul gives great instruction on this timely topic--read it slowly. Have a great Resurrection day and may Jesus come today.
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