Devotions and Lessons
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Scripture of the Week:
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. |
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There are many things going on in the world today where people are forgetting whom they need to completely out their trust in. Yes we need to have trust within the circle of family and friends but the trust in them is only temporary and earthly. I am not saying that we need to stop trusting in them, not at all because it is an ingredient in the glue that keeps families and friends together. Putting our trust in God will help keep us focused on Him even in our darkest moments when we feel lost in the temptations of this world. David had fallen into many trappings of the Adversary because He did not want us to succeed. David was now an easy target but as we know today even in his darkest times, David knew where to place his ultimate trust.
Psalm 52: Why do you boast of your evil, you tyrant, when God’s mercy is present every day? Your tongue, as sharp as a razor, plots destruction and works deception. You love evil more than good, lies rather than speaking uprightly. You love all words that eat people up, you deceitful tongue! This is why God will strike you down, seize you, pluck you from your tent and uproot you from the land of the living. The righteous will see and be awestruck; they will jeer at him, saying, “This fellow would not make God his refuge, but trusted in his own great wealth, relying on his evil plots.” But I am like a leafy olive tree in the house of God; I put my trust in the grace of God forever and ever. I will praise you forever for what you have done, and I will put my hope in your name; for this is what is good in the presence of your faithful. The evils of today have taken many forms as we have gone through the many church ages as spoken of in Revelation (not Revelations) and we are nearing the end. The evil that men do will surely be punished in the next world as it is running rampant in this one. In Psalm 52, the Psalmist speaks first of the evil and vile words that come from the mouth of those who do not know or trust in God. They use words of hate, jealousy, and other ungodly behaviors until the person is given his due on the earth by the devil when he is done with him. When the devil or false gods forsake you or do nothing at all for you, then you are truly damned. The only way is to humble yourself and plead forgiveness in this life while also placing your faith and trust in the only one that truly matters, God. Of course, if it is not a true, sincere, fully humbling (think like how Scrooge changed) change of ways, the chances of eternal redemption are not so good. Those that see others who are not with God or don't have Jesus (or however you want to put it), need to be mindful not to condemn but at least make known their folly. It may lead to the persons saving grace. Isn't that where God wants us to put our trust, into His Amazing, Saving Grace? The person mentioned above placed faith in something less than God. Things less than God (yes that is definitely including ourselves) cannot be feared as much as God can, cannot save you from eternal damnation like God can, and cannot love you as much as God does. Brothers and Sisters, the time is quickly approaching where we should be on the watch for the thief in the night. God will not tell us exactly when (even those who think to read the signs have been completely off), but He will tell us when the time comes. With that said, make yourself right with God. Humble yourself, grant God the full access into your heart that He not only desires but deserves because He is our creator/redeemer and not that human made product that lies their lifeless. Give God His Glory, Love As He Loves Us.
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 The benefits of knowing and loving God who loves us and desires a personal relationship with us is the theme of Psalm 103. The blessings that God grants us have a two- fold meaning. Our love for the Father is a blessing to Him while His love, care, and compassion for His creation are the benefits and blessings He gives us. The biggest benefit is the fact that when we abide by Him (even when we stumble), He showers us with the many facets of His love. As a father cares for his children so God cares for us.
The first twelve verses give a good introduction to the benefits for the righteous. Through Him we are redeemed from the pit, we are showered with His love and mercy, we are forgiven as long as we fear (respect) Him and acknowledge who He is in our lives. As it says in verse twelve, ”As far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us”. This seems like we are talking about the current state of the belief that all we have to do is believe, trust, and we are forgiven. It is this but the psalmist does say that we will still be chided for our misdeeds. He provides us with abundance, is decisive in His sharing of benefits, and compassionate when our hearts show and admit our faults with the understanding that we cannot control the temptations in this world. The next section emphasizes His steadfast love and compassion for those who are and will be His people. The frailty of humankind is understood as these bodies will not last forever and to continue living it must be through the belief, trust, and faith in God. Because He initially created us to be in His image and the greater creation above the angels, God shows more love for us than any other portion of the world. We are created to go beyond the physical realm because of the Spirit within us. This human frailty is expressed in verses 17and 18 where it is recognized that we are currently not meant to live forever on this earth but while here we must share and spread His righteousness and the benefits that come from the covenant He shares with us. We are His inheritance and to increase it we are required to share Him with our children who will share with their children until the appointed time. How wonderful it is to understand that we are but like blades of grass that wither in the winter and burn in the summer heat unless we are fertilized and continually nourished through His Word. Though we may have moments where our stalk turns brown, belief and following His Word will make us green again. We are the branch of a the tree of the Word that bears fruit. If we do not take the nourishment then we cannot bear the fruit which is the moving forward of the Word. The psalm closes with the blessing upon God and those who will do as we are required to do. How do we send blessings to God? Through doing what we are told to do. Through believing, sharing, trusting, giving of ourselves to God so that others may receive the benefits that God has bestowed on those who are His people. Romans 8 reminds us that Jesus took the guilt of sin from us by taking sin into death so we can live. When we get to heaven and are seated at the judgement, when God pronounces sentence, Jesus will stand in our place because He already has. Isn’t that wonderful news? Why haven’t we been sharing, or better why have they not listened? Brothers and Sisters, do not waste His benefits on ourselves for an unshared benefit will rot like a fruit never picked or picked and left without partaking of it. Conduct yourselves as the Angel of God (Old Testament form of Jesus) commands of us through His teachings in all of Scripture. Love One another Just as He has Loved us. And finally, be the good soil and grow in His Word. God’s Love and Blessings Pastor Rob |
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CategoriesBlog Disclaimer:
The messages on the blogs written on this page are within biblical adherence. Though the Scriptures listed in the blogs are directly from the Bible and other related religious writings the explanations and interpretations are in line with Biblical thinking as it relates to today’s world. The use of historical facts are to assist in the validity of the writings. The main writer of this blog site is an Ordained minister in one denomination though the views are related to all denominations so if something is said that does not fall in line with your denominational background, pray for personal discernment and understanding. |
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