Worship the King … by Gerald Hicks II
Today’s Reading – Psalms 115 – 118 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers also read – Matthew 17 – 18; Psalms 41 – 45; Proverbs 9)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 47:1
Read the “0709 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon
“Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.” (Psalm 115:1)
I. Worship Him for Who He is
“For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:” (Deuteronomy 10:17)
A. God of gods
B. Lord of lords
C. King of kings
“Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them. … Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.” (Psalm 115:2-8, 11)
We live in the world that promotes self. A world that says you are your own god. A world that worships the creature INSTEAD OF ( not just more than ) the Creator ..
We have a world that promotes wealth and fame as success and having a lot of stuff ..
Does God have all of us? Or do we have some “idols” in the way?
Just because it’s not a statue of some kind doesn’t mean it’s not an idol in our life!
We give time and we make time for what we deem important—
Do we make time for God ?
Do we make time for the things of God?
That list talks about things that have no physical power – having eyes and ears and a nose And all these different things but with no affect , with no life to them— but yet it still has a hold on the person giving it the worship or attention—
“They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.” (Psalm 115:8)
Whether it be a hobby , finances , a job , a sin or struggle, a distraction of some kind , whatever that idol is or may be , it cannot continue to take the place of our adoration and affection and attention that our God deserves!
Let’s not get used to having God in our lives!
If you’re saved this morning , don’t get over the truth of saying “your God” – “Our God!”
Praise Him for who He is— He is Our God!
The Alpha and Omega.
The Beginning and the Ending.
The Author and Finisher of our Faith.
Our Father and Friend!
He’s the Friend that Never Leaves.
He’s the One that removed your sin as far as the east is from the west.
The One that loves you unconditionally.
The One that will never get tired of hearing your voice.
Our God is Our Everything.
Our God,,, sent Our Saviour Jesus Christ to this earth- being 100% man being 100% God and as Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:1, 3 – 15.
“Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. … If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. (1 Timothy 6:1, 3 – 5)
Let’s reflect on this challenge that he wrote to Timothy and think of our ownselves.
Sounds like many in our world today doesn’t it?
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” (1 Timothy 6:6-7)
But so many live trying to obtain and conquer so much as if they can take it with them when they perish…
“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” (1 Timothy 6:8-11)
The world needs the Gospel!
The world needs us as Christians following the example that Paul is telling Timothy to follow after …
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;” (1 Timothy 6:12-15)
No matter what goes on this world.
No matter how the hearts of men waver.
No matter what happens or changes next or what direction our society goes to next.
Never lose sight of the fact.
There is always One constant.
And He’s the same yesterday today and for ever — that’s our God!
We need to Praise Him for who He is!
Posted in Devotions by Gerald Hicks with 1 comment.
Fix Your Hearts … by Dawson Parker
Today’s Reading – Psalms 108 – 114 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers also read – Matthew 15 – 16; Psalms 36 – 40; Proverbs 8)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 34:6
Read the “0708 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon
“O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.” (Psalm 108:1)
I will be focusing on the first line of Psalm 108:1 which says, “O God, my heart is fixed;” Now in context, David is writing this Psalm and he is saying that he is focused on singing to and giving God praise. This is obviously a great thing for us to do and something we should work on doing regularly. There were things that distracted David and even things that fought for priority above God on David’s list, but he had to make a choice to get all of his mind on the Lord and do it with all of his might. You may ask, what does the word fixed mean? It means settled; established; firm; fast; stable. In order to have a consistent walk with the Lord on a daily basis and in order to be a Christian that makes a change in this world, our hearts have to be fixed on some things! Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Naturally, our heart is going to stray away from the things of God and sway left on issues and just get corrupt. This means that we continually have to “fix our hearts”, and work as David did with all of his mind and might. With all the things going on around us in the year 2020, it is very easily to get distracted and even lose hope sometimes but neither of these will help us make an impact for the Lord. There is one major thing as Christians that our hearts need to be fixed on and that is the Word of God! Personal, daily bible reading, and devotion has never been so important and never been so easily neglected. We need that final authority in our life to keep us straight! It is no doubt the most attacked thing in our history and in our current age. There is a show on TV called “Alone” where people go out and try to survive by themselves in the wilderness and the rules will not even let them bring a Bible because of an “unfair spiritual advantage”. Isn’t it crazy that worldly show hosts see how important and life changing the Word of God is but so often we forget! The end part of Psalm 138:2 says, “for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name” and Psalm 119:89 says, “For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.” I think it’s about time we start making the Word of God as important in our lives as it is to God Almighty!
The Lord has greatly used his word in my life multiple times. In some of the most difficult and trying times of my life, I have always been able to look in God’s Word and he never fails to speak to me and change my whole situation and outcome just because I set my heart on making his word a priority. Proverbs 4:23, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
Posted in Devotions by Dawson Parker with 3 comments.
Say So! Sing So! … by Sarah Camillo
Today’s Reading – Psalms 106 – 107 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers also read – Matthew 13 – 14; Psalms 31 – 35; Proverbs 7)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 34:1 – 4
Read the “0707 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
“O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;” (Psalm 107:1-2)
Have you ever thought about what God loves to hear you say? Have you ever wondered what song God loves to hear you sing? Have you ever pondered what it is that you speak that captures His attention? It is your voice, the voice of the sinner who has been made clean through the blood of Calvary, proclaiming to the world that you have been redeemed!
I have a song I love to sing
Since I have been redeemed
Of my redeemed Savior King
Since I have been redeemed
I have a Christ who satisfies
Since I have been redeemed
To do His will my highest prize
Since I have been redeemed
I have a witness bright and clear
Since I have been redeemed
Dispelling ev’ry doubt and fear
Since I have been redeemed
I have a home prepared for me
Since I have redeemed
Where I shall dwell eternally
Since I have been redeemed
I have a joy I can’t express,
Since I have been redeemed,
All through His blood and righteousness,
Since I have been redeemed.
Refrain:
Since I have been redeemed
Since I have been redeemed
I will glory in His name
Since I have been redeemed
I will glory in my Savior’s name!
~ Edwin O. Excell
Redeemed how I love to proclaim it,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb,
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child and forever I am!
~Fanny Crosby – If you have been redeemed, you have something to say! You have something to sing about!
Posted in Devotions by Sarah Camillo with 2 comments.
Happy Birthday, America! – The Saturday Morning Post
Today’s Reading – Psalms 90 – 95 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers also read – Matthew 7 – 8; Psalms 16 – 20; Proverbs 4)
Read the “0704 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon
“O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.” (Psalm 95)
I’m 66 years old, and have many memories of many Fourth of July’s. In 1976, my brother took me to see the Tall Ships come in for Operation Sail. And the fireworks around the Statue of Liberty were fantastic. On July fourth of 1999, the sign in front of our church (Longview Baptist Temple in Longview, TX, at the time) said ‘FIREWORKS INSIDE.’ And I’m sure that you also have fond memories of The Fourth. It was only 244 short years ago that we broke from the tyranny of man, and dedicated our new nation to God. We started off well. We could sing right along with verses 1 through 7 of Psalm 95. Then something happened. We became rich, and a world power. Soon we didn’t need God anymore. We took Him out of the schools. We took His commandments out of our courts, and out of government buildings. Our children turned into animals, not knowing right from wrong, killing each other, spreading STD’s; sacrificing their unwanted babies to Molech through abortion. Children are being taught that evil is good, and good is evil. Society is telling our children that it is okay if they didn’t like being a girl or a boy: they can change the way that God made them by mutilating their bodies. They never tell them the truth: that God made them a boy or a girl to use for His purpose. Woe unto those doctors and teachers…
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20)
This nation has turned it’s back on God, and is going down fast. Today, through Psalm 95, God still sends out a plea for His people to return to Him…
“…To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.” (Psalm 95:7-11)
God also said in His Word…
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2Chronicles 7:14)
Do you want America to have a happy birthday? Then it’s time for America to turn back to God. And this must start with you and me. As Christians, we must rededicate ourselves to the Lord. We are His people, called by His name. The tyranny in this nation will not stop until every Christian is on his or her knees begging God to heal this nation. Will He? As the late Yogi Berra, catcher for the Yankees baseball team said, “It ain’t over till it’s over.”
Peace!
Posted in Devotions by Pastor Ted Stahl with 2 comments.
Finding God’s Strength … by Caitlin and Glen Tarr
Today’s Reading – Psalms 80 – 85 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers also read – Matthew 3 – 4; Psalms 6 – 10; Proverbs 2)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Joshua 1:8
Read the “0702 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
“Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.” (Psalm 84:5-6)
When reading Psalm 84 the two words that stuck out to me were strength and Baca. Finding out that Baca could mean weeping, I also associated the word with the word weakness. I then went to focus on finding God’s strength when we are weak.
During 2020, I have found myself at some of the weakest points in my life. I had to leave school for medical reasons which I now call a blessing in disguise because I was safely at home when the world shut down due to COVID. When it was time to register for classes for the summer and fall semester, I was excited to register and get back to school. Try to make up some of the credits I lost in the spring semester. Yet again, I am finding that the Lord has other plans for me, one’s I don’t understand. I was unable to secure the funding for school and have been forced to take a leave of absence for the upcoming school year. Yet, through this all, one thing has remained the same: God. I have been able to pray and gain his strength.
Two quick examples from the Bible Isaiah 40:27-31 and 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. Both passages talking about the strength of God. The same strength that we can call upon when we are weak. His power never fails, never needs to be recharged. His power and His strength are both ours when we call upon the name of the Lord.
One of my favorite poems is Footprints in the Sand, the author unknown. The last line reads this, “My precious child, I love you and would never leave you. During the times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints in the sand it was then that I carried you.” Through all the trials in our lives, through all the storms of this life, God has always been there. His strength, not ours, gets us through. He has placed people in our lives to help us get back up on our feet when we stumble and fall.
Every situation we find ourselves in, whether that be good or bad, God is there. All we need is to ask for His help and remember it is his footsteps we see in the sand when we need the most help.
Posted in Devotions by Caitlin Tarr with 3 comments.
Give Ear … by Travis Clark
Today’s Reading – Psalms 78 – 79 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
Second Milers also read – Proverbs 1; Psalms 1 – 5; Mathew 1 – 2)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Deuteronomy 32:4
Read the “0701 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
“Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.” (Psalm 78:1)
I believe since the invention of the smartphone we have become the worst listeners. Just think about it, how many times this week have you seen someone or yourself on their phone while having a conversation with someone else? It has become so hard to have a meaningful conversation with someone, because they are not giving their full attention. I have seen myself do this way too often. What happens is usually I’m not one hundred percent sure what the person talking to me is saying. Sometimes I even have to stop and say, “what were you saying?” It’s extremely rude, but it also can be costly. Someone may be telling you important information, and now you were not able to retain the information because you were not paying attention. Listening is what this particular Psalm is talking about.
The first thing the psalmist says is “give ear.” He’s saying I need you to listen. He wants them to listen to the word of God. He goes on to talk about why you should listen. I think why I should listen would be to help my life, or make my walk with God better. However, this passage is not to benefit me at all. The reason he’s telling us to listen is for the generation to come. God says, you had better start listening to the law for your children’s sake. If you are a parent, or a mentor to the generation to come you have a responsibility. Your responsibility, for the next generation, is for you to have a personal walk with God. God is saying, if you listen, and you follow me, the generation to come will have a better time following. I have seen this to be true today. I know there are mighty Christians who have had their children stray away. Yet other times the children leave God, because the parents were not really listening to God. These parents would go to church, but after church they would watch or listen to something that is wicked. They would bring their Bible to Church, but that is the only time they would open it up. The generation to come is watching, and they are thinking if it’s not real to my parents, why would I make it real for myself?
“But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” (Luke 11:28)
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (James 1:22)
At RU (the addictions program I run at my church) I often have addicts say they are just “hurting themselves” and not anyone one else by partaking in their addiction. I inform them that is not the case. Number one they have people whose hearts are breaking because their loved one is trapped in an addiction. Number two many children of addicted parents tend to get caught up in the same addiction. Could that be hereditary? Maybe. Rather, I think a big part of it is watching their parents partaking in the addiction.
So how are we doing with our Christian walk? Are we listening daily to God so that the future generations have someone prepared to lead, or are we like the person talking to someone, with a smartphone, unaware of who may be following us? Let’s “give ear” to God.
Posted in Devotions by Travis Clark with 4 comments.
God Is A Refuge For Us – The Saturday Morning Post
Today’s Reading – Psalms 58 – 64 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers also read – Revelation 7 – 9; Psalms 131 – 135; Proverbs 27)
Read the “0627 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon
“To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence. They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah. My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.” (Psalm 62:1-8)
Good morning. Have you ever noticed that most people are basically ROTTEN!? It seems like it is getting harder and harder to trust others these days. In Psalm 62, David cries out, “How long will ye imagine mischief against a man?”
Jesus said in John chapter 13, and verses 34 and 35…
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:34-35)
I’ve heard it said that living here on earth is as close to hell as a Christian will get, and likewise, this is as close to heaven as a lost person will get. Should we, as Christians show more love for others, or make Heaven and Hell look just about the same to a lost and dying world? When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus replied…
“…The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31)
Have you been hurt? Go to God first.
My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.” (Psalm 62:5-8)
Have you hurt someone? It would be best if you went to that person to get things right before God hears their weeping and has to correct your hardheartedness. We could have a little more heaven on earth. David wrote…
“A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” (Psalm 133)
“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Galatians 5:14)
Peace.
Posted in Devotions by Pastor Ted Stahl with 1 comment.
A Very Present Help … by Wade Thompson
Today’s Reading – Psalms 46 – 50 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers also read – Revelation 1 – 3; Psalms 121 – 125; Proverbs 25)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Ephesians 4:32
Read the “0625 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read a previous post from this passage – “You Can’t Take It With You.”
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
In the United States 2.39 Million people have contracted the Coronavirus and out of that 123,000 have died. Our nation has been struggling with civil unrest, disease, protests, riots, unemployment, wars, rumors of wars. In our churches we have had the battles of revamping livestreams, constitutional rights, the national health crisis, falling numbers, falling offerings and much more. In this time of chaos the world and Christians are looking for the light of hope that they need to keep going. The Bible says God is our refuge, our safe place, a very present help in time of trouble. That phrase “present help” is very encouraging because right now where we are in this current time He is with us. No matter what 2020 throws at us we have the Lord.
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” (Matthew 5:14)
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” (2 Corinthians 6:17)
As Christians, we are called to be separate and by being separate we are a light on a hill that shines out to the lost world, and it cannot be hid. We need to be doing right, we need to be daily in God’s Word, always in prayer, attending church, and be walking in the Spirit. A lighthouse with a broken light cannot safely lead anyone into the harbor. The light needs maintenance, it needs to be cleaned, it needs a lighthouse keeper present. We are guiding the lost world from the turbulent rough sea into the safe harbor of God’s love; but some of us are seemingly just as lost as the world.
In this crazy world we are living in we need to remember that God is in control of everything. Verse ten reads, “Be still, and know that I am God.” We need to just stop, pause, take a deep breath and know He is God and that He is going to take care of everything. Nothing ever is going to take God by surprise; we are safe in His refuge. We just need to be still and trust Him.
Posted in Devotions by Wade Thompson with 2 comments.
Thirsty for God … by Lexi Scates
Today’s Reading – Psalms 40 – 45 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers also read – 2 John, 3 John, Jude; Psalms 116 – 120; Proverbs 24)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Ephesians 4:32
Read the “0624 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Read previous posts from this morning’s reading – “Thirsty?” and “God Wants to Hear You Sing.”
“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” (Psalm 42:1-2)
Being thirsty and in need of a drink is a desperate feeling. Many times people say that they are “dying for water” or “just need a little bit” to quench their thirst. Many times this feeling comes after doing some hard work or going without it for too long. But in Psalm 42 we see that it is not water they desperately desire it is God. In the heat of summer it is normal to say you are thirsty or in need of some cold water after a day outside. And maybe even in the presence of a revival meeting it is easy to say that you are thirsty for God. But what about every other time? When it seems like life is going well we may not recognize God for the blessings, or when it seems like things aren’t going well we may be mad or confused by God’s decisions. However, the best place may just be in the state of constantly panting for God, reminding yourself that the best place to be is in the center of His will and being absolutely desperate for His provision.
“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. ” (Psalm 40:1-3)
Being thirsty is being in a state of dissatisfaction or discomfort, when you are not happy with the state you are in or you have a need that is not being fulfilled. But, being dissatisfied can lead to bad decisions as well as we see in other instances in the Bible; Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery because of their jealousy, Cain murdered Abel out of spite, and Eve took the forbidden fruit because of her curiosity. Dissatisfaction leads you to look for more in the wrong places. However, by humbly submitting yourself to the obedience of God’s will and perfect plan, and panting for God rather than the things of this world your path will be established with wonderful works.
“Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.” (Psalm 40:5)
In John it is promised that we will never be thirsty when we drink from the water of everlasting life. The temporary moments of dissatisfaction should be outweighed by the amount of blessings and provision God has promised and provided for us. Our thirst for God should be continually quenched through following His will. “
Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:13-14)
Posted in Devotions by Lexi Scates with 2 comments.
The Steps of a Good Man … by Paul Meyer
Today’s Reading – Psalms 36 – 39 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers also read – 1 John 1 – 5; Psalms 111 – 115; Proverbs 23)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Matthew 6:33
Read the “0623 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” (Psalm 37:23)
Reading our passage this morning I’ve been trying my best to ruminate over the verses. I’ve heard it often said that familiarity breeds contempt, as I’ve matured as a Christian I have found myself in a way not appreciating the familiar verses as I should. There is truth and wisdom in simplicity, these few verses particularly I’ve had memorized since I was a child, but I’ve never appreciated them for how they have applied in my life.
Theres a few things to unpack here. God concerns himself with the minute details as much as he does the big picture. I’m not sure if any of us can recall the first steps we took as a child, but those first steps have led us to where we are today. The average human will take 216,2262,500 steps in their lifetime, that is approximately 110,000 miles – enough to walk around the equator five times! Each step, though inconspicuous, has contributed to arrival at our destination. This may cause initial anxiety. What if I’m not walking in the way God has for me? What if I arrive somewhere I’m not supposed to? It’s easy for us to fear uncertainty but we can rest assured in the fact that our steps are ordered. The word, “ordered,” which is used in this verse does not mean commanded, it means organized. Remember, Psalm 23 paints the picture that the Lord is our Shepherd. A Shepherd leads the way, he doesn’t drive the herd. More importantly in leading the herd he carefully plans out the path to avoid danger. The sheep need only to heed his voice and follow his leading in order to arrive safely at their destination. This isn’t to say that trials and tribulations won’t come, but that they were not a surprise to the Shepherd. We also have a promise in the next verse:
“Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.” (Psalm 37:24)
There’s two ways of approaching this verse. First, a fall is a trial and tribulation in our life. Although we stray into danger it will not utterly overcome us; the Shepherd has promised us a safe arrival at our destination. Second, a fall is a sin, despite the sin we get ourselves into through our journey, the Shepherd has promised not to forsake us and will ensure we are brought into his fold safely. Whatever application you would like to believe, rest assured that the onus for arrival is not based on the herds abilities but on the Shepherds promises. Jesus refers to himself as the Good Shepherd in John 10, furthermore he refers to his church as his sheep.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” – John 10:27-28
If you are concerned with your steps there is only one piece of advice I can give – listen to the Shepherd’s voice. We have the Bible to guide us and the Holy Spirit to lead us. If you are saved, positionally you are a good man and your steps are ordered by the Lord. I pray we live each day appreciating the steps God has prepared us and listen carefully to his leading.
Posted in Devotions by Paul Meyer with 1 comment.