Today’s Passage – Psalm 89 – 94
The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; (Psalm 92:12 – 14)
Three times in these three verses the word flourish is used. According to my dictionary this word means “to grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way, esp. as the result of a particularly favorable environment; to develop rapidly and successfully”. The thesaurus uses these words to describe what it means to flourish: grow, thrive, prosper, increase, multiply, blossom, and bear fruit. Based upon this definition or these synonyms, would you say that the word flourish describes your life? Or do you sometimes feel like you are just getting by; just living day to day; just existing; just surviving. I know I often feel like I am just spinning my spiritual wheels, going through the motions; but am I really allowing the Lord to use me the way He desires to.
Why is it that so many Christians never really grow up to the place where they are bearing “more fruit”, “much fruit”, and “fruit that remains” (John 15). Why is that so many of us go through long periods where we spiritually wither showing no signs of growth or fruit. Perhaps it is because of a neglect in the area of participation in our local church. Notice verse 13 specifically talks about being planted in the house of the Lord. Now before you argue theology with me, I know that the immediate context of this verse is not the church; but remember it was God Himself that told us that the church was the “house of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)
God wants you who are righteous (saved) to be a faithful, tithing, and actively participating member of a good local church. God is crystal clear in His word that we are not to forsake His house. (Hebrews 10:25) Are you growing spiritually? Are you thriving, prospering, bearing much fruit in your life? If not, get into your local church and get behind it all the way. Plant yourself there. Don’t keep transplanting all over town. If you want to flourish, you will have to allow your roots to dig into the soil deeply. By the way, I know that your church has flaws. I also know that your pastor and other key leaders are people with problems themselves. It’s OK. God knew that when He called them into leadership; He set the system up that way; and he expects you to be faithful and supportive anyway. I am not saying that there are not important reasons to sometimes leave a church; but probably 90 percent or more of the church transplants are not for Scriptural reasons. So, find a fundamental, Bible believing and Bible preaching church; and support it, serve it, and stay with it.
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Today’s Passage – Ezekiel 38 - 40 (Click on the references to listen to the audio…
Today’s Passage – Ezekiel 35 - 37 (Click on the references to listen to the audio…
Today’s Passage – Ezekiel 32 - 34 (Click on the references to listen to the audio…
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Today’s Passage – Ezekiel 24 - 27 (Click on the references to listen to the audio…
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We’ll follow the old man wherever he wants to go As long as he wants to go opposite to the foe. We’ll stay with the old man wherever he wants to stay
As long he stays away from the battle’s fray. Because we love him, we love him
Especially when he keeps us on the ball
And we’ll tell the kiddies we answer duties' call, With the grandest son of a soldier of them all!!!