Kiss the Son
Today’s Passage – Psalms 1 – 8
Second Milers also read – Hebrews 10 – 13; Psalms 81 – 85; Proverbs 17
“[11] Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. [12] Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” – (Psalm 2:11-12)
I have enjoyed our reading in the Book of Job but I am also excited now that we are exploring the Psalms. My though this morning comes from the second Psalm. In this Psalm we get a glimpse into Heaven and we hear from the throne of God; but we also have a view into the earth where we see that the rulers of this world have set themselves in rebellion against God. In verse 4 we see that God laughs at this. Who does little man think he is in comparison to an almighty God. The rulers of this world may think that they have power and authority, but few of them realize that it was God that gave them their power, and God could remove it at any time.
As we get closer to the end of this present age we will see the mighty men of this earth become more brazen in their fight against God. At times it may seem that God is absent or even powerless to fight back; but don’t lose heart, He is in full control of His universe, and His patience with the rulers of this present world is quickly running out.
God’s warning to the kings of the earth holds true for the common man as well. He tells us to “serve the Lord with fear” and to “kiss the Son”. If you have not yet received Christ as your Savior you need to “kiss the Son” by receiving the forgiveness that only He can give you through His shed blood on the cross of Calvary. If you are saved, you still need to “kiss the Son” by living your live in complete submission to His will.
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Like The Beasts That Perish – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Passages – Ephesians 1 – 3; Proverbs 10
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 46 – 50; Memorize – Isaiah 9:6)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 92:1 – 4
Good morning! There was a lot of great stuff in today’s Bible reading, but the passage that caught my eye was Psalm 49:16 thru 20: “Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him. Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself. He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.”
Before we changed over to the 2 station, really cheap cable TV plan, one of our favorite stations was Animal Planet. I was watching a show on lions. They showed a lion take down a wilder-beast (or some other animal like that). If you look into the eyes of the wilder-beast they showed total shock. It knew that it’s life was about to end, and there was nothing he could do about it.
Psalm 49:20 tells us a man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish. What a horrible thought: to know your life is going to end right now, and not knowing where you will spend eternity. In the few second between life and death, you may see your life pass before you. You may be able to see all the times you rejected God’s offer of His free gift of salvation. What terror to finally know that Heaven and Hell are real, and your final destination will someday be the lake of fire.
As we read today in Proverbs 10, and verse 2: “Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.”
Righteousness is what delivers from death. It is not our righteousness. Our righteousness, as the prophet Isaiah says, is as filthy rags. If you look up filthy rags in your Strong’s Concordance, it gives the impression that our righteousness, the good we do, are like menstrual rags. That’s how our good works appear to God. He tells us in His Word that there are none righteous, no not one, and that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. Ezekiel chapter 18, verses 4 and 20, warn us the soul that sinneth, it shall die. Do you believe God? 1John 1:8-10 tell us: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”
If you call a Perfect, Holy, and Righteous God (who cannot lie) a liar, then you’ve just boar false witness: you broke commandment number nine. You lied about God: you’ve fallen short: you’ve sinned. Now what are you going to do? If you read Ephesians 1 thru 3 today, you read verses 8 and 9 of chapter 2: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Sin requires a blood sacrifice (Hebrews 9:22). Our blood is tainted by sin: it’s no good. God, knowing this, humbled himself, left heaven, put on flesh, lived a sinless life, and then shed His perfect blood to be the perfect sacrifice for sins. God did that for us, because He loved us. 2Corinthians 5:21 says, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
You see, Romans 6:23 declares: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
You don’t have to be like the beasts that perish. You don’t have to leave this world in a state of shock. You can come to Jesus for His forgiveness and know for sure that when you close your eyes on earth, for the last time, they will open in Heaven. Romans 10:13 tells us that: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Peace. (Luke 2:10-14)
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How’s Your Singing? – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Passages – Acts 11 – 13; Proverbs 19
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 91 – 95; Memorize – Philippians 4:6)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 92:1
Psalm 92:1: “A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:”
Psalm 95:1-2: “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.”
Good Morning! Thanksgiving is almost upon us. And it is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD. It would appear that if you have thanksgiving in your heart it will reflect on your singing. I wish you could see what you look like when you sing. It is not a pretty sight. No wonder many preachers claim Jeremiah 1:8 (Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.). It isn’t really like that. But when we sing, according to Psalm 92:1, we should be singing praises to the LORD. And for those of us who cannot sing, there is Psalm 95:1 and 2. If you can’t sing, make a joyful noise. Think about the words you are singing…
Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!
Come we that love the Lord, And let your joys be known, Join in a song with sweet accord…
To God be the glory – great things He hath done!
I will sing the wondrous story Of the Christ who died for me…
Sing above the battle strife – Jesus saves! Jesus saves! By His death and endless life – Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Sing it softly thru the gloom, When the heart for mercy craves; Sing in triumph o’er the tomb – Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Sing the wondrous love of Jesus…
“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High…”
Peace (like a river).
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It’s All Good – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Sathl
Today’s Passages – Luke 23 – 24; Proverbs 5
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 21 – 25; Memorize – Jude 22)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 61:1 – 3
Read a great article, “5 Steps off the Plateau”, by Dr. Paul Chappell
Good morning! In Psalm 22, David is going through the wringer. He is crying out to the Lord for help. The Holy Spirit forms the words in his heart, and paints a picture of the crucifiction of our Lord. Have you ever been there? Did you ever reach a point in your life that you felt like the dogs have surrounded you, ready to tear you apart? How do you deal with it? Has the Lord your God forsaken you? That’s wierd: He said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. Maybe the problem is us. Every good gift comes from God. Since He is the Source of everything we receive, doesn’t that make it all good? Our perseption must be off. We preceive the bad things as bad when in reality they are actually good things. The bad things are designed to bring us closer to God. To help us help others. Sometimes for chastisement, which is also for our good.
I had a rough time at work two weeks ago. I worked 73 hours. Yes, I made a nice paycheck, but at what cost. I missed my wife. I missed our preachers tenth anniversary dinner. I actually cursed (not that I used bad words) my job. But it was for my good. That week was actually a good gift. I understand now that I need to be more organized at work. I appreciated getting away for the men’s retreat here at Camp Calvary. But as I said, it is all how we precieve the bad things that happen to us. We need to look at them as good things: good gifts from God: training on survival in this world.
I think if I come away with anything from this retreat, I would like a better attitude. Looking at my problems as being good is a great start.
Peace. (John 16:33)
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The Haven Of Rest – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Passages – Mark 12 – 13; Proverbs 22
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 106 – 110; Memorize – Daniel 12:3)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 121
Good morning! Sorry I’m late, but… (fill in your own excuse). Mine started when I punched into work around 6pm on Thursday night. I felt better though when I punched out around 5pm on Friday night. The only reason I’m here doing the blog is that the Lord gave me the stamina to endure, and got me home from the Vineland store okay (I started at the Absecon store, then Sicklerville, before going to the Vineland store. What a day! (and night)). Anyway, that’s not your problem. You have your own problems that are unique to you. Take a look at Psalm 107, and verses 23 thru 30…
“They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.”
Things happen in our lives. Did you ever see a piece of driftwood that was washed up on the beach? It is well worn. The bark has fallen off, and the wood is smooth and well rounded. That piece of driftwood started as a tree. God only knows where it came from: where it broke off and fell into a stream. That stream became river, and God watched as that river carried that piece of wood to the ocean. He saw the branch tossed about by waves that could reach as high as a three to four story building. As the wood nears the shore, it is taken and smashed on the beach, pulled out again, and smashed again: pounded by the waves over and over again. That is what you found on the beach in that piece of driftwood.
They that go down to the sea in ships can be tossed about by the waves. But God is always watching, and they cry out to Him. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so He bringeth them unto their desired haven.
This world tosses us around like the waves sometimes. But God sees this, and calms the storms in our lives. He delivers us to a safe haven…
The tempest may sweep
o’er the wild stormy deep,
In Jesus I’m safe ever more.
Peace. (Mark 4:39)
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Are You Happy?
Today’s Passages – Psalm 140 – 145; Proverbs 13
(Second Milers – Matthew 25 – 26; Memorize – John 10:30)
“Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.” (Psalm 144:15)
Last winter, I was researching some ideas for a new gospel tract for the church. I came across one that really caught my attention. On the front cover it had a picture of a smily face with the question, “Are You Happy?” I thought that this tract would be a great attention getter for others as well; but I wondered, is it biblical? I’m not talking about the contents of the tract, which is doctrinally sound. I am talking about the concept of happiness. What does the Bible really say about happiness? I had always been taught that God’s people can be joyful, but joy is deeper that happiness. In other words, you can be joyful even when you’re not happy. I suppose that may be true at times, but I did a little more research and discovered that the Bible very clearly teaches that God’s children should be a happy people. Don’t misunderstand, I am not saying that there will be times in our lives when we are sad; and to some degree I think feeling sad is good for us and part of our complete emotional makeup. But, for the most part, we who are saved ought to be the happiest people on the planet. Why? Because we have an awful lot to be happy about.
Consider what the Word of God says about happiness:
“Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:”(Job 5:17)
“Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.” (Psalm 128:1&2)
“Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:” (Psalm 146:5)
“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.” (Psalm 3:13)
“He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.” (Proverbs 14:21)
“Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.” (Proverbs 28:14)
I could list some more verses, but I think you get the idea. Why then are so many Christians miserable, discontented people? Why are we always so negative? It’s no wonder, we are failing terribly at reaching the world with the gospel. Why should the lost world want what we claim to have with our doctrine, but fail to demonstrate in a happy, contented life. I don’t think happiness is all that elusive. I think it can be found in a right relationship with God. By that I mean that you are saved and yielded to the Spirit of God, surrendered to His will. If you are saved and still doing things your way, you are not going to be happy, because you will have an inner turmoil going on inside of you as God the Holy Spirit works to bring you into submission.
By the way, we ordered the tract, and it was a great eye catcher. We even had a special series of messages surrounding the theme “Are You Happy?”.
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Today’s Passages – Psalm 133 – 139; Proverbs 12
(Second Milers also read – Matthew 23 – 24; Memorize – John 10:30)
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The House of the Lord
Today’s Passages – Psalm 120 – 132; Proverbs 11
(Second Milers also read – Matthew 21 – 22; Memorize John 10:30)
“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” – (Psalm 122:1)
“Except the LORD build the house they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” – (Psalm 127:1)
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” – (Psalm 133:1)
For my devotion this morning I have listed a few verses from our reading today that I believe can certainly be considered together. Though, I may be taking a little bit of liberty regarding the proper interpretations of these Scriptures in their original contexts, I do not believe my thoughts violate basic Biblical truth. The first verse (Psalm 122:1) talks about the joy of being in the house of God. I also love to be in the house of God with God’s people, but there have been times in my life when I did not appreciate going to church. Before I was saved, the last thing I wanted to do was to go to church; and even after my salvation there have been times when I dreaded church. Thinking back at these times I now realize that the reason for my apprehension was either because my own heart was not right, or that there was something not right going on in the church.
I remember years ago my wife and I were at a church business meeting. The pastor of the church had fired the youth pastor. The problem was that a good portion of the church really liked the youth pastor and did not want to see him go. The result was a church split, with a lot of arguing, gossipping, and bitterness that certainly was not pleasing to the Lord. The lack of unity (Psalm 133:1) among the brethren caused the church to become an unpleasant place to go.
The bottom line is, however, that a church where the pastor and the people are striving together, submissive to the will of God, is a place that is a downright joyful place to go for the Christian who also loves the Lord and is living for Him. I am very thankful for the church where I serve. Though we are not a large church, we enjoy serving and worshipping together. It is my prayer that our church will grow together, both spiritually and numerically. However, the house must be built by the Lord. It must be done His way, otherwise, we are just wasting our time.
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