Just as Psalm chapter 1 tells us who is blessed versus the results of the ungodly, Psalm 2 ends describing blessed are all they that put their trust in HIM. Part 1 to 3 of this particular devotion has discussed that we know heathen will rage and even gave thought to why they rage. In the end we realize it is an attack and attempt to stop the loving kindness of God. However, verse 4 of Psalm 2 explains that He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall have them in derision. The Lord has declared the decree or purpose of his Son, Jesus. John 3:16 explains so much in this most popular memorized and truthful verse; For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. You only have to believe and ask in trust and faith.
Verse 8 in Psalm 2 says, “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” God is the one and only creator of the universe. He is the one true King and leader with an ultimate plan to save us and take us to heaven. We only need to obey his word and ask him to save us and then ask for all our other wants and needs. He will supply. He will fight for us when we need him too. He fights for us even when we do not realize he is fighting for us. We are his children and he loves us so much. God wants us to be wise, be instructed, serve the Lord with fear and trembling. He will set things in order and break them, those that come against his anointed, with a rod of iron. He will dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. He is the potter and he made every one of us individually. He loves everyone but hates sin. The good news is the gospel of Jesus. He being the potter can take those broken pieces and put them back together as a vessel of honor for HIM. Even the heathen can be changed and put back together for HIM. Romans 5:8-10 says But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Blessed are all that put their trust in him. Why do the heathen rage and imagine a vain thing? Why do they set themselves, and take counsel against the Lord and against his anointed? Why do they want to break bands asunder? We will be blessed if we put our trust in him. He will take care of the enemy for us if we allow him to fight our battles. We only need to call upon him in prayer and live a life that pleases him and may lead others to HIM. He will keep us sweet. Kiss the Son of God. Show your love and affection to the Lord Jesus Christ in the way you live your live every day. Allow Jesus to keep you sweet.
Why do the heathen rage? This is the rhetorical question that opens Psalm 2. It would have you stop and think who or what is a heathen? Why do they rage? Who are they raging against? What is their plan according to this passage? Why does anyone rage? What is rage? Yes, this passage gives a lot to stop and think about. Rage is to be furious with anger and with no restraints, according to Webster’s 1828. We established in part 1 and 2, the ultimate rage and attack is against God, the Father, the creator of the world. This rage will carry over to anyone or anything that stands for the goodness and glory of God, the Father, his Son, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The verse says the heathen takes counsel against the Lord and against his anointed. We, as Christians are his anointed but the ultimate anointed is Jesus Christ.
What is their plan according to this passage. It is to break bands or unity among Christ and his people. Cast away cords because there is strength in more than one. For example, a rope with many cords woven together is much stronger than one cord. The bible reminds us that when two or three are gathered in his name, he will be in the midst. He is with us wherever we go so we are never alone when we are in Christ. But when several of us gather in his name, what a mighty force to yoke together and serve HIM with power, glory and honor. Whatever we do, we should do for the glory of God. This puts us in one accord to work together to serve the Lord with goodness, gladness and greatness. The heathen do not want Christians to be in unity for the cause of Christ and will do anything to stop it. Some do it ignorantly not realizing the God of heaven loves them too. Others are just pure evil and defiant and choose purposeful to reject God and his great love.
The rest of this passage is so encouraging and I urge you to finish reading it and read it again. God is so good. He is loving and he is kind but we all have that free will that he gave us in the beginning. We all must choose who we will serve. We are all born sinners and ultimately are heathen until we come to accept the saving love and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I wanted to finish this in 3 parts but it has so much more goodness to devote about our wonderful Lord so until next time…….Pray for each other, love each other, share the love of God, point others to Jesus and let HIM keep you sweet. He will fight your battles for you and he will give you liberties at just the right time to make things right against the so called “enemies”. I will leave you with this thought. Just as the heathen attack against God ultimately and it seems to come to you, child of God, Remember the ultimate enemy is not the heathen, It is Satan and his followers…..whether they are following blindly or purposeful. Praying for you today. Wisdom above rubies and all involved entities, desire your prayers as well. We love you!
Each day as I pray for God’s will in my life for that day and moment in time, Psalm reminds me to “stay sweet” in the midst of whatever may come in my path that day. Some days it seems God has just poured out blessing after blessing and life is all sunshine and roses. Then there are other days?! I trust most have had a variety of those “good” days and so called “bad” days. There seems to be a popular term lately, “be kind”. It shows that there is a problem of being “unkind”. A problem that all would benefit to look in the mirror to start with for improvement on being kind. Psalm 2 has some great insight and wisdom to help with information on “why do the heathen rage”?Why are they so “unkind”?
Reading through Psalm 2 again, the first thing is the question, why do the heathen rage? Ultimately, the study bible and dictionary that I am reading also asks why do the Nation’s attack God’s anointed King when their attack is doomed to failure? But stop and think, why are the heathen raging? Also, who are the heathen? The heathen are those who worship idols and are not acquainted with the true God. Webster’s 1828 says heathen can be singular or pleural. So, it can be referred to an individual or a group/nation. In the grand scheme, the attack is against God the Almighty. It is an attack against individuals or groups that serve or represent the true God. The heathen, individuals or groups, rage in defiance to God. We each either serve God, or Satan whether we are aware of it or not. Matthew 6:24 says, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Romans 5:8 tells us that God commendethhis love toward us that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. There are so many verses that tell us we are all born sinnersbut God loves us so much that he sent his Son, Jesus to make a way of reconciliation to bring us back to God.
Today, think about the motives on everything we do or say today. If there is an opportunity to be sweet, be kind while representing the one true God today, take advantage of letting HIM keep you sweet. I know me, and I can’t even walk, and I can’t even talk without HIM holding my hand. He loves you and I so much! He will take care of each of us and all our concerns. There is so much more goodness of God in this passage. I hope you will keep reading and join in for the rest of the devotion next time for part 3. Have a very blessed day and display the love of God where you go today. If you don’t know him as your personal God, Lord, and Savior, he loves you and wants you to call on him in prayer even now. That is why the heathen rage. The heathen does not want you or anyone to call on the name of the Lord. Again, stay tuned…….
As I began my prayer this morning, I longed for closeness with the Lord. Just open, honest, pure fellowship and love with him. Why did I long for that more this morning than some mornings? I long for it all the time but was able to slow down and seek the will and way of the Lord during this moment. And just as always, he was right there, just waiting on me to acknowledge HIM. He must just watch me and shake his head sometimes at me as I whirl around day to day in a busy rush with full agenda most days from before sun up to way past sun down. He is always so faithful and just. He loves me anyway and I am so very thankful for his goodness and mercy. It overwhelms me with how he will take time and listen to our every concern.
I prayed for God’s will and way in my life again this morning. It is a constant prayer. The Bible says to pray without ceasing. Lately, many changes and challenges are in my path and in my sight and I humanly worry about what is lying ahead. I know I’m going to make it because he already said that I would. Why can’t I allow myself to always trust him in all things? Because I am human. However, his word is so assuring and comforting. His word has a purpose and promise that I can depend on, and I need to be reminded again and again. Sometimes I go to my heavenly father and start and say, I need you again Lord, time and time again Lord. I know that I need HIM every hour, every moment.
So my prayer and study this morning led me to Psalm 2. I had a sweet young lady from the teen girls Sunday school share what someone had told her in the past and I like it and the saying stayed with me even now. She said the book of Psalm “keeps you sweet” and the book of Proverbs “keeps you wise”. Well,the Lord knows I need both and so much more!
I read through Psalm 1 which has been a favorite memorized passage for many years that I taught to my own children and others as well. So I went on to Psalm 2 and the Lord let me stop and rest a little while there. The question it proposed was “Why do the heathen rage?” Why can’t we all be “sweet” all the time?
This has prompted my heart and mind to want to break this passage down just a little bit more. Well if you study and break down the words as you study, you know how this can just keep going on and on and you just keep finding beautiful nuggets to chew on and absorb, digest and renew your love and fellowship with Jesus. That is part of how he helps us to stay “sweet”. Stay tuned. The Lord has helped me and I only desire to share HIM and be encouraged and hopefully encourage others as well. It is all about Jesus. Let’s share more about HIM. He is so worthy and such a great help to us all. He is full of love and kindness, and he really is what keeps us “sweet”.
Psalm 2KJV Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, 3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. 4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision. 5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. 6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. 8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. 10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. 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.
1 Timothy 1:19 KJV Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
This verse is teaching us how important it is to have our hearts right. We must have faith in God, we must firmly trust Him. A good conscience speaks of knowing right from wrong and choosing to do what you know is right. Otherwise, we can make a mess of things, even our life.
God sees the innerworkings of our hearts and minds and he cares about the condition of our inner man. 1 Chronicles 28:9 KJV And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. GOD KNOWS, we may be able to hide things from our parents, our teachers, etc, but we can’t hide anything from God.
God knows our lifestyle and cares about its condition and influence. Romans 13:13 KJV Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. This verse shows that God not only cares about our inward self but our outward life too, our conversation and our walk.
God wants us to deal with both our hearts and our lifestyle. Colossians 1:10 KJV That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Galatians 5:22-25 KJV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Temperance-showing moderation or self-resistance. God has called us to make careful choices about our lives. The verses above teach us to grow in the knowledge of God and to be a good example.
1 Peter 1:22 teaches us to purify our souls-that’s inward, and then to love one another fervently-that’s outward. If we start on the inside (the heart), the outside (our lifestyle, walk, conversation), is sure to follow. Matthew 12:34-35 KJV O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. Proverbs 4:23 KJV Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Psalm 1 KJV
I love reading Psalms. They are always so encouraging and refreshing. I was contemplating what to read for my morning devotion earlier this week and the Lord brought Psalm 1 to my mind. When I was a teenager, I had a Sunday schoolteacher who had us memorize this passage. She was also my mom! She helped us memorize verse one by pointing out that walking comes before standing and standing before sitting. As I began to study this first verse, I realized that not only is this a way to help memorize this verse, but it is also important because it shows a progression into sin. Wednesday night our pastor preached on “The Enemies of Revival” and he mentioned how when Satan tempts you and lures you into sin, he does it subtly, not all at once, there is a progression just like we see in this verse.
I’m going to break these verses apart and define some of the words using the Webster’s 1828 dictionary and the Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible KJV to help us understand better. This will literally be a list of definitions, bear with me. The very first word is blessed. Blessed–happy, prosperous, enjoying spiritual happiness and the favor of God. Next, we see walketh or walk–to move slowly on the feet, step along slowly. Counsel–advice, opinion, instruction, consultation.Ungodly–wicked, sinful, neglecting the fear and worship of God, violating His commands.Stand–to be upon the feet, to be placed or situated.Way–used metaphorically to refer to the pathways of one’s life, pattern of life.Sinners–offender, voluntarily violated the divine law. The influence of these people is to be avoided BUT they are to be instructed in the way of righteousness. Sit–to occupy a seat or place, to be in a state of rest or idleness, to settle, rest or abide.Seat–habitation, dwelling place, remaining or abiding in a given location.Scornful–to boast, to scorn, to mock, to deride, so as to express utter contempt, contrary to the law of the Lord.Delight–a high degree of pleasure or satisfaction of mind.Law–instruction, direction, law, Torah, the whole law, instruction from God. Doth meditate–ponder, study, to dwell on in thought, to think on, to revolve in the mind.Day–daily or by day. Night–by night. Tree planted by the rivers of water–consistent, unwavering, fruitful. Season–certain time, appropriate time, God’s time.Wither–fade.Doeth–to do, to make, to accomplish, to complete. Prosper–to grow or increase, thrive, to make gain.Chaff–refuse, worthless matter, especially that which is light and apt to be driven by the wind. Wind–spirit, wind, breath, used to refer to the spirit of God or the Lord.Judgement–a judgement, a legal decision, a legal case, a claim, proper, rectitude. Syn. Ordinance, righteousness. Congregation–assembly, band, pack, entourage, community of the righteous.Righteous–Just, conformity to a given standard. Shall perish– to perish, to be lost, to wander.
That was a lot, I know, but now let’s get back to the progression I was talking about earlier. So, in verse one we see “blessed is the man that walketh NOT in the counsel of the ungodly.” We should be avoiding these things, so we have to be aware of this progression of how we can get so far out into sin before we really even notice what has happened. Satan is subtle, remember? First, we see walking, some attention is given here to the advice of the ungodly, but we are still walking on, not stopping. Then, the next phrase, “nor standeth in the way of sinners,” so now we are giving more attention, we have stopped and are standing in the way of sinners and if you look back to the definitions given, you will see way is more like the lifestyle of the sinners. Next, “nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” So now we’ve done sat down, we have allowed ourselves to get comfortable here. Not only is our position getting more comfortable, (walketh, standeth, sitteth), but the degree of the sin is worsening. First, we are just hearing the advice of the ungodly, then we are becoming more intrigued with the lifestyle of the sinner, finally we are participating in the activities of the scornful. Jer. 24:9 KJV. Hook, line, sinker. We must remember to be sober and vigilant, so this does not happen to us. 1 Peter 5:8 KJV.
Verse two tells us we should delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on it day and night. As Christians we should desire the word of God, 1 Peter 2:2 KJV. We should study God’s word, 2 Tim. 2:15 KJV. This is how we will be able to avoid the afore mentioned progression into sin. Eph. 6:11 KJV. We should constantly have God’s word revolving in our hearts and minds. Eph. 6:1-9 KJV, Psalm 119:11 KJV.
As a result of delighting in God’s word, verse three says, he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water. A tree planted by the rivers of water is consistent, always bearing fruit. Even in times of drought, this tree is so deeply rooted that it’s supply of water (the Word) never dries up. Psalm 46:1 KJV. That bringeth forth HIS fruit in HIS season. This phrase relates back to my last blog about being content in your season. We see perseverance in this verse, despite hard conditions the tree continues to bear fruit and prosper. Phil. 4:13-14 KJV.
Next, we see then ungodly contrasted. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. The ungodly are fickle, unstable, wavering. James 1:5-8 KJV. They are not rooted or planted.
Therefore, the ungodly shall not stand in the judgement. I’ll be honest, before I started this study, I thought this meant they wouldn’t be in heaven for the judgement but when I looked up this word in the Hebrew-Greek study bible, it comes from the Hebrew word, mishpat, which is a noun meaning a judgement, or legal decision, rectitude, it also included some synonyms which I put in the definition list. Honestly, this one is still a bit confusing to me, but I think it means that the ungodly choose not to follow the ordinances put in place by God and if they continue this way they are bound for hell. Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous, sinners do not want to be in the company of the righteous, similar to the previous phrase. But the good news is that God loves sinners, and he sent his sone to die for our sins and He gives us a choice and we can repent and turn from our sins and choose to live for Christ. If you are convicted, if you have never been saved, read through these verses…Romans 3:23 KJV, Romans 6:23 KJV, Romans 5:8 KJV, Romans 10:13 KJV. Salvation is a free gift; all you have to do is accept it.
Lastly, “For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” The Lord knows our way, our lifestyle, and if we are righteous, He wants to bless us. Jer. 29:11 KJV. The way of the ungodly shall perish, in the Hebrew-Greek study bible, shall perish is one word meaning to perish, to be lost, to wander. Again, God made a way for us to be saved all we have to do is acknowledge our lost condition, our need for a Saviour, repent from our sins, and ask him to save us. John 3:16 KJV.
I hope this study was helpful. I hope you enjoyed it; I hope you are encouraged to dig deeper into the word of God and learn more about him and deepen your relationship with him. If you are lost, I pray you find this helpful and if you have any questions leave a comment and I will help you this best I can. If you have any additional thoughts or feedback on this topic, please comment!
Seasons have been on my mind a lot lately. Yesterday was the first day of a new season. I recently saw a Facebook post from Inside the pastor’s wife, that talked about the season of having young children and taking them to church and even though it is difficult, it’s the season you’re in, so just embrace it and make the best of it. I think it is important to be content in the season YOU are in. We are all in different seasons in life so don’t compare yourself to someone else. Learn to be content and blossom in the season you are in. God is working in your life, developing you and molding you into what HE wants you to be. Maybe you are in a waiting season, wait on Him! Maybe you are in a trying season, trust Him! Maybe you are in a season of rest, rest in Him!
I woke up with two passages of scripture on my heart this morning….Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 and Philippians 4:10-13. Ecclesiastes 1:1 says, To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: We know we will go through different seasons in life just as the seasons change from winter to spring to summer to fall. Some seasons are more difficult than others but nevertheless we NEED all the seasons in order to grow. In Philippians 4:12 Paul says, I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where in all things I am instructed both to be full and hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. We are to be content in whatever state or season we are in. Webster’s 1828 defines content as having a mind at peace, satisfied, to make quiet so as to stop complaint or opposition. Contentment is not something that comes naturally, we must do our best to stay focused on God and HIS will for our lives and when we truly seek Him, He will provide peace and contentment.
God has you in this season for a reason. Rest in him, trust him, wait on him and be content with where He has YOU right now!
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Come thou fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace.
Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it, mount of thy redeeming love.
I am convinced you just can never go wrong with the messages and the old hymns written by those long ago that lived and experienced God and his Word.
They must have loved the Lord and felt his presence so real. Surely, they were obedient and planted seeds of God and his love in writing these songs for those that could relate and experience for themselves. Their whole point must have been to “sing God’s grace.”
Wednesday night, December 28th, the Lord led our Pastor to allow us one more opportunity in the ending year of 2022 to testify of God’s grace and goodness and thank him publicly for what he has done in our hearts and lives. God allowed me to thank him publicly, one more time in church, and testify on my need to “stand” for HIM and his righteousness in the upcoming year. I am sure there will be things headed my way that I will need to “stand” for HIM in this life on earth in the New Year 2023.
Our Pastor preached a message on what kind of an influence are you? His passage came from 2nd Kings 5:1-3. He gave a definition of influence as the power to change or effect someone or something. He spoke about the people of influence, the process of influence and the prize of influence. It was a wonderful, soul searching and stirring message.
One of my devotions on December 31st was from Jeremiah 6:16: Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Another of my devotions this same morning, led me to Matthew 13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up. Matthew 13:4 led me to read the entire chapter of Matthew 13 which over all spoke about how each Christian should plant the seeds of the gospel in the hearts of others. The seeds will fall on different ground or people’s lives. Some will be fertile and grow for the Lord and in the Lord (wheat) and some will not (tares). It left a question in verse twenty-eight of what to do with the tares. Do we gather them up? In verse thirty the Lord says in this parable to let them both grow together until the harvest, so not to root up the wheat as well. So, as we all grow together and there may be times we have to take a stand for God and his righteousness while growing and working among wheat and tares. Let’s first examine our own individual heart and see if we are the influence as a wheat or as a tare. Remember they grow and look the same. God in the end will be the judge that separates the wheat and the tares. I read and say this with fear, trembling and concern for all. I am sure there will be many times we must stand as Christians, while still being able to show and point others to the love, forgiveness, and grace that he has to offer for all that will truly accept and receive him. We may even work and serve along side tares and plant seeds of kindness that may lead some others to accepting Christ as the way of salvation for eternity. Hopefully, we will all then ask God to “Tune my heart to sing thy grace.” Yes, God’s grace. God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. G.R.A.C.E.
My Pastor’s wife, Mrs. Kim Turner has made a wonderful daily scripture reading/writing plan and I would love to share this with you to read as you desire. Search the scriptures and better tune your own heart through God’s wonderful words.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
My pastor challenged the church with a question during the Wednesday night service; “What do I need to move (or remove) so HE can move in my life; to make ME what I need to be for him?” I am purposed and ordained to walk in obedience to ALL HIS word and not pick and choose what I want to be obedient to. Do I need to remove stubbornness, rebellion, pride, idols, bad habits, bitterness, envy, jealousy, and the list could go on and on in each of our lives as we ponder the weight that may beset us in our walk with God (Hebrews 12:1). Sometimes if we don’t remove it, God just may do it for us. But he gives us free will to recognize and be obedient to what he has given us instruction through his word and his messenger, the man of God.
Our preacher illustrated the thoughts of being a workmanship by the concepts of it takes talent, trouble, time, tools, and finally there is a trophy. He preached that some of the many tools include suffering and chastisement to help us grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord.
Another big message that seemed to jump out to me during the message was to “GET UP!” He is still working on us, or we would be in the grave. The message was to ALLOW the Lord to keep working on us and not to stop or hinder this process. We cannot grow without growing pains. He works to shape and mold us as he sees fit. Preacher gave reference to Job in the Bible and said through suffering God will make gold.
My Pastor went on to say that chastening, which is another tool used in the process of workmanship, produces righteousness. This is because he loves us and is working on us through chastening at times. God has a job to do. Let him do what is best for us. It is up to us to LET him do what is best for us. Am I ALLOWING him to work in and upon me? Am I submissive to what he wants in my life? Am I delaying construction by not letting God work on me? When I perceive that I have nothing to give, nothing to offer, or situations, circumstances have knocked me down, do I just stay down and give up? Is God correcting, perfecting, protecting, directing, or even redirecting me in a certain direction or path?
My takeaway from this sermon is to be a vessel of honor to God, wherever he leads my life and be what he wants me to be in all areas of my life. God honors when we obey his word and heeds the messages he sends to us in and through his WORD that is so rich and true.
When he uses tools of suffering and/or chastisement am I receptive to his plan and will in these situations? Do I grow bitter and resentful because I focus too much on myself and not God and his plan and purposes in my life as well as others? It all points to him and his purposes in the grand scheme of leading others to Christ. God wants to use us as his workmanship to be good to others and use us to “edify each other and not tear down”.
If you have ever heard the song, THE VALUE OF ONE, meditate on those words to help you with this testimonial thought. If one person gets saved out of our obedience it is worth every mile. At the same time, if one person stumbles or does not get saved because of our disobedience…or lack of obedience..…OH ME! Lord help us to see you and your purpose in and through it ALL. Every single detail of our life.
“GET UP!!” – Pastor Tommy Turner
“God uses us to edify…not to tear down.” Pastor Tommy Turner
LUKE 2:11 For unto “YOU” is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
Our pastor used this verse to proclaim the message one more time that Jesus came to earth as a baby many years ago for the purpose to go to the cross. He did all this to make a way for souls to be saved from destruction and into eternity of God in heaven. He pointed out the words….”For unto you”. This makes it so much more personal. The plan of Christmas is part of the plan of salvation to give you a personal invitation this Christmas to accept Jesus as your own Lord and Savior once and forever. He came to bring peace on earth and good will toward men. He gave the greatest gift there ever was and ever will be that night. You are invited and encouraged to watch our Christmas program that was live streamed and listen to the message from our pastor about this wonderful, adorable opportunity to make things fresh and anew in your heart and life this Christmas season. Join in and see why we adore him and celebrate him at Christmas and all year through. He is truly the greatest gift you could ever, ever receive! We give God praise for one little boy that gave his heart and life to Jesus in our church services yesterday. Our pastor told him that anything else in his life, all of his greatest moments will always be second to the gift of salvation he accepted and received this year. It is our prayer that you accept him today. Don’t delay. Jesus loves you!
Wisdom:Better Than Rubies 