Blogs, John Grant

THE PURPOSE OF THE LORD

Week Forty-nine. 2020

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. Proverbs 19:21

As 2020 draws to a close and we look in the rearview mirror, the perspective is far different from the perspective looking out the windshield in January. Who could have imagined what the year would bring…… more hurricanes than letters in the alphabet, tornados, floods, unprecedented wild fires, the most contentious election in history, homicides and rioting in the streets and the big daddy of them all, the Pandemic.

Thousands have died and hundreds of thousands have been infected. Thousands of business have closed, some of them forever. Companies like major airlines are on the verge of bankruptcy and many who had employment cannot now even pay for their rent and mortgage. The experts tell us that it may be years, not months before we totally recover and return to something like normalcy, which will be different than it was before the pandemic.

We don’t live in a perfect world and bad times and tragedies visit Christians and non-Christians. In this world we will have tribulation. (John 16:33). Christian lives have both mountains and valleys.

With some spare time on my hands I decided to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. I just finished reading through the prophets, all of whom tried to tell the people the consequences of their sin and idolatry to the people of Judah and Israel. Few listened to the fear of the Lord and dire consequences followed.

In spite of their horrible sins and from turning their backs on God, He said they were still His chosen people and He wanted them back worshiping them, with sins forgiven. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5) Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

Only God knows what the news will hold as we move into 2021. We can hope and pray for specific outcomes, but our real hope is in the trustworthy promises of the God who loves us and who is working in the world to accomplish His purposes.

Only the Lord knows His purposes and we often misunderstand. God’s purpose is behind everything He does. The best way to understand His purposes is the get to know God better by getting to know Jesus, His only Son.

He is the same Jesus who was born in the manger. The same Jesus who died on the cross for our sins. The same Jesus who resurrected and defeated the grave so that we might have life.

Author and pastor John Ortberg responds this way, “Never try to have more faith – just get to know God better. And because God is faithful, the better you know Him, the more you’ll trust Him.” Then you will understand His plans and purposes better and more clearly.

Quote scriptures of deliverance and positivity and speak against your worries. Get filled with the message of good health, love, joy, and prosperity. Think on higher things [Philippians 4:8], don’t think about what’s been bothering you—that’s for God to do.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

THOUGHTS ON ATTITUDE:

Attitude is our mental and emotional response to the circumstances of life.” —Robert Jeffress

“The greatest discovery of my generation is that man can alter his life simply by altering his attitude of mind” —William James

“Life is like baseball; it’s 95% mental and the other half is physical.” —Yogi Berra

“Things turn out the best for the people who make the best out of the way things turn out” —Art Linkletter

You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.” —James A. Allen

“It does not matter what happens to us, but our reaction to what happens to us is of vital importance.” —Fred Mitchell

“It may not be your fault for being down, but its got to be your fault for not getting up.” —Steve Davis

“Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal, nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude” —W.W. Ziege

“You are only an attitude away from success” John Maxwell

Everyone has their share of troubles and trials. But there is one simple way to turn your burdens into blessings. Change your attitude!

“Put off… the old man and…Be made new in the attitude of your minds” (Eph. 4:22-23)

The joy of each day is dependent not on what happens to us, but what happens within us. Not how the day looks at us, but how we look at the day.

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Decide whether or not the goal is worth the risks involved. If it is, stop worrying. Amelia Earhart

“Put off… the old man and…Be made new in the attitude of your minds” (Eph. 4:22-23)

The joy of each day is dependent not on how what happens to us, but what happens within us. Not how the day looks at us, but how we look at the day.

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give. Winston Churchill

But it is vital to remember that God measures success, not by outcomes in our world, but by obedience to his word.

Blogs, Jeremy Stopford

TODAY’S LESSON: Psalm 131

STUDY IN THE ASCENT PSALMS

Semi Retired Pastor Jeremy Stopford

INTRODUCTION

Years ago, I preached a series of messages going through the entire book of Romans. I was a young pastor, quite “wet behind my ears” as far as preaching a series all the way through a book of the Bible was concerned. So the first message was prefaced, “Studies in Romans, Part 1” then the title. It wasn’t too long when came, “Studies in Romans, Part 10”, then “Part 20”, then “Part 26”. I know, I know – some pastors would take even longer. But I learned from that – NEVER again preface a study with “Part #…”. Having said that, …….

Today is Study #12 of our insights into the “Ascent Psalms” – Psalms 120-134!

Each one is unique, an individual, one of a kind. A visual of a pilgrim’s journey – like YOURS!Since we have started this study, have you seen how your life is a journey, a sojourning into the seemingly unknown but also in the hands of the One Who knows your path?

OUR THEME VERSE

“Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage. (Psalm 84:5 NKJV). This is a short verse – have you learned it yet?

TODAY WE ARE IN PSALM 131

Psalm 131 New King James Version (NKJV)

Simple Trust in the Lord

A Song of Ascents. Of David.

1. Lord, my heart is not haughty,

Nor my eyes lofty.

Neither do I concern myself with great matters,

Nor with things too profound for me.

2. Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul,

Like a weaned child with his mother;

Like a weaned child is my soul within me.

3. O Israel, hope in the Lord

From this time forth and forever.

TITLE AND OUTLINE OF PSALM 131 (Dr. W. Graham Scroggie)

TITLE: “The Quiet Soul

OUTLINE:

  1. The Negative Claim (v. 1)
  2. The Positive Claim (v. 2)
  3. The Consequent Claim (v. 3)

SOME INTERESTING INSIGHTS

This is often called “A Psalm of Humility”. Now I’m the most humble person I know – just ask me, I’ll tell you. At least, I may have THOUGHT I am humble – until I am confronted with the Word of God , and in particular with this psalm.

Ever have one of those “OH MY!” moments while reading the Scriptures? Never? Not even once? I doubt I’m the only one. Sometime last year, as I was continuing my habit of reading 5 psalms every morning, I came upon Psalm 131. I had read it MANY times before. But THAT morning was different. Why? Because the Spirit of the Lord said in a silent, yet booming voice, “this psalm is My psalm for you.” The tears came then, and the gratefulness continues now.

This psalm has become my favorite passage in Scripture. I hope in time it will become one of your favorites as well.

The psalm is only 3 verses long, yet look how this is a proper “ascent” psalm – a psalm of heading toward a spiritual goal.

In verse 1, David equates the use of two body functions – his heart and eyes – and adds to them his “concern” with great and profound matters. My NKJV has some good “center margin” understandings of this verse:

“My heart is not ‘haughty’” = it is not “PROUD”. Listen to Proverbs 18:12, “Before destruction the HEART of a man is haughty, and before honor is humility” – the SAME thinking that David has here in Psalm 131! Proverbs 6:16 and the following talk about the “six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him”. In verse 18 is “a HEART that devises wicked plans.” Solomon, the author of most of the Proverbs, learned well from his father, David!

Psalm 131 goes on to say, not only is his heart not haughty, but “nor my eyes lofty.” Again, the margin reads for “lofty” = “arrogant” – decidedly an excellent understanding of “lofty”! Again, in Proverbs 6, verse 17, one of the things God hates is “a proud LOOK”. “Arrogant” fits well in our understanding.

David says in Psalm 131, “neither do I concern myself with great matters”. The margin is helpful once again: “concern” = “walk in” or “exercise”. This is a term of the body, of trying to stay in shape. Yet in this psalm it becomes a term of the spirit – of keeping the spiritual part of us in shape!

Finally in verse 1, David says that he doesn’t concern himself “with things too profound for me.” “Profound”? Ok, here we go…the margin says, “difficult”.

So David makes a declaration of what he has learned in his many years of walking with the Lord. These are lessons learned in HIS sojourn, his pilgrimage with the Lord. My HEART (heart), my EYES (soul), my EXERCISE (strength/body), and my PROFUNDITY (mind).

What was it that Jesus told the one who was looking to see if his life measured up with what the Lord expected? In Mark 12:20, Jesus said, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your HEART, with all your SOUL, with all your MIND, and with all your STRENGTH.’ This is the first commandment.”

David had learned this truth. And when we do, we will discover that our whole being is learning to be focused on a complete love for the Lord!

In verse 2, David visualizes the journey to true worship. He uses a comparison with which many of us may be familiar: the weaning of a child. The child may be human, it may be a kitten with a mother cat, a puppy with a mother dog, a young cow or other farm animal with its mother. This is a picture of contentedness. And in this contentedness, David uses terms like “calmed” and “quieted”. These are super visual, aren’t they? But what is the picture, the visual of weaning accomplishing? The calming and quieting of David’s SOUL – his innermost being and its hunger for true worship, true substance.

Have you read Ecclesiastes 3 lately? We’re all familiar with verses 1-8, “To everything there is a season…”. The Byrds made that into a famous song back in the 1960’s. In fact, when I introduce that passage as a song the Byrds sang, I often see the looks or actually hear the “I didn’t know THAT was from the Bible!” from those in my audience. But soon after the “to everything” verses is verse 11: “He [GOD] has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.” What does it mean, “put ETERNITY in their hearts”? Scholars teach that when used in that form, “eternity” stands for everything that the LORD stands for: purpose, substance, holiness, righteousness, and more! In other words, when God puts “eternity in their hearts”, He has put into our hearts an hunger for…HIM. We spend ALL OUR LIVES searching to feed that hunger, to satisfy that hunger, with everything BUT Him…until we come to the cross! And then “eternity in [OUR] hearts” is satisfied indeed!

THAT’s what David is sharing in these first 2 verses – our HUNGER for the LIVING LORD is SATISFIED only with Him. Nothing else will satisfy. Are YOU satisfied in Jesus alone?

CONCLUDING THOUGHT

Verse 3, “O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forever” sounds much like the last verse of Psalm 130, a prayer for Israel. That’s a good thing when the citizens of a nation – especially those of faith – are praying for its nation. Is that the heart of this verse?

I think not! As we close our study in Psalm 131, let us remember that David is thinking primarily, NOT of the nation, but of its citizens.

We here in the U.S. of A have just – I think? – finished a most tumultuous presidential election season. What is the one sad lesson that we’ve learned? That a nation becomes a DIVIDED nation when its citizens label themselves ONLY by political parties and not by allegiances to the Savior.

David in his hunger for, journey toward, and sojourn with the living Lord so desires that the citizens of Israel join him in that sojourn.

Will you be a sojourner of faith where the Lord has wisely planted YOU ?

Blogs, John Grant

LOST AND FOUND

Week Forty-Eight, 2020

What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it. Luke 15:4

A recent Barna study found that although 61% of American millennials consider themselves to be Christian, just 2% of them were found to hold a biblical worldview.

A biblical worldview, as defined by Barna, includes believing that absolute moral truths exist, and that such truth is defined by the Bible, as well as firm belief in six specific religious views.

Those views are that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life; God is the all-powerful and all-knowing Creator of the universe and He stills rules it today; salvation is a gift from God and cannot be earned; Satan is real; a Christian has a responsibility to share their faith in Christ with other people; and the Bible is accurate in all of its teachings.

Only an estimated 9% of adults in both the Elder (75 and older) and Boomer generations (56 to 74 years of age) hold a biblical worldview. Among Generation X (37 to 55 years of age), the percentage of subscribers to a biblical worldview drops to 5%.

While millennials have shown the most radical shift away from the Bible, other generations did not fare much better. Only an estimated 9% of adults in both the Elder (75 and older) and Boomer generations (56 to 74 years of age) hold a biblical worldview. Among Generation X (37 to 55 years of age), the percentage of subscribers to a biblical worldview drops to 5%. A nation that is at war with itself to adopt new values, lifestyles, and a new identity, is a war for worldview dominance.

The secret most people, even Christians, don’t understand is Jesus. We are lost without Him. He relentlessly pursues us until we are found by Him. We are like sheep who have turned off the path, going our own way, doing our own thing. Wandering around lost. Not realizing that we are lost until we look up and find that we are. Then the good shepherd, leaving the 99, pursues us and finds us. And rescues us from our lostness.

Amazing grace. How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I Once was lost, now am found. Was blind, but now I see. This is what our nation and its people need. Will you share your faith with them?

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

Like Daniel, we face opposition that does not understand our faith or believe in our God. They need and deserve our compassion and our witness. But they will receive neither unless we live with such integrity that they see the unmistakable imprint of Jesus on our lives. If skeptics are going to find fault with us, let them say that we are too committed to our Lord. Is this what the world would say of you? Jim Denison

— o —

15 QUALITIES OF WISE PEOPLE:

Wise people…

…bring joy to their faith (Prov. 10:1).

…work hard (Prov. 10:5).

…accept instruction (Prov. 10:8).

…treasure knowledge (Prov. 10:14).

…listen to others (Prov. 12:15).

…stay calm when insulted (Prov. 12:16).

…think before they act (Prov. 13:16).

…walk with those who are wise (Prov. 13:20).

…look ahead to see what is coming (Prov. 13:20).

…act cautiously and avoid danger (Prov. 14:16).

…make learning a joy (Prov. 15:14).

…are hungry for truth (Prov. 17:27).

…manage their anger (Prov. 29:11).

…generously shares with those less fortunate (Prov. 22:9).

…walk with integrity (Prov. 11:3).

Be wise.

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Takers live better, but givers sleep better. Ken Whitten

But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. 2 Timothy‬ ‭2:23‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

You are who you hang with. Bob Sprinkle

The Church’s Greatest Need Is the Word of God.

God Uses Ordinary People for Extraordinary Plans. John 16:7

Jesus’ message is both personal and preset to us this day. Kelly Knouse

God is more interested in changing people than in condemning them. Ken Whitten

Christians are called to a higher standard than those of the world. Bob Sprinkle

Blogs, Jeremy Stopford

TODAY’S LESSON: Psalm 130

Semi Retired Pastor Jeremy Stopford

STUDY IN THE ASCENT PSALMS

INTRODUCTION

We are heading into the HOME STRETCH! Today is Study #11 of our insights into the “Ascent Psalms” – Psalms 120-134!

Each one is unique, an individual, one of a kind. A visual of a pilgrim’s journey – like YOURS!

OUR THEME VERSE

“Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage. (Psalm 84:5 NKJV). This is a short verse – have you learned it yet?

BUT FIRST, A COMMERCIAL !!!

Make that, TWO Commercials!

(Is a commercial allowed, Dr. Becker?)

COMMERCIAL #1: Have you BOUGHT the book?

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Get to Amazon and get your copy – why, I bought THREE – and have given 2 away!

COMMERCIAL #2: NEXT WEEK’S LESSON IS PSALM 131

Did you remember that is my FAVORITE passage in the whole Bible?

Please READ IT this week!

TODAY WE ARE IN PSALM 130

Psalm 130 New King James Version (NKJV)

Waiting for the Redemption of the Lord

A Song of Ascents.

1 Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord;

2  Lord, hear my voice!

Let Your ears be attentive

To the voice of my supplications.

3  If You, Lord, should mark iniquities,

O Lord, who could stand?

4  But there is forgiveness with You,

That You may be feared.

5  I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,

And in His word I do hope.

6  My soul waits for the Lord

More than those who watch for the morning—

Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.

7  O Israel, hope in the Lord;

For with the Lord there is mercy,

And with Him is abundant redemption.

8  And He shall redeem Israel

From all his iniquities.

TITLE AND OUTLINE OF PSALM 130 (Dr. W. Graham Scroggie)

TITLE: “De Profundis !!!”

OUTLINE:

#1. Waiting ON the Lord (vs. 1-4)

A. Earnest Supplication (vs. 1-2)

B. Joyful Consolation (vs. 3-4)

#2. Waiting FOR the Lord (vs. 5-8)

A. Trustful Expectation (vs. 5-6)

B. Stirring Exhortation (vs. 7-8)

SOME INTERESTING INSIGHTS

I had an extra challenge this week! Brother Scroggie entitled this psalm “De Profundis!”. Did you know that Oscar Wilde wrote a book by that name? So what does it mean? According to the dictionary, it means “a heartfelt cry of appeal expressing deep feelings of sorrow or anguish.” THEN to my surprise, it continues “and the ‘De Profundis’ prayer in the Bible is Psalm 130”. So here we go!

The psalmist raises an interesting question in verse 1 – “Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord”. Where do you think he was in life when he prayed such an extreme prayer? Where would you or I be? To be honest, my simplistic prayer usually is, “Father, thank you for a new day. I give the day to you. Bless [whatever I’m looking forward to, or whatever a family member or friend is looking forward to]. Amen”.

I don’t think this kind of prayer of our unnamed psalmist is the “norm” for most of us – but it doesn’t HAVE to be! It is letting us know that WHAT we might pray and WHAT our heart REALLY feels, may be two different things! And that it is OK to “CUT LOOSE” before the Lord.

Matthew 6:8 reminds us, “For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” Paul adds in Romans 8:26, “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

So IF the Father knows our hearts, AND the Spirit knows our hearts, what is the point in this psalm? A little phrase which says, “OUT OF THE DEPTHS” !!! Wow! That phrase sounds awfully familiar, doesn’t it? Who else prayed “out of the depths”? Who? Listen to his INDEPTH [little play on words, eh Dr. Becker?] insight, from, of course, Jonah 2:

1“Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly.

2 And he said:

“I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction,

And He answered me.

“Out of the belly of Sheol I cried,

And You heard my voice.

3 For You cast me into the deep,

Into the heart of the seas,

And the floods surrounded me;

All Your billows and Your waves passed over me.”

Well, perhaps Jonah is teaching us that one does NOT have to go into the BELLY of the great fish to qualify to have an heartfelt prayer with the Lord! What he IS teaching us is that we can pray anywhere, anytime, regardless of the words or the hurt.

[For you studious ones, there is ONE time when our prayer needs to be preceded by repentance:

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.” (Psalm 66:18)]

The Lord loves to receive by His ear the hurts of His children! The Spirit loves to help in putting to voice – EVEN if the voice is never uttered by word! – the concerns of the Father’s children.

Even “out of the depths”.

One more quick thought about this psalm. Did you notice that in verse 5 and the first part of verse 6, THREE TIMES the psalmist says that “he waits”:

“I WAIT for the Lord, MY SOUL WAITS,

And in His word I do hope.

MY SOUL WAITS for the Lord…”

OK, let’s be honest here. How well do you and I REALLY love to “WAIT”???

Been in a line at Walmart, especially just before Thanksgiving or before Christmas?

Been in a line at the traffic light?

Been someWHERE when you need to be elseWHERE 5 minutes ago?

So what does the psalmist DO while he is WAITING for the Lord to act?

The rest of verse 5 says, “And in His word I do hope.” “IN HIS WORD I DO HOPE!” Did we catch that?

I knew of a missionary friend, ministering among the Guanano Indians, who ultimately was martyred for his faith by Colombian rebels down in Colombia many years ago. Tim VanDyke LOVED the Lord, he LOVED to share his faith. And the testimony that came back after his martyrdom was WHAT? That while he and his co-worker were dwelling among their captors, what did they DO? They SHARED the Word of God in the hopes that their captors would be…SAVED! Tim and Steve HOPED in the Word of God! Yes, they, too were both “in the depths”. And while waiting upon the Lord to get them OUT of the depths, they HOPED that the Word of God would not only be THEIR hope, but it would also be the HOPE of their captors! Wow! The Great Faith chapter says of Tim and Steve, “of whom the world was not worthy”.

CONCLUDING THOUGHT

Look at the last two verses. How would YOU have finished a prayer from “out of the depths” of the despair or situation that the Lord allowed YOU to be in?

Our unnamed psalmist prayed for ISRAEL! He prayed for their:

HOPE in the Lord

MERCY in the Lord

ABUNDANT REDEMPTION in the Lord

REDEMPTION from all their iniquities!

The psalmist did NOT end his prayer praying for himself! He prayed for his country, his beloved Israel! In one sense, in praying for Israel, he was praying for the preparation of his nation for the future coming of the Messiah. But he was also praying for the hearts of the people of his land: that they would know the HOPE, MERCY, and REDEMPTION of the Lord!

Is that OUR prayer for the LAND in which the Lord has wisely put each of US?

Why not while IN the depths, and while an answer is not visible before us, let us remember to pray for an ENTIRE NATION that it, too, would be surrendering to the Lord’s amazing HOPE, MERCY, and REDEMPTION!

Will you pray for your land today?

Blogs, John Grant

BEING SPIRITUAL

Week Forty-Seven, 2020

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Matthew 23:25

Paul observed that the carnal man cannot understand spiritual things. Why? Because he lacks spiritual discernment (1 Cor. 2:13-16). Unfortunately, in this letter to Christians, he lamented, “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people, but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ” (1 Cor. 3:1). The Corinthian conundrum is our challenge today.

Bill Bennett’s observations in his 1990’s best seller, “The Book of Virtues,” is more applicable than ever. “I submit to you that the real crisis of our time is spiritual.” Furthermore, Bennett asserts “A human being without faith, without reverence for anything, is a human being morally adrift.”

Our culture is morally adrift. We shake our heads and wonder “what happened?” “Why?” And “how can we fix it?” William Barclay’s explanation of the Corinthian passage provides some insight. He points out that the carnal man is driven by material needs, physical desires and worldly values.

“A man like that cannot understand spiritual things. A man who thinks that nothing is more important than the satisfaction of the sex urge cannot understand the meaning of chastity; a man who ranks the amassing of material things as the supreme end of life cannot understand generosity; and a man who has never a thought beyond this world cannot understand the things of God. To him they look mere foolishness.”

Then he offers his sobering warning and significant admonition, “It is easy to become so involved in the world that there exists nothing beyond it. We must pray to have the mind of Christ, for only when He dwells within us are we safe from the encroaching invasion of the demands of material things.” –Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

The book of Revelation describes Jesus as “the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world” (13:8 NIV). 1 Peter 1 points to “the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot” (v. 19) and says that “he was foreknown before the foundation of the world” (v. 20).

In other words, before God made the world, his Son was already a sacrificial lamb for the sins of the world.

Romans 5:8 makes this fact plain: “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” “While we were still sinners”—before we had done one thing to earn God’s forgiveness, Jesus died for us.

Here’s the point to understand: Jesus chose to die for you before you committed your first sin. He knew your forgiveness would cost Him His life, but He chose to create you anyway. And every other person in human history with you.

There is nothing we can do to earn such love because it was decided before we even existed. His redeeming grace is like a house you build for your grandchildren before your children are born. It is like a soldier who dies for a country that does not yet exist, but his death helps create.

Would you have a second child if you knew that child would murder your first child? We are God’s second children. And He chose to make us, and His first child chose to die for us, anyway. Jim Denison

— o —

TRUISMS:

You’re never too old to learn something stupid.

To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first, and call whatever you hit the target.

Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.

Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.

I’m supposed to respect my elders, but it’s getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

— o —

Abortion Clinic CEO Compares Abortion to Removing a Mole or Getting a Root Canal.

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

We have given place to the accursed thing of materialism. We have made the mistake of putting prosperity, security and comfort ahead of the spiritual ideals upon which our nation was founded. Billy Graham

Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us. Thomas Paine

Jesus warned people about worrying about their possessions. For Jesus, greed is not only greed of money, but excessive anxiety over it. Tim Keller

There is no mess in your life that God cannot use for ministry. Ken Whitten

Whenever you stop being thankful in your spirit, you begin to push God to the perimeter of your life. David Jeremiah

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King, Jr.

We need to conquer the fears that cripple our faith. Kelly Knouse

If something is not answered in Scripture, it’s something you don’t need to know. Bob Sprinkle

Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment. James Jay Horning

Blogs, Jeremy Stopford

TODAY’S LESSON: Psalm 129

Semi Retired Pastor Jeremy Stopford

STUDY IN THE ASCENT PSALMS

INTRODUCTION

WOW! Already, today we are in Study #10 of our insights into the “Ascent Psalms” – Psalms 120-134!

Each song is unique, an individual, one of a kind. All together they form a panorama of the pilgrim’s journey.

OUR THEME VERSE

“Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage.” (Psalm 84:5 NKJV). This is a short verse – but worthy of being not only OUR theme verse but YOUR Life Verse! Have you learned it yet?

TODAY WE ARE IN PSALM 129

Psalm 129 New King James Version (NKJV)

Song of Victory over Zion’s Enemies

A Song of Ascents.

1 “Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth,”

Let Israel now say—

2.  “Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth;

Yet they have not prevailed against me.

3  The plowers plowed on my back;

They made their furrows long.”

4  The Lord is righteous;

He has cut in pieces the cords of the wicked.

5  Let all those who hate Zion

Be put to shame and turned back.

6  Let them be as the grass on the housetops,

Which withers before it grows up,

7  With which the reaper does not fill his hand,

Nor he who binds sheaves, his arms.

8  Neither let those who pass by them say,

“The blessing of the Lord be upon you;

We bless you in the name of the Lord!”

TITLE AND OUTLINE OF PSALM 120 (Dr. W. Graham Scroggie)

TITLE: “The Vindication of the Righteous”

OUTLINE: #1. The Affliction of the Righteous, Past (vs. 1-4)

#2. The Judgment of the Unrighteous, Future (vs. 5-8)

SOME INTERESTING INSIGHTS

To prepare our hearts for this study, let’s read together the following verses from PSALM 73:

Asaph, the author, began this psalm with these insightful, almost patriotic words:

“Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are pure in heart.

But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;

My steps had nearly slipped.

For I was envious of the boastful,

When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” (VERSES 1-3)

Asaph, like the unnamed author of Psalm 129, has an overwhelming zeal for Israel. Throughout the psalms, even the non-Jewish readers can note that there is a tender place in the Lord’s heart for His chosen people:

Note PSALM 73:17:

“Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end.”

Finally, note Asaph’s declaration of his inner faith, in PSALM 73:25-26:

“Whom have I in heaven but You?

And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.

  My flesh and my heart fail;

But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Why are these verses important to our study of PSALM 129? Because they show the unity of the zeal for Israel, the anger of the non-Jews toward the nation and toward their God, and the firm hunger of God’s people of all ages for the intimacy provided in a relationship with the living God.

With those thoughts, coming to PSALM 129, note that there are at least 2 unusual grammar forms in this psalm:

#1 VERSE 3. “plowers plowed on my back”

This is a picture of both weakness and helplessness. It is a recurring theme in Scripture, and for good reason.

Let’s look together at a couple of verses to show this (there are MANY more – a casual reading of the entire Bible will find them readily!):

FROM JOB 30:

“They abhor me, they keep far from me;

They do not hesitate to spit in my face.” (v. 10)

“He has cast me into the mire,

And I have become like dust and ashes.” (v. 19)

“I cry out to You, but You do not answer me;

I stand up, and You regard me.” (v. 20)

“My skin grows black and falls from me;

My bones burn with fever.” (v. 30)

These all show an opposition to Job, an opposition which he did not ask for; an opposition which rears its ugly head not only with taunts of the wicked, but a seeming silence from God Himself.

Who else experienced this? Let’s check out:

ISAIAH 50:6 “I gave My back to those who struck Me,

And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard;

I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.”

ISAIAH 52:14 “Just as many were astonished at you,

So His visage [“appearance”] was marred more than any man,

And His form more than the sons of men;

MATTHEW 27:26 “Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged

Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.”

In English literature, this is called the “Christus Element”. It is an identification of a character – or, even in Psalm 129 a nation – Who/which has suffered suffering for which He/it did not ask, and which was no fault of His/its own.

As in Isaiah 50, 52, and Matthew 27, Psalm 129 is a perfect example of the “Christus Element”. The unknown author of Psalm 129 is pointing the nation of Israel directly to the One Who one day in the future would willingly suffer in their place! And His Name is Jesus!

#2 VERSES 5-6, which includes the phrase “grass on the housetops”

In 2 KINGS 19:25-26, the prophet Isaiah encourages King Hezekiah that the purpose of opposition from the King of Assyria was to point that king to the reality that all his accomplishments were not a result of his power, might, or wisdom. The king’s victories were a result of the Lord Himself using an ungodly king to fulfill His purposes for the nations – including Israel – against which the Lord had sent the armies of Assyria.

In that passage is a similar phrase to PSALM 129:

“Therefore their inhabitants had little power;

They were dismayed and confounded;

They were as the grass of the field

And the green herb,

As the GRASS ON THE HOUSETOPS

And grain blighted before it is grown.”

As in Psalm 129, this is a phrase of destruction. The picture is of grass which withers away, resulting in a useless and unprotected home – a type of how useless and unprotected any nation would be which seeks to oppose the LIVING God of Israel!

Oh how secure is the nation of Israel – as well as the believer – under the protective arms of our Great God and Savior!

CONCLUDING THOUGHT

A study of Psalm 129 would be incomplete without a comment on the psalm’s final phrase,

“The blessing of the Lord be upon you;

We bless you in the name of the Lord!”

There are at least 2 times in Scripture when this phrase or theme is used! In RUTH 2:4, the main male character Boaz at the start of the work day would greet his workers with, “The Lord be with you!”. In reply, they would respond, “The Lord bless you.”

Can you imagine your employer beginning the work day seeking a blessing from God upon the present day of labor?

But its origin is with the phrase often used throughout scripture and was initially found in NUMBERS 6:24-25, where the Lord instructed Moses as to how he was to bless the people of Israel, in part:

“The Lord bless you and keep you;

  The Lord make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you…”

PSALM 129 incorporates that blessing. It was a reminder to the people of God throughout all the ages that there is a DIFFERENCE between the people of God and the people of the world.

The people of God enjoy the blessing – the personal, intimate, deep blessing – of the living God!

The people of the world not only do not enjoy that blessing – they have no idea what it is!

When we have trusted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are people of the blessing of the Lord!

Aren’t you glad you are a blessed person? Don’t you wish that everyone knew the blessing of being a child of the King of kings?

Blogs, John Grant

SEEKING FIRST

Week Forty-Six, 2020

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:33-34 NIV

I love it when something that Jesus said is so clear.

▪ He didn’t say seek Him first, but after your second cup of coffee.

▪ He didn’t say seek Him first, but after you’ve read the paper or watched your favorite morning news show.

▪ He didn’t say seek Him first, but not before your spouse and/or family.

▪ He didn’t say seek Him first, but not before your career, career goals or work.

▪ He didn’t say seek Him first just behind any personal goals and dreams you might have.

▪ He didn’t say seek Him first just behind all the church work and church stuff you’ve got to accomplish first.

▪ He didn’t say seek Him first, but only if all your personal needs and desires are satisfied.

▪ He didn’t say seek Him first, but only if you don’t have anything better to do.

▪ He didn’t say seek Him first, but only if you feel like it.

▪ He didn’t say seek Him first if you feel Him close or if you’ve hit rock bottom.

▪ He didn’t say seek Him first, but only after you fret and worry about it first.

▪ He didn’t say seek Him first, but…

He said “seek FIRST His kingdom and His righteousness…”

In the midst of a passage where He is telling us not to worry about our life, what we will eat or drink, or our body and what we will wear, Jesus said, “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Maybe we should ask ourselves…

What is it (or who is it) that we are putting before our relationship with God?

What is it (or who is it) that we are seeking first? Marty Stubblefield

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

Will you be grateful on the hardest of days?

A pastor was known for the prayers of gratitude with which he began each worship service. No matter how difficult the circumstances, he always seemed to be able to find a reason to give thanks.

Then came an especially difficult Sunday. A heavy winter storm blanketed the city, coating its streets in ice and snow. Power was out for many. A bitter wind assaulted the few hardy people who dared to make their way into the sanctuary.

As the service began, the pastor stepped to the pulpit for his customary invocation.

Those in the congregation wondered to themselves, “How could he possibly find a reason to give thanks this morning?” The pastor bowed his head and prayed, “Lord, we thank you that it is not always like this.”

For what will you give thanks to your Father today?

— o —

It’s time to remember, in the midst of a self-indulgent period in our nation, that our primary purpose in gathering together is not to please ourselves; or because it is psychologically sound for us to do; or that it supports the family structure; or that it partakes of traditional family values though all of these things may be by-products of our gathering together. Our purpose in gathering together is to prostrate ourselves before the Almighty God of heaven and pay Him homage.” Bill Fiest

— o —

TRUISMS:

I thought I wanted a career. Turns out I just wanted paychecks.

In filling out an application, where it says, ‘In case of emergency, notify:’ I put ‘DOCTOR.’

I didn’t say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.

A clear conscience is the sign of a fuzzy memory.

You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

The focus of worship is not human experience, not a lecture, not entertainment, but Jesus Christ–His life, death, and resurrection. Richard Webber

A good deal of the problems in our world and the apathy of too many Christians, “Without worship, we go about miserable.” A. W. Tozer

When we lose focus on the purpose and person of worship, we need to hear and heed the admonition of the angel whom John attempted to worship. His two words remind us all why we go to church today….“Worship God” (Rev. 22:9). Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

Worldliness is the enemy to holiness. Kelly Knouse

Salvation is not a process. It is a person and the person is Jesus. Ken Whitten

Life is not found in an abundance of material possessions. The Minimalist

Most people are as happy as they make up their minds to be. Abraham Lincoln

A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you. C. S. Lewis

Life’s too short to hold a grudge. Forgive. Forget. And let go. Ken Weliever

It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled. Mark Twain

If Jesus is your Lord, you “have eternal life” today (John 3:16). Have you thanked your Savior for the gift of your salvation recently? Have you thanked God for the fact that your death is the doorway to your eternal life? Jim Denison

Blogs, Jeremy Stopford

TODAY’S LESSON: Psalm 128

STUDY IN THE ASCENT PSALMS

Semi Retired Pastor Jeremy Stopford

INTRODUCTION

Today is Study #9 of our insights into the “Ascent Psalms” – Psalms 120-134. You can check out the first 8 studies in the “BLOG/JEREMY STOPFORD” section of this OUTSTANDING web site of Brother Becker!!!

I checked it out for MYSELF! And there it IS !!!

OUR THEME VERSE

“Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage. (Psalm 84:5 NKJV). This is a short verse – but worthy of being not only OUR theme verse but YOUR Life Verse! Why not commit it to memory today!

TODAY WE ARE IN PSALM 128

Psalm 128 New King James Version (NKJV)

Blessings of Those Who Fear the Lord

A Song of Ascents.

1

Blessed is every one who fears the Lord,

Who walks in His ways.

2 

When you eat the [a]labor of your hands,

You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.

3 

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine

In the very heart of your house,

Your children like olive plants

All around your table.

4 

Behold, thus shall the man be blessed

Who fears the Lord.

5 

The Lord bless you out of Zion,

And may you see the good of Jerusalem

All the days of your life.

6 

Yes, may you see your children’s children.

Peace be upon Israel!

TITLE OF PSALM 128 (Dr. W. Graham Scroggie)

TITLE: “Family Felicity!”

SOME INTERESTING INSIGHTS

This is a most interesting psalm! Of course, it is an “Ascent Psalm”. This means what again? That the readers were heading to Jerusalem either as sojourners who were returning from a foreign captivity, OR as travelers who were headed to the temple in Jerusalem for individual and national worship on one of the yearly feast days.

It is also an “Universal Psalm”. It is so-called because it has no prescribed author. Since the author is unknown, we know then that the psalm has at least a two-fold direction: for the Jewish people of Israel AND for those believers in Jehovah all over the world and of all time periods! Like US!

But even in this short psalm, did you notice WHO is the subject of this psalm? Who???? Why, a whole BUNCH of people! [my 11th grade teacher would once again be CRINGING, for she would say – am I right, Dr. Becker? – a “bunch” refers ONLY to a whole lot of GRAPES].

Look at VERSE 1: “every one”

Look at VERSE 2: “you”

Look at VERSE 3: “your wife”; “your children”

Look at VERSE 4: “the man”

Look at VERSE 5: “you”

Look at VERSE 6: “you”; “Israel”.

HOW are these subjects FEELING, as described by the psalm’s author?

Look at VERSE 1: every one is “BLESSED”

Look at VERSE 2: you shall be “HAPPY”

Look at VERSE 3: your wife and your children are “LIKE” something

Look at VERSE 4: the man is “BLESSED”

Look at VERSE 5: you are “BLESSED”

Look at VERSE 6: you may “SEE”; Israel may “FEEL” [implied]

Note how each verse is a progression.

The subject…

Feels….

WHAT?

Look at VERSE 1: everyone is blessed who FEARS the Lord and WALKS in His ways!

Look at VERSE 2: you enjoy the FRUIT of your labor! You are happy and it shall be well

with you!

Look at VERSE 3: your wife is like a FRUITFUL VINE in your house

Your children are like OLIVE PLANTS all around the table!

Look at VERSE 4: thus is the man blessed WHO FEARS THE LORD!

Look at VERSE 5: The man is blessed by the LORD [HIMSELF – implies “personally”!], and

such a blessing of seeing GOOD will be ALL the days of his life!

Look at VERSE 6: you may see your CHILDREN’S CHILDREN! [more than just

“grandchildren” – it refers to the fact that his family will continue for

many generations to come!]

CONCLUDING THOUGHT

It IS an “Universal Psalm” !!!

The unnamed author concludes this wonderful psalm with a short but poignant prayer:

“Peace be upon Israel”.

It IS a wonderful thing to see the blessing of the Lord upon the individuals and the family members of the people. But more importantly, the whole purpose of this psalm is to direct one’s attention to the “success” before the Lord of the ENTIRE NATION, in this case, of Israel.

That is the psalmist’s eternal prayer!

But what about for YOUR nation? Here in the USA, we just finished (or have we?) a most turbulent election season. We have been blessed by God in our history to be one of the most prosperous countries in the world, We have been led by the Lord to set an example of being the world’s melting pot, a diversity of peoples, who have come here to seek freedom.

Yet in the middle of that blessing, diversity, and freedom, come those individuals and groups that seek “control” for the sole good of themselves rather than of the whole nation.

So wouldn’t it be a proper, simple prayer for us, too?

Let’s pray it together: “Peace be upon the United States of America”.

Amen.

Blogs, John Grant

PLEASING GOD

Week Forty-Five, 2020

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ (Galatians 1:10).

With some spare time while hunkered down as the virus continues to threaten us, I decided to sit down and read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Reading the Old Testament really convicted me about the importance of pleasing God.

It begins with creation and the anointing of His chosen people, as He saved them from captivity and with various miracles and provisions while guiding them through many years in the desert, the parting of the Red Sea and finally across the Jordan River to the promised land. He protected and provided them every step of the way.

They divided into tribes, established towns and cities and then divided into Israel in the North and Judah in the South. But then terrible things began to happen. They wandered from worshiping God to worshiping idols. God became very displeased and brought punishment and terror into their lives.

God sent several prophets and told them to tell the people how displeased He was and how He planned to punish them with famine, disease and capture by other nations. Time after time they ignored God’s word and time after time, they were severely punished.

Fast forward to today. Are we pleasing God? Just look at how human conduct and beliefs have evolved away from God, upon whose word our nation was founded and conducted. Walk into the Supreme Court and see the Ten Commandments and Hebrew-inscribed tablets held by Moses, one of a series of historical figures who look down on the justices. It was in the same room that the justices decided that the Ten Commandments erected at another courthouse constituted a government endorsement of religion.

Our nation has wandered away from God. While we don’t worship graven images like the early Jewish people did, we have more modern idols…. power, property, possessions, sports and a whole host of other things. If we profess to be a Christian, then remove anything that becomes more important than Jesus in our lives. How long before God will punish us. Is the pandemic the first suggestion?

God wants us and our nation to return to Him. We have the assurance of God’s Word, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Come to Christ, confess and turn from your sin, and He will keep His promise to forgive and cleanse. He further promises that He will not only forgive, but He will also forget. This is your opportunity to begin life over again and to walk with the Lord in daily fellowship.

It will be pleasing to God when we do.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

Legalized abortion has killed more than sixty-two million babies in the US. So far this year, more than 675,000 preborn children have died by abortion, three times the number of Americans who have died from COVID-19. Abortion is the leading cause of death in the US, surpassing heart disease and cancer.

The Satanic Temple wants to put up billboards that show people how to obtain abortions more easily. Their “religious abortion ritual” is supposed to be a “sacramental act that confirms the right of bodily autonomy.” According to the Satanic Temple, if people perform this ritual, they can claim a religious exemption from mandatory waiting periods, counseling, ultrasounds, and other measures required by some states before an abortion can be performed.

However, billboards promoting their ritual have been declined by Lamar Advertising. In response, the Satanic Temple has sued the company. In their lawsuit, they state that Lamar rejected the content of the billboards as “misleading and offensive.” The Satanic Temple alleges that this rejection was based on religious discrimination.

It would be hard to make this up.

— o —

Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from it. It requires a conscious decision because it is a countercultural lifestyle that stands against the culture of overconsumption that surrounds us. The world we live in is not friendly to the pursuit of minimalism. Its tendencies and relentless advertising campaigns call us to acquire more, better, faster, and newer. The journey of finding simplicity requires consistent inspiration

— o —

And the gospel? It’s not just another message. Another lecture. Or speech. It is the proclamation of a grand promise. The promise of a living hope beyond the grave. The promise of my resurrection from the dead. The promise of living and never dying. The promise of living eternally with the Father. Ken Weliever, The Preacherman.

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Salvation is not a process. It is a person and the person is Jesus. Ken Whitten

It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled. Mark Twain

There are two great days in a person’s life—the day we are born and the day we discover why. William Barclay

Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death. Albert Einstein

Hell is not full of people the Lord rejected. Hell is full of people that rejected the Lord.

Don’t shine so others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him. C.S. Lewis

The world suffers a lot. Not because the violence of bad people. But because of the silence of the good people. Napoleon Bonaparte

Thanks to Christ, this earth can be the nearest you come to hell. But apart from Christ, this earth is the nearest you come to heaven. Max Lucado

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

Blogs, Jeremy Stopford

TODAY’S LESSON: Psalm 127

STUDY IN THE ASCENT PSALMS

With Semi-Retired Pastor Jeremy Stopford

INTRODUCTION

Today is Study #8 of our insights into the “Ascent Psalms” – Psalms 120-134. You can check out the first 7 studies in the “BLOG/JEREMY STOPFORD” section of this OUTSTANDING web site of Brother Becker!!!

OUR THEME VERSE

“Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage.” (Psalm 84:5 NKJV).

Have you set YOUR heart on “pilgrimage”? The Christian life is a…JOURNEY! And “Journey” = DISCIPLESHIP! The recipients of these psalms were on a pilgrimage – either back from captivity OR on their way to Jerusalem for one of the special feast days. Either way, they were journeying, on pilgrimage. They were ASCENDING with the Lord! Are YOU?

TODAY WE ARE IN PSALM 127 (New King James Version – NKJV)

Laboring and Prospering with the Lord

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon

1 

Unless the Lord builds the house,

They labor in vain who build it;

Unless the Lord guards the city,

The watchman stays awake in vain.

2 

It is vain for you to rise up early,

To sit up late,

To eat the bread of sorrows;

For so He gives His beloved sleep.

3 

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,

The fruit of the womb is a reward.

4 

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,

So are the children of one’s youth.

5 

Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;

They shall not be ashamed,

But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

TITLE AND OUTLINE OF PSALM 127 (Dr. W. Graham Scroggie)

TITLE: “Dependence Upon God”

OUTLINE:

#1. In our SOCIAL life… The BUILDER of the House (1a)

#2. In our CIVIC life… The KEEPER of the city (1b)

#3. In our BUSINESS life… The RENEWER of the worker (2)

#4. In our DOMESTIC life… The BLESSER of the family (3-5)

SOME INTERESTING INSIGHTS

Did you notice who is the author of this psalm? Why, yes, it is Solomon! He is author of several of the poetic books, including Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and most of Proverbs. But in addition to Psalm 127, he also wrote Psalm 72, in which verses 1-2 say:

Give the king Your judgments, O God,

And Your righteousness to the king’s Son.

  He will judge Your people with righteousness,

And Your poor with justice.

It is apparent that at several stages of his life, Solomon had a strong heart for the Lord. Reading through the historical books, however, show us that near the end of his life, he was indeed struggling with the “Who is the true KING?” of his life. Which should lead us all to an introspective question: is the Lord Jesus Lord of my life from the day I was saved? OR, like Solomon, do I struggle in this vital area of my life? IF the latter is true, psalms like 72 and 127 – as well as especially Proverbs and Ecclesiastes (and Song of Songs for the husband/wife relationship!) – should be a major part of your walk with the Lord!

“Unless the Lord” follows with what? “BUILDS THE HOUSE”. Have you found this to be true? Take a gander ahead to Matthew 7:24-27. You can either build your house on the ROCK (King Jesus and His Word!) or you can build your house on sand (which causes the house to SINK when the littlest struggles hit it). Your HOUSE is your LIFE!

Is your life centered on the Lord Jesus and His Word? Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior?

CHECK OUT THE ENCOURAGEMENT BY PASTOR BECKER AT THE BOTTOM OF HIS WEB SITE! This will help you to come to know Him as your Savior TODAY!

In Psalm 127, Solomon says there are FIVE THINGS which the Lord considered “vain” (empty, useless, full of wind):

To labor to build a house without the Leadership of the Lord

To guard your house/city without the Lord

To rise up early..

To sit up late…

To eat the bread of sorrows…

All these are VAIN “unless the Lord builds the house”. Isn’t that amazing? All 5 are things that are the heart of our everyday world! Our family, our jobs, our community, why our very nation would lose all their meaning if the Lord isn’t the Lord and Builder of our house/lives.

So…Who is Building (big B) or building (little b) your house? God (Big “G”) or gods (little “g”)?

Why do you suppose the psalmist goes from talking about “guarding a city” to discussing about children? He then spends the rest of the psalm talking about how the blessing of the home are the little feet (NO, not of dogs and cats!) which are pitter pattering around the floors! Is there a connection! Of course there is! We understand what it means to “guard a city”. We as believers in Jesus understand the vitality of guarding our lives to be holy and useful for Him. So, does that mean that that SAME vitality is necessary – that SAME “guarding” – in the raising of our family?

And the Lord says through Solomon, “children are a heritage from the Lord”. “Heritage” is translated in many unique ways: “gift”, “heritage”, even “inheritance”. Should we not guard them as we would guard a city? Should we not trust the True Guard of our lives to guard the personal city He has wisely and purposely given to us?

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

“Happy is the man” (v. 5). You and I live in a crazy world. Why even here in the U.S. of A., people think their happiness revolves around whether or not THEIR candidate wins the wild election of this week.

But what if TRUE happiness comes from KNOWING the Lord Jesus, allowing His Spirit to mold us into His image?

What if TRUE happiness comes from being not only “hearers” – readers, students, faithful disciplinarians – of the Word but rather from being DOERS of the Word?

What if TRUE happiness comes from being AMAZED by where the Lord loves to surprise His children in usefulness – even if it be “at the gates of the city” – the place where the community’s decisions were discussed and decided?

The King would ask each of us today: are you HAPPY? Are you truly HAPPY because the Lord is guarding YOUR city, your life, your heart? Are YOU?

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