A Whole Heart

O. T. #1336  "A Whole Heart"
Dec. 4, 2018
Psalm 111
Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.  Psalm 111:1

LET IT GLOW


Alright, go back with me to our high school days. Do you remember studying about prose, the make up of poems? Vaguely, right? It was more than "Roses are red." Well, today's chapter is an Alphabetic Psalm. Each sentence begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and in order. (I will take from Falwell that it is so, since I do not read Hebrew.) Not only does it begin with each letter, but several clauses within the verse do also. How unusual and unique, huh? This psalm consists of ten verses, the first eight of which are couplets and the last two of which are triplets. These make up 22 lines, the exact number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet. Cool. I found it interesting. Another thing, we do not know the writer, who is praising the works of God's creation and redemption.

How amazing are the deeds of the LORD! All who delight in Him should ponder them.

They ought not go by unnoticed, but to be studied, delved into, researched, and enjoyed. (Falwell)
Are we enjoying the deeds of God, blessings, in our life?

The works of the LORD are:

• great; In design, number, excellence, and deliverance God has performed mightily for His people. (verse 2)
• majestic; Honorable and glorious with His righteousness is God's work. No other work can be compared to His. (verse 3)
• memorable; The Lord is gracious and full of compassion. (verse 4)
• enduring; His gracious kindness provides daily needs.  (verse 5)
• fulfills His promises; He is a promise keeper. (verse 6)
• trustworthy; Truth and justice are a part of God's character. (verse 7)
• eternal; His laws are established and settled forever. (verse 8)
• and redeems from every form of evil. Holy and reverend is His name. (verse 9)

[Resource: Lydia Brownback's Sing a New Song]

Great is Thy faithfulness unto me, Lord.

LET IT GROW

Now, going back to verses 1 and 10, we see our part in all of this.
First, we are to praise the Lord with our whole heart.
The word whole is the Hebrew language is ozo (od'zo), means to scent (usually an ill odor); stink.

So with our stink, sinful heart, that has been made right with God by the blood of Jesus, we are to praise God.

Second, the fear (reverence) of God is the beginning of wisdom.
Fear is the first principle and chief element in godliness. It is our obedience to God that proves we have mastered the first elements of wisdom-the fear of the Lord. (Falwell)

We can't become wise through life experience or academic knowledge. We must acknowledge God as the source of our wisdom, lest our wise decisions become foolish decisions.

LET IT GO

Acknowledge God as my everything, my wisdom, my Redeemer, and Provider.
You are the One from whom all blessings flow.

Straddling the Fence

O. T. #1335 "Straddling the Fence"
Dec. 4, 2018
Psalm 110-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

One can sit on a fence for a while, but if you straddle it, well, that won't last long. It wouldn't take long for your body to hurt, so a decision as to which way to go must be made. Do we jump down on the right side or the left side? And so it is with Jesus, we eventually have to make a decision-He is Savior and Lord of our life or we turn our back on Him and jump down, going our own way.

This psalm is called a "messianic" or "royal psalm" because it is speaking of the coming reign of Jesus Christ as king and priest over all the earth.  The first time He came was with the purpose of being Messiah and Savior. The next time He will rule over us as King and High Priest.

Only King Jesus can lead His people into God's paths of blessing, and because He was sinless, the sacrifice He made for His people's sin-His very own self-keeps them there, in God's presence.  (Sing a New Song by Lydia Brownbeck)

This is the most quoted psalm in the New Testament, as mentioned previously:

• Christ's final and total destruction of the wicked in Rev. 6-9, (verses 1 and 6);
• prophesies Christ's reign on the earth in Rev. 20:1-7, (verse 2);
• tell of Christ's priestly work for His people in Hebrews 5-8, (verses 3-4);
• look forward to the final battle on earth when Christ will overcome the forces of evil in Rev. 19:11-21, (verses 5-6).  (Life Application Study Bible)

Have you noticed that many people only think of Jesus as only a great teacher? They may have a vague belief in God, but that is no option. If the Bible is taken as Truth as the Word of God, there is no denying Jesus as the Messiah who sits at God's right hand and is Lord over all (Acts 2:32-35). They can't straddle the fence. Either Jesus is Lord over all the earth and people or He isn't. He is sovereignly all-powerful or not. So let us help them understand why we celebrate Christmas-the birth of our Savior.

LET IT GROW

I was curious about the meaning of verse 7, He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore He shall lift up the head.

 So I went to Matthew Henry's Commentary, and found:

• Jesus drank the bitter cup which the Father put into His hand.
• The wrath of God, running in the channel of the curse of the law, was the brook in the way.
• He was abased and impoverished, so intent upon His work that Jesus drank puddle-water out of the lake in the highway. The brook was one of suffering as Jesus ran through it for us to have redemption and salvation.
• When He died, Jesus bowed His head (John 19:30), but He soon lifted up the head by His own power in His resurrection, as a conqueror. He humbled Himself, therefore God also highly exalted Him (Phil. 2:9).
• Jesus lifts up the heads of all His faithful followers, who, if they suffer with Him, shall also reign with Him.

If we drink from the cup of salvation that Jesus has to offer us, then we will have our heads lifted up.(Who can drink with their head down? Although, it is because of our sinful state that we come to Him, ashamed, looking down.)
Is there anyone you know that is down and out, looking down and feeling defeated? Let us share the good news of Jesus Christ with them, then they can have their heads lifted up, looking for the Redeemer to come back as King of kings and Lord of lords and High Priest.

LET IT GO

Don't straddle the fence-surrender to Jesus as Lord of my life and in control of everything.
Emanuel, God with us, has come to give you and me abundant life.
Lift up that head toward heaven and proclaim as the only way to heaven.
 

An Amazing Plan

O. T. #1334  "An Amazing Plan"
Nov. 29, 2018
Psalm 110
The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.   Psalm 110:1

LET IT GLOW


This is one of the most quoted psalms in the New Testament because it refers to Jesus Christ as the Messiah. God Jehovah speaks to God the Son, Adonai, David's Lord, Master. As we already know, God had an amazing plan:

• Christ, the Messiah, was a descendant of King David, humanly speaking.
• He is presented as both a holy King (verses 1-3)
• and a royal priest, High Priest (verses 4-7), which no other human monarch ever was in Israel.
• After Jesus died upon the cross for our sins, His resurrection and ascension into heaven, He took up residence at the right hand of royal power, the place of permanent honor. (verse 1a)
• God will make Jesus' enemies under His feet. Everything will be subject to Christ, who will be subject to God the Father. (1 Cor. 15)
• In Jerusalem, Zion, the Messiah will reign and rule with love and grace, since the rod of power and bloodshed will be sent out. (Rev. 19:15)

Oh folks, aren't we happy to be under grace and not under the rod of judgment?
Are we sharing the true Christmas story, the birth of the Savior, our Savior?
come to think of it, this could have been a different plan in which we have to pay for our sins.
Thank You Jesus!

LET IT GROW

Jesus is currently sitting at the right hand of Father God on the throne and making intercession for us.
He is speaking about our prayers, forgiving our sins.

Christians will be one of the people in verse 3 that will be willingly ruled by the Messiah because of the gospel and the mighty hand of the Lord God.
Our garments will be holy and our strength will be renewed like the morning dew. Woohoo!

[Reference: Liberty Bible Commentary]


LET IT GO

Thank You Father for such an amazing plan of salvation and You included me in it.
Savior, You are so loving, forgiving, and gracious.
Help me share it with others.

Go Right On Rejoicing

O. T. #1334 "Go Right On Rejoicing "
Nov. 28, 2018
Psalm 109

Let It Glow

During his reign as king of Israel, David had lies and false accusations against him.

They surround me with hateful words and fight against me for no reason. I love them, but they try to destroy me with accusations even as I am praying for them. They repay evil for good, and hatred for my love.  (Verses 3-5)

When we are slandered mercilessly and are repaid hatred for love,, God will be by our side ready to deliver us.  (Falwell)

Rescue me because You are so faithful and good. (Verse 21)

Sometimes all we can muster up is a thanks to Jesus. Broken hearts He can mend.

Let It Grow

In verses 26-31, David acknowledges that God:

• can help him,
• save him because of His unfailing love,
• that God is in control,
• believes God will bless him,
• when his enemies attack, then they will be disgraced. 

But I, Your servant, will go right on rejoicing. (verse 28c)

Will we also go right in rejoicing, even when lies and false accusations are spread about us?

God's unfailing love and blessings are waiting for us if only we ask for His help. 

While a 3 inch IV needle was being inserted into my hand yesterday, I could hear Christmas music playing in the area. Now that was encouraging. I am blessed to have nurses and doctors that love Jesus. 

I confess that I wasn't rejoicing at that particular time, though. 

Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel has come to us. 

Let It Go

You are so faithful and good, Jesus. 

Your unfailing love helps me through whatever I face. 

Help me go right on rejoicing today. 

Our Secret Weapon

O. T. #1333  "Our Secret Weapon"
Nov. 27, 2018
Psalm 108-Part 3
With God's help we will do mighty things, for He will trample down our foes.  Ps. 108:13 NLT

LET IT GLOW

What was David's secret weapon? What is your secret weapon?

Our key verse reads differently in the King James Version:
Through God we shall do valiantly: for He it is that shall tread down our enemies.

As we recall, in 2 Samuel 8, King David, a mighty warrior, and Israel faced many enemies of God. Oh he had 20,000 men of valor, the top dogs in the army, yet David knew they could do nothing without God's help.
Valiantly refers to a force; strength; might; power.

David's secret weapon was the power of God. You will recall that the young David experienced God's strength when he met a lion and bear, and a giant. We know what happened to them.

It is from that source that we draw courage, wisdom, and strength. (Falwell)

Like a bowling ball knocks down pins in the bowling alley, it is strength that does it. So it is when we rely upon our God as we face our enemies.

What shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

What is your secret weapon whenever face to face with an enemy? It should be God's power.

LET IT GROW

Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.  (verse 12)

Divine help is just a prayer away. David was wise enough to know that his strong army could not take the walled cities by man power alone. Yep, man power was of no use without God's power. As we know the rest of David's story, he was victorious, through God's power, his secret weapon.

The question is, are we?
Is Jesus our Man of Valor?

LET IT GO

I can't face this challenge alone today, Lord.
Help me stand strong in Your strength.
Jesus, be my man of valor.

*Today and tomorrow I am having tests run on my stomach, so I as for your prayers of strength. It may be Thursday before I post again. Thanks dear friends for your patience. 

A Washpot

O. T. #1332  "A Washpot"
Nov. 26, 2018
Psalm 108-Part 2

LET IT GLOW


I hope you had a great time with family and friends. I don't remember the last time I baked for 3 days in a row. Then I fixed bbq deer meat for the guys at the tire shop, since they worked Friday. Baking results in pots being washed. Whew! This grandma needs a rest, but it is time to put up Christmas decorations, so we will see. Let me clue you in on today's word "washpot." It has a different meaning in the Hebrew, which is not the washing of pots.

For some it is a joyous time of the year, but for others, not so. Please remember my sister in law's family as they are experiencing the last days of her mother's life, Ruth. She has battled pancreatic cancer and now has pnemonia. We are going to take today off and travel to visit them during this hard time. (Also, praying for the fire victims in California.)

Well, looking at our chapter, the last 8 verses are also found in Ps. 60:6-12. David was conquoring Caanan with the Israelites, their Promised Land. David led the army in defeating the Philistines, the land east and west of the Jordan River, where the furtile soil lay. Reckon he had lots to be thankful for, right? But at the time of this psalm, it had not yet happened.

Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and Thy glory above all the earth.  (verse 5)

David praised his God, then asked a request, which is the right order in communion with the Almighty.

God's mercy and truth are above the clouds. (verse 4) Yet they reach down to His beloved children.
Will we reach up to the heavens in praise to our loving Savior?

LET IT GROW

That Thy beloved may be delivered: save with Thy right hand, and answer me. (verse 6)

We recall that David was a man after God's own heart. He calls himself as beloved [yediyd ( yed-eed')] which refers to loved; loves (friend).

David was a friend of God, His beloved. And so are we, beloved of God. So Daivd is asking God to deliver his nation from their enemies, not just himself. When He did, then what would be?

• Moab was their washpot (a thorn; fishook);
• Edom would be their servant (signified by a shoe cast out);
• Philistia would be triumphed over.

Those were Israel's enemies, who despised God's beloved. David was asking for victory, not just rescuing. Do we sometimes as for only strength to get though today's stressful situation? Or do we ask God to be victorious and glorifed asd we go though it? God doesn't abandon His beloved. That includes you and me. So if there is a washpot, thorn in our flesh sticking us, tell God about it.

LET IT GO

Exalt the Lord God in the Highest.
Know that I am His beloved.
Trust Him with my washpot.

A Fixed Heart

O. T. #1331  "A Fixed Heart"
Nov. 22, 2018
Psalm 108

O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.
Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
I will praise Thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto Thee among the nations.
For Thy mercy is great above the heavens: and Thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.
Be Thou exalted, O God, above all the earth.
 Psalm 108:1-5



LET IT GLOW

Have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving ya'll.

How appropriate this psalm is for Thanksgiving Day. David repeated a portion of a previously written psalm, found in Psalm 57:7-11, when he fled from King Saul in a cave. In the midst of a storm, he was trusting in God and confident for His deliverance.
What do we learn of David?

• His heart was fixed on God. Fixed means set up, stand, established, firm, ready, set.
• With his glory, he was giving praise to God in song. Glory means honor. 
• His fingers flew over the strings of those instruments praising his Lord.
• Foreigners would hear about the True Living God.
• He declared that God's mercy and truth are higher than the heavens and clouds. Mercy refers to kindness.

As parents, we want to fix things, especially a broken heart, for our children whenever it is going bad for them. Right? But we can't always do so. We do know the One who can fix things whenever we can't-Jesus.
Will we stand firm in our faith in Jesus? Is our heart fixed upon Him? Will we praise Him today and give thanks for all He has done for us this year? You know, He can fix our broken heart when we ask.


LET IT GROW

The meaningful repetition of a song of praise to God is never out of place. (Falwell)

We fight our battles with praise to our God Most High. We keep our focus on the Almighty one. When it looks like we are surround by defeat, we are actually surrounded by God. For He never leaves us nor forsakes us.

So let us thank, our God, today. We can even sing His praises as we are preparing Thanksgiving dinner.

 

LET IT GO

Father, help me stand firm in faith, give thanks for Your blessings, and sing praises to the Savior of my soul
Please bless each of my friends here.