Bible Blog: Psalm 1 - May 29, 2008

Psalm 1: 1-6 (GNB)

“Happy are those who reject the advice of evil people, who do not follow the example of sinners or join those who have no use for God.
“Instead, they find joy in obeying the Law of the LORD, and they study it day and night.
“They are like trees that grow beside a stream, that bear fruit at the right time, and whose leaves do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do.
“But evil people are not like this at all; they are like straw that the wind blows away.
“Sinners will be condemned by God and kept apart from God's own people.
“The righteous are guided and protected by the LORD, but the evil are on the way to their doom."

We have a decision to make; it’s as simple, and as complicated, as it sounds.
Option 1 – God’s way
Option 2 – Man’s way
On the surface this seems so simple; we want to live for God. End of story, right? WRONG!

Every association we have in life, teachers, parents, siblings, friends, every conversation, has the potential to impact our thoughts and perceptions on what things in life are good and what are not so good. Sometimes we can find ourselves strongly convinced to believe in a way contrary to God’s teaching, but we can also find ourselves indifferent to Him. What’s the danger in indifference? Well, when you don’t have an opinion on something, you can’t really have any goals. For example, a neutral opinion on sex before marriage could result in putting yourself into compromising positions and having the decision made for you. Yes, that’s an extreme example, but it’s effective. In addition to not being able to set your goals and boundaries, you will find that your contentment in Christ and your joy in Him will start to fade. If you’re indifferent to His presence in your life you can’t experience the joy and satisfaction of a relationship with Him because it just doesn’t matter.

I have good news for you though… you have a choice!

When we study God’s Word, immerse ourselves in Him, His ways, and His Love, His will becomes obvious to us, His Love restores our contentment and our lives are once again filled with His joy! When we give God our time and attention we become productive, fruitful and we grow. The more we become like Him, the more joy, hope, and grace we experience in our lives! It’s the same idea as making those human associations, except that association is the one where we get to experience perfection through an intimate relationship with the Perfect One! He offers us everything; all we need to do is accept it.

So today, we choose. Do we give our time and attention to others with imperfect hearts and motives and allow ourselves to be complacent and indifferent to God OR do we choose to spend time with our Savior, learning about His desires for our lives and living in His Love and Grace while letting Him mold us and remake us in His image?

Hugs & Love

Poetry

Did you know that a poet opens his or her mind and heart to provide us with a lyrical and almost tangible account of that person’s inner struggles and desires? The Psalms of the Bible aren’t any different in that aspect. Where they differ is that they illustrate an intimacy with our Savior, the open, honest, free communication that is available to any who call on Him. Isn’t it wonderful? We are free to call upon the most important and powerful being ever to exist with the mundane (toe stubbing, hang nail, split ends) to the problematic (disciplinary issues with children, unemployment) to the emotional (loneliness, depression, joy) to rejoicing (praises, songs of worship, promotions) and anything else we might want to talk with Him about. He wants more than you’d give your best friend on earth, He wants EVERYTHING!

It is my hope that during my journey through the Psalms I will feel comforted, encouraged, but above all, that I develop a deep and intimate knowledge of my Savior, a closeness that I’ve never before known that will remain with me until I meet Him. I also hope that whoever reads my accounts of the Psalms will get from it whatever God intends. Above all, I want to be His servant and do His will.

Hugs & Love

God will take care of you...

Some background info: I lost my job. I'm not going to get into the story, I'm working on the next chapter of my life right now.

Well, I'm sitting here, starting to wonder which bills to pay, which to hold off on paying, the normal monthly financial situation but with the knowledge that there will not be another paycheck coming in 2 weeks. I start feeling my anxiety level rising, my blood starts pounding, and I pray... yes, I prayed. I asked God to help me through this and His answer? The lyrics (and melody) "God will take care of you, through every day, o'er all the way, He will take care of you, God will take care of you." How wonderful is it to hear the voice of God just by being open to Him?

I know many don't believe God can or will talk with us, but He does, every day, if we take the time to listen. It won't always be as obvious as this situation, and in other cases it will be even MORE obvious, but that still small voice inside of me is my connection to my Savior and I want to listen to it every time it speaks to me. Hope you have moments like this with God, they are wonderful!

Hugs & love