Psalm 3

LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.”
But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.
Arise, LORD! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.
Psalm 3

I love how David describes God.

But you, LORD, are a shield around me

A shield doesn't just protect a warrior, it defines him.

In the middle of a battle, everyone is wearing similar armor; they look the same...so how would someone know if their friend was approaching them or an enemy? By their shield. The shield bears the warrior's family crest it protects them against attackers, but it also protects a warrior from his own friends.

When people look at us, they should see faithful bearers of God's mark. That's people identify us.

I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.

How often do you wake up and praise God because he gave you another day to live, another day to bear his crest? Life is a beautiful gift. Don't live fearful of the day your life ends, but don't forget to praise God for the life he's given you. 

my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior— from violent people you save me.
2 Samuel 22:2

Photo Credit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Carpenter,_3rd_Earl_of_Tyrconnell

Does God Expect Perfection?

This is a question I used to ask all the time, but then I read this verse in the bible and it got me wondering again.

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Mathew 5:48

Jesus says this during his sermon on the mount. He just gave teachings like the beatitudes and covered topics such as adultery, murder, and prayer. Jesus concludes this by a verse saying "Be perfect."

If God expects perfection, we're all doomed. There is absolutely no way we can be perfect. And isn't that exactly what Jesus wanted to get across? In Exodus, the law was established to show Israel just how messed up they were. (Romans 3:20) We cannot uphold the law on our own. There's just no way that could happen. If the end of the story was that we need to be perfect, there would be no hope. Aren't you glad that this was just the beginning?

Jesus came to die, but before death, he had to live a perfect life. He came be perfect because he knew we couldn't. He fulfilled the law because God knew we never could.

If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
Psalm 130:3-4

Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.
Ecclesiastes 7:20

These two verses say it. We can't stand before God on our own. We cannot be perfect.

You guys probably knew that already. I just wanted to make sure we were all on the same page. So now, let's get back on topic.

If God expected perfection from us, he never would have sent Jesus, his son.

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
Luke 19:10

Jesus said this to Zacchaeus. He told Zachaeus that his sins were forgiven (Luke 19:9). He doesn't expect us to be perfect, God, the righteous judge, needs some atonement for sin and that would be Jesus.

Jesus wasn't lying, he wasn't just saying something. He said what he said in Mathew 5:48 to make a point, and I think that is this: There needs to be perfection for us to get to heaven. Be glad Jesus is willing to be that perfection for you.

The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
Hebrews 10:1-4

Photo Credit:

http://gallery.yopriceville.com/Free-Clipart-Pictures/Angels-PNG/Cute_Angel_Free_PNG_Clipart_Picture#.UvFErz1dWSo

The Fool

As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.
Proverbs 26:11

I thought of this verse in proverbs as I was watching my dog eat her vomit. It then struck me just how great this proverb describes sin and foolishness.

When we sin, especially return to a sin, we don't grasp how nasty it is. Just like a dog doesn't understand that you just don't eat vomit, we don't don't understand how God feels. We just shouldn't return to our sin. If something hurts us once, why try it again? We wouldn't repeatedly touch a hot stove, would we? So why is sin any different?

The second things I got from watching my dog was this: we try to make ourselves feel better about it first. My dog ate grass before returning to her vomit because she was trying to soothe her stomach first. There are times when we try or pretend to be repentant, to make ourselves feel better, but ultimately, we still come back. Why? We try to fill up on sin. After we "vomit" we're left feeling empty. Instead of turning to God, we decide to try the sin again.

Third, she won't puke in her master's house. When she feels like she's getting sick, she'll let us know she wants to go out because she doesn't want to vomit in her master's home. She has to go somewhere we won't see her, or at least were she thinks we won't. I can see the whole yard from a certain window in my house, but she doesn't know that.

God stands at the widow. He can see you just as well outside as he can in. There's no use in trying to hide from God. The only thing you can do is go to God and beg for forgiveness

If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
Psalm 130:3-4

Daily Reminders #24

Ascribe to the LORD, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.
The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.

He makes Lebanon leap like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning.

The voice of the LORD shakes the desert; the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh.

The voice of the LORD twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, "Glory!"
The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.
The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.
Psalm 29

Photo Credit:
Niagara Falls: Me
Water: http://cah4el.wordpress.com/2011/04/13/in-a-still-small-voice-you-spoke/
Calf: http://www.wildnatureimages.com/
Lightining: http://krolowa-superstar.blog.pl/2013/06/29/podczas-burzy-lepiej-nie-uprawiac-sportow-na-swiezym-powietrzu/
Desert: http://bodymindspirittheawakening.blogspot.com/2012/12/40-days-in-desert.html
Tree: http://artistsinresidenceproject.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-first-red-cedar.html

What does it mean to fear God?

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them...Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
Psalm 34:7;9-10

Psalm 34 is all about fearing God. It includes the rewards for fearing God and the punishment for not doing so. This might make you wonder what exactly, it means to fear God. First, I want to be sure everyone understand that fear of God is a positive thing. Here are a few examples of this:

• Exodus 1:17: Because the midwives feared God, they obeyed him instead of Pharaoh by sparing the Hebrew babies
• Exodus 9:29-31: Pharaoh brought disaster on his nation because he did not fear God
• Exodus 18:21: Moses was to choose leaders who feared God and wouldn't take bribes
• Exodus 20:20: Moses told the Hebrews that they should fear God to keep them from sinning 
• Leviticus 19:14; 32: The law says fear of God as a reason to treat the disabled and elderly well
• 2 Corinthains 7:1: Paul says to work toward complete holiness because we fear God

Fear of God is obviously not a bad thing, but is is indeed, fear, not a holy reverence.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Mathew 10:28

Jesus says so himself. The bible does say over and over again to fear not, but what Jesus is saying is that shouldn't fear creation, but the creator. The creator is the one who decides if we go to heaven or to hell.

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
Ecclesiastes 12:13

Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Psalm 2:11-12

I've talking on God's wrath before, so I'll get to the point. The point is 1 John 4:18 says "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." So this may seem like a contradiction. How can we love and fear God at the same time? This verse says we can't.
Well Jesus is the best example of fear and love working together. He warned us over and over again to not fear men, but to fear God. He spoke lovingly, but frankly to all people because we all need to face our sin and repent. But he also demonstrated love beyond human understanding

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.
John 15:12-13

Photo Credit:
http://survivingsurvivalism.com/fear.htm

Sources:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/biblestudies/bible-answers/spirituallife/what-does-it-mean-to-fear-god.html

Daily Reminders #22

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalm 23

Photo Credit:
http://raykliu.wordpress.com/2011/11/20/guarding-the-flock-shepherd-and-sheep-5/

Has the Fig Tree Ripened?

Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered.
When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked.
Jesus replied, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
Mathew 21:18-22

We have to remain faithful to Jesus, that is the only way we can bear fruit.

One important thing to remember is that mountain moving faith is simply believing that nothing is impossible with God and nothing will alter God's perfect plan.

"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Mathew 24:32-35

To understand what's being said here Mathew 24, we have to look at the whole chapter.

Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. "Do you see all these things?" he asked. "Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah,' and will deceive many.
Mathew 24:1-5

Here are the signs Jesus gives of the end age:

1. There will be false Messiahs

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
Mathew 24:6-8

2. There will be wars
3. There will be Natural disasters

But Jesus says we should be calm during these disasters and wars.

"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
Mathew 24:9-11

4. Christians will be persecuted
5. Many will turn away from God
6. There will be false prophets

Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. "So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. "If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Messiah!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time. "So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the wilderness,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather. "Immediately after the distress of those days " 'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' "Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
Mathew 24:21-31

7. The tribulation will be "unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again."
8. The return of Christ will be seen all across the world

"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Mathew 24:32-35

Knowing the context of this verse, I we can conclude that we need to be watchful as we await the return of the king.

Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.
Psalm 27:3

But we also must be calm. Christians should be the calmest people in disasters.

Be faithful, fruitful, and watchful. Jesus is coming. He may be coming tomorrow or one hundred years from now, but Jesus is coming and we need to make the most of every moment.

Sources:
My Pastor

Photo Credit:
http://littlegardenmelbourne.blogspot.com/2008/12/fig-tree.html

Our Treasure

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 4:7-9

Christians are just ordinary jars of clay, but what makes us so extraordinary is what’s on the inside. I like the first sentence. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” We are nothing, and that’s why it’s so amazing that God gives us his treasure. What God has done is obviously not the works of us. We’re just a pot. It’s obviously from God. And this treasure is much more valuable than silver or gold, it’s Jesus Christ himself.

God has given us his treasure and it’s the best treasure out there, but thieves will try to take away your treasure Satan wants you to crumble, but we are never crushed. A clay pot is weak, but through the treasure, Jesus, we are able to withstand the pressures of life.

Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 2:2b-3

As a Christian, you will face tough decisions and impossible issues, but our treasure will be our counselor. Jesus protects us from hopelessness.

... God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5b

Persecutions are included in the process. We will be accused, misunderstood, and have lies told about us, but we know that Jesus will never abandon us.

They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support.

Psalm 18:18

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Mathew 11:28

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Isaiah 40:29-31

Bad stuff will happen too. We will be “struck down, but not destroyed.” Life may feel like it’s overwhelming you, but Jesus will still be there to bear the burdens with us.

The bible never said life as a Christian would be easy and I fill you with lies if I tried to say that being a Christian would be. Life will be hard, but the amazingness of Jesus Christ will help us survive. Life comes at us like an overpowering tank and there is hope for survival with anything man has to offer. There is no earthly way a clay pot can overpower a tank, but with Jesus there is nothing a tank can do to destroy you. There will be challenges, but with Jesus you can withstand the pressures of life.

This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist  which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.

1 John 4:2-5

Sources:

http://www.blueletterbible.org/devotionals/dbdbg/view.cfm?Date=05/22

A Free Heart

I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statutes, LORD; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding. Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared. Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good.
Psalm 119:30-39

As a Christian, God sets our heart free from sin, distractions, and anything we put above God. The only reason we can obey God is because he frees us.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.
This author is talking about anything we have above God. Since this author is talking about something bad. I get this idea because it's something that this person wants remove. Of course, it doesn't need to be bad, it could be something that gets in his way and the author feels he would be better off without this worthless thing. And by reading the earlier verses "Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart." This guy has already said he wants to follow God's rules. I think it makes sense to think that he's talking about something bad, or something that's not bad in itself, but it was getting in his way of worshiping God. 
I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding...Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.
God sets our heart free. Our heart is imprisoned by sin and guilt, but God sets us free from that. Even before before God sent Jesus to die for us, he still gave people the option of having a free heart. God wants you to have a free heart too.
Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared. Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good.
This author fears disgrace. He wants promises fulfilled and God to be feared. He says that God's laws are good. Every last one of them. I think the author of the song wants to make sure there is nothing between him and God. No fear, no sin. The author wants to make sure he's doing what's right.
Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.
The song writer wants understanding, as we all should. If you ask for understanding or wisdom, God will give it to you (James 1:5). So if you lack wisdom, then ask God for it. That is one thing God will give you.

Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart—they do no wrong but follow his ways...Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me. How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 199:2-3;5-11

3rd B-Day

May 16 2010-May 16 2013

Today's my blogs 3rd birthday! I just want to thank all of my viewer for reading my posts and encouraging me to keep on going.

The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
Psalm 34:10

Daily Reminders #14

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100

Photo Credit:

Me!

Psalm 1

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
Psalm 1

There's a beautiful dogwood tree in my backyard. It's was great for climb when I was younger and it's still growing strong.

It's great for a lot of things, but the reason it's so strong is because of it's roots.

Roots determine what the future of a tree is if a tree has strong roots it will be a strong tree. Likewise, if a Christian has has a strong foundation in the bible, the Christian will be strong. The flower that the top of this post is on the dogwood tree. Strong Christians will have beautiful flowers and fruit as a result of their loyalty to God, but the wicked will just have a collection of fungi, like this stump. 

Photo Credit:
Me!

Daily Reminders #13

I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared. Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good.
Psalm 119:30-39

Photo Credit:
Me!

4 49s (and why they are awesome)

Did you know that there are only 4 books in the bible that have 49 or more chapter in them? They are Psalms (150), Isaiah (66), Jeremiah (52), and Genesis (50). And poor Ezekiel has 48, leaving out of the wonderful lists because of one chapter. I don't know why I chose 49, but I did.

No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him--the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough--that he should live on forever and not see decay. For all can see that wise men die; the foolish and the senseless alike perish and leave their wealth to others. Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves. But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. Selah Like sheep they are destined for the grave, and death will feed on them. The upright will rule over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. Selah. Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him. Though while he lived he counted himself blessed--and men praise you when you prosper-- he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light [of life]. A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish.

Psalm 49:7-20

Man cannot endure. We must be given a new body by Christ to live on forever and not decay. This is why salvation is not unimportant because “the ransom for a life is too costly, no payments is ever enough that he should live on forever and not see decay.”

Who is the chosen one I [God] will appoint for this? Who is like me and who can challenge me? And what shepherd can stand against me?

Jeremiah 49:19b

“Simeon and Levi are Brothers-their swords are weapons of violence. Let me not enter their council, let me not join their assembly, for they have killed men in their anger and hamstrung oxen as they pleased. Cursed be their anger, so fierce, and their fury, so cruel!

Genesis 49:5-7a

In all this chapter, Simeon and Levi get the worst of their father's blessing, though for them...it's more of a curse. It just goes to show you that anger (when it gets out of hand) can be a curse to your parents. Jacob even said that he tried to avoid them (let me not join their assembly).

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.

Isaiah 49:16

The word engrave means to cut or trace and the palm is a tender place since it the innermost part of the hand. The picture actually is holding something so tightly in your hand that it finally makes its mark there. And that is how much God cares about us.

Photo credit:
http://dougrobinson.wordpress.com/2010/02/05/isaiah-4916/

Sources
http://dougrobinson.wordpress.com/2010/02/05/isaiah-4916/
http://www.devotional-reflections-from-the-bible.com/Psalm49.html

Daily Reminders #11

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse. Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD. Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant. For the sake of your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him. He will spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land. The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish. Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me! Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you. Redeem Israel, O God, from all their troubles!
Psalm 25

Psalm 8: What is Man?

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.

Psalm 8:1

*One of the dominant messages of the Scriptures is that the Lord God is sovereign over his creation. The creation reflects his glory because it is his handiwork. It is perfectly under his control. No "big bang" theory could produce such a magnificent piece of clockwork as our universe. The more universes and galaxies the scientists discover only emphasizes the glory of the Lord God.

An increasing number of scientists are preferring to the intelligent "design" of biological systems, inferring that a creator–God is at work over against an evolutionary process. There is a Master designer behind the immense universe. The intelligent design is becoming increasingly evident to the skilled scientist.
The glory of God is magnified in his creation. The exalted position of man is the capstone of the entire universe.
Wonder of wonders is the fact the Lord God can hold the Milky Way in one hand and take infinite interest in me.*
*Taken From: http://www.abideinchrist.com/messages/psa8v1.html

From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

Psalm 8:2

*This psalm is a solemn meditation on, and admiration of, the glory and greatness of God, of which we are all concerned to think highly and honourably. It begins and ends with the same acknowledgment of the transcendent excellency of God’s name. It is proposed for proof that God’s name is excellent in all the earth, and then it is repeated as proved in the last verse. For the proof of God’s glory the psalmist gives instances of his goodness to man; for God’s goodness is his glory. God is to be glorified,

1. (v. 1) For making known himself and his great name to us.
2. (v. 2) For making use of the weakest of the children of men, by them to serve his own purposes
3. (v. 3, 4) For making even the heavenly bodies useful to man.
4. (v. 5-8) For making him to have dominion over the creatures in this lower world, and thereby placing him but little lower then the angels

This psalm is, in the New Testament, applied to Christ and the work of our redemption which he wrought out; the honor given by the children of men to him and the honor put upon the children of men by him, both in his humiliation, when he was made a little lower then the angels, and in his exaltation, when he was crowned with glory and honor.*

*Taken from http://www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?AuthorID=4&contentID=1131&commInfo=5&topic=Psalms

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

Psalm 8:3-5

God made so many things for us to use and enjoy. God even sent Jesus to suffer through trails of life. I spent 2 hours making this list of stuff that Jesus went through along with places in the bible that talk about how he suffered through things that we go through every day.

• Betrayed (Mathew 26:14-16)
• Friends didn't trust in him (Mark 14:66-71; Mark 16:14)
• Made fun of (Luke 22:63-65)
• Plotted against (Mathew 26:3-4)
• Tempted (Mathew 4:1-11)
• Rejected (Luke 4:20-30; Luke 23:20)
• Doubted (Luke 8:23-25; John 11:1-16; Mathew 14:28-31; Mathew 16:1)
• Ignored (Luke 10:38-42)
• Not Been Thanked (Luke 17:11-16)
• Forsaken (John 6:60-66; Luke 22:39-46)
• Not Wanted (Luke 23:20)
•  Friend/Family Died (Matthew 27:5; John 11:1-33; Matthew 14:1-12) (Judas, his disciple; Lazarus, his friend; John, his cousin)
• Cried/Been Sad (John 11:35; Mark 14:34)
• Disappointed (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 14:32-41)

Jesus went through all of that and more, but he didn't sin. He never thought an ugly thought, or have a sinful rage. He was never ashamed. He never fought with his siblings, and he had at least six of them (Matthew 13:55-56; Mark 6:3). "what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" Man did nothing to be honored or respected or ever noticed by God

You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

Psalm 8:6-8

And you’d think we’d thank God for all of this and be really grateful. God has given us everything we need and then some. In fact, God loves us so much that angels wish they could be like us.

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

1 Peter 1:12

When a lot of angels rebelled against God, they were not given the chance be saved from their sin. Angels want God to care about them like God cares about us. You’re lucky to be human because God took the time to care about you. Angels serve God all of their life (unless they’re Satan’s Angels) and they never get to have a relationship with God the same way we do. They want that so bad.

When was the last time you thanked God for giving you the chance to be a Christian? Or food? Or the computer/phone you’re using to look at this?

Those angels that are watching over you right now (Psalm 91:9-12) are wishing that they could be you, because living with the sin that you live with is worth getting to know God the way that only you can.

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Psalm 8:9

Sources:

http://www.abideinchrist.com/messages/psa8v1.html

http://www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?AuthorID=4&contentID=1131&commInfo=5&topic=Psalms

http://jasonwaller.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/angels-want-what-we-have/