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Morning Devotional...




First of all, let's read Psalm 1...


This song reminds the worshipper of the two kinds of people in the world: those who love the Lord and those who don't, those who want to hear His Word and those who don't. In this song, then, the worship leader, standing in the temple on Mount Zion, leads the people, early in the morning, to sing out an exhortation for those who want to live as those who love God.

He sings out that those who do love the Lord and desire to please Him should want nothing to do with the ideas of those who don't - they shouldn't want to be influenced by them in any way. They don't walk with them, stand with them, or sit with them in conversation. In other words, they simply don't travel in that crowd, because they don't want to begin acting as they do. The song reminds them that the Lord "blesses" them in this - that He approves their behavior, that they've actually begun to please Him in that way.

Having sung about what they shouldn't do, the leader then turns to the positives. He says, "But his delight is in the law of the Lord (the entire Bible), and in His law he meditates day and night." In singing these words the leader paints a picture of those who love God: they are ones who gladly hear His Word, and they are always considering what it means for them - they meditate on it day and night. That means that even when they daydream, it's about how the Word might apply to what they do each day.

The people are next led to sing about the blessing of the Lord upon those who meditate in that way. He says, "He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper." What encouragement! He leads them to see in other words, that they'll be very successful - just as a tree, planted by refreshing, strengthening water grows, blossoms, and is fruitful, so the lover of God succeeds in life (not necessarily as the world understands "success," but in God's view of things). Those who make it a habit to consider how they may please their Lord will abundantly succeed in doing so!

But that's not the way it is with the ungodly, with those who don't really care to consider how to please the Lord. They may at times think they're prospering in life, and they may think that getting ahead financially and socially is "where it's at," but in the sight of the Lord and in view of the reality of His eternity they are total losers. They'll have to stand before the Almighty and holy God to answer for their attitude and behavior, but they won't be present when God gathers the "congregation of the righteous" to Himself.

Finally, the people are led to sing the real clincher: "For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish." That's exactly what the godly need to know. They (we all) need to be aware that God CARES, that He's not out there somewhere, paying no attention when we're trying to please Him, but that He sees it ALL!  
                                                                                ~Al Moak~



I love singing the Psalms!  Let's sing Psalm 1 together today...



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Congratulations, Sonja, for winning the Blue Ribbon for your latest photo at DPChallenge!!!

Ya beat me to it Pat!!!!

Mr Moak, Ms Janet, Ms Marilyn and Ms Karmat
I thank you all for answers. It is often my fear that I hope it is Gods wish but I fear it is only my wish. I wish I can know each time what is the wish of God.

Ms Sonifo you have a nother ribbon. I can not even say how happy I am to see it.

Pat - Truly a wonderful devotion. More of the same please Al.

Here is my effort for this morning:-

'Unto me happily the lines in pleasant places fell, yea the inheritance I got in beauty doth excel.'

Psalm 16 Verse 6

Can we only say these words when things are going well with us?

There have been times recently when frustration has been gnawing away at me. My mind races ahead each morning, dreaming up wonderful things to do, yet I lack the energy I need to carry out what is in my mind. The back pain I suffer is debilitating itself but it is nothing compared to a sharp pain in my chest.

With chest pains comes fear. Others may have learned to cope with this better than me, however I am trying to come to terms with it. It has made me to think of death more often than not.

There are times when heaven seems so close that one more step would take me there, while at other times I plead earnestly for life.

It is only when we look back and see the gracious hand of God in our lives that a beautiful picture is drawn. Goodness and mercy have followed us all our days and He has done all things well.

The beauty that excels is surely the robes of His righteousness imputed to us. These glorious robes cover every single spot and blemish and we are made acceptable in the Beloved.

This I know is not my home, yet I have attachments here that have a hold on me. Marriage ties and blood bonds can be strong indeed, and dreams of seeing my children married with their own families is something that is close to my heart. Is it so wrong to want to hold a new grandchild?

Pain, extreme pain brings rapid thoughts of home. A better place. A place where each child of God is heading. There shall be no more pain there, no more suffering, no more heartache, no more loss and no more sin.

How pleasant Immanuel's Land seemed to me today. Though I may live to be a hundred years old, still it is but a short time compared to an eternity with my Beloved Jesus. Pain and suffering are not pleasant however we are a people of hope. A good hope. An Eternal rest.

Can you imagine eternal blessedness? No more drudgery, no more worry, no more stress, no more health problems, no bills to worry about and no sin to plague us. God Himself is leading each one of His own to that haven which we desire to see.

It may seem like a long time before we get there but remember my friend we are each only a breath away!

The sudden and totally unexpected death of the young Cameroon footballer, Marc Vivien Foe would have made many young folk think about their eternal destiny. At the height of his fitness he collapsed and died while representing his country in an International football match in France.

No warning – nothing! He simply fell over and died.

Are you experiencing pain, heartache, loss, anxiety or worry about what the future holds? Are you dreaming or hoping for better days? My friend your happiness and security lies in Jesus Christ. If you are His then an eternity of joy awaits. What is that compared with your problems today?

Think on these things.

Think of the enormity of the sacrifice that was paid in order that you and I may obtain this inheritance. God, veiled in the flesh died in our room and stead. He has loved us with an everlasting love.

He proved that love by being nailed to the cross. Our sins put Him there. He died that we may live. Our time on earth is short, eternity awaits, therefore my friend rejoice this day in the Lord.

May your thoughts today be focussed on the inheritance that awaits you. We have already received part of our inheritance through adoption. We are the children of God. Heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.

May your vision and thoughts be lifted this day above and beyond the trials and temptations that so often besiege us. May we grasp today the certainty of the hope that lies within our breasts.

Only then can we truly say, 'unto me happily the lines in pleasant places fell, yes the inheritance I got in beauty doth excel.

Go about your business today thinking much of Immanuel's Land.

Meika - My understanding is that the Lord asks us to set aside a tenth of our earnings to be given to Him each week. It is our duty to give this money in faith and leave it with either the Elders or Deacons of our congregations to use our tithe as they are led.

We may not always agree with what they do with our offerings, however we should not judge them, as we have been obedient to the Lord's command by presenting our offering.

If we have any further money, food or gifts then we should give what we can to those in greatest need.

When I was in full time employment I was able to support two Romanians. One through her nursing course in her own country and the other through the London Bible College. He is now a Doctor of Theology and serving the Lord in Romania, training other young men for the ministry.

I cannot do this now.

Karmat's answer was good and biblical and better than anything that I may add.

LOL

Hi everyone.  Powerful devotional thoughts here this morning.  Iain, I relate very well to your writing this morning.  Sure wish you had access to the treatments I am receiving as I am now angina free and still have 4 more weeks of treatment to go.  God is using you in a powerful way even with your disabilities and through your pain to bring others into the fold.  You have a marvelous way with words.

Al, your writings on the Psalms have really helped me understand what the Psalms are about and the setting of how they were used.  I am currently reading the Psalms in my daily Bible reading and for the first 71 or 72 of them I would read the Psalm and then read your writing regarding it.  Thanks for sharing these with us.

The rain has finally stopped, at least for now, and the pavement is beginning to dry with the nice warm breeze we have.  We must have had close to 5 inches of rain yesterday.  It just never stopped.  

JudyB, sure hope the little girl is doing much better.  

Sonja, congratulations on your blue ribbon.  

Thanks to Pat, Al, and Iain, for your inspiring messages again today.  

 Congratulations Sonja for winning the blue ribbon.

Wishing you all a good day.   Mary

Good Morning: Brother Al I love your studies on the Psalms and Brother Iain your devotional thoughts are most welcome to my day every day. Your statements on the difference between tithe and offering is the way I understood it to be. Thank you for confirming that for me.

Larry I am praising the Lord for the success of your treatments and your healing. Be careful on the wet roads and I hope your trip today will be a safe one.

Pat, I am still smoke free. I knew you wanted to hear a progress report.

Congratulations Sonja on your blue ribbon. I will go to DPC and look at your prize winning photo.

I am going out to wash my car shortly before it gets hot.

TTYL
Marilyn

SONJA!! Congratulations!!  Was that the photo in "Country Life?"  Well done!

Iain, great devotional today.  I pray for you brother, that your strength be renewed as the eagle's, that you may walk and not grow weary, that you may run and not faint.  Please do consider gathering all your devotionals and having them published in a book, if the cost isn't prohibitive for you.  They are such a blessing!

I have been thinking of Mieka and her struggles with the English language, and last night on the news, they were talking about some of the  additions to the
new Mirriam-Webster Dictionary this year.  They include:
Dot-commer; Frankenfoods; and Dead Cat Bounce.   Yes, they did give the definitions!  I think they said they added over 1,000 new words to this edition.  Whew!

I just popped in to say howdy, now I must get busy before it gets too HOT!

Marilyn ~ It is great that you are now taking it slow in getting things packed for your move.  Good to be rested before the big move.  AND SMOKE-FREE!

Janet ~ Your answer to Mieka is right on!  Wish I had said that!

Karma ~ Yes, I think that tithes are time as well as money.  Even those on fixed, tight incomes may give their time to the church in several ways...teaching Sunday School, custodian, setting up communion, folding bulletins, even giving your time for the audio/visual areas that the church may have to pay for otherwise.  And many numerous ways even outside the church.  That is using your talents.  I know that giving above and beyond, your rewards are abundant.  God knows what is in your heart.

Pat and Al ~ Thank you for the wonderful devotion today.

Iain ~ While reading your posts today, I had tears of joy and tears of sadness.  Joy knowing that I will live eternity in heaven and sadness knowing I will leave loved ones behind when I leave this earth to live in eternity.  And you are right...that is only a breath away.  I was also sad because only someone that has been close to death could write such a post.  My prayers are with you, Brother Iain.  

Larry ~ I was thinking the same thing...wishing Iain had the opportunity to receive the same treatments that you are receiving.  I am so happy that the treatments are working for you.  Praise God.

Mary Frances ~ Good morning to you!  Wishing you have a good day, also.

Sonja ~ As soon as I get this posted, I am off to see your Blue Ribbon effort!!!  Wow!  our very own professional!!!

Mieka ~ Good morning....hugs to you!!

Nothing planned today.  I read a lot yesterday.  Hope to read today also.  Love sitting in my swing and reading.  Out in nature and having the nature noises as background music.  

»ïÏï«,¸¸,»ïÏï«,¸¸,»ïÏï«,¸¸,»ïÏï«,¸¸,»ïÏï«,¸¸,»ïÏï«,¸¸,»ïÏï«,¸¸,»ïÏï«,¸¸,»ïÏï«

"The nice part of living in a small town is that when I don't know what I'm doing, someone else does."

I am greatful Iain that you have joined CP...your words always speak to me.  They are very encouraging. Thank you!!!


A big Amen

Good morning Iain, Etta Sue, Pat, Karmat, Mieka  , Mary Francis, Marilyn, Larry and any one else who shows up after me.
Thanks everyone for the congrats!  

I got the estimate on my house...it will cost around 4,500 to fix the things that were damaged..and yes that include the roof.  oh well such is life.  I am just thankful it wasn't a tornado.  

Hope you all have a good day.  Let's make it the Lord's day.  

  I thank you Mr Iain for your help today too. I think I do undarstand it. I am very happy to know it is the wish of GOD and not only the wish of mi.

I have much work to do for this week so I will only say hello to everyone. I will hope to read everything at the end of each day. There will be many guests at my home this week. I am very excite for this day. I have much to be ready for this.

A good fortune to everyone for this week, and I hope you are all safe.  

Larry - truly glad that treatment is working for you brother. It's nothing more than answered prayers.

Sonya - Is your winning photo in our photo gallery? If so can you tell me where sis?

Janet - Many thanks for your encouragement. I find it difficult to understand that my writings are of any use to anyone, yet in God's hand they seem to be blessed. I would not know the first thing about getting a book published. Anyone, any ideas or information as an income would be most helpful right now.

Well, here I am back from Hamilton.  I really feel like going back to bed but I won't!  

Iain, what a truly wonderful gift you have!  I had tears streaming down my face when I read your message.  Thanks so much for your daily gifts to us.  When I get some time here, they will be going onto our main page beside Jack's and Al Moak's.


Sonja's photo is at dpchallenge.com

It would be worth your while to register there, Iain so that you can view many lovely photos.

Here's a link to Sonja's prize winning photo but it might not work!  

http://dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=26079


(I came in 112th!!!  HAHAHAHA)    Oh well...  I want to be like Sonja when I grow up!

Congratulations Sonja I have been to see the photos. Is the young man your son? Great photo. Awesome, terrific, magnificent, fabulous, and all the other adjective that say wonderful.
I think I need some lessons in photography, but first I need a digital camera. So much easier than the old film type. Well A good 35mm would be great too in addition to the digicam. Ah retirement some day and lots of phots ops.
Love y-all
marilyn

Thanks, Pat, for that link. I wanted to see it and was going to ask for the link.

Sonja, great picture; have to show it to my hubby--think he would like a print of it.
Would look great in our Penna. place.

Karmet , you answered my friends question on thithing... very good.

Etta and Janet , your posting was received well by my friend as well.  She is sitting here; pretty content with all of your answers.

Iian, a belated Happy Birthday.  I have been benefiting by your postings--so glad you have the time to spend here.

Sorry that you are in such pain; glad that Larry is better and may know of medications for you to take to help your angina; pain free.

Take it easy, Marilyn, your trip is soon upon you and you will need your strength for the move.
Yes, Marilyn, I too thought that why can't unbelievers see the facts as we do.

Then the good LORD came shining through with HIS answers.

Just like you: I suffered so when I heard the distasteful remarks by unbelievers but my hubby made me realize (through bible passages and some of his studies) that they don't know HIM.

The Lord has hardened their hearts to HIS wonders because of their disbelief.  They can not see what we see.

When they reach out to HIM ; their eyes and hearts will be open and the glorious rewards will be waiting for them.

This is how I discern the Holy Spirit inside of me message in that matter.

After looking at it this way; I felt a comforting note that they did not know HIM to really understand and what they were saying was because of a lack of understanding.

Of course, on a personal note, some of them made themselves too nasty to even want to post to them the wonders of our Heavenly Father.

BUt, I enjoyed your postings and somehow , our love for HIM , may show through and reach their "heartened hearts."

Just my feelings,

Going to try and get a early start on the Holiday --weather getting warmer in Jersey and I think I even hear my stream, lake and pool calling my name.

Take care,

Love in CHrist,
Joyce

Pat - many thanks, the link worked perfectly. No wonder that pic won! It's a beauty, a real composition. Well done lass!

Pat - Although you came 112th you can always say that your sister was the winner!

LOL

Joyce your postings are always so full of your Love for our Savior and Lord. You express yourself so well, I wish I was as eloquent as you are. I do love our Lord with all my heart and want so much to be like Jesus, full of love and compasion for others and obedient to our Father's commandments. I try so hard to live up to His expectations of me and feel that I fall so short at times. But He is always there to pick me up and reassure me that I am still His child and still in His loving arms, It is His hand who guides me through the tough times as well as the propserous times. I take everything to Him in prayer big things and small things, I trust in Him and Him alone for the answers.  Oh how I love Him. He keeps reminding me of the words of Jesus, "He who has been forgiven much, loves much". I have been forgiven for so much and He brought me out of the pits of hell.

I could go on and on but this is getting too ling and I am running out of words that describe my love for Jesus Christ. My husband, my maker, my bridegroom, my redeemer, my advocate, my EVERYTHING!!!

I would like to share the email devotional I received today.


A Faithful Saying
030702 Wednesday, July 2, 2003 Daily Devotional by Brent Riggs

2Timothy 2.11-13 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. (NKJV)

The Lord did not leave us without clear instruction concerning how we should live. The Word is not ambiguous towards exclaiming who or what pleases God. We will not have as our defense that we "weren't sure" what was expected of us as His children.

It has become fashionable in America of late to claim that to have "God in my life" while living in such a way that no one would know it unless we spoke it occasionally. It is now "in" to be spiritual. "What would Jesus do?" God is "awesome", "cool" and the kids are "Jesus freaks".

James 1.26-27 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Don't misunderstand me. I am thankful for any way that God uses this new acceptance of "spiritually" in our society when it results in souls being truly saved. It undoubtedly will lead to many ministry opportunities.

It is symbolism over substance, rhetoric over commitment, "feel good" over "do good" standards manifested from a watered down social gospel that is attractive but powerless.

A gospel that does not produce Godly
lives is not the true Gospel.

Mieka - you say,

QuoteI do undarstand what is a tithe and I hope I do also undarstand what is a offering.
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse
Where is this storehouse? Is this a storehouse of man?
If it is a offering to God, in his honor. Would God not wish for this food to go to the poor?
If I give this food to the poor in the name of God, is it also a tithe?
To put the meat into a storehouse and have it all go bad in the name of God and in his honor. There are so many who have no food for this day.
Is this only bad in the eyes of mieka?
If man will not do what is good with all of the meat in the storehouse of God. How is it to help even God?

I thought I'd just add the other 0.2 cents that Karma left out.

Of course the "storehouse" to which Iain refers is the one at the temple in Jerusalem.  It was from that storehouse that the priests/levites were given their livlihood.  Levi was supported by the other ten tribes, so that they could do their work at the temple.  Obviously, we don't have such a tribe today.  We do, however, have church buildings, pastors, worship leaders, evangelists, missionaries, etc., and their basic support comes from the tithe today.  The "storehouse," then is simply the offering that's taken and the bank account the church has.
It is to be hoped that the tithes/offerings might be large enough so that there would be ample funds to help the poor, to care for those who can't care for themselves, etc.  That's what the deacons are supposed to deal with - they minister to such people in the name of the church (or, as Acts 6 points out, they have charge of such ministry, even if others help in the actual doing).
I hope this helps at least a little.

Again I want to say that Cornelia and I appreciate so much the many good wishes for us on our 54th anniversary.  We enjoyed our visit to the State Park, our delicious meal, and just being in the setting of the forests and lakes.  As we left this morning to come home we saw Bambi.  What a beautiful young creature she was grazing along the side of the road.  She saw us and darted away back into the woods.

We are having another beautiful day here.  Tonight we go to our Bible classes at church.  Thursday, Friday, and Saturday we will be enjoying the Bible lectures at Lipscomb University which is not too far from where we live, maybe 10 miles.

It is so good to read all the messages here.  God bless you all.

--- Papa John              <)))><<

 

Tithing

I've been very interested in the discussion on tithing.  My father was a faithful tither.  He had two sections in his wallet... one was his tithe and strictly belonged to the Lord and the local church and the other was for his daily expenses.

• My father believed that his tithe was a tenth of his income before the taxes and deductions were taken off.  This is what he faithfully gave to his Saviour (through the local church where he was a member) as he believed was his duty.  He also gave offerings above and beyond that out of the rest of his income and the Lord blessed Dad.
  
  
  
• After Dad retired, he was introduced to an organization called Partners International and a choir from India was visiting North America and they needed a bus driver of which he was one.    He volunteered and this relationship lasted several years as the choir and the evangelist Vanlal returned several times.
  
  Tithing in Mizoram, India by these wonderful people is unique.  The mother looks after her family well and when she shops, she first goes to the church to purchase her goods--rice, sticks to light the fire, chickens, etc.
  
  When she gets home, she divides the rice or flour (or whatever) up that she purchased and puts a tenth of the rice into a tin, she puts a tenth of the sticks she bought to light the fire into a basket.  At the end of the week, the rice and sticks and anything else that she purchased and divided is taken to the church and given to them.
  
  The next time she needs supplies for her home, she goes to the church and purchases from their little room and so in essense, she is doubly tithing and the Lord blesses them so very much.
  
  
  I only had the opportunity to go with them on  one trip and it was from Ontario to Long Island, New York where I left them to fly home to India and then Dad and I returned the rental bus to Norfolk, Virginia.  I was to be the spare driver but as we waited in Fort Erie, Ontario to cross over into the USA, Dad got very ill and I ended up driving the coach the rest of the way.  But they looked after Dad while I drove.
  
  What lovely people!  They constantly sang praises to the Lord whenever they could.

It is a wonderful story of time past Ms Pat. I think I do undarstand now what is a tithe and a offering?

A tithe is to give to a church of God. any church?  

A offering is to give on my own as I wish? yes?  

We also believe our tithe should be one tenth from our gross income - before taxes and any other deductions, and that goes to our home church.  We also set aside an additional percentage of that gross to use as a freewill offering wherever we see a need, whether within the church or outside of it.  The Lord is faithful always to see that our own needs are met, and often a little extra.  We're not rich financially by any stretch of the imagination but we are multi-billionnaires in blessings.

 :'(My server is acting up, and I keep losing my post.  Phooey.  Maybe I will try again later (if this one posts!)

We also belive it is one tenth of the gross, and that it is the FIRST tenth, before any other bills are paid or money is spent. It is the first check I write. Any other offerings I usually give in cash.

Right, Marilyn!  If we wait to pay the tithe last, the devil will see to it that we don't have the money left to pay it!

I, too, give my tenth before taxes, first and foremost.  That is my tithe.  Also I give for my church to a fund called 'Family Assistance'.  This is when a church family is in trouble of having their electric turned off, or foreclosure on their home due to circumstances beyond their means, etc.  Right now, my 'offering' to the Family Assistance is going to a family that the mother has extreme headaches even after three years and three surgeries.  It has been determined that they are caused by a virus and incurable but she is going to the Cleveland Clinic this month to see if there is anything else that maybe causing this and/or a possible cure.  This has certainly been a burden on the family...husband's income because of her hospital stays and the two teenage children...not being able to participate in teenage activities.  I feel blessed to know that my offering is helping them keep their 'heads above water'.