Psalm 134 Praise the Lord

Psalm 134

1 Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord
who minister by night in the house of the Lord.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary
and praise the Lord.

3 May the Lord bless you from Zion,
he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.

For milleniums, we've debated - how large is Heaven..,

Revelation 7:4
4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.

That answers - sealed - so how large is Heaven?

NOW THIS IS A GREAT ANSWER FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT - WHO IS MIGHTY TO SAVE!
AUTHOR OF SALVATION! JESUS CHRIST - THE GLORY OF A RISEN KING!

Revelation 7:9-12

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”

11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:

“Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!”


Our GOD REIGNS!

We seem to be getting a picture - Heaven is VAST. Father God's Promises - Faithful, Eternal, Unending!

Deuteronomy 28:12

"The LORD will make you abound in prosperity, in the offspring of your body and in the offspring of your beast and in the produce of your ground, in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give you. 12"The LORD will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hand; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. 13"The LORD will make you the head and not the tail, and you only will be above, and you will not be underneath, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I charge you today, to observe them carefully


Ezekiel 34:26
I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.…

Psalm 115
1 Not to us, Lord, not to us
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness.

All you Israelites, trust in the Lord—
he is their help and shield.
10 House of Aaron, trust in the Lord—
he is their help and shield.
11 You who fear him, trust in the Lord—
he is their help and shield.

12 The Lord remembers us and will bless us:
He will bless his people Israel,
he will bless the house of Aaron,
13 he will bless those who fear the Lord—
small and great alike.

How Great is Our God. 

… Thou shalt call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1: 21
…His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, The Might God,
…The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6

… God hath made that same Jesus… both Lord & Christ Acts 2:36

…Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world! John 1:29

…they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, the song of The Lamb Revelation 15:3


…Behold, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah Revelation 5:5


..and the Bright & Morning Star Revelation 22:16


..and our hands have handled, of the Word of Life 1 John 1:1


…we have and advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ The Righteous 1 John 2:1


…whereby the Dayspring from on high hath visited us. Luke 1:78


…Before Abraham, I Am. John 8:58


…And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. John 1: 34

…are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 1 Peter 2:25


…We have found the Messiah which, is being interpreted, the Christ. John 1:41


…I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6


…through the knowledge of the Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. II Peter 2: 20

..a name written King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Revelation 19:16

…I am the Light of the World. John 8:12

…The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world… John 1:9

…I am Alpha & Omega the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come

The Almighty Revelation 1:8

Luke 2:10
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

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Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:14 ~ be happy

Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:14


9 You who are young, be happy while you are young,
and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.
Follow the ways of your heart
and whatever your eyes see,
but know that for all these things
God will bring you into judgment.
10 So then, banish anxiety from your heart
and cast off the troubles of your body,
for youth and vigor are meaningless.

12 Remember your Creator
in the days of your youth,
before the days of trouble come
and the years approach when you will say,
“I find no pleasure in them”—
2 before the sun and the light
and the moon and the stars grow dark,
and the clouds return after the rain;
3 when the keepers of the house tremble,
and the strong men stoop,
when the grinders cease because they are few,
and those looking through the windows grow dim;
4 when the doors to the street are closed
and the sound of grinding fades;
when people rise up at the sound of birds,
but all their songs grow faint;
5 when people are afraid of heights
and of dangers in the streets;
when the almond tree blossoms
and the grasshopper drags itself along
and desire no longer is stirred.
Then people go to their eternal home
and mourners go about the streets.

6 Remember him—before the silver cord is severed,
and the golden bowl is broken;
before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
and the wheel broken at the well,
7 and the dust returns to the ground it came from,
and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

8 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher.
“Everything is meaningless!”
The Conclusion of the Matter

9 Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. 10 The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.

11 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd. 12 Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.

Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.

13 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.
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.


Youth wasted on the young? Old age not for sissies? The attitudes of this Teacher are glum. Meaningless - The Teacher cries about life. Odd for Solomon. He accomplished so much. Actually, Solomon had the life we'd all lead - he had a lot just handed to him. David worked very hard and Solomon swept in after the rest of the family went sour on the success after living in a literal ditch in a 'town' called Ziklag. Sure some of the sons were born in luxury - some were not. I digress.

It's like the photo of the Exodus above. Is that the golden days of yesteryore with fake memories of the desert - is that seeing the Exodus flop over - is it actually red dawn of the apocalypse.

It really depends where you want your story to stop.

Jesus told Nicodemus "You have to be born again." That gives some people the horrors - they don't see their lives as born again.

Jesus really did say this and He meant those who pick 'wouldn't be prudent, practical.' He really meant - this hope anew and a fresh. Let the old wine of expectations and hurts go. Be filled with the new wine of joy in what is. Gratitude for the day. Gratitude that seasons change. Believing God is going to carry us through.

We cannot do this by ourselves.

The Word of God says His Mercies renew each day. There is an indication of rest there. Even God rests from His Labors. Most of the planet needs the seasons to adjust. Fake good humor is not going to pull up our boot straps.

*We have to rely on God - His Mercies Renew. Our own efforts are always flawed.

The Word of God is not divided into this hope there - that one there. Reaching out to God daily allowing Him to work.

Look at Zechariah 8. (Still Old Testament)


8 The word of the Lord Almighty came to me.

2 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her.”

3 This is what the Lord says: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City, and the mountain of the Lord Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain.”

4 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each of them with cane in hand because of their age. 5 The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.”

6 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?” declares the Lord Almighty.

7 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west. 8 I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God.”

9 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Now hear these words, ‘Let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built.’ This is also what the prophets said who were present when the foundation was laid for the house of the Lord Almighty. 10 Before that time there were no wages for people or hire for animals. No one could go about their business safely because of their enemies, since I had turned everyone against their neighbor. 11 But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as I did in the past,” declares the Lord Almighty.

12 “The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people. 13 Just as you, Judah and Israel, have been a curse among the nations, so I will save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.”

14 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Just as I had determined to bring disaster on you and showed no pity when your ancestors angered me,” says the Lord Almighty, 15 “so now I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid. 16 These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; 17 do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the Lord.

18 The word of the Lord Almighty came to me.

19 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.”

20 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come, 21 and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, ‘Let us go at once to entreat the Lord and seek the Lord Almighty. I myself am going.’ 22 And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord Almighty and to entreat him.”

23 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “In those days ten people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.’”


The Expectation of the Holy Spirit of GOD is in the Old Testament Zechariah 8.

Some of life is difficult. God says here HE can bring blessing from curse.
So, be honest. Hope. Do not be afraid. God has not brought us so far as to drop us on our heads.

Expect the seed to grow well. Expect the vine to yield fruit.

Our hopes in Good News are the same as God the Father. Glimpses of Heaven? Same Creator.

Hebrews 12
Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.
“Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God
and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

I was blessed to see a car stop today in front of me. Forgive N.

Blessed. Forgive as we are forgiven. Giving forgiveness. So simple. So profound. God.

Mark 16:15
He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."

...love one another, as the Lord says: "This is My commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you." And let them show their love by the works they do for each other, according as the Apostle says: "let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth."

Preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words! And rely heavily that HIS Mercies renew each day.

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Psalm 115 ~ Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your Name give glory, for the sake of Your steadfast Love and Your faithfulness!

Psalm 115


1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

2 Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in the heavens;
he does all that he pleases.

4 Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
5 They have mouths, but do not speak;
eyes, but do not see.
6 They have ears, but do not hear;
noses, but do not smell.
7 They have hands, but do not feel;
feet, but do not walk;
and they do not make a sound in their throat.
8 Those who make them become like them;
so do all who trust in them.

9 O Israel [O house of Israel], trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.
11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.

12 The Lord has remembered us; he will bless us;
he will bless the house of Israel;
he will bless the house of Aaron;
13 he will bless those who fear the Lord,
both the small and the great.

14 May the Lord give you increase,
you and your children!
15 May you be blessed by the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!

16 The heavens are the Lord's heavens,
but the earth he has given to the children of man.

17 The dead do not praise the Lord,
nor do any who go down into silence.

18 But we will bless the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore.

Praise the Lord!

Look at 1 Chronicles 4, the surprising genealogy of the sons of Judah where the prayer of Jabez shows up. It's no surprise - Jabez's soul, the intent of his soul is the reason God's hand was with Jabez and God granted what he asked.

Powerful words, God granted what he asked.

Pastors say  when we have an earnest prayer request, it's best to explain why our prayer is heartfelt and how it honors the Lord. And to release our prayer into the hands of a loving Father. Trust is an eternally important issue to the Lord.

Read Psalm 81

1 Sing aloud to God our strength;

shout for joy to the God of Jacob!
2 Raise a song; sound the tambourine,
the sweet lyre with the harp.
3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon,
at the full moon, on our feast day.

4 For it is a statute for Israel,
a rule of the God of Jacob.
5 He made it a decree in Joseph
when he went out over the land of Egypt.
I hear a language I had not known:
6 “I relieved your shoulder of the burden;
your hands were freed from the basket.
7 In distress you called, and I delivered you;
I answered you in the secret place of thunder;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah
8 Hear, O my people, while I admonish you!
O Israel, if you would but listen to me!
9 There shall be no strange god among you;
you shall not bow down to a foreign god.
10 I am the Lord your God,
who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

11 “But my people did not listen to my voice;
Israel would not submit to me.
12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts,
to follow their own counsels.
13 Oh, that my people would listen to me,
that Israel would walk in my ways!
14 I would soon subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes.
15 Those who hate the Lord would cringe toward him,
and their fate would last forever.
16 But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat,
and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”


The nature of God is to want to bless us! In prayer, we are not supposed to be subjugating God to our will. God knows the heart of mankind, and still gave us His Son for our salvation. God knows our desire Before we ask. God willingly blesses us. So many times, Jesus healed. In almost every miracle, work of the Lord, wonder of God - Jesus was asked. The blind asked. Jesus could see. He knew they were blind. Consider Jesus healing the deaf man. He drew the deaf man away from the crowd and explained the healing to a deaf man before it occurred. An awesome God, who loves us.

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain [Jabez sounds like the Hebrew for pain].” 10 Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm [evil] so that it might not bring me pain!”

 And God granted what he asked.

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Thank You Father GOD for answered prayer in Jesus the Lord. Amen.

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2 Samuel 21 ~ And Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of the giants, whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of bronze, and who was armed with a new sword, thought to kill David.

2 Samuel 21

Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year. And David sought the face of the Lord. And the Lord said, “There is bloodguilt on Saul and on his house, because he put the Gibeonites to death.” 

2 So the king called the Gibeonites and spoke to them. Now the Gibeonites were not of the people of Israel but of the remnant of the Amorites. Although the people of Israel had sworn to spare them, Saul had sought to strike them down in his zeal for the people of Israel and Judah. 3 

And David said to the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? And how shall I make atonement, that you may bless the heritage of the Lord?” 4 The Gibeonites said to him, “It is not a matter of silver or gold between us and Saul or his house; neither is it for us to put any man to death in Israel.” And he said, “What do you say that I shall do for you?” 5 They said to the king, “The man who consumed us and planned to destroy us, so that we should have no place in all the territory of Israel, 6 let seven of his sons be given to us, so that we may hang them before the Lord at Gibeah of Saul, the chosen of the Lord.” And the king said, “I will give them.”


7 But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Saul's son Jonathan, because of the oath of the Lord that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul. 8 The king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Merab the daughter of Saul, whom she bore to Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite; 9 and he gave them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them on the mountain before the Lord, and the seven of them perished together. They were put to death in the first days of harvest, at the beginning of barley harvest.

10 Then Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it for herself on the rock, from the beginning of harvest until rain fell upon them from the heavens. And she did not allow the birds of the air to come upon them by day, or the beasts of the field by night. 11 

When David was told what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done, 12 David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of his son Jonathan from the men of Jabesh-gilead, who had stolen them from the public square of Beth-shan, where the Philistines had hanged them, on the day the Philistines killed Saul on Gilboa. 13 And he brought up from there the bones of Saul and the bones of his son Jonathan; and they gathered the bones of those who were hanged. 14 And they buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the land of Benjamin in Zela, in the tomb of Kish his father. And they did all that the king commanded.

 And after that God responded to the plea for the land.

15 There was war again 
between the Philistines and Israel, and David went down together with his servants, and they fought against the Philistines. And David grew weary. 16 And Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of the giants, whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of bronze, and who was armed with a new sword, thought to kill David. 17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid and attacked the Philistine and killed him. Then David's men swore to him, “You shall no longer go out with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel.”

18 After this there was again war with the Philistines at Gob. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Saph, who was one of the descendants of the giants. 19 And there was again war with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim, the Bethlehemite, struck down Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver's beam. 20

 And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand, and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants. 21 And when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimei, David's brother, struck him down. 22

 These four were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.

Giants, grim necessity and weariness.

Giants sound very improbable.

The giant (right), was apparently unearthed in County Antrim, Ireland, and found to be 12ft 2in high. Its girth of chest was 6ft 6in, and length of arms 4ft 6in. There are six toes on the right foot. This skeleton was on display in exhibitions in Dublin, Liverpool and Manchester.

Tennessee River, USA - giant human footprints with 6 toes
Crittendon, Arizona, USA - sarcophagus of a giant who sported 6 toes on each foot
County Antrim, Ireland - fossilised body of a giant with 6 toes on the right foot
Kiribati (Pacific Ocean) - a number of footprints of giant men, most of them with 6 toes on each foot

The United States has a large number of skeletons found over 8 feet, google if you must.

TURKEY: a human finger bone which is twice the length of the average adult bone today.
In the Hittite Museum in Ankara, Turkey; In the late 1950's, during road construction in south-east Turkey (in the Euphrates Valley), many tombs were uncovered, which contained the remains of giant humans. At two sites the leg bones were measured to be about 120 centimeters (47.24 inches).

Joe Taylor, Director of the Mt. Blanco Fossil Museum, in Crosbyton, Texas, was commissioned to sculpt an anatomically correct, and to scale, human femur of one of these ancient men. One part was a human fingerbone which is twice the length of the average adult bone today.

Giants are probable considering all cultures report giants and we see gigantism in genetics.


Giants, grim necessity and weariness.

It's a grim little Chapter.

We far prefer to Picture a Victorious David building his recently found Palace with the good view.

However.

The Scriptures do real things.

They are not neat and tidy.

Did Jesus know this about His Family? Was it fair? Was it avoidable?  Giants, grim necessity and weariness...


Where is the glory of Act Chapter 11 City of Joppa - what is clean is clean ?

Immediately the Holy Spirit gave a sign. Men arrived to do a Glorious and Upward Call of God.


Gosh.
David is governing a hugely expanded Israel. The Tribe of Judah only just now got the allotted area of Jerusalem - the City of David.


Why isn't this Chapter about the Glory of the Exodus?
This is.

Why isn't this about the Glory of the Gentiles Inclusion and Mercy?
Um. Ya'll. This is. The Jews are dealing with - whisper - the guys who tried to horn in on David's anointing. They are the concubine's son. Wellll. Only a concubine. Look at the mercy.

The Scriptures are REAL !!!

ALL OF OUR BATTLES HAVE BLURRED LINES.

We Need a SAVIOR.

David needs a miracle. He gets one daily. He is TIRED of his Job! Sadly, we get tired of anything and everything. Even God's provision. This actually is a miracle for David. The Holy Spirit has provided a miracle. David's throne is more secure.

Peter had something similar happen - Jesus made breakfast on the beach. Jesus understands harsh things in life happen and HE is there to assist after the choice was freely made.

The need for forgiveness - Jesus told us the Law is Harsh.

Rizpah the daughter of Aiah ran with the King of Israel. And Saul did not offer her marriage. She was unprotected and looked to the tangibles to sustain life. That's usually called - practical.

Jesus understood Rizpah. He put his hands in the dirt and found her mercy - AFTER - she was found and looked upon, known and disgraced.

God's Great ACT of Exodus - failed. By HIS Plan. And SUCCEEDED,

David's Kingdom - failed. By HIS Plan. AND SUCCEEDED.



We call upon God to help us as Christians. And then we feel abandoned. Neglected. Self-pity.

Instead. Remember Abraham failed to wait for God. He created mess.

Remember Moses forgot to be perfect after he was forgiven for murdering an Egyptian. He created mess.

Jacob. Mess. Saul. Mess.


More public messes. Yet God says that the messes are there. We know it. Sometimes apparent goodness is just hidden mess. God says not one of us is really able to enter Salvation without HIS help.

God says - we need to confess to Him when we get into the tired of all our blessings stage.

God says - when HE says wait - do that.

God says - when HE wants mercy - give that.

God says - in this Chapter - when all the waters are so muddy - which way do you swim - trust Him.

God says - when people want to judge you because they want to kill and take revenge - stay as clear as you can. Do your best with muddy waters because mud will fly in life.

God says - when a bonus flies into your life - and makes you feel guilty - do your best and Trust Him.

The heart could have told David - you are a wife luster for Abigail and for Bathsheba. You deserve that 300 lb spear. God says do your best in adverse circumstance and really tell GOD the truth about how guilty and innocent you are.


The Scriptures. We love the easier ones and say 'yep, right, uh-huh, sure, I agree' and don't even reflect on them.

The Easier, nicer Scriptures are for applying them when this Chapter starts to happen to your life.

To appreciate. David was trying in very difficult circumstances. God had to help David just to merely keep up. God was helping David to live with choices made around him. To do his best when the choice is bad to worse.


This is Psalm 100. We are the Sheep of His pasture and He made us. We have to count on HIM. Rely on God being God. And Expect God to straighten out what we can't put right. Because God alone can do that.

Abraham is reflected in David in this Chapter. Abraham knew war and struggle. Abraham was fortunate not to have to deal with the death of an enemy. Only a Son. The answer is still - Trust God.

The easier Scriptures exist to show us in the terrible Scriptures - THERE IS A WAY A TRUTH A LIFE FORWARD.

And this Scripture tells us - Believe, Confess, Act to your best ability, Wait, Endure. Because if David could get in a mess like this and get out - Jesus will help you too.

That's what the Scriptures are - filled with good advice and then real hard knocks. Because these are the instructions - THAT MATTER. 


Thank You, Father GOD. You exist. You help. You protect. You forgive. And You are Holy. God help me when the waters are calm to know we all will face rough water. And ask for Your mercy and love. Knowing all blessings are from YOU.  To be grateful, honest and Expect You. You will help. Thank Jesus for being Lord. Amen.

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Psalm 134 ~ may the Lord bless you from Zion

Psalm 134

1 Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,
who stand by night in the house of the Lord!
2 Lift up your hands to the holy place
and bless the Lord!

3 May the Lord bless you from Zion,
he who made heaven and earth!

1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-16
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

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Psalm 68:2-7 ~ exult before the Lord

Psalm 68:2-7

2 As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away;
as wax melts before fire,
so the wicked shall perish before God!
3 But the righteous shall be glad;
they shall exult before God;
they shall be jubilant with joy!

4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts;
his name is the Lord;
exult before him!
5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows
is God in his holy habitation.
6 God settles the solitary in a home;
he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,
but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

7 O God, when you went out before your people,
when you marched through the wilderness, Selah

We all have a time when something positive came out of scuffle. One of the interesting things about the Lord's Prayer:

Matthew 6:6-13
6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Right before the Lord tells us to honor the Father, ask for God's will, ask for daily provisions, forgive us our sins, asked for forgiveness for the ones who hurt us, lead in safe paths, deliver us from evil;...... He tells us not to offer up empty phrases. We all know the Lord's prayer, but He isn't asking for us to assume any particular type of position to pray. He isn't asking us to recite. He is asking for a conversation.

Psalm 68, the whole thing, like many chapters, is about the Lord's Prayer. It's about a time when something looked grim, but the Light shone. It's about the hassle to gather the family together & realize it's the best part of the day & its lovely. It's feeling bitter over a hurt and realizing it doesn't matter. It's realizing we have flaws and we want to be forgiven, not only to the Lord. It's taking time to realize the beauty around you. It's the joy in knowing it is a gift.

It's realizing when we don't take time to really count and appreciate our blessings, they fly past us without the joy.

Father God, help our prayers be fruitful. Let it be conversation about joy, need, praise. Let it be humble, let it be uplifting. Thank you Father, You incline your ear whenever we call upon You. 

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