PSALM NUGGET, OT LESSON, NT LESSON

PSALM NUGGET:

Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many wicked."  (Psalm 37:17, NASB)

OT LESSON:

Who is this who darkens the divine plan by words without knowledge? (Job 38:1, NASB)

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.  (Titus 2:11)

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

NOT "FROM," BUT, "OUT OF"

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all."  (Psalm 34:19)

Many translations read, "....from them all."

I don't want to nit pick, but, "out of them all", implies to me that we will encounter affliction.  While, "....from them..," can imply escaping affliction, "....out of..," implies, "....yea, though I walk through the valley...."

Most Followers of Jesus have experienced, or will experience affliction.  The Interlinear Bible describes, "affliction," as, "bad, evil."  If one has not experienced this, then that person is probably not breathing.

Are you in an, "affliction," mode.  Jesus Christ is the One Who delivers/saves us, "....through the valley of the shadow (affliction) ..," and, "out of..," not, "from," that affliction.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that You do this.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"....RESCUED ME FROM ALL OF IT."

"....But the Lord rescued me from all of it." (2 Timothy 3:11e, NLT)

The Interlinear Greek says that the basic meaning of, "rescued me," is, "to deliver to oneself."

Now Paul is speaking here of persecution, but we can say that our text is a Theological principle of Scripture, Old and New Testament. We are not saved from some "place" or for some "place."  Jesus delivers us to Himself.  This is the Gospel.

Father, in Jesus' Name, what a glorious act, "....to deliver to [Your]self."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"....THEREFORE I HAVE HOPE...."

"This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.  Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not."  (Lamentations 3:21, 22)

Lamentations is a sad example of a nation reaping what it sowed. Lamentations could not have been better named.

But what about you and me today?  We, as Israel, have all sinned and fallen, "....short of the glory of God."  While our Lord Jesus does not eradicate the effects of sin, He does, however, forgive and restore our relationship with Him in His Most Precious Blood, "....because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning.  Great is Your faithfulness."

There are times when we can lament over our lives, our sin, disobedience, bad choices as Jeremiah did over Jerusalem.  While there are decisions which we made that cannot be changed, there is forgiveness and compassion in the Godhead to help us learn not so to act.  Disobedience and obedience both "pay."  The former with sadness, depression, regret.  The latter with restoration of fellowship and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to learn from, not presume on, Your forgiveness.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"....THE FOUNDATION OF THE TRUTH"

"....I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the House of God, which is the Church of the Living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth."  (1 Timothy 3:15)

The Church was not the idea of the Catholics or the Protestants.  It is in the Heart of King Jesus from before the beginning began.  "I will build My Church," remember?  And, Jesus' Church is, "....the Church of the Living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth."

As imperfect as you and I are, and all who are, "members of His Body," we are still the ones who are,  "....the pillar and foundation of the Truth."  I make no apologies for such a statement, for one reason, the Holy Spirit in Paul stated such first.  

Do not be intimidated by anyone.  The Church, which is you and I and everyone on the planet in whom Jesus Christ lives, is, "....the pillar and foundation of the Truth," Who is Jesus Christ and His Words.

Father, in Jesus' Name, may I never apologize for who I am in You.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

PSALM NUGGET, OT LESSON, NT LESSON

PSALM NUGGET:

"'For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now I will arise,' says the Lord; 'I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.'"  (Psalm 12:5)

OT LESSON:

"'....Your life shall be a prize to you, because you have put your trust in Me,' says the Lord."  (Jeremiah 39:18b)

NT LESSON:

"Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, Who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say."  (2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17--NLT)

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2