Everything…everywhere…

 Praise the Lord, you his angels,you mighty ones who do his bidding,who obey his word. 

Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,you his servants who do his will. 

Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the Lord, my soul.

Ps.103.20-22

“Does your life praise the Lord? Bible study notes…

Reading these three verses doesn’t leave anything to not praise the Lord…everything….everywhere…

 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.

Ps.29.1-2

 All your works praise you, Lord;your faithful people extol you. They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all people may know of your mighty acts-and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

Ps.145.10-12

 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Phil.4.6,Phil.4.7

 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything….

1Tim.6.13a

Thank YOU…

All hail the power of Jesus’ name…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQSh7QsKcSs

Pastors…

 Pastors…

Over many years, my family has had a variety of pastors….

Each has had specific bents in their outlook…

Law/legalism, missions , compassion, knowledge,  hospitality, encouragement, shepherding, leadership/vision,  organization, evangelism, authoritarianism….

God ordained those men to be in the places they were for the times they were….and moved them when He desired…we have had shepherds after church splits or the death of a pastor to help,heal the wounds of the people…we have had evangelists in church plants…we have had mission oriented pastors in new areas….we have had leadership/vision pastors when the church needed leadership in building programs or other programs…

All taught the gospel well, from different bents…Jesus was there  all the time…being glorified…

I thought of Moses, forty years as a shepherd…learning to take care of sheep, a training ground to lead people through the desert for 40 years…a huge difference from the royalty he had been raised under…

 Or Paul, going from town to town teaching starting new bodies of believers…

Barnabas, coming behind to encourage the new believers…

I found this description of a shepherd/pastor…doesn’t this fit Moses?

“AI generated….

A shepherd pastor embodies several key traits essential for effective leadership and care within a church community.

Compassion and Care
A good shepherd pastor demonstrates deep compassion for their congregation, prioritizing the emotional and spiritual well-being of their flock. They are approachable and willing to listen, providing support during difficult times

Integrity and Trustworthiness
Integrity is crucial; a shepherd pastor must be honest and consistent in their actions and teachings. This builds trust within the community, encouraging members to follow their guidance willingly

Leadership and Guidance
Effective shepherd pastors lead by example, guiding their congregation through spiritual growth and decision-making. They are responsible for teaching, protecting, and nurturing their flock

Vision and Direction
A shepherd pastor should possess a clear vision for the church's mission and direction, inspiring others to work towards common goals. This includes fostering a sense of community and encouraging active participation in church activities.”

 He made known his ways to Moses,his deeds to the people of Israel: 

The Lord is compassionate and gracious,slow to anger, abounding in love. 

As a father has compassion on his children,so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; 

for he knows how we are formed,he remembers that we are dust.

Ps.103.7,Ps.103.8,Ps.103.13,Ps.103.14

Thank YOU…

Gentle Shepherd….

Instrumental…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVuf6ldrFgk

Words…and music…

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ex8B0vMmY_0

Such promises….

 

Such promises….

David, wrote such promises….

 Praise the Lord, my soul;all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 

Praise the Lord, my soul,and forget not all his benefits—-

( Praise the Lord, my soul.Lord my God, you are very great;you are clothed with splendor and majesty.

Ps.104.1)

— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 

( He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.

Ps.130.8

  He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”

Exod.15.26)

who redeems your life from the pit-and crowns you with love and compassion, 

who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 

( but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary,they will walk and not be faint.

Isa.40.31)

The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. 

Psalm 103:1-6

“ no matter how difficult your life’s journey, you can always count your blessings —-past, present, and future. When you feel as though you have nothing for which to praise God, read David’s list…Bible study notes”

Thank YOU….

Count your blessings…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtV2wmdZoqo

Don’t ask for just s few…2

 Don’t ask for just a few….2

I need to share a fun thing about yesterday’s blog…

Last night I went to a fund raiser for a local church’s missions trip…they have a “pound” auction.   You can bring and fun gift, a useful gift, whatever , that is approximately One pound, gift wrapped…they auction them off to raise funds for their trips funds…you don’t know what you are getting until after you buy it….it is a fun night …

Last week I was randomly thinking about game meat..

 My husband was a hunter as are some of my family…so once in while we had bear, moose, caribou, fish, deer, a bird or two…sooooo good and such a treat…

Anyway, last night, one of the “pounds” I won was a pound of Elk meat…I just had to chuckle and praise, thinking about yesterday’s blog, God Provides…He delights to surprise us in wonderful ways…and I, for one, need  to thank Him for this surprises….

 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

2Cor.9.10-11

 I will sing the Lord’s praise,for he has been good to me.

Ps.13.6

Thank YOU…

Sing praises to your name , oh Lord…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfH3OpQkTXQ

Do t ask for just a few…

 Don’t ask for just a few….

Psalm 103 brought to mind this story about Elisha and the needy widow….he told her when asking for empty jars, “don’t ask for just a few.”…he knew that God could give her all she needed and then more…sell what you need and the live on the rest…what an abundance…..

God provided….

 The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.” 

Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”

“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.” 

Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.” 

She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 

When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.”But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” 

Then the oil stopped flowing. She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”

2Kgs.4:1-7

The you look at the list that 

God provides in psalm 103….

Forgives all your sins…

Heals all your diseases…

Redeems your life from the pit…

Crowns you with love and compassion…

Who satisfies your desires with good things…

Your youth is renewed….

Works righteous ness and just for all the oppressed…

Made known his ways to Moses..

Compassionate and gracious…

Slow to anger…

abounding in love…

Does not always accuse…

Removed our sins far from us…

Does not treat us as our sins deserve…

Or repay us according to our sins…

Established his throne…

Rules over all…

What an abundance….there are times we fail to see the abundance that God provides looking only at the needs or the few “jars”…but He gives the daily needs and then lifetime provisions…eternal life…

The oil flowed until all the needs were met…and it flows for us as well…

Thank YOU….

God will provide…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5I4GDWwsQQ

 Praise the Lord, my soul;all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul,and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit-and redeems your life from the pit…

 crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good thingsso that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord works righteousnessand justice for all the oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses,his deeds to the people of Israel: The Lord is compassionate and gracious,slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse,nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserveor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth,so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west,so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children,so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; But from everlasting to everlastingthe Lord’s love is with those who fear him,and his righteousness with their children’s children— The Lord has established his throne in heaven,and his kingdom rules over all.

Ps.103.1-19

Even if…

 

Even if…..

The other day, I went with my neighbors to see the movie “I can only imagine 2”….it is at least a two Kleenex movie…well worth it….dealing with the dry periods of life…the questions…the hurting times, the whys…

"Even If"

They say sometimes you win some

Sometimes you lose some

( my dad’s favorite saying)

And right now, right now I'm losing bad

I've stood on this stage night after night

Reminding the broken it'll be alright

But right now, oh right now I just can't

It's easy to sing

When there's nothing to bring me down

But what will I say

When I'm held to the flame

Like I am right now

I know You're able and I know You can

Save through the fire with Your mighty hand

But even if You don't

My hope is You alone

They say it only takes a little faith

To move a mountain

Good thing

A little faith is all I have right now

But God, when You choose

To leave mountains unmovable

Give me the strength to be able to sing

It is well with my soul

I know You're able and I know You can

Save through the fire with Your mighty hand

But even if You don't

My hope is You alone

(The fiery furnace times)

I know the sorrow, and I know the hurt

Would all go away if You'd just say the word

But even if You don't

My hope is You alone

You've been faithful, You've been good

All of my days

Jesus, I will cling to You

Come what may

'Cause I know You're able

I know You can

I know You're able and I know You can

Save through the fire with Your mighty hand

But even if You don't

My hope is You alone

I know the sorrow, and I know the hurt

Would all go away if You'd just say the word

But even if You don't

My hope is You alone

My hope is you alone

It is well with my soul

It is well, it is well with my soul

Even if…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=B6fA35Ved-Y

Behind the scenes…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikVybUU_t7Y

Thank YOU….

 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Dan.3.16-18

 

In need of praise today…joy, gladness, faithfulness…..

 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.     

( Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,burst into jubilant song with music;

Ps.98.4)

Worship the Lord with gladness;come before him with joyful songs. 

( Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

Ps.95.2)

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. 

( He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth.”

Ps.46.10

 You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”

Ezek.34.31)

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;give thanks to him and praise his name. 

 ( I will sacrifice a thank offering to youand call on the name of the Lord.

Ps.116.17)

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Ps.100.1-5

( Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;his love endures forever.

1Chr.16.34

 Good and upright is the Lord;therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.

Ps.25.8

 With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord:“He is good;his love toward Israel endures forever.”And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.

Ezra.3.11

 Praise the Lord.Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;his love endures forever.

Ps.106.1

 Your faithfulness continues through all generations;you established the earth, and it endures.

Ps.119.90)

Thank YOU…

Psalm 100 song…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaL_VeHil6U