Dwelling place…

 Dwelling place…

We all seek safe shelter, a dwelling place…David asked about shelter and who may dwell there…there are guidelines…found later in the the psalm…and others…

But dwelling place is found other places it is found as well…and that is what caught heart time around…where do we find peace of mind, sanctuary…

I had a picture of a small bird nested in the crags of a rock just above the crashing waves of the ocean…she sat on her tiny eggs totally at ease…waiting for her eggs to hatch, even though the waves crashed around her…we want that peace of mind when the world is crashing  around us as well…

God is our peace, our dwelling place …he gives us comfort in times of trouble, crashing waves…

Thank YOU…

David asks…

“LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?

Who may live on your holy hill?…..”

Psalm 15:1

He asks again in psalms 24, 27..

 “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart,who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.”

Ps.24.3-5

 One thing have I asked of the Lord,that will I seek after:that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. 

For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble;he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;he will lift me high upon a rock. 

And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me,and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

Ps.27.4-6

Spoken from Moses to the tribe of Asher…

“ The eternal God is your dwelling place,and underneath are the everlasting arms…..

Deut.33.27a

Psalm 84 written down by the Sons of Koran…

 How lovely is your dwelling place,O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord;my heart and flesh sing for joyto the living God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house,ever singing your praise! 

Selah For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Ps.84.1-2,Ps.84.4,Ps.84.10

Paul to the Ephesians…

 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 

For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 

And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 

For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 

In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Eph.2.12-22

John in Revelations…

 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. 

He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Rev.21.1-4 

You are our hiding place…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc4b-wKj11c&list=RDWc4b-wKj11c&start_radio=1

Enhanced Psalm 1

 Enhanced Psalm 1….

I just added some other verses about each verse in Psalm 1…

 Book One

The Righteous and the Wicked Contrasted.

1….Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example],

 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,who walk according to the law of the Lord.

Ps.119.1

 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. 

Avoid it, do not travel on it;turn from it and go on your way. 

But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;they do not know what makes them stumble.

Prov.4.14,Prov.4.15,Prov.4.19

Nor stand in the path of sinners,

Nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of scoffers (ridiculers). 

2…But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night. 

  I delight in your decrees;I will not neglect your word. 

Direct me in the path of your commands,for there I find delight.

Ps.119.16,Ps.119.35 

  Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”

Job.1.8

3…And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water,

Which yields its fruit in its season;Its leaf does not wither;

And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity]. 

 Blessed are all who fear the Lord,who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labor;blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house;your children will be like olive shoots around your table.

Ps.128.1-3

 They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.It does not fear when heat comes;its leaves are always green.It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jer.17.8

Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.”

Ezek.47.12

 When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did,

Gen.39.3

4….The wicked [those who live in disobedience to God’s law] are not so,

But they are like the chaff [worthless and without substance] which the wind blows away. 

 How often are they like straw before the wind,like chaff swept away by a gale?

Job.21.18

 Although the peoples roar like the roar of surging waters,when he rebukes them they flee far away,driven before the wind like chaff on the hills,like tumbleweed before a gale.

Isa.17.13

5….Therefore the wicked will not stand [unpunished] in the judgment,

Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 

 The arrogant cannot stand in your presence.You hate all who do wrong;

 Ps.5.5

 The Lord reigns forever;he has established his throne for judgment. 

He rules the world in righteousnessand judges the peoples with equity. 

The Lord is known by his acts of justice;the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.

Ps.9.7-8,Ps.9.16

6…..For the Lord knows and fully approves the way of the righteous,

But the way of the wicked shall perish.

Ps.1.1-6AMP

 The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care,and their inheritance will endure forever.

Ps.37.18

 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

2Tim.2.19

 Endless ruin has overtaken my enemies,you have uprooted their cities;even the memory of them has perished.

Ps.9.6

Thank YOU…

Psalm 1 ….Psalm project…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiz8LQkGSlM&list=RDtiz8LQkGSlM&start_radio=1

Weights….

 Weights… 

Whenever I go to the local big box store, upon checking out, they always ask if I want my things in a box and I say, “Yes, if small and lighter things are in it, as I have to be able to load and unload it”…then  some proceed to put the lighter items in the box, while others fill it to capacity with the weightier jars, etc….so when I get to my car, I am either able to load the lighter box directly into the car or unload the heavier box item by item into the car from the cart…leaving an empty box…

Or, my husband once was looking for a weight set. He found one at a garage sale and the thoughtful seller immediately said, “here, let me put all of these weights in this cardboard box for you.” He couldn’t even lift the box let alone move the box to his truck it was so full of all the weights and pipes, accessories….a family chuckle for years…

Weights…some are heavy beyond our capacity to lift, while others we can left one by one…others, like sin, hold us down…

God wants honestly in our dealings, to look at our dealings with others…

Solomon talks about weights in Proverbs…

 A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,but a just weight is his delight.

Prov.11.1

 A just balance and scales are the Lord's;all the weights in the bag are his work.

Prov.16.11

 Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the Lord. 

Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord,and false scales are not good.

Prov.20.10,Prov.20.23

Micah…

 Shall I acquit the man with wicked scales and with a bag of deceitful weights?

Mic.6.11

Jesus…

 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.

Matt.23.23

Paul…

  So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

2Cor.4.16-17

 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Heb.12.1-2

Thank YOU…

Lay aside every weight…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jLK7JhTLHM&list=RD3jLK7JhTLHM&start_radio=1

Nativity 2…

 Nativity 2…

I finish my second nativity last night…

It is  little over 2 months until Christmas….a little over two months from the birth of Christ over two thousand years ago…I was wondering what was going g through that young mother-to-be’s mind…

We have hospital tours, birthing classes, doctor visits, free products, books all in preparation for the birth of a child.  We gather clothing, have baby showers with friends and family…we prepare a nursery with the latest gadgets, furniture, maybe even painting it a theme of fairy tales or jungle animals …all  preparation for the wonderful event…

Here was Mary and Joseph…I wonder if they knew at this time that they would have to travel to Bethlehem for the census …and consequently the birth of this special God given child…they probably k ew by now the prophecy for their baby boy…

 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;for from you shall come a rulerwho will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Matt.2.5-6

So  preparing a special room for a nursery was out of the question…was Mary gathering  clothing, wrapping cloths, whatever she needed in preparation for Jesus’ birth…was Joseph inquiring about what he would need as a new father and breadwinner? Were their  family’s giving them  advice?

They had a very special child to the world, but he was special to them as well, The first born …the excitement, the expectation, the responsibility….all this lay upon their shoulders…God had specifically chosen them…for this special gift….

We may not birth or parent the Christ child, but God has a plan for each of us as well…it is designed specifically for each of us…

In humbleness and obedience, we need to discover and follow that plan….

Thank YOU….

Good plans…

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=song+about+planning

 The heart of man plans his way,but the Lord establishes his steps.

Prov.16.9

 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Jer.29.11-13

 Teach me your way, O Lord,that I may walk in your truth;unite my heart to fear your name.

Ps.86.11

https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/god-has-a-plan-for-you.html

Yesterday’s commentary, todays choices….

 Yesterday’s commentary….today’s choices…

We have the same choices today as the world did in David’s times…Godly kings or ungodly kings….

 “Why are the nations in an uproar [in turmoil against God],And why do the people devise a vain and hopeless plot? 

The kings of the earth take their stand;And the rulers take counsel togetherAgainst the Lord and His Anointed (the Davidic King, the Messiah, the Christ), saying, “Let us break apart their [divine] bands [of restraint]And cast away their cords [of control] from us.” 

He who sits [enthroned] in the heavens laughs [at their rebellion];

The [Sovereign] Lord scoffs at them [and in supreme contempt He mocks them]. 

Then He will speak to them in His [profound] angerAnd terrify them with His displeasure, saying, “Yet as for Me, I have anointed and firmly installed My KingUpon Zion, My holy mountain.” “

I will declare the decree of the Lord:He said to Me, ‘You are My Son;

This day [I proclaim] I have begotten You. ‘Ask of Me, and I will assuredly give [You] the nations as Your inheritance,And the ends of the earth as Your possession. ‘

You shall break them with a rod of iron;You shall shatter them [in pieces] like earthenware.’” 

Now therefore, O kings, act wisely;

Be instructed and take warning, O leaders (judges, rulers) of the earth. 

Worship the Lord and serve Him with reverence [with awe-inspired fear and submissive wonder];Rejoice [yet do so] with trembling. 

Kiss (pay respect to) the Son, so that He does not become angry, and you perish in the way,For His wrath may soon be kindled and set aflame.

How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] are all those who take refuge in Him!”

Ps.2.1-12

People Need the Lord….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i93ysKZeR4&list=RD_i93ysKZeR4&start_radio=1

The 1st nativity…

 The 1st nativity….

Yesterday, I painted my first Christmas picture for the year…yes, I am probably pushing it…but was tired of painting pumpkins and was ready to start using my time with Christmas ideas.…I need to stretch my time out carefully….as it is a busy part of the year…

Anyway it made me think of this tiny baby who is a gift to mankind, born in a rough, primitive stable…hay for his mattress…no luxuries here, but he left heaven to give his life for ours…the ruler of the universe…

And here in the second psalm is the beginning of the Messianic prophecies in the book of Psalms… Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and future reign. David, a shepherd, soldier, king , prophet may have written this psalm…and he added some prophecies about Jesus…

So is time to think about the nativity…

Thank YOU….

Psalm 2 

 “I will declare the decree of the Lord:He said to Me, ‘You are My Son;

This day [I proclaim] I have begotten You. ‘Ask of Me, and I will assuredly give [You] the nations as Your inheritance,And the ends of the earth as Your possession. 

You will break them with a rod of iron;you will dash them to pieces like pottery.” 

Worship the Lord and serve Him with reverence [with awe-inspired fear and submissive wonder];

Rejoice [yet do so] with trembling. Kiss (pay respect to) the Son, so that He does not become angry, and you perish in the way,For His wrath may soon be kindled and set aflame.

How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] are all those who take refuge in Him!

Ps.2.7-9,Ps.2.11-12AMP

 For to which of the angels did God ever say,“You are my Son;today I have become your Father”?

Or again,“I will be his Father,and he will be my Son”? And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,“Let all God’s angels worship him.” 

But about the Son he says,“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;therefore God, your God, has set you above your companionsby anointing you with the oil of joy.” 

He also says,“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,and the heavens are the work of your hands. 

They will perish, but you remain;they will all wear out like a garment. 

You will roll them up like a robe;like a garment they will be changed.

But you remain the same,and your years will never end.” 

To which of the angels did God ever say,“Sit at my right handuntil I make your enemiesa footstool for your feet”? 

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Heb.1.5,Heb.1.6,Heb.1.8-14

King Jesus….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGZ6409vL4s&list=RDsGZ6409vL4s&start_radio=1

Walk, stand , sit….

 Walk, stand , sit….

Lately, whenever I read Psalm 1:1, I think  of the city gates in Israel which had a platform where the elders of the town sat to do business…Boaz went to meet the leaders there …the virtuous woman’s husband sat there….

 Meanwhile Boaz went up to the town gate and sat down there just as the guardian-redeemer he had mentioned came along. Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down. Boaz took ten of the elders of the town and said, “Sit here,” and they did so.

Ruth.4.1-2

 Her husband is respected at the city gate,where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

Prov.31.23

It was a place of honor, business dealings, decision making, etc…

“They served as multifunctional hubs that facilitated social, economic, judicial, and communal activities within ancient cities.”

https://bibleask.org/significance-city-gate-naturally-spiritually/

I realize the first verse of Psalm  1 doesn’t talk about the city gate, it talks about whom we walk with, stand with , sit with ….but, to me, the gate symbolizes whom we let into our lives…who do we spend time with…while we are doing life….to whims do we go to when we seek counsel…who are our friends….do they tear us down or bear us up…are their thoughts allied with God or the worldly view…

1….Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example],

Nor stand in the path of sinners,

Nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of scoffers (ridiculers). 

 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,who walk according to the law of the Lord.

Ps.119.1

 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. 

Avoid it, do not travel on it;turn from it and go on your way. 

But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;they do not know what makes them stumble.

Prov.4.14,Prov.4.15,Prov.4.19

I have a bookmark which is titled “true friends”…

Accepts each other…

Honor each other…

 Are for each other…

Bear each other’s burdens…

Encourage each other…

Open themselves to each other…

Forgive each other…

Build trust with each other…

Encourage each other’s growth…

Give each other freedom…

Hold each other accountable…

Always, always love each other…

But, Psalm 1:1 goes further…our friends should bring us to Godly ways and not ungodly attitudes, life…

We want  to walk blameless…

We want to stand in the counsel of people who point us to God…

We want to sit in fellowship with believers ….

Thank YOU…

Psalm 1 song…

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8yUcC93khzU&list=RD8yUcC93khzU&start_radio=1&pp=ygUMcHNhbG0gMSBzb25noAcB