Bible 2023

by

Psalm 26:8 Where Do You Enjoy Being?

Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells. Psalm 26:8

Nearly every person has some place that they love to be. That place may be somewhere special when they were a child or where something had occurred that was significant to them at some point in their life. Others enjoy a place that brings them peace, joy or happiness in some form and a break from the difficulties of day to day living. Some can go to these places on a regular basis, while others cannot make it to that special place very often.

As David is asking for God’s help against the enemy, he tells God that he loves the place where God and His glory dwells.

Being in a place with friends is always a joy for most people. Nearly everyone likes good company in a place in which they feel safe and loved. While everyone loves this type of place, many do not have it available to them.

Any person who begins to understand how much God loves one, begins to love the presence of God in one’s life. God’s amazing presence brings about a peace and love that no one or anything in this world can begin to offer.

Yet, many of the ‘believers’ in church do not really like to be in church or in a worship service. They get uncomfortable due to unrepentant sin in their lives and being around the holiness of God and His presence.

Turning away from the world and seeking God should be the first and foremost focus of every believer. His presence, love, glory, power, mercy and strength give the believer everything needed to live for Him. That in turn gives one a full and abundant life. His presence should be where every believer loves and longs to be.

You most likely have some places or people who you love to be around for various different reasons. God loves you more than any other person could ever begin to love you. He wants the best for you. Being in His presence will give you the peace, joy and strength you need to make it through any trouble. You can be in His presence at all times, if you choose to be in His presence. He makes Himself available all the time, day and night.

Where do you love to be?

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know God’s presence in your life; that you will know the joy of God’s presence in your life; and that you will seek to be in the place God is dwelling at all times.

Picture by Alexandru Trandafir on Unsplash

by

Psalm 25:10 The Path Of God

All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. Psalm 25:10

In order to get to any location a person must take some path to get there. Every location in the world has some type of path to get to it. Each of these paths are different, some being very difficult, while others are simple and easy to walk. In the same way that there are paths to physical locations in this world, there is also a path through this life that each person must take.

In this psalm of David, he states that all the paths of God are mercy and truth for those who obey His commands.

Every person begins a journey on a path through life from the moment that person is born. Throughout life, many people are searching for that journey or the meaning of their journey. The world sees it as a journey of self-fulfillment and pleasure as much as possible until the moment of death and the end of it all.

Since the journey is all about self, for most, many see the path of God as restrictive and no mercy. Believers who have chosen to believe God and obey His commands see the path of God as something different.

This path of God begins with mercy. Every person has sinned and deserves the worst punishment possible and death. Instead of punishing and killing a person, God has great mercy and leads that person on a path towards life the continues into all eternity.

As God leads the believer on His path, it is done with truth. God reveals what is wrong or sinful in the life of the believer and helps remove it. He also guides the steps of the believer in what is right and true, not the false lies of the world.

God has you on a path that is for your best interest. It is one to lead you to be more like Jesus and to bring others to Jesus. He has already had mercy on you by not destroying you because of your sin.

Do not trust or follow the paths of this fallen and sinful world. Put your trust in God and His path of mercy and truth. Walk His path that will continue into all eternity. It may be a difficult path to walk, but it will be worth it in the end.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know the path God has for you to walk; that you will see God’s mercy in His plans for your life; and that you will see the truth in walking God’s path.

Picture by Josie Wiess on Unsplash

by

Psalm 24:5 Receive Blessings And Righteousness

He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Psalm 24:5

Very few people around the world actually want to do something bad. Most people desire to do what is right and receive blessings because of their action. The challenge for most is knowing what is right and wrong. Determining what is right is often found in the personal desires of one’s own heart and changes on a regular basis. Blessings are then seen as getting what one wants immediately upon doing what is seen as right. All of it is dependent upon the individual.

As David talks about who can ascend God’s hill, he states that the person will receive blessings and righteousness from God.

People love to do their own thing and take all of the credit for it. Most want to earn the praise that they receive. Blessings are then earned by what one does correctly, rather than just being given out of love and care.

Earning blessings this way will leave one weary and worn out. The world will fail in doing what is right. As soon as one does something wrong, that person is a failure and condemned by sin, with no hope of salvation.

Believers will often, like the world, strive to do what is right for the sake of looking good to God and the world. Instead of striving to look good, believers need to take on God’s righteousness that He provides. It is God who removes sin and pours out righteousness and blessings upon the believer through salvation and forgiveness of sins.

It is only by the power and direction of God that a believer can do what is right. As the believer is led by the Holy Spirit, that believer begins to receive the blessings of a full and abundant life in Christ Jesus here on earth and in the life to come.

Each and every day that you choose to seek God and His righteousness, you will be blessed. That blessing is knowing God is giving you what is best for your life.

You cannot earn His blessings, nor do what is right in your own ability. Sin in your life will cause you to fail. Put your trust in God and receive what He has for you. Give God praise for the uncountable blessings He has given you in His righteousness to make you more like Jesus.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know the blessings you have in Jesus; that you will know the righteousness God gives you; and that you trust in the righteousness of God and not your own.

Picture by Anant Chandra on Unsplash