PSALMS

One day spring will arrive, but not today.  Another cooler, wet day in Beavercreek, OR.  I'm reading in Psalms, and here are some thoughts: 1) In Psalms 15, we see the answer to the question: "Who shall abide in thy tabernacle?  who shall dwell in thy holy hill?" (vs. 1)  And then we get the character of the man who walks with God.  Verses 2-5 give us these details.  All of them are great character traits, but let me mention two of them, both found in verse four.  (there are eleven mentioned in all)  "but he honoureth them that fear the LORD."  The Bible tells us to give honor to whom honor is due!  We are to honor the godly examples around us.  When we have missionaries, we make a big fuss about them.  We honor them.  This is a biblical commandment.  We try to spoil them because that is not happening in Africa, South America, Mexico, Asia, etc.  Nor, is it happening in most of the churches throughout America.  But it will happen in our church.  Part of having a godly character is honoring "them that fear the LORD."  Next time you are at church, look for those godly seniors and honor them.  Take one out to eat.  Love on them in Jesus name!   Here is another one found in verse four as well:  "He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not."  You ever make a promise, and then find out it is much harder to keep that promise.  Godly people keep it anyway, even when they lose to keep their word.  Last year, I told someone who I loaned many thousands of dollars to, that it was forgiven, and they need not think about repaying it.  They said, they could pay it in full this Febuary, but I had alread told them I have forgiven them the debt, so I said: "Great!"; No I did not.  I said:  "I'm sorry, but you don't owe me anything, I've forgiven the debt."  Now, that cost me almost $10,000.00, but my character is worth much more than that.  I am not worried about the loss of money, I would be worried about the loss of character.  I want to be a godly man and that is what is most important.  How about you?  Can you recall something you told someone that you have not followed through with?  We need to work hard at keeping our word and doing what is right with people to be right with God.  Praise God, we are saved by Grace, but our actions show we are serious about our pursuit of God, or it shows the shallowness of our walk with the LORD.  Let your light shine!! 2) THE MORNING COMETH- In Psalms 30:5 it says: 'weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."  You will have many sad days in life, but the morning is coming.  A new day with new grace and new mercy is just around the corner.  While your night seems bleak, on the other side of the planet, a new day is arriving... hang on dear friend... in twelve more hours, it will be yours to enjoy!  Think about this:  "God knows your trials.  Your trials are not to hurt you but to help you grow stronger.  Your problems are not for solving, but for growing.  God means it for good.  You don't know how you will survive, and yet... people do all around you!   You will make it too!  So, go ahead and weep if you must, but also realize it only endures for a night.... joy cometh in the morning!!  You will make it dear friend, because you are God's child and He loves you!  Well, so much for today.  Have a blessed day!   Pastor Mike Mutchler