PSALMS

It is Saturday, and a warm day awaits us and a busy one.  I have a men's meeting soon, and later a wedding, a car wash with the teenagers, and few visits, and then a softball game awaits this evening.  A full day for me.  I'm reading in Psalms, and here are a few thoughts: 1) WHO BREAKS WHOM?  In Psalms 2:2,3, it says:  "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us."  Earth's leaders are wanting to "break" the bands and cords of God's Law!  They want to do away with any laws of God that band and cord them.  But verse 9 says:  "Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."  So it is God that "breaks" them, not the other way around.  It is God's side that wins!  Stick it out my friend, you are on the winning side!! 2) SACRIFICE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS- Psalms 4:5 says:  "Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD."  Now, God respects those who try to live righteous.  vs. 3 says:  "But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself:"  5:12 says:  "For thou, LORD wilt bless the righteous:"  And many, many such verses could be given.  Now, back to the "sacrifice".  Well, yes, the flesh must be sacrificed in order to live a righteous life.  We know that as a Christian we are saved by Christ's sacrifice, but if we are to live a godly life in an ungodly world, we must learn to say a big "no" to the flesh and that is to "sacrifice" the pleasures of this world in order to live pleasing to our Savior.  Is it worth it.... a big YES!!  Is it easy to do so.... a big NO!  But no sacrifice is easy!  We must work at it all of the time and lay our lives on the line and put the desire to please Christ above the desire to please self!  Sacrifice! 3) HONOUR- The Bible says to give honor to honor is due.  In Psalms 15:4, in describing the godly man, it says: "In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD."  Oh how we ought to look for people to whom honor is due!  We should be looking to applaud them for their works sake.  The Bible says: 1 Thessalonians 5:13  "And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves."  This is talking about pastors, but so many godly men and women should be esteemed for the work they do for the cause of Jesus Christ.  I hope to take this thought to heart in my own life and look for those to whom honor is due, and give it them! Well, my time has come and gone.  God bless you!  Pastor Mike Mutchler