PSALMS SOME MORE

Today, I am going fishing early with one of my deacons, Merle White, and Chris Vestal, one of my faithful assistant pastors.  So, here are a few thoughts from reading in Psalms again.  Hope you find a thought that will help you.   1) DON'T ENVY THE WICKED- Ps. 73- David spends this chapter telling how he was almost gone because he got envious of the wicked.  He tells how they seem to prosper until he went into the house of God and clearly saw their end.  He was going through a tough time in life but he ends the chapter with verse 28 that says: "But it is good for me to draw near to God."  His trials are what cause him to draw near to the Lord.  This is also what Ps. 77:2 is saying when it says: "In the day of my trouble I sought the LORD".  Trouble causes us to pray more!  I wish we would pray as we ought when we are not in trouble, but it seems the Lord knows what will cause us to pray more.  Talk to God more today.  Spend time with Him in prayer even though you might not have many troubles right now.  Pray!   2) DON'T STOP, GO FORWARD!!  In Ps. 78:9, it says: "The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle."  They were prepared, but they stopped instead of going forward.  We are tempted to do that all of the time.  I've pastored in Oregon now for almost 24 years, and I've seen church after church desire to buy land and build a new facility, but their members stopped and turned back in the day of battle.  We have a wonderful church, but the one thing that has set us apart is our willingness to follow our pastor forward!!  Sometimes, it was the worst of economic times, but still as we go forward, God parts the Red Sea, and we go over on dry ground!  Don't ever discount God's ability.  We sometimes want it all down on paper before we ever proceed, but that is not how God likes it done.  Without faith... it is impossible to please Him!!  Go forward in faith!! 3) CHURCH GREETER- Ps. 84:10 "I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness."  David loved church!  He loved the house of God and so should we.  He would rather be a church greeter, standing at the door shaking hands with all who came in than to be a wealthy man dwelling in wickedness.  I hope you love church.  I know there are no perfect churches, but they sure are a blessing to me.  I love my church dearly and the wonderful people who attend there make it so wonderful.  I also sense God's presence there in the services.  I think David felt the same way!   4) UNDER THE SHADOW OF HIS WINGS- As you read through Psalms you will find quite often the phrase: "Under the shadow of His wings" or "under the shadow of the Almighty" (as in Ps. 91:1)  Here it says "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."  Here we see that as God covers the tabernacle and temple with the cloud that covered by day and the pillar of fire by night, that it represented God's presence. When we go to the church we need to know that God seeks to cover that place with his presence.  We are under His wings.  Vs. 4 of that same chapter says: "under his wings shalt thou trust."  Here we see the shadow of His wings again.  As a believer, we are the temple, and where ever we go, we are under the shadow of the Almighty!!  Isn't that wonderful!!       Well, that's all for today.  May God richly bless you and yours!  Pastor Mike Mutchler

MORE PSALMS

Yesterday we had a great time at Church.  People saved, families joining our church.  A great crowd both services.  Two new Adult S.S. Classes started, God has been good to us and it is a blessing!    1) GROWTH- Growth is a part of life, and it needs to be a constant in the Christian Life.  We must grow or stagnate.  To stand still is to fall backwards.  Onward, Forward, Shout Aloud Hosana, Christ is Captain of the Mighty Throng!  Psalms 62:2 says: "He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved."  This is great to understand and believe that in Christ we will not be greatly moved.  But Growth is still needed and David expressed this as well.  David DID grow in faith and confidence in God.  Notice in verse 6 of the same chapter:  "He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved."   His faith grew!!  In verse 2 he said he would not be "greatly moved", and in verse 6, he said "I shall not be moved".  The difference between "greatly moved"  and "not be moved" is huge!!  Growth is what we need in our walk with Christ today.   2) LONGING FOR GOD- I guess what we most love about the Psalms is David's heart for God.  It is what challenges us.  It is what convicts us.  To have that same longing for God.  He said in Psalms 63:1 "O GOD, thou art my GOD; early will I seek thee:  my sould thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is"  and in verse 6 he says:  "When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches."  and verse 8 says: "My soul followeth hard after thee:"  WOW!!  Dear Lord, please help my heart not only to be fixed, but help me to have that same longing for YOU that David did.  Help me to think of you constantly.  Help me to long after thee! Amen.  What a challenge for all of us today.   3) TESTIMONY- Do you have one?  Why would we be shy to give a testimony when asked for one?  Ps. 66:16 says: "Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul."  David wanted to share his testimony.  That which God has done for Him.  Isn't God working in our lives?  Of course He is, and we should let others know about this.    4) OLD AGE- We all grow old.  Not bad considering the alternative... dying young.  But life is not just about growing old, it is about what you transfer to the next generation while you are growing old.  Psalms 71:18 says: "Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shown thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come."  Wow!!  We have a responsibility to share with the next generation the wonderful works of God.  Dear God, give us strength and wisdom to do so!! Well, that's all for today.  Hope to see you tomorrow and may God richly bless!! Pastor Mike Mutchler