Ps. 46, 47 [The Message]

For nearly 30 years I was a church worship leader and choir director. I went to music school to be able to serve the music ministry in the local church. I knew that the music in many churches was spirited, heartfelt and lively, but I felt God deserved our best. I aimed at a level of excellence achievable by ordinary churches who wanted to give their best.

In looking back, I hope I wasn’t putting the cart before the horse in my pursuit. In reading Psalms such as #47, I see that God wants us to give it our all.

To this day, I am deeply moved by choirs who have a good choral sound.

We don’t worship the music or the technique – we worship God with our heartfelt sincerity and our best effort.

Give to the Lord the glory HE DESERVES! Bring your offering and come into his presence. Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor. [1 Chron 16:29 NLT]

Ps. 44, 45 [The Messagee]

I have read and sung this Psalm for many years and never understood it in this manner. That’s one of the blessings of using a fresh paraphrase like “The Message.”

Marriage is an earthly relationship that teaches us about God’s love for us. It is also essential for procreation. (GOD LOVES CHILDREN!) For instance, husbands are instructed to love their wives AS Christ loves the Church. His love for us, The Church, is the pinnacle expression of love in action. He loved us so much that He GAVE HIMSELF for us. Love is giving. Jesus shows us what that looks like.

In Heaven, we will celebrate The Marriage Supper of the Lamb. God will put on a feast to outdo any other EVER. Fathers are happy when their children get married! They put on a nice, big feast.

Can’t wait!

Ps 43 [The Message]

Did you ever think about how your countenance affects people? We need a “Jesus Smile” on it. When God has been so good to us, a smile is a natural reaction to life. I’m not talking about a forced smile. I’m talking about a permanent smile that is there because of Christ on the inside of us.

Ps. 41, 42 [The Message]

Yesterday I had my yearly wellness check by my Primary Care Physician, Dr. Patrick Railey, I consider him an excellent physician and a strong Christian. His wife, Lisa, is on staff at Trinity Christian School and all three of his sons have graduated from TCS.

As the exam was concluding, I told him in my parting remarks what my life’s priorities are right now, and I told him that I find myself communing with the Lord over EVERYTHING. He exclaimed, “I do too.” He implied that his recently increased duties as Chief Medical Officer of Piedmont Newnan have stretched him. He said he relies heavily upon the Lord.

It seems the longer we know the Lord, the sweeter the fellowship is.

Ps 39, 40 [The Message]

David cried, “Lord, let your lovingkindness and your truth preserve me.” This Psalm, prophetic of Christ and His trial, reveals some of the most elemental and essential factors in a Christian’s life. Several paraphrased translations render this “mercy and faithfulness.”

Christ was the firstfruits of Salvation. God’s mercy and faithful Truth both combined to enable Him to endure the Cross and come out The Victor.

When we are going through something difficult, God in His Mercy will pull us through like He did for Christ Jesus. “Mercy and Truth are met together; Righteousness and Peace have kissed.” [Ps. 85:10]

Ps. 35-37 [The Message]

“The MEEK shall inherit the earth.”

They don’t have to buy it, cajole for it, steal it, gamble for it etc. It will be handed to them. That’s the nature of an inheritance.

Since my parents recently passed away, they left an inheritance to my siblings and me. It has adequately “padded” our savings for the future … retired life ain’t cheap. My dad would frequently say, “It’s your money (when he referred to his investments).” He took great delight in having shrewdly invested to be able to give an inheritance to his children.

God is our loving and wise Heavenly Father. He, likewise, takes great delight in giving us His Kingdom. What He gives, you can’t purchase with dollars and cents.

Ps. 34:22 [The Message]

God pays for each slave’s freedom; no one who runs to him loses out.

If you were a salesman and could deliver a guarantee on your product like God can, you would never lose. He says, “NO ONE loses out.”

Actually, Christians are all salesman of a sort. We call ourselves “witnesses” or “evangelists.” We have the most sure product IN THE UNIVERSE. Now, let’s act like it and do our job!

Ps. 30-34 [The Message]

Supposedly composed when he was escaping from Abimelech, David made the statement that God met him more than halfway. It’s comforting to know that when we take a step towards God, He’s right there.

I saw a FB post that said, “The journey away from God may be long, but the path back is just a step.”

I think of the Prodigal Son who made his way back to his father’s house. He was met with the unconditional love that parents are wired with. Forgiveness is much better than bitterness. Welcoming is better than aloofness. Our humble bed at home is more inviting than a cold penthouse suite.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. -Jesus, [Matt. 11: 28-30]

Ps. 121 [King James Version]

Today we take a detour and look at Ps. 121:7-8.

The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

AS a Christian grandfather, I consider one of my main functions is prayer for the safety of all my loved ones. I try to mention their name before the Throne of God as many times per day as I can. Whenever they come to mind, I pray. Satan complained to God that a hedge too impenetrable was around Job. That would be my goal -praying a hedge of protection around the ones I love beginning with my wonderful wife.

If protection is offered by the Lord, let’s seal the deal through intercessory prayer.

Ps. 26-29 [The Message]

Lightning and thunder! What a great display of God’s power. When men flaunt their strength, all God needs to do is create a thunderstorm to put them in their place.

The other day while driving home, a flash of lighting and clap of thunder happened simultaneously (which meant it was CLOSE.) I was just grateful it didn’t hit my pickup truck. Actually, an automobile is a safe place to be when struck. The current is passed all around you and then grounded through the tires.

Years ago, our next-door neighbor was struck by lightning while standing in his driveway. He lived to tell it. He was knocked several feet away and his shoes were burned up. NO THANKS!