Psalm 1 - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) March 28, 2023

Psalm 1:1 - Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.

Recently, this verse forced me to consider some very frank and practical questions. For instance, how exactly does one avoid walking with the wicked in a world when it is evident that most are ungodly. Also, how does a person not stand in the way that sinners take when every human sins? As for not sitting among "mockers", the Brenton Septuagint Translation made it clear that such types are essentially those who are evil. How, therefore, can one avoid evil people?

However, there was no need for concern as the very next verse in the chapter provided the needed insight. Psalm 1:2 - Rather, he delights in the teachings of the LORD and reflects on his teachings day and night (GWT).

God provided the answer - we are to delight in His word and spend time with it. This makes sense when we think about it. If a person delights in smelling good, for instance, they would invest time, money, and more in ensuring they smelled awesome at all times, right?

We need to do the same regarding the Lord. And the Bible is the way to align with the instructions of Psalm 1:1. The more time we spend with the word of God, the easier it is to hear what He is telling us on a daily basis. God constantly throws up red flags to keep us from stepping, standing, and sitting in the company of those we are to avoid. However, it is only when we seek that guidance in His word that we will actually receive it. At that point, He transforms us into godly people who live righteously, and aren't sinners through His grace.

And if you wonder what the blessing for this is, look no further than Psalm 1:3 - That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. So often, we pray that God will bless the works of our hands but God has given us a crucial key to achieve this - delight in His word. Then, success will come, for in His word is everything needed for this life and the one to come.

God is straightforward. Not only does He reveal the blessings for obedience, He also shares the consequences for disobedience. Those who fail to delight in His word, will become like the wicked and endure their punishment. Psalm 1:5 - They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly. Believers should be heaven-minded, desiring to stand before the Lord - among the godly - and not those who will gnash their teeth (Matthew 13:49-50).

The Bible is filled with many more blessings for the godly as well as curses for the unrighteous. As is always the case with God, He leaves us to make the choice. I pray, we will all invest in His word so we become knowledgeable and are not destroyed for lack of understanding as stated in Hosea 4:6. IJMN, Amen.

See you at Noon EST for fellowship. God bless you!

Dear Peppers 2: Don't Quit - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) March 24, 2023

Walking with God isn't easy. In fact, if we're to be honest, the very choice to 'rock' with God brings on a unique series of challenges that we never could have anticipated.

All of a sudden, you can't spend your money and time as you used to. Same thing with how you dress and what you watch on TV. There you are trying to be good and not use foul language when that random person gets in your face for no reason and your 'Before Christ' self is begging you to tag them in like it's a tag-team wrestling match! (Be honest, you are often tempted to let that side of you keep things a little too real, right?).

Time goes by with you trying to be good but, more often than not, you feel like you're failing. An annoying voice in your head asks, "Is this really worth it?" More time goes by and that voice perks up again, saying, "you can never be good enough. Why bother?" You hush that voice of doubt each time but soon, it takes you longer and longer to silence it.

Listen, what you're experiencing is normal. Every Christian - no matter how long their walk and no matter the level of spiritual food they digest (be it milk or solid) can attest to going through similar episodes. Those moments where they question whether they will ever be able to say like Apostle Paul, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7).

Never forget, however, Apostle Paul - who wrote a majority of the books in the New Testament - struggled too. He confessed that he was tormented. He was also arrested and beaten multiple times because of his faith. And despite all this, He trusted God. He fought to keep serving the Lord.

The Bible tells us that none of us is going through anything unique (1 Corinthians 10:13). Our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ also have tales to tell of their journeys that would likely make us grateful for our own experiences, no matter how tough they've been.

Remember that satan will attack you all because you signed up to be in the Lord's army. That should not keep you from taking another step with God. You need to be stubborn and commit to not letting satan win. You have to have a 'Not today, satan' attitude and keep moving with God no matter what the enemy throws at you.

Nobody said it would be easy but the more you listen to God's voice, the more He helps you avoid all the traps the devil sets in the way.

The Lord will help us all. We shall remain firm to the end, not abandoning our faith but growing in His strength, IJMN Amen.

Jude 1:24-25 - To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Dear Peppers 1: God isn't a burden - Tuesday Praise and Pray (for others) March 21, 2023

Sometime ago, I realized I wanted to write a letter expressing some of my thoughts to you Peppers. I just wanted to have a heart-to-heart of sorts. Those can be tough because P&P is structured and I only get to write what the Lord instructs me to share. Recently, however, He permitted me to share some thoughts. I'm calling these messages my 'Dear Peppers' series. I'll drop a few from time to time and I pray they shall be received with the spirit of love with which they are being shared. That said, I wanted to encourage each of us to be careful that we never consider the Lord a burden. He can't become another item we tick off our to-do list. The devil strives to make the things of God, and the Lord Himself, distasteful to us. The enemy wants us to love and cherish the things that God finds detestable while seeing what God desires as tiring. We can't let satan win. Or as I like to say, don't let satan punk you! God gives us so many ways to interact with Him and we need to take advantage of them. We can talk to Him while cleaning our home, watch edifying Christian content, or turn up some praise music and dance with abandon for Him. He also encourages us to fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ via church services which now take place in person and online. Then there are gatherings like this which allow us to honor Him as a group with praise and intercession. Plus, if we remember your Jericho Moments and review our testimonies or those of others, we'll know that the Lord is good and worthy of our constant attention. We don't want to be like those He spoke to in Micah 6:3 - “My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me. God asked that question thousands of years ago and if we are to be honest, we might be just like the people he was talking to back then. We can't afford to be like them. Eternity and where we'll spend it are on the line, so let us ask God to help us to not be like those who see God as a burden. Let us submit to Him and do what He tells us to do so we walk with Him till the very end. Lord, thank You for being my Father. Thank You for Your promise of never-ending love. Today, I ask for Your grace and strength so that I always delight in You. Restore to me the joy of my salvation and empower me to joyfully walk with You to the very end, IJMN Amen. Psalm 37:4 - Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart (NASB). Got any questions about today's post? Fire away. Do you ever feel like God and the things of God are a burden? How do you handle those moments? Do you talk to someone or rely on the Lord, Jesus and the Holy Spirit to get you through. Let's talk and see you later for fellowship (and pre-fellowship chit chat). God bless you.