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 you 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, your success will come, for in His word is everything you need 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 curse 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!
From CS - Thank you God for this beautiful day. Thank you for waking me up this morning. Thank you for answering my prayers. Thank you for helping me this far. Thank you for a body that works and a mind that thinks. Thank you God for shielding my mind. Thank you for peace and quiet. Thank you for peace. Thank you for rest.
I ask that you safeguard my aunts from harm. I ask that you remain a steady force for everyone in this thread. I ask that you touch the hardened hearts of unbelievers as you did touch mine. Please remove the scales from their eyes. Please help them seek you out. Please show them your love, Lord. Please help them see.
*From AC* - Adonai, I touch and agree on all of today's praises, intercessory prayers, and silent prayers and I lift them up before you. May our Father's perfect Will be magnified in our lives, in Jesus' precious name, I pray, Amen.
*From MFC* - Amen! Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ we lift this community up to you in prayer. We may never know what evil lurks beneath the surface, but God You still have dominion over all. We are heartbroken over another school shooting. Please send an angel of comfort to minister over the survivors, grief stricken parents, teachers and friends. We need You now more than ever before!
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, again You have done it. Bringing us together from multiple backgrounds and nations to honor You with our praise and intercession.
Thank You God for this privilege.
Thank You, Lord for teaching us the importance of Psalm 1. The blessings it contains as well as the warning. we have prayed to be recipients of the blessings and trust You, God, to guide us toward these.
As we go our separate ways, I pray over today's participants that the rest of their day shall be blessed and filled with Your glory. IJMN Amen.
*From CS* - Thanks to you, FFJ, for another good talk on Christian daily living. I have found that when I don’t read the Bible daily or do something Christian related on a day to day basis, I just don’t feel right. Besides the fact that I need to read in order to learn and grow properly, reading the Bible makes me feel close to God, honestly.
*From AC* - Abba I lift up before you those impacted by yesterday's school shooting in TN. May You be the source of healing, comfort, and strength for those injured, the loved ones of the victims, and the traumatised students and staff. We continue to pray for a miraculous change in the mindset of our leaders and citizens and for a mighty cleansing of the wickedness that plagues this nation. May Your righteous will prevail and may You shield and protect us and our children from harm as we go about our daily lives. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
LAST 10 MINUTES
Today, we were reminded that we need God's word to stay out of trouble. That way we don't end up step, stand, and sit, in the company of the wicked.
If you need more to convince you of why this is so dangerous, please remember the story of Lot and his family (Genesis 19). The Lord was about to destroy Sodom & Gomorrah, and He told Lot to evacuate not just the city but even the plains. To find shelter on the hills.
When we spend time in the company of the wicked, we not only risk becoming like them, but there is the chance of being close by when God decides to strike them with His punishment. Do you want to endure the punishment of the ungodly or would you rather be safe, away from the judgment that will surely come? God will make this your portion and you will not look back like Lot's wife, IJMN, Amen.
If you want this for yourself, then join me in prayer.
Lord, I want to be safe in Your arms. I want to be a recipient of the blessings that come upon the righteous. Father, where I have spent time in the company of the ungodly, I repent and seek Your forgiveness. Lord, may I be like a tree by the stream, yielding fruit in season, with leaves that do not wither, and a life that enjoys your prosperity and testifies to your glory. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you (Psalm 51:12 NLT). IJMN, Amen.
Marvelous God, Thou alone are worthy to be praised. None is greater than You. None compares to You and none ever will. Psalm 139:5 - You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Lord, there is so much going on in the world today and it is inducing fear and stressing people. I pray that Your people will stand confident in Your word from Psalm 139:5. That their eyes will open to know that their protection and safety is in You. That they will know in their hearts that You provide never-ending love which translates into You surrounding those who will believe. May they believe, Lord, and receive the protection You provide them for free, IJN, Amen.
*From BI* - Lord, I pray for those who long to get close to You. I pray that You direct and guide every step they take towards knowing You more. By Your grace and mercy, I pray that eyes are open and more receive Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Reveal Yourself to them in great and mighty ways. May the Holy Spirit lead them to repentance and transform their hearts. Lord, we know Your strength is perfected in weakness so may Your children surrender to You and be strengthened. May Your grace cover them and comfort them. May the lost be found IJMN Amen.
Lord, please come down and make Your presence felt in this place.
Isaiah 64:1 - Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you!
PRAYER TIME
Let us put our personal prayer needs to the side for the next 25 minutes.
It is time to pray for others.
Don't worry about what troubles you. Worry about what someone else is going through.
Be unselfish and lift up prayer requests for somebody or something that is not you or tied to your personal needs.
Isaiah 14:27 - For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?
God who can challenge You? Who can stand against You? You who with a breath caused the seas to stand still. You who with a word brought mighty armies to their knees. You who cripple the great.
Lord, even today, You are doing these and so much more.
Praise be to my God. Praise be to my King. Praise be to the Righteousness One. He who is forever and ever. To You be all adoration!
*From BI* - Thank You Lord for having my back. Thank You for lighting my path. Thank You for letting goodness and mercy follow me always. Thank You for never changing. I thank You Father that I can always come before Your throne of grace. Your love is like no other and I am so grateful. Thank You King of kings.
I thank You, King of the nations, for the world is in Your hands. All is subject to Your authority.
Lord God Almighty, I hail Your name.
Thy will be done, here on earth as in heaven. Take all the glory!
*From T1983* - Thank you God for never leaving my side! Thank you for the continued blessings and for the ones that are on the way.
*From AC* - My Lord, thank You for being my strength and seeing me through all of these challenges. My faith is in You alone. Thank You for the unexpected financial blessing I received this morning. You're so so so good to me. Never forsaking me. Always coming through for me. I am so humbled by your kindness and grace. Take all the glory Lord. In Your Name Jesus, I give all thanks, Amen.
God, for the things You have done, I declare that they are marvelous in my sight.
For the things You will do, I declare they shall be like a miracle.
Hallelujah!!
*From MFC* - O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure. Isaiah 25:1
Psalm 145:1 - I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Until the end of time, my Father, I give You all the praise. Glory, glory, and more glory belong to You, my King!
*From BI* - To You Abba Father be all the glory, honour and adoration. Thank You Lord for Your faithfulness, love, mercy and forgiveness. Where will I be without Your protection, correction and guidance? Thank You for always being with me. Thank You Lord for all the things I have and the things I do not have for You always have my best interest. You Lord are amazing, kind and gracious. A million tongue will never suffice. Thank You Yahweh for yesterday, today and forever.