Psalm of the Week - 73:25 - Week of August 29, 2016

Whom have I in heaven but you? and there is none on Earth that I desire beside you.

The saying,”Happiness is an inside job.” is true.
Outside things like food, travel, friends, and accomplishments can make us happy, but not long term. At least that has been my experience. I felt like something was missing in my life and I couldn't quite pinpoint what it was. It was God. I had left Him out of my life completely.
Part of my Heart

Then, I gave Him part of my life and my heart, but I mainly called on Him when I was in the midst of turmoil, or on Sunday morning. God wants all of my heart, not just part of my heart.

Once I placed God first in my life, and gave him my whole heart, a lasting happiness has followed. 
Placing God first in my life is a commitment that brought me into a right relationship with God. Today, I submerge myself in the Word constantly and find my thoughts on accomplishing God's goals for me. I have never been happier.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for being faithful and constant. You are good all the time and there is nothing on Earth that I desire beside you. Amen

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I love this quote. I know the Rescuer. He has rescued me from being miserably unhappy living life without Jesus. Amen? 

Psalm of the Week - 85:2 - August 22, 2016

Photographer Cassandra Pilger took this photo of the Gasconade River at Gasconade, MO

You have forgiven the iniquity(evil, sin, wickedness) of your people,

• Took it from them, and laid it on Christ, who has bore it, and took it away,(crucified on the cross) so as it shall never return(he arose and returned to heaven)...and by... his blood it is taken away from their own consciences; 
• for this is an indication of the discovery of forgiveness to themselves; it is a branch of redemption, or reconciliation and is in consequence of it; and is a fruit of the free favor and good will of God through Christ; (grace)
• and it only belongs to the Lord's special people, the people he has taken into covenant with him, and for whose iniquity Christ was stricken: (covenant of grace)

you have covered all their sin;

•  this is but another phrase for forgiveness
• and this is done by the blood and righteousness, and ransom sacrifice of Christ,

adapted from Matthew Henry's Commentary

Verse of the Week - Romans 6:14 - August 22, 2016

There is strength in the covenant of grace for us.
Sin shall not have dominion over us.

"God's promises to us are more powerful and effectual for subduing sin, than our promises to God."                                                                              

Sin may struggle in a real believer...but it shall not have dominion; it may cause annoyance for the believer,but it shall not rule over him.*

• We are under the covenant of grace God promised and Jesus taught this
• We have the power of the Holy Spirit who is inside of us to defeat sin. Jesus asked God to do this for us and God did.
• We have the power of the Sword of the Spirit, the Holy Bible to combat sin with. The Bible says so.

Put this bible verse on the dash of your car, the monitor of your computer, the screen saver on your phone, or your bathroom mirror, or all of these places. 

Use it to combat the enemy (Satan). Sin is from Satan and it shall not have dominion over you because you are under the grace of God. Almighty God himself has given you this grace through Jesus Christ. You have the power to defeat sin because you have submitted to Almighty God, Jesus Christ, and have been given the Holy Spirit.

*adapted from Matthew Henry's Bible Commentary

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Psalm of the Week - 32:1 - August 15, 2016

Blessed, or true happiness comes with being forgiven. 

"It (true happiness) consists not in the possession of wealth, or honors of the world, or in the enjoyment of its pleasures, but in those spiritual blessings which flow from the favor and grace of God;"                                                                                    Benson Commentary

Verse of the Week - Romans 6:6 - August 15, 2016

"The corrupt nature, called the old man, derived from our first father Adam, is crucified with Christ, in every true believer, by the grace derived from the cross. It is weakened and in a dying state, though it yet struggles for life, and even for victory. But the whole body of sin, whatever is not according to the holy law of God, must be done away with, so that the believer may no more be the slave of sin, but live to God, and find happiness in his service."                                                                  Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

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Psalm of the Week - 139:23-24 - August 8, 2016

As the Lord knows us thoroughly, and we are strangers to ourselves, 

we should earnestly desire and pray to be searched and proved by his word and Spirit.

If there be any wicked way in me, let me see it; and root it out of me. 

The way of godliness is pleasing to God, and profitable to us; and will end in everlasting life. It is the good old way. All the saints, or followers of Jesus, desire to be kept and led in this way, that they may not miss it, turn out of it, or tire in it.

adapted from Matthew Henry's Bible Commentary

Verse of the Week - 1 John 1:9 - August 8, 2016

We must beware of deceiving ourselves in denying or excusing our sins.
The more we see our sins - the more we should value the remedy - confessing to Christ and living rightly.
If we deny our sins, the truth is not in us,

1. either the truth that is contrary to such denial (we lie in denying our sin)
2. the truth of religion, is not in us.(we are not living according to God's Holy Word, the Bible)

The Christian life is a life of continued repentance, of continual faith in, thankfulness for, and love to the Redeemer, and hopeful joyful expectation of a day of glorious redemption, in which the believer shall be fully and finally acquitted, and sin abolished for ever. 
If we say, We have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us, 

adapted from Matthew Henry's Complete Bible Commentary

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Psalm of the Week - 66:18 - August 1, 2016

This verse is a cross reference for Isaiah 59:2. Followers of Jesus must get rid of sin in order to be closer to God.

As a saved follower of Christ, 

• I am miserable if I sin. 
• I am a work in progress so I don't mentally beat myself up.
• I am not trying to be perfect; just willing to let Jesus change me and he does. 
• One day at a time, I try to live a life the keeps me focused on my relationship with Christ and the work he sets before me.
• Jesus is the boss, not me. 

Verse of the Week - Isaiah 59:2 -August 1, 2016

See what mischief sin does:

1. It hinders God’s mercies from coming down upon us; it is a partition wall that separates between us and God.
2. It hinders our prayers from coming up to God; it provokes him to hide his face, that he will not hear
3. If we regard iniquity in our heart, if we indulge it and allow ourselves in it, God will not hear our prayers,

                                                                                                                                       adapted from Matthew Henry's Complete Bible Commentary