Psalm of the Week- Psalm 12:1-2 From King David to John Gill to the Week of October 6, 2014

1 Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore;

those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.

2 Everyone lies to their neighbor;

they flatter with their lips

but harbor deception in their hearts.

King David was feeling alone when he wrote these words. However, he turned to the Lord during his time of trouble. As a king, he was surrounded by people who had their own agendas. 

I am amazed at how pertinent King David's words are today. However, every generation of the faithful has felt this way. John Gill, an English Baptist pastor, felt that verses one and two of this psalm applied to his own generation (1697) and future generations. (2014 and beyond)

This is what John Gill wrote:

• "...When all friends and refuge fail, saints betake themselves to God, and their salvation is of him; and he is their present help in a time of trouble;..."

• "...The "faithful" are such who are upright in heart and conversation; who trust in the Lord, and believe in the Messiah; who abide by the truths and ordinances of God; and are faithful in what is committed to their trust, whether they be gifts of nature, Providence, or grace; and to their fellow Christians..."

• "...And these words may be applied to the anti-christian times, the times of the grand apostasy, and falling away from the faith, upon the revealing of the man of sin;... and the church is in the wilderness, and is hid there. Yea, to the second coming of Christ, when there will be great carnality and security, and little faith found in the earth..."

 (Italics and bold print is mine, SalleeB.)

• "...with flattering lips; as Cain did to Abel, Joab to Amasa, the Herodians to Christ, Judas to his Master, false teachers to those that are simple, hypocrites to God himself, when they draw nigh to him only with their lips, and all formal professors to the churches of Christ, when they profess themselves to be what they are not..."

In my opinion, the continuity and applicability of the scriptures from King David's time, to John Gill's time, to today is just further proof that the Bible is the inspired word of God. The Bible contains answers to every problem that we face today and will continue to do so until the the second coming of Christ. 

Avoid the Sin Net

 Don't Get Caught in the Net

 I remember watching my parents seining for minnows. We would stop at several small creeks on the way to a weekend of fishing. My job was to grab the flipping, flapping minnows and put them in the open minnow bucket that was manned by my brother and sister. I would watch as my dad slowly brought his end of the net around toward the creek bank and the space within the net got smaller and smaller until finally the net scooped the fish out of the water and onto the bank. My parents would caution us, " don't get caught in the net" and to "pull gently, you don't want to tear the net."

Gently, Gently

 We have to be careful when we are helping someone who is caught in sin. We have to gently guide them back to our Heavenly Father, BUT we have to be careful to not get caught in the net ourselves. Helping a struggling brother or sister requires us to be on firm spiritual ground ourselves. We have an enemy who would love to see us get caught up in the sin net and unwittingly end up leaving the restoring waters of our spiritual relationship with Jesus.

Where Do You Draw the Line?
A friend who lost a job, a spouse, a child, or a home. An acquaintance, a coworker, or a church member with addiction issues. Where do you draw the line between helping and enabling? This is a question that I have had to ask myself repeatedly over the years. Anytime I feel out of my depth(no pun intended), it is time to refer our sin caught friend to a professional.

 Brethren, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 

  Galatians 6:1 NIV

Psalm of the Week - Psalm 4:1-3 - Week of September 29, 2014

Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.
How long, O men will you turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;
the LORD will hear when I call to him.




Think Good Thoughts
"The psalmist warns against sin. Keep up holy reverence of the glory and majesty of God...let your thoughts fasten upon that which is good, and keep close to it."

Examine Your Daily Actions

"Consider your ways, and before you turn to sleep at night, examine your consciences with respect to what you have done in the day; particularly what you have done amiss (wrong, sin), that you may repent of it."
Can't Sleep? Meditate About God
"When you awake in the night, meditate upon God, and the things that belong to your peace..."
Be Still and Listen
"Be still. when you have asked conscience a question, be serious, be silent, wait for an answer...Put your trust in the Lord."

Matthew Henry's Commentary

Read the Bible or Study the Bible?

Curiosity is a dominant character trait in my personality. 

Countless times my mother has said to me, "Curiosity killed the cat." At thirteen, I decided that a clever reply would be," But satisfaction brought it back." 

Mom shakes her head when I say this, but it hasn't stopped my interest in seeking answers. Uncovering "the rest of the story" drives many of my personal inquiries for information.

My curiosity was aroused because ...
I'd heard, or read, from several sources that one should study the Bible rather than read the Bible.

What's the difference between read and study? This question started me off on yet another search to satisfy my inquiring mind.

The online Merriam-Webster dictionary has twenty-three definitions for read when used with an object. 

Who knew that read the Bible (verb+object), contains more meaning than most of us realize? 
Not all twenty-three definitions apply to actually reading a book, the Bible. 

I am only including the seven applicable meanings in my list, but retaining the number of the original dictionary list. 

The sentences in italics are my thoughts about each meaning.

     1.       to look at carefully to understand the meaning of (something written, printed, etc.)

Hmmm... that sounds like studying to me. What do you think?

2.       to utter aloud or render in speech (something written, printed, etc.)

Okay, I've read my bible aloud on many occasions. How about you?

3.       to have such knowledge of (a language) as to be able to understand things written in it: to be able to read French.

My bible is an English translation and I understand what is written in it.

      10.   to interpret or attribute a meaning to (a written text), a musical composition, etc.): How do                you read this clause in the contract?

                 Hmmmm... that sounds like studying too, doesn't it.

     11.     to infer (something not expressed or directly indicated) from what is read, considered, or                  observed.

                 Hundreds of books of been written because of this meaning and I'm sure you have read                 some of them too.

    17.    British. to study (a subject), as at a university: to read law.

             You can study the Bible as a subject or topic.

   18.    to read the work of (an author): She is reading Kafka.

            I believe the Bible is the work of divinely inspired authors so this applies too.

 My Conclusion

Study is a related word or synonym for read. The deeper meaning of the Bible reveals itself through careful reading, or study.  

Psalm of the Week - Psalm 3:1-4 - September 21, 2014

O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, "God will not deliver him."

But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill.

An Acrostic Poem Inspired By Psalm 3

Shield me from those who want to harm me in any way
Help me make it through today
Inspire me to do your will
Expecting a miracle from you
Lend me your ear, O Lord and
Deliver me from evil

Sallee Bonham
10/13/13

Personal Application
Lord, I am feeling surrounded by foes as I try and walk your path. Many say that you will not help me, or deliver me from what I face today. But you are a shield around me LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. I cry aloud to you LORD and you answer me from your holy hill. Amen.