It's Just That Easy

“Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” Psalm 37:3

It is astonishing the many ways man has supposed he comes to GOD.  Yet the LORD has made it so simple the smallest child can understand, “Trust in the LORD”!  That means to believe, rely on and adhere to. This is always the beginning of salvation.

We have a problem with some that want to mix their works with the “born-again” experience. It is easy to understand we had nothing to do with  the first birth, but when it comes to the second (rebirth) we have this crazy idea we have a part in it.  Obedience follows forgiveness. This is where works comes in. “do good”

Being obedient brings us peace.  It causes us to have fellowship with the ALMIGHTY.  Salvation is set in heaven but if we expect to live in peace in our  present state because of our love for GOD are obedient unto good works. “so shalt thou dwell in the land”.

Because we have trusted GOD and are obedient in our good works we have fellowship with HIM.  We live in peace and are constantly fed by His Word. “and verily thou shalt be fed.”

I trust you LORD, please forgive my sin.

I’m unable to work my way and win.

I’m weak and wicked in all that I do.

Hopelessly lost, I’m depending on You.

You’ve answered my prayer, You’ve set me free.

Now to the works that’ll make You proud of me.

Never more hungry or thirsty again.

Your Word dear JESUS, I’ll hid within.

The Jailer: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Acts 16:30

Paul & Silas: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:31

Salvation is the same for all!  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Strength Gets Tired and Beauty Fades!

“For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.” Psalm 37:2

Our observation of things can be deceiving.  What appears to us as strength and beauty, other than GOD will destroy our lives and bankrupt our souls.  The temporary things we are obsessed  with lie to the hearts of those that trust there deceitfulness.  Strength gets tired and beauty fades! “For they shall soon be cut down like the grass”.

The once beautiful bouquet of flowers that brought such satisfaction has become ugly to the eye in its withered condition and all you are left with are memories of its once glorious state. “wither as the green herb.”

The lustful heart is captivated by the riches of another.  I have seen those so occupied in the desire of wealth that they are miserable when they are not able to accomplish it.  It is their obsession and it will destroy them and those around them.  Happy is the one that finds their wealth in CHRIST!  A wealth that never fades or tarnishes!

They looked so great, what has happened?

Their beauty has lost all its appeal.

Once the desire of many that were watching.

Now their impression is so surreal.

Don’t be deceived by what appeals to your fancy.

And don’t be disheartened by what others possess.

All these things will change in their appearance.

What once was beautiful, turns to a mess.

JESUS never changes!

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” Isaiah 40:8

The Lust of The Eye

“A Psalm of David. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.” Psalm 37:1

It’s easy to look at another and wonder why they have so much more than  we have. It can even get to a point that we get angry.  It seems much worse when the one that has so much more is living for themselves and not the LORD!  The lust of the eye is an attempt of the devil to draw you away from perfect peace. Never be fooled into thinking the lost world has more than you do! “Fret not thyself because of evildoers”

If we are not careful we can work ourselves into a frenzy and have a pity party.  Instead of being envious we ought to be heart broken over the unfortunate situation of the lost.  These folks are being led to hell, being satisfied with what the world has to offer.  Take your eyes off the riches of the world and put them on the riches we have in CHRIST.  We have a “permanent foundation, whose builder and maker is GOD.” “neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.” 

Sometimes I’m on fire, 

Over the riches of the fool.

Watching all they have,

Makes a body drool. 

But when I’ve thought about it,

And understand their state.

I’d never want to be in their place,

Or ever imitate.

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1 John 2:15-17

Right Before My Eyes

“There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.” Psalm 36:12

There is nothing more powerful than the prayer of faith.  While David is in the midst of his prayer he is visualizing GODs answer before his eyes.  His confidence in the LORD is in fact, real and absolute! “There are the workers of iniquity fallen”

When we trust GOD at His word we can count on His instant action.  It is done, it is finished.  GOD does not tease us with false hope but will preform what He has already promised. David, like Abraham was “fully persuaded that, what he (GOD) had promised, he was able also to perform.” and we too have this most excellent promise, if we believe.  When we do, we will see all our enemies, “cast down, and shall not be able to rise.”

I’ve prayed before and nothing happened.

I’ve wondered why GOD hadn’t heard.

But when I asked not believing.

To expect and answer was just absurd!

When we don’t believe in what we’re praying,

Or in the One who promised to hear.

Our prayers are like the wind that is blowing,

And we will continue in our fear.

The prayer of faith brings GODs swift action.

The evidence is right before our eyes.

The one that prays knowing GOD keeps His promises.

Will see his deliverance, as no surprise.

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16b

Stay Hitched Stay Safe

“Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.” PSALM36:11

It is not a question of if the believer will have adversity, but when?  Don’t deceive yourself.  If you are living for the LORD the one living for the devil will continually be at your heals.  They are relentless and shrewd.  They will take every advantage to discourage and destroy.  Even the strongest can fall  if they don’t keep themselves under the protection of the LORD. “Let not the foot of pride come against me”

Thinking we are capable ourselves in holding off the enemy is utter nonsense. We are compared to sheep for a reason, we need a shepherd.  Without the Good Shepherd we are without hope of victory against the weakest of our foes.  The believer is yoked together with CHRIST for a reason.  Stay hitched and stay safe!  “let not the hand of the wicked remove me.”

The wicked will try to break your stride

And cause you to stumble and fall.

They’ll try to break your yoke with CHRIST.

Stay hitched and you’ll stand tall.

Wondering away from the Shepherds care

And you’ll be found in a desert land.

Keep yourself where you can hear His voice

And I can promise you’ll always stand.

“But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3

“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.”  Matthew 11:28-30

The Perpetual Love of GOD

“O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.” Psalm 36:10

To understand the lovingkindness of GOD we must consider our own character and how utterly disgraceful we are.  GOD loves us even when we are unlovable and saves us through His mercy and grace.  He delivers us through no merit of our own but through the shed blood of His only begotten SON!  It is that same love that keeps us under His care. Out of our love for GOD we serve Him not to keep ourselves secure but to love Him back and be thankful for what He has done and is doing.  He alone keeps us, He alone through His tender love secures us eternally. “O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee”

Make no mistake about it David is speaking about people that have put their trust in GOD not to those that continue in their sin.  These are the righteous,  those made perfect through the SON and kept by His power.  The blessings of GOD are only for those that have been blessed through the SON. “and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.”

Why GOD loves me I do not know

But I’m so thankful that He does.

HE made me righteous through His SON,

While knowing what I was.

Amazing Grace is what I sing,

For now and evermore.

HE keeps me by His perfect love

Since HE brought me through the Door.

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” Ephesians 3:14-19

O Wonderful Day

“For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.” Psalm 36:9

There is only one source of life, one source of satisfaction. GOD’s fountain is the place of everlasting hope and peace.  The fountain of GOD rises high, it refreshes the soul.  It is the source of all life.  It is filled with Living Water! “For with thee is the fountain of life”.

There is natural light and there is “The Light”.  Light makes vision possible but the glory of “The Light” gives vision to the souls of men.  Natural light help us not to stumble as we walk but “The Light” purifies the heart and brings us to the place where there is no stumbling at all! “in thy light shall we see light.”

There was a fountain from which I drank.

The water of it quenched my thirst.

The satisfaction I received that day,

Was so intense I thought I would burst.

Brought out of darkness, O wonderful day!

I saw the Light like never before.

The Light I saw purified my soul,

Now through CHRIST I’ll sin no more.

“The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.” Proverbs 14:27

“But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14

A Full Cup

“They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.” Psalm 36:8

Within a person is the desire to find satisfaction.  Contentment is what drives the soul and causes us to dream of bigger and better lives.  When we try to satisfy our lives with temporary things our satisfaction never lasts. These little satisfactions of the flesh please us at first but always end.  Just as the flesh dies so do our dreams of satisfaction.  For the person that seeks CHRIST, “They shall be abundantly satisfied”.

Little satisfactions are imposters of the abundant satisfaction of GOD.  They tease us into thinking we are happy.  They fill our cup a quarter full we only get a sip.  Why diet real satisfaction when you can have, “the fatness of thy house”.

I thought I knew satisfaction before I was saved but had no idea of riches of GOD’s grace.  In the past I sought after my satisfaction but after salvation satisfaction became a river that continually flows through my soul. A never ending river that will carry me to the throne of GOD. “thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.”

There is a craving in the heart of man

That keeps harping at his soul.

He wants to be satisfied in all he does.

In his heart he wants to be whole.

Seeking the pleasures of the flesh

Will only last a while.

But you will find satisfaction’s peace

When in CHRIST you reconcile.      

“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:9-10

The Pearl of Great Price

“How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.” Psalm 36:7

To what can you compare the excellence of the lovingkindness of GOD?  Its depth is deeper than the deepest ocean.  Its value is greater than the most precious stone.  There is no greater expression of kindness that is available to mankind. GOD’s lovingkindness is wrapped in mercy, righteousness, faithfulness, redemption and judgment.  It is full and free to all those that understand the immensity of its value and except it through His Only Begotten Son, JESUS. “How excellent is thy lovingkindness”

The value of GOD’s lovingkindness causes the person that recognizes their own inability for peace and satisfaction to run into His everlasting arms. The place where they will find love and kindness in its most complete form.  They are set free and kept by the power of the ALMIGHTY. “O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.”

I once I had a diamond,

I found it was only paste.

I was left broken hearted. 

My diamond turned to waist.

But when I looked to JESUS

I found “The Pearl of Great Price”.

I discovered GOD’s lovingkindness.

Now none other will suffice!

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-45