Shalom,
Psalm 101 is a Psalm of David written before the Ark of the Covenant was returned to Jerusalem. It is known as a leadership Psalm because David covers some things required of a leader. Verses 1-2:
1 I WILL sing of mercy and loving-kindness and justice; to You, O LORD, will I sing. 2 I will behave myself wisely and give heed to the blameless way -- O when will You come to me? I will walk within my house in integrity and with a blameless heart.
It is important for believers in Jesus of Nazareth to walk before the world AND our families, both our natural and Church families, in integrity. As Living Epistles that are known and read of all men, let's lead lives that make them want to KEEP reading!
Here is a song from HillSong's Faith + Hope + Love CD called "Glow":
I have always been thrilled with the way that Jesus answered people who questioned Him. Some were genuine and some were trying to trick Him. He always knew their hearts and motives! He had a great way of answering a question WITH a question! The ones who really wanted to learn would be given something important to consider and meditate on. The ones who were trying to trick Him were left speechless by the way He turned it around on them! I LOVE it! We can learn a lot from the way that Jesus conducted Himself with people! We face the same types of people today. The same Holy Spirit lives in us and He will let us know how to answer. That is why James 1:19 is so important to obey! Luke 16-17 should answer forever whether it is God's will to heal or not!
16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom satan has bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath? 17 Even as He said this, all His opponents were put to shame, and all the people were rejoicing over all the glorious things that were being done by Him.
In Deuteronomy 9-10 Moses continues giving the people of Israel their History lesson! Remember that history is really HIS story! Chapter 10 ends with this exhortation:
12 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you but [reverently] to fear the Lord your God, [that is] to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being, 13 To keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good? 14 Behold, the heavens and the heaven of heavens belong to the Lord your God, the earth also, with all that is in it and on it. 15 Yet the Lord had a delight in loving your fathers, and He chose their descendants after them, you above all peoples, as it is this day. 16 So circumcise the foreskin of your [minds and] hearts; be no longer stubborn and hardened. 17 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, the terrible God, Who is not partial and takes no bribe. 18 He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger or temporary resident and gives him food and clothing. 19 Therefore love the stranger and sojourner, for you were strangers and sojourners in the land of Egypt. 20 You shall [reverently] fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and by His name and presence you shall swear. 21 He is your praise; He is your God, Who has done for you these great and terrible things which your eyes have seen. 22 Your fathers went down to Egypt seventy persons in all, and now the Lord your God has made you as the stars of the heavens for multitude.
If they had obeyed this, they would never have had trouble with other nations and would never have had to go into exile or be dispersed among the nations! BUT, God NEVER gave up on them! 1948 proved that and He continues to prove it every day as HE protects Israel from everything that the enemy tries to do to them! Remember to be one who blesses the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem, so that YOU may continue to be blessed! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
