Many of us are familiar with Psalm 37:4, but the verses before are also a part of the same message:
1 FRET NOT yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness (that which is not upright or in right standing with God). 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 3 Trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) in the LORD and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly you shall be fed. 4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, and he will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.
Do you recognize what the mindset of a born again believer is supposed to be? The rest of the Psalm is more of the same; in order to get, and keep, God's people in position to receive all that He has planned for them! It ends with this in verses 39-40:
39 But the salvation of the [consistently] righteous is of the LORD; He is their Refuge and secure Stronghold in the time of trouble. 40 And the LORD helps them and deliver them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they trust and take refuge in Him.
THAT is what WE have to look forward to, in THIS life! Thank You, Jesus! Here is another song from Hillsong: "This Is Our God"
In 1 Timothy, Paul is writing to encourage and instruct Timothy in the ministry that God had called and separated him to. Timothy was very young and sometimes easily discouraged with the trials of life in the ministry! I found this in the Bible Exposition Commentary:
This advertisement appeared in a London newspaper and thousands of men responded! It was signed by the noted Arctic explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton, and that was what made the difference.
"Men wanted for hazardous journey, small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success. "
If Jesus Christ had advertised for workers, the announcement might have read something like this:
"Men and women wanted for difficult task of helping to build My church. You will often be misunderstood, even by those working with you. You will face constant attack from an invisible enemy. You may not see the results of your labor, and your full reward will not come till after all your work is completed. It may cost you your home, your ambitions, even your life."
In spite of the demands that He makes, Jesus Christ receives the "applications" of many who gladly give their all for Him. He is certainly the greatest Master for whom anyone could work, and the task of building His church is certainly the greatest challenge to which a believer could give his life.
Timothy was one young man who responded to Christ's call to help build His church. He was one of the Apostle Paul's special assistants. Along with Titus, Timothy tackled some of the tough assignments in the churches that Paul had founded.
I like that Jesus set up His church so that we would need each other! That directs each of us back to the source of our strength: THE One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! Encourage YOURSELF with the Word AND with the fellowship of like-minded believers!
In Amos 3-5 the prophet delivers three messages, one in each of the chapters. Each chapter begins with the phrase: "Hear this word". He was actually reminding them that the message was not from him, but from the One, True God! Not heeding how we hear, and what we hear, will cause us to develop hearts that are hardened and callous to the things of God! Be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, quick to respond to and obey the instructions in the Word, and quick to change YOUR thinking to agree with GOD'S when there is a conflict! Remember that God is ALWAYS right! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
