BY HEART!
Suggested Reading: Psalms 31-32
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
King David's Tomb is a site traditionally believed to be the burial place of David, King of Israel. It is located on Mount Zion in Jerusalem. Notice the harp, violin, and musical notes on the drapery that covers a sarcophagus, a stone casket. Songs, hymns, and poetry in the Hebrew language are the inheritance we have from King David. Jesus would have sung David's songs in Hebrew. Our English language translators have done a great job in capturing the beauty of David's language, particularly in the King James Version (1611 to about 1770 English). One of the reasons the New King James Version (the 1970s) is used in this blog is that while moving to modern English, the translators managed, for the most part, to keep the beauty and accuracy of the original English translations.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Psalm 32:5
I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I have not hidden.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
The key verse should sound familiar to us because of our common human condition. David shows us that the only way we can experience the freedom and joy God intends for us is through acknowledging and confessing our sin. A New Testament teaching we should read regularly is 1 John 1, the entire chapter.
There are two other verses in today’s reading that we may want to read again. Jesus began His ministry quoting His Bible during His wilderness fasting, and now here are His last words from the Cross quoted from this hymn composed by David (30:5). Let’s move to these words, “Make Your face shine upon Your servant” (30:16). Back in Psalm 4 David writes, “Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.” David is borrowing from Moses here. Moses taught us a three-fold blessing which we use in our benedictions even today. Check it out from Numbers 6:22-27.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, my prayer today is Psalm 32:5-11. I’m reading this to You Lord! Thank You that as a result I can “be glad,” and I can “shout for joy!” Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
From my childhood the expression “to know by heart” meant I had memorized a poem for recitation to my public school teacher in front of the class. In Sunday School I was required to recite the weekly memory verse “by heart.” My mother and older sisters made sure I had it right. Again and again Jesus quoted from His Hebrew Bible. He’s my example of the importance of the “Word.” I’m learning daily to count on the Holy Spirit to bring to my memory Scriptures which I’ve learned by heart that show me how to respond to the need at hand. Please join me in reading John 16:7-15. The Holy Spirit guides within the authority of the written Word of God. I’ve learned to always check with Scripture. That way the one who masquerades as an “angel of light” cannot deceive me, as he has done to many founders of certain religions and their followers. Read 2 Corinthians 11:13-15. These powerful charismatic leaders had access to Holy Scripture, but they chose to follow dreams, visions, so called angelic appearances, etc., instead of what Peter called, “the more sure Word of prophecy.” I’ve just read 2 Peter 1-16-21. I googled the words, “more sure word of prophecy,” and sure enough up came a man who said he had received a book from an angelic appearance to him. The man’s name is Joseph Smith. The result was that he perpetrated, as Peter wrote, “cunningly devised fables.” No archeological evidence exists to support his story of the inhabitants who his book says came from across the Atlantic Ocean, established a civilization over several generations, but were all killed by the aboriginal people who were already living in North and South America. He said that the angel’s name was Moroni. The Morman religion is the result of this message said to be from an angel. The Apostle Paul wrote, “If we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8)
Yours with the assurance that I’m trying, however unsuccessfully, for the goal of 100 words in each of the segments of this blog, Again, please forgive me for exceeding the goal almost every day.
David
P.S. It has occurred to me that some of our blog readers may have children visiting today. So let me link you to one of Crossroads’ recent productions which ties in with our key verse on forgiveness…click here for one of our children’s productions from crossroads360.com. The program is called “RocKids TV.”
How very blessed we are to have such a quality and knowledge of teachings today. I realize there may be some movement on thought based on theological leanings, but on the whole, Christian teachings in the conservative evangelical climate are quite solid. The Bible says that “the truth will set you free” and yet there are so many in our midst who know nothing of this freedom but are rather enslaved to the ideals of our modern secular ‘culture of youth’ or by false religion. True freedom may only found through the loving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, there is no other way. He alone can free those who are captives of false philosophies, we need only to pray and to bring the names of those lost loved ones and friends before the throne of the Lord, He will do the work. We have been blessed by the knowledge and truth of Jesus, may each of us live the life worthy of that calling.
Thank you for the continuous love and teaching that you pour out in your blog daily David; it is indeed a blessing to all of us who read and digest it. God Bless blog buddies, have a wonderful Lord’s Day!
Our conscience is gift of God, for without it we would not move towards correcting our lives and seek to know Christ, our hope and redeemer. A psychopath has no conscience and lives in darkness. It is enlightening when reading Psalms and witnessing the depth to which David felt despair and sinfulness in his human condition. How he turns his spirit towards a loving and forgiving father and is spared the grievous consequences of living a life apart. How he is strengthened, even to his bones, in the full light of our Father. No one lives a perfect life, yet in Christ, forgiveness is found for every repentant heart. Thank you Lord, and thank you, David! Have a great day in worship, to all!
The Word of God with a true heart. It is not the church that has authority over the Word of God but the Word of God that has authority over the church. A true heart to see the truth yet there is nothing more deceitful as the desires of man’s heart (Jer 17:9). As pastor David Mainse said, no christian church is perfect. It is the church that will first be judged and then the whole world and if we are barely saved, how much worse will the world fare (1 Peter 4:17)? But if we start to be corrupted by the world, I think of the seven churches in Revelations. Their places were not guaranteed. They received warnings against apostacy and to stay faithful. We are not perfect but our Father knows if we try.
We were away for a day or so, belated Birthday Greetings to Ann, thanking her in all she does for the readers of this blog.
Blessings to all.
Once again the true Word of The Lord is our rock and fortress, and joy comes after repentance and despair. How beautiful the words of these psalms are and sink deep into my soul.
Thank you Pastor David and fellow bloggers for your wisdom and encouraging words. Do not ever be sorry for going over 100 words, as we are truly blessed by your teachings.
Have a blessed worship day in the Lord’s house.
I have been having some computer problems; able to read the messages but unable to post. Disturbing to think of the Latter Day Saints Church, which the Mormon Church broke away from, because of their practice in polygamy and marrying young girls to older male relatives. It is exactly what the devil wants to cause. I am praying for all the individuals, especially the children, living in that environment. Uplifted by the Psalms and ready to praise God in church, this morning. Blessings to all saints, today. And happy belated birthday, Ann! You look fantastic in the photo!!! 🙂
“Our God is an AWESOME GOD, and HE REIGNS!” Amen
David God bless your humble heart 🙂 You are such a blessing to me and many more. Really look forward to your blog everyday….it edifies my soul. May God continually richly bless you and I thank Jesus that by his stripes, YOU ARE HEALED ! Amen
How good to know that when we confess our sins, we are forgiven!!!
have a Blessed day in the Lord
Irene
David Mainse is telling the truth about the mormon church. It made up a false thing resembling gilgamesh and muslim teachings and mixed it with christianity. Beware of whited sepulchures which look clean outside but inside are full of hypocrisy and evil. Jesus said they will come to you as sheep but inwardly they are as ravening wolves searching who they might devour but you can know a tree by it’s fruit.
The picture of you and Norma -Jean on your anniversary were wonderful ! Some day I would love for our Lord would send some one for me and fill me with the joy that you and NormaJean have!!!!! God bless you both and many more years of wedded Joy!!!!!!
I can’t get the song, “You Are My Hiding Place” out of my mind now after seeing it in our reading today! So true. Bless you all – David/Norma-Jean and all bloggers.
I have been watching your programs for years and have enjoyed reading the scriptures every morning. Reynolds pictures are awesome, however I was disappointed in the things you said of another religion that worships the same God as you. I had thought you were above all that but I guess not. I do not think that is what Jesus would do.
🙂
M.