A PALM AND A CEDAR
Today’s Reading: Psalms 92-94
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Date Palm trees flourishing in Israel’s arid Jordan Valley.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Psalm 92:12-14
The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree,
He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Those who are planted in the house of the Lord
Shall flourish in the courts of our God.
They shall still bear fruit in old age;
They shall be fresh and flourishing…
Flourish! Flourish! Flourishing! We can choose to be like this as we grow into the likeness of Jesus Christ. Like the Date Palm tree, we can produce really good fruit (dates). Mmmm! Are we hungry yet? Like the Cedars of Lebanon, we can be the building materials for the Temple of God here on earth! We are the temples of the Holy Spirit! We are God’s dwelling place on earth (read 1 Corinthians 6:15-20).
Psalm 93 describes God as the eternal King over all creation!
Psalm 94 is an antidote to fear. “If I say, ‘My foot slips,’ Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up. In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul!” (94:18-19).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, in my prayer today I want to present before You everything that causes me to be anxious (I’m listing now privately at least three things that concern me deeply). I’m quoting the Apostle Paul now, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). In His Name I pray, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
The palm tree produces fruit from a young age to old age. I sincerely want to be like that! It’s a reason for this blog! (I want everyone to know that they can start reading with me at any time and, God willing, in two years they will complete the entire Bible). The giant Cedar trees of Lebanon are always green (evergreen). They grow tall and are rooted very deeply, so that they can withstand any storm that comes, without being toppled. I sincerely want to be like that too! These blessings are from God, who grows, strengthens, and makes flourish all who surrender to Him as Saviour and Lord. As Psalm 92:2 tells me “To declare Your lovingkindness every morning” (the blog posted at 6:00 am), and “Your faithfulness every night,” I try to do that also! As I retire at night, I read the Scriptures for the next morning, so they can percolate in my spirit overnight. Then I read the same portion the next morning, praying about what God is saying to me through His Word as I prepare to type these words.
Yours because of God’s lovingkindness and faithfulness!
David
What a good idea – to read in the evening the scriptures for the next day so they can percolate overnight- I think I will have to try that!
Good idea, Eleanor,
I am going to do that tonight, Eleanor! Bless you, and all the saints!
There are other scriptures
in the old Testament that
talk about being planted
like tree and growing
near streams.
I so enjoyed these blog. it bless me so
My husband will be losing his job the end of March & has been out searching & yesterday he found out he didn’t get the job he really wanted so we were feeling very anxious & disappointed….so perfect timing for that scripture “Be anxious for nothing”
my glasses are fixed I got them late yesterday afternoon, it feels great . You never know how much they are needed until something happens. I love to read my books
, and now can although I did do it by listening to my bible on computer that helped.
Me too Eleanor!
Trust you are uplifted Sah from the prayers of yesterday and I join my prayers with them as well. God bless you child of God!
I also prayed and agreed with the prayers for Sah. Bless you dear sister-in-Christ we uphold and love you in the Lord.
William M. your poem from yesterday was wonderful, you are gifted from God. I am so enjoying reading through the Psalms and Pastor David’s comments. Hope you all have a good day, Eleanor M.
Ps. Lianne, glad you now have your glasses.
l am so enjoying Psalms. l used to find them difficult to read and a little violent in places, but now l am so blessed by them. l really like Palm trees and read today(psalm 92) how they are spoken of as a picture of righteousness, as are we, who are planted in the Lord, they flourish and are strong, withstanding many storms. Reynold your photos are amazing, and todays flourishing Palm Trees are beautifully captured…. You are a very gifted photographer!
Lifting you in prayer Sah….. “Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” Isaiah 41:10.
So thankful for this blog! God is good and faithful. Thankyou to David and Norma Jean’s family for keeping the blog going….. indeed like “fresh bread”from the oven every morning????
Your message is so true Camille.
When we call out to God in prayer, the enemy leaves us.
Praise our Lord God Almighty in whom we trust! Amen!!
Sah , Hope you had a restful night. We your blog friends are praying for you. Never feel you are ever alone. The Lord is always present just call out to him. Have a blessed day everyone.
Thank you Eleanor M.I am not a fan of poetry but began writing right after I surrendered on my knees and shortly before I was baptized.They were poems of comfort for mothers grieving the loss of a child.I did not want to go there but the urge to post them grew until I relented.(Long story.)
One of my closest friends,Rev.John Fortier (John’s wife shared a mutual friend with Norma Jean in the 60’s in Brighton,Ont.),always encouraged me with this scripture,a few years ago when I was still a baby Christian:
” ERV I am sure that the good work God began in you will continue until he completes it on the day when Jesus Christ comes again.”
I believe He has to untangle the roots of our sins one by one since they (like a tree’s roots) have entangled themselves deep within us over the years.To rip them out quickly (like a cancer) might do us greater harm.This is why this cleansing process goes on for our whole life.(It’s my theory.)
Born Again
I know there’s a lily in each valley
To help when you are at your lowest
And see your sins on a tally
While time passes at it’s slowest.
When you are down there under all your cares
And the world doesn’t know you are there,
You should look for the one who shares
With you a kingdom to be heir
.
In that valley he’s the only flower ,
For none can carry this load of sin,
He will be your mighty tower
When you ask Him to work within.
Then you will find that new life has begun
While born again is for all to share
And that only He is the One
Who has died just to take you there.
G W (Bill)Marshall / 15,Aug,017
I may not say it but I am also grateful for David’s family to continue this ‘blessed blog’.
Blessed Blog
Oh,blessed blog,words from the past,
You have nourished my soul
From the words that last,
Making my spirit whole.
No more to wonder without light,
Blessed blog,you led me
And now with new sight,
I’ll find eternity.
The flock has been passed on
And new shepherds now lead,
But though he has gone
He has left what we need.
So thanks to Ron and family,
Faithful servants sharing,
For making us free
Through the Word,not sparing.
It’s not very good but I tried to express our gratitude.God bless
Amen William Marshall!!
Yes Amen William.
Praying for you dear SAH!
You are not alone!
Yes, William.