THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN
Today’s Reading: Psalms 114-116
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The “Red Basilica” (Turkish: Kizil Avlu), also called the “Red Hall” or “Red Courtyard,” is a monumental ruined temple in the ancient city of Pergamos, one of the seven churches described in Revelation 2 & 3, now Bergama, in western Turkey. It is one of the largest Roman structures still surviving in the ancient Greek world. The temple is thought to have been used for the worship of the Egyptian gods, specifically Isis and/or Serapis.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Psalm 116:14-15
I will pay my vows to the Lord
Now in the presence of all His people.
Precious in the sight of the Lord
Is the death of His saints.
Psalm 114 – What magnificent poetic imagery! We can let our imaginations soar when we consider that nature itself responds to the presence of God…”The mountains skipped like lambs!”
In Psalm 115 the question is asked by Gentiles of the Jewish people, “Where is their God?” The gods of this world were visible, as we see in the carved idol pictured below. They could not understand the worship of the God of Israel who could not be depicted by an image. Five times we are reminded here that we are blessed by our God! Let us rejoice and bless Him in return! Here’s a New Testament reading about idols – Romans 1:20-25.
Psalm 116 encourages us to personalize the message. It is written in the first person singular. Here are at least four reasons as to why we need to pray: (1) God hears us! Amen! (2) We need salvation and rest! Amen! (3) God promises great benefits throughout our lives. Prayer activates those benefits! Amen! (4) Our key verse reminds us that even our deaths are precious to God. Therefore, we call upon the Name of the Lord! And we will keep the promises (vows) which we have made to the Lord! He keeps His promises to us and on that basis we pray! Amen! Amen!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, Your Word teaches me that I must not bow down, worship and pray to any idol! I promise You that I will never do that. I pray by Your grace given to me that I will not make an idol of anything or anyone that would draw my attention away from You. I pray that I will forever worship You and You alone. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Often when someone we know dies, my wife Norma-Jean will send to a loved one left behind the Words, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” These are the faithful believers in Jesus and not just the few who are officially called “saints.” The word “saint” comes from the Latin word “sanctus” (holy). I find that the Scriptures teach me that by faith the righteousness of Jesus Christ is put on my account in God’s sight. Romans 3:22a tells us “The righteousness of God which is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe.” Objectively, in God’s eyes I am promised, as a believer, the righteousness of God for me and on me! Subjectively, I have a long way to go, but I’m on my way to truly holy living! Amen!!! Writing this blog is helping me in that direction. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 is God’s truth well worth reading in regards to being seen as holy in God’s sight!
So….I greet all my fellow bloggers who are believers in Jesus by saying, “Have a saintly day, saints!”
David
Here you can see the stone-carved idol of one of the Egyptian gods that has been excavated and put on display outside of the Red Basilica in Pergamos. Many great buildings housed images as described in Psalm 115:4-8.
Wonderful Psalms, message, prayer and photos with such relevant history. Great are we, this morning, and every morning, Saints, from the blessings of a wonderful Christian teacher and mentor to us. I thought as I was reading, this morning, of David when he first created the blog and wrote each entry. Wisdom is passed on from generation to generation in our words. The Holy Words of the Bible, passed on by our God to us. Such a profound revelation, God’s blessing to us with His chosen. Wishing all a blessed day in the Lord.
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
1 Peter 3:8-9 ESV
Psalm 45 – Fairest of All – by Shane & Shane (Lyric Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCTFpPmQyHQ
Love this praise of Jesus song. Forwarded it to my son Shane!
Wow ! Now,that is PRAISE !!
49 years ago (1970) my Dad went to get gas because he was going fishing the next morning; he left the house at 5:00 p.m. and was killed at 5:20 p.m. just 5 blocks from home, he was hit by a car and killed out right; he did not suffer.
the other car was driven by a teen who had been drinking; I knew my mom was going to go WAY over board going after the driver and I asked the Lord to please HELP!!!!!!
well 6 months later the young person took his life, I still think about the last thoughts he must have had;………..
I did tell him a few days after the accident happen that I forgave him; my mom was very upset I did this BUT I told her it could have been Dad driving and hitting someone because he was a drinker….so, all these years later I still remember my Dad and I still forgive the other driver….this is life……cherish our loves ones daily; in Jesus Name I Pray amen
Sah, I am not usually up this late but I cannot sleep and came on the blog, reading your posts. How very sad for you to have lost your father in such a tragedy at a young age. How very sad for the young lad who caused your dad’s death and could not forgive himself, even though he heard you forgive him. Tragedy begets tragedy as he killed himself–two deaths. The only words that are coming to me–how very sad. What a wonderful thing you did in forgiving him and trying to help your mom do the same. God bless and keep you, Sah.
I pray because I’m happy; I pray because I’m free; His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me…
Lord God, thank You for the faith You give us to believe, to trust, to know that You are our help and our shield. Your very nature is good; we so need You! Please help us to let your light shine; help us not to be silent; help us to be bold in You…
Be honoured and glorified in and through all your people. Thank You for your work in this world, for reconciling people to You and to each other.
Bless all your saints today, Lord, wash each one in your precious blood and your Word; fill each with your Spirit, and may your work continue on, empoweted, directed, and renewed by You, Father. We ask in Jesus’s wonderful name, amen
Such a beautiful soaking prayer. Thank you Rob and God’s glorious blessings on you, today, as well.
Your prayers are wonderful. You put my thoughts into words. May you be richly blessed for contributing to this blog.
Amen.
Great thoughts in the comments and greater thoughts from God through this blog (God’s Blog ?) via David.Thank you,Ron and family.Ann is still in my prayers.A full recovery is expected.God bless
Shane and Shane are blessed to put to music God’s words so beautifully.
I wrote the short version in 2015.It seemed incomplete so I finished it today.
Idols
Woe to they who can’t foresee
Their path without the Almighty
When they choose to fall mightly,
Forsaking the gift of eternity,
For if only they could see
What their idols truly be,
Then repentance would be their decree,
For blind are the eyes ne’er free
Until they have called out to Thee.
GW(Bill) Marshall (2015)
So divine is thou poem!! Thank you Bill for blessing us this fine morn!!
When I read it, it sounded Irish. Bless you, today, fine sir! 🙂
Yes,” what magnificent poetic imagery” Our God is a God of creation; He created a magnificent world for us to enjoy and preaserve, Amen?
I join with you saints in your comments and prayers; have a creative day!
I like that, Irene; I did a new painting, today.
Lord You know exactly what is going on with me! Please speak to me, I need extra finances, I have this room, I do not know what to do Lord! Lord my sleep pattern changed 5 years ago! It works good for me, I can not do anything until after 3 p.m. but I can go to choir practices and so on and attend concerts at night, and I do see and talk with very interesting people at 7-11, God bless Dyana and her family; bless my children and grand children; bless our Pastors and bless the Christian people in my town and in my area where I live; Lord we ask that You would open the Heavens and bring down lots of rain to put out the fires in California; Lord we also ask that the Holy Spirit would enter peoples hearts and bring them to their knees and receive forgiveness of all their sins;
Thank you Lord for our country Canada; we ask Lord that You would guide our leaders; help them to make the best decisions for the country; lead our leaders to be concerned and pray for our children and the elderly; the ill; those who work and create good jobs; those who teach; bless marriages; again all I can say i THANK YOU LORD FOR EVERY BLESSING OF THIS DAY amen amen amen
Agreeing in prayer with you, dear Sah. Amen!