Blessed

Today’s reading is Psalm 1.

Blessed! While many define “blessed” as if it is the same as “happy,” blessed is so much greater. Happy is an emotion based on the fickle nature of what is happening to us and the happenstances of life. Blessed is a favored status, having received a gift or favor from one who has the power to bestow such grace no matter the circumstances. The psalmist tells us about one who is blessed, not merely happy. This one is blessed by God, the one with all power to bestow the greatest blessings. Who is the one so blessed? The one who avoids the counsel of the wicked, steers clear of the way of the sinners, and eschews the seat of the scoffer. This is so important because, let’s face it, the wicked, the sinner, and the scoffer are all promising happiness. We pursue their ways because we think we will gain blessing at the end of them. But that is not so. Blessing comes only at the end of God’s path. Be blessed today, follow God’s way. It always works.

Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 1.

A Word for Our Kids

Hey kids, today we start reading the psalms. What a powerful part of Scripture this is. Of course, we can say that about every part of Scripture. But folks have received a great deal of help, strength, and encouragement from the Psalms. Reading the psalms is going to be different than reading Luke and Acts. It’s more figurative, more literary. It takes some special skills. If this is your first time reading the psalms, prepare to be confused some of the time. But this is one of those times in which I’m going to encourage you to read and reread and reread. As you do, you’ll just start to get to know these psalms and understand them. Then keep reading the Bible and come back to the Psalms again later. You’ll be surprised how much easier they are to understand. But you have to read them for the first time sometime. Might as well be now. And if this isn’t your first time. Be prepared to get more out of them now than you did before. Thanks for joining us for this walk through the Psalms.

PODCAST!!!

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