Monday, December 21, 2009

The Purpose of Christmas

Luke 2:8-14 and Luke 2:25-32

Have you lost the wonder of the meaning of Christmas?  Have you let what God did for you through sending His Son to earth grow stale? No?  Really?  When was the last time the thought of the baby in the manger brought you to tears? When was the last time you stopped to ask if there was "no room in the inn" of your own heart? When was the last time you were overcome with worship as Simeon who when realizing who the babe was, had lived all of life he could ever want.  Let your celebration of Christmas this year be filled and overflowing with the same awe and wonder these people felt.  Experience the joy Christ offers in the young voices of your children's choir at church.  Pause and consider not only the cradle, but also the cross and the CROWN! 

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

Friday, December 18, 2009

The Word verses many words

I have often wondered about all this BLOG business, and now, as I sit in front of a blank screen, I am confronted by the realization that this is truly more difficult than I thought it would be.  First, I journal all the time, so thought this would be a breeze for me, but I am not used to writing my thoughts down for anyone else to read but me, or for anyone's hearing but Gods.  Second, I am struck dumb for heartfelt desire not just to have a meaningless blog that does nothing to edify or uplift the Kingdom or those reading it.  Maybe that is exactly what today is about...

Matthew 12:36 - "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment."

Luke 24:11 - "And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them."

Lord Jesus,

I pray that today, as we begin a new adventure in the life of Psalms 51 Ministry, that all that is said on this sight be purposeful, be pure, be power for living, and most of all be packed with Your Truth and Your Word.  Let us never tell such tales that men can not believe anything else we tell them.  Let us never add to or take away from Your Holy Word.  Keep us humbled before the responsiblity we have as well as the honored before You for the ability to speak as a mouthpiece for the love that You have first shown us.  Thank you Father for the love you show, and your eternal faithfulness even to your flawed followers.  I pray that people will be compelled to seek a deeper relationship with You by the stories that are posted to this sight.

In the name of the Word Himself, Jesus Christ,
Amen

The Basics

Psalm 51


1 Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. 4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight—That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.

6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. 9 Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.

14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.

18 Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem. Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, With burnt offering and whole burnt offering; Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.