Date: Thursday, June 12 2014
Today's Chapters: Psalms 22-27
Message Title: Life's Ups And Downs

Whether or not we choose to allow Christ in our lives, we all have to admit that life has it's ups and downs, it's the downs that can make or break us. We are going to face trials, we are going to be tempted and tried, we are going to get ourselves into messes, and we are going to have to work to get out of them. Those who allow Christ in their lives beyond their salvation will find it easier to endure the downs and get back up. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:8,9.

While David had great faith in God, he dealt with a lot of challenges in his life, before and after becoming king. Quite often you will see him complaining to God in discouragement and praising Him, all in the same Psalm, which is like most of us who live for God and get to points in our lives that we do not understand what's going on. While David does complain, he also reminds himself that while his enemies laugh at him for trusting God, one day, they will all face God. “All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts. I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly. Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.” - Psalms 22:7-11,27,29.

Everyone has an appointed time in which they will die, we have no idea when our last breathe on earth will be, but when that day happens we face Jesus Christ. There is not one thing we can do to keep our soul alive, but by Jesus Christ. He gave His life so that by Him and through Him we saved. Those who believe this and receive Him will be saved, those who do not will wish they did when they see Him, because that will be the day that Jesus will not acknowledge them and they will be cast into hell. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” - John 3:16-18.

We must remember, that although David did not see Jesus, after all, it would be his seed in which Jesus would descend, he too had to believe the same things that we do to be saved. Many of the Psalms he wrote, reference Jesus, including 22-25. He too knew that his righteousness did not save his soul, but he still wanted to please God. He pleads with God to teach him how to live according to His Word. “Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD. All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.” - Psalms 25:4-7,10,12.

While our salvation is not based upon our obedience to God's commands, it is our obedience that teaches us how we really should be living as saved, born again, children of God. In fact, the closer you get to God, the more you realize just how merciful He is, and seek to rid your life of all things that bring God displeasure. We must realize that God loves us, He died for us to prove His love for us, and there is absolutely nothing we can do that will cause Him to withdraw our salvation, but that does not mean He is pleased with the life we choose to live. If we truly love God and want to please Him, we must allow Him to teach us to live according to His ways. “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” - Romans 8:6-9.

I was watching a movie last night in which people thought the Word of God to be a fable, a book of stories. Can I tell you that most people see the Bible in the same way, even though these men and women God chose to include in His book are written in history as proof. The truth is, many people discard the Bible as truth because it exposes sin. As if we really need a book to tell us that being a drunk makes you look like a fool and impairs your judgment? Those who choose to allow Christ in their lives seek to please God by living a moral life, they cannot keep their thoughts pure unless they are on Him. Which is why David sought God to examine his heart every day. “Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.” - Psalms 26:1-3,9-11.

We have been hearing a lot about integrity since the Book of Job, it's keeping our minds and bodies pure from all the filth of the world. As someone who has been in the world, I can tell you that no one respects a person who cannot respect their own bodies. People will love you and befriend you only to get what they want from you, and once they get it, they never knew you. That is the world! Time and time again, Christians fall and get severely hurt because they allowed the world to enter their hearts No one that has fallen has to remain in the hole they dug themselves into, there is a way out, God. Look to Him, and He will dig you out. “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” - James 4:8-10.

Today's Prayer: God, I thank You for the times that You have put me in the hole to keep me from making any more bad decisions that could have made things a lot worse. Thank You for Your mercy and grace to help me get out of them as I looked to Your Son. I know that my life is only better because I chose to let Jesus live in my life, it's not always easy, but thankfully You are there to pull me up if I fall. Lord, I don't to fall, examine my heart, prove me, and see there be any wicked way in me. Lead me in the way of righteousness, and let me not get near those who would cause me to fall. Open their hearts to see the truth, and receive Christ as their Savior too. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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