July 4 Knowing and Trusting Our Great God Jeremiah 9: 23 - 4

Jeremiah 9: 23—24 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

Have you considered that it pleases God that we know Him and understand Him? Sometimes we spend a considerable amount of time trying to please others and to be thought well of by them. But God says if we can think on and receive His love, instead of relying on our own thinking He will be pleased. God says if we will recognize and accept His acts of judgement, justice and mercy, instead of relying on our own strength and attempts at control, then He will be pleased. God says if we will align our ways with His standards of righteousness, instead of relying on our money and possessions to fulfill us, then He will be pleased. Not only will He be pleased but He uses the word delight. I don't know about you but it doesn't seem like God is asking for all the complicated things I think I have to do to please Him. Maybe it's like all those art works that our sons Paul and Stephen brought home from Kindergarten and we put them proudly on the refrigerator. No, they weren't Monet's or VanGogh"s but they were made with love by their own hands and we were thrilled (yes, delighted!) to have them. Hmm, I'm going to go think about that for a while. If He speaks to your heart about this let me know. Be blessed. Leslie

July 2 Knowing and Trusting Our Great God Jeremiah 9: 23 - 4

Jeremiah 9: 23—24 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

I will glory…
Not because I am so smart
Not because I am so strong
Not because I own great riches
But because you’re in my heart Lord
And because I know your name
Yes, because I know you love me,
And, because I know your mercy
Yes, because I know your holiness is displayed in all the earth
I will glory…
And because you know I love you Lord
In this I will glory.

Be blessed, Leslie

Craving For Your Favorite Food

Psalm 63: 1—3 1 "A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; 2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. 3. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee."

When I read this scripture I think about Skittles. Right. Have I lost my mind you ask and what does Skittles have to do with Psalm 63:1? I'm sure that you have a favorite 'thing' that sometimes you just can't get enough of. Well, Skittles. Years ago I just couldn't get enough of them. I'd crave them and eat bags of them until I got tired and couldn't eat anymore. It was simply one of my favorite things.

When David was in the wilderness of Judah he was experiencing a craving. He had a relationship with God that was so sweet to him that he had a habit of looking for him and talking with him first thing. It appears that he craved God as soon as he woke up in the morning. It was his first thought. His mind, will and emotions were craving to be in the presence of God, "to see thy power and thy glory..." but David was in a place where he couldn't make it to the sanctuary. He was in the wilderness.

I'm sure there's been wilderness times in your life where it seemed that nothing was going right....couldn't pay your bills, children wouldn't act right, health was failing, friends couldn't be depended on, and problems on the job and to top it off, you couldn't get to CHURCH! Couldn't get a word from the pastor or feel the presence of God such as is known in the sanctuary. It is then that through our relationship with him we should be able to draw from the spirit of God and know that we are never without his presence. How amazing to be in his presence and can't get enough of him. That was David's experience.

Today, when you think of your favorite 'things' and remember how it makes you feel, try adding God to your favorite things list and experience what David did.

For the scriptures says, "Psalm 19:9-11 (King James Version)
10More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

God loves you, Evangelist Dorothy

BE BLESSED

June 23 Verse 1: Knowing and Trusting Our Great God

Psalm 63: 1—3 1 "A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; 2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. 3. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee."

A while back we meditated on 1 Peter 2: 1- 2 thinking about the sincere milk of the Word and how babies need milk and cry out for it until they get it. David clearly understands that. Longing for God like a thirsty man in a desert. It's what he needs to survive, to live. "Just to behold His face, just to behold His face, all I want when I get to heaven, is just to behold His face..." And what about right now? Do you long for God? Is His nearness to you so important that you will let nothing get between you and Him.

Father in heaven, bless us with your presence, draw us so close that all else in this world pales and fades away when you are near. Thank you for being our God. We owe you our worship and praise. In Jesus name. Amen

New Theme: Knowing and Trusting Our Great God

Knowing and Trusting Our Great God

June 22 - July 19

1. June 22—28 Longing for God Psalm 63: 1—3
2. June 29—July 5 Boasting about Knowing God Jeremiah 9: 23—24
3. July 6—12 Trusting in the Lord Proverbs 3: 5—6
4. July 13—19 The God Who Keep Us Jude 24—25

Meditating on the Word of God Hebrews 4:12

Hebrews 4:12b For the Word of God is …piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

I would like to call your attention to the last portions of the verse. The Word of God is spoken of as piercing and a discerner. Have you ever cut up a whole chicken in parts? I used to hate doing that. But you know how when you are separating the breast halves, or the thigh from the leg there is that one spot where you can insert the tip of the knife and cut, separate. The knife must be sharp and the placement must be accurate to get a clean cut that does not mangle up the meat. So it is with the Word of God. Deep in our hearts where only God can see, beyond the outward appearance, beneath the spoken words and physical gestures, behind the eyes.

• You may display church membership and participation but God knows whether you are saved and His Word will pierce you with conviction until you yield or die and go to Hell
• You may speak in tongues of angels, prophecy, have great faith, do great kind deeds but God knows your motive and His Word will expose the thoughts and intents of your heart
• You may pray, "God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But God knows your heart and His Word will expose whether your righteousness is real.
• You may be confused and think you do not know what to do but God has the answer and His Word will direct your path.

Do you need a change in your life? Perhaps you need to be saved or to be filled with God’s Spirit. Get into God’s Word and let God’s Word get into you.
Do you need an answer to a difficult problem? Are you struggling with someone, something, or are you just your own worst enemy? Get into God’s Word and let God’s Word get into you. I guarantee that His Word is able to handle your every need. Bless you, Leslie

June 15 - 21 Meditating on the Word of God

Hebrews 4:12 "For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

This is our sixth week and sixth verse. This is the last week for the theme “Meditating on the Word of God”. I hope you are finding time with God’s Word refreshing and strengthening. Look for posts throughout the week and please share your insights and thoughts. Final thoughts and the next verse will be posted on or before next Saturday. May God richly bless your time with Him this week. As always, thanks for listening, Leslie