Thursday, January 31, 2008

Psalms

A friend of mine, Sandy whom I have known 43 years at least, sent me this prayer comprised of several verses from the Book of Psalms. I hope it blesses you as it did me. Sandy was such a big influence on my life in the 1960's. She is a few years older than I am. I think I learned to read because she read Dr Suess to me and I liked her Archie comic books. She also led me into high fashion - she had them, I have to have them - white gogo boots w/ zippers up the back, they were hideous. I thought I looked great at 5 in my stirrup pants, white gogo boots and long, blonde fall. Not only did she lead me into high fashion, she passed me her love for frosted lipstick and O J's Beauty Lotion as well as a love for the Lord.


'I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart" Ps. 9:1

"I love you, O Lord, my strength." Ps. 18:1

"Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths" Ps. 25:4

"How priceless is Your unfailing love!" Ps. 36:7

"May Your love and truth always protect me." Ps. 40:11

"Send forth Your light and Your truth, let them guide me" Ps. 43:3

"Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin." Ps. 51:2

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Ps. 51:10

"Be exalted, O God...let Your glory be over all the earth." Ps. 57:5

"Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You." Ps. 63:3

"My mouth is filled with Your praise, declaring Your splendor all day long." Ps. 71:8

"Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy." Ps. 86:6

"Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your Word." Ps. 119:18

"Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil" Ps. 141:4

"Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift my soul. Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground." Ps. 143:8-10

The Narrow Gate

The Bible tells us in Matthew 7:13 the gate to heaven is narrow:

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

Matt. 7:13 probably falls into the category of verses we would delete from the Bible if possible, right up there with some verses from Romans and James.

Why as Christians are we sometimes afraid to voice this out loud. I know we don't want to seem judgmental or condemning, but our Lord was always to the point. He delivered his message with love and boldness. I do not think there is a politically correct way to tell people they are a brood of vipers. He simply told them they were a brood of vipers. It is our responsibility to share Jesus...not convert people to Christianity...that is our Lord's responsibility.

Jesus charged the religious people to not merely go through the motions or be legalistic, which leads me to wonder about the numerous feel good sermons we hear in America. We should examine our lives and see if we are walking through the wide gate or the narrow gate...how are we living...for the world or the Lord.