"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation." Psalm 68:19

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not his benefits." Psalm 103:2

"What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?" Psalm 116:12

  The word "benefits" occurs only three times in the Bible. The Hebrew words used point to God's dealings with His children and His acts of grace He pours upon them.

Every day the children of God experience demonstrations of the glorious benefits of their Heaveny Father. A few of these are:

"Who forgiveth all thine iniquities." Psalm 103:3

"Who redeem etch thy life from destruction (hell); who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies." Psalm 103:4

"Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's." Psalm 103:5

"Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men." Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31

"Whosoever is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD." Psalm 107:43

"I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved."
"thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy: at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore."
Psalm 16:8, 11

As we walk about in this unsettled, hostile and sometimes confusing world, it brings great comfort to know there is One who we can look to and have confidence in to be working out everything after the counsel of "His own good pleasure" and "perfect will." God has a program that will eventually bring all things into His purposeful end. There are three verses in the New Testament that have the words "good pleasure" in them. Look them up and see what God's "good pleasure" is and be blessed. Ephesians 1:5, 9; Philippians 2:13.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28.

So "Set the LORD always" before you, watch the "path" He sets before you and enjoy what He has for you now and for eternity, no matter what might seem unsettling, hostile or confusing

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:11 

"The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.” Psalm 37:31

In every area that our Lord was tempted by Satan, He responded with Scripture. As we are enticed to sin, the only weapon we have is the Word of God. By hiding God's Word in our hearts, the Holy Spirit can bring the appropriate verses to our minds at the time of temptation and we can rely on His power to get the victory. May these thoughts encourage each of us to faithfully memorize God's Word.

This Sunday we will be having Brian and Erin Bollon, missionaries to Taiwan, with us for the day. We would love to have you come out and worship with us.

"Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thy heart." psalm 37:4

The word "delight" is used 51 times in the Bible, 50 times in the OT (15 times in the book of Psalms); only 1 time in the NT. The Hebrew word in this text is anag which means to be happy in, to take exquisite delight in. If the believer's joy and rejoicing is in the LORD then he will rejoice and be glad in all that God has for him. It is vital that we keep our minds on God rather then on any circumstances that we might be uncomfortable in.  

  Learning to trust in Him that "worketh all things after the counsel of His own will" (Ephesians 1:11) will cause us to "delight" in the LORD. Solomon exhorts us in Proverbs 3:5-6 to "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thy own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths." Paul states his joy in Romans 7:22 "for I delight in the law of God after the inward man." In Romans 8:28 Paul reminds the believers of this wonderful truth: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

"The father to the children SHALL make known thy truth." Isaiah 38:19

What a wonderful privilege fathers have to teach their children the TRUTH of who God is and of all His wondrous works. In a world where it seems that foundations are crumbling under the feet of society, there is One who knows the end from the beginning. Fathers who "make known the ways" of God are giving their children a foundation for life that is firm and secure.

"Train up a child in the way he should go." Proverbs 22:6

Have a wonderful Father's Day!

Welcome to my blog!

Each week I will post a thought from the Word of God to encourage you. From time to time I will post the text that will be preached from on the upcoming Sunday. I trust that this page will be a blessing to you. Look for the first thought from the Word tomorrow.