September 6, 2006 - Psalms 148-150 and I Corinthians 15:29-58
I hope you have been blessed as you read through the book of Psalms this year. I know that it has called all of us to a closer walk with the Lord and a more sincere worship of the Lord. Are you coming to know God personally in the ways that David and the other psalmists knew Him so many years ago? Is He your shield and your strength or are those just words on a page? Do you hope in the Lord, or is your hope still in money and earthly things? I pray that God has become more personal to you during this time.
Psalm 148 says it so well. "For His name alone is exalted." (v.13) God is in a different class. His name and His person are so high above any human that He alone should be exalted with praise and honor. We are not really worthy, because all we do, we do by His grace and strength. Then, Psalm 149 exhorts us to sing to the Lord a new song. Is your song fresh? Is there always something new to praise Him for or to thank Him for? Of course, He is always revealing Himself and sending His blessings. Therefore, let's sing a new song to Him. Let us proclaim with Psalm 150:6, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." He is worthy. Let's let everyone know how wonderful He is.
I Corinthians 15 finishes the discussion of resurrection from the dead. Paul tells the believers in Corinth that even the pagans baptize people for the dead. (v.29) Why would they do that, unless there was the expectation of a life after death? We, as Christians, know there is life after death, and Jesus has shown us the spiritual body we will have when He rose. He could walk through walls and still eat food. That is different from now, but the people could still recognize Him. Therefore, I believe the Bible is telling us that our eternal spiritual bodies will be like our present bodies, only made by God to last for eternity and to live in eternity serving Him and reigning with Christ. That is a fantastic thing to look forward to. As this body wears out, we can be encouraged by this fact. I pray that you have the victory over sin that comes through knowing Jesus. (v.57) I pray that the sure hope of heaven will keep you steadfast and immovable in the Lord.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 1-2 and I Corinthians 16.
Psalm 148 says it so well. "For His name alone is exalted." (v.13) God is in a different class. His name and His person are so high above any human that He alone should be exalted with praise and honor. We are not really worthy, because all we do, we do by His grace and strength. Then, Psalm 149 exhorts us to sing to the Lord a new song. Is your song fresh? Is there always something new to praise Him for or to thank Him for? Of course, He is always revealing Himself and sending His blessings. Therefore, let's sing a new song to Him. Let us proclaim with Psalm 150:6, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." He is worthy. Let's let everyone know how wonderful He is.
I Corinthians 15 finishes the discussion of resurrection from the dead. Paul tells the believers in Corinth that even the pagans baptize people for the dead. (v.29) Why would they do that, unless there was the expectation of a life after death? We, as Christians, know there is life after death, and Jesus has shown us the spiritual body we will have when He rose. He could walk through walls and still eat food. That is different from now, but the people could still recognize Him. Therefore, I believe the Bible is telling us that our eternal spiritual bodies will be like our present bodies, only made by God to last for eternity and to live in eternity serving Him and reigning with Christ. That is a fantastic thing to look forward to. As this body wears out, we can be encouraged by this fact. I pray that you have the victory over sin that comes through knowing Jesus. (v.57) I pray that the sure hope of heaven will keep you steadfast and immovable in the Lord.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 1-2 and I Corinthians 16.