Trivia:
In answer to yesterdays factoid; President Truman's profession before becoming a politician was; drum roll please; a farmer. Way to go everyone.
Do you know which popular Italian dish translates to "Little Worms" in English? Is it Vermicelli; Fettuccine; Linguine; or Penne. Make your choice.
Challenge:
Psalm 43:1-5 Declare me innocent, O God! Defend me against these ungodly people. Rescue me from these unjust liars. 2 For you are God, my only safe haven. Why have you tossed me aside? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies? 3 Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live. 4 There I will go to the altar of God, to God--the source of all my joy. I will praise you with my harp, O God, my God! 5 Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again--my Savior and my God!"
As we look around us today, have you noticed just how it appears that those who are rebelling against a belief in God, and are fooled by the lies of the enemy seem to be on the increase and seemingly in so many places?
Well I want to pick out two verses that give us clear direction when we face these conditions in our world. Verse 3 starts by asking God for light. Unfortunately as we grow in age light is one of the necessary elements for a clear focus. Then the constance of godly truth is the next vital element is necessary to be drawn into wisdom.
Next we need to draw near toi the presence of God, His mountain, where He lives. In todays world what does that mean? Well it means for us to stop move away from being influenced by the hurry and scurry of our world. Then to take time to look at life from His eternal perspective. Now we may wonder; How is that possible? Entering into His holy mountain?
Have you noticed when you climb up a mountain, how that physical movement has the tendency of silencing the noise of your world that was all around you? But when you move in that way, you can begin to focus on His world. The breezes, the solitude, the grandeur, then this results in a grounding of your mind, heart, and soul, doesn't it? Whether its night time or day that place draws you into the magnificent works of God.
Now verse 4 leads us into the next step that we need to take, to stop and set before His altar. Now you may be asking; How is that possible? May I suggest that the best way to accomplish that place in your life, is to step aside from the hustle, and noise of your life. Then open your Bible, but just before listening to the voice of God, stop to ask Him to speak to you in a clear, powerful, inteligent way.
You may be thinking, just how can I know that the words that I think He has spoken, are from Him? The answer to this question is found in the next part of the verse -- Does this truth bring joy? Does this message bring from your inner being the need for praise? Then you can be assured that these truths are from the voice of our Almighty God. Notice how David responded with a sighed, O God, My God!
He then spoke out in verse 5 as if he is asking himself; How could I have become discouraged? How could I have possibly fallen for the enemies words of sadness? When all the time God is here, ready to bring me hope, and the works worthy of my praising Him, and remembering who I am, His kingdom child.
SO GO WITH GOD walk into His holy presence, set at His feet, listen to His, soft, calm, soothing, caring voice, then if joy and praise flow out of your heart, that certainly has been your Savior's message to you for this time.
Penne