Psalm 116 (giving God thanks)

¹² What shall I render to the LORD
         For all His benefits toward me?
 ¹³ I will take up the cup of salvation,
         And call upon the name of the LORD.
 ¹⁴ I will pay my vows to the LORD
         Now in the presence of all His people. (Psalm 116:12-14)





First and foremost, Thanksgiving must remind us to thank God for His many benefits. Psalm 116 is such a psalm that teaches us from God's Word how we can practically give thanks to God. Throughout this entire psalm, the writer freely uses the word "I." His use of the word "I" makes this psalm a psalm that each one of us as individuals can use to guide us in thanking God for His goodness.



But how can we give back to God for all his goodness toward us when God needs nothing? In (Romans 11: 35), Paul asks this very question, "who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to Him again?" No one can give God anything , for verse 36 goes on to tell us that "from Him and through Him and to Him are all things." Every good gift comes from God.
We cannot give God anything in return for God's abundant goodness to us. However, we can learn, like the psalmist learned, that we can respond to God's blessings in practical ways:


Tell others about God's mercy to you and how Christ saved you. Remember, Jesus promises in (John 12:32) that He will draw your family and friends to Him when He is lifted up in conversation and testimony.

We can also respond to God's blessings by obeying His commands and desires for our lives.  We exercise obedience by doing what God tells us to do. Obeying God is another expression of gratitude for His benefits in our lives.

Real Love is stranger than fiction

Take a second and listen to these words :)

The Invasion

Let us give thanks

When you arise in the morning, do you give thanks for the morning ?  Do you say thank you Lord for allowing me to see an new day?  Do you give thanks for fact that you were able to get out of bed? Do you give thanks for the food that you ate?  Do you give thank for the life that you live? Do you give thanks for the clothing on your back? Do you give thanks for your basic needs being provided for?  If you see no reason for giving thanks, then  the fault lies in yourself! 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. 17 So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? (Luke 17:15-17) Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. (1 Chronicles 16:8) Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.(1 Chronicles 16:34) Cry out, "Save us, O God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, that we may glory in your praise."( 1 Chronicles 16:35) Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. ( 1 Chronicles 29:13) "I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king."( Daniel 2:23) But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD." ( Jonah 2:9) Many us will remember to say grace over their  meals. Many will even list things that they are grateful for during holiday meals. But we must also remember WHO we are thankful to. Let us give thanks to God almighty for without his blessing we would have nothing.

Amazing grace

Its the dad life

We all need to laugh and here is a chance to enjoy a moment of laughter, perhaps you know a dad like this, or perhaps you are this dad. If so I salute you :) May the Lord keep you and continue to guide you

The Light of the world (Christ or Lord and Savior)

"That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." (John 1:9)

 

The Bible clearly teaches that faith in the person and saving work of Jesus Christ is essential for salvation. Jesus Himself said: "I am the way . . . no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

 

This means that there is no salvation whatsoever in Islam or Buddhism, and certainly not in evolutionary humanism--or anything other than faith in Christ!

 

But what about the millions over the ages who have lived and died without ever hearing about Christ? Paul answers: "But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world" (Romans 10:18). That is, they have heard! Our text reminds us that Jesus Christ is the true Light that has been sent to every man in the world. Paul was referring to the familiar 19th Psalm, which reminds us that God's glory is declared by the heavens themselves.

 

Paul also stressed that even God's "eternal power and Godhead" are "clearly seen" "from the creation of the world," so that those who don't see are "without excuse" (Romans 1:20). Thus, as Peter said "in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him" (Acts 10:35). Although Christ has provided at least some light for "every man," the tragedy is that "men loved darkness rather than light" (John 3:19). But for those like Cornelius (to whom Peter was sent with the gospel(Acts 10) who act on whatever light they have (in nature or conscience or any possible remnants of primeval truth in their native religi on), God will send more light, for "he that doeth truth cometh to the light" (John 3:21). 

I'm Wrong (Order to be made righteous)

   I Am Wrong

"What are you wrong about, preacher?"

I don't know. If I knew I would change.

"Then how do you know you're wrong?"

Unless I'm perfect and know everything -- I must be wrong about
some things. I just don't know what.

"But I thought preachers knew everything."

Some of them may think they do. But even the Apostle Paul, who
wrote most of the New Testament, said he only knew in part.

 
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we
shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know
fully, even as I am fully known.(1 CORINTHIANS 13:12)
There are two ways to face life: thinking you know everything
and are doing everything right, or realizing you are not yet
perfect. The first way is pride, the second is humility.

If you think you know everything, you cut yourself off from
learning. If you think everything you do is right, you almost
eliminate any chance of improvement.

Do you really desire to never know more than you do now? Would
it please you to never make any progress from where you are
now?

Then, to protect you from the enemy of pride, start each day
saying, "I am wrong. Lord, show me where to change."

Pride stunts your growth as a person. Pride retards progress.
Pride robs you — and can kill. Pride causes strife and destroys
relationships. Pride isolates. Pride closes doors of
opportunity.

Humility is the only antidote for pride and all its horrible
consequences.

The first step to being perfect is to realize you have a problem. 

That you are faltered in this flesh and only through our savior
are you made righteous.

ITs time Rise up O men of God

Rise up, O men of God! "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness" (Isaiah 41:10).  Its time we take up our place as men of God, its time we stop being the tail be the head. For if Christ said for us to love our wives as Christ loved the church. Christ was not timid he stood bravely did the works that the Father gave him and when asked he died for the church.  Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. (Acts 6:3)
How many people  would choose you as one of the seven?  Would you honestly even choose yourself?
But thou, O man of God, flee from these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (1 Timothy 6:11)


Many of you know the stories of David right?  "Saul hath slain his thousands and David his ten thousands."David was no wimp, he was a true soldier for the Lord, Joshua was a man who said as for me and my house we shall serve the Lord.  What is the motto for your house?  Neither man was a pacifist, they were bold men of God. Both desired to be found pleasing before the Lord God.  Being a man of God does not mean that we have to come home and tell the wife that your the man, cause guess what she  already knows that. But it is time we started living up to that role of men of God. Its time you become the Head and not the tail, with love and not like a brute of the field.  I see a principle that is both extremely relevant and extremely neglected in Christianity today; that of our obligation to serve and assist our fellow believers. We are not to rest until our brothers and sisters in Christ have found a rest and peace of their own. As God declares in Isaiah 62, “You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.” So are we to do today, to devote ourselves to working every meaning of the word to establish our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Are there any “men of valor” among us? If so, let them rise up and go before their brothers and sisters, laying down their lives “until the Lord gives rest” to them. This faith of ours is not one that sits idly by and watches as the earth spins, declaring that God shall do what must be done. Far from it! Ours is a faith that calls men to rise from their comfort and go, in complete dependence upon God, into the darkest and most wretched parts of the world, bringing with them the full glory of the Gospel. Come, oh men of God. Give yourselves no rest until the Lord should establish His kingdom in full! Cast off the hours of television after getting home from work. Throw away the video games and fishing poles and sports and hobbies that keep you from the work of the Lord. Do not seek to surround yourself with comfort and settle in the place which the Lord has given you until He has also established comfort and peace for those who also bear His name.

Then how sweet shall the rest be as we come before that final throne to hear God himself rise and declare “Well done, my true and faithful servant! You have fought the good fight and won the race.” The Lord shall reward those who have daily sought to for fill the Lord's will in their life, as Paul writes, “God will give to each person according to what he has done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, he will give eternal life.” (Romans 2:6-7)

Oh Men of God, Arise!

Oh men of God arise, awake from slumber's night, shake off sin's drowsiness and rouse yourself to fight. Run from vain this distraction, keep your vision clear; cast out all fleshly stowaways, refuse to harbor fear.
Lift up the cup of holiness, drink long and take your fill, oh men of God arise to carry out to carry out God's will. Oh men of God arise, take up your sword and shield. Your foe has no defense against the power they wield. Christ has gained the victory the outcome is assured, Satan is defeated by the power of God's word.
Lift up the cup of holiness, drink long and take your fill, oh men of God arise to carry out to carry out God's will. Oh men of God arise and face the eastern skies, for Christ will soon descend with lightning in his eyes. Then our ancient foe long vanquished will meet his rightful end, and sin's dark night of terror will never fall again.
Lift up the cup of holiness, drink long and take your fill. Oh men of God arise to carry out, to carry out God's will. Oh men of God arise to carry out, to carry out God's will.

Words and music by Jon Mohr, Steve Green and David Hamilton
Copyright 1996 Sony/ATV Songs LLC, Randy Cox Music, Birdwing Music and Steve Green Music. All rights on behalf of Sony/ATV Songs LLC and Randy Cox Music Admin by Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Birdwing Music and Steve Green Music admin. by EMI-CMP. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

rbor fear.

God Has blessed America