Thought for December 9

 History:

  • 1621: Deacon Robert Cushman preaches the first documented sermon in America--also first published sermon in America
  • 1854: Tennyson's "Charge of the Light Brigade" published
  • 1905: Strauss' "Salome" premiers
  • 1907: First Christmas Seals sold
  • 1926: USGA legalizes steel shafts for golf clubs
  • 1941: Hitler orders US ships torpedoed
  • 1946: Communist burn a group of Christians at a seminary in Xiwanzi China
  • 1965: "A Charlie Brown Christmas" premiers
  • 1990: Lech Wallesea wins Polish Presidential election
  • Born: John Milton, Joel Chandler Harris ["Uncle Remus"], Clarence Birdseye [flash freezing vegetables], Emmett Kelly [clown], Margaret Hamilton [wicked witch of the West], Grace Hopper [Navy Admiral; invented first compiler for universal computer programming language; coined the word "debugging"], Broderick Crawford [Highway Patrol], Tip O'Neill, Kirk Douglas, Redd Foxx, Judi Dench, Dick Butkus
  • Died: William Harvey Carney [1st black Medal of Honor winner], Ralph Bunche [1st p[erson of color to win Nobel], Fulton Sheen [religious broadcaster], Leon Jaworski [Watergate prosecutor], Mary Leakey [discovered earliest human footprints], Archie Moore
Thought:
Yesterday we were looking at Psalm 100, today I have turned the page to Psalm 103. Yesterday we were committing ourselves to thanksgiving, praise, service and blessings because of His faithfulness, love, and goodness. Now look at what David says today:

We bless the Lord with everything that is in us because of His benefits. Most of us have been employed and we have checked out our employee benefits--salary, bonus, sick leave, vacation, holidays, insurance, retirement benefits--maybe a car, plane, or other perks. When I was with DeBartolo and the 49ers, a great perk was that someone picked up my car almost everyday, washed it and filled it with gas. For 5 years, I never had to wash my car or fill it with gas--it was just sitting in my spot ready every day. Look with me at the benefits David lists in this psalm:
  • Jesus pardons our sins. He purchased a pardon for us with His blood.
  • Jesus heals our diseases. Yes, doctors, nurses, scientist, pharmacists, therapists may all serve a purpose--but God alone heals. 
  • Jesus redeems our lives. We were owned by sin and this world, in slavery, and He redeemed us. 
  • Jesus gives us a crown of love and compassion. Think about the child who is hurt and crying. The parent takes them in their lap, and places their hands on the little head. Crowning with love and compassion. 
  • He makes His ways known to us. What a blessing. God chose to reveal Himself to us. Without His revelation, how could we have a relationship. He gave us His Son as an example and His word as a guide. Now we have the Holy Spirit to remind us of everything God has said in and through Jesus.
  • He is compassionate and gracious. Grace is getting what we do not deserve. 
  • He is slow to anger. Aren't you glad? He is the God of the second and third and hundredth chance. 
  • He is merciful. Mercy is not getting what you do deserve. Verse 10 says He does not deal with us according to our sins. He forgives. 
  • He has removed our sins from us as far as east is from west. And when He forgives, He remembers it no more. How does an omniscient God forget my confessed and forgiven sins? I do not know, but I know He does. 
WOW! Sometimes I have troubled sharing the gospel or asking someone about their relationship with God. Then I look at these benefits and think--who would not want these benefits--my job is simply to inform them about a better Master with greater benefits. 

Blessings
Larry

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