Blessed...

Sorry, I missed last week, we were gone on a vacation to New England. Absolutely, gorgeous country. The above picture is not one I took.

All scriptures are from the ESV and a reminder I use multiple commentaries for the lesson.

For the next several weeks, we will be taking apart Psalm 1. It is important to know that Psalm 1 and 2 are bound together by the word "blessed." Psalm 1 takes apart and contrasts righteous versus wicked. Are we in God's will or choosing to life of sin? As a believer, we cannot have it both ways. Are you ready to dive in?

Psalm 1:1-3

1 Blessed is the man

who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,

nor stands in the way of sinners,

nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

Verse 1: Blessed-simply doing the Lord's will, putting trust in only Him.

Well, sometimes that's a lot easier said than done. To simply be obedient to

His will. But what if you choose your own way, then sadly, you will struggle,

live in sin and never see the fulfillment of His promises. Hard choice, isn't it?!?

I know what you are wanting to know, how is this going to affect my life?

You are going to have to give up somethings-pride, arrogance, cussing, etc.

But you will gain peace, joy, increased faith, and more of Jesus.

But be careful who your friends are...while we are all sinners, and none of us

will be perfect until we see Jesus face to face, this verse is talking about

habitual sinners, those unwilling to make a change. Sin makes us separated

from God. Sinners need forgiveness. It's important to love the sinners, so they

can be drawn to Jesus, but one does not have to love the sin. Hang out with

people to lift you up and guide you closer to Jesus. Pray for the sinner, but

change your friend groups. Sin will lead you down a road that is wide and well

traveled, but also a road to hell, if you allow habitual sin without repentance

plague your life.

We all sin, but it's necessary to ask God daily to cleanse us and forgive us.

Scoffer and mockers: basically, ridiculing God and completely rejecting Him.

Putting oneself above God and His law, thus separating from God.

Oh, my dear friend, time is so short, as Jesus is coming soon. Don't reject

Him any longer or mock the One who gave you life. While He doesn't want us

sin or be separated from Him, going down the path to sin leads us astray. If

we could sit across from each other, I would tell you my story. Alcohol and

numerous other sins plagued my life. Bad choices took me down a road that

left me wondering how I got there. Anger and bitterness had crept in.

But God, swooped down and saved me. Am I perfect? No. But if you knew

me then, and know me now, you would know and see what God has done. He

can do the same for you.

My life was saved because of Him, and you know what-He wants to save you,

too. He loves you so much.

2  but his delight is in the law of the LORD,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

When we meditate on God's law, we find the guidance we need for life. His

way of life for us. We find joy in Him, by being no longer separated from

Jesus. Pray and spend with Him, get to know Him and His heart, not only

for you, but the things around you. Study His Word. He is a God who wants to

know you. He will talk to you-through others, His word, His creation, His still

small voice, just ask Him to reveal Himself to you.

3  He is like a tree

planted by streams of water

that yields its fruit in its season,

and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does, he prospers.

Oh, to be that tree by the water, immovable, rooted in Jesus, so when the

storms of life come, and they do, you can withstand the wind and the rising

water. Withstanding is increasing/strengthening your faith, so you can endure

the trials.

But this verse also shows how being planted by the streams of Living Water,

Jesus, causes us to flourish, and it's in this we become blessed. Blessed by

the fruit we produce, not apples and oranges, but good fruit.

"A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good

fruit." Matthew 7:18. Good fruit is a product of a Godly life. It changes our

character-love, peace, joy, forgiveness (even when we don't want to),

kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Next week we will finish with verses 4-6. May you be blessed, seek Jesus, meditate on His law and Word, pray and produce good fruit.

Until then...

Love in Christ,

Veronica