THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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My Uncle Charlie Cobb used to own a dairy farm. He also had a great sense of humor.
Sometimes I would "spend the night" (or even 2 or 3 nights) at his house. Uncle Charlie would always wake me early to go and help him milk the cows.
The dairy had those automatic milking machines. One day I asked him, "Uncle Charlie, tell me how long cows should be milked."
He said (with a sly grin), "Same a short ones!"
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Ps 16:1-3
1 Mich'-tam of David. Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.
2 O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;
3 But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.
KJV
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It was an "old" humorous line to Uncle Charlie, but I, in my youth, could take a lesson from it. ALL the cows required the SAME care.
First thing we notice about this psalm is that David says he puts his "trust" in the Lord. He is committed to believing and living with the knowledge that God is in control.
With David, as it must be with all true believers, it is a personal decision. Verse two says that David has made a personal commitment to God as LORD of his life. There is no benefit from knowing and believing that God is unless we are committed to His Lordship of our lives.
Secondly, we notice David saying, "...my goodness extendeth not to Thee..."
Nothing we do will enhance God. Whatever good we may do is attributable to God's power in us and not of ourselves. God is self-existent and perfectly fulfilled, and we can not add anything to God's existing perfection. He will be pleased with us interacting with Him and doing things in alignment with His will. But whatever we do that is right is because of our indebtedness to God as LORD.
Thirdly, we notice that our goodness doesn't profit God, but it IS extended "...to the saints that are in the earth...." It isn't right for saved people to only take pleasure in being WITH the saints of God without extending goodness TO the saints of God. Attendance is incomplete without service!
It is right that we should enjoy the company and fellowship of the saints who are "...excellent..." And it is also correct that EVERY child of God is responsible for ministry to others.
If we are committed to believing and living with the knowledge that God is in control, and He is the LORD of our lives, we will be ministering to other saints of God.
Love ya,
Bruce
mcge3582@bellsouth.net
http://www.linktojesus.org
If God is IN us, He will show THROUGH us.