Message/Devotion
December 15, 2019
Psalm 146:5-10
God’s Blessings
The reading
Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD their God.
6 He is the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
he remains faithful forever.
7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets prisoners free,
8 the LORD gives sight to the blind,
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down,
the LORD loves the righteous.
9 The LORD watches over the foreigner
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
10 The LORD reigns forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the LORD.
Sermon Prayer: “Heavenly Father, I stand before Your people, to deliver Your message. Though the words are mine and I prepared this message, I pray that this message is Your message in its entirety. I pray your blessing and anointing on its delivery, its reception and most of all its application in our lives.” Amen
In today’s Psalm reading, do you see a Christmas message? I sure do!
“It could be a very, merry Christmas for you and your loved ones this year...Here's why...Tonight at 8 pm ET, this Market Wizard and retired billion-dollar hedge fund manager will show you the secret he used to generate over $274 million in profit over an 8-year period...” (From Bill Bonner’s online Diary 12-11-19)
It distresses me how sales and marketing emphasize Christmas in commerce that has absolutely nothing to do with CHRISTMAS? Has Christmas become a season of BUYING and SELLING – Has Christianity been subverted by MATERIALISM and WEALTH GAIN? Many of the most highly respected Church suppliers and pastor coaching organizations ramp up advertising this time of year. Ask yourself: “Are they motivated by wanting to serve or by wanting to increase sales and subscriptions?”
What would Christmas look like without the mass advertising and hoopla geared at materialism and profit?
What would Christmas look like if the same amount of enthusiasm and sharing were that of preparing for the Kingdom Come? Honestly, I don’t have an answer. I wish I did. Do you?
There is a glaring point to be made about this reading – Material Wealth and MONEY do not last forever, however long it remains with an individual or an estate. The eternal treasure that is everlasting lies in the heavenly kingdom, attained only by SALVATION and only by way of JESUS the CHRIST!
I find nowhere in Scripture any reference to wealth and materialism that is attributed to salvation or eternal life. The entire gospel refers to Jesus Christ and salvation. Once again let’s add the true statement: It is not sinful to be wealthy! It is not sinful to have an abundance of material things. Any associated sins derive from how the wealth was gained and how the wealthy live with that wealth.
Let me say this, financial investments can lead to wealth, but as said, that wealth is not everlasting. Investing in financial ventures can be risky and losses can be devastating.
Investing in the Kingdom of Heaven is eternal and there is no risk of losing that investment.
So, pastor, you began this message talking about Christmas. Is it really a Christmas message? Well, when we talk about salvation and even blessings, we are reminded of the purpose of the coming of the Lord.
Every blessing mentioned by the Psalmist can and should be a reminder to each of us to be the bearer of that blessing in His name and for His glory. God ministers to the poor, to the widow, to the shut in, to the sick, to the oppressed and on and on – THROUGH YOU AND ME.
When we can be that servant of God and be as enthusiastic about being used of God beyond the hype of commercialization, we too are the recipients of GREAT BLESSINGS.
Let us now go forth loving and serving God by loving and serving each other – EVERY each other.
I humbly and sincerely ask for your prayers!
