Psalm 14 is a psalm that describes the problems that arise when people don’t believe in God. The psalmist shows the evil, and what God thinks of them.

He starts off by saying that a fool believes that there is no God. The fool believes that there is no God. Having stated this, the Psalmist then describes how the fools have done great evil, much corruption, and many abominable works.

Now, lets look at our culture. We live in a culture that denies the existence of God. The people are corrupt, they have done so much evil. By denying the existence of God, they have removed the consequences for their evil. By denying the existence of God, they have no greater authority than themselves. By denying the existence of God, they have removed any inhibitions to do what THEY want. Denying the existence of God is dangerous and harmful to everybody concerned.

The Psalmist continues, describing how God looked down at the world, to see if anyone seeked God, or if anyone understood. He saw none. Everyone had turned aside.

Does that not sound like our culture today? Sometimes, it seems like we are alone in our striving to be Christian; striving to obey God’s laws.

Now, if the Psalm ended here, it would be bleak. BUT, it does not end.

In the next verse, the wicked are asked if they have no knowledge; if they don’t understand what they are doing in attacking the godly. It says that the wicked will be in fear because God is in the presence of the godly.

God is in the presence of the godly. Is that not reassuring? God is with the godly.

In conclusion, the Psalmist describes how salvation for Israel is coming, and how God will restore the fortunes of His people.

Salvation has come for Israel, and for the rest of the world. It came with the death and resurrection of Jesus. If you have not already accepted Jesus are your savior, and would like to do so, here is how you do it. . If you have any questions or anything like that, post a comment, or send an email.

Is it bad for Christians to hang out with Non-Christians?

There is a metaphor that says, “A rotten apple spoils the whole bunch.” I’ve always had a problem with this metaphor though. Yes, it is applicable in some areas, but it is NOT a fact.

If you take a flashlight, and shine it in a well-lit room, it has very little if any affect on the room. If you turn all of the lights in that same room out, and it is completely dark, and then turn on the exact same flashlight, does the light make a difference? It’s the same flashlight, in the same room. So why is the flashlight that seemed worthless in the light, suddenly strong? The light overcomes the dark. Anyone knows that light is stronger than darkness. If Christians are around like-minded Christians, the light they give off is often hard to see. If Christians are around non-Christians however, the light of God within them can be seen easily.

Matthew 5:16 says that we are to let our light shine before men. It doesn’t say SOME men. It says men. I for one take this to mean ALL men. It’s easy to be good around Christian friends…but it isn’t quite as easy around our non-Christian friends. If we can not shine before ALL men, then do we truly shine before Christians? Matthew 6:24 says that no man can serve two masters. When we make the decision to follow Christ, it’s an all-or-nothing decision. A lot of Christians like to sit on the fence when it comes to letting their light shine, but the only thing that will get us is splinters.

Sometimes we have a hard time letting our light shine around our non-Christian friends. Is it wrong that we are friends with Non-Christians? Absolutely not. Is it wrong for us to hide our light when around our non-Christian friends? ABSOLUTELY. If we are incapable of letting our light be seen around our friends, can we be trusted by God to let it show before the whole world?

Are you the kind of Christian that tries to hide their light [Luke 8:16]? Or are you a city on a hill [Matthew 5:14]? Can God trust you to shine when you are with your friends, AND with your enemies? Or are you the kind of Christian that only shines when it is ‘convenient’?

Psalm 13 is Psalm asking where God is during a time of trouble.

The Psalmist accuses God of forgetting him. He asks how long God is going to hide from him. He asks God how long he is going to be sad, and how long his enemies will be raised above him.

Can you imagine asking God where is He is, and why He doesn’t seem to be doing anything? The Psalmist crying out for God to do something.

Having made that bold statement, the Psalmist details what he would like God to do. He prays that God will protect him.

He then says how he trusts in God, and how will sing unto the Lord.

No matter how bad things are for him. Even though he just finished accusing God of forgetting him, he still praises and trusts God.

Sometimes, it seems like God has forgotten us. Sometimes, it seeems like God is hidng from us. Sometimes, it seems like we are surrounded on all sides, and no matter what happens, we will lose. In times like that, we need to place our trust in God, and sing to the Lord. He has given us so much, and He deserves our praise.

Psalm 12 is a cry out to God.

The Psalmist details how the godly man cease, and the faithful men fail. He describes how the wicked speak vanity, and have a double heart.

The Psalmist continues by describing how God will punish those who lie and cause problems when they are speaking. He goes on to say that the Lord will rescue those who are caught by the evil people, and how the words of the Lord are pure. The Psalm ends by describing how evil is all around, and how vileness is exalted.

The Psalmist spoke a lot about words. How the wicked speak vanity, which means lie. How the wicked have a double heart and flattering lips. What about us? Are we honest? Do we have double hearts and flattering lips? Look at the beginning again. It says the godly men have ceased and the faithful have failed. When that happens evil comes. Shouldn’t we then not cease, but be a witness for God?

Psalm 11 is about trusting God, even when we are surrounded by the wicked.

The Psalmist starts off by saying that he puts his trust in God. He then asks how one can ask him to flee to a mountain? This is a powerful question. If we trust in God, how can we flee when things get rough?

He then describe how the wicked are ready to kill him. He then makes an interesting comment. “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?”. What the Psalmist is saying, is that if the foundations of the law are destroyed, what can the righteous do?

To answer this question, the Psalmist changes topics, and describes how God is in his temple. He describes how God is trying the righteous, and punishing the wicked.

The answer to the Psalmists question is to Trust God. God will punish the wicked, and will protect the righteous.

What about us? Do we have that kind of faith to just trust God, and to face the trials in our lives?

Psalm 10 is cry out to God to judge the wicked.

The Psalmist starts off by crying out to God, asking Him why He is hiding, and why He isn’t doing anything in times of trouble. He goes on to describe the wicked.

The wicked blesses those who God hates. The wicked’s ways are always grievous. He cannot see judgment for what he is doing, and says that he will never be in adversity. His mouth is full of deceit, fraud, cursing, vanity, and mischief. He hides and ambushes the poor. The wicked say that God has forgotten what they have done.

Look at the ways of the wicked. Can you say that you do nothing that the wicked do? If you cannot, should you not stop, and repent?

The Psalmist continues by crying out again that God will judge the evil, and that the Lord will show the wicked people that God is real, and that God is there.

The Psalmist makes an interesting point about how the wicked think that God has forgotten or does not see what they do. In the end though, they suffer the consequences for their evil. Even though it seems like they are getting away with wickedness, God will judge them someday.

Last week I started a new Devotional Study, in which I’ll be reading through all the great stories in the Bible. I’ve noticed that when I study passages for the second or third time, I sometimes catch something important that I missed in previous readings. (Plus I love learning all the important lessons these stories have to teach us)

Yesterday I read through the Book of Esther. I have always found this story particularly inspirational. Esther isn’t a very long book (Just 6 pages in my Bible), so please take the time to read through it: Esther 1-10

Now that it’s fresh in our minds, I’d like to pose a few questions:

• What are the chances that King Xerxes would pick Esther out of all the other young women in the land? (Just imagine the number of girls who wanted to be Queen…)
• What are the chances that this would happen before Haman made the decree to kill the Jews?
• What are the chances that Esther’s and Mordecai’s ancestors would be brought to this land by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, all those years before? (2:6)

The only explanation is that it was part of God’s divine plan – He placed her there for a specific purpose so that she could save the Jews from death. Isn’t our God an awesome God?

Like Esther, God has a plan for each of our lives. Sometimes it won’t involve something as big as saving an entire kingdom, but big or little, we all play a part in His special plan. We should remember this as we make choices throughout our life, and remember to pray for guidance and ask Him what we should do.