Scripture
The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.
~Psalm 145:9, NLT
Quote
No matter how difficult the day may be, there is always something for which we can praise the LORD.
~W. W. Wiersbe
Psalm 145 is a Psalm of praise. Although the Psalms are filled with praise to God, this Psalm is purely praise and the only one designated as a Psalm of praise. This Psalm is what our life should be, praise from start to finish, continual, perpetual praise. I committed verse 17 to memory my first year in the ministry, “The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.” There are two things to look for in this Psalm, the adjectives describing God. This Psalm is filled with the glorious attributes of God. His power, greatness, glorious majesty, splendor, goodness, compassion, kindness, mercy, righteousness, and His glory. Also, you should look for the word “All” which is found several times. Note especially verse 9, The LORD is good to all, And His mercies are over all His works.
As Jesus said, “God causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” In theology, we call this ‘Common Grace’: it is God’s universal goodness to all mankind. It is to be distinguished from ‘Particular Grace’ or saving grace which we experience in Christ. Every creature that God created reaps the benefits of His goodness but due to man’s fall and his sinful ways, the only way that we can relate to God is through the grace offered by Christ. Physical and material blessings come with Adam’s birth but all spiritual blessings come through our second birth.
Right out of seminary, I encounters some folks who were convinced that they were going to heaven and that God answered their prayers based on His common grace. They would tell me how good God was too them and tell me about specific prayers He had answered but they had no use for Jesus or the church. I told them that God was good to everyone and as for their answers to prayer, I asked them this question: how do you know someone else didn’t ask for the same thing? I told them, “God may not be answering you personally.” I’m going to tell you what I told them: If Jesus is not in your theology, you are in trouble. God is holy and we are not: we need a sacrifice for our sins and Jesus was that sacrifice. John Newton said, “I know two things: I am a great sinner and Jesus is a great Savior”
Day one of burning the candle at both ends is over so one down and two to go. Great turnout for the CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST. We had a record crowd. We ran out of gravy, ham and fried pies. LORD willing, this will not happen next year. We had over 40 counting the staff and they ate 144 eggs, 120 biscuits, a 24 pound ham, and 30 apple pies. We should have had 60 apple pies.
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE BAILEY’S
This pic may have been taken in 2013
