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1 How well God must like you - you don't hang out at Sin Saloon, you don't slink along Dead-End Road, you don't go to Smart-Mouth College. 2 Instead you thrill to God's Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. 3 You're a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom. 4 You're not at all like the wicked, who are mere windblown dust - 5 Without defense in court, unfit company for innocent people. 6 God charts the road you take. The road they take is Skid Row. (Psalm 1 The Message) 1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. 4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. (Psalm 1 NIV)
May a tremendous Thursday be yours, ConCafe Family! And may you blossom and bloom in all ways for the Lord, dear Friend. As we spend time in prayer today, I ask prayers for Mr. Daniel Soliz of Dallas, who has been in the hosptial for six days suffering from a collapsed lung, and the Lord willing, may be discharged on Saturday. May our prayers continue for Mr. Jim Dorff, still in hospice care in Dallas, also. Prayers for both families of Mr. Soliz and Mr. Dorff. Also, please pray for Ms. Juanita Blundell of Gonzales, who faces spinal surgery next Tuesday in San Antonio; may God bless her with a successful surgery and a good recovery. Pray for one another; and pray for yourselves.
The psalm for this coming Sunday is the first one, Psalm 1. For our consideration, I have shared both The Message Bible and the New International Version, so that we can compare the original intent of the psalmist. The modern version brings out the fullness of classic words like blessed, the wicked, or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers. "How well God must like you -you don't hang out at Sin Saloon, you don't slink along Dead-End Road, you don't go to Smart-Mouth College." More than likely, you've never read that into the original version. Both are clear that we should be among positive people who love the Lord. Yet, the modern version shows a colorful description of those places of temptation; Sin Saloon, Dead-End Road, and Smart-Mouth College. Now be honest, you know people who fit into one or more of the three, right? This version was written by The Late Rev. Dr. Eugene Peterson, a professor and pastor, and a friend to the members of the Irish rock band, U2. He wanted the Bible to be on a level where most everyone could understand what was behind the scriptures that might not be evident too all people who are not professors or pastors. His descriptions show the seriousness of what could derail the Christian's desire to walk with the Lord. It sounds like the Sin Saloon serves more than drinks; that Dead-End Road does not lead to places of life and life's wonderful opportuunities; and while many of us may have the spirit jersey from our days there, as students or cheerleaders, of Smart-Mouth College. Those from that "school" are not known for motivating or inspiring Christians - their calling is to pull down, or knock down, and generally serve as obstacles between them and the Lord. Compare that to what we should be about: Thrilled to hear and learn God's Word, to the point we feast on Scriptures day and night; which has led us to be like trees planted along the richness of a stream or river, straight from Eden itself; and producing the fruits that bless the kingdom of God, and strong in the Lord, always blossoming and bearing fruit. We are not like windblown dust that the wicked are. The wicked will find themselves without counsel in God's court, certainly bound for conviction and sentencing. Not so for the faithful, for God guides us; the wicked are bound for Skid Row. Which was an older way of saying, a place of desolation and destruction.
I would pray this brings us to a point of reflection. What roads have we taken? What decision have we made? Where do we find ourselves at this point of our lives? Does the future look hopeful and promising, or are we fearful of what may come next. Regardless, God still leads us and the future is not yet; we can change our direction, we can ask for forgiveness, and head where God may be leading us; choosing life over death; the fullnes of life over the dead-end trail of sin. You're not at that point yet! As long as we have breath and reason, let us choose the options God offers us, not what the devil would like us to choose.
PRAYER: Loving God, rekindle in us hope and may the fire of Your Holy Spirit fall afresh on us to make us truly alive and alert to the dangers of some options that have come our way; guide us to the fullness of life so that we may choose wisely and bring honor and glory to Thy name. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen!
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Live a life that radiates hope!
Receive my blessings of joy and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
