December 2020 – The Maldonado Family

Psalm 106, Faith without seeing!

Psa 106:2, Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? Who can declare ALL HIS PRAISE?

The simple answer is no one! It is impossible to declare all HIS praises; for we see only the edges of HIS glory ( Job 26:14 )

Psa 139:6, Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.

Psa 106:7, Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Your wonders; They did not remember the multitude of Your mercies, BUT REBELLED BY THE SEA—THE RED SEA.

All of Israel saw the plagues that hit Egypt and how GOD protected them! A total of ten plagues, YET rebelled against the LORD!

Ex 14:11, Then they said to Moses, … HAVE YOU TAKEN US AWAY TO DIE IN THE WILDERNESS?…

Psa 106:8-9, NEVERTHELESS HE SAVED THEM FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE, That He might make His mighty power known. HE REBUKED THE RED SEA ALSO, AND IT DRIED UP; SO HE LED THEM THROUGH THE DEPTHS, AS THROUGH THE WILDERNESS.

YET GOD saved them even in their rebellion and showed them HIS great power and mercy!

Psa 106:12, THEN THEY BELIEVED HIS WORDS; They sang His praise.

Seeing is believing, but faith is believing without seeing! Like Thomas, Israel had to see before they could believe!

Joh 20:29, Jesus said to him, “Thomas, BECAUSE YOU HAVE SEEN ME, YOU HAVE BELIEVED. BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN AND YET HAVE BELIEVED.”

Psa 106:13-14, THEY SOON FORGOT HIS WORKS; They did not wait for His counsel, But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, And TESTED GOD IN THE DESERT.

So many people praise GOD when they see HIS miracles, HIS provisions, HIS work! YET, at the sign of any trial THEY FORGET WHAT HE HAS DONE IN THEIR LIVES! WE ARE FICKLED PEOPLE WHO CHANGE DEPENDING ON THE SITUATION!

2Ti 2:13, If we are faithless, HE REMAINS FAITHFUL; He cannot deny Himself.

Do you believe only when you see, Thomas? Remember while we are faithless, HE remains faithful!

1Th 5:24, HE WHO CALLS YOU IS FAITHFUL, WHO ALSO WILL DO IT.

Psalm 105, Seeking the LORD!

Psa 105:1-2, Oh, GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD! CALL UPON HIS NAME; MAKE KNOWN HIS DEEDS AMONG THE PEOPLES! … TALK OF ALL HIS WONDROUS WORKS!

As Christians, we have all experience HIS blessings in our lives! We must make them known to all those willing to hear! Even king Nebuchadnezzar made known HIS works!

Dan 4:2, I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders that the MOST HIGH GOD HAS WORKED FOR ME.

Psa 105:3, GLORY IN HIS HOLY NAME; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD!

So many people glory in their strength, their money, their position, but the LORD says!

Jer 9:23-24, Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his WISDOM, Let not the mighty man glory in his MIGHT, Nor let the rich man glory in his RICHES; BUT LET HIM WHO GLORIES GLORY IN THIS, THAT HE UNDERSTANDS AND KNOWS ME, ….

Psa 105:4, SEEK THE LORD AND HIS STRENGTH; SEEK HIS FACE EVERMORE!

Those that seek HIM will find HIM, but the opposite is also true! James tells us “DRAW NEAR TO GOD AND HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU (Jam 4:8)! HE WAITS ON YOU!

Jer 29:13, AND YOU WILL SEEK ME AND FIND ME, WHEN YOU SEARCH FOR ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART.

Psa 105:5, REMEMBER HIS MARVELOUS WORKS WHICH HE HAS DONE, HIS WONDERS, and the judgments of His mouth,

When trials come, and they will, ALWAYS REMEMBER WHAT HE HAS DONE IN THE PAST! How HE lifted you up in your time of need! How HE opened doors that you didn’t even see! YET, THE BIGGEST THING TO REMEMBER IS WHAT HE DID FOR YOU ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY!

Luk 22:19, And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, SAYING, “THIS IS MY BODY WHICH IS GIVEN FOR YOU; DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.”

Rom 4:7-8, “BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS ARE FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS ARE COVERED; BLESSED IS THE MAN TO WHOM THE LORD SHALL NOT IMPUTE SIN.”

Psalm 104, HE provides all!

Psa 104:10-11, HE SENDS THE SPRINGS INTO THE VALLEYS; They flow among the hills. They give drink to every beast of the field; The wild donkeys quench their thirst.

The LORD provides for all HIS creation

Psa 104:13-15, … THE EARTH IS SATISFIED WITH THE FRUIT OF YOUR WORKS. He causes the grass to grow FOR THE CATTLE, And vegetation for the service of man, THAT HE MAY BRING FORTH FOOD FROM THE EARTH, And wine that makes glad the heart of man, Oil to make his face shine, AND BREAD WHICH STRENGTHENS MAN’S HEART.

The earth, HIS creation, gives us all we need! Bread, water, power, materials to build; the earth, by HIS design, gives us what we need!

Psa 145:15, The eyes of all look expectantly to You, And You give them their food in due season.

Psa 104:19, HE appointed the MOON for seasons; The SUN knows its going down.

Psa 8:3-4, When I consider Your heavens, THE WORK OF YOUR FINGERS, THE MOON AND THE STARS, WHICH YOU HAVE ORDAINED, WHAT IS MAN THAT YOU ARE MINDFUL OF HIM, And the son of man that You visit him?

It’s not what is man, but who HE is! HE IS OUR LOVING FATHER WHO PROVIDES FOR HIS CHILDREN! HE CREATED EVERYTHING AROUND TO SUPPORT LIFE

Psa 104:23, MAN GOES OUT TO HIS WORK AND TO HIS LABOR UNTIL THE EVENING.

HE gives man wisdom and materials to create vehicles, homes, hospitals, tools etc.

Psa 104:24, O LORD, HOW MANIFOLD ARE YOUR WORKS! IN WISDOM YOU HAVE MADE THEM ALL. THE EARTH IS FULL OF YOUR POSSESSIONS—

Everything we have or own comes from the FATHER! HE SUPPLIES EVERYTHING!

Php 4:19, AND MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY BY CHRIST JESUS.

HE created all these things for HIS creation so that we may look up and realize WE ARE NOT ALONE! NOTHING IS BY ACCIDENT AND EVERYTHING HAS A PURPOSE! OPEN YOUR EYES AND SEE THAT HIS DESIRE IS FOR YOU!

1Ti 2:4-5, WHO DESIRES ALL MEN TO BE SAVED AND TO COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH. FOR THERE IS ONE GOD AND ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MEN, THE MAN CHRIST JESUS,

Psalm 103, the best is yet to come!

Psa 103:1-2, BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL, AND FORGET NOT ALL HIS BENEFITS:

Most people remember the LORD only when they fall into hard times! LORD HELP! But, when everything is well they tend to forget!

1Th 5:18, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Psa 103:3, WHO FORGIVES ALL YOUR INIQUITIES, Who heals all your DISEASES,

The first Benefit listed here is by far the most important blessing one can receive! Forgiveness of sins! WHAT GOOD IS IT IF HE HEALS ALL YOUR DISEASES, YET WE END UP IN HELL?

Mar 2:5, When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the PARALYTIC, “SON, YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN YOU.”

The Paralytic needed to be forgiven, but he and the others only saw his need to walk!

Mar 2:10-11, BUT THAT YOU MAY KNOW THAT THE SON OF MAN HAS POWER ON EARTH TO FORGIVE SINS”—He said to the paralytic, “I SAY TO YOU, ARISE, TAKE UP YOUR BED, AND GO TO YOUR HOUSE.”

Does HE heal all our diseases? Well in this world no, because our great grandparents chose to disobey GOD from the very start! But, in a future sense YES, we shall receive new bodies and we shall be like HIM! 1John 3:2

1Cor 15:51, 53, Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, BUT WE SHALL ALL BE CHANGED— … FOR THIS CORRUPTIBLE MUST PUT ON INCORRUPTION, AND THIS MORTAL MUST PUT ON IMMORTALITY.

Psa 103:4, WHO REDEEMS YOUR LIFE FROM DESTRUCTION, WHO CROWNS YOU WITH LOVINGKINDNESS AND TENDER MERCIES,

HE has redeemed us from hell, like a twig being pulled out of the furnace! We all deserve death, yet HE clothes us with HIS tender mercies!

Isa 61:10, I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; FOR HE HAS CLOTHED ME WITH THE GARMENTS OF SALVATION, HE HAS COVERED ME WITH THE ROBE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, …

The best is yet to come! Stand fast with the LORD for HIS mercies endure forever!

Psalm 102, Trails!

Psa 102:1-2, Hear my prayer, O LORD, And let my cry come to You. DO NOT HIDE YOUR FACE FROM ME IN THE DAY OF MY TROUBLE; INCLINE YOUR EAR TO ME; IN THE DAY THAT I CALL, ANSWER ME SPEEDILY.

A desperate plea for GOD’s attention, “LORD attend to my prayer”! The affliction is bad enough, but don’t add to it by hiding from me! THE HARDEST PART OF A TRIAL IS WAITING ON HIS RESPONSE! IT MAY SEEM THAT HE IS NOT DOING ANYTHING, BUT HE IS ALWAYS WORKING IN OUR LIVES!

Isa 8:17, AND I WILL WAIT ON THE LORD, Who hides HIS face from the house of Jacob; AND I WILL HOPE IN HIM.

Psa 102:9-10, For I have eaten ashes like bread, And mingled my drink with weeping, Because of Your indignation and Your wrath; For You have lifted me up and cast me away.

The Psalmist mourning was made worse because he senses that this trial came from the LORD! The LORD doesn’t sleep on the job, HE is working and teaching by any means!

Rom 5:3-4, …but we also glory in tribulations, KNOWING THAT TRIBULATION PRODUCES PERSEVERANCE; AND PERSEVERANCE, CHARACTER; AND CHARACTER, HOPE.

Psa 102:11-12, MY DAYS are like a shadow that lengthens, AND I WITHER AWAY like grass. But You, O LORD, shall endure forever, And the remembrance of Your name to all generations.

My days, I wither away, BUT YOU! The Psalmist gets his mind off himself and onto the LORD! Focus on the LORD, not on the trial!

Col 3:2, SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON THINGS ON THE EARTH.

Psa 102:19-20, FOR HE LOOKED DOWN FROM THE HEIGHT OF HIS SANCTUARY; FROM HEAVEN THE LORD VIEWED THE EARTH, To hear the groaning of the prisoner, TO RELEASE THOSE APPOINTED TO DEATH,

Remember we were prisoners to sin, BUT THE LORD JESUS SET US FREE; NO LONGER CONDEMNED, BUT RESTORED IN HIM!

Rom 6:22-23, But now having BEEN SET FREE FROM SIN, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.

TRIALS WILL COME, BUT WE HAVE VICTORY IN CHRIST JESUS! SET YOU MIND ON HIM!

Psalm 101, Know yourself!

Psa 101:2, I WILL BEHAVE WISELY IN A PERFECT WAY. OH, WHEN WILL YOU COME TO ME? I WILL WALK WITHIN MY HOUSE WITH A PERFECT HEART.

King David wanted his reign over Israel to be marked by integrity and godliness (Perfect way)! Not just in public where he is seen but even in the privacy of his own home!

Pro 20:7, The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.

David wanted to live righteously before the LORD is order to have fellowship with HIM! How can we have fellowship with the LORD and walk in darkness? It’s impossible! LIGHT CANNOT DWELL WITH DARKNESS!

1John 1:6-7, If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Psa 101:3, I WILL SET NOTHING WICKED BEFORE MY EYES; I HATE THE WORK OF THOSE WHO FALL AWAY; IT SHALL NOT CLING TO ME.

A way to measure a man’s righteousness is not what he does at church or at work where he is clearly seen, but in his private times! What are you watching on TV, what goes through your mind when a beautiful lady is near you?

Job 31:1, “I HAVE MADE A COVENANT WITH MY EYES; WHY THEN SHOULD I LOOK UPON A YOUNG WOMAN?

Even righteous Job noticed that he had a problem with the lust of the eyes! I KNOW I’M GUILTY, HOW ABOUT YOU?

1Jn 2:16, For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—IS NOT OF THE FATHER BUT IS OF THE WORLD.

Know it or not, but we all fall short of the glory of GOD! But I’m a Christian, I don’t do these things! APPARENTLY, YOU ARE ALSO A LIAR!

Rom 3:9-10, What then? ARE WE BETTER THAN THEY? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks THAT THEY ARE ALL UNDER SIN. As it is written: “THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO, NOT ONE;

True Christians know that we don’t deserve to be called a child of GOD; our righteousness are but dirty rags! YET, HE MADE A WAY FOR EVEN THE WORSE OF SINNERS TO BE SAVED! THANK YOU, LORD! THANK YOU!

Psalm 100, Serving the LORD!

Psa 100:1, …MAKE A JOYFUL SHOUT TO THE LORD, ALL YOU LANDS!

For those that actually read this book of hope know there is a reason for joy, OUR DEBT HAS BEEN PAID IN FULL! WE ARE NO LONGER SLAVES TO SIN, BUT ARE CHILDREN OF GOD! EVEN THE ANGELS SING FOR JOY WHEN ONE COMES TO FAITH IN THE LIVING GOD!

Luk 15:7, I SAY TO YOU THAT LIKEWISE THERE WILL BE MORE JOY IN HEAVEN OVER ONE SINNER WHO REPENTS than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

Psa 100:2, SERVE THE LORD WITH GLADNESS; Come before HIS presence with singing.

Many, if not most, people think serving the LORD is a burden, “I HAVE TO SERVE”! YET, our LORD JESUS came here to serve, not to be served! What a great example we have in HIM!

Heb 12:2, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, WHO FOR THE JOY THAT WAS SET BEFORE HIM ENDURED THE CROSS, DESPISING THE SHAME, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The cross wasn’t joyful for HIM, BUT HE COULD SEE PAST THE HORRORS OF THE CROSS AND SEE THE FRUIT OF IT!

Dan 9:26, … MESSIAH SHALL BE CUT OFF, BUT NOT FOR HIMSELF;

HE DID IT FOR YOU!

1Sa 12:24, ONLY FEAR THE LORD, AND SERVE HIM IN TRUTH WITH ALL YOUR HEART; FOR CONSIDER WHAT GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE FOR YOU.

Psa 100:4, ENTER INTO HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING, AND INTO HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE. BE THANKFUL TO HIM, AND BLESS HIS NAME.

Because of what HE did for us, we are able to enter HIS gates and dwell with the living GOD! BE GREATFUL, SING FOR JOY THAT HE ALLOWS HEATHENS LIKE US INTO HIS REST!

Psa 100:5, FOR THE LORD IS GOOD; HIS MERCY IS EVERLASTING, AND HIS TRUTH ENDURES TO ALL GENERATIONS.

Psalm 99, HIS HOLINESS

Psa 99:1, The LORD reigns; LET THE PEOPLES TREMBLE! He dwells between the cherubim; LET THE EARTH BE MOVED!

Saints quiver with devout emotion, and sinners quiver with terror when the rule of Jehovah is fully perceived and felt.” (Spurgeon)

Psa 119:120, My flesh trembles for fear of You, And I AM AFRAID OF YOUR JUDGMENTS.

Psa 99:2-3, The LORD is great in Zion, And He is high above all the peoples. Let them praise Your great and awesome name—HE IS HOLY.

The Psalmist says three times that the LORD is HOLY 3,5,& 9. Holiness is who HE is and what HE does; HIS power is HOLY, HIS love is HOLY, HIS righteousness, mercy, and HIS judgements are HOLY! It’s not HIS personality BUT THE ESSENCE OF HIS ENTIRE BEING!

Psa 99:5, EXALT THE LORD OUR GOD, AND WORSHIP AT HIS FOOTSTOOL—HE IS HOLY.

HIS footstool is the entire earth, let all that has breath praise HIS HOLY NAME!

Isa 66:1, Thus says the LORD: “Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest?

HE cannot be contained. HE doesn’t dwell in buildings; HIS presence fills eternity!

Isa 57:15, FOR THUS SAYS THE HIGH AND LOFTY ONE WHO INHABITS ETERNITY, WHOSE NAME IS HOLY: “I DWELL IN THE HIGH AND HOLY PLACE, …

Psa 99:9, EXALT THE LORD OUR GOD, AND WORSHIP AT HIS HOLY HILL; FOR THE LORD OUR GOD IS HOLY.

HE calls us to follow HIM and HIS example through JESUS HIS SON!

1Peter 1:15-16, but as HE who called you is HOLY, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”

We are going to fall short of HIS calling, but it doesn’t mean we should give up! We need to confess our sins and move on!

1Jn 1:9, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Isa 6:3, And one cried to another and said: “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD OF HOSTS; THE WHOLE EARTH IS FULL OF HIS GLORY!”

Psalm 98, HIS is coming!

Psa 98:1, OH, SING TO THE LORD A NEW SONG! FOR HE HAS DONE MARVELOUS THINGS; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.

What the LORD has done for us is amazing! Other, so-called gods, religions, deities, require the people to go to them, BUT OUR LORD CAME TO US AND ALLOWED HIMSELF TO BE CRUCIFIED FOR THE PENALTY OF OUR SINS! HE IS WORTHY TO BE PRAISED!

Luk 1:46-47, 49, And Mary said: “MY SOUL MAGNIFIES THE LORD, AND MY SPIRIT HAS REJOICED IN GOD MY SAVIOR…. FOR HE WHO IS MIGHTY HAS DONE GREAT THINGS FOR ME, AND HOLY IS HIS NAME.

Psa 98:2, The LORD has made known HIS SALVATION; HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS HE has revealed in the sight of the nations.

The LORD has revealed HIS salvation and righteousness to those willing to hear and humble themselves! But, the day is coming where the nations will know this truth!

Luk 3:6, AND ALL FLESH SHALL SEE THE SALVATION OF GOD.’ “

Every knee, in heaven, earth and in hell shall bow down at the name of JESUS!

Php 2:10-11, THAT AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, OF THOSE IN HEAVEN, AND OF THOSE ON EARTH, AND OF THOSE UNDER THE EARTH, AND THAT EVERY TONGUE SHOULD CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER.

Psa 98:7-8, Let the sea roar, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell in it; Let the rivers clap their hands; Let the hills be joyful together before the LORD,

ALL of HIS creation shall worship HIM at HIS coming; HE shall judge the world righteously!

Psa 98:9, FOR HE IS COMING TO JUDGE THE EARTH. WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS HE SHALL JUDGE THE WORLD, AND THE PEOPLES WITH EQUITY.

Psa 67:4, Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy! FOR YOU SHALL JUDGE THE PEOPLE RIGHTEOUSLY, AND GOVERN THE NATIONS ON EARTH. SELAH

HE SHALL BE KING OF ALL THE EARTH, AND WILL RULE WITH AN IRON FIST! BE READY FOR HE IS NEAR!

Rev 22:20, He who testifies to these things says, “SURELY I AM COMING QUICKLY.” Amen. EVEN SO, COME, LORD JESUS!

Psalm 97, useless idols!

Psa 97:1, THE LORD REIGNS; Let the earth rejoice; Let the multitude of isles be glad!

The LORD REIGNS, there is no contender to the throne; HE made the earth and rules it! The day is coming where HE will be called “THE KING OF ALL THE EARTH”! REJOICE!

Zec 14:9, AND THE LORD SHALL BE KING OVER ALL THE EARTH. In that day it shall be “The LORD is one,” And His name one.

Psa 97:2-4, CLOUDS AND DARKNESS SURROUND HIM; … A FIRE GOES BEFORE HIM, And burns up His enemies round about. HIS LIGHTNINGS LIGHT THE WORLD; THE EARTH SEES AND TREMBLES.

The Psalmist is describing the day when the LORD of all came down on the mountain of GOD! HIS AWESOME PRESENCE!

Exo 19:16, 18, … THUNDERINGS AND LIGHTNINGS, AND A THICK CLOUD ON THE MOUNTAIN; and the SOUND OF THE TRUMPET WAS VERY LOUD, so that all the people who were in the camp TREMBLED…Now Mount Sinai WAS COMPLETELY IN SMOKE, BECAUSE THE LORD DESCENDED UPON IT IN FIRE. …, THE WHOLE MOUNTAIN QUAKED GREATLY.

The LORD used Dark clouds to surround HIM, because HIS presence would have been too much for anyone to bear!

1Ti 6:16, …, DWELLING IN UNAPPROACHABLE LIGHT, WHOM NO MAN HAS SEEN OR CAN SEE, …

Psa 97:6, THE HEAVENS DECLARE HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THE PEOPLES SEE HIS GLORY.

My father came to faith just by looking at everything around him! THE HEAVENS SHOUT THE EXISTENCE OF HIM WHO MADE IT! THERE IS NO EXCUSE!

Rom 1:20, …HIS INVISIBLE ATTRIBUTES ARE CLEARLY SEEN, BEING UNDERSTOOD BY THE THINGS THAT ARE MADE, EVEN HIS ETERNAL POWER AND GODHEAD, SO THAT THEY ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE,

Psa 97:7, Let all be put to shame who serve carved images, Who boast of idols. WORSHIP HIM, all you gods.

YET, fools worship their so-called gods made by men’s hands! Don’t trip, you may break to pieces the god you bow down to! WORSHIP THE LORD ALL YOU MEN OF THE EARTH FOR HE IS WORTHY TO BE PRAISED!