THE HAPPY MAN

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful" (Psalm 1:1 KJV).

The word “Blessed” is the Hebrew word asher. It’s plural and could be rendered: “O the happinesses! O the blessednesses!” Our verse therefore speaks of the things a man must not do if he expects to have real joy in his life –he must refrain from ungodly counsel, ungodly conduct, and ungodly companions.

Ungodly counsel - “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly.” Man listens to the wrong counsel, to the wrong people. But ungodly counsel will not bring true happiness. It will only bring heartache. We need to be careful where we get our counsel. If it leaves out God and His Word, it is not wisdom and will not bring true happiness in life.

Ungodly conduct - “Nor stands in the path of sinners.” Holiness is the key to happiness. Therefore, going the way of the sinner in our conduct is going the way of sorrow not happiness. The pleasures of sin are only for a season (Heb. 11:25). Although sinful living is more popular that sanctified living, the results are not the same. Eternity will definitely not be a happy time for sinners.

Ungodly companions - “Nor sits in the seat of the scornful.” Keeping company with the foul mouthed and with those who scorn the things of God will not bring true happiness to anyone. It will only corrupt and lead to trouble and sorrow every time. Those who scorn the things of God are a curse to the world. We need to choose our companions carefully.

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“The light of God’s Son in your heart will put His sunshine on your face!”

Anonymous

Word Study

Disguise (transform)

In Phil 3:21 we read, “Who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself” (NKJV).

Disguise (transform) is the Greek word metaschēmatízō (μετασχηματίζω = met-askh-ay-mat-id'-zo). It is made up of two words: “metá” which means exchange or change of place or condition, and “schematízo” which means to form, shape, outward form or fashion, the form that is seen. Thus, the word means to change the outward form or appearance of something; to alter the outward appearance in such a way as to deceive or to feign to be what one is not.

In Classical Greek metaschēmatízō has the meaning of transforming, altering, or changing the outward appearance of a person or thing. In the Septuagint metaschēmatízō carry the idea of transforming and disguising. In the New Testament, metaschēmatízō refers to that which is changeable, the outward fashion of a person or thing, e.g., a person’s gestures, speech, clothing. Here in Phil. 3:21 metaschēmatízō indicates the change that will occur in the bodies of believers upon their resurrection. The Lord Jesus Christ upon His returns, will transform our physical body so that, while it will be the same body, it will no longer be subject to sin, lust, suffering, weakness, misuse, and neglect. Hallelujah!

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Messiah would be the Prophet that was to come (Deut. 18:18)

New Testament Fulfillment – John 6:14

Bible Facts

Justice understood (Acts 17:30-31). Our God-given conscience reveals that all sin will be judged. Down deep we know that He who created the eyes sees every secret sin (Rom. 2:16). He who formed our mind remembers our past offense as if it just occurred. God has declared that the penalty for sin is death. Physical death comes first, then the second death - which is eternal separation from God in the lake of fire (Rev. 21:8). God cannot lie. Every sin will be judged. His justice demands it. But God is also rich in mercy to all who call upon His name. He has made a way for justice to be served and mercy to be shown. .

Bible Quiz

What did John the Baptist say upon seeing the Lord Jesus coming toward him?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: What plant did Jesus curse for not bearing fruit? The fig tree (Mark 11:12-14).

That’s in the Bible

"Set your face against”

"I will set My face against that man, and will cut him off from his people, because he has given some of his descendants to Molech, to defile My sanctuary and profane My holy name” (Lev. 20:3 NKJV).

“Set your face against” - The expression “set your face against” carries the idea of turning your mind against something or someone. Molech was the god of the Ammonites. His metal image was heated and children were placed in his arms and burned to death. People who practiced such idolatry were inhuman, and their presence in the camp defiled God’s sanctuary and profaned His holy name. Thus the face of the Lord was set against the offenders, resulting them being “cut off.” This could mean being killed, or expulsion from the camp and the loss of all covenant privileges.

Stories of Favorite Christmas Carols

In the Bleak Midwinter

In 1872 the poet Christina Rossetti wrote the words of ‘In The Bleak Midwinter’ in response to a request by the American Scribner’s Monthly Magazine for a poem in celebration of Christmas.

In verse one, Rossetti describes the physical circumstances of the incarnation in Bethlehem. In verse two, she contrasts Christ’s first and second coming. The third verse dwells on Christ’s birth and describes the simple surroundings, in a humble stable and watched by beasts of burden. The fourth verse is another contrast, this time between the angels attendant at Christ’s birth with Mary’s ability to render Jesus physical affection. The final verse shifts the description to a more inward-looking perspective.

In 1904, long after Christina’s death, the poem was published in a collection of her works, and in 1906, the great composer Gustav Holst chose to set to music. The tune which Holst composed is known as ‘Cranham,’ after the village in Gloucestershire in which he was living. In 1909 a second melody was created by organist Harold Darke. Both versions became and remain very popular in Britain. In 2008, a poll of leading choral experts chose the Darke version as the best Christmas carol ever written.

A Little Humor

The airline company was disturbed over the high percentage of accidents and decided to eliminate human error by building a completely mechanical plane. “Ladies and gentlemen,” came a voice over the loudspeaker on the maiden voyage, “it may interest you to know that you are now traveling on the world’s first completely automatic plane. Now just sit back and relax for nothing can go wrong…go wrong…go wrong…!

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Christ was delivered for our sins that we might be delivered from our sins!”