Text: Psalm 1:2 

INTRODUCTION: In the first Psalm, we find two very different lives described. One is a blessed life. It is a life of fruitfulness, peace, and joy. It is a life that any individual would want to live. The second is a hard life. It is a life of suffering and loss. It is a life that is foreign to God’s blessings. The key to having a blessed life is found in verse 2 of Psalm 1. The blessed man is a Bible-loving man. He is a Bible-reading man. He is a Bible-meditating man. He delights in the law of the Lord day and night. The blessed man is right with his Bible! 

Several “right” things result in one being right with his Bible:

  1. The Right Course! (v. 1a) “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly…”
    • The man right with his Bible has the right course in life. His walk and world outlook aren’t dictated by fallen man, but by the Word of God!
  2. The Right Crowd! (v. 1b) “nor standeth in the way of sinners…”
    • The man right with his Bible has the right crowd. He doesn’t run with those that do not run according to the Book he delights in!
  3. The Right Character! (v. 1c) “nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”
    • The man right with his Bible has the right character. The Scripture shapes his attitude and thoughts. He won’t be a scorner!
  4. The Right Closeness! (v. 3a) “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water…”
    • The man right with his Bible has the right closeness. He is as a tree that is very near its life source. He is close to God.
  5. The Right Crop! (v. 3b) “that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;”
    • The man right with his Bible bears the right kind of fruit! He shows forth attributes associated with a man who lives in his Bible and delights in it.
  6. The Right Consistency! (v. 3c) “his leaf also shall not wither…”
    • The man right with his Bible has the right consistency. He doesn’t bear temporary fruit. He is faithful and consistent in his service and walk with God!
  7. The Right Commendation! (v. 3d) “and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
    • The man right with his Bible has the right commendation. He is a blessed man! The Psalm begins with the term “Blessed!” It’s a natural outcome of a life delighting in the Word of God.

ILLUSTRATION: A Roman Catholic priest in Belgium rebuked a young woman and her brother for reading that “bad book,” pointing to the Bible. “Mr. Priest,” she replied, “a little while ago, my brother was an idler, a gambler, a drunkard, and made such a noise in the house that no one could stay in it. Since he began to read the Bible, he started working with industry, no longer goes to the tavern, no longer touches cards, brings home money to his poor old mother, and our life at home is quiet and delightful. How comes it, Mr. Priest, that a bad book produces such good fruits?”

QUOTES:

“Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face.” – Ronald Reagan.

“The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.” – D.L. Moody

“In all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength.” – Robert E. Lee

“If the Bible had said that Jonah swallowed the whale, I would believe it!” – Williams Jennings Bryan

“The Bible is the rock on which this Republic rests.” – Andrew Jackson

A MERRY HEART:

These sentences actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services:

The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.

Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house.  Bring your husbands.

Don’t let worry kill you off – let the church help.

Miss Charlene Mason sang “I will not pass this way again,” giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.

Nellie Morgan and John Rees were married on February 2nd in Newtown’s Baptist church.  So ends a friendship that began in their school days.

At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be “What Is Hell?” Come early and listen to our choir practice.

Seven new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of new members and to the deterioration of some of the older ones.

Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled.  Proceeds will be used to cripple children.

Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.

PULPIT FACT:

Did you know that D.L. Moody was personal friends with the Spafford Family? In fact, on the night of the Great Chicago Fire, Moody and his wife rushed their children to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Horatio Spafford, who made sure their children remained safe during the fire. The Spafford family is the same, who would just months later experience great tragedy as their four daughters drowned when their ship crossing the Atlantic sank. Mr. Spafford would be inspired by this event to write the hymn, “It Is Well with My Soul.”

SUNDAY’S COMING!:

Remember, as Sunday approaches, that first impressions matter. Let’s make sure that our place is prepared, all things are in order, and cleanliness is evident. Visitors ought to feel welcome, and part of that welcoming includes a first-class atmosphere.

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