June 16, 2015 – Psalm 5:11-12

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy. For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love. Psalm 5:11-12Our joy doesn’t come from pleasure but from service that lives in love.  It is not gratification of our desires, but the blessing of knowing we belong to Jesus and we abide in Him. Have you ever been an answer to prayer for someone else?  Have you ever given sacrificially? Then you know joy.  Jesus gave His life for one reason — He loves us.  He gives us life twice — breath to breathe in this life and love to live forever.For this reason, we ever praise Him.  You surround the godly with your shield of love.  A shield of love that we cannot see, a shield of love that is impenetrable by man.  Love is more powerful than anything on earth — God is love.  And He loves us.When we realize that this world is not our permanent home and refuse to bind ourselves to the ever-changing landscape of the world view, we are free to soar in the freedom of Christ’s love.  Not the freedom to sin, but the freedom of the arms of Jesus holds.  Learning to know what pleases God brings the blessing of peace in our hearts.How can we ever love God enough, share enough, or do enough good?  We can’t.  For His Grace is a gift and it is free.  It is free to revel in and rejoice in.  Amazing Grace filled with Amazing Love. God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.  Ephesians 2:8-9For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. Hebrews 13:14-16