First Love!!! 5/22/22
Psalm 51:12 (KJV)
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Today is May 22!! How vividly did I read the above Passage EARLY Saturday morning after a horrible night of a sleepless child, that “child” being a 41 year old brain injured daughter-you know who.
I make no apology for sharing my pain, (and hers of course) as I too well know and FEEL your pain also. I am not alone in this suffering stuff!
WE all have “our Cross to bear!!! AMEN!!??
2 Corinthians 1:4 (KJV)
4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Oftentimes, if and when I do not publish a sermon/message the reason is I have nothing good or positive to say! The state of this world is so far gone and outright wicked I do not care to add misery upon misery.............
As mama used say, “if you do not something good to say, SAY NOTHING AT ALL!!!”
As I read the above Scripture yesterday, I was saddened as I feel I have lost that unique JOY.
Where did it go?? Could it be I spend way too much time in the “things of this world??”
I have reached the point of only being able to stand an hour or so of television, BUT the computer spews out enough negativity to more than suffice.
The daily “news” is downright sickening!!! Everybody hates everybody as all the pundits vividly describe what is wrong with this world-from two points of view-but NOBODY has the answer.
Again, where did the JOY go????????????????????
Isaiah 12:3 (KJV)
3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
What is “THE WELLS OF SALVATION?????????????”
Psalm 16:11 (KJV)
11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
AH, now there is a clue!!!!
“IN THY PRESENCE IS FULNESS OF JOY!!!!!!!!!!!”
How well do I remember a former mentor and wonderful man of God. He was a great preacher, wonderful father and family man-a man I greatly admired and admire today.
He founded and led a successful and vibrant Church and created a strong family bond to each of us under his leadership.
After he had preached a moving sermon one Wednesday night, I had the honor and pleasure of accompanying him back to his office. As we entered his door he stopped and quietly admitted,
“I am only happy when I am under the anointing!!!!”
He had all the world's pleasures at his fingertips-not rich as the world counts riches but as Paul describes riches:
Philippians 4:11-12 (KJV)
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Indeed, he was in the throes of:
Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
I think I have answered my own question just as I typed this message:
Psalm 16:11 (KJV)
11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
“IN THY PRESENCE IS FULNESS OF JOY!!!”
I close with a song I AWOKE to this morning:
Perhaps it is high time we got back to our “FIRST LOVE!!!!”
Revelation 2:4 (KJV)
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
God Bless You,
Pastor Doug
404-295-5644 or
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McDonough, GA. 30253
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