Mount Pleasant Baptist Church

Daily Nugget: Psalm 44, when outlined, shows steps a believer should take when he finds himself without God’s help.  He may find himself at the business end of God’s wrath because of his disobedience to God’s commandments , but there is usually hope for God’s renewed assistance. Once again , there can be rekindled fellowship between a wayward believer and a Holy God. The steps a believer must take are apparent in the chapter: 1)      The believer must know/hear (vs . 1) what God is capable of doing:( (vss . 1-3, 7). i)        What God has done in the past and how he dealt with the ungodly (vs. 2).   (a)    That God afflicted them (vs. 2). (b)    That God cast them out of where they dwelt (vs . 2) ii)       That God often delivers people but not by their hand (vs.3). iii)     God helps His people because He loves them (vs. 3). iv)     God can deliver His own and shame those that oppose the children of God (vs. 7). 2)      The believer must have faith t

Daily Nugget: “O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me ; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.” Psalm 43:3 Commentators point out this Psalm is prophetic about the Tribulation and the antichrist during that time. However, there is an important principle taught in this verse that applied to the past and does pertain to the present. That principle is that all, especially Christians, should read, believe, and follow what God has preserved in His word, the Bible. It was preserved so that all would know the mind of God and what He desires of each of us. It is not just an old book that is interesting. It is the Word of God. Many have seen what following God’s commandments can do in one’s life. They found the Bible so important that many sacrificed much so we would have it today. In early centuries before it was in the language of the common man many died rather than deny its worth and Author. Lives were lost by many so that we could have it to

Daily Nugget: “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. 6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.” Psalm 42:5-6 One of the phrases I have heard many times is “God is good all the time!” If the times are good, He is great. If circumstances are hard and trying, He is still wonderful. God is always good to us and certainly better than any of us deserve. It is easy to repeat that saying when you have a job, when all are healthy, and your future looks bright. However, can you still admit God is still good when you are in the valley of despair, with a gloomy report from the doctor, or when you do not know where the money will come from to pay current bills? Are you “cast down” (Psalm 42:5, 11) when things do not go as well as you would like? Does depression cripple your spiritu

Daily Nugget: The unsaved world tries all kinds of ways to be happy. Many believe they can be happier if they fill their lives with friends, money, leisure, hobbies, popularity, or many other things. However, most find out that those gathered objects, involvements, or relationships do not give them having any more peace, joy, or fulfillment than they had originally. Any gratification people may get is only temporary. David reveals an important way for the believer to have joy and satisfaction. His recommendation is to get one’s mind off themselves and direct their efforts to meet the needs of others. The leader of Israel learned that meeting the needs of those that had little or needed help were rewarded by God for his selflessness. He found out it is “… more blessed to give than to receive”. (Acts 20:35) “… Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.” Psalm 41:1 King David experienced many blessings because he helped the weak in their

Daily Nugget: This Psalm, as do many other Psalms, talks much about the then future coming of Christ. However, I dare not pass over the great connection of what David wrote about and my and others salvation. When I, and again so many others, got to the point that we knew there was no good in us and the guilt of our sins burdened us so, we prayed to the Lord for relief. Although so undeserving, the great, Holy God in Heaven heard our cries (vs. 1). God did not just hear our call for help. He met our needs and changed our lives. When we had no hope of having a better life or seeing a promising future, He pulled us out of the sinking existence (“horrible pit” and “miry clay”) we had allowed ourselves (vs. 2) to wander into. He transformed our lives to ones that were based on His love and truths. The new direction His way led us was rock solid (Vs. 2) and will never let us down. The new persons God created (II Cor.. 5:17) in His believers have a new direction and joy. Instead of l

Daily Nugget: Often people have a way of blaming everyone but themselves for their problems. Instead of examining their behavior and reason for making the decisions they did, some find an excuse, usually another person, for why they did what they did. David, however, examined and knew his own heart. He knew for what he was responsible. He knew who was guilty and who had to change — himself. In all but two verses (vss. 6, 11), he honestly admitted to himself and others what he had done and his own shortcomings. The pronoun “I” was used 16 times. Sometimes “me” or “my” were used. He was quite aware of what he had done. David admitted: He had sinned with his tongue (vs. 1). He needed to be careful about what he said (vss. 1, 3). He knew he was silent many times when he should have spoken out (vss. 2, 9) for righteousness. His heart was grieved when he committed such negligence of responsibility. His weaknesses (vss. 4, 5). He knew his only hope was for the Lord to deliver

Daily Nugget: Psalm 38 reveals King David in a position we all face or should deal with at least once in our lives. It is a time that we realize we are in sin, far from what God wants us to be doing, and deserving of His strong rebuke (vss. 1-3). So many overlook their sinful condition and get hardened to it. Their conscience is seared and their offense against God does not bother them anymore. However, some, as was David, are honest with themselves, sensitive to Holy Spirit’s tugging at their heart, and are aware of their unrighteousness. It is possible that David was at the “bottom of His barrel” and looking up for God’s help because of an illness or injury He believed was allowed to afflict him by His chastening God. David wrote that his wounds stunk (vs. 5) because of something he did that was foolish. He also revealed that it resulted in a weakening disease (vss. 7-8, 10 ) to his body. Whatever afflicted him was so loathsome that those close to him stayed at a distance fro

Daily Nugget: Psalm 37 records David’s advice and goals for the believer. His wisdom applies today as it did in the King’s day. David admonishes one to: Not to worry or be concerned about those who do evil (vss. 1, 7) Not to be envious of sinners that you think are getting away unscathed and unjudged by their sin (vss. 1-2, 10, 12-15, 17, 18-21, 35, 36, 38); they are not! There is a terrible price on sinning, and NO ONE escapes the payment of its high cost. Trust the Lord, and He shall meet your needs and provide many desires (vss. 3-5, 18). Wait for the Lord to do His will and way in your life (vs. 7, 34). Control your anger (vs. 8). Keep from evil (vss. 8-9, 27). Be content with the little that you are allowed to have for it is better than what the wicked have (vs. 16). Be ready to enjoy your eternal inheritance (vs. 18, 22, 28-29)! David survived and was victorious through many of the trials he experienced. Heed his advice and from others that are recorded and prese

Daily Nugget: We are surrounded by sin, as David wrote many times. There are those who that have no respect for God (vs. 1), and often deny His existence. Many puff themselves up (vs. 2) as they believe in their superiority. We cannot trust what the lost say because they deceive (vs. 3). Often their plans involve wrong-doing, and their sin does not bother them at all (vs. 4). Their conscience seems seared, and they do what they think is right, which often does not line up with what the Bible teaches. As a Christian looks around him and sees all the sin that is occurring around him, it can be discouraging. However, we would do much better if we looked up towards Heaven, rather than around us. That is where our merciful and faithful (vs. 5) God lives. Although the ungodly falsely believe they have free reign to do as they wish, God sees their iniquities and His judgments are at hand (vs 6). Although those disobedient to God and His commandments will reap what they sow, the godly

Daily Nugget: Some say David penned this Psalm while being persecuted by King Saul. Whatever the situation, many of us have been in a similar position when we desired those that are making our lives miserable to be dealt with by God. I would never pray, nor would the Lord honor such a prayer I am sure, for the Lord to kill a person that is responsible for causing grief or harm. Death of an unsaved person would be a terrible thing. They would end up in Hell with no escape. Although they may have done me or someone close to me harm, I would not want them dead, but I would want God to deal with any wickedness, as did King David did in this Psalm. David begged God to: Be on David’s side (vs. 1). Protect David (vs. 2). Defend David with whatever it takes to repel the enemy (vs. 3). Confuse the enemy in their attacks (vs.4). I am very distraught about how America and other nations are being weakened by dishonest, corrupt politicians. I often pray for the Lord to confuse and des

Daily Nugget: When a person becomes born-again into the family of God, he is not forgotten or forsaken. God knows all about him. Psalm 34 shares some of what God knows about His people: God is aware when we give Him honor and credit for what He has done: vs. 2, 3. God is aware of who seeks Him: vs. 4. God knows of our fears: vss. 4, 9. God knows the cries of those sad, humbled, and hurting: vss. 6, 15, 17, 18. God knows who trust Him: vs. 8. God knows of our needs: vss. 9, 10. God knows what we say: vs. 13. God knows our intents, our heart, and actions: vs. 14. Do not be afraid Christian, your heavenly Father knows all about you. You are not forgotten. Today’s Thought:  “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:6-7 Words to Understand: Contrite: broken-hearted over sin Poor man: sad, humb

“Charity [love] suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” I Cor. 13:4 -7 Love from and for another fellow human being is one need every person strongly desires.  All want to be loved and to love a special person. It is sought at even a young age. Young children have a friend that they “love” for a brief period of time, usually until they get their feelings hurt, or do not get their own way.  That brief emotion they felt, soon changes to “I hate you” when they feel let down or betrayed.  That was not real love. Young twitterpated teens “fall in love” with a musician because of the strong feelings they experience when they are touched by a song they hear on the radio. Many young people have

Daily Nugget: Being on God’s winning side as a Christian certainly should be something with which one should be happy. Those that are saved and forgiven are “righteous” (vs. 1) in God’s eyes. We have no reason to be pooch-lipped and showing our dissatisfaction on being a child of God. As this Psalm by an unknown author suggests, we need to be happy about being one of God’s children by: Rejoicing (vs. 1). A person saved by the sacrificial blood of Christ has something worth being glad about. He is on God’s winning side. Praising Him for His goodness to us (vss. 1,2). When the Lord blesses us, we should let others know what He has done. So many have kept what God has done for them private and that is why so many in the world do not see God alive and working in lives. If we do not tell the world about the Lord, who will? “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” Psalm 107:8 Also: Psalms 107:15, 21, 31. Sing a

Daily Nugget: Psalm 32 is a Psalm of instruction on how to have peace from guilt. From David’s own experiences, (many say when the prophet Nathan made David see his own sins of adultery and murder), we read how one is happy and relieved when one’s sins are forgiven. All the anguish the king bore from his past sins were forgiven as can a person’s sins today. In David’s era, a sacrifice in the Temple would temporarily cover the sins of the people. Today is different. We do not have to present our sacrifices to God. One perfect sacrifice was given to cover ALL one’s iniquities. The perfect sacrifice was God’s only son, Jesus. Those that admit their sinnership and trust Jesus’ great gift to all mankind can have all their sins forgotten and forgiven. Today’s forgiven person can have as much happiness (“blessed” — vs. 2) as did David when His iniquities were forgiven. To have the peace that one’s sin’s are under the sacrificed blood of Christ is a most appreciated blessing. David als

Daily Nugget: Living the way God commands us to live is not easy. So many people are under the false impression that once they submit to the Lord’s will that problems will never occur. They think they will be exempt from heartaches, hardships, hazards, and life’s hiccups. That certainly is not true. The godly may have God’s protection and guidance, but we are in a sinful world, and we face the consequences from our and others sin. We experience it today and David faced it as he wrote in Psalm 31. The King dealt with: Traps sent for him to make him fail (vs. 4). A foiled believer makes the ungodly triumph as they see that Christians “are not so holy and perfect …” Somehow a defeated Christ-follower eases their guilt in not living a godly life. Lies all around him (vss. 6, 18). Troubles and plenty of them (vs. 9). However, those troubles and trials are not always a “bad” thing. Much of the time, the undesirable occurrences can draw us closer to the Lord as we seek His help. The