Mount Pleasant Baptist Church

Daily Nugget: “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Psalm 119:18  The longest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 119. Of the 176 verses, all but six ( vss . 84, 90, 120-122, 132) directly mention God’s Word, the different ways it is important, and how it can affect one’s life. When God tells us something once, we should listen and obey. When we hear or read it more than twice, we should know that God wants our attention to the matter. When the principle is stated at least 176 times in one chapter alone, there should be no hesitation or question in understanding what God wants us to know. In this case, God wants us to pay strict attention to the words He has preserved for us, read them, and obey them. The most commonly used words to describe God’s words in this chapter are: commandments, His ways, judgments, law, precepts, statutes, testimonies, and word. All these words insinuate that His written Word should not be ignored or disobeyed as it is al

Daily Nugget: This Psalm is filled with prophecies that were fulfilled. It speaks of the Messiah’s, Jesus, coming. Some say on the fateful night that our Saviour was apprehended to be “judged” and to later be executed, that this was the hymn (Matthew 26:30) that He and His disciples sang. We also recognize that some of this Psalm was also quoted by Jesus. Although there is spiritual and prophetical gold throughout this chapter, there are statements in this chapter that show the way of salvation for us today.The unknown Psalm writer states that there is a way to being righteous. That way was referred to as the “gate of the LORD.” Only through this entrance can anyone have their sins forgiven, forgotten, and have a future in Heaven and eventually on the New Earth. “Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:20 This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.” Psalm 118:19-20 Jesus Himself defines who that gateway is. It is

Daily Nugget: Many previous Psalms reminded the hymn-singers of the great mercy of God and proved He is worthy of our praise. However, this Psalm includes an adjective about Him that was mentioned in only two other Psalms (Psalm 31:26, 119:76) — His kindness. Mercy is “tenderness of heart, which disposes a person to overlook injuries or to treat an offender better than he deserves” (Noah Webster, American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828). Combined with “kindness,” we realize why God gives us His undeserved tenderness.” He gives us his mercy because of His goodwill. God does all He does, not because He has to, but because He has a “disposition which delights in contributing to the happiness of others, which is exercised cheerfully in gratifying their wishes …” (N. Webster). God is kind, and if we want to be Christ-like, it would be to this society’s advantage if we too showed the kindness attribute more in our life. We now live in a world that has drifted far away from b

Daily Nugget: “I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. 2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.” Psalm 116:1-2 One of the positives about being a child of God is, we get to talk to our Daddy in Heaven. He not only hears our complaints, pleas, and supplications, but he often answers them. Some take this ability to communicate with our Creator lightly, but it is a privilege and honor to be able to converse with Him. Who are we that He would incline “his ear unto me”? He is God. There is nothing He needs. He owes us nothing, yet He listens to our prayers. What a blessing it is to be able to speak to the One that is responsible for all on this Earth, yet that privilege is neglected often. Sadly, it takes a catastrophe in our life until we reach out to the Solver-of-Our-Situation. Perhaps that is why we have more “emergencies” than we would expect, just so we can show our helplessness and turn and re

Daily Nugget: The heathen in early Israel plagued God’s people, as they do today throughout the world. Out of their ignorance, then and now, they taunt “Where is now their God?” (Psalm 115:2). They believe their lack of believing in God is because He is not “seen,” at least by them. However, their “religion” is not proven by sight or experience. The ungodly may have made themselves idols to worship, as in Biblical days and even today, but they have no proof of their deity’s power and being alive. Perhaps their lavish false gods or religions may be impressive with rich beauty (Psalm 115:4), but their worship is man-made and false. Many false religions, particularly idolatry, may exhibit human traits, but their “god” is only a figment of man’s imaginative creation (Psalm 115:4). It cannot speak (Psalm 115: 5), see (Psalm 115:5), hear (Psalm 115:6), smell (Psalm 115:6), touch (Psalm 115:7), and cannot walk (Psalm 115:7). Some religions that claim to have one deity, also have to adm

Daily Nugget: Previously, in the last several Psalms, there was an emphasis on praising God. One of the ways to praise God properly is to give Him credit for what He has done in the past. Psalm 114 does that. It reminds the singer of this hymn some of the great things God has done for His people in the past. In this Hebrew song, the mighty things God has done for his people, Israel, have been rehearsed. It reminds the singers that: God freed Israel from their bondage in Egypt (Psalm 114:1). God was close to His people (Psalm 114:2), and they worshiped Him. God parted the Red Sea during Moses’ leadership and again when Joshua led Israel through the Jordan River (Psalm 114:3 ).  God led them over obstacles, as mountains (Psalm 114:4-6). God even shook the Earth, showing His power to Israel and several times in disciplining sin. God did the impossible for His people many times, including providing water from a rock. We should not only remember what God has done for His peo

Daily Nugget: Psalm 113 gives God the glory and praises the Lord. According to J. Vernon McGee, this Psalm was most likely sung “at the Passover Feast, the Feast of Pentecost, the Feast of Tabernacles, and other feasts.” Even today, in this church age, all worship services and private devotions should also praise the Lord. Repeatedly, in Psalms and other books of the Bible, praising the Lord is an integral part of worship. Commending God for what he has done, showing our gratitude, and giving Him credit for His works is so important. I always wondered if more would praise God properly, would much of man-made false doctrines, that infests wrong thinking and unbiblical religions, disappear? When He is glorified, the way He should be, most notions that man can live without following His commandments and without God’s help will vanish. Praising God gives us the proper perspective that we can do little without His guidance and assistance. Giving Him credit is a humbling that admit

Daily Nugget: Previously in Psalm 111, it ended with stating the importance of “fearing” the Lord (Psalm 11:10). Chapter 112 continues with reasons for making it a priority in reverencing and respecting our God. Those that honor the Lord in faith and obedience to what the preserved Word of God tells a Christian to do will have a changed life. Psalm 112 states many of those blessings and special treatment God will do in an obedient believer’s life. They include: Being blessed (Psalm 112:1). God will do things in one’s life that the ungodly will never experience. It is worth it all to love and follow the Lord’s commandments. A believer’s family and the following generations will also be blessed (Psalm 112:2). I remember reading at least one study over many decades. One followed the generations of a godly and obedient believer. Many in that person’s life were blessed by being used by God. Their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren also were blessed by being preachers,

Daily Nugget: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” Psalm 111:10 When the first part of Psalm 111:10 is quoted, many get indignant. “What kind of God is He that we should fear him?” is a common reply. I do not back myself in a corner and shiver and shake when a coral snake comes my way. However, I fear what could happen if he is angered and threatened by me. It would be stupidity not to fear such a venomous creature. I do my best to keep my distance from that deadly reptile. When there is a raging fire close to me, I do not break out in a cold sweat and cry when I see it’s damaging tongues of flame. However, I do fear the damage a fire can do. I have great respect for anything that can harm and fear what it can do. Likewise, it is common sense to fear God Almighty. He is powerful. He created all we see in six days. The God of creation also controls all around us: the weath

Daily Nugget: “A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” Psalm 110:1 The first verse in the prophetic Psalm 110 makes an interesting statement: “The LORD said unto my Lord …”. “LORD” is referring to Jehovah, the Almighty. The other “Lord” refers to a divine controller and master, but who is that “Lord”? Psalm 110 defines who the “Lord” is. The other “Lord” is Jesus, as the Scripture indicates: Jesus is often referred to as sitting at the right hand of His Father, God. "This Jesus hath God raised up … 33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted … 34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.” Acts 2:32-25 In Acts 2, we see that Jesus is sitting at God’s right hand until God makes his enemies Jesus’ footstool. The verses in Acts 2 even quotes parts of Psalm 110. Hebrews 1:13 a

Daily Nugget: David found himself surrounded by many that wished the worse and harm to him (Psalm 109:2-5). He certainly is not alone in that situation. Too frequently, one that attempts to do what is morally, biblically, and socially right is met with much opposition, as did David. Often, it seems that many believe what is right is evil, and what is evil is good. They corrupt God’s principles and replace them with their own. Sadly, we see this today, especially in politics and in our society. “And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.” Psalm 109:5 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20 David, as do so many when they are wronged, wished the worse on his adversaries. The wounded and hurt may want the wrongdoers punished, but it is the judging God that will do His will and way on those that are breaking His commandments and wishing

Daily Nugget: “A Song or Psalm of David. O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.” Psalm 108:1 Psalm 108 starts with a declaration to which all Christians should strive to commit themselves to also. Christians should make up their minds whose side they are on. Are they on the Lord’s side or the losing, world’s side? They should purpose in the heart to be “fixed” as was David’s and live, serve, and obey what God requires and commands of them. A large percentage of Christians have not made that commitment. They often vacillate between both sides. It seems they want to be saved but still do what they did when they were lost. Christians are born-again (John 3:3) into the winning the side. They have a promise of a future with the Lord and can have a relationship with God, who will guide and protect them through his life. Somehow, that does not seem good enough for so many. Being saved is the most important decision one can make. It will free them

Daily Nugget: Much of the good in our lives comes from the benevolent hands of God, yet He gets so little credit for what He has done. Psalm 107, along with many other hymns found in the Psalms, reminds the singer to proclaim to the unrealizing world for what we are thankful. This chapter alone starts eight of its 43 verses with “O give thanks.” Five times “praise” is used, and five times God’s “goodness” is mentioned in Psalm 107. There is a great focus on counting our blessings and being thankful for what He has done in our life. Among a plethora of what we should be grateful for, this chapter reminds us to be thankful for God’s: Goodness (Psalm 107:1, 8-9, 21, 31). Mercy (Psalm 107:1). The previous chapter also reminded believers of God’s generous, undeserved mercy. “Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Psalm 106:1 Redemption and deliverance (vss. 2, 6, 8, 10, 13-14, 16, 19-20, 28). Our salvation is redeemed b