Mount Pleasant Baptist Church

Daily Nugget: The last of the hymns sung in the Jerusalem Temple is very short. As short as it is, it shows several things about a serious believer: He wants to show God that he is happy (“blessed” — vs. 1) and content by being near his Master. We too can “bless” the Lord by being eager to obey, to worship Him, and to make Him important in our lives. He is a “servant.” He is not just a sitter, but he does what he can for the Lord (vs. 1). He made the long journey to the Temple, which shows how serious he was about hearing from the Lord and being as close to Him as he could. Worship was more important to him than what he could have done at home. Today’s believer can also show God his willing heart by being a servant and doing something for the Lord. Attending church is important, but it is not working for the Lord. It is encouragement and edification for the believer. The Christian needs to have a ministry that God has laid on his heart to do what God has shown him to do for the

Daily Nugget: “A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! ” Psalm 133:1 One of the hardest things in life is to get along with others. We are all different, and we will have our own opinions. We will have disagreements and disapproving of what others may do. If one is a Christian, however, we should get along with others, especially other believers. After one is born-again into the family of God, one has an obligation and is commanded to get along with fellow Christians. There is much in God’s Word about getting along with other Christians. Here is some of what the Bible teaches about having relationships with other believers: We are commanded not only to get along with other Christians, but we are to love them. “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” John 13:34 “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” Joh

Daily Nugget: Psalm 132, possibly sung after the pilgrims arrived at the Temple, reminded Israel of King David's overwhelming desire (II Samuel 7) to build a permanent place to worship the Lord. David took worshiping of the Lord very seriously. Not that one should desire to build a Temple today as did the king, but the seriousness in wanting to do one’s best for the Lord should still be stirring Christians today. We may not always get our desires, as David experienced when his son, Solomon, got the honor to build the place of worship, but we should long to do mighty things for the Lord. Today, too many can barely muster the desire to be faithful in going to church and Bible reading, let alone being determined to surrender life’s comforts to advance the cause of Christ. Rare are those that are willing to give their all so that others can have an opportunity to be saved and experience the goodness of God. This world needs more that has prioritized the things of God in their

Daily Nugget: King David, in Psalm 131, describes what made him so different from other leaders and many citizens. Although David had wealth and power, he was a humble man. He did what so many today need to do. The leader was subservient to God’s will and way. He obeyed and followed His Lord, as a small child would mind his parent (Psalm 131:2) — faithfully and trustingly. “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:4 Unfortunately, when most do well financially and position-wise, they allow their success to go to their heads. Too many believe they are more than they are. We are all sinners. None of us deserve what we are allowed to have and experience in this life. It was only by God’s grace and mercy that David was blessed with all he had. It is also by the same grace that we have or have accomplished anything. We are no different than David. Despite education, wealth, experience, or power, we d

Daily Nugget: Psalm 130 reveals several points that will help the child of God receive more answers to their prayers. They include: “… I cried unto thee…” Psalm 130:1 A “cry” is a sincere, earnest plea. This type of prayer comes from a heart that knows there is no other way to receive what is desired except through God to whom the request is directed.  “ … be attentive to the voice of my supplications.” Psalm130:2 A humble, earnest request shows God a reliant, dependent heart, trusting on His intervention and help. Realizing that God owes us nothing. All are sinners, but God is forgiving (Psalm 130:3-4), and He will still intervene if it is His desire.  Wait patiently for God’s answers to prayer. When God intervenes in our situation, it will be the way He deems is best, and when it is the right time (Psalm 130:5-6). Listing things off like reading a shopping list often does not get God’s attention to meet one’s requests. God knows the heart of the petitioner and will be mo

Daily Nugget: Biblical Israel faced a plethora of attacks from their godless enemies (Psalm 129:1). Modern-day Israel is having similar assaults against them. Through all the attempts of destruction upon them, Israel has persevered and even prospered. Their enemy’s attempts to weaken and destroy the nation have failed. The adversary’s advances came to naught. The attacks failed, not because of Israel’s strength and might, but because the attacks against the people God loves, although often spiritually wayward, were foiled by their faithful God. The Bible is packed with other accounts of God protecting His own. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walked out of a devouring, fiery furnace without harm because God delivered them (Dan. 3:16-17, 26) from the danger. Daniel was spared from the ravishing appetite of a den of lions because of his God’s protection (Dan. 6:22). Israel learned many times how, no matter the attacks from their enemies, no one could harm them unless it was God’s w

Daily Nugget: “ A Song of degrees. Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD ; that walketh in his ways.” Psalm 128:1 Psalm 128 is an excellent chapter for all, including the unsaved, to take to heart and to guide them to change the g uiding influences in their lives.   Verse one states that “every one” that respects and honors (“feareth”) the Lord will have a more pleasant experience.   Lives would be different if people followed God’s leadership. Of course, they must be saved (Romans 10:9) to dwell in Heaven and one day on the New Earth (Revelation 21:1-4), but their lives will have more positives than most are experienc e . There is a blessing for all in just following God’s laws and desires. If people realized that following what God commands is in their best interest, their grief in this life would be lessened.   There would be fewer divorces and destroyed families if couples would reserve sex and family building to marriage only.   Fewer, if not any, babies

Daily Nugget: At first readings, this Psalm seems to be about two separate subjects. However, since it is all one unit and no paragraph separations (¶) are included, which usually is seen when ideas in a chapter change, all that is read must be one teaching. Other commentator’s insights did not help me understand the connections of what seem to be two different pieces of wisdom, either.   The writers that I read often contradicted each other’s ideas and seem to have a mishmash of theories on what this chapter teaches.   One writer (J. Vernon McGee) stated that it was for a different Solomon than David’s son , without how he came to his conclusion . The more I studied, the more I was confused. Although it appears to be scattered thoughts, I believe Psalm 127 is one idea. The first two verses tell of three things that are a waste of time (“vain”) without God’s help and approval.   Except God is the foremost authority, director, and guidance in building a “house,” it wil

Daily Nugget: The children of Israel were excited when they were able to return to Jerusalem (Psalm126:1). Instead of misery and what seemed to be endless waiting, their prayers were answered, and they were joyous (Psalm 126:2). They were back in the land where they longed to be because of God’s intervention (Psalm 126:3-4). All the happiness they experienced did not come overnight. There were years and countless prayers offered to God to receive for which they longed. Many tears and broken, sincere hearts bombarded the throne room of God for what they were now enjoying. In God’s timing, they reaped from the prayers, patience, and trust they put in Him. “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalm 126:5-6 Life is rough, and I cannot imagine getting through the speedbumps and ruts that happen along the way without God’s help and protection. Mo

Daily Nugget: “As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.” Psalm 125:2 As the pilgrims journeyed to Jerusalem, they sang many hymns. Psalm 125 was sung as a reminder that wherever His people were, they were surrounded by God’s protective hand — forever. Today’s Christian can also have the same comfort and security. Wherever the believer goes, God is nearby. In theology, this doctrine is recognized as “omnipresence.” This teaching is that God is everywhere at the same time. Although God’s omnipresence is taught in the Old Testament, verses in the New Testament indicate how the ability of God still applies to today’s believers. We read that: God promises never to leave His own. To always be with believers, God must be where we are, and we are at different places all over the globe. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leav

Daily Nugget: “ If it had not been the LORD who was on our side , when men rose up against us:” Psalm 124:2 In Psalm 124, the Psalmist recognizes how Israel had often been victorious. Here, the hymn-writer reminded his people how God’s people were delivered from the Egyptians, as they fled the Pharaoh’s wrath. It was not their strength, ingenuity, wisdom, or riches that were used to rescue them from overwhelming odds. It was God that delivered them. Those in this church-age also can credit the same Deliverer for his merciful help in their time of need. If it was not for God’s help, most of us would still be in a valley of despair with little help of being pulled out of it. Most, when asked, can readily recall answered prayers and God’s help at the right time. Just imagine if those prayers were unheard. The same plague of powerlessness would still be prevailing. We would still be stuck or stopped because we had no help to pull us out of the ditch of distress, but the Lord hel

Daily Nugget: Psalm 121 focused on the excitement a Hebrew pilgrim experienced as He approached the city of worship, Jerusalem. Psalm 122 expressed the joy as a believer saw the place of worship, the Temple. Psalm 123 shares the root of why the worshippers were excited. It was God, they were anxious to be nearer. Their faith was not based on any one place, but to the God of all. He was the One they loved, respected, and the One to whom they desired to be closer. Today should be no different. Church is wonderful. It is a place to be encouraged, serve God, and a place to receive spiritual food, and blessings. The saved members are part of our spiritual family; it should be a blessing to be around them. However, the real reason we should be excited about church attendance is that we can hear from God and worship Him. Is that the real reason you are going to church? Hopefully, you are not just attending so you can have fellowship, meet pretty girls, get more business contacts, get

Daily Nugget: “A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” Psalm 122:1 As Israel made their pilgrimage to Israel, they were excited as Jerusalem came into focus. They were delighted when they were able to see and enter the Temple area. It was there sacrifices were given to God, and worship of Him was done. The Temple was the center of Jewish worship. Because of what Jesus did for all sinners, we no longer need the Temple in Jerusalem to be our focal point of worship. One trusting Christ as their one-time sacrifice for their iniquities no longer must have a Temple priest perform a blood sacrifice to temporarily have one’s sins forgiven. Jesus is now their “high priest” (Hebrews 4:14). Although we do not have to journey to the Temple in Jerusalem, there is a place we can go to hear the Word of God read, listen to a message God has given to a local spiritual shepherd, sing praises to Him, and fellowship with other like-mi

Daily Nugget: “A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help” Psalm 121:1. As many pilgrimaged to the Temple in Jerusalem, they knew they were nearing their destination when they saw the many hills that surrounded the place of worship. However, it was not the hills that helped them in their time of need (Psalm 121:1). It was God on the other side of the hilly terrain that was their benefactor. It was Him that they were anxious to see and be near. It was the great God and Creator that was their help. “My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:2). God had proven Himself worthy to relied upon repeatedly to the people of Israel. They experienced that God: Would lead them in the right direction. He would always guide them in the way He desired them to live, experience, and serve Him (Psalm 121:3) if they allowed Him to do so. Never slept and was always alert and attentive to His people’s needs (Psalm 121:3-4

Daily Nugget: Psalm 120, and those up to Psalm 134, are called “Songs of Degrees.” There are different explanations of what the usage of them was. Many believe that some of them were sung while traveling to the Temple for worship. However, like so many of the Psalms, there is a practical, everyday application that can be learned from this hymn. In this song, the frustration of damage done by lying lips is mentioned. For many, dishonesty is not recognized for what it is; it is a sin. Like any iniquity, it does damage to the offender and often others. It is understandable why the hymn-writer would bemoan such misuse of one’s lips. Some of the reasons lying is harmful is: Relationships are built on trust. How could a person rely on or believe what another has said if they have a history of dishonesty? A relationship built on lies will usually crumble when the truth is discovered. Often decisions are made on the words of another. When the utterances of one are not trustworthy,