Psalm 112 describes a man whose "righteousness endures forever." In ten verses there are three references to how "his righteousness endures forever... he will never be shaken; the righteous will be remembered forever." (3, 6, 9)

Last week’s devotional (“Good is Perfect”) captured was has been such a helpful truth for me through the years. And it’s one that puts us on a much more biblical, practical, realistic, foundation for life with God. See, God didn’t design us to be perfect, He designed us to be useful, “good” for His purposes. The question isn’t, “How can I be a better me this year?” It’s, “How can I be of more use to my Lord?”

When the Bible uses the word “perfect” it means “good.” And this is a more useful standard for us to employ.

As a Bible Church, we believe it is important for us to read God's Word.
It is one of those simple, non-spectacular, habits--along with prayer and church attendance--that accounts for so much of our spiritual health or unhealth. No one who neglects these habits will be spiritually healthy. Anyone who invests in them will get healthier.

Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. (1Co 15:1-2)

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch... that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit....4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (Joh 15:1-5)

Few places in Scripture give such close attention to the nature of God's relationship with us. We are often admonished to consider the love of the Lord, but here we see what that looks like. And so we encounter God's thoughts toward us, His knowledge and love for us, in detail. And this carries significant implications for how we think about God and how we live as His people.

Jeremiah 31 describes a day of redemption. (31:11) It tells of a time when “they shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion,” and “I will turn their mourning into joy… and give them gladness for sorrow.” (13) It’s a day when the LORD will “make a new covenant with the house of Israel.” (31) This refers to work of Jesus: “This is the New Covenant, in My blood.”

The fellow formerly known as Legion wanted to go with Jesus. Who wouldn’t!? After all Jesus had done for him—setting Him free, washing Him clean—that makes good sense. We all want to walk with Jesus. Amen.

Last week we met “a man with an unclean spirit who lived among the tombs.” And we saw Jesus go out of His way to meet this man and set Him free. Jesus haunts the haunted places and sends the demons away. He is greater-than and He is not afraid.