November 14, 2020: SOAP #3999:  Psalm 149; 1Corinthians 15, 16

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 149:1 Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.

Observation:  The Psalmist is not singing about people attending a concert of talented musicians giving a great musical presentation.  He is singing that everyone was to be a participator in the joyous praise.  It is always good to keep our hearts full of praise when we are alone, but here the psalmist is talking about everyone lifting their voices together in one mass choir to the Lord. 

Application:  I do not go to church to listen to others giving praise to God.  I go to join them in praising God.  I do not go to church to be entertained.  I go to church to join others in bringing joy to my Heavenly Father.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you are worthy of all praise.  You are worthy of my praise when I am all alone, and you are worthy of the praise of those with whom I gather.  May I never withhold your praise.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

Personal note:  For those keeping up with my journey, today I visited my cardiologist.  The surgeon had indicated that I might be able to go back to bus driving this week, at least that is what I thought I heard.  The cardiologist today thinks it better if I go through some cardio-rehab and have more time to recover.  He wants an echo-cardiogram next week to have as a base line to measure future improvement.  Maybe I’ll get back to the bus the middle of December or the first of January.  The EKG today showed that my heart is still in atrial fib, but the pacemaker is maintaining a good pulse.   Eleven years ago, God told me to drive a school bus; He has enabled me to pass my required physical every year.  If I can best please Him by continuing to drive a bus, I am confident that He will continue to enable me to do so.  If He has a change for my service, it is His to direct. 

Note: tomorrow is a day I never dreamed I would meet:  SOAP #4000.  For you who have joined me, thank you for your encouraging notes from time to time.  S.D.G.  😊  Leon