Psalm 1:3

Psalm 1:3 “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law, he meditates day and night… And in whatever he does, he prospers.”


Real prosperity is not reaping earthly riches and vain possessions. True “prosperity gospel” is delighting in the law of our God and meditating on it all the time. Earthly prosperity may be nice, but when our entire focus is on pleasing Christ by abiding by His laws, we truly prosper. What is the law of the Lord? “Love the LORD your God…and your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:36-40). By following these and the other commandments declared in the Scriptures, we will fulfill our purpose and He will bless us. The Gospel of Christ can be tough and often bloody and full of heartache; rarely is it full of vain earthly riches. So, would you rather prosper your soul or your flesh? If you want to prosper both, love the law of God, and do not expect a bed of roses every day.

Ps 1:1

Psalm 1:1 “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked…”




I wish I could go back throughout my life and take back the times I compromised my relationship with Christ to follow a wicked man’s counsel. Reflection over one’s life can prove sorrowful with many regrets. True, some unsaved folk will have great advice for us in this world, but we must stay attuned to the Holy Spirit as to when to follow this advice and when to reject it. “Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools…” (Romans 1:22) Is it safe to trust in the counsel of fools? Surely not, rather, first go to the Maker of all things, who contains all wisdom ad knowledge, and “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Romans 11:33). So, “if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God,” (James 1:5) instead of walking in the counsel of the wicked.

A Great Woman

"Leave your orphans behind, I will keep them alive;And let your widows trust in Me." -Jeremiah 49:10-11

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." -James 1:27

This past semester I have been living with an elderly widow.  She is quite capable, even to the point of insisting in her mowing her own yard--roughly three acres.  When I moved in, the plan was for me to cook and provide my own food.  She simply would not have that plan much longer after the week I moved in, insisting that she would provide some of my meals.  She enjoys going to the Senior Center and other like places to hear some old country music live, and does not have a complete week without going to Sunday service at First Marion Baptist.  Her nights are not complete without a call from her daughter and with utmost diligence going through her lengthy prayer list.

Lavene had tragedies plague her life in the past decade.  A mother, husband, and two sons passed away.  I am sure much more tragedy struck, but I do not know many details.  She has been living alone in a small country town in Southern Indiana for some time.  About this time last year, she agreed to let me stay with her while I commuted to Bible college in Louisville.

Her husband served and faught in WWII.  He was a part of the Battle of the Bulge and Victory for Europe (VE) Day.  He fell victim to some mental issues, but had indeed accepted Christ shortly before His death.  Lavene's sons seem to be in the same boat as their father.  One summer day, with tears in her deep, dark eyes, Lavene lamented that she should have done more to bring her family to Christ.  That was not hardly it.  She followed with one of the most touching things I have ever heard in my entire life:

"I always tell my friends that God gave us all talents, but I started to think I don't have any talents. But then I though, "Well I love people, so maybe loving people is my talent."
-Lavene Lemaster