BY MY SIDE

"I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand,

I will not be shaken."

Psalm 16:8

With God by my side I overcome all tribulations all the while my soul is being soothed by the Comforter.

PREPARING THE WAY

"The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!”

Psalm 50:23

Those who obey the Lord's commandments are sowing life to reap eternal salvation.

SACRIFICE

"Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and pay your vows to the Most High; Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me. But to the wicked God says, "What right have you to tell of My statutes And to take My covenant in your mouth? For you hate discipline, And you cast My words behind you."

Psalm 50:14-17

Although the animal sacrifices have been abolished, the spirit of sacrifice remains. It is the living and concrete expression of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no expressing of faith without sacrifice, just as there is no sacrifice without faith. To memorize a couple of Bible verses or to eat in drink from the Lord's Supper is very easy. What is difficult is to live according to what you say you believe.

LITTLE FOXES

"Catch the foxes for us, The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, While our

vineyards are in blossom."

Song of Solomon 2:15

We are always looking out for the more grotesque kinds of sin, like stealing, fornicating, betraying, and so on. These are the "big foxes". But the "little sins", such as gossip,white lies, pride, criticism and excessive vanity are constantly ignored in our day-to-day life. Those are the little foxes that are ruining the vineyards. Watch and pray lest you fall into temptation.