Today Our Daily Bread ( from Rock Church's Daily Readings) Rom 16:19-20, Acts 17:6 & Psalm 24

Romans 16:19-20 19 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Acts 17:6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.
It seems the religious persecutors were seeking to persecute these, looking for them. How did they know who to persecute? I’ve heard the saying, "If we had persecution of Christians here, would there be enough evidence to convict you?." We might need to become more obvious, more distinct, more visible in our walk and our outward witness.
Psalm 24:1-10
The King of Glory and His Kingdom A Psalm of David. 1 The earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.
2For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters.
3Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place?
4He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. 5He shall receive blessing from the LORD, And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face. Selah
7Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.
8Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle.
9Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.
10Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah
~ Lena's Journalin'~
This Psalm is a musical song. In the song and the tune of it, it has pauses or interludes, where the singers wait at that section and think either of what was just sung or what will be sung next. "Selah" is like saying- don’t leave that thought too quickly! Stay here a moment and enjoy the music and the thoughts expressed by it. Boy if we did that with life sometimes. Just wait as you pass by the front walkway and look at what is here for us to enjoy the music of (birds are singing, wind is blowing- Thank God! Flowers are blooming, the sun is rising…Selah)
When this psalmist speaks of gates and doors he is speaking of people who can receive or reject the coming of the Lord into their lives, they can ignore Him when He calls them or they can open their hearts to His call (doors). The psalmist is prophesying and praying that each man would open up to the Lord and His desired work in them. Do you realize we are God’s proud work? But there is an element we do not usually think of and that is, He desires us to work, not just Him doing a work on or in us. He'’ really waiting on us to do His works in the earth, opening others doors and windows of opportunity for His spirit to live in men and to bring more men into the work.
Who can ascend? Please do not see that as, "Yeah I knew it, I had to be all cleaned up and good before I could serve God and that’s exactly why I don’t or won’t." You do have to be clean to face God without being consumed by His pure awesome presence, BUT you cannot do anything to make yourself that clean or that good! Ever, so if you think that way you are never coming to God, that’s true. We can only come to God by the blood of Jesus, which cleanses us from ALL our sins. It is not a work we do or even can do. It’s too big, too huge. That’s almost on purpose, it show the impossibility of being able to made ourseles clean without God’s help. We need God and HE needs us! REALLY. So He provided a way for us to be able to come to Him as we are now, to be forever changed. Jesus is THE WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE. There is NO other WAY to God. What’s so awesome about that is, it is the best and easiest way ever. Some feel the weight of their sins and the heaviness of the penalty for their sins, in a pay it back system, they feel hopeless and ashamed, like they could never even think of approaching God because of who they are or what they’ve done. That is so true, but know that even a lie makes one not able to approach God. Sin is sin, unrighteousness is unrighteousness. We’re either made right with God or not and we cannot pay for our wrong doings! Period, no matter how hard they are to pay for. Let the blood of Jesus pay for them. He already did. When you get that one you will have swung wide the eternal doors to welcome in God’s love and life in you.
Do you realize who this King of Glory is? He’s a king that became a poor man to save you. He’s the God of the universe who came and put on humanness in all its vulnerability and risk. He knew that and did it anyway, because of His extreme love for you. He knew you might reject Him, but He took that chance anyway, to make the impossible happen. What was headed to hell, was now turned to heaven. This King moved heaven, earth and hell’s gates for you! Do you know Him? He’s the LORD, strong and mighty. WOW. Did you get that one? He went to hell (for 3 days and nights) for you! Are you convinced of His great love extended towards you yet?