Psalm 103 (KJV)
1Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.
The Bible teaches that God has special concern for the poor and helpless. "Blessed is he who considers the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble" (Psalm 41:1). There is great blessedness in helping the poor. In the original Hebrew this word poor means those who are impoverished, oppressed, needy, feeble, weak or thin.
It seems the Lord takes special notice on those who show kindness and love to those in need. Remember the words from Matthew 5:7, "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."
As we reach out to the poor, we can be assured that God will deliver us when we are....
1. in trouble (vs. 1)
2. protect us from harm (vs. 2)
3. bless our lives (vs. 2) and
4. give us His presence and
5. give us healing when we are sick (vs. 3)
The Bible emphasizes the need for kindness, pity, and sympathy toward those who have been brought into poverty or want. Let us remember the poor!
What are the three acts of righteousness that Jesus gave much importance to? Why did He say that they should be done in secrecy?
Matthew 6:1-18 gives an informative teaching concerning three good habits of Kingdom life. Jesus talks about giving, praying, and fasting. He said that when you give to the poor, you should not blow a trumpet and call the poor so that you can make a show of your giving.
Rather Jesus said that if your charitable deeds are done in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. We are told not to be a hypocrite or play actor when it comes to giving.
Jewish tradition said that there was in the temple a "chamber of secrets" into which the devout people used to put their gifts in secret so that the poor could also receive support in secret. God certainly looks at the motive for our giving.
What kingdom principals and rules bring positive rewards? We have definite steps to effective prayer given by Jesus Christ in Matthew 6:6.
1. Go into your room
2. Shut the door
3. Pray to the Father in secret
The Lord wants us to shut the door on certain activity. He wants to spend some quiet times with us in private. He really would like our heart and full attention in times of prayer.
You are to get alone with God. He got alone with you in the very beginning of your existence. Psalm 139:13-15 states: "For you formed me and made me in my mother's womb. You saw me as I was being formed in secret (in utter seclusion) as I was woven together in the dark (in my mother's womb).
As you get alone with God in prayer and communion, He will birth many miracles for you. He is the Master designer and creator of life. Time spent alone with the Lord conceives and births mighty and miraculous things.