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[0:00] Psalm 1. You are blessed. You are blessed. Blessed people, aren't you? Amen. Are you blessed this morning? The Bible says you are blessed. And Psalm 1 tells us of the blessed life.

[0:17] Psalm 1. From verse 1. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

[0:31] But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season. His leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

[0:55] The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

[1:19] You are blessed. You are blessed. You are blessed. You are blessed. You are blessed. The blessed people. You know the blessed life. We have to look at some things about the blessed life.

[1:31] In contrast with the not so blessed life. Firstly, we see the way of life. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

[1:53] We need to consider carefully the road that we are on. We need to consider carefully the road that we are on. We can take the wrong road. Even with the GPS, you can end up on the wrong road, can't you?

[2:04] You can end up misdirected. And the road that we take, it's important that it's the right road. There's some negatives here we see. Walketh not. Standeth not. Siteth not.

[2:20] The blessed life is in contrast here to that which it is not. The negatives here. Things we ought not to do.

[2:31] Some things to steer right away from. Some behaviours to avoid. To keep clear of. There's some blessedness here. A blessedness. And it's found in godly separation.

[2:43] It's found in taking this way of life. This new way of living. Blessed, it says, is the man. We read here of the pathway of the blessed. Of the blessing. This word. It shows us the way to find the blessedness for your soul. It says, blessed is the man.

[3:03] It shows us the way of blessing. It tells us the way of blessing. It tells us a blessing. To find the blessedness of our soul. The pathway of blessing. It's a different way. It's the way of life.

[3:16] The way of life. And there's a sliding here talked of. We see. We notice that it says that there is a walking knot in the council.

[3:28] Who we're listening to. Standing. Standing with. A standing together with. A standing alongside with. And then ultimately. It goes from the council. The listening. The standing with. To the sitting with. Sitting right along with. The scoffing crowd. The god haters. It's a progression of evil.

[3:54] And where does it start? It starts with a step. Walk of knot. That first step. One step. Walking. One step. And then one step after another. Before you long it becomes a way of life. A conduct. A way of living. A walk. Actually it's a walk. A way of death.

[4:20] In contrast to the way of death. In contrast to the way of life. Isn't it? The way of the ungodly. Is the way of death. It's the way to hell. And we see that that one step.

[4:34] Giving the devil a foothold. Is that step. It's that stepping. It's that walking along with. And then standing along with. And then sitting with. It's a toleration. That becomes a capitulation. Isn't it?

[4:49] That one step. That one step. Is a toleration. You tolerate that one step. Give the devil a foothold. And before long. It's a walk. It's a way of life. It's a capitulation. You're giving yourself over.

[5:01] And it's a way of death. Bit by bit. People are like that. Aren't they? We know a vote. They've made that little step. That misstep. And they've ended up.

[5:11] In the way of darkness. That toleration. Of giving the devil a foothold. And before long. They're way off track. It's like it's been said.

[5:23] You set a compass. Just with a one degree out. And before long. You're right. In a totally wrong place. And it can happen so readily.

[5:33] And we know it can happen. To such as we. None of us are immune to such. A false death. It's mindful. Being mindful. Not to make that false death.

[5:45] And we see. As David says. Psalm 119. 128. Therefore I esteem all thy precepts. Concerning all things to be right.

[5:57] And I hate every false way. We need to develop a hatred for some things. There's some things we should hate. We should loathe them. We should abhor them.

[6:08] And it's that one step. Don't even make that one step. That leads you on the way of the ungodly. Of course we know we're already. We're born on the way of the ungodly.

[6:19] We've got to get off that track. And onto the right track. Don't we? To find that way of life. And it says here. It speaks of counsel. It says of the ungodly. That they walk not in the counsel of the ungodly.

[6:32] It's saying. Don't listen to that. The counsel of the ungodly. Isn't it? Counsel. It speaks of a purpose. Of a way of thinking.

[6:43] Who do we take our counsel from? Who do we take heed of? Who do we listen to? Who do we tune into? Whose counsel are you listening to? There's things we've got to say.

[6:53] I don't want to hear that. I don't want to watch that. I don't want to partake of that. And there are many voices calling for attention. Brothers and sisters. Aren't there? There's many counselors out there.

[7:04] There's much counseling. Much counsel we can take heed of. Many resort to the counsel of the ungodly. The philosophy of this godless world is futile and vain.

[7:15] Isn't it? It's empty. The counsel of the ungodly. They would say to you. The counsel of the ungodly would give you. Is trust in yourself. You know we were out witnessing one day.

[7:27] And I saw one of the people. A woman answered the door. And her t-shirt said believe. I believe in myself. You know believe in yourself.

[7:37] That's the slogan of the world isn't it? Believe in yourself. That is the counsel of the ungodly. Believe in evolution. Really believe in unbelief.

[7:48] That's the counsel of the ungodly isn't it? Isn't it? Yes. Yes. And we see the counsel of the ungodly. The counsel of the ungodly says if it feels good do it. That's the counsel of the ungodly.

[8:02] Do what is right in your own eyes. That is the counsel of the ungodly. The counsel of the ungodly would say is the counsel to choose the pathway of sin. To take the pathway of self pleasing.

[8:14] To take no thought for God and eternity and truth. Who are you following after? Will you walk in the way of the ungodly? Who are you walking with? Who are you going along with?

[8:25] You know we can see when you become a Christian. You get off of that track. And you take a different track. And you choose a different company of people too. It's good to think where are we walking?

[8:35] For some they're walking and they're walking into quicksand. And they might think as that sand gets a little bit boggy. Oh I can walk this way and I can take care of myself.

[8:48] But before long it gets ankle deep. It gets knee deep. And they're gone. Now the way of the ungodly is quicksand. It might seem harmless but it's darkness.

[9:01] Some are walking in darkness. Some are walking in lies. The Bible says rather we should walk in the way of the godly. We should walk in the newness of life. The way of life. And you can know and take that heavenward path.

[9:14] To know Christ who is the way. The truth and the life. I love that one that says we walk in newness of life. That that old life is gone. And it's a new life become.

[9:26] A new life has come. And you can know who is the author of life. He wrote the book. He's the author of life isn't he? He's the author of our salvation.

[9:38] He is the one that we can trust him. And where do we stand? It says of the ungodly that they would stand in the way of sinners. Where do we stand?

[9:49] In other words who are we united with? Who do we say? I belong here. You belong here. To this good godly church. That you belong here. This is your company. As small as it would be that we are the company of the people of God in this vicinity.

[10:04] As much as there's other companies in the locality. But it's about who you want to join party with. Who do you want to identify with? There's a broad way it says and there's many that go in there and.

[10:16] A broad way. It's popular there. It's crowded. The majority are there. The multitudes are there. And you will have many companions on this way. The popular, the crowded way, the broad way.

[10:29] It seems a pleasant and comfortable way. But at least for a season. But we know where it's going. There is much to distract and please the flesh on this way.

[10:41] But we know it's a hellward path. It's the way of death. We're taking the way of life, aren't we? The blessed ones. You that are blessed are taking the way of life. The problem is with the way of the ungodly.

[10:53] It is the wrong way. And then it says people are standing. They're standing in the way of sinners. People are standing. Yes, they think they're standing. But it's thin ice. It's thin ice.

[11:05] And before long it's going to give way under their feet. They're standing in the way of sinners. Their fellowship is sinful. Their entertainment is sinful. Their habits are sinful.

[11:17] Their conscience is seared. Their minds are darkened. Their heart is foolish, deceitful, desperately wicked. The counsel of the ungodly would say to you, just trust your heart.

[11:30] Trust your heart. The way of sinners is the way to hell. The neglect of eternal truths is actually utter foolishness. Do not trust your heart.

[11:44] It is deceitful. Desperately wicked. Do not trust your heart. Who are you identifying with? It says of some that they will stand in the way of sinners.

[11:54] Who do you identify with? The ungodly? Do you feel comfortable amongst their number in their conversation? Do you identify as a worldly? It's not to say we shouldn't make an impact as salt and light.

[12:07] We want to reach out. We want to be, as it were, hauling them out of the flames. Hating the garments stained by the flesh. We want to tear them out of the flames, as it were.

[12:20] we're not isolated from them in the sense that we are above them but we are trying to reach them and pull them out of the despair that they are in the way of sinners is the way to help let's face it the way of sinners is the way to help it might sound colorful and and comfortable and and popular but it is the way to help do you identify with the world and the world's loves do you belong with the devil's crowd is that who you want to be identified with there is no real peace there and then we see they walk in the council of the ungodly they stand in the way of sinners they sit in the seat of the scornful the scornful mock the saved we are we're a laughingstock a gazing stock to them we are an object of ridicule the work of God they oppose it they ridicule the Bible the scornful laugh at Bible standards at Bible convictions and God will have the last laugh the mocking scorners will be ashamed they'll lose that smile off their faces they will be condemned and ashamed and one day they'll regret their scorn and their mockery and they'll be in misery don't join in them their number do not join with the mockers do not sit with the scornful Psalm 4 verse 3 but know that the Lord have set apart him that is godly for himself the Lord will hear when I call unto him blessed is the man that walk of not in the council of the ungodly nor stand in the way of sinners nor sit in the seat of the scornful verse 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord and in his law doth he meditate day and night the blessed life you that are blessed you know the way of life not the way of the ungodly but the way of life the way of the godly and secondly we see you delight in the word of life the word of life the saving word the healing word he sent his word and he healed them this gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believe this word saves it's got power it's alive it's active it's it's quick it's powerful it's sharp the glorious word the word of life but his delight for you that are blessed is in this book this word of life the godly man doesn't stand with the crowd he stands out he stands out we are counter cultural we are as a voice crying in the wilderness we will be seen as the odd balls and the ones who would stand out as different as a part standing out standing apart we must leave the broad way and come to the narrow way his delight what do you delight in what is that which delights you that delights your soul that gives you a an uplift what is it that we desire that we find blessing there and comfort in is it that which is edifying and uplifting the comfort of the scriptures there's comfort here there's encouragement there's uplift there's blessing our delight is what is in in the word is it our delight is what is right our delight is in what is true and wholesome our delight is in the narrow way it's not popular the mockers will mock you they will laugh you they will mock you they will mock you they will deride you they will ridicule you you will suffer persecution you will shall suffer persecution

[16:30] our delight is not in that that the world would delight for we can expect that persecution we can expect that hatred as they hated me they will hate you he says our delight is not found in the world our joy is not there our uplift is here it's here in the gathering of the saints it's in the word and delight is in not the vanities of this world that would occupy our thinking it's not clouded with the worldly vanities but with eternal realities that is what we stand for we have a higher purpose a blessing a true blessing deep down in our soul and it travels into our shoes and into our walk our lives we have a book that we can delight in it inspires us it is the rejoicing of our heart it's that which we want to eat and it's sweet the psalmist cried out psalm 119 97 oh how i love thy law it is my meditation all the day we have a god dimension that god has opened up a new dimension of thinking as it were and we have awakened sense of his presence in our lives which fulfills and energizes us and his very word instructs us he's given us this very love letter from heaven to our soul it's been said whatever delights us shapes us and whatever shapes our thinking shapes our lives are we shaped by this book by the word of life what are we preoccupied with where do we meditate what do we dwell upon the sun there thoughts are you know you know as we naturally do have to make a living and support our families and make a life there's the day by day humdrum but is it that which we meditate on that obsesses us or what is it that we should be meditating on the words of life that we should uplift our soul that we should delight our heart that we should shape our thinking the words of god we have his precious promises don't we precious promises his wonderful grace his wonderful grace his power to save his mission his mandate his calling his giftings his purpose we have a mission to fulfill we have the word of our great savior and this book is no ordinary book penned by men as if we should analyze it as some man-made book but it is the very words of life and this book itself is the very words of life and this book itself is powerful sharper than any two-edged sword study it absorb it value its truth the blessed man is not just a hearer of the word but a doer of it and a delight in the word that it is our delight that we would dwell upon it not dwell upon the world and its ways and those things that would distract distract but day and night we have this word these words of life and we can think upon these words we can dwell upon them we can memorize them such that we don't even have to open the pages because it's within us it's engrafted it's implanted and it quickens our faith it emboldens our witness it energizes our steps it creates a life governed by truth and this book rejoices our heart it enlivens our mind it uplifts our joy this is food for our soul manna for our lives nourishment to our bones a spring of hope and resources to our homes surely he is our delight and his word is delights and this is the words of the one we love the one who loves us with an everlasting love surely here is our delight and this delighting that we have is by day and by night as we meditate daily diligently constantly

[20:35] it says his delight is in the law of the lord and in his lord does he meditate day and night day and night we see the way of life the new way of living we see the word of life saving healing transforming transforming, and we see thirdly, the water of life, verse 3.

[20:59] And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that bringeth forth his fruit in his season. His leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

[21:12] The blessed man shall be like a tree, not a tumbleweed, as you see the western movies and you see that tumbleweed blow down the desert road. We're a tree, you're a tree, a tree planted.

[21:26] There's some beautiful trees here this morning. The trees of the Lord, the planting of the Lord, isn't it? A tree, a tree of God, sturdy, planted, growing, steadfast.

[21:39] But it matters where you're planted. Because we see we can have that which is the water of life as our station, or we can live in the dryness and deadness and barrenness of the world.

[21:57] Those who are not the godly do not know the water of life. They do not know that refreshing, that flowing, that deep and wide and vitalising, life-giving power of God.

[22:11] The life-transforming of God. The one who breathed life into Adam. And he gives us life, the tree of life, the water of life. There's many references to the rivers, the streams of living water.

[22:24] There is a supply, a source for you, you that are the blessed. A life-giving stream for you. We have the spirit of our God as our comforter and stream.

[22:35] As the one who refreshes and fills and refills and overflows and bubbles out of us. As it were, streams of living water flowing out of our belly, as it were.

[22:48] As that picture of the life-giving, strengthening, empowering, vitalising power of God, who is our comforter and stream. We have the very empowerment of God.

[23:00] Now when we set about doing something for God, that we can realise that our source is not in ourselves, it's of Him. But He is the source, He is the supply.

[23:12] His very person indwelling us as His living temples. And as God's dear children, you can be firmly planted, it says. There's a planting. You know, you can be planted in a good, godly church.

[23:25] You can be planted as godly men, as godly women. Planted together. The planting of the Lord. And we can know a freshness there in that planting of God.

[23:36] A refreshing and that renewing. It says that there shall be fruit. It says that He bringeth forth His fruit in His season.

[23:47] His leaf also shall not wither. There's a fruit coming out of your life. You blessed ones here this morning. There's a fruit coming out of your lips. The fruit of our praise.

[23:57] There's the fruit coming out of our lives. We're called to be fruit bearers. We're called to be those who would gather fruit. Who would produce fruit. That we'd be productive. The devil doesn't want you to be fruitful.

[24:09] He doesn't want you to be a fruitful tree. He wants to spoil your fruit. He wants to rob you of your fruitfulness. He wants to harvest. Now later times I've become a bit of a better gardener than I formerly was.

[24:24] I used to kind of discount myself as not a very good gardener but I have got some plants that I've planted that are actually alive still and I rejoice in that.

[24:34] As I look at the garden there is some green there where once it was dry and dead and sometimes I look out into my garden and amongst the plants I see these splashes of colour, these little splashes of colour where one plant was that I planted and I just admire that.

[24:52] It might be a hue of yellow or red and I, but when I take a look I see that it's the name tag and it's just a photo of the plant that I planted alongside a dead stick in the ground.

[25:05] You know that plant has died, you know, since I was sort of reluctant to take that little piece of colour out of my garden and put it in the bit of the little card with the plants picture on it.

[25:16] But God doesn't want us to be like that as some dead stick in the ground. God wants us to be flourishing and alive. He wants us to be fruitful not dried up and dead.

[25:27] That's his will for us isn't it? That we should know the water of life, the refreshing of him, the one who is our supply, the one who feeds the roots of our lives such that we can draw that strength deep down and within.

[25:43] As I know we've planted some veggies in these, they're called wicking beds where the water comes up from beneath and it's not lost through evaporation. The roots are fed with the water. What a picture that is as we see of the Psalm 1, Blessed One.

[25:57] We see that the roots draw up. The nourishment, the water, that feeding, that supply such that we can be flourishing and fruitful. And there is no lack of supply for the godly plant.

[26:09] It's there. It's in the ground. We've just got to put those roots deep down, don't we? And draw from him. He will feed the roots and give us his great provision.

[26:20] He will never leave us nor forsake us. This river of life is unfailing. It's not like the rivers of our nation of late where they're starting to get a bit doubtful and drying up in spots.

[26:35] But we can trust this great river. There's no fear that this river will cease to flow. Amen? His river will never cease to flow. There is no fear that he will dry up and fail you.

[26:46] This river will always supply. He is never failing. His trust is never failing power. We have no fear that God will somehow fail to keep and nourish and nurture and care for his beloved ones, his blessed ones.

[27:06] You. Bless him. We will be fresh and flourishing. That's his will for us. We will be a well watered tree, green and alive, drawing strength and nurture and nourishment.

[27:21] This is our calling. He's ordained you for this. He says that we should bear much fruit. John 15, 5. I am the vine. Ye are the branches. He that abideth in me and I in him.

[27:37] The same brings forth much fruit. For without me you can't do nothing. Much fruit. Not just fruit, but much fruit. That's a fruitfulness. And friends, brothers and sisters, you can know a fruit, a godly fruit, a fruit, and you can bear that fruit for his glory.

[27:53] We can have a life lived for the glory of God. How so? Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.

[28:05] Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Of course, it's not meaning necessarily we're going to be driving BMWs or Rolls Royces or living in some fancy place.

[28:24] But there's that sense where there's a prosperity in our soul. That that which we shall do shall prosper. That which we shall be shall be fruitful. It shall be productive for his sake.

[28:37] That we can know the favour of God. His true blessing. In what really counts. In having a blessed home. And that's not so much the trappings of the home. It's the children.

[28:48] It's the wife. It's the family. It's the togetherness. There's a blessedness there. That your name is written in heaven. That's a blessedness for you, isn't it? That is something that is counted as more treasure than the banks can store.

[29:06] That we can have treasures in heaven. That your name is written in heaven. That you have passed from death unto life. That's prosperity, isn't it? That's the great joy. That God has set his love upon you.

[29:19] That is something special, isn't it? That you have joy unspeakable. That you have a reservation made and kept for you in heaven. In store.

[29:30] Just got to wait until you check in. That reservation is already made. You can rest assured if you know Christ. And that you have a peace that this world cannot give. God will bless.

[29:42] No matter if we may face the hardest of trials. Of difficulties. No matter the dry seasons. That never failing river is flowing still, isn't it? And we can tap in. Surely as we plant it there by that never failing river.

[29:56] No matter the buffeting of life. Because we are surely planted. You that are blessed are planted. And no matter the threshing.

[30:07] Because we are growing. He will gather us into his safe keeping. Verse 4. For the ungodly are not so. But are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

[30:19] What a contrast here. As we looked at the godly. We see a little more about the ungodly. The ungodly are not so. But are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. They are not like the grain like you.

[30:31] The ungodly are like the rubbish that is at the threshing floor. As the winnowing fan lifts that grain and the chaff together.

[30:47] The chaff is blown away. It's just the rubbish. And the blast of the wind shows it for what it is. No stability. No foundation. No firmness there.

[30:59] There is no constancy there. They are blown away like the chaff. It's just gone. Poof. Ultimately to be burned. They face the fire of divine wrath.

[31:11] Unquenchable fire. They are fruitless. Weightless. Useless. God calls you. You that are blessed. God calls you to faithfulness. To strength. At the heart of atheism is deadness isn't it?

[31:26] Like the chaff. It's vain. It's futile. The atheist lives a meaningless life in what they would consider a meaningless universe. And what a waste. What a waste.

[31:37] Tragic waste of a life. Only to end in gloom and doom. Chaff. To be put in the fire. Waste. The useless parts of the grain.

[31:50] There are many who are at war with God. The God of the Bible calls them chaff. What a tragic shame. The ungodly are not so.

[32:03] They don't know the life giving water. They don't know the green leaf. They don't know the overflowing fruit. The ungodly are not so. Their life is empty. It is vain. The ungodly are not so.

[32:17] They don't know eternal hope and blessing. The ungodly are not so. It's a life vain and futile. Like the chaff which the wind driveth away. The Bible says, Hebrews 3.13.

[32:28] But exalt one another daily. While it is called today. Lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

[32:40] Let's not be chaff. Let's be grain. Let's be wheat. Let's be truly planted. Let's know the way of life. Christ our Saviour. Let's know the word of life.

[32:51] His saving word. Let's know the water of life. Refreshing deep and wide and flowing. Verse 5 it says, Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment.

[33:02] Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. Friends, judgment. It's looming. Time is fleeting. The judgment day is shortly to be upon us.

[33:16] And if you will not seek his pardon now, you will not be able to receive it then. If you will not seek to bear your guilt. If you will not seek to bear your guilt now.

[33:27] Then you will bear your guilt then. You will not be able to stand and walk free in judgment.

[33:38] You will not be able to stand in the time of judgment. You will fall to your knees but then it will be too late to be saved. The sinner is not found in the congregation of the righteous.

[33:50] They know not the assembly of the people of God. They take the pathway to hell. They're not in the congregation of the righteous. They're not in the assembly of the righteous. They shall not be there.

[34:02] They take the pathway to hell. You know they're doing some other thing. Than to think together with God's people. To think together with the saints. They take the pathway to hell.

[34:13] There's some other interest. There's some other congregation. They will congregate with the ungodly. not congregate with the saints and that's not to say those who come to church are saved and those who don't come to church are lost but there's that there's that willingness there's that association there's that delighting together as of course we know being in a church doesn't make you a christian surely judgment is coming it depends what pathway we're on whether we've taken the way of life where we've trusted the one who is life it is the way surely judgment is coming i sinner seek the lord while he may be found call upon him while he is near he will abundantly pardon but you must seek and find his mercy this side of the grave lastly verse 6 for the lord knoweth the way of the righteous but the way of the ungodly shall perish there's no hiding our condition before him the lord knoweth the way of the righteous he knows the way of the ungodly he knows your way he knows who you are he knows your condition there's no hiding before him there's no pretense no pretending that he cannot see beneath the veneer the superficiality he knows your heart to know him and to be known of him is what matters god knows them that are his for we that are saved that's an assurance isn't it god knows them that are his and to be known of him is a great piece for us to know him and to be known of him yet for some who are on the fence it can be a source of concern am i saved does he know me am i known of him do i know him settle it today settle it now today is the day of salvation now is the accepted time settle it now do business with your god now do business with him now this side of the grave settle your heart set your heart set your love upon him what a blessing to know that god knows your way you that are blessed he says that he knows your way it says that he knows the way of the righteous righteous how can i be righteous in all my sinful inclination how can i be right with god thankfully he is your righteousness he is our righteousness he robes us with his own righteousness he takes off our filthy rags of our own righteousness he gives us his own righteousness he makes you he declares you he designates you he he states that you are righteous by his saving as you transfer as you translate as as your unrighteousness you give to him he gives you his righteousness in its place and you that are righteous he says that he knows the way of the righteous what a blessing to know that he leads that the way that you're taking you that are blessed you that are on the righteous way you that know the righteous savior who makes you righteous because of his bleeding and dying on the cross we know that he he who knew no sin was made sin for us wasn't he amen it says for him he that made him to be sent for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of god in him

[38:24] the righteousness of god and if you're looking on this planet uh for some holy guru some uh some venerable people to be revered um teacher um teacher just look at the simple christians sat next to you in this sanctuary here today that you are amongst the righteous because he has declared each one righteous that we might be and not just not some righteousness as the world would reckon it but you are the righteousness of god um wow you can't get any better than that can you he's called you the righteousness of god um as we just read that um we might be made the righteousness of god in him wow you are truly blessed this morning and what a blessing to know that god knows your way that he leads he guides and at the end of your way is his smile it's his open arms it's his embrace it's his great big hug as it were as we travel as we make that ultimate transition which is the the ultimate blessing really of death that the next instant will have his very embrace that he will have his blessed welcome for you that are blessed and at the end of your way is his welcome his smile nothing can be that amen i know we've got a funeral coming up where i'm saying some words friday i think so as it's um reckoned to be and to think of a saint he's made that ultimate transition and it's truly a promotion it's a celebration it's a rejoicing because that is the ultimate so to live is christ to die is game wow looking forward to that for the meantime to live is christ make that your life the one who is the way of life he's given you a new and living way he's made us to walk in newness of life the way of life he's given us the word of life that saves this this saving healing word that can heal the dread disease that that terminal condition that we have of our sin and he can heal that which is the very worst of diseases the disease of the soul of the heart the word of life can do that and we see the water of life refreshing feeling flowing and that that which we can draw from because we're planted where are people firmly planted the way of the righteous it says the way of the righteous in job 23 10 job in all of his suffering job 23 10 he says but he knoweth the way that i take and when he have tried me i shall come forth as gold he knows the way that you take the way of the righteous it says the lord knoweth the way of the righteous he knows everything about you he knows you inside and out he knows your past he knows your present he knows your future he knows that which is the right way for you to take and he knows the way that i take and when he has tried me i shall come forth as gold that i take and when he has tried me i shall come forth as gold so even the worst of times can be the best of times for you that are saved even if it should be that you would be as such as joe the way that joe took it could be so okay i may not be able to say your best life now as in the sense of of as the world would reckon but

[42:28] truly it is the best life isn't it the best life is to know christ to live is christ and he knows the way that i take when i when he's tried me i'm going to come forth as gold so it doesn't matter what testings i face but in contrast the way of the ungodly will perish which side do you want to go on which way do you want to take the way of life or the way of death do you want to have the the word of life or the the council of the ungodly the word of death do you want to have the water of life or do you want that deadness and dryness of soul such that there is no source there is just barrenness and failing the way of the ungodly it says will perish everything is lost for them my heart grieves for some loved ones who i fear are in that category that they are the ungodly the way of the ungodly will perish everything is lost no hope no heaven the way would take a perilous journey that leads to endless hopelessness doesn't it turn turn turn ye take leave of this path today the way of the ungodly shall perish don't take that way the good news is that the lord says enter ye in there's a door wide wide open it's not a not a wide door but it's wide open isn't it and he says in matthew 7 13 to close enter ye in at the straight gate for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many there be that go in there out because straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life and few there be a finder friends enter ye in it's wonderful to think that his invitation is extended so widely that he would say and beckon still as he still would say these words enter ye in what of your life what way are you on i urge you today to know the blessed life to be amongst the blessed that you are blessed and you that are in someone in your heart you're in that new way of life you're in you've got that word of life and you've got that water of life and truly you are blessed today and be take heart in them take heart in the blessing of god he knows your way and he is waiting one day to smile upon you and he's and he's receiving you unto himself and for the meantime let's live in that way of life let's let's not be ashamed that we are amongst um the few let's not be ashamed that we might be derided and ridiculed and and we might face persecution as he says we shall suffer persecution let's not let anything deter us and let's not make a misstep as we know some have taken the way of the backslider they've taken a misstep they've got off the track and it only takes one step to go on the way of the ungodly let's be wary wary of that amen we think i recollect as we would know the allegory of the pilgrims progress where they did take some detours and bypass and they went on some byways well let's keep on the main way amen the way of life let's pray lord we thank you for your precious word there's trees that transform and transform us still lord we bless you and worship you we pray each one hearing this might be encouraged in this new way of living

[46:33]  this way of life lord that we can have and treasure that word of life let us meditate there in day and night lord let us be planted firmly as trees not as tumbleweed but as firmly growing fruitful productive trees firmly planted by the rivers of water the water of life lord we thank you that you truly give that great supply and that blessedness that we all need and only it's only found in you not in other things help us lord to take stock of our own lives and take take heart in these truths in jesus name we pray amen