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Psalm 103:1-5 - Praise The Lord, O My Soul; And All That Is Within Me, Praise His Holy Name

Psalm 103:1-5 (NIV) Praise the LORD, my 
soul, and forget not all his benefits - who 
forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 
who redeems your life from the pit and crowns 
you with love and compassion, who satisfies your 
desires with good things so that your youth is 
renewed like the eagle's.  

WORD STUDY

103:2 forget not all His benefits. These 
earthly gifts from God included: 1) forgiveness  of 
sin (v. 3); 2) recovery from sickness (v. 3); 3) 
deliverance from death (v. 4); 4) abundant 
lovingkindness and mercy (v.4); and 5) food to sustain life 
(v.5). [MacArthur Daily Bible 2003] 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   My husband, Scott, starts his new job at 
a tech company in a month. The company has a 
wellness program as part of the benefits package. 
They want their employees physically, mentally, 
and emotionally whole. Scott read the varied 
list of things that the wellness program 
allocation can be used for, such as a gym membership, 
lifecoaching sessions, and even house-cleaning services. 
I immediately put in my vote for the 
house-cleaning services. I lobbied for the fact that clean 
toilets and sparkling fixtures would help my 
well-being immensely, which would ultimately help our 
marriage  because of my wellness. Scott rolled his 
eyes at me and said, "Stop trying to steal my 
benefits." That was hurtful but true. The wellness 
program is for employees only. 
   Fortunately, the benefits of following 
Jesus apply to all of us. The benefits of loving 
Jesus are life-altering. He forgives every sin 
that we have ever committed, giving us open 
access to our heavenly Father. He heals our hearts 
and our minds, filling us with goodness and 
peace. He takes our brokenness and frailty, 
restoring us to wholeness. He fills us with 
overflowing compassion. He surrounds us with His immense 
love. He fills the deep well of need within us, 
satisfying our desires with good things and renewing 
our strength. True wellness begins the moment we 
invite Jesus into every nook and cranny of our 
lives. Susanna Foth Aughtmon 
   Faith Step: Remember all the benefits you 
have received in your own life since you began 
following Jesus. Praise Him for all that He has done. 
[Mornings With Jesus 2021 Devotional by Guideposts and 
Zondervan] 

ILLUSTRATIONS

   Not long after I had both knees replaced 
on the same day, I started to feel like a caged 
bird, doing most of my rehab inside my condo. One 
day I asked my daughter visiting from California 
to take me to the nature parka few blocks away. 
We walked slowly to the area where a number of 
wild birds are caged because of permanent injury. 
That was the first time I took a close look at 
Sarge, a large stately American bald eagle. 
Unfortunately, Sarge was born with a feather disorder that 
makes her feathers brittle. She can't hunt or fly, 
so she has lived in captivity since 2014. 
   During the next three years as my knees 
healed, I visited Sarge often. One day I sat and 
talked with the man in charge of all the birds at 
the turtle park I learned that many of Sarge's 
visitors are patients from the veterans' hospital. 
   He told me about the many injured 
military men and women who visit Sarge, who sometimes 
ask to put on a handler's glove so they can hold 
her. They're hurt, she's hurt. They form a bond 
and keep coming back and eventually get to work 
with Sarge as an educational leader at nursing 
homes, schools, and veterans programs, providing 
tens of thousands of people with the opportunity 
to get to know America's symbol of freedom up 
dose and personal. 
   Sarge taught me the importance of 
reaching out to others. I'm drawn to people who have 
had knee replacements, curious as to how their 
healing is going. Once I tell them I had both knees 
done on the same day, they're eager to share 
their own story. 
   Lord, let me to reach out to those whose 
bodies may be failing and who need encouragement. 
Patricia Lorenz [Walking in Grace 2021 Devotional by 
Guideposts and Zondervan re vs. 5] 

Thanks for the Memories
   While jogging early this morning, I found 
myself humming the tune Bob Hope immortalized 
during several wars. I can still remember his 
tailor-made lyrics, fitted to each occasion. He sang 
them to lonely soldiers, sailors, airmen, and 
marines from steamy jungles to frozen reservoirs  
from the decks of aircraft carriers to makeshift 
platforms on windswept sand dunes. As guys and gals in 
uniform laughed and cried, screamed and sipped Coke, 
they always anticipated Hope's finale as he took 
the mike and crooned, "And thanks for the 
memories " 
   I remember it well: Christmas of '58 on 
Okinawa. I was homesick, missing my wife, and 
counting the days. So when the veteran entertainer 
sang his closing song, I sang along with him in a 
flood of memories. I recall how grateful I was for 
that tour of duty: the lessons I had learned, the 
disciplines I had begun to employ (thanks to the 
Navigators), the books I had read, the missionaries I had 
met, the places I had visited, the journal I had 
kept, the letters I had written, the verses I had 
memorized, even the things I had witnessed inside a 
Marine Corps barracks! And, most importantly, the 
call I had received from God to enter ministry. 
   Looking back now, all I can do is smile 
 and sing, "Thanks for the memories." I'm 
doing that a lot these days as I recall the 
various things God has done in me and through me and 
for me - and sometimes in spite of me! And I 
can't help but give Him praise in my heart. 
   Pastoring a church has to be the highest 
of all callings. In this position, one has the 
privilege of touching life at its tenderest points  
of walking with pain through its darkest 
valleys  of proclaiming truth in its purest form 
 of confronting sin in its ugliest scenes  
of modeling integrity through its hardest 
extremes - while everyone is watching as well as when 
no one is looking. It is no wonder to me why it 
requires a God-given calling before one enters it or 
why such a struggle accompanies resignation from 
it. 
   And after all these years I say a 
resounding, "Thanks for the memories!" For the 
conversions that have occurred, the addictions that have 
been conquered, the marriages that have been 
restored, the fractured lives that have been mended. 
These memories stay with me and revisit me often 
as I thank Him for His faithfulness. 
   Who knows what other surprises God has 
over the horizon? I do not know what lies ahead, 
but for today I pause and praise Him  and 
thank Him for the memories. 
   We know who holds the future  as we 
thank Him for the past. [Chuck Swindoll 
www.insight.org.] 

CLOSING THOUGHT

Remarkable
   Every day I have the honor of sitting 
down with a book that contains the words of the 
One who created me. Every day I have the 
opportunity to let him give me a thought or two on how 
to live. 
   If I dont do what he says, he 
doesnt burn the book or cancel my subscription. If 
I disagree with what he says, lightning 
doesnt split my swivel chair or an angel doesnt 
mark my name off the holy list. If I dont 
understand what he says, he doesnt call me a dummy. 
   In fact, he calls me Son, and on a 
different page explains what I dont  
understand.
   Remarkable.
   At the end of the day when I walk through 
the house, I step into the bedrooms of three 
little girls. And one by one, I bend over and kiss 
the foreheads of the angels God has loaned me. 
Then I stand in the doorway and wonder why in the 
world he would entrust a stumbling, fumbling 
fellow like me with the task of loving and leading 
such treasures. 
   Remarkable.
   Then I go and crawl into bed with a woman 
far wiser than I  a woman who deserves a man 
much better looking than I  but a woman who 
would argue that fact and tell me from the bottom 
of her heart that Im the best thing to come 
down her pike. 
   After I think about the wife I have, and 
when I think that I get to be with her for a 
lifetime, I shake my head and thank the God of grace 
for grace and think, Remarkable. 
   Im learning not to take these everyday 
miracles for granted. 
   Im discovering many things: traffic 
jams eventually clear up, sunsets are for free, 
Little League is a work of art, and most planes 
take off and arrive on time.  
   Im learning that most folks are good 
folks who are just as timid as I am about starting 
a conversation. 
   Im meeting people who love their 
country and their God and their church and would die 
for any of the three. 
   Im learning that if I look  if I 
open my eyes and observe  there are many 
reasons to take off my hat, look at the Source of it 
all, and just say thanks. [Max Lucado Daily 
Devotional at maxlucado.com] 

RELATED MUSICAL LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT (Be 
Sure And Note The Lyrics): 

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) - Matt 
Redman (Best Worship Song Ever): 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E 

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty - Fernando 
Ortega: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEh7Vt9sxmc 

"Count Your Blessings" By The Martins (2010) 
" You Tube: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rd0ManetzM 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE

Psalm 103:1, 2 - Praise The Lord, O My Soul; 
And All That Is Within Me, Praise His Holy 
Name. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2017/20170106-1712.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

Steps to Peace by Billy Graham: 
https://stepstopeace.org/ 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]  

Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David 
DeRose, MD, MPH: 
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides: 
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The 
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE 

Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of 
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible 

Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor: 
https://www.revelationnow.com/ 

Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: 
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657