Pastor Mike Impact Ministries

Psalm 119:65-72 is the ninth stanza of this psalm, and every line or verse begins with the ninth letter of the Hebrew alphabet “TETH”, in the Hebrew Bible. The emphasis in these verses is on what is good in the life of the believer. The Hebrew word “tob” is used six times in these eight verses and can be translated good, pleasant, beneficial, precious, delightful, and right. James reminds of this...

Psalm 119:57-64 is the eighth stanza of this psalm, and every line or verse begins with the eighth letter of the Hebrew alphabet “HETH”, in the Hebrew Bible. Whenever the people of Israel failed God and turned to idols for help, it was evidence that they did not really believe Jehovah was adequate to meet their needs. When the enemy threatened to invade their land, the leaders of Israel often ran...

Psalm 119:49-56 is the seventh stanza of this psalm, and every line or verse begins with the seventh letter of the Hebrew alphabet “ZAYIN”, in the Hebrew Bible. If the psalmist was a priest or a Levite, and he probably was, then he was required to be an expert on the book of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy means "second law." The book records Moses's "farewell speech" that he gave...

Psalm 119:41-48 is the sixth stanza of this psalm, and every line or verse begins with the sixth letter of the Hebrew alphabet “WAW”, in the Hebrew Bible. Over the years I’ve been asked the question, “Why did you go to Liberty University?” In this section of Psalm 119, I found a great answer! I would reply, “I have Scriptural reason for going there. Psalm 11:45 says, “And I will walk at Liberty, f...

Psalm 119:33-40 is the fifth stanza of this psalm, and every line or verse begins with the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet “HE”, in the Hebrew Bible. Paul (2 Tim. 4:6-8) and Jesus (John 17:4) both ended well, to the glory of God, but not every believer achieves that coveted goal. A good beginning ought to lead to a good ending, but that is not always the case. Lot, Samson, King Saul, Ahithophe...

Psalm 119:25-32 is the fourth stanza of this psalm, and every line or verse begins with the fourth letter of the Hebrew alphabet “Daleth”, in the Hebrew Bible. The previous stanza or section ended with the psalmist delighting in God's Word, and this one opens with him down in the dust! The enemy attacks us the hardest when we are enjoying the blessings of God, and we must expect it. When thing...

Psalm 119:17-24 is the third stanza of this psalm, and every line or verse begins with the third letter of the Hebrew alphabet in the Hebrew Bible. If ever we feel we can ignore our daily time with God in His Word, then this is the Scripture to read. We need the Word because we are servants , a word that the psalmist uses often in this chapter, (vv. 17, 23, 38, 49, 65, 76, 84, 122, 124, 125, 135,...

9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. 10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You! 12 Blessed are You, O LORD! Teach me Your statutes! 13 With my lips I have declared All the judgments of Your mouth. 14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testi...

1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the LORD! 2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart! 3 They also do no iniquity; They walk in His ways. 4 You have commanded us To keep Your precepts diligently. 5 Oh, that my ways were directed To keep Your statutes! 6 Then I would not be ashamed, When I look into all Your commandments. For the ne...

Psalm 119 has the distinction of being the longest chapter in the Bible. It is made up of twenty-two stanzas with eight lines or verses in each one for a total of 172 verses. I’ll never forget taking the time and effort to memorize this psalm in its entirety back in 1985-86. I worked very hard on it every day and at one time could quote it verbatim. (Don’t ask me to do it today.) Over the past 40...

22 The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. 23 This was the LORD'S doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save now, I pray, O LORD; O LORD, I pray, send now prosperity. 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We have blessed you from the house of the LORD. The remnant of Israel i...

15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation Is in the tents of the righteous; The right hand of the LORD does valiantly. 16 The right hand of the LORD is exalted; The right hand of the LORD does valiantly. 17 I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the LORD. 18 The LORD has chastened me severely, But He has not given me over to death. 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go thr...

1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2 Let Israel now say, "His mercy endures forever." 3 Let the house of Aaron now say, "His mercy endures forever." 4 Let those who fear the LORD now say, "His mercy endures forever." 5 I called on the LORD in distress; The LORD answered me and set me in a broad place. 6 The LORD is on my side...

Happy New Year!!!! We are going to start off the New Year by looking at Psalm 118. This psalm is the last of the Hallel psalms or the Hallelujah Chorus in the Jewish hymn book. Psalm 113 to Psalm 118 were psalms that were to be sung or read at the major Jewish celebrations such as Passover or the Feast of Tabernacles. Psalm 118 was most likely sung after the Passover meal. Many believe that the Lo...

I believe that there is no better way to close out this old year than to know that your sins are forgiven, that your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life and if Jesus did come back that you know that you are ready! Or, if suddenly you died and you draw your last breath and your heart stops beating, you still know you are ready to meet the Lord! The Bible says in Proverbs 27:1, “Boast not you...

Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter of the Bible with a wonderful and encouraging message for all the world. The very first verse gives every person in the world hope that there is a way of salvation and that there is something to live for! We were created to worship the one and true God! We should live to praise Him. Psalm 117 is of course a psalm in the Jewish hymn book written primarily for the J...

1 Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples! Psalm 117 has the unique distinction of being the shortest chapter in the Bible along with being consider by many as the middle chapter of the Bible. Actually, because there are an even number of chapters in the Bible, Psalm 118 is also a “middle chapter”.  Remember we said earlier that Psalms 113 to 118 are the “Hallel” Psalms, all w...

16 O LORD, truly I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have loosed my bonds. 17 I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving , And will call upon the name of the LORD. The Jewish nation has one day a year set apart to observe Passover. This is a day set apart to remember how God through His mighty power and miracles delivered the nation of Israel out of the la...

This week most of us are thinking about preparing for the New Year. When we look back at this past year, and most likely even many years before it, we usually are very disappointed with our progress spiritually. We might feel like this psalmist in Psalm 116. One moment he was calling on the LORD to deliver him and help him and then the next he is down in the dumps and feels like everyone around hi...

7 Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. I trust you had a very Merry Christmas and a great time of worship with family and friends at one of the special Christmas Eve services in your area!  But as soon as the Christmas season passes, we are reminded that a New Year is just around the corner. For many of us it is also an exciting time of looking forward to a...

Monday Christmas Day, December 25 Immanuel, God With Us Merry Christmas!!! Today, the whole world celebrates the birth of a baby boy born two thousand plus years ago! His birth was probably as normal as any other baby born during that time in Israel, but the major difference was in His conception. He had no earthly father because He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of a virgin named Ma...

6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood be...

1 I love the LORD, because He has heard My voice and my supplications. 2 Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live. 3 The pains of death surrounded me, And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow. 4 Then I called upon the name of the LORD: "O LORD, I implore You, deliver my soul!" 5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;...

Psalm 116:1-19 1 I love the LORD, because He has heard My voice and my supplications. 2 Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live. 3 The pains of death surrounded me, And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow. 4 Then I called upon the name of the LORD: "O LORD, I implore You, deliver my soul!" 5 Gracious is the LORD,...

Psalm 115:9-15 9 O Israel, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. 10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. 11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield.   12 The LORD has been mindful of us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron. 13 He will bless those who fear the LOR...