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Daily Devotion
Archives
Friday April 27, 2007
The
Sacrifice of Praise
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That sounds like an oxymoron, a
contradiction in itself. But what does it actually mean?
According to Hebrews 13:15...,"Through Him, therefore, let
us continually and at all times, offer up to God the
sacrifice of praise, which is in the fruit of our lips that
thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name." ,
it is something that should be done constantly. It is
mentioned and described in Leviticus 7:12. It is spoken of
in Isaiah 57:19, also. The Psalms speaks many times of
the sacrifice of praise being continually on our lips.
You may be aware of the term, but may be
asking, how do you do this when you are feeling so low?
Someone gave me a nugget of wisdom when I was in just such a
state of mind. She said, "Emotion follows action". I
was thinking, OK, so how do you get this started? I don't
feel like praising God. But isn't that the very definition
of the word sacrifice? Something that costs you a little and
in some cases allot. Sacrifice. I can assure you that once
you start being thankful and acknowledge the particulars of
our God, with the fruit of your lips, (speech), the emotion
comes along soon thereafter. Let us praise Him for the
ultimate sacrifice that He made on our behalf and glorify
His name. To offer up a sacrifice of praise soon becomes
continual in that He is constantly worthy! |
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Light vs
Darkness
Ephesians 5
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This chapter is peppered with terms of
light and darkness, comparing one to the other. It also uses
terms like fruitful and fruitless. There is to be no
companionship between either of the two scenarios. (v11) We
are told to reprove the works of darkness.
It tell us that when we do that, it shines a light on
darkness, thereby exposing it. (v13) It reminds us that we
were children of darkness, (v8) but now are we enlightened,
we are to walk in this light. The 2nd verse instructs us to
walk in love, as we walk in this light. If we only set out
to reprove and there is no love, though we walk in the
light, this destroys the message of Christ. Christ's last
words to His disciples were for them to love one another.
(John 15:9) Christ reproved the religious leaders, but
certainly His heart was broken because of their choice to
stay in their darkness. He prayed the Father to forgive them
as they were putting him to death. Christ is our greatest
example of Love. He not only commands that we love one
another, He showed us how to do it. (Mt.5:43-48) (John 13:34
& 35) |
Monday April 30, 2007
Selfishness vs Selflessness
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Our Creator God is one of balance and
order. He demands allot of us, yet He provides all we need.
We may become self-defeating in possessing a low self image.
It can actually make us ill. But we may also think of
ourselves too highly. Both attitudes are against God views
of His creation. In Matthew 23:12, we are told whoever
exalts himself will be abased (humbled), but whoever humbles
himself will be exalted. In Jeremiah 1:5, the Lord says
"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you
were born, I set you apart" Ephesians 2:10 Tells us we are
His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.
It is in and through Christ alone, by God's wisdom and
purpose that we are. He values us highly, John 3:16, has
loved us with an everlasting love, Jeremiah 31:3. But
advises us to humble ourselves in His sight, so He can lift
us up. James 4:10. He resists the proud, but gives grace to
the humble. |
Tuesday May 1, 2007
Ponder
and Reflect
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Today's devotion would encourage us to
consider what it is that we are full of care about and what
the Bible says about such things. Look up the few listed
scriptures posted and think about the cares of your life.
Another passage says that we cannot gain a thing by being so
anxious, to let tomorrow worry for itself. This, in no wise
is to be taken to mean that carelessness is what God wants for
us. We are to live soberly and with purpose. He
supplies all our needs and we need not be so consumed with
worry that it overrides our ability to live an effectual
life, through
Him. Philippians 4:4-7...Rejoice in the
Lord always. And again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation,
(forbearance of irritation) be made known unto all men.
(reputation of even temperament). The Lord is at hand (coming
soon). Be full of care (anxious) over nothing, but
everything by prayer and supplication, with Thanksgiving
(for His provisions), let your requests be made known unto
God, (tell him your concerns and leave it in His care) And
the Peace of God which passes understanding, will keep your
hearts and minds (from worry), in Jesus Christ. 1Peter
5:7, Casting all your cares upon Him, for He care for
(instead) of you. Mathew 13:22; Psalms
127:2, Mathew 6:25 |
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When we fully trust ourselves into God's
care, He takes full responsibility for our well-being. |
Wednesday May 2, 2007
The Lord's Prayer
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Jesus' disciples came to Him and asked about prayer.
As recorded in Mathew 6:5-15, He told them not to use vain
repetition and to pray in secret (so as not to be man
pleasers) and that God would reward them openly. He
let them know that even before we pray, the Father knows
what we need before we ask. Looking at the example of prayer
He gave them, we can see prayer as a facet of our worship of
Him.
"Our Father, (acknowledge God as our Heavenly Father,
we are His heirs), who art in Heaven, (acknowledge where He
is,), Hallowed be thy name, (Holy and sacred, worthy of
honor), Thy Kingdom come, (acknowledge His heavenly Kingdom
will be brought to earth, at Christ's return), Thy will be
done on earth as it is in heaven, (acknowledging there is no
evil in heaven, His will is perfectly performed), Give us
this day our daily bread, (teach us to be content with
provisions given on a daily basis, both physical and
spiritual), and forgive us our trespasses (sin offenses) as
we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not
into temptation (acknowledging God tempts no man, James
1:13,14), but deliver us from evil,(1Cor.10:13, 2 Pet.2:9),
For thine is the Kingdom, (highest reigning of all
kingdoms), the power, (mightiest of all power), and the
glory (highest excellence), forever (eternal, from
everlasting to everlasting). Amen. (so be it)
In verses 14 & 15, Jesus warned them that if they were
unforgiving, God would not forgive them either.
Psalms, says If I regard iniquity in my heart, God
will not hear me. Mat.24:12 warns us that when iniquity
abounds, love waxes cold.
As we study this prayer, let us look deeper into the
message and understand the depth as Jesus intended it.
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Thursday May 3, 2007
National Day of Prayer
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Today marks the 56th annual day of
prayer. Throughout our nation, we should see fellow
believers gathered together at their city's central
locations, hand in hand, praying for our nation. This is an
awesome liberty and opportunity that the United States
observes every year. We are to be focused on the spiritual
needs of our people and the leadership of our political and
religious authorities. As we set aside some time to pray in
this regard, let us remember the words written in 1
Thessalonians 5:17, to pray without ceasing. (keep a
prayerful mindset, constantly). We are also told in
Revelation 5:8, that our prayers go before the throne of
God, in golden vials of sweet odors. Can you imagine God
inhaling the scent of our prayers? Amen!
Nationally, on this day of prayer, it is
common to hear believers quote the scripture written in 2
Chronicles 4:14 "If my people, who are called by my name,
shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, turn
from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and
will forgive their sin and will heal their land"
Note that there are some requirements of us in this passage.
Humbleness, seeking God's face and repentance. We cannot
approach a Holy God in an unholy manner. But we are
encouraged to know that if we do things as He requires, He
hears us, forgives us and heals us!
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Friday May 4, 2007
Inheritance
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If we are fortunate to be born of rich
parents, most likely they leave us an inheritance. (that is,
if we stay on their good side!) The bible talks about even
"evil" parents give gifts to their children, but lets us
know that with God as our heavenly father, how much more
does He, being good, give us. When we look at the spiritual
inheritance that we have from God the Father, the riches are
innumerable. The benefits are beyond measure. We are heirs
to His Kingdom. I for one am so happy to know that staying
on His good side is beyond me. My righteousness is filthy
rags. I'm happy because He tells us that it is Christ's
righteousness that He looks through to see us as worthy.
When I invited Him into my heart and life, His Spirit came
to make His dwelling in me and I am adopted into this royal
family. We are hid in Christ when God turns his holy head to
look upon us. He sees us, through Christ.
A minister once gave us the example of a
rainbow, to help us understand this concept. The top color
of the rainbow band is red, the bottom color band is purple.
God looks down from heaven, through the red blood of Christ,
and sees us. We, in turn, look through the royal purple of
his Highness, to lift our heads towards heaven. What a
wonderful example, the rainbow being the sign of promise
given to Noah, that still comes to us today. I'll never look
at a rainbow the same again without being reminded of the
royal inheritance that I have through Christ's
righteousness. I am grateful for the precious bloodshed of
my Savior, that hides me yet brings me into such riches!
Acts 26:18; Colossians 1:12; John 1:12;
Romans 8:15
Revelation 7:9-15
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Saturday May 5, 2007
To
Speak Or Not to Speak
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The book of James is full of insight
regarding the use of our words. It tells us that our tongue
holds both fire and poison. (James 2) Today, lets consider
our speech.
We know that sometimes it is so difficult
to use positive speech when circumstances seem so negative.
Our mothers always taught us, "If you can't say something
nice, don't say anything at all." When we get irritated, we
can do one of two things: speak or not speak. What we need
to keep in mind is that once it leaves our mouth, we cannot
retrieve it. We cannot unsay anything. The use of self
control is the tool we need to use more often than we do.
A young boy was working for his
grandfather on the farm, who was having a difficult time
with controlling his tongue. The grandfather had him working
on a piece of land next to a fence, to plant a garden. He
handed him a hammer, a box of nails and a hoe. He said, "I
want you to lay aside this hammer and nails, work this soil
for me, but when you think about the things you'd like to
say to the ones that irritate you, nail one nail into that
fence." The boy just scratched his head, but did as he
said. By the end of the day he showed his grandfather all
the nails in that fence, thinking it would draw a positive
reaction. He'd used every nail in the box! The piece of land
wasn't ready for planting, though. Evidently the boy had to
stop often and nail a nail in the fence. It seemed that took
most of his time! The grandfather put his hand on the boys
shoulder and with a look of disappointment he said, "Now,
take the hammer and remove the nails." The boy did it, but
couldn't understand the point of it. The grandfather said,
"Now look, all those nails made holes. They'll stay there.
This is what you do when you use words like you have been.
It makes a scar on the people you hurt. So think about that
the next time you want to lash out at someone." He looked
over at the small piece of land and said, "This also takes
most of your time and keeps you from the work you are
supposed to be doing."
We have work to do and the cares of who
said what can take up our time.
Think about Jesus' example when He stood
before Herod. (Luke 23:9) The bible says He answered them
not. He didn't say a word when they spat on Him, when they
smote Him, when they beat Him or when they put thorns on His
head and nailed His hands and feet to the cross. But what
did he finally say? Luke 23:34--"Father, forgive them, for
they know not what they do". He prayed for them! He finished
the work He was sent to do. (see John 17)
Christ taught us love. It was and still
is His law. A new commandment. (John 15) Love and self
control are the tools, the hoe that removes rocks, weeds
and all obstacles that keep us from sowing good things in
good soil. Hammers and nails are the strife's and
contentions of our mouths. Which tools are we spending our
time using?
Matthew
5:1-48; Isaiah 53:7; Luke 6:29; Ephesians 4:29
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Sunday May 6, 2007
Brotherly
Kindness
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The book of Philemon is a demonstration of
brotherly kindness. Paul was sending Philemon this letter in
regards to a man he'd had the privilege of leading to
Christ. His name was Onesimus and he was the runaway slave
of Philemon. It's not directly stated, but it is believed
Onesimus robbed Philemon then ran away to Rome. This is
where he met Paul. Onesimus became a devoted christian (see
Col. 4:9) Paul also led Philemon to Christ some time before
this letter was written, maybe at Ephesus. This slave had
become such a devout convert that Paul actually wanted to
have him stay to help him in his ministry. But Paul knew it
was lawful to send Onesimus back to Philemon. There was the
matter of theft to address, though. So Paul, in this letter,
asks Philemon to forgive his runaway slave. He went further
to pledge monetary restoration, by repaying it himself! Then
he went on to ask that Philemon receive Onesimus back into
his home as he would Paul himself. |
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This is an example of intercessory prayer. When we come
across someone who has offended another, but has since
accepted Christ as their Savior, do we hold their sins
against them? Paul forgave Onesimus of offending his friend.
He followed the law and in that manner showed a great
example of keeping order. Forgiveness was demonstrated
and kindness was extended . Both the slave and the master
were new converts. Both were taught a good lesson in love
and forgiveness, from a man who'd also once been in a
position of needing forgiveness for his past life. Acts 9
tells about it. But Lord appeared unto Ananias and bid him
to go to Saul, he would find him praying. Ananias was
initially reluctant, because of Paul's former evil
reputation towards Christians. (God changed name from
Saul to Paul) Who better to teach such a lesson, than one
who knew all about it? Ananias obeyed in love and Paul was
restored. We have a great opportunity to help
restore someone into good graces, when they have proven
themselves sincere, if at first we practice brotherly love,
demonstrate it in meekness and pray for their forgiveness.
We were once likewise in need of forgiveness and kindness.
Philemon 1-25; Romans 12:10, 21; Galatians 6:1 |
Monday May 7,
2007
Eternally
Created
Ecclesiastes 3:9-14
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The wise Solomon wrote this book of Ecclesiastes and in it
describes many things he calls "vanities". But in this
passage, he tells us that God has given travail to the sons
of men.(v10) He states the "travail" or labor is given to
exercise us and that all things are made beautiful in His
time. God also set eternity in the hearts of man, (v11) so
that no man can find out His work from beginning to end.
Only God knows the beginning from the end. We are reminded
in verse 12 that there is no good in man, except to do good
and be glad in it. He tells us to enjoy the good of our
lives, because this is a gift from God.(v13) He says
that whatsoever God does will be forever, nothing can be
taken away or added to it by man, that God does it so that
men should fear Him.(v14)
So, the work that we do is a gift for our exercise and
for our enjoyment of the results it produces. Only what God
does will last forever and we should reverence God for being
the mastermind of all things eternal and beautiful.
But what does verse 11 mean that eternity is set in our
hearts?
We perceive that there is something beyond this life
after we pass away because God set our hearts that way.
Genesis 1:26 & 2:7 tells us that in His likeness, we
were created and the breath of God gave us a living soul.
What God created in us is forever. We are eternal souls.
There are only two places a soul can spend that eternity. |
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We'll continue this topic on Tuesday's devotions. |
Tuesday May 8,
2007
Eternally
Created
Ecclesiastes 3:9-14
(cont'd)
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We are going to attempt to look into a deep concept. There
is no way to fully portray what it means to be eternally
created. We just understand through the confirmations of the
Holy Spirit's presence in our hearts, that we are at home
when we are Christians. This is evidence of the mystery
spoken of in verse 11, that "no man can know it". Yet, the
Holy Spirit bears witness (confirms) with our spirit that we
are His. John 6:13 tells us that this Spirit teaches us,
leads and guides us and shows us things to come. Romans 8:14
says that as many as are led by the Spirit of God, are the
sons of God. 2 Peter 1: 2-12, teaches us the way the Holy
Spirit works in us and what we are to do when we become
partakers of this divine nature. This is the eternal
aspect of our creation. It happens upon entering into a
personal relationship with God, through Jesus. Some are
under the impression that our eternal life begins after the
body dies. But the scriptures tell us otherwise. So, we can
say now that we are eternal beings, in this life.
God's definitions of life and death are not the
same as mankind's definitions. His ways are higher than ours
and His thoughts are deeper than ours. He is vast. We are
natural and limited, He is supernatural and unlimited. He
defines life as being in a relationship with Him, through
salvation and defines death as being without a relationship
with Him. (John 3:26; 5:24; 11:25;17:3; Galatians 6:8)
In this life and upon receiving the unspeakable gift of
salvation, we "die" to sin and obtain "life" eternal.
Forsaking all aspects of the former life of sin we lived and
taking on the new life, we begin true life as designed
by God from the beginning, before the disobedience of sin
changed our natural relationship with Him. (Luke
18:28,29,30; Romans 5:12-19, 8:6; Ephesians 2:1)
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The man who does not receive God's plan of salvation is dead
while he lives. His soul will continue in death, eternal
separation from God, after his body dies. All men will rise
upon Christ's return, to face judgment for their rejection
of salvation or to be rewarded for accepting it. Hell was
created for the enemy of God, Satan, and his angels. But men
who reject Christ will share in that horrid place forever.
(what God does is forever) Man's spiritual
consciousness does not cease to exist. This is where God set
eternity in our hearts. Jesus came to bring us life eternal,
in God's definition of the word. He defines life. He is
life. There is no acceptable or excusable reason for a man
to chose eternal death when our Almighty and wise God has
made a way for eternal life. (see Romans 1:18-20; John
11:25,26) The Holy Spirit has led us to this topic of
devotion, so in obedience, we have delivered His message.
When led this way, we need to be obedient, it is His work.
There is a call to prayer. Let God speak to you as you read
the scriptures given. Reflect on how vast God is and praise
Him for bringing us life, in His terminology. Then allow the
Spirit to lead you in sharing His good news to those who are
dead while they live. |
Wednesday May 9,
2007
"God's
Favorite"
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A dear Saint and I were talking about how wonderful our God
is when she excitedly informed me that she was God's
favorite! It took me back, at first, for the bluntness of
such a statement. How could she be so bold as to claim such
a thing? The bible tells us that God is no respecter of
persons and that would indicate that He doesn't play
favorites, right? Yet, in her life it did seem as
though He favored her. She had a bumpy start in her early
years as a wife and mother but in reviewing the
happenings of her life, I couldn't deny His show of favor.
How did she obtain it? Did she do something specific?
The answer is both yes and no. Yes, in that she obeys
what God prompts her to do, led by the Holy Spirit and no,
it is God's mercy. (unmerited favor) see Romans 4:16, 9:16
and Titus 3:5.
Lets look at Deuteronomy 28:1-14. Herein lies the system
of blessings , His show of favor. (read it in full) Verses 8
& 9 states that God commands His blessings on us,
that He establishes us as a holy people unto Himself. The
action word for us in this system is obedience. God cannot
withhold favor, or blessings, if we obey Him. It's His
divine commandment to Himself! Verse 12 says that the
Lord will open His good treasure and bless us with it. God's
treasure chest! This saintly woman got hold of this
principle and His commandment to Himself was made manifest.
(came into reality) The seeds of her faith in Him
produced blessings upon blessings out of her obedience and
reverence to her Creator God. She was right! She is His
favorite! His benefactor, His pick of the litter, His
delight, the apple of His eye. The object of His affection.
When we whole heartedly commit our way (what we do and
say) to the Lord, He keeps His word to pour out blessings
(favor) so vast in measure that it overtakes us. In Malachi
3:10-12, this principle is repeated. (see also 1
Sam.15:22-obedience is greater than sacrifice)
The fact is we, as obedient children, are all His
favorites. As we do His will, Luke 6:38, He targets us for
favor and it overflows, just as He commands Himself. He is
Faithful. (Heb.10:23)
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Thursday May 10,
2007
Christ
our Intercessor
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Sunday, we looked at the
letter Paul wrote to Philemon in regards to his runaway slave, Onesimus.
Lets review it and compare it
to what Christ did and continues to do on our behalf.
Paul was in Rome, where
Onesimus had run away, preaching the gospel. Compare John 17:6-8, where
Jesus was praying to God concerning the gospel He came to reveal to the
world. Paul obeyed the call of God to preach and thereby Philemon and
Onesimus were saved. John 17:v4, Jesus prayed to God concerning the work
He'd given Him to do. We, like Onesimus, abandoned our proper place in
the Master's house to run away into a world of sin, breaking God's law.
Jesus obeyed God's purpose and left His throne to come to us, (see John
1:1) and bring Hope of restoration. When He died on the cross for
our sins, He purchased us with His precious blood. This was His purpose.
(see 1 Peter 1:18&19) In the letter to Philemon, Paul vouches for
Onesimus debt, and pays it off, himself. Here in John 17, Jesus is
praying to God for us like the letter Paul wrote to Philemon. Jesus asks
God to receive us as He would Jesus Himself. (verses 9,14,15,21) Paul
asked Philemon to receive Onesimus as he would Paul. Jesus acknowledges
to God that He is leaving the world to come back home, (John 17v13) but
that while He was here, He kept those who believed on Him.(v12) He asks
God to keep them.(v15). Paul had written Philemon, telling him of Onesimus' devout conversion, testifying of the change of heart. He
also said he'd like to keep Onesimus to himself, but that it wasn't
legal to do so. Jesus, in that manner, couldn't stay on earth and keep
us. His purpose was to purchase our redemption and reconcile us to the
Father.
When man was created,
remember, we were made in the image of God. (In their likeness Gen.1:26) We have a family resemblance of God the Father and the Son.
Sin, like the theft of Onesimus, separated us from God warranting a
death sentence for disobedience. But Jesus' sacrificial blood has
satisfied the debt we owe to God. After Jesus ascended up to Heaven, He
promised to ask His (our) Father to send another Comforter, (John
14:16;15:26 & 27; 16:13-15) the Holy Spirit, to teach us all truth
(things pertaining to life and holiness) that would never leave us!
This Holy Spirit is our earnest, the "down payment", of our salvation
and restoration back to the Father's house.(2 Cor.5:5; Eph.2:19;3:15) Thereby, we
have eternal life as God defines life. Luke 20:36-- "Neither can they
die anymore; for they are equal to the angels; and are the children of
God, being the children of the resurrection". Romans 8:21 says "
Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of
corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." Galatians
4:7--" Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son
then an heir of God, through Jesus Christ." He rose again and is
seated at the right hand of God, still making intercession on our
behalf. (Romans 8:34)
Jesus prayed for us to
share in His glory. God's answer is YES! We have not received the spirit
of bondage again to fear; but we have received the Spirit of adoption,
whereby we cry, 'Abba, Father'. (Romans 8:15)
1 John 3:1-3 "Behold what
manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be
called the Sons of God..."
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PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!!!
Friday May 11,
2007
A
True Love Story
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Our devotions today is in Romans 11. This
passage of scripture tells of God's determination to
fulfill His purpose and the reasons why He did as He
did, towards His people. God's love for the Nation Israel is seen throughout
all scriptures, but here, we come to understand God's
reasoning in allowing His son to suffer death on the
cross, at the hands of the Nation He loves. The Jewish
people have always been God's chosen people. God strove
with them for years to return His deep affection and
loyalty to them. Yet, over and over throughout the
years they fell back into idol worship and showed
disloyalty to Him. Moses interceded on their behalf,
when God thought to abandon His affections towards them,
as recorded in Exodus 32:11-14, after His people
fashioned idols in the desert and accredited those idols
for their deliverance out of Egypt. That 40 year journey
in the wilderness is called the Days of Provocation
because it tested God's love for His people. After the
days of Moses, God rose up prophet after prophet to
rebuke the repeated rebellion of these people, imploring
them to repent. But they would not, at least not
permanently. Yet, His love and
mercy sustained. He is a jealous, Holy God and cannot
accept anything less than full loyalty to Him. The
covenant God made with them was a spiritual marriage. Their
rebellion was adultery.(Hos.4:12;59:1Chron.5:25)
Over the thousands of years span of
time into the new testament times, God's love for this
nation did not dim. He had a plan to fulfill the
covenant promise made to their forefather, Abraham, to
spite the children's rebellious tendencies. (see
Gen.17:3&4) He always saved a remnant when executing His
just judgments. A remnant of true believers, loyal to
Him. See Jeremiah 31:1-3. Verse 3 says,
"Then the Lord appeared from old to me, (Israel),
saying, 'Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you and
continued my faithfulness to you.' ." He
loves them!!
So where does anyone outside the
Jewish nation fit into this love story? Through a man
that once persecuted Christians, God put His established
plan into action. Paul was Jewish and raised in the
strictest sect of religion. The Sanhedrin. He cut
his teeth on biblical prophecies. He was well educated
but in the wrong doctrine, thwarting the original law. The Jewish religious leaders
of New Testament times were still exercising rebellion
against God, preferring to edify themselves, professing
themselves to be wise, they became fools. When Jesus
came to fulfill God's redemption plan and all
prophesies, these people despised Him because it
threatened their status with the people, who ignorantly
revered them, not the law giver. Their religion was
vain. That again, was
against God's ordinances and purpose in the law given to
them in the wilderness through Moses. Jesus appeared
to be a heretic and blasphemous to what they were
teaching. Jesus told them, "A greater than Moses" was
there. They were intent on trapping Him, accusing Him
constantly of breaking the Mosaic Law. The Messiah they looked for, and taught about,
would abolish the Roman rule over the nation Israel.
Jesus did not come to set up an earthly Kingdom. He came
to reconcile all men (Jn.3:16) to God through bloodshed and
death, to reveal the mystery of a Heavenly Kingdom.
Jesus wept over the condition of Jerusalem, in Luke
19:42-44. The
details of all that happened were part of God's
masterminded plan. (established before the foundations
of the world) Paul was the vessel chosen to preach the
gospel to another people, the Gentiles, (see also
Mt.21:43;26:53,54,56) after Christ's triumphant
resurrection.
This induced a counter jealousy from
the nation Israel. (Romans 11:11&14) The book of Romans was
written by Paul who revealed this plan. It must've been
a hard work for Paul, in review of his former life's
determination to destroy anyone who believed Jesus to be
the Messiah. We learned before that Paul used to be
Saul, the man whom Christians feared. Here, we see God chose one of their own to
speak His plan and reveal His love for all mankind. Paul
taught the full matter. He warned the Gentiles not to
get arrogant but to remember that it is because of the
rebellion and rejection of the nation God loves, that
they are grafted into the family tree.(v12-21) If they,
after being grafted in, became rebellious, they would
also be cut off from the root! He told them to
remember this. The plan is to restore Israel
back into the loving arms of a Holy God. (her husband)
But the master plan included every nation!
Still today, He is faithful and
devout. When the Israeli nation acknowledges
Christ as the promised Messiah, and cries out for Him,
it will usher in a gallant ride on a white horse when
Jesus will come back and defend her against all the
nations that have persecuted her! (Revelation 19) The
rider is named Faithful and True. (Trustworthy, Loyal,
Incorruptible, Steady) A picture of pure chivalry.
Webster's definition of chivalry makes note that this
word is related to cavalry. Calvary! Hallelujah!
Webster also tells us not to confuse Calvary, the place
of crucifixion, with cavalry, but I choose ignore him.
Because at Calvary, the chivalry of God was shown and
the one Crucified will be the gallant rider coming with
passion and a
shout that the world will hear! Not to mention the
trumpet of victory, announcing the battle's final hour!
That is chivalry in it finest demonstration! One
need only to watch the evening news to see signs of
nations surrounding Israel and fulfilling end time
prophesies. His return is near.
Abraham's promise from God was that he
would be the father of many nations.(Gen.17:2-4;
Dan.7:14;Acts 3:24&25) Through
Faith, we are all part of this divine love story! He
promised all believers, "I will never leave you or
forsake you." and "Lo, I am with you always" (Heb.13:5;
Mt.28:20)
|
Saturday May 12,
2007
Sharing
the Lamb
|
Over the Easter holiday
season, our Sunday School lessons were in the book of
Exodus, chapter 12, where we remembered how God saved
His people from the death angel He'd sent into Egypt.
Moses instructed the people he was leading to take a
lamb spotless and free of blemish, male and in it's
first year, one per household. They were to take it out
from among the goats and sheep, keep it for 14 days and
kill it. The blood of that lamb was to be applied to the
doorposts and over the doorways of their homes. By this
application of blood, the death angel would pass over
them and their firstborn would be saved alive.
(Exodus 12:12) This was a plague God brought upon
Pharaoh's land, to strike the firstborn of both men and
beasts. (Pharaoh's own son died.) They had to follow the strict direction of God,
as told to them by Moses, while the Passover came. This
is now observed in remembrance called The Feast of the
Passover, on the 14th day of the first month on the
Jewish calendar, which is April.
But lets look at verse 4 a second
time. Knowing this was a symbol of the Lamb of God,
Jesus, we see in this verse where God says, "If the
household be too little for the lamb, let him and his
neighbor take it according to the number of the souls;
everyman according to his eating shall make your count
for the lamb." They were not to waste one bit of
the meat, but consume it all or waste none of it's
blood, to share with neighbors if need be.
When I try to measure how vast God's
Lamb is, ( an impossible feat) I realize my household is
too little for it and I need to share. According to my
eating, there's much left over, though He fills me up! And according to the
number of lost souls, there is still the need to share.
In Rev. 7, we read He is bigger than a multitude which
no man can number. Read Rev. 7:9-17 and you will see
exactly how significant the blood of the Lamb is to all
tribes, tongues and nations. God sent His only
begotten...ONE lamb. (Jn. 3:16)...that whosoever
believes...whosoever means including all...should not
perish...the death angel will pass over. John the
Baptist introduced Jesus when he saw Him coming, "Behold
the Lamb of God, which takes away the sins of the
world!" (Jn.1:29)
I remember the faithful neighbor who
shared with my household, the good news of the Lamb of
God 35 yrs. ago and still He is not spent! The
instructions to share the Lamb with our neighbors is
still to be carried out until Jesus returns. (Mat.28:19)
The 7th chapter of Revelation foretells a multitude not
counted among the tribes of Israel. The faithful woman
who led
my family to Christ, also taught me my first verse of
scripture..."Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house" Acts 16:31
Have you shared the good news of the Lamb with your
neighbors?
What about the members of your own household?
|
Sunday May 13,
2007
(Mothers Day)
Midnight
Oil
(song by Phillips, Craig and Dean)
|
Momma always got up early, though she never went to bed 'til late.
But you'd never hear her complaining about a family of eight.
There were times she should've been sleeping, but late in the midnight
hour
but she'd get down on her knees and you could hear her say,
"Lord, fill them with Your power!"
Momma liked to burn the midnight oil, down on her knees in prayer.
If you asked her why she did it, she'd say she did it 'cuz she cared.
Momma knew that Jesus was waiting, where she knelt, by her rocking
chair.
O, I'm glad my momma was willing to burn the midnight oil.....in
prayer.
Now Momma's gone on to be with Jesus, I've got a family of my own.
Yet whenever the clock strikes midnight, you will find me all alone.
That's when I get to call upon Jesus, for His wisdom and His power,
See, I learned that He loves to hear momma's pray, even in the midnight
hour!
'Cuz Momma always burned the midnight oil ,down on her knees in
prayer.
If you asked her why she did it, she'd say she did it 'cuz she cared.
Momma knew that Jesus was waiting where she knelt, by her rocking
chair.
O, I glad my momma was willing to burn the midnight oil.....in
prayer.
Years from now when my own little girl has a family all her own,
will she kneel down and pray when the hour is late
and pass the legacy on?
Momma loved to burn the midnight oil, down on her knees in prayer.
If you asked her why she did it, she'd say she did it 'cuz she cared.
Momma knew that Jesus was waiting, where she knelt, by her rocking
chair.
O, I'm glad my momma was willing to burn the midnight oil......in
prayer,
'cuz now I'm a momma who's willing to burn the midnight oil.....in
prayer!
********************************************
"When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that
is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother, Lois, and thy mother,
Eunice, I am persuaded also of thee." ~2 Timothy 1:5
If you had a praying grandmother and mother, today is a day to say
thanks. If you didn't have them, why not start the legacy, yourself?
Thanks, Mom. Happy Mother's Day.
|
Monday May 14,
2007
Baptism
|
St. John's gospel, chapter one, we read about the
ministry of John the Baptist. He was preaching the
gospel of the coming Messiah and in following a command
of God, baptizing those who received the message. This
caused a commotion among the religious leaders and John
was questioned of his identity.(Jn.1:19-28) John had a
following and it drew a lot of attention away from their
sanctimonious works. People were experiencing
salvation's plan and it was changing their lives. John
did not let this popularity inflate his ego because from
the womb of his conception, (Luke 1:39-45) he knew he
was preceding the Messiah, Jesus. John told those
who questioned him that he was baptizing with water
(v.26), but there was one among them who would baptize
differently, whose shoes he was unworthy to unlace.
(John was thrown into prison and later beheaded because
he lived what he preached).
In
John 1:32-34, John made it clear this One was to be
preferred before him, that He would baptize with the
Holy Spirit! John also revealed how this one was
going to be identified. The one whom the Spirit
descended upon and rested on, this was the sign. When
John baptized Jesus, this is exactly what occurred.
There are two places in the bible this is recorded. In
John 1 and also in Luke 3:15-22. Luke's account is more
descriptive of the descending Spirit.
Water baptism is a practice of testimony we make
publicly to confess Jesus as our Savior. It is
part of the great commission Jesus taught. (Mt.28:19) We
go in dry and come out wet and that is the proof of
water baptism. Visual proof.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit is something that occurs as
we pray a sincere prayer asking Jesus into our hearts.
Proof that we have received the Holy Spirit come in the
signs of the changes our lives take. Signs follow us, as
it is no longer us, but Christ's Holy Spirit that lives
within us. (Gal.2:20) We are spiritually immersed and
loose our former selves voluntarily as we allow the Holy
Spirit to work in us. We can know that we are saved.
(Eph.3:17&18)
Prophesy in Malachi 3:1 foretold John's witness, being
the forerunner of Jesus' appearing. (see also
Mt.9:14;11:10;Luke 1:17,76)
If it were prosecutable by law to be a Christian, is
there enough evidence to convict us?
|
Tuesday May 15,
2007
Resurrection
Sites
A couple of years ago, during Easter, my mother and daughter and I
went to visit relatives out of state. While there, in respect to my
grandmother, we went to her grave site and placed flowers on her
headstone. Standing there, my mother was overcome with grief, though
the death of her mother had been many years past, so she walked back
towards the car. My daughter and I stood alone there in that
sacred place and I, too, moved with passion, missed her so deeply
that I wept. I was a child of 9 years when she died and I have
missed her all of my life. Her legacy lives today as being a great
prayer warrior and faithful Christian. Psalms 23 speaks of goodness
and mercy following us and her legacy is just that. But a few
moments of tears gave way to an awesome thought. It occurred to me
that at any moment God's trumpet could sound and being where I was,
I would witness the ground beneath my feet giving up the body of my
grandmother! How blessed that would be to simply say, "Good morning,
this is my baby girl and we are going to fly with you today!" Then
watch the grief that overtook my mother turn to bliss, see her run
to her mother's arms and the four of us celebrate the faithfulness
of our Creator God, as we join hands to ascend over the trees that
shaded her resting place! Four generations together at the
rapture! This captivating thought rather nailed my feet right there
and I didn't want to move! But the sun was setting and we had leave.
I left, though, inspired and uplifted. I was encouraged to stay the
course.* From her grave she still encouraged! The Holy Spirit
visited us.
Recently, our way to church, we had to take a detour around our
regular route and we passed a cemetery named Resurrection. It
put me in remembrance of the glorious thought by my grandmothers
grave that day. Her death was a detour of a regular route. But the
cemetery's name!! ---WOW--- It was God's wonderful way of reminding
me of that intimate time of comfort He'd sent at a time of grief. It
was like a kiss from Heaven with my name on it. That He'd stopped
the works of His busy hands just to embrace me and tell me,
"Remember? Physical death is but for a moment according to My
ancient timepiece." I love when He shows off like that!
Gravesites are Resurrection sites.
2 Corinthians 4:17 tells us that our light afflictions, which are
but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and
eternal weight of glory. Isaiah 30:19, 20 & 21 tells us that God
hears our cries, that we will weep no more, He is very
gracious unto us at the sound of our voice. That though we suffer
the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, our teachers are
not removed from us. We will hear a word behind us, telling us, this
is the way, walk there, not to the left or right. Psalm 116:15
Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His saints. (it's
their Homecoming) 2 Sam.14:14, He devises a means, that His
banished is not expelled from Him.
Granny's physical presence is not with me, but her legacy of faith
has taught and sustained me, my mother and my daughter. A word given
behind me for guidance. Given the choice, naturally, I would've
preferred to hear these stories of faith from her own sweet voice.
In stead, I hear them from my mother. Seems as though it heals her
wounds in the process. The look on her face when relaying her
testimony is that of adoration and honor. Surely goodness and mercy
followed my grandmother. It will follow my mother, also, she is much
like her. To God, Granny is but asleep in His presence. When Gabriel
sounds that trumpet, she will rise in a glorified body free of pain.
Her last conscious thought was prayer, according to the nurses that
cared for her badly broken body, but her next conscious act
will be praise. As time passes, my mother is aging and I may suffer
the loss of her presence. But she has taken up the mantel left when
her mother passed away and taught us wonderful things. Its up to me
to carry on when she goes, to relay three generations of testimonies
and inspire generations to follow Christ. We are a blessed people.
The eternal weight of glory that is far more exceeding than the
light affliction of temporary separation is that there is a Great
Reunion day coming that will have no setting sun. I won't have to
leave and neither will she.
* Webster defines course as: a path of ground covered; a
method of proceeding forward; a succession of acts and practices
|
Wednesday May 16,
2007
Valour
Judges 6, Gideon's call. Romans 12, our call.
Judges chapter 6 is
so encouraging! No doubt it was recorded so that we could follow it's
example when we feel defeated. In it, we read about how the children of
Israel were oppressed by the Midianites to the extent that they hid
themselves in caves because everything they did was being attacked.
Their enemy would destroy any attempt Israel made to sow crops to feed
themselves. Judges 6:4 tells us that they would watch Israel and let
them sow, but when the crops grew, Midian would come in and desolate
them, both the crop and the animals of labor! You can imagine how
discouraged Israel became. Oppression and depression, weak and
tired, hopeless. God looked down in compassion over His much
loved people, who were captive because of their disobedience to Him and
showed mercy, yet again. It's out of His deep affection for them that He
heard their cries out to Him (v.6) that He sent a prophet to
rebuke them and remind them of their deliverance out of Egypt, that HE
was their deliverer, not the idols they chose to worship. (v.8-10) He
reminded them that they were oppressed because of their willful
stubbornness and rebellion against Him. Opportunity was made for
repentance. God was not kicking them when they were down as it may seem.
This was to correct them. It was Divine Discipline from a God who loved
them dearly. Grace and mercy extended.
While Gideon was threshing wheat near a wine press to hide from the
enemy, (v.11), God sent an angel to speak to him, telling him that
God was with him and he would deliver his people from their enemy,
calling him a mighty man of valour! The angel told him to go in his
might and save his people. Gideon recited his woe and chided the word of
the angel, in a discouraged reply that he was the least of his poor
household.(v.14&15) Let's picture this: a visit from Heaven, speaking
with him, yet he was so down trodden that he couldn't realize what stood
before his face! Is it any wonder that God's patience with Israel wore
thin? Both a prophet and an angel was sent to them in this passage.
Their appearances was proof that God loved them and was full of
compassion towards them.
The angel let Gideon vent for a moment but told him, (v.16), for a
surety that God was with him and he would smite his enemy as one man.
(single handedly) Still whining, Gideon asked for a sign! (v.17&18)
Gideon went out to prepare an offering of flesh and bread, while the
angel patiently waited. Then there was divine instruction given to Gideon on how
to present this offering, (v.20) and we read in verse 21of the sign
that it was acceptable. Fire in the rock and consumption of the flesh
and bread! The angel left without another word. It was only then that
Gideon perceived what had just occurred. (v.22-24) God, Himself,
spoke peace and courage over him! When we ourselves are so
downcast that we cannot see divine discipline as Love or understand the
truth in words of the Spirit, if we take opportunity to repent and offer
gifts up to the Lord, though we have little to spare and are surrounded
by enemies, God accepts these offerings, sees our obedience to
directions and restores
us. God saw Gideon's offering as an act of humility and honor, but it's
the obedience to the direction of the angel in it's presentation that
God respected and showed respect towards. It's another one of His
wonderful principles, showing us His character. Can you see it? Our God
is mighty and valorous in fighting for our souls, yet He gives us
these titles of honor when we obey Him. He is with us and faithful.
Immanuel! The story of Gideon's victory in chapters 6 & 7 should
encourage us. He came out of hiding and won! He gave God the honor and
glory due His name and Israel reaped victory. The definition of valor according to Webster: strength of
mind in braving danger.
See Romans 12:1&2--presenting acceptable sacrifices that transform
defeat to valor. |
Thursday May 17,
2007
Lilies
of the Valley
Along
the walkway between the house and the garage, we have this dainty
flower that faithfully makes its appearance every spring. This is a
shaded area and these beautiful flowers thrive without much
attention given to them. The leaves break ground and grow broad a
few weeks before the first sign of blossom. But when they make their
showing it is beautiful. They are the picture of Grace.
Song
of Solomon tells of these lovely flowers more than any other book in
the bible. This book is called the Book of Love because of its
romantic themes. Lilies were used, as mentioned in
1Kings and 2 Chronicles, to adorn the Temple. The
place where God and man meet. Grace. (Eph.2:8, Grace through faith)
One
can admire Lilies of the Valley anytime of the day while they are in
season, but it is in the early morning hours, when the dew is on
them, that I feel they are most spectacular. Hosea 14:5, God
states that He shall be like the dew and the night mist unto Israel,
who will grow and blossom like the lily and cast forth its roots
like a sturdy evergreen. (dew and mist come from beneath, see
Gen.1:2;2:6) Dew is the purest of waters and God is faithful to send
it every morning. He's done so from the beginning of creation. Do
you remember what else God renews with the morning? His mercy. David
says that the earth is full of His mercy. (Psalm 119:64)
I
picture these precious lilies as God's grace that is faithful. When
in the valley, where things seem dark, His grace thrives and we grow in
deep and difficult places. (Sol.2:1&2, amp.) The dew
I compare to the mercy He renews with the dawn. In your life, can
you see the dews of His Great mercy? This pure water feeds this
precious dainty flower. God prepares His mercy for our preservation. (Psalm 61:7)
I
don't have to contribute much attention to my Lilies of the Valley,
but their splendor is greater than King Solomon and all his glory.
(Luke 12:27)
|
Friday May 18,
2007
Psalms 1
This
Psalm is only 6 verses long, but it describes a Christian's life in
comparison to an unbeliever's life. Committing it to memory is a good idea. Let's look at
it, verse by verse over the next 6 days.* It will serve to show us
the differences and what God knows about it.
V.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.
> Blessed means happy, prosperous and fortunate.
Walking is our daily life practices, our course. Counsel is referring to the company we keep, the opinions that
advise us. Standing
in the way , refers to the paths (ways) we linger at. Sitting in the seat of refers to
taking a resting/relaxed position.
Blessed, in this verse, does not mean that we as Christians will live
in a state of constant bliss. But when we take the advise of this
verse, to choose our source of counsel and the people we choose as
friends and where we sit at leisure, among the wise, we do experience a happiness
from those good choices. Our daily walk is blessed. We take
consideration of what God says in counsel, spoken through His word
and our godly friends support us and help us stand. We don't linger
in places where God is not honored. That means our friends may
rebuke us in any straying off God's path, as well as expressing
brotherly kindness. We sit in congregations of believers learning
and encouraging one another and share Godly fellowship.
******
One of Jesus' names is Wonderful Counselor! (Is.9:6)
****** Proverbs
11:14 tells us that without counsel, people fall; but with wise
counsel, there is safety. Proverbs 15:22 says, "Without counsel,
purposes are disappointed; but in the multitude of counselors they
are established." There is a worldly cliché used out of context
here that says, "There is safety in numbers", and it
doesn't
mention wisdom. It's an example of people trying to apply Godly
principles to their ungodly lives. We'll see later how these
attempts lack substance and perish.
The contrast is that the way (path) of the sinner (unbeliever) leads to a fall. Mt.
15:14 tells us to: Let them alone; they be blind leaders of the
blind. If the blind lead the blind, they will both fall in the
ditch. Prov.14:11 tells us; There is a way (path) that seems right unto
man, but the end thereof is the ways of death. Scorning words and
mockery against godly matters usually accompany the ungodly in
their leisure.
* to resume Mon.-Fri. |
Saturday May 19, 2007
Fencing
Our Pastor presented a thought provoking challenge that inspired
this topic today. He asked the congregation if they had a favorite
verse of scripture they could quote from memory. Most of us raised
our hands. Then, like he does, he elaborated that the scripture
verse probably gave us strength and courage, that we probably
"pulled it out" in times we needed a boost of hope. But he
asked another question, "Can you tell me where it is in the bible?".
Sad to say, fewer hands went up that time. You may ask why this
would matter, it's only important to know the scripture, right? But
think about this. If a younger Christian heard you quote a verse and
was inspired to read the text, would we be able to help them find
it? If a nonbeliever asked us a question concerning the faith and
hope we live by, would we be able to confirm it with showing him the
word? Have you ever met a nonbeliever who knew more scripture than
you did?
******
Even our enemy can be well versed, so we need to be
well learned in context!
******
1 Peter 3:15 tells us to be ready always to give an answer to every
man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness
and fear. Every man, believers and nonbelievers.
The
Word of God is called a sword, as described in Ephesians
6:17."...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." In this
spiritual armor, the sword is the only piece of armor that is a
weapon of offense. Verse 18 tells us to pray in the Spirit. Which
leads me to believe that while praying, use of the scriptures is
fitting. Do you quote God's word back to Him when you pray? I think
it may make God smile to hear us using His own words when we pray.
It shows Him that we trust what He says, that we've spent time in
His word. We know the Spirit brings back to our memory what we
commit to memory. He leads us into all truth if we apply
ourselves to understanding. (see Dan.10:12)
Moses quoted God's word back to Him. (Exodus 33:12) Deborah quoted
God's word to Barak when he was faint hearted and needed
encouragement. (Judges 4:6) There are many instances recorded where
someone of faith quoted God's word to either God, Himself, or a
discouraged person. Many prophets and judges relayed messages God
delivered to them. Sometimes Kings called for prophets to get a word
from God! (2 kings 3:11 & 12) God's words have always given
direction.
People all around us, today, are seeking answers. Are we giving only
half when we quote the Word? The Word of God always accomplishes
it's purpose, (Isaiah 55:11), and is forever settled. (Psalms
119:89) Do we carry a bible with us, as we do our cell phones?
-
Isaiah 34:16-- Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read; no one
of these shall fail...for my mouth it hath commanded and His Spirit
(it) hath gathered them.
-
Romans 15:4--Whatsoever things were written before were written for
our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures
might have hope.
-
Colossians 1:5--For the hope which is laid up for you in Heaven,
whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel.
-
Hebrews 4:12--For the word of God is quick, powerful and sharper
that any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of
soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of
the thoughts and intents of the heart.
******
The Word of God is an arsenal!
******
Years ago in Youth Group, as a child, many times we'd have a sword
drill. The youth leader would say, " Galatians 3:14", or another
verse and the objective was to find it in our bibles and stand up to read it. The
one who did it quickest and most won a prize. These drills taught us
the importance of knowing where to find verses and it also sowed
a seed in our memory banks, which the Holy Spirit brought back at
appropriate times of application. It promoted skillful "fencing".
Deut.11:19 tells parents to teach scriptures to their children,
speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou
walkest by the way, when thou liest down and when thou risest
up--continually.
We are never too old to practice our "fencing".
TOUCHÉ!
(Webster's def: acknowledging of a point scored in fencing, conversation,
etc.) |
Sunday May 20,
2007
A Sure
Anchor
We're going to look into Hebrews 6:17-20 today. This passage of
scripture has proven itself time and again in the course of what I
have seen in my life. If you stop and consider the many different
situations in your life, as a Christian, I'm certain that you too,
will be able to see it's relevance. It has become one of my favorite
passages of meditation simply because it has often times jumped off
the pages and confirmed itself. (a work of the Holy Spirit)
Reading it out loud to ourselves does a remarkable thing. We retain
more information this way.( proven fact of our brain function)
In
both my occupation and my personal life, I have seen the affects of
Alzheimer's and Dementia take its toll on the elderly. Families are
sometimes devastated to watch their loved one deteriorate before
their eyes. But a wonderfully amazing thing occurs when the diseased
person is a Christian. Some patients of this horrid
disease become hateful and unruly at times. It is difficult to take
care of these precious people, but when one has lived a Christian
life, the passage of Hebrews 6:17-20 certainly comes to life through
them. They recall, with perfect clarity, hymns, scriptures and
testimonies from their more stable days. This is such a blessed thing to
witness. What has always been their anchor remains their anchor to
spite their inability to recall names of their own families or other non-spiritual facts. This also comforts the family members who
have known the more sound person in their former days.
God's promise to never leave us or forsake us is manifested in these
trying times. He's right there, where He's always been,
beside them! The hope that He gives is both sure and steadfast,
anchoring us through the waves of turbulent times. He still speaks to them and comforts them. They
experience an intimacy with Him that they cannot communicate to
those who see them. Yet their hearts are filled with songs and
scriptures that secures them. This is a phenomenal thing to
witness.
One
particular patient that demonstrated this to me was an old preacher
in a nursing home that I worked at. Nurses and aides were frustrated
in their attempts to take care of this man because he would curse
and hit anyone who came near him. One day, it was up to me to
take care of feeding, bathing and changing him. (Most of us walked
away injured from trying)
I
recognized an old hymn that he was humming and I slowly approached
him with a tray at breakfast and started to sing the words."..but in
every situation, God gave blessed consolation, that my trials only
come to make me strong...Through it all...Through it all..." His face
lit up and he smiled, singing the words with me, "I've learned to
trust in Jesus. I've learned to trust in God...Through it
all...through it all...I've learned to depend upon His word."
He let out a big, "hallelujah"!! Happy tears of consolation streamed
down his face. Familiarity, finally something he could recognize!
The feeding went on
without a hitch as nurses and aides were amazed. This old preacher
went on to share with me some of the sermons he'd formerly
preached. His favorite person was Paul. So, we discussed Paul's
conversion on the road to Damascus and the bright light that blinded
him. The preacher gleamed as he reminded me that Paul was called to
preach the gospel to the Gentiles. He shared his opinion that only
God could master a plan to use a once hateful, fearsome person to deliver a message
of peace! "God sure got his attention, didn't he?" He said he was once a hateful man too,
but one day God got his attention. Little did he know, this preacher, that he was
demonstrating that same message of peace that passes understanding, to all the
staff and fellow residents that were close and heard what he was saying.
He was speaking
with perfect clarity and making sense! He teared up when he
acknowledged his impending crossing in chilly waters, but was looking forward to meeting
Paul and his Savoir! "Heaven will surely be worth it all", he said. I asked him if he would thank Paul for me, for
his obedience to the call. He assured me that he would but he would
also tell Paul that I was nice! (gently patting me on
the hand)
After
breakfast, the nurse pulled me aside and said, "Good job! He's never
eaten 100% before or talked so long and clear. He didn't hit you
once, did he? How did you do that?"
I told her it wasn't me, it was God proving His ability to keep His
promise to never forsake us. Later, when his wife came in, they reported the mornings events to
her and she wasn't surprised at all. She lived with him as a
preacher's wife and knew of that great anchor for 60 years! A few
moments later, she and he were singing again..."In the sweet by and
by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore...". They both looked up
at me and smiled. When he passed away, the anchor still held her
secure, "He's just gone ahead to make sure everything's in order"...
she was consoled in knowing he would be waiting for her on the
shore. It was a date. An anchor. Sound. Sure.
******
-
Psalms 103:5--God satisfies thy mouth with good things; so
that thy youth is renewed like the eagles.
-
2 Corinthians 4:16--For which cause, we faint not; but
though our outward man perish, the inward man is renewed day by day.
-
Ephesians 4:23--And be renewed by the spirit of your mind;
******
forsake: to abandon or renounce (Webster)...to abandon the
show of affection towards
anchor: any device that holds in place, gives security or
stability; to fix firmly in place |
Monday May 21, 2007
Psalm
1:2
(continued from Fri.)
|
We continue this week in the study of
Psalm 1, which has been called the Preface Psalm because it is the
beginning of a divine sermon. It kind of sets the stage for the whole
book that contains points of elation as well as despair. Did you notice
that verse one began with the word "blessed", the same way Jesus opened
his sermon on the mount? (Mt. 5:13) The word means happy.
- Psalm 1:2--But
his delight is in the law of the
Lord and in his law, he
meditates day and night.
(Remember, at this point, we're
reading about a blessed man, a
believer.)
The word delight
means takes pleasure in. Law
of the Lord is referring to
the law of righteousness.
Meditate is referring to the
learning of and taking constant
thought of. So, the blessed man
takes constant thought of
righteous laws and finds
pleasure in it.
Ever hum the last song you
heard on the radio on the drive
in to work all day long? Or have
a jingle from a commercial kind
of get stuck in your head? What
this verse is describing is sort
of like that but it indicates an
intentional intake of
information. (day and night
intake of the bible) Taking time
to do a daily devotion is
getting it into your memory, the
base work of meditation. When a
blessed person reads and rereads
the bible, the scriptures do
kind of stick in your head.
This is a good thing! Meditation
on the righteousness of God does
please a blessed man, because it
is full of wonderful things.
Blessed means happy.
******
Did you know
that worry is negative
meditation?
|
Tuesday May 22,
2007
Psalm
1:3
| And he shall be like a tree, planted
by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in it's season;
his leaf also shall not wither and whatsoever he does shall prosper.
Like a tree, planted is a
statement of surety and strength. By the rivers of water
indicates his stay in a place of constant feeding. Brings forth
fruit shows growth, in it's season tells us its time
sensitive. (a work of patience) His leaf shall not wither
refers to the greenness of an evergreen. Whatsoever he does shall
prosper indicates perpetual increase, or a coming into
maturity of everything he does.
What this verse is saying is that a
blessed man takes his place, by choice, by a "river of water"
meaning that he doesn't fix his position in any area that won't
support his spiritual pursuit of the righteousness that he delights
in. In the place of constant feeding, he will bring forth much
spiritual fruit in due time and the prosperity of that spiritual
fruit will come to maturity and increase. (see Mt. 7:17 & 18) If God starts a work in
us, He is the faithful source of our spiritual water, know that He
will see it to completion! (see Phil.1:6) The leaf of an evergreen will be our
sign of character, not fading or withering. (one would wither away,
if not planted by a source of constant feeding) This is what happens
when the blessed man meditates day and night on the law of
righteousness. (spoken of in verse 2)
******
This is the picture of
a man who has made up his mind and committed himself to God's right
living, fixed in his purpose to be a fruitful Christian. |
Wednesday May 21, 2007
Psalm 1:4
Continuing in the Psalm, we're at verse four. We
looked at the metaphor of a blessed man/person, being like a tree
planted by the Rivers of waters. That this river was a holy supply
of constant feed. (see also Psalm 36:8, Is 55:1, Mt.5:6, Jn. 4:14,
Jn.7:37) Ephesians 3:16 & 17 tells us that our faith can
be rooted and grounded in the Love of Christ, who dwells in our
hearts, richly, and strengthens with might by His Spirit in the
depths of our inner man. This sounds like a tree planted by a river,
doesn't it?
Verse 4: The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which
the wind drives away.
So, in contrast, we read that a person who
is not committed in meditations of righteous law are unstable and the
wind can scatter them easily. "Chaff" is like dust, from threshing
wheat, the kernel of the wheat is heavier and will not be blown
away, but the chaff is easily so. There is no substance in chaff.
This is why the common practice was to thresh wheat in an open
place, where the wind could assist the process, in blowing away the
dust.
(see James 1:8; 4:8) A double minded man is unstable, but if we draw
close to God, we find stability.
Jesus' parable of the sower, in Mat. 13:5 &
6 touched on this also. He said the seed that fell on stony ground
where there was not much earth, sprung up with no depth or root, the
sun scorched and withered them away. (unlike the leaf of the
believing man, spoken of in Psalm 1:3, who is planted deep and by a
source of water, not withered and bringing forth fruit)
The noncommittal practice of the
ungodly man will not serve him well. There will be no source of
strength for him to draw on. What he usually depends on has no
spiritual substance or security for things eternal. (remember God
set eternity in all mankind's heart upon creation, so there is a
natural yearning for eternal substance) The wind can easily sway and uproot the man who does not take hold of God's righteousness and
make it his stay.
******
We encourage you to go deeper in your devotions, to take time to
look up the scriptures of reference we put in daily. This will "root
and ground" you in what we discuss and you will get more out
of it. As you drink of the word, it will feed you well!
****** |
Thursday May 24, 2007
Psalm 1:5
We've looked into verses 1-4 and saw
some major contrasts in the "blessed" man who seeks the
righteousness of God and the "unblessed" who does not. Now in verse
5, the Psalmist describes some of the facts from God's point of view
between the two.
Verse 5: Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in
judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
The word therefore indicates a point
to reflect, to review what was previously stated. We've read
how a blessed man walks, stands and sits, what he does with his
thought life, and how he delights in righteousness and how his
commitment feeds and produces spiritual fruitfulness because of
where he plants himself. That the proof is in the greenness
like an evergreen leaf that does not wither or fade. We've read how
the ungodly is like chaff which cannot withstand the wind because
there is no commitment to root or ground himself in the
righteousness of God's law. (the authoritative standard)
******
Webster defines righteous: an adjective ; virtuous and
devout. right; to set straight, adjust or correct in
conformity to an authoritative standard; to resume a vertical
position (stand);
a just claim.
******
Here, in verse five, the ungodly will not
stand, meaning because there is no root to support him,
he will fail. In the judgment is the place of
justification, he cannot justify, or excuse the choices he's made.
Nor will the man who sins stand in the congregation of the
righteous, he will not be counted as righteous on judgment day.
This stern passage may trouble some
in light of the fact that all men are born with a sin nature. But
those who have accepted the plan of salvation, are reborn and
"blessed" men, who have a strong consolation of hope in Christ.
(Hebrews 6:17-20, that anchor) We also read in Romans 3:
23-26 and 5:17-21 that it is Christ's righteousness that justifies
(our just claim) If we reject Christ, we have no hope
to stand on, no justified claim.
******
The day of Judgment comes to all men, as it is appointed unto man
once to die and after this the Judgment. (Hebrews 9:27)
|
Friday May 25, 2007
Psalm
1:6
| The conclusion of this
Psalm, in this last verse, tells the sum of the matter. Not a lot of
explanation is needed. The Lord knows the way, (paths) of the
righteous because He is Righteous. He is the reference point of
Righteousness. God is the Judge of all creation because He is the
Creator. The way of the ungodly (the paths of) lead to
destruction and death. The path of righteousness is the only path
that secures, sustains and prospers life.
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the ungodly will perish.
God knows the beginning from the
end, as previously discussed in Eccl.3:11, where we learned that man
cannot know the full content of life's mysteries. God is the
Alpha (beginning) and the Omega (end). Man can neither take
away or add to God's design or purpose. Yet, in the choices he
makes, man can experience life in it's fullness, when he plants
himself by the Rivers of Living water, through accepting Christ's
righteousness. He can grow from the constant feed of that source of
water, in meditation by taking constant thought of righteousness.
******
2 Peter 3:9--God is not willing that any perish,
but has hope that all will turn in repentance and stand.
Proverbs 10:29--The way of the Lord is strength to
the upright;
Proverbs 20:5--Counsel in the heart of a man is
like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
Proverbs 21:16--The man that wanders out of the way of understanding
shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
|
Saturday May 26, 2007
Psalm 1
This week we looked deeper into the
meaning of this Psalm and we hope that it was enlightening and
inspiring. We encourage each of you to commit this Psalm to memory
and let it feed you in the future, to strengthen and prosper you in
your spiritual walk with the Lord.
Blessed is the man that walketh
not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of
sinners; or sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in
the law of the Lord, and in his law he meditates day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of waters, that
brings for his fruit in his season. His leaf also shall not wither
and whatsoever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so,
but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore, the
ungodly shall not stand in judgment, nor sinners in the congregation
of the Righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but
the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Now as you read it and reread it, out
loud when possible, you can remember this week of
devotion and notice how it comes into play in your life. You
will begin to see many confirmations of what we discussed. When
someone makes a statement like, "That just blew me away", or
"There's safety in numbers", or, "I took the wrong path", it will
come back to your memory. When "making a stand" for something,
or "seeking advise" comes up, you will be able to determine if it is
something with eternal substance and worth your commitment, or if it
is futile and of no value. (chaff) This is a work of the Holy Spirit
and the powerful Word of God. It is alive and gives life and
sustains life. (Rivers of waters)
We did not go into detail about the
fruit spoken of in verse 3, but this is exactly the way
one would be able to discern the differences of the blessed and the
ungodly. Mathew 7:16-24 tells us that we can recognize by the
fruit, meaning what is evidently seen in a man's life. Would
a fig tree produce grapes? Galatians 5 tells us of the fruit of both
types of people; verses 19-21, of the flesh and verses 22 & 23,
those of the spirit. Both types produce fruit, but one unto
corruption (the ungodly, fleshly) and one unto life everlasting (the
godly, the spiritual).
******
Ever notice how the scriptures always
confirm itself? This is but one of the wonderful works of the Word.
God not only gives us direction for our lives, but He draws us a
map!
******
As we get more familiar with the path of righteousness, through
spiritual growth in Grace and knowledge, (2 peter 1:5&6; 3:18), God
reveals more to us. There is joy in the journey as He gives more
Grace.
(2 Cor.9:8-10)
Hallelujah!
******
Webster: succeed; accomplish what is
attempted; come after; be heir to.
success; a favorable termination; a person or thing that
prospers.
**Blessed** |
Sunday May 27, 2007
Networking
| "Networking" is sort of
catch phrase the professional career counselors use today.
Webster defines it is as pooling information, resources, ect.
with others in the same field.
Career counselors advise that once
one lands a job, through networking, it is important to maintain
that network to secure your future venues. They say that for the new
hire it is likely that he won't know many people in his field, but
that there are many ways to "plug into the grapevine". Let's compare
this scenario with the new Christian's spiritual start, which can
also be when we move away from a church due to various reasons:
When we are first saved or move, we may
not know many other Christians and need to do a little research in
finding a good church to attend so we can build our "network". The
career counselors advise at the starting point, the
professional is to check with the local college alumni association.
A Christian's alumni association is the bible, full of names
of alumni, who left us great legacies. A good church is
also full of such people. A good church would also embrace new
comers to their congregation and the networking would begin with the
hand of fellowship extended.
A counselor would
advise once contact is made, to join a professional organization or
club. Once we find a church that teaches the full gospel of
Christ and is welcoming, we should join in membership. The church
network will teach, support and encourage our faith. The
professional counselor advises to subscribe to a trade magazine in
the field chosen. We as Christians have a bible that is full of
information on Christian living. There are also many Christian
organizations that send magazines to anyone who contacts them.
(usually free of charge) There are a lot of such resources such as Christian
bookstores, a great source of materials that would help establish
us. A concordance, like Strong's, a bible dictionary and
various translated standards of original scripts, such as the New
Living Translation.* Music of inspiration so vast, you could get
lost in the choices. Christian radio stations, which you can find
online, are also helpful.
The counselor advises using online
sources to find discussion groups in the industry. This website is a
good example of how an online source can minister to a Christian.
(and we are but one of many available; see links below) The
counselor would advise keeping in contact with those in your field
from your college of training. Christians do develop a new circle of
friends who learn together in the church and do meet the spiritually
older ones who've been at it for awhile.
The last piece of
advise, from the source we came across, is to get involved in
conferences and other functions, being mindful to keep a business
card with you when outside the office. Stating further that
you never know when you may run into a potential contact or someone
else just learning the trade. Many churches have people in place
that know of seminars and conferences that teach us to be better,
stronger Christians. Local radio stations are always announcing some
sort of event and often have a website to download event schedules. We should get involved in these activities and
make sure wherever we go, we take our bibles with us! Because we
never know when we may come into contact with one who is on the
verge of making the decision of Christ being their personal Savior,
(1Pet. 3:15), or one who needs encouragement.
A few footnotes on the bottom of
this source says also, to introduce yourself at informal socials.
Most churches hold informal socials, like picnics, retreats, camps and
many other
activities. Do we go or sit out of these activities? Are we friendly? Before church service begins, do we
greet each other? The bible tells us, a man who has friends
must first show himself friendly. (Prov. 18:24)
******
Christ is our greatest example!
******
Jesus is the friend that sticks closer than a
brother.(Prov.18:24)
******
"Henceforth, I call you no more servants but
friends, for the servant knows not what his lord does; but I have
called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father, I
have made known unto you. You have not chosen me, but I have chosen
you and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth much fruit,
that your fruit should remain; "---Jesus (Jn. 15:15&16)
******
We sh | |
