August 31
"My Burden is easy and My yoke is light." Matthew 11:30
There is no disputing the fact that the burdens of life are anything but easy and the yoke of oppression is anything but light. Jesus isn't talking here about the burdens of life or the yoke it imposes. He's talking about the burden assumed when one takes on faith in Him. The person who allows Jesus to become all-in-all in his life is taking to his heart the 'burden' that sets him free.
The Word tells us that we will serve a master, for we are not free spirits as some of us like to think we are. Matthew 6:24 tells us that we cannot serve God and satan, but we will serve one or the other of them. Joshua said in Chapter 24 of his book, verses 14-24, "…Choose you this day whom you will serve... As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord..."
The matter is stated quite clearly, the option set before the people who are newly freed from bondage in Egypt is who they will now serve. It is the same option set before everyone who is ever born. Each of us must determine at whose altar we shall bow, before whom we shall lay our gifts, in whose name we shall live our lives. Shall we serve the one whose mischief against us is dire and continual or shall we serve the One who paid His life to ransom us from the cruel bondage of evil?
We make our choice every day. We may live our lives in compliance with the tenets of faith in Christ without surrendering our hearts to Him, but it is in our hearts that He longs to abide as our Savior and King. When we have given Him the authority to occupy the innermost part of our self-hood, He will live there, He will do a work in us that will last through our lifetimes--a work of making us fit to be the abode of the Lord of Glory.
I pray the Lord in you will today give you the peace and joy and love and power that will equip you for all the tasks of today. I pray you allow Him to repeat that process again tomorrow and for all your tomorrows, knowing that "He is able to keep that which you've committed to Him..." II Timothy 1:12. He will take your cares upon Himself daily (I Peter 5:7), and He will daily give you all you need to grow in the inner heart of who you are.
God bless you always, and help you to hunger so fully for the entirety of Himself that all the things that challenge you will pale in comparison to the great blessing of being His beloved, blood-bought child.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Friday, August 30, 2013
Beyond the Walls
August 30
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3
We are called by a prisoner to do the impossible! What can he know about forbearing in love, keeping the unity of the spirit, abiding in peace? What can a man know of interacting with others when he is chained in a Roman dungeon and interacts with no one? What can he know of walking worthy of a calling when he goes nowhere and is with nobody but the centurion who guards him?
Paul knew his audience was limited, but he knew it was important for at least two reasons. First and foremost, because each individual is highly valued in the sight of God, Paul knew he must do his best to reveal Christ's truth to the man who was assigned to guard him in his dark, dank chamber. Second, Paul knew that each guard who rotated in and out of his prison cell was a member of the Praetorian Guard.
A cursory knowledge of history tells us that Paul's jailors were men who had distinguished themselves as centurions, as commanders of groups of 100 soldiers, to attain the standing of bodyguard of the emperor. The men who guarded him in his dungeon would perhaps be guarding Nero himself on their next watch. Paul believed that the truth of salvation would never go beyond the walls of his prison cell unless these men carried it forth.
Like Paul, we have the truth of Jesus within us. Like him, we do not have the power to reach beyond the small sphere of influence that has been entrusted to each of us, so like him, we must endeavor to reach those nearest to us with the Word of God and trust it to take root in and go forth from them to others who also need salvation through the Lord's propitiatory life, death and resurrection.
Like Paul, we must forbear in love, abide in peace, and keep the unity of the Spirit. Like him, we must walk worthy of the calling we have from Christ Jesus. Like him, we must assure that those whose lives touch ours see the Christ in our heart when they look upon us. When we live up to the trust that has been placed in us, we, too, may ultimately touch those in high places with the reality of their need for the ONE who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
And if we are faithful in that, perhaps He will trust us to reach beyond the walls our lifetimes to future generations as He allowed Paul to do, touching countless multitudes with the truth of the One who is the Living Word who came to save all who will believe.
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3
We are called by a prisoner to do the impossible! What can he know about forbearing in love, keeping the unity of the spirit, abiding in peace? What can a man know of interacting with others when he is chained in a Roman dungeon and interacts with no one? What can he know of walking worthy of a calling when he goes nowhere and is with nobody but the centurion who guards him?
Paul knew his audience was limited, but he knew it was important for at least two reasons. First and foremost, because each individual is highly valued in the sight of God, Paul knew he must do his best to reveal Christ's truth to the man who was assigned to guard him in his dark, dank chamber. Second, Paul knew that each guard who rotated in and out of his prison cell was a member of the Praetorian Guard.
A cursory knowledge of history tells us that Paul's jailors were men who had distinguished themselves as centurions, as commanders of groups of 100 soldiers, to attain the standing of bodyguard of the emperor. The men who guarded him in his dungeon would perhaps be guarding Nero himself on their next watch. Paul believed that the truth of salvation would never go beyond the walls of his prison cell unless these men carried it forth.
Like Paul, we have the truth of Jesus within us. Like him, we do not have the power to reach beyond the small sphere of influence that has been entrusted to each of us, so like him, we must endeavor to reach those nearest to us with the Word of God and trust it to take root in and go forth from them to others who also need salvation through the Lord's propitiatory life, death and resurrection.
Like Paul, we must forbear in love, abide in peace, and keep the unity of the Spirit. Like him, we must walk worthy of the calling we have from Christ Jesus. Like him, we must assure that those whose lives touch ours see the Christ in our heart when they look upon us. When we live up to the trust that has been placed in us, we, too, may ultimately touch those in high places with the reality of their need for the ONE who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
And if we are faithful in that, perhaps He will trust us to reach beyond the walls our lifetimes to future generations as He allowed Paul to do, touching countless multitudes with the truth of the One who is the Living Word who came to save all who will believe.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
In His Eternal Kingdom
August 29
"I’ll subdue all your enemies and make you great. As for a dynasty, the Lord will build one for you!" I Chronicles 17:10
The Bible is replete with promises, some of which are almost too good to hope for ourselves but this one certainly makes us anticipate the prospect of all our battles concluding in victory and our progeny going forth into future victories of their own.
Our challenges in life are indeed many and the prospect of future perplexities on this fallen planet seem to exacerbate as time marches forward, but although our ability to subdue those circumstances that beset us may be sorely pressed and although our hope for future generations may require us to see beyond the encroaching challenges it appears they will face, we know that ultimately we have a Savior who has promised, "I will never fail you nor forsake you."
In fact our God is so emphatic about that promise that He stated it in Deuteronomy 31:8 and repeated it again in Hebrews 13:5. Will He subdue our enemies expeditiously? The answer to that depends upon whether our perspective is temporal or eternal. The reality is that God is not always on our time schedule. Regarding God’s timetable, the following is worth noting:
The Israelites were in bondage in Egypt for 400 years before their release.
Joseph was in prison for 13 years before becoming Pharaoh's right-hand man.
Sampson had to wait for his hair to grow before vindicating himself against the Philistines.
But a further reality encompasses the scriptural admonition, "When you have done all, stand.," Ephesians 6:13. We can do only so much toward any given goal. We can assert only limited strength against the foes we face. Ultimately, "Our warfare is not against flesh and blood but against powers and spiritual wickedness in high places," Ephesians 6:12.
Our hope, therefore, is not in ourselves but in His promise to subdue our enemies and to make us great--and to make the same promise to our children. We must ever TRUST JESUS, FOR HE IS FAITHFUL! Trust Jesus because He loves us and it is His good pleasure to give us all things. The promise for "all things" will certainly be ours, if not here, in His eternal Kingdom. (See Luke 12:32.)
"I’ll subdue all your enemies and make you great. As for a dynasty, the Lord will build one for you!" I Chronicles 17:10
The Bible is replete with promises, some of which are almost too good to hope for ourselves but this one certainly makes us anticipate the prospect of all our battles concluding in victory and our progeny going forth into future victories of their own.
Our challenges in life are indeed many and the prospect of future perplexities on this fallen planet seem to exacerbate as time marches forward, but although our ability to subdue those circumstances that beset us may be sorely pressed and although our hope for future generations may require us to see beyond the encroaching challenges it appears they will face, we know that ultimately we have a Savior who has promised, "I will never fail you nor forsake you."
In fact our God is so emphatic about that promise that He stated it in Deuteronomy 31:8 and repeated it again in Hebrews 13:5. Will He subdue our enemies expeditiously? The answer to that depends upon whether our perspective is temporal or eternal. The reality is that God is not always on our time schedule. Regarding God’s timetable, the following is worth noting:
The Israelites were in bondage in Egypt for 400 years before their release.
Joseph was in prison for 13 years before becoming Pharaoh's right-hand man.
Sampson had to wait for his hair to grow before vindicating himself against the Philistines.
But a further reality encompasses the scriptural admonition, "When you have done all, stand.," Ephesians 6:13. We can do only so much toward any given goal. We can assert only limited strength against the foes we face. Ultimately, "Our warfare is not against flesh and blood but against powers and spiritual wickedness in high places," Ephesians 6:12.
Our hope, therefore, is not in ourselves but in His promise to subdue our enemies and to make us great--and to make the same promise to our children. We must ever TRUST JESUS, FOR HE IS FAITHFUL! Trust Jesus because He loves us and it is His good pleasure to give us all things. The promise for "all things" will certainly be ours, if not here, in His eternal Kingdom. (See Luke 12:32.)
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Trust Him; He Is Faithful
August 28
You have been my protection, like a strong tower against my enemies. Psalm 61:3
We long for a tower of safety. The world around us seems to be sliding into a quagmire of sin and lack of restraint and we feel we have no security. Governments are often complicit in the unraveling of law and justice. Indeed, man’s law and man’s justice has no power to shelter or save us from the onslaught of wickedness that we face.
Everywhere we look, there is strife, whether between individuals or among nations. Everywhere we look we see good men standing down when the forces of evil arise against them—it is like men of honor and truth have no guide to marshal them into action against the evil foe they face.
Indeed, we don’t, if we are looking to men for our salvation. But, we are not looking to men! Zephaniah 3:17 tells us, “The Lord your God is with you, the mighty One will save you. He will rejoice over you. You will rest in His love; He will sing over you and be joyful about you.”
Add to that assurance the promise in Deuteronomy 33:27, “The everlasting God is your refuge and His arms will hold you up forever. He will force your enemy out before you saying, ‘Destroy the enemy!’” It is not the intent of the Holy One that His people flee before the foe! It is His good purpose that His people crush the foe!
Will it be a battle without effort on the part of those of us who believe in the power of the Living Christ? Indeed not! He has forewarned us that since the world hates Him, it will also hate us (See John 15:18-25.) Yet we know our victory is sure. Psalm 91:7 proclaims, “Ten thousand may fall in the battle, but you will not be hurt.”
Trust Him, for, “He who has promised is faithful,” Hebrews 10:23.
You have been my protection, like a strong tower against my enemies. Psalm 61:3
We long for a tower of safety. The world around us seems to be sliding into a quagmire of sin and lack of restraint and we feel we have no security. Governments are often complicit in the unraveling of law and justice. Indeed, man’s law and man’s justice has no power to shelter or save us from the onslaught of wickedness that we face.
Everywhere we look, there is strife, whether between individuals or among nations. Everywhere we look we see good men standing down when the forces of evil arise against them—it is like men of honor and truth have no guide to marshal them into action against the evil foe they face.
Indeed, we don’t, if we are looking to men for our salvation. But, we are not looking to men! Zephaniah 3:17 tells us, “The Lord your God is with you, the mighty One will save you. He will rejoice over you. You will rest in His love; He will sing over you and be joyful about you.”
Add to that assurance the promise in Deuteronomy 33:27, “The everlasting God is your refuge and His arms will hold you up forever. He will force your enemy out before you saying, ‘Destroy the enemy!’” It is not the intent of the Holy One that His people flee before the foe! It is His good purpose that His people crush the foe!
Will it be a battle without effort on the part of those of us who believe in the power of the Living Christ? Indeed not! He has forewarned us that since the world hates Him, it will also hate us (See John 15:18-25.) Yet we know our victory is sure. Psalm 91:7 proclaims, “Ten thousand may fall in the battle, but you will not be hurt.”
Trust Him, for, “He who has promised is faithful,” Hebrews 10:23.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Where Is Your Focus?
August 27
"Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk with the Spirit." Galatians 5:25
It was 20 years ago, and Patsy Clairmont recounts her conversation with a Marine who was returning from a tour of duty in the Middle East. Their conversation which follows taught her a valuable life lesson:
"Hey, Marine, where are you coming from?"
"Operation Desert Storm, Ma'am."
"No kidding? Desert Storm! How long were you there?" she asked.
"A year and a half, Ma'am. I'm on my way home. My family will be at the airport."
Ms. Clairmont then commented that he must have thought about returning to his family and home many times while he was in the Middle East.
"Oh, no, Ma'am." he replied. "We were taught never to think of what might never be, but to be fully available right where we were." Patsy Clairmont, quoted from God Fruits
You’ve probably heard the old saying, “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow is a hope. Only today is given to us. That’s why we call it 'the present.’ This little play on words is rooted in the same philosophy of the Marine. Live in the here and now because there’s nothing else that’s sure.
Good advice if all you claim is the here and now. If, however, your focus is on the promise of God, you always have an eye on eternity. No matter where you might be, no matter how circumstances may be playing out in your life, you know your Jesus is Lord over your life and He is Lord over all that concerns you.
Because His Word assures us, “Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever,” Hebrews 13:8, you can trust in Him that all your tomorrows are not subject to happenstance but are orchestrated by the God who assures His power is viable in your life today, even as it was in the days when He walked the dusty streets of Galilee.
You can know beyond the shadow of doubting that the same Christ whose Word says, “Cast all your care upon Him for He cares for you,” I Peter 5:7, fully intends that you lay your burden, whatever it is, at His feet, because you love Him and abide under the shadow of His wing, and trust that He will, "perform all things for you," Psalm 57:2.
"Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk with the Spirit." Galatians 5:25
It was 20 years ago, and Patsy Clairmont recounts her conversation with a Marine who was returning from a tour of duty in the Middle East. Their conversation which follows taught her a valuable life lesson:
"Hey, Marine, where are you coming from?"
"Operation Desert Storm, Ma'am."
"No kidding? Desert Storm! How long were you there?" she asked.
"A year and a half, Ma'am. I'm on my way home. My family will be at the airport."
Ms. Clairmont then commented that he must have thought about returning to his family and home many times while he was in the Middle East.
"Oh, no, Ma'am." he replied. "We were taught never to think of what might never be, but to be fully available right where we were." Patsy Clairmont, quoted from God Fruits
You’ve probably heard the old saying, “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow is a hope. Only today is given to us. That’s why we call it 'the present.’ This little play on words is rooted in the same philosophy of the Marine. Live in the here and now because there’s nothing else that’s sure.
Good advice if all you claim is the here and now. If, however, your focus is on the promise of God, you always have an eye on eternity. No matter where you might be, no matter how circumstances may be playing out in your life, you know your Jesus is Lord over your life and He is Lord over all that concerns you.
Because His Word assures us, “Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever,” Hebrews 13:8, you can trust in Him that all your tomorrows are not subject to happenstance but are orchestrated by the God who assures His power is viable in your life today, even as it was in the days when He walked the dusty streets of Galilee.
You can know beyond the shadow of doubting that the same Christ whose Word says, “Cast all your care upon Him for He cares for you,” I Peter 5:7, fully intends that you lay your burden, whatever it is, at His feet, because you love Him and abide under the shadow of His wing, and trust that He will, "perform all things for you," Psalm 57:2.
Monday, August 26, 2013
You Cannot Lose In Heaven
August 26
"I have learned in all circumstances whatsoever I am, therewith to be content, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want, for I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:12, 13
PLOTTING THE COURSE
Life is not a straight line leading from one blessing to the next and then finally to heaven.
Life is a winding and troubled road. Switch-back after switch-back. And the point of Biblical stories like Joseph and Job and Esther and Ruth is to help us feel in our bones (not just know in our heads) that God is for us in all these strange turns.
God is not just showing up after the trouble and cleaning it up. He is plotting the course and managing the troubles with far-reaching purposes for our good and for the glory of Jesus Christ. John Piper from A Sweet and Bitter Providence...
People of faith sometimes question God’s goodness but it is most often those who do not profess to believe in Him who are likely to raise the commonly-heard question, “How could a loving God allow this to happen?”
The Bible doesn’t tell us that Joseph wondered why God had allowed him to be sold into slavery by his brothers or if Job pondered the goodness of God in permitting his children’s deaths and the loss of all his possessions as well as the total degeneration of his own health, but we can imagine that the dire ‘Why?’ hovered over their minds. Neither knew there was to be a restoration of all things to them. At the point of their loss, their besetment seemed complete.
And Paul, who converted to Christ after persecuting people of faith, set out to share the gospel with the entire known world—only to be arrested and cast into a Roman dungeon. How could he know that from the confines of those cold, stone walls while shackled with chains he would pen some of the most up-lifting literature ever written! That from his cold, dank cell would emerge words of hope that have lifted believers through the centuries.
And you, dear Reader, when you are burdened with challenges, must stand in faith as did these heroes of the faith. You must, as they did, say, “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed to Him against that day,” II Timothy 1:12. Like them, you will either come into a rich, full place as did Joseph, or, “come forth as gold” as did Job (Job 23:10), or go with assurance as did Paul unto that crown that is waiting in glory, II Timothy 4:8, I Peter 5:4. Whatever befalls you in this life, you cannot lose in Heaven!
"I have learned in all circumstances whatsoever I am, therewith to be content, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want, for I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:12, 13
PLOTTING THE COURSE
Life is not a straight line leading from one blessing to the next and then finally to heaven.
Life is a winding and troubled road. Switch-back after switch-back. And the point of Biblical stories like Joseph and Job and Esther and Ruth is to help us feel in our bones (not just know in our heads) that God is for us in all these strange turns.
God is not just showing up after the trouble and cleaning it up. He is plotting the course and managing the troubles with far-reaching purposes for our good and for the glory of Jesus Christ. John Piper from A Sweet and Bitter Providence...
People of faith sometimes question God’s goodness but it is most often those who do not profess to believe in Him who are likely to raise the commonly-heard question, “How could a loving God allow this to happen?”
The Bible doesn’t tell us that Joseph wondered why God had allowed him to be sold into slavery by his brothers or if Job pondered the goodness of God in permitting his children’s deaths and the loss of all his possessions as well as the total degeneration of his own health, but we can imagine that the dire ‘Why?’ hovered over their minds. Neither knew there was to be a restoration of all things to them. At the point of their loss, their besetment seemed complete.
And Paul, who converted to Christ after persecuting people of faith, set out to share the gospel with the entire known world—only to be arrested and cast into a Roman dungeon. How could he know that from the confines of those cold, stone walls while shackled with chains he would pen some of the most up-lifting literature ever written! That from his cold, dank cell would emerge words of hope that have lifted believers through the centuries.
And you, dear Reader, when you are burdened with challenges, must stand in faith as did these heroes of the faith. You must, as they did, say, “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed to Him against that day,” II Timothy 1:12. Like them, you will either come into a rich, full place as did Joseph, or, “come forth as gold” as did Job (Job 23:10), or go with assurance as did Paul unto that crown that is waiting in glory, II Timothy 4:8, I Peter 5:4. Whatever befalls you in this life, you cannot lose in Heaven!
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Come Forth As Gold
August 25
"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Exodus 20:2
The Lord has indeed brought His people out of bondage. They who were slaves in Egypt have morphed from the role of slaves in captivity to leadership in all fields of human endeavor. The world we live in would be a poorer place were it not for the contributions of Jewish scientists and researchers and doctors and statesmen. A people who have been beset by the enemy virtually from their establishment as a people have risen to the fore of human achievement because the hand of the Lord has never ceased to be upon them.
What can we learn from them? One important lesson we must not overlook is that our present circumstances do not dictate our future. Were that the case, the Israelites would still be slaves who do the bidding of an unrelenting task master rather than pioneers who have led the way in every field of human accomplishment. We can learn that it is to our great advantage to, "...call things that are not as though they were..." Romans 4:17, even as did these believers of old.
From them we also learn as did Job that, "When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold," Job 23:10. Job's life had fallen apart. He went from being a highly respected man of wealth and substance to being a man laden with trial who was accused by his so-called friends of having greatly disappointed God. From him we learn to trust the Holy One through our trial, knowing He has a glorious outcome that we shall attain when our moment of affliction is past.
Did Job endure the trial entirely without question or doubt? Indeed, the Word conveys the fact that even he strained under the burden of all he bore, but when he made his complaint before the Lord he was challenged with the question, "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?" Job 38:4. Like Job, we cry out in our distress and like him, we are silenced by the realization that we have no basis for challenging the purposes the Lord has in allowing us to face the refiner's fire.
Perhaps the most glorious lesson we can learn from the faithful men who have gone before us is, "Christ in us is the hope of glory," Colossians 1:27. We who believe are not required to endure our trails alone, for His Word has assured that we may, "Cast all our cares upon Jesus, for He cares for His people," I Peter 5:7. Though the ancient Israelites endured much trial, they emerged as the blood-bought, redeemed people of Christ and those who accepted Him as their Messiah went forth into all the world preaching the gospel (Mark 16:15), which is the greatest of all the contributions they have made to this fallen world.
May we anticipate no less as we surrender ourselves to Him and to His glorious purposes in us and through us. May we know beyond the shadow of doubting that, "What He has promised, He is able to perform," Romans 4:21. May we know beyond the shadow of doubting that it is His good pleasure to give us not only good things in time but the blessings of His eternal Kingdom," Luke 12:32.
"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Exodus 20:2
The Lord has indeed brought His people out of bondage. They who were slaves in Egypt have morphed from the role of slaves in captivity to leadership in all fields of human endeavor. The world we live in would be a poorer place were it not for the contributions of Jewish scientists and researchers and doctors and statesmen. A people who have been beset by the enemy virtually from their establishment as a people have risen to the fore of human achievement because the hand of the Lord has never ceased to be upon them.
What can we learn from them? One important lesson we must not overlook is that our present circumstances do not dictate our future. Were that the case, the Israelites would still be slaves who do the bidding of an unrelenting task master rather than pioneers who have led the way in every field of human accomplishment. We can learn that it is to our great advantage to, "...call things that are not as though they were..." Romans 4:17, even as did these believers of old.
From them we also learn as did Job that, "When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold," Job 23:10. Job's life had fallen apart. He went from being a highly respected man of wealth and substance to being a man laden with trial who was accused by his so-called friends of having greatly disappointed God. From him we learn to trust the Holy One through our trial, knowing He has a glorious outcome that we shall attain when our moment of affliction is past.
Did Job endure the trial entirely without question or doubt? Indeed, the Word conveys the fact that even he strained under the burden of all he bore, but when he made his complaint before the Lord he was challenged with the question, "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?" Job 38:4. Like Job, we cry out in our distress and like him, we are silenced by the realization that we have no basis for challenging the purposes the Lord has in allowing us to face the refiner's fire.
Perhaps the most glorious lesson we can learn from the faithful men who have gone before us is, "Christ in us is the hope of glory," Colossians 1:27. We who believe are not required to endure our trails alone, for His Word has assured that we may, "Cast all our cares upon Jesus, for He cares for His people," I Peter 5:7. Though the ancient Israelites endured much trial, they emerged as the blood-bought, redeemed people of Christ and those who accepted Him as their Messiah went forth into all the world preaching the gospel (Mark 16:15), which is the greatest of all the contributions they have made to this fallen world.
May we anticipate no less as we surrender ourselves to Him and to His glorious purposes in us and through us. May we know beyond the shadow of doubting that, "What He has promised, He is able to perform," Romans 4:21. May we know beyond the shadow of doubting that it is His good pleasure to give us not only good things in time but the blessings of His eternal Kingdom," Luke 12:32.
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Profit Through Excellence
August 24
GAME PLAN FOR SHARING HOPE!
How would you feel if you had no one to cheer you in life? A few years ago a Christian high school in Grapevine, Texas, got fired up to cheer an opposing football team -- made up of teenagers from a nearby correctional facility.
Instead of being treated like criminals, players on the Gainesville Tornados team ran on to the field through a 40-yard spirit line of hundreds of cheering strangers -- families and friends from the Grapevine Faith Christian School who committed to cheering these young men throughout the game by name. That act of kindness gave these kids an evening of hope!
Christians have a powerful playbook for spreading hope to people who feel discarded. It's called the Bible. What's your game plan TODAY for sharing God's hope?
By the way, that Friday night football game has led to a movement! See the One Heart Project which provides at-risk and incarcerated youth a second chance! -- Mike Huckabee
Wherever you live in the world, you’ve probably heard of the Harlem Globetrotters. Though they are now the beloved ‘clowns’ of basketball, it was not always that way. The young men who were part of the team lived up to the scriptural admonition, “All that your hand finds to do, do it as unto the Lord,” Ecclesiastes 9:10. The Globetrotters began because blacks were not allowed to perform in the NBA but they usually defeated the NBA teams they played against. It was said by Blake Eskin that the team was, “a bastion of black athletic excellence.”
They were good enough to win the Chicago Herald American's World Professional Tournament in 1940 (the winner of which was generally recognized as the best professional team in the world), and talented enough to defeat the future NBA champions in an exhibition game in 1948. That championship Minneapolis Lakers team was led by George Mikan, at 6' 10" basketball's first overpowering big man who, before Wilt Chamberlain, was considered the greatest center to play the game.
Prejudice, to pre-judge, is a wrong that has been addressed and settled in the United States. Few people dispute Martin Luther King’s admonition to judge a man by the content of his character rather than by the color of his skin. Certainly the current NBA would not be the powerhouse organization that it is if it were not for the outstanding black athletes who dominate the sport.
But none of that is of any consequence if those same men, highly touted and richly remunerated for their prowess on the basketball court do not take the same step of faith that the most humble and inept among us must take to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior . These great and stellar athletes must recognize the truth that all must see: "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" (See Mark 8:36.)
GAME PLAN FOR SHARING HOPE!
How would you feel if you had no one to cheer you in life? A few years ago a Christian high school in Grapevine, Texas, got fired up to cheer an opposing football team -- made up of teenagers from a nearby correctional facility.
Instead of being treated like criminals, players on the Gainesville Tornados team ran on to the field through a 40-yard spirit line of hundreds of cheering strangers -- families and friends from the Grapevine Faith Christian School who committed to cheering these young men throughout the game by name. That act of kindness gave these kids an evening of hope!
Christians have a powerful playbook for spreading hope to people who feel discarded. It's called the Bible. What's your game plan TODAY for sharing God's hope?
By the way, that Friday night football game has led to a movement! See the One Heart Project which provides at-risk and incarcerated youth a second chance! -- Mike Huckabee
Wherever you live in the world, you’ve probably heard of the Harlem Globetrotters. Though they are now the beloved ‘clowns’ of basketball, it was not always that way. The young men who were part of the team lived up to the scriptural admonition, “All that your hand finds to do, do it as unto the Lord,” Ecclesiastes 9:10. The Globetrotters began because blacks were not allowed to perform in the NBA but they usually defeated the NBA teams they played against. It was said by Blake Eskin that the team was, “a bastion of black athletic excellence.”
They were good enough to win the Chicago Herald American's World Professional Tournament in 1940 (the winner of which was generally recognized as the best professional team in the world), and talented enough to defeat the future NBA champions in an exhibition game in 1948. That championship Minneapolis Lakers team was led by George Mikan, at 6' 10" basketball's first overpowering big man who, before Wilt Chamberlain, was considered the greatest center to play the game.
Prejudice, to pre-judge, is a wrong that has been addressed and settled in the United States. Few people dispute Martin Luther King’s admonition to judge a man by the content of his character rather than by the color of his skin. Certainly the current NBA would not be the powerhouse organization that it is if it were not for the outstanding black athletes who dominate the sport.
But none of that is of any consequence if those same men, highly touted and richly remunerated for their prowess on the basketball court do not take the same step of faith that the most humble and inept among us must take to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior . These great and stellar athletes must recognize the truth that all must see: "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" (See Mark 8:36.)
Friday, August 23, 2013
Do All You Can, Then Wait
August 23
"You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever." Psalm 16:11
Luciano Pavarotti, the great tenor, has some life advice to share that requires a few of the Holy Spirit's fruit, most notably, patience and self-control.
Of his own life’s experience, Pavarotti relates, "When I was a boy, my father, a baker, introduced me to the wonders of song. He urged me to work very hard to develop my voice. Arrigo Pola, a professional tenor in my hometown of Modena, Italy, took me as a pupil. I also enrolled in a teachers college. On graduating, I asked my father, 'Shall I be a teacher or a singer?'
"'Luciano,' my father replied, 'if you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them. For life, you must choose one chair.'
"I chose one. It took seven years of study and frustration before I made my first professional appearance. It took another seven to reach the Metropolitan Opera.
"And now I think whether it's laying bricks, writing a book -- whatever we choose -- we should give ourselves to it. Commitment, that's the key. Choose one chair."
Pavarotti’s words regarding patience bring to mind an amazing quote from Habakkuk 2:3: “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not delay.”
Sometimes believers have a word from God—yes, all believers have the WORD, the Holy Bible and Christ who is the Living Word, John 1:1-3, but there are additional words which God speaks to individuals when the situation warrants His doing so. Often those personal words require time in fulfilling.
A vivid Biblical example of that is Joseph to whom God spoke about rulership while he was one of the youngest (and therefore among the least important) members of his father’s household. Joseph revealed a dream to his father and older brothers about his ruling over them. This incited the wrath of his brothers and they sold him into slavery.
Joseph spent 13 years in a prison in Egypt before being set free to assume the role of adviser to Pharaoh due to his accurate interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams (See Genesis 37 and Genesis 41, 42, 43.)
The word you have from God, too, dear reader, has an appointed time for its fulfillment. You may long to reap the outcome of His promises today but His plan may require a time of your maturing in faith before its actualization.
Nothing deepens a believer’s confidence in the True and Living God as much as does the patience he must employ when he is awaiting a promise he knows he’s been given but that he hasn’t received.
Be like Joseph; be like Pavarotti. Do all you can do to further the goal you seek, and then wait patiently for the outcome which will ultimately reveal the reward of your diligence—and the glory of God in and through you.
"You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever." Psalm 16:11
Luciano Pavarotti, the great tenor, has some life advice to share that requires a few of the Holy Spirit's fruit, most notably, patience and self-control.
Of his own life’s experience, Pavarotti relates, "When I was a boy, my father, a baker, introduced me to the wonders of song. He urged me to work very hard to develop my voice. Arrigo Pola, a professional tenor in my hometown of Modena, Italy, took me as a pupil. I also enrolled in a teachers college. On graduating, I asked my father, 'Shall I be a teacher or a singer?'
"'Luciano,' my father replied, 'if you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them. For life, you must choose one chair.'
"I chose one. It took seven years of study and frustration before I made my first professional appearance. It took another seven to reach the Metropolitan Opera.
"And now I think whether it's laying bricks, writing a book -- whatever we choose -- we should give ourselves to it. Commitment, that's the key. Choose one chair."
Pavarotti’s words regarding patience bring to mind an amazing quote from Habakkuk 2:3: “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not delay.”
Sometimes believers have a word from God—yes, all believers have the WORD, the Holy Bible and Christ who is the Living Word, John 1:1-3, but there are additional words which God speaks to individuals when the situation warrants His doing so. Often those personal words require time in fulfilling.
A vivid Biblical example of that is Joseph to whom God spoke about rulership while he was one of the youngest (and therefore among the least important) members of his father’s household. Joseph revealed a dream to his father and older brothers about his ruling over them. This incited the wrath of his brothers and they sold him into slavery.
Joseph spent 13 years in a prison in Egypt before being set free to assume the role of adviser to Pharaoh due to his accurate interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams (See Genesis 37 and Genesis 41, 42, 43.)
The word you have from God, too, dear reader, has an appointed time for its fulfillment. You may long to reap the outcome of His promises today but His plan may require a time of your maturing in faith before its actualization.
Nothing deepens a believer’s confidence in the True and Living God as much as does the patience he must employ when he is awaiting a promise he knows he’s been given but that he hasn’t received.
Be like Joseph; be like Pavarotti. Do all you can do to further the goal you seek, and then wait patiently for the outcome which will ultimately reveal the reward of your diligence—and the glory of God in and through you.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Halleluiah to the Living Christ!
August 22
God evidences more ‘wrath and judgment’ in the Old Testament than in the New Testament—according to the Biblical evidence—but the reality is that He has said of Himself, “I am the Lord, I change not,” Malachi 3:6 and, “God IS love,” I John 4:8, so we know that love is more than an aspect of His character, love is WHO HE IS.
Yet He is righteous and just, so He must deal with sin. The Old Testament saints looked forward in faith to the day when the Deliverer would come. New Testament saints (including believers like you and me) look back at Calvary where the promise of deliverance was fulfilled in the propitiatory life and death of Jesus who washed all who believe, for all time, in the cleansing Fountain from Emanuel’s veins.
What they could only hope to be true based on the integrity and love of God, we can know to be true based on the demonstration of His integrity and love on the cross where He fulfilled His Word. Paul says in Romans 8:28, “Can we not then trust Him who gave us His own Son, to freely give us all things!” Yes, we can! The integrity and love of Jesus are incomparable treasures. With HIM, we possess all things—all the good things of time and eternity that He promises are ours.
Is His wrath still part of who He is? Yes! But, praise His name, we have seen ourselves in the light of truth that caused us to bow before Him and to receive His mercy and cleansing salvation! We have seen and believed and received His redemption and we will NEVER be required to face the angry God who will judge the quick and the dead, who will ultimately deploy the unredeemed to hell and the redeemed to eternal glory.
If nothing else makes us thankful, those of us who hate hot weather must be appreciative of being spared the torment of hell because of not having to face the heat! Of course I’m being flip here, but I have sometimes thought how blessed we are that we will be spared the eternal sweltering heat of hell. But the horror of the intensity of the heat will pale in comparison to the presence of demons and the stench of unforgiven sin that will pervade that awful place.
Oh, Jesus, we thank and praise You that You bore God’s wrath in our behalf. All that we must bear is the beauty of Your love upon us. Halleluiah to the Living Christ forever!
God evidences more ‘wrath and judgment’ in the Old Testament than in the New Testament—according to the Biblical evidence—but the reality is that He has said of Himself, “I am the Lord, I change not,” Malachi 3:6 and, “God IS love,” I John 4:8, so we know that love is more than an aspect of His character, love is WHO HE IS.
Yet He is righteous and just, so He must deal with sin. The Old Testament saints looked forward in faith to the day when the Deliverer would come. New Testament saints (including believers like you and me) look back at Calvary where the promise of deliverance was fulfilled in the propitiatory life and death of Jesus who washed all who believe, for all time, in the cleansing Fountain from Emanuel’s veins.
What they could only hope to be true based on the integrity and love of God, we can know to be true based on the demonstration of His integrity and love on the cross where He fulfilled His Word. Paul says in Romans 8:28, “Can we not then trust Him who gave us His own Son, to freely give us all things!” Yes, we can! The integrity and love of Jesus are incomparable treasures. With HIM, we possess all things—all the good things of time and eternity that He promises are ours.
Is His wrath still part of who He is? Yes! But, praise His name, we have seen ourselves in the light of truth that caused us to bow before Him and to receive His mercy and cleansing salvation! We have seen and believed and received His redemption and we will NEVER be required to face the angry God who will judge the quick and the dead, who will ultimately deploy the unredeemed to hell and the redeemed to eternal glory.
If nothing else makes us thankful, those of us who hate hot weather must be appreciative of being spared the torment of hell because of not having to face the heat! Of course I’m being flip here, but I have sometimes thought how blessed we are that we will be spared the eternal sweltering heat of hell. But the horror of the intensity of the heat will pale in comparison to the presence of demons and the stench of unforgiven sin that will pervade that awful place.
Oh, Jesus, we thank and praise You that You bore God’s wrath in our behalf. All that we must bear is the beauty of Your love upon us. Halleluiah to the Living Christ forever!
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Dependency Is The Key To Success
August 21
"Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you?" Luke 12:27, 28
A TINY SEED
Sometimes we don't see how God's promises are going to come to pass in our lives. It seems like there are so many obstacles to overcome. But we have to see God's Word like a seed. When it's planted in our hearts, and we water it by thinking the right thoughts and expecting good things, that little seed begins to grow into something much, much greater.
Jesus told a parable in Mark, chapter four. He said, "God's Word is like a tiny mustard seed. When it is sown, it is less than all the other seeds, one of the smallest. But when it grows up, it becomes greater than all." Notice it goes from being less than all to being greater than all.
Are you in an overwhelming situation today, maybe in your health, finances or relationships? Does God's promise seem small compared to what you're facing?
Don't sit back and think, "Man, it's never going to get any better. It's never going to change." Instead, sow the Word by speaking it every single day. Water that seed by staying in faith because the seed of the Word has supernatural power in it. It will grow and flourish, and you will see God's promises come to pass all the days of your life! -- Dr. Timothy Emerick
Have you ever felt that your best intentions might be working against you? Has it ever crossed your mind that your goals would fare better if you could simply step out of the way and allow them to advance on their own?
One of our staunchest bits of advice to our children is that they must be responsible for themselves. 'Plan A' of every successful life is to assume the responsibilities encountered by first anticipating them and then strategizing for their effective execution.
This steadfast requirement is also one of the primary hindrances we place before our children—and ourselves—in attaining the goals we desire, and the reason is that in the spiritual realm, self-sufficiency doesn’t work. In the spiritual realm, dependency is the key to success.
And that dependency is not upon other men who are as frail and flawed as we are. The reliance that facilitates our hopes and gives impetus to our fervent desires is our confidence in the faithfulness of Jesus who has promised that we shall “accomplish all things through Christ…”Philippians 4:13.
"Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you?" Luke 12:27, 28
A TINY SEED
Sometimes we don't see how God's promises are going to come to pass in our lives. It seems like there are so many obstacles to overcome. But we have to see God's Word like a seed. When it's planted in our hearts, and we water it by thinking the right thoughts and expecting good things, that little seed begins to grow into something much, much greater.
Jesus told a parable in Mark, chapter four. He said, "God's Word is like a tiny mustard seed. When it is sown, it is less than all the other seeds, one of the smallest. But when it grows up, it becomes greater than all." Notice it goes from being less than all to being greater than all.
Are you in an overwhelming situation today, maybe in your health, finances or relationships? Does God's promise seem small compared to what you're facing?
Don't sit back and think, "Man, it's never going to get any better. It's never going to change." Instead, sow the Word by speaking it every single day. Water that seed by staying in faith because the seed of the Word has supernatural power in it. It will grow and flourish, and you will see God's promises come to pass all the days of your life! -- Dr. Timothy Emerick
Have you ever felt that your best intentions might be working against you? Has it ever crossed your mind that your goals would fare better if you could simply step out of the way and allow them to advance on their own?
One of our staunchest bits of advice to our children is that they must be responsible for themselves. 'Plan A' of every successful life is to assume the responsibilities encountered by first anticipating them and then strategizing for their effective execution.
This steadfast requirement is also one of the primary hindrances we place before our children—and ourselves—in attaining the goals we desire, and the reason is that in the spiritual realm, self-sufficiency doesn’t work. In the spiritual realm, dependency is the key to success.
And that dependency is not upon other men who are as frail and flawed as we are. The reliance that facilitates our hopes and gives impetus to our fervent desires is our confidence in the faithfulness of Jesus who has promised that we shall “accomplish all things through Christ…”Philippians 4:13.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Until
August 20
Salvation through Jesus Christ is a free gift but many people have great difficulty in accepting it. There are various reasons mankind has turned away in great numbers from the One who claims to be the only way to salvation. Some who do so are proud, smug in their own goodness and feel no need of a savior.
Others find it difficult to apprehend the blood sacrifice that was required of God in the flesh in order to redeem His fallen creation. Indeed, when in John 6: 53-58 Jesus expounded upon His impending death and the communion it would require of those who believe, many walked away (vs 59).
“When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples murmured at the idea, He said to them, ‘Does this offend you?’” They were, indeed, the first of many who would find offense in Jesus. Many today express the same discomfiture when His name enters a conversation. We can speak of God without offense. We can speak of religious leaders through the centuries, but when we utter the name of Jesus, the world demands our silence.
The name that trills off the tongue of men of every nation and religion as a curse word, causes those same men to recoil when it is spoken in faith and power. It is the name above every other name, the only name given whereby men must be saved (Acts 4:12). Until a man avails himself of the saving power of that name, he is lost in the quagmire of his best effort to save himself, he is perishing in his sin.
Salvation through Jesus Christ is a free gift but many people have great difficulty in accepting it. There are various reasons mankind has turned away in great numbers from the One who claims to be the only way to salvation. Some who do so are proud, smug in their own goodness and feel no need of a savior.
Others find it difficult to apprehend the blood sacrifice that was required of God in the flesh in order to redeem His fallen creation. Indeed, when in John 6: 53-58 Jesus expounded upon His impending death and the communion it would require of those who believe, many walked away (vs 59).
“When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples murmured at the idea, He said to them, ‘Does this offend you?’” They were, indeed, the first of many who would find offense in Jesus. Many today express the same discomfiture when His name enters a conversation. We can speak of God without offense. We can speak of religious leaders through the centuries, but when we utter the name of Jesus, the world demands our silence.
The name that trills off the tongue of men of every nation and religion as a curse word, causes those same men to recoil when it is spoken in faith and power. It is the name above every other name, the only name given whereby men must be saved (Acts 4:12). Until a man avails himself of the saving power of that name, he is lost in the quagmire of his best effort to save himself, he is perishing in his sin.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Our Ever-present God
August 19
We tend to think of God as being ‘long ago and far away.’ Even God-in-the-flesh, Jesus Christ, walked the earth two thousand years ago, therefore, in the day-to-day course of the average life, He does not seem imminent. We trudge through life for the most part, dealing with our problems by ourselves, without anticipating help from Him as we encounter them.
But this is not how Jesus, our God and Savior and soon-coming King, wants it to be. He wants us to know that He is ‘there’ for us. One very real scriptural example of the Lord’s desire to meet us at the point of our need occurred when Peter was fishing. He had been on the water all day without catching anything.
When he docked his empty boat, Jesus said, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets…” Peter argued that he’d been fishing all day and had caught nothing--but agreed that he would set forth again because the Lord said to do so (Luke 5: 4,5). When Peter had followed the leading of Jesus, his nets were filled to overflowing!
In Luke 5: 8 we are told, “When Simon Peter saw that the nets were filled to breaking, he fell at Jesus’ feet and said, ‘Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.’” As He did with Peter, Jesus wants to meet us at our point of need; and when He does, we, too, will see ourselves as we are—as sinful men whose lives can be blessed when we see Him and relate to Him as He is--as our ever-present God and Savior!
We tend to think of God as being ‘long ago and far away.’ Even God-in-the-flesh, Jesus Christ, walked the earth two thousand years ago, therefore, in the day-to-day course of the average life, He does not seem imminent. We trudge through life for the most part, dealing with our problems by ourselves, without anticipating help from Him as we encounter them.
But this is not how Jesus, our God and Savior and soon-coming King, wants it to be. He wants us to know that He is ‘there’ for us. One very real scriptural example of the Lord’s desire to meet us at the point of our need occurred when Peter was fishing. He had been on the water all day without catching anything.
When he docked his empty boat, Jesus said, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets…” Peter argued that he’d been fishing all day and had caught nothing--but agreed that he would set forth again because the Lord said to do so (Luke 5: 4,5). When Peter had followed the leading of Jesus, his nets were filled to overflowing!
In Luke 5: 8 we are told, “When Simon Peter saw that the nets were filled to breaking, he fell at Jesus’ feet and said, ‘Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.’” As He did with Peter, Jesus wants to meet us at our point of need; and when He does, we, too, will see ourselves as we are—as sinful men whose lives can be blessed when we see Him and relate to Him as He is--as our ever-present God and Savior!
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Our Emotional Coin Toss
August 18
Love and hate are flip sides of the same coin. Our human emotions can ‘turn' on the proverbial dime. The depth and intensity of one of these powerful emotions can impact the level of the other. If we have loved greatly, we may find ourselves hating irrationally, someone who has disappointed our expectations in love.
Conversely, if we have abhorred someone or something and then find ourselves greatly advantaged by him, our feeling becomes quite the opposite. Human emotions are highly volatile and it requires strength of character to keep them in check.
When we have given our hearts to Christ, surrendered ourselves fully to Him, however, our emotions should also be under the blood of the Lord. We should no longer find ourselves given to emotions that are driven by circumstances or by the actions of people. Our emotions should reflect the steadfast love of Jesus.
The Word states this truth very emphatically in Jude 21 where the brother of our Lord admonishes us to, “Keep yourselves in the love of God, expecting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life.” What we cannot accomplish in ourselves, He can establish in us for time and for eternity. It shouldn't require a coin toss to determine our emotion of a moment.
Love and hate are flip sides of the same coin. Our human emotions can ‘turn' on the proverbial dime. The depth and intensity of one of these powerful emotions can impact the level of the other. If we have loved greatly, we may find ourselves hating irrationally, someone who has disappointed our expectations in love.
Conversely, if we have abhorred someone or something and then find ourselves greatly advantaged by him, our feeling becomes quite the opposite. Human emotions are highly volatile and it requires strength of character to keep them in check.
When we have given our hearts to Christ, surrendered ourselves fully to Him, however, our emotions should also be under the blood of the Lord. We should no longer find ourselves given to emotions that are driven by circumstances or by the actions of people. Our emotions should reflect the steadfast love of Jesus.
The Word states this truth very emphatically in Jude 21 where the brother of our Lord admonishes us to, “Keep yourselves in the love of God, expecting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life.” What we cannot accomplish in ourselves, He can establish in us for time and for eternity. It shouldn't require a coin toss to determine our emotion of a moment.
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Because He Loves Us
August 17
Depression often springs out of a sense of failure, of frustration in our endeavor to achieve a desired end. Our financial investments are devastated in a deplorable economy and we slump into depression. Our romantic dreams are dashed and we plunge into an emotional pit of despair.
Sometimes the cause of depression is not readily identifiable. Sometimes depression can intrude into an otherwise pleasant, ordinary day. We are engaging in routine pursuits when suddenly, for no perceptible reason, we are overtaken with a sense of heaviness that we recognize as depression.
The syndrome is often diagnosed but rarely treated; often the sufferer continues in his misery for decades without confronting the emotional imbalance that causes depression and triggers it, virtually at will. Besides medication, which often has unpleasant side effects, there is another remedy for this malady.
Psalm 42:6 offers David’s solution. “I am depressed, therefore I remember You from the land of Jordan and the peaks of Hermon.” When we are in a difficult place—actual or emotional—if we will but reflect upon the Lord’s help to us in previous times of difficulty, we will be encouraged to trust Him to deliver us again.
It seems a simplistic solution to a problem that is impervious to solution, but if we will indeed place our focus upon and our complete trust in Jesus Christ, we, too, will say with confidence, "I don't know why I am suffering as I am, yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep what I have entrusted to Him," II Timothy 1:12.
If we will say with Job, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him," Job 13:15; If we will say with David, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for He is with me, " Psalm 23:4, we may know as did these saints of old that we, as they, shall emerge victorious! We can share Peter's assurance that we may, "Cast all our cares upon Jesus, for He cares for us," I Peter 5:7.
We may put this burden of depression or sorrow or loss or persecution or despair or...upon Him and know He carries it; He carries it because He loves us.
Depression often springs out of a sense of failure, of frustration in our endeavor to achieve a desired end. Our financial investments are devastated in a deplorable economy and we slump into depression. Our romantic dreams are dashed and we plunge into an emotional pit of despair.
Sometimes the cause of depression is not readily identifiable. Sometimes depression can intrude into an otherwise pleasant, ordinary day. We are engaging in routine pursuits when suddenly, for no perceptible reason, we are overtaken with a sense of heaviness that we recognize as depression.
The syndrome is often diagnosed but rarely treated; often the sufferer continues in his misery for decades without confronting the emotional imbalance that causes depression and triggers it, virtually at will. Besides medication, which often has unpleasant side effects, there is another remedy for this malady.
Psalm 42:6 offers David’s solution. “I am depressed, therefore I remember You from the land of Jordan and the peaks of Hermon.” When we are in a difficult place—actual or emotional—if we will but reflect upon the Lord’s help to us in previous times of difficulty, we will be encouraged to trust Him to deliver us again.
It seems a simplistic solution to a problem that is impervious to solution, but if we will indeed place our focus upon and our complete trust in Jesus Christ, we, too, will say with confidence, "I don't know why I am suffering as I am, yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep what I have entrusted to Him," II Timothy 1:12.
If we will say with Job, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him," Job 13:15; If we will say with David, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for He is with me, " Psalm 23:4, we may know as did these saints of old that we, as they, shall emerge victorious! We can share Peter's assurance that we may, "Cast all our cares upon Jesus, for He cares for us," I Peter 5:7.
We may put this burden of depression or sorrow or loss or persecution or despair or...upon Him and know He carries it; He carries it because He loves us.
Friday, August 16, 2013
Focused Thoughts
August 16
When the Lord delivers us from sin and spiritual death through the shed blood of Jesus Christ our Lord, He does a thorough job. He does not lift only some of the heavy baggage we have been carrying through life; He takes it all.
His holy Bible affirms that Jesus stated very clearly, “Cast all your cares upon Me, for I care for you” I Peter 5:7. The question to ourselves then becomes, “If Jesus is carrying this burden, why do I feel so weighted down?
The answer we find to our dilemma is in Lamentations 3:20, 21 where we are told of one who had a similar situation—“I continually remember them and have become depressed. Yet I call this to mind and therefore I have hope.”
It seems the mindset we have is imposed upon us by – us! What will we choose to think about? On what or whom will we focus? Will we think about our sin and failure or will we focus on Christ and His salvation? Our options are depression or joy; failure or hope, depending upon what we elect to focus our thoughts.
When the Lord delivers us from sin and spiritual death through the shed blood of Jesus Christ our Lord, He does a thorough job. He does not lift only some of the heavy baggage we have been carrying through life; He takes it all.
His holy Bible affirms that Jesus stated very clearly, “Cast all your cares upon Me, for I care for you” I Peter 5:7. The question to ourselves then becomes, “If Jesus is carrying this burden, why do I feel so weighted down?
The answer we find to our dilemma is in Lamentations 3:20, 21 where we are told of one who had a similar situation—“I continually remember them and have become depressed. Yet I call this to mind and therefore I have hope.”
It seems the mindset we have is imposed upon us by – us! What will we choose to think about? On what or whom will we focus? Will we think about our sin and failure or will we focus on Christ and His salvation? Our options are depression or joy; failure or hope, depending upon what we elect to focus our thoughts.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Complete Love
August 15
God is love and He loves us. We are at times blind and/or indifferent to God and to His great love for us. Whether by deliberate decision or by our oblivion, we live our lives without grasping the beautiful and amazing gift that the Lord of Creation has bestowed upon His beloved handiwork.
The fact that our sin has not only blinded us to His love but also separated us from Him is lost upon our sensibilities unless and until we allow the Holy Spirit of the Living Christ to stir within us and bring us into the light of His love and sacrifice for us.
When we allow ourselves to drink in that revelation, it becomes the paramount factor of our lives. When we act upon it, we become born again into the Kingdom of the Lord; we become co-heirs with Jesus of God’s eternal Kingdom and all its treasures. And we drink in the beauty of this incomparable love with wonder and gratitude.
And we bask in the majesty of His Word which affirms the depth and magnitude of His love by asking, “Can a woman forget the child at her breast, that she should lack compassion for the child of her heart?" The answer stills any concern we may have regarding His tender heart, "They may forget, but I will not forget you” Isaiah 49:15.
Surely these words convey His love in a way even the un-surrendered mind can comprehend. Surely they enlighten our understanding of the completeness of the love that took Jesus to the cross.
God is love and He loves us. We are at times blind and/or indifferent to God and to His great love for us. Whether by deliberate decision or by our oblivion, we live our lives without grasping the beautiful and amazing gift that the Lord of Creation has bestowed upon His beloved handiwork.
The fact that our sin has not only blinded us to His love but also separated us from Him is lost upon our sensibilities unless and until we allow the Holy Spirit of the Living Christ to stir within us and bring us into the light of His love and sacrifice for us.
When we allow ourselves to drink in that revelation, it becomes the paramount factor of our lives. When we act upon it, we become born again into the Kingdom of the Lord; we become co-heirs with Jesus of God’s eternal Kingdom and all its treasures. And we drink in the beauty of this incomparable love with wonder and gratitude.
And we bask in the majesty of His Word which affirms the depth and magnitude of His love by asking, “Can a woman forget the child at her breast, that she should lack compassion for the child of her heart?" The answer stills any concern we may have regarding His tender heart, "They may forget, but I will not forget you” Isaiah 49:15.
Surely these words convey His love in a way even the un-surrendered mind can comprehend. Surely they enlighten our understanding of the completeness of the love that took Jesus to the cross.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Love Perfects All Things
August 14
Each of us has endured some hurt—some indignity—at the hand of another. Perhaps several people have caused us to feel rejected and unlovely. Perhaps they have made us aware that in their estimation, we simply cannot ‘fit in’ and are unworthy of inclusion in their group.
Many of us carry such emotional scars from childhood and adolescence into adulthood and allow ourselves to still writhe under the pain of them. Nobody can tell us that we are suffering for naught or that we are not the sum total of what our high school acquaintances thought of us.
How do we overcome the deep-seated stigma that we impose upon ourselves because of what others leveled upon us when we were young and impressionable? What we must do involves a two step process. First, we must see ourselves as Christ sees us. He thinks we are worth the sacrifice of His own life to save us from our sin and assure our place with Him eternally. Surely, His estimation outweighs the opinion of any mere mortal!
Second, we must recognize the power of forgiveness in our lives. If we will simply forgive those who have harmed us—either knowingly or intentionally—at any point in our lives, we will release ourselves from bondage to the negativity they caused to us. Colossians 3:13, 14 says, “Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also you must forgive. Above all, put on love, for it perfects all things.” When we forgive and love, we are perfected—no matter what the offending party does.
Each of us has endured some hurt—some indignity—at the hand of another. Perhaps several people have caused us to feel rejected and unlovely. Perhaps they have made us aware that in their estimation, we simply cannot ‘fit in’ and are unworthy of inclusion in their group.
Many of us carry such emotional scars from childhood and adolescence into adulthood and allow ourselves to still writhe under the pain of them. Nobody can tell us that we are suffering for naught or that we are not the sum total of what our high school acquaintances thought of us.
How do we overcome the deep-seated stigma that we impose upon ourselves because of what others leveled upon us when we were young and impressionable? What we must do involves a two step process. First, we must see ourselves as Christ sees us. He thinks we are worth the sacrifice of His own life to save us from our sin and assure our place with Him eternally. Surely, His estimation outweighs the opinion of any mere mortal!
Second, we must recognize the power of forgiveness in our lives. If we will simply forgive those who have harmed us—either knowingly or intentionally—at any point in our lives, we will release ourselves from bondage to the negativity they caused to us. Colossians 3:13, 14 says, “Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also you must forgive. Above all, put on love, for it perfects all things.” When we forgive and love, we are perfected—no matter what the offending party does.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Conform to His Image
August 13
There’s an old saying, ‘You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.’ That sums up our attitude about changing. We tend to identify ourselves in a certain way and, for the most part, are satisfied with who we are. We enjoy our relationships with people, value our accomplishments and admire our personalities.
For we have invested ourselves in our relationships, worked hard to achieve our successes and carefully crafted our personalities to express our inner self to the world as we wish it to know us. We are ‘self-made’ men in many ways beyond professionally and financially.
Our contentment with who we are endures unchallenged—even by the ups and downs of life—until we come to know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. When we are introduced to Him, and when He has begun to shine the candle of His Holy Spirit into our hearts, we no longer like what we see, for we see ourselves as He sees us.
When our eyes are opened and we behold ourselves by God’s standard rather than our own, we become discouraged until we realize that He has programmed us for change! II Corinthians 5:17 says, “Anyone in Christ is a new creature! Old things are passed away; all things become new!” We have a fresh start with Jesus and as we conform to His image, we can be content with who we are.
There’s an old saying, ‘You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.’ That sums up our attitude about changing. We tend to identify ourselves in a certain way and, for the most part, are satisfied with who we are. We enjoy our relationships with people, value our accomplishments and admire our personalities.
For we have invested ourselves in our relationships, worked hard to achieve our successes and carefully crafted our personalities to express our inner self to the world as we wish it to know us. We are ‘self-made’ men in many ways beyond professionally and financially.
Our contentment with who we are endures unchallenged—even by the ups and downs of life—until we come to know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. When we are introduced to Him, and when He has begun to shine the candle of His Holy Spirit into our hearts, we no longer like what we see, for we see ourselves as He sees us.
When our eyes are opened and we behold ourselves by God’s standard rather than our own, we become discouraged until we realize that He has programmed us for change! II Corinthians 5:17 says, “Anyone in Christ is a new creature! Old things are passed away; all things become new!” We have a fresh start with Jesus and as we conform to His image, we can be content with who we are.
Monday, August 12, 2013
Only Jesus Can Change Our Hearts
August 12
In the letter attributed to him, the impetuous apostle makes a statement that reveals the extent to which his own thinking—his own spirit—has turned around through the years that he was privileged to walk the dusty roads of Palestine with the Lord Jesus Christ and to behold His risen glory.
Peter’s innate character traits caused him to be highly perceptive, as when he declared to Jesus, “…Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God” John 6:69. But he was also the one who took the sword to Malchus’s ear in the garden across the Brook Cedron in John 18:1-10.
Because he was so much like us—the best and worst of intentions and actions rolled into one frail tabernacle of flesh—his journey to spiritual maturity and his advice to us on how to attain it is significant. In I Peter 3:8 and 9, he says, “Be compassionate and humble, not repaying evil for evil or insult for insult but repaying evil with good.”
This reiterates Christ’s own admonition that we turn the other cheek to those who smite us (Matthew 5:39) and evidences the transformed thinking that Peter had after seeing the risen Lord. Perhaps the most striking word in the passage is ‘compassionate,’ for it requires the heart of Jesus to feel that tender emotion toward one who is our persecutor. Only HE can thus change our hearts.
In the letter attributed to him, the impetuous apostle makes a statement that reveals the extent to which his own thinking—his own spirit—has turned around through the years that he was privileged to walk the dusty roads of Palestine with the Lord Jesus Christ and to behold His risen glory.
Peter’s innate character traits caused him to be highly perceptive, as when he declared to Jesus, “…Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God” John 6:69. But he was also the one who took the sword to Malchus’s ear in the garden across the Brook Cedron in John 18:1-10.
Because he was so much like us—the best and worst of intentions and actions rolled into one frail tabernacle of flesh—his journey to spiritual maturity and his advice to us on how to attain it is significant. In I Peter 3:8 and 9, he says, “Be compassionate and humble, not repaying evil for evil or insult for insult but repaying evil with good.”
This reiterates Christ’s own admonition that we turn the other cheek to those who smite us (Matthew 5:39) and evidences the transformed thinking that Peter had after seeing the risen Lord. Perhaps the most striking word in the passage is ‘compassionate,’ for it requires the heart of Jesus to feel that tender emotion toward one who is our persecutor. Only HE can thus change our hearts.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Life's True Treasure
August 11
Delicious food. Beautiful clothing. Exquisite jewelry. Extensive travel. World acclaim. A few of the things that come to mind when we think of blessings we enjoy, or would like to have, include the above. Most of them revolve around having first attained wealth. We equate money with acquiring life’s good things.
Indeed, if we are assessing the advantages of a life by the world’s value system that is absolutely correct. We look upon those who have achieved fame and fortune, power and prestige and we think we see life that abounds in the finest trappings the world can offer. But the Lord has a different standard.
It may be that the person who appears to be low man on life’s totem pole is the one who is actually living the full, rich life we should desire. That blessed life does not require that we be wealthy. Money is not a factor in the attainment of the Lord’s finest gifts. The inestimable treasure God desires us to possess has nothing to do with our spending power.
In Ephesians 1:3 we are told, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ.” Although we may receive the trappings of a successful life, unless we have also claimed the spiritual treasures that are ours through Jesus, we are of all men most miserable, for we are eternal paupers.
Delicious food. Beautiful clothing. Exquisite jewelry. Extensive travel. World acclaim. A few of the things that come to mind when we think of blessings we enjoy, or would like to have, include the above. Most of them revolve around having first attained wealth. We equate money with acquiring life’s good things.
Indeed, if we are assessing the advantages of a life by the world’s value system that is absolutely correct. We look upon those who have achieved fame and fortune, power and prestige and we think we see life that abounds in the finest trappings the world can offer. But the Lord has a different standard.
It may be that the person who appears to be low man on life’s totem pole is the one who is actually living the full, rich life we should desire. That blessed life does not require that we be wealthy. Money is not a factor in the attainment of the Lord’s finest gifts. The inestimable treasure God desires us to possess has nothing to do with our spending power.
In Ephesians 1:3 we are told, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ.” Although we may receive the trappings of a successful life, unless we have also claimed the spiritual treasures that are ours through Jesus, we are of all men most miserable, for we are eternal paupers.
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Honor to Serve Honorably
August 10
We have all been ‘put off’ by the allegations of impropriety that have dogged the heels of prominent ministry leaders. From stories of frequenting houses of ill repute to traveling abroad with illicit lovers, to imbibing far too much from the fruit of the vine, to improper bookkeeping of the monies entrusted to them for the furtherance of the gospel, they have disappointed those who trusted them.
On the other hand are those of profound faith—those who serve the Lord anticipating and receiving no reward for their efforts—who tend to be harsh in their evaluation of themselves. They are inclined to suspect that were they only a little more fervent in their prayers, a little bolder in their outreach, they would accomplish more for Christ’s Kingdom.
They fall into the pattern observed in Isaiah 6:5 where the prophet says, “Woe is me, for I am undone! I am a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips.” Here, Isaiah is not only chastising himself, but taking upon himself the sins of his people.
Believers in Christ must not fall into either trap! We must recognize that it is not our goodness that has given us the right to serve or to prosper in serving! It is His good pleasure by which we further the purposes of His Kingdom—it is because we are under the blood of Jesus that we have honor--to serve honorably.
We have all been ‘put off’ by the allegations of impropriety that have dogged the heels of prominent ministry leaders. From stories of frequenting houses of ill repute to traveling abroad with illicit lovers, to imbibing far too much from the fruit of the vine, to improper bookkeeping of the monies entrusted to them for the furtherance of the gospel, they have disappointed those who trusted them.
On the other hand are those of profound faith—those who serve the Lord anticipating and receiving no reward for their efforts—who tend to be harsh in their evaluation of themselves. They are inclined to suspect that were they only a little more fervent in their prayers, a little bolder in their outreach, they would accomplish more for Christ’s Kingdom.
They fall into the pattern observed in Isaiah 6:5 where the prophet says, “Woe is me, for I am undone! I am a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips.” Here, Isaiah is not only chastising himself, but taking upon himself the sins of his people.
Believers in Christ must not fall into either trap! We must recognize that it is not our goodness that has given us the right to serve or to prosper in serving! It is His good pleasure by which we further the purposes of His Kingdom—it is because we are under the blood of Jesus that we have honor--to serve honorably.
Friday, August 9, 2013
The persecution of believers in Christ has intensified as signs of the Lord's return become more pronounced. It seems the enemy knows his time is short and he would wreak as much havoc and destruction as he can before he is arrested in his evil.
Some fingerprints of the enemy upon the works of men include the following:
Christian Lawyer in Pakistan Faces Death Threats for Disagreeing with Blasphemy Law - BosNewsLife
A prominent Christian rights lawyer who has been on the run in Pakistan amid death threats asked fellow believers Thursday, August 1, to pray for his family after armed Islamic militants discovered a hiding address.
Sardar Mushtag Gill told BosNewsLife that six men, some of them carrying guns, on Monday, July 29, visited a family home in the Pakistani city of Lahore where his younger brother opened the door. "They were members of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, the Islamic group that killed the governor of Pakistan's Punjab province, Salman Taseer, and Christian federal minister Shahbaz Bhatti in 2011 because they criticized Pakistan's blasphemy laws," he said.
"They told my brother they want to meet me, but I am sure they really wanted to kill me. They made that clear in letters I received," added Gill, who managed to escape. "The militants wrote that 'those who support a blasphemer must die'," he recalled.
Open Season on Christians in Nigeria - Christian Post
The pastor met with lawmakers to seek aid in combating Islamic groups that have been continuously attacking Christian communities throughout the past few years. The attacks have come particular in the northern part of the country where Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram are on a mission to fully Islamize Nigeria.
Lawmakers have been told that the most troubling development is that Islamists have begun targeting not only churches, but also schools - firing into classrooms when children are in attendance.
This is because "Islamists have declared all schools except those teaching Islam illegal, and Boko Haram is intent on enforcing that law, as well as others drawn from Sharia Islamic law."
"It is open season on Nigeria's Christians," Oritesejafor told the legislators.
We who are free must lift our brothers who are bound before the Throne of Mercy and Grace. We who are bound must stay free in our spirits, remembering that "He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world," I John 4:4. We must all be mindful that "Our warfare is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness in high places," Ephesians 6:12.
May we ever be mindful of the promise, "Be faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life," Revelation 2:10.
Some fingerprints of the enemy upon the works of men include the following:
Christian Lawyer in Pakistan Faces Death Threats for Disagreeing with Blasphemy Law - BosNewsLife
A prominent Christian rights lawyer who has been on the run in Pakistan amid death threats asked fellow believers Thursday, August 1, to pray for his family after armed Islamic militants discovered a hiding address.
Sardar Mushtag Gill told BosNewsLife that six men, some of them carrying guns, on Monday, July 29, visited a family home in the Pakistani city of Lahore where his younger brother opened the door. "They were members of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, the Islamic group that killed the governor of Pakistan's Punjab province, Salman Taseer, and Christian federal minister Shahbaz Bhatti in 2011 because they criticized Pakistan's blasphemy laws," he said.
"They told my brother they want to meet me, but I am sure they really wanted to kill me. They made that clear in letters I received," added Gill, who managed to escape. "The militants wrote that 'those who support a blasphemer must die'," he recalled.
Open Season on Christians in Nigeria - Christian Post
The pastor met with lawmakers to seek aid in combating Islamic groups that have been continuously attacking Christian communities throughout the past few years. The attacks have come particular in the northern part of the country where Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram are on a mission to fully Islamize Nigeria.
Lawmakers have been told that the most troubling development is that Islamists have begun targeting not only churches, but also schools - firing into classrooms when children are in attendance.
This is because "Islamists have declared all schools except those teaching Islam illegal, and Boko Haram is intent on enforcing that law, as well as others drawn from Sharia Islamic law."
"It is open season on Nigeria's Christians," Oritesejafor told the legislators.
We who are free must lift our brothers who are bound before the Throne of Mercy and Grace. We who are bound must stay free in our spirits, remembering that "He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world," I John 4:4. We must all be mindful that "Our warfare is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness in high places," Ephesians 6:12.
May we ever be mindful of the promise, "Be faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life," Revelation 2:10.
Uplift the Oppressed
August 9
God understands the stigma that dogs the heels of some of His people. He knows that many live under the shadow of persecution – even torture and death because of their faith in the name of His Son Jesus. He knows that life is not always easy for those who follow the path of salvation.
But He has a word for the oppressed. In Psalm 74:21 the psalmist says, “Do not let the oppressed turn away in shame; let the poor and needy praise your name.”
When the pressure of serving under the heel of the boot of the evil one becomes more than the believer can bear, God would lift him up with these words!
Our loving Father reaches out with words of love and hope and encouragement. He tells the oppressed that they need not turn away from Him; they need not allow the appearance of the enemy’s victory over their lives to daunt them or to dissuade them from their course! No! They may press on!
And they need not go forward with feet dragging and heads downcast! They may stay the course, singing songs of praise to the Lord as they go! And why would they sing? Because they stand on the promise, “You shall have a song as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept, and gladness of heart” Isaiah 30:29.
God understands the stigma that dogs the heels of some of His people. He knows that many live under the shadow of persecution – even torture and death because of their faith in the name of His Son Jesus. He knows that life is not always easy for those who follow the path of salvation.
But He has a word for the oppressed. In Psalm 74:21 the psalmist says, “Do not let the oppressed turn away in shame; let the poor and needy praise your name.”
When the pressure of serving under the heel of the boot of the evil one becomes more than the believer can bear, God would lift him up with these words!
Our loving Father reaches out with words of love and hope and encouragement. He tells the oppressed that they need not turn away from Him; they need not allow the appearance of the enemy’s victory over their lives to daunt them or to dissuade them from their course! No! They may press on!
And they need not go forward with feet dragging and heads downcast! They may stay the course, singing songs of praise to the Lord as they go! And why would they sing? Because they stand on the promise, “You shall have a song as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept, and gladness of heart” Isaiah 30:29.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good! Romans 12:21
It will be worth it.
Dear Saint, you may be burdened with trials. You may be overcome with trouble. You may lack the basic necessities of life. You may be persecuted. But it will be worth it. As II Corinthians 4:8,9 tells us, "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; we are persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed!"
The enemy may seem to have the upper hand for a season but his time is short and his power is limited. Though he rants and rages, though the whole earth may seem to be in the throes of turmoil because of his evil machinations and the wickedness of men who are puppets on his string, yet we know, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning," Psalm 30:5.
As we are told in Galatians 6:9, "Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Though you are weary and worn, remember the words of the old hymn, "He will not let you fall..."
Psalm 121 says it all:
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
JESUS IS FAITHFUL!
Maranatha! Singers - He Will Not Let You Fall (Original ...
Dear Saint, you may be burdened with trials. You may be overcome with trouble. You may lack the basic necessities of life. You may be persecuted. But it will be worth it. As II Corinthians 4:8,9 tells us, "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; we are persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed!"
The enemy may seem to have the upper hand for a season but his time is short and his power is limited. Though he rants and rages, though the whole earth may seem to be in the throes of turmoil because of his evil machinations and the wickedness of men who are puppets on his string, yet we know, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning," Psalm 30:5.
As we are told in Galatians 6:9, "Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Though you are weary and worn, remember the words of the old hymn, "He will not let you fall..."
Psalm 121 says it all:
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
JESUS IS FAITHFUL!
Maranatha! Singers - He Will Not Let You Fall (Original ...
The Little White Lie
August 8
Who hasn’t occasionally committed the ‘little white lie’? From fudging on an income tax document to pilfering a quote or two for a term paper, many have succumbed to the lure of the convenient departure from absolute truth in order to attempt to facilitate ones ends through duplicity.
Even the great heroes of the faith have lied to save their own skin. Who can forget Abraham who when traveling through Egypt with his beautiful wife Sarah told pharaoh that she was his sister. Why? Pharaoh wanted to marry her and Abraham realized he might be murdered if the mighty ruler knew he was her husband, so Abraham said Sarah was his sister.
God allowed pharaoh to be warned of Abraham’s duplicity in a dream so Sarah was spared the ordeal that would have faced her if the arrangement had been consummated. In Proverbs 12:22, the Word tells us that “Lying lips are detestable to the Lord, but faithful people are His delight.” Abraham failed God miserably in the truth-telling department.
But that did not negate God’s intent to use him and his wife Sarah to establish a nation. We who also are inclined to fail God, even in our abysmal attempts to be obedient to His Word, must take heart, recognizing that our failures, like Abraham’s, are covered by the mercy and grace of the Lord. And unlike Abraham, we have the full knowledge of salvation--purchased by Jesus' blood--that covers all our sins.
Who hasn’t occasionally committed the ‘little white lie’? From fudging on an income tax document to pilfering a quote or two for a term paper, many have succumbed to the lure of the convenient departure from absolute truth in order to attempt to facilitate ones ends through duplicity.
Even the great heroes of the faith have lied to save their own skin. Who can forget Abraham who when traveling through Egypt with his beautiful wife Sarah told pharaoh that she was his sister. Why? Pharaoh wanted to marry her and Abraham realized he might be murdered if the mighty ruler knew he was her husband, so Abraham said Sarah was his sister.
God allowed pharaoh to be warned of Abraham’s duplicity in a dream so Sarah was spared the ordeal that would have faced her if the arrangement had been consummated. In Proverbs 12:22, the Word tells us that “Lying lips are detestable to the Lord, but faithful people are His delight.” Abraham failed God miserably in the truth-telling department.
But that did not negate God’s intent to use him and his wife Sarah to establish a nation. We who also are inclined to fail God, even in our abysmal attempts to be obedient to His Word, must take heart, recognizing that our failures, like Abraham’s, are covered by the mercy and grace of the Lord. And unlike Abraham, we have the full knowledge of salvation--purchased by Jesus' blood--that covers all our sins.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Rahab
August 7
Rahab is an unlikely candidate to be the heroine of a Bible story. Rahab is an unlikely candidate to be an ancestress of Jesus Christ. But, she is both. Rahab was a harlot. God is no respecter of persons.
When the Israelite spies were sent to check out the city of Jericho, they would have been caught at their task except for the intervention of Rahab who hid them in order that they might successfully complete their mission. When they left Jericho, they assured her that when they returned to conquer the city, she and her family would be spared.
Hebrews 11:31 reiterates the story and affirms, “Rahab, the harlot received the spies in peace and didn’t perish with those who disobeyed.” God has always placed a premium on obedience. If we are caught between a rock and a hard place in our lives, we, like Rahab, must err on the side of obedience to God’s will.
The reputation of the Israelites had preceded them. Rahab knew that they had conquered many of the occupants of the land and were adding victory after victory to their renown. She recognized that she would be advantaged by being part of God’s team. We should recognize that also and align ourselves with Him.
Rahab is an unlikely candidate to be the heroine of a Bible story. Rahab is an unlikely candidate to be an ancestress of Jesus Christ. But, she is both. Rahab was a harlot. God is no respecter of persons.
When the Israelite spies were sent to check out the city of Jericho, they would have been caught at their task except for the intervention of Rahab who hid them in order that they might successfully complete their mission. When they left Jericho, they assured her that when they returned to conquer the city, she and her family would be spared.
Hebrews 11:31 reiterates the story and affirms, “Rahab, the harlot received the spies in peace and didn’t perish with those who disobeyed.” God has always placed a premium on obedience. If we are caught between a rock and a hard place in our lives, we, like Rahab, must err on the side of obedience to God’s will.
The reputation of the Israelites had preceded them. Rahab knew that they had conquered many of the occupants of the land and were adding victory after victory to their renown. She recognized that she would be advantaged by being part of God’s team. We should recognize that also and align ourselves with Him.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Transformed Perspective
August 6
I contemplate a time in eternity when all mysteries shall be revealed. It will be a mere twinkling of time when all of life’s perplexities that have so eluded our understanding will be made plain before us. The reality is that from our eternal vantage point, we won’t care, but I think God will tie up the loose ends for us.
On that day, when nothing will matter except what we have done with Christ, I can imagine that our greatest victories in time will seem as nothing by comparison to the total joy and wonder of being in the presence of Jesus, our Almighty God, King and Savior.
I wonder how differently we will see our trials and our victories. The burden of the trials will be no longer felt and perhaps the joy of our victories will be heightened. When we have focused all on Jesus and nothing on ourselves, our vantage point will be elevated to His heavenly perspective.
We will see with the clarity of the pure eyes of eternity what seemed to be of such magnitude while we were in time. When we see the walls of our Jericho that “fell after being encircled for seven days,” (Hebrews 11:30) or after 70 years, the trial will seem as nothing. Jesus, the inheritance He gives, will be all-in-all.
May we appropriate a bit of that heavenly perspective while we abide in this tabernacle of flesh. Our trials will be diminished and our hope shall be renewed. How can we achieve this transformed perspective? By focusing not on our problems, not on ourselves, but on Jesus.
I contemplate a time in eternity when all mysteries shall be revealed. It will be a mere twinkling of time when all of life’s perplexities that have so eluded our understanding will be made plain before us. The reality is that from our eternal vantage point, we won’t care, but I think God will tie up the loose ends for us.
On that day, when nothing will matter except what we have done with Christ, I can imagine that our greatest victories in time will seem as nothing by comparison to the total joy and wonder of being in the presence of Jesus, our Almighty God, King and Savior.
I wonder how differently we will see our trials and our victories. The burden of the trials will be no longer felt and perhaps the joy of our victories will be heightened. When we have focused all on Jesus and nothing on ourselves, our vantage point will be elevated to His heavenly perspective.
We will see with the clarity of the pure eyes of eternity what seemed to be of such magnitude while we were in time. When we see the walls of our Jericho that “fell after being encircled for seven days,” (Hebrews 11:30) or after 70 years, the trial will seem as nothing. Jesus, the inheritance He gives, will be all-in-all.
May we appropriate a bit of that heavenly perspective while we abide in this tabernacle of flesh. Our trials will be diminished and our hope shall be renewed. How can we achieve this transformed perspective? By focusing not on our problems, not on ourselves, but on Jesus.
Monday, August 5, 2013
Addendum # 2
God's timetable isn't always on our schedule.
Remember:
The Israelites were in bondage in Egypt for 400 years before their release.
Joseph was in prison for 13 years before becoming Pharaoh's right-hand man.
Sampson had to wait for his hair to grow before vindicating himself against the Philistines.
"When you have done all, stand.," Ephesians 6:13. Trust Jesus. HE IS FAITHFUL!
Remember:
The Israelites were in bondage in Egypt for 400 years before their release.
Joseph was in prison for 13 years before becoming Pharaoh's right-hand man.
Sampson had to wait for his hair to grow before vindicating himself against the Philistines.
"When you have done all, stand.," Ephesians 6:13. Trust Jesus. HE IS FAITHFUL!
Addendum from Charisma Magazine:
from Charisma Magazine
Knock, knock, knock! “Oh, Lord, it’s me again. Here I am standing at the door pounding and pounding. It’s the same prayer request, Lord, for about 15 years now! I have been asking—well actually begging—You, Lord, but I never seem to get an answer. All I see are my red knuckles and this closed door! Lord, aren’t You tired of hearing me pray this prayer and knock on this door?”
Right then it’s as if I heard a voice speak to my heart: “Shhhhhh! Be still and listen!”
As I stopped whining, crying and asking, I listened intently. I could hear tremendous movement on the other side of the door. It was as if there were furniture and big objects that were being moved around and repositioned.
Then I heard the voice speak once again, “All you see is this closed door. But I am working behind this door to position things for an answer to these prayers. You will see that when this door finally opens I will do a quick work, for I am setting many things in place and working on many different levels.”
Wow! I will never forget that word picture the Lord gave me one day as I was praying for the same prayer request for many years. He spoke to my heart. I can actually testify that the Lord did answer this prayer and it was exactly as He said: When the door opened, so many things were set in place that He did a quick work—quicker than I could imagine.
Are your knuckles red from pounding on heaven’s door? Are you discouraged because no matter how hard you pray all that you see is a door shut tight in your face? Take a moment and listen. Be still in the presence of the Lord and let Him assure you that He is working behind the scenes to do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine!”
Be encouraged by the scriptural mandate in Matthew 7:7, “Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you.”
Knock, knock, knock! “Oh, Lord, it’s me again. Here I am standing at the door pounding and pounding. It’s the same prayer request, Lord, for about 15 years now! I have been asking—well actually begging—You, Lord, but I never seem to get an answer. All I see are my red knuckles and this closed door! Lord, aren’t You tired of hearing me pray this prayer and knock on this door?”
Right then it’s as if I heard a voice speak to my heart: “Shhhhhh! Be still and listen!”
As I stopped whining, crying and asking, I listened intently. I could hear tremendous movement on the other side of the door. It was as if there were furniture and big objects that were being moved around and repositioned.
Then I heard the voice speak once again, “All you see is this closed door. But I am working behind this door to position things for an answer to these prayers. You will see that when this door finally opens I will do a quick work, for I am setting many things in place and working on many different levels.”
Wow! I will never forget that word picture the Lord gave me one day as I was praying for the same prayer request for many years. He spoke to my heart. I can actually testify that the Lord did answer this prayer and it was exactly as He said: When the door opened, so many things were set in place that He did a quick work—quicker than I could imagine.
Are your knuckles red from pounding on heaven’s door? Are you discouraged because no matter how hard you pray all that you see is a door shut tight in your face? Take a moment and listen. Be still in the presence of the Lord and let Him assure you that He is working behind the scenes to do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine!”
Be encouraged by the scriptural mandate in Matthew 7:7, “Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you.”
Posterity's Scroll
August 5
We, those of us who are mature in the faith, have a responsibility to pass our faith to those who come after us. Just as parents endeavor to save and invest money for their children’s futures, so they must assure that the spiritual treasure they possess will be wisely invested in the lives of their children.
There is nothing of value that we have that we do not wish our children to receive from us. If we could, we would make their path smooth and comfortable. If we could, we would spare them all disappointment and failure. Sometimes, however, it is disappointment and failure that are the harbinger of success.
It is toward the end of understanding the role that our own achievements and short-falls have played in shaping our lives and how they enabled us to acquire the good things the Lord has provided by His hand that the Lord instructed Moses to chronicle the ups and downs of his leadership over Israel for his young prodigy Joshua.
In Exodus 17:14 He said, “Write this down on a scroll as a reminder and recite it to Joshua.” Moses was required to write the events of his ministry to the people of God for all posterity to know, and to speak it to Joshua so he would understand the workings of God and how to implement them in his life and ministry. We must do the same for the young ones in our charge.
We, those of us who are mature in the faith, have a responsibility to pass our faith to those who come after us. Just as parents endeavor to save and invest money for their children’s futures, so they must assure that the spiritual treasure they possess will be wisely invested in the lives of their children.
There is nothing of value that we have that we do not wish our children to receive from us. If we could, we would make their path smooth and comfortable. If we could, we would spare them all disappointment and failure. Sometimes, however, it is disappointment and failure that are the harbinger of success.
It is toward the end of understanding the role that our own achievements and short-falls have played in shaping our lives and how they enabled us to acquire the good things the Lord has provided by His hand that the Lord instructed Moses to chronicle the ups and downs of his leadership over Israel for his young prodigy Joshua.
In Exodus 17:14 He said, “Write this down on a scroll as a reminder and recite it to Joshua.” Moses was required to write the events of his ministry to the people of God for all posterity to know, and to speak it to Joshua so he would understand the workings of God and how to implement them in his life and ministry. We must do the same for the young ones in our charge.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Brevity vs. Eternity
August 4
One of the surest ways to incur the disfavor of the unbelievers around you is to invoke the name of Jesus. That name, which is above all names, the only name ‘given under heaven whereby men might be saved’ (Acts 4:12) has a polarizing ability that virtually nothing else has.
Today, in our land, which was founded on Biblical principles and the great preponderance of whose fathers were dedicated Christians, it is against the law to speak the name of Jesus in even a perfunctory prayer at graduation ceremonies or in the public arena.
We are caught in the dilemma that faced the early disciples of Jesus who were confronted by the authorities of their day when they preached salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. When they were confronted and threatened with imprisonment for proselyting, they stood boldly in the truth!
Like them, we must say as they did in Acts 4:19 when confronted by unbelievers, “Whether it is right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide.” They would not deny Christ, even if failure to do so meant prison and death. Neither must we, for life is brief and eternity is forever.
One of the surest ways to incur the disfavor of the unbelievers around you is to invoke the name of Jesus. That name, which is above all names, the only name ‘given under heaven whereby men might be saved’ (Acts 4:12) has a polarizing ability that virtually nothing else has.
Today, in our land, which was founded on Biblical principles and the great preponderance of whose fathers were dedicated Christians, it is against the law to speak the name of Jesus in even a perfunctory prayer at graduation ceremonies or in the public arena.
We are caught in the dilemma that faced the early disciples of Jesus who were confronted by the authorities of their day when they preached salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. When they were confronted and threatened with imprisonment for proselyting, they stood boldly in the truth!
Like them, we must say as they did in Acts 4:19 when confronted by unbelievers, “Whether it is right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide.” They would not deny Christ, even if failure to do so meant prison and death. Neither must we, for life is brief and eternity is forever.
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Trust Him
August 3
One thing can be discerned rather readily by studying the lives of the fathers of the faith—they were not perfect. Mistakes, foibles, sin—dogged their heels. Yet they were men the Lord counted worthy to found His nation, His chosen people, as well as establish the lineage through whom would come Christ our Savior.
We can only stand in awe and wonder at the goodness and mercy of God as it is evidenced in the lives of the patriarchs. We can only stand in humble wonder at the reality that He extends the same mercy and grace to us in even greater magnitude through Jesus’ death on the cross.
In Genesis 27:37, Isaac says something to Esau, the firstborn of his twin sons, “I have made him a master over you. What then can I do for you, my son?” Isaac was deceived into giving the birthright of the firstborn to Jacob the second born and he was seeking to make amends to Esau for his mistake. Isaac could not withdraw the blessing he had pronounced over Jacob and he knew that Jacob’s duplicity would not negate the blessing in the eyes of God.
We, like Isaac, falter and fail in our endeavors to do the ‘right thing,’ to assure that the rules are kept and expectations met; but, like Isaac, we must trust in the all pervasive wisdom and foreknowledge of God when He overrides our good intentions. Rather than a ‘mistake,’ the bestowal of the birthright upon Jacob assured the truth of the ages would be maintained undefiled, for Jacob esteemed the inheritance more than did his brother who sold it for a bowl of soup.
One thing can be discerned rather readily by studying the lives of the fathers of the faith—they were not perfect. Mistakes, foibles, sin—dogged their heels. Yet they were men the Lord counted worthy to found His nation, His chosen people, as well as establish the lineage through whom would come Christ our Savior.
We can only stand in awe and wonder at the goodness and mercy of God as it is evidenced in the lives of the patriarchs. We can only stand in humble wonder at the reality that He extends the same mercy and grace to us in even greater magnitude through Jesus’ death on the cross.
In Genesis 27:37, Isaac says something to Esau, the firstborn of his twin sons, “I have made him a master over you. What then can I do for you, my son?” Isaac was deceived into giving the birthright of the firstborn to Jacob the second born and he was seeking to make amends to Esau for his mistake. Isaac could not withdraw the blessing he had pronounced over Jacob and he knew that Jacob’s duplicity would not negate the blessing in the eyes of God.
We, like Isaac, falter and fail in our endeavors to do the ‘right thing,’ to assure that the rules are kept and expectations met; but, like Isaac, we must trust in the all pervasive wisdom and foreknowledge of God when He overrides our good intentions. Rather than a ‘mistake,’ the bestowal of the birthright upon Jacob assured the truth of the ages would be maintained undefiled, for Jacob esteemed the inheritance more than did his brother who sold it for a bowl of soup.
Friday, August 2, 2013
Presumption
August 2
Presumption can lead to complications within our circumstances that cannot be easily resolved. To neglect to balance a checkbook, for example, may lead to writing a check without the funds required to cover the purchase. Penalties and/ or loss of good credit can result.
To place ones trust in an individual who proves unworthy can result in emotional trauma and abject disappointment. Long range implications of relying on the wrong person can be staggering. The Bible gives an example of the ancient Israelites falling for a bill of goods and the high price they paid for their naivete.
In Joshua, Chapter 9, the people of God encountered what appeared to be a wandering band of itinerants. The Israelites promised to allow them passage to their destination without imposing their military might upon them. When it turned out that the wanderers were really an enemy, they were bound by their oath to allow them to go unhindered—to the detriment of the interests of God's people.
In Joshua 9:19 their lament states, “We have sworn an oath to them by the Lord, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.” They knew God would be as displeased by their failure to keep their oath as He was by their neglect to seek His will initially in the matter. We must ever be mindful that our actions, too, have consequences. We must not allow presumption to let us make commitments apart from God’s will.
Presumption can lead to complications within our circumstances that cannot be easily resolved. To neglect to balance a checkbook, for example, may lead to writing a check without the funds required to cover the purchase. Penalties and/ or loss of good credit can result.
To place ones trust in an individual who proves unworthy can result in emotional trauma and abject disappointment. Long range implications of relying on the wrong person can be staggering. The Bible gives an example of the ancient Israelites falling for a bill of goods and the high price they paid for their naivete.
In Joshua, Chapter 9, the people of God encountered what appeared to be a wandering band of itinerants. The Israelites promised to allow them passage to their destination without imposing their military might upon them. When it turned out that the wanderers were really an enemy, they were bound by their oath to allow them to go unhindered—to the detriment of the interests of God's people.
In Joshua 9:19 their lament states, “We have sworn an oath to them by the Lord, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.” They knew God would be as displeased by their failure to keep their oath as He was by their neglect to seek His will initially in the matter. We must ever be mindful that our actions, too, have consequences. We must not allow presumption to let us make commitments apart from God’s will.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Clarity of Vision
August 1
The Word of God tells us that we cannot see life clearly. In fact, it says that we cannot see even ourselves with clarity. In I Corinthians 13:12 we are told that we, “see through a glass darkly…” The mirrors of old were not as clear or as revealing as their modern counterparts.
But even the reflections we see of ourselves today are a ‘mirror image,’ one that is reversed from reality. Left is right and right is left when we view our image in a mirror. In Romans 7:24, Paul cries out in frustration because of his recognition of mankind’s dilemma.
Here he says, “O! Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this bondage of death?” He knew that of himself, of ourselves, none of us can see the reality of who we are—either physically, in a mirror or spiritually. Left to ourselves, man is hopelessly blind to his own need for salvation.
But I Corinthians 13:12 goes on to say that though we cannot see clearly as we are, “...when we have seen Jesus, we will see as He sees, know as He knows—discerning ourselves and others ‘face-to-face.’” Nothing shall be hidden from His people, for when they see Him clearly, they see all things—even self—clearly!
The Word of God tells us that we cannot see life clearly. In fact, it says that we cannot see even ourselves with clarity. In I Corinthians 13:12 we are told that we, “see through a glass darkly…” The mirrors of old were not as clear or as revealing as their modern counterparts.
But even the reflections we see of ourselves today are a ‘mirror image,’ one that is reversed from reality. Left is right and right is left when we view our image in a mirror. In Romans 7:24, Paul cries out in frustration because of his recognition of mankind’s dilemma.
Here he says, “O! Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this bondage of death?” He knew that of himself, of ourselves, none of us can see the reality of who we are—either physically, in a mirror or spiritually. Left to ourselves, man is hopelessly blind to his own need for salvation.
But I Corinthians 13:12 goes on to say that though we cannot see clearly as we are, “...when we have seen Jesus, we will see as He sees, know as He knows—discerning ourselves and others ‘face-to-face.’” Nothing shall be hidden from His people, for when they see Him clearly, they see all things—even self—clearly!
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