Prayer For Others

The Cry of the Hunted

2011-12-10T12:16:00.000-08:00

O LORD, rescue me from evil people.
Protect me from those who are violent, those who plot evil in their hearts and stir up trouble all day long. Their tongues sting like a snake; the venom of a viper drips from their lips. O LORD, keep me out of the hands of the wicked. Protect me from those who are violent, for they are plotting against me. The proud have set a trap to catch me; they have stretched out a net; they have placed traps all along the way. I said to the LORD, “You are my God!” Listen, O LORD, to my cries for mercy! O Sovereign LORD, the strong one who rescued me, you protected me on the day of battle. LORD, do not let evil people have their way. Do not let their evil schemes succeed, or they will become proud. Let my enemies be destroyed by the very evil they have planned for me. Let burning coals fall down on their heads. Let them be thrown into the fire or into watery pits from which they can’t escape. Don’t let liars prosper here in our land. Cause great disasters to fall on the violent. But I know the LORD will help those they persecute; He will give justice to the poor. Surely righteous people are praising your name; the godly will live in your presence.

This Psalm is in its proper place, and so perfectly follows Psalm 139 that one can read through making no break between the two.
Psalm 140 is the cry of the hunted, the plea of a believer, who is constantly being persecuted and plotted against by cunning enemies intent on destruction for any who stand in their way of receiving what they desire.
David was being hunted like a deer on the mountains, and seldom obtained a moment's rest.
This may have been the time in 1 Samuel 22 when Saul and Doeg were pursuing David. David was on the run. King Saul, now possessed by an evil spirit, was after him. In his escape, he stops for food at Nob, where the Ark resided in the ancient tabernacle. Ahimilech was priest on duty. David asked for bread. In a historic move about which Jesus later would comment, Ahimilech gave him the loaves of the consecrated bread that sat that week on the table in the Holy Place.
But David also needed a weapon. He had left with none at all. “Is there not a spear or a sword on hand?” Lying behind the ephod, a special priestly garment, was the spear of Goliath himself. “There is none like it; give it to me.” And why wouldn’t it be given to David, the one who killed Goliath a short time before?
Nestled in the fascinating story are these foreboding words, “Now one of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the Lord; and his name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief of Saul’s shepherds.”
Though Doeg was on King Saul’s staff as chief shepherd, he was obviously a traitor to his own people. Israel and Edom were currently enemies (1 Sam 14:47). The statement, “detained by the Lord” does not invoke further confidence in him either. It hints of Doeg’s true devotion - for his heart was far from God. It speaks of his feigned religiosity among his adopted people.
Move ahead to the tamarisk tree where King Saul sat with his own spear in his hand. With his servants around him he complained: “All of you have conspired against me . . . there is none of you who is sorry for me.” He openly griped about the covenant between David and Jonathan, his son, that had recently come to light, which fueled even more jealousy and hatred toward David.
Then Doeg speaks up, a man ready with an inside word. “I saw the son of Jesse [David) coming to Nob, to Ahimelech . . . . He inquired of the Lord for him, gave him provisions, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”
That was all it took. Ahimilech the priest was summoned immediately by Saul, and he dutifully came with his entire household—a large number of fellow priests. In a moment he was tried and condemned to die, though he was an innocent man. But no servant of the King would do Saul’s bidding, indicating that they were afraid to kill God’s anointed priests or that they privately had sympathies for David.
But one man will do it: Doeg because he was after Saul's own heart not God's.
Doeg killed 85 priests that day, and “he struck Nob the city of the priests with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and infants; also oxen, donkeys, and sheep he struck with the edge of the sword.” Only a Doeg could be so thorough.
This episode ends when one priest, who had escaped, reports the slaughter to David. David’s reply is sobering:
“I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have brought about the death of every person in your father’s household.”
David knew that an insecure person, who is very needy, can be very dangerous. They will do anything to find favor and acceptance with those they deem to be important; it includes 'selling out' family, friends and alliances. They lack the ability to accept responsibility for their destructive words or actions - they either lie to cover up, blame someone else or conveniently forget what they have said or done.
David wrote Psalm 139 & 140 as a sacrifice of prayer to offer his salt of faith. In a very pronounced and emphatic tone, he expresses his personal confidence in the LORD as the Protector of the oppressed - as his own God and Defender. Few Psalms are so rich in the paragon of precious faith.
This Psalm instructs me that the more insecure, dangerous people intertwine into my daily life (whether personally or professionally), the more earnest I should be in prayer to God. I am safe because the LORD protects His own. If HE is for me, who can be against me? I should especially watch and pray, that the Lord would hold up my goings in HiS ways, that my footsteps do not slip.
God is as able to keep His own from secret fraud as from open force. The experiences we have had in His power and care, in dangers of any kind, may encourage us to depend upon Him when dangerous, insecure people threaten us.

Night Workers

2011-12-04T10:17:00.000-08:00

Blooming Night Lillies

Psalm 134
1 Oh, praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, you who serve at night in the house of the LORD.
2 Lift up holy hands in prayer, and praise the LORD.
3 May the LORD, who made heaven and earth, bless you from Jerusalem.

The travelers are going home, and are singing the last song in their songbook (psalter). They leave very early in the morning for their journey is long. As they start out for their pre-dawn travel, they pass outside the city gates; looking back they see the guards on the temple wall, and the brightly lit lamps shining from the windows of the chambers which surround the sanctuary. The travelers are moved by the sight and they chant a farewell to the perpetual attendants who work at night in the temple. Their song inspires the ministry night workers to pronounce upon them a blessing as they leave: "May the LORD, who made heaven and earth, bless you from Jerusalem."
The Psalm teaches me to pray for all night workers who are continually minister before the Lord while most of us sleep - no matter what their job calling. Whether they are ministers, shelter managers, factory workers, gas station attendants, coffee house barristas, policeman, or fireman - as they work unto the Lord - they pronounce blessings upon us.

The Names of God

2011-11-06T20:42:00.000-08:00

Psalm 91: 1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.2 This I declare about the LORD:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.3 For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.4 He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.7 Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you. 8 Just open your eyes,
and see how the wicked are punished.9 If you make the LORD your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,10 no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.11 For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.12 They will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.13 You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!14 The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.15 When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.16 I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.”

Psalm 91 is a scripture that may have been penned by either David or Moses, but whomever the author - Psalm 91 is powerful.

There is a direct connection between where I live and how I live. The things that occupy my mind and drive my heart will determine the state of my being. If my greatest concern is money, I will be filled with insecurity. If I live in the land of doubt, I will experience continual discouragement. Brokenness may be what God uses to get my attention and introduce me to grace, but living there will produce a spiritual self-pity far from the life of spiritual fulfillment that God desires for me.

But when I live in the shelter that God provides, I will know a peace that passes all understanding. Living in the “shelter of the Most High” gives me balance with my money, causes inevitable doubt to drive me to the Father for strength, and moves me from brokenness to wholeness in Christ. In Psalm 91:1-2, the psalmist speaks forth four of the names of God:

Psalm 91:1 Elyon – This is the One, in all of His power and creativity, made everything that was out of nothing.” The use of the word El ascribes to God all of that majesty and splendor. Certainly protection is one of His attributes; but more significantly, we need to think of God as El-Elyon, as the God who is sovereign. God is absolutely in charge of everything. He is the strongest of the strong. He is the superlative among all other gods. (introduced in Genesis 14:18)

Psalm 91:1 El-Shaddai –This name means “God Almighty.” It is best understood as God who is all-sufficient and all-bountiful—the source of all blessings, fullness, and fruitfulness. El Shaddai is one of seven covenant names through which God revealed Himself to Israel. Genesis 49:22-26

Psalm 91:2 Yahweh - The name of independent being—“I AM WHO I AM”—only belongs to Jehovah God. As we consider His greatness, we fall down in fear and awe of this One who possesses all authority. Lord, Master, denoting the omnipotence of God, despot, absolute ruler Exodus 3:13-15
Psalm 91:2 Elohim –This name means “Strength” or “Power.” He is transcendent, mighty, and strong. Elohim is the great name of God, signifying supreme power, sovereignty, and a covenant relationship that He is ever faithful to keep. Genesis 17:7,8

If I am going to be fearless, I need to know God for who He is - if I don’t know God for who He is, I will have a hard time stepping out in faith and obedience to how He leads and guides me. I have since found that Psalm 91 is one of those bread-and-butter psalms that I keep coming back to whenever I need to feed on God's Word. I read it through and what comes to mind are periods in my life when I experienced God's care and protection ( the aftermath of financial loss, a serious illness, a near accident, troubled relationships, or difficult times of transition). Though I may not have known it then, I see now that Almighty God was a refuge in the midst of my personal desert. He sustained me and fed me. He sheltered me in the wilderness. Praise God for His powerful protection. I want to make a habit of resting in His shadow. I can read Psalm 91 as a promise of future protection. This is a powerful psalm to pray before I go to bed tonight.

Seeking Godly Wisdom

2011-10-30T10:25:00.000-07:00

Psalm 72: 1-6
Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son.
Help him judge your people in the right way; let the poor always be treated fairly.
May the mountains yield prosperity for all, and may the hills be fruitful.
Help him to defend the poor, to rescue the children of the needy, and to crush their oppressors.
May they fear yout as long as the sun shines, as long as the moon remains in the sky.
Yes, forever!
May the king’s rule be refreshing like spring rain on freshly cut grass, like the showers that water the earth.

Solomon had just become king. God gave him one request - I Kings 3:5-12. Solomon replied to God that he was but like a child and he knew not how to come out and go in. His request was that God give him wisdom and an understanding heart so he would know how to judge properly. Verse I & 2 especially bears out Solomon's request when he says, "Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son. Help him judge your people in the right way;" Solomon had a significant task ahead of him and he knew - without God's divine Spirit in Him proving immense wisdom - he would not be successful. God blessed Solomon with great wisdom to govern the people.

So I take it to be a great and wonderful and liberating truth that God made us to be eternally happy. And I find great help in viewing the Bible as God's guidebook to joy. I ought to view the Bible as a divine prescription for how to be cured of all unhappiness. The medicine it prescribes is not always sweet, but the cure it brings is infinite and eternal joy at God's right hand (Psalm 16:11). As Solomon learned, wisdom is key to happiness.
Proverbs 4:5 says "Get wisdom, get insight," and Proverbs 16:16 says, "To get wisdom is better than gold; to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver." It is a matter of life and death. The ultimate, eternal happiness that I long for will only be found by first "getting wisdom." Ultimate and eternal happiness is what wisdom will bring, but not all happiness comes from true wisdom. Proverbs 15:21 says, "Folly is a joy to him who has no sense." My thirst for happiness is insatiable in this world, and if I do not have the wisdom to seek it in God, then I will find whatever substitutes I can in the world.

Proverbs 11:2 says, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but with the humble is wisdom." The wise person is characterized by humility. The person who is proud does not fear the Lord, who hates a haughty spirit, and therefore can't get to first base in wisdom. But the person who fears the Lord is humble, because he depends on God for everything and fears to take credit himself for what God does. Humility in turn is foundational for the other aspects of Godly wisdom because humility is teachable and open to change and growth. The proud person, as I can be, does not like to admit error and need for growth. But the humble person is open to counsel and reason and ready to be corrected and follow truth.

Humility, unlike pride, does not recoil when commanded to do something. And this is essential for the advancement of wisdom because Moses taught that wisdom consists in knowing and doing the commandments of God. Deuteronomy 4:5-6, "Behold I have taught you statutes and ordinances, as the Lord my God commanded me that you should do them. . . . Keep them and do them; for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples." And Jesus said the same thing about his own words, "Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon a rock" (Matthew 7:24).

Perhaps a good definition of Godly wisdom, therefore, would be: hearing and doing God's word. God's word is a divine prescription for how to be finally cured of all unhappiness. Wisdom is the practical knowledge of how to attain that happiness. Therefore, wisdom is hearing and doing the word of God. But the only people who will do this are the people who are humbly relying on God for help and who fear to seek happiness anywhere but in him. Therefore the fear of the Lord is the beginning and spring of all true wisdom.

So first I must desire wisdom with all my might. Proverbs 4:8 says, "Prize her highly and she will exalt you; she will honor you for your embrace." These are not cheap words. To prize something and to embrace someone are signs of intense desire and love. Wisdom must be valuable for me. I must be willing to sell all in order to buy it: "Seek it like silver, and search for it as for hidden treasure" (Proverbs 2:4).
Second, since wisdom is found in the word of God, I must apply myself in study and meditation to know the Word and do it. "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." (Psalm 19:7).

I don't aspire with high standards in my reading because I don't feel like there is much hope. But I read some great advice of a renowned pastor. He presented this study path:
Most people read about 250 words a minute (this is average). If that person resolves to devote just 15 minutes a day to serious Biblical reading to deepen one's grasp of Biblical truth. In one year (356 days) that person would read for 5,475 minutes. Multiply that times 250 words per minute and you get 1,368,750 words per year. Now most books have between 300 and 400 words per page. So if a person takes 350 words per page and divide that into 1,368,750 words per year it equals 3,910 pages per year. This means that at 250 words a minute, fifteen minutes a day a person could read about 20 average sized books a year.

So I analyzed my day and set aside the 15 minutes just before bed to read Biblical truth. The pastor suggested choosing some classics that I have always wanted to read (St. Augustine's Confessions, or City of God; John Calvin's Institutes; Martin Luther's Commentary on Galatians, or Bondage of the Will; John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, Jonathan Edwards' Religious Affections, etc.) and set aside 15 minutes. The pastor said a person would not be the same person next year. The person's mind will be stretched, the heart enlarged, and zeal more fervent. Above all the person will have grown in wisdom. And it may not be long until someone says of him or her: "the words of his mouth are as deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a gushing spring" (Proverbs 18:4). May God change me by seeking His wisdom with all heart, mind and soul.

Master Gardener

2011-09-23T23:01:00.000-07:00

Psalm 52

Why do you boast about your crimes, great warrior?

Don’t you realize God’s justice continues forever? All day long you plot destruction.

Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor; you’re an expert at telling lies. You love evil more than good and lies more than truth. You love to destroy others with your words, you liar! But God will strike you down once and for all.

He will pull you from your home and uproot you from the land of the living.

The righteous will see it and be amazed.

They will laugh and say,“Look what happens to mighty warriors who do not trust in God. They trust their wealth instead and grow more and more bold in their wickedness.”But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God’s unfailing love. I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done. I will trust in your good Name in the presence of your faithful people.

This psalm was composed by David about Doeg, the Edomite who had betrayed Ahimelech and David... and then killed God's priest (1 Samuel 21-22). Ahimelech had supported David as he fled Saul. Doeg thought he was a great hero - even boasting about his deed. In reality, his deed was evil, an offense to God. David speaks of those who through deception and trickery try to gain benefit over others.

Have you lived and worked among people who boast, glorify themselves with slick words. They plan their strategy, rehearse, and then hit the stage—for all the praise and adoration - all at the expense of others. Their grievous words hit their mark straight on. This is the power of destruction that boasters and liars are so capable of and happy to revel in…until the Master Gardner shows up to savagely root out the evil, the untrustworthy, the deceitful, the liars.

I can get really caught up in people's undermining evil devices and so angered at their apparent success. It can cause me to want to repay their evil with my own evil - as so to be come one of them - just as proud, deceitful and boastful. Like a weed that grows where it’s not wanted, evil is tenacious, it crowds out Godly stuff I hope will thrive, and yet without proper deep-root weeding - it returns over and over again.
Here God waits for me, with that never-ending, un-imaginable love and kindness and mercy - stopping me to reflect - He is God and God alone. I want that evil to be yanked out of the ground of my heart, roots and all, by the One who has delivered, who protects the weak, the disgraced, the objects of scorn and evil words; so I can grow ravishingly in the garden of his Lordship. "Go ahead" God tells me, "Place your trust in me; you can do nothing on your own account, for only I can guarantee that you will flourish forever".
God, who is the Judge, will vindicate the interests of those who fear/trust in Him, and punish the pride of the ungodly.

God on the Loose

2011-08-29T13:11:00.000-07:00

Psalm 29
A psalm of David.
1 Honor the Lord, you heavenly beingst;
honor the Lord for his glory and strength.

2 Honor the Lord for the glory of his name.
Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

3 The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea.
The God of glory thunders.
The Lord thunders over the mighty sea.

4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is majestic.

5 The voice of the Lord splits the mighty cedars;
the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon.

6 He makes Lebanon’s mountains skip like a calf;
he makes Mount Hermont leap like a young wild ox.

7 The voice of the Lord strikes
with bolts of lightning.

8 The voice of the Lord makes the barren wilderness quake;
the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

9 The voice of the Lord twists mighty oakst
and strips the forests bare.
In his Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!”

10 The Lord rules over the floodwaters.
The Lord reigns as king forever.

11 The Lord gives his people strength.
The Lord blesses them with peace.

In Psalm 29 - God is on the loose. His almighty power on display for all of heaven and earth to see - much like we are experiencing today.

The voice of the Lord is heard seven times in Psalm 29: it is over the waters, powerful and full of majesty; it breaks the cedars; flashes forth flames of fire; shakes the wilderness; shakes the oaks and strips the forests bare. The glory of God thunders. The Lord makes Lebanon to skip like a calf and Sirion (Mt. Hermon) like a young wild ox. The display of God and all His almighty power - it is enough to make any human heart fail.
The cedars stand as warning enough on their own. The famous cedars of Lebanon were Solomon’s choice for building the first temple, and were selected specially by King Hiram of Tyre. They can grow over 100 feet tall, their circumference exceeding 50 feet, with wood that is perfumed, resinous evergreen and both rot- and knot-free. Such was their grip on the Israelite imagination that these trees are mentioned everywhere, from levitical codes of purification to prophetic analogies in Isaiah and Ezekiel. (Ezekiel 31:15; Isaiah 31:24) Compare the once-mighty, soon-to-fall Assyria with a cedar so splendid that "all the trees of Eden envied it."

But like a sinful human race, these fabulous cedars are not permitted to remain in their pride. They are paired with lowly hyssop, a small and straggling foil to the cedars’ magnitude. In the end, it is hyssop that quenches the thirst of the dying Messiah. (John 19:29) Lowliness serves the lowly, but when might matches might, the voice of the Lord triumphs, breaking the cedars (Isaiah 14:8).

God has proven His power before in the aqueous domain. When God's creation turned to evil, and there was one remaining righteous man, Noah, who built a little boat out of gopher wood, the waters came again to speak the Lord’s word of judgment against his people. Much later, the waters split in half to pave an escape route for enslaved Israelites, and folded shut to swallow up the pursuing Egyptians. And once a storm was conjured just to grip the attention of runaway Jonah while out at sea, terrifying untold numbers of sailors in its wake.

The God who commands the waters commands everything else. So this psalm isn’t just an utterance of awe at the power wielded in and over nature. It’s also a aggressive attack directed against a confused and disobedient human race who mistakenly takes and gave credit to itself and its idols. It’s no accident that Psalm 29 sounds so much like a general heading into the storm of battle. As Spurgeon once wrote: "It is best recited beneath the black wing of tempest, by the glare of the lightning, or amid that dubious dusk which heralds the war of elements. The verses march to the tune of thunderbolts. God is everywhere conspicuous, and all the earth is hushed by the majesty of his presence. The word of God in the law and gospel is here also depicted in its majesty of power. True ministers are sons of thunder, and the voice of God in Christ Jesus is full of majesty. Thus we have God's works and God's word joined together."
Our God is the Creator and righteous Judge, not the pseudo-divinity pretenders of this world.

With extraordinary faith, the Psalmist concludes with these encouraging words, "May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!"
God's power is displayed in hurricanes, tornadoes, fire, drought, famine, earthquakes, flooding - whose course this Psalm so epically pictures; and now, in the cool calm after the storm, that power is promised to be the strength of His chosen. He who wings the infallible lightening bolt, will give to His redeemed the wings of eagles; He who shakes the earth with His voice, will terrify the enemies of His saints, and give His children peace. Why are we weak when we have divine strength to flee to? Why are we troubled when the Lord's own peace is ours? Jesus the mighty God is our peace—what a blessing is this today!

Isaiah 45:22 "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other."
Deuteronomy 4:29 "But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find Him; if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul."
Isaiah 55:6 "Seek the LORD while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near."

Deadbeat Tenants

2011-08-01T00:26:00.000-07:00

Luke 20: 9-19 Now Jesus turned to the people again and told them this story: “A man planted a vineyard, leased it to tenant farmers, and moved to another country to live for several years. At the time of the grape harvest, he sent one of his servants to collect his share of the crop. But the farmers attacked the servant, beat him up, and sent him back empty-handed. So the owner sent another servant, but they also insulted him, beat him up, and sent him away empty-handed. A third man was sent, and they wounded him and chased him away.
“‘What will I do?’ the owner asked himself. ‘I know! I’ll send my cherished son. Surely they will respect him.’
“But when the tenant farmers saw his son, they said to each other, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’
So they dragged him out of the vineyard and murdered him.
“What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do to them?” Jesus asked.
“I’ll tell you—he will come and kill those farmers and lease the vineyard to others.”
“How terrible that such a thing should ever happen,” his listeners protested.
Jesus looked at them and said, “Then what does this Scripture mean?
‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’
Everyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on.”
The teachers of religious law and the leading priests wanted to arrest Jesus immediately because they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers. But they were afraid of the people’s reaction.

It was one of those edgy discussions between the Chief Priests and the Lord. They were questioning His authority again, and since they were unwilling to answer His question about the origin of John’s baptism, He refused to answer their question about His authority.
Then Jesus tells a parable about a bunch of deadbeat tenants. The owner leased his vineyard to farmer tenants and moved away to live.
These tenants staged a kind of renters’ revolt. When harvest time came, the land owner sent one of his servants to retrieve some of his fruit. Instead of giving him the produce, they beat him and sent him away empty handed. Again, the owner sent another servant, and they beat him up, added insults and sent him back empty handed. And again he sent a third servant, whom the tenants wounded and sent back with nothing.
(I imagine that the rest of the owner’s servants were very reluctant to go near the vineyard. And one would hardly blame the landlord for evicting the tenants’ right on the spot. Three times he sent his servants to collect what was rightfully his. Three times his servants returned beaten, bloodied and empty-handed. Just when the average landlord would have taken legal action, this land owner goes one more step, hoping against hope to receive a harvest of plenty instead of hatred.)
"What shall I do?” the owner said, “I will send my beloved son whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.”
(Well, there was nothing to suggest they would. And you have to stop and wonder. What kind of father would send his beloved son to a bunch of people who have already mistreated his servants?)

When the tenants saw the son, they assumed that the owner was dead. They came up with a plot. "Kill the son, and the inheritance is ours.” During Biblical times, if the owner of the land died and left no heirs, the tenants could claim title to the land free and clear, provided, of course, that they could get away with the murder of the son - which is why they killed him away from the property.
(The parable gives me a picture of God's patience, His tireless mercy, and His compassionate will to save me.)
So what sort of father would send his beloved son to a group of murderous deadbeat tenants? Our Father!

“God so loved the world that He gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:9-10)

Jesus then says to Priests (or deadbeat tenants) there are the only two options available:"Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed."
(Fall on the stone (the Stone the builders rejected) and be broken, be humble and contrite, be born again and live by faith. Or keep going your own way till someday when you least expect it the Stone falls on you, and be called to account for your behavior, be crushed and die in your sins.)

Everything I have - is on loan from God. I sometimes imagine that I am the owner that I have somehow obtained ownership of what God has made, given or provided.
Deadbeat tenants sayings: "It's my money and I can spend it as I please." "It's my body and I can do what I want with it." "It's my time and I can use it however I wish." "It's my life and I don't need God, the Church or anyone to tell me how to run it."

The lie that Satan has successfully spread in this age is that I have the right to live and believe whatever I want. But the truth remains; God is the owner and I am His tenant. God gives me all that I have in Christ expecting a fruitful harvest:

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener...Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15: 1&5)

"My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand

Tenant or Owner

2011-07-11T21:15:00.000-07:00

Luke 8:4 One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him: 5 “A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it. 6 Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants. 8 Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!” When he had said this, he called out, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

As Jesus went about preaching the gospel of the kingdom of heaven, He did not always find a receptive audience. Even where He did mighty works, some did not repent or believe. Some sought to trick Him, so they might have reason to accuse Him. The issue Jesus faced was that many people, though they had ears to hear, their ears had become "hard of hearing" (Mt 13:14-15) Jesus told parables, which forced the hearers to think and hopefully, discover spiritual truths.
This past Sunday, my pastor spoke on the Parable of the Sower. He said something that I had not thought of before - that we are either owners or tenants.
If you are an owner, then you own your life, all the relationships, all you have, and everything that goes with it. So those who own they lives are like the footpath where those who hear the gospel have Satan come in and take it from their hearts or like the rocky soil where the trials tempt away or the thistles and weeds which choke out any growth because the cares and riches become the focus.
But if you are a tenant, then it is Christ that owns your life. As a tenant, like the good soil, you receive what He sows, cling to it and in time produce a fruitful harvest.
So I am an owner or a tenant? Applying God's word helps me to grow. Just like my in my physical body, when I exercise regularly, I grow stronger; but unused muscle grows weak and flabby - which can even cause further physical problems. So if I am not growing stronger, I am growing weaker - it is impossible to stand still - it is one way or the other.

Speak, O Lord as we come to you to receive the food of Your Holy Word. Take Your truth, plant it deep in us, shape and fashion us in Your likeness; that the light of Christ might be seen today in our acts of love and deeds of faith. Speak, O Lord and fulfill in us all Your purposes for Your glory.

Living Out Loud

2011-05-30T12:20:00.000-07:00

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 3 Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. 4 Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. 5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractivet so that you will have the right response for everyone.

How do I behave with and toward unbelievers? Do I live my faith in Jesus Christ out loud? Do I love them as God loves them... especially when they are so cruel to me?
Am I truly concerned about their salvation? Do I act like them so they see no difference between my life and theirs? Or do I snub them, acting as if I am better?
My conduct and speech before an unbeliever is vitally important. Do I share my faith using hugs or headlocks? Honey or a hammer?
No matter what approach to evangelism is used, emphasizing life-style, example, or building relationships, I should never obscure the message of Gospel. No matter how much sense the message makes, I lose my effectiveness if I am not courteous. Just as much as I want to be respected, I must respect others if I want them to listen to what I have to say. "Seasoned with salt" means my words must be 'tasty' to encourage further dialogue. This has been a difficult lesson for me. I can throw buckets of water on the Holy Spirit when the acidity of my words or actions can literarily melt people. As a Christian, I become the hinderance to unbelievers knowing Christ. It is the graciousness of Holy Spirit filled words and actions that can allow seeds to be planted and watered, relationships to grow and Christ to be known.
God provides numerous daily opportunities for me to share Christ. I need to make the most of these times by living in constant awareness of Him in me.
The Colossians church faced pressures from a heresy that promised deeper spiritual life through secret knowledge. The false teachers were destroying faith in Christ by undermining Christ's humanity and divinity. Paul makes it clear in Colossians that Christ is the source of our spiritual life, the Head of the body of believers. Christ is the Lord of both the physical and spiritual worlds. The path to deeper spiritual life is not through religious duties, special knowledge or secrets: it is only through a clear connection with the Lord Jesus Christ. I must never let anything come between me and my Savior so even the most cruelest see Christ. That is living out loud.
"The love for equals is a human thing - of friend for friend, brother for brother. It is love what is loving and lovely.
The world smiles.
The love for less fortunate is a beautiful thing - the love for those who suffer, for those who are poor, the sick, the failures, the unlovely. This is compassion, and it touches the heart of the world.
The love for the more fortunate is a rare thing - to love those who succeed where we fail, to rejoice without envy with those who rejoice, the love of the poor for the rich, of black man for the white man. the world is always bewildered by its saints.
And then there is the love for the enemy - love for the one who does not love you but mocks, threatens, and inflicts pain. The tortured's love for the torturer. This is God's love. It conquers the world."
From The Magnificent Defeat by Fredrick Buechner

"My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Gal 2:20
"Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory". Col 3:1-4

Christ, the Referee

2011-05-16T17:41:00.000-07:00

Colossians 3
Living the New Life
"1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is yourt life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. 5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.t 7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile,t circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized,t slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. 12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful."

I have always enjoyed movies or TV shows where someone goes back in time and encounters themselves in the past. The one from the past has so many questions about the future. And the one from the future has so many things to say, to impart wisdom and warning about actions and decisions that haven't yet been made.
Reading Colossians 3 - I exist right now in eternity - I have already been raised up and seated with Christ in heavenly places. Christ is there, and I am there, yet I am also here. If my eternal self could speak to my present self now, I wonder what would be said?
I have no doubt that I would beg myself not to fall into sin, not to give into temptation. Having already experienced the judgment seat of Christ, and shedding tears that God wiped away from my eyes, I would plead with my former self to exercise self-control, to do anything and everything I could not to sin.
Here's the rub: my eternal self can't go back to me, but I can seek my eternal self.
Jesus has told me to keep seeking and setting my mind on the things above. If I focus on my future, I will have great power over the fleshly indulgences that my sin nature wants to take and my present self on earth will not be so set on the present, worldly desires. (Matt. 6:19-20)
So how do I live with the constant conflicts of self and my 'new life in Christ'? Colossians 3:15 says, "And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful."
In other words, Christ's peace becomes the referee or umpire in my heart. My heart is the center of the conflict because there my feelings and desires clash: my fears and hopes, my distrust and trust, my jealousy and love. How can I deal with constant conflicts and live as God wants? As Paul explains, I must decide between conflicting elements by using the rule of peace - which choice will promote peace in my soul?
There are too many times there is a knock-down, drag-out war going on inside of me. I am seeking peace but my choices bring me turmoil and unrest. It shines a new light on putting 'to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within me,' (vs 5).
The Christian life is a continuing education program. The more I know of Christ and His work, the more I am being changed to be like Him. Because this process is lifelong, I must never stop learning and obeying. There is no justification for drifting along, but there is an incentive to find the rich treasures of growing in Christ. Someday I will be my eternal self, there with my Lord, this world and all its sinful trappings - a distant memory.
Lord Jesus Christ, fill me with your Spirit that I may be occupied with your presence. Give me faith to see my name engraved on Your hand, my soul and body redeemed by Your blood, my sinfulness covered by Your life of pure obedience - that I may know that You have bound me to Yourself forever.
Phil. 3:20 "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ."
Phil. 4:9 "Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you."

Connected to Christ

2011-04-25T11:33:00.000-07:00

Christ Is Supreme

Colossians 1:15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,

16 for through him God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.

17 He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.

18 Christ is also the head of the church,
which is his body.
He is the beginning,
supreme over all who rise from the dead.
So he is first in everything.

19 For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ,

20 and through him God reconciled
everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

21 This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. 22 Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.

23 But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God’s servant to proclaim it.

Paul wrote the letters to the Colossians from his prison cell in Rome to combat the false teachings that had infiltrated the church body. The issue was 'syncretism,' combining ideas from other philosophies and religions with Christian truth. The resulting heresy became known as "Gnosticism,"(gnosis in Greek) emphasizing 'special' knowledge and denying Christ as God and Savior. To battle this devious error, Paul stressed Christ's deity, his connection with the Father, and his sacrificial death on the cross for sin. Only by being connected with Christ through faith can anyone have power for living. Christ is God incarnate and the ONLY way to forgiveness and peace with God the Father. Paul also emphasized believer's connections with each other as Christ's body on earth.
As I read Colossians, I see an embattled church, much as the church today. For heresies creep in today's church - human disciplines of thought permeate many Christians' faith. I must stay in the God's Word-connected to our Lord, Jesus Christ.

This Easter season, I read Colossians for its timeless truths, to gain a fresh perspective and appreciation for Christ as the fullness of God and the only source for living the Christian life.
"Our task in the present...is to live as resurrection people in between Easter and the final day, with our Christian life corporate and individual, in both worship and mission, as a sign of the first coming, and a foretaste of the second." (N.T. Wright, in Surprised by Hope)

Yesterday I was crucified with Christ;
Today I am glorified with Him.
Yesterday I was dead in Christ;
Today I am sharing in His resurrection.
Yesterday I was buried with Him;
Today I am waking with Him from the sleep of death.
(Gregory of Turkey/329-389)

The Song of the Steadfast

2011-04-11T22:09:00.000-07:00

Psalm 11:1 I trust in the Lord for protection.
So why do you say to me,
“Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety!

2 The wicked are stringing their bows
and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings.
They shoot from the shadows
at those whose hearts are right.

3 The foundations of law and order have collapsed.
What can the righteous do?”

4 But the Lord is in his holy Temple;
the Lord still rules from heaven.
He watches everyone closely,
examining every person on earth.

5 The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked.
He hates those who love violence.

6 He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked,
punishing them with scorching winds.

7 For the righteous Lord loves justice.
The virtuous will see his face.

David, at the different periods of his life, was placed in almost every situation in which a believer, whether rich or poor, can be placed; in these Holy Spirit-inspired psalms, he contemplates all the workings of a human heart.
He also introduces the sentiments and conduct of the various persons who were accessory either to his troubles or his joys; and then sets before us the depths of turmoil and height of joy of what transpires within us when faced with the faithless and the faithful.
When he wrote this Psalm he was under persecution from Saul, who sought his life, and hunted him 'as a partridge upon the mountains' (1 Samuel 26:20) His timid friends were alarmed for his safety, and recommended him to flee to some mountain where he had a hiding-place, so he conceal himself from the rage of Saul. But David, being strong in faith, rejected the idea of resorting to any such cowardly means, and determined confidently to rest his trust in God."
Many have titled Psalm 11: "The Song of the Steadfast."
Teach me to trust in You, O God, no matter how great the dangers are all around in this world; and even though there will be those who mock and say "Where is your God? - how can you trust when the very foundations of the world are falling apart?" - may I still cling to You, as the anchor of my soul, sure and steadfast, for You have me in Your grip. Amen

Not Supposed to End this Way

2011-04-03T23:41:00.000-07:00

Judges 16:28 Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me again. O God, please strengthen me just one more time. With one blow let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my two eyes.” 29 Then Samson put his hands on the two center pillars that held up the temple. Pushing against them with both hands, 30 he prayed, “Let me die with the Philistines.” And the temple crashed down on the Philistine rulers and all the people. So he killed more people when he died than he had during his entire lifetime. 31 Later his brothers and other relatives went down to get his body. They took him back home and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol, where his father, Manoah, was buried. Samson had judged Israel for twenty years.

Hebrews 11:32 How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. 33 By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight.

It is sad to be remembered for what might have been. Samson had tremendous potential. Not many people have started with the credentials like his. Born as a result of God's plan in the lives of Manoah and his wife, Samson was to do great work for God-to 'begin deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines'. To help him accomplish God's plan, he was given enormous physical strength.
But Samson was so self-involved - everything and everyone revolved around his 'world of me'. He wasted his strength on practical jokes, women, and revenge. He was like a comic book super hero who misused his super hero powers. He could have strengthened his nation. He could have returned his people to the worship of God. He could have wiped out the Philistines. But even though he did none of these things, Samson still accomplished the purpose announced by the angel who visited his parents before his birth. In his final act, Samson began to rescue Israel from the Philistines.
Interestingly, the book of Hebrews does not mention Samson's failures or his heroic feats of strength-he is simply listed with the others "who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised", and in other ways were given superhuman aide. In the end, Samson acknowledged his dependence on God.
I like stories that end well. I will often skip to the end of a book or movie rental to see if I want to go back and read/watch the whole story. It is hard to read or watch people lose their way making idiotic choices. I know firsthand how selfish, stupid choices will bring pain and sad results. I want the characters in the story to choose the right path or figure how to amend their errors so it tuns out well in the end. Sometimes I want to scream 'hey, do you know how badly this is going to end?' The world today tries so hard to tell us - that our wrong choices do not have consequences; that sin is not real - it is just about making ourselves happy. But truth reigns over fiction. I acknowledge that without God - I am a total mess. Like the words to a song - Give me Jesus, give me Jesus; you can have all this world but give me Jesus." That is how God brings beauty from ashes.

The Sin Post Ahead

2011-03-13T15:08:00.000-07:00

Judges 2:16 Then the Lord raised up judges to rescue the Israelites from their attackers. 17 Yet Israel did not listen to the judges but prostituted themselves by worshiping other gods. How quickly they turned away from the path of their ancestors, who had walked in obedience to the Lord’s commands.

18 Whenever the Lord raised up a judge over Israel, he was with that judge and rescued the people from their enemies throughout the judge’s lifetime. For the Lord took pity on his people, who were burdened by oppression and suffering. 19 But when the judge died, the people returned to their corrupt ways, behaving worse than those who had lived before them. They went after other gods, serving and worshiping them. And they refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.

The book of Judges, which is believed to have been written by the prophet Samuel around 1050 – 1000 BC, presents us with a sad and turbulent period in Israel’s history. The victorious Book of Joshua that precedes it, is a dramatic contrast to the downward spiral of sin and its degradation that happens in the Book of Judges. Judges shows the failure that sin can bring into our lives, and thus we cannot conquer our enemies, claim our inheritance, and how this has a huge effect on our lives and relationship with God.
There are key verses in Judges that sum up the in cycle: " But when the judge died, the people returned to their corrupt ways, behaving worse than those who had lived before them. They went after other gods, serving and worshiping them. And they refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways." Judges 2:19""In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes." (Judges 17:6 & 21:25)

There was a repeated cycle throughout the entire book – a cycle of sin, bondage, repentance, devotion, followed by sin and bondage again. Israel would follow the Lord when there was a leader who reminded them of the ways in which they should walk, but with his death they again wandered off following other gods and their own desires. God would then allow an enemy of Israel to conquer the people so that, through desperation (unfortunately) they would again look to Him.
The cycle of sin is unfortunately evident in many Christian lives today. Maybe it is one enemy, or one particular area of weakness that consistently drags you down into bondage. Maybe compromise has allowed the temptation of the enemy to have far too great an influence in our life, leading to wanting more of the world and the deception of sin. Judges is a book that teaches us both how one becomes a captive to the enemy, and also how to get out of that bondage. And in doing so, it then teaches us how to break the cycle of sin. If I am honest, the message of Judges is a wake up call, a reality check for sin. It is a warning of what can happen once I become comfortable and begin to compromise with the enemy. It is 'sin' post, and a danger signal of the perils that can lie ahead in my Christian life.
This Lenten Season, I read the Book of Judges and ask God to reveal sin in my life.
Dear God, my hope is in You alone. May I praise You for your mercies that are new every morning and I give thanks for all you have given me. God of abundance, help me live today trusting there will be enough for tomorrow. Your creative resources have no end. Teach me to share, recognizing that everything belongs to You. Amen

God's Glory and Power

2011-03-07T16:36:00.000-08:00

Psalm 68:1 Rise up, O God, and scatter your enemies.
Let those who hate God run for their lives.

2 Blow them away like smoke.
Melt them like wax in a fire.
Let the wicked perish in the presence of God.

3 But let the godly rejoice.
Let them be glad in God’s presence.
Let them be filled with joy.

4 Sing praises to God and to his name!
Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds.
His name is the Lord—
rejoice in his presence!

5 Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—
this is God, whose dwelling is holy.

6 God places the lonely in families;
he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.
But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

7 O God, when you led your people out from Egypt,
when you marched through the dry wasteland, Interlude

8 the earth trembled, and the heavens poured down rain
before you, the God of Sinai,
before God, the God of Israel.

9 You sent abundant rain, O God,
to refresh the weary land.

10 There your people finally settled,
and with a bountiful harvest, O God,
you provided for your needy people.

11 The Lord gives the word,
and a great armyt brings the good news.

12 Enemy kings and their armies flee,
while the women of Israel divide the plunder.

13 Even those who lived among the sheepfolds found treasures—
doves with wings of silver
and feathers of gold.

14 The Almighty scattered the enemy kings
like a blowing snowstorm on Mount Zalmon.

15 The mountains of Bashan are majestic,
with many peaks stretching high into the sky.

16 Why do you look with envy, O rugged mountains,
at Mount Zion, where God has chosen to live,
where the Lord himself will live forever?

17 Surrounded by unnumbered thousands of chariots,
the Lord came from Mount Sinai into his sanctuary.

18 When you ascended to the heights,
you led a crowd of captives.
You received gifts from the people,
even from those who rebelled against you.
Now the Lord God will live among us there.

19 Praise the Lord; praise God our savior!
For each day he carries us in his arms. Interlude

20 Our God is a God who saves!
The Sovereign Lord rescues us from death.

21 But God will smash the heads of his enemies,
crushing the skulls of those who love their guilty ways.

22 The Lord says, “I will bring my enemies down from Bashan;
I will bring them up from the depths of the sea.

23 You, my people, will wash your feet in their blood,
and even your dogs will get their share!”

24 Your procession has come into view, O God—
the procession of my God and King as he goes into the sanctuary.

25 Singers are in front, musicians behind;
between them are young women playing tambourines.

26 Praise God, all you people of Israel;
praise the Lord, the source of Israel’s life.

27 Look, the little tribe of Benjamin leads the way.
Then comes a great throng of rulers from Judah
and all the rulers of Zebulun and Naphtali.

28 Summon your might, O God.
Display your power, O God, as you have in the past.

29 The kings of the earth are bringing tribute
to your Temple in Jerusalem.

30 Rebuke these enemy nations—
these wild animals lurking in the reeds,
this herd of bulls among the weaker calves.
Make them bring bars of silver in humble tribute.
Scatter the nations that delight in war.

31 Let Egypt come with gifts of precious metalst;
let Ethiopiat bow in submission to God.

32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth.
Sing praises to the Lord. Interlude

33 Sing to the one who rides across the ancient heavens,
his mighty voice thundering from the sky.

34 Tell everyone about God’s power.
His majesty shines down on Israel;
his strength is mighty in the heavens.

35 God is awesome in his sanctuary.
The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.
Praise be to God!

Psalm 68 remembers God's glory and power. Times and cultures change, but God is always majestically present as defender and provider. This Psalm begins just as Moses's cry in Numbers 10:35 as the Israelites followed the Ark of the Covenant. It brings to mind the time when David led a joyous procession that brought the Ark from the house of Obed-Edom to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:1-15). With shouts of praise and the sound of trumpets, David and his people took the holy ark towards Mount Zion. This Psalm refers to three prominent Biblical places:
Mt. Zion is an elevation west of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Today the term refers to a hill outside the Old City, though its biblical identity is unclear. Since the biblical era, the term "Zion" has been an inclusive term used to refer to the entire city of Jerusalem and the Land of Israel (an example is Psalms 69:35). Mount Sinai is used as another inclusive term; for Sinai and Horeb are generally considered to refer to the same place. And in the Mountains of Bashan is where Mount Hermon, the tallest and most awesome mountain in the region at 9230 feet, resides - still inside Israel's borders today.

All of the mentioned regions paint a poetic picture of celebration for the final stages of a journey - of the Ark of the Covenant and prophetically - of the ministry of the ascended Christ (Ephesians 4:8); for it is the celebration and assurance to those who believe and trust in Jesus Christ - can overcome evil.
God - through Jesus Christ - has set His people free and crushes His enemies. Salvation is freedom from sin and death. When we consider all God has done for us, may we feel an overwhelming sense of awe.
"Praise to the Lord, to God our Savior! For each day He carries us in His arms. Our God is a God who saves; The Sovereign Lord comes escape from death." (vs 19, 20).
"Summon your might, O God. Display Your power, O God, as You have in the past." (vs28) Amen.

Trust and Obey

2011-02-24T14:33:00.000-08:00

Psalm 34
A psalm of David, regarding the time he pretended to be insane in front of Abimelech, who sent him away.
1 I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.

2 I will boast only in the Lord;
let all who are helpless take heart.

3 Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
let us exalt his name together.

4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
he saved me from all my troubles.

7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

9 Fear the Lord, you his godly people,
for those who fear him will have all they need.

10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.

11 Come, my children, and listen to me,
and I will teach you to fear the Lord.

12 Does anyone want to live a life
that is long and prosperous?

13 Then keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies!

14 Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

15 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right;
his ears are open to their cries for help.

16 But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil;
he will erase their memory from the earth.

17 The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.

18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

19 The righteous person faces many troubles,
but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.

20 For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous;
not one of them is broken!

21 Calamity will surely overtake the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.

22 But the Lord will redeem those who serve him.
No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

Psalm 34 can be read in light of the additional revelation of Psalm 56. Both Psalms have the superscriptions of events that occurred in 1 Samuel 21 when David pretended to be insane to protect himself from what he believed would result in him being captured and put to death.
Just as Saul sinfully responded to David’s popularity, David also reacted wrongly to the danger occasioned by Saul’s murderous intentions. Deception became David’s way of dealing with danger. During this time of fleeing Saul, David headed to the enemy camp of the Philistines. In contemporary terms, David must have thought, “Better Red than dead.” David fled to the Philistines because he didn’t believe God could spare his life any other way. David’s actions were based upon pragmatism rather than on principle. He was willing to make an alliance with Israel’s enemies in order to feel safe and secure. The Philistines who once fled from David, the warrior of Israel (1 Sam. 17:50-52), were now David’s allies to whom he looked for protection from Saul. The sequence of events recorded in 1 Samuel 21 and Psalms 34 and 56 was something like this: Out of fear of Saul, David fled to Gath. He attempted to live in that city without revealing his identify, but was soon discovered (1 Samuel 21:11). When Achish learned of David’s identity and reputation as a soldier, he seized him (superscription, Psalm 56). Under house arrest, David began to ponder his situation and realized he was in grave danger ( 1 Samuel 21:12). David acted as though he was insane and was expelled from Gath. He then looked back upon these events at a point in time and came to understand that he had acted out of the fear of man and not out of the fear of God (Psalm 56:3-4, 10-11). Humbled before God, David wrote Psalm 56 as his confession and vow of trust. Finally, Psalm 34 seems to be penned to praise God for His deliverance (in spite of his deception and sin) and to teach the principles pertaining to the “fear of the Lord” which David had learned through this painful experience. David confessed his sin and expressed his renewed trust in God.
When I read Psalm 34, I understand that it was written by the same man who has acknowledged his sin and is forgiven. The trust of which David speaks in Psalm 34 is that of someone who realizes what obedience to God brings to believers: deliverance from fear, deliverance from our troubles (even the trouble of sinful choices); guards over us; shows us goodness; supplys our needs; listens when we talk to Him; and redeems us.
'Taste and see' does not mean 'checkout God's credentials' but rather it is an invitation to God - more like: 'try this, I know you will like it'.
David learned deception was not the way to escape the troubles of life. In Psalm 34 he wisely provides the obedient path when faced with trial: cry out to Him; trust Him; fear Him (be in awe and revere Him); turn from evil, do good and seek peace; be humble; and serve Him. These are actions of a grateful, obedient heart that has been saved by Jesus Christ.
I often wish I could escape my troubles and the frustrations of daily life - and too often have found myself using deception to try my own means of an escape route. It is never justified. God promises to be close no matter what, to be my source of power, courage, and wisdom - helping me through my problems and troubles. There are times He delivers me from them and times He provides the strength to withstand them. He builds my trust and spiritual character in the toughest problems and troubles.
God is enough.

God's Courtroom

2011-02-20T20:07:00.000-08:00

True and False Worship
Isaiah 58:1 “Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast.
Shout aloud! Don’t be timid.
Tell my people Israelt of their sins!

2 Yet they act so pious!
They come to the Temple every day
and seem delighted to learn all about me.
They act like a righteous nation
that would never abandon the laws of its God.
They ask me to take action on their behalf,
pretending they want to be near me.

3 ‘We have fasted before you!’ they say.
‘Why aren’t you impressed?
We have been very hard on ourselves,
and you don’t even notice it!’
“I will tell you why!” I respond.
“It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves.
Even while you fast,
you keep oppressing your workers.

4 What good is fasting
when you keep on fighting and quarreling?
This kind of fasting
will never get you anywhere with me.

5 You humble yourselves
by going through the motions of penance,
bowing your heads
like reeds bending in the wind.
You dress in burlap
and cover yourselves with ashes.
Is this what you call fasting?
Do you really think this will please the Lord?

6 “No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
and remove the chains that bind people.

7 Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

8 “Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward,
and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.

9 Then when you call, the Lord will answer.
‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.
“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.
Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!

10 Feed the hungry,
and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.

11 The Lord will guide you continually,
giving you water when you are dry
and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like an ever-flowing spring.

12 Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.
Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls
and a restorer of homes.

13 “Keep the Sabbath day holy.
Don’t pursue your own interests on that day,
but enjoy the Sabbath
and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day.
Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day,
and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly.

14 Then the Lord will be your delight.
I will give you great honor
and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob.
I, the Lord, have spoken!”

God loved the people of Israel for hundreds and hundreds of years, but apparently it did not do very much good. God's pain, as the rejected Lover--Israel's spiritual adulteries, are frequent themes in the writings of the Prophets. A powerful "sermon" by Isaiah to Jerusalem and Judah was given about 125 years before the destruction of the city by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC. Chapter 58 is part of a series of judicial presentations from the Lord to His people. The central theme of this chapter is "true religion" versus "false religion" (or worship).

Above all other sins, God hates hypocrisy. Our God is a personal God and wants His people to know Him as their God - personally; and to interact with Him daily on an intimate basis.

The chapter begins with God telling Isaiah to assemble the people and to deliver a personal message to them from the Lord. The prophet was to shout, to speak as if a loud trumpet of alarm were sounding. Isaiah was to pull out all the stops and speak the truth frankly and boldly. It is a courtroom scene with Isaiah as the bailiff who shouts to the accused - Hear what the Judge has to say! The conduct of "His people" and the way they were living is unacceptable to the Lord. The strongest possible warning is called for. Israel was on trail for their false ways of living. They had all the outward looks of a religion but none of the inward acts of true worship and love. And they wondered why God had not answered their requests?

I work in a place where everything is measured - I keep stats, look for efficiencies and there is an accountability for time and productivity. These are not bad things; but God measures me by my heart. Do I really care about those around me who are hurting? Do I give freely give to others with what He has blessed me? These are hard questions and even harder when I measure what matters in my heart. Wonder if my heart is in advancing God's work? Check the vulnerable around me. God is not fooled by going through the motions of religion or worship. He sees my heart. He sees me when I avoid the homeless man or woman asking for some change - he sees me withdraw from those I know who are financially or emotionally needy. I give a God a part of my finances and time ...and then think - what I have left is mine.
Isaiah 58, God tells me: "Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The Lord will guide you continually,
giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring."

O Holy Father, the reconciling act of Jesus Christ exposes the evil that is in me. In sin, I claim the mastery of my own life, turn against You. In Your mercy, save me from my self-centered ways and me to turn toward You, my Light and Life. Amen

"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

The Story in the Middle

2011-02-06T16:19:00.000-08:00

Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Man
Mark 5:1 So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evilt spirit came out from a cemetery to meet him. 3 This man lived among the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. 4 Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones.

6 When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him. 7 With a shriek, he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had already said to the spirit, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit.”

9 Then Jesus demanded, “What is your name?”
And he replied, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.” 10 Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place.

11 There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. 12 “Send us into those pigs,” the spirits begged. “Let us enter them.”

13 So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.

14 The herdsmen fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened. 15 A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. 16 Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs. 17 And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.

18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. 19 But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” 20 So the man started off to visit the Ten Townst of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.

A literary term called the 'chiastic structure' describes the stories in Mark. Three stories are connected to point to one - the one with a deeper meaning; the first story in Mark 4:35-41 and the last story of Mark 5:21-43 point to the story in the middle of Mark 5:1-20.

The first story is Jesus in the boat crossing the lake with the disciples - a violent storm begins to rage while Jesus naps on a cushion in the back; the disciples fear for their lives and wake Jesus: "Hey, we are going to die here, do something!" (my paraphrasing). Jesus calms the storm ( the Hebrew words mean 'scolds the storm' - and that makes more sense since Jesus is God). Jesus then turns to the disciples and questions their faith. “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”The disciples are amazed. (4:41)

Let's skip to the last story, where Jesus travels by boat again back to the other side of the lake shore and Jarius, a local synagogue leader, begs Jesus to hurry and come to his house because his daughter is dying. As Jarius is trying to hurry Jesus through the crowd, a woman with a blood disorder touches Him and is healed. Jesus perceives the healing and has another amazing interaction with a person of faith. While Jesus is speaking with her, messengers arrive to let Jarius know it is too late - his daughter has died. Jesus hears and says to Jarius, "Don't be afraid. Just have faith," (vs 36). Jesus tells the crowd at the house, she is only sleeping and the laugh at Him. He made them all leave (vs 40) and raises the girl from the dead. Jarius and his wife and three of disciples are totally amazed. Jesus gives strict orders not to tell anyone (vs 43).

The story in the middle (Mark 5:1-20) goes beyond amazement. Jesus is still back on the other side of the lakeshore (just after the storm). There in the hills of a cementary lived a demonic man. Everyone was fearful of this man. Often (when he could be caught) he was put in shackles and chains that he easily broke. He was the original wolf-man - he wandered naked among the burial caves and hills, howling and cutting himself. As soon as he sees Jesus, he runs towards Him. I can imaging the disciple's faces as they see this crazy, naked man looming towards Jesus - probably thinking: 'lets get back in the boat and out of here'. The man bows down to Jesus; Jesus casts out of the man the legion of demons and puts them into a herd of pigs (the demons idea). The now demonic pigs plunge down the hill into the lake. The people and disciples are so captivated by the spectacle of the squealing herd of pigs drowning, by the time they turn around to check on the man - they now see him sitting, fully clothed, and having a sane 'so glad to know you' conversation with Jesus. And now they are really afraid. They want Jesus to leave.

As Jesus starts to get into the boat, the man, who he has saved and is truly in awe of Him, begs to go with Him. But Jesus commissions him to go and tell his family everything the Lord has done for him (vs 19) and he does more - he becomes a missionary in the Ten Towns region (vs 20).

In the first two stories Jesus keeps his miracles quiet - there is amazement and fear on the part of the onlookers. But the man who was freed from his demons, is awestruck by Jesus; he longs to be near Jesus and follow Him.

There is a difference between a feeling of amazement and a feeling of awe. For our Lord Jesus Christ is one not to be feared or astonished by but rather to live in awe of - to be followed. I can only imagine the reaction of this man's family and region's towns people. I doubt he had any friends prior to the day he returned; he had existed alone with his demons. And then Jesus came that day and changed his life forever. All He longed for was to be near to Jesus and follow Him - so Jesus said go and tell everyone about Me - so they can see a life that was touched by Me - "and everyone was amazed at what he told them".(Mark 5:20)

Dear Lord Jesus, may I live in awe of You, be near to You and follow You all the days I live - telling everyone what you have done in my life. Amen

Beatitude

2011-02-04T14:14:00.000-08:00

Psalm 1:1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.

2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.

3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.

4 But not the wicked!
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.

5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.

6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

A long time ago, I went to a weekend seminar where I learned to memorize scripture. Psalm 1 was one that stuck with me. It sums up underlying principles that I hope will be etched into my life fully one day.

The passage is not speaking about complying with a system of works or self-righteous pharisaism, nor complying with a special formula so one may then experience blessedness. Instead, this Psalm is a beautitude that promises blessing to those whose lives are characterized by certain qualities as the outcome of faith and relationship with God. The principle is that certain things corrupt, they tear down and destroy. Other things build, develop, make fruitful, and give the capacity and means for happiness through trust and fellowship with God.

My dear friends, may we make the powerful Word the foundation of our lives and get involved in ministries where the Word is truly the heart and soul of the church.

Let me share an interesting illustration of the power of the Word.

George Whitefield, the great eighteenth-century evangelist, was hounded by a group of detractors who called themselves the “Hell-fire Club.” They derided his work and mocked him. On one occasion one of them, a man named Thorpe, was mimicking Whitefield to his cronies, delivering his sermon with brilliant accuracy, perfectly imitating his tone and facial expressions, when he himself became so convicted by the word of God that he sat down and was converted on the spot.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

2011-01-31T11:00:00.000-08:00

Psalm 31:1 O Lord, I have come to you for protection;
don’t let me be disgraced.
Save me, for you do what is right.

2 Turn your ear to listen to me;
rescue me quickly.
Be my rock of protection,
a fortress where I will be safe.

3 You are my rock and my fortress.
For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger.

4 Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me,
for I find protection in you alone.

5 I entrust my spirit into your hand.
Rescue me, Lord, for you are a faithful God.

6 I hate those who worship worthless idols.
I trust in the Lord.

7 I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love,
for you have seen my troubles,
and you care about the anguish of my soul.

8 You have not handed me over to my enemies
but have set me in a safe place.

9 Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress.
Tears blur my eyes.
My body and soul are withering away.

10 I am dying from grief;
my years are shortened by sadness.
Sin has drained my strength;
I am wasting away from within.

11 I am scorned by all my enemies
and despised by my neighbors—
even my friends are afraid to come near me.
When they see me on the street,
they run the other way.

12 I am ignored as if I were dead,
as if I were a broken pot.

13 I have heard the many rumors about me,
and I am surrounded by terror.
My enemies conspire against me,
plotting to take my life.

14 But I am trusting you, O Lord,
saying, “You are my God!”

15 My future is in your hands.
Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.

16 Let your favor shine on your servant.
In your unfailing love, rescue me.

17 Don’t let me be disgraced, O Lord,
for I call out to you for help.
Let the wicked be disgraced;
let them lie silent in the grave.t

18 Silence their lying lips—
those proud and arrogant lips that accuse the godly.

19 How great is the goodness
you have stored up for those who fear you.
You lavish it on those who come to you for protection,
blessing them before the watching world.

20 You hide them in the shelter of your presence,
safe from those who conspire against them.
You shelter them in your presence,
far from accusing tongues.

21 Praise the Lord,
for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love.
He kept me safe when my city was under attack.

22 In panic I cried out,
“I am cut off from the Lord!”
But you heard my cry for mercy
and answered my call for help.

23 Love the Lord, all you godly ones!
For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him,
but he harshly punishes the arrogant.

24 So be strong and courageous,
all you who put your hope in the Lord!

David had seemingly endless foes or enemies in his lifetime. They were viable life-threatening enemies just as the ones that pursue us today. Our enemies try to threaten the peace and assurance we have in Christ Jesus by attempting to topple our faith. There are many days it is just the stress of life that crowds in to steal or trap us. Stress enemies long to cut us off as they try to steal our hope. They are all liars. God was the only One who could deliver David and He is the only One who will deliver us from our ememies.

David prays his feelings. Unique are the states of mind that occur in time of trial, and such uniqueness is fully understood by no one but our precious Lord. He understands, and fully knows. And only He can meet he needs of the soul in such times.

Like David, I know, I am not without sin, which brings diastrous results to my life. It is there in deep conviction the worst fear hangs in my mind - that God would abadandon me. Yet He does not and will not; rather as a loving Father to His child, He chastens me in love.

God does not allow our enemies to triumph over us. It is wonderful to know that God is considerate of us when we face trouble. His heart is upon us, and His eye is following our every move. His heart is moved with compassion toward us when our soul is vexed with the stress and trouble. He knows, and He cares. He regards our prayer and will deliver in His own way and time.
This helps me remember that all of my life is in the control of the Almighty – its origin, its continuance, its changes. The seasons of my life are under His control – Spring (childhood), Summer (youth), Fall (middle age), and Winter (old age). I can calmly, peacefully commit it all to Him.

Prayer for Justice

2011-01-16T10:10:00.000-08:00

Psalm 57:1 Justice—do you rulers know the meaning of the word?
Do you judge the people fairly?

2 No! You plot injustice in your hearts.
You spread violence throughout the land.

3 These wicked people are born sinners;
even from birth they have lied and gone their own way.

4 They spit venom like deadly snakes;
they are like cobras that refuse to listen,

5 ignoring the tunes of the snake charmers,
no matter how skillfully they play.

6 Break off their fangs, O God!
Smash the jaws of these lions, O Lord!

7 May they disappear like water into thirsty ground.
Make their weapons useless in their hands.t

8 May they be like snails that dissolve into slime,
like a stillborn child who will never see the sun.

9 God will sweep them away, both young and old,
faster than a pot heats over burning thorns.

10 The godly will rejoice when they see injustice avenged.
They will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.

11 Then at last everyone will say,
“There truly is a reward for those who live for God;
surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.”

People are cruel. We are all born that way with original sin. How early in our lives did we begin to tell lies? How quickly as children did we fight and hurt our family and friends when we wanted our own way? It is only Jesus Christ that changes our hearts. Someone once told me be thankful that God's restraints are now are in place; for otherwise more hideous occurrences of cruelty and wickedness would be unleashed.
I never thought about it that way.
Saint Augustine wrote 1600 years ago that in Psalm 58 Christ was speaking to God through the psalmist, David. Sixty years ago, a German Christian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who fought against Nazism and was martyred, wrote the same thought. He wrote: "Christ prays the psalms". Both these men were writing about the Psalms of Imprecation, which is a prayer for something bad to happen to an enemy. Because Jesus was human, (and He is God) He knows how we feel about cruel people. He prays to God (the judge) to punish these cruel people. Bonhoeffer wrote: 'a psalm can become our prayer only because it was Jesus' prayer.

We cannot, ourselves, do wrong or bad things to cruel and wicked people; for then we become as they are. The laws of the land are put in place to control and judge lawless acts. But how much greater it is to fall into the hands of a living God: "For we know the one who said: I will take revenge. I will pay them back. He also said: The Lord will judge his own people. It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Hebrews 10:30, 31) If we ask God to bring His judgment on them, then we are praying with Jesus! There truly is a reward for those who live for God; surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.(vs 11).

"And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.
And remember, our Lord's patience gives people time to be saved." (2 Peter 3:14, 15)

Cave Living

2011-01-15T11:17:00.000-08:00

Psalm 57:1 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy!
I look to you for protection.
I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings
until the danger passes by.

2 I cry out to God Most High,t
to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.

3 He will send help from heaven to rescue me,
disgracing those who hound me. Interlude
My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.

4 I am surrounded by fierce lions
who greedily devour human prey—
whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows,
and whose tongues cut like swords.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens!
May your glory shine over all the earth.

6 My enemies have set a trap for me.
I am weary from distress.
They have dug a deep pit in my path,
but they themselves have fallen into it. Interlude

7 My heart is confident in you, O God;
my heart is confident.
No wonder I can sing your praises!

8 Wake up, my heart!
Wake up, O lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn with my song.

9 I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.
I will sing your praises among the nations.

10 For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

11 Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
May your glory shine over all the earth.

The beginning of Psalm 57 says A psalm of David, regarding the time he fled from Saul and went into the cave. To be sung to the tune Do Not Destroy!

I identify with cave living. I love it.

David's cave was probably one in the wilderness of En Gedi, which is an oasis in Israel, located west of the Dead Sea, near Masada and the caves of Qumran. En Gedi served as one of the main places of refuge for David as he fled from Saul. David "dwelt in strongholds at En Gedi" (1 Sam. 23:29).

Like Davd and maybe you too, I can feel like I am "surrounded by fierce lions who greedily devour human prey whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swords". There are certainly days where I have seen, " My enemies have set a trap for me. I am weary from distress. They have dug a deep pit in my path, but they themselves have fallen into it."

There is a surreal quality of finding refuge in a cave. It has an odd dreamlike quality with the coolness, opaque hue, and solitude; it is a true escape from the chaotic world. The noise is blocked out by the thick rock and one is not easily accessible in a cave. Cell phones have no service.

My cave living is a necssary margin that I must put in the middle of long work hours, long commute and even from spending time with other people on a reglar basis. In my 'cave living' I must be careful not to turn inward to sely-pity but upwards to God - for then, God and I talk, I can listen to Him and He can restore me.

Dear Friend, people and situations can damage us. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, gives us such wonderful gifts amidst the crazy sinful backdrop of this life - He provides peace and protection, wisdom to handle and situation or person and the assureness of His almighty love for us. "I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid." John 14:27. May you find Him in your 'cave time' today.

Never Extinguished

2011-01-13T23:00:00.000-08:00

Psalm 13:1 O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?
How long will you look the other way?

2 How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,
with sorrow in my heart every day?
How long will my enemy have the upper hand?

3 Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!
Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.

4 Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!”
Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.

5 But I trust in your unfailing love.
I will rejoice because you have rescued me.

6 I will sing to the Lord
because he is good to me.

It would seem God sometimes hides His face, and leaves His own children in the dark .
There times I pray in earnest during a time when God is so silent the darkness seems to be the only answer. My anxious cares are heavy burdens that I, as a believer, often load on myself more than need be. It is a common temptation, when trouble lasts long, to think that it will last always. When there is long period without joy, hope dims. During these times, I long for God's favor; there is nothing more reviving than the return of it. The sudden, delightful changes in Psalms are often very remarkable. The Psalmist passes from depth of despondency to the height of faith-filled confidence and joy.

David may have written this Psalm during the time Saul was trying to kill him. It happened often. Thus the many "How longs". David was constantly on the run and trying to outmaneuver a seasoned and cunning opponent. Saul almost caught him so many times but God intervened just in the nick of time over and over. I see the power of David's faith; he knew how good it is to draw near to God when the stress and awfulness of circumstances and people pressed down on the heart, mind and body . If I bring my cares and griefs to the throne of grace, and leave them there, I can go away like Hannah, and my countenances will be no more (1 Samuel 1:18). God's mercy is the support of my faith. I discover I only have to trust Him, I am comforted. I have no merit on my own, it is only faith in God's mercy that can fill my heart with joy in His salvation; for joy and peace come by believing.

Dear Friend, we, as believers, pour out our prayers, renouncing all hopes but in the mercy of God through the Lord Jesus Christ: sometimes suddenly, at others times gradually, we will find our burdens removed, and our comfort restored. God is the Light in our darkness - "His light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it." John 1:5 Trust in Him.

How God Loves

2010-12-30T21:13:00.000-08:00

My cup overflows - Psalm 23:5

Psalm 30 1 I will exalt you, Lord, for you rescued me.
You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.

2 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
and you restored my health.

3 You brought me up from the grave,t O Lord.
You kept me from falling into the pit of death.

4 Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones!
Praise his holy name.

5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night,
but joy comes with the morning.

6 When I was prosperous, I said,
“Nothing can stop me now!”

7 Your favor, O Lord, made me as secure as a mountain.
Then you turned away from me, and I was shattered.

8 I cried out to you, O Lord.
I begged the Lord for mercy, saying,

9 “What will you gain if I die,
if I sink into the grave?
Can my dust praise you?
Can it tell of your faithfulness?

10 Hear me, Lord, and have mercy on me.
Help me, O Lord.”

11 You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,

12 that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!

David wrote this Psalm as a song of praise for a hard lesson learned and as a song of faith for the temple he would never see built (it was built by his son, Solomon).

Security had made David felt invincible. Although he knew that his riches and power came from God, they had gone to his head, making him proud. So he decided to number the people to show off his great strength (1 Chronicles 21:1-22:6). God sent a great plague on Israel to discipline David. David too, suffered illness.

Wealth, power and fame have an intoxicating effect on people, making the recipients feel self-reliant, self-secure and independent of God. But the false sense of security, can be easily shattered; the world of 'me' comes crashing down like an avalanche.

I often think that if I had more money, I would be better off, more secure; but I can see that God knows me very well. He loves me so much that He provides what I need when I need it - He knows how to keep me close to Him. God knows wealth, power and fame requires great stewardship. Jesus said, "When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required" (Luke 12:48) I am still learning to be a good steward of what He has given me.

David repented and he called on God for deliverance. Like a shot given by a doctor, the discomfort of God's anger lasts only for a moment, but the good effects go on for a long time. God's anger can be a sharp pain that warns us to turn away from sin. God loves us enough to stop the sin. David made his request in Psalm 30 based on what he knew about God's character - that God is loving and righteous ...and He loves to deliver His people.

Salvation is for Everyone

2010-12-26T11:18:00.000-08:00

Luke 1: 68-79 "Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
because He has visited and redeemed his people. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as He promised through His holy prophets long ago. Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us. He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant—the covenant He swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham. We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.“And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord.You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”

We read the Christmas Story in Luke, Chapter 1 but the whole story of Christmas is near the end of the chapter — 68-79 a section called Zechariah's Prophesy or Zechariah's Song. Zecahriah is speaking to his little boy, John...and to us. He is praising the reason Jesus came and why we truly celebrate his brith.
All the lights, the gifts, the songs, the food, the family gatherings are great but if this Christmas you had none of these things - there is still much reason to rejoice, for there is much love for you and others - even those who are hard to love.
Here in this passage God says salvation is for everyone — the homeless man walking down the street, the man who cuts you off on the highway, the women and men who come to your house to sell you their religion, the children who leave and won't speak to you, the people at work who drive you crazy, the unbelievers who scoff at you, the friend who gossips about you, the Haitian, the Afghanistan, everyone! This is Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you!

A Memorable battle

2010-12-20T13:25:00.000-08:00

Psalm 60 1 You have rejected us, O God, and broken our defenses.
You have been angry with us; now restore us to your favor.

2 You have shaken our land and split it open.
Seal the cracks, for the land trembles.

3 You have been very hard on us,
making us drink wine that sent us reeling.

4 But you have raised a banner for those who fear you -a rallying point in the face of attack.

5 Now rescue your beloved people.
Answer and save us by your power.

6 God has promised this by his holinesst:
“I will divide up Shechem with joy.
I will measure out the valley of Succoth.

7 Gilead is mine,
and Manasseh, too.
Ephraim, my helmet, will produce my warriors,
and Judah, my scepter, will produce my kings.

8 But Moab, my washbasin, will become my servant,
and I will wipe my feet on Edom
and shout in triumph over Philistia.”

9 Who will bring me into the fortified city?
Who will bring me victory over Edom?

10 Have you rejected us, O God?
Will you no longer march with our armies?

11 Oh, please help us against our enemies,
for all human help is useless.

12 With God’s help we will do mighty things,
for he will trample down our foes.

Psalm 60 tells me that God is always in control and He allows the enemy to challenge me to keep me close to Him.
Before the days of Saul, Israel had been brought very low. During Saul's government, it had suffered from internal strife and bickering, and his reign was closed by an overwhelming disaster at Gibeon. David found himself the possessor of a tottering throne, troubled with the double evil of division in the government, and invasion from abroad. He traced at once the evil to its true source, and began at its orgins. David had the politics of holiness before God, which are still the wisest and most profound. He knew that the displeasure of the Lord had brought calamity upon the nation, and to the remove of that displeasure - he and the nation must be in prayer before God.

God fulfilled His promise to David (2 Sam 7:10-11) that the Israelites' enemies would be defeated and would no longer oppress Israel. But it was not without cost. The combined Aramean tribes sought to overcome Israel. When Joab, David's chief officer, was needed elsewhere (he was fighting in another region) the enemies of Israel took advantage of his absence; but on his return with Abishai, the fortunes of war were changed; Israel was smote Edom in the Valley of Salt. The Psalm commemorates a memorable part of the conflict. The battle must have been terrible, but is was decisive, and the power of the enemy was utterly broken.
This is a familiar scene in our lives today. We know the promises of God are true, we rely on them. Yet there are fierce times during our 'battles' or trials - when all seems to be lost - and yet God turns the worst battle or trail into a victory, His victory. God's all surpassing strength is always with us. Dear Lord, "Oh, please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless". Amen!

King of Glory

2010-11-24T11:37:00.000-08:00

Psalm 24

1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.
The world and all its people belong to him.

2 For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas
and built it on the ocean depths.

3 Who may climb the mountain of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?

4 Only those whose hands and hearts are pure,
who do not worship idols
and never tell lies.

5 They will receive the Lord’s blessing
and have a right relationship with God their savior.

6 Such people may seek you
and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob. Interlude

7 Open up, ancient gates!
Open up, ancient doors,
and let the King of glory enter.

8 Who is the King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty;
the Lord, invincible in battle.

9 Open up, ancient gates!
Open up, ancient doors,
and let the King of glory enter.

10 Who is the King of glory?
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies—
he is the King of glory.

This Psalm is very similar to Psalm 15 in that it asks, "Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place??"

David wrote Psalm 24 at a difficult time in his own life — the effort to bring the Ark of the Covenant to the city of Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6:2).

The history of the Ark of the Covenant, and even David's involvement with it, is an amazing story. It is dramatic, even frightening at points. It is a story of fulfillment only partially achieved, of longing, of painful tragedy, yet of hope. So Psalm 24 is a story of the road to Jerusalem which was traveled first by King David as he brought the ark to the city, and which a thousand years later was traveled by Jesus as he entered the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. And it is a road that Jesus is going to travel one more time when he comes again in triumph.

While the ark was a mystery, physically it was just a box. It wasn't magic, as Steven Spielberg portrayed it in the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark. But symbolically it was more than just a box. It represented, again, the holiness, presence, and power of God.   In the wrong hands, the ark had led to devastation, judgment, and terrible illness. In curious hands, it had led to the stilling judgment of God. Even in well-meaning but improper hands it had led to death. Everybody suffered when they abused the holy ark, whether it was rebellious Israelites, pagan Philistines, or even godly Hebrews. In all of the events surrounding the adventures of the ark, the one undeniable factor was the sovereignty of God. He was in control, and he would not be manipulated, compromised, or trivialized. Whether the offending parties were misinformed, well-meaning but ignorant, or sinful, God's character wasn't going to change.

The ark was a box that was about 45 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 27 inches deep. It was made out of acacia wood, beautifully crafted and covered in gold. The lid was of solid gold and was called the mercy seat. On it were two cherubim, angel-like figures, with their wings spread over it. That central space of the mercy seat was where God's word was heard. The ark had been made under Moses' supervision in the desert. It was a symbol of God's holiness, God's presence, and God's power at work among his people. It was the throne where God was symbolically seated to reign, the symbol of his Lordship.   The ark had accompanied Israel all through the wilderness wanderings from Sinai. From the time of the conquest of the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua, it had been kept at Shiloh. Then under the leadership of Saul, the first king of the nation, Israel lost a battle with the Philistines. The battle was fought with no consciousness of God's desires or God's empowerment; instead they treated the ark like a talisman and put it out in front of the army on the assumption that its presence there would ensure success. But the army was crushed. Thousands of Israelite soldiers lost their lives. The ark was captured by the Philistines, and they displayed it as a trophy of war until it became a problem for them. Plague swept through Philistine, and they realized that the God of Israel was angry with them. They didn't want any more trouble, so they gave the ark back to the nation Israel. (1 Samuel 4-5)

  Upon its return the ark was placed in the village of Beth-shemesh. But soon after Israel got control of it again, there were seventy men in the village who were overcome with curiosity about it, so they opened the lid to look inside, and God struck them dead. After that, understandably, the ark lay neglected for twenty years in a field near the village of Kiriath-jearim.  

Finally David found the ark, and on two different occasions he tried to bring it back up to Jerusalem. The first time he moved it as if it were a piece of furniture-he put it in a cart pulled by a couple of oxen, just as the Philistines moved things around; but the law of God required that it be moved by having the priests' carrying it with poles.(Exodus 25:14)

David, excited about getting it to the city and impulsive, didn't pay close attention to God's desires about how the ark was to be handled. Because of that a man named Uzzah lost his life. The ark started to topple a bit and he put his hand out, innocently enough, to try to steady it. He died.(2 Sam. 6:7)

The second time David tried to bring the ark to Jerusalem, about three months later, he obeyed God's instructions for moving the ark, and the priests carried it. They offered sacrifices and wore the sacral vestments that the law called for. The ark arrived in Jerusalem with a huge celebration of joy and praise. (2 Sam. 6:15)

For a thousand years after David asked the question, no one stepped forward. Then on Palm Sunday, He came, Jesus of Nazareth, riding on a donkey, receiving the praise of the crowd. It was a praise that became an unintended call for His death, because when the crowd shouted "Hosanna!" they were singing the words of Psalm 118:25, "O Yahweh, save us!" That is precisely what He was committed to. Jesus Christ was the one who could ascend into the hill of the Lord. He was the one who could stand in his holy place. He came without fear, without guilt, committed to save us. His coming was so much anticipated by the Lord God and by all the angels that when he entered Jerusalem, He had to be praised that morning.This is our song to sing. One day we're going to join all of creation in singing these words of joy, because Jesus is the Lord and He has given us a song to sing as well. But our song is not just the future song of praise; our song is for the present. He has given us the song of salvation, and it is a new song that he has placed in our mouths. We will lift our voices together as a huge, eternal choir, praising Him who is the King of glory, the Lord of hosts.

An Urgent Appeal To God

2010-11-22T09:35:00.000-08:00

Psalm 22:1 has always been hard for me to read. The cry of "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help?" (NLT) . These are the prophetic words written by David hundreds of years before Jesus Christ cried out as an urgent appeal to God when He hung on the cross and carried our burden of sin. His words exemplify the brokeness of heart in the depth of great sorrow, adversity and trial. As I read them the realization of my own sinfulness overwhelms me; and yet inspires me to live in faithful obedience and reject my sinful nature. "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there". Gal 5:24 This is the experiential outworking of our faith. I, for one, have not reached the point of complete death to self. We are called on to crucify the sinful nature, which means that I, at least, am facing an ongoing painful future, until the Lord takes me home to glory.

This raises an interesting question: How do we crucify ourselves? We can nail our feet to the cross, metaphorically speaking, and then one hand, and then what? We will need help with that third nail. And help is what God promises, through the Holy Spirit. He is working every circumstance to bring you and I to an end of ourselves. Every tough experience we go through is Him, helping us with our problem of needing to die to self. May God reign in me today.

To Whom All Glory Belongs

2010-11-21T20:38:00.000-08:00

Psalm 21

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1 How the king rejoices in your strength, O Lord!
He shouts with joy because you give him victory.

2 For you have given him his heart’s desire;
you have withheld nothing he requested. Interlude

3 You welcomed him back with success and prosperity.
You placed a crown of finest gold on his head.

4 He asked you to preserve his life,
and you granted his request.
The days of his life stretch on forever.

5 Your victory brings him great honor,
and you have clothed him with splendor and majesty.

6 You have endowed him with eternal blessings
and given him the joy of your presence.

7 For the king trusts in the Lord.
The unfailing love of the Most High will keep him from stumbling.

8 You will capture all your enemies.
Your strong right hand will seize all who hate you.

9 You will throw them in a flaming furnace
when you appear.
The Lord will consume them in his anger;
fire will devour them.

10 You will wipe their children from the face of the earth;
they will never have descendants.

11 Although they plot against you,
their evil schemes will never succeed.

12 For they will turn and run
when they see your arrows aimed at them.

13 Rise up, O Lord, in all your power. With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts.

As long as there have been armies and weapons, nations have boasted of their power, but such power does not last. Throughout history, empires and kingdoms have risen to great power only to vanish in the dust. David, however, knew that the true might of his nation was not in weaponry but in worship; not in firepower but in God's power. God alone can preserve a nation, or an individual — so our confidence must be in God. He alone gives eternal victory.

David was a good leader who knew his inherent skills and abilities, his gifts, were from God. God equips whomever He calls. We may think that we are weak in a skill or ability when God calls us to do His will, but God uses our 'weakness' for His kingdom and glory. We must trust in Him.

Because David trusts in God, God would not let him be shaken (removed from his throne). Our trusting in God provides stability. We may lose a great deal — families, jobs, material possessions-but we cannot be shaken from God's favor. He will be our strong tower, our firm foundation of solid rock. He will never leave or desert us.

It is hard for me -when I see people succeeding with evil acts. This Psalm reminds me - they will not succeed forever. Their power is temporary and fleeting - God's very presence will send them scattering in a moment. God, according to His plan and purpose, will intervene on our behalf and give the wicked the judgment they deserve.

The next time God gives us a victory over a battle with someone, something or even ourselves — praise Him as David did. Dear Friend, may we never forget to Whom all glory honor and praise belongs - Praise to our God forever and ever. Amen

Who?

2010-11-15T20:46:00.000-08:00

Psalm 15

A psalm of David.

1 Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?
Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?

2 Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right,
speaking the truth from sincere hearts.

3 Those who refuse to gossip
or harm their neighbors
or speak evil of their friends.

4 Those who despise flagrant sinners,
and honor the faithful followers of the Lord,
and keep their promises even when it hurts.

5 Those who lend money without charging interest,
and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.

A true worshipper values what is right. The worshipper “speaks truth in his heart” — he or she values the truth on the inside, not just on the outside. Honesty, truthfulness, integrity — they all arise from the heart and soul of this person. He or she knows God’s truth, and he clings to it at the very center of his being and orders his entire life around it.

And not only does he or she, positively, value God’s truth — but despises what God rejects. So the worshipper of God values what is right and does what is right. Indeed, most of this section speaks about outward behavior, especially our behavior toward others. The worshipper refrains from what is wrong, avoids what is evil; does not slander or gossip with his tongue — saying false and hurtful things about others; speaks the truth, in love; does not do evil to his neighbor; loves his neighbor as himself; does not take up a reproach against his friend — that is, throws no slurs, nor rejoices when others are insulted; a true worshipper does not take advantage of those in need and is honest even to when it hurts; swears an oath — when a promise is made — keeps it, regardless of how difficult it is. The true worshiper is a rock others can cling to; consistent in their beliefs, behavior, treats everyone fairly; takes no bribe against the innocent — even when doing the wrong thing results in great financial reward — refuses. Like God, the true worshiper will clear the innocent.

Taken all together, David is describing a man or woman who is righteous, fair, just — in every way. In summary: “He who walks blamelessly.”
That is the standard. That is the level of performance God expects from those who would be His people. Why is the bar so high? Why can’t God give us a handicap, make allowances for our imperfection?
Because we’re talking about His holy hill. The worship in His tent is to be holy because He is a Holy God. Absolutely perfect. No other characteristic of God is spoken of by the Bible the way it speaks of His holiness. Not love, not compassion, not mercy, not anything else. The Bible says repeatedly that God is holy, holy, holy — stressing it three times, the highest emphasis possible in the Biblical languages. God is absolutely perfect and holy, and wants nothing less from us, His people. We bear His image, we represent Him on the earth, we are the crown of His creation.
Who then — may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
Only perfect righteousness, a spotless life, will please God.
Only one person in human history ever perfectly kept God’s law. Only one man was blameless, did no evil, perfectly loved His neighbor, truly and consistently valued the things of God, whose character was not only beyond any reproach, but never changed — and never changes - Jesus Christ. What we cannot do - Jesus Christ did. He met and exceeded the standard God set. And in doing so, He earned the right to stand before God the Father. And more than that — more than a perfect life and a spotless record – He died the death that we all deserve for our sins. He took the place of sinners on His cross. He was pierced for our transgressions. Crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brings us peace was laid on Him. God the Father laid on His own Son, Jesus Christ, the sins of us all. Jesus Christ arose from the grave to conquer sin and death for all eternity.
So who then — may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? The one who recognizes their failure to do all these things David describes, and realizes that they have no hope of eternal life, of pleasing God, on their own. The only way we can hope to stand before God and not be immediately destroyed is Christ.
That’s the Gospel – that’s the good news - Jesus Christ. And by trusting in Him, we are joined to Christ by faith, and once again have fellowship with God. We may now stand on that hill, in that tent, to praise and glorify God.
Dear Friend, David closes his psalm with a promise: “He who does these things will never be shaken.” He or she - who is blameless, who does what is right — cannot be moved. And we, who are joined to Jesus Christ by faith — will not be shaken. God is our foundation and our assurance. Nothing in this life, no powers or persecutions or storms or swords, can ever shake us — for Christ holds us in His hand!
We can’t do it ourselves — and that’s the very reason why we’re safe! What an awesome God! What wonderful salvation! And what amazing grace!

How stupid can one be?

2010-11-14T20:33:00.000-08:00

1 Kings 22:51-53 and 2 Kings 1:1-18

It was evident that Jehoram's son, Ahaziah, learned nothing from his father's miserable example. The son of Athaliah, the grandson of Ahab and Jezebel, lasted only one year as Judah's ruler and repeated many of his father's sins Ahaziah grew in a home that never acknowledged God as the one true God.. Ahaziah followed in the evil footsteps of his parents and grandparents.
Later, as Ahaziah was in his palace anticipating war with Moab, he suffered a fall and was mortally wounded. He sent servants to distant Ekron to ask advice of their idol god, Baalzebub. But the prophet Elijah stopped the messengers en route and returned them to their king with the message: “Are you consulting a foreign idol because there is no God in Israel? For this offence, you will not recover, but die!”
When Ahaziah heard this message, he sent an officer with 50 men to arrest Elijah. But Elijah refused to be arrested, instead calling fire from heaven to consume the officer and men. The king sent a second 50 men, with the same result. But stupid is as stupid does, because Ahaziah just got more angry and sent third captain with 50 men to take Elijah. The officer of this group, knowing the fate of the first two groups, didn't try to arrest Elijah. Instead, he humbly and respectfully requested Elijah to accompany him. At the LORD's prompting, Elijah went, met the king, and delivered the same message he had given before: the king would die. He died soon after, and having no heir, was succeeded by his brother Jehoram.
It makes you shake your head and wonder how can anyone be so idiotic?
Hmmm...except am I not thus so at times? Have I not done the same stupid things repeatedly because I wanted my own way?
The sin I commit is my own decision. Though God forgives me as confess my sins - I must never take for granted His wonderful mercies in doing so - the consequences often remain long after forgiveness has come. "A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences." Proverbs 22:3
God changes us as we allow Him to transform us through Jesus Christ: "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2
The theme of Kings continues today. Find the Lord and follow Him to success. Hold on to the world and its evil and the ultimate end is destruction.

Knowing His Will

2010-10-27T22:41:00.000-07:00

1 Kiings 19: 19 So Elijah went and found Elisha son of Shaphat plowing a field. There were twelve teams of oxen in the field, and Elisha was plowing with the twelfth team. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak across his shoulders and then walked away. Elisha left the oxen standing there, ran after Elijah, and said to him, “First let me go and kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you!” Elijah replied, “Go on back, but think about what I have done to you.”So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant.

Elijah was going about his day to day, working, providing, but most of all — living in relationship with God.
One day, the Prophet Elijah just walks up to Elisha and throws his cloak over his shoulders. There are no words of explanation or swaying arguments - Elisha just knows what he is to do. The cloak was the most important article of clothing a person could own. It was used as protection against the weather, as bedding, as a place to sit, and as luggage. It could be given as a pledge for debt or torn into pieces to show grief. Elisha knew this was God's call and will — he would become Elijah's successor. Later when Elijah went up in the fiery chariot, he left his cloak for Elisha (2 Kings 2:11-14)
How often I desire to know God's will for me on so many decisions-I tarry, waiting to know Gods direction. I am like Gideon (Judges 6:33-40) looking for a sign-throwing out the fleece asking it to be dry or wet so I will know which way to go. Sometimes God does send me the 'fleece' sign but more often, I realize I know His way, I am either too fearful or selfish to follow it.... Or I think I know better. How very patient God is with me! Dear Lord may I live in close relationship with You in every breath I take.

Are you serious?

2010-09-26T20:59:00.000-07:00

1 Kings 17:8-24 Then the Lord said to Elijah,"Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you."So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, "Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?"As she was going to get it, he called to her, "Bring me a bite of bread, too."But she said, "I swear by the Lord your God that I don't have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die."But Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you've said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what's left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son.For this is what the Lord , the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!"So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many daysThere was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah.Some time later the woman's son became sick. He grew worse and worse, and finally he died.Then she said to Elijah, "O man of God, what have you done to me? Have you come here to point out my sins and kill my son?"But Elijah replied, "Give me your son." And he took the child's body from her arms, carried him up the stairs to the room where he was staying, and laid the body on his bed.Then Elijah cried out to the Lord , "O Lord my God, why have you brought tragedy to this widow who has opened her home to me, causing her son to die?"And he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the Lord , "O Lord my God, please let this child's life return to him." The Lord heard Elijah's prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he revived!Then Elijah brought him down from the upper room and gave him to his mother. "Look!" he said. "Your son is alive!" Then the woman told Elijah, "Now I know for sure that you are a man of God, and that the Lord truly speaks through you."

After the day the Prophet made his proclamation before King Ahab, Elijah’s work and ministry was dramatically changed. First, he has a showdown with King Ahab - very similar to the showdown Moses had with the King of Egypt. But for Elijah, the whole showdown gets put on 'pause'. He is removed from what he thought was his primary calling as a prophet of the Lord and was sent to minister to a poor widow and her son outside the land of Israel. This woman was a widow, not just poor, but destitute, and probably without a real knowledge of the Lord. She is a not worthy of anyone's notice but God does notice her and He sends His Prophet to minister to her.Can you imagine their first meeting? Elijah asked her for some water and then for some bread. She was ready to eat her last meal with her son and then die of starvation. Her reply in 1 Kings 17: "I swear by the Lord your God that I don't have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die." Or in other words, "Are you serious? All I have are these two sticks and some meal and a teaspoon of oil, not enough to even keep me and my son alive!"
Elijah moves into her life and everything takes on a sudden and dramatic change. Instead of physical starvation and death there is now food and life provided daily by a miracle. Something she had not planned on - for she a little hope. Now there was in her home a man of God with the knowledge of God who surely taught her and her son about the God of Israel. Rather than spiritual starvation and death, there was the opportunity to feed on the truth of God.
Later on when her son becomes ill and dies — she says, "O man of God, what have you done to me? Have you come here to point out my sins and kill my son?" Or in other words, "Are you serious? You provided all of these blessings, and now you take away my son?”
God works through His prophet to breathe life back into her dead son and she finally believes in God. I am like the widow at Zarephath. I am not famous or really important - Kings or Presidents do not take notice of me — but God does. I was spiritually starving to death until I met and belived in Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ calls us to believe in Him, then to give all we are and have to Him (even if it is just 2 sticks, some meal and a bit of oil)- so whatever is ruined or dead (our relationships, our health, jobs or finances) will be changed because we are changed, we are being transformed by Him. Just as Elijah breathed life into that little boy, Jesus can and will breathe life into us and whatever we give Him.

Paths

2010-09-22T22:40:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 4:1-9 My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment, for I am giving you good guidance. Don't turn away from my instructions.For I, too, was once my father's son, tenderly loved as my mother's only child.My father taught me,"Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live.Get wisdom; develop good judgment.
Don't forget my words or turn away from them.Don't turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you.Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you.She will place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown."

"I don't care what anyone says - I am not going to do it."How often has a parent heard these words? This is a familiar scene in our present day society - for are we not free to do as we please? ...because "the heart wants what the heart wants- who can deny it?" The words change but the essential message is the same...the person is not open to advice because his or her mind is closed. Some advice may be sought but it is only followed if it reinforces the path the person has chosen already. It is our nature to reject help and to do it our way.
The much wiser approach is to seek, hear and heed the advice of good counselors. Soloman, the world's wisest man, urges us towards this very path in Proverbs.

God says to us over and over: "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. (Porverbs 4:23). As I grow older, I reflect on my past wayward heart. I see God's grace and mercy that keeps bringing my heart home to Him.
Dear Friend, today I pray for our hearts and those we love who have wandered off the wise path, the path that God has for them.... and for us. May He break the hold on the wayward heart and bring it home to Him. How thank I am God so loves me..and you to pursue us when we wander off His wise path. "Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love. Take my heart, of take and seal it. Seal it for thy throne above".

The Book of Judges

2010-08-22T14:28:00.000-07:00

The common theme in Judges is God lets Israel have its own way, and things get bad. A Judge is raised up to correct things, dies, and things get bad again. Not only does this cycle keep going, but it gets progressively worse. Each time a judge dies, the people disobey in even greater ways. There is degradation in each cycle. Israel could have taken complete possession of the land if they had obeyed God and trusted Him to deliver on His promises. But when they forgot Him, they lost their purpose and soon "all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes" (21:25).

The last part of Judges, there are two disturbing stories: The first is about the house of Dan who have sold out and given themselves over to worshiping graven images and the second is the story of the a Levite and his concubine-the story of perversion, lust, and mob rape which leaves the concubine dead, her husband guilty and incensed at what happened. He cuts her body in 12 pieces and sends them to all regions of Israel. Israel rises up against the Benjamites and almost wipes them out. The horrible crime described here wasn't Israel worst offense. Even worse was the nation's failure to establish a government based upon God's moral principals, where the law of God was the law of the land. Sexual perversion and lawlessness were by-products of Israel's disobedience to God.

Whenever we get away from God and His word all sorts of evil can follow. Our drifting away from God may be a slow fading, almost imperceptible, with ultimate results affecting a future generation. How I have seen this in my own life sins — how they have affected my own children. The good news is that there is still hope-for God longs for sinners to return to Him, nations to turn away from their wickedness, and to look to Jesus Christ as the only Way, Truth and Life. The book of Judges spans over 325 years; records six successive periods of oppression and deliverance and the careers of 12 delivers. Israel continually refused to learn from history and lived only for the moment. Dear Friend, pray that we as individuals and as a nation will return to our God - for His mercy is still available to us today.

Abiding

2010-08-10T22:58:00.000-07:00

"I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me".
"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love." John 15:1-10

Here in the upper room — after their last supper together, Jesus and His disciples ( after Judas left with his agenda) drew together as a family. Our Lord knowing the road ahead of Him was giving the disciples a speech that loved ones make when they know their time is short--parting words of love, comfort and wisdom. But the disciples could not have predicted what was ahead of them, and Jesus knew it - His words tonight would carry greater weight later after His death, resurrection and ascension back to the Father.
Here in John 14, 15 & 16 Jesus sums up all they(and we) needed to know to "remain in Him", just as He remained in the Father.
Some translations-use the word abide, which is a more intimate definition of connecting. Abiding in Jesus Christ means (1) believing that He is God's Son (1John 4:15-All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God); (2) receiving Him as Savior and Lord (John 1:12-But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God); (3) doing what God says (1 John 3:24-Those who obey God's commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us); (4) continuing to believe the gospel (1John 2:24-So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father) and relating in love to the community of believers, Christ's body (John 15:12-This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.)

People often try to be good, honest and do what is right. But Jesus says that the only way to live a truly good life is to stay close to Him like a branch attached to a vine. Too often I have learned, that apart from Christ, I quickly fall, fail and my efforts are unfruitful. As I intertwine all of my life into Christ, He provides me immense stability allowing me to walk through adversity without sinking into debilitating lows and manage prosperity without moving to deceptive highs.
It is that 'abiding in Him' - that keeps me level-headed.

God's Forgiveness

2010-07-31T13:41:00.000-07:00

Psalm 103: 1 Let all that I am praise the Lord ;
  with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.2 Let all that I am praise the Lord ;
  may I never forget the good things he does for me.3 He forgives all my sins
  and heals all my diseases.4 He redeems me from death
  and crowns me with love and tender mercies.5 He fills my life with good things.
  My youth is renewed like the eagle's!6 The Lord gives righteousness
  and justice to all who are treated unfairly.7 He revealed his character to Moses
  and his deeds to the people of Israel.8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful,
  slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.9 He will not constantly accuse us,
  nor remain angry forever.10 He does not punish us for all our sins;
  he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
  is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.12 He has removed our sins as far from us
  as the east is from the west.13 The Lord is like a father to his children,
  tender and compassionate to those who fear him.14 For he knows how weak we are;
  he remembers we are only dust.15 Our days on earth are like grass;
  like wildflowers, we bloom and die.16 The wind blows, and we are gone—
  as though we had never been here.17 But the love of the Lord remains forever
  with those who fear him.
His salvation extends to the children's children18   of those who are faithful to his covenant,
  of those who obey his commandments!19 The Lord has made the heavens his throne;
  from there he rules over everything.20 Praise the Lord , you angels,
  you mighty ones who carry out his plans,
  listening for each of his commands.21 Yes, praise the Lord , you armies of angels
  who serve him and do his will!22 Praise the Lord , everything he has created,
  everything in all his kingdom.

Let all that I am praise the Lord .

No doubt that David wrote this Psalm when he was older and wiser. He has a deeper sense of the preciousness of God's forgiveness, because he understood the consequences of sin, than when he was younger. He now lives in the frailty of more mature years and his heart has been deepened exponentially by God's love, mercy and grace. And so glorious praise erupts from his soul. He writes that when God forgives our sins, they’re gone, utterly gone. “As far as the East is from the West” is not a measure of distance but an exaggerated, dramatic picture of how thoroughly and completely God forgives. "I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free." (Isa. 44:22). Here is a Father who completely loves His children because He knows and understands their fragility. God's care for us is eternal. Our weakness is never a justification for sin; God's mercy takes everything into account - He deals with us compassionately. Dear Friend, today as we read Psalm 103 that lists so many blessings to praise God that whatever is pulling us down - evaporates. We receive all these blessings without deserving any of them. No matter how difficult our journey, we can count on God. May our hearts erupt in His praise.

"Going Fishing"

2010-07-18T20:22:00.000-07:00

John 21:1 Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. 2 Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin),s Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.
  3 Simon Peter said, "I'm going fishing."
  "We'll come, too," they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.
  4 At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn't see who he was.
5 He called out, "Fellows, have you caught any fish?"
  "No," they replied.
  6 Then he said, "Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you'll get some!" So they did, and they couldn't haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.
  7 Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, "It's the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. 8 The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yardss from shore. 9 When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.
  10 "Bring some of the fish you've just caught," Jesus said.11 So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn't torn.
  12 "Now come and have some breakfast!" Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.13 Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish.14 This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.
  15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?"
  "Yes, Lord," Peter replied, "you know I love you."
  "Then feed my lambs," Jesus told him.
  16 Jesus repeated the question: "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
  "Yes, Lord," Peter said, "you know I love you."
  "Then take care of my sheep," Jesus said.
  17 A third time he asked him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
  Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you."
  Jesus said, "Then feed my sheep."

When Jesus entered Peter's life, he became a new person with new goals and priorities. He did not become a perfect person, however, and he never stopped being Simon Peter. Peter is easy to identify with — he was brash and impulsive, failed miserably when temptation got the best of him and later, found it hard to put aside his prejudices against gentile Christians and treat them as equals. Here in John 21 - Peter is 'going fishing' because I am sure he was thinking: 'what else is left after such a miserable failure as Jesus's disciple but to go back to what I was before?'. Of course, that did not even work, because he could not even catch any fish. So Jesus comes to Peter right where he is at — what truly must have been a very low point of his life. Peter was obviously ready to come to Jesus because when Peter learns it is Jesus, he swims to the shore, not waiting on the boat to row in. In the beach scene, Jesus led Peter through an experience that would remove his cloud of denial and commissioned him for his life's work. Dear Friend, we may wonder what Jesus sees in us when He calls us to follow Him ( I know I do) and when we fail, (as I have) He knows where to meet us - God's faithfulness can compensate for our greatest unfaithfulness. He chose people ( like you and I ) who could be changed by His love and He sends us out to communicate His acceptance is available to anyone - even those who often fail.

Psalm 19 - Words

2010-07-16T12:00:00.000-07:00

1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
  The skies display his craftsmanship.
2 Day after day they continue to speak;
  night after night they make him known.
3 They speak without a sound or word;
  their voice is never heard.s
4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
  and their words to all the world.

God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.
5 It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.
  It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.
6 The sun rises at one end of the heavens
  and follows its course to the other end.
  Nothing can hide from its heat.

7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
  reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
  making wise the simple.
8 The commandments of the Lord are right,
  bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
  giving insight for living.
9 Reverence for the Lord is pure,
  lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true;
  each one is fair.
10 They are more desirable than gold,
  even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
  even honey dripping from the comb.
11 They are a warning to your servant,
  a great reward for those who obey them.

12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
  Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
  Don't let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
  and innocent of great sin.

14 May the words of my mouth
  and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
  O Lord , my rock and my redeemer.

Words are powerful and how I use them reflects my relationship with God. Perhaps nothing identifies me more with God than how I speak or how I control my words. In God's craftsmanship of nature, I am surrounded by silent beauty and awe-striking detail giving dramatic evidence of His existence, His power, His love and His care. God's intricacy of design and orderliness point to His power and omnipotence. In the heavens and on earth, His creation speaks volumes that knows no language barrier. God has order and power in His creation of which I am a part of - a willing servant to my Lord and Savior - so may God mold my heart so the words I speak today are as full of beauty and integrity of His existence, His power, His love and His care.

Faith in the Midst of Unbelief

2010-07-12T20:53:00.000-07:00

Matthew 15:21 Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon.22 A Gentiles woman who lived there came to him, pleading, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely." 23 But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. "Tell her to go away," they said. "She is bothering us with all her begging." 24 Then Jesus said to the woman, "I was sent only to help God's lost sheep—the people of Israel." 25 But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, "Lord, help me!" 26 Jesus responded, "It isn't right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs." 27 She replied, "That's true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters' table." 28 "Dear woman," Jesus said to her, "your faith is great. Your request is granted." And her daughter was instantly healed.

Something very unusual takes place in the midst of Jesus many miracles of provision, healing and teaching among His disciples, Jewish leaders and people. A Canaanite woman begs and nags her way into Jesus's presence to ask Him to cure her demon possessed daughter. And just so we can get the full picture: The Canaanites were the ancient enemies of Israel. The Bible reveals that Canaan was the fourth son of Ham and brother of Mizraim, who is Egypt. It was Canaan, the grandson of Noah who Noah had cursed in Genesis 9:25. The descendants of Canaan are listed in Genesis 10:15-19. The Canaanites actually became a general term for "all the inhabitants" of the land of ancient Israel, and especially to the tribe who dwelt west of the Dead Sea and had conquered the whole area east of the Jordan River. The Canaanites worshipped Baal, and his wife Ashteroth, fertility deities. Their religion involved temple prostitution, human sacrifice and orgies. These cursed people were eventually annihilated, for the most part, by the Israelites. The Lord commanded Israel to utterly destroy them, but they fell short. The Philistines became a deadly enemy throughout Israel's history. So the Jewish audience witnessing Jesus interaction with the Canaanite woman would have immediately understood the significance of Jesus helping her. The disciples asked Jesus to get rid of this woman because she was bothering them with persistent nagging. Quite insensitive to her needs, her Canaanite heritage sealed the deal, for the disciples and the Jewish leaders believed she was not worthy of any blessing. For the Jews used the term 'dog' on many Gentile people, especially the Canaanites. Jesus did not send her away, and His conversation with her may seem unkind; but Jesus came to save everybody...EVERYBODY! And so He used this unusual conversation as a 'teachable' moment. He may have been testing her faith or He may have been wanting to use the situation so His Jewish onlookers could witness real faith in action. Interestingly, the Canaanite woman's rhetorical answer was not indignant to the seemingly derogatory remark but rather it seems she was saying, 'call me what you will but grant me your blessing'. Jesus openly acknowledged her faith ("Dear woman," Jesus said to her, "your faith is great. Your request is granted," v 28) and I am guessing to the utter shock and amazement of His disciples and the Jewish Leaders. There are so many lessons for me by this woman's boldness and faith. I am convicted of my own prejudices and arrogance; and like the disciples who in Chapters 14, 15, and 16 hung out with Jesus and saw His many miracles of provision and healing and still didn't get it, my faith waivers when I have seen and known God's mercy and provision for me over and over again. so my prayer is: O dear Lord. "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!" Mark 9:23

Where to Gaze

2010-07-03T21:36:00.000-07:00

Psalm 3:1 O Lord , I have so many enemies; so many are against me.2 So many are saying,"God will never rescue him!"3 But you, O Lord , are a shield around me;you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
4 I cried out to the Lord ,and he answered me from his holy mountain.5 I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me.6 I am not afraid of ten thousand enemieswho surround me on every side.
7 Arise, O Lord ! Rescue me, my God! Slap all my enemies in the face!Shatter the teeth of the wicked!
8 Victory comes from you, O Lord .May you bless your people.

David wrote this Psalm while actually fleeing for his life from Absalom. As a result of his sin with Bathsheba David was promised trouble in his house. What came he could scarcely have imagined -- his own son Absalom attempted to take the kingdom from him by force and is trying to kill him ( 2 Samuel 15:6).
David gets out of Jerusalem, races across the Jordan and then, exhausted and worn-out, he has to camp for the night. This is all he can do. His people can go no further. He can do nothing else. What does he do then? He goes to bed! No pills, no sedatives, no anti-depressants. For David, prayer and trusting in God sustains him.
This wows me - how I long to truly let what worries and concerns me go and let God take over.
David learned that the trials and troubles he was bothered by (even people trying to kill him) hasn't any power over the Lord.

Because God cares about what concerns us.
The armies of the world are nothing before the power of God.
David saw his enemies swept away without fanfare as the Lord fought for him. Here is the real heart of the psalm: David moves his eyes from the enemy to God.
"If one gazes too long upon the enemy and his might, the enemy grows in the mind's eye to gigantic proportions . . . the hypnotic power of the enemy is broken when one turns one's gaze toward God." (Deut 1:29-30)

God's might and strength are awesome to behold and to see in action. And I would do well to remember this. When I cry to the Lord do I believe He hears and cares? David certainly does. Look at his confidence in vs. 7-8. David is involved personally with God and genuinely spent being with God.
Dear Friend, if something is bothering us it will bother the God who made us, cares for us, and who we serve.
May we talk to Him about it. Let God return peace and sleep to us. Deliverance comes the Lord. True, David played role in this rebellion by his own sin (as I have in my own life), but it is the hand of God that brings all together favorably for David (and for you and I).
God still works in His time and in His way. May keep our gaze on the Lord!

Characteristics of Sheep

2010-06-23T22:05:00.000-07:00

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd;
  I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
  he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3   He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
  bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
  through the darkest valley,s
I will not be afraid,
  for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
  protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
  in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
  My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
  all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
  forever.

Psalm 23 is one of the few Psalms I know from memory. I am constantly amazed how that every time I read it - I see something new. Tonight I see my 'sheep-likeness", how much I need my Shepherd and how easily I get into crags, bad habits and ruts. I came across the characteristics of sheep and thought I would share them.

Characteristics of Sheep

1. timid, fearful, easily panicked

2. dumb stupid, gullible

3. very vulnerable to fear, frustration, pests, hunger

4. easily influenced by a leader, by the shepherd

5. stampede easily, vulnerable to mob psychology

6. little or no means of self-defense; can only run

7. easily killed by enemies

8. the shepherd is most effective, calming influence

9. jealous, competitive for dominance

10. constantly need fresh water, fresh pasture

11. have very little discernment in choosing food or water

12. best water source is early morning dew

13. perverse, stubborn - will insist on their own way , even eating poisonous

plants or drinking dirty water

14. easily "cast" - flipped over on their back, unable to right themselves

will die of starvation if not turned over by shepherd; helpless

15. frequently look for easy places to rest

16. don't like to be sheared, cleaned

17. too much wool can cause sheep to be easily "cast"

18. creatures of habit; get into "ruts"

19. need the most care of all livestock

20. need to be "on the move"; need a pre-determined plan, pattern of grazing

21. totally dependent of shepherd for every need

22. need "rod and staff" guidance