The Devotional - 1494 - The Gospel is Good News

The Devotional – 1494 – The Gospel is Good News

Psalm 119:153-160 = Consider my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget Your law. Plead my cause and redeem me; revive me according to Your word. Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek Your statutes. Great are Your tender mercies, O Lord; revive me according to Your judgments. Many are my persecutors and my enemies, yet I do not turn from Your testimonies. I see the treacherous, and am disgusted, because they do not keep Your word. Consider how I love Your precepts; revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness. The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.

Comments and Challenges:

Oh can I say it again? I love the Word of the Living God who loves me even before I knew Him. Romans 5:8 – says… But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we are still sinners, Christ died for us. God has truly considered our affliction in sin and rebellion, yet He has not forgotten His love for each of us. Now I do not understand how He does Love, but I suppose that I do not need to fully understand it since He has given me peace in all issues of life.

Romans 5:1 – Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our LORD Jesus Christ – Faith and peace; faith in God and the peace of God, equal the grace of God. All of this is a perfect expression of God’s Love for all of humanity. What I am seeking to say is this; Christ Jesus is the sacrificial LAMB of God for all men, women and children who ever lived or will live. The sin of the world is covered and cleansed in His DEATH.

There is another side to this story. Those who believe, or TRUST this TRUTH also believe in His physical RESURRECTION from that death. In believing in His sacrificial death and His victorious resurrection we are reconciled, note Romans 5:10. We do not earn reconciliation, nor do we deserve it, thus the only way to have the curse of sin removed is by accepting the grace gift of God through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:1-10.

Now tomorrow, I will pick up on Psalm 119 again and continue in the section we are in today. My morning is packed with things to do so I must move quickly. “If we meet and if you get to know me and then forget me you have lost nothing really. But if you have briefly heard a word or two about Jesus Christ the Son of God and forgotten that Word, then you have lost much! He is a friend who would stick closer to you than a brother”.

Nathanael said to Him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” John 1:48 the context of John 1:43-51 speaks of the omnipresence of God in our everyday life and whatever tree you are under… He sees. Either you are under the Tree of Life or the tree of the knowledge of good and evil – Genesis 2:9

Thursday's Blog - 1491 - Humility overcomes worldliness

The Devotional – 1491 – Humility overcomes worldliness

Psalm 119:121-128 – I have done justice and righteousness; do not leave me to my oppressors. Be surety for Your servant for good; do not let the proud oppress me. My eyes fail from seeking Your salvation and Your righteous word. Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy, and teach me Your statutes. I am Your servant; Give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies. It is time for You to act, O Lord, for they have regarded Your law as void. Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold! Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way. 

Comments and Challenges:

Humility is the cure for worldliness: The world around us cannot see “humility” since it is blinded by oppression. In other words; the oppression of the unjust and the unrighteous is the way of the world. Billboards proclaim unjust acts of conduct, radios blare the worldly oppression of music and news that is unfit for the human ear. Also ALL media; television, hi-fi, Wi-Fi and “who gives a fly” is the catalyst used to block the human being from knowing that he or she is made in the image of God, Genesis 1:26.

To those of us who are saved by Grace, God has provided opportunity through His Spirit and by the direction of His Word to not only know humility but to practice it too. The psalmist says: “I have done justice and righteousness, do not leave me to my oppressors”. The prayer that Jesus taught His disciples to pray is saying the same thing with words like, “deliver us from evil, for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory – forever. Amen.” Matthew 6:13.

Watching daily the psalmist says that his eyes are failing to see this deliverance from oppression. We must remember that this writer is not alone in this camp, he is with many prisoners who’s God is Jehovah and yet he is alone; just a small handful (maybe) as they seek for God to deliver them from evil. He says to the LORD, “work with me LORD in mercy and teach me your statutes, I need more understanding in order to know Your testimonies. My oppressors tell me daily that Your Law is void”.

The psalmist overrides this oppressive statement of unrighteousness with these wonderful words. “Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, yes than fine gold! Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things; I consider to be right, thus I hate every false way”. Humbleness of heart is not in any way giving up, but it is a bold action to correct worldliness. 

We must be first in humbleness of heart in our personal walk with God. “Lord, teach me your Statutes, I am your servant; give me understanding that I may know your testimonies”. As children of God we must be willing to lead the way; repenting begins with the saints of God, notice in closing this morning.

James 4:7-10 – Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Thursday's Blog - 1480 - But we have the mind of Christ

Thursday’s Blog – 1480 – But we have the mind of Christ

Ida and Claire were out for a walk one sunny morning and southern gentlemen are known for their charm and wit. As a young gentleman passed the girls he promptly responded… “I da – Clare ladies; Good Morning!”

Yep! Just fresh Kentucky “corn”! However; this corn is much better than sour grapes! Our nation was once a vineyard, much like Israel. God planted this vineyard to produce the choicest of wines, instead; like Israel we are producing sour grapes. Repent “I DECLARE” or weep and wail. Isaiah 5:1-7

Bible Challenges and Comments

As I have said many times, I love the Living Word of God and I love words too. There is so much we can do with words; that John the apostle puts the use of words in conversation about the LORD Jesus Christ. As being so bountiful that if we were to sit (all of us) and record the things that Jesus has done that the world itself could not contain the things that could be written – John 21:25.

King David wrote many Psalms; these cover every aspect of life, for example David talked to God about his personal sin, the sins of others and of nations – Psalm 38 and Psalm 51. He talked to God about the peace he experienced in his daily encounters – Psalm 23. He also spoke of the passion and resurrection of the Messiah – Psalm 22. The assurance of God’s saving grace – Psalm 20. Yet I need to move on to the matter at hand.

If we as children of God can be so occupied with Jesus; who is God who deals with us as children, who forgives our sin, the sin of others and even the sin of nations; who also provides peace for our day and who died and became our victory through His resurrection for those who believe in Him and too, who provides mercy and grace moment by moment. HOW DOES HE DO THIS? 

Does He do this because He is impersonal, unloving and/or as some might be moved to say… does not exist? Stop and consider that before you are I can think or prepare a word or two about God, He has Himself known each of us before we were formed in the womb, should we not then praise God since we are so wonderfully made. Another Psalm of David is Psalm 139. The entire Psalm speaks of God’s perfect and ongoing wisdom and knowledge of us.

We could write and write some more about the wisdom and knowledge of God toward His wonderful creative work in each of us and yet His thoughts toward us exceed still and spill over any and all thoughts we have toward Him. “How precious also, are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great are the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You. Psalm 139:17-18.

National revival begins with one person, not a public display or a parade of “do’s and don’ts”.

“Search ME, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way” – Psalm 139:23-24. How can it be said in any other way? How does God feel about you and me today? Only He can answer that question. But first we must be thinking about Him moment by moment. God is AWESOME in our lives before Him; to know that God is Awesome we must seek to understand spiritual wisdom – 1 Corinthians 2:6-16.

Thursday's Blog - The Importance of Meditation

Thursday’s Blog – The Importance of Meditation

My guess is being a day ahead of the rest of the world is just as bad as being a day behind. The news of the future, as well the news of the past is only good if you know it. So in case you missed it as I did; tomorrow is Friday, yesterday was Wednesday and today is Thursday!

Bible Challenges and Comments

How often do we meditate and pray? Meditation provides the pathway to the Throne of God. One way of meditation is to review a scripture passages that relate to praise like: “Our Father who is in heaven, holy is Your Name” Matthew 6:9-13. Or maybe there is a need, then Philippians 4:19 and again in Philippians; for strength to endure a difficult moment, Philippians 4:13.

As for us who Trust in Jesus Christ; God does not let us live a helpless or hope so life, we are covered by Him as adopted children with an inheritance that cannot be compared to anything this life in the flesh could ever give or afford. Therefore the more we meditate and the more we pray, the more we who trust God are aware of His benefits. So we should know and appropriate the “benefits” of Our God.

 

(1)   Hezekiah humbled himself because he was sick; God healed him, however he failed to honor God with thanksgiving and praise and nearly lost his kingdom. This led to his repentance and God restored his kingdom, 2 Chronicles 2:24-26.

(2)   Psalm 68 a Psalm of David – The God of our salvation “LOADS” us with “BENEFITS”, Psalm 68:19.

(3)   What are some of the benefits of the God of our salvation? Forgiveness, healings, safety, rewarding us with His lovingkindness and tender mercies, like food and clothing and He keeps us strong in old age. Psalm 103:1-5

(4)   Thanksgiving and Praise to God for all of His benefits toward us; is all that the LORD God seeks in return. His ear is inclined toward us; He alone provides deliverance of our soul in death. He alone provides rest for our soul. The list of His benefits is for you to read and meditate on… so do it! And be blessed – Psalm 116:1-19.

Our position in Christ is secure, someone who does not have this security may see you and me as weak, or needing something to “prop” us up or lead on, but these folks may only know of the Shepard of Psalm 23, meaning they do not personally KNOW the Shepherd who gives what we lack for our soul. He gives us rest for our soul, He gives us refreshment for our soul, in fact; God restores our soul. He alone leads us in these paths for His Name’s sake.

Yes we do walk through the valleys and circumstances of life but we do not lean of Him and yet we Fear Him with AWE! Thus we do not fear the world since evil is not present when God is walking with you. Yes He has a rod and a staff to keep evil and sin from us and to provide comfort, too. In the presence of the enemy who see us; some who even call us friend or relative, these see that God meets all our need and will one day give account to God on our behalf – 2 Corinthians 2”12-17. We do not peddle the Word of God we live it.

Thursday's Blog - Righteousness

Thursday’s Blog – Righteousness

If you were a calendar… your days would be numbered!

Okay, you didn’t like that one. Why can’t a bicycle stand on its own? Because it is two tired!

No doubt you did not like that one either… but those new corduroy pillows I bought are making headlines!

Okay… enough already!!!

Bible Challenges and Comments

In Ephesians 6 the apostle Paul describes six pieces of armor (1) a belt, (2) a breastplate, (3) a pair of shoes, (4) a shield, (5) a helmet and (6) a sword. No doubt you know this passage of scripture very well as these are often spoken of from the pulpit. Having this armor on should have a very real meaning to us, but I sometimes think that in our morning devotions and preparations of the day we become complacent about the seriousness of our life in Christ.

(1)   The belt as Paul shares is a belt of “truth” not only biblical truth, but also being truthful in all aspects of life.

(2)   The breastplate as the apostle continues is the armor of “righteousness” not being offensive with being right all the time; but by allowing the “righteousness of Christ” to control you.

(3)   The shoes as he describes are shoes of the good news of “peace” one shoe = peace with God, while the other shoe = peace with mankind.

(4)   The shield, the apostle says that the shield is “faith” faith in God and the bravery of walking by faith in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.

(5)   The helmet as Paul relates is the covering of protection that God give eternal life; the confidence of being a child of God and this confidence is witnessed by those who know you.

(6)   The sword as Paul continues is all we need to defend the testimony that God saves through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ. We must be willing to live the resurrected life not only in the sanctuary but also in the grocery store.

If we fail to take serious the battle faced; which is moment by moment, we will suffer defeat. The armor is not a daily donning and then forget it, but a constant need for battle. Physical armor of this kind would be very weighty, between 50 and 75 pounds of excess weight to carry. In many cases this armor was worn while resting so it is not just for eight hours or while you are active, but even when you sleep.

Now let me also add our daily chaffing and burdens of life, family issues, financial issues, health issues and the list can go on.

The armor that the Apostle Paul describes is “Spiritual Armor for spiritual conflict” and the burdens of life are “life verses conflict in the mind” both the conflicts and the burdens fight for victory. How do we carry all of this potential weigh? Our physical nature cannot handle excess weight and neither can our mind and spirit; the breaking point is very real.

Looking at Matthew 11:20-30 another familiar passage. The people of this time were impenitent; their cities were full of idolatry like Tyre and Sodom and yet Jesus says that the judgment of these cities in the Day of Judgment would be more tolerable for these than the judgment coming on Capernaum, the city where Jesus is speaking. 

Individually, community and nationally we carry the heavy burden of coveting and idolatry; these are the national sins of Israel so why should we think that we are better than Israel. No not for a moment believe we are better off than Israel. Therefore Jesus Christ can and is the ONLY ONE who is able to say: Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

If we allow ourselves to focus on the physical problem or one segment of the spiritual solution; like just a belt of truth, a breastplate of righteousness, a pair of shoes, a shield, a helmet or a sword; and are not moment by moment thinking of the whole armor we are missing the mark.

Jesus says “Take my yoke upon you and learn FROM Me, for I am gentle and lowly of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” And the Apostle Paul gives further instruction. Romans 13:11-14. Verse 14 – but put on the LORD Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Therefore Jesus Christ is: TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, FAITH, SALVATION AND THE LIVING WORD. And without Christ we have NONE of the above.