Psalm 72:18-19, "Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to His glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen."
One of two psalms written by Solomon, here he asks that God would expand his kingdom so that he might rule with justice and righteousness. He did not ask it egotistically. Similarly, when God asked what Solomon desired, instead of asking for riches, Solomon asked for wisdom. He wanted God to work through him...a sort of symbiotic relationship. He would rule justly and the people would praise and honor him and the land would be blessed.
The things he asked for would never come to fruition because of Solomon's eventual unfaithfulness. BUT, one day they will...the psalm points to the reign of Jesus when he sets up His righteous kingdom on earth, all of Solomon's petitions to God will be fulfilled. And every knee will bow to Him and He will be honored throughout the land.
Solomon left a great example of how we should pray for God's rule on earth...that righteousness would reign and the afflicted and needy would be saved for "precious is their blood in His sight" (v.14); that He would rule from sea to sea and all nations will serve Him; that He would endure "as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations" (v.5); and that "all nations will be blessed through Him, and they will call Him blessed" (v. 17b)
I cannot wait until the whole earth is filled with His glory...somedays I hope for it to be sooner than later...when the world will be set upright and we can stand in awe together and look upon His marvelous deeds. Until then, Jesus tells us not to worry using his boy, Solomon, as an example to us all...that the very lillies in the fields are clothed in His splendor as we will all be when He reigns rightly. I hope I am standing by your side.
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Friday, April 28, 2017
quit mowing the lawn
Psalm 71: 14-15, "But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not of its measure."
I have never understood that question, "If you could go back in time, would you?" While there are definitely people I would love to see again, I wouldn't want to go back to lose them again. And there is no period of time I would go back to. EVER.
"If you could write a letter to a younger you, what would you say?" is another one that confounds me. While I definitely might take less junk from people, going through the junk made me who I am...the bumps, bruises and scars are part of the beauty of me. I'm not talking about pretty...but the kind of whole deal...every beautiful imperfection.
Forget the helicopter parent. The new term out there is the lawnmower parent...you mow the way ahead of your kid so that they might not experience pain, disappointment, or betrayal. It is so painful to see your kids hurt, but to know the refining God is doing in them and how strong they will be on the otherside of it makes it bearable. It is almost unloving to deny them that. And you learn to be grateful for the parents that loved you through yours. To teach them that the world can be a tough place, but you are loved by me and by a Heavenly Father that has promised HE would NEVER leave or forsake you.
The writer of Psalm 71 has been there, done that. The joy of aging lies in the amassing of trust and love you develop. "For You have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on You; You brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise You. (v. 5-6)" You know, the friend you've had that has loved you through thick and thin, the good, the bad and the very ugly. There's One even greater....who knew you would go through the thick and the thin and that there would be times you would behave so badly that you might seem unlovable...but, you aren't.
You are deeply loved. And it enables you to have the psalmist's confidence that God is there. As Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego told old king Nebby, "..we do not need to defend ourselves before you...the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will resucue us...But even if He does not..." "Even if" might be my second favorite words in the Bible (after "But God"). You are loved, He knows the plans He has for you (Jer. 29:11-13) and He is working for your good (Rom. 8:28). With these gray hairs, I have learned to trust in that. I have seen His work in me and many people I love. I am grateful for His rescues and His companionship and those "even if" moments when I come out stronger and say "still I will praise you"
I have never understood that question, "If you could go back in time, would you?" While there are definitely people I would love to see again, I wouldn't want to go back to lose them again. And there is no period of time I would go back to. EVER.
"If you could write a letter to a younger you, what would you say?" is another one that confounds me. While I definitely might take less junk from people, going through the junk made me who I am...the bumps, bruises and scars are part of the beauty of me. I'm not talking about pretty...but the kind of whole deal...every beautiful imperfection.
Forget the helicopter parent. The new term out there is the lawnmower parent...you mow the way ahead of your kid so that they might not experience pain, disappointment, or betrayal. It is so painful to see your kids hurt, but to know the refining God is doing in them and how strong they will be on the otherside of it makes it bearable. It is almost unloving to deny them that. And you learn to be grateful for the parents that loved you through yours. To teach them that the world can be a tough place, but you are loved by me and by a Heavenly Father that has promised HE would NEVER leave or forsake you.
The writer of Psalm 71 has been there, done that. The joy of aging lies in the amassing of trust and love you develop. "For You have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on You; You brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise You. (v. 5-6)" You know, the friend you've had that has loved you through thick and thin, the good, the bad and the very ugly. There's One even greater....who knew you would go through the thick and the thin and that there would be times you would behave so badly that you might seem unlovable...but, you aren't.
You are deeply loved. And it enables you to have the psalmist's confidence that God is there. As Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego told old king Nebby, "..we do not need to defend ourselves before you...the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will resucue us...But even if He does not..." "Even if" might be my second favorite words in the Bible (after "But God"). You are loved, He knows the plans He has for you (Jer. 29:11-13) and He is working for your good (Rom. 8:28). With these gray hairs, I have learned to trust in that. I have seen His work in me and many people I love. I am grateful for His rescues and His companionship and those "even if" moments when I come out stronger and say "still I will praise you"
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
burn baby, burn
Psalm 70:4, "But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, 'Let God be exalted!'"
I am so guilty of this. Let's just say I am a work in progress. David wants deliverance (again...ha...this is another reason why David resonates with me...he is so in tune with how human he is and how he is in need of a Savior ALWAYS whether he has messed up or whether he is unrightly being persecuted and pursued). But I am unlike David in that he seeks deliverance for God's glory, not his own. When he gets delivered from his circumstance, he knows others will see and look to God, because David gives God the glory.
I am learning. At the moment, I so often pray for my deliverance out of selfishness, because it is not comfortable for me, I am hurting, people I love are hurting. God might be glorified in it, but first I have to give Him the glory. Full disclosure...often after He has rescued me, my thanks is quick, if at all, and I am moving on; or somehow I think I had ANYTHING to do with it (pretty yucky to own and see in myself). But not my man, David. He understands that his deliverance means HIS glory.
I heard Joni Eareckson Tada speak this past Sunday. She has titled her new devotional book, A Spectacle of Glory. https://www.amazon.com/Spectacle-Glory-Light-Shining-through/dp/0310346770/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493206545&sr=8-1&keywords=spectacle+of+glory It is titled after Moses seeing the burning bush that was not consumed which could only be of God. She wants her life to be like that spectacle of Glory that one turns aside to see knowing it could only be God in her. She gives God the glory in her life...like David. I have some amazing examples in my life to follow...may I walk in their likeness and be like them.
I am so guilty of this. Let's just say I am a work in progress. David wants deliverance (again...ha...this is another reason why David resonates with me...he is so in tune with how human he is and how he is in need of a Savior ALWAYS whether he has messed up or whether he is unrightly being persecuted and pursued). But I am unlike David in that he seeks deliverance for God's glory, not his own. When he gets delivered from his circumstance, he knows others will see and look to God, because David gives God the glory.
I am learning. At the moment, I so often pray for my deliverance out of selfishness, because it is not comfortable for me, I am hurting, people I love are hurting. God might be glorified in it, but first I have to give Him the glory. Full disclosure...often after He has rescued me, my thanks is quick, if at all, and I am moving on; or somehow I think I had ANYTHING to do with it (pretty yucky to own and see in myself). But not my man, David. He understands that his deliverance means HIS glory.
I heard Joni Eareckson Tada speak this past Sunday. She has titled her new devotional book, A Spectacle of Glory. https://www.amazon.com/Spectacle-Glory-Light-Shining-through/dp/0310346770/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493206545&sr=8-1&keywords=spectacle+of+glory It is titled after Moses seeing the burning bush that was not consumed which could only be of God. She wants her life to be like that spectacle of Glory that one turns aside to see knowing it could only be God in her. She gives God the glory in her life...like David. I have some amazing examples in my life to follow...may I walk in their likeness and be like them.
Sunday, April 23, 2017
mercy upon mercy
Psalm 69:16, "Answer me, O Lord, out of the goodness of Your love; in Your great mercy turn to me."
David is in distress. It is thought that perhaps zeal for the temple has turned some of his friends into critics and turned people against him. In his compassion during his suffering, he did not want people who trusted God to be discouraged because of the opposition of his critics. In all this, David was confident God knew his situation and that because He knew it, He would help him. David based his confidence in God's loyal love and compassion that he had seen and known.
So, too, can we cry out to God. Dr. Constable encourages us that when the godly purpose to glorify God, many will oppose them and persecute them; yet this should drive us TO Him to get the grace we need to be faithful to Him. And He rewards this faithfulness.
He is so sweet in His love and mercy. And He is on mission as we all should be that His name may be known throughout the world so that all might be saved. When we purpose to glorify Him and make His name famous, He is right there beside us and will answer out of His goodness.
David is in distress. It is thought that perhaps zeal for the temple has turned some of his friends into critics and turned people against him. In his compassion during his suffering, he did not want people who trusted God to be discouraged because of the opposition of his critics. In all this, David was confident God knew his situation and that because He knew it, He would help him. David based his confidence in God's loyal love and compassion that he had seen and known.
So, too, can we cry out to God. Dr. Constable encourages us that when the godly purpose to glorify God, many will oppose them and persecute them; yet this should drive us TO Him to get the grace we need to be faithful to Him. And He rewards this faithfulness.
He is so sweet in His love and mercy. And He is on mission as we all should be that His name may be known throughout the world so that all might be saved. When we purpose to glorify Him and make His name famous, He is right there beside us and will answer out of His goodness.
Thursday, April 20, 2017
all egg whites?
Psalm 68:19, "Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens."
If you want a brief history of God's prospering of those who trust Him and destroying those who oppose Him, psalm 68 is a great little historical overview. It is good to do this...to remember all the good He has done not only in your life, but to look back upon the Israelites and see His provision for His chosen... remembering that He is as just as merciful and will also chasten in order to correct and refine.
It is beautiful to read that His promises are true...in present day real time and in ALL time. Just in typing it, I had to stop. IN ALL TIME. I sometimes just get overwhelmed with awe and have to rest in that a while. For ALL time, He loves us SO much that He DAILY bears our burdens. Matthew 11: 28-30 says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden in light."
When we believe in Jesus, we are part of the inheritance of God. His adopted sons and daughters. As any loving parent does and will do, He wants to help us bear our burdens so we can learn and grow in Truth and in Light and become more like Christ. It's for His delight and His glory that He helps us so others look and see and want to know that Light. And we can praise Him...how could you not?!
If you want a brief history of God's prospering of those who trust Him and destroying those who oppose Him, psalm 68 is a great little historical overview. It is good to do this...to remember all the good He has done not only in your life, but to look back upon the Israelites and see His provision for His chosen... remembering that He is as just as merciful and will also chasten in order to correct and refine.
It is beautiful to read that His promises are true...in present day real time and in ALL time. Just in typing it, I had to stop. IN ALL TIME. I sometimes just get overwhelmed with awe and have to rest in that a while. For ALL time, He loves us SO much that He DAILY bears our burdens. Matthew 11: 28-30 says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden in light."
When we believe in Jesus, we are part of the inheritance of God. His adopted sons and daughters. As any loving parent does and will do, He wants to help us bear our burdens so we can learn and grow in Truth and in Light and become more like Christ. It's for His delight and His glory that He helps us so others look and see and want to know that Light. And we can praise Him...how could you not?!
Monday, April 17, 2017
one for me, two for you
Psalm 67:1-2 "May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations."
Want a sure cure for that pit you're in? Go help someone else. Why does it work? I'm sure there are lots of reasons, even research done, on the whys. I don't really know except that every time I've done it, there is an attitude adjustment. We use to go down on Sundays and volunteer at S.O.U.L. (Servants Of oUr Lord) Church. It's on a parking lot across from the Bridge homeless shelter. In just talking to the people, you can ask them how their day is and some (some, not all) will answer "I'm too blessed to be stressed." What?! Where does that come from? I can wallow in my self-pity, yet I am blessed beyond compare and this is hardly my attitude.
God blesses us so that we can be a blessing. It never returns void. He is glorified and we are satisfied. It's the craziest little love circle. We think we are going down there to bless them and they bless us. Love, blessings, joy...they were never meant to be tightly grasped and held onto for ourselves. When we open our hearts and our hands, it flows freely TO and FROM. This psalmist knew it and he called down God's blessings on the Israelites so that they may make His salvation known to everyone.
Pretty cool prayer....blessings so I can bless. I like that. Wanna pray?
Want a sure cure for that pit you're in? Go help someone else. Why does it work? I'm sure there are lots of reasons, even research done, on the whys. I don't really know except that every time I've done it, there is an attitude adjustment. We use to go down on Sundays and volunteer at S.O.U.L. (Servants Of oUr Lord) Church. It's on a parking lot across from the Bridge homeless shelter. In just talking to the people, you can ask them how their day is and some (some, not all) will answer "I'm too blessed to be stressed." What?! Where does that come from? I can wallow in my self-pity, yet I am blessed beyond compare and this is hardly my attitude.
God blesses us so that we can be a blessing. It never returns void. He is glorified and we are satisfied. It's the craziest little love circle. We think we are going down there to bless them and they bless us. Love, blessings, joy...they were never meant to be tightly grasped and held onto for ourselves. When we open our hearts and our hands, it flows freely TO and FROM. This psalmist knew it and he called down God's blessings on the Israelites so that they may make His salvation known to everyone.
Pretty cool prayer....blessings so I can bless. I like that. Wanna pray?
Sunday, April 16, 2017
silly rabbit, this day is about the lamb
Psalm 66:5,16, "Come and see what God has done, how awesome His works in man's behalf!...Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me."
There is no way to NOT get excited when you know all God has done in your life and you see what He has accomplished around you. Sometimes it is hard to put into words. I wish that I could take out my heart and show you. I just want to shout, "Can't you see, can't you see?!?!?!?" I once was lost, but now am found. I have joy...always. I have peace...always. My life is SO far from perfect. I am SO far from perfect. But I am loved by a PERFECT God. He has walked with me through so much. There is no way I could have come through those valleys without HIS strength and HIS peace. And I just want everyone to have that! Can't you see???
On this Easter Sunday, won't you see, won't you listen? It's more than just a story. His life and the Bible are historically accurate. The tomb was empty. One day we will all have to answer why we believe it is so. I know that God loves me (YOU) so much that His Son became flesh and came down to earth to live as man and become the perfect, sacrificial lamb for my sin. He was crucified, and I KNOW that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and sits back in His rightly place next to the Father. The tomb is empty. HE IS RISEN. Won't you come and see?
There is no way to NOT get excited when you know all God has done in your life and you see what He has accomplished around you. Sometimes it is hard to put into words. I wish that I could take out my heart and show you. I just want to shout, "Can't you see, can't you see?!?!?!?" I once was lost, but now am found. I have joy...always. I have peace...always. My life is SO far from perfect. I am SO far from perfect. But I am loved by a PERFECT God. He has walked with me through so much. There is no way I could have come through those valleys without HIS strength and HIS peace. And I just want everyone to have that! Can't you see???
On this Easter Sunday, won't you see, won't you listen? It's more than just a story. His life and the Bible are historically accurate. The tomb was empty. One day we will all have to answer why we believe it is so. I know that God loves me (YOU) so much that His Son became flesh and came down to earth to live as man and become the perfect, sacrificial lamb for my sin. He was crucified, and I KNOW that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and sits back in His rightly place next to the Father. The tomb is empty. HE IS RISEN. Won't you come and see?
Friday, April 14, 2017
blessed be the name
Psalm 65:4-5, "Blessed are those You choose and bring near to live in Your courts! We are filled with the good things of Your house, of Your Holy Temple. You answer us with awesome deeds of righeousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,"
Appropriate to write this on Good Friday. It is always a tough day. To think on the physical, emotional and spiritual suffering of Jesus....His body beyond recognition, His humiliation (disrobement, beaten, mocked). But the worst is to think about his temporary separation from His Father. His whole life was to fulfill His Father's will. His every spare moment was to go spend time with the One who He had always been with as He cried out, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me." The pain of seeing the Son You love suffer immensely. And with the utterance, "It is finished," He committed His Spirit trusting again in the One He loved raising from the dead. All this sadness mixed with the knowledge and joy that He willing went through all of this to save me...to save you. If you were the only one...to save you. To think of my sins that hung him there. To know He doesn't see my sin, He sees Jesus.
This God, this Savior who gave it all. Oh, we are so blessed. He chose you. He wants intimacy with you in His courts...FOREVER. He blesses us and hears us. He answers us. He IS THE HOPE of the world.
Appropriate to write this on Good Friday. It is always a tough day. To think on the physical, emotional and spiritual suffering of Jesus....His body beyond recognition, His humiliation (disrobement, beaten, mocked). But the worst is to think about his temporary separation from His Father. His whole life was to fulfill His Father's will. His every spare moment was to go spend time with the One who He had always been with as He cried out, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me." The pain of seeing the Son You love suffer immensely. And with the utterance, "It is finished," He committed His Spirit trusting again in the One He loved raising from the dead. All this sadness mixed with the knowledge and joy that He willing went through all of this to save me...to save you. If you were the only one...to save you. To think of my sins that hung him there. To know He doesn't see my sin, He sees Jesus.
This God, this Savior who gave it all. Oh, we are so blessed. He chose you. He wants intimacy with you in His courts...FOREVER. He blesses us and hears us. He answers us. He IS THE HOPE of the world.
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
tapestry threads
Psalm 64:9, "All mankind will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what He has done."
My friend is a new Christian. She has recently accepted Christ as her Savior because of the obedience of a wonderful sister and friend who had the courage to go talk to her in her sickness and make sure she knew Jesus. Her husband bought her her first Bible and she had questions as she learned about the Lord of her life.
She began reading in the Old Testament and had questions about all the blood and violence she read about and tried to understand how this loving God was Lord over that, too.
In a strange way, this verse may seem dark. But I see light and gratitude in it. First, I had to understand fearing the Lord. To fear Him means to stand in awe of the character of God. And to stand in awe of it, one must fully understand the completeness. I remember one story when the Levites were carrying the ark of the covenant and someone stumbled and another reached out as to catch it. He was struck dead on the spot by God. It blew my mind...like HUGE overreaction. But, I had yet to understand the COMPLETE PERFECTNESS of God. His standard is perfection. And before Christ came, when they failed to follow His commands...the were punished. And when enemies came against God's anointed, they were annihilated...evil had to be wiped out.
BUT it is BECAUSE God loves so completely as well. Evil will be overtaken and when the time comes...we will ALL ponder His works because we only understand partially now, but will understand completely then. (1 Corinthians 13:12). I want to understand the tapesty and see it from the front side and see how beautiful and glorious it is because only a Sovereign and loving God could create its beauty.
My friend is a new Christian. She has recently accepted Christ as her Savior because of the obedience of a wonderful sister and friend who had the courage to go talk to her in her sickness and make sure she knew Jesus. Her husband bought her her first Bible and she had questions as she learned about the Lord of her life.
She began reading in the Old Testament and had questions about all the blood and violence she read about and tried to understand how this loving God was Lord over that, too.
In a strange way, this verse may seem dark. But I see light and gratitude in it. First, I had to understand fearing the Lord. To fear Him means to stand in awe of the character of God. And to stand in awe of it, one must fully understand the completeness. I remember one story when the Levites were carrying the ark of the covenant and someone stumbled and another reached out as to catch it. He was struck dead on the spot by God. It blew my mind...like HUGE overreaction. But, I had yet to understand the COMPLETE PERFECTNESS of God. His standard is perfection. And before Christ came, when they failed to follow His commands...the were punished. And when enemies came against God's anointed, they were annihilated...evil had to be wiped out.
BUT it is BECAUSE God loves so completely as well. Evil will be overtaken and when the time comes...we will ALL ponder His works because we only understand partially now, but will understand completely then. (1 Corinthians 13:12). I want to understand the tapesty and see it from the front side and see how beautiful and glorious it is because only a Sovereign and loving God could create its beauty.
Saturday, April 8, 2017
no words
I love the psalms...they are a beautiful reflection of true human emotions...the ups, the downs, the desperation, the glorious hope. And David is my homeboy. "He gets me." The ups, the downs, the desperation, the glorious hope. And through it all he is honest with God...He loves God so, and is just desperate for His presence.
I have seen You in the sanctuary
So there are no smart words for this psalm. I adore them all, but Psalm 63 is my FAVORITE. And since God's Word never returns void...here ya go.
"O God, You are my God
earnestly I seek You;
my soul thirsts for You,
my body longs for You,
in a dry and weary land;
where there is no water.
I have seen You in the sanctuary
and beheld Your power and Your glory.
Because Your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify You.
I will praise You as long as I live,
and in Your name I will lift up my hands...
On my bed I remember You;
I think of You through the watches of the night.
Because You are my help,
I sing in the shadow of Your wings,
My soul clings to You;
Your right hand upholds me."
Psalm 63: 1-4, 6-8
Friday, April 7, 2017
presents under a tree?
Psalm 62:5,7, "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him... My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge."
There are some pretty cool possessions out there that are mightily desired by many. On the outrageous side, Neiman Marcus came out with their Christmas book and the big fantasy gifts out there were almost austentatious...pointing people toward desiring something way beyond reality and even though outrageously expensive, worth nothing.
That's what this psalm is all about. The fleeting trust in finite man verses trust in the eternal God who has proven Himself faithful. Check out this list of possessions: Rest, Hope, Salvation, Honor, Refuge, Foundation. There is nothing fleeting about these. Want to know the crazy part? You don't have to live beyond your means to obtain them. There is no price tag on them because they are priceless....stamped PAID IN FULL the moment you receive them. Want to know the cool part? They never decrease in value either. Look at the first one,
Rest. Can I tell you how beautiful that sounds as each day in this earthly body takes its toll?! 😉
Hope...oh my goodness...to have hope in your heart in the mess we live in is a treasure possession beyond measure.
Salvation...knowing this place ain't my home, I get to see streets paved with gold, know no pain, cry no tears...spend ETERNITY with the most beautiful, loving God.
Refuge...while I am here, I can go to Him and dwell in safety while the storms roll about me and sometimes toss me. He comforts me there and rebuilds my strength because He hems me in, He shores me up and He carries me.
Foundation (my Rock)...He calls me His...that is such a sweet, amazing love. And when you stand on that foundation, you cannot be shaken (check out Romans 8:31-39...here's a snipet..."For I am convinced that neither life nor death, neither angel or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Jesus Christ our Lord" {38-39})
Want some rest, hope, salvation, refuge, a firm foundation? God is waiting for you to take this gift marked "paid in full" by Jesus. I promise they will be your most cherished possessions.
There are some pretty cool possessions out there that are mightily desired by many. On the outrageous side, Neiman Marcus came out with their Christmas book and the big fantasy gifts out there were almost austentatious...pointing people toward desiring something way beyond reality and even though outrageously expensive, worth nothing.
That's what this psalm is all about. The fleeting trust in finite man verses trust in the eternal God who has proven Himself faithful. Check out this list of possessions: Rest, Hope, Salvation, Honor, Refuge, Foundation. There is nothing fleeting about these. Want to know the crazy part? You don't have to live beyond your means to obtain them. There is no price tag on them because they are priceless....stamped PAID IN FULL the moment you receive them. Want to know the cool part? They never decrease in value either. Look at the first one,
Rest. Can I tell you how beautiful that sounds as each day in this earthly body takes its toll?! 😉
Hope...oh my goodness...to have hope in your heart in the mess we live in is a treasure possession beyond measure.
Salvation...knowing this place ain't my home, I get to see streets paved with gold, know no pain, cry no tears...spend ETERNITY with the most beautiful, loving God.
Refuge...while I am here, I can go to Him and dwell in safety while the storms roll about me and sometimes toss me. He comforts me there and rebuilds my strength because He hems me in, He shores me up and He carries me.
Foundation (my Rock)...He calls me His...that is such a sweet, amazing love. And when you stand on that foundation, you cannot be shaken (check out Romans 8:31-39...here's a snipet..."For I am convinced that neither life nor death, neither angel or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Jesus Christ our Lord" {38-39})
Want some rest, hope, salvation, refuge, a firm foundation? God is waiting for you to take this gift marked "paid in full" by Jesus. I promise they will be your most cherished possessions.
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
footprints in the sand
Psalm 61:2-3, "From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe."
We all get in that pit (right??...please tell me I'm not crazy). I just happen to be in one right now. Satan being a pest. It began last week and I hit bottom. I am still not out, but fighting better against him and his silly lies. Like David, I remember all of God's sweet kindnesses and mercy with me and lean into His promises. If there's one thing I can put a finger on is that even though I'm not quite out, I have a supernatural peace that can only be God in my heart. I do not feel alone. He is my strong tower and my refuge. When I was faint, He took me to a rock (HIM) higher than I. Nobody...and I mean NO ONE likes being in the pit. They are, however, unavoidable in this life and fallen world. And man, I'm tellin' ya there is no one I want in that pit with me more than God so I can take refuge in the shelter of His wings.
Spurgeon said, "Sweet is it beyond expression to remember the lovingkindness of the Lord in our former days, for He is unchangeable and therefore will continue to guard us from all evil."
Call on Him. If you are His, He will be right there beside you, picking you up, carrying you, sheltering you. If you don't know Him, call on Him so you can be with the One who WILL lead you to the place that is higher.
We all get in that pit (right??...please tell me I'm not crazy). I just happen to be in one right now. Satan being a pest. It began last week and I hit bottom. I am still not out, but fighting better against him and his silly lies. Like David, I remember all of God's sweet kindnesses and mercy with me and lean into His promises. If there's one thing I can put a finger on is that even though I'm not quite out, I have a supernatural peace that can only be God in my heart. I do not feel alone. He is my strong tower and my refuge. When I was faint, He took me to a rock (HIM) higher than I. Nobody...and I mean NO ONE likes being in the pit. They are, however, unavoidable in this life and fallen world. And man, I'm tellin' ya there is no one I want in that pit with me more than God so I can take refuge in the shelter of His wings.
Spurgeon said, "Sweet is it beyond expression to remember the lovingkindness of the Lord in our former days, for He is unchangeable and therefore will continue to guard us from all evil."
Call on Him. If you are His, He will be right there beside you, picking you up, carrying you, sheltering you. If you don't know Him, call on Him so you can be with the One who WILL lead you to the place that is higher.
Monday, April 3, 2017
stand on the wall
Psalm 60:4, "But for those who fear You, You have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow. Selah."
The defeats and victories in life all belong to God. It's how we respond to them that matters. David is going to war and his army has experienced a temporary defeat. Instead of tucking tail and retreating, he calls upon God. Using scripture, he reminds God of His promises for the Israelites possession of this land, in particular. He has learned that God uses defeat to teach lessons, but His goal is for our good and His glory. He has given David, all of us, a banner to raise. When the army fights under His banner they will receive victory.
The weapons of the enemy will not be formed against us (Isaiah 54:17) and nothing can take us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39). In our own flesh and by our own strength, we do not fair so well (as David and the Israelites learned); however, our God goes before us to give us victory (Deut. 31:8) when we fight under His banner and for His glory.
David realized and prayed to God for the Israelites...
it was his cause, and that they were appointed to maintain and defend it. What was true then of the people of God, is true of the church now. God has given to his church a banner or a standard that it may wage a war of justice, righteousness, and truth; that it may be employed in resisting and overcoming his enemies; that it may carry the weapons of truth and right against all injustice, falsehood, error, oppression, and wrong; that it may ever be found on the side of humanity and benevolence - of virtue, temperance, liberty, and equality (Barnes' Notes on the Bible)
The defeats and victories in life all belong to God. It's how we respond to them that matters. David is going to war and his army has experienced a temporary defeat. Instead of tucking tail and retreating, he calls upon God. Using scripture, he reminds God of His promises for the Israelites possession of this land, in particular. He has learned that God uses defeat to teach lessons, but His goal is for our good and His glory. He has given David, all of us, a banner to raise. When the army fights under His banner they will receive victory.
The weapons of the enemy will not be formed against us (Isaiah 54:17) and nothing can take us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39). In our own flesh and by our own strength, we do not fair so well (as David and the Israelites learned); however, our God goes before us to give us victory (Deut. 31:8) when we fight under His banner and for His glory.
David realized and prayed to God for the Israelites...
it was his cause, and that they were appointed to maintain and defend it. What was true then of the people of God, is true of the church now. God has given to his church a banner or a standard that it may wage a war of justice, righteousness, and truth; that it may be employed in resisting and overcoming his enemies; that it may carry the weapons of truth and right against all injustice, falsehood, error, oppression, and wrong; that it may ever be found on the side of humanity and benevolence - of virtue, temperance, liberty, and equality (Barnes' Notes on the Bible)
We are His warriors then and now. Take post under His banner and get ready.
Sunday, April 2, 2017
the perfect storm
Psalm 59:9-10a, "O my strength, I watch for you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God..."
Ya know the expression, "sticks and stones...?" What?! According to Wikipedia (don't judge me), it was an English children's rhyme meant to persuade the child victim (can you even believe they used this word?!) to stay calm and not retailiate...to remain "good-natured". "It is reported to have appeared in The Christian Recorder of March 1862, a publication of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, where it is presented as an old adage in the form, 'Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never break me.'" What a bunch of bullocks.
David, a grown man, is crying out to God because he is being slandered by men...he talks about the "sins of their mouths", "the curses and lies they utter"...to name a few. In verse 7, David says, "See what they spew from their mouths-they spew out swords from their lips..."
There is nothing easy about letting words not hurt you. And to expect young children to remember some silly rhyme to placate them and make it all better is not preparing them to battle for their souls and cling to truth.
I walked through this this very week. Satan was just beating me down telling me the same 'ole, same 'ole junk. You take that and the fact that my communication styles are to negatively interpret what I hear and sometimes see and to withdrawal, and you have the perfect storm. By Friday, I was a mess. I had forgotten to battle for my soul and go to His Word, cry out to His people to pray for me and watch for Him. That puttin' on the whole armor of God is no joke. I asked my community group for prayers and those prayer warriors went to work on their knees and sending me scripture reminding me to look to God.
David got it, "O MY STRENGTH, I WATCH FOR YOU; YOU, O GOD, ARE MY LIVING FORTRESS, MY LOVING GOD." Later in the psalm, confident of his deliverance (and His avenging evil), "But I will sing of Your strength, in the the morning I will sing of Your love; for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. O my Strength, I sing priase to You; You, O God, are my fortress, my loving God." (verses 16-17)
Armor on!
Ya know the expression, "sticks and stones...?" What?! According to Wikipedia (don't judge me), it was an English children's rhyme meant to persuade the child victim (can you even believe they used this word?!) to stay calm and not retailiate...to remain "good-natured". "It is reported to have appeared in The Christian Recorder of March 1862, a publication of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, where it is presented as an old adage in the form, 'Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never break me.'" What a bunch of bullocks.
David, a grown man, is crying out to God because he is being slandered by men...he talks about the "sins of their mouths", "the curses and lies they utter"...to name a few. In verse 7, David says, "See what they spew from their mouths-they spew out swords from their lips..."
There is nothing easy about letting words not hurt you. And to expect young children to remember some silly rhyme to placate them and make it all better is not preparing them to battle for their souls and cling to truth.
I walked through this this very week. Satan was just beating me down telling me the same 'ole, same 'ole junk. You take that and the fact that my communication styles are to negatively interpret what I hear and sometimes see and to withdrawal, and you have the perfect storm. By Friday, I was a mess. I had forgotten to battle for my soul and go to His Word, cry out to His people to pray for me and watch for Him. That puttin' on the whole armor of God is no joke. I asked my community group for prayers and those prayer warriors went to work on their knees and sending me scripture reminding me to look to God.
David got it, "O MY STRENGTH, I WATCH FOR YOU; YOU, O GOD, ARE MY LIVING FORTRESS, MY LOVING GOD." Later in the psalm, confident of his deliverance (and His avenging evil), "But I will sing of Your strength, in the the morning I will sing of Your love; for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. O my Strength, I sing priase to You; You, O God, are my fortress, my loving God." (verses 16-17)
Armor on!
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