Psalm 108:4, "For great is Your love, higher than the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies."
A prayer for the Ephesians (and me and you)
"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strenghten you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in you hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, to know that this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:14-21)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z65YxhqY0_E
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
the business of miracles
Psalm 107:20, "He sent forth His Word and healed them; He rescued them from the grave."
These can be very confusing words...especially in the midst someone's sickness or during a trial. God was, is and will be in the business of miracles. The meaning here hit me differently this time as I read it and took the whole picture in. He sent His Word, His book, His love letter, His scripture to us that we might read it, be told it, share it and be healed. Not necessarily from any physical infirmity, but healed from our sin drawing us into relationship with Him because there is no other way. He rescues from the grave. Yes He can bring life where there was none, bring loved ones back from death, raise Lazarus. But, He saves us all from the grave...literally from hell. We get to live eternally WITH HIM when we believe the work of the cross, that Jesus died to pay the price for my sin...healing me and rescuing me. Man, that's some powerful stuff.
My mom does not believe in God (we're working on it and praying for it). Through the years I have come to understand why and it grieves me so for her saddness, but even moreso because there is HOPE that she just hasn't "found" yet. She lived in a tee tiny town in Pennsylvania and was kicked out of the church for wearing lipstick and roller skating. She was pregnant with my older brother and asked to go out of town with my dad on business. When the school told her no, she called in sick and ended up going into labor and Michael was too young to survive. My dad got cancer and God did not heal him. I get it. Those are tough roads to walk. God didn't do that to her. He permitted it to happen as just part of life...people get sick, they die, churches fail consistently to be godly role models. But God looks to heal the hurt in her, in you, in me. He gave His Word. And He is standing by to rescue and give hope and life.
These can be very confusing words...especially in the midst someone's sickness or during a trial. God was, is and will be in the business of miracles. The meaning here hit me differently this time as I read it and took the whole picture in. He sent His Word, His book, His love letter, His scripture to us that we might read it, be told it, share it and be healed. Not necessarily from any physical infirmity, but healed from our sin drawing us into relationship with Him because there is no other way. He rescues from the grave. Yes He can bring life where there was none, bring loved ones back from death, raise Lazarus. But, He saves us all from the grave...literally from hell. We get to live eternally WITH HIM when we believe the work of the cross, that Jesus died to pay the price for my sin...healing me and rescuing me. Man, that's some powerful stuff.
My mom does not believe in God (we're working on it and praying for it). Through the years I have come to understand why and it grieves me so for her saddness, but even moreso because there is HOPE that she just hasn't "found" yet. She lived in a tee tiny town in Pennsylvania and was kicked out of the church for wearing lipstick and roller skating. She was pregnant with my older brother and asked to go out of town with my dad on business. When the school told her no, she called in sick and ended up going into labor and Michael was too young to survive. My dad got cancer and God did not heal him. I get it. Those are tough roads to walk. God didn't do that to her. He permitted it to happen as just part of life...people get sick, they die, churches fail consistently to be godly role models. But God looks to heal the hurt in her, in you, in me. He gave His Word. And He is standing by to rescue and give hope and life.
Monday, June 26, 2017
for HIS sake
Psalm 106:45, "for their sake He remembered His covenant and out of His great love He relented."
Pride is a stinky thing. It is something I continue to struggle with. I think the good things I do have so much more to do with me and than something that comes from God. I quickly forget all the yuck that came before that He has forgiven and think somehow I either "earned" His forgiveness or that I am worthy of it.
If you have read the Old Testament, those Israelites can make you so frustrated. Like, how much more proof do you need? In my own life, I have not seen a sea parted, water gush from a rock, manna drop from heaven (to name a few). And they just keep on griping and complaining. "We're hungry." "Why did you bring us here?" "I don't want to do that!" And He just keeps on loving them and rescuing their behinds. And I guarantee (said in a Louisiana accent) it had nothing to do with their merit. It was His unrelenting faithfulness and love.
Did you see my pride right up there?! Ugh, it's stinky. I do the same thing. So, a few of my miracles look like a child that was born into this world that for all worldly reasons shouldn't have been and thrives and has the biggest heart toward people; a child that didn't die from alcohol poisoning from a young, stupid choice; a godly husband that loves me so much he stayed back in Dallas to take care of our dog so I could go on vacation (and is taking me back to my home next month). And those are a MIGHTY small few of my list. And yet I grumble and forget.
God is always working. I don't get to understand it. HE IS GOD, I AM NOT. He is unrelenting in His love for me, in His forgiveness and His pursuit of me.
So I have to remind myself...hopefully this comes before the words out of my mouth or even the thoughts that I let carry. And I hope in His promises. In my trials I have found several truths that in my older years look like tattoos I have to visually remind myself when I need it that even in my pride He is working on me. Philippians 1:6, "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." George Morrison wrote, "The Lord took Israel out of Egypt in one night, but it took Him forty years to take Egypt out of Israel." He worked on them. He's working on me. He's pursuing and working on you. HE is faithful.
Pride is a stinky thing. It is something I continue to struggle with. I think the good things I do have so much more to do with me and than something that comes from God. I quickly forget all the yuck that came before that He has forgiven and think somehow I either "earned" His forgiveness or that I am worthy of it.
If you have read the Old Testament, those Israelites can make you so frustrated. Like, how much more proof do you need? In my own life, I have not seen a sea parted, water gush from a rock, manna drop from heaven (to name a few). And they just keep on griping and complaining. "We're hungry." "Why did you bring us here?" "I don't want to do that!" And He just keeps on loving them and rescuing their behinds. And I guarantee (said in a Louisiana accent) it had nothing to do with their merit. It was His unrelenting faithfulness and love.
Did you see my pride right up there?! Ugh, it's stinky. I do the same thing. So, a few of my miracles look like a child that was born into this world that for all worldly reasons shouldn't have been and thrives and has the biggest heart toward people; a child that didn't die from alcohol poisoning from a young, stupid choice; a godly husband that loves me so much he stayed back in Dallas to take care of our dog so I could go on vacation (and is taking me back to my home next month). And those are a MIGHTY small few of my list. And yet I grumble and forget.
God is always working. I don't get to understand it. HE IS GOD, I AM NOT. He is unrelenting in His love for me, in His forgiveness and His pursuit of me.
So I have to remind myself...hopefully this comes before the words out of my mouth or even the thoughts that I let carry. And I hope in His promises. In my trials I have found several truths that in my older years look like tattoos I have to visually remind myself when I need it that even in my pride He is working on me. Philippians 1:6, "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." George Morrison wrote, "The Lord took Israel out of Egypt in one night, but it took Him forty years to take Egypt out of Israel." He worked on them. He's working on me. He's pursuing and working on you. HE is faithful.
Friday, June 23, 2017
seek...and you'll find
Psalm 105:4, "Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always."
We leave for Colorado in two days. It's where I recharge, where I come center, where I seek and see His face in everything. We woke up this morning with a bang. Our dog, Sam had a external tumor partially rupture. Sam is 16. We had no idea what that would mean at his age.
See, I had asked for our community group to pray that Sam not die while our house sitter was here and we were gone. Careful what you ask for. He already has cancer. So, to operate and remove the external tumor, he would have to be well enough to get through the anethesia. A chest x-ray later and he is having his tumor removed on Tuesday.
My amazing husband is not going to Colorado. He is staying to take care of Sam. All the sudden a wrench is thrown in and we are left trying to figure out what God is up to. And all I can do is trust...look to Him for strength and seek His face in this and know He is good. And this is a SMALL thing in the scheme of life.
I see a mother deal with the death of her son with extraordinary strength and lean in to the God she knows. I know where it comes from. To see it come in play and played out is amazing and an attestment to God. She can rely on God because she knew who He was before the tragedy. She spent time with the Lord and taught of Him to her kids. She got to see her legacy lived out in her son who taught others of Christ's love.
Where am I going with this? Just the point to seek Him always. Seek Him NOW when there is nothing extraordinary going on. Spend time getting to know His character. Learn that His promises are true now so when life hands you a wrench or completely tilts your world, you can go through all the emotions and questions with a hope that is unexplainable by the world's standard.
The beginning of the psalm says it well...all action verbs to help you know Him. Give thanks (v.1)
Call on His name (v.1)
Sing to Him (v.2)
Tell of His acts (v.2)
Glory in His Holy name(v. 3)
Rejoice (v.3)
Remember the wonders He has done (v.5)
He is Sovereign and He is good. Get to know Him.
We leave for Colorado in two days. It's where I recharge, where I come center, where I seek and see His face in everything. We woke up this morning with a bang. Our dog, Sam had a external tumor partially rupture. Sam is 16. We had no idea what that would mean at his age.
See, I had asked for our community group to pray that Sam not die while our house sitter was here and we were gone. Careful what you ask for. He already has cancer. So, to operate and remove the external tumor, he would have to be well enough to get through the anethesia. A chest x-ray later and he is having his tumor removed on Tuesday.
My amazing husband is not going to Colorado. He is staying to take care of Sam. All the sudden a wrench is thrown in and we are left trying to figure out what God is up to. And all I can do is trust...look to Him for strength and seek His face in this and know He is good. And this is a SMALL thing in the scheme of life.
I see a mother deal with the death of her son with extraordinary strength and lean in to the God she knows. I know where it comes from. To see it come in play and played out is amazing and an attestment to God. She can rely on God because she knew who He was before the tragedy. She spent time with the Lord and taught of Him to her kids. She got to see her legacy lived out in her son who taught others of Christ's love.
Where am I going with this? Just the point to seek Him always. Seek Him NOW when there is nothing extraordinary going on. Spend time getting to know His character. Learn that His promises are true now so when life hands you a wrench or completely tilts your world, you can go through all the emotions and questions with a hope that is unexplainable by the world's standard.
The beginning of the psalm says it well...all action verbs to help you know Him. Give thanks (v.1)
Call on His name (v.1)
Sing to Him (v.2)
Tell of His acts (v.2)
Glory in His Holy name(v. 3)
Rejoice (v.3)
Remember the wonders He has done (v.5)
He is Sovereign and He is good. Get to know Him.
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
EVERY good thing
Psalm 104: 12-13, "The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. He waters the mountains from His upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of His work.
In this psalm of praise, the writer walks us through creation and points to the sovereignty of God. This was even more amazing considering the time period and the belief in the Near East in the Canaanite gods that they thought were responsible for the things in nature.
The psalmist shows that God is able to control what is humanly umanageable demonstrating His sovereignty over all that is difficult to manage in creation. The sea and its borders...the inhabitants thereof.
He not only created, He provides. He provides every good thing...to every part of creation...E V E R Y creature, every need. The songs of the birds praise God for His provision. The earth is satisfied.
How convicting. The earth is satisfied, the birds sing, and yet somehow I manage to gripe a little what seems like everyday. And yet He provides, and has provided, every good thing that I need and kept away some huge things that I did not need but wanted at the time (listen to Garth Brook's "Unanswered Prayers"). He is so gracious, so giving and so wise.
I think I need to spend more time listening to the birds and taking their cue.
In this psalm of praise, the writer walks us through creation and points to the sovereignty of God. This was even more amazing considering the time period and the belief in the Near East in the Canaanite gods that they thought were responsible for the things in nature.
The psalmist shows that God is able to control what is humanly umanageable demonstrating His sovereignty over all that is difficult to manage in creation. The sea and its borders...the inhabitants thereof.
He not only created, He provides. He provides every good thing...to every part of creation...E V E R Y creature, every need. The songs of the birds praise God for His provision. The earth is satisfied.
How convicting. The earth is satisfied, the birds sing, and yet somehow I manage to gripe a little what seems like everyday. And yet He provides, and has provided, every good thing that I need and kept away some huge things that I did not need but wanted at the time (listen to Garth Brook's "Unanswered Prayers"). He is so gracious, so giving and so wise.
I think I need to spend more time listening to the birds and taking their cue.
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
everlasting love
Psalm 103: 17a, 19, "But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear Him,...The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all."
There is such comfort in the surety of these words. David's praise of the Lord is so deep and intimate and attests to why he is called a man after God's heart. Throughout the psalm he reviews God's mercies and is speaks confidently of God's promises. In the psalm, he notes reasons to praise God
There is such comfort in the surety of these words. David's praise of the Lord is so deep and intimate and attests to why he is called a man after God's heart. Throughout the psalm he reviews God's mercies and is speaks confidently of God's promises. In the psalm, he notes reasons to praise God
- His benefits to His people
- His care of His creation
- His wonderful acts on behalf of Israel
- His longsuffering with His people's rebellion
Sounds like a good father, right?!
Matthew 7:9-11 reminds us, "Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"
If you have teenagers this might especially ring true for you. By design, the teenage years are fraught with becoming their own person with beliefs and a faith that are their own. In their sinful nature, this often comes out as rebellion (sounds a little like the Israelites). They think they have it own their own, can do it on their own sometimes forgetting the love of their parents and/or the discipline therein. Then your teenage is off on their own in college and learns to appreciate the love, guidance and wisdom of their parents.
David knows the truth of these words and carries them in his heart. When troubles might appear or when they pass, David remember that God's love is from everlasting to everlasting (just as we always love our teens in even in their rebellion). His kingdom, unlike our own, was established in heaven before there was time and will remain forever. He rules over it all and His love is always with Him. As my pastor said, "Your heavenly Father is not a reflection of your earthly father, but the perfection of Him." "He is a good, good Father...perfect in all of His ways" (Chris Tomlin)
Friday, June 16, 2017
lessons from the young
Psalm 102:25-26a and 27, "In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You will remain...You remain the same, and Your years will never end."
So weird what will hit you and tilt your world. A young man from our church went in for a wisdom tooth extraction and the unimaginable happens. He lays in a coma, his journey on this earth possibly coming to an end. The thing is I know of him, I do not know him. My daughter belongs to the same high school group, she worked in the children's area with him, volunteered at camp with him. I think it hit me because my kids are in that age range...time to get the wisdom teeth out and without a thought really, because it is so common, you proceed...almost this right of passage. And you just never know.
So, in days of praying I think what has come to me:
1) In listening to Austin's testimony, he loves Jesus. At a REMARKABLY young age he is able to identify his sin struggles and know his need for a Savior to have victory, freedom and life.
2) In reading people's stories about him...Austin led another young man to Christ and baptized his friend this spring. Decades my junior and he is unashamed to share the good news of Jesus' saving grace. I am without excuse.
This man I have not yet met has tilted my world. He has inspired me to be unashamed and share the love of Jesus with people. To understand that I cannot wait for later, when it's more convenient, when I have all the answers. To love someone enough to tell them about Jesus so they will know.
I was talking to my husband about where Austin is in his journey right now and my husband said he is still praying for a miracle. I am too. Last night, I begged God for a "hail Mary pass" knowing He is able to do all things. Knowing that He who laid the foundations of the earth is over it all. No matter Austin's time on earth or mine, our days are numbered. One day we perish, but God remains. He was and is and is to come. His years never ending, His wisdom unfathomable.
And I know that Austin's journey has already glorified Him. The man I have yet to meet has changed me. One day, when I do get to meet him...whenever that may be...I want to let him know. The thing is, from all I have learned, read and heard, I have a feeling his response will be to point to the One who made the very heaven we will meet in.
Austin is the embodiment of 1 Timothy 4:12, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." And I am grateful.
So weird what will hit you and tilt your world. A young man from our church went in for a wisdom tooth extraction and the unimaginable happens. He lays in a coma, his journey on this earth possibly coming to an end. The thing is I know of him, I do not know him. My daughter belongs to the same high school group, she worked in the children's area with him, volunteered at camp with him. I think it hit me because my kids are in that age range...time to get the wisdom teeth out and without a thought really, because it is so common, you proceed...almost this right of passage. And you just never know.
So, in days of praying I think what has come to me:
1) In listening to Austin's testimony, he loves Jesus. At a REMARKABLY young age he is able to identify his sin struggles and know his need for a Savior to have victory, freedom and life.
2) In reading people's stories about him...Austin led another young man to Christ and baptized his friend this spring. Decades my junior and he is unashamed to share the good news of Jesus' saving grace. I am without excuse.
This man I have not yet met has tilted my world. He has inspired me to be unashamed and share the love of Jesus with people. To understand that I cannot wait for later, when it's more convenient, when I have all the answers. To love someone enough to tell them about Jesus so they will know.
I was talking to my husband about where Austin is in his journey right now and my husband said he is still praying for a miracle. I am too. Last night, I begged God for a "hail Mary pass" knowing He is able to do all things. Knowing that He who laid the foundations of the earth is over it all. No matter Austin's time on earth or mine, our days are numbered. One day we perish, but God remains. He was and is and is to come. His years never ending, His wisdom unfathomable.
And I know that Austin's journey has already glorified Him. The man I have yet to meet has changed me. One day, when I do get to meet him...whenever that may be...I want to let him know. The thing is, from all I have learned, read and heard, I have a feeling his response will be to point to the One who made the very heaven we will meet in.
Austin is the embodiment of 1 Timothy 4:12, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." And I am grateful.
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
doing life as His child
Psalm 101:6, "My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to me."
Oh how your view changes as your priorities get straight. That is why I have always said I would never go back in time even for a "redo".
When I was younger, I wanted to be popular. So I looked up to those pretty, popular girls and thought that was where life was. Until I started to realize, still at a pretty young age, the hypocrisy that existed in that world...they called the people that were wild "freaks" (this wasn't me either...I was a "band geek" as labels back then went) yet I learned that they did some of the same things at their parties. Cold hard pass on that.
Even as an adult and surrounded by people that edify rather than destroy, I looked up to the women that were stronger in their walk, stronger in their faith, had beautiful, eloquent prayer language and seemed to have it all together.
While I had my eyes on the faithful, my focus was still off. I was comparing myself to them and letting comparison steal some of my joy and thinking I wasn't somehow "there" yet because I was not like them. I get it more now, although that envy thing is a sneaky little bug that creeps back in occasionally. That is why the second part of this verse resonated with me. It is good to have the faithful in view...to MINISTER to me. There is no shame is letting their life speak into yours...that is God's design...that we do life with those who speak into ours. But not to compare. Our journeys are our own. My walk and talk may never look like yours, but God calls me child just the same and that is more than enough for me.
Oh how your view changes as your priorities get straight. That is why I have always said I would never go back in time even for a "redo".
When I was younger, I wanted to be popular. So I looked up to those pretty, popular girls and thought that was where life was. Until I started to realize, still at a pretty young age, the hypocrisy that existed in that world...they called the people that were wild "freaks" (this wasn't me either...I was a "band geek" as labels back then went) yet I learned that they did some of the same things at their parties. Cold hard pass on that.
Even as an adult and surrounded by people that edify rather than destroy, I looked up to the women that were stronger in their walk, stronger in their faith, had beautiful, eloquent prayer language and seemed to have it all together.
While I had my eyes on the faithful, my focus was still off. I was comparing myself to them and letting comparison steal some of my joy and thinking I wasn't somehow "there" yet because I was not like them. I get it more now, although that envy thing is a sneaky little bug that creeps back in occasionally. That is why the second part of this verse resonated with me. It is good to have the faithful in view...to MINISTER to me. There is no shame is letting their life speak into yours...that is God's design...that we do life with those who speak into ours. But not to compare. Our journeys are our own. My walk and talk may never look like yours, but God calls me child just the same and that is more than enough for me.
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
even if...yes, even if
Psalm 100:4-5, "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations."
There is a new song out by Mercy Me called "Even If". Yesterday...and Sunday truth be told, much to the chagrin of my husband and daughter, "Even If" has been played on repeat specifically as a young man in our church fights for his life because of an adverse reaction to the anethesia he received during a routine wisdom tooth extraction. It has given me pause to try to wrap my head around that poor momma/family. Please, please pray for them.
Even in these times, we enter His gates with thanksgiving. We don't always get to understand His ways. He is God and we are not. But, I know He is good and His love endures forever. He has been faithful and will be faithful and gives us the peace to say "It is well with my soul," even in the hardest times.
The lyrics that have slayed me:
There is a new song out by Mercy Me called "Even If". Yesterday...and Sunday truth be told, much to the chagrin of my husband and daughter, "Even If" has been played on repeat specifically as a young man in our church fights for his life because of an adverse reaction to the anethesia he received during a routine wisdom tooth extraction. It has given me pause to try to wrap my head around that poor momma/family. Please, please pray for them.
Even in these times, we enter His gates with thanksgiving. We don't always get to understand His ways. He is God and we are not. But, I know He is good and His love endures forever. He has been faithful and will be faithful and gives us the peace to say "It is well with my soul," even in the hardest times.
The lyrics that have slayed me:
It's easy to sing
When there's nothing to bring me down
But what will I say
When I'm held to the flame
Like I am right now
When there's nothing to bring me down
But what will I say
When I'm held to the flame
Like I am right now
I know You're able and I know You can
Save through the fire with Your mighty hand
But even if You don't
My hope is You alone
Save through the fire with Your mighty hand
But even if You don't
My hope is You alone
They say it only takes a little faith
To move a mountain
Well good thing
A little faith is all I have, right now
But God, when You choose
To leave mountains unmovable
Oh give me the strength to be able to sing
It is well with my soul
To move a mountain
Well good thing
A little faith is all I have, right now
But God, when You choose
To leave mountains unmovable
Oh give me the strength to be able to sing
It is well with my soul
Sunday, June 11, 2017
paid in full, praisellujah
Psalm 99:9, "Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy."
Called the "holy, holy, holy" psalm, this psalm calls the people to worship the Lord in view of His future reign...because He is holy and He answers prayers. Throughout the psalm God's holiness is mentioned three times.
God is holy. Charles Spurgeon said, "Holiness is the harmony of all the virtues. The Lord has not one glorious attribute alone, or in excess, but all glories are in Him as a whole; this is the crown of His honor and the honor of His crown."
Henry also said, "Then He ruled more by the power of holy fear; now He rules by the power of holy love." The Israelites lived under the Mosaic Covenant of following the law....they feared God because He was just and would punish them for their sin because He is holy and cannot tolerate sinners. However, God tempers holiness with mercy. He listened to the prayers of those who interceded for the Israelites...Moses, Samuel and Aaron.
In our time, we live under a new covenant...Jesus. He paid the penalty for our sin. He did not remove our sin, but covered the cost of it with His precious blood...the ultimate love. Knowing God's holiness gives us hope because He will deal justly with evil. He will deal mercifully with the godly who have acknowledged Jesus as their Savior. One debt with will be paid at the judgement seat by those who denied His kingship/holiness. The other will face Him with a bill marked "Paid in Full". And our response will be to worship and exalt Him at His mountain.
Called the "holy, holy, holy" psalm, this psalm calls the people to worship the Lord in view of His future reign...because He is holy and He answers prayers. Throughout the psalm God's holiness is mentioned three times.
God is holy. Charles Spurgeon said, "Holiness is the harmony of all the virtues. The Lord has not one glorious attribute alone, or in excess, but all glories are in Him as a whole; this is the crown of His honor and the honor of His crown."
Henry also said, "Then He ruled more by the power of holy fear; now He rules by the power of holy love." The Israelites lived under the Mosaic Covenant of following the law....they feared God because He was just and would punish them for their sin because He is holy and cannot tolerate sinners. However, God tempers holiness with mercy. He listened to the prayers of those who interceded for the Israelites...Moses, Samuel and Aaron.
In our time, we live under a new covenant...Jesus. He paid the penalty for our sin. He did not remove our sin, but covered the cost of it with His precious blood...the ultimate love. Knowing God's holiness gives us hope because He will deal justly with evil. He will deal mercifully with the godly who have acknowledged Jesus as their Savior. One debt with will be paid at the judgement seat by those who denied His kingship/holiness. The other will face Him with a bill marked "Paid in Full". And our response will be to worship and exalt Him at His mountain.
Saturday, June 10, 2017
without excuse
Psalm 98:2, "The Lord has made His salvation known and revealed His righteousness to the nations."
The law of the land often says that ignorance of the law is not an excuse. I teach ancient world history and it's hard to imagine now that LONG ago the wealthy ruled the land and the laws they made were only known to them. One fellow Hammurabi decided to post the laws (Hammurabi's Code) in the market place the common folk might also know the law. The Romans did it as well on the Bronze Tables posted in the forum of the city. And so did a young man named Moses who received the Ten Commandments and taught them to the Israelites.
God has made His salvation known to us. Through the Bible, we read about Jesus...God's plan of salvation for us. The Ten Commandments taught us about the law...taught us that we could never perfectly follow the law so that we might see our need for a savior.
This often brings to question, "what about the peoples in the remote places of the world...without access to the Bible or it's teaching. God made His salvation known to us through His creation so that we are without excuse no matter where we live (Romans 1:20). I was recently talking with a friend and we were talking about how close we feel to God when we are in Colorado...that just the majesty of the mountains and the beauty of His creation point to His existence.
But, you don't need to go somewhere to see it. You can experience His goodness through the people placed around you...the friend who has that something...joy/peace...that you cannot explain. As a mother, the whole process of birth from conception to birth, God's evidence is clear, you cannot explain it away.
His salvation has been made known to us. You can see it, you can read it and if you need to hear His story of grace in my own life, I'd be happy to share it with you.
The law of the land often says that ignorance of the law is not an excuse. I teach ancient world history and it's hard to imagine now that LONG ago the wealthy ruled the land and the laws they made were only known to them. One fellow Hammurabi decided to post the laws (Hammurabi's Code) in the market place the common folk might also know the law. The Romans did it as well on the Bronze Tables posted in the forum of the city. And so did a young man named Moses who received the Ten Commandments and taught them to the Israelites.
God has made His salvation known to us. Through the Bible, we read about Jesus...God's plan of salvation for us. The Ten Commandments taught us about the law...taught us that we could never perfectly follow the law so that we might see our need for a savior.
This often brings to question, "what about the peoples in the remote places of the world...without access to the Bible or it's teaching. God made His salvation known to us through His creation so that we are without excuse no matter where we live (Romans 1:20). I was recently talking with a friend and we were talking about how close we feel to God when we are in Colorado...that just the majesty of the mountains and the beauty of His creation point to His existence.
But, you don't need to go somewhere to see it. You can experience His goodness through the people placed around you...the friend who has that something...joy/peace...that you cannot explain. As a mother, the whole process of birth from conception to birth, God's evidence is clear, you cannot explain it away.
His salvation has been made known to us. You can see it, you can read it and if you need to hear His story of grace in my own life, I'd be happy to share it with you.
Friday, June 9, 2017
only love can do that
Psalm 98:10, "Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for He guards the lives of His faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked."
The psalmist is looking toward the time when the Lord will reign and we will rejoice. He is encouraging people, in the waiting, that we live like He is coming today.
I love clouds...God's return is pictured as coming in on the clouds (Revelation 1:7). When the sky is full of awesome clouds, I often imagine what that will look like...because the whole world will see it. How huge will He be? Will it look just like His face at first, then get bigger? Will we see thousands, the faithful, coming behind Him? It fascinates me. In this psalm, clouds and thick darkness are meant to depict His awesome power (v.2). The fire in verse 3, His consuming judgement.
While I could get lost in my head imagining, I love the application the psalmist gives us. To not sit and in our own heads picture and learn...but to get out there and do. Many times in the Bible, we are told to love. Love God first, but to love others. To live like we're not of this world that so often exudes hateful actions and words. He's not calling us to vigilantism. He is the Judge. We are not. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. must have had this in mind when he said, "Darkness can't drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate can't drive out hate; only love can do that."
So, how do we hate evil? We love. So simple. So simple, but not always so easy. I have had to lay down people that have done evil and let them go. It is too burdensome to carry. Then I think of Jesus when He washed the feet of His disciples...He humbled Himself, got on the ground and loving cleaned the feet of the very one who would later betray Him looking on Judas with nothing but love because He knew the evil Judas chose would be his own undoing. In the end, the evil shown to us is temporary. He has already given us the ultimate victory...HIM. We get Him, for eternity. So, let's love one another in our own corner of our worlds. That's how He wants us to find us when He rides in on those clouds.
The psalmist is looking toward the time when the Lord will reign and we will rejoice. He is encouraging people, in the waiting, that we live like He is coming today.
I love clouds...God's return is pictured as coming in on the clouds (Revelation 1:7). When the sky is full of awesome clouds, I often imagine what that will look like...because the whole world will see it. How huge will He be? Will it look just like His face at first, then get bigger? Will we see thousands, the faithful, coming behind Him? It fascinates me. In this psalm, clouds and thick darkness are meant to depict His awesome power (v.2). The fire in verse 3, His consuming judgement.
While I could get lost in my head imagining, I love the application the psalmist gives us. To not sit and in our own heads picture and learn...but to get out there and do. Many times in the Bible, we are told to love. Love God first, but to love others. To live like we're not of this world that so often exudes hateful actions and words. He's not calling us to vigilantism. He is the Judge. We are not. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. must have had this in mind when he said, "Darkness can't drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate can't drive out hate; only love can do that."
So, how do we hate evil? We love. So simple. So simple, but not always so easy. I have had to lay down people that have done evil and let them go. It is too burdensome to carry. Then I think of Jesus when He washed the feet of His disciples...He humbled Himself, got on the ground and loving cleaned the feet of the very one who would later betray Him looking on Judas with nothing but love because He knew the evil Judas chose would be his own undoing. In the end, the evil shown to us is temporary. He has already given us the ultimate victory...HIM. We get Him, for eternity. So, let's love one another in our own corner of our worlds. That's how He wants us to find us when He rides in on those clouds.
Thursday, June 8, 2017
sing a new song
Psalm 96:12, "let the fields be jubilant and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy."
There will be a day, a sweet glorious day when Jesus will return. He came once to save the world by offering His life in place of our sins. He will come again to judge the world, to judge evil and to set it right.
The psalmist in this lovely psalm of praise is calling God's people to sing a new song to God...to remember that His blessings are new each day (Lamentations 3:22-23). To remember the great things He has done for them and that HE created the earth...He is strong and glorious. Therefore, in the psalmist's estimation, it is only reasonable to worship God because He reigns over all the earth.
The psalmist then moves to a time will God will return and judge the people with equity.(v.10) Yesterday I was looking for something on our church's website and I stumbled across Sgt. Mike Smith's funeral. I watched it again. Felt the hurt again. For some reason I just needed to. Then yesterday, my facebook memory popped up, as they always do
"One should regard every human being, especially such as God has placed near to him, as a being having the same origin, as created in the image of God, and of the same lofty destination, and should consider himself as under obligation to love him. " ~Delitzsch (from Dr. Constable's notes of Proverbs 14:21
This, along with Mike's funeral. reminded me that this world is not right...it is not my home. That there is sadness and hate, but one day, ONE BEAUTIFUL DAY, it will be set right. Not only people will rejoice, but CREATION will rejoice. The heavens will rejoice, the earth will be glad, the sea will resound...and my favorite..the fields will be jubilant and the trees of the forest will sing for joy. What a wonderful song. I cannot wait to be right there singing along with creation.
There are songs we sing in church that at one point you are just singing more sounds than words (ooo's sometimes, oh's...whatever) when you are bridging to the chorus. It's weird but I love it so much, it just is this primal feel of when words are not enough but your soul just wants to sing. In Luke 19: 32-40 Jesus rode into town and the people laid their coats down and shouted, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!" The disciples began to "joyfully to praise God in loud voices"and the Pharisees (see the world today) told Jesus to calm his disciples. Jesus answered them, "'I tell you,' he replied
if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out!'" We were created to sing along with creation. Come join in the song!
There will be a day, a sweet glorious day when Jesus will return. He came once to save the world by offering His life in place of our sins. He will come again to judge the world, to judge evil and to set it right.
The psalmist in this lovely psalm of praise is calling God's people to sing a new song to God...to remember that His blessings are new each day (Lamentations 3:22-23). To remember the great things He has done for them and that HE created the earth...He is strong and glorious. Therefore, in the psalmist's estimation, it is only reasonable to worship God because He reigns over all the earth.
The psalmist then moves to a time will God will return and judge the people with equity.(v.10) Yesterday I was looking for something on our church's website and I stumbled across Sgt. Mike Smith's funeral. I watched it again. Felt the hurt again. For some reason I just needed to. Then yesterday, my facebook memory popped up, as they always do
"One should regard every human being, especially such as God has placed near to him, as a being having the same origin, as created in the image of God, and of the same lofty destination, and should consider himself as under obligation to love him. " ~Delitzsch (from Dr. Constable's notes of Proverbs 14:21
This, along with Mike's funeral. reminded me that this world is not right...it is not my home. That there is sadness and hate, but one day, ONE BEAUTIFUL DAY, it will be set right. Not only people will rejoice, but CREATION will rejoice. The heavens will rejoice, the earth will be glad, the sea will resound...and my favorite..the fields will be jubilant and the trees of the forest will sing for joy. What a wonderful song. I cannot wait to be right there singing along with creation.
There are songs we sing in church that at one point you are just singing more sounds than words (ooo's sometimes, oh's...whatever) when you are bridging to the chorus. It's weird but I love it so much, it just is this primal feel of when words are not enough but your soul just wants to sing. In Luke 19: 32-40 Jesus rode into town and the people laid their coats down and shouted, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!" The disciples began to "joyfully to praise God in loud voices"and the Pharisees (see the world today) told Jesus to calm his disciples. Jesus answered them, "'I tell you,' he replied
if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out!'" We were created to sing along with creation. Come join in the song!
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
dependent
Psalm 95:6-7, "Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care."
A while ago...I looked it up and couldn't believe it's been FIVE years...our pastor taught on the 23 psalm. Part of his teaching was about sheep and how completely helpless they are. Sheep are 100% dependent on their shepherd. They are defenseless and directionally challenged and may or may not just be plain dumb. Their only defense mechanism is to flock together...which isn't a bad idea. Certainly in times of trouble, we should do the same...seek wise council from our flock. They depend wholly on their shepherd and know his voice (okay, so they're not dumb). They depend on him to lead them to green pastures, to protect them as they wander through dangerous places, to watch over them as they rest.
It's easy to see why the Israelites saw God as their shepherd and themselves as sheep under his guidance and protection. We are the same. When we listen to His voice, He leads us away from danger. When we don't (hello, me in my stubborness), He walks beside us through it. And oh so sweetly, when we are with Him, He gives us rest. He is my faithful shepherd and worthy of my worship. Even now in the heavenlies, they sing repeatedly, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." (Rev. 4:8) Listen to the good shepherd who would leave all 99 sheep to go find YOU. (Matthew 18:12-14, Luke 15:3-7)
A while ago...I looked it up and couldn't believe it's been FIVE years...our pastor taught on the 23 psalm. Part of his teaching was about sheep and how completely helpless they are. Sheep are 100% dependent on their shepherd. They are defenseless and directionally challenged and may or may not just be plain dumb. Their only defense mechanism is to flock together...which isn't a bad idea. Certainly in times of trouble, we should do the same...seek wise council from our flock. They depend wholly on their shepherd and know his voice (okay, so they're not dumb). They depend on him to lead them to green pastures, to protect them as they wander through dangerous places, to watch over them as they rest.
It's easy to see why the Israelites saw God as their shepherd and themselves as sheep under his guidance and protection. We are the same. When we listen to His voice, He leads us away from danger. When we don't (hello, me in my stubborness), He walks beside us through it. And oh so sweetly, when we are with Him, He gives us rest. He is my faithful shepherd and worthy of my worship. Even now in the heavenlies, they sing repeatedly, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." (Rev. 4:8) Listen to the good shepherd who would leave all 99 sheep to go find YOU. (Matthew 18:12-14, Luke 15:3-7)
Monday, June 5, 2017
commit, call, continue
Psalm 94:18-19, "When I thought, "My foot slips," Your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul."
God is just. He's also thrifty in his dealings. Huh? Throughout history, he will often use the wicked to bring punishment on His people. I guess because they are handy/available. The Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem, the Assyrians, the Egyptians made them slaves and treated them horribly... He takes care of/punishes the wicked as well once he has used them for His purpose. You know, "two birds, one stone." He hardened Pharoah's heart then sent plague after plague upon them until the ultimate blow of taking the first born from every family. He again showed His power and protection of His people when fickle Pharoah decided after He let the Israelites go that they might become too powerful so the army went after them. God split the sea allowing the Israelites through and bam, when the Egyptians are in the midst of the passage, the sea swallows them.
In this psalm, the Isaealites are being oppressed by the wicked. While the psalmist understands the use of discipline to correct His people, he is pleading for God to avenge His people now. The wicked are boasting and rejoicing in their terrible treatment of the Israelites and worse, they are mocking the Israelites' God because He is allowing it for the moment. They think He is incapable of doing anything because He cannot see or hear what they do and say.
The psalmist knows better. He knows God will eventually execute His judgement and His people will follow a path of righteousness afterwards. He knows this because verses 18 and 19 speak of the psalmist's own suffering and how God was his only consolation durig that time. Without relying on God, he would have slipped in his walk with God and been distracted.
Dr. Constable encourages believers to:
God is just. He's also thrifty in his dealings. Huh? Throughout history, he will often use the wicked to bring punishment on His people. I guess because they are handy/available. The Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem, the Assyrians, the Egyptians made them slaves and treated them horribly... He takes care of/punishes the wicked as well once he has used them for His purpose. You know, "two birds, one stone." He hardened Pharoah's heart then sent plague after plague upon them until the ultimate blow of taking the first born from every family. He again showed His power and protection of His people when fickle Pharoah decided after He let the Israelites go that they might become too powerful so the army went after them. God split the sea allowing the Israelites through and bam, when the Egyptians are in the midst of the passage, the sea swallows them.
In this psalm, the Isaealites are being oppressed by the wicked. While the psalmist understands the use of discipline to correct His people, he is pleading for God to avenge His people now. The wicked are boasting and rejoicing in their terrible treatment of the Israelites and worse, they are mocking the Israelites' God because He is allowing it for the moment. They think He is incapable of doing anything because He cannot see or hear what they do and say.
The psalmist knows better. He knows God will eventually execute His judgement and His people will follow a path of righteousness afterwards. He knows this because verses 18 and 19 speak of the psalmist's own suffering and how God was his only consolation durig that time. Without relying on God, he would have slipped in his walk with God and been distracted.
Dr. Constable encourages believers to:
- commit he situation to God in prayer
- call on Him to judge righteously
- continue to trust and obey the Lord
I've tried it both ways...in my own power fix my circumstance and trusting God. God's got way better plans than my finite mind can even fathom. And to walk through a storm with Him brings a comfort no other human being can offer me. I am not pretending it is ever easy. Just a word of advice from a fellow journeyer. Trust the One who created the whole universe to be able to handle whatever you may be walking through...He is not only able, He WANTS you to give it to Him.
Sunday, June 4, 2017
The Case for Christ
Psalm 93:1b-2, "The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. Your throne was established long ago; You are from all eternity."
We went to see "The Case for Christ" last night. The movie is based off the book and in summary it tells the story of Lee Strobel, an athiest and reporter, who went searching for facts to basically disprove his wife's recent acceptance of Jesus as her Savior. The story is not new, there are many, who have trod this road...C.S. Lewis and Kirk Cameron among them.
It was good for me to see, I explained to my husband, to help me remember the facts. I live by my heart and my decision did not have to be backed up by hard evidence (doubting Thomas who had to put his hand in Jesus' side to believe). I was a lot like Leslie Strobel...sometimes you get frustrated and want to scream, "I wish I could just explain it to you!"
I did some studying of my own, including Strobel's A Case for Christ, C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity and Josh McDowell's More than just a Carpenter. I wanted to be able to handle the tough questions and defend my faith. The historical facts are there. One analogy that stuck out to me: for all the prophecies for Jesus' lineage to be correct by chance would be like lining the ENTIRE state of Texas two feet deep with silver dollars and then sending a blindfolded man out of Dallas to go in any direction and his being able to pick up a specifically marked silver dollar on his first attempt. The odds one to 100,000,000,000,000. And that's for Jesus just fulfilling EIGHT of the prophecies about Him (there are 60 major ones). There are many other FACTS these men have found. My thought: why reinvent the wheel if you want to go fact finding? Use their work. But if it needs to be your own sweat that takes you there, go for it!
Even in the end, as the movie points out, whether you choose to believe or whether you choose not to believe...it is a leap of faith...either way. God established His throne long before anyone drew breath. And His reign is for eternity. The facts are there. And so is my heart.
We went to see "The Case for Christ" last night. The movie is based off the book and in summary it tells the story of Lee Strobel, an athiest and reporter, who went searching for facts to basically disprove his wife's recent acceptance of Jesus as her Savior. The story is not new, there are many, who have trod this road...C.S. Lewis and Kirk Cameron among them.
It was good for me to see, I explained to my husband, to help me remember the facts. I live by my heart and my decision did not have to be backed up by hard evidence (doubting Thomas who had to put his hand in Jesus' side to believe). I was a lot like Leslie Strobel...sometimes you get frustrated and want to scream, "I wish I could just explain it to you!"
I did some studying of my own, including Strobel's A Case for Christ, C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity and Josh McDowell's More than just a Carpenter. I wanted to be able to handle the tough questions and defend my faith. The historical facts are there. One analogy that stuck out to me: for all the prophecies for Jesus' lineage to be correct by chance would be like lining the ENTIRE state of Texas two feet deep with silver dollars and then sending a blindfolded man out of Dallas to go in any direction and his being able to pick up a specifically marked silver dollar on his first attempt. The odds one to 100,000,000,000,000. And that's for Jesus just fulfilling EIGHT of the prophecies about Him (there are 60 major ones). There are many other FACTS these men have found. My thought: why reinvent the wheel if you want to go fact finding? Use their work. But if it needs to be your own sweat that takes you there, go for it!
Even in the end, as the movie points out, whether you choose to believe or whether you choose not to believe...it is a leap of faith...either way. God established His throne long before anyone drew breath. And His reign is for eternity. The facts are there. And so is my heart.
Friday, June 2, 2017
immeasurable and unfathomable
Psalm 92:4-5, "For You make me glad by Your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of Your hands. How great are Your works, O Lord, how profound Your thoughts!"
Our unknown psalmist is relishing in the Lord's goodness to him and understood through God's Word that the prosperity of the wicked is only temporary. This psalm praises God for the goodness of His acts and the righteousness of His character as it deals with the ultimate overthrow of the wicked and the ultimate victory of the righteous.
Delitzsch in his studies wrote, "Man can neither measure the greatness of the divine works nor fathom the depths of the divine thoughts; he who is enlightened, however, perceives the immeasurableness of the one and the unfathomableness of the other."
It is so true. My dad had a saying above his desk, "When you're through learning, you're through." I always loved this. And as I read God's Word, I have come to realize that it is different every time. Which is to say, my circumstances are different each time, so what stands out or what ministers to me is different. I have also come to realize that the more I learn, the more I know I really can't learn enough. I say that if I win the lottery, I would quit for a year and just take time to study God's Word. Even then it won't scratch the surface of all that He wants us to know. 1 Corinthians 13:12 says, "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." So by design, there is a thirst for knowledge to seek Him daily and get to know Him better.
And the rightful response is always praise. This God we seek to know has done so many marvelous things. And I am not near grateful enough. Hence the gratitude attitude for 2017. I need and seek to be more conscientious of all that I am grateful for in my own life and in the world and praise God for it. He is so worthy of it all.
Thursday, June 1, 2017
on eagle's wings
Psalm 91:1, 11, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty...For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;"
I cannot imagine a better picture of comfort.
It reminded me also of Ephesians 6:12, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." There are battles going on we don't even know about, but I rest in knowing God is on my side with a band of angel armies that go before and behind me.
I love that it says we will rest...in the midst of our trial, we can rest...that is GOOD news! This is a great psalm of encouragement in knowing God will grant ultimate deliverance to His own. In their CD, Psalms II, Shane & Shane sing Psalm 91. It was made even more special when it was sung at the celebration of the life of Sgt. Michael Smith, gunned down on 7/7. This may seem an oxymoron of sorts and the main question people have, "If God is good...?" It was certainly not Mike's desire and at the hands of evil, but I know he sits in the heavenlies. I don't get it...not at all, but I can rest because I know God is good and I know He wins. The evil Mike stood against will one day be defeated once and for all. And there is comfort in that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0t3w9ZYsTo
I cannot imagine a better picture of comfort.
It reminded me also of Ephesians 6:12, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." There are battles going on we don't even know about, but I rest in knowing God is on my side with a band of angel armies that go before and behind me.
I love that it says we will rest...in the midst of our trial, we can rest...that is GOOD news! This is a great psalm of encouragement in knowing God will grant ultimate deliverance to His own. In their CD, Psalms II, Shane & Shane sing Psalm 91. It was made even more special when it was sung at the celebration of the life of Sgt. Michael Smith, gunned down on 7/7. This may seem an oxymoron of sorts and the main question people have, "If God is good...?" It was certainly not Mike's desire and at the hands of evil, but I know he sits in the heavenlies. I don't get it...not at all, but I can rest because I know God is good and I know He wins. The evil Mike stood against will one day be defeated once and for all. And there is comfort in that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0t3w9ZYsTo
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