So Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel." For the LORD had purposed to defeat the good advice of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring disaster on Absalom.—2 Samuel 17:14
“This is one of the great principles of life which every page of the Bible emphasizes and illustrates. Men cannot escape God. They go their own way, but that way never sets them free from the authority and the invincible power of God.” (Morgan)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. As a believer, I know that my God is for me...and because I know this, God’s providential hand and divine control bring me much peace and comfort. I CAN relax. It is not up to me. I am not in control. Who am I to argue with God? There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations.
Many sorrows shall be to the wicked;
But he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him.—Psalm 32:10
Psalm 143:10 (NKJV)
Teach me to do Your will, For You [are] my God; Your Spirit [is] good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?—Romans 8:30-31
Friday, May 31, 2019
Thursday, May 30, 2019
Full of Grace and Truth...
John 1:14 tells me that Jesus is full of grace and truth. Jesus is full of the exact two things that I desperately need...grace and truth. As if that were not enough, John goes on to tell us that
Of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace—John 1:16
Grace for grace: “Literally it means ‘grace instead of grace’. God’s Grace to us is continuous and inexhaustible...like waves on a seashore. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. There ARE NO interruptions.
But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ—Ephesians 4:7
For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,—Colossians 1:19
Closing with some beautiful quotes by Spurgeon...
Blessed be the Lord for ever that he has provided a fullness for us, for in us by nature there is all emptiness and utter vanity.
The accents are sweet as those of the angel-messenger when he sang, "Behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy." Are they not stray notes from celestial sonnets? "All fullness." You, sinner, are all emptiness and death, you, saint, would be so if it were not for the "all fullness" of Christ of which you have received; therefore both to saint and sinner the words are full of hope. There is joy in these words to every soul conscious of its sad estate, and humbled before God.
Of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace—John 1:16
Grace for grace: “Literally it means ‘grace instead of grace’. God’s Grace to us is continuous and inexhaustible...like waves on a seashore. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. There ARE NO interruptions.
But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ—Ephesians 4:7
For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,—Colossians 1:19
Closing with some beautiful quotes by Spurgeon...
Blessed be the Lord for ever that he has provided a fullness for us, for in us by nature there is all emptiness and utter vanity.
The accents are sweet as those of the angel-messenger when he sang, "Behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy." Are they not stray notes from celestial sonnets? "All fullness." You, sinner, are all emptiness and death, you, saint, would be so if it were not for the "all fullness" of Christ of which you have received; therefore both to saint and sinner the words are full of hope. There is joy in these words to every soul conscious of its sad estate, and humbled before God.
Following Jesus’ Example...
Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. "For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.—John 5:19-20
Oh Father...I am one with You but in my flesh I do not do the things that Your word tells me to do. I do not follow my Jesus’ example. You lovingly show me through Your word all those things that you desire...to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with You. Oh, help me to be your witness in this world...in my home especially. May Your peace rule in my heart and Your word reign supreme and be magnified in my life.
Cost of Discipleship...
Ruth and Orpah had accompanied Naomi some distance before Naomi explained to them the difficulties which lay in the way. Naomi wanted to make sure they had counted the cost of leaving their country and returning to Israel with her.
Jesus was pretty clear when He outlined the costs involved in becoming His disciple.
If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—Luke 14:26-28
Luk 14:33 NKJV - 33 “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple
The costs were too high for Oprah. She was not ready to leave her family or her gods.
“Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.”
Ruth, on the other hand, clings to Naomi and speaks beautiful words of dedication and consecration to her and to her God. Ruth was willing to leave all and give all. She holds nothing back.
But Ruth said:
"Entreat me not to leave you,
Or to turn back from following after you;
For wherever you go, I will go;
And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;
Your people shall be my people,
And your God, my God.
17 Where you die, I will die,
And there will I be buried.
The LORD do so to me, and more also,
If anything but death parts you and me."
Naomi’s Return...
I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?"—Ruth 1:21
Naomi came back to her country empty. Sin always leaves its mark. It always causes sorrow and suffering. Naomi and her family had trusted in themselves rather than God. Naomi was now eating the fruit of that way. Being empty and in the Lords will is a better place to be than being full and not under His protective care. Better times are now ahead for Naomi...
For the Lord will not cast off forever.
Though He causes grief,
Yet He will show compassion
According to the multitude of His mercies.
For He does not afflict willingly,
Nor grieve the children of men.—Lamentations 3:31-33
Naomi came back to her country empty. Sin always leaves its mark. It always causes sorrow and suffering. Naomi and her family had trusted in themselves rather than God. Naomi was now eating the fruit of that way. Being empty and in the Lords will is a better place to be than being full and not under His protective care. Better times are now ahead for Naomi...
For the Lord will not cast off forever.
Though He causes grief,
Yet He will show compassion
According to the multitude of His mercies.
For He does not afflict willingly,
Nor grieve the children of men.—Lamentations 3:31-33
The Kindness of Boaz...
Who does not love a good love story! Truly the story of Ruth is one of the most beautiful. Wishing we could camp out here for a while and just soak it all up! Such an oasis after the Book of Judges, although it does occur during that time in Israel’s history.
When Boaz found out that the foreigner gleaning in his field was the young Moabite woman who had returned with Naomi, he immediately made acquaintance with her.
Then Boaz said to Ruth, "You will listen, my daughter, will you not?
He claims kinship with her and calls her daughter! He claims relationship with her! Despite being a stranger and a foreigner Boaz is not ashamed to call her his brethren. (Hebrews 2:11)
My heart bursts every time I read that thinking of how his kind words must have impacted Ruth’s heart...
Even though God is not mentioned once in this story it is easy to see Jesus on every page. Boaz is a type of Christ...He is our Kinsman Redeemer, our Lord of the Harvest and our Master.
Boaz continues in his kindness to Ruth and she responds in humbled gratitude.
So she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him,"Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?"—Ruth 2:10
I so understand Ruth’s response to Boaz’s kindness. I have felt similarly overwhelmed and utterly humbled in the face of my God’s kindness to me in His Son. And it is often the little kindnesses that He shows me that remind me that He truly is “my God who sees me.”
Boaz’s kindness here and throughout the book of Ruth fills my own heart and makes me want to be like him...like my Jesus.
❤️And be ye kind to one another—Ephesians 4:32
When Boaz found out that the foreigner gleaning in his field was the young Moabite woman who had returned with Naomi, he immediately made acquaintance with her.
Then Boaz said to Ruth, "You will listen, my daughter, will you not?
He claims kinship with her and calls her daughter! He claims relationship with her! Despite being a stranger and a foreigner Boaz is not ashamed to call her his brethren. (Hebrews 2:11)
My heart bursts every time I read that thinking of how his kind words must have impacted Ruth’s heart...
Even though God is not mentioned once in this story it is easy to see Jesus on every page. Boaz is a type of Christ...He is our Kinsman Redeemer, our Lord of the Harvest and our Master.
Boaz continues in his kindness to Ruth and she responds in humbled gratitude.
So she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him,"Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?"—Ruth 2:10
I so understand Ruth’s response to Boaz’s kindness. I have felt similarly overwhelmed and utterly humbled in the face of my God’s kindness to me in His Son. And it is often the little kindnesses that He shows me that remind me that He truly is “my God who sees me.”
Boaz’s kindness here and throughout the book of Ruth fills my own heart and makes me want to be like him...like my Jesus.
❤️And be ye kind to one another—Ephesians 4:32
The Heart of Hannah...
We are still in the time of Judges and now in the first chapter of 1 Samuel meet the family of Elkanah. Verse 2 tells us that Elkanah had two wives...Hannah whose name means gracious and lived up to her name and Penninah whose most noteworthy talent was in making the suffering of another worse by unkindness. The next verse informs us that Elkanah went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the Lord in Shiloh.
This then was a godly household and it was a hard time for godly people. Even the priests were corrupt...serving themselves rather than God. (1 Samuel 2:12-17)
And it shall be: As with the people, so with the priest;—Isaiah 24:2
Enter Hannah with a heart burdened not only with much sorrow from her own personal grief, but for the state of the priesthood as well.
Hannah "wept and did not eat." Her husband sought to comfort her, and said:
"Why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?"
But Hannah knew she needed more than human comfort...the instinct of her soul drove her to her God.
Oh, send out Your light and Your truth!
Let them lead me;
Let them bring me to Your holy hill
And to Your [tabernacle.
Then I will go to the altar of God,
To God my exceeding joy;
And on the harp I will praise You,
O God, my God.
Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.—Psalm 43
There, before the tabernacle, Hannah "poured out her soul to the Lord." She "was in bitterness of soul, and she prayed and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head."
Hannah’s heart and prayer were not for a son that would be successful in the eyes of the world but for one whose life would be dedicated to the Lord. She wanted a son that would be God’s special witness and shine as a light in the midst of the darkness...one who would be a blessing to the priesthood. Hannah wanted a son that would be wholly given over to God sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. She wanted a son to give back to the Lord. And the Lord heard her prayer. ❤️
Oh Father align our heart’s desires with Your perfect and righteous ones. Give us hearts like Hannah’s that are driven to You in prayer. Hearts that desire your light and truth. We want Your will in our lives. We want Your will in our children’s and grandchildren’s lives. Oh do that work in each of us today. You are our hope, our exceeding joy and our exceedingly great reward.
This then was a godly household and it was a hard time for godly people. Even the priests were corrupt...serving themselves rather than God. (1 Samuel 2:12-17)
And it shall be: As with the people, so with the priest;—Isaiah 24:2
Enter Hannah with a heart burdened not only with much sorrow from her own personal grief, but for the state of the priesthood as well.
Hannah "wept and did not eat." Her husband sought to comfort her, and said:
"Why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?"
But Hannah knew she needed more than human comfort...the instinct of her soul drove her to her God.
Oh, send out Your light and Your truth!
Let them lead me;
Let them bring me to Your holy hill
And to Your [tabernacle.
Then I will go to the altar of God,
To God my exceeding joy;
And on the harp I will praise You,
O God, my God.
Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.—Psalm 43
There, before the tabernacle, Hannah "poured out her soul to the Lord." She "was in bitterness of soul, and she prayed and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head."
Hannah’s heart and prayer were not for a son that would be successful in the eyes of the world but for one whose life would be dedicated to the Lord. She wanted a son that would be God’s special witness and shine as a light in the midst of the darkness...one who would be a blessing to the priesthood. Hannah wanted a son that would be wholly given over to God sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. She wanted a son to give back to the Lord. And the Lord heard her prayer. ❤️
Oh Father align our heart’s desires with Your perfect and righteous ones. Give us hearts like Hannah’s that are driven to You in prayer. Hearts that desire your light and truth. We want Your will in our lives. We want Your will in our children’s and grandchildren’s lives. Oh do that work in each of us today. You are our hope, our exceeding joy and our exceedingly great reward.
David and Shimei - 2 Samuel 16
6 And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David. And all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.
7 Also Shimei said thus when he cursed: "Come out! Come out! You bloodthirsty man, you rogue!
8 "The LORD has brought upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son. So now you are caught in your own evil, because you are a bloodthirsty man!"
9 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please, let me go over and take off his head!"
10 But the king said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the LORD has said to him, 'Curse David.' Who then shall say, 'Why have you done so?' "11 And David said to Abishai and all his servants, "See how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone, and let him curse; for so the LORD has ordered him.
12 "It may be that the LORD will look on my affliction, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing this day."—2 Samuel 16:6-12
Wow...that is the attitude I want to have after being betrayed by my son and forced to flee from my household into the wilderness. It would have been so easy for David to vent the anger and grief he was feeling on Shimei. But David didn’t...he held his peace. In fact, his response to this provocation was in stark contrast to his violent reaction to Nabal’s slanderous words. David was eager to kill Nabal until Abigail and her godly wisdom placated Him. Perhaps, David knew that while Shimei’s malice toward him was uncalled for, there was truth to his accusations. Truly, David’s time in the wilderness had humbled him...David was repentant.
David surrenders to His Father’s sovereign control and looks away from his circumstances to His LORD. He places His trust completely in His God acknowledging Him in every situation he faces as he flees into the wilderness.
The psalm David penned when he fled from Absalom, his son, speaks to this as well.
A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son.
LORD, how they have increased who trouble me!
Many are they who rise up against me.
2 Many are they who say of me,
"There is no help for him in God." Selah
3 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
4 I cried to the LORD with my voice,
And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah
5 I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me all around.
7 Arise, O LORD;
Save me, O my God!
For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;
You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8 Salvation belongs to the LORD.
Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah—Psalm 3
This psalm is often called the Morning Hymn. In the first two verses David shares his complaint with the Lord...in the next two, he declares his confidence. Verses 5-6 he sleeps singing of the Lords sustaining protection and in the last two he prays for His God’s continued help and strengthens himself with a reminder that it is the Lords battle and not his. May we all be like David as we face our own sometimes overwhelming trials that life in this fallen world inevitably brings.
May we ever wake with holy confidence in our hearts, and a song upon our lips.—Spurgeon
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
The Rejoicing of My Heart...
I have spent much time in Psalm 119 and even tried to memorize it a few years ago. It is my favorite chapter in the Bible and spending time in it had a profound effect on both my heart and my walk with the Lord. I reached verse 100 in my memorization/meditation and although most of it is gone from my memory, the fruit from that time remains. Truly time spent with the Lord at His feet and in His Word is eternal. It will always bear fruit to Jesus Christ and will not be taken from us.
A few verses from today’s reading that are very much worthy of our meditation...
Oh, how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever,
For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in Your word.
Hold me up, and I shall be safe,
And I shall observe Your statutes continually.
God Provides a Way...
For the king speaks this thing as one who is guilty, in that the king does not bring his banished one home again. For we will surely die and become like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. Yet God does not take away a life; but He devises means, so that His banished ones are not expelled from Him.—2 Samuel 14:14
The woman of Tekoa speaks truth...we all will surely die and when we do the possibility of reconciliation with Christ or those we loved who we are estranged from will end as well. The time to reconcile is now. God does not immediately take away our life from us when we break His law. He does not deal with us according to our sins...He suffers long and waits to be gracious. He devised a way to bring His banished ones back to Himself.
Mercy and truth have met together;
Righteousness and peace have kissed.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
And righteousness shall look down from heaven.—Ps 85:10-11
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.—John 3:16-17
Praying for our prodigals today...whether banished from God because of unbelief or estranged because of unforgiveness. Father...Mercy triumphs over judgment. May you draw each of them today with cords of kindness and may they return to us out of the wilderness leaning on their Beloved. Incline our own hearts toward mercy and compassion because You are and have been merciful and compassionate toward us.
The LORD is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
9 He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father pities his children,
So the LORD pities those who fear Him.
14 For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.
Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 'Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?'—Matt 18:32-33
"And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.—Luke 15:20
Whom Do You Seek....
Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, "Whom do you seek?" They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am he." Judas, who betrayed his standing with them. When Jesus said to them, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground.
So he asked them again, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth."
Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go." This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: "Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one." (John 18:4-9ESV)
Even though I have read through this passage multiple times, I never realized consciously the underlying reason Jesus asked them, Whom do you seek? He said it to fulfill Scripture, but He also said it protect His disciples...to prevent them from being arrested. He forced the soldiers to acknowledge that they had no authority to take His disciples. He punctuated that acknowledgement with a display of His power using the ancient name of God. I AM. He said it to fulfill His promise to them and His Father.
And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given me, but raise it up on the last day. (John 6:39, ESV)
Psalm 103 says
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. (Psalms 103:13-14 ESV)
Jesus knew that His disciples faith was weak and that being arrested, imprisoned or executed was more than they could bear. He made sure that this did not happen. I am thankful that my God knows my frame...that I am weak. I am thankful that He will never allow me to temped in ways that are beyond what I or my faith can bear. He always will provide for me a way of escape. (1 Cor 10:13). I am eternally secure...kept by my God and under His divine protection. Truly, He loved them...He loved us to the end...to perfection.
So he asked them again, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth."
Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go." This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: "Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one." (John 18:4-9ESV)
Even though I have read through this passage multiple times, I never realized consciously the underlying reason Jesus asked them, Whom do you seek? He said it to fulfill Scripture, but He also said it protect His disciples...to prevent them from being arrested. He forced the soldiers to acknowledge that they had no authority to take His disciples. He punctuated that acknowledgement with a display of His power using the ancient name of God. I AM. He said it to fulfill His promise to them and His Father.
And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given me, but raise it up on the last day. (John 6:39, ESV)
Psalm 103 says
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. (Psalms 103:13-14 ESV)
Jesus knew that His disciples faith was weak and that being arrested, imprisoned or executed was more than they could bear. He made sure that this did not happen. I am thankful that my God knows my frame...that I am weak. I am thankful that He will never allow me to temped in ways that are beyond what I or my faith can bear. He always will provide for me a way of escape. (1 Cor 10:13). I am eternally secure...kept by my God and under His divine protection. Truly, He loved them...He loved us to the end...to perfection.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35-39 ESV)
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
1 Samuel 3:21
Then the Lord appeared again in Shiloh. For the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.—1 Samuel 3:21
The Lord revealed Himself to Samuel by His word. One of the ways God reveals Himself to us is by His word, the Scriptures. I am so thankful for His word! One of the first things I can remember thinking only seconds after I got saved (I got saved as I was alone reading a newly purchased that day bible) was how awesome it was to have this book to guide me thru life. I truly did not know how lost I was until He found me. For a while...longer than I would care to admit, I lived like it would disappear. I slept with that Bible under my pillow, kept it on the desk in my office at work and took it to lunch with me daily. It was literally never more than an arm’s reach away from me at all times.
God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged ourfn sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,—Hebrews 1:1-3
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4, ESV)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17ESV)
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30-31ESV)
since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:23-25ESV)
The Lord revealed Himself to Samuel by His word. One of the ways God reveals Himself to us is by His word, the Scriptures. I am so thankful for His word! One of the first things I can remember thinking only seconds after I got saved (I got saved as I was alone reading a newly purchased that day bible) was how awesome it was to have this book to guide me thru life. I truly did not know how lost I was until He found me. For a while...longer than I would care to admit, I lived like it would disappear. I slept with that Bible under my pillow, kept it on the desk in my office at work and took it to lunch with me daily. It was literally never more than an arm’s reach away from me at all times.
God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged ourfn sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,—Hebrews 1:1-3
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4, ESV)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17ESV)
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30-31ESV)
since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:23-25ESV)
Coming to Him...
I love this quote from Spurgeon!
And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.—John 6:35
All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.—John 6:37
I love this quote from Spurgeon!
“Faith in Christ is simply and truly described as coming to him. It is not an acrobatic feat; it is simply a coming to Christ. It is not an exercise of profound mental faculties; it is coming to Christ. A child comes to his mother, a blind man comes to his home, even an animal comes to his master. Coming is a very simple action indeed; it seems to have only two things about it, one is, to come away from something, and the other is, to come to something.” (Spurgeon)
And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.—John 6:35
All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.—John 6:37
I love this quote from Spurgeon!
“Faith in Christ is simply and truly described as coming to him. It is not an acrobatic feat; it is simply a coming to Christ. It is not an exercise of profound mental faculties; it is coming to Christ. A child comes to his mother, a blind man comes to his home, even an animal comes to his master. Coming is a very simple action indeed; it seems to have only two things about it, one is, to come away from something, and the other is, to come to something.” (Spurgeon)
1 Samuel 12:17-25
1 Samuel 12:17-25
Israel had the God of the Universe ruling them with His perfect love and perfect justice, but they insisted on going after worthlessness and lies. They wanted to be like the world and specifically the other nations around them. God gave them what they wanted. A human king. Such blindness I might think. But who am I to judge! I read these words of Samuel and see my own discontented spirit in my complaining, my own lack of thankfulness or my dissatisfaction in the things the Lord has blessed me with. Truly only one thing profits both here and in eternity.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.—Matt 6:33
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal."—Mat 6:19
Nothing else matters.... “ Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “ All is vanity.”.... Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil."
Israel had the God of the Universe ruling them with His perfect love and perfect justice, but they insisted on going after worthlessness and lies. They wanted to be like the world and specifically the other nations around them. God gave them what they wanted. A human king. Such blindness I might think. But who am I to judge! I read these words of Samuel and see my own discontented spirit in my complaining, my own lack of thankfulness or my dissatisfaction in the things the Lord has blessed me with. Truly only one thing profits both here and in eternity.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.—Matt 6:33
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal."—Mat 6:19
Nothing else matters.... “ Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “ All is vanity.”.... Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil."
Hear My Cry O God....
So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped.—2 Samuel 12:20
And he said, "While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, 'Who can tell whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?'—2 Samuel 12:22
My eyes filled my eyes with tears and my heart filled with hope as I read this verse early this morning. Lord, all my desire is before You; And my sighing is not hidden from You. Each of us probably have petitions that we bring to the Lord daily...even hourly. Some of us may have been praying, pleading and earnestly desiring and waiting on the Lord’s timing to answer for years.
I am so thankful that we serve a gracious, kind, powerful and merciful God. His desire toward us (ME!) is good and His plans for us are from His heart of love. The Lord gives grace and glory; He will not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly.
Hear the cry of each of our hearts this morning, Father. Help us to persist in prayer...humbling ourselves under Your mighty hand...surrendering and submitting to Your will. Help us to place our hope and our confidence in You alone. While there is life, Father, there is hope...may our sorrow and discouragement never hinder our worship. Oh, help us to pray and may You be gracious to us. Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, just as we hope in You. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Blessed is the man who makes You His trust. Blessed are all those who wait for You. Be gracious to us, Father, as we seek You.
And he said, "While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, 'Who can tell whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?'—2 Samuel 12:22
My eyes filled my eyes with tears and my heart filled with hope as I read this verse early this morning. Lord, all my desire is before You; And my sighing is not hidden from You. Each of us probably have petitions that we bring to the Lord daily...even hourly. Some of us may have been praying, pleading and earnestly desiring and waiting on the Lord’s timing to answer for years.
I am so thankful that we serve a gracious, kind, powerful and merciful God. His desire toward us (ME!) is good and His plans for us are from His heart of love. The Lord gives grace and glory; He will not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly.
Hear the cry of each of our hearts this morning, Father. Help us to persist in prayer...humbling ourselves under Your mighty hand...surrendering and submitting to Your will. Help us to place our hope and our confidence in You alone. While there is life, Father, there is hope...may our sorrow and discouragement never hinder our worship. Oh, help us to pray and may You be gracious to us. Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, just as we hope in You. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Blessed is the man who makes You His trust. Blessed are all those who wait for You. Be gracious to us, Father, as we seek You.
Psalm 116:12-13
The universe is our God’s dwelling place. The only thing we can give Him as finite human beings is the only thing that He desires from us. He wants us to take the cup of salvation He offers and obey Him as an expression of our love for Him. This is expressed beautifully in Psalm 116.
What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the LORD. --Psalm 116:12-13
What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the LORD. --Psalm 116:12-13
Finding Yourself in a Place Where You Thought You would Never Be....
David had backslidden and found himself in a place where he thought he would never be. He was among the ungodly Philistines and preparing for war against God's people. By God's grace he was rejected by the Philistines. He goes back to his city and finds that the Amalekites had attacked and burned it with fire. They had also taken their wives, sons and daughters captive. 1 Samuel 27 tells us that David had done much worse to those cities he had attacked....in comparison to David, the Amalekites were merciful.
David would save neither man nor woman alive, to bring news to Gath, saying, "Lest they should inform on us, saying, 'Thus David did.' " And thus was his behavior all the time he dwelt in the country of the Philistines.—1 Samuel 27:11
David was distressed and the people thought of stoning him because their souls were so very grieved at their loss. David has reached his lowest point but what an example he is for us! What do we read that David does? He turns to God for strength...
"But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God."
AND GOD IN HIS MERCY AND GRACE GIVES DAVID THE GUIDANCE HE NEEDED! God in his mercy allowed David to hit rock bottom. He knew what it would take for David to turn back to Him...God does the same for us. He removes those things we are trusting in instead of Him until we have no other place to turn. I am very thankful for the trials my God has brought me because in them and through them the Lord has turned my heart towards Him. My trials have made me look up. O Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. Trust in him at all times you people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.
David would save neither man nor woman alive, to bring news to Gath, saying, "Lest they should inform on us, saying, 'Thus David did.' " And thus was his behavior all the time he dwelt in the country of the Philistines.—1 Samuel 27:11
David was distressed and the people thought of stoning him because their souls were so very grieved at their loss. David has reached his lowest point but what an example he is for us! What do we read that David does? He turns to God for strength...
"But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God."
AND GOD IN HIS MERCY AND GRACE GIVES DAVID THE GUIDANCE HE NEEDED! God in his mercy allowed David to hit rock bottom. He knew what it would take for David to turn back to Him...God does the same for us. He removes those things we are trusting in instead of Him until we have no other place to turn. I am very thankful for the trials my God has brought me because in them and through them the Lord has turned my heart towards Him. My trials have made me look up. O Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. Trust in him at all times you people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.
Ending with Psalm 118:
I called on the LORD in distress;
The LORD answered me and set me in a broad place.
The LORD is on my side;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
It is better to trust in the LORD
Than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the LORD
Than to put confidence in princes.—Psalm 118: 5-6;8-9
Two more….
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.—Isaiah 40:29-31
but He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness." Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me. 10 So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God's strength]—2 Corinthians 12:9-10 AMPLIFIED VERSION
One Desire...
"Sir, we wish to see Jesus."—John 12:21
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.--Jim Elliot
So often we cry, Lord, who will show us any good? Even those of us who are saved look to the wrong things to bring us peace and satisfaction. Beloved, seek after the One who desires only your good...Seek after the One who is only good. Seek His kingdom and all else will be added. Give Him the pre-eminence! Delight yourself in your God and He will give you the desires of your heart!! Blessed is the man whose God is the Lord!!
Spurgeon says it beautifully...
"Hast thou but one desire, and is that after Christ? Then thou art not far from the kingdom of heaven....Then, despite all thy fears, be of good cheer, the Lord loveth thee, and thou shalt come out into daylight soon, and rejoice in the liberty wherewith Christ makes men free."
Praying today that I would seek His face...that my desire would be for Him, knowing that He is the source of my hope...knowing that He is the Great I Am...the "Becoming One"...the One who becomes to me just what I need.
“Ho! Everyone who thirsts,
Come to the waters;
And you who have no money,
Come, buy and eat.
Yes, come, buy wine and milk
Without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And let your soul delight itself in abundance.
3 Incline your ear, and come to Me.
Hear, and your soul shall live;
—Isaiah 55:1-3
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.--Jim Elliot
So often we cry, Lord, who will show us any good? Even those of us who are saved look to the wrong things to bring us peace and satisfaction. Beloved, seek after the One who desires only your good...Seek after the One who is only good. Seek His kingdom and all else will be added. Give Him the pre-eminence! Delight yourself in your God and He will give you the desires of your heart!! Blessed is the man whose God is the Lord!!
Spurgeon says it beautifully...
"Hast thou but one desire, and is that after Christ? Then thou art not far from the kingdom of heaven....Then, despite all thy fears, be of good cheer, the Lord loveth thee, and thou shalt come out into daylight soon, and rejoice in the liberty wherewith Christ makes men free."
Praying today that I would seek His face...that my desire would be for Him, knowing that He is the source of my hope...knowing that He is the Great I Am...the "Becoming One"...the One who becomes to me just what I need.
“Ho! Everyone who thirsts,
Come to the waters;
And you who have no money,
Come, buy and eat.
Yes, come, buy wine and milk
Without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And let your soul delight itself in abundance.
3 Incline your ear, and come to Me.
Hear, and your soul shall live;
—Isaiah 55:1-3
Cast Your Burden on the Lord....
"And I am weak today, though anointed king; and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too harsh for me. The LORD shall repay the evildoer according to his wickedness."—2 Samuel 3:39
David’s kingdom was new and not yet established. Exacting justice for Abner might jeopardize his command. David understood who he was and who His God was (is). He admitted his weakness not only to His God but to the people as well. I believe it is this kind of humility of heart exampled here by David that made the people love him.
It is so good to know that when we feel weak and overwhelmed, we too, can do as David did. We can turn it all over to our God who is never overwhelmed and allow Him to handle it. David's trust in God and his humility were truly the secret of his greatness.
Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.—Psalm 55:22 (NKJV)
David’s kingdom was new and not yet established. Exacting justice for Abner might jeopardize his command. David understood who he was and who His God was (is). He admitted his weakness not only to His God but to the people as well. I believe it is this kind of humility of heart exampled here by David that made the people love him.
It is so good to know that when we feel weak and overwhelmed, we too, can do as David did. We can turn it all over to our God who is never overwhelmed and allow Him to handle it. David's trust in God and his humility were truly the secret of his greatness.
Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.—Psalm 55:22 (NKJV)
His Desire Toward Me is Good...
So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped.—2 Samuel 12:20
And he said, "While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, 'Who can tell whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?'—2 Samuel 12:22
My eyes filled with tears and my heart filled with hope as I read this verse early this morning. Lord, all my desire is before You; And my sighing is not hidden from You. Each of us probably have petitions that we bring to the Lord daily...even hourly. Some of us may have been praying, pleading and earnestly desiring and waiting on the Lord’s timing to answer for years.
I am so thankful that we serve a gracious, kind, powerful and merciful God. His desire toward us (ME!) is good and His plans for us are from His heart of love. The Lord gives grace and glory; He will not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly.
Hear the cry of each of our hearts this morning, Father. Help us to persist in prayer...humbling ourselves under Your mighty hand...surrendering and submitting to Your will. Help us to place our hope and our confidence in You alone. While there is life, Father, there is hope...may our sorrow and discouragement never hinder our worship. Oh, help us to pray and may You be gracious to us. Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, just as we hope in You. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Blessed is the man who makes You His trust. Blessed are all those who wait for You. Be gracious to us, Father, as we seek You.
"Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.—Ps 91:14-15
For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.—Ps 9:10
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!—Ps 27:13-14
And he said, "While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, 'Who can tell whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?'—2 Samuel 12:22
My eyes filled with tears and my heart filled with hope as I read this verse early this morning. Lord, all my desire is before You; And my sighing is not hidden from You. Each of us probably have petitions that we bring to the Lord daily...even hourly. Some of us may have been praying, pleading and earnestly desiring and waiting on the Lord’s timing to answer for years.
I am so thankful that we serve a gracious, kind, powerful and merciful God. His desire toward us (ME!) is good and His plans for us are from His heart of love. The Lord gives grace and glory; He will not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly.
Hear the cry of each of our hearts this morning, Father. Help us to persist in prayer...humbling ourselves under Your mighty hand...surrendering and submitting to Your will. Help us to place our hope and our confidence in You alone. While there is life, Father, there is hope...may our sorrow and discouragement never hinder our worship. Oh, help us to pray and may You be gracious to us. Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, just as we hope in You. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Blessed is the man who makes You His trust. Blessed are all those who wait for You. Be gracious to us, Father, as we seek You.
"Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.—Ps 91:14-15
For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.—Ps 9:10
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!—Ps 27:13-14
How Precious Are Your Thoughts to Me....
"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who willfn believe in Me through their word;—John 17:20
I have never gotten past the awe and wonder that I felt as a new believer when I first read these words. I wasn’t sure I was reading it correctly so I reread it a few times. My heart still bursts with joy each time I read it again. I was thought of....I was considered...I was prayed for in the upper room after the last supper was finished. Jesus’ intercessory work for me started thousands of years before I was born.
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!—Psalm 139:17
Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.—Romans 8:34
Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.—Hebrews 7:25
Now to Him who is able to establish and strengthen you [in the faith] according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery [of the plan of salvation] which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now has been disclosed and through the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all the nations, according to the commandment of the eternal God, leading them to obedience to the faith, to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forevermore! Amen.—Romans 16:25-27 AMPLIFIED.
Search Me O God...
What hit my heart as I read 2nd Samuel 13 this morning was how grieving it is to see your own sin reproduced in your child. Been there and seen that. Truly there is no greater joy than to see your children walk in truth, but oh, what heartbreak for the parent when he sees his own sin mirrored back to him in his child. Worse, to be in David’s position, and have to bear the shame that comes when a parent must submit to the Lord by correcting the sin of his child that he is conscious of in himself. David failed as a father here with Amnon and again with Absalom. 2 Samuel 13 tells us David was angry, but the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Justice was not meted out by David and his anger served to only harden his sons further. Ecclesiastes speaks well to this:
Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.—Ecclesiastes 8:11
The consequences of sin are endless. Reading through this chapter felt like sinking in the mire. We live in a fallen world, and it is inevitable that sin and hurt and offenses come. Yet the person who leads a little one into sin initiates an instance or a pattern of sin that corrupts their innocence. (Or whatever innocence they may have had). They are guilty before God and without excuse. Praying that God gives each of us hearts and wills that desire to be ruthless with our sin.
Father....I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.—Ecclesiastes 8:11
The consequences of sin are endless. Reading through this chapter felt like sinking in the mire. We live in a fallen world, and it is inevitable that sin and hurt and offenses come. Yet the person who leads a little one into sin initiates an instance or a pattern of sin that corrupts their innocence. (Or whatever innocence they may have had). They are guilty before God and without excuse. Praying that God gives each of us hearts and wills that desire to be ruthless with our sin.
Father....I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
Monday, May 20, 2019
That the Works of God Might be Displayed....
So the sisters sent to him, saying, "Lord, he whom you love is ill." But when Jesus heard it he said, "This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." (John 11:3-4ESV)
Jesus’ answer here is similar to the one He gave in John 9 in that in both instances these situations were orchestrated to reveal the works of God.
As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. (John 9:1-3,ESV)
Thinking of this man as a little boy and perhaps asking his mom why was he blind? What a perfect answer to give even a little one...even me, Father, when I wonder the same thing about my own circumstances and situations.
It is because God wants to work in and through even this. Jesus points them away from the why and on to the idea of what God can do in and through this. I liked what Spurgeon said about these verses:
“Whenever you see a man in sorrow and trouble, the way to look at it is, not to blame him and inquire how he came there, but to say, ‘Here is an opening for God’s almighty love. Here is an occasion for the display of the grace and goodness of the Lord.’” (Spurgeon)
Jesus’ answer here is similar to the one He gave in John 9 in that in both instances these situations were orchestrated to reveal the works of God.
As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. (John 9:1-3,ESV)
Thinking of this man as a little boy and perhaps asking his mom why was he blind? What a perfect answer to give even a little one...even me, Father, when I wonder the same thing about my own circumstances and situations.
It is because God wants to work in and through even this. Jesus points them away from the why and on to the idea of what God can do in and through this. I liked what Spurgeon said about these verses:
“Whenever you see a man in sorrow and trouble, the way to look at it is, not to blame him and inquire how he came there, but to say, ‘Here is an opening for God’s almighty love. Here is an occasion for the display of the grace and goodness of the Lord.’” (Spurgeon)
Trusting in God Now and Forever....
Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you."
Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day."—John 11:21-24
I soooo get Martha here! She believed God for the future...she knew Jesus could raise Lazarus at the last day, (John :25-29) but had difficulty believing that she could trust Him to do the same in the present. I am the same way....I believe that God will raise the dead who believed on the last day...I believe that those of us who are alive and remain will not face death but be caught up with Him in the rapture. But I very often get anxious because I fail to believe that God can do the same in the present. I love how Jesus answers her.
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26 ESV)
Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. His power does not change. If we can trust Him for the future stuff, we can trust Him for the here and now. He is the Great I AM! The Becoming One...He becomes for us whatever our need might be. My belief is not an abstract concept. It is a personal trust in Him alone who can bring life to the dead. Praying this one gets engraved on my heart.
But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you."
Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day."—John 11:21-24
I soooo get Martha here! She believed God for the future...she knew Jesus could raise Lazarus at the last day, (John :25-29) but had difficulty believing that she could trust Him to do the same in the present. I am the same way....I believe that God will raise the dead who believed on the last day...I believe that those of us who are alive and remain will not face death but be caught up with Him in the rapture. But I very often get anxious because I fail to believe that God can do the same in the present. I love how Jesus answers her.
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26 ESV)
Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. His power does not change. If we can trust Him for the future stuff, we can trust Him for the here and now. He is the Great I AM! The Becoming One...He becomes for us whatever our need might be. My belief is not an abstract concept. It is a personal trust in Him alone who can bring life to the dead. Praying this one gets engraved on my heart.
Empty Hands...
The universe is our God’s dwelling place. The only thing we can give Him as finite human beings is the only thing that He desires from us. He wants us to take the cup of salvation He offers and obey Him as an expression of our love for Him. This is expressed beautifully in Psalm 116.
What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the LORD. --Psalm 116:12-13
What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the LORD. --Psalm 116:12-13
David and the King of Moab...
Then David went from there to Mizpah of Moab; and he said to the king of Moab, "Please let my father and mother come here with you, till I know what God will do for me."
4 So he brought them before the king of Moab, and they dwelt with him all the time that David was in the stronghold.—1 Samuel 22:3-4
I LOVED this! David feared for his parents’ safety during Saul’s campaign against him. But why did David bring his parents to the king of Moab for safekeeping? Moab was a traditional enemy of Israel. Jesse, David’s father was a descendant of Ruth the Moabitess. David must have had family ties or friends there through His great grandmother, Ruth. ❤️
Ruth 4:10,17
10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye [are] witnesses this day. 17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he [is] the father of Jesse, the father of David.
4 So he brought them before the king of Moab, and they dwelt with him all the time that David was in the stronghold.—1 Samuel 22:3-4
I LOVED this! David feared for his parents’ safety during Saul’s campaign against him. But why did David bring his parents to the king of Moab for safekeeping? Moab was a traditional enemy of Israel. Jesse, David’s father was a descendant of Ruth the Moabitess. David must have had family ties or friends there through His great grandmother, Ruth. ❤️
Ruth 4:10,17
10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye [are] witnesses this day. 17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he [is] the father of Jesse, the father of David.
Drawing Near to God...
But truly, as the LORD lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death."...As soon as the lad had gone, David arose from a place toward the south, fell on his face to the ground, and bowed down three times. And they kissed one another; and they wept together, but David more so.—1 Samuel 20:3;41
At this point David had to leave all behind him and live the life of a fugitive for many years. During this very difficult time David must have been very conscious of his own mortality. Saul and his armies were hunting him like an animal. David stood in jeopardy each passing hour...day and night his life hung in the balance.
At this point David had to leave all behind him and live the life of a fugitive for many years. During this very difficult time David must have been very conscious of his own mortality. Saul and his armies were hunting him like an animal. David stood in jeopardy each passing hour...day and night his life hung in the balance.
What was the result? David drew near to His God and learned to depend on Him. He began to understand with heart knowledge that his life was truly in His Father's hands. He began to comprehend that his sufficiency was not of himself but from His God. David lifted up His soul to Him who was able to save him not only from earthly death but from spiritual death as well. He put His trust in the One who was and is able to keep us from stumbling and present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy!
Lord...give me eyes and a heart to live depending on You...I want to hear Your still small voice saying, “this is the way, walk in it.” Keep me from going my own way...down my own paths. I want your song to drown the voices in my head that speak lies...that cause my heart to become fretful and anxious.
I want that inner calm that You promise to the one who is thankful...the one whose confidence in You does not waver. The one who trusts that You are able to do what is best for His beloved child. Give me time today to think on how I live, how I think and what I meditate on. I want Your perfect peace to rule my heart and mind, not the unmerciful and fearful voices of self and the world. Help me to dwell on Your word...to set my mind on things above...to focus on whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable...if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, set my mind on these things. Be louder than me, Father. Show me Your right way. In Your presence is fullness of joy and at Your right hand pleasures forevermore. You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.—Isaiah 26
Abide in My Word...
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."—John 8:31-32
In the context of this passage Jesus is speaking to the brand new believer instructing them to continue in their belief by abiding in His word.
Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. (2 John 1:9, ESV)
Perseverance in obedience to Scripture is the fruit or evidence of genuine faith. A true believer holds fast, obeys, and practices Jesus’ teaching. To walk in the freedom and liberty of Christ is to walk habitually abiding in His word.
At the time of conversion we are set free from the law of sin and death. We walk in newness of life by His Spirit of Truth who dwells in us and directs our path as we surrender to His leading.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."—Romans 8:2;15
I asked myself what the reality of that spiritual principle looks like in my own life. How does abiding in the truth of God’s word set me free?
It sets me free from the tyranny of me...from my sin, my selfishness. It releases me from the lies that abound in this world and the deceit of my past. It enables me to escape from wrong thinking and the baggage of my past. The word helps me to do as it says in Hebrews 12:1—to lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares me and run with endurance the race that is set before me.
Psalm 119 begins with these words:
Blessed are the undefiled in the way,
Who walk in the law of the LORD!
There are countless ways that I can pervert my path during the course of even just one day. Abiding sets me back on right paths. It realigns my thinking...it “re-minds” me. Abiding is how my God ministers to my heart. It is where I meet Him and enter His Presence. It is where I find forgiveness, wisdom, comfort, grace and help. It is how I grow spiritually. It is how my countenance is lifted and the means by which I am transformed into His image. Abiding is where my fruit is found.
In the context of this passage Jesus is speaking to the brand new believer instructing them to continue in their belief by abiding in His word.
Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. (2 John 1:9, ESV)
Perseverance in obedience to Scripture is the fruit or evidence of genuine faith. A true believer holds fast, obeys, and practices Jesus’ teaching. To walk in the freedom and liberty of Christ is to walk habitually abiding in His word.
At the time of conversion we are set free from the law of sin and death. We walk in newness of life by His Spirit of Truth who dwells in us and directs our path as we surrender to His leading.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."—Romans 8:2;15
I asked myself what the reality of that spiritual principle looks like in my own life. How does abiding in the truth of God’s word set me free?
It sets me free from the tyranny of me...from my sin, my selfishness. It releases me from the lies that abound in this world and the deceit of my past. It enables me to escape from wrong thinking and the baggage of my past. The word helps me to do as it says in Hebrews 12:1—to lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares me and run with endurance the race that is set before me.
Psalm 119 begins with these words:
Blessed are the undefiled in the way,
Who walk in the law of the LORD!
There are countless ways that I can pervert my path during the course of even just one day. Abiding sets me back on right paths. It realigns my thinking...it “re-minds” me. Abiding is how my God ministers to my heart. It is where I meet Him and enter His Presence. It is where I find forgiveness, wisdom, comfort, grace and help. It is how I grow spiritually. It is how my countenance is lifted and the means by which I am transformed into His image. Abiding is where my fruit is found.
Seeing as Man Sees...
And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. (1 Samuel 17:4, ESV)
Oh Father! This one is so important. I confess that I so often see my circumstances as man sees...my heart fails and my strength and faith with it. Like Saul and all of Israel, I become dismayed and greatly afraid. Like them, I focus on outward appearances (10:23-34;15:30) and am able to be influenced by the fear of man (12:12;15:24). On human terms, the “Goliaths” we face seem invincible. Oh help me, like David, to remember that You are with me. Help me to go out into this world like David did...in Your name and in Your strength desiring only Your glory. He ran toward Goliath unencumbered by fear and emboldened by faith. Thank you for Your Presence that goes with me.
Oh Father! This one is so important. I confess that I so often see my circumstances as man sees...my heart fails and my strength and faith with it. Like Saul and all of Israel, I become dismayed and greatly afraid. Like them, I focus on outward appearances (10:23-34;15:30) and am able to be influenced by the fear of man (12:12;15:24). On human terms, the “Goliaths” we face seem invincible. Oh help me, like David, to remember that You are with me. Help me to go out into this world like David did...in Your name and in Your strength desiring only Your glory. He ran toward Goliath unencumbered by fear and emboldened by faith. Thank you for Your Presence that goes with me.
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Following is the Only Proof of Coming.” ...
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
I read something this morning by Frances R Havergal that was very convicting about following Jesus...the words that caused me to read further were these:
“Following is the only proof of coming.”
Jesus here in John 8, vs 12 says that those who follow Him shall not walk in darkness but will have the light of life. How do we know we are following Him? “Following”, the article said, is not standing still and you can’t follow something without coming away from something else. Makes sense. If you are not deluding yourself or seeking refuge in lies, your following Jesus will be just as real as your coming to Jesus was. The author asks, “What have you left behind to follow Him?” What have you left off doing for His sake? Good questions...
Jesus left us an example, the Bible says, to follow in His steps...how closely matched are my own steps to Jesus’?
Here was the convicting part for me. The author urged the reader to go through just one gospel with the guidance of the Holy Spirit with the express purpose of noting the steps of Jesus. With that accomplished the author said, you would see very clearly whether are following or not. Using Acts 10:38 the author gives us one indication of what those steps might be.
“how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”—Acts 10:38
“Went about doing good”...it does not say that He went about doing no harm but that He proactively sought to do good. Umm...for me on most days that is a fail.
Being convicted is never pleasant but God’s ways...Wisdom’s ways...are ways of pleasantness and Wisdom’s paths peace. You, Father, will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Father...show me where my footsteps are not in alignment with Yours and by the power of Your Spirit give me that desire to walk pleasing You and may this be where my joy is found.
I read something this morning by Frances R Havergal that was very convicting about following Jesus...the words that caused me to read further were these:
“Following is the only proof of coming.”
Jesus here in John 8, vs 12 says that those who follow Him shall not walk in darkness but will have the light of life. How do we know we are following Him? “Following”, the article said, is not standing still and you can’t follow something without coming away from something else. Makes sense. If you are not deluding yourself or seeking refuge in lies, your following Jesus will be just as real as your coming to Jesus was. The author asks, “What have you left behind to follow Him?” What have you left off doing for His sake? Good questions...
Jesus left us an example, the Bible says, to follow in His steps...how closely matched are my own steps to Jesus’?
Here was the convicting part for me. The author urged the reader to go through just one gospel with the guidance of the Holy Spirit with the express purpose of noting the steps of Jesus. With that accomplished the author said, you would see very clearly whether are following or not. Using Acts 10:38 the author gives us one indication of what those steps might be.
“how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”—Acts 10:38
“Went about doing good”...it does not say that He went about doing no harm but that He proactively sought to do good. Umm...for me on most days that is a fail.
Being convicted is never pleasant but God’s ways...Wisdom’s ways...are ways of pleasantness and Wisdom’s paths peace. You, Father, will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Father...show me where my footsteps are not in alignment with Yours and by the power of Your Spirit give me that desire to walk pleasing You and may this be where my joy is found.
A Heart Like David’s...
And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!”—1 Samuel 16:12
Why was David chosen...what made him special. The answer is in 1 Samuel 13:14
The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord had commanded him to be commander over His people.
I so want a heart like David’s. A heart that desires what God desires. A heart that seeks Him with all that I have. How do we get a heart that seeks the heart of God? There is really only one way and that is from spending time with Him in His word and in prayer. Praying that with the time I have remaining on this earth that by His grace I would choose like Mary, to sit at His feet and learn from Him.
“Where did David get this heart?” I really enjoyed reading David Guzik here:
Obviously, from time spent with the Lord. But someone started him on that path. David says nothing of his father, but twice in the Psalms he refers to his mother as a maidservant of the Lord (Psalm 86:16 and Psa 116:16). Probably, it was David’s godly mother who poured her heart and love and devotion of the Lord into him, and gave him a foundation to build on in his own walk with the Lord. Like Timothy, God used David’s mother to pour into him a godly faith (2 Timothy 1:5).”
Be inspired and encouraged...choose the better part...the part that cannot be taken from you....and in so doing set an example for the little ones (and maybe even the bigger ones) in your life to do the same.
Why was David chosen...what made him special. The answer is in 1 Samuel 13:14
The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord had commanded him to be commander over His people.
I so want a heart like David’s. A heart that desires what God desires. A heart that seeks Him with all that I have. How do we get a heart that seeks the heart of God? There is really only one way and that is from spending time with Him in His word and in prayer. Praying that with the time I have remaining on this earth that by His grace I would choose like Mary, to sit at His feet and learn from Him.
“Where did David get this heart?” I really enjoyed reading David Guzik here:
Obviously, from time spent with the Lord. But someone started him on that path. David says nothing of his father, but twice in the Psalms he refers to his mother as a maidservant of the Lord (Psalm 86:16 and Psa 116:16). Probably, it was David’s godly mother who poured her heart and love and devotion of the Lord into him, and gave him a foundation to build on in his own walk with the Lord. Like Timothy, God used David’s mother to pour into him a godly faith (2 Timothy 1:5).”
Be inspired and encouraged...choose the better part...the part that cannot be taken from you....and in so doing set an example for the little ones (and maybe even the bigger ones) in your life to do the same.
Guilty of Loving too Much...
In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer. (Psalms 109:4, ESV)
It doesn’t get much harder than verse 4 in the life of a believer. Romans 13, verse 8 tells us to owe no one anything but love because love does no harm...love fulfills the law. David tells us here that he is hated by them because he loved them. He was guilty of loving too much. What should have earned him gratitude and love earned him their hatred. The same was true for our Lord Jesus and the same will be true for us as believers...they will render to us evil for our good because we follow after who is good. (Ps 38:20)
But here is the beautiful picture that we see in David as well as Jesus.
“but I give myself to prayer”....in the Hebrew this is rendered “but I am prayer” David literally became prayer. He leaves his adversaries unanswered and goes to His Lord in prayer. He commits Himself to the One who judges righteously. Before his accusers, he is silent.
I am reminded of what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:15:
“And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.”
In Matthew 10 Jesus reminds us that the disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. In the same chapter He says, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” Sadly, as believers we may face times of being rejected by those we love...even by those in whom we have literally poured our lives, simply because we love and follow Jesus.
Our hearts, as David’s was, will hurt and be wounded within us. But that’s okay...we are loved with an everlasting love and can entrust our hearts AND our souls to our God who who judges righteously. We are in good company and can make His footsteps our pathway.
Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?—John 10:32
And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus. And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.—Luke 6:11-12
But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. Psalms 69:13,
It doesn’t get much harder than verse 4 in the life of a believer. Romans 13, verse 8 tells us to owe no one anything but love because love does no harm...love fulfills the law. David tells us here that he is hated by them because he loved them. He was guilty of loving too much. What should have earned him gratitude and love earned him their hatred. The same was true for our Lord Jesus and the same will be true for us as believers...they will render to us evil for our good because we follow after who is good. (Ps 38:20)
But here is the beautiful picture that we see in David as well as Jesus.
“but I give myself to prayer”....in the Hebrew this is rendered “but I am prayer” David literally became prayer. He leaves his adversaries unanswered and goes to His Lord in prayer. He commits Himself to the One who judges righteously. Before his accusers, he is silent.
I am reminded of what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:15:
“And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.”
In Matthew 10 Jesus reminds us that the disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. In the same chapter He says, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” Sadly, as believers we may face times of being rejected by those we love...even by those in whom we have literally poured our lives, simply because we love and follow Jesus.
Our hearts, as David’s was, will hurt and be wounded within us. But that’s okay...we are loved with an everlasting love and can entrust our hearts AND our souls to our God who who judges righteously. We are in good company and can make His footsteps our pathway.
Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?—John 10:32
And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus. And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.—Luke 6:11-12
But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. Psalms 69:13,
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Turned Into Another Man....
"Then the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. "And let it be, when these signs come to you, that you do as the occasion demands; for God is with you.—1 Samuel 10:6-7
I loved reading this in 1st Samuel. God told Saul through Samuel that the Spirit of the Lord would come upon him and he would prophesy and be turned into another man, temporarily. An immeasurably better thing happens in the hearts of believers today as they yield their lives to the Spirit of God. He turns them into a different person... forever.
Our God meets us where we are with all our dents and our scrapes. He met me when I cried out to Him in utter terror and grief. When, as last resort, I lifted my arms to Him. He met me right where I was...very deep in the muck and mire of this world. He pulled me up and set me in a broad place and put His Spirit in my heart and turned me into another woman. He has done it all since....all I needed to do was stay close to Him and abide in His word. He has given me beauty for ashes. He has done exceedingly abundantly in my life. Have their been difficult times? Absolutely. But His right hand upholds me and walks me through them all. He overrules all of them for my good and His glory. My job as was Saul's is to obey Him and do as the occasion demands because my God is with me. The results are always up to Him.
Praying also once again this morning, for our unsaved family and loved ones. Oh Father, may they cry out to You in their misery and distress. Hear their cries and open their hearts to receive all that You have for them. Be glorified in their lives! We want for them what You have given us! Your Spirit dwelling in our hearts.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.--Jeremiah 29:11
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.--2nd Corinthians 3:18
I loved reading this in 1st Samuel. God told Saul through Samuel that the Spirit of the Lord would come upon him and he would prophesy and be turned into another man, temporarily. An immeasurably better thing happens in the hearts of believers today as they yield their lives to the Spirit of God. He turns them into a different person... forever.
Our God meets us where we are with all our dents and our scrapes. He met me when I cried out to Him in utter terror and grief. When, as last resort, I lifted my arms to Him. He met me right where I was...very deep in the muck and mire of this world. He pulled me up and set me in a broad place and put His Spirit in my heart and turned me into another woman. He has done it all since....all I needed to do was stay close to Him and abide in His word. He has given me beauty for ashes. He has done exceedingly abundantly in my life. Have their been difficult times? Absolutely. But His right hand upholds me and walks me through them all. He overrules all of them for my good and His glory. My job as was Saul's is to obey Him and do as the occasion demands because my God is with me. The results are always up to Him.
If you are in that place, cry out to God. He will come to You...right where you are. As you look to Him He will make glorious changes by His Spirit who will come and dwell in your heart. You will be conformed to His image and will become what He wants you to be...
Praying also once again this morning, for our unsaved family and loved ones. Oh Father, may they cry out to You in their misery and distress. Hear their cries and open their hearts to receive all that You have for them. Be glorified in their lives! We want for them what You have given us! Your Spirit dwelling in our hearts.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.--Jeremiah 29:11
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.--2nd Corinthians 3:18
Thursday, May 9, 2019
But Sent Leanness Into Their Soul...
But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness,
And tested God in the desert.
And He gave them their request,
But sent leanness into their soul.—Psalm 106:14-15
And the people spoke against God and against Moses: "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread."—Numbers 21:5
The Bible says that the eyes of man are never satisfied. In Philippians 4:10-23 Paul expresses his thanks to Philippians for their gift to him, but undergirding this whole passage is a picture of a man who is content with whatever God brings His way.
Paul’s joy was in doing the will of His God...it came from the gospel being preached. It was independent of His circumstances. (And his circumstances from an earthly perspective were rarely good). Paul’s focus was ALWAYS outward. Even in thanking the Philippians for their gift his joy is the fruit that abounds to their account. (Phil 4:17)
A contented person will wait on God and trust in His providence. Their joy is found in their God....it is independent of their circumstances. They are satisfied with little and are focused on the needs of others.
The Israelites primary focus in prayer was on their physical comfort rather than spiritual desires.
And He gave them their requests but sent leanness into their soul. Sometimes we “fret and fume” like children until we get what we want. More often than not our getting what WE want brings more bitterness and grief because the “getting” brings more disappointment.
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.—Galatians 2:20
Oh Father...May our joy and our desire be for those things that are spiritually discerned.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?"But we have the mind of Christ.—1 Cor 2:12-16
And tested God in the desert.
And He gave them their request,
But sent leanness into their soul.—Psalm 106:14-15
And the people spoke against God and against Moses: "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread."—Numbers 21:5
The Bible says that the eyes of man are never satisfied. In Philippians 4:10-23 Paul expresses his thanks to Philippians for their gift to him, but undergirding this whole passage is a picture of a man who is content with whatever God brings His way.
Paul’s joy was in doing the will of His God...it came from the gospel being preached. It was independent of His circumstances. (And his circumstances from an earthly perspective were rarely good). Paul’s focus was ALWAYS outward. Even in thanking the Philippians for their gift his joy is the fruit that abounds to their account. (Phil 4:17)
A contented person will wait on God and trust in His providence. Their joy is found in their God....it is independent of their circumstances. They are satisfied with little and are focused on the needs of others.
The Israelites primary focus in prayer was on their physical comfort rather than spiritual desires.
And He gave them their requests but sent leanness into their soul. Sometimes we “fret and fume” like children until we get what we want. More often than not our getting what WE want brings more bitterness and grief because the “getting” brings more disappointment.
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.—Galatians 2:20
Oh Father...May our joy and our desire be for those things that are spiritually discerned.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?"But we have the mind of Christ.—1 Cor 2:12-16
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
His Song Shall be With Me...
The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song shall be with me—A prayer to the God of my life.--Psalm 42:8
I started studying this verse this morning using The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and finished only up to "The Lord will command His lovingkindness." The Lord is my KING! He is my Commander. When I am a good and faithful servant and obey His commands, I am in a place of blessing. In fact the Bible says that the blessings for obedience will come upon me and overtake me! I love that!! When I obey, His goodness and mercy follow me and overtake me. That is so comforting!
Meditating on our God's sovereignty and lovingkindness is such an encouragement as we go through the many trials of life appointed for us. Dwell on His mercy. Remember His mercy. Pray for His mercy. Know that one word from Him will turn your darkness to light, your rough waters to calm seas, your mourning to dancing, and your complaints to praise. Make His mercy, truth, and power, your refuge. Take up the shield of faith which is your defensive weapons and believe in His power and in His promises. Remember His presence goes before you and is with you. Stay your mind on Him. Be strong and brave and let the Lord do what is good in His sight.
I started studying this verse this morning using The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and finished only up to "The Lord will command His lovingkindness." The Lord is my KING! He is my Commander. When I am a good and faithful servant and obey His commands, I am in a place of blessing. In fact the Bible says that the blessings for obedience will come upon me and overtake me! I love that!! When I obey, His goodness and mercy follow me and overtake me. That is so comforting!
Meditating on our God's sovereignty and lovingkindness is such an encouragement as we go through the many trials of life appointed for us. Dwell on His mercy. Remember His mercy. Pray for His mercy. Know that one word from Him will turn your darkness to light, your rough waters to calm seas, your mourning to dancing, and your complaints to praise. Make His mercy, truth, and power, your refuge. Take up the shield of faith which is your defensive weapons and believe in His power and in His promises. Remember His presence goes before you and is with you. Stay your mind on Him. Be strong and brave and let the Lord do what is good in His sight.
Vindicate Me O God...
Vindicate me O God. And plead my cause against an ungodly nation. Deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. For You are the God of my strength; Why do You cast me off? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?--Psalm 43:1-2
David is being accused unjustly, maligned and slandered and has been forced into exile. He asks God here to be his divine judge as well as his defense attorney. Literally it says, Judge me O God, and argue my case. What a difference it makes when we commit ourselves to Him who judges righteously. What a difference it makes when we know that the God of the Universe is on our side! What a difference it makes when we realize that He is our defender.
He is the God of our righteousness. When we are attacked or maligned by evil men, it is not our righteousness at stake..It is God's. His righteousness is imputed to us when we believe. He will defend it. ❤️❤️
Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill. And to your tabernacle. Then I will go to the altar of God. To God my exceeding joy; And on the harp I will praise You, oh God, my God."
I love those verses! Coming to Jesus is always the remedy. So when the darkness begins to surround me, I am so grateful that I can go to the One in whom is no darkness at all. I can cry out for Him to lead me by His light and His truth. I can pray that His goodness and mercy also will follow me. Where do I want them to bring me? First, to His holy hill...and then to the tabernacle...and then to the altar of God and finally to Him...to God Himself. Nothing else will do...nothing will satisfy me but to be in His presence.
Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God
David is being accused unjustly, maligned and slandered and has been forced into exile. He asks God here to be his divine judge as well as his defense attorney. Literally it says, Judge me O God, and argue my case. What a difference it makes when we commit ourselves to Him who judges righteously. What a difference it makes when we know that the God of the Universe is on our side! What a difference it makes when we realize that He is our defender.
He is the God of our righteousness. When we are attacked or maligned by evil men, it is not our righteousness at stake..It is God's. His righteousness is imputed to us when we believe. He will defend it. ❤️❤️
Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill. And to your tabernacle. Then I will go to the altar of God. To God my exceeding joy; And on the harp I will praise You, oh God, my God."
I love those verses! Coming to Jesus is always the remedy. So when the darkness begins to surround me, I am so grateful that I can go to the One in whom is no darkness at all. I can cry out for Him to lead me by His light and His truth. I can pray that His goodness and mercy also will follow me. Where do I want them to bring me? First, to His holy hill...and then to the tabernacle...and then to the altar of God and finally to Him...to God Himself. Nothing else will do...nothing will satisfy me but to be in His presence.
Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God
Mark 10...
But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
"Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. "And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."—Mark 10:42-45
True greatness—Humility—service enjoined—gain thru loss—
Christ our example
Vs 45—Christ—Servant—Sacrifice—Death—redemption
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus...Phil 2:5
—Submission and exaltation—Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow...Phil 2:9-10
Blind Bartimaeus--Mark 10:46-52
Condition - Helpless
Opportunity - Jesus passed by
Faith - Cried out for mercy
Summons from Jesus
Bartimaeus response - humility...threw aside his garment and came to Jesus
Interesting note - Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus gave him an opportunity to confess his need...even though Jesus knew what he wanted.
Bartimaeus took opportunity when it came...faith honored and rewarded with sight and followed Jesus.
"Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. "And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."—Mark 10:42-45
True greatness—Humility—service enjoined—gain thru loss—
Christ our example
Vs 45—Christ—Servant—Sacrifice—Death—redemption
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus...Phil 2:5
—Submission and exaltation—Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow...Phil 2:9-10
Blind Bartimaeus--Mark 10:46-52
Condition - Helpless
Opportunity - Jesus passed by
Faith - Cried out for mercy
Summons from Jesus
Bartimaeus response - humility...threw aside his garment and came to Jesus
Interesting note - Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus gave him an opportunity to confess his need...even though Jesus knew what he wanted.
Bartimaeus took opportunity when it came...faith honored and rewarded with sight and followed Jesus.
Be Still, and Know that I am God...
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!--Psalm 46:10
God's sovereignty over the affairs of men…Be still or in Hebrew "raphaph" is such a good reminder for me when I am in the midst of the seemingly endless fleshly battle that I fight entitled: "What I Want That I Am Not Getting"
The word "STILL" OR "RAPHAH" means TO SINK, RELAX, LET DROP, BE DISHEARTENED, DESIST FROM YOUR WAR….
I really love that description. It exactly describes what I need to do in the midst of that fleshly battle I mentioned earlier. I questioned "disheartened" till I thought about it a little more…Biblically the heart is the seat of the will…so take the "heart" or your passionate desire to get what you want…disarm yourself of self...and remember that He is God…
He is sovereign…cast all your cares upon Him because He cares for You….Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!--Psalm 46:10
God's sovereignty over the affairs of men…Be still or in Hebrew "raphaph" is such a good reminder for me when I am in the midst of the seemingly endless fleshly battle that I fight entitled: "What I Want That I Am Not Getting"
The word "STILL" OR "RAPHAH" means TO SINK, RELAX, LET DROP, BE DISHEARTENED, DESIST FROM YOUR WAR….
I really love that description. It exactly describes what I need to do in the midst of that fleshly battle I mentioned earlier. I questioned "disheartened" till I thought about it a little more…Biblically the heart is the seat of the will…so take the "heart" or your passionate desire to get what you want…disarm yourself of self...and remember that He is God…
He is sovereign…cast all your cares upon Him because He cares for You….Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Owe No One Anything Except to Love One Another...
Mark 12:29:31 - Which is the first commandment of all?
Cross-reference verse Romans 13:8-10:
Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Love is the debt that is never paid...it is always owed. Love is the summation of our obedience for in love the whole law is fulfilled. Love is a decision and is always an action. The love that God has shed abroad in our hearts by His Spirit involves teaching and speaking the truth in love to others, (faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God) The love that God has poured out in our hearts also ministers to needs, sets an example that does not lead people toward sin, covers faults, forgives, endures and sacrifices on behalf of others. This kind of love is our debt that is never paid and always owed.
Father...we want to love like this! Thank You that You have shed Your love abroad in our hearts. You have given us all we need to love others as you have loved us...to meet them at their point of need. We submit to Your Spirit right now and ask that he would purify our hearts and teach us to love. Be pleased with the way we pay our debts, owing no man anything, but owing everyone love, “always paying and always owing”. That the world might know we belong to You and that they might be attracted by that love to the One alone who can save them.
Cross-reference verse Romans 13:8-10:
Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Love is the debt that is never paid...it is always owed. Love is the summation of our obedience for in love the whole law is fulfilled. Love is a decision and is always an action. The love that God has shed abroad in our hearts by His Spirit involves teaching and speaking the truth in love to others, (faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God) The love that God has poured out in our hearts also ministers to needs, sets an example that does not lead people toward sin, covers faults, forgives, endures and sacrifices on behalf of others. This kind of love is our debt that is never paid and always owed.
Father...we want to love like this! Thank You that You have shed Your love abroad in our hearts. You have given us all we need to love others as you have loved us...to meet them at their point of need. We submit to Your Spirit right now and ask that he would purify our hearts and teach us to love. Be pleased with the way we pay our debts, owing no man anything, but owing everyone love, “always paying and always owing”. That the world might know we belong to You and that they might be attracted by that love to the One alone who can save them.
"Take Heed, Watch and Pray...
"Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.—Mark 13:33
"But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.
35 "For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36 "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."—Luke 21
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.—1 Corinthians 16:13
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.—1 Peter 4:7
"But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.
35 "For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36 "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."—Luke 21
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.—1 Corinthians 16:13
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.—1 Peter 4:7
He was Despised, and We Dd Not Esteem Him...
In John 6 Christ describes the manna coming down from heaven as a type of His coming down from Heaven to bring life to the world.
"For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
"I am the bread of life.
"Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
"This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die.
"I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world."—John 6:38;48-51
As the manna was despised by the Israelites so Christ the bread of life was despised by their descendants.
"but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!"
He is despised and rejected by men,
A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him
"For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
"I am the bread of life.
"Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
"This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die.
"I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world."—John 6:38;48-51
As the manna was despised by the Israelites so Christ the bread of life was despised by their descendants.
"but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!"
He is despised and rejected by men,
A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him
Simon of Cyrene
And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. (Mark 15:21, ESV)
I grew up Catholic and every Friday throughout Lent my grammar school would assemble in the church at 2:30 and go thru the stations of the cross. Although I no longer adhere to the traditions of the Catholic Church, God used them, as He uses everything in my life, for my good. Simon of Cyrene being compelled to carry Jesus’ cross was my favorite one to think on...we know very little about who he was except that he was from the North African city of Cyrene and was on his way into Jerusalem. Mark identifies him here as the father of Alexander and Rufus....Rufus is identified in Romans 16:13 as a prominent member of the church at Rome....this makes me happy to read because it most likely means that some time after He bore Jesus’ cross, Simon was saved and then Rufus and perhaps his whole household. I also like the picture because it reminds me that Jesus fell under the weight of that cross...it was really our cross...not His...because it was for our sin that He bore it. It was appropriate then that some “representative sinner” was chosen to carry it for Him symbolizing that we all would have had to bear the eternal burden of our own sin had not Jesus come and done it for us.
For God is My Defense, My God of Mercy...
But I will sing of Your power;
Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning;
For You have been my defense
And refuge in the day of my trouble.
To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises;
For God is my defense,
My God of mercy.—Psalm 59:16-17
..I will sing psalms, and hymns and spiritual songs with grace in my heart to You, my Lord. I will give thanks to my God who performs all things for me. Riches and honor come from You....in Your hand is power and might...you give strength and reign over all.
I know, like Job did, that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. All power belongs to my God!
Your mercy, oh Lord, is great above the heavens, And Your truth reaches to the clouds. Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us,
But to Your name give glory,
Because of Your mercy,
Because of Your truth.
You are my refuge and my strength.
A very present help in trouble. Therefore I
will not fear.
You, LORD, preserve the simple;
I was brought low, and You saved me.
Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
With my enemy is an arm of flesh; but You, the LORD my God are with me to help me and to fight my battles. You delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me,
For they were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
But You were my support. You also brought me out into a broad place; You delivered me because You delighted in me.
Oh Lord, my God, in You I put my trust!
Comfort, Yes, Comfort My People...
"Comfort, yes, comfort My people!"
Says your God.
2 "Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her,
That her warfare is ended,
That her iniquity is pardoned;
For she has received from the LORD's hand
Double for all her sins."
3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
"Prepare the way of the LORD;
Make straight in the desert
A highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be exalted
And every mountain and hill brought low;
The crooked places shall be made straight
And the rough places smooth;
5 The glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
And all flesh shall see it together;
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.--"Isaiah 40:1-5
These verses quoted in part from Isaiah 40 in Luke Chapter 3 always fill me with joy. This is so because of the unity and supernatural design of Scripture, and that even in judgment God “remembers mercy.
I love how Chapter 40 of Isaiah begins too...Comfort, yes, comfort My people! This chapter also commences the 2nd section of Isaiah. The two divisions of this OT book (Chapt 1-39 & 40-66) contain 39 and 27 chapters, respectively, which is how the Old and New Testaments are broken up...39 books in the OT and 27 in the NT. Part 1 of Isaiah like the OT, emphasize law and judgment, while part 2 of Isaiah like the NT focus on grace and salvation. The “NT” portion of Isaiah begins with the prophecy fulfilled by John the Baptist 700 years later in the gospels, and ends with the coming of the “new heavens and the new earth”(65:17-66:24); further detailed in Revelation, the last book of the New Testament.
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