Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. —Ps 30:4-5
I needed these verses today. I can sing in my heartbreak. I can give God praise! No trial lasts forever. His word testifies to this. Your steadfast love, Father, is better than life, my lips will praise you. Look with me and be encouraged by our Gods good word to us.
then man prays to God, and he accepts him; he sees his face with a shout of joy, and he restores to man his righteousness. (Job 33:26, ESV)
For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you," says the LORD, your Redeemer. (Isaiah 54:7-8, ESV)
Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalms 126:5-6, ESV)
Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.
When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. (John 16:20-22, ESV)
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, ESV)
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Thinking I Am Something - 1 Cor 3:5-8
What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Just servants through whom you believed [in Christ], even as the Lord appointed to each his task. I planted, Apollos watered, but God [all the while] was causing the growth. So neither is the one who plants nor the one who waters anything, but [only] God who causes the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one [in importance and esteem, working toward the same purpose]; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.—1 Cor 3:5-8 AMP
I don’t know about you, but I need a good portion of 1 Corinthians 3 written out where I can see it every day. Without God’s word, which brings the sobering truth to my heart, my thoughts can go awry. I can begin to think of myself more highly than I ought to think...never ever good. Oh Father...keep me from the folly of me. Of thinking I am something.
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.—Romans 12:3
As servants we serve...we do what God tells us to do using the gifts He has graciously given us. Some of us preach...some of us encourage and exhort and some of us pray, but the actual work of salvation can only be done by God. I thank God for that. What a relief to my heart. I am not in charge, and I am not in control. The results of my work are not up to me. Each of us as God’s servants are on the same team working toward the same goal and each of us will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
I can stop striving. I can stop looking at what others may or may not be accomplishing. I can stop comparing myself with others...which ends in me either feeling lifted up and prideful or condemned. I am His maidservant. I keep my eyes on Him rejoicing to do whatever tasks He has for me, trusting that my work in Him is not in vain. Whatever “I” may accomplish is, as Paul said, only by His grace...the undeserved ability that comes from God to do the work that He called me to do.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.—1 Corinthians 15:57-58
I don’t know about you, but I need a good portion of 1 Corinthians 3 written out where I can see it every day. Without God’s word, which brings the sobering truth to my heart, my thoughts can go awry. I can begin to think of myself more highly than I ought to think...never ever good. Oh Father...keep me from the folly of me. Of thinking I am something.
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.—Romans 12:3
As servants we serve...we do what God tells us to do using the gifts He has graciously given us. Some of us preach...some of us encourage and exhort and some of us pray, but the actual work of salvation can only be done by God. I thank God for that. What a relief to my heart. I am not in charge, and I am not in control. The results of my work are not up to me. Each of us as God’s servants are on the same team working toward the same goal and each of us will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
I can stop striving. I can stop looking at what others may or may not be accomplishing. I can stop comparing myself with others...which ends in me either feeling lifted up and prideful or condemned. I am His maidservant. I keep my eyes on Him rejoicing to do whatever tasks He has for me, trusting that my work in Him is not in vain. Whatever “I” may accomplish is, as Paul said, only by His grace...the undeserved ability that comes from God to do the work that He called me to do.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.—1 Corinthians 15:57-58
Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him.—Psalm 28:7
When our heart trusts in God, we are helped even before our situation changes. Acknowledging our dependence on our God reminds us that we are not alone. It reminds us that we serve a God who not only performs all things for us but also makes perfect that which concerns us. Our God is FOR us and His grace sustains us as we surrender our hearts and its many cares to Him. As David trusts His God, he is infused with strength and buoyed in his weakness. The Lord protects and shelters him. David trusts and abides under the shadow of the Almighty God and therefore, the Psalm says, his heart greatly rejoices and with his song he praises his God.
I soooo get this. There are days when I walk burdened with cares...cares for myself, cares for my kids, cares for my husband, cares for friends and cares for fill-in-the-blank. Then my heart REMEMBERS that God does not want me burdened with the cares and concerns of this life. He created me to depend on Him and trust Him to get me through it. He WANTS me to give my cares to Him because He knows my frame...He KNOWS I am not sufficient for them. My heart rejoices like David and my burdens are lifted. My God has got them...He hears my cry...He hears all my concerns. He knows what to do in each situation. I am RELIEVED...LIGHTENED. My heart trusted in Him and before He answers I am already helped.
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him.—Psalm 28:7
When our heart trusts in God, we are helped even before our situation changes. Acknowledging our dependence on our God reminds us that we are not alone. It reminds us that we serve a God who not only performs all things for us but also makes perfect that which concerns us. Our God is FOR us and His grace sustains us as we surrender our hearts and its many cares to Him. As David trusts His God, he is infused with strength and buoyed in his weakness. The Lord protects and shelters him. David trusts and abides under the shadow of the Almighty God and therefore, the Psalm says, his heart greatly rejoices and with his song he praises his God.
I soooo get this. There are days when I walk burdened with cares...cares for myself, cares for my kids, cares for my husband, cares for friends and cares for fill-in-the-blank. Then my heart REMEMBERS that God does not want me burdened with the cares and concerns of this life. He created me to depend on Him and trust Him to get me through it. He WANTS me to give my cares to Him because He knows my frame...He KNOWS I am not sufficient for them. My heart rejoices like David and my burdens are lifted. My God has got them...He hears my cry...He hears all my concerns. He knows what to do in each situation. I am RELIEVED...LIGHTENED. My heart trusted in Him and before He answers I am already helped.
Psalm 27:13-14
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!—Psalm 27:13-14
Whenever I read vs 13, tears well up in my eyes. Thinking about living with a lost, unbelieving heart...a heart that is empty of Christ and without hope is something that I can no longer even contemplate. When I try, it is like I am falling into a dark bottomless abyss. I am so thankful that whatever I face here in this world, I do not face alone...My God is for me and He is with me. With Him I find mercy. My heart and my flesh fail and my spirit often becomes overwhelmed, but He is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Spending time with Him “rights” my thinking, encourages my heart and restores my soul.
I WILL see the goodness of the Lord in the Land of the Living. While I wait for that moment, I WILL strengthen my heart in Him and I WILL stay my mind on His goodness.
“For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes,
And I have walked in Your truth.”
I want to live here in this world of the dying in a constant awareness of my God and His grace to me. I want to see His gracious lovingkindness before my eyes always and walk in His truth sharing His love with others.
The Lord is the only One I will wait for...He is my Hope, my Strength, my Song and my Deliverer. As Pastor Tom said yesterday...He is my Becoming One...He becomes for me whatever my need may be.
I can be of good courage and wait on Him. I say with Peter:
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
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!—Psalm 27:13-14
Whenever I read vs 13, tears well up in my eyes. Thinking about living with a lost, unbelieving heart...a heart that is empty of Christ and without hope is something that I can no longer even contemplate. When I try, it is like I am falling into a dark bottomless abyss. I am so thankful that whatever I face here in this world, I do not face alone...My God is for me and He is with me. With Him I find mercy. My heart and my flesh fail and my spirit often becomes overwhelmed, but He is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Spending time with Him “rights” my thinking, encourages my heart and restores my soul.
I WILL see the goodness of the Lord in the Land of the Living. While I wait for that moment, I WILL strengthen my heart in Him and I WILL stay my mind on His goodness.
“For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes,
And I have walked in Your truth.”
I want to live here in this world of the dying in a constant awareness of my God and His grace to me. I want to see His gracious lovingkindness before my eyes always and walk in His truth sharing His love with others.
The Lord is the only One I will wait for...He is my Hope, my Strength, my Song and my Deliverer. As Pastor Tom said yesterday...He is my Becoming One...He becomes for me whatever my need may be.
I can be of good courage and wait on Him. I say with Peter:
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
1 Corinthians 1:4-7
I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,—1 Corinthians 1:4-7
We are enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge...so that we come short of no gift. Amen! We have so much to be thankful for this morning!
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.—Psalm 27:6
We are enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge...so that we come short of no gift. Amen! We have so much to be thankful for this morning!
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.—Psalm 27:6
2 Chronicles 33...
And the LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they would not listen. Therefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh with hooks,fn bound him with bronze fetters, and carried him off to Babylon. Now when he was in affliction, he implored the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him; and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God.—2 Chronicles 33:10-13
Reading through Chapter 33 of 2 Chronicles brought me to Psalm 25. Psalm 51 also came to mind.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.--Psalm 51:17
Manesseh knew what he had to do. He knew what was right. His father had lived it before him. Psalm 25 says this:
Reading through Chapter 33 of 2 Chronicles brought me to Psalm 25. Psalm 51 also came to mind.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.--Psalm 51:17
Manesseh knew what he had to do. He knew what was right. His father had lived it before him. Psalm 25 says this:
“Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He teaches sinners in the way. The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way.”
It takes humility to make the choices Hezekiah made. It takes humility to bite the bullet, recognize your sinfulness, and cry out to the Lord to save you from it. Thanks to sin, personal humility is something we find repulsive. Like Manesseh...many of us prefer to die in our sins rather than sacrifice our hideous and unmerited pride. We refuse to believe God knows best and thus stubbornly plow straight into a pit. We spurn His precious, glorious, beautiful salvation for an eternity of self-inflicted torment. Thankfully for Manesseh, God, in His kindness, would not let him continue down this wrong path.
Reading the account of the Chaldeans, we learn that Manesseh was afflicted greatly in Babylon. It tells of torture of a horrific scale. This from the Blue letter Bible and Chuck Smith:
"For the Chaldeans made a brazen mule, and pierced it full of small holes, and put him in it. They then kindled fires all around it; and when he was in this affliction, he sought help of all the idols which he had made, but obtained none, for they were of no value. He therefore repented, and prayed before the Lord his God, and was greatly humbled in the sight of the Lord God of his fathers."
God did not give up on Manesseh. Look at what it took though, to bring him to the point where he cried out to the Lord His God. Look at the level of affliction that was necessary to rid him of his pride and bring Him before His God with a broken and contrite heart.
This was not God's vengeance upon Manesseh, this was His mercy and kindness. How much better it was for Manesseh to suffer here on earth for a short while than to suffer eternal torment. God allowed all of Manesseh's afflictions to bring him to His knees...to bring him to a place of safety and protection from the eternal fires of hell.
I am blown away this morning by the depth of the riches both of God’s wisdom and His knowledge, but also of His mercy toward us, His creatures. Truly His judgments are unsearcheable and His ways past finding out. His mercy towards us never ceases and brings to mind the beautiful hymn, Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing....
Streams of mercy, never ceasing call for songs of loudest praise. Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God. He, to rescue me from danger, interposed His precious blood; How His kindness yet pursues me, mortal tongue can never tell.
Heart Over Ritual...
For a multitude of the people, many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, "May the good LORD provide atonement for everyone "who prepares his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he is not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary." And the LORD listened to Hezekiah and healed the people.—2 Chronicles 30:18-20
I love this part...
”And the LORD listened to Hezekiah and healed the people.”
The Lord looked at their hearts. Heart over ritual. ❤️ What a comfort that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.❤️
So Samuel said:
"Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.—1 Samuel 15:22
For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.—Romans 2:28-29
For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit,fn rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,—Philippians 3:3
I love this part...
”And the LORD listened to Hezekiah and healed the people.”
The Lord looked at their hearts. Heart over ritual. ❤️ What a comfort that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.❤️
So Samuel said:
"Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.—1 Samuel 15:22
For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.—Romans 2:28-29
For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit,fn rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,—Philippians 3:3
For You Are With Me...
To My Sweet Daughters,
For You are with me...truly some of the most comforting words in Scripture. What sweetness is in this verse! What strength! What peace! He is with me...ALWAYS. In Him I live and move and have my being. When I am weak, He upholds me with His hand. He guides my path. He hears my cry and comforts me in my distress and supplies all of my needs. My God encompasses me with His love and shelters me under His wing.
One of my favorite memories as a child is when my mom would come in and lay with me until I went to sleep. When she was there, my mind was totally at peace...I can still remember how it felt. Totally protected and safe and secure. I can also remember feeling this same way when walking with my dad in the evening. His hand always held mine, and I knew I was safe. I crossed the street when he crossed...it would not have occurred to me to look first. It was safe and pleasant to walk with him...Just like it is safe and pleasant walking when we allow God to lead the way. I did not worry as a child where my dad was going or whether he knew the way home...I just enjoyed the moment and allowed him to lead. Allow the Lord to direct your steps, girls, as a loving parent guides a child.
Are you beginning to see why this verse is a favorite of mine. Thou art with me...causes me to rejoice and shout for joy. It reminds me I am His child. I have no worries or concerns. He will see me through and afterward receive me in glory! I have everything I need in Him...Perfect comfort and perfect peace. Absolute security!!!
Someday I will die and go to be with Him forever. There is no fear...He will be with He loves me with an everlasting love...there is nothing in death that can harm me. When I awake, I will see His face in righteousness; and will be satisfied when I awake in His likeness. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of one of His saints...He will be my guide even unto death. Even now as I go to bed, I will lay down and sleep in peace...He is with me...His eyes never shut.
May each one of you have this assurance always...listen now and hear His loving whisper...I am with you.
Love
Mom
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Romans 14:10 - On the Same Side
But you, why do you criticize your brother? Or you again, why do you look down on your [believing] brother or regard him with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God [who alone is judge].—Romans 14:10 AMP
It is so hard in our Christian walks to keep our eyes on the right things. Chapter 14 of Romans is so helpful in this. It reminds me that each of us will give an account of himself to God. My natural man wrongly “feeds” off of judging others or putting others down because in my small fleshly mind that somehow lifts me up and brings me forward. Beloved, Satan wins if he is successful in pitting us against one another. Life as a believer is a spiritual battle. The Bible tells us we do not war against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,—2 Corinthians 10:3-5
It reminds me that as believers we are one body and one in Christ. We are on the same side, fighting the same battle and working toward the same goal....with one mind we are to be striving together for the faith of the gospel.
Father...Help me today when my flesh desires to judge others....to plank, speck or tear down...help me instead to edify and to remember the words of Hannah in 1 Samuel 2:
"Talk no more so very proudly;
Let no arrogance come from your mouth,
For the LORD is the God of knowledge;
And by Him actions are weighed.
It is so hard in our Christian walks to keep our eyes on the right things. Chapter 14 of Romans is so helpful in this. It reminds me that each of us will give an account of himself to God. My natural man wrongly “feeds” off of judging others or putting others down because in my small fleshly mind that somehow lifts me up and brings me forward. Beloved, Satan wins if he is successful in pitting us against one another. Life as a believer is a spiritual battle. The Bible tells us we do not war against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,—2 Corinthians 10:3-5
It reminds me that as believers we are one body and one in Christ. We are on the same side, fighting the same battle and working toward the same goal....with one mind we are to be striving together for the faith of the gospel.
Father...Help me today when my flesh desires to judge others....to plank, speck or tear down...help me instead to edify and to remember the words of Hannah in 1 Samuel 2:
"Talk no more so very proudly;
Let no arrogance come from your mouth,
For the LORD is the God of knowledge;
And by Him actions are weighed.
Help me to strive to encourage and build up my brothers and sisters in our mutual faith....not stumble or tear down. Enable me by Your Spirit today to put on kindness, love and tender mercies...to owe them only love. Love does no harm to a neighbor...love is the fulfillment of the law.
Ending with a fitting prayer from Philippians, Chapter 1.
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
Oded- 2 Chronicles 28:9
But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded; and he went out before the army that came to Samaria, and said to them: "Look, because the LORD God of your fathers was angry with Judah, He has delivered them into your hand; but you have killed them in a rage that reaches up to heaven.—2 Chronicles 28:9
This is the only mention of the prophet Oded that I could find but I bet the people of Judah and Jerusalem thanked God for his ministry and his courage to speak for them. Amazingly, the Israelites complied with the prophet’s warning. (Vs 12-15)
For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"—Esther 4:14
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Open your mouth for the speechless,
In the cause of all who are appointed to die.fn
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And plead the cause of the poor and needy.—Proverbs 31:8-9
This is the only mention of the prophet Oded that I could find but I bet the people of Judah and Jerusalem thanked God for his ministry and his courage to speak for them. Amazingly, the Israelites complied with the prophet’s warning. (Vs 12-15)
For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"—Esther 4:14
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Open your mouth for the speechless,
In the cause of all who are appointed to die.fn
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And plead the cause of the poor and needy.—Proverbs 31:8-9
Monday, July 29, 2019
2 Chronicles 22
Thus Joash the king did not remember the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but killed his son; and as he died, he said, "The LORD look on it, and repay!"—2 Chronicles 24:22
Ingratitude is sooo ugly and is a hallmark of unbelief. After the the death of his uncle, Jehoiada the high priest, Joash the King “forgot” the kindness this man had shown him. He “forgot” the fact that Jehoiada had saved his life when he was a helpless young child. He “forgot” that Jehoiada was the one responsible for his being king in the first place. He “forgot” that he had also been a wise and faithful counselor to Joash during his lifetime. When Zechariah, Jehoiada’s son, attempted to provide for Joash the same godly counsel by the Spirit of God, Joash allowed him to be stoned. He not only rejected the word of the Lord but also silenced the one who spoke it. So much evil returned for so much good.
There have been times in my life where evil has been returned for good. As I searched the Scriptures during those times I found myself in very good company. In fact if you are serving the Lord faithfully your good will be spoken of as evil and more often than not evil will be returned for that good.
For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.—Hebrews 12:3-4
It is not easy to have your good called evil...to have your words twisted and your deeds maligned. No one likes to be hated without a cause, but therein is the encouragement. Our Jesus was despised and rejected...His words were twisted and His deeds maligned. Look to Jesus then for your example. See how He reacted...
For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
“Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;
who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; —1 Peter 2:19-23
Christ suffered that we might live. Shine your light so others might live. There are no true offenses against you...they are against God. Your life is not about you..it is about glorifying Him in and through it all so that you can lead others to Christ.
The key verse for me from this section of 1 Peter 2 especially when going through this kind of trial is this one:
but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously
I am never to look to and desire the praises of men...I am to desire the praises of my God. I am not to get entangled in foolish disputes in an attempt to clear my name. They take the focus off of God and place it on me...so instead of seeing Christ in me others just see me. They keep the focus on earthly things rather than heavenly things and distract from the task at hand. I am to commit myself then...all of me...to Him. I am to surrender to what He has for me. It is not my job to worry about those who return my good with evil. It is His. My job is to do good and keep my conduct honorable. Jehoiada and Zechariah’s good still bear witness today despite the opposition’s attempt to silence them. I end with Romans 12:21...very wise and instructive words.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good...
Ingratitude is sooo ugly and is a hallmark of unbelief. After the the death of his uncle, Jehoiada the high priest, Joash the King “forgot” the kindness this man had shown him. He “forgot” the fact that Jehoiada had saved his life when he was a helpless young child. He “forgot” that Jehoiada was the one responsible for his being king in the first place. He “forgot” that he had also been a wise and faithful counselor to Joash during his lifetime. When Zechariah, Jehoiada’s son, attempted to provide for Joash the same godly counsel by the Spirit of God, Joash allowed him to be stoned. He not only rejected the word of the Lord but also silenced the one who spoke it. So much evil returned for so much good.
There have been times in my life where evil has been returned for good. As I searched the Scriptures during those times I found myself in very good company. In fact if you are serving the Lord faithfully your good will be spoken of as evil and more often than not evil will be returned for that good.
For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.—Hebrews 12:3-4
It is not easy to have your good called evil...to have your words twisted and your deeds maligned. No one likes to be hated without a cause, but therein is the encouragement. Our Jesus was despised and rejected...His words were twisted and His deeds maligned. Look to Jesus then for your example. See how He reacted...
For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
“Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;
who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; —1 Peter 2:19-23
Christ suffered that we might live. Shine your light so others might live. There are no true offenses against you...they are against God. Your life is not about you..it is about glorifying Him in and through it all so that you can lead others to Christ.
The key verse for me from this section of 1 Peter 2 especially when going through this kind of trial is this one:
but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously
I am never to look to and desire the praises of men...I am to desire the praises of my God. I am not to get entangled in foolish disputes in an attempt to clear my name. They take the focus off of God and place it on me...so instead of seeing Christ in me others just see me. They keep the focus on earthly things rather than heavenly things and distract from the task at hand. I am to commit myself then...all of me...to Him. I am to surrender to what He has for me. It is not my job to worry about those who return my good with evil. It is His. My job is to do good and keep my conduct honorable. Jehoiada and Zechariah’s good still bear witness today despite the opposition’s attempt to silence them. I end with Romans 12:21...very wise and instructive words.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good...
Sunday, July 28, 2019
Proverbs 20:7
The righteous man walks in his integrity;
His children are blessed after him.—Proverbs 20:7
2 Corinthians 1:12 (KJV)
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
These two verses give us such a beautiful picture of the fruit of walking through this life by His grace moment by moment. Those who have integrity live out what they believe. Their word and their deed match. They walk securely with no fear of stumbling. Peace of mind and freedom from fear belong to them. Their very lives adorn the doctrine of their God and they become living testimonies to His faithfulness. They are blessings to their children, other believers and to all that come in contact with them.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwellfn in the house of the LORD
Forever.—Ps 23:4;6
His children are blessed after him.—Proverbs 20:7
2 Corinthians 1:12 (KJV)
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
These two verses give us such a beautiful picture of the fruit of walking through this life by His grace moment by moment. Those who have integrity live out what they believe. Their word and their deed match. They walk securely with no fear of stumbling. Peace of mind and freedom from fear belong to them. Their very lives adorn the doctrine of their God and they become living testimonies to His faithfulness. They are blessings to their children, other believers and to all that come in contact with them.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwellfn in the house of the LORD
Forever.—Ps 23:4;6
Saturday, July 27, 2019
Jehoshaphat - 2 Chronicles 20
So much good instruction and encouragement in this chapter to be had just by reading through! Jehoshaphat had learned his lesson and in this crisis was leaning entirely on the Lord. I read thru Psalm 21 after I read 2 Chronicles and couldn’t help but think of Jehoshaphat’s victory.
Ps 21:1-2 The king shall have joy in Your strength, O LORD; And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! You have given him his heart's desire, And have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah
And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.—2 Chronicles 20:3
Jehoshaphat’s prayer 5-12
"O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You."-2 Chronicles 20:12
You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you."—2 Chronicles 20:17
"Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper."
And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the LORD, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:
"Praise the LORD,
For His mercy endures forever."—2 Chronicles 20: 20-21
Ps 21:1-2 The king shall have joy in Your strength, O LORD; And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! You have given him his heart's desire, And have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah
And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.—2 Chronicles 20:3
Jehoshaphat’s prayer 5-12
"O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You."-2 Chronicles 20:12
You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you."—2 Chronicles 20:17
"Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper."
And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the LORD, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:
"Praise the LORD,
For His mercy endures forever."—2 Chronicles 20: 20-21
2 Chronicles 17:6a
And his heart took delight in the ways of the Lord;—2 Chronicles 17:6a
Lord...this could be me...I want it to be me! But sadly my ways are always in front of your ways clamoring for position, clamoring to be heard, clamoring out of fear, clamoring for me, myself and I. Oh, Father, I want to be as a weaned child before You...my soul calmed and quiet and my heart fixed on my hope that is in You from this time forth and forever.
Praying that my noisy clamoring ceases as I surrender to a Your Spirit today and allow Your peace to “rule” in my heart and “be thankful” ( Col 3:15). That word rule means act as an umpire. That is so practical and helpful for me to think on...let God’s peace act as the “umpire” of my heart. Let Him call the shots in my life and tell me what is fair or foul. Let God and His word rule.
The last part of Colossians 3:15 reminds me to be thankful. So let God’s peace rule and be thankful. I have made a practice of seeing what is wrong...I have gotten good at complaining. God’s word tells me that there is really nothing wrong in my life. He overrules all in my life for my good and His glory. I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me. I can walk free from fear because God cares for my soul and His desire for me is good. Complaining does not honor God. It says that God is not for me and that He is not good. Praying that by His Spirit I can quiet the clamoring and embody thanksgiving. May my heart rejoice in You and my meditation be on those things that are above.
Lord...this could be me...I want it to be me! But sadly my ways are always in front of your ways clamoring for position, clamoring to be heard, clamoring out of fear, clamoring for me, myself and I. Oh, Father, I want to be as a weaned child before You...my soul calmed and quiet and my heart fixed on my hope that is in You from this time forth and forever.
Praying that my noisy clamoring ceases as I surrender to a Your Spirit today and allow Your peace to “rule” in my heart and “be thankful” ( Col 3:15). That word rule means act as an umpire. That is so practical and helpful for me to think on...let God’s peace act as the “umpire” of my heart. Let Him call the shots in my life and tell me what is fair or foul. Let God and His word rule.
The last part of Colossians 3:15 reminds me to be thankful. So let God’s peace rule and be thankful. I have made a practice of seeing what is wrong...I have gotten good at complaining. God’s word tells me that there is really nothing wrong in my life. He overrules all in my life for my good and His glory. I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me. I can walk free from fear because God cares for my soul and His desire for me is good. Complaining does not honor God. It says that God is not for me and that He is not good. Praying that by His Spirit I can quiet the clamoring and embody thanksgiving. May my heart rejoice in You and my meditation be on those things that are above.
2 Chronicles 14:11
And Asa cried out to the LORD his God, and said, "LORD, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O LORD our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!"—2 Chronicles 14:11
I am so thankful, Father, that You are for us...and if You are for us, then none can truly be against us. We are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through You who loved us so much that You died for us.
“Nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few.” (1 Sam 14:6) Lord...we rest entirely on You...for without You, we are without strength. Be exalted, O LORD, in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power. (Ps 21:13) O God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." (2 Chron 20:12) You are our God...and You have promised to be ours...we cleave unto You. We go out in Your name...do not let man prevail against You! Bring glory and honor to Your name!
MAY THE LORD answer you (David) in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high [and defend you in battle]! May He send you help from the sanctuary (His dwelling place) And support and strengthen you from Zion! May He remember all your meal offerings And accept your burnt offering. Selah.
May He grant you your heart’s desire And fulfill all your plans. We will sing joyously over your victory, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners. May the LORD fulfill all your petitions. Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, But we will remember and trust in the name of the LORD our God. They have bowed down and fallen, But we have risen and stood upright. O LORD, save [the king]; May the King answer us in the day we call.—Psalm 20 AMPLIFIED
Isaiah 41:10-14 (NKJV)
10 Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. 11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. 12 Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, [even] them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. 13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. 14 Fear not, thou worm Jacob, [and] ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
To Praise and Serve as the Duty of the Day..
the Levites for their duties (to praise and serve before the priests) as the duty of each day required,—2 Chronicles 8:14
To praise and serve as the duty of each day required...
Father...Remind me to take the time each day to praise You. Forgive me for taking Your steadfast love toward me for granted. The earth, O LORD, is full of Your mercy! I looked around me this morning at all Your blessings that were just in the reach of my arms, and I was overwhelmed with Your goodness!...All because I did my “duty” and purposed to praise You. 1 John 5:3 says, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” Your commandments are good and are for our good! Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever. By Your precious Spirit, I will serve You with all of my heart to the praise of Your glory.
You have commanded us
To keep Your precepts diligently.
Oh, that my ways were directed
To keep Your statutes!
Then I would not be ashamed,
When I look into all Your commandments.
I will praise You with uprightness of heart,
When I learn Your righteous judgments.
I will keep Your statutes;
Oh, do not forsake me utterly!—Ps 119:4-8
Blessed are You, O LORD!
Teach me Your statutes.—Ps 119:12
May Your statutes be my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. ❤️
To praise and serve as the duty of each day required...
Father...Remind me to take the time each day to praise You. Forgive me for taking Your steadfast love toward me for granted. The earth, O LORD, is full of Your mercy! I looked around me this morning at all Your blessings that were just in the reach of my arms, and I was overwhelmed with Your goodness!...All because I did my “duty” and purposed to praise You. 1 John 5:3 says, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” Your commandments are good and are for our good! Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever. By Your precious Spirit, I will serve You with all of my heart to the praise of Your glory.
You have commanded us
To keep Your precepts diligently.
Oh, that my ways were directed
To keep Your statutes!
Then I would not be ashamed,
When I look into all Your commandments.
I will praise You with uprightness of heart,
When I learn Your righteous judgments.
I will keep Your statutes;
Oh, do not forsake me utterly!—Ps 119:4-8
Blessed are You, O LORD!
Teach me Your statutes.—Ps 119:12
May Your statutes be my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. ❤️
Who Shall Separate Us...
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8: 35-39).
I LOVE this passage! I am so tightly tied to my God that nothing can separate me from His love. I am glued to Him. He sustains me through my weaknesses, strengthens me in my times of trial, draws me continually to Himself, and grants me His victory within my life.
I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me. I belong to Jesus now and forever.
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long.—Fanny J Crosby
I LOVE this passage! I am so tightly tied to my God that nothing can separate me from His love. I am glued to Him. He sustains me through my weaknesses, strengthens me in my times of trial, draws me continually to Himself, and grants me His victory within my life.
I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me. I belong to Jesus now and forever.
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long.—Fanny J Crosby
The Grass is Always Greener...
2Ch 12:8 NKJV - “Nevertheless they will be his servants, that they may distinguish My service from the service of the kingdoms of the nations.”
Letting the word comment on the word...
Deut 28:47-48, NKJV: “Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, therefore you shall serve your enemies, whom the LORD will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in need of everything; and He will put a yoke of iron on your neck until He has destroyed you.”
Hosea 2:7, “She will chase her lovers,
But not overtake them;
Yes, she will seek them, but not find them.
Then she will say,
‘I will go and return to my first husband,
For then it was better for me than now.’”
The grass is always greener on the “other” side is one of many lies we use to deceive ourselves when we are not getting what we want. Praying that when my spirit becomes discontented within in me that I renew my mind with the truth. That remember that I am under grace and continue under the perfect law of liberty.
James 1:25 (NKJV) “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues [in it,] and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”
What is the perfect law of liberty?
We, as believers, are set free from the law of Moses by our faith in Christ Jesus. Jesus is the end of the law of works to all who believe. Believers are under grace...the law of liberty...we now are at liberty to do what is right..to be all we can be in Christ Jesus. An unbeliever is judged by the law. The law tells us how we are suppose to behave, but it does not give us the power to do it and condemns us when we fail. Here is the beautiful thing about grace and the law of liberty. Grace gives us the power to obey the law and then rewards us when we do! We do not obey God out of fear or because we have to, we obey God because we want to. We obey Him out of love and gratitude for what He has done for us and not in our own strength but in His.
Letting the word comment on the word...
Deut 28:47-48, NKJV: “Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, therefore you shall serve your enemies, whom the LORD will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in need of everything; and He will put a yoke of iron on your neck until He has destroyed you.”
Hosea 2:7, “She will chase her lovers,
But not overtake them;
Yes, she will seek them, but not find them.
Then she will say,
‘I will go and return to my first husband,
For then it was better for me than now.’”
The grass is always greener on the “other” side is one of many lies we use to deceive ourselves when we are not getting what we want. Praying that when my spirit becomes discontented within in me that I renew my mind with the truth. That remember that I am under grace and continue under the perfect law of liberty.
James 1:25 (NKJV) “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues [in it,] and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”
What is the perfect law of liberty?
We, as believers, are set free from the law of Moses by our faith in Christ Jesus. Jesus is the end of the law of works to all who believe. Believers are under grace...the law of liberty...we now are at liberty to do what is right..to be all we can be in Christ Jesus. An unbeliever is judged by the law. The law tells us how we are suppose to behave, but it does not give us the power to do it and condemns us when we fail. Here is the beautiful thing about grace and the law of liberty. Grace gives us the power to obey the law and then rewards us when we do! We do not obey God out of fear or because we have to, we obey God because we want to. We obey Him out of love and gratitude for what He has done for us and not in our own strength but in His.
Monday, July 22, 2019
Romans 5:11
"And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement" (Romans 5: 11).
The Old and New Testament words translated as "atonement" differ in meaning. Atonement in Hebrew is "kaphar," which means "covering." The Old Testament sacrifices of goats and bulls covered sin but didn't put away sin. The Greek New Testament word for atonement, "katallage," literally means "making one" and would be better translated "reconciliation." Becoming one with God was impossible through the Old Testament sacrifices; it took the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to reconcile man with God.
The Old and New Testament words translated as "atonement" differ in meaning. Atonement in Hebrew is "kaphar," which means "covering." The Old Testament sacrifices of goats and bulls covered sin but didn't put away sin. The Greek New Testament word for atonement, "katallage," literally means "making one" and would be better translated "reconciliation." Becoming one with God was impossible through the Old Testament sacrifices; it took the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to reconcile man with God.
The Mind of the Flesh is Death...
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.—Romans 8:5-6
Vs 6 of Romans 8 stopped me today. The mind of the flesh is death (Romans 8: 6), Chuck Smith says rightly that such a mind has no awareness of the presence or love of God. It is dead to God and the things of the Spirit. There was a time in my life when I lived like this...dead to God and unaware of His love. Today I cannot imagine that and don’t want to. I am so thankful that He breathed His life to into my heart. I am so thankful that the awareness of His wonderful Presence pervades my life. I am so thankful that by His Spirit I desire more of Him and the things of God the longer I walk with Him.
I will love You, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised;—Ps 18:1-3a
Vs 6 of Romans 8 stopped me today. The mind of the flesh is death (Romans 8: 6), Chuck Smith says rightly that such a mind has no awareness of the presence or love of God. It is dead to God and the things of the Spirit. There was a time in my life when I lived like this...dead to God and unaware of His love. Today I cannot imagine that and don’t want to. I am so thankful that He breathed His life to into my heart. I am so thankful that the awareness of His wonderful Presence pervades my life. I am so thankful that by His Spirit I desire more of Him and the things of God the longer I walk with Him.
I will love You, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised;—Ps 18:1-3a
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