January 19, 2006
Psa 119:23-24 KJV Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes. (24) Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.
Abraham overcame the five kings of the valley obeying the Word of God. Joseph won Pharaoh with the wisdom and integrity of the Word of God. Moses challenged another pharaoh with the strength of the Word of God. Joshua, and the judges conquered their enemies following the Word of God. Daniel won a king to salvation by opening the Word of God. Paul of Tarsus changed the face of the world proclaiming the Word of God. Martin Luther stood up to princes and kings, with the sole authority of the Word of God, and won!
Today, the princes of darkness speak against the righteous. They connive tricks to make him fall, or at least to control the damage he causes to their “cozy” little kingdom. They have pulled all the stops in their efforts to drown the people of God.
“Run my friend, run! Don’t be silly and think that you can fight the devil! This is not your fight; he really is not fighting against you, He is fighting against Me, and your sole weapon and protection, is Me. So run, yes run, but not from him in fear, you wouldn’t think a soldier coward because ehe runs to his sword in time of attack. So run to the two-edged sword of My Word that has already defeated him 2000years ago with the joy, anticipation and expectation brought by the assurance of great victories,… and fight!”
And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.
(Psa 18:10 KJV)
'Be strong, be strong and be strengthened!'
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Daily Devotion
January 18, 2006
Psa 119:21-22 KJV Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments. (22) Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
Have you ever met someone whose life seems to be a never-ending stream of wrong decisions? One who never failed to go against God and conscience? One who is proud, bloody and unbowed? Watch and be warned oh ye Child of God, watch and be warned. At the end of their life, you will see it, you will either see the matured evil fruit of all their self projected labors, or worse the dry, parched, famine-stricken, lonely barrenness of a life going away taking with it a bad dream that cries to be forgotten. Beloved, this is the “rebuke” and the curse of the “proud”.
Watch and learned from the wisdom of the sages; read the epitaph on their tomb-stone. Is there not a lesson there for you, yea a parable?
When the day of “reproach” and “contempt” comes, can you contend with the Devil, the accuser of the saints with the Words of the Contract God has established and say “Not so foul fiend; get thee behind me Satan. I rebuke you and all your accusations. I have kept His testimonies; the blood of the Holy Son of God is on my soul; He bought and paid for all my sins, and even now He stands at the right hand of the throne of God interceding and atoning for my mistakes”.
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
(Rev 12:11 KJV)
Psa 119:21-22 KJV Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments. (22) Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
Have you ever met someone whose life seems to be a never-ending stream of wrong decisions? One who never failed to go against God and conscience? One who is proud, bloody and unbowed? Watch and be warned oh ye Child of God, watch and be warned. At the end of their life, you will see it, you will either see the matured evil fruit of all their self projected labors, or worse the dry, parched, famine-stricken, lonely barrenness of a life going away taking with it a bad dream that cries to be forgotten. Beloved, this is the “rebuke” and the curse of the “proud”.
Watch and learned from the wisdom of the sages; read the epitaph on their tomb-stone. Is there not a lesson there for you, yea a parable?
When the day of “reproach” and “contempt” comes, can you contend with the Devil, the accuser of the saints with the Words of the Contract God has established and say “Not so foul fiend; get thee behind me Satan. I rebuke you and all your accusations. I have kept His testimonies; the blood of the Holy Son of God is on my soul; He bought and paid for all my sins, and even now He stands at the right hand of the throne of God interceding and atoning for my mistakes”.
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
(Rev 12:11 KJV)
Daily Devotion
January 17, 2006
Psa 119:19-20 KJV I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. (20) My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.
Home is where you take off your armor.
Home is where you do not fear.
Home is where your heart can rest at ease.
Home is where everything is clear and understood because,
Home is where you feel a sense of “kin”.
Home is where you are free first-class citizen.
Home is where you take off your shoes.
Home is where you sit in an armchair and rest your legs for a while.
Home is where you are free to serve those you love and care about.
Home is where you receive the fair and true unbiased judgment of God.
Home is where you partake of the loving merciful abundance of the great Father.
Home is where you can love God freely, even in extravagance.
Home is where you are not a stranger.
Home; home is where we all want to go…return!
Any one who loves God is a stranger in this world. We are foreigners, pilgrims, strangers on this earth (Heb 11:13-16). There was a time, oh, a long time ago when “Home” was on this earth, East of Eden (Gen 2:8). God had put us there, until such a time when it seems that we had to learn how we had it, by “Home” being taken away from us. To foster hope in us, through the Holy Spirit Jesus gave us a spiritual connection with “Home”, but one day, “home” will return to us in all Its glory, and we will live in it forever.(Rev 21:1-4).
When you prepare to go somewhere, especially if it is for a long time, all the more if its forever, you unplug from your present life; you make preparations for your arrival, you pack and you stand there waiting for the train or plane, you do not just stay home and continue life as usual. Are you one of thoise who confess with their mouth that they wilkl spend eternity in heaven, but live as if it were a fairy tale? At the end of the day, what have you done for your “preparations”? Are you one of those who will miss and regret all the things of this earth, who will feel uncomfortable losing them? Oh dear child; how can you content yourself with making this world you “Home”. This is a disappointment to Me. Is that all you expect of Me? Don’t you know what the future holds? Read My Holy Book and learn to desire “Home”.
For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
(Isa 64:4 KJV)
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
(Mat 6:19-20 KJV)
Psa 119:19-20 KJV I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. (20) My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.
Home is where you take off your armor.
Home is where you do not fear.
Home is where your heart can rest at ease.
Home is where everything is clear and understood because,
Home is where you feel a sense of “kin”.
Home is where you are free first-class citizen.
Home is where you take off your shoes.
Home is where you sit in an armchair and rest your legs for a while.
Home is where you are free to serve those you love and care about.
Home is where you receive the fair and true unbiased judgment of God.
Home is where you partake of the loving merciful abundance of the great Father.
Home is where you can love God freely, even in extravagance.
Home is where you are not a stranger.
Home; home is where we all want to go…return!
Any one who loves God is a stranger in this world. We are foreigners, pilgrims, strangers on this earth (Heb 11:13-16). There was a time, oh, a long time ago when “Home” was on this earth, East of Eden (Gen 2:8). God had put us there, until such a time when it seems that we had to learn how we had it, by “Home” being taken away from us. To foster hope in us, through the Holy Spirit Jesus gave us a spiritual connection with “Home”, but one day, “home” will return to us in all Its glory, and we will live in it forever.(Rev 21:1-4).
When you prepare to go somewhere, especially if it is for a long time, all the more if its forever, you unplug from your present life; you make preparations for your arrival, you pack and you stand there waiting for the train or plane, you do not just stay home and continue life as usual. Are you one of thoise who confess with their mouth that they wilkl spend eternity in heaven, but live as if it were a fairy tale? At the end of the day, what have you done for your “preparations”? Are you one of those who will miss and regret all the things of this earth, who will feel uncomfortable losing them? Oh dear child; how can you content yourself with making this world you “Home”. This is a disappointment to Me. Is that all you expect of Me? Don’t you know what the future holds? Read My Holy Book and learn to desire “Home”.
For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
(Isa 64:4 KJV)
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
(Mat 6:19-20 KJV)
Daily Devotion
January 16, 2006
(Psa 119:18 KJV)Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
In the Hebrew tongue, this expression “open thou mine eyes” has a much stronger connotation. It is more like “shamelessly expose, denude, make naked”.
How many of us can look at the naked Truth of God in the face? No one can even behold the face of God for the brightness of its countenance. The seventy elders could not even stand to hear the sound of His voice, insomuch that they pleaded with Moses to be their mediator, mediator that was later replaced by Jesus (Ex 20:18-19; Deut 18:15-19; Acts:3:22-23; Acts 7:37).
God spoke with Moses “face to face”, and after such one encounter, Moses face shone so that he had to put a vail (Keep that spelling of vail, it is the way it is spelled in the KJV) on it. (Ex 33:11; 34:29-35). Since this was a pre-crucifixion time, being in their sins, it is understandable that the Children of Israel could not stand to hear the voice of God, even though Moses, who was man from among them could.
But what about today? Do you still need to cover the brightness of the truth of God with a “vail” so you don’t look at it, so you won’t know it, so it won’t be required of you? Can you ask God to “denude”, “reveal” and “expose” what He has to say? Do you put yourself in a spiritually “listening” as in “hearing and receiving” so to learn His wonderful truth?
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
(Psa 51:6 KJV)
(Psa 119:18 KJV)Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
In the Hebrew tongue, this expression “open thou mine eyes” has a much stronger connotation. It is more like “shamelessly expose, denude, make naked”.
How many of us can look at the naked Truth of God in the face? No one can even behold the face of God for the brightness of its countenance. The seventy elders could not even stand to hear the sound of His voice, insomuch that they pleaded with Moses to be their mediator, mediator that was later replaced by Jesus (Ex 20:18-19; Deut 18:15-19; Acts:3:22-23; Acts 7:37).
God spoke with Moses “face to face”, and after such one encounter, Moses face shone so that he had to put a vail (Keep that spelling of vail, it is the way it is spelled in the KJV) on it. (Ex 33:11; 34:29-35). Since this was a pre-crucifixion time, being in their sins, it is understandable that the Children of Israel could not stand to hear the voice of God, even though Moses, who was man from among them could.
But what about today? Do you still need to cover the brightness of the truth of God with a “vail” so you don’t look at it, so you won’t know it, so it won’t be required of you? Can you ask God to “denude”, “reveal” and “expose” what He has to say? Do you put yourself in a spiritually “listening” as in “hearing and receiving” so to learn His wonderful truth?
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
(Psa 51:6 KJV)
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Daily Devotion
January 15, 2006
(Psa 119:17 KJV) Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.
Oh, for the beauty of a life that is dependant on God! There is a bad connotation today to the word “dependant”. It sounds weak, incomplete, insufficient, and needy that would restrain movement, curb personal freedom and cramp one’s style. But here is a dependency that confesses that life itself comes from the bounty of its executor. Here is a dependency that gives life, that strengthens.
A new Christian asked me once how is it that by submitting to God instead of to our own wishes and wants, we find freedom. The concept of being free through submission sounded contradictory to her. I just had to explain to her that because God is so much bigger and powerful than we are, by yielding to Him instead of ourselves, we take part of His divine nature, and obtain the freedom that a life on a bigger or spiritual plane offers us beyond the narrow confines of our limited human nature.
Yes, Lord, do deal bountifully with us. Our lives depend upon it. Incline your heart to our poor and weak human nature. Understand that when in abundance we are tempted to forget You, and when in lack we are tempted to curse You. So please, deal with us mercifully that we may live and keep Your Word.
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
(2Pe 1:4 KJV)
(Psa 119:17 KJV) Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.
Oh, for the beauty of a life that is dependant on God! There is a bad connotation today to the word “dependant”. It sounds weak, incomplete, insufficient, and needy that would restrain movement, curb personal freedom and cramp one’s style. But here is a dependency that confesses that life itself comes from the bounty of its executor. Here is a dependency that gives life, that strengthens.
A new Christian asked me once how is it that by submitting to God instead of to our own wishes and wants, we find freedom. The concept of being free through submission sounded contradictory to her. I just had to explain to her that because God is so much bigger and powerful than we are, by yielding to Him instead of ourselves, we take part of His divine nature, and obtain the freedom that a life on a bigger or spiritual plane offers us beyond the narrow confines of our limited human nature.
Yes, Lord, do deal bountifully with us. Our lives depend upon it. Incline your heart to our poor and weak human nature. Understand that when in abundance we are tempted to forget You, and when in lack we are tempted to curse You. So please, deal with us mercifully that we may live and keep Your Word.
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
(2Pe 1:4 KJV)
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Daily Devotion
January 14, 2006
(Psa 119:16 KJV) I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Soon after the giving of the Torah at Mt Sinai, a man had to be put to death by the congregation because he was gathering sticks during the Sabbath. To help the children of Israel to remember his statutes, the Lord instituted that they should wear four fringes laced with a thread of blue on each of the four sides of their garments. The thread of blue is supposed to remind them of the Commandment of the Word. Now that the Word of Commandment is engraved on our hearts instead of on stones, we should not have to worry about “forgetting” the Word, but is it really so?
Many of us seem to be afflicted with “selective memory”. The things we like we tend to remember easily, but things we like less we seem to “forget”. Delighting in the Word is the key to not forgetting the Word.
The Word is like a vast sea. One standing on the shore can be amused for a while wading in the waves or even venturing out a little further. But one who commits himself by faith to lose sight of the shore will enjoy a lifetime of adventure and discovery and even more.
May God help us to venture out by faith and discover the delights of His Word. Discover the delights that give us unforgettable spiritual experiences that keep us coming back for more, experiences that make if impossible to forget His word!.
Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
(1Ti 4:15 KJV)
(Psa 119:16 KJV) I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Soon after the giving of the Torah at Mt Sinai, a man had to be put to death by the congregation because he was gathering sticks during the Sabbath. To help the children of Israel to remember his statutes, the Lord instituted that they should wear four fringes laced with a thread of blue on each of the four sides of their garments. The thread of blue is supposed to remind them of the Commandment of the Word. Now that the Word of Commandment is engraved on our hearts instead of on stones, we should not have to worry about “forgetting” the Word, but is it really so?
Many of us seem to be afflicted with “selective memory”. The things we like we tend to remember easily, but things we like less we seem to “forget”. Delighting in the Word is the key to not forgetting the Word.
The Word is like a vast sea. One standing on the shore can be amused for a while wading in the waves or even venturing out a little further. But one who commits himself by faith to lose sight of the shore will enjoy a lifetime of adventure and discovery and even more.
May God help us to venture out by faith and discover the delights of His Word. Discover the delights that give us unforgettable spiritual experiences that keep us coming back for more, experiences that make if impossible to forget His word!.
Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
(1Ti 4:15 KJV)
Friday, January 13, 2006
Daily Devotion
January 13, 2006
(Psa 119:15 KJV) I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
How many times have we quickly brushed aside a piece of advice, suggestion or idea, to later realize that it was key to solving a stubborn issue. How many times have we brushed aside checks and premonitions from the Lord, to later realize that we “knew it all along”?
It is normal not to pay attention to the words of man. Too many people talk unprayerfully generating vain ideas that can become red herrings leading us away from the information that we are meant to get. It is understandable to be doubtful and unsure about our personal premonitions, checks and feelings, which can also be red herrings. But it is absurd to not give the Word of God full assurance of credibility.
Many people utter doubts about the authenticity, accuracy, veracity, righteousness and wisdom of the Word of God, but after hearing more of what they have to say, it invariably stems from ignorance, immature thinking and bias conceptualizing. But totally and purely meditating on the Word of God with “an honest and good heart” (Luk 8:15) never fails to generate respect for the ways of the Lord.
“Lord, help us to not be guilty of lack of respect of Your ways because of our lack of meditation on It.”
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
(2Ti 2:15 KJV)
(Psa 119:15 KJV) I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
How many times have we quickly brushed aside a piece of advice, suggestion or idea, to later realize that it was key to solving a stubborn issue. How many times have we brushed aside checks and premonitions from the Lord, to later realize that we “knew it all along”?
It is normal not to pay attention to the words of man. Too many people talk unprayerfully generating vain ideas that can become red herrings leading us away from the information that we are meant to get. It is understandable to be doubtful and unsure about our personal premonitions, checks and feelings, which can also be red herrings. But it is absurd to not give the Word of God full assurance of credibility.
Many people utter doubts about the authenticity, accuracy, veracity, righteousness and wisdom of the Word of God, but after hearing more of what they have to say, it invariably stems from ignorance, immature thinking and bias conceptualizing. But totally and purely meditating on the Word of God with “an honest and good heart” (Luk 8:15) never fails to generate respect for the ways of the Lord.
“Lord, help us to not be guilty of lack of respect of Your ways because of our lack of meditation on It.”
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
(2Ti 2:15 KJV)
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Daily Devotion
November 6, 2005
(Psa 19:14) Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
What are the key words in this sentence? What is the emphasis of this statement? The author could have easily made it, “THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH”, thus putting the emphasis on the careful uttering of speech. He could have also put it on “THE MEDITATION OF MY HEART” showing concern for his inner conversations. Or could it be, “BE ACCEPTABLE” thus drawing our attention toward our own sense of righteousness? No, the most important words here are “IN THY SIGHT”, thus bringing us to evaluate our speech and inner conversation by the Lord’s rule of acceptance!
The Lord in His Word is the standard, the bureau of measure by which everything is deemed acceptable or non-acceptable, good or bad, right or wrong. There is no other standard by which to measure anything.
Oddly enough, mankind seems too often to forget the Words of the manufacturer or our lives to follow its own set of beliefs and standards. Jesus asked the religious leaders of His days, “Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?” (Mat 15:3)
Lord Jesus, help me to have the courage to bring every area of my life to You for Your evaluation. Help me to keep back nothing and have the assurance that in Your love You only want what is right for me, and that because of Your wisdom, You are aware of the pitfall laying ahead of my foolish thinking. In Jesus Name, I pray!”
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
(Pro 3:5-6)
(Psa 19:14) Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
What are the key words in this sentence? What is the emphasis of this statement? The author could have easily made it, “THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH”, thus putting the emphasis on the careful uttering of speech. He could have also put it on “THE MEDITATION OF MY HEART” showing concern for his inner conversations. Or could it be, “BE ACCEPTABLE” thus drawing our attention toward our own sense of righteousness? No, the most important words here are “IN THY SIGHT”, thus bringing us to evaluate our speech and inner conversation by the Lord’s rule of acceptance!
The Lord in His Word is the standard, the bureau of measure by which everything is deemed acceptable or non-acceptable, good or bad, right or wrong. There is no other standard by which to measure anything.
Oddly enough, mankind seems too often to forget the Words of the manufacturer or our lives to follow its own set of beliefs and standards. Jesus asked the religious leaders of His days, “Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?” (Mat 15:3)
Lord Jesus, help me to have the courage to bring every area of my life to You for Your evaluation. Help me to keep back nothing and have the assurance that in Your love You only want what is right for me, and that because of Your wisdom, You are aware of the pitfall laying ahead of my foolish thinking. In Jesus Name, I pray!”
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
(Pro 3:5-6)
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Daily Devotional
January 11, 2006
(Psa 119:13 KJV) With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
The head of a household at the morning meal had asked the blessing as usual, thanking God for a bountiful provision. Immediately afterward he began to grumble about the hard times, the poor quality of food he was forced to eat, & the way it was cooked.
His little daughter interrupted him. "Father," she began, "do you suppose God heard what you said a little while ago?"
"Certainly," he replied confidently.
"And did He hear what you said about the bacon & the coffee?"
"Of course"--not quite so confidently.
"Then, Father, which did God believe?"
Oh, it is so easy to declare God’s righteous judgments in our lives by repeating our memorized “catechism”. When we are on guard of the public eye, how righteous can we sound, how pious can we appear! But the truth about ourselves really comes out when we are “alone”, or in our familiar surroundings, and not so much on guard about others. Then it is known, if only by our conscience, and certainly by the Lord who already knew, whether we are really thankful for the righteousness of the judgments of God in our lives; His judgments of what He allows to be “dished out” to us.
Oh Lord, help me not to be like the hypocrites who appear righteous on the outside, while inside are full of envy, doubts, complaining and murmuring (Mat 23:27). Help me to declare the righteousness of your judgments with my mouth and with my heart.
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
(Psa 51:6 KJV)
(Psa 119:13 KJV) With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
The head of a household at the morning meal had asked the blessing as usual, thanking God for a bountiful provision. Immediately afterward he began to grumble about the hard times, the poor quality of food he was forced to eat, & the way it was cooked.
His little daughter interrupted him. "Father," she began, "do you suppose God heard what you said a little while ago?"
"Certainly," he replied confidently.
"And did He hear what you said about the bacon & the coffee?"
"Of course"--not quite so confidently.
"Then, Father, which did God believe?"
Oh, it is so easy to declare God’s righteous judgments in our lives by repeating our memorized “catechism”. When we are on guard of the public eye, how righteous can we sound, how pious can we appear! But the truth about ourselves really comes out when we are “alone”, or in our familiar surroundings, and not so much on guard about others. Then it is known, if only by our conscience, and certainly by the Lord who already knew, whether we are really thankful for the righteousness of the judgments of God in our lives; His judgments of what He allows to be “dished out” to us.
Oh Lord, help me not to be like the hypocrites who appear righteous on the outside, while inside are full of envy, doubts, complaining and murmuring (Mat 23:27). Help me to declare the righteousness of your judgments with my mouth and with my heart.
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
(Psa 51:6 KJV)
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Daily Devotion
January10, 2006
Psa 119:11-12 KJV Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (12) Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
Throughout the history of religion, many absurd inventions have been conjured up to help us fight against sin, against the lust that wars in our members (Jam 4:1). This Word is clear though, that as Jesus told Martha about Mary sitting at His feet cradled by His Words, “one thing is needful” (Luk 10:42).
The author of this Word also said that we are born in sin, and in iniquity we have been conceived. Therefore keeping from sinning has nothing to do with our personal efforts, but is only achieved by a miracle of the grace of God. The sole part that you have to do is to make sure to walk close to Him daily. Since He is without sin (Heb 4:15), if you walk close to Him, it is impossible for you to go astray.
He is His Word, and His word is Him. Hide His Word in your heart by memorizing It. Let it occupy your thoughts and make It the essence of your daily “conversation”. Hide It in the chambers of your being like a treasure that you hold dear, and it will be your Map, your Light and your “safety net” against the tempting detours of the evil one.
My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
(Pro 6:20-22 KJV) with Him.
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
(Phi 2:13 KJV)
Psa 119:11-12 KJV Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (12) Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
Throughout the history of religion, many absurd inventions have been conjured up to help us fight against sin, against the lust that wars in our members (Jam 4:1). This Word is clear though, that as Jesus told Martha about Mary sitting at His feet cradled by His Words, “one thing is needful” (Luk 10:42).
The author of this Word also said that we are born in sin, and in iniquity we have been conceived. Therefore keeping from sinning has nothing to do with our personal efforts, but is only achieved by a miracle of the grace of God. The sole part that you have to do is to make sure to walk close to Him daily. Since He is without sin (Heb 4:15), if you walk close to Him, it is impossible for you to go astray.
He is His Word, and His word is Him. Hide His Word in your heart by memorizing It. Let it occupy your thoughts and make It the essence of your daily “conversation”. Hide It in the chambers of your being like a treasure that you hold dear, and it will be your Map, your Light and your “safety net” against the tempting detours of the evil one.
My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
(Pro 6:20-22 KJV) with Him.
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
(Phi 2:13 KJV)
Monday, January 09, 2006
Daily Devotion
January 9, 2006
Psa 119:9-10 KJV Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. (10) With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
The hot and young sons of Jacob caused their whole tribe to have to leave the land of Sheshem. The young prodigal son wanted his inheritance right away.
Having a heart that is yielded and close to God is always a struggle for youth. Inexperience in its virgin innocence denies the young life the cynicism that experience uses to caution us. It carries in itself an irresistible attraction, and at times God has used it to accomplish His purpose in young people, even unbeknownst to them. The devil knows it and makes sure to play on their emotions to make them go astray from the path of God.
Rational and logical thinking will not help the youth to make wise and godly decisions. We as parents, pastors and teachers cannot even use our rational, logical and cautious ways to tell them what are wise and godly decisions, because God is not rational nor logical, and His ways are not our ways (Is 55:8-9). The only way a youth can make sure not to stray from the clean path of God’s will in his life is to stay close to the Lord, and harmonize his mind, spirit, heart and walk according to the Spirit of His Word.
The most important gift we can give our children is a love for God’s Word. The most essential habit we can instill in them is a dedication for daily study and memorization. The greatest knowledge we can impart to them is to know how to use the Word as a guide to their lives.
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him,
Feed my lambs.
(Joh 21:15 KJV)
Psa 119:9-10 KJV Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. (10) With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
The hot and young sons of Jacob caused their whole tribe to have to leave the land of Sheshem. The young prodigal son wanted his inheritance right away.
Having a heart that is yielded and close to God is always a struggle for youth. Inexperience in its virgin innocence denies the young life the cynicism that experience uses to caution us. It carries in itself an irresistible attraction, and at times God has used it to accomplish His purpose in young people, even unbeknownst to them. The devil knows it and makes sure to play on their emotions to make them go astray from the path of God.
Rational and logical thinking will not help the youth to make wise and godly decisions. We as parents, pastors and teachers cannot even use our rational, logical and cautious ways to tell them what are wise and godly decisions, because God is not rational nor logical, and His ways are not our ways (Is 55:8-9). The only way a youth can make sure not to stray from the clean path of God’s will in his life is to stay close to the Lord, and harmonize his mind, spirit, heart and walk according to the Spirit of His Word.
The most important gift we can give our children is a love for God’s Word. The most essential habit we can instill in them is a dedication for daily study and memorization. The greatest knowledge we can impart to them is to know how to use the Word as a guide to their lives.
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him,
Feed my lambs.
(Joh 21:15 KJV)
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Daily Devotion
January 7, 2006
(Psa 119:7 KJV) I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
Do you know what to praise the Lord for? Do you know what to thank Him for? Jesus asked if we sometimes may mistake the bread He provides us for a stone, and that the fish He may give us for a serpent (Luk 11:11-13)!
Now, what about this situation you are struggling with? What about these issues that are not working out? This disease that is not going away, this weakness, which makes you desperately cling to the grace of God (2 Cor 12:7-9). Do you think that these could be the “bread” and “fish” that He promised, but that you can’t see them because you are looking at them with eyes of “flesh” instead of with the eyes of the spirit?
George Matheson, the well-known blind preacher of Scotland, now with the Lord, says: "My God, I have never thanked Thee for my `thorn'! I have thanked Thee a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my `thorn'; I have been looking forward to a world where I shall get compensation for my cross as itself a present glory. Teach me the glory of my cross; teach me the value of my `thorn'. Show me that I have climbed to Thee by the path of pain. Show me that my tears have made my rainbow."
When you apply yourself to learn the righteous judgments of God, to learn what He considers to be the right and blessed events in your life, to learn to trust Him for what He gives or withholds. When you have learned to totally yield your life and sprit to Him, giving up the controls, then, oh yes, then, you will see the “bread” and the “fish’, and be able to praise Him for His many blessings.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
(1Th 5:18 KJV)
(Psa 119:7 KJV) I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
Do you know what to praise the Lord for? Do you know what to thank Him for? Jesus asked if we sometimes may mistake the bread He provides us for a stone, and that the fish He may give us for a serpent (Luk 11:11-13)!
Now, what about this situation you are struggling with? What about these issues that are not working out? This disease that is not going away, this weakness, which makes you desperately cling to the grace of God (2 Cor 12:7-9). Do you think that these could be the “bread” and “fish” that He promised, but that you can’t see them because you are looking at them with eyes of “flesh” instead of with the eyes of the spirit?
George Matheson, the well-known blind preacher of Scotland, now with the Lord, says: "My God, I have never thanked Thee for my `thorn'! I have thanked Thee a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my `thorn'; I have been looking forward to a world where I shall get compensation for my cross as itself a present glory. Teach me the glory of my cross; teach me the value of my `thorn'. Show me that I have climbed to Thee by the path of pain. Show me that my tears have made my rainbow."
When you apply yourself to learn the righteous judgments of God, to learn what He considers to be the right and blessed events in your life, to learn to trust Him for what He gives or withholds. When you have learned to totally yield your life and sprit to Him, giving up the controls, then, oh yes, then, you will see the “bread” and the “fish’, and be able to praise Him for His many blessings.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
(1Th 5:18 KJV)
Friday, January 06, 2006
Daily DEvotion
January 5, 2006
Psa 119:5-6 KJV O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! (6) Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
In another place, this author of this Word tells us that he was born in sin; another Bible author tells that we are altogether filthy.
What honesty emanates from this Word! What desire to follow his Lord! Sin and disobedience always end us in shame; David had first hand experience of that! This Word is the desperate cry of a man who has experienced the death-pit of straying, of a man determined to keep his life in harmony with his Creator, a man in love with his God.
Do you pray for the Lord to direct your ways to keep His statutes? Do you ask Him to help you have respect unto all His commandments? Remember, David lived in Old Testament times, when the Jewish religion consisted of six hundred and thirteen commandments to follow. This is a lot of commandments to have at least some knowledge of, and adhere to. Today, it is a lot easier. We live in a time when all the commandments of the Law are written in our hearts (Jer 31:31-33), a time when the Holy Spirit living within us reminds us all the things that Jesus taught (John 14:15-17; 16:13-14).
In spite of this easing due to Jesus paying the price of our sin, are you desperate to walk as close to Jesus as you can? When you come before the Judge of all the earth, are you, like Peter, going to be ashamed of having followed“afar off ” when the One who saved your life needed you the most? (Mat 26:58)?
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
(1Co 11:1 KJV)
Psa 119:5-6 KJV O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! (6) Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
In another place, this author of this Word tells us that he was born in sin; another Bible author tells that we are altogether filthy.
What honesty emanates from this Word! What desire to follow his Lord! Sin and disobedience always end us in shame; David had first hand experience of that! This Word is the desperate cry of a man who has experienced the death-pit of straying, of a man determined to keep his life in harmony with his Creator, a man in love with his God.
Do you pray for the Lord to direct your ways to keep His statutes? Do you ask Him to help you have respect unto all His commandments? Remember, David lived in Old Testament times, when the Jewish religion consisted of six hundred and thirteen commandments to follow. This is a lot of commandments to have at least some knowledge of, and adhere to. Today, it is a lot easier. We live in a time when all the commandments of the Law are written in our hearts (Jer 31:31-33), a time when the Holy Spirit living within us reminds us all the things that Jesus taught (John 14:15-17; 16:13-14).
In spite of this easing due to Jesus paying the price of our sin, are you desperate to walk as close to Jesus as you can? When you come before the Judge of all the earth, are you, like Peter, going to be ashamed of having followed“afar off ” when the One who saved your life needed you the most? (Mat 26:58)?
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
(1Co 11:1 KJV)
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Daily Devotion
January 5, 2006
Psa 119:2-4 KJV Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. (3) They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. (4) Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
When God asked the children of Israel for their exclusive worship, He first gave them His “resume”. He reminded them that He was the God that had done for them more than anyone else could have ever done; He gave them His “credentials” (Ex 20;2-3).
You may not be one of those who crossed the Red Sea as dry land; you may not be one of those who ate manna from desert, drank water out of a rock, or one who was led by a cloud by day, and fire by night. You may not have witnessed the fiery mount of God, nor the heat of His judgments against those who arrogantly defied Him. But you are witness to greater than that--you are witness to something about which even the angels hush. You are witness to your own redemption and salvation, not from Egypt, but from the clutches of the devil who would have you enslaved in the fear of death. You are witness to coming from death to life. Who is the only one who can, has, does and will deliver you from the oppressive “pharaonic” demons of depression, addiction, sickness, and from all the other fruits of hell, Jesus. Who faithfully takes care of supplying your needs even in time of “desertic” penury, the Lord. And who helps you fight your own demons of doubt and fear and takes you by the hand into the heavenly Promised Land, Jesus.
These are your testimonies. Seek and remember them daily and you will be blessed. Seek to wholeheartedly bring them back to your mind, and they will help you to do no iniquity and to walk in his ways. This is the key to Godly purity, to meditate on His testimonies, that is why He commanded us to keep them diligently.
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
(Jos 1:8 KJV)
Psa 119:2-4 KJV Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. (3) They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. (4) Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
When God asked the children of Israel for their exclusive worship, He first gave them His “resume”. He reminded them that He was the God that had done for them more than anyone else could have ever done; He gave them His “credentials” (Ex 20;2-3).
You may not be one of those who crossed the Red Sea as dry land; you may not be one of those who ate manna from desert, drank water out of a rock, or one who was led by a cloud by day, and fire by night. You may not have witnessed the fiery mount of God, nor the heat of His judgments against those who arrogantly defied Him. But you are witness to greater than that--you are witness to something about which even the angels hush. You are witness to your own redemption and salvation, not from Egypt, but from the clutches of the devil who would have you enslaved in the fear of death. You are witness to coming from death to life. Who is the only one who can, has, does and will deliver you from the oppressive “pharaonic” demons of depression, addiction, sickness, and from all the other fruits of hell, Jesus. Who faithfully takes care of supplying your needs even in time of “desertic” penury, the Lord. And who helps you fight your own demons of doubt and fear and takes you by the hand into the heavenly Promised Land, Jesus.
These are your testimonies. Seek and remember them daily and you will be blessed. Seek to wholeheartedly bring them back to your mind, and they will help you to do no iniquity and to walk in his ways. This is the key to Godly purity, to meditate on His testimonies, that is why He commanded us to keep them diligently.
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
(Jos 1:8 KJV)
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Daily Devotion
January 4, 2006
(Psa 119:1 KJV) Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
How different from what we hear today! The sirens of today sing us a different song. They tell us of the happiness of the worldly reveler. They glorify the great achievement of self-indulgence. They proclaim the glory of independence. They glorify the virtue of self-determination. They teach us to be assertive, regardless of right or wrong. By contrast, the soul that is yielded to God is looked upon as weak, simple, dependant, and concerned of right and wrong.
Jesus said it; He said that in their generation, the children of the world are wiser than the children of Light (Luk 16:8). Paul also affirmed it when he said that God chooses the poor, foolish, weak and despised nothings of the world to prove its foolish prideful arrogance (1 Cor 1:27-28).
Now my friend, which will you listen to? Which will you give heed to? Remember we live in evil times where the bad is proclaimed good and the good proclaimed bad. Will the boat of your life crash against sharp reefs as you are being lulled by the songs of the sirens of Babylon, or will you make it safely to the harbor as you stay the course instructed in God’s Word, adhering to the Law of love and grace that permeates the songs of Zion?
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
(Jam 1:27 KJV)
(Psa 119:1 KJV) Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
How different from what we hear today! The sirens of today sing us a different song. They tell us of the happiness of the worldly reveler. They glorify the great achievement of self-indulgence. They proclaim the glory of independence. They glorify the virtue of self-determination. They teach us to be assertive, regardless of right or wrong. By contrast, the soul that is yielded to God is looked upon as weak, simple, dependant, and concerned of right and wrong.
Jesus said it; He said that in their generation, the children of the world are wiser than the children of Light (Luk 16:8). Paul also affirmed it when he said that God chooses the poor, foolish, weak and despised nothings of the world to prove its foolish prideful arrogance (1 Cor 1:27-28).
Now my friend, which will you listen to? Which will you give heed to? Remember we live in evil times where the bad is proclaimed good and the good proclaimed bad. Will the boat of your life crash against sharp reefs as you are being lulled by the songs of the sirens of Babylon, or will you make it safely to the harbor as you stay the course instructed in God’s Word, adhering to the Law of love and grace that permeates the songs of Zion?
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
(Jam 1:27 KJV)
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Daily Devotion
January 3, 2006
(Psa 37:37-38 KJV) Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. (38) But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
Good men, godly men are men of “mark”. They are worth our study. Upright and righteous men are marvels of grace, and worth beholding. But who do we pattern ourselves after? Who do we “mark” and emulate in our lives?
This Word says “mark” the perfect man--take notice of him; learn from him so you can copy his example. It is ironic though that while so many would feel they style cramped by copying a biblically “perfect man”, they claim their “independence” and “individuality” by copying the clothing and habits of their favorite media idol. But thus is the nature of mankind; it is easier and more natural for us to imitate the bad than the good.
The only incentive God has left to help us make the right choices is to let us see the end of both. The end of the perfect man is peace, while the end of the wicked is to be cut off!
May God help us to look for and find those who carry in them the promise of peace so we can emulate their example. May He also give us the strength to shun those who, like the “strange woman” (Prov 6:24) by their example would lead to destruction.
(Psa 37:39-40 KJV) But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. (40) And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.
(Psa 37:37-38 KJV) Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. (38) But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
Good men, godly men are men of “mark”. They are worth our study. Upright and righteous men are marvels of grace, and worth beholding. But who do we pattern ourselves after? Who do we “mark” and emulate in our lives?
This Word says “mark” the perfect man--take notice of him; learn from him so you can copy his example. It is ironic though that while so many would feel they style cramped by copying a biblically “perfect man”, they claim their “independence” and “individuality” by copying the clothing and habits of their favorite media idol. But thus is the nature of mankind; it is easier and more natural for us to imitate the bad than the good.
The only incentive God has left to help us make the right choices is to let us see the end of both. The end of the perfect man is peace, while the end of the wicked is to be cut off!
May God help us to look for and find those who carry in them the promise of peace so we can emulate their example. May He also give us the strength to shun those who, like the “strange woman” (Prov 6:24) by their example would lead to destruction.
(Psa 37:39-40 KJV) But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. (40) And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.
Monday, January 02, 2006
Daily Devotion
January 2, 2006
Psa 37:35-36 KJV I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. (36) Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
History is a witness to this Word. Nations that have challenged God and rebelled against Him such as Babel, Edom, Moab, Ammon, Amalek and the Philistines are now lost in history, and their people assimilated into oblivion never to revive. Ah, how they were great in their days! They thought they had conquered and obtained superiority even above the Most High as in the case Nimrod and the Tower of Babel. Some dared to stand in the way of the Children of God as in the case of Amalek, while others dared disrespect those who were called by His name, and mock His Laws.
But where are these people today? Is there not a lesson here for us to learn my friend?
The persecutors of God’s people then had such arrogance that they considered themselves more righteous than God’s children. They believed that their man-made religion was the worship of the true God. They based their beliefs on their abundant wealth, their military strength, and their superiority in worldly wisdom and sciences.
God doesn’t look at greatness the way we look at it (Is 55:8). God’s people throughout history have for the most part been weak, persecuted and poor. God has it so in order to keep His people pure because He knows that wealth, strength and power corrupts, just as happened at the end of the golden era of the kingdom of Israel (1 king 11)
Isn’t he the one who said that history repeats itself? (Ecc 1:9)
Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.
(Oba 1:4 KJV)
Psa 37:35-36 KJV I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. (36) Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
History is a witness to this Word. Nations that have challenged God and rebelled against Him such as Babel, Edom, Moab, Ammon, Amalek and the Philistines are now lost in history, and their people assimilated into oblivion never to revive. Ah, how they were great in their days! They thought they had conquered and obtained superiority even above the Most High as in the case Nimrod and the Tower of Babel. Some dared to stand in the way of the Children of God as in the case of Amalek, while others dared disrespect those who were called by His name, and mock His Laws.
But where are these people today? Is there not a lesson here for us to learn my friend?
The persecutors of God’s people then had such arrogance that they considered themselves more righteous than God’s children. They believed that their man-made religion was the worship of the true God. They based their beliefs on their abundant wealth, their military strength, and their superiority in worldly wisdom and sciences.
God doesn’t look at greatness the way we look at it (Is 55:8). God’s people throughout history have for the most part been weak, persecuted and poor. God has it so in order to keep His people pure because He knows that wealth, strength and power corrupts, just as happened at the end of the golden era of the kingdom of Israel (1 king 11)
Isn’t he the one who said that history repeats itself? (Ecc 1:9)
Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.
(Oba 1:4 KJV)
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