February 28, 2006
Psa 119:69 KJV The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
When the enemy of God’s work loses on the battlefield, he resorts to spewing slanderous lies. Like a nail on the road, these cannot stop the work, but they have for purpose to annoy, disrupt and cause delay through a flat tire, or wounding your foot. If he cannot destroy God’s project, he slanders the builder; if he cannot stop the builder, he slanders the God of the builder. He will do all these through lying inventions born out of his own proud reprobate spirit. The proud is the bitterest of all enemies of God and slander is his cheap weapon.
When the king sent Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, the enemy came to Nehemiah in seven different ways to try to get him to give up. Every time, he came with forged lies designed to make the people doubt, despair, and fear in hopes that they would eventually give up the mighty work of God. But Nehemiah said to them when they wanted to counsel a “ceasefire” with him, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? “(Neh 6:3).
When the enemy comes with lies, don’t listen to him;
When he provokes you with slander, pay no attention
When he projects his evil vibes, please ignore them;
When he spread venomous lies, just don’t mind them.
Our God is the God of strength
None can make Him weak; none can make Him fear
Take refuge in His name and find
What courage you need is near.
Joh 8:44 KJV Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
'Be strong, be strong and be strengthened!'
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Daily Devotion
February 27, 2006
Psa 119:67 KJV Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
Foolishness in a child has decreed that he will disobey, break yours and God’s Word until maybe someday realizes that his parents were right about certain things, and God was right about all things. This phenomenal metamorphosis in attitude rarely happens without sprained muscles, scratches, losses, broken bones as well as broken hearts. It is pathetic, but sometimes it is not until the crippling death-call of old age that one finally comes, not to his senses, but to Godly sense realizing that things could and should have been different. The only comfort at that time is the abundant mercy of God which proclaims that: “all things work together for good to them that love God.” (Rom 8:28)
How many burns, hurts, breaks, losses and afflictions have to happen before we finally grow, mature and learn to keep His Words? How many times does He have to lay us flat on our backs before we learn to say “Abba, Father” and agree to keep His Words? Having been promised a land under the conditions of obedience (Lev 26), the children of Israel offer before us an excellent sample of what happens when we walk in disobedience outside the tower of His protection: we loose the blessing of the presence of His protection, strength, supply and perfect peace in our hearts when in the midst of the onslaughts of the destroyer.
May God help us today to see the “handwriting on the wall” (Dan 5:5, 27) warning us, telling us that we are “wanting” in obedience and dedication to His word. May He help us to see in our affliction how we have gone astray in either deed or spirit, so that we learn to keep His word. May we learn not only from our affliction, but also, touched with empathy, learn from the afflictions of others.
A wise man learns by his experience, but a wiser man learns by the experiences of others.
Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
Psa 119:67 KJV Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
Foolishness in a child has decreed that he will disobey, break yours and God’s Word until maybe someday realizes that his parents were right about certain things, and God was right about all things. This phenomenal metamorphosis in attitude rarely happens without sprained muscles, scratches, losses, broken bones as well as broken hearts. It is pathetic, but sometimes it is not until the crippling death-call of old age that one finally comes, not to his senses, but to Godly sense realizing that things could and should have been different. The only comfort at that time is the abundant mercy of God which proclaims that: “all things work together for good to them that love God.” (Rom 8:28)
How many burns, hurts, breaks, losses and afflictions have to happen before we finally grow, mature and learn to keep His Words? How many times does He have to lay us flat on our backs before we learn to say “Abba, Father” and agree to keep His Words? Having been promised a land under the conditions of obedience (Lev 26), the children of Israel offer before us an excellent sample of what happens when we walk in disobedience outside the tower of His protection: we loose the blessing of the presence of His protection, strength, supply and perfect peace in our hearts when in the midst of the onslaughts of the destroyer.
May God help us today to see the “handwriting on the wall” (Dan 5:5, 27) warning us, telling us that we are “wanting” in obedience and dedication to His word. May He help us to see in our affliction how we have gone astray in either deed or spirit, so that we learn to keep His word. May we learn not only from our affliction, but also, touched with empathy, learn from the afflictions of others.
A wise man learns by his experience, but a wiser man learns by the experiences of others.
Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Daily Devotion Psa 119 66
February 26, 2006
Psa 119:66 KJV Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
Children (teenagers) nowadays think that they know more than their parents. It is a given fact that they probably know more about the communication programs of their computers and about the multiple functions of their mobile phone, than adults ever care to know about. The problem rises when because of their area of expertise, those same teenagers seem to think that they know more than their parents about most things in life and therefore become unteachable. A very dear teacher friend of mine often reminds those pupils of hers who through their immature pride forget the reality of their limited academic condition by asking them “Are you teachable?”
Because of his insecure and immature condition, it is normal for a child to act in that way towards the adults in his life. He feels insecure and he has to compensate by acting sure of himself. Not only it humbles him to realize that he just doesn’t know, but in his pride he doesn’t believe that others know either. It is a weak and immature person; unsure of themselves who feel that they have to act in pride and self-assurance in order to prove themselves to others, and even sometimes to themselves! The problem is when adults continue their lives in that same insecure behavior by exerting a show of self-assurance, not believing either the Words of the LORD. If anything, the more a person spiritually grows and matures, the more they should realize their need for utter dependency on the LORD and His Words.
This reality of the behavior of children and teenagers towards their parents and teachers should serve as a good reflection of our own attitude towards our great heavenly Teacher, King and Father. Don’t we sometimes run with our fingers in our ears saying to the Lord, “let me handle it Lord, I already know!” while the Holy Spirit asks us in our hearts, “are you teachable”?
“If we learn anything in this life, Lord, help us to learn, that the more we know, the more we should know that we don’t know. Help us to teach our children the meek spirit of being ‘teachable’ by our own sample and attitude with you, in beliving you Word”
Mat 5:5 KJV Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Psa 119:66 KJV Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
Children (teenagers) nowadays think that they know more than their parents. It is a given fact that they probably know more about the communication programs of their computers and about the multiple functions of their mobile phone, than adults ever care to know about. The problem rises when because of their area of expertise, those same teenagers seem to think that they know more than their parents about most things in life and therefore become unteachable. A very dear teacher friend of mine often reminds those pupils of hers who through their immature pride forget the reality of their limited academic condition by asking them “Are you teachable?”
Because of his insecure and immature condition, it is normal for a child to act in that way towards the adults in his life. He feels insecure and he has to compensate by acting sure of himself. Not only it humbles him to realize that he just doesn’t know, but in his pride he doesn’t believe that others know either. It is a weak and immature person; unsure of themselves who feel that they have to act in pride and self-assurance in order to prove themselves to others, and even sometimes to themselves! The problem is when adults continue their lives in that same insecure behavior by exerting a show of self-assurance, not believing either the Words of the LORD. If anything, the more a person spiritually grows and matures, the more they should realize their need for utter dependency on the LORD and His Words.
This reality of the behavior of children and teenagers towards their parents and teachers should serve as a good reflection of our own attitude towards our great heavenly Teacher, King and Father. Don’t we sometimes run with our fingers in our ears saying to the Lord, “let me handle it Lord, I already know!” while the Holy Spirit asks us in our hearts, “are you teachable”?
“If we learn anything in this life, Lord, help us to learn, that the more we know, the more we should know that we don’t know. Help us to teach our children the meek spirit of being ‘teachable’ by our own sample and attitude with you, in beliving you Word”
Mat 5:5 KJV Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
PSALMS 119 H'et
PSALMS 119
H’et
February 16, 2006
(Psa 119:57 KJV) Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
As the victorious soldier who returns with the loot rejoicing; as the conquering emperor who meditates on the vast prospects his conquests bring to his Kingdom; so will I rejoice at the gain of your name, of your love, of your Spirit.
What in this world is more lasting, more true, more real and more sound to body and soul than the Lord, His Spirit and His Words. The Levites did not receive a land inheritance (Jos 14:4) in Canaan. They were to be satisfied with their portion being the Lord, His Words and His service (Num 8:11). The merchantman gave all that he had to purchase the precious pearl of God’s Spirit (Mat 14:36). The seeker of treasure yielded all his possessions to buy the land of God’s treasure (Mat 133:44). These truly believed that God was their portion, His inheritance their wealth, His Spirit their strength.
Let them that perish fight over the perishable loot. Let them that die fight over corruptible treasures. Let them of this world rejoice at the temporal dainties offered by its prince. Let foolish men fight for the lands and countries of this world. My kingdom is an everlasting and eternal one built by the Great King Creator of the universe Himself.
I will rejoice and find my pleasure, my inheritance, and my portion in His Name, and in His Name only. My country is New Jerusalem; my people are bound together in the shed bloodline of the Son of God. We, as the Levites of old, have renounced possession of a temporal perishable kingdom in this world, only to gain a better eternal incorruptible resurrection in the Kingdom of God.
Phi 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
February 17, 2006
(Psa 119:58 KJV) I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
God’s children of the past looked forward to the coming of the Messiah. God’s children of today look back at the saving blood of the Lamb. But the common element to both is that one cannot desire salvation unless he has discovered he is a sinner. One cannot entreat God’s mercy (undeserved forgiveness) unless he is aware of his inherent doomed state.
But how much is our ”whole heart”? How much “mercy” do we need?
He already knows what’s in there. But, as the “gentleman” that He is, he will not intrude, He will not impose Himself into your life without your permission. He will only look in the chambers that you open to Him; he will only get involved where you give Him permission; He will not go, nor interfere in the issues where He is not wanted.
May we “intreat” the LORD fully. May we call upon Him without reservation. Let’s open our bedroom doors and windows; give Him access to the closets, the kitchen, the cellar, and the attic. Let’s allow Him to open every drawer, pull every curtain of our life in yieldedness of soul, and in confidence that he will treat us mercifully according to His Word:
Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
February 18, 2006
(Psa 119:59 KJV) I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
When a goldsmith puts gold into the crucible and the fire begins to work on the dross, it begins to wriggle and wriggle, and as the dross is burned out it gets quieter, until at last the surface is so calm that the refiner sees his own face reflected and puts out the fire.
When you reflect upon the Word of God, does it make you squirm with discomfort? Does it make your soul meditate upon its ways and desire a change of heart? Does it provoke a sense of repentance, a need to turn back from your old ways and towards the news ways that the Lord has for you?
When our heart makes contact with God’s Word, It should cause it to ponder, to think on its ways, to “wriggle”. My friend, when that happens, fear not. These are the LORD’s chidings upon your soul, His gentle training, His remodeling of the chambers of your heart. He will patiently plead with you every change until the tabernacle of your heart is conformed to His Tabernacle, so he can make His home in it.
Let Him change you, let Him remodel you, let Him make you in His image so He can see Himself in you; He will be more through than you could ever be without Him.
Heb 3:7-8 KJV Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith,) To day if ye will hear his voice, (8) Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
February 19, 2006
Psa 119:60 KJV I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
“Sin in haste, repent at leisure” is so true of human nature. We are so hasty in our sinful disobedience that it could often be avoided if we’d just slow down in order to ponder on what we are doing. By contrast, we seem to drag our feet when it comes time to doing right and godly things.
Here are good examples of this. I often have to raise donations for the ministry I am devoted to. Since I understand that people have a responsibility to God for the money He has given them, I patiently subject myself to answering a myriad of questions, all for the purpose of proving my good faith. My question is, do those same people practice the same slow scrupulous sort of financial responsibility for everything they spend? or only for the donated dollar, while they easily, quickly and carelessly spend their money when it comes to their pleasure? Another one is that we quickly endorse the judgment of a doctor or psychologist with no questions asked, but we feel that we have to go slow and check the motives before endorsing the godly counsel of a pastor who may convict our souls. Oh, of what a wicked nature we are, applying different standards in every situation as it suits us!
Delayed obedience will become total disobedience. Once we have been told in the Word what to do, let us joyfully haste in owning the privilege of having received His commandment. Let us not be quick and thoughtless in sinning, while slow and doubtful in obeying the commandment of the Lord.
1Sa 21:8 KJV … because the king's business required haste.
February 20, 2006
Psa 119:61 KJV The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
For decades now, attacks of the evil one on the Christian in the western world have been very subtle and mostly confined to the realm of the spirit. But in countries of the Eastern world, such as China and Sudan, the persecution of Christians has been so intense that it renders it difficult to believe that Christians could be spared the Great Tribulation.
For millenniums, world domination came from the East, slowly shifting West, where it has remained since the Greek Emperor, Alexander the Great, conquered the Medo-Persian Empire (Iran). In our twenty-first century, and from within the very heart of our Western metropolis, the dogmas of Christian civilization are challenged by an Eastern concept. What both camps seem to forget is that the next global government will come neither from the East nor from the West but from above, from Jesus-Christ the Son of God who will appear and humble all of man-kind’s arrogance by ruling the world the way it should have been ruled, and that with a rod of iron (Rev 19:11; 19:15; 20:4; 20:6).
But before that happens, the Church of God (the people of God) will be tested and the forces of evil will be allowed to “rob” the righteous, doing “him” many injuries. During those days, the Salvation of the righteous will rest in the keeping of the Word as his testimony (Rev 3:21; 12:11) and weapon against the forces of evil that will be determined to eliminate him. At that time it will be important to not allow the “bands of the wicked” to distract and intimidate us from following after the Spirit of our LORD and Savior with their scare tactics.
But friend; today, as you the see the world around you get darker and darker; as the “bands of the wicked” attempt to “rob” you of your moral standards; as they try to steal your obedience to God’s Words; as their evil forces push to gain ground on your children through ungodly media; as your thoughts are bombarded with concepts contrary to the teaching of Jesus; this is the time to brandish the shield of faith and lift up the sword of His Word. It is at such times that we need to remember His Word; it is at such a time that we need not to forget His Law.
At such times, remember how He Himself was surrounded by evil hordes in the desert of temptation and in the garden of Gethsemane (Mat 4; Mat 26), and learn from His example of fighting the prince of darkness and his bands with the power of God’s Word of Light.
Rev 12:11 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.
February 21, 2006
Psa 119:62 KJV At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
Midnight, the hour of extreme darkness; the time when robbers go about their lewd business; the season when the prince of darkness lurks about so his deed be not manifest that they are evil. This was the hour of the fall of Sardis, the city that was conquered due to the lack of vigilance of its soldiers (Rev 3:3). One rises to check his house; to verify that the bolts are fastened, the windows securely closed, the fire put out. Yes the house is secured and the master of the realm soundly goes back to sleep. But even then, when the body is asleep, when we give up control, the prince of darkness lurks about to disturb our slumber, to depress our spirit and worry our thoughts with evil dreams. Let us at these times not just yield our trust in the apothecary’s pill to give us our sleep back. Let us rise and remember to give thanks to Him to whom we ought every peaceful blessing.
At the time of our “midnight”, Jesus is there to rescue us through our praises, for He dwells in them. He is the Bridegroom who comes at midnight (Mat 25:6) to rescue the Bride from the clutches of the evil one, to rapture her into His kingdom where she will fear no more, neither hunger nor thirst, and where the sun or the moon will not hurt her anymore.
On that midnight season, the bride will surely and fully give thanks to Him who came to save her from her enemies through His righteous judgments. But today, at the time of your “midnights” rise and praise Him in a thrilling and joyful expectation of the day when “midnights” will be no more.
Mat 25:6 KJV And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
February 22, 2006
(Psa 119:63 KJV) I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
There is no doubt about God’s relationship with us.
It is mentioned in the book of Revelations that God created us for His pleasure (Rev 4:11).
God enjoys our fellowship.
He is pleased in our company.
He wants to be with us like a best friend or companion, enjoying life together.
He wants it so much that he sent His own Son to give His life so to restore our Fellowship with Him.
He is like the “man” who takes the blame for the divisive offense in order to preserve the relationship.
But is there a doubt about our relationship with Him?
Do you look forward to the pleasure of being with Him with the same intensity of desire, even at the cost of sacrifice, as He has shown towards being with you?
Do you have your “fun” or pleasure with those who “fear” (Fear: have respect towards, revere) Him, or do you have your fun with the “worldlings”?
Do you look forward to your time with Him with the excitement of a child whose Dad promised to take to the circus or the park, or do you consider the “waiting” part before going to have fun your time with Him?
Do you look at your time with Him something that you have to do and get over with so you can go have fun, or is He your “fun”, or pleasure, like you are His pleasure?
To be honest, looking at the life of many of His creatures, one could easily deduct that time with the Creator through His Word or fellowship with those who “fear” (Fear: have respect towards, revere) Him is something that has its own time and place, scheduled like a chore or a necessary duty. In any case, it is far from being looked upon as an enjoyment and fun, something we take pleasure in, as He has with us in our presence. Pleasure and enjoyment on the contrary would seem to be everything that has to do with the ungodly world.
This I pray today, that before it is harder for His children to take part of the elements of the world because of persecution, we can learn to draw our main pleasure from spiritual fellowship with God through time spent in His Word and in fellowship with those that “fear” (Fear: have respect towards, revere) Him.
Mat 22:35-37 KJV Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, (36) Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
February 23, 2006
Psa 119:64 KJV The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
Anyone who would say that the world is “full” of the mercy of God is in denial of reality. Since its very beginnings, murders, divisions, wars, theft and oppression has marked its societies. Men, women and children have had to fend for themselves in order to escape the cruelty of man’s inhumanity to man, as well as the ravages of poverty and diseases. To this very day, at all levels of society, in every country and in every religion, man has not yet learned to govern itself in a society without crime, fear and oppression.
Where is God’s mercy in all this?
If we look for God’s mercy in the works and societies of man we will not find it. But the realm of the creation of God is full of examples of His abundant mercies. Many of the street people I minister to have dogs. I sometimes see these dogs yelled at and even hit by their drunken angry masters. In spite of so much mistreatment, the dog stays ever so faithful to its master, to provide him with the love and companionship he so badly needs. This is such an example of God’s mercy to man, creating for him an animal who is the epitome of loyalty. I have traveled so many countries, and I have seen both the godly and the ungodly farmer benefit of the fruits of the earth, the warmth of the sun, and the blessing of the rain. I see everyday the businessman in cities getting paid in order to feed his family even though he may even consider himself an atheist. An atheist might be excused for not thanking God for His wonderful blessings; but what is worse, is when God’s children benefit of their benevolent Father’s blessings, and yet they do not even thank Him because they accredit them to their own efforts.
Let us pray today to be able to see God’s mercy around us and learn to find it in the simple fact that He does not deal with us according to our sins, but according to His abundant mercies.
MERCY: Undeserved forgiveness.
Psa 103:8-12 KJV The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. (9) He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. (10) He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. (11) For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. (12) As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
H’et
February 16, 2006
(Psa 119:57 KJV) Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
As the victorious soldier who returns with the loot rejoicing; as the conquering emperor who meditates on the vast prospects his conquests bring to his Kingdom; so will I rejoice at the gain of your name, of your love, of your Spirit.
What in this world is more lasting, more true, more real and more sound to body and soul than the Lord, His Spirit and His Words. The Levites did not receive a land inheritance (Jos 14:4) in Canaan. They were to be satisfied with their portion being the Lord, His Words and His service (Num 8:11). The merchantman gave all that he had to purchase the precious pearl of God’s Spirit (Mat 14:36). The seeker of treasure yielded all his possessions to buy the land of God’s treasure (Mat 133:44). These truly believed that God was their portion, His inheritance their wealth, His Spirit their strength.
Let them that perish fight over the perishable loot. Let them that die fight over corruptible treasures. Let them of this world rejoice at the temporal dainties offered by its prince. Let foolish men fight for the lands and countries of this world. My kingdom is an everlasting and eternal one built by the Great King Creator of the universe Himself.
I will rejoice and find my pleasure, my inheritance, and my portion in His Name, and in His Name only. My country is New Jerusalem; my people are bound together in the shed bloodline of the Son of God. We, as the Levites of old, have renounced possession of a temporal perishable kingdom in this world, only to gain a better eternal incorruptible resurrection in the Kingdom of God.
Phi 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
February 17, 2006
(Psa 119:58 KJV) I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
God’s children of the past looked forward to the coming of the Messiah. God’s children of today look back at the saving blood of the Lamb. But the common element to both is that one cannot desire salvation unless he has discovered he is a sinner. One cannot entreat God’s mercy (undeserved forgiveness) unless he is aware of his inherent doomed state.
But how much is our ”whole heart”? How much “mercy” do we need?
He already knows what’s in there. But, as the “gentleman” that He is, he will not intrude, He will not impose Himself into your life without your permission. He will only look in the chambers that you open to Him; he will only get involved where you give Him permission; He will not go, nor interfere in the issues where He is not wanted.
May we “intreat” the LORD fully. May we call upon Him without reservation. Let’s open our bedroom doors and windows; give Him access to the closets, the kitchen, the cellar, and the attic. Let’s allow Him to open every drawer, pull every curtain of our life in yieldedness of soul, and in confidence that he will treat us mercifully according to His Word:
Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
February 18, 2006
(Psa 119:59 KJV) I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
When a goldsmith puts gold into the crucible and the fire begins to work on the dross, it begins to wriggle and wriggle, and as the dross is burned out it gets quieter, until at last the surface is so calm that the refiner sees his own face reflected and puts out the fire.
When you reflect upon the Word of God, does it make you squirm with discomfort? Does it make your soul meditate upon its ways and desire a change of heart? Does it provoke a sense of repentance, a need to turn back from your old ways and towards the news ways that the Lord has for you?
When our heart makes contact with God’s Word, It should cause it to ponder, to think on its ways, to “wriggle”. My friend, when that happens, fear not. These are the LORD’s chidings upon your soul, His gentle training, His remodeling of the chambers of your heart. He will patiently plead with you every change until the tabernacle of your heart is conformed to His Tabernacle, so he can make His home in it.
Let Him change you, let Him remodel you, let Him make you in His image so He can see Himself in you; He will be more through than you could ever be without Him.
Heb 3:7-8 KJV Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith,) To day if ye will hear his voice, (8) Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
February 19, 2006
Psa 119:60 KJV I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
“Sin in haste, repent at leisure” is so true of human nature. We are so hasty in our sinful disobedience that it could often be avoided if we’d just slow down in order to ponder on what we are doing. By contrast, we seem to drag our feet when it comes time to doing right and godly things.
Here are good examples of this. I often have to raise donations for the ministry I am devoted to. Since I understand that people have a responsibility to God for the money He has given them, I patiently subject myself to answering a myriad of questions, all for the purpose of proving my good faith. My question is, do those same people practice the same slow scrupulous sort of financial responsibility for everything they spend? or only for the donated dollar, while they easily, quickly and carelessly spend their money when it comes to their pleasure? Another one is that we quickly endorse the judgment of a doctor or psychologist with no questions asked, but we feel that we have to go slow and check the motives before endorsing the godly counsel of a pastor who may convict our souls. Oh, of what a wicked nature we are, applying different standards in every situation as it suits us!
Delayed obedience will become total disobedience. Once we have been told in the Word what to do, let us joyfully haste in owning the privilege of having received His commandment. Let us not be quick and thoughtless in sinning, while slow and doubtful in obeying the commandment of the Lord.
1Sa 21:8 KJV … because the king's business required haste.
February 20, 2006
Psa 119:61 KJV The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
For decades now, attacks of the evil one on the Christian in the western world have been very subtle and mostly confined to the realm of the spirit. But in countries of the Eastern world, such as China and Sudan, the persecution of Christians has been so intense that it renders it difficult to believe that Christians could be spared the Great Tribulation.
For millenniums, world domination came from the East, slowly shifting West, where it has remained since the Greek Emperor, Alexander the Great, conquered the Medo-Persian Empire (Iran). In our twenty-first century, and from within the very heart of our Western metropolis, the dogmas of Christian civilization are challenged by an Eastern concept. What both camps seem to forget is that the next global government will come neither from the East nor from the West but from above, from Jesus-Christ the Son of God who will appear and humble all of man-kind’s arrogance by ruling the world the way it should have been ruled, and that with a rod of iron (Rev 19:11; 19:15; 20:4; 20:6).
But before that happens, the Church of God (the people of God) will be tested and the forces of evil will be allowed to “rob” the righteous, doing “him” many injuries. During those days, the Salvation of the righteous will rest in the keeping of the Word as his testimony (Rev 3:21; 12:11) and weapon against the forces of evil that will be determined to eliminate him. At that time it will be important to not allow the “bands of the wicked” to distract and intimidate us from following after the Spirit of our LORD and Savior with their scare tactics.
But friend; today, as you the see the world around you get darker and darker; as the “bands of the wicked” attempt to “rob” you of your moral standards; as they try to steal your obedience to God’s Words; as their evil forces push to gain ground on your children through ungodly media; as your thoughts are bombarded with concepts contrary to the teaching of Jesus; this is the time to brandish the shield of faith and lift up the sword of His Word. It is at such times that we need to remember His Word; it is at such a time that we need not to forget His Law.
At such times, remember how He Himself was surrounded by evil hordes in the desert of temptation and in the garden of Gethsemane (Mat 4; Mat 26), and learn from His example of fighting the prince of darkness and his bands with the power of God’s Word of Light.
Rev 12:11 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.
February 21, 2006
Psa 119:62 KJV At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
Midnight, the hour of extreme darkness; the time when robbers go about their lewd business; the season when the prince of darkness lurks about so his deed be not manifest that they are evil. This was the hour of the fall of Sardis, the city that was conquered due to the lack of vigilance of its soldiers (Rev 3:3). One rises to check his house; to verify that the bolts are fastened, the windows securely closed, the fire put out. Yes the house is secured and the master of the realm soundly goes back to sleep. But even then, when the body is asleep, when we give up control, the prince of darkness lurks about to disturb our slumber, to depress our spirit and worry our thoughts with evil dreams. Let us at these times not just yield our trust in the apothecary’s pill to give us our sleep back. Let us rise and remember to give thanks to Him to whom we ought every peaceful blessing.
At the time of our “midnight”, Jesus is there to rescue us through our praises, for He dwells in them. He is the Bridegroom who comes at midnight (Mat 25:6) to rescue the Bride from the clutches of the evil one, to rapture her into His kingdom where she will fear no more, neither hunger nor thirst, and where the sun or the moon will not hurt her anymore.
On that midnight season, the bride will surely and fully give thanks to Him who came to save her from her enemies through His righteous judgments. But today, at the time of your “midnights” rise and praise Him in a thrilling and joyful expectation of the day when “midnights” will be no more.
Mat 25:6 KJV And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
February 22, 2006
(Psa 119:63 KJV) I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
There is no doubt about God’s relationship with us.
It is mentioned in the book of Revelations that God created us for His pleasure (Rev 4:11).
God enjoys our fellowship.
He is pleased in our company.
He wants to be with us like a best friend or companion, enjoying life together.
He wants it so much that he sent His own Son to give His life so to restore our Fellowship with Him.
He is like the “man” who takes the blame for the divisive offense in order to preserve the relationship.
But is there a doubt about our relationship with Him?
Do you look forward to the pleasure of being with Him with the same intensity of desire, even at the cost of sacrifice, as He has shown towards being with you?
Do you have your “fun” or pleasure with those who “fear” (Fear: have respect towards, revere) Him, or do you have your fun with the “worldlings”?
Do you look forward to your time with Him with the excitement of a child whose Dad promised to take to the circus or the park, or do you consider the “waiting” part before going to have fun your time with Him?
Do you look at your time with Him something that you have to do and get over with so you can go have fun, or is He your “fun”, or pleasure, like you are His pleasure?
To be honest, looking at the life of many of His creatures, one could easily deduct that time with the Creator through His Word or fellowship with those who “fear” (Fear: have respect towards, revere) Him is something that has its own time and place, scheduled like a chore or a necessary duty. In any case, it is far from being looked upon as an enjoyment and fun, something we take pleasure in, as He has with us in our presence. Pleasure and enjoyment on the contrary would seem to be everything that has to do with the ungodly world.
This I pray today, that before it is harder for His children to take part of the elements of the world because of persecution, we can learn to draw our main pleasure from spiritual fellowship with God through time spent in His Word and in fellowship with those that “fear” (Fear: have respect towards, revere) Him.
Mat 22:35-37 KJV Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, (36) Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
February 23, 2006
Psa 119:64 KJV The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
Anyone who would say that the world is “full” of the mercy of God is in denial of reality. Since its very beginnings, murders, divisions, wars, theft and oppression has marked its societies. Men, women and children have had to fend for themselves in order to escape the cruelty of man’s inhumanity to man, as well as the ravages of poverty and diseases. To this very day, at all levels of society, in every country and in every religion, man has not yet learned to govern itself in a society without crime, fear and oppression.
Where is God’s mercy in all this?
If we look for God’s mercy in the works and societies of man we will not find it. But the realm of the creation of God is full of examples of His abundant mercies. Many of the street people I minister to have dogs. I sometimes see these dogs yelled at and even hit by their drunken angry masters. In spite of so much mistreatment, the dog stays ever so faithful to its master, to provide him with the love and companionship he so badly needs. This is such an example of God’s mercy to man, creating for him an animal who is the epitome of loyalty. I have traveled so many countries, and I have seen both the godly and the ungodly farmer benefit of the fruits of the earth, the warmth of the sun, and the blessing of the rain. I see everyday the businessman in cities getting paid in order to feed his family even though he may even consider himself an atheist. An atheist might be excused for not thanking God for His wonderful blessings; but what is worse, is when God’s children benefit of their benevolent Father’s blessings, and yet they do not even thank Him because they accredit them to their own efforts.
Let us pray today to be able to see God’s mercy around us and learn to find it in the simple fact that He does not deal with us according to our sins, but according to His abundant mercies.
MERCY: Undeserved forgiveness.
Psa 103:8-12 KJV The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. (9) He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. (10) He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. (11) For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. (12) As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Daily Devotion Psa 119.64
February 23, 2006
Psa 119:64 KJV The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
Anyone who would say that the world is “full” of the mercy of God is in denial of reality. Since its very beginnings, murders, divisions, wars, theft and oppression has marked its societies. Men, women and children have had to fend for themselves in order to escape the cruelty of man’s inhumanity to man, as well as the ravages of poverty and diseases. To this very day, at all levels of society, in every country and in every religion, man has not yet learned to govern itself in a society without crime, fear and oppression.
Where is God’s mercy in all this?
If we look for God’s mercy in the works and societies of man we will not find it. But the realm of the creation of God is full of examples of His abundant mercies. Many of the street people I minister to have dogs. I sometimes see these dogs yelled at and even hit by their drunken angry masters. In spite of so much mistreatment, the dog stays ever so faithful to its master, to provide him with the love and companionship he so badly needs. This is such an example of God’s mercy to man, creating for him an animal who is the epitome of loyalty. I have traveled so many countries, and I have seen both the godly and the ungodly farmer benefit of the fruits of the earth, the warmth of the sun, and the blessing of the rain. I see everyday the businessman in cities getting paid in order to feed his family even though he may even consider himself an atheist. An atheist might be excused for not thanking God for His wonderful blessings; but what is worse, is when God’s children benefit of their benevolent Father’s blessings, and yet they do not even thank Him because they accredit them to their own efforts.
Let us pray today to be able to see God’s mercy around us and learn to find it in the simple fact that He does not deal with us according to our sins, but according to His abundant mercies.
MERCY: Undeserved forgiveness.
Psa 103:8-12 KJV The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. (9) He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. (10) He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. (11) For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. (12) As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Psa 119:64 KJV The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
Anyone who would say that the world is “full” of the mercy of God is in denial of reality. Since its very beginnings, murders, divisions, wars, theft and oppression has marked its societies. Men, women and children have had to fend for themselves in order to escape the cruelty of man’s inhumanity to man, as well as the ravages of poverty and diseases. To this very day, at all levels of society, in every country and in every religion, man has not yet learned to govern itself in a society without crime, fear and oppression.
Where is God’s mercy in all this?
If we look for God’s mercy in the works and societies of man we will not find it. But the realm of the creation of God is full of examples of His abundant mercies. Many of the street people I minister to have dogs. I sometimes see these dogs yelled at and even hit by their drunken angry masters. In spite of so much mistreatment, the dog stays ever so faithful to its master, to provide him with the love and companionship he so badly needs. This is such an example of God’s mercy to man, creating for him an animal who is the epitome of loyalty. I have traveled so many countries, and I have seen both the godly and the ungodly farmer benefit of the fruits of the earth, the warmth of the sun, and the blessing of the rain. I see everyday the businessman in cities getting paid in order to feed his family even though he may even consider himself an atheist. An atheist might be excused for not thanking God for His wonderful blessings; but what is worse, is when God’s children benefit of their benevolent Father’s blessings, and yet they do not even thank Him because they accredit them to their own efforts.
Let us pray today to be able to see God’s mercy around us and learn to find it in the simple fact that He does not deal with us according to our sins, but according to His abundant mercies.
MERCY: Undeserved forgiveness.
Psa 103:8-12 KJV The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. (9) He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. (10) He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. (11) For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. (12) As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Daily Devotion Psa 119.63
February 22, 2006
(Psa 119:63 KJV) I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
There is no doubt about God’s relationship with us.
It is mentioned in the book of Revelations that God created us for His pleasure (Rev 4:11).
God enjoys our fellowship.
He is pleased in our company.
He wants to be with us like a best friend or companion, enjoying life together.
He wants it so much that he sent His own Son to give His life so to restore our Fellowship with Him.
He is like the “man” who takes the blame for the divisive offense in order to preserve the relationship.
But is there a doubt about our relationship with Him?
Do you look forward to the pleasure of being with Him with the same intensity of desire, even at the cost of sacrifice, as He has shown towards being with you?
Do you have your “fun” or pleasure with those who “fear” (Fear: have respect towards, revere) Him, or do you have your fun with the “worldlings”?
Do you look forward to your time with Him with the excitement of a child whose Dad promised to take to the circus or the park, or do you consider the “waiting” part before going to have fun your time with Him?
Do you look at your time with Him something that you have to do and get over with so you can go have fun, or is He your “fun”, or pleasure, like you are His pleasure?
To be honest, looking at the life of many of His creatures, one could easily deduct that time with the Creator through His Word or fellowship with those who “fear” (Fear: have respect towards, revere) Him is something that has its own time and place, scheduled like a chore or a necessary duty. In any case, it is far from being looked upon as an enjoyment and fun, something we take pleasure in, as He has with us in our presence. Pleasure and enjoyment on the contrary would seem to be everything that has to do with the ungodly world.
This I pray today, that before it is harder for His children to take part of the elements of the world because of persecution, we can learn to draw our main pleasure from spiritual fellowship with God through time spent in His Word and in fellowship with those that “fear” (Fear: have respect towards, revere) Him.
Mat 22:35-37 KJV Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, (36) Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
(Psa 119:63 KJV) I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
There is no doubt about God’s relationship with us.
It is mentioned in the book of Revelations that God created us for His pleasure (Rev 4:11).
God enjoys our fellowship.
He is pleased in our company.
He wants to be with us like a best friend or companion, enjoying life together.
He wants it so much that he sent His own Son to give His life so to restore our Fellowship with Him.
He is like the “man” who takes the blame for the divisive offense in order to preserve the relationship.
But is there a doubt about our relationship with Him?
Do you look forward to the pleasure of being with Him with the same intensity of desire, even at the cost of sacrifice, as He has shown towards being with you?
Do you have your “fun” or pleasure with those who “fear” (Fear: have respect towards, revere) Him, or do you have your fun with the “worldlings”?
Do you look forward to your time with Him with the excitement of a child whose Dad promised to take to the circus or the park, or do you consider the “waiting” part before going to have fun your time with Him?
Do you look at your time with Him something that you have to do and get over with so you can go have fun, or is He your “fun”, or pleasure, like you are His pleasure?
To be honest, looking at the life of many of His creatures, one could easily deduct that time with the Creator through His Word or fellowship with those who “fear” (Fear: have respect towards, revere) Him is something that has its own time and place, scheduled like a chore or a necessary duty. In any case, it is far from being looked upon as an enjoyment and fun, something we take pleasure in, as He has with us in our presence. Pleasure and enjoyment on the contrary would seem to be everything that has to do with the ungodly world.
This I pray today, that before it is harder for His children to take part of the elements of the world because of persecution, we can learn to draw our main pleasure from spiritual fellowship with God through time spent in His Word and in fellowship with those that “fear” (Fear: have respect towards, revere) Him.
Mat 22:35-37 KJV Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, (36) Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Daily Devotion Psa 119.62
February 21, 2006
Psa 119:62 KJV At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
Midnight, the hour of extreme darkness; the time when robbers go about their lewd business; the season when the prince of darkness lurks about so his deed be not manifest that they are evil. This was the hour of the fall of Sardis, the city that was conquered due to the lack of vigilance of its soldiers (Rev 3:3). One rises to check his house; to verify that the bolts are fastened, the windows securely closed, the fire put out. Yes the house is secured and the master of the realm soundly goes back to sleep. But even then, when the body is asleep, when we give up control, the prince of darkness lurks about to disturb our slumber, to depress our spirit and worry our thoughts with evil dreams. Let us at these times not just yield our trust in the apothecary’s pill to give us our sleep back. Let us rise and remember to give thanks to Him to whom we ought every peaceful blessing.
At the time of our “midnight”, Jesus is there to rescue us through our praises, for He dwells in them. He is the Bridegroom who comes at midnight (Mat 25:6) to rescue the Bride from the clutches of the evil one, to rapture her into His kingdom where she will fear no more, neither hunger nor thirst, and where the sun or the moon will not hurt her anymore.
On that midnight season, the bride will surely and fully give thanks to Him who came to save her from her enemies through His righteous judgments. But today, at the time of your “midnights” rise and praise Him in a thrilling and joyful expectation of the day when “midnights” will be no more.
Mat 25:6 KJV And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Psa 119:62 KJV At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
Midnight, the hour of extreme darkness; the time when robbers go about their lewd business; the season when the prince of darkness lurks about so his deed be not manifest that they are evil. This was the hour of the fall of Sardis, the city that was conquered due to the lack of vigilance of its soldiers (Rev 3:3). One rises to check his house; to verify that the bolts are fastened, the windows securely closed, the fire put out. Yes the house is secured and the master of the realm soundly goes back to sleep. But even then, when the body is asleep, when we give up control, the prince of darkness lurks about to disturb our slumber, to depress our spirit and worry our thoughts with evil dreams. Let us at these times not just yield our trust in the apothecary’s pill to give us our sleep back. Let us rise and remember to give thanks to Him to whom we ought every peaceful blessing.
At the time of our “midnight”, Jesus is there to rescue us through our praises, for He dwells in them. He is the Bridegroom who comes at midnight (Mat 25:6) to rescue the Bride from the clutches of the evil one, to rapture her into His kingdom where she will fear no more, neither hunger nor thirst, and where the sun or the moon will not hurt her anymore.
On that midnight season, the bride will surely and fully give thanks to Him who came to save her from her enemies through His righteous judgments. But today, at the time of your “midnights” rise and praise Him in a thrilling and joyful expectation of the day when “midnights” will be no more.
Mat 25:6 KJV And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Daily Devotion Psa 119.61
February 20, 2006
Psa 119:61 KJV The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
For decades now, attacks of the evil one on the Christian in the western world have been very subtle and mostly confined to the realm of the spirit. But in countries of the Eastern world, such as China and Sudan, the persecution of Christians has been so intense that it renders it difficult to believe that Christians could be spared the Great Tribulation.
For millenniums, world domination came from the East, slowly shifting West, where it has remained since the Greek Emperor, Alexander the Great, conquered the Medo-Persian Empire (Iran). In our twenty-first century, and from within the very heart of our Western metropolis, the dogmas of Christian civilization are challenged by an Eastern concept. What both camps seem to forget is that the next global government will come neither from the East nor from the West but from above, from Jesus-Christ the Son of God who will appear and humble all of man-kind’s arrogance by ruling the world the way it should have been ruled, and that with a rod of iron (Rev 19:11; 19:15; 20:4; 20:6).
But before that happens, the Church of God (the people of God) will be tested and the forces of evil will be allowed to “rob” the righteous, doing “him” many injuries. During those days, the Salvation of the righteous will rest in the keeping of the Word as his testimony (Rev 3:21; 12:11) and weapon against the forces of evil that will be determined to eliminate him. At that time it will be important to not allow the “bands of the wicked” to distract and intimidate us from following after the Spirit of our LORD and Savior with their scare tactics.
But friend; today, as you the see the world around you get darker and darker; as the “bands of the wicked” attempt to “rob” you of your moral standards; as they try to steal your obedience to God’s Words; as their evil forces push to gain ground on your children through ungodly media; as your thoughts are bombarded with concepts contrary to the teaching of Jesus; this is the time to brandish the shield of faith and lift up the sword of His Word. It is at such times that we need to remember His Word; it is at such a time that we need not to forget His Law.
At such times, remember how He Himself was surrounded by evil hordes in the desert of temptation and in the garden of Gethsemane (Mat 4; Mat 26), and learn from His example of fighting the prince of darkness and his bands with the power of God’s Word of Light.
Rev 12:11 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.
Psa 119:61 KJV The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
For decades now, attacks of the evil one on the Christian in the western world have been very subtle and mostly confined to the realm of the spirit. But in countries of the Eastern world, such as China and Sudan, the persecution of Christians has been so intense that it renders it difficult to believe that Christians could be spared the Great Tribulation.
For millenniums, world domination came from the East, slowly shifting West, where it has remained since the Greek Emperor, Alexander the Great, conquered the Medo-Persian Empire (Iran). In our twenty-first century, and from within the very heart of our Western metropolis, the dogmas of Christian civilization are challenged by an Eastern concept. What both camps seem to forget is that the next global government will come neither from the East nor from the West but from above, from Jesus-Christ the Son of God who will appear and humble all of man-kind’s arrogance by ruling the world the way it should have been ruled, and that with a rod of iron (Rev 19:11; 19:15; 20:4; 20:6).
But before that happens, the Church of God (the people of God) will be tested and the forces of evil will be allowed to “rob” the righteous, doing “him” many injuries. During those days, the Salvation of the righteous will rest in the keeping of the Word as his testimony (Rev 3:21; 12:11) and weapon against the forces of evil that will be determined to eliminate him. At that time it will be important to not allow the “bands of the wicked” to distract and intimidate us from following after the Spirit of our LORD and Savior with their scare tactics.
But friend; today, as you the see the world around you get darker and darker; as the “bands of the wicked” attempt to “rob” you of your moral standards; as they try to steal your obedience to God’s Words; as their evil forces push to gain ground on your children through ungodly media; as your thoughts are bombarded with concepts contrary to the teaching of Jesus; this is the time to brandish the shield of faith and lift up the sword of His Word. It is at such times that we need to remember His Word; it is at such a time that we need not to forget His Law.
At such times, remember how He Himself was surrounded by evil hordes in the desert of temptation and in the garden of Gethsemane (Mat 4; Mat 26), and learn from His example of fighting the prince of darkness and his bands with the power of God’s Word of Light.
Rev 12:11 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.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Daily Devotion Psa 119.60
February 19, 2006
Psa 119:60 KJV I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
“Sin in haste, repent at leisure” is so true of human nature. We are so hasty in our sinful disobedience that it could often be avoided if we’d just slow down in order to ponder on what we are doing. By contrast, we seem to drag our feet when it comes time to doing right and godly things.
Here are good examples of this. I often have to raise donations for the ministry I am devoted to. Since I understand that people have a responsibility to God for the money He has given them, I patiently subject myself to answering a myriad of questions, all for the purpose of proving my good faith. My question is, do those same people practice the same slow scrupulous sort of financial responsibility for everything they spend? or only for the donated dollar, while they easily, quickly and carelessly spend their money when it comes to their pleasure? Another one is that we quickly endorse the judgment of a doctor or psychologist with no questions asked, but we feel that we have to go slow and check the motives before endorsing the godly counsel of a pastor who may convict our souls. Oh, of what a wicked nature we are, applying different standards in every situation as it suits us!
Delayed obedience will become total disobedience. Once we have been told in the Word what to do, let us joyfully haste in owning the privilege of having received His commandment. Let us not be quick and thoughtless in sinning, while slow and doubtful in obeying the commandment of the Lord.
1Sa 21:8 KJV … because the king's business required haste.
Psa 119:60 KJV I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
“Sin in haste, repent at leisure” is so true of human nature. We are so hasty in our sinful disobedience that it could often be avoided if we’d just slow down in order to ponder on what we are doing. By contrast, we seem to drag our feet when it comes time to doing right and godly things.
Here are good examples of this. I often have to raise donations for the ministry I am devoted to. Since I understand that people have a responsibility to God for the money He has given them, I patiently subject myself to answering a myriad of questions, all for the purpose of proving my good faith. My question is, do those same people practice the same slow scrupulous sort of financial responsibility for everything they spend? or only for the donated dollar, while they easily, quickly and carelessly spend their money when it comes to their pleasure? Another one is that we quickly endorse the judgment of a doctor or psychologist with no questions asked, but we feel that we have to go slow and check the motives before endorsing the godly counsel of a pastor who may convict our souls. Oh, of what a wicked nature we are, applying different standards in every situation as it suits us!
Delayed obedience will become total disobedience. Once we have been told in the Word what to do, let us joyfully haste in owning the privilege of having received His commandment. Let us not be quick and thoughtless in sinning, while slow and doubtful in obeying the commandment of the Lord.
1Sa 21:8 KJV … because the king's business required haste.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Daily Devotion Psa 119.59
February 18, 2006
(Psa 119:59 KJV) I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
When a goldsmith puts gold into the crucible and the fire begins to work on the dross, it begins to wriggle and wriggle, and as the dross is burned out it gets quieter, until at last the surface is so calm that the refiner sees his own face reflected and puts out the fire.
When you reflect upon the Word of God, does it make you squirm with discomfort? Does it make your soul meditate upon its ways and desire a change of heart? Does it provoke a sense of repentance, a need to turn back from your old ways and towards the news ways that the Lord has for you?
When our heart makes contact with God’s Word, It should cause it to ponder, to think on its ways, to “wriggle”. My friend, when that happens, fear not. These are the LORD’s chidings upon your soul, His gentle training, His remodeling of the chambers of your heart. He will patiently plead with you every change until the tabernacle of your heart is conformed to His Tabernacle, so he can make His home in it.
Let Him change you, let Him remodel you, let Him make you in His image so He can see Himself in you; He will be more through than you could ever be without Him.
Heb 3:7-8 KJV Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith,) To day if ye will hear his voice, (8) Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
(Psa 119:59 KJV) I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
When a goldsmith puts gold into the crucible and the fire begins to work on the dross, it begins to wriggle and wriggle, and as the dross is burned out it gets quieter, until at last the surface is so calm that the refiner sees his own face reflected and puts out the fire.
When you reflect upon the Word of God, does it make you squirm with discomfort? Does it make your soul meditate upon its ways and desire a change of heart? Does it provoke a sense of repentance, a need to turn back from your old ways and towards the news ways that the Lord has for you?
When our heart makes contact with God’s Word, It should cause it to ponder, to think on its ways, to “wriggle”. My friend, when that happens, fear not. These are the LORD’s chidings upon your soul, His gentle training, His remodeling of the chambers of your heart. He will patiently plead with you every change until the tabernacle of your heart is conformed to His Tabernacle, so he can make His home in it.
Let Him change you, let Him remodel you, let Him make you in His image so He can see Himself in you; He will be more through than you could ever be without Him.
Heb 3:7-8 KJV Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith,) To day if ye will hear his voice, (8) Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
Friday, February 17, 2006
Daily Surrender Psa 119.58
February 17, 2006
(Psa 119:58 KJV) I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
God’s children of the past looked forward to the coming of the Messiah. God’s children of today look back at the saving blood of the Lamb. But the common element to both is that one cannot desire salvation unless he has discovered he is a sinner. One cannot entreat God’s mercy (undeserved forgiveness) unless he is aware of his inherent doomed state.
But how much is our ”whole heart”? How much “mercy” do we need?
He already knows what’s in there. But, as the “gentleman” that He is, he will not intrude, He will not impose Himself into your life without your permission. He will only look in the chambers that you open to Him; he will only get involved where you give Him permission; He will not go, nor interfere in the issues where He is not wanted.
May we “intreat” the LORD fully. May we call upon Him without reservation. Let’s open our bedroom doors and windows; give Him access to the closets, the kitchen, the cellar, and the attic. Let’s allow Him to open every drawer, pull every curtain of our life in yieldedness of soul, and in confidence that he will treat us mercifully according to His Word:
Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
(Psa 119:58 KJV) I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
God’s children of the past looked forward to the coming of the Messiah. God’s children of today look back at the saving blood of the Lamb. But the common element to both is that one cannot desire salvation unless he has discovered he is a sinner. One cannot entreat God’s mercy (undeserved forgiveness) unless he is aware of his inherent doomed state.
But how much is our ”whole heart”? How much “mercy” do we need?
He already knows what’s in there. But, as the “gentleman” that He is, he will not intrude, He will not impose Himself into your life without your permission. He will only look in the chambers that you open to Him; he will only get involved where you give Him permission; He will not go, nor interfere in the issues where He is not wanted.
May we “intreat” the LORD fully. May we call upon Him without reservation. Let’s open our bedroom doors and windows; give Him access to the closets, the kitchen, the cellar, and the attic. Let’s allow Him to open every drawer, pull every curtain of our life in yieldedness of soul, and in confidence that he will treat us mercifully according to His Word:
Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Daily Devotion
February 16, 2006
(Psa 119:57 KJV) Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
As the victorious soldier who returns with the loot rejoicing; as the conquering emperor who meditates on the vast prospects his conquests bring to his Kingdom; so will I rejoice at the gain of your name, of your love, of your Spirit.
What in this world is more lasting, more true, more real and more sound to body and soul than the Lord, His Spirit and His Words. The Levites did not receive a land inheritance (Jos 14:4) in Canaan. They were to be satisfied with their portion being the Lord, His Words and His service (Num 8:11). The merchantman gave all that he had to purchase the precious pearl of God’s Spirit (Mat 14:36). The seeker of treasure yielded all his possessions to buy the land of God’s treasure (Mat 133:44). These truly believed that God was their portion, His inheritance their wealth, His Spirit their strength.
Let them that perish fight over the perishable loot. Let them that die fight over corruptible treasures. Let them of this world rejoice at the temporal dainties offered by its prince. Let foolish men fight for the lands and countries of this world. My kingdom is an everlasting and eternal one built by the Great King Creator of the universe Himself.
I will rejoice and find my pleasure, my inheritance, and my portion in His Name, and in His Name only. My country is New Jerusalem; my people are bound together in the shed bloodline of the Son of God. We, as the Levites of old, have renounced possession of a temporal perishable kingdom in this world, only to gain a better eternal incorruptible resurrection in the Kingdom of God.
Phi 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
(Psa 119:57 KJV) Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
As the victorious soldier who returns with the loot rejoicing; as the conquering emperor who meditates on the vast prospects his conquests bring to his Kingdom; so will I rejoice at the gain of your name, of your love, of your Spirit.
What in this world is more lasting, more true, more real and more sound to body and soul than the Lord, His Spirit and His Words. The Levites did not receive a land inheritance (Jos 14:4) in Canaan. They were to be satisfied with their portion being the Lord, His Words and His service (Num 8:11). The merchantman gave all that he had to purchase the precious pearl of God’s Spirit (Mat 14:36). The seeker of treasure yielded all his possessions to buy the land of God’s treasure (Mat 133:44). These truly believed that God was their portion, His inheritance their wealth, His Spirit their strength.
Let them that perish fight over the perishable loot. Let them that die fight over corruptible treasures. Let them of this world rejoice at the temporal dainties offered by its prince. Let foolish men fight for the lands and countries of this world. My kingdom is an everlasting and eternal one built by the Great King Creator of the universe Himself.
I will rejoice and find my pleasure, my inheritance, and my portion in His Name, and in His Name only. My country is New Jerusalem; my people are bound together in the shed bloodline of the Son of God. We, as the Levites of old, have renounced possession of a temporal perishable kingdom in this world, only to gain a better eternal incorruptible resurrection in the Kingdom of God.
Phi 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Daily Surrender PSALMS 119 Zain
PSALMS 119
ZAIN
February 9, 2006
Psa 119:49 KJV Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
There is such a Word as comes to all of us at certain times in our lives that causes us to hope in God’s purpose. There is such a Word that causes us to challenge the high waters of the sea to bring God’s ship to port. There is such a Word that compels us to leave the comforts of Ur and of Egypt (Gen 12:1; Heb 11:27)) to walk paths unknown for the sole purpose of following and honoring the God that created and called us to a greater purpose.
At times, when the road is long and hard, we tend to forget this Word that has caused us to hope. We tend to want to return to the comfort of Ur and Egypt. We lose sight of the heavenly vision, of the goal that propelled us to endanger life and limb for the ideal of God.
At such times my friend, as the proverbial pilgrim, look into the book of Promises. Inspire and encourage yourself with the stories of old, of how God supplied for His children on the road to Canaan. Remember how He honored those who did not trust in the uncertain riches of mammon, but put their confidence in Him who owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psa 50:10). The book of Promises will renew your vision as you read of those who did not trust in their own arm for salvation, but totally and fully trusted in the Lord their God who had sent them.
Is God dead? What He has done in the past, can He do today? Oh, my friend, He is more alive today that ever. Dare to trust Him, dare to challenge Him to keep His promises and you will see Him “as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and”, rejoicing “as a strong man to run a race” (Psa 19:5), ready at any moment to impress you his beloved bride with the power of His might, and the bounty of His wealth.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
(Heb 12:1-2 KJV)
February 10, 2006
(Psa 119:50 KJV) This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
These are some of David’s afflictions. He had to repent from his love affair with Bath-Sheba. He lost his first son and had a loathsome disease. His daughter was raped by his son who was in turn murdered by his other son, in front of whom, he had to flee Jerusalem in disgrace. In the midst of all this, and without the help of modern psychology or of mood-altering drugs, he had to run his kingdom and fight surrounding enemies.
David, the young man who protected the house of Israel against its enemies with the same integrity and courage as when he protected his father’s sheep came to a time when he lost the innocent child-like faith he inherited from his father and indulged in disobedience. The consequential results of his actions drove him to the limits of his heart’s endurance. This “limit”, is where he found his God in a new and mature way. He had learned the age-old lesson, “when all you have left is God, you suddenly realize that God is enough”; and “when all you’ve got left to stand on is the Word, you realized then that the Word is enough.”
When he was discouraged and weary of the battle, it is when he heard the small voice of the Lord that the prophet Elijah was renewed (1 Kings 19:12-13). When after fasting for forty days and forty nights, Jesus, in His physically weakened state has a face-to-face confrontation with Satan, it is the Word that gives Jesus the strength to withstand him (Mat 4:1-11).
Are you afflicted? Are you depressed? Are you sad? The same Word that “quickened” King David will also “quicken” you. His Word is His gift to you, His gift of power, strength and comfort.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
(Col 3:16 KJV)
February 11, 2006
(Psa 119:51 KJV) The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
The proud, the ungodly, those who in spite of their insignificance think they are masters of their fate; those who refuse to see the ways of God in the world or in their lives always deride the Godly and the ones who acknowledge their need for dependence on their LORD. They will unleash their cruel mockeries as a weapon to lash our hearts; they will torture our souls to blackmail us into surrender to their humanist cynicism. Misery loves company and the goal is to get us to join them in their hell-pit.
Have you felt it, have you heard it in the songs, in the movies? Have you read it in the schoolbooks, in the magazines? They will even disguise themselves with light to better deceive you into being swayed by their evil propaganda.
This, friend, is the world of today. This is the world we live in--a world where, more than ever before, faith in the God of the universe is under the attacks by the father of lies. Our only safety, our only sanity, the only way we will not “decline” is to stay filled with His Words. We need not to fight the lies, the mockery, and the derision. This is what he would have us do, leave our secure position to fight him against whom really we have no strength. Our only hope is to stay fastened to the Word of Light as our eternal refuge.
2Pe 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
Pro 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
February 12, 2006
(Psa 119:52 KJV) I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
As we go through each day of our life, it is easy for things to get out of perspective to the point that we can’t see the forest for the trees. We can get so wrapped up solving the little problems of each day that we lose focus of the “big picture”--the spiritual perspective. This is a wicked plot devised by the enemy so that all we then see is the continual pouring out of our own effort, while we forget that the Lord is the one actually doing it all.
If we would sometimes pause from our feverish activities; if we would but take the time to look back while in prayer, we would suddenly see all the ways in which the LORD is doing all the work for us. We would get excited in seeing Him work, sending the impossible manna in the desert so that all we have left to do is gather His many blessings.
Today, if you feel distressed and overwhelmed; if you feel that you are left alone having no one to turn to, take the time to count your blessings; play the “glad” and see all the ways in which our gentle LORD has been with you, and this will His gift of comfort for you.
His gift is not that He doesn’t let bad things happen to us, but that he is always with us when they do!
O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
(Psa 42:6 KJV)
February 13, 2006
(Psa 119:53 KJV) Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
Today, the ungodly, the rebellious, the proud laugh at the idea that one day they will have to account for their actions. Those who defiantly refuse the atoning payment of sin as provided by the mercy of God through Jesus-Christ’s sacrifice have no clue of what awaits them. For as high as heaven is, so deep is hell; as beautiful His Kingdom is, so ugly is hell; as agreeable the scent of the kingdom of God, so suffocating the stench from the abyss.
This is the horror that should take us “because of the wicked”, the horror that awaits those who, when the day is done, may not be found in the Book of Life (Rev 20:15). Today, they defiantly spread themselves like the “green bay tree” (Psa 37:35), they rage and imagine a vain thing (Psa 2:1), but “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure”. Psa 2: 4-5
Do you know someone in such a case? Do you have a friend, a relative who has not yet come to the breaking point of repentance? Has horror taken you at the thought of what will happen to your kin and acquaintances if when all is said and done they do not find Jesus? But also, has “horror” taken you at the thought of facing the Lord with the knowledge that because you knew that person, you were partly responsible to show them the way?
You cannot push it, it is a work of God, but you can pray like everything depended on prayer (because everything DOES depend on prayer), and be a partner of concern with God who always answers the “effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man” (Jam 5:16). And along with your prayer, you can also be the sample that will draw them into the fold.
Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
(Eze 3:17-19 KJV)
February 14, 2006
Psa 119:54 KJV Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
When the children of Judah where exiled in Babylon, people came to them wanting to hear one the songs of Zion. They wanted to know about the place that God had so miraculously given to His Children. Eventually, it pained them to do it because, even though the rebuilding of the Temple and the restoration of the city was prophesied in their books, it reminded them so much of Jerusalem which laid in ruins (Ps 137).
During our exile on this earth, Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us so eventually we would be there with Him (Joh 14:3), and this place, my friend, doesn’t lay in ruins. It is the New Jerusalem, which is described for in many details (Rev 21-22). We need to look forward to it with the joy that fills the pilgrim who has finally attained his goal, encouraging and reminding ourselves us of its sweetness and safety by singing its songs. Hopefully, someone will then come along and ask us to “sing” one of the songs of Zion that tells them about the beautiful place God has prepared for them that love Him.
We are in this world for only a short time as pilgrims and strangers. Let’s remind ourselves with pride of where we are from and where we are headed, knowing that God’s Kingdom is much better than any of the kingdoms of this world. It won’t be long now; someday soon, our soul will leave this earth-bound clod to reside in its eternal home.
What songs do you sing during this pilgrimage on earth? Are they the songs that bring the Spirit of God down so people want to know more about the Kingdom of God, or songs that glorify the decadent world of man?
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
(Eph 5:19 KJV)
February 15, 2006
Psa 119:55-56 KJV I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law. (56) This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
It is easy to claim trust in the Lord when in the light, when everything goes well. The difficult thing is to trust Him when in the dark of night, when everything goes wrong. But God sometimes puts us in the dark to prove to us that He is light, and all a shadow proves is the presence of the sun somewhere!
At times darkness in our lives can be so thick that it feels you can cut it with a knife, but in the same way that His grace much more abounds in sin, a candle will shine brighter and brighter as the darkness grows deep. During such times, we are often tempted to stray, but if in the deep of night, we remember the LORD, He will be that candle that will light the path for you to help you keep His Law with integrity.
You cannot chase the darkness of night on your own; all you can do is turn on the light, the light of His name, and the darkness will flee away on its own.
Never doubt in the dark what God has spoken in the light. He has promised that He will be with thee and never forsake thee; that He will carry you so that you would dash you foot against a stone. Remember His Name and His promises when in the dark and He shall be more to you than a light and better than a known way.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
(Heb 12:2-4 KJV)
ZAIN
February 9, 2006
Psa 119:49 KJV Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
There is such a Word as comes to all of us at certain times in our lives that causes us to hope in God’s purpose. There is such a Word that causes us to challenge the high waters of the sea to bring God’s ship to port. There is such a Word that compels us to leave the comforts of Ur and of Egypt (Gen 12:1; Heb 11:27)) to walk paths unknown for the sole purpose of following and honoring the God that created and called us to a greater purpose.
At times, when the road is long and hard, we tend to forget this Word that has caused us to hope. We tend to want to return to the comfort of Ur and Egypt. We lose sight of the heavenly vision, of the goal that propelled us to endanger life and limb for the ideal of God.
At such times my friend, as the proverbial pilgrim, look into the book of Promises. Inspire and encourage yourself with the stories of old, of how God supplied for His children on the road to Canaan. Remember how He honored those who did not trust in the uncertain riches of mammon, but put their confidence in Him who owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psa 50:10). The book of Promises will renew your vision as you read of those who did not trust in their own arm for salvation, but totally and fully trusted in the Lord their God who had sent them.
Is God dead? What He has done in the past, can He do today? Oh, my friend, He is more alive today that ever. Dare to trust Him, dare to challenge Him to keep His promises and you will see Him “as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and”, rejoicing “as a strong man to run a race” (Psa 19:5), ready at any moment to impress you his beloved bride with the power of His might, and the bounty of His wealth.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
(Heb 12:1-2 KJV)
February 10, 2006
(Psa 119:50 KJV) This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
These are some of David’s afflictions. He had to repent from his love affair with Bath-Sheba. He lost his first son and had a loathsome disease. His daughter was raped by his son who was in turn murdered by his other son, in front of whom, he had to flee Jerusalem in disgrace. In the midst of all this, and without the help of modern psychology or of mood-altering drugs, he had to run his kingdom and fight surrounding enemies.
David, the young man who protected the house of Israel against its enemies with the same integrity and courage as when he protected his father’s sheep came to a time when he lost the innocent child-like faith he inherited from his father and indulged in disobedience. The consequential results of his actions drove him to the limits of his heart’s endurance. This “limit”, is where he found his God in a new and mature way. He had learned the age-old lesson, “when all you have left is God, you suddenly realize that God is enough”; and “when all you’ve got left to stand on is the Word, you realized then that the Word is enough.”
When he was discouraged and weary of the battle, it is when he heard the small voice of the Lord that the prophet Elijah was renewed (1 Kings 19:12-13). When after fasting for forty days and forty nights, Jesus, in His physically weakened state has a face-to-face confrontation with Satan, it is the Word that gives Jesus the strength to withstand him (Mat 4:1-11).
Are you afflicted? Are you depressed? Are you sad? The same Word that “quickened” King David will also “quicken” you. His Word is His gift to you, His gift of power, strength and comfort.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
(Col 3:16 KJV)
February 11, 2006
(Psa 119:51 KJV) The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
The proud, the ungodly, those who in spite of their insignificance think they are masters of their fate; those who refuse to see the ways of God in the world or in their lives always deride the Godly and the ones who acknowledge their need for dependence on their LORD. They will unleash their cruel mockeries as a weapon to lash our hearts; they will torture our souls to blackmail us into surrender to their humanist cynicism. Misery loves company and the goal is to get us to join them in their hell-pit.
Have you felt it, have you heard it in the songs, in the movies? Have you read it in the schoolbooks, in the magazines? They will even disguise themselves with light to better deceive you into being swayed by their evil propaganda.
This, friend, is the world of today. This is the world we live in--a world where, more than ever before, faith in the God of the universe is under the attacks by the father of lies. Our only safety, our only sanity, the only way we will not “decline” is to stay filled with His Words. We need not to fight the lies, the mockery, and the derision. This is what he would have us do, leave our secure position to fight him against whom really we have no strength. Our only hope is to stay fastened to the Word of Light as our eternal refuge.
2Pe 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
Pro 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
February 12, 2006
(Psa 119:52 KJV) I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
As we go through each day of our life, it is easy for things to get out of perspective to the point that we can’t see the forest for the trees. We can get so wrapped up solving the little problems of each day that we lose focus of the “big picture”--the spiritual perspective. This is a wicked plot devised by the enemy so that all we then see is the continual pouring out of our own effort, while we forget that the Lord is the one actually doing it all.
If we would sometimes pause from our feverish activities; if we would but take the time to look back while in prayer, we would suddenly see all the ways in which the LORD is doing all the work for us. We would get excited in seeing Him work, sending the impossible manna in the desert so that all we have left to do is gather His many blessings.
Today, if you feel distressed and overwhelmed; if you feel that you are left alone having no one to turn to, take the time to count your blessings; play the “glad” and see all the ways in which our gentle LORD has been with you, and this will His gift of comfort for you.
His gift is not that He doesn’t let bad things happen to us, but that he is always with us when they do!
O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
(Psa 42:6 KJV)
February 13, 2006
(Psa 119:53 KJV) Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
Today, the ungodly, the rebellious, the proud laugh at the idea that one day they will have to account for their actions. Those who defiantly refuse the atoning payment of sin as provided by the mercy of God through Jesus-Christ’s sacrifice have no clue of what awaits them. For as high as heaven is, so deep is hell; as beautiful His Kingdom is, so ugly is hell; as agreeable the scent of the kingdom of God, so suffocating the stench from the abyss.
This is the horror that should take us “because of the wicked”, the horror that awaits those who, when the day is done, may not be found in the Book of Life (Rev 20:15). Today, they defiantly spread themselves like the “green bay tree” (Psa 37:35), they rage and imagine a vain thing (Psa 2:1), but “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure”. Psa 2: 4-5
Do you know someone in such a case? Do you have a friend, a relative who has not yet come to the breaking point of repentance? Has horror taken you at the thought of what will happen to your kin and acquaintances if when all is said and done they do not find Jesus? But also, has “horror” taken you at the thought of facing the Lord with the knowledge that because you knew that person, you were partly responsible to show them the way?
You cannot push it, it is a work of God, but you can pray like everything depended on prayer (because everything DOES depend on prayer), and be a partner of concern with God who always answers the “effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man” (Jam 5:16). And along with your prayer, you can also be the sample that will draw them into the fold.
Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
(Eze 3:17-19 KJV)
February 14, 2006
Psa 119:54 KJV Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
When the children of Judah where exiled in Babylon, people came to them wanting to hear one the songs of Zion. They wanted to know about the place that God had so miraculously given to His Children. Eventually, it pained them to do it because, even though the rebuilding of the Temple and the restoration of the city was prophesied in their books, it reminded them so much of Jerusalem which laid in ruins (Ps 137).
During our exile on this earth, Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us so eventually we would be there with Him (Joh 14:3), and this place, my friend, doesn’t lay in ruins. It is the New Jerusalem, which is described for in many details (Rev 21-22). We need to look forward to it with the joy that fills the pilgrim who has finally attained his goal, encouraging and reminding ourselves us of its sweetness and safety by singing its songs. Hopefully, someone will then come along and ask us to “sing” one of the songs of Zion that tells them about the beautiful place God has prepared for them that love Him.
We are in this world for only a short time as pilgrims and strangers. Let’s remind ourselves with pride of where we are from and where we are headed, knowing that God’s Kingdom is much better than any of the kingdoms of this world. It won’t be long now; someday soon, our soul will leave this earth-bound clod to reside in its eternal home.
What songs do you sing during this pilgrimage on earth? Are they the songs that bring the Spirit of God down so people want to know more about the Kingdom of God, or songs that glorify the decadent world of man?
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
(Eph 5:19 KJV)
February 15, 2006
Psa 119:55-56 KJV I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law. (56) This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
It is easy to claim trust in the Lord when in the light, when everything goes well. The difficult thing is to trust Him when in the dark of night, when everything goes wrong. But God sometimes puts us in the dark to prove to us that He is light, and all a shadow proves is the presence of the sun somewhere!
At times darkness in our lives can be so thick that it feels you can cut it with a knife, but in the same way that His grace much more abounds in sin, a candle will shine brighter and brighter as the darkness grows deep. During such times, we are often tempted to stray, but if in the deep of night, we remember the LORD, He will be that candle that will light the path for you to help you keep His Law with integrity.
You cannot chase the darkness of night on your own; all you can do is turn on the light, the light of His name, and the darkness will flee away on its own.
Never doubt in the dark what God has spoken in the light. He has promised that He will be with thee and never forsake thee; that He will carry you so that you would dash you foot against a stone. Remember His Name and His promises when in the dark and He shall be more to you than a light and better than a known way.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
(Heb 12:2-4 KJV)
Daily Devotion
February 15, 2006
Psa 119:55-56 KJV I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law. (56) This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
It is easy to claim trust in the Lord when in the light, when everything goes well. The difficult thing is to trust Him when in the dark of night, when everything goes wrong. But God sometimes puts us in the dark to prove to us that He is light, and all a shadow proves is the presence of the sun somewhere!
At times darkness in our lives can be so thick that it feels you can cut it with a knife, but in the same way that His grace much more abounds in sin, a candle will shine brighter and brighter as the darkness grows deep. During such times, we are often tempted to stray, but if in the deep of night, we remember the LORD, He will be that candle that will light the path for you to help you keep His Law with integrity.
You cannot chase the darkness of night on your own; all you can do is turn on the light, the light of His name, and the darkness will flee away on its own.
Never doubt in the dark what God has spoken in the light. He has promised that He will be with thee and never forsake thee; that He will carry you so that you would dash you foot against a stone. Remember His Name and His promises when in the dark and He shall be more to you than a light and better than a known way.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
(Heb 12:2-4 KJV)
Psa 119:55-56 KJV I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law. (56) This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
It is easy to claim trust in the Lord when in the light, when everything goes well. The difficult thing is to trust Him when in the dark of night, when everything goes wrong. But God sometimes puts us in the dark to prove to us that He is light, and all a shadow proves is the presence of the sun somewhere!
At times darkness in our lives can be so thick that it feels you can cut it with a knife, but in the same way that His grace much more abounds in sin, a candle will shine brighter and brighter as the darkness grows deep. During such times, we are often tempted to stray, but if in the deep of night, we remember the LORD, He will be that candle that will light the path for you to help you keep His Law with integrity.
You cannot chase the darkness of night on your own; all you can do is turn on the light, the light of His name, and the darkness will flee away on its own.
Never doubt in the dark what God has spoken in the light. He has promised that He will be with thee and never forsake thee; that He will carry you so that you would dash you foot against a stone. Remember His Name and His promises when in the dark and He shall be more to you than a light and better than a known way.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
(Heb 12:2-4 KJV)
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Daily Devotion
February 14, 2006
Psa 119:54 KJV Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
When the children of Judah where exiled in Babylon, people came to them wanting to hear one the songs of Zion. They wanted to know about the place that God had so miraculously given to His Children. Eventually, it pained them to do it because, even though the rebuilding of the Temple and the restoration of the city was prophesied in their books, it reminded them so much of Jerusalem which laid in ruins (Ps 137).
During our exile on this earth, Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us so eventually we would be there with Him (Joh 14:3), and this place, my friend, doesn’t lay in ruins. It is the New Jerusalem, which is described for us in many details (Rev 21-22). We need to look forward to it with the joy that fills the pilgrim who has finally attained his goal, encouraging and reminding ourselves us of its sweetness and safety by singing its songs. Hopefully, someone will then come along and ask us to “sing” one of the songs of Zion that tells them about the beautiful place God has prepared for them that love Him.
We are in this world for only a short time as pilgrims and strangers. Let’s remind ourselves with pride of where we are from and where we are headed, knowing that God’s Kingdom is much better than any of the kingdoms of this world. It won’t be long now; someday soon, our soul will leave this earth-bound clod to reside in its eternal home.
What songs do you sing during this pilgrimage on earth? Are they the songs that bring the Spirit of God down so people want to know more about the Kingdom of God, or songs that glorify the decadent world of man?
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
(Eph 5:19 KJV)
Psa 119:54 KJV Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
When the children of Judah where exiled in Babylon, people came to them wanting to hear one the songs of Zion. They wanted to know about the place that God had so miraculously given to His Children. Eventually, it pained them to do it because, even though the rebuilding of the Temple and the restoration of the city was prophesied in their books, it reminded them so much of Jerusalem which laid in ruins (Ps 137).
During our exile on this earth, Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us so eventually we would be there with Him (Joh 14:3), and this place, my friend, doesn’t lay in ruins. It is the New Jerusalem, which is described for us in many details (Rev 21-22). We need to look forward to it with the joy that fills the pilgrim who has finally attained his goal, encouraging and reminding ourselves us of its sweetness and safety by singing its songs. Hopefully, someone will then come along and ask us to “sing” one of the songs of Zion that tells them about the beautiful place God has prepared for them that love Him.
We are in this world for only a short time as pilgrims and strangers. Let’s remind ourselves with pride of where we are from and where we are headed, knowing that God’s Kingdom is much better than any of the kingdoms of this world. It won’t be long now; someday soon, our soul will leave this earth-bound clod to reside in its eternal home.
What songs do you sing during this pilgrimage on earth? Are they the songs that bring the Spirit of God down so people want to know more about the Kingdom of God, or songs that glorify the decadent world of man?
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
(Eph 5:19 KJV)
Monday, February 13, 2006
Daily Devotion
February 13, 2006
(Psa 119:53 KJV) Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
Today, the ungodly, the rebellious, the proud laugh at the idea that one day they will have to account for their actions. Those who defiantly refuse the atoning payment of sin as provided by the mercy of God through Jesus-Christ’s sacrifice have no clue of what awaits them. For as high as heaven is, so deep is hell; as beautiful His Kingdom is, so ugly is hell; as agreeable the scent of the kingdom of God, so suffocating the stench from the abyss.
This is the horror that should take us “because of the wicked”, the horror that awaits those who, when the day is done, may not be found in the Book of Life (Rev 20:15). Today, they defiantly spread themselves like the “green bay tree” (Psa 37:35), they rage and imagine a vain thing (Psa 2:1), but “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure”. Psa 2: 4-5
Do you know someone in such a case? Do you have a friend, a relative who has not yet come to the breaking point of repentance? Has horror taken you at the thought of what will happen to your kin and acquaintances if when all is said and done they do not find Jesus? But also, has “horror” taken you at the thought of facing the Lord with the knowledge that because you knew that person, you were partly responsible to show them the way?
You cannot push it, it is a work of God, but you can pray like everything depended on prayer (because everything DOES depend on prayer), and be a partner of concern with God who always answers the “effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man” (Jam 5:16). And along with your prayer, you can also be the sample that will draw them into the fold.
Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
(Eze 3:17-19 KJV)
(Psa 119:53 KJV) Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
Today, the ungodly, the rebellious, the proud laugh at the idea that one day they will have to account for their actions. Those who defiantly refuse the atoning payment of sin as provided by the mercy of God through Jesus-Christ’s sacrifice have no clue of what awaits them. For as high as heaven is, so deep is hell; as beautiful His Kingdom is, so ugly is hell; as agreeable the scent of the kingdom of God, so suffocating the stench from the abyss.
This is the horror that should take us “because of the wicked”, the horror that awaits those who, when the day is done, may not be found in the Book of Life (Rev 20:15). Today, they defiantly spread themselves like the “green bay tree” (Psa 37:35), they rage and imagine a vain thing (Psa 2:1), but “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure”. Psa 2: 4-5
Do you know someone in such a case? Do you have a friend, a relative who has not yet come to the breaking point of repentance? Has horror taken you at the thought of what will happen to your kin and acquaintances if when all is said and done they do not find Jesus? But also, has “horror” taken you at the thought of facing the Lord with the knowledge that because you knew that person, you were partly responsible to show them the way?
You cannot push it, it is a work of God, but you can pray like everything depended on prayer (because everything DOES depend on prayer), and be a partner of concern with God who always answers the “effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man” (Jam 5:16). And along with your prayer, you can also be the sample that will draw them into the fold.
Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
(Eze 3:17-19 KJV)
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Daily Devotion
February 12, 2006
(Psa 119:52 KJV) I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
As we go through each day of our life, it is easy for things to get out of perspective to the point that we can’t see the forest for the trees. We can get so wrapped up solving the little problems of each day that we lose focus of the “big picture”--the spiritual perspective. This is a wicked plot devised by the enemy so that all we then see is the continual pouring out of our own effort, while we forget that the Lord is the one actually doing it all.
If we would sometimes pause from our feverish activities; if we would but take the time to look back while in prayer, we would suddenly see all the ways in which the LORD is doing all the work for us. We would get excited in seeing Him work, sending the impossible manna in the desert so that all we have left to do is gather His many blessings.
Today, if you feel distressed and overwhelmed; if you feel that you are left alone having no one to turn to, take the time to count your blessings; play the “glad” and see all the ways in which our gentle LORD has been with you, and this will His gift of comfort for you.
His gift is not that He doesn’t let bad things happen to us, but that he is always with us when they do!
O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
(Psa 42:6 KJV)
(Psa 119:52 KJV) I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
As we go through each day of our life, it is easy for things to get out of perspective to the point that we can’t see the forest for the trees. We can get so wrapped up solving the little problems of each day that we lose focus of the “big picture”--the spiritual perspective. This is a wicked plot devised by the enemy so that all we then see is the continual pouring out of our own effort, while we forget that the Lord is the one actually doing it all.
If we would sometimes pause from our feverish activities; if we would but take the time to look back while in prayer, we would suddenly see all the ways in which the LORD is doing all the work for us. We would get excited in seeing Him work, sending the impossible manna in the desert so that all we have left to do is gather His many blessings.
Today, if you feel distressed and overwhelmed; if you feel that you are left alone having no one to turn to, take the time to count your blessings; play the “glad” and see all the ways in which our gentle LORD has been with you, and this will His gift of comfort for you.
His gift is not that He doesn’t let bad things happen to us, but that he is always with us when they do!
O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
(Psa 42:6 KJV)
Friday, February 10, 2006
Daily Devotion
February 10, 2006
(Psa 119:50 KJV) This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
These are some of David’s afflictions. He had to repent from his love affair with Bath-Sheba. He lost his first son and had a loathsome disease. His daughter was raped by his son who was in turn murdered by his other son, in front of whom, he had to flee Jerusalem in disgrace. In the midst of all this, and without the help of modern psychology or of mood-altering drugs, he had to run his kingdom and fight surrounding enemies.
David, the young man who protected the house of Israel against its enemies with the same integrity and courage as when he protected his father’s sheep came to a time when he lost the innocent child-like faith he inherited from his father and indulged in disobedience. The consequential results of his actions drove him to the limits of his heart’s endurance. This “limit”, is where he found his God in a new and mature way. He had learned the age-old lesson, “when all you have left is God, you suddenly realize that God is enough”; and “when all you’ve got left to stand on is the Word, you realized then that the Word is enough.”
When he was discouraged and weary of the battle, it is when he heard the small voice of the Lord that the prophet Elijah was renewed (1 Kings 19:12-13). When after fasting for forty days and forty nights, Jesus, in His physically weakened state has a face-to-face confrontation with Satan, it is the Word that gives Jesus the strength to withstand him (Mat 4:1-11).
Are you afflicted? Are you depressed? Are you sad? The same Word that “quickened” King David will also “quicken” you. His Word is His gift to you, His gift of power, strength and comfort.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
(Col 3:16 KJV)
(Psa 119:50 KJV) This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
These are some of David’s afflictions. He had to repent from his love affair with Bath-Sheba. He lost his first son and had a loathsome disease. His daughter was raped by his son who was in turn murdered by his other son, in front of whom, he had to flee Jerusalem in disgrace. In the midst of all this, and without the help of modern psychology or of mood-altering drugs, he had to run his kingdom and fight surrounding enemies.
David, the young man who protected the house of Israel against its enemies with the same integrity and courage as when he protected his father’s sheep came to a time when he lost the innocent child-like faith he inherited from his father and indulged in disobedience. The consequential results of his actions drove him to the limits of his heart’s endurance. This “limit”, is where he found his God in a new and mature way. He had learned the age-old lesson, “when all you have left is God, you suddenly realize that God is enough”; and “when all you’ve got left to stand on is the Word, you realized then that the Word is enough.”
When he was discouraged and weary of the battle, it is when he heard the small voice of the Lord that the prophet Elijah was renewed (1 Kings 19:12-13). When after fasting for forty days and forty nights, Jesus, in His physically weakened state has a face-to-face confrontation with Satan, it is the Word that gives Jesus the strength to withstand him (Mat 4:1-11).
Are you afflicted? Are you depressed? Are you sad? The same Word that “quickened” King David will also “quicken” you. His Word is His gift to you, His gift of power, strength and comfort.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
(Col 3:16 KJV)
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Daily Devotion
February 9, 2006
Psa 119:49 KJV Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
There is such a Word as comes to all of us at certain times in our lives that causes us to hope in God’s purpose. There is such a Word that causes us to challenge the high waters of the sea to bring God’s ship to port. There is such a Word that compels us to leave the comforts of Ur and of Egypt (Gen 12:1; Heb 11:27)) to walk paths unknown for the sole purpose of following and honoring the God that created and called us to a greater purpose.
At times, when the road is long and hard, we tend to forget this Word that has caused us to hope. We tend to want to return to the comfort of Ur and Egypt. We lose sight of the heavenly vision, of the goal that propelled us to endanger life and limb for the ideal of God.
At such times my friend, as the proverbial pilgrim, look into the book of Promises. Inspire and encourage yourself with the stories of old, of how God supplied for His children on the road to Canaan. Remember how He honored those who did not trust in the uncertain riches of mammon, but put their confidence in Him who owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psa 50:10). The book of Promises will renew your vision as you read of those who did not trust in their own arm for salvation, but totally and fully trusted in the Lord their God who had sent them.
Is God dead? What He has done in the past, can He do today? Oh, my friend, He is more alive today that ever. Dare to trust Him, dare to challenge Him to keep His promises and you will see Him “as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and”, rejoicing “as a strong man to run a race” (Psa 19:5), ready at any moment to impress you his beloved bride with the power of His might, and the bounty of His wealth.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
(Heb 12:1-2 KJV)
Psa 119:49 KJV Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
There is such a Word as comes to all of us at certain times in our lives that causes us to hope in God’s purpose. There is such a Word that causes us to challenge the high waters of the sea to bring God’s ship to port. There is such a Word that compels us to leave the comforts of Ur and of Egypt (Gen 12:1; Heb 11:27)) to walk paths unknown for the sole purpose of following and honoring the God that created and called us to a greater purpose.
At times, when the road is long and hard, we tend to forget this Word that has caused us to hope. We tend to want to return to the comfort of Ur and Egypt. We lose sight of the heavenly vision, of the goal that propelled us to endanger life and limb for the ideal of God.
At such times my friend, as the proverbial pilgrim, look into the book of Promises. Inspire and encourage yourself with the stories of old, of how God supplied for His children on the road to Canaan. Remember how He honored those who did not trust in the uncertain riches of mammon, but put their confidence in Him who owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psa 50:10). The book of Promises will renew your vision as you read of those who did not trust in their own arm for salvation, but totally and fully trusted in the Lord their God who had sent them.
Is God dead? What He has done in the past, can He do today? Oh, my friend, He is more alive today that ever. Dare to trust Him, dare to challenge Him to keep His promises and you will see Him “as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and”, rejoicing “as a strong man to run a race” (Psa 19:5), ready at any moment to impress you his beloved bride with the power of His might, and the bounty of His wealth.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
(Heb 12:1-2 KJV)
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
PSALMS 119 VAV
PSALMS 119
VAV
February 5, 2006
Psa 119:41-42 KJV Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word. (42) So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.
As Christians, we are certainly not perfect. As Christians, we have certainly not attained. But as Christians, our vindication comes from the Lord.
When the world looks at us, they may see people who are frail, miserable, weak and dependant. They may see people who sometimes have little strength against the many influences of the world and even against their own weaknesses. But at the end of the day, when the time comes to settle the accounts, all God sees in us is the stain of the blood of Jesus-Christ the Lamb of God on our hearts.
Therefore trust in this Word of promise (John 1:29). Brandish it like a flag in the face of the accusing world and of the condemning enemy, set it on your armor as a banner over you (Psa 60:4; SOS 2:4) that all may see, and proudly proclaim that no, we are not going to fall into their condemnation, nor to that of the devil (Rom 8:1). The time of the supreme reign of sin is over with, and the era of victory over death is finished! This is a new day, when all that come to Christ shall be saved!
Pro 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
February 6, 2006
Psa 119:43-44 KJV And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. (44) So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
One of the most testing elements of Christian life, and one that has brought many to renounce their faith, is that prayers sometimes don’t seem to be answered. Their prayer becomes a deferred hope that makes their heart sick (Prov 13:12). They stop keeping God’s Laws, and thereby they cannot testify anymore of God’s goodness, and therefore, the Word of Truth is taken away from them, as well as the incentive to keep His Laws. What a devilish vicious circle! My own child told me in his young adult years, “Why pray, since God doesn’t answer?”. The devil knows this and you can be sure that he uses it to the utmost!
God always answers our prayers, but in His great wisdom, He does not always answer them our way. Oh, how thankful I am that God does not answer all of my prayers! The great sadness is when those who go through such trials cannot find help to understand God’s great wisdom in His apparent silences, or better still,to help them find the answer that God has given, one that they may have missed. In Heaven all scores will be settled and we’ll understand everything, even through misty eyes (Rev 7:17; 21:4).
Let us not allow the enemy to take the Word of truth out of our mouth that God is merciful and answers prayer. Let us continue to hope in His judgments, even when our finite minds do not understand, and do not grasp the infinite wisdom of the Most High. And armed with this confidence, let us then be inspired to follow His Laws and commandments in which we know have a good reward.
Mat 7:9-11 KJV Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? (10) Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? (11) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
February 6, 2006
(Psa 119:45 KJV) And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
Many feel that walking in the way of God is too restrictive. They find too many restraints therein. They forget that going through the straight and narrow gate of the LORD brings them to a place free from the boundaries of natural man, to a limitless dimension where they become partakers of the divine nature, and where they can be and do anything that is within the Creator’s infinite desire.
Others make a spectacle of their “freedom”. They vaunt themselves of all that they allow themselves, they freely display and make a show of their so-called liberties. And while they think to bring offense and vexation on those who have wisely chosen the way of God, one morning as they wake up, they find themselves caught in the trap that they have set, prisoners of their vain and foolish lust and greed.
O foolish human! You think that by building yourself wings of steel you have acceded to flight. You believe that by acting your foolish and vain games you become whatever it is that you pretend to be. When will you realize that only by following the Lord God and Maker of the Universe will you find ultimate freedom, not only from the trappings of the world, but from the desires and lusts that daily seek to own you.
Here within the Light of the Holy Sanctuary of God, the world looses its glitter, temptation looses its shine, sickness is beauty for ashes (Is 61:3), and death is the door to the heavenly dimension where boundaries are but a thing of the past (1 Cor 15:55).
Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
February 7, 2006
(Psa 119:46 KJV) I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
Wherein comes full testifying power! The conviction of having had prayers answered, of partaking of the divine nature, of daily living and experiencing the power of the Word of God! We cannot successfully inspire others to be dependant on the Word of God when we ourselves are dependant on carnal strength. We cannot effectively encourage others to compare their lives with the Word, when we gage ourselves by the standards of the world. We cannot fruitfully tell others of the Kingdom of God when we do not portray its attributes in our lives. Unless we are citizens of the Kingdom of God in everything we do and say, our miserable attempts to obey the Great Commission will only be “as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” 1Co 13:1
Then and only then, will we not be ashamed in our testifying. Then and only then will the Lord be able to bring us to bring His Name to the precious souls, to the “kings”, to the “world changers” who can discern between hypocrisy and sincerity in men. Then and only then will the Word of our testimony match with the excellency of the power it describes.
Therein is our responsibility within the Great Commission. Will we shame the Lord through our weakened and adulterated presentation, or can we concur with David of “not being ashamed” as we present Him to the kings of this world?
1Co 2:4-5 KJV
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
February 8, 2006
Psa 119:47-48 KJV And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. (48) My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
At a time when there were so many commandments to obey, at a time when religion was based on a cold legalistic and ritualistic blind application of rules, at a time when to obey the commandments was as the apostles said, a “yoke”, “which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear”, David delighted in God’s commandments which he said he loved to meditate on.
It should make us ashamed of ourselves if in this day and age of voluntary obedience to an easier type of adherence to God’s commandments,
if once the heavy yoke of legalism is lifted, we follow Him reluctantly if at all. The people of God followed Him for something they were hoping to get; they were doing it in a spirit of hope and faith. We follow Him for something we’ve already received when we gave our hearts to the Lord, so we should do it in a spirit of extreme gratitude and thanks, putting our hands unto His commandment out of love.
Do you follow Him out of love or out of duty? And most of all:
What is it that He wants you to do today?
In what way does He want you to serve Him?
Can you say, “yea” and “amen” without reservations to the answers to these questions?
Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
VAV
February 5, 2006
Psa 119:41-42 KJV Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word. (42) So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.
As Christians, we are certainly not perfect. As Christians, we have certainly not attained. But as Christians, our vindication comes from the Lord.
When the world looks at us, they may see people who are frail, miserable, weak and dependant. They may see people who sometimes have little strength against the many influences of the world and even against their own weaknesses. But at the end of the day, when the time comes to settle the accounts, all God sees in us is the stain of the blood of Jesus-Christ the Lamb of God on our hearts.
Therefore trust in this Word of promise (John 1:29). Brandish it like a flag in the face of the accusing world and of the condemning enemy, set it on your armor as a banner over you (Psa 60:4; SOS 2:4) that all may see, and proudly proclaim that no, we are not going to fall into their condemnation, nor to that of the devil (Rom 8:1). The time of the supreme reign of sin is over with, and the era of victory over death is finished! This is a new day, when all that come to Christ shall be saved!
Pro 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
February 6, 2006
Psa 119:43-44 KJV And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. (44) So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
One of the most testing elements of Christian life, and one that has brought many to renounce their faith, is that prayers sometimes don’t seem to be answered. Their prayer becomes a deferred hope that makes their heart sick (Prov 13:12). They stop keeping God’s Laws, and thereby they cannot testify anymore of God’s goodness, and therefore, the Word of Truth is taken away from them, as well as the incentive to keep His Laws. What a devilish vicious circle! My own child told me in his young adult years, “Why pray, since God doesn’t answer?”. The devil knows this and you can be sure that he uses it to the utmost!
God always answers our prayers, but in His great wisdom, He does not always answer them our way. Oh, how thankful I am that God does not answer all of my prayers! The great sadness is when those who go through such trials cannot find help to understand God’s great wisdom in His apparent silences, or better still,to help them find the answer that God has given, one that they may have missed. In Heaven all scores will be settled and we’ll understand everything, even through misty eyes (Rev 7:17; 21:4).
Let us not allow the enemy to take the Word of truth out of our mouth that God is merciful and answers prayer. Let us continue to hope in His judgments, even when our finite minds do not understand, and do not grasp the infinite wisdom of the Most High. And armed with this confidence, let us then be inspired to follow His Laws and commandments in which we know have a good reward.
Mat 7:9-11 KJV Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? (10) Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? (11) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
February 6, 2006
(Psa 119:45 KJV) And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
Many feel that walking in the way of God is too restrictive. They find too many restraints therein. They forget that going through the straight and narrow gate of the LORD brings them to a place free from the boundaries of natural man, to a limitless dimension where they become partakers of the divine nature, and where they can be and do anything that is within the Creator’s infinite desire.
Others make a spectacle of their “freedom”. They vaunt themselves of all that they allow themselves, they freely display and make a show of their so-called liberties. And while they think to bring offense and vexation on those who have wisely chosen the way of God, one morning as they wake up, they find themselves caught in the trap that they have set, prisoners of their vain and foolish lust and greed.
O foolish human! You think that by building yourself wings of steel you have acceded to flight. You believe that by acting your foolish and vain games you become whatever it is that you pretend to be. When will you realize that only by following the Lord God and Maker of the Universe will you find ultimate freedom, not only from the trappings of the world, but from the desires and lusts that daily seek to own you.
Here within the Light of the Holy Sanctuary of God, the world looses its glitter, temptation looses its shine, sickness is beauty for ashes (Is 61:3), and death is the door to the heavenly dimension where boundaries are but a thing of the past (1 Cor 15:55).
Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
February 7, 2006
(Psa 119:46 KJV) I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
Wherein comes full testifying power! The conviction of having had prayers answered, of partaking of the divine nature, of daily living and experiencing the power of the Word of God! We cannot successfully inspire others to be dependant on the Word of God when we ourselves are dependant on carnal strength. We cannot effectively encourage others to compare their lives with the Word, when we gage ourselves by the standards of the world. We cannot fruitfully tell others of the Kingdom of God when we do not portray its attributes in our lives. Unless we are citizens of the Kingdom of God in everything we do and say, our miserable attempts to obey the Great Commission will only be “as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” 1Co 13:1
Then and only then, will we not be ashamed in our testifying. Then and only then will the Lord be able to bring us to bring His Name to the precious souls, to the “kings”, to the “world changers” who can discern between hypocrisy and sincerity in men. Then and only then will the Word of our testimony match with the excellency of the power it describes.
Therein is our responsibility within the Great Commission. Will we shame the Lord through our weakened and adulterated presentation, or can we concur with David of “not being ashamed” as we present Him to the kings of this world?
1Co 2:4-5 KJV
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
February 8, 2006
Psa 119:47-48 KJV And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. (48) My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
At a time when there were so many commandments to obey, at a time when religion was based on a cold legalistic and ritualistic blind application of rules, at a time when to obey the commandments was as the apostles said, a “yoke”, “which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear”, David delighted in God’s commandments which he said he loved to meditate on.
It should make us ashamed of ourselves if in this day and age of voluntary obedience to an easier type of adherence to God’s commandments,
if once the heavy yoke of legalism is lifted, we follow Him reluctantly if at all. The people of God followed Him for something they were hoping to get; they were doing it in a spirit of hope and faith. We follow Him for something we’ve already received when we gave our hearts to the Lord, so we should do it in a spirit of extreme gratitude and thanks, putting our hands unto His commandment out of love.
Do you follow Him out of love or out of duty? And most of all:
What is it that He wants you to do today?
In what way does He want you to serve Him?
Can you say, “yea” and “amen” without reservations to the answers to these questions?
Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
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