October 31
PURE PRAISE
Psalms 19:9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
The reverence and loyalties that we give to the “lords” of man’s kingdom are temporary; they are mingled with the corruption of personal incentives. Even the Son of God did not escape the shallowness of man’s praise to man. They acclaimed Him as a King, crying “Hosanna” in the streets of Jerusalem, only to cry “crucify Him”, and “let His blood be upon us and our children” four days later.
By comparison, the reverence, respect and honor that we give to the Lord comes with no strings attached, neither brownie points for good behavior or flatteries. Not only is it clean from the impure motives of this world, but it also cleans our soul.
By their truth and righteousness, God’s judgments clean us from our iniquity. As we revere Him, He teaches us their eternal, never changing, heart-renewing verity.
Oh, that we may trust his judgments; that we may lean on Him as onto the strong unmovable rock who with its truth, quenched the thirst of the children of Israel. Oh, that the dry desert of our soul may be filled with the ruth, righteousness, purity and eternity of God’s judgments. Let’s open our hearts and yield our lives, our souls to Him; allow Him to judge and assess them without fear, without reservation. Isn’t He wiser and greater than any psychologist this world could offer? He will give them back to us all clean and pure.
Psalms 22:3-5 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
'Be strong, be strong and be strengthened!'
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Monday, October 30, 2006
SOUL FOOD
October 31, 2005
SOUL FOOD
Psalms 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Many today proclaim themselves to be teachers of the truth from God. Maybe they are but the litmus test is that the statutes of the Lord rejoice the heart. The statutes of the Lord rejoice our heart because of their rightness. They calm the confusion from the world with their safe boundaries; they soothes the hurt and pain of our heart with their balm; they directs us in the right way with their light; they comfort our sorrow with their love, and they enable our weakness with their strength. If the words that we hear in an “honest and good heart” (Luke 8:15) does not provoke these in us but rather bring confusion, doubt, fear and a perverted sense of freedom, if the words of truth that is imparted to us does not rejoice our heart with its rightness, they are not the statutes f the Lord.
When we have truly been fed by the Word of Truth, be it written or oral, we go away full, satisfied, purified, and enlightened. We see our way better, understand our life better, our spiritual life progresses and is on the “up-swing”. We may not understand everything in our mind but we do in our faith, so we grows.
Every once in a while we need to ask ourself, “Am I getting fed? Am I getting fed good healthy food of the spirit that promotes growth, or am I feeding on “junk-food” that only makes me fat? Am I feeding on the pure Word of God, or am I listening to flattering fables? The answer is simple, are we rejoicing and enlightened about our life, or are we confused and in the dark?
1 Peter 2:1-3 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
SOUL FOOD
Psalms 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Many today proclaim themselves to be teachers of the truth from God. Maybe they are but the litmus test is that the statutes of the Lord rejoice the heart. The statutes of the Lord rejoice our heart because of their rightness. They calm the confusion from the world with their safe boundaries; they soothes the hurt and pain of our heart with their balm; they directs us in the right way with their light; they comfort our sorrow with their love, and they enable our weakness with their strength. If the words that we hear in an “honest and good heart” (Luke 8:15) does not provoke these in us but rather bring confusion, doubt, fear and a perverted sense of freedom, if the words of truth that is imparted to us does not rejoice our heart with its rightness, they are not the statutes f the Lord.
When we have truly been fed by the Word of Truth, be it written or oral, we go away full, satisfied, purified, and enlightened. We see our way better, understand our life better, our spiritual life progresses and is on the “up-swing”. We may not understand everything in our mind but we do in our faith, so we grows.
Every once in a while we need to ask ourself, “Am I getting fed? Am I getting fed good healthy food of the spirit that promotes growth, or am I feeding on “junk-food” that only makes me fat? Am I feeding on the pure Word of God, or am I listening to flattering fables? The answer is simple, are we rejoicing and enlightened about our life, or are we confused and in the dark?
1 Peter 2:1-3 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
THE TESTIMONY OF THE WORD
October 29
THE TESTIMONY OF THE WORD
Psalms 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The Hebrew word: “Torah”, translated to us in the Bible as “Law” means, “instruction”. This passage therefore tells us that the instruction of the Lord is perfect.
I dare to assume that any believer would agree with me that the most perfect instruction that could benefit our lives is the Lord’s, and that therefore, it is good counsel to follow. But do we? Maybe we agree to it in words, in worship songs and in prayers, but what about our actions?
What if the Lord appeared right now and gave us specific instructions as to how to dress or not to dress in order to reflect Him better? Or what if He were to tell us that certain foods in our diet were unhealthy, and that some of our friends and personal relations were detrimental to our spiritual well being? What if He also took the liberty of giving us instructions on what to do with our free time?Wouldn’t these instructions be for our best interest; for the converting of our soul from unhealthy appetites to healthier ones?
Would we feel though that the Lord is ‘meddling’ in our ‘personal affairs’? Would we follow His directives? Do we follow the directives He has already given in is Word concerning these very issues?
When we agree to God’s instructions in our heart and life, we don’t need to show it off with religious jewelry, bumper stickers or advertising tee shirts. The fact is evident to all who see us because of the conversion of our lifestyle and healthier appetites. These are the sure testimony of the Lord for the simple who passes by and is advised, learning from what he sees in us.
Jesus, help us to truly believe your words not with our mouth only, but with our heart, soul and body.
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
THE TESTIMONY OF THE WORD
Psalms 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The Hebrew word: “Torah”, translated to us in the Bible as “Law” means, “instruction”. This passage therefore tells us that the instruction of the Lord is perfect.
I dare to assume that any believer would agree with me that the most perfect instruction that could benefit our lives is the Lord’s, and that therefore, it is good counsel to follow. But do we? Maybe we agree to it in words, in worship songs and in prayers, but what about our actions?
What if the Lord appeared right now and gave us specific instructions as to how to dress or not to dress in order to reflect Him better? Or what if He were to tell us that certain foods in our diet were unhealthy, and that some of our friends and personal relations were detrimental to our spiritual well being? What if He also took the liberty of giving us instructions on what to do with our free time?Wouldn’t these instructions be for our best interest; for the converting of our soul from unhealthy appetites to healthier ones?
Would we feel though that the Lord is ‘meddling’ in our ‘personal affairs’? Would we follow His directives? Do we follow the directives He has already given in is Word concerning these very issues?
When we agree to God’s instructions in our heart and life, we don’t need to show it off with religious jewelry, bumper stickers or advertising tee shirts. The fact is evident to all who see us because of the conversion of our lifestyle and healthier appetites. These are the sure testimony of the Lord for the simple who passes by and is advised, learning from what he sees in us.
Jesus, help us to truly believe your words not with our mouth only, but with our heart, soul and body.
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
OUR ALL POWERFUL LORD
October 28
OUR ALL POWERFUL LORD
Psalms 19:6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
Is anything withheld from the sun? Is anything hid from its power?
In its course, the sun covers the whole earth in every country. Everywhere, everyone feels its warmth, reaps the food that it causes to grow, and enjoys the colors in which it dresses the environment.
In this psalm, our Lord is represented as the sun. What a majestic analogy. What a powerful picture of an ever-present self-renewing, all-conquering power faithfully returning each day to bestow its blessings, its daily mercies.
The sun dries up whole areas of the world while it brings life to others. None controls it. It answers to no one. It shines where it shines, and it allows us to borrow its properties.
It is exactly at the right distance and position so that the whole earth can feel it as a planet, but also every one of us as individuals. Without it, there would be no food, no heat and no color in our lives.
How much like Jesus and His Holy Spirit, the Sun is. Just like His mercies, He is renewed to us every morning (Lamentations 3:22,23) regardless of our track record.
He is the King of King who answers to no one, who is not bound by anyone or anything, and yet, he is at our command (Isaiah 45:11). He is available to all everywhere, and yet answers our prayers as if there was only one of us (Jeremiah 3:33); He brings food, warmth and color to our lives.
Knowing all this, let us freely bask and bathe in the power and glory of our Lord; let us fearlessly absorb its properties and benefits to our lives.
(Heb 4:16) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
OUR ALL POWERFUL LORD
Psalms 19:6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
Is anything withheld from the sun? Is anything hid from its power?
In its course, the sun covers the whole earth in every country. Everywhere, everyone feels its warmth, reaps the food that it causes to grow, and enjoys the colors in which it dresses the environment.
In this psalm, our Lord is represented as the sun. What a majestic analogy. What a powerful picture of an ever-present self-renewing, all-conquering power faithfully returning each day to bestow its blessings, its daily mercies.
The sun dries up whole areas of the world while it brings life to others. None controls it. It answers to no one. It shines where it shines, and it allows us to borrow its properties.
It is exactly at the right distance and position so that the whole earth can feel it as a planet, but also every one of us as individuals. Without it, there would be no food, no heat and no color in our lives.
How much like Jesus and His Holy Spirit, the Sun is. Just like His mercies, He is renewed to us every morning (Lamentations 3:22,23) regardless of our track record.
He is the King of King who answers to no one, who is not bound by anyone or anything, and yet, he is at our command (Isaiah 45:11). He is available to all everywhere, and yet answers our prayers as if there was only one of us (Jeremiah 3:33); He brings food, warmth and color to our lives.
Knowing all this, let us freely bask and bathe in the power and glory of our Lord; let us fearlessly absorb its properties and benefits to our lives.
(Heb 4:16) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Friday, October 27, 2006
THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH
October 27
THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH
Psalms 19:4,5 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
From its beginning, this psalm tells us about the glory of God as shown through His heavenly handiworks.
From the beginning this psalm tells us of the words uttered by the voices in the heavens and the firmament.
From the beginning God created the heavens and the earth as his signature to us. He placed the heavenly bodies in the firmament of the heavens as a book telling us of his love.
From the beginning he placed the sun in the midst of the firmament, as if it were its home, its tabernacle.
In the wee hours of the morning, the sun appears on the eastern horizon in a battle royal against darkness and frost. With a single glimpse of sunlight darkness flees, frigidity melts away. None can help it; none can change it--no never. All throughout the day the sun gives its warmth to all on earth. As a strong valiant knight of light and warmth, he fights the demons of darkness and cold, forever rejoicing and feasting of his uncompromising and ever gallant victories.
How like the Sun, Jesus-Christ the Sun of Righteousness Himself lives and shines daily through the “eastern gate” of our hearts to be revered as the Son of God-- marking His unalterable victory over the demons that would keep us in the cold darkness of night.
Let Him rise each morning in the eastern sky of your soul. Let Him fight your battles as the valiant knight to whom you, his fair lady, have given your colors of devotion.
2 Chronicles 20:17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.
THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH
Psalms 19:4,5 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
From its beginning, this psalm tells us about the glory of God as shown through His heavenly handiworks.
From the beginning this psalm tells us of the words uttered by the voices in the heavens and the firmament.
From the beginning God created the heavens and the earth as his signature to us. He placed the heavenly bodies in the firmament of the heavens as a book telling us of his love.
From the beginning he placed the sun in the midst of the firmament, as if it were its home, its tabernacle.
In the wee hours of the morning, the sun appears on the eastern horizon in a battle royal against darkness and frost. With a single glimpse of sunlight darkness flees, frigidity melts away. None can help it; none can change it--no never. All throughout the day the sun gives its warmth to all on earth. As a strong valiant knight of light and warmth, he fights the demons of darkness and cold, forever rejoicing and feasting of his uncompromising and ever gallant victories.
How like the Sun, Jesus-Christ the Sun of Righteousness Himself lives and shines daily through the “eastern gate” of our hearts to be revered as the Son of God-- marking His unalterable victory over the demons that would keep us in the cold darkness of night.
Let Him rise each morning in the eastern sky of your soul. Let Him fight your battles as the valiant knight to whom you, his fair lady, have given your colors of devotion.
2 Chronicles 20:17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
GOD'S REFLECTORS
October 26
GOD’S REFLECTORS
Psalms 19:3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
In the beginning God put light in the firmament between the waters. He ordained these lights to divide the day from the night; and be for signs, for seasons, for days, and for years. To let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: (Genesis 1:14,15)
In their speech, language and voice, these lights of the firmament teach us of God’s great wisdom. For example, the light of the sun is in itself invisible--we can only see it on the objects on which it reflects. The sun’s heat also can only be felt when absorbed and reflected by the elements around us. In the same way, God’s love, warmth and care are manifest to others only when reflected and absorbed by his children. The moon itself has no light of its own, but its rocks act as reflectors. These reflectors give us the light that brightens our night sky.
In this dark and desperate world, if we let Him use us as reflectors of his love and wisdom, we can be the light and warmth of God for men and women everywhere,
May the life and wisdom of God enter in us so we can shine as lights in the midst of the spiritual darkness. Let’s be one of God’s reflectors, but let us remember that the light doesn’t come from us.
Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
Numbers 6:25-26 The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
GOD’S REFLECTORS
Psalms 19:3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
In the beginning God put light in the firmament between the waters. He ordained these lights to divide the day from the night; and be for signs, for seasons, for days, and for years. To let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: (Genesis 1:14,15)
In their speech, language and voice, these lights of the firmament teach us of God’s great wisdom. For example, the light of the sun is in itself invisible--we can only see it on the objects on which it reflects. The sun’s heat also can only be felt when absorbed and reflected by the elements around us. In the same way, God’s love, warmth and care are manifest to others only when reflected and absorbed by his children. The moon itself has no light of its own, but its rocks act as reflectors. These reflectors give us the light that brightens our night sky.
In this dark and desperate world, if we let Him use us as reflectors of his love and wisdom, we can be the light and warmth of God for men and women everywhere,
May the life and wisdom of God enter in us so we can shine as lights in the midst of the spiritual darkness. Let’s be one of God’s reflectors, but let us remember that the light doesn’t come from us.
Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
Numbers 6:25-26 The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
TO SEE GOD
October 25
TO SEE GOD
Psalms 19:2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
In the Beatitudes (Mathew 5:2-10), the Lord Jesus tells us, Blessed are the pure in heart, they shall see God.
Without purity of heart, all one can tend to see or hear in this world is cynicism, doubt, fear, ill motivations and evil. If we want to hear the “speech” that God communicates to us daily; if we desire to experience the knowledge that He teaches in the visions of the nights, we need to clean and purify our heart from its worldly content. We need to tune in to God’s station and obliterate the thoughts and concepts brought in our heart and lives by the enemy’s static.
How blessed are those people whose heart is pure, and who can see God in the events that come their way. When our heart is purged and cleansed from its carnal values, the negative elements of the day turn into opportunities and lessons learned; we can see the positive reasons why God brings them; we see the bread in what looked like a stone (Matthew 7:9). Even the visions of the night become elements of warning or instruction rather than mere empty dreams or nightmares.
Let us therefore purify ourselves of former thoughts, behaviors and attitudes and discover the purity that God has for us—His interpretation of daily and nightly events.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
TO SEE GOD
Psalms 19:2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
In the Beatitudes (Mathew 5:2-10), the Lord Jesus tells us, Blessed are the pure in heart, they shall see God.
Without purity of heart, all one can tend to see or hear in this world is cynicism, doubt, fear, ill motivations and evil. If we want to hear the “speech” that God communicates to us daily; if we desire to experience the knowledge that He teaches in the visions of the nights, we need to clean and purify our heart from its worldly content. We need to tune in to God’s station and obliterate the thoughts and concepts brought in our heart and lives by the enemy’s static.
How blessed are those people whose heart is pure, and who can see God in the events that come their way. When our heart is purged and cleansed from its carnal values, the negative elements of the day turn into opportunities and lessons learned; we can see the positive reasons why God brings them; we see the bread in what looked like a stone (Matthew 7:9). Even the visions of the night become elements of warning or instruction rather than mere empty dreams or nightmares.
Let us therefore purify ourselves of former thoughts, behaviors and attitudes and discover the purity that God has for us—His interpretation of daily and nightly events.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
ALL POWER TO THE CREATOR
October 24
ALL POWER TO THE CREATOR
Psalms 19:1The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Hear the words of the shepherd boy. These are the words of a man who spent the years of his youth as a shepherd keeping his father’s flocks. Like the patriarch Abraham, he studied the night sky and found it to bear witness of God’s great redemption plan.
Who can look at the sky and ignore the majesty of God; it is God’s handwriting and signature. The book of Genesis tells us that on the second day of creation, God made a firmament that divided the waters, and that on the fourth day, He placed lights in that firmament to give us light and give us seasons and times.
Puny man in his pride can do and say what he wants. He can write great so-called educated books in order to deny the author of these beautiful handiworks. Man can attempt to change the appointed times and seasons; he can crawl on the ground of the earth in his man-made environments where he hardly get a glimpse of the testimony of the power that is greater than he. In spite of it all, from the beginning of times and all around the world, whether he likes if or not, he has to follow the basic divisions of days, nights, weeks, months and years as God has appointed them right in the beginning. He has to work his field according to the seasons that God has established He has no power whatsoever to change any of it. While man in his arrogance boasts of his own personal power to establish his destiny, he is every day and in forced to obey the Maker and Planner of this great universe.
No matter how much we try to ignore God’s leading and influence in our lives, we are bound by his design. We breathe by the breath that He has given us; our heart beats at His tempo. How much happier then would we be if our lives were led in harmony with His will.
Jeremiah 10:23 O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
ALL POWER TO THE CREATOR
Psalms 19:1The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Hear the words of the shepherd boy. These are the words of a man who spent the years of his youth as a shepherd keeping his father’s flocks. Like the patriarch Abraham, he studied the night sky and found it to bear witness of God’s great redemption plan.
Who can look at the sky and ignore the majesty of God; it is God’s handwriting and signature. The book of Genesis tells us that on the second day of creation, God made a firmament that divided the waters, and that on the fourth day, He placed lights in that firmament to give us light and give us seasons and times.
Puny man in his pride can do and say what he wants. He can write great so-called educated books in order to deny the author of these beautiful handiworks. Man can attempt to change the appointed times and seasons; he can crawl on the ground of the earth in his man-made environments where he hardly get a glimpse of the testimony of the power that is greater than he. In spite of it all, from the beginning of times and all around the world, whether he likes if or not, he has to follow the basic divisions of days, nights, weeks, months and years as God has appointed them right in the beginning. He has to work his field according to the seasons that God has established He has no power whatsoever to change any of it. While man in his arrogance boasts of his own personal power to establish his destiny, he is every day and in forced to obey the Maker and Planner of this great universe.
No matter how much we try to ignore God’s leading and influence in our lives, we are bound by his design. We breathe by the breath that He has given us; our heart beats at His tempo. How much happier then would we be if our lives were led in harmony with His will.
Jeremiah 10:23 O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
Monday, October 23, 2006
THE PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE
October 23
THE PREPARATIONS OF THE BRIDE
Psalms 11:6-7 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. (7) For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.
David looks at the world of his day and sees both wicked and righteous. He assesses the final fate of both. He looks at it as a type of the end of days, of the final restoration, of the conclusion when the seven vials of the wrath of God fall upon a world where unrepented wickedness has excelled and become the norm.
Lot and his family suffered tribulation for their faith at the hand of the Sodomites. The two angels helped them and cast a blinding blow at their persecutors. It was after a polarization of forces through tribulation that Lot was forced to make hard choices. The angels then took him and his family out of a doomed city bent on destroying the moral fabric of the world. Once Lot was out, the city was ready to receive the rewards of its deeds, fire and brimstone (Genesis 19).
So it will be at the end of man’s rule on earth. God’s Children will suffer great tribulations that will provoke them to make hard choices of dedication toward their Lord. It will be a time when the forces of evil and of righteousness will be so polarized, that there will be no gray area. Supernatural angelic help for God’s children will also mark this time. The great tribulation will clean and purge the church of God, to rid it of the blemishes of compromise before the time when the angel tells the Lord to reap His Children from the earth. The Church will stand purified and ready for its marriage with the Lamb; the seven angels of the wrath of God will stand ready to pour on the wicked the seven vials of the wrath of God.
(Revelations 13, 14, 15,16, 19)
Let us not fear the fire and brimstone of God; it is only for the *wicked, the ‘twisted’, that have knowingly and consciously rejected all the goodness of the Lord and it is their judgment and destruction. But for us who love to obey Him, let us be patient during this tribulation time of cleaning, and let His eyelids ‘try’ (Psalms 11:4) you and make you ready for that great feast when the whole world will know of your love for Him, when the true rewards of righteousness will be handed down.
* NOTE: ‘wicked’: from the word “wick”, as a wick is twisted to make a candle. To be wicked is to be twisted.
The future has no gloom and doom for God’s people, only a perfecting of righteousness unto the perfect day and restoration of all things!
Revelation 19:7-8 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (8) And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
THE PREPARATIONS OF THE BRIDE
Psalms 11:6-7 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. (7) For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.
David looks at the world of his day and sees both wicked and righteous. He assesses the final fate of both. He looks at it as a type of the end of days, of the final restoration, of the conclusion when the seven vials of the wrath of God fall upon a world where unrepented wickedness has excelled and become the norm.
Lot and his family suffered tribulation for their faith at the hand of the Sodomites. The two angels helped them and cast a blinding blow at their persecutors. It was after a polarization of forces through tribulation that Lot was forced to make hard choices. The angels then took him and his family out of a doomed city bent on destroying the moral fabric of the world. Once Lot was out, the city was ready to receive the rewards of its deeds, fire and brimstone (Genesis 19).
So it will be at the end of man’s rule on earth. God’s Children will suffer great tribulations that will provoke them to make hard choices of dedication toward their Lord. It will be a time when the forces of evil and of righteousness will be so polarized, that there will be no gray area. Supernatural angelic help for God’s children will also mark this time. The great tribulation will clean and purge the church of God, to rid it of the blemishes of compromise before the time when the angel tells the Lord to reap His Children from the earth. The Church will stand purified and ready for its marriage with the Lamb; the seven angels of the wrath of God will stand ready to pour on the wicked the seven vials of the wrath of God.
(Revelations 13, 14, 15,16, 19)
Let us not fear the fire and brimstone of God; it is only for the *wicked, the ‘twisted’, that have knowingly and consciously rejected all the goodness of the Lord and it is their judgment and destruction. But for us who love to obey Him, let us be patient during this tribulation time of cleaning, and let His eyelids ‘try’ (Psalms 11:4) you and make you ready for that great feast when the whole world will know of your love for Him, when the true rewards of righteousness will be handed down.
* NOTE: ‘wicked’: from the word “wick”, as a wick is twisted to make a candle. To be wicked is to be twisted.
The future has no gloom and doom for God’s people, only a perfecting of righteousness unto the perfect day and restoration of all things!
Revelation 19:7-8 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (8) And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
THE PRICE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
October 22
THE PRICE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Psalms 11:5 The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
Here is the whole difference made between the tribulation of the righteous and the tribulation of the wicked. Isaiah the prophet foresaw that the generation of the Messiah would look at their Savior, see a man afflicted and punished, and think in error, that His distressful condition was due to his own sins (Isaiah 53;5,6), but oh, how wrong they were. The reason for the Messiah’s afflictions was our sins.
One may observe the life of a righteous person, of a person of godly principles and moral character, and notice that a virtuous life is not easy to live--that it can be a life of troubles and woe, of disappointment and even of being abused and taken advantage of. It may even be a life of harassment, mockery, tribulation and persecution. One may therefore wonder if there are true advantages to Christian life but here is the whole difference: the troubles of the righteous try them to make them better and stronger; the trouble of the wicked contributes to his inevitable death.
What a fearful thing it must be to be hated by the soul of God; t is difficult to even comprehend. Yet even hatred is better than total rejection, total death, and disannulment. Those who love violence and who cannot find any other ways than violence to resolve their issues need to ponder on this statement made by a man of war.
Oh Lord, help us to look at the unpleasant events in our life as the trying our soul and spirit by your Spirit. Help us to realize that in our case, these unpleasant events are not for our destruction but to make us the instrument of peace that you need to fill this world with for your righteousness as the waters cover the sea.
Help us to know that you do not throw un the water to drown us,but to teach us to swim
Proverbs 3:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
THE PRICE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Psalms 11:5 The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
Here is the whole difference made between the tribulation of the righteous and the tribulation of the wicked. Isaiah the prophet foresaw that the generation of the Messiah would look at their Savior, see a man afflicted and punished, and think in error, that His distressful condition was due to his own sins (Isaiah 53;5,6), but oh, how wrong they were. The reason for the Messiah’s afflictions was our sins.
One may observe the life of a righteous person, of a person of godly principles and moral character, and notice that a virtuous life is not easy to live--that it can be a life of troubles and woe, of disappointment and even of being abused and taken advantage of. It may even be a life of harassment, mockery, tribulation and persecution. One may therefore wonder if there are true advantages to Christian life but here is the whole difference: the troubles of the righteous try them to make them better and stronger; the trouble of the wicked contributes to his inevitable death.
What a fearful thing it must be to be hated by the soul of God; t is difficult to even comprehend. Yet even hatred is better than total rejection, total death, and disannulment. Those who love violence and who cannot find any other ways than violence to resolve their issues need to ponder on this statement made by a man of war.
Oh Lord, help us to look at the unpleasant events in our life as the trying our soul and spirit by your Spirit. Help us to realize that in our case, these unpleasant events are not for our destruction but to make us the instrument of peace that you need to fill this world with for your righteousness as the waters cover the sea.
Help us to know that you do not throw un the water to drown us,but to teach us to swim
Proverbs 3:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
THE VOICE INSIDE
October 21THE VOICE INSIDE
Psalms 11:4 The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try the children of men.We can imagine the conviction that will fall upon each on of us when He appear before Lord on His throne in heaven at the end of days. We will feel His "eyelids try" us as He’ll looks at us with loving reproach towards the wrong and hurtful things we did or said when in our mortal state. Even though we sometimes knew better.The prophet Zechariah tells us about God’s seven eyes which run to and fro through the whole earth (Zechariah 4:10). The apostle Paul teaches us that our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 6:19). The Lord does not watch us from heaven on His throne, looking at us from afar; in the case of His children who are saved, God watches from inside of us, from His temple, in the heart of our souls, of our body!Lord, help us to feel Your presence in the heart of our body and soul just as if we were standing in front of you in the throne room. Help us to feel the trying ofyour eyelids, reproving the excuses that we so easily make for our failings. Help us not to sear the voice of the conscience that you have put inside of us, and clearly feel the pricks of Your Spirit (Acts 9:5). In Jesus’ name!Proverbs15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding theevil and the good.
Psalms 11:4 The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try the children of men.We can imagine the conviction that will fall upon each on of us when He appear before Lord on His throne in heaven at the end of days. We will feel His "eyelids try" us as He’ll looks at us with loving reproach towards the wrong and hurtful things we did or said when in our mortal state. Even though we sometimes knew better.The prophet Zechariah tells us about God’s seven eyes which run to and fro through the whole earth (Zechariah 4:10). The apostle Paul teaches us that our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 6:19). The Lord does not watch us from heaven on His throne, looking at us from afar; in the case of His children who are saved, God watches from inside of us, from His temple, in the heart of our souls, of our body!Lord, help us to feel Your presence in the heart of our body and soul just as if we were standing in front of you in the throne room. Help us to feel the trying ofyour eyelids, reproving the excuses that we so easily make for our failings. Help us not to sear the voice of the conscience that you have put inside of us, and clearly feel the pricks of Your Spirit (Acts 9:5). In Jesus’ name!Proverbs15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding theevil and the good.
Friday, October 20, 2006
THE ROOTS OF OUR FAITH
October 20
THE ROOTS OF OUR FAITH
Psalms 11:2,3 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
Imagine poisoning the roots of a tree. The tree will still stand there as pretty as it used to be and no one would know the difference, until after some months, or even years the tree stops bearing fruit, its branches become dry and brittle and eventually, the smallest storm brings it down.
If the foundation of our faith were destroyed; if the roots that hold our faith firm were to lose their true values and were not able to bring nutrients to the tree to strengthen it it, the branches would become sterile. They would be too weak; they would be starving and unable to bear any fruit. The tree then would not be able to propagate itself. Its existence would become useless, and even dangerous. It would eventually dies and rot.
Is it then not surprising that the enemy of our soul would aim his arrows straight at the foundation of our faith, at the very beliefs that hold it strong--our faith in God’s Words?
Satan has been at it since the Garden of Eden when he questioned Eve, hath God said. . . .? (Genesis 3;1)His techniques have not changed.
Lord, please help us to not let any man, no, not even an angel ever persuade us to doubt your precious Words. In Jesus, Name!
Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
THE ROOTS OF OUR FAITH
Psalms 11:2,3 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
Imagine poisoning the roots of a tree. The tree will still stand there as pretty as it used to be and no one would know the difference, until after some months, or even years the tree stops bearing fruit, its branches become dry and brittle and eventually, the smallest storm brings it down.
If the foundation of our faith were destroyed; if the roots that hold our faith firm were to lose their true values and were not able to bring nutrients to the tree to strengthen it it, the branches would become sterile. They would be too weak; they would be starving and unable to bear any fruit. The tree then would not be able to propagate itself. Its existence would become useless, and even dangerous. It would eventually dies and rot.
Is it then not surprising that the enemy of our soul would aim his arrows straight at the foundation of our faith, at the very beliefs that hold it strong--our faith in God’s Words?
Satan has been at it since the Garden of Eden when he questioned Eve, hath God said. . . .? (Genesis 3;1)His techniques have not changed.
Lord, please help us to not let any man, no, not even an angel ever persuade us to doubt your precious Words. In Jesus, Name!
Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
FLEE TO HIM
October 19
FLEE TO HIM
Psalms 11:1 In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
Jesus commented and said that the children of the world are wiser than the children of light (Luke 16:8). Have you ever heard some unbeliever say that faith is for the weak and the dependant? If they only knew! In the sight of the world, people who are dependant, insufficient in themselves, can look like weaklings, easy to take advantage of and overcome—‘easy targets’ they say.
People of faith can sometimes seem like easy preys. They can be like a little frightened bird, “Go; go to your mountain” The big bullies tells him. “We’ll give you a sporting chance to escape, but get out of our sight before we devour you!” Little do these bullies know that back at his mountain homeland, the frightened bird has a concerned Father who knows of every fallen sparrow and who dresses every blade of grass (Luke 12:6; Matthew 6:30). He is there waiting to come to the defense of the weak, and to unleash His wrath against the insolents who have dared to touch one of His protégés.
So flee little bird yea, flee to your mountain; do as they say. Because you have put your trust in the Lord and whereas they may think they take advantage of you, your Father will bless your trust and be your everlasting protection. When He comes to your rescue and they feel His wrath, they will be alone; they do not have a loving father to help them.
Psalms 91:1-4 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
FLEE TO HIM
Psalms 11:1 In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
Jesus commented and said that the children of the world are wiser than the children of light (Luke 16:8). Have you ever heard some unbeliever say that faith is for the weak and the dependant? If they only knew! In the sight of the world, people who are dependant, insufficient in themselves, can look like weaklings, easy to take advantage of and overcome—‘easy targets’ they say.
People of faith can sometimes seem like easy preys. They can be like a little frightened bird, “Go; go to your mountain” The big bullies tells him. “We’ll give you a sporting chance to escape, but get out of our sight before we devour you!” Little do these bullies know that back at his mountain homeland, the frightened bird has a concerned Father who knows of every fallen sparrow and who dresses every blade of grass (Luke 12:6; Matthew 6:30). He is there waiting to come to the defense of the weak, and to unleash His wrath against the insolents who have dared to touch one of His protégés.
So flee little bird yea, flee to your mountain; do as they say. Because you have put your trust in the Lord and whereas they may think they take advantage of you, your Father will bless your trust and be your everlasting protection. When He comes to your rescue and they feel His wrath, they will be alone; they do not have a loving father to help them.
Psalms 91:1-4 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
FAVORS FROM OUR FAVORITE
October 18
FAVORS FROM OUR FAVORITE
Psalms 5:12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
In the book of Job, Satan challenges God about Job’s virtuous life and says, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. (Job 1:9,10)
If God could only open our eyes, we would see how much He looks after us, we would realize the full spectrum of his protection. The shield that He protects us with is His favor, as though we are His favorites; God does have favorites. He is automatically closer to those who abide close to Him. If we give Him the honor of being the ‘favorite’ of our hearts, then we also are His ‘favorite’, protected by His favors.
Before asking God for the benefits of His favor, let’s ask ourselves: Is God my favorite? Is He my favorite hobby, pastime, counselor, presence, and friend?
As a reflection on 9-11, Ann Graham, the daughter of the famous evangelist by the same last name gave an answer the question, How could God let something like this happen? She said, I believe that God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman that He is, I believe that He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand that He leave us alone?
Looking at all the areas in our lives where we wish that God would somehow intervene, let us check to if perhaps He is perhaps not there because we either have not invited Him, or have even escorted Him out of the issue. How can we then expect His favors?
Psalms 24:3-5 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
FAVORS FROM OUR FAVORITE
Psalms 5:12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
In the book of Job, Satan challenges God about Job’s virtuous life and says, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. (Job 1:9,10)
If God could only open our eyes, we would see how much He looks after us, we would realize the full spectrum of his protection. The shield that He protects us with is His favor, as though we are His favorites; God does have favorites. He is automatically closer to those who abide close to Him. If we give Him the honor of being the ‘favorite’ of our hearts, then we also are His ‘favorite’, protected by His favors.
Before asking God for the benefits of His favor, let’s ask ourselves: Is God my favorite? Is He my favorite hobby, pastime, counselor, presence, and friend?
As a reflection on 9-11, Ann Graham, the daughter of the famous evangelist by the same last name gave an answer the question, How could God let something like this happen? She said, I believe that God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman that He is, I believe that He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand that He leave us alone?
Looking at all the areas in our lives where we wish that God would somehow intervene, let us check to if perhaps He is perhaps not there because we either have not invited Him, or have even escorted Him out of the issue. How can we then expect His favors?
Psalms 24:3-5 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
PURE JOY FROM THE HEART
October 17
PURE JOY FROM THE HEART
Psalms 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
Joy--joy from the Spirit—is the trademark of Christian faith. The child of God who truly puts his trust in his God rejoices because he has the assurance that God has answered his prayers even if he doesn’t presently see it. The Child of God doesn’t ‘hope’, he doesn’t ‘wish’ that his Heavenly Father will answer his prayers, he simply knows. He knows because faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) The Greek word used for “substance” in this text is “huposthasis”, meaning the “title-deed”. So the verse could also be translated as: “faith is the ‘title-deed’ of things hope for”. He know that he owns the answer to his prayers just because it is written on a piece of paper called a ‘contract’, in this case, the Bible.
Each child of God has this biblical contract with God signed in the blood of Jesus-Christ. The promises in His Word are the terms and they cannot be broken (John 10:35b). We have His assurance of supply (Philippians 4:19), of protection (Psalms 91:1), and of His love (Hebrews 13:5b).
Lord, open our eyes that we may see and behold that they that are with us are more than they that are against us (2 Kings 6:15-17). Help us to throw ourselves completely at your feet in the total trust and confidence that, not only you will take care of us and defend us, but that you are already doing it. Help our countenance to reflect this inner peace, help our spirits to emanate the joy of this confidence and trust in you--that all those we meet may know that you are our Lord, our God, our Savior and our Defender!
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
PURE JOY FROM THE HEART
Psalms 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
Joy--joy from the Spirit—is the trademark of Christian faith. The child of God who truly puts his trust in his God rejoices because he has the assurance that God has answered his prayers even if he doesn’t presently see it. The Child of God doesn’t ‘hope’, he doesn’t ‘wish’ that his Heavenly Father will answer his prayers, he simply knows. He knows because faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) The Greek word used for “substance” in this text is “huposthasis”, meaning the “title-deed”. So the verse could also be translated as: “faith is the ‘title-deed’ of things hope for”. He know that he owns the answer to his prayers just because it is written on a piece of paper called a ‘contract’, in this case, the Bible.
Each child of God has this biblical contract with God signed in the blood of Jesus-Christ. The promises in His Word are the terms and they cannot be broken (John 10:35b). We have His assurance of supply (Philippians 4:19), of protection (Psalms 91:1), and of His love (Hebrews 13:5b).
Lord, open our eyes that we may see and behold that they that are with us are more than they that are against us (2 Kings 6:15-17). Help us to throw ourselves completely at your feet in the total trust and confidence that, not only you will take care of us and defend us, but that you are already doing it. Help our countenance to reflect this inner peace, help our spirits to emanate the joy of this confidence and trust in you--that all those we meet may know that you are our Lord, our God, our Savior and our Defender!
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Monday, October 16, 2006
STAND
October 16
STAND
Psalms 5:10 Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.
God’s people don’t have to worry about anything, especially about their enemies. They have the assurance that the very counsel of those who would want to hurt them will swallow their perpetrators. The only time when this does not happen is when God gives permission for his children to be hurt. At such times, God even uses their enemies as a form of chastisement for His children’s disobediences and evil deeds. At such times, God fights against them, very often by using their opponents.
If our heart is right; if we obey His commandments; if we live the way we know God wants us to; if we stay within the parameters of the pavilion of His protection; we don’t have to worry about the ungodly and the wicked. We don’t have to fret about the demise of the devil; his fall has been predicted from the Garden of Eden, and we can live with the assurance that we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).
Lies, deceit, rebellion and transgressions cannot stand before God. Anyone who practices them seals his own fate. We don’t have to fight them, all we have to do is stand, stand unmovable and unshakable against them. This is the picture of the true soldier of the cross, adamantly standing in defiance against the influences of the enemy’s world. He doesn’t bufge an inch from his position; he knows his God has drown His sword of justice and has already destroyed the enemy of his soul
Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
STAND
Psalms 5:10 Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.
God’s people don’t have to worry about anything, especially about their enemies. They have the assurance that the very counsel of those who would want to hurt them will swallow their perpetrators. The only time when this does not happen is when God gives permission for his children to be hurt. At such times, God even uses their enemies as a form of chastisement for His children’s disobediences and evil deeds. At such times, God fights against them, very often by using their opponents.
If our heart is right; if we obey His commandments; if we live the way we know God wants us to; if we stay within the parameters of the pavilion of His protection; we don’t have to worry about the ungodly and the wicked. We don’t have to fret about the demise of the devil; his fall has been predicted from the Garden of Eden, and we can live with the assurance that we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).
Lies, deceit, rebellion and transgressions cannot stand before God. Anyone who practices them seals his own fate. We don’t have to fight them, all we have to do is stand, stand unmovable and unshakable against them. This is the picture of the true soldier of the cross, adamantly standing in defiance against the influences of the enemy’s world. He doesn’t bufge an inch from his position; he knows his God has drown His sword of justice and has already destroyed the enemy of his soul
Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
LET'S SEE GOD
October 15
LET’S SEE GOD
Psalms 5:9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulcher; they flatter with their tongue.
What a feeling of utter disgust with the accepted things of his generation David had. David abhorred unfaithfulness to God’s spirit in one’s speech, wickedness” of heart (the definition of ‘wicked’ is ‘twisted’, as a ‘wick’ is twisted); lying flatteries.
In our present world, success in the areas of entertainment, politics and commerce is based on the ability to present a spirit of rebellion against God’s ways, to speak words of hellish deception in order to flatter mankind, and lead him in the traps of the devil’s evil devices.
If we want to be filled with the spirit of the Lord, we need to empty ourselves of the devil’s data first. To do so, we need to develop a holy repugnance for what is not godly. We need to honestly ask ourselves: Do I, like the author of this sentence, feel utterly disgusted with the ideas of unfaithfulness, wickedness, lies and deceit? Do I allow my heart, mind and spirit to be day in and day out filled with things that are opposite to the spirit of God?
Let us carefully and honestly evaluate the content of what we see and hear; of what we feed our hearts and the hearts of our young ones. Let us screen it by the standard of the spirit of God. Let us also ask God to give us a holy repugnance against ungodly things. Let us keep our hearts pure and then, when the devil smokescreen of deception will be lifted, . . . we will see God.
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
LET’S SEE GOD
Psalms 5:9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulcher; they flatter with their tongue.
What a feeling of utter disgust with the accepted things of his generation David had. David abhorred unfaithfulness to God’s spirit in one’s speech, wickedness” of heart (the definition of ‘wicked’ is ‘twisted’, as a ‘wick’ is twisted); lying flatteries.
In our present world, success in the areas of entertainment, politics and commerce is based on the ability to present a spirit of rebellion against God’s ways, to speak words of hellish deception in order to flatter mankind, and lead him in the traps of the devil’s evil devices.
If we want to be filled with the spirit of the Lord, we need to empty ourselves of the devil’s data first. To do so, we need to develop a holy repugnance for what is not godly. We need to honestly ask ourselves: Do I, like the author of this sentence, feel utterly disgusted with the ideas of unfaithfulness, wickedness, lies and deceit? Do I allow my heart, mind and spirit to be day in and day out filled with things that are opposite to the spirit of God?
Let us carefully and honestly evaluate the content of what we see and hear; of what we feed our hearts and the hearts of our young ones. Let us screen it by the standard of the spirit of God. Let us also ask God to give us a holy repugnance against ungodly things. Let us keep our hearts pure and then, when the devil smokescreen of deception will be lifted, . . . we will see God.
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
JESUS, OUR JUSTICE
October 14
JESUS, OUR JUSTICE
Psalms 5:8 Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.
Do you have enemies? Have people hurt you and caused you rancor? Is there bitterness in your heart because of unjustly received evil?
Let us not seek revenge. Let us not attempt to straighten our own righteous cause. The Lord is the ”lifter-upper” of the righteous. He is the one who vindicates and fills all those who seek and hunger after His righteousness (Matthew 5:6). We only need to ask Him to lead us to stay in His way in spite of all that would try to trip us off. To stay in His way is our greatest vindication. When unjustly buffeted, let us ask the Lord to show to not be perverted by the desire to return evil for evil.
This desire to exact vengeance is where the devil, who is the enemy of all virtue, wants us. He knows that there is no end to the vicious cycle of vengeance and retribution for evil between men. He also uses these injustices to get us to be led by self-righteous emotions. He knows that he is the one who rules us whenever we are led by our own emotions instead of by the Lord’s spirit. The only way the devil gives up, is if we don’t give in.
Let us pray to the Lord, and He will help us be perfect, as His Father in Heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:38-48).
1 Corinthians 6:7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
JESUS, OUR JUSTICE
Psalms 5:8 Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.
Do you have enemies? Have people hurt you and caused you rancor? Is there bitterness in your heart because of unjustly received evil?
Let us not seek revenge. Let us not attempt to straighten our own righteous cause. The Lord is the ”lifter-upper” of the righteous. He is the one who vindicates and fills all those who seek and hunger after His righteousness (Matthew 5:6). We only need to ask Him to lead us to stay in His way in spite of all that would try to trip us off. To stay in His way is our greatest vindication. When unjustly buffeted, let us ask the Lord to show to not be perverted by the desire to return evil for evil.
This desire to exact vengeance is where the devil, who is the enemy of all virtue, wants us. He knows that there is no end to the vicious cycle of vengeance and retribution for evil between men. He also uses these injustices to get us to be led by self-righteous emotions. He knows that he is the one who rules us whenever we are led by our own emotions instead of by the Lord’s spirit. The only way the devil gives up, is if we don’t give in.
Let us pray to the Lord, and He will help us be perfect, as His Father in Heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:38-48).
1 Corinthians 6:7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
Friday, October 13, 2006
ONE HEARTBEAT AWAY
October 13
ONE HEARTBEAT AWAY
Psalms 5:7 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
Hear the cry of a king who has been harshly humiliated in front of friend and foe. Hear the assurance of one who, when everything including his own self has failed, has so much trust in the multitudes of the mercy) of his God.
(Mercy: Undeserved forgiveness).
So many of us live a constant life of misery while all the time, God waits with patient and moist eyes for the slightest inclination of our cry to Him for help. What a mistake we make when we measure the mercy and grace of God by our poor failing and selfish standards of love. In doing so, we become as the prodigal son, but we are afraid to come home; we separate ourselves from His forgiveness and grace.
Heaven can seem so far away to those who don’t know how to find God’s grace, and yet, God cries daily for everyone to find it. If they would only for a moment unite their heart with Him, they would find that, just as two heart cells pulsate in unison when put together, Heaven is just one heartbeat away.
Oh, that we would learn to make a temple of our heart to house the love and the multitudes of the mercies of the Almighty God. Oh, that our hearts would shine so with His love that the world would see it and give Him glory; His righteousness would begin to cover the earth as the waters cover the seas.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
ONE HEARTBEAT AWAY
Psalms 5:7 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
Hear the cry of a king who has been harshly humiliated in front of friend and foe. Hear the assurance of one who, when everything including his own self has failed, has so much trust in the multitudes of the mercy) of his God.
(Mercy: Undeserved forgiveness).
So many of us live a constant life of misery while all the time, God waits with patient and moist eyes for the slightest inclination of our cry to Him for help. What a mistake we make when we measure the mercy and grace of God by our poor failing and selfish standards of love. In doing so, we become as the prodigal son, but we are afraid to come home; we separate ourselves from His forgiveness and grace.
Heaven can seem so far away to those who don’t know how to find God’s grace, and yet, God cries daily for everyone to find it. If they would only for a moment unite their heart with Him, they would find that, just as two heart cells pulsate in unison when put together, Heaven is just one heartbeat away.
Oh, that we would learn to make a temple of our heart to house the love and the multitudes of the mercies of the Almighty God. Oh, that our hearts would shine so with His love that the world would see it and give Him glory; His righteousness would begin to cover the earth as the waters cover the seas.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
MAY JESUS PREVAIL IN ME
October 10
MAY JESUS PREVAIL IN ME
Psalms 5:4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
In the Gospels, Satan reminds Jesus (as if He’d forgotten) that the world had been given to him (Luke 4:6). Today, we don’t need to be reminded of this. All we have to do is look around us, watch the nightly news, and read the newspaper. It is easy to see what powers dominates lifestyles, politics and economics. In light of such, it is a great comfort for us to know that our God has no pleasure in the wickedness that pervades our times. What security we have in the knowledge that whatever devilish powers raises to show its ugly head, whether in the world of politics or in our personal lives, God will not tolerate it.
For those prone to disobedience, for those taking pleasure in the purposes of Satan, the enemy of God, this Scripture serves as a dreadful reminder of future judgment. For the obedient, there is no fear to be had, only the warm fuzzy feeling that he is in God’s care, and that He will not allow wickedness to prevail over him.
Lord, I know that one of these days, in your appointed time and season, in the day that you have set aside for the purging of the our hearts and of the whole earth, every purpose and every tool that does not come from you will be eliminated and vanish away. All swords will be turned into plowshares; instrument of illusions and vanity will be destroyed. Most of all, Satan will be stripped of his power to kill. Help me, your child, not to dishonor you by taking pleasure in the wickedness around us, or allow it to dwell with us.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
MAY JESUS PREVAIL IN ME
Psalms 5:4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
In the Gospels, Satan reminds Jesus (as if He’d forgotten) that the world had been given to him (Luke 4:6). Today, we don’t need to be reminded of this. All we have to do is look around us, watch the nightly news, and read the newspaper. It is easy to see what powers dominates lifestyles, politics and economics. In light of such, it is a great comfort for us to know that our God has no pleasure in the wickedness that pervades our times. What security we have in the knowledge that whatever devilish powers raises to show its ugly head, whether in the world of politics or in our personal lives, God will not tolerate it.
For those prone to disobedience, for those taking pleasure in the purposes of Satan, the enemy of God, this Scripture serves as a dreadful reminder of future judgment. For the obedient, there is no fear to be had, only the warm fuzzy feeling that he is in God’s care, and that He will not allow wickedness to prevail over him.
Lord, I know that one of these days, in your appointed time and season, in the day that you have set aside for the purging of the our hearts and of the whole earth, every purpose and every tool that does not come from you will be eliminated and vanish away. All swords will be turned into plowshares; instrument of illusions and vanity will be destroyed. Most of all, Satan will be stripped of his power to kill. Help me, your child, not to dishonor you by taking pleasure in the wickedness around us, or allow it to dwell with us.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
IT'S HIS FIGHT
October 12
IT’S HIS FIGHT
Psalms 5:6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.
Here is the cry of a man who has put the total sum of his trust in the Lord. This is a man who doesn’t try to exert vengeance. He does not yield to the temptation to himself vindicate his own cause.
This is the beauty of being certain of the righteousness of your cause; of knowing that you arte with God and that God is with you. You do not have to justify yourself; you do not even have to argue with the adversary. Any time the righteous and his cause are attacked, the avenging battle belongs to the Lord, and to Him only (Isaiah 63:4).
In all of our battles for Him, let us have the assurance that God is the One who upholds our cause; that He Himself will show His power against those who malign His children. Let us not be guilty of the sins of leasing and bloodshed practiced by the enemies of righteousness. In the time of trouble, let us find refuge in God and in the surety that He repays
Exodus 14:14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
King James dictionary”LEASING”: Falsehood; lies; obsolete or nearly so.
IT’S HIS FIGHT
Psalms 5:6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.
Here is the cry of a man who has put the total sum of his trust in the Lord. This is a man who doesn’t try to exert vengeance. He does not yield to the temptation to himself vindicate his own cause.
This is the beauty of being certain of the righteousness of your cause; of knowing that you arte with God and that God is with you. You do not have to justify yourself; you do not even have to argue with the adversary. Any time the righteous and his cause are attacked, the avenging battle belongs to the Lord, and to Him only (Isaiah 63:4).
In all of our battles for Him, let us have the assurance that God is the One who upholds our cause; that He Himself will show His power against those who malign His children. Let us not be guilty of the sins of leasing and bloodshed practiced by the enemies of righteousness. In the time of trouble, let us find refuge in God and in the surety that He repays
Exodus 14:14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
King James dictionary”LEASING”: Falsehood; lies; obsolete or nearly so.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
LET'S STRAIGHTEN OUR PATHS
October 11
LET’S STRAIGHTEN OUR PATHS
Psalms 5:5 The* foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
This prophetic statement is one of the building blocks of our faith. No matter what foolish puny man invents, no matter what he does or says in order to justify his actions, we have the assurance that at the ‘grand finale’, in the day when God will be ready to shake the earth and withdraw the ‘accounts’, none of his card castles will stand, his digital illusions of truth will vanish.
The world is given a little time more before the day of the great judgment when everyone’s work is put to the great test. We know that on that great day, the darkness of foolish, unrepentant and arrogant hearts will not be able to stand before the brightness of the Spirit of God.
The statement above stands today like John the Baptist by the waters of Jordan as a warning to check our hearts, to make straight our paths. We need to rid ourselves of froth, vanity, pride, unyieldedness, arrogance and of the time-wasters in our lives, so that when He comes, he finds us doing the work of the Father, and He can . . .say…
Matthew 25:34-35 . . . Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
*Foolish:KJV: Void of understanding or sound judgment; weak in intellect; applied to general character, uwise; imprudent; acting without judgment or discretion in particular things, proceeding from folly, or marked with folly; silly; vain; trifling.
LET’S STRAIGHTEN OUR PATHS
Psalms 5:5 The* foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
This prophetic statement is one of the building blocks of our faith. No matter what foolish puny man invents, no matter what he does or says in order to justify his actions, we have the assurance that at the ‘grand finale’, in the day when God will be ready to shake the earth and withdraw the ‘accounts’, none of his card castles will stand, his digital illusions of truth will vanish.
The world is given a little time more before the day of the great judgment when everyone’s work is put to the great test. We know that on that great day, the darkness of foolish, unrepentant and arrogant hearts will not be able to stand before the brightness of the Spirit of God.
The statement above stands today like John the Baptist by the waters of Jordan as a warning to check our hearts, to make straight our paths. We need to rid ourselves of froth, vanity, pride, unyieldedness, arrogance and of the time-wasters in our lives, so that when He comes, he finds us doing the work of the Father, and He can . . .say…
Matthew 25:34-35 . . . Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
*Foolish:KJV: Void of understanding or sound judgment; weak in intellect; applied to general character, uwise; imprudent; acting without judgment or discretion in particular things, proceeding from folly, or marked with folly; silly; vain; trifling.
Monday, October 09, 2006
TRUST GOD'S 'MAN'
October 9
TRUST GOD’S 'MAN'
Psalms 5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
The Lord is always there for us, waiting to help us. He waits for us to make the connection; He waits for us to call ‘home’ for help.
Should He have to wait till the day is done, till the time our ships come home with broken sails for us to come to Him so He can sooth our souls? Should we wait till we have tried all our keys, failed to find solutions, and our frustrated hearts and minds desperately want to know what went wrong?
Why should the Lord be expected to be the ‘repairman’ of our lives, when He should be the ‘Chief Executive’? Our Lord should be the ‘Jacob’ and the ’Joseph’ on whom Laban and Potiphar leaned. Everything in their hands, every dream of their heart came to fruition and prospered when they trusted God through his ‘man’. These secular rulers, though they didn’t know the Lord, recognized His power through his people, through his ‘agent’. Why don’t we recognize as much? Why do we carry the burden? Why do we insist on directing our own steps, when we have the Lord, God’s ‘man’, God’s ‘agent’ in our lives who eagerly waits to help show us the way throughout the day?
Let us make you Lord, the Creator of the universe, of our hearts, minds and souls, be the focus of our attention when we wake up in the morning. Let us receive our first instructions from you. Let us ‘direct’ our prayer to you; look up ’to you from the time we awake.
Jeremiah 10:23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
TRUST GOD’S 'MAN'
Psalms 5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
The Lord is always there for us, waiting to help us. He waits for us to make the connection; He waits for us to call ‘home’ for help.
Should He have to wait till the day is done, till the time our ships come home with broken sails for us to come to Him so He can sooth our souls? Should we wait till we have tried all our keys, failed to find solutions, and our frustrated hearts and minds desperately want to know what went wrong?
Why should the Lord be expected to be the ‘repairman’ of our lives, when He should be the ‘Chief Executive’? Our Lord should be the ‘Jacob’ and the ’Joseph’ on whom Laban and Potiphar leaned. Everything in their hands, every dream of their heart came to fruition and prospered when they trusted God through his ‘man’. These secular rulers, though they didn’t know the Lord, recognized His power through his people, through his ‘agent’. Why don’t we recognize as much? Why do we carry the burden? Why do we insist on directing our own steps, when we have the Lord, God’s ‘man’, God’s ‘agent’ in our lives who eagerly waits to help show us the way throughout the day?
Let us make you Lord, the Creator of the universe, of our hearts, minds and souls, be the focus of our attention when we wake up in the morning. Let us receive our first instructions from you. Let us ‘direct’ our prayer to you; look up ’to you from the time we awake.
Jeremiah 10:23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
MAKE HIM YOUR FIRST HELP
October 8
MAKE HIM YOUR FIRST CALL
Psalms 5:2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.
We live in a time when we are at a loss jut simply raising a family, keeping a marriage, making enough money, or staying minimally healthy. Smart merchants market and peddle ‘helps’ of all sorts in a supermarket fashion. So when faced with trouble, we have to make a conscious effort to not turn to these tempting self ‘helps’ schemes, but rather to say unto thee will I pray.
The Lord constantly rebuked Israel for leaning on the arm of the ‘flesh’—Egypt--for its protection. God was not enough for them. When things went wrong, they would pray to idols for their care and sustenance. Eventually. it wasn’t enough for them to be regimented and sustained by the Lord alone through His judges. They wanted a king--a physical, visible and tangible person to rely on, and mostly to blame when things went wrong. They did not want to be solely dependant on God.
Today, it is an act of great faith to make the Lord our first call when in need; to put aside all the “self-help” books and videos, the teachings of specialized ‘help’ gurus that vie to help us fight against the ailments that plague us today. Addiction, depression, financial instability, psychological and physical disorders, problems with our marriage, problems with our children; the list goes on and on.
It is not that we can’t gain some helpful information from these other sources, but shouldn’t we as Christians give the Lord our first place?
When we ask the Lord first, not only does He help us, but He shows us what we may have done wrong, where we may have disobeyed His Word, either in thought or action. We understand how we got into such a mess by leaning on our own arm of flesh, by putting our trust in man, and we learn to amend our ways.
Lord, help us. Teach us; train us to make you our first call for help in our day of trouble. Give us receptive hearts so that we can learn to amend our ways and live closer to your will and your Word.
Jeremiah 17:5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
MAKE HIM YOUR FIRST CALL
Psalms 5:2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.
We live in a time when we are at a loss jut simply raising a family, keeping a marriage, making enough money, or staying minimally healthy. Smart merchants market and peddle ‘helps’ of all sorts in a supermarket fashion. So when faced with trouble, we have to make a conscious effort to not turn to these tempting self ‘helps’ schemes, but rather to say unto thee will I pray.
The Lord constantly rebuked Israel for leaning on the arm of the ‘flesh’—Egypt--for its protection. God was not enough for them. When things went wrong, they would pray to idols for their care and sustenance. Eventually. it wasn’t enough for them to be regimented and sustained by the Lord alone through His judges. They wanted a king--a physical, visible and tangible person to rely on, and mostly to blame when things went wrong. They did not want to be solely dependant on God.
Today, it is an act of great faith to make the Lord our first call when in need; to put aside all the “self-help” books and videos, the teachings of specialized ‘help’ gurus that vie to help us fight against the ailments that plague us today. Addiction, depression, financial instability, psychological and physical disorders, problems with our marriage, problems with our children; the list goes on and on.
It is not that we can’t gain some helpful information from these other sources, but shouldn’t we as Christians give the Lord our first place?
When we ask the Lord first, not only does He help us, but He shows us what we may have done wrong, where we may have disobeyed His Word, either in thought or action. We understand how we got into such a mess by leaning on our own arm of flesh, by putting our trust in man, and we learn to amend our ways.
Lord, help us. Teach us; train us to make you our first call for help in our day of trouble. Give us receptive hearts so that we can learn to amend our ways and live closer to your will and your Word.
Jeremiah 17:5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
BOLD CONFIDENCE
October 7
BOLD CONFIDENCE
Psalms 5:1 Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.
When the Lord encouraged the prophet Isaiah to be bold in prayer he was told, . . . . . concerning the work of my hands command ye me (Isaiah 45:11).
The God that created the universe and everything therein has put himself at the command of mortal men and women. He is flattered when we request His attention. Don’t we like it when our children want and enjoy our company, when we feel that we are their closest friends and that they are not fearful to confide in us? But a child only acts that way when he knows in his heart that when he shares his most private emotions and feelings, there is a sensitive soul at the other end who will handle his heart with care.
In his hour of trial the psalmist has this confidence in the God who created Him. David has the utter confidence that God will ‘lend him His ears’; that He will be a faithful, diligent and sensitive handler of his deepest heart cry.
None of us who own the atoning blood of Christ should fear to enter in the temple of His presence. Whatever the fear, the doubt, the sorrow, the pain, the frustration, the emotion, He will handle our heart with the care, sensitivity, love and warmth of a mother with her newborn child.
How many of us pray, Our Father . . . but then, by failing to go to Him in our time of need, act as if we were orphans?
Lord, help us to believe your love, care, concern and dedication for us. Help us to remember your own Words of challenge and apply them to you, But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel 1Ti 5:8. Lord, you are not an infidel, so we know that you will care for us.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
BOLD CONFIDENCE
Psalms 5:1 Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.
When the Lord encouraged the prophet Isaiah to be bold in prayer he was told, . . . . . concerning the work of my hands command ye me (Isaiah 45:11).
The God that created the universe and everything therein has put himself at the command of mortal men and women. He is flattered when we request His attention. Don’t we like it when our children want and enjoy our company, when we feel that we are their closest friends and that they are not fearful to confide in us? But a child only acts that way when he knows in his heart that when he shares his most private emotions and feelings, there is a sensitive soul at the other end who will handle his heart with care.
In his hour of trial the psalmist has this confidence in the God who created Him. David has the utter confidence that God will ‘lend him His ears’; that He will be a faithful, diligent and sensitive handler of his deepest heart cry.
None of us who own the atoning blood of Christ should fear to enter in the temple of His presence. Whatever the fear, the doubt, the sorrow, the pain, the frustration, the emotion, He will handle our heart with the care, sensitivity, love and warmth of a mother with her newborn child.
How many of us pray, Our Father . . . but then, by failing to go to Him in our time of need, act as if we were orphans?
Lord, help us to believe your love, care, concern and dedication for us. Help us to remember your own Words of challenge and apply them to you, But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel 1Ti 5:8. Lord, you are not an infidel, so we know that you will care for us.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Friday, October 06, 2006
PEACE IN THE MIDST OF TRIBULATION
October 5
PEACE IN THE MIDST OF TRIBULATION
Psalms 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
Oh, it is so easy to be tranquil and at peace when life flows like soft sweet song; but should this peace wane at the mounting staccatos that life offers?
Let us not forget the context of this statement. David was leaving Jerusalem in disgrace, fleeing the mutiny mounted by his own son Absalom. David also knew that this misfortune was a result of his sinful actions. He realized that as a king, as a reference point to his people, he needed to be punished for his actions.
We are supposed keep our focus on the Lord to at all times. When a woman is in labor of natural childbirth, she is doing the hardest work she’ll ever do. To concentrate her attention on a pleasant picture or photo, helps her focus on her breathing techniques. As a church in labor of the new millennial world, doing the hardest work we’ll ever do, it is most important that during the intense pains of labor, we make Jesus our focal point. What a wonderful illustration of the Church, the bride of Christ, focusing on her Lord in her time of tribulation. Only then can she can have inner peace and comforting faith in the midst of the hard labor of life that bring forth life.
May we all, in our the times of life-giving hard labor, focus on the Promises the Lord gave us in His Word, that we also, like King David, may both lay ourselves down in peace and sleep.
2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature…
PEACE IN THE MIDST OF TRIBULATION
Psalms 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
Oh, it is so easy to be tranquil and at peace when life flows like soft sweet song; but should this peace wane at the mounting staccatos that life offers?
Let us not forget the context of this statement. David was leaving Jerusalem in disgrace, fleeing the mutiny mounted by his own son Absalom. David also knew that this misfortune was a result of his sinful actions. He realized that as a king, as a reference point to his people, he needed to be punished for his actions.
We are supposed keep our focus on the Lord to at all times. When a woman is in labor of natural childbirth, she is doing the hardest work she’ll ever do. To concentrate her attention on a pleasant picture or photo, helps her focus on her breathing techniques. As a church in labor of the new millennial world, doing the hardest work we’ll ever do, it is most important that during the intense pains of labor, we make Jesus our focal point. What a wonderful illustration of the Church, the bride of Christ, focusing on her Lord in her time of tribulation. Only then can she can have inner peace and comforting faith in the midst of the hard labor of life that bring forth life.
May we all, in our the times of life-giving hard labor, focus on the Promises the Lord gave us in His Word, that we also, like King David, may both lay ourselves down in peace and sleep.
2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature…
Thursday, October 05, 2006
OH, FOR PURE HAPPINESS FROM GOD
October 5
Psalms 4:7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
God’s blessing of happiness is not measured in dollars and cents. Riches do make themselves wings (Proverbs 23:5). The truly happy individual is one who has learned to love, cherish and value the blessings that come of the heart; the spiritual blessings that no robber can steal and no rust can corrupt. In that sole ability lies the virtue of pure unadulterated happiness, of a joy that can never be altered by silver or gold.
Oh, to know the joy of the Lord. To know the joy that makes the rejoicings of the world a mournful dirge; the feasting that transforms their wealth into a famine; the brightness that makes their freedom an illusion. Only the pure and regenerated in heart can ever see and experience these blessings from the Lord (Matthew 5:8).
Jesus; please clean our hearts from the world’s delusions. Help us not to settle for the cyber-virtual happiness of the world. Help us know the experience of your love that is true; the pure and undefiled gladness of your spirit in your heart.
Psalms 119:72 The law of Thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
Psalms 4:7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
God’s blessing of happiness is not measured in dollars and cents. Riches do make themselves wings (Proverbs 23:5). The truly happy individual is one who has learned to love, cherish and value the blessings that come of the heart; the spiritual blessings that no robber can steal and no rust can corrupt. In that sole ability lies the virtue of pure unadulterated happiness, of a joy that can never be altered by silver or gold.
Oh, to know the joy of the Lord. To know the joy that makes the rejoicings of the world a mournful dirge; the feasting that transforms their wealth into a famine; the brightness that makes their freedom an illusion. Only the pure and regenerated in heart can ever see and experience these blessings from the Lord (Matthew 5:8).
Jesus; please clean our hearts from the world’s delusions. Help us not to settle for the cyber-virtual happiness of the world. Help us know the experience of your love that is true; the pure and undefiled gladness of your spirit in your heart.
Psalms 119:72 The law of Thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
NO DOUBTS IN THE LIGHT
October 4
NO DOUTBS IN THE LIGHT
Psalms 4:6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
Does it seem that the screaming of this skeptic world is getting so loud that it has become difficult to hear the voice of God? Does it also seem that even among believers, the voice of certainty of God’s care is fading, giving way to doubt and self-reliance? Is this be a sign of the great apostasy spoken of by the Apostle Paul?
Such times when public opinion mocks and ridicules the person of faith are not times for us to heed their criticisms. Such times are rather for us draw closer to God, to let His countenance shine upon us.
It is as we look upon Him that our countenance is lifted. It is as we meditate upon His gracious love and abundant care that our faith in Him grows. It is as we focus our face on His that that the sun can rise on our world of darkness and worry. It is as we hear His songs of comforting reassurance that the voice of the world is drowned out and made insignificant.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
NO DOUTBS IN THE LIGHT
Psalms 4:6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
Does it seem that the screaming of this skeptic world is getting so loud that it has become difficult to hear the voice of God? Does it also seem that even among believers, the voice of certainty of God’s care is fading, giving way to doubt and self-reliance? Is this be a sign of the great apostasy spoken of by the Apostle Paul?
Such times when public opinion mocks and ridicules the person of faith are not times for us to heed their criticisms. Such times are rather for us draw closer to God, to let His countenance shine upon us.
It is as we look upon Him that our countenance is lifted. It is as we meditate upon His gracious love and abundant care that our faith in Him grows. It is as we focus our face on His that that the sun can rise on our world of darkness and worry. It is as we hear His songs of comforting reassurance that the voice of the world is drowned out and made insignificant.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
THE SACRIFICE OF A YIELDED HEART
October 3rd
THE SACRIFICE OF A YIELDED HEART
Psalms 4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
God in the Bible refused several sacrifices. Cain’s fruit of the ground (Genesis 4:4), Saul’s spoil of war (1 Samuel 15:22), and the Pharisee’s proud and self-righteous gifts (Luke 18:11).
Sacrifices of righteousness require trust in the Lord. When Araunah insisted on giving to David everything he needed to make an offering, the King answered, “I will not give onto the Lord of that which has cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24); if it doesn’t cost, it is not a sacrifice.
A sacrifice of righteousness is mixed with obedience, obedience that cost deep down in the soul. Often, the Lord wants that very thing which hurts to give, our ‘Isaac’, the last handful of meal in the barrel, and the last little oil in the cruse (1 Kings 17:12) because when that happens, we have to trust Him again for our inheritance and daily sustenance.
Let us not be afraid to give what the Lord asks of us. Let us not fear to lay at His feet the thing He requires from us. Let’s wake up each morning and make an ‘exchange of wills’, exchange what we want for what He wants. Our sacrifice will then be an acceptable sweet odor in His nostrils.
Psalms 50:5 Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.
THE SACRIFICE OF A YIELDED HEART
Psalms 4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
God in the Bible refused several sacrifices. Cain’s fruit of the ground (Genesis 4:4), Saul’s spoil of war (1 Samuel 15:22), and the Pharisee’s proud and self-righteous gifts (Luke 18:11).
Sacrifices of righteousness require trust in the Lord. When Araunah insisted on giving to David everything he needed to make an offering, the King answered, “I will not give onto the Lord of that which has cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24); if it doesn’t cost, it is not a sacrifice.
A sacrifice of righteousness is mixed with obedience, obedience that cost deep down in the soul. Often, the Lord wants that very thing which hurts to give, our ‘Isaac’, the last handful of meal in the barrel, and the last little oil in the cruse (1 Kings 17:12) because when that happens, we have to trust Him again for our inheritance and daily sustenance.
Let us not be afraid to give what the Lord asks of us. Let us not fear to lay at His feet the thing He requires from us. Let’s wake up each morning and make an ‘exchange of wills’, exchange what we want for what He wants. Our sacrifice will then be an acceptable sweet odor in His nostrils.
Psalms 50:5 Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.
Monday, October 02, 2006
DRAW NEAR
October 2
DRAW NEAR
Psalms 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Now that we have been set aside, separated and sanctified for God’s purpose; now that He has drawn us out and away from our own purposes, and brought us unto Him; now that He has called us to a new purpose in our life: let’s make Him the object of our focus. May we not look to the left or to the right in doubt and questioning of His ways for us.
Now is a time for sweet communion with Him in the Holy of Holies, where He lives in the chambers of our heart. Now is the time for quietness, reflection and listening to His voice; the time to take our shoes off, approach the mount and hear the voice of God giving His instructions.
There, in the silencing of our own purposes, in the surrendering of our will, He gives us the peace that passes all understanding; He reveals Himself, and His purpose to us just as He did Moses (Exodus 19-20), and Paul at Mt. Sinai (Galatians 1;17; 4:25).
Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
DRAW NEAR
Psalms 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Now that we have been set aside, separated and sanctified for God’s purpose; now that He has drawn us out and away from our own purposes, and brought us unto Him; now that He has called us to a new purpose in our life: let’s make Him the object of our focus. May we not look to the left or to the right in doubt and questioning of His ways for us.
Now is a time for sweet communion with Him in the Holy of Holies, where He lives in the chambers of our heart. Now is the time for quietness, reflection and listening to His voice; the time to take our shoes off, approach the mount and hear the voice of God giving His instructions.
There, in the silencing of our own purposes, in the surrendering of our will, He gives us the peace that passes all understanding; He reveals Himself, and His purpose to us just as He did Moses (Exodus 19-20), and Paul at Mt. Sinai (Galatians 1;17; 4:25).
Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
HE SETS US APART
October 1st
HE SETS US APART
Psalms 4:3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
Does following Him cause loneliness to our hearts? Does it provoke us to forsake the past again and again? Does He at times takes us on a limb and requires that we saw it off? Do you right now feel Him taking you to a lonely desert to make a decision that can influence the rest of your life?
This is not a time to fear. Our Lord honors those who are willing to take on the new uncharted paths He sets for them. He honors those who desire to follow His name, His name only, unafraid of flame or foe. This is the way of the Bridegroom; He calls and wooes His Bride away from the cares, distractions and dependencies of this world. He uses situations that requie great faith and dependence on Him to separate His bride for the full service of His house. He likes to take her out of ’Egypt’ and into the desert, away from her comfort zone to let her feel the strength of His love, as she basks in total dependence on Him.
The winds of His Holy Spirit blow here today, there tomorrow. May we be a Bride who knows how to follow the changing and purging winds of the Spirit of the bridegroom; a bride who hears and obeys when He takes and sets her apart; a bride who knows that wherever He chooses to take her, it is for her best regardless of the seeming outward conditions.
Gen 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
HE SETS US APART
Psalms 4:3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
Does following Him cause loneliness to our hearts? Does it provoke us to forsake the past again and again? Does He at times takes us on a limb and requires that we saw it off? Do you right now feel Him taking you to a lonely desert to make a decision that can influence the rest of your life?
This is not a time to fear. Our Lord honors those who are willing to take on the new uncharted paths He sets for them. He honors those who desire to follow His name, His name only, unafraid of flame or foe. This is the way of the Bridegroom; He calls and wooes His Bride away from the cares, distractions and dependencies of this world. He uses situations that requie great faith and dependence on Him to separate His bride for the full service of His house. He likes to take her out of ’Egypt’ and into the desert, away from her comfort zone to let her feel the strength of His love, as she basks in total dependence on Him.
The winds of His Holy Spirit blow here today, there tomorrow. May we be a Bride who knows how to follow the changing and purging winds of the Spirit of the bridegroom; a bride who hears and obeys when He takes and sets her apart; a bride who knows that wherever He chooses to take her, it is for her best regardless of the seeming outward conditions.
Gen 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
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