February 28
Psalms 119:71-72 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. (72) The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
It is easy to figure what is important for people. Jesus tells us, Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Luke 12:34). So all we have to do is look at what they would readily invest their hard-earned cash on. Would they invest it on refined food, fancier belongings, valuable jewelry, trendy clothes, loftier car, surplus entertainment? Perhaps they would spend it on the whims of a girl of whom they desire ‘favors’? Or, they invest it on their children’s education, the needs of their of communities, their poor parents, or mission outreach programs.
We tend to associate good life with comfort, ease, and corruptible wealth. But the scorching trials that afflict us and sometimes make us poor may give us a better and incorruptible wealth because they make us learn God’s statutes. When we realize that, we have learned that the learning God’s virtue has more value than personal enrichment, pleasure and comfort.
King David certainly lived that. In his many conquests, he amassed a great wealth. People willingly gave to him out of thankfulness. But most of this wealth was set aside towards the expenses and enrichment of the Temple that his son would someday build as the Jewish religious center (1 Chronicles 28:11-19). Also, because Solomon did not value personal wealth and comfort first, but rather his responsibilities as king, God gave him all the other also (2 Chronicles 1:6-12).
Let us praise and thank God for everything He brings our way and brings us closer to Him. Let us value lessons born of affliction more that the greatest gold and silver treasures the world has to offer.
Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
'Be strong, be strong and be strengthened!'
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
TO TRUST GOD ONLY
February 27
Psalms 119:70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
The proud challenge dependence on the Lord; by so doing, they establish their own means of sustenance and health. Refusing to keep God in control of their supply lines, they prostitute themselves to the world; they commit whoredom with Babylon. Babylon is turn is happy to indulge in liberating people from the controlling avaricious clutches of God, and provide them with everything they need, everything they, and most of all what God in his great wisdom has restrained from them. After all, wasn’t it the devil who offered Eve the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:1-6)? Wasn’t it the same devil who offered the glories of the kingdoms of the world to Jesus, but without the price of the crucifixion? (Matthew 4:8-9)
The way of God is usually straight and narrow (Matthew 7:14); even the land of milk and honey was not obtained without a fight. The Word of God was given on a mountain. To get it, Moses had to climb out of his comfort zone; leave behind the comfort of home. A seventy year old Nepali Sharpah can carry up the Himalayas Mountains a load that would make our valley young people faint. These mountain people do not have health problems due to fat around their heart.
The way of indulgence is wide. Easy life makes the heart grow fat, weak and corrupt. Covered with fatness, greased with excuses, it becomes insensitive to God and to others. It becomes an island isolated from reality where everything is done out of self-concern and preservation.
May God help me to yield when the way is hard
May He help me to trust when the bend is blind
My comfort is His Word so secure
The promise of a rest that is sure.
Luke 4:6-7 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. (7) If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.
Psalms 119:70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
The proud challenge dependence on the Lord; by so doing, they establish their own means of sustenance and health. Refusing to keep God in control of their supply lines, they prostitute themselves to the world; they commit whoredom with Babylon. Babylon is turn is happy to indulge in liberating people from the controlling avaricious clutches of God, and provide them with everything they need, everything they, and most of all what God in his great wisdom has restrained from them. After all, wasn’t it the devil who offered Eve the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:1-6)? Wasn’t it the same devil who offered the glories of the kingdoms of the world to Jesus, but without the price of the crucifixion? (Matthew 4:8-9)
The way of God is usually straight and narrow (Matthew 7:14); even the land of milk and honey was not obtained without a fight. The Word of God was given on a mountain. To get it, Moses had to climb out of his comfort zone; leave behind the comfort of home. A seventy year old Nepali Sharpah can carry up the Himalayas Mountains a load that would make our valley young people faint. These mountain people do not have health problems due to fat around their heart.
The way of indulgence is wide. Easy life makes the heart grow fat, weak and corrupt. Covered with fatness, greased with excuses, it becomes insensitive to God and to others. It becomes an island isolated from reality where everything is done out of self-concern and preservation.
May God help me to yield when the way is hard
May He help me to trust when the bend is blind
My comfort is His Word so secure
The promise of a rest that is sure.
Luke 4:6-7 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. (7) If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.
Monday, February 26, 2007
DON’T LISTEN TO THE LIES OF THE ENEMY
February 26
Psalms 119:69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
When the enemy of God’s work loses on the battlefield, he resorts to spewing slanderous lies. Like a nail on the road, these lies would stop the work but can’t. All they can do is annoy, disrupt and cause delay through a flat tire, or wounding your foot. If he cannot destroy God’s project, the devil slanders the builder. If he cannot stop the builder, he slanders the God of the builder. He will do all these through spewing slanders born out of his proud reprobate spirit. The proud is the bitterest of all enemies of God and slander is his cheap weapon.
When the Persian King Cyrus sent Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, the enemy came to Nehemiah in seven different ways to try to get him to give up. Every time, he came with lies newly forged and designed to make the people doubt, despair, and fear, all in hopes that they would eventually give up the mighty work of God. And when these enemies wanted to negotiate a “ceasefire” with him, Nehemiah didn’t even deign to come down to them; he said, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? (Nehemiah 6:3).
Does the enemy come with lies? Let’s not listen to him. Does he provoke with slander? We will not even pay attention. Here he comes with his evil vibes; let’s ignore them, and not mind his venomous lies.
Our God is the God of strength; mone can make Him weak; none can make Him fear. Let’s take refuge in His Holy name, and there find all the courage we need.
John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Psalms 119:69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
When the enemy of God’s work loses on the battlefield, he resorts to spewing slanderous lies. Like a nail on the road, these lies would stop the work but can’t. All they can do is annoy, disrupt and cause delay through a flat tire, or wounding your foot. If he cannot destroy God’s project, the devil slanders the builder. If he cannot stop the builder, he slanders the God of the builder. He will do all these through spewing slanders born out of his proud reprobate spirit. The proud is the bitterest of all enemies of God and slander is his cheap weapon.
When the Persian King Cyrus sent Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, the enemy came to Nehemiah in seven different ways to try to get him to give up. Every time, he came with lies newly forged and designed to make the people doubt, despair, and fear, all in hopes that they would eventually give up the mighty work of God. And when these enemies wanted to negotiate a “ceasefire” with him, Nehemiah didn’t even deign to come down to them; he said, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? (Nehemiah 6:3).
Does the enemy come with lies? Let’s not listen to him. Does he provoke with slander? We will not even pay attention. Here he comes with his evil vibes; let’s ignore them, and not mind his venomous lies.
Our God is the God of strength; mone can make Him weak; none can make Him fear. Let’s take refuge in His Holy name, and there find all the courage we need.
John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
GOD’S TOUGH LOVE
February 25
Psalms 119:68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
Goodness, as is also true in the case of love, suffers an identity crisis. Today, both of these virtues are understood not according to the parameters of their Creator, but in relations to human feelings.
It is not uncommon to hear confused people ask, “If God is so good and so loving, why did He let thus and thus happen to me?” or even “why does he let such and such happen in the world?” Having changed the meanings of goodness and love was a very clever trick fomented by the enemy of both, in order to get humans to doubt the goodness and love of God.
A child does not understand the benefit of punishment and deprivation of certain privileges due to his disobedience, but it teaches him an important lesson that may save him in adult life. As we grow into teenage and adulthood, the difficulties that we encounter become more traumatic. They resemble things like the breaking of families, the on start of a chronic sickness, or the loosing of friends and loved ones through sickness, accidents or war. Only when we have matured in faith, in the knowledge and understanding of His Word, and in spiritual experiences can we see, even through these events, that God is “good and doest good”.
What is therefore goodness and love?
God, our great Maker, knows that the only thing that can ever keep our hearts, bodies and souls safe, happy, provided and free, is to be and remain close to Him. He created us in that way. It is therefore safe to say that whatever He does or allows to happen that brings us close to Him, helps us to remember Him as well as our ultimate dependency on Him is to be considered love and goodness.
May God help us not to judge God by our own ways and standards, thus establishing our own righteousness, but may we understand Him via His ways by his spiritual wisdom.
Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Luk 18:18-19 KJV And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? (19) And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.
Psalms 119:68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
Goodness, as is also true in the case of love, suffers an identity crisis. Today, both of these virtues are understood not according to the parameters of their Creator, but in relations to human feelings.
It is not uncommon to hear confused people ask, “If God is so good and so loving, why did He let thus and thus happen to me?” or even “why does he let such and such happen in the world?” Having changed the meanings of goodness and love was a very clever trick fomented by the enemy of both, in order to get humans to doubt the goodness and love of God.
A child does not understand the benefit of punishment and deprivation of certain privileges due to his disobedience, but it teaches him an important lesson that may save him in adult life. As we grow into teenage and adulthood, the difficulties that we encounter become more traumatic. They resemble things like the breaking of families, the on start of a chronic sickness, or the loosing of friends and loved ones through sickness, accidents or war. Only when we have matured in faith, in the knowledge and understanding of His Word, and in spiritual experiences can we see, even through these events, that God is “good and doest good”.
What is therefore goodness and love?
God, our great Maker, knows that the only thing that can ever keep our hearts, bodies and souls safe, happy, provided and free, is to be and remain close to Him. He created us in that way. It is therefore safe to say that whatever He does or allows to happen that brings us close to Him, helps us to remember Him as well as our ultimate dependency on Him is to be considered love and goodness.
May God help us not to judge God by our own ways and standards, thus establishing our own righteousness, but may we understand Him via His ways by his spiritual wisdom.
Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Luk 18:18-19 KJV And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? (19) And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.
EARLY OR LATE MATURATION?
February 24
Psalms 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
Foolishness in a child’s heart has decreed that he will disobey, turn away from yours and God’s Word, until someday he realizes that his parents were right about certain things, and God was right about all things. This phenomenal metamorphosis in attitude rarely happens without sprained muscles, scratches, losses, broken bones as well as broken hearts. It is pathetic, but sometimes it is not until the crippling death-call of old age that we finally come, not to our senses, but to Godly sense, realizing that things could and should have been different. The only comfort at that time is the abundant mercy of God which proclaims that: “all things work together for good to them that love God.” (Romans 8:28)
How many burns, hurts, breaks, losses and afflictions have to happen before we finally grow, mature and learn to keep His Words? How many times does He have to lay us flat on our backs before we learn to say “Abba, Father” and agree to keep His Words? Having been promised a land under the conditions of obedience (Leveticus 26), the children of Israel offer before us an excellent sample of what happens when we walk in disobedience outside the tower of His protection: we loose the blessing of the presence of His protection, strength, supply and perfect peace in our hearts when in the midst of the onslaughts of the destroyer.
May God help us today to see the “handwriting on the wall” (Daniel 5:5, 27) warning us, telling us that we are ‘wanting’ in obedience and dedication to His Word. May He help us to see in our affliction how we have gone astray in both deed oand spirit. May He help us learn to keep His word. May we learn not only from our affliction, but also, when touched with empathy, learn from the afflictions of others.
A wise man learns by his experience, but a wiser man learns by the experiences of others.
Hebrews 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
Psalms 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
Foolishness in a child’s heart has decreed that he will disobey, turn away from yours and God’s Word, until someday he realizes that his parents were right about certain things, and God was right about all things. This phenomenal metamorphosis in attitude rarely happens without sprained muscles, scratches, losses, broken bones as well as broken hearts. It is pathetic, but sometimes it is not until the crippling death-call of old age that we finally come, not to our senses, but to Godly sense, realizing that things could and should have been different. The only comfort at that time is the abundant mercy of God which proclaims that: “all things work together for good to them that love God.” (Romans 8:28)
How many burns, hurts, breaks, losses and afflictions have to happen before we finally grow, mature and learn to keep His Words? How many times does He have to lay us flat on our backs before we learn to say “Abba, Father” and agree to keep His Words? Having been promised a land under the conditions of obedience (Leveticus 26), the children of Israel offer before us an excellent sample of what happens when we walk in disobedience outside the tower of His protection: we loose the blessing of the presence of His protection, strength, supply and perfect peace in our hearts when in the midst of the onslaughts of the destroyer.
May God help us today to see the “handwriting on the wall” (Daniel 5:5, 27) warning us, telling us that we are ‘wanting’ in obedience and dedication to His Word. May He help us to see in our affliction how we have gone astray in both deed oand spirit. May He help us learn to keep His word. May we learn not only from our affliction, but also, when touched with empathy, learn from the afflictions of others.
A wise man learns by his experience, but a wiser man learns by the experiences of others.
Hebrews 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
Friday, February 23, 2007
TO BE TEACHABLE
February 24
Psalms 119:66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
Children (teenagers) nowadays think that they know more than their parents. It is a given fact that they probably know more about the communication programs of their computers and about the multiple functions of their mobile phone, than we ever care to know about. The problem rises when because of their one area of expertise, those same children think that they know more than their parents about most things in life, and therefore become un-teachable. A teacher and dear friend of mine, often reminds those pupils of hers who through their immature pride forget the reality of their limited condition by asking them “Are you teachable?”
Because of his insecure and immature condition, it is normal for a child to act in an arrogant way towards the adults in his life. He feels that he has to compensate with a show of pride that he feels gives him self-esteem.
Not only it humbles him when he realizes that he just doesn’t know, so he doesn’t want to believe that others know either. It is a weak and immature people; unsure of themselves who feel that they have to act in pride and self-assurance in order to prove themselves to others, and even sometimes to themselves. It is understandable in children, but it is a problem when adults continue their lives in that same insecure behavior. Sad to say, we have many in this world who, while rejecting the wise knowledgeable advice from the Lord, cope with their ignorant lives by exerting an outward show of self-assurance. If anything, the proof of a person’s growth and maturity is when they realize actual their utter dependency on the Lord and His Words.
This reality of the behavior of children and teenagers towards their parents and teachers should therefore serve us as a good reflection of our own attitude towards our great heavenly Teacher, King and Father. Don’t we sometimes run with our fingers in our ears saying to the Lord, “let me handle it Lord, I already know!” while all the while the Holy Spirit pleads in our hearts asking, “are you teachable?”
If we can teach anything to our children, Lord, help us to teach them a meek and humble teachable spirit. Help us to teach it to them by our own sample and attitude with you of being ‘teachable’.
Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Psalms 119:66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
Children (teenagers) nowadays think that they know more than their parents. It is a given fact that they probably know more about the communication programs of their computers and about the multiple functions of their mobile phone, than we ever care to know about. The problem rises when because of their one area of expertise, those same children think that they know more than their parents about most things in life, and therefore become un-teachable. A teacher and dear friend of mine, often reminds those pupils of hers who through their immature pride forget the reality of their limited condition by asking them “Are you teachable?”
Because of his insecure and immature condition, it is normal for a child to act in an arrogant way towards the adults in his life. He feels that he has to compensate with a show of pride that he feels gives him self-esteem.
Not only it humbles him when he realizes that he just doesn’t know, so he doesn’t want to believe that others know either. It is a weak and immature people; unsure of themselves who feel that they have to act in pride and self-assurance in order to prove themselves to others, and even sometimes to themselves. It is understandable in children, but it is a problem when adults continue their lives in that same insecure behavior. Sad to say, we have many in this world who, while rejecting the wise knowledgeable advice from the Lord, cope with their ignorant lives by exerting an outward show of self-assurance. If anything, the proof of a person’s growth and maturity is when they realize actual their utter dependency on the Lord and His Words.
This reality of the behavior of children and teenagers towards their parents and teachers should therefore serve us as a good reflection of our own attitude towards our great heavenly Teacher, King and Father. Don’t we sometimes run with our fingers in our ears saying to the Lord, “let me handle it Lord, I already know!” while all the while the Holy Spirit pleads in our hearts asking, “are you teachable?”
If we can teach anything to our children, Lord, help us to teach them a meek and humble teachable spirit. Help us to teach it to them by our own sample and attitude with you of being ‘teachable’.
Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
THE VERDICT
February 22
Psalms 119:65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.
Here is the verdict of my heart towards you, Oh Lord
For the events that brought me peace, for those that caused my wrath
For the people that I have known, or never crossed my path
For every cup that I have drunk, for those that were denied
For every love that truly lived, for those that were belied
For each ill words that I have heard, for when you spared the strife
For every look that made me hurt, for those that gave me life
For my mother, for my father, the siblings I don’t have
Oh for the meat and for the wine, for the good, for the bad
For drops of refreshing waters, e’ven for the desert bleak
For hope in the songs that I’ve sang, when strong, when I was weak
For every good prayers that reigned, and for those you ignored.
For every good lessons that pained, for the peace, for the war
For the steps with the multitude, for times I stood alone
‘gainst the woe oh, that was so lewd , the e’vil oh that I bore
For the rain and, for the rainbow, the sun, yes the shadow
For my strength, for my weakness, for tears, for happiness
For my life lived with no regrets, till my soul flies to rest
I thank the God of high heavens, I am most richly blessed
Psalms 119:65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.
Psalms 119:65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.
Here is the verdict of my heart towards you, Oh Lord
For the events that brought me peace, for those that caused my wrath
For the people that I have known, or never crossed my path
For every cup that I have drunk, for those that were denied
For every love that truly lived, for those that were belied
For each ill words that I have heard, for when you spared the strife
For every look that made me hurt, for those that gave me life
For my mother, for my father, the siblings I don’t have
Oh for the meat and for the wine, for the good, for the bad
For drops of refreshing waters, e’ven for the desert bleak
For hope in the songs that I’ve sang, when strong, when I was weak
For every good prayers that reigned, and for those you ignored.
For every good lessons that pained, for the peace, for the war
For the steps with the multitude, for times I stood alone
‘gainst the woe oh, that was so lewd , the e’vil oh that I bore
For the rain and, for the rainbow, the sun, yes the shadow
For my strength, for my weakness, for tears, for happiness
For my life lived with no regrets, till my soul flies to rest
I thank the God of high heavens, I am most richly blessed
Psalms 119:65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
TO SEE GOD’S MERCY
February 21
Psalms 119:64 The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
Anyone who sees today’s’ world full of the mercy of God is in denial of reality. Since its very beginnings, murders, divisions, wars, theft and oppression have been the essence and mark of all great governments and empires. Men, women and children have had to fend for themselves in order to escape the cruelty of man’s inhumanity to man, as well as the ravages of poverty and diseases. To this very day, we have not yet learned to govern ourselves. We have not been able to create a peaceful and plentiful society without crime, fear and oppression, while still based on the elements of freedom..
Where is God’s mercy in all this?
If we look for God’s mercy in the works and creations of man we will not find it. But the realm of the creation of God is full of examples of His abundant mercies. Many of the street people I minister to have dogs. I sometimes see these dogs yelled at and even hit by their drunken angry masters. In spite of so much mistreatment, the dog stays ever so faithful to its master and provides him with the love and companionship he so badly needs. This is such an example of God’s mercy to man, creating for him an animal who is the epitome of loyalty.
I have traveled to many countries, and I have seen both the godly and the ungodly farmer benefit of the fruits of the earth, of the warmth of the sun, and of the blessing of the rain. Each, the unbelieving employee gets paid, maybe not as much as he would like but still gets paid in order to feed his family. We may understand an unbeliever not giving credit to god for his sustenance, but what is worse, is when God’s children benefit of their benevolent Father’s blessings and yet, do not even thank Him, because they accredit their well being to their own efforts.
Let us not by accrediting ourselves falsely miss seeing the blessings of God on our lives. Let us pray today that we may see all of God’s mercy around us and learn to find it in the simple fact that He does not deal with us according to our sins, but rather according to His abundant mercies.
MERCY: Undeserved forgiveness.
Psalms 103:8-12 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. (9) He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. (10) He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. (11) For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. (12) As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Psalms 119:64 The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
Anyone who sees today’s’ world full of the mercy of God is in denial of reality. Since its very beginnings, murders, divisions, wars, theft and oppression have been the essence and mark of all great governments and empires. Men, women and children have had to fend for themselves in order to escape the cruelty of man’s inhumanity to man, as well as the ravages of poverty and diseases. To this very day, we have not yet learned to govern ourselves. We have not been able to create a peaceful and plentiful society without crime, fear and oppression, while still based on the elements of freedom..
Where is God’s mercy in all this?
If we look for God’s mercy in the works and creations of man we will not find it. But the realm of the creation of God is full of examples of His abundant mercies. Many of the street people I minister to have dogs. I sometimes see these dogs yelled at and even hit by their drunken angry masters. In spite of so much mistreatment, the dog stays ever so faithful to its master and provides him with the love and companionship he so badly needs. This is such an example of God’s mercy to man, creating for him an animal who is the epitome of loyalty.
I have traveled to many countries, and I have seen both the godly and the ungodly farmer benefit of the fruits of the earth, of the warmth of the sun, and of the blessing of the rain. Each, the unbelieving employee gets paid, maybe not as much as he would like but still gets paid in order to feed his family. We may understand an unbeliever not giving credit to god for his sustenance, but what is worse, is when God’s children benefit of their benevolent Father’s blessings and yet, do not even thank Him, because they accredit their well being to their own efforts.
Let us not by accrediting ourselves falsely miss seeing the blessings of God on our lives. Let us pray today that we may see all of God’s mercy around us and learn to find it in the simple fact that He does not deal with us according to our sins, but rather according to His abundant mercies.
MERCY: Undeserved forgiveness.
Psalms 103:8-12 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. (9) He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. (10) He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. (11) For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. (12) As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
YOUR PRESENCE, THE ULTIMATE REWARD
February 20
Psalms 119:63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
God enjoys our fellowship.
He is pleased in our company.
He wants to be with us like a best friend or companion, enjoying life together.
He wants it so much that he sent His own Son to give His life and restore our fellowship with Him.
He is like one who takes the blame for the divisive offense in order to preserve the relationship.
There is no doubt about God’s relationship with us. It is mentioned in the book of Revelations that God created us for His pleasure (Revelations 4:11).
Is there a doubt about our relationship with Him?
Do we look forward to the pleasure of being with Him? Do we have that same intensity of anticipation of desire when we think of being in His presence? When it comes in the way of other activities, does it involve a sacrifice on our part, or is it its own reward?
Do we have our fun or pleasure with those who ‘fear’ (Fear: have respect towards, revere) Him, or do we have our fun with the ‘worldlings’?
Do we look forward to our time with Him with the excitement of a child whose
Do we look at our time with Him something that we have to do and get over with so we can go have fun, or is He our ‘fun’ and pleasure, like we are His pleasure?
Looking at His children, we could easily deduct otherwise. It seems that time with the Father through His Word or through fellowship with those who ‘fear’ Him is something that has its own time and place. It is scheduled like a chore or a necessary duty. In any case, it is far from being looked upon as the ultimate goal, something we take pleasure in, as He has with us in our presence. Pleasure and enjoyment on the contrary would seem to be everything that has to do with the ungodly world.
This I pray today, that before persecution makes it harder for us His children to take part of the elements of the world, we can learn to draw our main pleasure from spiritual fellowship with God. God’s presence is the godly’s only reward. I pray that being with God through His Word and fellowship with his family becomes our only and ultimate sought reward.
Mat 22:35-37 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, (36) Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Psalms 119:63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
God enjoys our fellowship.
He is pleased in our company.
He wants to be with us like a best friend or companion, enjoying life together.
He wants it so much that he sent His own Son to give His life and restore our fellowship with Him.
He is like one who takes the blame for the divisive offense in order to preserve the relationship.
There is no doubt about God’s relationship with us. It is mentioned in the book of Revelations that God created us for His pleasure (Revelations 4:11).
Is there a doubt about our relationship with Him?
Do we look forward to the pleasure of being with Him? Do we have that same intensity of anticipation of desire when we think of being in His presence? When it comes in the way of other activities, does it involve a sacrifice on our part, or is it its own reward?
Do we have our fun or pleasure with those who ‘fear’ (Fear: have respect towards, revere) Him, or do we have our fun with the ‘worldlings’?
Do we look forward to our time with Him with the excitement of a child whose
Do we look at our time with Him something that we have to do and get over with so we can go have fun, or is He our ‘fun’ and pleasure, like we are His pleasure?
Looking at His children, we could easily deduct otherwise. It seems that time with the Father through His Word or through fellowship with those who ‘fear’ Him is something that has its own time and place. It is scheduled like a chore or a necessary duty. In any case, it is far from being looked upon as the ultimate goal, something we take pleasure in, as He has with us in our presence. Pleasure and enjoyment on the contrary would seem to be everything that has to do with the ungodly world.
This I pray today, that before persecution makes it harder for us His children to take part of the elements of the world, we can learn to draw our main pleasure from spiritual fellowship with God. God’s presence is the godly’s only reward. I pray that being with God through His Word and fellowship with his family becomes our only and ultimate sought reward.
Mat 22:35-37 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, (36) Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Monday, February 19, 2007
JESUS, THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR
February 19
Psalms 119:62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
Midnight, the hour of extreme darkness; it is the time when robbers go about their lewd business; the season when the prince of darkness lurks about so his deed won’t be manifest that they are evil. Midnight was the hour of the fall of Sardis, the city that was conquered due to the lack of vigilance of its soldiers (Revelations 3:3).
One rises to check the security of our home. He verifies that the bolts are fastened, the windows securely closed and the fire put out. Yes the house is secured, and the master of the realm soundly goes back to sleep. But even then, when the body is asleep, when we give up control, the prince of darkness lurks about to disturb our slumber, to depress our spirit and worry our thoughts with evil dreams. Let us at these times not just yield our trust in the apothecary’s pill to give us our sleep back. Let us rise and remember to give thanks to Him to whom we ought every peaceful blessing.
At the time of our ‘midnight’, Jesus’ presence rescues us through the midst of our praises, for He dwells in them (Psalms 22:3). He is the Bridegroom who comes at midnight (Mat 25:6) to rescue the Bride from the clutches of the evil one, to rapture her into His kingdom where she will no more fear, neither hunger nor thirst; where neither the sun nor the moon will hurt her anymore.
On that midnight season, the bride will surely and fully give thanks to Him who came to save her from her enemies through His righteous judgments. But today, at the time of our ‘midnights’, let us rise and praise Him in a thrilling and joyful expectation of the soon coming time when ‘midnights’ will no more be.
Matthew 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Psalms 119:62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
Midnight, the hour of extreme darkness; it is the time when robbers go about their lewd business; the season when the prince of darkness lurks about so his deed won’t be manifest that they are evil. Midnight was the hour of the fall of Sardis, the city that was conquered due to the lack of vigilance of its soldiers (Revelations 3:3).
One rises to check the security of our home. He verifies that the bolts are fastened, the windows securely closed and the fire put out. Yes the house is secured, and the master of the realm soundly goes back to sleep. But even then, when the body is asleep, when we give up control, the prince of darkness lurks about to disturb our slumber, to depress our spirit and worry our thoughts with evil dreams. Let us at these times not just yield our trust in the apothecary’s pill to give us our sleep back. Let us rise and remember to give thanks to Him to whom we ought every peaceful blessing.
At the time of our ‘midnight’, Jesus’ presence rescues us through the midst of our praises, for He dwells in them (Psalms 22:3). He is the Bridegroom who comes at midnight (Mat 25:6) to rescue the Bride from the clutches of the evil one, to rapture her into His kingdom where she will no more fear, neither hunger nor thirst; where neither the sun nor the moon will hurt her anymore.
On that midnight season, the bride will surely and fully give thanks to Him who came to save her from her enemies through His righteous judgments. But today, at the time of our ‘midnights’, let us rise and praise Him in a thrilling and joyful expectation of the soon coming time when ‘midnights’ will no more be.
Matthew 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
THE WORD, THE OVERCOMING POWER
February 18
Psalms 119:61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
For decades now, the attacks on the Christian in the western world have been subtle, low-key, and mostly confined to the realm of the spirit. In our present twenty-first century, the enemy has risen the ante and we have now more Chrisitian persecution in the worlds as there was during the Roman empire. In countries of the Eastern world such as China, the Sudan, India, Nepal, persecution of Christians has been so intense that it renders it difficult to believe that Christians could be spared the Great Tribulation. We also have in the M.E countries where Christians are second-rate citizens, and who fell they have to take refuge in other countries to preserve their lives. .
For millenniums, world domination came from the East. It slowly shifting West where it has remained since the Greek Emperor, Alexander the Great, conquered the Medo-Persian Empire (Iran).
In our twenty-first century, even from within the very heart of our Western metropolises, the dogmas of Western and Christian civilization are challenged by Eastern Muslim concepts. What both camps seem to forget is that the next global government will come neither from the East nor from the West but from above, from Jesus-Christ the Son of God who will appear and humble all of man-kind’s arrogance by ruling the world, neither the Western or Eastern way, but the way it should have been ruled (Revelation 19:11; 19:15; 20:4; 20:6).
Before that happens, it is certain that the Church of God (the people of God) will be tested, that the forces of evil will be allowed to ‘rob’ the righteous, doing ‘him’ many injuries. During those days, the Salvation of the righteous will solely rest in the keeping of God’s Words as his testimony (Revelation 3:21; 12:11) and weapon against the forces of evil that will be determined to eliminate us. At that time it will be important to not allow the “bands of the wicked” to distract and intimidate us from following after the Spirit of our Lord and Savior with their scare tactics.
Friend, today, as we the see the world around us get darker and darker; as the ‘virtue-terrorists’ ‘bands of the wicked’ attempt to ‘rob’ us of our moral standards; as they try to steal our obedience to God’s Words; as their evil forces push to gain ground on our children through ungodly media; as our thoughts are bombarded with concepts contrary to the teaching of Jesus-Christ; now is the time to brandish the shield of faith and lift up the sword of His Word. It is at such times that we need to remember His Word; it is at such a time that we need not to forget His Law.
At such times, let us remember how Jesus Himself was surrounded by evil hordes in the desert of temptation as well as in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 4; Matthew 26). Let us learn from His example of fighting the prince of darkness and his bands with the power of God’s Word of Light.
Revelations 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Psalms 119:61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
For decades now, the attacks on the Christian in the western world have been subtle, low-key, and mostly confined to the realm of the spirit. In our present twenty-first century, the enemy has risen the ante and we have now more Chrisitian persecution in the worlds as there was during the Roman empire. In countries of the Eastern world such as China, the Sudan, India, Nepal, persecution of Christians has been so intense that it renders it difficult to believe that Christians could be spared the Great Tribulation. We also have in the M.E countries where Christians are second-rate citizens, and who fell they have to take refuge in other countries to preserve their lives. .
For millenniums, world domination came from the East. It slowly shifting West where it has remained since the Greek Emperor, Alexander the Great, conquered the Medo-Persian Empire (Iran).
In our twenty-first century, even from within the very heart of our Western metropolises, the dogmas of Western and Christian civilization are challenged by Eastern Muslim concepts. What both camps seem to forget is that the next global government will come neither from the East nor from the West but from above, from Jesus-Christ the Son of God who will appear and humble all of man-kind’s arrogance by ruling the world, neither the Western or Eastern way, but the way it should have been ruled (Revelation 19:11; 19:15; 20:4; 20:6).
Before that happens, it is certain that the Church of God (the people of God) will be tested, that the forces of evil will be allowed to ‘rob’ the righteous, doing ‘him’ many injuries. During those days, the Salvation of the righteous will solely rest in the keeping of God’s Words as his testimony (Revelation 3:21; 12:11) and weapon against the forces of evil that will be determined to eliminate us. At that time it will be important to not allow the “bands of the wicked” to distract and intimidate us from following after the Spirit of our Lord and Savior with their scare tactics.
Friend, today, as we the see the world around us get darker and darker; as the ‘virtue-terrorists’ ‘bands of the wicked’ attempt to ‘rob’ us of our moral standards; as they try to steal our obedience to God’s Words; as their evil forces push to gain ground on our children through ungodly media; as our thoughts are bombarded with concepts contrary to the teaching of Jesus-Christ; now is the time to brandish the shield of faith and lift up the sword of His Word. It is at such times that we need to remember His Word; it is at such a time that we need not to forget His Law.
At such times, let us remember how Jesus Himself was surrounded by evil hordes in the desert of temptation as well as in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 4; Matthew 26). Let us learn from His example of fighting the prince of darkness and his bands with the power of God’s Word of Light.
Revelations 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
TO BE QUICK IN OBEDIENCE
February 17
Psalms 119:60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
“Sin in haste, repent at leisure” is so true of human nature. We are hasty in our sinful disobedience and it could be avoided if we’d just slow down, if we’d take the time to ponder on what we are doing. By contrast, when it comes time to doing right and godly things, we exercise ‘cautiousness’ to the point that we drag our feet.
Here are good examples. I often engage people in financially supporting God’s work through my ministry. Since I understand that people have a responsibility towards God for the money He has given them, I patiently subject myself to answering a myriad of questions, all for the purpose of proving the good reason for which they should make a donation. My question is, do those same people practice the same slow scrupulous sort of financial responsibility for everything they spend the money God gave them, or is it only reserved for the donated dollar? Do they easily, quickly and carelessly spend their money when it comes to non- philanthropic expenses?
Another point on this issue is that we quickly endorse the judgment of a doctor or psychologist with no questions asked, but we feel that we have to go slow and check motives before endorsing the godly counsel of a pastor who may convict our souls. Oh, of what a wicked nature we are, applying different standards in every situation as it suits us (Proverbs 20:10)
Delayed obedience will become total disobedience. Once we have been told in the Word what to do, let us joyfully haste in owning the privilege of having received His commandment. Let us not be quick and thoughtless in sinning, while slow and doubtful in obeying the commandment of the Lord.
1 Samuel 21:8 … because the king's business required haste.
Psalms 119:60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
“Sin in haste, repent at leisure” is so true of human nature. We are hasty in our sinful disobedience and it could be avoided if we’d just slow down, if we’d take the time to ponder on what we are doing. By contrast, when it comes time to doing right and godly things, we exercise ‘cautiousness’ to the point that we drag our feet.
Here are good examples. I often engage people in financially supporting God’s work through my ministry. Since I understand that people have a responsibility towards God for the money He has given them, I patiently subject myself to answering a myriad of questions, all for the purpose of proving the good reason for which they should make a donation. My question is, do those same people practice the same slow scrupulous sort of financial responsibility for everything they spend the money God gave them, or is it only reserved for the donated dollar? Do they easily, quickly and carelessly spend their money when it comes to non- philanthropic expenses?
Another point on this issue is that we quickly endorse the judgment of a doctor or psychologist with no questions asked, but we feel that we have to go slow and check motives before endorsing the godly counsel of a pastor who may convict our souls. Oh, of what a wicked nature we are, applying different standards in every situation as it suits us (Proverbs 20:10)
Delayed obedience will become total disobedience. Once we have been told in the Word what to do, let us joyfully haste in owning the privilege of having received His commandment. Let us not be quick and thoughtless in sinning, while slow and doubtful in obeying the commandment of the Lord.
1 Samuel 21:8 … because the king's business required haste.
FEAR NOT THE ‘WRIGGLING’.
February 16
Psalms 119:59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
When a goldsmith puts gold into the crucible and the fire begins to work, the dross begins to wriggle. As the dross is eliminated, the gold becomes quieter until at last its surface is so calm that the refiner sees his own face reflected in it. It is at that time that he puts out the fire and stops this purification process.
When we reflect upon the Word of God, sometimes its makes us squirm with discomfort. It makes our soul meditate upon its ways. It provokes a desire for a change of heart, a sense of repentance; a need to turn back from our old ways and move towards the new ones the Lord has for us. This my friend, is the ‘wriggling’.
When our heart makes contact with God’s Word, it should cause it to ‘wriggle’; to ponder, to think on its ways. This ‘wriggling;’ should not be a cause of fear. It is simply the Lord’s chiding upon our soul. It is His gentle training, His remodeling of the chambers of our heart. He will not impose His way though, He will patiently plead with us for every change until the tabernacle of our heart is conformed to His Tabernacle, so He can make His home in it.
Let’s give him this permission to change us and to remodel us. Let’s allow Him to transform us into His image so He can see Himself in us. We have the assurance that He will be more through us than we could ever be without Him.
Hebrews 3:7-8 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith,) To day if ye will hear his voice, (8) Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
Psalms 119:59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
When a goldsmith puts gold into the crucible and the fire begins to work, the dross begins to wriggle. As the dross is eliminated, the gold becomes quieter until at last its surface is so calm that the refiner sees his own face reflected in it. It is at that time that he puts out the fire and stops this purification process.
When we reflect upon the Word of God, sometimes its makes us squirm with discomfort. It makes our soul meditate upon its ways. It provokes a desire for a change of heart, a sense of repentance; a need to turn back from our old ways and move towards the new ones the Lord has for us. This my friend, is the ‘wriggling’.
When our heart makes contact with God’s Word, it should cause it to ‘wriggle’; to ponder, to think on its ways. This ‘wriggling;’ should not be a cause of fear. It is simply the Lord’s chiding upon our soul. It is His gentle training, His remodeling of the chambers of our heart. He will not impose His way though, He will patiently plead with us for every change until the tabernacle of our heart is conformed to His Tabernacle, so He can make His home in it.
Let’s give him this permission to change us and to remodel us. Let’s allow Him to transform us into His image so He can see Himself in us. We have the assurance that He will be more through us than we could ever be without Him.
Hebrews 3:7-8 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith,) To day if ye will hear his voice, (8) Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
Thursday, February 15, 2007
GIVE HIM FULL ACCESS
February 15
Psalms 119:58 I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
God’s children of the past looked forward to the coming of the Messiah. God’s children of today look back at the saving blood of the Lamb. The common element to both is the knowledge that we are sinners and that to approach God we need the sacrifice of the innocent atoning lamb. We cannot in fact entreat God’s mercy (undeserved forgiveness) unless we are aware, with our whole heart, of our inherent doomed state.
But how much is our ”whole heart”? How much mercy do we really need?
He already knows what’s in our heart; but as the ‘gentleman’ that He is, He will not intrude. He will not impose Himself nor His will into our lives without our permission. He waits until we are ready. He will only look in the chambers that we open to Him. We are the ones who give Him permission to get involved, even to take over certain areas of our lives. He will not go, nor interfere where He is not wanted.
May we learn to “entreat” the LORD fully. May we call upon Him without reservation. Let’s open our bedroom doors and our windows. Lets’ give Him full unreserved access to the closets, the kitchen, the cellar, and the attic. In the yieldedness of our soul, and confident knowledge that according to His Word He will treat us mercifully, let’s allow Him to open every drawer; let’s pull every curtain of our life.
Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Psalms 119:58 I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
God’s children of the past looked forward to the coming of the Messiah. God’s children of today look back at the saving blood of the Lamb. The common element to both is the knowledge that we are sinners and that to approach God we need the sacrifice of the innocent atoning lamb. We cannot in fact entreat God’s mercy (undeserved forgiveness) unless we are aware, with our whole heart, of our inherent doomed state.
But how much is our ”whole heart”? How much mercy do we really need?
He already knows what’s in our heart; but as the ‘gentleman’ that He is, He will not intrude. He will not impose Himself nor His will into our lives without our permission. He waits until we are ready. He will only look in the chambers that we open to Him. We are the ones who give Him permission to get involved, even to take over certain areas of our lives. He will not go, nor interfere where He is not wanted.
May we learn to “entreat” the LORD fully. May we call upon Him without reservation. Let’s open our bedroom doors and our windows. Lets’ give Him full unreserved access to the closets, the kitchen, the cellar, and the attic. In the yieldedness of our soul, and confident knowledge that according to His Word He will treat us mercifully, let’s allow Him to open every drawer; let’s pull every curtain of our life.
Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
THE LORD MY PORTION
February 14
Psalms 119:57 Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
As the victorious soldier returns with the loot rejoicing; as the conquering emperor meditates on the prospects of his conquests; so let us rejoice at the gain of your name, of your love, and of your Spirit.
What in this world is more lasting, more true, more real and more sound to body and soul than the Lord, His Spirit and His Words. The Levites did not receive a plot of land as inheritance in Canaan (Joshua 14:4). Their portion was the Lord, His Words and His service (Numbers 8:11). The merchantman gave all that he had to purchase the precious pearl of God’s Spirit (Matthew 14:36). The treasure-seeker yielded all his other possessions to buy the land where God’s treasure laid (Matthew 13:44). All these truly believed that God was their portion, His inheritance was their wealth, and His Spirit was their strength.
Let them that perish fight over the perishable loot. Let them that die fight over corruptible treasures. Let them of this world rejoice at its prince’s temporal dainties. Let foolish men fight for lands, countries, power and wealth. My only kingdom, my only homeland is an everlasting and eternal one built by the Great King and Creator of the universe Himself.
I will rejoice and find my pleasure, my inheritance, and my portion in His Name, and in His Name only. My country is New Jerusalem. My people are bound together in the shed bloodline of the Son of God Jesus-Christ. As we, like the Levites, renounce the possession of a temporal perishable land in this world, we inherit a better eternal and incorruptible one in the Kingdom of God.
Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Psalms 119:57 Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
As the victorious soldier returns with the loot rejoicing; as the conquering emperor meditates on the prospects of his conquests; so let us rejoice at the gain of your name, of your love, and of your Spirit.
What in this world is more lasting, more true, more real and more sound to body and soul than the Lord, His Spirit and His Words. The Levites did not receive a plot of land as inheritance in Canaan (Joshua 14:4). Their portion was the Lord, His Words and His service (Numbers 8:11). The merchantman gave all that he had to purchase the precious pearl of God’s Spirit (Matthew 14:36). The treasure-seeker yielded all his other possessions to buy the land where God’s treasure laid (Matthew 13:44). All these truly believed that God was their portion, His inheritance was their wealth, and His Spirit was their strength.
Let them that perish fight over the perishable loot. Let them that die fight over corruptible treasures. Let them of this world rejoice at its prince’s temporal dainties. Let foolish men fight for lands, countries, power and wealth. My only kingdom, my only homeland is an everlasting and eternal one built by the Great King and Creator of the universe Himself.
I will rejoice and find my pleasure, my inheritance, and my portion in His Name, and in His Name only. My country is New Jerusalem. My people are bound together in the shed bloodline of the Son of God Jesus-Christ. As we, like the Levites, renounce the possession of a temporal perishable land in this world, we inherit a better eternal and incorruptible one in the Kingdom of God.
Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
SHADOW IS PROOF OF SUNSHINE
February 13
Psalms 119:55-56 I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law. (56) This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
It is easy to remember the name of the Lord when in the light, when everything goes well. The difficulty we have is to remember Him in the same way when it is dark; when everything goes wrong. God puts us in the dark to prove to us that He is light: that all a time of shadow proves is the presence of the sun somewhere.
There are times when the darkness in our lives can be so thick that it seems to own substance. It is at such times though that light is most noticeable and appreciated. In the complete darkness, even a candle can be seen from very far. During such somber times, we are often tempted to stray, but if when in the deep of night, we remember the Lord, He will be that candle. He will light our path and help us keep His instructions with integrity.
We cannot chase the darkness of night on our own. All we can do is turn on the light, the light of His name, the lamp of His Word, and the darkness will flee away on its own.
Never doubt in the dark what God has spoken in the light. He has promised that He will be with us and never forsake us; that He will carry us so we do not dash our foot against a stone.
Let us remember His Name and His promises when in the dark and He shall be more to us than a light and better than a known way.
Hebrews 12:2-4 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
Psalms 119:55-56 I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law. (56) This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
It is easy to remember the name of the Lord when in the light, when everything goes well. The difficulty we have is to remember Him in the same way when it is dark; when everything goes wrong. God puts us in the dark to prove to us that He is light: that all a time of shadow proves is the presence of the sun somewhere.
There are times when the darkness in our lives can be so thick that it seems to own substance. It is at such times though that light is most noticeable and appreciated. In the complete darkness, even a candle can be seen from very far. During such somber times, we are often tempted to stray, but if when in the deep of night, we remember the Lord, He will be that candle. He will light our path and help us keep His instructions with integrity.
We cannot chase the darkness of night on our own. All we can do is turn on the light, the light of His name, the lamp of His Word, and the darkness will flee away on its own.
Never doubt in the dark what God has spoken in the light. He has promised that He will be with us and never forsake us; that He will carry us so we do not dash our foot against a stone.
Let us remember His Name and His promises when in the dark and He shall be more to us than a light and better than a known way.
Hebrews 12:2-4 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
YOUR WORDS, THE SONGS OF MY PILGRIMAGE
February 12
Psalms 119:54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
When the children of Judah where exiled in Babylon, people came to them wanting to hear one the songs of Zion. They wanted to know about the place the God of heaven had so miraculously given to His Children. It pained the exiled to sing songs from Jerusalem, because even though the rebuilding of the Temple and the restoration of the city was prophesied in their books, it reminded them so much of home which at the time laid in ruins (Psalms 137).
During our exile on this earth, Jesus has gone to prepare a place where we will eventually live again with Him (John 14:3), and this place, my friend, doesn’t lie in ruins. It is the New Jerusalem, which is described in details in many passages of the Bible (Revelations 21-22). We need to look forward to it with the joy of the pilgrim who has finally attained his goal. We need to daily encourage ourselves with the sweetness and safety its songs. Hopefully, someone will then come along and ask us to sing to them one of the songs of ‘Zion’ that tells them about the beautiful place God has prepared for them that love Him.
We are pilgrims and strangers in this world for only a short time as. Our native land, the Kingdom of God is much better than any of the realms this world has to offer. Knowing that, with godly pride, let’s remind ourselves of where we are from and most of all, of where we are headed,. It won’t be long now. Someday soon our soul will leave this earth-bound clod and reside in its eternal home.
What are the songs if our earthly pilgrimage? Are they the songs that glorify the Spirit of God so people want to know more about His Kingdom? Or are they the songs that glorify this decadent world of man?
Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Psalms 119:54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
When the children of Judah where exiled in Babylon, people came to them wanting to hear one the songs of Zion. They wanted to know about the place the God of heaven had so miraculously given to His Children. It pained the exiled to sing songs from Jerusalem, because even though the rebuilding of the Temple and the restoration of the city was prophesied in their books, it reminded them so much of home which at the time laid in ruins (Psalms 137).
During our exile on this earth, Jesus has gone to prepare a place where we will eventually live again with Him (John 14:3), and this place, my friend, doesn’t lie in ruins. It is the New Jerusalem, which is described in details in many passages of the Bible (Revelations 21-22). We need to look forward to it with the joy of the pilgrim who has finally attained his goal. We need to daily encourage ourselves with the sweetness and safety its songs. Hopefully, someone will then come along and ask us to sing to them one of the songs of ‘Zion’ that tells them about the beautiful place God has prepared for them that love Him.
We are pilgrims and strangers in this world for only a short time as. Our native land, the Kingdom of God is much better than any of the realms this world has to offer. Knowing that, with godly pride, let’s remind ourselves of where we are from and most of all, of where we are headed,. It won’t be long now. Someday soon our soul will leave this earth-bound clod and reside in its eternal home.
What are the songs if our earthly pilgrimage? Are they the songs that glorify the Spirit of God so people want to know more about His Kingdom? Or are they the songs that glorify this decadent world of man?
Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Sunday, February 11, 2007
THE BLOOD THAT WILL BE REQUIRED
February 11
Psalms 119:53 Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
The ungodly, the rebellious and the proud laugh at the idea that one day they will have to account for their actions. Those who defiantly refuse the atoning blood of Jesus as payment have no clue of what awaits them. For as high as heaven is, so deep is hell; as beautiful His Kingdom is, so ugly is hell; as agreeable the scent of the kingdom of God, so suffocating the stench from the abyss.
This is the horror that should take us “because of the wicked”. The horror that awaits those who, when the day is done, may not be found in the Book of Life (Revelations 20:15). Today, they defiantly spread themselves like the “green bay tree” (Psalms 37:35), they rage and imagine a vain thing (Psalms 2:1), but He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure (Psalms 2: 4-5).
Is there someone in such a case? Do we have a friend, a relative who has not yet come to the breaking point of repentance? Because of it, has horror taken us at the thought of what will happen to our kin and acquaintance if when all is said and done, they do not find Jesus? has “horror” taken us at the thought of facing the Lord with the knowledge that we were one of those who knew that person, and were therefore partly responsible to show them the way?
We cannot push one coming to the knowledge of their Savior: it is a work of God. What we can do is pray like everything depended on prayer (because everything does depend on prayer), and be a fervent partner of concern with God who always answers the “effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man” (James 5:16). We can also along with our prayers, be a sample that God can use to draw them into the fold.
Ezekiel 3:17-19 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
Psalms 119:53 Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
The ungodly, the rebellious and the proud laugh at the idea that one day they will have to account for their actions. Those who defiantly refuse the atoning blood of Jesus as payment have no clue of what awaits them. For as high as heaven is, so deep is hell; as beautiful His Kingdom is, so ugly is hell; as agreeable the scent of the kingdom of God, so suffocating the stench from the abyss.
This is the horror that should take us “because of the wicked”. The horror that awaits those who, when the day is done, may not be found in the Book of Life (Revelations 20:15). Today, they defiantly spread themselves like the “green bay tree” (Psalms 37:35), they rage and imagine a vain thing (Psalms 2:1), but He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure (Psalms 2: 4-5).
Is there someone in such a case? Do we have a friend, a relative who has not yet come to the breaking point of repentance? Because of it, has horror taken us at the thought of what will happen to our kin and acquaintance if when all is said and done, they do not find Jesus? has “horror” taken us at the thought of facing the Lord with the knowledge that we were one of those who knew that person, and were therefore partly responsible to show them the way?
We cannot push one coming to the knowledge of their Savior: it is a work of God. What we can do is pray like everything depended on prayer (because everything does depend on prayer), and be a fervent partner of concern with God who always answers the “effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man” (James 5:16). We can also along with our prayers, be a sample that God can use to draw them into the fold.
Ezekiel 3:17-19 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
YOUR TESTIMONIES MY CONFIDENCE
February 10
Psalms 119:52 I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
As we go through our daily routine, it is easy for us to get things out of perspective, to get to a point where we can’t see the forest for the trees. We can get wrapped up and busy addressing daily issues and lose focus of the “big picture”: the spiritual perspective. This is a wicked plot devised by the enemy to put us in a frame of mind where all we see is the perpetual pouring out of our own efforts, while we foolishly forget that the Lord is the one actually doing it all.
If we only would take the time to pause from our feverish activities; if we would but sit back prayer and meditation; all the ways in which our dear Jesus is the One who does all the work for us would suddenly appear. We would get excited as we see the manna He sent, as we realize that all we have to do is go collect it. Fear, tension and pressure would roll off our backs as we receive His faithful care and abundant blessings.
Today, if we feel distressed and overwhelmed, if we feel alone, with no one to turn to, let’s take the time to count our past, present and future promised blessings. Let’s open our eyes to all the ways in which our gentle Lord is with us, and let it be His gift of comfort for us.
His gift is not that He doesn’t let bad things happen to us, but that he is always with us when they do.
Psalms 42:6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
Psalms 119:52 I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
As we go through our daily routine, it is easy for us to get things out of perspective, to get to a point where we can’t see the forest for the trees. We can get wrapped up and busy addressing daily issues and lose focus of the “big picture”: the spiritual perspective. This is a wicked plot devised by the enemy to put us in a frame of mind where all we see is the perpetual pouring out of our own efforts, while we foolishly forget that the Lord is the one actually doing it all.
If we only would take the time to pause from our feverish activities; if we would but sit back prayer and meditation; all the ways in which our dear Jesus is the One who does all the work for us would suddenly appear. We would get excited as we see the manna He sent, as we realize that all we have to do is go collect it. Fear, tension and pressure would roll off our backs as we receive His faithful care and abundant blessings.
Today, if we feel distressed and overwhelmed, if we feel alone, with no one to turn to, let’s take the time to count our past, present and future promised blessings. Let’s open our eyes to all the ways in which our gentle Lord is with us, and let it be His gift of comfort for us.
His gift is not that He doesn’t let bad things happen to us, but that he is always with us when they do.
Psalms 42:6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
Friday, February 09, 2007
THE WORD OUR REFUGE
February 9
Psalms 119:51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
The proud; the arrogant; the ungodly; those who in spite of their insignificance think they are masters of their fate; those who refuse to recognize the ways of God in the world or in their lives, always deride those who are Godly. They love to deride and put down the ones who do acknowledge their need and dependence on their Lord. They unleash their cruel mockeries as a weapon to lash our hearts. Through their bluff and blackmail, they attempt to torture our souls into surrendering to their humanist cynicism. Misery loves company, so their goal is to get us to join them in their hell-pit.
It’s everywhere. It’s in the songs; it’s in the movies. It’s in schoolbooks, in the magazines. They even disguise themselves with light to better deceive us into being swayed by their evil propaganda.
This, friend, is the world of today. This is the world we live in--a world where more than ever before, faith in the God of the universe is under attacks by the father of lies. Our only safety, our only sanity, the only way we will not ‘decline’ is to stay filled with His Words. We need not to go and fight the lies, the mockery, and the derision. This is what satan would have us do: leave our secure position to fight him against whom really we really have no strength. Our only hope is to stay fastened to the Word of Light as unto our eternal refuge.
2Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Psalms 119:51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
The proud; the arrogant; the ungodly; those who in spite of their insignificance think they are masters of their fate; those who refuse to recognize the ways of God in the world or in their lives, always deride those who are Godly. They love to deride and put down the ones who do acknowledge their need and dependence on their Lord. They unleash their cruel mockeries as a weapon to lash our hearts. Through their bluff and blackmail, they attempt to torture our souls into surrendering to their humanist cynicism. Misery loves company, so their goal is to get us to join them in their hell-pit.
It’s everywhere. It’s in the songs; it’s in the movies. It’s in schoolbooks, in the magazines. They even disguise themselves with light to better deceive us into being swayed by their evil propaganda.
This, friend, is the world of today. This is the world we live in--a world where more than ever before, faith in the God of the universe is under attacks by the father of lies. Our only safety, our only sanity, the only way we will not ‘decline’ is to stay filled with His Words. We need not to go and fight the lies, the mockery, and the derision. This is what satan would have us do: leave our secure position to fight him against whom really we really have no strength. Our only hope is to stay fastened to the Word of Light as unto our eternal refuge.
2Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
THE WORD OF COMFORT
February 8
Psalms 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
These are some of David’s afflictions. He had to repent from his deception and of the murder of Bath-Sheba’s husband. He lost his first son. He was afflicted by a loathsome disease. His daughter was raped by one of his sons his son who in turn was murdered by Absalom, his other son. He fled Jerusalem in disgrace in front of this very very Absalom who led as coup against him. In the midst of all this, and without the help of modern psychology and mood-altering drugs, he kept the faith to run his kingdom and fight his surrounding enemies.
David protected the house of Israel against its enemies with the same integrity and courage as when he protected his father’s sheep against wild animals. He came to a time when he lost the innocent child-like faith he inherited from his father and indulged in disobedience. The consequential results of his actions drove him to the limits of his heart’s endurance. This ‘limit’, is where he found his God in a new and mature way. He had learned the age-old lesson, “when all you have left is God, you suddenly realize that God is enough”; and when all we’ve got left to stand on is the Word, we realize then that the Word is enough.
When he was discouraged and weary of the battle is when the prophet Elijah heard the small voice of the Lord was renewed (1 Kings 19:12-13). When after fasting for forty days and forty nights, Jesus, in His physically weakened state has a face-to-face confrontation with Satan, it is the Word that gave our Savior the strength to withstand the tempter (Mathewt 4:1-11).
Afflicted? Depressed? Sad? The same Word that “quickened” King David also “quickens” us. His Word is His gift. His gift is His power, His promise of strength and comfort.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Psalms 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
These are some of David’s afflictions. He had to repent from his deception and of the murder of Bath-Sheba’s husband. He lost his first son. He was afflicted by a loathsome disease. His daughter was raped by one of his sons his son who in turn was murdered by Absalom, his other son. He fled Jerusalem in disgrace in front of this very very Absalom who led as coup against him. In the midst of all this, and without the help of modern psychology and mood-altering drugs, he kept the faith to run his kingdom and fight his surrounding enemies.
David protected the house of Israel against its enemies with the same integrity and courage as when he protected his father’s sheep against wild animals. He came to a time when he lost the innocent child-like faith he inherited from his father and indulged in disobedience. The consequential results of his actions drove him to the limits of his heart’s endurance. This ‘limit’, is where he found his God in a new and mature way. He had learned the age-old lesson, “when all you have left is God, you suddenly realize that God is enough”; and when all we’ve got left to stand on is the Word, we realize then that the Word is enough.
When he was discouraged and weary of the battle is when the prophet Elijah heard the small voice of the Lord was renewed (1 Kings 19:12-13). When after fasting for forty days and forty nights, Jesus, in His physically weakened state has a face-to-face confrontation with Satan, it is the Word that gave our Savior the strength to withstand the tempter (Mathewt 4:1-11).
Afflicted? Depressed? Sad? The same Word that “quickened” King David also “quickens” us. His Word is His gift. His gift is His power, His promise of strength and comfort.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
THE WORD OF HOPE
February 7
Psalms 119:49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
At certain times in our lives, a Word comes to all of us that causes us to hope in God’s purpose. It’s a Word that brings with it the courage to challenge high seawaters and bring God’s ship to port. This Word compels us to leave the comforts of Ur and of Egypt (Genesis 12:1; Hebrews 11:27)) and go walk paths unknown with the sole purpose of following and honoring the God that created and called us to His greater purpose.
When life’s road is long and hard, we tend to forget the Word that caused us to hope. As we climb the mountain of His will, we lose sight of the heavenly vision, of the goal that propelled us to endanger life and limb for the ideal of God, and we want to return to comfort and security.
At such times my friend, my fellow pilgrim, let us look into the book of Promises. Let us inspire and encourage ourselves with the stories of old, of how God supplied for His children on the road to Canaan. Let us remember how He honored those who did not trust in the uncertain riches of mammon, but put their confidence in Him who owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalms 50:10). Oh, how the book of Promises will renew our vision as we read of those who did not trust in their own arm for salvation, but who totally and fully trusted in the Lord their God who had sent them.
Is God dead? Can He repeat today the same wonders He has done in the past Is He the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8)? Oh, my friend, He is more alive today that ever. Let us dare to trust Him, dare to challenge Him to keep His promises. We will see Him as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and, rejoicing as a strong man to run a race (Psalms 19:5). We will see Him ready at any moment to impress us his beloved bride with the power of His might and the bounty of His wealth.
Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Psalms 119:49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
At certain times in our lives, a Word comes to all of us that causes us to hope in God’s purpose. It’s a Word that brings with it the courage to challenge high seawaters and bring God’s ship to port. This Word compels us to leave the comforts of Ur and of Egypt (Genesis 12:1; Hebrews 11:27)) and go walk paths unknown with the sole purpose of following and honoring the God that created and called us to His greater purpose.
When life’s road is long and hard, we tend to forget the Word that caused us to hope. As we climb the mountain of His will, we lose sight of the heavenly vision, of the goal that propelled us to endanger life and limb for the ideal of God, and we want to return to comfort and security.
At such times my friend, my fellow pilgrim, let us look into the book of Promises. Let us inspire and encourage ourselves with the stories of old, of how God supplied for His children on the road to Canaan. Let us remember how He honored those who did not trust in the uncertain riches of mammon, but put their confidence in Him who owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalms 50:10). Oh, how the book of Promises will renew our vision as we read of those who did not trust in their own arm for salvation, but who totally and fully trusted in the Lord their God who had sent them.
Is God dead? Can He repeat today the same wonders He has done in the past Is He the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8)? Oh, my friend, He is more alive today that ever. Let us dare to trust Him, dare to challenge Him to keep His promises. We will see Him as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and, rejoicing as a strong man to run a race (Psalms 19:5). We will see Him ready at any moment to impress us his beloved bride with the power of His might and the bounty of His wealth.
Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
OBEDIENCE BECAUSE OF LOVE
February 6
Psalms 119:47-48 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. (48) My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
At a time when there were so many commandments to obey; at a time when religion was based on a cold legalistic and ritualistic blind application of rules; when to obey the commandments was “yoke” (Acts 15:10); even at that time David delighted in God’s commandments. He proclaimed to love meditating upon them.
Today, the heavy yoke of legalism in the commandment is lifted. Yet, in this day of voluntary obedience we follow Him reluctantly. It should make us ashamed of ourselves.
David followed God joyfully for something he was hoping to get. We follow Him for something we’ve already received when we gave our hearts to the Lord. We should therefore obey in a spirit of extreme gratitude and thanks, putting our heart unto His commandment out of love.
Here are some questions we can ask of ourselves:
Do I follow Him out of love or out of duty?
What is His commandment for me today?
In what way does He want me to be of service for Him today?
Can I say, ‘yea’ and ‘amen’ without reservations to the answers of these questions?
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Psalms 119:47-48 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. (48) My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
At a time when there were so many commandments to obey; at a time when religion was based on a cold legalistic and ritualistic blind application of rules; when to obey the commandments was “yoke” (Acts 15:10); even at that time David delighted in God’s commandments. He proclaimed to love meditating upon them.
Today, the heavy yoke of legalism in the commandment is lifted. Yet, in this day of voluntary obedience we follow Him reluctantly. It should make us ashamed of ourselves.
David followed God joyfully for something he was hoping to get. We follow Him for something we’ve already received when we gave our hearts to the Lord. We should therefore obey in a spirit of extreme gratitude and thanks, putting our heart unto His commandment out of love.
Here are some questions we can ask of ourselves:
Do I follow Him out of love or out of duty?
What is His commandment for me today?
In what way does He want me to be of service for Him today?
Can I say, ‘yea’ and ‘amen’ without reservations to the answers of these questions?
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Monday, February 05, 2007
FULL TESTIFYING POWER
February 5
Psalms 119:46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
We cannot successfully inspire others to be dependant on the Word of God if we ourselves are dependant on carnal strength. We cannot effectively encourage others to compare their lives with the Word, when we gage ourselves by the standards of the world. We cannot fruitfully tell others of the Kingdom of God when we do not portray its attributes in our lives. Unless we are citizens of the Kingdom of God in everything we do and say, our miserable attempts to obey the Great Commission will only be as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal 1 Corinthians 13:1. So how do we get this full testifying power where we are not ashamed? It comes from the strength of daily partaking of the divine nature; From the assurance that our prayers are heard and answered; from personally experiencing the power of the Word of God.
Then and only then, will we not be ashamed in our testifying.
Then and only then will the Lord be able to use us to bring His Name to the precious souls. If we stay close to Him, He will bring us to the kings, the governors. He will bring us to the world changers. These people can discern between religious hypocrisy and sincerity in men. Then and only then will the Word of our testimony match with the excellency of the power it describes.
Therein is our responsibility within the Great Commission. Will we shame the Gospel through a weakened and adulterated presentation, or can we concur with David and not be ashamed as we present Him to the kings of this world?
1 Corinthians 2:4-5 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Psalms 119:46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
We cannot successfully inspire others to be dependant on the Word of God if we ourselves are dependant on carnal strength. We cannot effectively encourage others to compare their lives with the Word, when we gage ourselves by the standards of the world. We cannot fruitfully tell others of the Kingdom of God when we do not portray its attributes in our lives. Unless we are citizens of the Kingdom of God in everything we do and say, our miserable attempts to obey the Great Commission will only be as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal 1 Corinthians 13:1. So how do we get this full testifying power where we are not ashamed? It comes from the strength of daily partaking of the divine nature; From the assurance that our prayers are heard and answered; from personally experiencing the power of the Word of God.
Then and only then, will we not be ashamed in our testifying.
Then and only then will the Lord be able to use us to bring His Name to the precious souls. If we stay close to Him, He will bring us to the kings, the governors. He will bring us to the world changers. These people can discern between religious hypocrisy and sincerity in men. Then and only then will the Word of our testimony match with the excellency of the power it describes.
Therein is our responsibility within the Great Commission. Will we shame the Gospel through a weakened and adulterated presentation, or can we concur with David and not be ashamed as we present Him to the kings of this world?
1 Corinthians 2:4-5 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
FREEDOM WITHIN GOD'S BOUNDARIES
February 4
Psalms 119:45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
Many feel that walking in the way of God is too prohibitive. They find too many restraints therein. They forget that going through the straight and narrow gate of the Lord frees them from the boundaries of natural man. It brings them to a limitless dimension where they become partakers of His divine nature, where the limits are the limits of God Himself.
On the other hand, those who blatantly refuse to go through the narrow gate make a spectacle of their ‘freedom’. They vaunt of their indulgences. They freely display and make a show of their so-called liberties. And while they arrogantly think to bring offense and vexation on those who have wisely chosen the way of God, one morning, as they wake up, they find themselves caught in the trap that they have se for themselves, prisoners of their vain and foolish lust and greed.
O foolish humans that we are. Do we think that by building wings of steel we accede to flight? Do we believe that by role-playing in our foolish and vain games we become whatever it is that we pretend to be? When will we realize that only by following the Lord God and Maker of the Universe will we find the ultimate freedom we are looking for? Only by shedding our vain humanity at the hole of the Needle gate (Matthew 19:24) will we be liberated not only from the trappings of the world, but from the desires and lusts that daily seek to own us.
Here, within the Light of the Holy of Holies of the Sanctuary of God, the world looses its glitter and temptation looses its shine. Sickness becomes beauty for ashes (Isaiah 61:3) and death the door to heavenly dimension where boundaries are but a thing of the past (1 Corinthians 15:55).
John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Psalms 119:45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
Many feel that walking in the way of God is too prohibitive. They find too many restraints therein. They forget that going through the straight and narrow gate of the Lord frees them from the boundaries of natural man. It brings them to a limitless dimension where they become partakers of His divine nature, where the limits are the limits of God Himself.
On the other hand, those who blatantly refuse to go through the narrow gate make a spectacle of their ‘freedom’. They vaunt of their indulgences. They freely display and make a show of their so-called liberties. And while they arrogantly think to bring offense and vexation on those who have wisely chosen the way of God, one morning, as they wake up, they find themselves caught in the trap that they have se for themselves, prisoners of their vain and foolish lust and greed.
O foolish humans that we are. Do we think that by building wings of steel we accede to flight? Do we believe that by role-playing in our foolish and vain games we become whatever it is that we pretend to be? When will we realize that only by following the Lord God and Maker of the Universe will we find the ultimate freedom we are looking for? Only by shedding our vain humanity at the hole of the Needle gate (Matthew 19:24) will we be liberated not only from the trappings of the world, but from the desires and lusts that daily seek to own us.
Here, within the Light of the Holy of Holies of the Sanctuary of God, the world looses its glitter and temptation looses its shine. Sickness becomes beauty for ashes (Isaiah 61:3) and death the door to heavenly dimension where boundaries are but a thing of the past (1 Corinthians 15:55).
John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
KEEP HIS TRUTH FOREVER
February 3
Psalms 119:43-44 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. (44) So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
One of the most testing elements of Christian life, and one that has brought many to renounce their faith, is that prayers sometimes don’t seem to be answered.
Prayer for some of us sometimes becomes a deferred hope that makes our heart sick (Proverbs 13:12). We then stop keeping God’s Laws, and thereby we cannot testify anymore of His goodness. Eventually, the Word of Truth is taken away from us as well as the incentive to keep His commandments. What a devilish vicious circle. My own son told me one time in his young adult years, “Why pray, since God doesn’t answer?”. The devil knows this and we can be sure that he uses it to the utmost.
God always answers our prayers, but in His great wisdom, He does not always answer them our way. Oh, how thankful I am that God does not answer all of my prayers. The great sadness is when those who go through such trials cannot find help to understand either God’s great wisdom in His apparent silences or the answer tht He has given, one they may have missed. Thank God, in Heaven all scores will be settled and we’ll understand everything, even through misty eyes (Revelations 7:17; 21:4).
For God’ sake, for our children’s sakes, for our sakes, let us not allow the enemy to take out of our mouth the truth that God is merciful and that He answers prayer. Let us continue to hope in His judgments, even when our finite minds do not understand, and do not grasp His infinite wisdom. Armed with this confidence, let us then be inspired to follow His Laws and commandments in which we know have a good reward.
Matthew 7:9-11 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? (10) Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? (11) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Psalms 119:43-44 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. (44) So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
One of the most testing elements of Christian life, and one that has brought many to renounce their faith, is that prayers sometimes don’t seem to be answered.
Prayer for some of us sometimes becomes a deferred hope that makes our heart sick (Proverbs 13:12). We then stop keeping God’s Laws, and thereby we cannot testify anymore of His goodness. Eventually, the Word of Truth is taken away from us as well as the incentive to keep His commandments. What a devilish vicious circle. My own son told me one time in his young adult years, “Why pray, since God doesn’t answer?”. The devil knows this and we can be sure that he uses it to the utmost.
God always answers our prayers, but in His great wisdom, He does not always answer them our way. Oh, how thankful I am that God does not answer all of my prayers. The great sadness is when those who go through such trials cannot find help to understand either God’s great wisdom in His apparent silences or the answer tht He has given, one they may have missed. Thank God, in Heaven all scores will be settled and we’ll understand everything, even through misty eyes (Revelations 7:17; 21:4).
For God’ sake, for our children’s sakes, for our sakes, let us not allow the enemy to take out of our mouth the truth that God is merciful and that He answers prayer. Let us continue to hope in His judgments, even when our finite minds do not understand, and do not grasp His infinite wisdom. Armed with this confidence, let us then be inspired to follow His Laws and commandments in which we know have a good reward.
Matthew 7:9-11 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? (10) Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? (11) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
JESUS, OUR SOLE VINDICATION
February 2
Psams 119:41-42 Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word. (42) So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.
Though we are Christians, we are not perfect. Though we are Christians, we battle to keep our virtue and integrity. And because we are Christians, our vindication does not come from the battles we win or loose, from the things we do or don’t do, but from the battle the Lord has won, from the things Jesus has done.
When the world looks at us, they see frail, miserable, weak and dependant people. They see a people of little strength against the many influences of the world. They might even see sometimes a people who seems to give in to personal weaknesses. But at the end of the day, when the time comes to settle the accounts, all God sees in them is the stain of the blood of Jesus-Christ the Lamb of God on their hearts.
Therefore let us trust in this Word of promise (John 1:29). Let us brandish it like a flag in the face of the accusing world and of the condemning enemy. As the colors of His banner, let us set it on our armor (Psalms 60:4; SOS 2:4) that all may see, and proudly proclaim that no, we do not have to justify ourselves to them nor to the evil one (Rom 8:1). The ruling of sin and death over us is over with. This is a new day, the day of the new covenant when everyone who comes to Christ shall be saved, even in spite of themselves.
Proverbs 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
Psams 119:41-42 Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word. (42) So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.
Though we are Christians, we are not perfect. Though we are Christians, we battle to keep our virtue and integrity. And because we are Christians, our vindication does not come from the battles we win or loose, from the things we do or don’t do, but from the battle the Lord has won, from the things Jesus has done.
When the world looks at us, they see frail, miserable, weak and dependant people. They see a people of little strength against the many influences of the world. They might even see sometimes a people who seems to give in to personal weaknesses. But at the end of the day, when the time comes to settle the accounts, all God sees in them is the stain of the blood of Jesus-Christ the Lamb of God on their hearts.
Therefore let us trust in this Word of promise (John 1:29). Let us brandish it like a flag in the face of the accusing world and of the condemning enemy. As the colors of His banner, let us set it on our armor (Psalms 60:4; SOS 2:4) that all may see, and proudly proclaim that no, we do not have to justify ourselves to them nor to the evil one (Rom 8:1). The ruling of sin and death over us is over with. This is a new day, the day of the new covenant when everyone who comes to Christ shall be saved, even in spite of themselves.
Proverbs 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
LIFE IN HIM
February 1
Psalms 119:40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
There is cause and effect. It is only as long as we desire, long after His precepts, we can expect to be quickened* in His righteousness.
We seem to be ‘quickened’ or ‘made alive’, ‘strengthened’ by the things we ‘long for’, our desire. If we long for the vanity and glitter of the elements of the world, this is what becomes our life. Sad to say, the glories and vanities of the world are ephemeral, and we will rust, mold (Matthew 6:19-21), or even burn with them when on the Lord’s day, our works are tried by fire (1 Corinthians 3:13-15).
As Christians, if it is not His righteousness that quickens us, then whose? Our own? No righteousness will stand before the throne of God on that final day but that of the Son of God.
Let us therefore pray daily that our affections would be set on the things above, (Colossians 3:2) and not on things on the earth. Only by longing after his precepts we will be quickened in His righteousness.
Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Psalms 119:40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
There is cause and effect. It is only as long as we desire, long after His precepts, we can expect to be quickened* in His righteousness.
We seem to be ‘quickened’ or ‘made alive’, ‘strengthened’ by the things we ‘long for’, our desire. If we long for the vanity and glitter of the elements of the world, this is what becomes our life. Sad to say, the glories and vanities of the world are ephemeral, and we will rust, mold (Matthew 6:19-21), or even burn with them when on the Lord’s day, our works are tried by fire (1 Corinthians 3:13-15).
As Christians, if it is not His righteousness that quickens us, then whose? Our own? No righteousness will stand before the throne of God on that final day but that of the Son of God.
Let us therefore pray daily that our affections would be set on the things above, (Colossians 3:2) and not on things on the earth. Only by longing after his precepts we will be quickened in His righteousness.
Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
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