April 19
Psalms 119:126-128 It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law. Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
Two ways man uses to void the Law of God:
1) He attacks the authenticity of the Word so one won’t feel accountable to it.
2) He makes ungodly living fashionable, and gives a bad connotation to wholesome living.
We live in a time when a man is no more a man; when a woman is no more a woman; when a child play adult games, and when adults behave like children.
We live in a time when feelings have replaced facts; form has replaced faith; when “saying it’ is as good as “being it”, and when appearances are as good as reality.
We live in a time when if one dares to speak the truth he is a ‘fanatic’, when falsehood is only a ‘matter of personal opinion’.
We live in a time when children teach their parents the ways of the world, because parents are afraid to teach their children the ways of God.
We live in a time when ‘bad’ means good, and good means ‘old-fashioned’.
We live in a time when the people of God see these things. They have been een delivered from the Egyptian Pharaoh who kept them in the captivity of their sin (Exodus 12), but they have now succumbed to the serpents that resulted from their fearful murmuring (Numbers 21:5-7). They fell to lust and paid the fateful price of hiding an “Achan’s wedge” of materialism within their “tent” (Joshua 7), Therefore they are weak. Only when they will look fully again upon their Savior lifted upon the wood (Numbers 21:9), and clean themselves from the unclean loot, (2 Corinthians 6:17), will they be re-strengthened.
It is time, yes, now it is time, O Lord to fight for us, to work. Open the eyes of our hearts and of our spirits that we may see and understand the unadulterated truth of Your Word, that we may love Thy commandments above gold, esteem thy precepts concerning all things, and hate every false way.
John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
'Be strong, be strong and be strengthened!'
Thursday, April 26, 2007
RULING SERVANTS
April 18
Psalms 119:125 I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
A certain French Marquis was raised to his grand and exalted state from very humble surroundings. He had been a shepherd in his earlier days & so, in his palace, he had one room known as "The Shepherd's Room". In that room were reproductions of hills & valleys & running streams & rocks & sheepfolds. Here were the staff he had carried & the clothes he had worn as a lad when herding his sheep. When asked one day the meaning of this, he replied, "If ever my heart is tempted to haughtiness & pride, I go into that room & remind myself of what I once was." Such humility would have saved Nebuchadnezzar & Belshazzar Daniel 4 and 5).
Yes, we are Children of the Almighty. Yes, we have been adopted at a high price. Yes, none can touch us without the permission of the almighty God. Yes, we will be standing in the courts of the Lord forever as His favored children. We stand in this world as a light shining in the midst of darkness (Ephesians 5:8), a chosen royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). But when in front of our Lord, as the twenty-four elders do (Revelation 4:10), let us cast down our shiny crowns, and remember our humble station of servants of the living God.
It is impossible to truly be in the presence of God and not be humbled by it. Walking daily in the presence of the Lord in spirit should therefore cause an automatic attitude of humility. If your religion allows you to behave in pride and arrogance, your god is indeed a small one. If you do know the Almighty, and still behave in pride and arrogance, it gives evidence that you are walking closer to worldlings than you are to your God.
Lord Jesus, help me to be a good example of You. Help me to walk close to You in Spirit daily so that I would be humbled and walk more in your Spirit. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. .
Phi lippians2:6-8 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (7) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (8) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Psalms 119:125 I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
A certain French Marquis was raised to his grand and exalted state from very humble surroundings. He had been a shepherd in his earlier days & so, in his palace, he had one room known as "The Shepherd's Room". In that room were reproductions of hills & valleys & running streams & rocks & sheepfolds. Here were the staff he had carried & the clothes he had worn as a lad when herding his sheep. When asked one day the meaning of this, he replied, "If ever my heart is tempted to haughtiness & pride, I go into that room & remind myself of what I once was." Such humility would have saved Nebuchadnezzar & Belshazzar Daniel 4 and 5).
Yes, we are Children of the Almighty. Yes, we have been adopted at a high price. Yes, none can touch us without the permission of the almighty God. Yes, we will be standing in the courts of the Lord forever as His favored children. We stand in this world as a light shining in the midst of darkness (Ephesians 5:8), a chosen royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). But when in front of our Lord, as the twenty-four elders do (Revelation 4:10), let us cast down our shiny crowns, and remember our humble station of servants of the living God.
It is impossible to truly be in the presence of God and not be humbled by it. Walking daily in the presence of the Lord in spirit should therefore cause an automatic attitude of humility. If your religion allows you to behave in pride and arrogance, your god is indeed a small one. If you do know the Almighty, and still behave in pride and arrogance, it gives evidence that you are walking closer to worldlings than you are to your God.
Lord Jesus, help me to be a good example of You. Help me to walk close to You in Spirit daily so that I would be humbled and walk more in your Spirit. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. .
Phi lippians2:6-8 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (7) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (8) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
DOUBLE STANDARDS?
April 17
Psalms 119:124 Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
Thank God that He does not rule us solely by justice; we would all be condemned from birth. Anyone who wants to apply the rigid rule of justice to all, needs to fist start by applying it to himself. The Bible says that we all have sinned, so technically we are all condemned from the start (Romans 3:23; 6:23).
There is much more peace in our heart in appealing for God’s mercy than for His justice, and if mercy is to be applied to one, it is to be applied to all. Mercy is a bridge that we cannot deny to others without also denying it to ourselves. What greater example is there than that of the story of Jonah.
Jonah was a Hebrew statesman. God asked Jonah to go to Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian empire who at that time cruelly oppressed the Hebrew nation. God asked him to go on an errand of mercy to these people--these people, who were idol worshippers, unbelievers in the LORD—and give them the message of God so they could avoid His punishing judgments. Put this one in context of world politics today and get an idea of the situation. No wonder Jonah didn’t want to go! Jonah knew that God was merciful, and that if the Ninevites repented, God would forego His judgments, even on that cruel Assyrian empire, and this is exactly what happened, which made Jonah very upset. Jonah yielded to the ‘victim mentality’ spirit of revenge. He wanted Nineveh to get the true justice that she rightly deserved. He forgot that God allowed the Assyrians to persecute the ten tribes of Israel because of their disobedience to His Laws, whereas the Lord said of the Ninevites, that they didn’t even know their right from their left. (Jonah 3:10; 4:1,2;4:11). Jesus even justified the Ninevites of Jonah’s day before the Jewish religious leaders of His own day (Matthew 12:41).
The question to ask ourselves is: Do we pray for God to deal with others according to His justice, while we ask Him for mercy for ourselves?
* Mercy: Undeserved forgiveness
John 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
Psalms 119:124 Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
Thank God that He does not rule us solely by justice; we would all be condemned from birth. Anyone who wants to apply the rigid rule of justice to all, needs to fist start by applying it to himself. The Bible says that we all have sinned, so technically we are all condemned from the start (Romans 3:23; 6:23).
There is much more peace in our heart in appealing for God’s mercy than for His justice, and if mercy is to be applied to one, it is to be applied to all. Mercy is a bridge that we cannot deny to others without also denying it to ourselves. What greater example is there than that of the story of Jonah.
Jonah was a Hebrew statesman. God asked Jonah to go to Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian empire who at that time cruelly oppressed the Hebrew nation. God asked him to go on an errand of mercy to these people--these people, who were idol worshippers, unbelievers in the LORD—and give them the message of God so they could avoid His punishing judgments. Put this one in context of world politics today and get an idea of the situation. No wonder Jonah didn’t want to go! Jonah knew that God was merciful, and that if the Ninevites repented, God would forego His judgments, even on that cruel Assyrian empire, and this is exactly what happened, which made Jonah very upset. Jonah yielded to the ‘victim mentality’ spirit of revenge. He wanted Nineveh to get the true justice that she rightly deserved. He forgot that God allowed the Assyrians to persecute the ten tribes of Israel because of their disobedience to His Laws, whereas the Lord said of the Ninevites, that they didn’t even know their right from their left. (Jonah 3:10; 4:1,2;4:11). Jesus even justified the Ninevites of Jonah’s day before the Jewish religious leaders of His own day (Matthew 12:41).
The question to ask ourselves is: Do we pray for God to deal with others according to His justice, while we ask Him for mercy for ourselves?
* Mercy: Undeserved forgiveness
John 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
April 16
JESUS THE REWARD OF FAITH
Psalms 119:123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.
It is amazing to realize how many times God waits to the very last minute before He rescues us. Can we wait? How long does it take before we give up on waiting? Can we wait until He comes through? Do we have the assurance of faith to wait for ‘the hour” of the Lord, and not fly to our own rescue? Have we ever waited till our eyes failed even of tears in our desperate waiting for an answer, a confirmation, while at the same time fighting the temptation to leave off trusting and run to the poor means of our own strength? Like Jacob, do we you wrestle with the angel until the break of day (Genesis 32:24,25)?
Sometimes we feel that God’s timing is a bit off; maybe it is ours that is off. He often waits till ‘the break of day’, (Genesis 32:24,) for us to come to the end of our rope, the end of our own human resources, in order to show His greatness and help us in a ‘nick of time’. Maybe He likes suspense. Or maybe, He wants to test our faith to see if we really can wait on Him, if we really have cut the bridges of our own means of rescue, being willing to ‘die in faith’ that He is right even if we don’t get rescued.
Some of us are tested with our health, some with our finances, and yet others through our family situations. Before we decide to take a medicine which provokes potentially serious side effects, let us take the time to pray and see if perhaps He may heal. Before spending money on the credit card, or make a potentially long-term loan, let us pray and see if perhaps He has a plan to supply otherwise. Before making rash decisions about our children or our marriage, let us ask the Lord, He may have some solutions. When we pray for all these things, let us also have the patience to wrestle with that angel until daybreak, until our eyes “fail” of tears for the Word of His righteousness that will direct and save us.
Psalms 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Psalms 37:34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
JESUS THE REWARD OF FAITH
Psalms 119:123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.
It is amazing to realize how many times God waits to the very last minute before He rescues us. Can we wait? How long does it take before we give up on waiting? Can we wait until He comes through? Do we have the assurance of faith to wait for ‘the hour” of the Lord, and not fly to our own rescue? Have we ever waited till our eyes failed even of tears in our desperate waiting for an answer, a confirmation, while at the same time fighting the temptation to leave off trusting and run to the poor means of our own strength? Like Jacob, do we you wrestle with the angel until the break of day (Genesis 32:24,25)?
Sometimes we feel that God’s timing is a bit off; maybe it is ours that is off. He often waits till ‘the break of day’, (Genesis 32:24,) for us to come to the end of our rope, the end of our own human resources, in order to show His greatness and help us in a ‘nick of time’. Maybe He likes suspense. Or maybe, He wants to test our faith to see if we really can wait on Him, if we really have cut the bridges of our own means of rescue, being willing to ‘die in faith’ that He is right even if we don’t get rescued.
Some of us are tested with our health, some with our finances, and yet others through our family situations. Before we decide to take a medicine which provokes potentially serious side effects, let us take the time to pray and see if perhaps He may heal. Before spending money on the credit card, or make a potentially long-term loan, let us pray and see if perhaps He has a plan to supply otherwise. Before making rash decisions about our children or our marriage, let us ask the Lord, He may have some solutions. When we pray for all these things, let us also have the patience to wrestle with that angel until daybreak, until our eyes “fail” of tears for the Word of His righteousness that will direct and save us.
Psalms 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Psalms 37:34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
JESUS THE AVENGER
Psalms 119:122 Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.
The following is a true story. It is about a family who made a “heart adoption” of a teenage girl. Her mom was a drug addict who had had many boy friends, some of whom had abused her other sisters. In the course of her fourteen years, this girl had never enjoyed the safe environment of a stable family life. In order to protect herself, she adopted survival techniques; and became extremely bossy, possessive--mean. Due to lack of parenting these attitudes stayed unchecked for a long time, and she developed hard behaviors, which made it difficult for people to care for her. She went from foster home to foster home, from state facility to state facility. She was finally taken into this family with a boy 3 three years younger than her, and it was not long until her mean insecure behavior unleashed on the poor boy. At this point it is important to say here that this family had made the decision to take this trouble teenage girl into their lives and home with the boy, who voluntarily agreed to share his parents out of compassion for her, and out of gratitude for what he had.
In spite of the constant rude meanness of the girl towards him, the boy showed a remarkable ability to love. He would even feel bad for her when she was corrected for hurting him. He constantly wanted to include her when she mostly tried to exclude him. Eventually, his parents saw that his naturally jovial and happy attitude was starting to suffer. He started to become angry, vengeful and discouraged, but due to his compassion for her, he could not find it within himself to retaliate. It was time for the parents to intervene and they began to pay closer attention, and expose the proud remarks that were unleashed at their son. They started to actively defend him from the ‘oppression of the proud’, making sure that he was safe from the girl’s unloving attitudes. In turn, this exposure sparked a change in the teenage girl.
Such it is between God and us. When God sees that in spite of our hurt, in spite of our pain due to the oppression from the proud we do not try to retaliate to avenge ourselves, He Himself comes to our rescue; He becomes our avenger. e He Our command from Him is to love one another (John 13:34), to put our love in action (James 2:26), to preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15), to forgive evil done against us (Matthew 6:15), to give above and beyond what is required of us (Matthew 5:42), and to let Him take care of vengeance (Romans 12:19). No matter what happens to us in life, let us try not to avenge ourselves, but rather to stay faithful to the commandments He gave us, while allowing Him to be our standard and a shield from the oppression of the proud.
Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
The following is a true story. It is about a family who made a “heart adoption” of a teenage girl. Her mom was a drug addict who had had many boy friends, some of whom had abused her other sisters. In the course of her fourteen years, this girl had never enjoyed the safe environment of a stable family life. In order to protect herself, she adopted survival techniques; and became extremely bossy, possessive--mean. Due to lack of parenting these attitudes stayed unchecked for a long time, and she developed hard behaviors, which made it difficult for people to care for her. She went from foster home to foster home, from state facility to state facility. She was finally taken into this family with a boy 3 three years younger than her, and it was not long until her mean insecure behavior unleashed on the poor boy. At this point it is important to say here that this family had made the decision to take this trouble teenage girl into their lives and home with the boy, who voluntarily agreed to share his parents out of compassion for her, and out of gratitude for what he had.
In spite of the constant rude meanness of the girl towards him, the boy showed a remarkable ability to love. He would even feel bad for her when she was corrected for hurting him. He constantly wanted to include her when she mostly tried to exclude him. Eventually, his parents saw that his naturally jovial and happy attitude was starting to suffer. He started to become angry, vengeful and discouraged, but due to his compassion for her, he could not find it within himself to retaliate. It was time for the parents to intervene and they began to pay closer attention, and expose the proud remarks that were unleashed at their son. They started to actively defend him from the ‘oppression of the proud’, making sure that he was safe from the girl’s unloving attitudes. In turn, this exposure sparked a change in the teenage girl.
Such it is between God and us. When God sees that in spite of our hurt, in spite of our pain due to the oppression from the proud we do not try to retaliate to avenge ourselves, He Himself comes to our rescue; He becomes our avenger. e He Our command from Him is to love one another (John 13:34), to put our love in action (James 2:26), to preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15), to forgive evil done against us (Matthew 6:15), to give above and beyond what is required of us (Matthew 5:42), and to let Him take care of vengeance (Romans 12:19). No matter what happens to us in life, let us try not to avenge ourselves, but rather to stay faithful to the commandments He gave us, while allowing Him to be our standard and a shield from the oppression of the proud.
Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
THE STRENGTH OF TRUTH
Psalms 119:121 I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.
Just like in King David’s day, we live in a time when justice and judgment are easily perverted. To stay politically functional and even relevant, today’s rulers and lawmakers have to be concerned about the opinions of men in the polls. Because they are also concerned about their legacy and their carrier, the ‘righter’ sense of justice as per God’s standards usually goes out the window because if it is ever brought out, they would be considered fanatical, or at the least politically incorrect. Politicians also need the support and backing of their political parties and sponsors if they want to continue operating. The problem is that when we have to please so many people in order to be accepted, we loose track of the truth, and in the matter of judgment and justice, it is tragic. In this case, personal opinions create distortion of truth in judgment because in order to find God’s opinion and will in any matter, we need to deny our own, or at least be willing to rescind them.
When we fight for our own truth or that of our peer-group, we put ourselves in our own hands. We feel the need to build our own ‘army’, our own protection. Our lives become dependant on our own strength and efforts. On the other hand, when we put aside all human power struggles and completely yield to the truth and justice of God, like Moses of old, with the ‘clu’” of God’s word in our hand, we inflict more damage to an empire than any full fledge army would.
Let’s fight for the truth of God. May our combat be on the side of the justice and judgment of the Almighty Creator. We will then have no need to worry. Like King David, like Moses, like Elijah, like John the Baptist, like Jonathan and his armor-bearer, we will claim God’s protection and power, challenge the ‘giants’-- the lies in our life, as well as the perverted judgment of this world. Time would fial to depict the courage of Martin Luther, John Bunyan, William Tyndale, who almost single-handedly conquered the minds of the people and politicians of their days with the truth of God, even though their lives were in constant danger and sometimes also lived in poverty. Like them, we, on the side of the truth of God, are more than a match for all the lying armies of the ungodly.
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Just like in King David’s day, we live in a time when justice and judgment are easily perverted. To stay politically functional and even relevant, today’s rulers and lawmakers have to be concerned about the opinions of men in the polls. Because they are also concerned about their legacy and their carrier, the ‘righter’ sense of justice as per God’s standards usually goes out the window because if it is ever brought out, they would be considered fanatical, or at the least politically incorrect. Politicians also need the support and backing of their political parties and sponsors if they want to continue operating. The problem is that when we have to please so many people in order to be accepted, we loose track of the truth, and in the matter of judgment and justice, it is tragic. In this case, personal opinions create distortion of truth in judgment because in order to find God’s opinion and will in any matter, we need to deny our own, or at least be willing to rescind them.
When we fight for our own truth or that of our peer-group, we put ourselves in our own hands. We feel the need to build our own ‘army’, our own protection. Our lives become dependant on our own strength and efforts. On the other hand, when we put aside all human power struggles and completely yield to the truth and justice of God, like Moses of old, with the ‘clu’” of God’s word in our hand, we inflict more damage to an empire than any full fledge army would.
Let’s fight for the truth of God. May our combat be on the side of the justice and judgment of the Almighty Creator. We will then have no need to worry. Like King David, like Moses, like Elijah, like John the Baptist, like Jonathan and his armor-bearer, we will claim God’s protection and power, challenge the ‘giants’-- the lies in our life, as well as the perverted judgment of this world. Time would fial to depict the courage of Martin Luther, John Bunyan, William Tyndale, who almost single-handedly conquered the minds of the people and politicians of their days with the truth of God, even though their lives were in constant danger and sometimes also lived in poverty. Like them, we, on the side of the truth of God, are more than a match for all the lying armies of the ungodly.
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
JESUS THE TEACHER
Psalms 119:120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.
How seriously do we take the Word? How much do we believe it?
We are surely saved by grace, but the lessons of our salvation are learned through experience, bitter experience sometimes.
Jesus also has a ‘No Child Left Behind’ program, and He pays the tuition fee with His blood. He teaches us lessons though His Word, and through life’s experiences, He drills us on the concepts learned. He also makes sure to get from us spiritual dividends from what He teaches us. His grading standard is the un-compromised, unadulterated Word forever established in heaven (Psalms 119:89) and He doesn’t grade on the curve. No matter what or how long it takes, we graduate.
How much easier though it would be if we would learn just by believing the course’s text, not having to drill concepts through the trials of experience. As the Jews of old, we are not always able to believe just by faith; we require a sign, the pangs of experince (1 Corinthians 1:22).
Oh how much trouble we would avoid if we only had enough respectful fear for His Word. Our soul would easily be convicted of sin big and small, just because “He said so”. Also, we would read in His words about the fate of the unsaved, and feel desperation for our friends and relatives; we would see ourselves as the proverbial Good Samaritan to our ‘neighbors’ (Luke 10:36,37) in the whole world.
“Oh my Lord, put in us a spirit of clear understanding and integrity towards your Word. Clear away the semantic fog of excuses and the doctrinal confusions. Let us once again see and understand Your words in their full values so that we may have proper respect unto them!”
2 Peter 3:9-11 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (10) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (11) Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness.
How seriously do we take the Word? How much do we believe it?
We are surely saved by grace, but the lessons of our salvation are learned through experience, bitter experience sometimes.
Jesus also has a ‘No Child Left Behind’ program, and He pays the tuition fee with His blood. He teaches us lessons though His Word, and through life’s experiences, He drills us on the concepts learned. He also makes sure to get from us spiritual dividends from what He teaches us. His grading standard is the un-compromised, unadulterated Word forever established in heaven (Psalms 119:89) and He doesn’t grade on the curve. No matter what or how long it takes, we graduate.
How much easier though it would be if we would learn just by believing the course’s text, not having to drill concepts through the trials of experience. As the Jews of old, we are not always able to believe just by faith; we require a sign, the pangs of experince (1 Corinthians 1:22).
Oh how much trouble we would avoid if we only had enough respectful fear for His Word. Our soul would easily be convicted of sin big and small, just because “He said so”. Also, we would read in His words about the fate of the unsaved, and feel desperation for our friends and relatives; we would see ourselves as the proverbial Good Samaritan to our ‘neighbors’ (Luke 10:36,37) in the whole world.
“Oh my Lord, put in us a spirit of clear understanding and integrity towards your Word. Clear away the semantic fog of excuses and the doctrinal confusions. Let us once again see and understand Your words in their full values so that we may have proper respect unto them!”
2 Peter 3:9-11 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (10) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (11) Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
STRENGTH FROM SURRENDER
Psalms 119:119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.
I was teaching a history class on World War 1 and 2 to a group of teenagers. The class led to a discussion on the responsibility of reacting when people are oppressed lest these same oppressing forces one day turn on you.
It is very interesting to see how throughout Bible history, God often thwarts His peoples’ efforts to save themselves, as through their tribulation, they develop the patience (Romans 5:3) to wait on Him to fulfill His promise to “put away” the “wicked”. Tribulation then certainly glorifies God.
What a blessed assurance and peace of mind fills the soul of the man who has conquered his own tendencies to be his own savior, to fight his own enemies, and play ‘God’ in his own life. The man who had given up such foolishness has perfect confidence. He has perfect faith to wait. He is fully convinced that at the right time, God Himself will come for him out of heaven, calling a Moses, a Gideon, or even a Samson to fight, conquer, subdue, and annihilate the oppressor of his soul.
May God bless us with this faith, this peace, and this confidence that we do not have to work it all out; we do not have to gather ‘armies’ and fight evil. God has promised that He himself will put away the wicked from the earth. Who knows how long God may be just waiting for us to cease struggling in our own might so He can help us.
Hebrews 11:1-2 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (2) For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Hebrews 11:32-34 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: (33) Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, (34) Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
ANECDOTE
A drowning boy was struggling in the water. On the shore stood his mother in an agony of fright and grief. By her side stood a strong man seemingly indifferent to the boy's fate. Again and again did the suffering mother appeal to him to save her boy, but he made no move. By and by the desperate struggles of the boy began to abate. He was losing strength. Presently he arose to the surface weak and helpless. At once the man leaped into the stream and brought the boy in safely to the shore. "Why did you not save my boy sooner?" asked the now grateful mother. "Madam, I could not as long as he struggled. He would have dragged us both to certain death. But when he grew weak and ceased to struggle, then it was easy to save him." It is when we cease from our own works and depend helplessly upon Him that we realize how perfectly able He is to save without any aid from us.
I was teaching a history class on World War 1 and 2 to a group of teenagers. The class led to a discussion on the responsibility of reacting when people are oppressed lest these same oppressing forces one day turn on you.
It is very interesting to see how throughout Bible history, God often thwarts His peoples’ efforts to save themselves, as through their tribulation, they develop the patience (Romans 5:3) to wait on Him to fulfill His promise to “put away” the “wicked”. Tribulation then certainly glorifies God.
What a blessed assurance and peace of mind fills the soul of the man who has conquered his own tendencies to be his own savior, to fight his own enemies, and play ‘God’ in his own life. The man who had given up such foolishness has perfect confidence. He has perfect faith to wait. He is fully convinced that at the right time, God Himself will come for him out of heaven, calling a Moses, a Gideon, or even a Samson to fight, conquer, subdue, and annihilate the oppressor of his soul.
May God bless us with this faith, this peace, and this confidence that we do not have to work it all out; we do not have to gather ‘armies’ and fight evil. God has promised that He himself will put away the wicked from the earth. Who knows how long God may be just waiting for us to cease struggling in our own might so He can help us.
Hebrews 11:1-2 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (2) For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Hebrews 11:32-34 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: (33) Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, (34) Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
ANECDOTE
A drowning boy was struggling in the water. On the shore stood his mother in an agony of fright and grief. By her side stood a strong man seemingly indifferent to the boy's fate. Again and again did the suffering mother appeal to him to save her boy, but he made no move. By and by the desperate struggles of the boy began to abate. He was losing strength. Presently he arose to the surface weak and helpless. At once the man leaped into the stream and brought the boy in safely to the shore. "Why did you not save my boy sooner?" asked the now grateful mother. "Madam, I could not as long as he struggled. He would have dragged us both to certain death. But when he grew weak and ceased to struggle, then it was easy to save him." It is when we cease from our own works and depend helplessly upon Him that we realize how perfectly able He is to save without any aid from us.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
THE TESTIMONY OF GOD
Psalms 119:118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.
History is one of the greatest proofs of the existence of its great Planner: God. We do not need a degree in higher theology to see it. All we need to do is to look at the many fulfilled prophecies concerning the fate of certain cities.
For example, through the prophet Ezekiel, the Lord said that the city of Tyre in Lebanon would be completely destroyed; that it would become as bare as the top of a rock; that her stones & debris would be cast into the sea, and that she would become a place for the spreading of the fishermen’s nets (Ezechiel chapters 26 and 30). That's exactly what happened to that city. In the seventh century BC, Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, came along to conquer the rich city of Tyre, but the inhabitants having been warned, fled to a little island a half a mile offshore with all their treasures & riches. Nebuchadnezzar didn’t have a navy so he couldn’t get at them. He was so angry that he destroyed the entire old city of Tyre, the great city of the Phoenicians, and left it there in ruins. Two hundred fifty years later, along came Alexander the Great with the goal of conquering that rich city. He had a navy and he wasn't going to pass up all those riches. He and his army scraped the debris of the ruins of the old city in the water and built a half a mile causeway all the way to the island where stood the new city of Tyre and captured it. Today, fishermen spread their nets on this causeway, just as the prophecy predicted.
The prophecies about the cites that God allowed to be destroyed for their sins stand forever as a testimony and warning to us and our nation of His eternal never failing Word and justice.
Psalms 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
History is one of the greatest proofs of the existence of its great Planner: God. We do not need a degree in higher theology to see it. All we need to do is to look at the many fulfilled prophecies concerning the fate of certain cities.
For example, through the prophet Ezekiel, the Lord said that the city of Tyre in Lebanon would be completely destroyed; that it would become as bare as the top of a rock; that her stones & debris would be cast into the sea, and that she would become a place for the spreading of the fishermen’s nets (Ezechiel chapters 26 and 30). That's exactly what happened to that city. In the seventh century BC, Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, came along to conquer the rich city of Tyre, but the inhabitants having been warned, fled to a little island a half a mile offshore with all their treasures & riches. Nebuchadnezzar didn’t have a navy so he couldn’t get at them. He was so angry that he destroyed the entire old city of Tyre, the great city of the Phoenicians, and left it there in ruins. Two hundred fifty years later, along came Alexander the Great with the goal of conquering that rich city. He had a navy and he wasn't going to pass up all those riches. He and his army scraped the debris of the ruins of the old city in the water and built a half a mile causeway all the way to the island where stood the new city of Tyre and captured it. Today, fishermen spread their nets on this causeway, just as the prophecy predicted.
The prophecies about the cites that God allowed to be destroyed for their sins stand forever as a testimony and warning to us and our nation of His eternal never failing Word and justice.
Psalms 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
A FAMINE OF GOD’S WORD
Psalms 119:117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.
O blessed assurance that comes to the soul upheld by the Creator. Truly blessed is the he who has confidence that no matter what, he will never be left nor forsaken (Hebrews 13:5).
Full confidence and trust in God lie in obedience to His statutes. How can we expect to benefit from His protection when we run outside His protective precepts? We certainly cannot claim God’s armor if we run outside of the walls of His will for our lives.
The pure Word of God is so direct, so straight, so easy to understand, but today’s semantics have blurred our understanding to its easy to define standards of right and wrong. Just as predicted by the prophet, we now have a famine of hearing the Words of God (Amos 8:11). More than ever, we need the Holy Ghost to interpret the Word in our hearts so that we understand them and be protected by His statutes again.
Only His Word, understood and empowered by the Holy Spirit in our hearts can help us find the protective walls of his statutes again. Only His Words can keep us away from the dangers of the spiritual inconsistencies and conformities that are so prevalent in the world today.
“Lord, I ask you today to make Your Word clear in my mind. Take away all the excusing arguments created by double-talk semantics, and help me to call a spade a spade in my life. Help to realize that a lie is a lie, no matter how many other people say and accept it. Help me to know that a murmur is a murmur, and a grievance unto you. That covetousness is a sin, even though accepted in our Western civilization, and that so are anger, pride and selfishness, not psychological conditions and sicknesses. Make your word clear to me again so that I can have respect unto them and be safe.”
2 Peter 2:1-9 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2) And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (3) And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. (4) For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; (5) And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; (6) And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; (7) And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (8) (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) (9) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
O blessed assurance that comes to the soul upheld by the Creator. Truly blessed is the he who has confidence that no matter what, he will never be left nor forsaken (Hebrews 13:5).
Full confidence and trust in God lie in obedience to His statutes. How can we expect to benefit from His protection when we run outside His protective precepts? We certainly cannot claim God’s armor if we run outside of the walls of His will for our lives.
The pure Word of God is so direct, so straight, so easy to understand, but today’s semantics have blurred our understanding to its easy to define standards of right and wrong. Just as predicted by the prophet, we now have a famine of hearing the Words of God (Amos 8:11). More than ever, we need the Holy Ghost to interpret the Word in our hearts so that we understand them and be protected by His statutes again.
Only His Word, understood and empowered by the Holy Spirit in our hearts can help us find the protective walls of his statutes again. Only His Words can keep us away from the dangers of the spiritual inconsistencies and conformities that are so prevalent in the world today.
“Lord, I ask you today to make Your Word clear in my mind. Take away all the excusing arguments created by double-talk semantics, and help me to call a spade a spade in my life. Help to realize that a lie is a lie, no matter how many other people say and accept it. Help me to know that a murmur is a murmur, and a grievance unto you. That covetousness is a sin, even though accepted in our Western civilization, and that so are anger, pride and selfishness, not psychological conditions and sicknesses. Make your word clear to me again so that I can have respect unto them and be safe.”
2 Peter 2:1-9 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2) And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (3) And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. (4) For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; (5) And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; (6) And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; (7) And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (8) (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) (9) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
GOD’S SECURITIES
Psalms 119:116 Uphold me according unto thy Word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
It is amazing to see how much easier it is for mankind to put his trust in man-made securities than in God’s Word. During the Great Depression in 1929, thousands who had put their trust in the securities of this world found themselves jobless, penniless, at the mercies of soup kitchens and government programs. The system obviously had failed them, but they still went on to rebuild it, and now, more than ever, the golden “calf” on Wall Street continues to lure investors to its impious feasts. Recently, thousands lost their 401K, college funds, etc to the Enron debacle, but what is even more pathetic is that these same people will continue gambling their lives, possessions and “earned wages to put it into the uncertain ‘bags’ of man’s securities Haggai 1:6.
Imagine God’s disappointment and frustration. After He had opened the Red sea, drowned the armies of the enemy, provided food from Heaven, water from a rock, and yet, at the foot of Mt Sinai, they erect an idolatrous golden calf. When will we learn to not lean on the ‘stock’ of Egypt? No matter what or who He uses as His instrument of supply, God is ultimately the one who is our great security.
The Bible tells us of a soon-coming day when under the last world dictator, one will not be able to buy nor sale without trading his faith in God for his faith in this antichrist ruler. Let us learn today to make God our hope according to His Word, and then in those days we will not be ashamed.
Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Psalms 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
It is amazing to see how much easier it is for mankind to put his trust in man-made securities than in God’s Word. During the Great Depression in 1929, thousands who had put their trust in the securities of this world found themselves jobless, penniless, at the mercies of soup kitchens and government programs. The system obviously had failed them, but they still went on to rebuild it, and now, more than ever, the golden “calf” on Wall Street continues to lure investors to its impious feasts. Recently, thousands lost their 401K, college funds, etc to the Enron debacle, but what is even more pathetic is that these same people will continue gambling their lives, possessions and “earned wages to put it into the uncertain ‘bags’ of man’s securities Haggai 1:6.
Imagine God’s disappointment and frustration. After He had opened the Red sea, drowned the armies of the enemy, provided food from Heaven, water from a rock, and yet, at the foot of Mt Sinai, they erect an idolatrous golden calf. When will we learn to not lean on the ‘stock’ of Egypt? No matter what or who He uses as His instrument of supply, God is ultimately the one who is our great security.
The Bible tells us of a soon-coming day when under the last world dictator, one will not be able to buy nor sale without trading his faith in God for his faith in this antichrist ruler. Let us learn today to make God our hope according to His Word, and then in those days we will not be ashamed.
Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Psalms 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
THE TEST OF CHARACTER
Psalms 119:115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
A man was complaining about the world’s many temptations. Whereas it is true that this world offers the glitter, the gold, and everything our soul is made to lust after, the intensity of temptation can also be aggravated by the company we keep. Indeed, if we put a large buffer zone between us and temptation, we will not have such a hard time with it.
Our senses, physical and metaphysical are sensors that bring to our heart the emotional and audio-visual input with which they are constantly bombarded. Thank God, we have a filter. This filter is called “the conscience”, and this conscience needs to be programmed and activated by the Holy Ghost. Sometimes, in fact often, the nemesis of our conscience is our own selves. Indeed, we are the ones who often fight the spiritual configuration of our conscience, and therefore end up freezing the whole machine.
Our conscience screams at us, “Get out of this relationship even though it feels good” “Do not take this job even though the money is good” “Can this friendship even though you find it fun” “Don’t spend money you don’t yet have” “Don’t read this book/watch this movie/go on this web site”. It often gives us sound counsel such as, “Talk to your spouse about this decision” “Take time with your children/ead spiritually feeding material/attend a spiritual fellowship” “Eat healthy”
It takes a person of character to buck the tide of peer-pressure and say like King David,“Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.”
“Lord, please help me to do the right things even though my senses scream out to do the wrong thing; help me to rebuke these influences that would make me break your commandment; be my strength when I am weak!”
Romans 7:14-25 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. (15) For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. (16) If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. (17) Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (18) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. (19) For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. (20) Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (21) I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. (22) For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: (23) But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (24) O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (25) I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
A man was complaining about the world’s many temptations. Whereas it is true that this world offers the glitter, the gold, and everything our soul is made to lust after, the intensity of temptation can also be aggravated by the company we keep. Indeed, if we put a large buffer zone between us and temptation, we will not have such a hard time with it.
Our senses, physical and metaphysical are sensors that bring to our heart the emotional and audio-visual input with which they are constantly bombarded. Thank God, we have a filter. This filter is called “the conscience”, and this conscience needs to be programmed and activated by the Holy Ghost. Sometimes, in fact often, the nemesis of our conscience is our own selves. Indeed, we are the ones who often fight the spiritual configuration of our conscience, and therefore end up freezing the whole machine.
Our conscience screams at us, “Get out of this relationship even though it feels good” “Do not take this job even though the money is good” “Can this friendship even though you find it fun” “Don’t spend money you don’t yet have” “Don’t read this book/watch this movie/go on this web site”. It often gives us sound counsel such as, “Talk to your spouse about this decision” “Take time with your children/ead spiritually feeding material/attend a spiritual fellowship” “Eat healthy”
It takes a person of character to buck the tide of peer-pressure and say like King David,“Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.”
“Lord, please help me to do the right things even though my senses scream out to do the wrong thing; help me to rebuke these influences that would make me break your commandment; be my strength when I am weak!”
Romans 7:14-25 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. (15) For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. (16) If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. (17) Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (18) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. (19) For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. (20) Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (21) I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. (22) For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: (23) But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (24) O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (25) I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
THE TRUE TERRORIST
Psalms 119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
How many times are we assailed by bad or vain thoughts? How many times are we tempted with feelings of judgment, revenge, lust, covetousness, complaint, depression, selfishness, and pride? Jesus told us that all these negative feelings come from our hearts (Matthew 15;19); and that is why King Solomon told us Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23).
Beloved, these are the enemies of our soul. They do more damage than any terrorist. The terrorist will harm our body, but these evil concepts will harm our soul (Matthew 10:28). Our governments can deploy anti-ballistic missiles, magnetic shields and radar protections, but they will never protect us against the real enemy of our soul. Our scientists can develop all sorts of intelligence gathering systems, they will never be able to create something that will protect us from our real enemy: ourselves.
Let us today expose this relentless enemy. Let us recognize him when he raises his ugly face, and not be foolish enough to think that we can fight him. Let us rather take our refuge and place our hope in the infallible standards of the Words of truth. Let us memorize it, and quote it to him out loud like Jesus did in the day of temptation in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11), and see him vanish away. Even David who was as strong and courageous as he was noble, David who was one of the greatest warriors the world has ever known, he knew that the true protection of his heart laid only within the hiding place of the Word of God.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
How many times are we assailed by bad or vain thoughts? How many times are we tempted with feelings of judgment, revenge, lust, covetousness, complaint, depression, selfishness, and pride? Jesus told us that all these negative feelings come from our hearts (Matthew 15;19); and that is why King Solomon told us Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23).
Beloved, these are the enemies of our soul. They do more damage than any terrorist. The terrorist will harm our body, but these evil concepts will harm our soul (Matthew 10:28). Our governments can deploy anti-ballistic missiles, magnetic shields and radar protections, but they will never protect us against the real enemy of our soul. Our scientists can develop all sorts of intelligence gathering systems, they will never be able to create something that will protect us from our real enemy: ourselves.
Let us today expose this relentless enemy. Let us recognize him when he raises his ugly face, and not be foolish enough to think that we can fight him. Let us rather take our refuge and place our hope in the infallible standards of the Words of truth. Let us memorize it, and quote it to him out loud like Jesus did in the day of temptation in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11), and see him vanish away. Even David who was as strong and courageous as he was noble, David who was one of the greatest warriors the world has ever known, he knew that the true protection of his heart laid only within the hiding place of the Word of God.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
THE WORKS OF VAIN THOUGHTS
Psalms 119:113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
The Law of God establishes the standards of good and bad and of right and wrong. In spite of the ever-changing vain opinions of man, in spite of all his attempts to redefine moral concepts, he cannot temper with these standards; they are unchangeable.
The psalmist here states vain thoughts as being whatever is in opposition to the Law of God. The opposite of the fixed and infallible, is the wavery, the unsure and the uncertain. How vain are the thoughts of the man without God. Even man’s best and highest seems to hardly lift from the ground compared to the grandeur of thought and purpose that flies in God’s heavens. And yet, man prides himself in his sense of self-security, thinking that he can be his own insurance against God. Like Nimrod, in his vain attempt to steal the control from God, he builds a high tower of confusion thinking that he can securely climb away from God’s drowning judgments.*
In his attempt to run away from God’s control and to lead his own life, man perverts, and therefore weakens through corruption the very thought foundations of his own mind. The humanist forces at work in the world seek to indoctrinate us with vain thoughts that are contrary to the Law of God.
How many of these vain thoughts surround us? Do we recognize them? Are we even aware that these vain thoughts of pride, glory, conceit, self-ordained purpose, self-trust and self-dependence seek to conquer our minds and hearts away from the spirit of true utter-dependence on the Father? Do we denounce these thoughts to our conscience? Do they even seem right to us?
Oh Lord my God. Open my eyes that I may see, Open my heart that I may feel. Open my spirit that I may discern. Let no vain thought rule over me. Take away every one, and let me know what they are; expose them with the light of the Words of your Law.
Psalms 90:8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.
*The Works of Josephus.
Antiquities of the Jews, Book 1; Chapt 4; par 2.
2. Now it was Nimrod who excited them to such an affront and contempt of God. He was the grandson of Ham, the son of Noah, a bold man, and of great strength of hand. He persuaded them not to ascribe it to God, as if it was through his means they were happy, but to believe that it was their own courage which procured that happiness. He also gradually changed the government into tyranny, seeing no other way of turning men from the fear of God, but to bring them into a constant dependence on his power. He also said he would be revenged on God, if he should have a mind to drown the world again; for that he would build a tower too high for the waters to be able to reach! and that he would avenge himself on God for destroying their forefathers !
The Law of God establishes the standards of good and bad and of right and wrong. In spite of the ever-changing vain opinions of man, in spite of all his attempts to redefine moral concepts, he cannot temper with these standards; they are unchangeable.
The psalmist here states vain thoughts as being whatever is in opposition to the Law of God. The opposite of the fixed and infallible, is the wavery, the unsure and the uncertain. How vain are the thoughts of the man without God. Even man’s best and highest seems to hardly lift from the ground compared to the grandeur of thought and purpose that flies in God’s heavens. And yet, man prides himself in his sense of self-security, thinking that he can be his own insurance against God. Like Nimrod, in his vain attempt to steal the control from God, he builds a high tower of confusion thinking that he can securely climb away from God’s drowning judgments.*
In his attempt to run away from God’s control and to lead his own life, man perverts, and therefore weakens through corruption the very thought foundations of his own mind. The humanist forces at work in the world seek to indoctrinate us with vain thoughts that are contrary to the Law of God.
How many of these vain thoughts surround us? Do we recognize them? Are we even aware that these vain thoughts of pride, glory, conceit, self-ordained purpose, self-trust and self-dependence seek to conquer our minds and hearts away from the spirit of true utter-dependence on the Father? Do we denounce these thoughts to our conscience? Do they even seem right to us?
Oh Lord my God. Open my eyes that I may see, Open my heart that I may feel. Open my spirit that I may discern. Let no vain thought rule over me. Take away every one, and let me know what they are; expose them with the light of the Words of your Law.
Psalms 90:8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.
*The Works of Josephus.
Antiquities of the Jews, Book 1; Chapt 4; par 2.
2. Now it was Nimrod who excited them to such an affront and contempt of God. He was the grandson of Ham, the son of Noah, a bold man, and of great strength of hand. He persuaded them not to ascribe it to God, as if it was through his means they were happy, but to believe that it was their own courage which procured that happiness. He also gradually changed the government into tyranny, seeing no other way of turning men from the fear of God, but to bring them into a constant dependence on his power. He also said he would be revenged on God, if he should have a mind to drown the world again; for that he would build a tower too high for the waters to be able to reach! and that he would avenge himself on God for destroying their forefathers !
Thursday, April 05, 2007
A SAMPLE, NOT A SERMON
Psalms 119:112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.
It is a sad thing that many of us are prone to preaching rather than acting. Oh, it is so easy to talk about God, to talk about service and self-sacrifice. How many preachers have beautifully constructed sermons on the virtues of a life consecrated to God. Those would want to tell me the way, or expound it to me. Let me now say to the smooth-tongued philosopher that I would prefer that one would show me the way by the example of his own personal consecrated life than one who would tell me about it. Give me any day a performer of the virtue, rather than an exhibitor.
All the more, it is so easy to serve God when life goes like a song. It is so easy to love and praise Him when the road is smooth and the weather is temperate. Let us now see what happens when the road is bumpy and the whether unfriendly. Should we be God’s fair weather friends only? Should we not go all the way in our obedience to His commandments, even of the harder commandments, those we are not so prone to obey because they tend to take us out of our comfort zone? Those like Preach the Gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15), Love your enemy (Matthew 5:44), give to whosoever asketh of thee (Mat 5:42), no man can serve God and Mammon (Mat 6:24)?
Let us today make the hard decisions that confront our spiritual lethargy. Let us “perform” His statutes always, even unto the end.
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
It is a sad thing that many of us are prone to preaching rather than acting. Oh, it is so easy to talk about God, to talk about service and self-sacrifice. How many preachers have beautifully constructed sermons on the virtues of a life consecrated to God. Those would want to tell me the way, or expound it to me. Let me now say to the smooth-tongued philosopher that I would prefer that one would show me the way by the example of his own personal consecrated life than one who would tell me about it. Give me any day a performer of the virtue, rather than an exhibitor.
All the more, it is so easy to serve God when life goes like a song. It is so easy to love and praise Him when the road is smooth and the weather is temperate. Let us now see what happens when the road is bumpy and the whether unfriendly. Should we be God’s fair weather friends only? Should we not go all the way in our obedience to His commandments, even of the harder commandments, those we are not so prone to obey because they tend to take us out of our comfort zone? Those like Preach the Gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15), Love your enemy (Matthew 5:44), give to whosoever asketh of thee (Mat 5:42), no man can serve God and Mammon (Mat 6:24)?
Let us today make the hard decisions that confront our spiritual lethargy. Let us “perform” His statutes always, even unto the end.
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
THE WORD, MINE INHERITANCE
Psalms 119:111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
We mankind, hunger after power and possessions. We want to inherit gold, to rule over lands. What if this morning, during our devotion time, God would ask us the same question He asked King Solomon, Ask what I shall give thee (2 Chronicles 1:7)? What would we ask for? God doesn’t make empty promises. Like Aladdin’s genie, at that very moment the God who has created the universe, offers to give us whatever our heart desires and commands. As is shown us in the text of 2 Chronicles 1, this question could prove to be a real test of character.
A large sum of money could solve a lot of temporary problems for many of us. Maybe we could ask for healing from a terminal disease. In a time of war, we could also ask for the unconditional protection of our life, or of that of a loved-one. It could also be tempting to ask for an unrequited love to turn around, or for a change in what we consider a “misfortune”. Vengeance over an enemy could be desirable, or their death, or even that of an annoying business competitor.
What is the desire of our heart? God knows it. God already knew the answer that Solomon would give. He was the son of the Psalmist, who though wealthy, esteemed the Word of God his true riches (Psalms 119:111), and presence with the Lord his preferred inheritance (Psalms 23:6).
Are the testimonies of the Lord our preferred inheritance? Do we look for them with more value that for silver and gold (Psalms 119:72) ? If everything were taken away from us, would we feel wealthy just by our ownership of the Word? One day, everything this world offers will be taken from us, and all we’ll have left will be the wealth of Word and related virtues we have stored in our heart; how rich will we feel then?
Psalms 16:5 The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
We mankind, hunger after power and possessions. We want to inherit gold, to rule over lands. What if this morning, during our devotion time, God would ask us the same question He asked King Solomon, Ask what I shall give thee (2 Chronicles 1:7)? What would we ask for? God doesn’t make empty promises. Like Aladdin’s genie, at that very moment the God who has created the universe, offers to give us whatever our heart desires and commands. As is shown us in the text of 2 Chronicles 1, this question could prove to be a real test of character.
A large sum of money could solve a lot of temporary problems for many of us. Maybe we could ask for healing from a terminal disease. In a time of war, we could also ask for the unconditional protection of our life, or of that of a loved-one. It could also be tempting to ask for an unrequited love to turn around, or for a change in what we consider a “misfortune”. Vengeance over an enemy could be desirable, or their death, or even that of an annoying business competitor.
What is the desire of our heart? God knows it. God already knew the answer that Solomon would give. He was the son of the Psalmist, who though wealthy, esteemed the Word of God his true riches (Psalms 119:111), and presence with the Lord his preferred inheritance (Psalms 23:6).
Are the testimonies of the Lord our preferred inheritance? Do we look for them with more value that for silver and gold (Psalms 119:72) ? If everything were taken away from us, would we feel wealthy just by our ownership of the Word? One day, everything this world offers will be taken from us, and all we’ll have left will be the wealth of Word and related virtues we have stored in our heart; how rich will we feel then?
Psalms 16:5 The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
THE SNARES INSIDE OF US
Psalms 119:110The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
I saw a movie once called “The Thief of Baghdad”. Part of the plot was for someone to retrieve a black diamond hidden inside at the top of a hollow mountain. The brave soul attempting the feat had to enter inside the mountain through a cave and walk up a treacherous narrow pathway. On either side of the pathway sat deadly tempting traps and snares, such as treasure chests or beautiful women. They were all surrounded by deadly marshes with fierce animals. Some of the distractions were voices insulting the treasure seeker hoping to provoke him away from the straight and narrow path and into a fight.
A prince, quite sure of himself, was tempted by the golden chest, and barely made it past the beautiful woman. But when someone uttered an insult towards his family line, his pride got the better of him; he left the straight and narrow path and fell in the marshes. His servant, a humble soul, came to his rescue. He had seen the miserable vain promiscuous life of his wealthy master, so neither the gold chest nor the beautiful women tempted him. He was of low birth so he could not argue against the truth when it was told that his father was a bastard and his mother a prostitute. In the story, not only did he get the diamond, but he also rescued his foolish master.
Our life is full of such scenarios. The enemy knows our weakness for wealth, vanity and pride. He knows the snares inside of us. He has used these very elements to keep us away from God from the Garden of Eden on. Oh what protection we enjoy once we set the attitudes of our spirit in line with His. May we today enjoy it today by following His teachings of humility and live wholesome lives as outlined in His precepts.
Matthew 5:3-10 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (4) Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (5) Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (6) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (7) Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (8) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (9) Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (10) Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
I saw a movie once called “The Thief of Baghdad”. Part of the plot was for someone to retrieve a black diamond hidden inside at the top of a hollow mountain. The brave soul attempting the feat had to enter inside the mountain through a cave and walk up a treacherous narrow pathway. On either side of the pathway sat deadly tempting traps and snares, such as treasure chests or beautiful women. They were all surrounded by deadly marshes with fierce animals. Some of the distractions were voices insulting the treasure seeker hoping to provoke him away from the straight and narrow path and into a fight.
A prince, quite sure of himself, was tempted by the golden chest, and barely made it past the beautiful woman. But when someone uttered an insult towards his family line, his pride got the better of him; he left the straight and narrow path and fell in the marshes. His servant, a humble soul, came to his rescue. He had seen the miserable vain promiscuous life of his wealthy master, so neither the gold chest nor the beautiful women tempted him. He was of low birth so he could not argue against the truth when it was told that his father was a bastard and his mother a prostitute. In the story, not only did he get the diamond, but he also rescued his foolish master.
Our life is full of such scenarios. The enemy knows our weakness for wealth, vanity and pride. He knows the snares inside of us. He has used these very elements to keep us away from God from the Garden of Eden on. Oh what protection we enjoy once we set the attitudes of our spirit in line with His. May we today enjoy it today by following His teachings of humility and live wholesome lives as outlined in His precepts.
Matthew 5:3-10 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (4) Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (5) Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (6) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (7) Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (8) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (9) Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (10) Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Monday, April 02, 2007
GOD IS FOR CHOICE
Psalms 119:109 My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
Each one of us owns our destiny. Each one of us has the power to choose the higher or lower path; to move by virtue or respond to instinct. At times I have wondered if perhaps this freedom of choice given to us by the Almighty may not have created more trouble than is worth. Seeing what many of us do with it, it is easy to feel hopeless and want to discard the whole thing.
Yet, as I search God’s unmistakable will, as I learn from His unfailing wisdom, my eyes finally light upon the answer. I suddenly understand and can trust the wisdom of the Creator of Life. Such are answers from God; they provoke an abundance of peace, and they comfort the heart.
It is so easy to resort to the sin of our own ways to resolve problems or sticky situations. It is so easy to lie, to cover up; to retaliate and malign in order to solve our problems. But if choice had not been given to us, if as gods (Psalms 82:6) we had not been given the ability to choose between good and evil, between obedience and rebellion, wherein could we be blessed? Without the right to choose, the wicked wouyld be controlled, but rewards for the just would also cease to exist. Now, by simply choosing the right when faced with alternatives, we own the advantage of reserving to ourselves blessings upon blessings.
May we today, in spite of opposite influences, as Bunyan’s pilgrim choose the right path; the path of His Word and His Instructions. May we do so by constantly referring to the directions He gave us in the ‘Scroll’, and deviate from it neither to the right nor to the left.
Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
Each one of us owns our destiny. Each one of us has the power to choose the higher or lower path; to move by virtue or respond to instinct. At times I have wondered if perhaps this freedom of choice given to us by the Almighty may not have created more trouble than is worth. Seeing what many of us do with it, it is easy to feel hopeless and want to discard the whole thing.
Yet, as I search God’s unmistakable will, as I learn from His unfailing wisdom, my eyes finally light upon the answer. I suddenly understand and can trust the wisdom of the Creator of Life. Such are answers from God; they provoke an abundance of peace, and they comfort the heart.
It is so easy to resort to the sin of our own ways to resolve problems or sticky situations. It is so easy to lie, to cover up; to retaliate and malign in order to solve our problems. But if choice had not been given to us, if as gods (Psalms 82:6) we had not been given the ability to choose between good and evil, between obedience and rebellion, wherein could we be blessed? Without the right to choose, the wicked wouyld be controlled, but rewards for the just would also cease to exist. Now, by simply choosing the right when faced with alternatives, we own the advantage of reserving to ourselves blessings upon blessings.
May we today, in spite of opposite influences, as Bunyan’s pilgrim choose the right path; the path of His Word and His Instructions. May we do so by constantly referring to the directions He gave us in the ‘Scroll’, and deviate from it neither to the right nor to the left.
Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
THE FREE-WILL OFFERING OF PRAISE
Psalms 119:108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.
It is oh, so easy to thank and praise God when everything goes right. It comes almost naturally to thank Him for the blessings that are so clear and evident. Unchallenged “thank you’s” flow from our hearts as if we were owed every blessing that covers our head. Let us now imagine another scenario to life. Suddenly, black angry clouds fill the skies; the road becomes a muddy mars; its sharp curves less protected. When our cold wet feet shod with worn out shoes ache, the grace to carry the burden seems to fade; the Heavenly Presence seems absent leaving in its stead the empty cold void of uncertainty.
It is at such times, yes it is at such times that praise becomes the free-will offering of the mouth. At such times, praising and thanking God requires a spirit of humility that utterly burns the pride of our own will and ‘intelligent’ programs on the altar of His will. It is at such times that the spirits of praise, humility and yieldedness are tested.
We then bow to Him in utter humility and profound silence; humbly, in front of the ultimate beauty and wisdom of His unsearchable will; silently, as the great Master of the universe stoops from His throne to teach us great lessons from the treasures mine of darkness, from the hidden riches of secret places (Isaiah 45:3).
Praise Him in the cold
Praise Him in the sun.
And when in the rain
From praisin' do not run.
Praise Him when you’re sad
‘ven when you’re happy
Still while crying
Let His praise still fill thee.
You know you may live,
That also you may die
But in known and unknown
His praise lifts us high.
So praise for days past
‘so for tomorrow
And if it rains on today,
Praise’ll drowns its sorrow.
Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
It is oh, so easy to thank and praise God when everything goes right. It comes almost naturally to thank Him for the blessings that are so clear and evident. Unchallenged “thank you’s” flow from our hearts as if we were owed every blessing that covers our head. Let us now imagine another scenario to life. Suddenly, black angry clouds fill the skies; the road becomes a muddy mars; its sharp curves less protected. When our cold wet feet shod with worn out shoes ache, the grace to carry the burden seems to fade; the Heavenly Presence seems absent leaving in its stead the empty cold void of uncertainty.
It is at such times, yes it is at such times that praise becomes the free-will offering of the mouth. At such times, praising and thanking God requires a spirit of humility that utterly burns the pride of our own will and ‘intelligent’ programs on the altar of His will. It is at such times that the spirits of praise, humility and yieldedness are tested.
We then bow to Him in utter humility and profound silence; humbly, in front of the ultimate beauty and wisdom of His unsearchable will; silently, as the great Master of the universe stoops from His throne to teach us great lessons from the treasures mine of darkness, from the hidden riches of secret places (Isaiah 45:3).
Praise Him in the cold
Praise Him in the sun.
And when in the rain
From praisin' do not run.
Praise Him when you’re sad
‘ven when you’re happy
Still while crying
Let His praise still fill thee.
You know you may live,
That also you may die
But in known and unknown
His praise lifts us high.
So praise for days past
‘so for tomorrow
And if it rains on today,
Praise’ll drowns its sorrow.
Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
RESURECTION COMES FIRST FROM DEATH
Psalms 119:107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
Some think that their Christianity should spare them from the fiery trials of this life. They think that it gives them a “protégé” status with God. My, oh my! I would dare say that Christianity rather secures tribulations in this world. We may not “drink” the Lord’s cup, nor be “baptized” of His baptism (Matthew 20:22), but if we receive Him in this world, and live in Him with integrity, we shall certainly be as He was: a man of sorrow, afflicted, persecuted, reviled and martyred for the cause (Isaiah 53). He said, “The servant is not greater than his Lord” (John 15:20).
Sometimes we feel like we die daily (1 Corinthians 15:31). Sometimes daily tasks and responsibilities weigh heavy on us. We strive daily in dysfunctional situations due to sickness, financial troubles, family issues, but yet, we are meant not to give up. Like King David, we have sworn ourselves to perform the commandment of the Lord (Psalms 119:106), and no matter what the cost, we will continue to the end to faithfully fulfill our responsibilities.
When we feel ourselves at the end of our rope and dying, let us call on the LORD for quickening. Let us remember that as resurrection cannot occurs if there is no death, He cannot quicken us until we have died to our own strength.
1Peter 4:12-13 KJV Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: (13) But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Some think that their Christianity should spare them from the fiery trials of this life. They think that it gives them a “protégé” status with God. My, oh my! I would dare say that Christianity rather secures tribulations in this world. We may not “drink” the Lord’s cup, nor be “baptized” of His baptism (Matthew 20:22), but if we receive Him in this world, and live in Him with integrity, we shall certainly be as He was: a man of sorrow, afflicted, persecuted, reviled and martyred for the cause (Isaiah 53). He said, “The servant is not greater than his Lord” (John 15:20).
Sometimes we feel like we die daily (1 Corinthians 15:31). Sometimes daily tasks and responsibilities weigh heavy on us. We strive daily in dysfunctional situations due to sickness, financial troubles, family issues, but yet, we are meant not to give up. Like King David, we have sworn ourselves to perform the commandment of the Lord (Psalms 119:106), and no matter what the cost, we will continue to the end to faithfully fulfill our responsibilities.
When we feel ourselves at the end of our rope and dying, let us call on the LORD for quickening. Let us remember that as resurrection cannot occurs if there is no death, He cannot quicken us until we have died to our own strength.
1Peter 4:12-13 KJV Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: (13) But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
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