October 31
PURE PRAISE
Psalms 19:9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
The reverence and loyalties that we give to the “lords” of man’s kingdom are temporary; they are mingled with the corruption of personal incentives. Even the Son of God did not escape the shallowness of man’s praise to man. They acclaimed Him as a King, crying “Hosanna” in the streets of Jerusalem, only to cry “crucify Him”, and “let His blood be upon us and our children” four days later.
By comparison, the reverence, respect and honor that we give to the Lord comes with no strings attached, neither brownie points for good behavior or flatteries. Not only is it clean from the impure motives of this world, but it also cleans our soul.
By their truth and righteousness, God’s judgments clean us from our iniquity. As we revere Him, He teaches us their eternal, never changing, heart-renewing verity.
Oh, that we may trust his judgments; that we may lean on Him as onto the strong unmovable rock who with its truth, quenched the thirst of the children of Israel. Oh, that the dry desert of our soul may be filled with the ruth, righteousness, purity and eternity of God’s judgments. Let’s open our hearts and yield our lives, our souls to Him; allow Him to judge and assess them without fear, without reservation. Isn’t He wiser and greater than any psychologist this world could offer? He will give them back to us all clean and pure.
Psalms 22:3-5 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
'Be strong, be strong and be strengthened!'
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Monday, October 30, 2006
SOUL FOOD
October 31, 2005
SOUL FOOD
Psalms 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Many today proclaim themselves to be teachers of the truth from God. Maybe they are but the litmus test is that the statutes of the Lord rejoice the heart. The statutes of the Lord rejoice our heart because of their rightness. They calm the confusion from the world with their safe boundaries; they soothes the hurt and pain of our heart with their balm; they directs us in the right way with their light; they comfort our sorrow with their love, and they enable our weakness with their strength. If the words that we hear in an “honest and good heart” (Luke 8:15) does not provoke these in us but rather bring confusion, doubt, fear and a perverted sense of freedom, if the words of truth that is imparted to us does not rejoice our heart with its rightness, they are not the statutes f the Lord.
When we have truly been fed by the Word of Truth, be it written or oral, we go away full, satisfied, purified, and enlightened. We see our way better, understand our life better, our spiritual life progresses and is on the “up-swing”. We may not understand everything in our mind but we do in our faith, so we grows.
Every once in a while we need to ask ourself, “Am I getting fed? Am I getting fed good healthy food of the spirit that promotes growth, or am I feeding on “junk-food” that only makes me fat? Am I feeding on the pure Word of God, or am I listening to flattering fables? The answer is simple, are we rejoicing and enlightened about our life, or are we confused and in the dark?
1 Peter 2:1-3 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
SOUL FOOD
Psalms 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Many today proclaim themselves to be teachers of the truth from God. Maybe they are but the litmus test is that the statutes of the Lord rejoice the heart. The statutes of the Lord rejoice our heart because of their rightness. They calm the confusion from the world with their safe boundaries; they soothes the hurt and pain of our heart with their balm; they directs us in the right way with their light; they comfort our sorrow with their love, and they enable our weakness with their strength. If the words that we hear in an “honest and good heart” (Luke 8:15) does not provoke these in us but rather bring confusion, doubt, fear and a perverted sense of freedom, if the words of truth that is imparted to us does not rejoice our heart with its rightness, they are not the statutes f the Lord.
When we have truly been fed by the Word of Truth, be it written or oral, we go away full, satisfied, purified, and enlightened. We see our way better, understand our life better, our spiritual life progresses and is on the “up-swing”. We may not understand everything in our mind but we do in our faith, so we grows.
Every once in a while we need to ask ourself, “Am I getting fed? Am I getting fed good healthy food of the spirit that promotes growth, or am I feeding on “junk-food” that only makes me fat? Am I feeding on the pure Word of God, or am I listening to flattering fables? The answer is simple, are we rejoicing and enlightened about our life, or are we confused and in the dark?
1 Peter 2:1-3 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
THE TESTIMONY OF THE WORD
October 29
THE TESTIMONY OF THE WORD
Psalms 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The Hebrew word: “Torah”, translated to us in the Bible as “Law” means, “instruction”. This passage therefore tells us that the instruction of the Lord is perfect.
I dare to assume that any believer would agree with me that the most perfect instruction that could benefit our lives is the Lord’s, and that therefore, it is good counsel to follow. But do we? Maybe we agree to it in words, in worship songs and in prayers, but what about our actions?
What if the Lord appeared right now and gave us specific instructions as to how to dress or not to dress in order to reflect Him better? Or what if He were to tell us that certain foods in our diet were unhealthy, and that some of our friends and personal relations were detrimental to our spiritual well being? What if He also took the liberty of giving us instructions on what to do with our free time?Wouldn’t these instructions be for our best interest; for the converting of our soul from unhealthy appetites to healthier ones?
Would we feel though that the Lord is ‘meddling’ in our ‘personal affairs’? Would we follow His directives? Do we follow the directives He has already given in is Word concerning these very issues?
When we agree to God’s instructions in our heart and life, we don’t need to show it off with religious jewelry, bumper stickers or advertising tee shirts. The fact is evident to all who see us because of the conversion of our lifestyle and healthier appetites. These are the sure testimony of the Lord for the simple who passes by and is advised, learning from what he sees in us.
Jesus, help us to truly believe your words not with our mouth only, but with our heart, soul and body.
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
THE TESTIMONY OF THE WORD
Psalms 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The Hebrew word: “Torah”, translated to us in the Bible as “Law” means, “instruction”. This passage therefore tells us that the instruction of the Lord is perfect.
I dare to assume that any believer would agree with me that the most perfect instruction that could benefit our lives is the Lord’s, and that therefore, it is good counsel to follow. But do we? Maybe we agree to it in words, in worship songs and in prayers, but what about our actions?
What if the Lord appeared right now and gave us specific instructions as to how to dress or not to dress in order to reflect Him better? Or what if He were to tell us that certain foods in our diet were unhealthy, and that some of our friends and personal relations were detrimental to our spiritual well being? What if He also took the liberty of giving us instructions on what to do with our free time?Wouldn’t these instructions be for our best interest; for the converting of our soul from unhealthy appetites to healthier ones?
Would we feel though that the Lord is ‘meddling’ in our ‘personal affairs’? Would we follow His directives? Do we follow the directives He has already given in is Word concerning these very issues?
When we agree to God’s instructions in our heart and life, we don’t need to show it off with religious jewelry, bumper stickers or advertising tee shirts. The fact is evident to all who see us because of the conversion of our lifestyle and healthier appetites. These are the sure testimony of the Lord for the simple who passes by and is advised, learning from what he sees in us.
Jesus, help us to truly believe your words not with our mouth only, but with our heart, soul and body.
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
OUR ALL POWERFUL LORD
October 28
OUR ALL POWERFUL LORD
Psalms 19:6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
Is anything withheld from the sun? Is anything hid from its power?
In its course, the sun covers the whole earth in every country. Everywhere, everyone feels its warmth, reaps the food that it causes to grow, and enjoys the colors in which it dresses the environment.
In this psalm, our Lord is represented as the sun. What a majestic analogy. What a powerful picture of an ever-present self-renewing, all-conquering power faithfully returning each day to bestow its blessings, its daily mercies.
The sun dries up whole areas of the world while it brings life to others. None controls it. It answers to no one. It shines where it shines, and it allows us to borrow its properties.
It is exactly at the right distance and position so that the whole earth can feel it as a planet, but also every one of us as individuals. Without it, there would be no food, no heat and no color in our lives.
How much like Jesus and His Holy Spirit, the Sun is. Just like His mercies, He is renewed to us every morning (Lamentations 3:22,23) regardless of our track record.
He is the King of King who answers to no one, who is not bound by anyone or anything, and yet, he is at our command (Isaiah 45:11). He is available to all everywhere, and yet answers our prayers as if there was only one of us (Jeremiah 3:33); He brings food, warmth and color to our lives.
Knowing all this, let us freely bask and bathe in the power and glory of our Lord; let us fearlessly absorb its properties and benefits to our lives.
(Heb 4:16) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
OUR ALL POWERFUL LORD
Psalms 19:6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
Is anything withheld from the sun? Is anything hid from its power?
In its course, the sun covers the whole earth in every country. Everywhere, everyone feels its warmth, reaps the food that it causes to grow, and enjoys the colors in which it dresses the environment.
In this psalm, our Lord is represented as the sun. What a majestic analogy. What a powerful picture of an ever-present self-renewing, all-conquering power faithfully returning each day to bestow its blessings, its daily mercies.
The sun dries up whole areas of the world while it brings life to others. None controls it. It answers to no one. It shines where it shines, and it allows us to borrow its properties.
It is exactly at the right distance and position so that the whole earth can feel it as a planet, but also every one of us as individuals. Without it, there would be no food, no heat and no color in our lives.
How much like Jesus and His Holy Spirit, the Sun is. Just like His mercies, He is renewed to us every morning (Lamentations 3:22,23) regardless of our track record.
He is the King of King who answers to no one, who is not bound by anyone or anything, and yet, he is at our command (Isaiah 45:11). He is available to all everywhere, and yet answers our prayers as if there was only one of us (Jeremiah 3:33); He brings food, warmth and color to our lives.
Knowing all this, let us freely bask and bathe in the power and glory of our Lord; let us fearlessly absorb its properties and benefits to our lives.
(Heb 4:16) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Friday, October 27, 2006
THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH
October 27
THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH
Psalms 19:4,5 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
From its beginning, this psalm tells us about the glory of God as shown through His heavenly handiworks.
From the beginning this psalm tells us of the words uttered by the voices in the heavens and the firmament.
From the beginning God created the heavens and the earth as his signature to us. He placed the heavenly bodies in the firmament of the heavens as a book telling us of his love.
From the beginning he placed the sun in the midst of the firmament, as if it were its home, its tabernacle.
In the wee hours of the morning, the sun appears on the eastern horizon in a battle royal against darkness and frost. With a single glimpse of sunlight darkness flees, frigidity melts away. None can help it; none can change it--no never. All throughout the day the sun gives its warmth to all on earth. As a strong valiant knight of light and warmth, he fights the demons of darkness and cold, forever rejoicing and feasting of his uncompromising and ever gallant victories.
How like the Sun, Jesus-Christ the Sun of Righteousness Himself lives and shines daily through the “eastern gate” of our hearts to be revered as the Son of God-- marking His unalterable victory over the demons that would keep us in the cold darkness of night.
Let Him rise each morning in the eastern sky of your soul. Let Him fight your battles as the valiant knight to whom you, his fair lady, have given your colors of devotion.
2 Chronicles 20:17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.
THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH
Psalms 19:4,5 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
From its beginning, this psalm tells us about the glory of God as shown through His heavenly handiworks.
From the beginning this psalm tells us of the words uttered by the voices in the heavens and the firmament.
From the beginning God created the heavens and the earth as his signature to us. He placed the heavenly bodies in the firmament of the heavens as a book telling us of his love.
From the beginning he placed the sun in the midst of the firmament, as if it were its home, its tabernacle.
In the wee hours of the morning, the sun appears on the eastern horizon in a battle royal against darkness and frost. With a single glimpse of sunlight darkness flees, frigidity melts away. None can help it; none can change it--no never. All throughout the day the sun gives its warmth to all on earth. As a strong valiant knight of light and warmth, he fights the demons of darkness and cold, forever rejoicing and feasting of his uncompromising and ever gallant victories.
How like the Sun, Jesus-Christ the Sun of Righteousness Himself lives and shines daily through the “eastern gate” of our hearts to be revered as the Son of God-- marking His unalterable victory over the demons that would keep us in the cold darkness of night.
Let Him rise each morning in the eastern sky of your soul. Let Him fight your battles as the valiant knight to whom you, his fair lady, have given your colors of devotion.
2 Chronicles 20:17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
GOD'S REFLECTORS
October 26
GOD’S REFLECTORS
Psalms 19:3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
In the beginning God put light in the firmament between the waters. He ordained these lights to divide the day from the night; and be for signs, for seasons, for days, and for years. To let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: (Genesis 1:14,15)
In their speech, language and voice, these lights of the firmament teach us of God’s great wisdom. For example, the light of the sun is in itself invisible--we can only see it on the objects on which it reflects. The sun’s heat also can only be felt when absorbed and reflected by the elements around us. In the same way, God’s love, warmth and care are manifest to others only when reflected and absorbed by his children. The moon itself has no light of its own, but its rocks act as reflectors. These reflectors give us the light that brightens our night sky.
In this dark and desperate world, if we let Him use us as reflectors of his love and wisdom, we can be the light and warmth of God for men and women everywhere,
May the life and wisdom of God enter in us so we can shine as lights in the midst of the spiritual darkness. Let’s be one of God’s reflectors, but let us remember that the light doesn’t come from us.
Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
Numbers 6:25-26 The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
GOD’S REFLECTORS
Psalms 19:3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
In the beginning God put light in the firmament between the waters. He ordained these lights to divide the day from the night; and be for signs, for seasons, for days, and for years. To let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: (Genesis 1:14,15)
In their speech, language and voice, these lights of the firmament teach us of God’s great wisdom. For example, the light of the sun is in itself invisible--we can only see it on the objects on which it reflects. The sun’s heat also can only be felt when absorbed and reflected by the elements around us. In the same way, God’s love, warmth and care are manifest to others only when reflected and absorbed by his children. The moon itself has no light of its own, but its rocks act as reflectors. These reflectors give us the light that brightens our night sky.
In this dark and desperate world, if we let Him use us as reflectors of his love and wisdom, we can be the light and warmth of God for men and women everywhere,
May the life and wisdom of God enter in us so we can shine as lights in the midst of the spiritual darkness. Let’s be one of God’s reflectors, but let us remember that the light doesn’t come from us.
Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
Numbers 6:25-26 The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
TO SEE GOD
October 25
TO SEE GOD
Psalms 19:2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
In the Beatitudes (Mathew 5:2-10), the Lord Jesus tells us, Blessed are the pure in heart, they shall see God.
Without purity of heart, all one can tend to see or hear in this world is cynicism, doubt, fear, ill motivations and evil. If we want to hear the “speech” that God communicates to us daily; if we desire to experience the knowledge that He teaches in the visions of the nights, we need to clean and purify our heart from its worldly content. We need to tune in to God’s station and obliterate the thoughts and concepts brought in our heart and lives by the enemy’s static.
How blessed are those people whose heart is pure, and who can see God in the events that come their way. When our heart is purged and cleansed from its carnal values, the negative elements of the day turn into opportunities and lessons learned; we can see the positive reasons why God brings them; we see the bread in what looked like a stone (Matthew 7:9). Even the visions of the night become elements of warning or instruction rather than mere empty dreams or nightmares.
Let us therefore purify ourselves of former thoughts, behaviors and attitudes and discover the purity that God has for us—His interpretation of daily and nightly events.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
TO SEE GOD
Psalms 19:2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
In the Beatitudes (Mathew 5:2-10), the Lord Jesus tells us, Blessed are the pure in heart, they shall see God.
Without purity of heart, all one can tend to see or hear in this world is cynicism, doubt, fear, ill motivations and evil. If we want to hear the “speech” that God communicates to us daily; if we desire to experience the knowledge that He teaches in the visions of the nights, we need to clean and purify our heart from its worldly content. We need to tune in to God’s station and obliterate the thoughts and concepts brought in our heart and lives by the enemy’s static.
How blessed are those people whose heart is pure, and who can see God in the events that come their way. When our heart is purged and cleansed from its carnal values, the negative elements of the day turn into opportunities and lessons learned; we can see the positive reasons why God brings them; we see the bread in what looked like a stone (Matthew 7:9). Even the visions of the night become elements of warning or instruction rather than mere empty dreams or nightmares.
Let us therefore purify ourselves of former thoughts, behaviors and attitudes and discover the purity that God has for us—His interpretation of daily and nightly events.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
ALL POWER TO THE CREATOR
October 24
ALL POWER TO THE CREATOR
Psalms 19:1The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Hear the words of the shepherd boy. These are the words of a man who spent the years of his youth as a shepherd keeping his father’s flocks. Like the patriarch Abraham, he studied the night sky and found it to bear witness of God’s great redemption plan.
Who can look at the sky and ignore the majesty of God; it is God’s handwriting and signature. The book of Genesis tells us that on the second day of creation, God made a firmament that divided the waters, and that on the fourth day, He placed lights in that firmament to give us light and give us seasons and times.
Puny man in his pride can do and say what he wants. He can write great so-called educated books in order to deny the author of these beautiful handiworks. Man can attempt to change the appointed times and seasons; he can crawl on the ground of the earth in his man-made environments where he hardly get a glimpse of the testimony of the power that is greater than he. In spite of it all, from the beginning of times and all around the world, whether he likes if or not, he has to follow the basic divisions of days, nights, weeks, months and years as God has appointed them right in the beginning. He has to work his field according to the seasons that God has established He has no power whatsoever to change any of it. While man in his arrogance boasts of his own personal power to establish his destiny, he is every day and in forced to obey the Maker and Planner of this great universe.
No matter how much we try to ignore God’s leading and influence in our lives, we are bound by his design. We breathe by the breath that He has given us; our heart beats at His tempo. How much happier then would we be if our lives were led in harmony with His will.
Jeremiah 10:23 O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
ALL POWER TO THE CREATOR
Psalms 19:1The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Hear the words of the shepherd boy. These are the words of a man who spent the years of his youth as a shepherd keeping his father’s flocks. Like the patriarch Abraham, he studied the night sky and found it to bear witness of God’s great redemption plan.
Who can look at the sky and ignore the majesty of God; it is God’s handwriting and signature. The book of Genesis tells us that on the second day of creation, God made a firmament that divided the waters, and that on the fourth day, He placed lights in that firmament to give us light and give us seasons and times.
Puny man in his pride can do and say what he wants. He can write great so-called educated books in order to deny the author of these beautiful handiworks. Man can attempt to change the appointed times and seasons; he can crawl on the ground of the earth in his man-made environments where he hardly get a glimpse of the testimony of the power that is greater than he. In spite of it all, from the beginning of times and all around the world, whether he likes if or not, he has to follow the basic divisions of days, nights, weeks, months and years as God has appointed them right in the beginning. He has to work his field according to the seasons that God has established He has no power whatsoever to change any of it. While man in his arrogance boasts of his own personal power to establish his destiny, he is every day and in forced to obey the Maker and Planner of this great universe.
No matter how much we try to ignore God’s leading and influence in our lives, we are bound by his design. We breathe by the breath that He has given us; our heart beats at His tempo. How much happier then would we be if our lives were led in harmony with His will.
Jeremiah 10:23 O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
Monday, October 23, 2006
THE PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE
October 23
THE PREPARATIONS OF THE BRIDE
Psalms 11:6-7 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. (7) For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.
David looks at the world of his day and sees both wicked and righteous. He assesses the final fate of both. He looks at it as a type of the end of days, of the final restoration, of the conclusion when the seven vials of the wrath of God fall upon a world where unrepented wickedness has excelled and become the norm.
Lot and his family suffered tribulation for their faith at the hand of the Sodomites. The two angels helped them and cast a blinding blow at their persecutors. It was after a polarization of forces through tribulation that Lot was forced to make hard choices. The angels then took him and his family out of a doomed city bent on destroying the moral fabric of the world. Once Lot was out, the city was ready to receive the rewards of its deeds, fire and brimstone (Genesis 19).
So it will be at the end of man’s rule on earth. God’s Children will suffer great tribulations that will provoke them to make hard choices of dedication toward their Lord. It will be a time when the forces of evil and of righteousness will be so polarized, that there will be no gray area. Supernatural angelic help for God’s children will also mark this time. The great tribulation will clean and purge the church of God, to rid it of the blemishes of compromise before the time when the angel tells the Lord to reap His Children from the earth. The Church will stand purified and ready for its marriage with the Lamb; the seven angels of the wrath of God will stand ready to pour on the wicked the seven vials of the wrath of God.
(Revelations 13, 14, 15,16, 19)
Let us not fear the fire and brimstone of God; it is only for the *wicked, the ‘twisted’, that have knowingly and consciously rejected all the goodness of the Lord and it is their judgment and destruction. But for us who love to obey Him, let us be patient during this tribulation time of cleaning, and let His eyelids ‘try’ (Psalms 11:4) you and make you ready for that great feast when the whole world will know of your love for Him, when the true rewards of righteousness will be handed down.
* NOTE: ‘wicked’: from the word “wick”, as a wick is twisted to make a candle. To be wicked is to be twisted.
The future has no gloom and doom for God’s people, only a perfecting of righteousness unto the perfect day and restoration of all things!
Revelation 19:7-8 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (8) And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
THE PREPARATIONS OF THE BRIDE
Psalms 11:6-7 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. (7) For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.
David looks at the world of his day and sees both wicked and righteous. He assesses the final fate of both. He looks at it as a type of the end of days, of the final restoration, of the conclusion when the seven vials of the wrath of God fall upon a world where unrepented wickedness has excelled and become the norm.
Lot and his family suffered tribulation for their faith at the hand of the Sodomites. The two angels helped them and cast a blinding blow at their persecutors. It was after a polarization of forces through tribulation that Lot was forced to make hard choices. The angels then took him and his family out of a doomed city bent on destroying the moral fabric of the world. Once Lot was out, the city was ready to receive the rewards of its deeds, fire and brimstone (Genesis 19).
So it will be at the end of man’s rule on earth. God’s Children will suffer great tribulations that will provoke them to make hard choices of dedication toward their Lord. It will be a time when the forces of evil and of righteousness will be so polarized, that there will be no gray area. Supernatural angelic help for God’s children will also mark this time. The great tribulation will clean and purge the church of God, to rid it of the blemishes of compromise before the time when the angel tells the Lord to reap His Children from the earth. The Church will stand purified and ready for its marriage with the Lamb; the seven angels of the wrath of God will stand ready to pour on the wicked the seven vials of the wrath of God.
(Revelations 13, 14, 15,16, 19)
Let us not fear the fire and brimstone of God; it is only for the *wicked, the ‘twisted’, that have knowingly and consciously rejected all the goodness of the Lord and it is their judgment and destruction. But for us who love to obey Him, let us be patient during this tribulation time of cleaning, and let His eyelids ‘try’ (Psalms 11:4) you and make you ready for that great feast when the whole world will know of your love for Him, when the true rewards of righteousness will be handed down.
* NOTE: ‘wicked’: from the word “wick”, as a wick is twisted to make a candle. To be wicked is to be twisted.
The future has no gloom and doom for God’s people, only a perfecting of righteousness unto the perfect day and restoration of all things!
Revelation 19:7-8 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (8) And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
THE PRICE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
October 22
THE PRICE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Psalms 11:5 The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
Here is the whole difference made between the tribulation of the righteous and the tribulation of the wicked. Isaiah the prophet foresaw that the generation of the Messiah would look at their Savior, see a man afflicted and punished, and think in error, that His distressful condition was due to his own sins (Isaiah 53;5,6), but oh, how wrong they were. The reason for the Messiah’s afflictions was our sins.
One may observe the life of a righteous person, of a person of godly principles and moral character, and notice that a virtuous life is not easy to live--that it can be a life of troubles and woe, of disappointment and even of being abused and taken advantage of. It may even be a life of harassment, mockery, tribulation and persecution. One may therefore wonder if there are true advantages to Christian life but here is the whole difference: the troubles of the righteous try them to make them better and stronger; the trouble of the wicked contributes to his inevitable death.
What a fearful thing it must be to be hated by the soul of God; t is difficult to even comprehend. Yet even hatred is better than total rejection, total death, and disannulment. Those who love violence and who cannot find any other ways than violence to resolve their issues need to ponder on this statement made by a man of war.
Oh Lord, help us to look at the unpleasant events in our life as the trying our soul and spirit by your Spirit. Help us to realize that in our case, these unpleasant events are not for our destruction but to make us the instrument of peace that you need to fill this world with for your righteousness as the waters cover the sea.
Help us to know that you do not throw un the water to drown us,but to teach us to swim
Proverbs 3:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
THE PRICE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Psalms 11:5 The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
Here is the whole difference made between the tribulation of the righteous and the tribulation of the wicked. Isaiah the prophet foresaw that the generation of the Messiah would look at their Savior, see a man afflicted and punished, and think in error, that His distressful condition was due to his own sins (Isaiah 53;5,6), but oh, how wrong they were. The reason for the Messiah’s afflictions was our sins.
One may observe the life of a righteous person, of a person of godly principles and moral character, and notice that a virtuous life is not easy to live--that it can be a life of troubles and woe, of disappointment and even of being abused and taken advantage of. It may even be a life of harassment, mockery, tribulation and persecution. One may therefore wonder if there are true advantages to Christian life but here is the whole difference: the troubles of the righteous try them to make them better and stronger; the trouble of the wicked contributes to his inevitable death.
What a fearful thing it must be to be hated by the soul of God; t is difficult to even comprehend. Yet even hatred is better than total rejection, total death, and disannulment. Those who love violence and who cannot find any other ways than violence to resolve their issues need to ponder on this statement made by a man of war.
Oh Lord, help us to look at the unpleasant events in our life as the trying our soul and spirit by your Spirit. Help us to realize that in our case, these unpleasant events are not for our destruction but to make us the instrument of peace that you need to fill this world with for your righteousness as the waters cover the sea.
Help us to know that you do not throw un the water to drown us,but to teach us to swim
Proverbs 3:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
THE VOICE INSIDE
October 21THE VOICE INSIDE
Psalms 11:4 The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try the children of men.We can imagine the conviction that will fall upon each on of us when He appear before Lord on His throne in heaven at the end of days. We will feel His "eyelids try" us as He’ll looks at us with loving reproach towards the wrong and hurtful things we did or said when in our mortal state. Even though we sometimes knew better.The prophet Zechariah tells us about God’s seven eyes which run to and fro through the whole earth (Zechariah 4:10). The apostle Paul teaches us that our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 6:19). The Lord does not watch us from heaven on His throne, looking at us from afar; in the case of His children who are saved, God watches from inside of us, from His temple, in the heart of our souls, of our body!Lord, help us to feel Your presence in the heart of our body and soul just as if we were standing in front of you in the throne room. Help us to feel the trying ofyour eyelids, reproving the excuses that we so easily make for our failings. Help us not to sear the voice of the conscience that you have put inside of us, and clearly feel the pricks of Your Spirit (Acts 9:5). In Jesus’ name!Proverbs15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding theevil and the good.
Psalms 11:4 The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try the children of men.We can imagine the conviction that will fall upon each on of us when He appear before Lord on His throne in heaven at the end of days. We will feel His "eyelids try" us as He’ll looks at us with loving reproach towards the wrong and hurtful things we did or said when in our mortal state. Even though we sometimes knew better.The prophet Zechariah tells us about God’s seven eyes which run to and fro through the whole earth (Zechariah 4:10). The apostle Paul teaches us that our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 6:19). The Lord does not watch us from heaven on His throne, looking at us from afar; in the case of His children who are saved, God watches from inside of us, from His temple, in the heart of our souls, of our body!Lord, help us to feel Your presence in the heart of our body and soul just as if we were standing in front of you in the throne room. Help us to feel the trying ofyour eyelids, reproving the excuses that we so easily make for our failings. Help us not to sear the voice of the conscience that you have put inside of us, and clearly feel the pricks of Your Spirit (Acts 9:5). In Jesus’ name!Proverbs15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding theevil and the good.
Friday, October 20, 2006
THE ROOTS OF OUR FAITH
October 20
THE ROOTS OF OUR FAITH
Psalms 11:2,3 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
Imagine poisoning the roots of a tree. The tree will still stand there as pretty as it used to be and no one would know the difference, until after some months, or even years the tree stops bearing fruit, its branches become dry and brittle and eventually, the smallest storm brings it down.
If the foundation of our faith were destroyed; if the roots that hold our faith firm were to lose their true values and were not able to bring nutrients to the tree to strengthen it it, the branches would become sterile. They would be too weak; they would be starving and unable to bear any fruit. The tree then would not be able to propagate itself. Its existence would become useless, and even dangerous. It would eventually dies and rot.
Is it then not surprising that the enemy of our soul would aim his arrows straight at the foundation of our faith, at the very beliefs that hold it strong--our faith in God’s Words?
Satan has been at it since the Garden of Eden when he questioned Eve, hath God said. . . .? (Genesis 3;1)His techniques have not changed.
Lord, please help us to not let any man, no, not even an angel ever persuade us to doubt your precious Words. In Jesus, Name!
Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
THE ROOTS OF OUR FAITH
Psalms 11:2,3 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
Imagine poisoning the roots of a tree. The tree will still stand there as pretty as it used to be and no one would know the difference, until after some months, or even years the tree stops bearing fruit, its branches become dry and brittle and eventually, the smallest storm brings it down.
If the foundation of our faith were destroyed; if the roots that hold our faith firm were to lose their true values and were not able to bring nutrients to the tree to strengthen it it, the branches would become sterile. They would be too weak; they would be starving and unable to bear any fruit. The tree then would not be able to propagate itself. Its existence would become useless, and even dangerous. It would eventually dies and rot.
Is it then not surprising that the enemy of our soul would aim his arrows straight at the foundation of our faith, at the very beliefs that hold it strong--our faith in God’s Words?
Satan has been at it since the Garden of Eden when he questioned Eve, hath God said. . . .? (Genesis 3;1)His techniques have not changed.
Lord, please help us to not let any man, no, not even an angel ever persuade us to doubt your precious Words. In Jesus, Name!
Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
FLEE TO HIM
October 19
FLEE TO HIM
Psalms 11:1 In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
Jesus commented and said that the children of the world are wiser than the children of light (Luke 16:8). Have you ever heard some unbeliever say that faith is for the weak and the dependant? If they only knew! In the sight of the world, people who are dependant, insufficient in themselves, can look like weaklings, easy to take advantage of and overcome—‘easy targets’ they say.
People of faith can sometimes seem like easy preys. They can be like a little frightened bird, “Go; go to your mountain” The big bullies tells him. “We’ll give you a sporting chance to escape, but get out of our sight before we devour you!” Little do these bullies know that back at his mountain homeland, the frightened bird has a concerned Father who knows of every fallen sparrow and who dresses every blade of grass (Luke 12:6; Matthew 6:30). He is there waiting to come to the defense of the weak, and to unleash His wrath against the insolents who have dared to touch one of His protégés.
So flee little bird yea, flee to your mountain; do as they say. Because you have put your trust in the Lord and whereas they may think they take advantage of you, your Father will bless your trust and be your everlasting protection. When He comes to your rescue and they feel His wrath, they will be alone; they do not have a loving father to help them.
Psalms 91:1-4 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
FLEE TO HIM
Psalms 11:1 In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
Jesus commented and said that the children of the world are wiser than the children of light (Luke 16:8). Have you ever heard some unbeliever say that faith is for the weak and the dependant? If they only knew! In the sight of the world, people who are dependant, insufficient in themselves, can look like weaklings, easy to take advantage of and overcome—‘easy targets’ they say.
People of faith can sometimes seem like easy preys. They can be like a little frightened bird, “Go; go to your mountain” The big bullies tells him. “We’ll give you a sporting chance to escape, but get out of our sight before we devour you!” Little do these bullies know that back at his mountain homeland, the frightened bird has a concerned Father who knows of every fallen sparrow and who dresses every blade of grass (Luke 12:6; Matthew 6:30). He is there waiting to come to the defense of the weak, and to unleash His wrath against the insolents who have dared to touch one of His protégés.
So flee little bird yea, flee to your mountain; do as they say. Because you have put your trust in the Lord and whereas they may think they take advantage of you, your Father will bless your trust and be your everlasting protection. When He comes to your rescue and they feel His wrath, they will be alone; they do not have a loving father to help them.
Psalms 91:1-4 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
FAVORS FROM OUR FAVORITE
October 18
FAVORS FROM OUR FAVORITE
Psalms 5:12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
In the book of Job, Satan challenges God about Job’s virtuous life and says, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. (Job 1:9,10)
If God could only open our eyes, we would see how much He looks after us, we would realize the full spectrum of his protection. The shield that He protects us with is His favor, as though we are His favorites; God does have favorites. He is automatically closer to those who abide close to Him. If we give Him the honor of being the ‘favorite’ of our hearts, then we also are His ‘favorite’, protected by His favors.
Before asking God for the benefits of His favor, let’s ask ourselves: Is God my favorite? Is He my favorite hobby, pastime, counselor, presence, and friend?
As a reflection on 9-11, Ann Graham, the daughter of the famous evangelist by the same last name gave an answer the question, How could God let something like this happen? She said, I believe that God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman that He is, I believe that He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand that He leave us alone?
Looking at all the areas in our lives where we wish that God would somehow intervene, let us check to if perhaps He is perhaps not there because we either have not invited Him, or have even escorted Him out of the issue. How can we then expect His favors?
Psalms 24:3-5 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
FAVORS FROM OUR FAVORITE
Psalms 5:12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
In the book of Job, Satan challenges God about Job’s virtuous life and says, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. (Job 1:9,10)
If God could only open our eyes, we would see how much He looks after us, we would realize the full spectrum of his protection. The shield that He protects us with is His favor, as though we are His favorites; God does have favorites. He is automatically closer to those who abide close to Him. If we give Him the honor of being the ‘favorite’ of our hearts, then we also are His ‘favorite’, protected by His favors.
Before asking God for the benefits of His favor, let’s ask ourselves: Is God my favorite? Is He my favorite hobby, pastime, counselor, presence, and friend?
As a reflection on 9-11, Ann Graham, the daughter of the famous evangelist by the same last name gave an answer the question, How could God let something like this happen? She said, I believe that God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman that He is, I believe that He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand that He leave us alone?
Looking at all the areas in our lives where we wish that God would somehow intervene, let us check to if perhaps He is perhaps not there because we either have not invited Him, or have even escorted Him out of the issue. How can we then expect His favors?
Psalms 24:3-5 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
PURE JOY FROM THE HEART
October 17
PURE JOY FROM THE HEART
Psalms 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
Joy--joy from the Spirit—is the trademark of Christian faith. The child of God who truly puts his trust in his God rejoices because he has the assurance that God has answered his prayers even if he doesn’t presently see it. The Child of God doesn’t ‘hope’, he doesn’t ‘wish’ that his Heavenly Father will answer his prayers, he simply knows. He knows because faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) The Greek word used for “substance” in this text is “huposthasis”, meaning the “title-deed”. So the verse could also be translated as: “faith is the ‘title-deed’ of things hope for”. He know that he owns the answer to his prayers just because it is written on a piece of paper called a ‘contract’, in this case, the Bible.
Each child of God has this biblical contract with God signed in the blood of Jesus-Christ. The promises in His Word are the terms and they cannot be broken (John 10:35b). We have His assurance of supply (Philippians 4:19), of protection (Psalms 91:1), and of His love (Hebrews 13:5b).
Lord, open our eyes that we may see and behold that they that are with us are more than they that are against us (2 Kings 6:15-17). Help us to throw ourselves completely at your feet in the total trust and confidence that, not only you will take care of us and defend us, but that you are already doing it. Help our countenance to reflect this inner peace, help our spirits to emanate the joy of this confidence and trust in you--that all those we meet may know that you are our Lord, our God, our Savior and our Defender!
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
PURE JOY FROM THE HEART
Psalms 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
Joy--joy from the Spirit—is the trademark of Christian faith. The child of God who truly puts his trust in his God rejoices because he has the assurance that God has answered his prayers even if he doesn’t presently see it. The Child of God doesn’t ‘hope’, he doesn’t ‘wish’ that his Heavenly Father will answer his prayers, he simply knows. He knows because faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) The Greek word used for “substance” in this text is “huposthasis”, meaning the “title-deed”. So the verse could also be translated as: “faith is the ‘title-deed’ of things hope for”. He know that he owns the answer to his prayers just because it is written on a piece of paper called a ‘contract’, in this case, the Bible.
Each child of God has this biblical contract with God signed in the blood of Jesus-Christ. The promises in His Word are the terms and they cannot be broken (John 10:35b). We have His assurance of supply (Philippians 4:19), of protection (Psalms 91:1), and of His love (Hebrews 13:5b).
Lord, open our eyes that we may see and behold that they that are with us are more than they that are against us (2 Kings 6:15-17). Help us to throw ourselves completely at your feet in the total trust and confidence that, not only you will take care of us and defend us, but that you are already doing it. Help our countenance to reflect this inner peace, help our spirits to emanate the joy of this confidence and trust in you--that all those we meet may know that you are our Lord, our God, our Savior and our Defender!
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Monday, October 16, 2006
STAND
October 16
STAND
Psalms 5:10 Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.
God’s people don’t have to worry about anything, especially about their enemies. They have the assurance that the very counsel of those who would want to hurt them will swallow their perpetrators. The only time when this does not happen is when God gives permission for his children to be hurt. At such times, God even uses their enemies as a form of chastisement for His children’s disobediences and evil deeds. At such times, God fights against them, very often by using their opponents.
If our heart is right; if we obey His commandments; if we live the way we know God wants us to; if we stay within the parameters of the pavilion of His protection; we don’t have to worry about the ungodly and the wicked. We don’t have to fret about the demise of the devil; his fall has been predicted from the Garden of Eden, and we can live with the assurance that we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).
Lies, deceit, rebellion and transgressions cannot stand before God. Anyone who practices them seals his own fate. We don’t have to fight them, all we have to do is stand, stand unmovable and unshakable against them. This is the picture of the true soldier of the cross, adamantly standing in defiance against the influences of the enemy’s world. He doesn’t bufge an inch from his position; he knows his God has drown His sword of justice and has already destroyed the enemy of his soul
Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
STAND
Psalms 5:10 Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.
God’s people don’t have to worry about anything, especially about their enemies. They have the assurance that the very counsel of those who would want to hurt them will swallow their perpetrators. The only time when this does not happen is when God gives permission for his children to be hurt. At such times, God even uses their enemies as a form of chastisement for His children’s disobediences and evil deeds. At such times, God fights against them, very often by using their opponents.
If our heart is right; if we obey His commandments; if we live the way we know God wants us to; if we stay within the parameters of the pavilion of His protection; we don’t have to worry about the ungodly and the wicked. We don’t have to fret about the demise of the devil; his fall has been predicted from the Garden of Eden, and we can live with the assurance that we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).
Lies, deceit, rebellion and transgressions cannot stand before God. Anyone who practices them seals his own fate. We don’t have to fight them, all we have to do is stand, stand unmovable and unshakable against them. This is the picture of the true soldier of the cross, adamantly standing in defiance against the influences of the enemy’s world. He doesn’t bufge an inch from his position; he knows his God has drown His sword of justice and has already destroyed the enemy of his soul
Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
LET'S SEE GOD
October 15
LET’S SEE GOD
Psalms 5:9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulcher; they flatter with their tongue.
What a feeling of utter disgust with the accepted things of his generation David had. David abhorred unfaithfulness to God’s spirit in one’s speech, wickedness” of heart (the definition of ‘wicked’ is ‘twisted’, as a ‘wick’ is twisted); lying flatteries.
In our present world, success in the areas of entertainment, politics and commerce is based on the ability to present a spirit of rebellion against God’s ways, to speak words of hellish deception in order to flatter mankind, and lead him in the traps of the devil’s evil devices.
If we want to be filled with the spirit of the Lord, we need to empty ourselves of the devil’s data first. To do so, we need to develop a holy repugnance for what is not godly. We need to honestly ask ourselves: Do I, like the author of this sentence, feel utterly disgusted with the ideas of unfaithfulness, wickedness, lies and deceit? Do I allow my heart, mind and spirit to be day in and day out filled with things that are opposite to the spirit of God?
Let us carefully and honestly evaluate the content of what we see and hear; of what we feed our hearts and the hearts of our young ones. Let us screen it by the standard of the spirit of God. Let us also ask God to give us a holy repugnance against ungodly things. Let us keep our hearts pure and then, when the devil smokescreen of deception will be lifted, . . . we will see God.
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
LET’S SEE GOD
Psalms 5:9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulcher; they flatter with their tongue.
What a feeling of utter disgust with the accepted things of his generation David had. David abhorred unfaithfulness to God’s spirit in one’s speech, wickedness” of heart (the definition of ‘wicked’ is ‘twisted’, as a ‘wick’ is twisted); lying flatteries.
In our present world, success in the areas of entertainment, politics and commerce is based on the ability to present a spirit of rebellion against God’s ways, to speak words of hellish deception in order to flatter mankind, and lead him in the traps of the devil’s evil devices.
If we want to be filled with the spirit of the Lord, we need to empty ourselves of the devil’s data first. To do so, we need to develop a holy repugnance for what is not godly. We need to honestly ask ourselves: Do I, like the author of this sentence, feel utterly disgusted with the ideas of unfaithfulness, wickedness, lies and deceit? Do I allow my heart, mind and spirit to be day in and day out filled with things that are opposite to the spirit of God?
Let us carefully and honestly evaluate the content of what we see and hear; of what we feed our hearts and the hearts of our young ones. Let us screen it by the standard of the spirit of God. Let us also ask God to give us a holy repugnance against ungodly things. Let us keep our hearts pure and then, when the devil smokescreen of deception will be lifted, . . . we will see God.
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
JESUS, OUR JUSTICE
October 14
JESUS, OUR JUSTICE
Psalms 5:8 Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.
Do you have enemies? Have people hurt you and caused you rancor? Is there bitterness in your heart because of unjustly received evil?
Let us not seek revenge. Let us not attempt to straighten our own righteous cause. The Lord is the ”lifter-upper” of the righteous. He is the one who vindicates and fills all those who seek and hunger after His righteousness (Matthew 5:6). We only need to ask Him to lead us to stay in His way in spite of all that would try to trip us off. To stay in His way is our greatest vindication. When unjustly buffeted, let us ask the Lord to show to not be perverted by the desire to return evil for evil.
This desire to exact vengeance is where the devil, who is the enemy of all virtue, wants us. He knows that there is no end to the vicious cycle of vengeance and retribution for evil between men. He also uses these injustices to get us to be led by self-righteous emotions. He knows that he is the one who rules us whenever we are led by our own emotions instead of by the Lord’s spirit. The only way the devil gives up, is if we don’t give in.
Let us pray to the Lord, and He will help us be perfect, as His Father in Heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:38-48).
1 Corinthians 6:7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
JESUS, OUR JUSTICE
Psalms 5:8 Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.
Do you have enemies? Have people hurt you and caused you rancor? Is there bitterness in your heart because of unjustly received evil?
Let us not seek revenge. Let us not attempt to straighten our own righteous cause. The Lord is the ”lifter-upper” of the righteous. He is the one who vindicates and fills all those who seek and hunger after His righteousness (Matthew 5:6). We only need to ask Him to lead us to stay in His way in spite of all that would try to trip us off. To stay in His way is our greatest vindication. When unjustly buffeted, let us ask the Lord to show to not be perverted by the desire to return evil for evil.
This desire to exact vengeance is where the devil, who is the enemy of all virtue, wants us. He knows that there is no end to the vicious cycle of vengeance and retribution for evil between men. He also uses these injustices to get us to be led by self-righteous emotions. He knows that he is the one who rules us whenever we are led by our own emotions instead of by the Lord’s spirit. The only way the devil gives up, is if we don’t give in.
Let us pray to the Lord, and He will help us be perfect, as His Father in Heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:38-48).
1 Corinthians 6:7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
Friday, October 13, 2006
ONE HEARTBEAT AWAY
October 13
ONE HEARTBEAT AWAY
Psalms 5:7 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
Hear the cry of a king who has been harshly humiliated in front of friend and foe. Hear the assurance of one who, when everything including his own self has failed, has so much trust in the multitudes of the mercy) of his God.
(Mercy: Undeserved forgiveness).
So many of us live a constant life of misery while all the time, God waits with patient and moist eyes for the slightest inclination of our cry to Him for help. What a mistake we make when we measure the mercy and grace of God by our poor failing and selfish standards of love. In doing so, we become as the prodigal son, but we are afraid to come home; we separate ourselves from His forgiveness and grace.
Heaven can seem so far away to those who don’t know how to find God’s grace, and yet, God cries daily for everyone to find it. If they would only for a moment unite their heart with Him, they would find that, just as two heart cells pulsate in unison when put together, Heaven is just one heartbeat away.
Oh, that we would learn to make a temple of our heart to house the love and the multitudes of the mercies of the Almighty God. Oh, that our hearts would shine so with His love that the world would see it and give Him glory; His righteousness would begin to cover the earth as the waters cover the seas.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
ONE HEARTBEAT AWAY
Psalms 5:7 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
Hear the cry of a king who has been harshly humiliated in front of friend and foe. Hear the assurance of one who, when everything including his own self has failed, has so much trust in the multitudes of the mercy) of his God.
(Mercy: Undeserved forgiveness).
So many of us live a constant life of misery while all the time, God waits with patient and moist eyes for the slightest inclination of our cry to Him for help. What a mistake we make when we measure the mercy and grace of God by our poor failing and selfish standards of love. In doing so, we become as the prodigal son, but we are afraid to come home; we separate ourselves from His forgiveness and grace.
Heaven can seem so far away to those who don’t know how to find God’s grace, and yet, God cries daily for everyone to find it. If they would only for a moment unite their heart with Him, they would find that, just as two heart cells pulsate in unison when put together, Heaven is just one heartbeat away.
Oh, that we would learn to make a temple of our heart to house the love and the multitudes of the mercies of the Almighty God. Oh, that our hearts would shine so with His love that the world would see it and give Him glory; His righteousness would begin to cover the earth as the waters cover the seas.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
MAY JESUS PREVAIL IN ME
October 10
MAY JESUS PREVAIL IN ME
Psalms 5:4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
In the Gospels, Satan reminds Jesus (as if He’d forgotten) that the world had been given to him (Luke 4:6). Today, we don’t need to be reminded of this. All we have to do is look around us, watch the nightly news, and read the newspaper. It is easy to see what powers dominates lifestyles, politics and economics. In light of such, it is a great comfort for us to know that our God has no pleasure in the wickedness that pervades our times. What security we have in the knowledge that whatever devilish powers raises to show its ugly head, whether in the world of politics or in our personal lives, God will not tolerate it.
For those prone to disobedience, for those taking pleasure in the purposes of Satan, the enemy of God, this Scripture serves as a dreadful reminder of future judgment. For the obedient, there is no fear to be had, only the warm fuzzy feeling that he is in God’s care, and that He will not allow wickedness to prevail over him.
Lord, I know that one of these days, in your appointed time and season, in the day that you have set aside for the purging of the our hearts and of the whole earth, every purpose and every tool that does not come from you will be eliminated and vanish away. All swords will be turned into plowshares; instrument of illusions and vanity will be destroyed. Most of all, Satan will be stripped of his power to kill. Help me, your child, not to dishonor you by taking pleasure in the wickedness around us, or allow it to dwell with us.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
MAY JESUS PREVAIL IN ME
Psalms 5:4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
In the Gospels, Satan reminds Jesus (as if He’d forgotten) that the world had been given to him (Luke 4:6). Today, we don’t need to be reminded of this. All we have to do is look around us, watch the nightly news, and read the newspaper. It is easy to see what powers dominates lifestyles, politics and economics. In light of such, it is a great comfort for us to know that our God has no pleasure in the wickedness that pervades our times. What security we have in the knowledge that whatever devilish powers raises to show its ugly head, whether in the world of politics or in our personal lives, God will not tolerate it.
For those prone to disobedience, for those taking pleasure in the purposes of Satan, the enemy of God, this Scripture serves as a dreadful reminder of future judgment. For the obedient, there is no fear to be had, only the warm fuzzy feeling that he is in God’s care, and that He will not allow wickedness to prevail over him.
Lord, I know that one of these days, in your appointed time and season, in the day that you have set aside for the purging of the our hearts and of the whole earth, every purpose and every tool that does not come from you will be eliminated and vanish away. All swords will be turned into plowshares; instrument of illusions and vanity will be destroyed. Most of all, Satan will be stripped of his power to kill. Help me, your child, not to dishonor you by taking pleasure in the wickedness around us, or allow it to dwell with us.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
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