Monday I wrote of meditating in/on the Word of God. Tuesday was about rejoicing in the day that God has given us. Wednesday was about how God, our great Shepherd, will meet our needs. Thursday I offered a glimpse into the secret of the Lord. Friday was soup kitchen lunch day, a day of hands-on ministry in service of the Lord Jesus Christ.
If you want to get to know the God of all creation, get into his Word. If you want to have the ability to rejoice in every day, get into his Word. If you want to know the one who has the capability to meet your every need, get into his Word. If you want to learn of, and feast on the meat the God of heaven has to offer, get into his Word.
Last night I had the opportunity to participate in a prayer meeting with fifty or more people I've never seen before in my life. I witnessed hungry, thirsty souls crying out, seeking for God. I fear we, myself included, have become satisfied with who we are in Christ Jesus. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but when we reach a level of satisfaction that we no longer make it a point to seek him we're in danger of becoming like the Laodicean church spoken of in Revelation 3. This is their indictment: "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth (Re. 3:15-16 NKJV)."
Let's take this thought through the weekend: "Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore (Ps. 105:4 KJV)." God bless...
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
The Secret of the Lord
"The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; he will shew them his covenant (Ps. 25:14 KJV).
This verse for hold's tremendous promise. A nugget of truth lies beneath the surface. Let's examine the secret of the Lord deeper and discover this golden nugget.
Secret of the Lord
Is the secret of the Lord a great mystery? Paul writes, "without controversy great is the mystery of godliness (1Ti. 3:16)." What is this secret of the Lord? Psalm 25:14 answers this question clearly, "the secret of of the LORD is with them that fear him." In other words, those who fear the Lord will know the secret.
Let's look closer at the word secret. The word can be interpreted as a session or a company of persons. It's based on a primitive Hebrew root meaning to sit down together or to take counsel with. To paraphrase the beginning of Psalm 25:14: God will sit down together in counsel with them who fear, or revere him. This is a solid promise in it's own right.
The Covenant
The word shew means to teach or to make known. Psalm 25:14 finishes with "he will shew them his covenant." We need to look closely at the word covenant to uncover the golden nugget of truth contained here. A covenant is a binding agreement between two or more parties. The Hebrew for the word covenant also renders covenant as a confederacy or a league.
We must remember the covenant is God's. He established it from the beginning and it will remain until the end. How and why is this? God is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end (Re. 1:8). We cannot change God's covenant. We can only agree with it and enter into agreement with God that his covenant is truth.
The golden nugget contained in Psalm 25:14 is found in the primitive root the word covenant is derived from. The primitive root means to feed or to cause to eat meat. Hang on to your seat. You don't want to miss this.
Putting It Together
Let's put it together by paraphrasing our verse. God will sit down together in counsel with those who revere him, teaching them how to eat the meat of his covenant. Here we go!
"I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever (Jn. 6:51 KJV)." We do this symbolically when we partake of communion. Jesus said at Passover, "Take, eat: this is my body (Mk. 14:22 KJV)." Jesus also said, "For my flesh is meat indeed (Jn. 6:55 KJV)."
The golden nugget of truth and promise contained in Psalm 25:14 is this: God will sit down in counsel with those who revere him. Within this counsel God promises to teach, or to make known the revelation of Jesus Christ! Jesus Christ is the meat of the covenant from the beginning to the ending. God bless...
This verse for hold's tremendous promise. A nugget of truth lies beneath the surface. Let's examine the secret of the Lord deeper and discover this golden nugget.
Secret of the Lord
Is the secret of the Lord a great mystery? Paul writes, "without controversy great is the mystery of godliness (1Ti. 3:16)." What is this secret of the Lord? Psalm 25:14 answers this question clearly, "the secret of of the LORD is with them that fear him." In other words, those who fear the Lord will know the secret.
Let's look closer at the word secret. The word can be interpreted as a session or a company of persons. It's based on a primitive Hebrew root meaning to sit down together or to take counsel with. To paraphrase the beginning of Psalm 25:14: God will sit down together in counsel with them who fear, or revere him. This is a solid promise in it's own right.
The Covenant
The word shew means to teach or to make known. Psalm 25:14 finishes with "he will shew them his covenant." We need to look closely at the word covenant to uncover the golden nugget of truth contained here. A covenant is a binding agreement between two or more parties. The Hebrew for the word covenant also renders covenant as a confederacy or a league.
We must remember the covenant is God's. He established it from the beginning and it will remain until the end. How and why is this? God is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end (Re. 1:8). We cannot change God's covenant. We can only agree with it and enter into agreement with God that his covenant is truth.
The golden nugget contained in Psalm 25:14 is found in the primitive root the word covenant is derived from. The primitive root means to feed or to cause to eat meat. Hang on to your seat. You don't want to miss this.
Putting It Together
Let's put it together by paraphrasing our verse. God will sit down together in counsel with those who revere him, teaching them how to eat the meat of his covenant. Here we go!
"I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever (Jn. 6:51 KJV)." We do this symbolically when we partake of communion. Jesus said at Passover, "Take, eat: this is my body (Mk. 14:22 KJV)." Jesus also said, "For my flesh is meat indeed (Jn. 6:55 KJV)."
The golden nugget of truth and promise contained in Psalm 25:14 is this: God will sit down in counsel with those who revere him. Within this counsel God promises to teach, or to make known the revelation of Jesus Christ! Jesus Christ is the meat of the covenant from the beginning to the ending. God bless...
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
I Shall Not Want
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want (Ps. 23:1 NIV). This verse gives us a direct promise that God, our Shepherd, will supply our every need.
Our Shepherd
David was a shepherd long before he became a king. He understood the responsibilities of a shepherd. The shepherd is responsible for the sheep's shelter, food, pasture, water, medical care, and protection. If God is our Shepherd, than he is responsible for providing our daily needs.
I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me (Jn. 10:14 NIV). These are the spoken words of Jesus Christ. Christ knows his sheep. This is an amazing concept. God knows every human being he's ever placed on this planet! However, here's the key: God's sheep know him.
Another Shepherd; Sheep Gone Astray
Satan is a master deceiver. He has done an excellent job of presenting himself to humanity as a shepherd. He enjoys success in getting sheep to follow him. The devil offers his followers "green" pastures just as God offers them to his sheep.
The devil's pastures are appealing. They offer excitement and pleasure to the human senses. The path to his pastures is an easy one. The pleasure you'll enjoy in his pastures will be temporary. You'll soon find them overgrazed and bare. You must then follow the devil deeper and farther to find another one.
The "green" pastures of the devil will always leave you wanting more. You'll soon find yourself in want. The Bible says, "He who loves pleasure will become poor (Pr. 21:17 NIV)."
I Shall Not Be In Want
We all have the option to follow the Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ. We all will receive the opportunity to choose the shepherd we'll follow.
The earth and everything in it belong to God (Ps. 24:1). There isn't any need you might have that God doesn't already possess the supply for. The key is you must know the Shepherd. He is none other than Jehovah-jireh, God our provider.
God knows we need shelter, food, clothing, health, and protection (Mt. 6:32). We are to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness first. Then, "all these things will be given to you as well (Mt 6:33 NIV)." God bless...
Our Shepherd
David was a shepherd long before he became a king. He understood the responsibilities of a shepherd. The shepherd is responsible for the sheep's shelter, food, pasture, water, medical care, and protection. If God is our Shepherd, than he is responsible for providing our daily needs.
I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me (Jn. 10:14 NIV). These are the spoken words of Jesus Christ. Christ knows his sheep. This is an amazing concept. God knows every human being he's ever placed on this planet! However, here's the key: God's sheep know him.
Another Shepherd; Sheep Gone Astray
Satan is a master deceiver. He has done an excellent job of presenting himself to humanity as a shepherd. He enjoys success in getting sheep to follow him. The devil offers his followers "green" pastures just as God offers them to his sheep.
The devil's pastures are appealing. They offer excitement and pleasure to the human senses. The path to his pastures is an easy one. The pleasure you'll enjoy in his pastures will be temporary. You'll soon find them overgrazed and bare. You must then follow the devil deeper and farther to find another one.
The "green" pastures of the devil will always leave you wanting more. You'll soon find yourself in want. The Bible says, "He who loves pleasure will become poor (Pr. 21:17 NIV)."
I Shall Not Be In Want
We all have the option to follow the Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ. We all will receive the opportunity to choose the shepherd we'll follow.
The earth and everything in it belong to God (Ps. 24:1). There isn't any need you might have that God doesn't already possess the supply for. The key is you must know the Shepherd. He is none other than Jehovah-jireh, God our provider.
God knows we need shelter, food, clothing, health, and protection (Mt. 6:32). We are to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness first. Then, "all these things will be given to you as well (Mt 6:33 NIV)." God bless...
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
This Is the Day
"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalms 118:24 KJV)."
What are we going to do with today? If you're reading this, God's granted you, as well as me, another day of life. What are we supposed to do with it? I don't know about you, but I start every day the same.
The question is asked, "choose you this day whom ye will serve (Joshua 24:15 KJV)?" This is one decision we must, and will make every day of our lives. God graciously gives us another day. Today, this day, my house and I will serve the Lord. What about you?
We Will Rejoice
Today's a day God made just for us. We will rejoice today. I love the word rejoice. It comes from a Hebrew root word which means to spin round under the influence of any violent emotion. How's that for an eye-opener! We'll spin around under violent emotion because today's the day God made for us. I would call that lively worship!
For A Day In God's Courts
Why would we worship God for today? "For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness (Psalms 84:10)." The word courts is derived from a Hebrew primitive root meaning to surround with a stockade. Just spending one day completely surrounded by the stockade of the presence of God is far better than spending thousands of days doing anything else.
I'd Rather Be In the House of My God
Oh how I long to be in the house of my God. "What? Know ye not that that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you (1Corinthians 6:19)?" I am God's house! If the Holy Spirit dwells within you, then you too are God's house.
I'd rather have one day in the house of God than thousands elsewhere. I'd rather have one day in the presence, the stockade, the courts, of my God than thousands elsewhere. When we choose to serve the Lord each day, we choose to spend the day in the presence of God. We're already in His house. We're already the doorkeeper of His house. We need to invite His presence into the house!
This is my prayer, my plea for today: "cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit away from me (Psalms 51:11 KJV)." God bless...
What are we going to do with today? If you're reading this, God's granted you, as well as me, another day of life. What are we supposed to do with it? I don't know about you, but I start every day the same.
The question is asked, "choose you this day whom ye will serve (Joshua 24:15 KJV)?" This is one decision we must, and will make every day of our lives. God graciously gives us another day. Today, this day, my house and I will serve the Lord. What about you?
We Will Rejoice
Today's a day God made just for us. We will rejoice today. I love the word rejoice. It comes from a Hebrew root word which means to spin round under the influence of any violent emotion. How's that for an eye-opener! We'll spin around under violent emotion because today's the day God made for us. I would call that lively worship!
For A Day In God's Courts
Why would we worship God for today? "For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness (Psalms 84:10)." The word courts is derived from a Hebrew primitive root meaning to surround with a stockade. Just spending one day completely surrounded by the stockade of the presence of God is far better than spending thousands of days doing anything else.
I'd Rather Be In the House of My God
Oh how I long to be in the house of my God. "What? Know ye not that that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you (1Corinthians 6:19)?" I am God's house! If the Holy Spirit dwells within you, then you too are God's house.
I'd rather have one day in the house of God than thousands elsewhere. I'd rather have one day in the presence, the stockade, the courts, of my God than thousands elsewhere. When we choose to serve the Lord each day, we choose to spend the day in the presence of God. We're already in His house. We're already the doorkeeper of His house. We need to invite His presence into the house!
This is my prayer, my plea for today: "cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit away from me (Psalms 51:11 KJV)." God bless...
Monday, February 22, 2010
Meditate In the Word Day and Night
"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success (Joshua 1:8 NKJV)."
The Book of the Law is God's Holy Bible, His Word to us. Scripture tells us we are to place God's Word within our hearts (Psalms 119:11), for it's within the Word where we will find and come to know Jesus Christ (John 5:39)."
The Word Shall Not Depart From Your Mouth
Today's verse tells us the Book of the Law, the Holy Bible, shall not depart from our mouth. God's Word should be so ingrained into our hearts that it becomes a normal part of our daily speech. When the Word completely penetrates our daily thought process, it will become normal for us to speak the Word.
You Shall Meditate Day and Night
"Study to shew thyself approved (1Timothy 2:15 KJV)." The word meditate used in today's verse means to ponder or to study. The Holy Bible is still one of the best-selling books every written and published. It is still one of the least read books ever published. We live in an age where the majority professes to be Christian. Yet the majority has no idea as to what the Scriptures say about our Creator and Savior.
Observe To Do According To All
This one gets us in trouble. We all tend to "cherry-pick" the Scriptures. We choose the ones we like and discard the ones we don't. Today's verse commands to do all God's Word tells us to do. It's easy to hear the Word. It's much harder to do what the Word tells us to do, especially if it means sacrifice. The Bible tells us we are only deceiving ourselves if we hear the word and not do it (James 1:22).
Prosperous and Good Success
Today's verse finishes with a promise. "Then you'll make your way prosperous." Let's look at this one first. The way means the entire course of our lives. If the word becomes our speech, through daily study, and we are obedient to the Word, the entire course of our lives will be prosperous.
"Then you'll have good success." This one's good. Good success means understanding, wisdom, and intelligence. When we place the Word of God deep within our very being, it has the power to impart understanding, wisdom, and intelligence.
Let's wrap it up. We must get into the Word of God daily. Study it. Ponder it. Place it within our hearts. Let it become our daily speech. We must become obedient to the Word. Not only parts of it, but all of it. God gives us the promise that if we do so, our course of life will prosper and our understanding will be opened to wisdom and intelligence.
We can go to schools and get degrees and doctorates. However, the only knowledge we will take with us when we leave this existence is the knowledge of who and what God is. This knowledge is readily available within the Book of the Law, God's Holy Bible. Jesus said, "Search the scriptures, they testify of me (John 5:39)." God bless...
The Book of the Law is God's Holy Bible, His Word to us. Scripture tells us we are to place God's Word within our hearts (Psalms 119:11), for it's within the Word where we will find and come to know Jesus Christ (John 5:39)."
The Word Shall Not Depart From Your Mouth
Today's verse tells us the Book of the Law, the Holy Bible, shall not depart from our mouth. God's Word should be so ingrained into our hearts that it becomes a normal part of our daily speech. When the Word completely penetrates our daily thought process, it will become normal for us to speak the Word.
You Shall Meditate Day and Night
"Study to shew thyself approved (1Timothy 2:15 KJV)." The word meditate used in today's verse means to ponder or to study. The Holy Bible is still one of the best-selling books every written and published. It is still one of the least read books ever published. We live in an age where the majority professes to be Christian. Yet the majority has no idea as to what the Scriptures say about our Creator and Savior.
Observe To Do According To All
This one gets us in trouble. We all tend to "cherry-pick" the Scriptures. We choose the ones we like and discard the ones we don't. Today's verse commands to do all God's Word tells us to do. It's easy to hear the Word. It's much harder to do what the Word tells us to do, especially if it means sacrifice. The Bible tells us we are only deceiving ourselves if we hear the word and not do it (James 1:22).
Prosperous and Good Success
Today's verse finishes with a promise. "Then you'll make your way prosperous." Let's look at this one first. The way means the entire course of our lives. If the word becomes our speech, through daily study, and we are obedient to the Word, the entire course of our lives will be prosperous.
"Then you'll have good success." This one's good. Good success means understanding, wisdom, and intelligence. When we place the Word of God deep within our very being, it has the power to impart understanding, wisdom, and intelligence.
Let's wrap it up. We must get into the Word of God daily. Study it. Ponder it. Place it within our hearts. Let it become our daily speech. We must become obedient to the Word. Not only parts of it, but all of it. God gives us the promise that if we do so, our course of life will prosper and our understanding will be opened to wisdom and intelligence.
We can go to schools and get degrees and doctorates. However, the only knowledge we will take with us when we leave this existence is the knowledge of who and what God is. This knowledge is readily available within the Book of the Law, God's Holy Bible. Jesus said, "Search the scriptures, they testify of me (John 5:39)." God bless...
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Be Strong and of Good Courage
"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee (Deuteronomy 31:6 KVJ)."
Fear is a fact of life. We fear the unknown. We fear facing certain people. We fear the task which may lie ahead. We fear failure. This verse is a loaded promise that God goes where we go. God will always be with us. God will not fail us and He will not forsake us.
Be Strong; Don't Be Afraid
The children of Israel were preparing to enter the promised land. Moses was about to face the end of his life. This verse was part of his farewell address to the people. He was offering them encouragement. "Be strong. Don't be afraid."
The word strong comes from a Hebrew root word meaning to fasten upon or to seize. The phrase be strong then requires action. Moses was telling the children of Israel to seize the promised land.
Moses knew, as well as the people of Israel, that they were soon going to face many battles. They were going to find themselves surrounded by enemies. The them spoken of would be the inhabitants of Canaan. They were about to be dispossessed of their homeland.
Today, Be Strong; Don't Be Afraid
We would do well to consider the advice and encouragement found in this verse. We face uncertainty as we travel through this life to reach eternity. We are to be strong. We must fasten upon, or seize the opportunity we have of the salvation found only in Jesus Christ. We must not let go. To do so will result in tragic loss, possibly costing us eternity with Christ.
We will face enemies. Satan is the principality of this earth. The devil is dispossessed of something he feels belongs to him when we walk in the saving grace and power of God. Not only is Satan deprived of having control over us, but he is deprived of controlling the area where we are as well.
The enemy of our soul will fight. Satan doesn't want us to be victorious in our walk with the Lord. He doesn't want to be dispossessed of territory he believes he controls. We are not to be afraid of him. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7 KJV).
Seize Salvation; God Goes With Us
It is God who goes with us. We have the promise that He will. God will not fail us. God will not forsake us. If God isn't with us, He wasn't the one who left. Jesus said, "lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20 NKJV)."
We don't have to face tomorrow alone. We don't need to be afraid of tomorrow. We don't need to be afraid of the enemy we will undoubtedly face today or tomorrow. We have no reason to fear when we seize, or fasten upon, our salvation in Jesus Christ. God has already faced our enemy of today. God has already been in our tomorrow. He already knows how He will work it out. God bless...
Fear is a fact of life. We fear the unknown. We fear facing certain people. We fear the task which may lie ahead. We fear failure. This verse is a loaded promise that God goes where we go. God will always be with us. God will not fail us and He will not forsake us.
Be Strong; Don't Be Afraid
The children of Israel were preparing to enter the promised land. Moses was about to face the end of his life. This verse was part of his farewell address to the people. He was offering them encouragement. "Be strong. Don't be afraid."
The word strong comes from a Hebrew root word meaning to fasten upon or to seize. The phrase be strong then requires action. Moses was telling the children of Israel to seize the promised land.
Moses knew, as well as the people of Israel, that they were soon going to face many battles. They were going to find themselves surrounded by enemies. The them spoken of would be the inhabitants of Canaan. They were about to be dispossessed of their homeland.
Today, Be Strong; Don't Be Afraid
We would do well to consider the advice and encouragement found in this verse. We face uncertainty as we travel through this life to reach eternity. We are to be strong. We must fasten upon, or seize the opportunity we have of the salvation found only in Jesus Christ. We must not let go. To do so will result in tragic loss, possibly costing us eternity with Christ.
We will face enemies. Satan is the principality of this earth. The devil is dispossessed of something he feels belongs to him when we walk in the saving grace and power of God. Not only is Satan deprived of having control over us, but he is deprived of controlling the area where we are as well.
The enemy of our soul will fight. Satan doesn't want us to be victorious in our walk with the Lord. He doesn't want to be dispossessed of territory he believes he controls. We are not to be afraid of him. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7 KJV).
Seize Salvation; God Goes With Us
It is God who goes with us. We have the promise that He will. God will not fail us. God will not forsake us. If God isn't with us, He wasn't the one who left. Jesus said, "lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20 NKJV)."
We don't have to face tomorrow alone. We don't need to be afraid of tomorrow. We don't need to be afraid of the enemy we will undoubtedly face today or tomorrow. We have no reason to fear when we seize, or fasten upon, our salvation in Jesus Christ. God has already faced our enemy of today. God has already been in our tomorrow. He already knows how He will work it out. God bless...
Friday, February 19, 2010
The Law of the Lord Is Perfect
"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple (Psalms 19:7 NKJV)."
The law of the Lord is perfect. The law of the Lord has the power to convert the soul. The testimony of the Lord is sure. The testimony of the Lord makes the simple wise. "Your word I have hidden in my heart," writes the psalmist.
God's Word Is Perfect
I love this word perfect. The word as used here means complete. It's derived from a Hebrew root word which means done. The Word of the Lord is complete; it is done.
The complete law of the Lord leads to the conversion of the soul. How does the Word of God do this? We need to look at what Jesus said about the Scriptures. "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life (John 5:39 NKJV)." Let's proceed...
The Testimony of the Lord Is Sure
A testimony is a witness. The Word of God is God's witness of himself. Let's finish John 5:39. Jesus was speaking of searching the Scriptures. "And these are they which testify of Me." The Word has the power to lead the soul to conversion because we will come to know who and what Christ is through reading and studying the Word.
I love the use of the word sure in this verse of Psalm 19. It means to build up or support. The witness of the Word of God supports God's claim to be who He is. It builds the foundation for knowing Him in the most intimate of ways.
Knowledge is power. Knowing who God is gives us wisdom. When the Apostles finally came to know who Jesus Christ really was, they were transformed. They then transformed their world. They were common men, fishermen. They were simple.
Acts 4:13 is a great example of God's Word making the simple wise. The rulers of the land, including the high priest, understood that the Apostles were uneducated. They marveled at their wisdom. "And they realized that they had been with Jesus."
To really get to know the Lord we must get ourselves into God's Word. We must do it consistently and sincerely. God bless...
The law of the Lord is perfect. The law of the Lord has the power to convert the soul. The testimony of the Lord is sure. The testimony of the Lord makes the simple wise. "Your word I have hidden in my heart," writes the psalmist.
God's Word Is Perfect
I love this word perfect. The word as used here means complete. It's derived from a Hebrew root word which means done. The Word of the Lord is complete; it is done.
The complete law of the Lord leads to the conversion of the soul. How does the Word of God do this? We need to look at what Jesus said about the Scriptures. "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life (John 5:39 NKJV)." Let's proceed...
The Testimony of the Lord Is Sure
A testimony is a witness. The Word of God is God's witness of himself. Let's finish John 5:39. Jesus was speaking of searching the Scriptures. "And these are they which testify of Me." The Word has the power to lead the soul to conversion because we will come to know who and what Christ is through reading and studying the Word.
I love the use of the word sure in this verse of Psalm 19. It means to build up or support. The witness of the Word of God supports God's claim to be who He is. It builds the foundation for knowing Him in the most intimate of ways.
Knowledge is power. Knowing who God is gives us wisdom. When the Apostles finally came to know who Jesus Christ really was, they were transformed. They then transformed their world. They were common men, fishermen. They were simple.
Acts 4:13 is a great example of God's Word making the simple wise. The rulers of the land, including the high priest, understood that the Apostles were uneducated. They marveled at their wisdom. "And they realized that they had been with Jesus."
To really get to know the Lord we must get ourselves into God's Word. We must do it consistently and sincerely. God bless...
Thursday, February 18, 2010
In My Distress I Will Call On the Lord
In My distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears (Psalms 18:6 NKJV).
In my distress I called on the Lord. What an amazing inspiration this statement should be. Let's dig into this concept of calling on the Lord.
Distress
The word distress is used as a noun. The Hebrew word translated as distress literally means a narrow or tight place. The modern definition of distress is the state of being in serious trouble or in mental or physical anguish.
When things go seriously wrong, it does feel like the world is closing in on you. When you're suffering in mental or physical agony it can become the only thing you focus on. That's a narrow or tight place to be in.
I Call On the Lord
We do have the Lord to cry out to when we get into the tight place of trouble. Instead of crying out to God after we're in serious trouble we should consider calling on Him at the first sign of distress.
Our God will hear us when we cry out to Him. The sound of our voice will reach His ears in the throne room of His habitation in Heaven. God promises us that while we are speaking the words of our prayers He will hear them (Isaiah 65:24).
I would encourage everyone today, including myself, to cry out to God in our distress. He will hear our prayers in His holy temple of heaven. When God hears our prayer, sooner or later, He will respond.
In my distress I called on the Lord. What an amazing inspiration this statement should be. Let's dig into this concept of calling on the Lord.
Distress
The word distress is used as a noun. The Hebrew word translated as distress literally means a narrow or tight place. The modern definition of distress is the state of being in serious trouble or in mental or physical anguish.
When things go seriously wrong, it does feel like the world is closing in on you. When you're suffering in mental or physical agony it can become the only thing you focus on. That's a narrow or tight place to be in.
I Call On the Lord
We do have the Lord to cry out to when we get into the tight place of trouble. Instead of crying out to God after we're in serious trouble we should consider calling on Him at the first sign of distress.
Our God will hear us when we cry out to Him. The sound of our voice will reach His ears in the throne room of His habitation in Heaven. God promises us that while we are speaking the words of our prayers He will hear them (Isaiah 65:24).
I would encourage everyone today, including myself, to cry out to God in our distress. He will hear our prayers in His holy temple of heaven. When God hears our prayer, sooner or later, He will respond.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Returning To The Stronghold
Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope. Even today I declare that I will restore double to you (Zechariah 9:12 NKJV).
What an astounding promise directly from the Word of God! Even today, this exact day, I (God) will restore double to you. To receive this promise from the Lord requires action.
Return to the Stronghold
What is a stronghold? A stronghold is a fortress that offers protection from an attacking enemy or invader. Jesus Christ is the Stronghold for the child of God. "He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defence (Psalms 62:2 NKJV)."
"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12 NKJV)." Jesus Christ is the Rock of salvation. Jesus Christ is our defence. We must return to our Stronghold.
Prisoners of Hope
We are prisoners of this fleshly existence. This body of clay holds the spirit which longs so much to return to its Creator as prisoner. But we aren't prisoners without hope. We have placed our hope in Jesus Christ.
We believe by faith that Christ gave Himself as the sacrifice for our sin. Our hope lies in the fact He didn't stay dead. Jesus rose again and because He lives, we will also live. Though we are in this flesh, we hope for the time when we shall see Him as He is, face to face.
Restoring Double
As we return to Jesus Christ our Stronghold, God has given us this direct promise of restoring to us double of what was either damaged or missing. This present world may hold us prisoner. This present world may have beaten us and left us damaged. This world may have stripped us of our spirit.
If we return to the Stronghold, the damage will be repaired till we're twice as good as new. We will receive twice what was taken away from us. Blessed be the Rock of my salvation!
What an astounding promise directly from the Word of God! Even today, this exact day, I (God) will restore double to you. To receive this promise from the Lord requires action.
Return to the Stronghold
What is a stronghold? A stronghold is a fortress that offers protection from an attacking enemy or invader. Jesus Christ is the Stronghold for the child of God. "He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defence (Psalms 62:2 NKJV)."
"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12 NKJV)." Jesus Christ is the Rock of salvation. Jesus Christ is our defence. We must return to our Stronghold.
Prisoners of Hope
We are prisoners of this fleshly existence. This body of clay holds the spirit which longs so much to return to its Creator as prisoner. But we aren't prisoners without hope. We have placed our hope in Jesus Christ.
We believe by faith that Christ gave Himself as the sacrifice for our sin. Our hope lies in the fact He didn't stay dead. Jesus rose again and because He lives, we will also live. Though we are in this flesh, we hope for the time when we shall see Him as He is, face to face.
Restoring Double
As we return to Jesus Christ our Stronghold, God has given us this direct promise of restoring to us double of what was either damaged or missing. This present world may hold us prisoner. This present world may have beaten us and left us damaged. This world may have stripped us of our spirit.
If we return to the Stronghold, the damage will be repaired till we're twice as good as new. We will receive twice what was taken away from us. Blessed be the Rock of my salvation!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Fullness of Joy
In Your presence is fullness of joy (Psalms 16:11 NKJV).
There is nothing that can compare to being in the presence of the God who created everything. This snippet from Psalms is God's written Word. It's either truth or it's not.
The word fullness as used here means to have enough to be satisfied or to have plenty enough to be satisfied. There's enough joy to be found in the presence of the Lord that we will be satisfied.
We may come into the Lord's presence with weeping and sadness. Once we're in His presence, our mourning should turn to rejoicing. Our weeping should turn to laughter. Our sadness should turn to happiness. Our garments of heaviness should turn to garments of praise.
In Your presence, O Lord God, is fullness of joy. No matter what the situation or circumstance, if we can only get into the presence of God everything will be alright. It's God's Word. It's His promise. It is truth.
There is nothing that can compare to being in the presence of the God who created everything. This snippet from Psalms is God's written Word. It's either truth or it's not.
The word fullness as used here means to have enough to be satisfied or to have plenty enough to be satisfied. There's enough joy to be found in the presence of the Lord that we will be satisfied.
We may come into the Lord's presence with weeping and sadness. Once we're in His presence, our mourning should turn to rejoicing. Our weeping should turn to laughter. Our sadness should turn to happiness. Our garments of heaviness should turn to garments of praise.
In Your presence, O Lord God, is fullness of joy. No matter what the situation or circumstance, if we can only get into the presence of God everything will be alright. It's God's Word. It's His promise. It is truth.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Psalms 15:1
Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall abide in thy holy hill?
Two very appropriate questions one should ask of themselves every new day. Both of these questions can be condensed into one very direct one. Who can dwell with the Lord? The answer is provided in the second verse.
He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. The Spirit of the Lord cannot dwell in the presence of sin. The one who walks upright has a strict regard for what is morally right. One who works righteousness is one who does what is moral, good, and right. To speak truth, truth must be in your heart. The one who dwells with the Lord is the one who loves the Lord with all their heart, all their soul, and all their strength.
The remainder of Psalm 15 presents us with a detailed list of who may dwell with God. But I personally love the last nine words of this Psalm.
He that doeth these things shall never be moved. That is a direct promise for walking uprightly, working all righteousness, and speaking the truth from our hearts. God bless...
Two very appropriate questions one should ask of themselves every new day. Both of these questions can be condensed into one very direct one. Who can dwell with the Lord? The answer is provided in the second verse.
He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. The Spirit of the Lord cannot dwell in the presence of sin. The one who walks upright has a strict regard for what is morally right. One who works righteousness is one who does what is moral, good, and right. To speak truth, truth must be in your heart. The one who dwells with the Lord is the one who loves the Lord with all their heart, all their soul, and all their strength.
The remainder of Psalm 15 presents us with a detailed list of who may dwell with God. But I personally love the last nine words of this Psalm.
He that doeth these things shall never be moved. That is a direct promise for walking uprightly, working all righteousness, and speaking the truth from our hearts. God bless...
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