Just the Name

Prov. 18:10

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

Just the name! What power! With it comes all of God, His attributes, His actions, His character, and His great love! When God spoke to Moses giving him the task of leading the people out of Egypt, Moses needed to know one thing, one thing that he knew the people would ask him, What is Your name? God simply answered, I am who I am.  Such power! No words can adequately define or characterize His name. Not only was His name so holy that a commandment controlled its use, but the Israelites had to build a house for His name. 

What is my response to His name? Ps. 103 says is beautifully, Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! His name forgives my iniquities, heals my diseases, redeems my life from the pit, crowns me with steadfast love and mercy, and satisifies me with good so that my youth is renewed like the eagle's. Wow! He has show unlimited compassion on me because he knows my frame. He remembers that I am dust!! The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. What a name is this! And this glorious name is freely given to me and goes with me throughout each moment of this life and will one day call me home to heaven where I will praise this name for eternity.

What is a strong tower? What is its use? How does it provide safety? It is a place of prominence, high up out of the fray and protected on all sides. His name provides this for me. But the problem with a tower is that in time they run out of supplies on the inside. So even though the people are protected from the outside, they can't make it from the inside. But His tower also has an unlimied supply of food and water since He is the Living Bread and Living Water. Here I am sustained endlessly. Here I am safe from the Devil who prowls about seeking someone to devour and from the enticements of my own lust. As long as I seek Him as my Tower I am safe. Righteousness is just such seeking! Where am I running? Am I sprinting into His tower or carelessly and foolishly thinking I can handle life and even Satan on my own? Thankfully, He has blessed me with all that I need to live godly in Christ Jesus. What a glorious name!

Father,

Thank You for such protection and for giving me Your name to love and cherish. Give me Your grace and strength to seek You constantly. Teach me to be Your righteous servant.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Promise

Mt. 7:7-8

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

What a grand promise! Yet I think that the scope of this promise is much different than many people think. In the context of the Sermon on the Mount, this promise comes at a time when the disciple of Jesus truly knows that living as Jesus is teaching is impossible! How can I be meek, peaceable, merciful, pure in heart? How can I hunger and thirst after righteousness? How can I endure persectution for His sake? How can I practically be salt and light in this world? How can my righteousness exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees? Who can live knowing that anger is the same as murder, and lust is the same as adultery? How can I keep artifice out of my prayers and truly understand what it means to pray to God as my Father? How can I seek only heavenly treasure and never worry or be anxious about this world's system? How can I quit judging others? How can I rid myself of this heinous self-righteousness? It is impossible!!!! Perhaps that is what Jesus wanted me to see, that I can't do it! He wants me to see my extreme and all-consuming poverty of spirit! He wants me to see myself for what I truly am!! So what is my recourse? I think it is in this promise! If I want to be His disciple and live as He would have me to live, then I need to ask, seek, and find. It comes in praying and in living in His power and grace! It comes in my abdicating the throne of my life and putting Him and Him alone on that throne. If I want to live as He would have me live, then my mind, spirit, and soul must be transformed through His saving power. I must be radically changed by the gospel so that I can truly say with Paul, But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. There it is! Through the grace of God, I ask, seek, and find!

Father,
Give me Your power to work hard but only in Your grace. This is still hard to understand, so teach me. I am asking, seeking, and waiting to find.
In Jesus name,
Amen

His Purposes

Prov. 16:3-4

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. The Lord has made everything for its purpose even the wicked for the day of trouble.

If the Lord has made everything for His purposes, and He has, then the advantageous thing to do is to give Him my plans! His plans and purposes are the ones that come to pass, the ones that actually count for eternity! Even though my plan may seem good and wise based on counsel and research, His Spirit weighs the spirit of my plan. Do my plans reflect an eternal focus? Are they concerned with my heart's growth in holiness? Is my heart united to His? No wonder the gift of the Comforter is so vital! As I learn to listen to the indwelling Spirit's voice, I learn to abide, to live only in His power and for His purpose. Perhaps my plans go awry because of my purposes. Am I seeking only earthly success? Am I concerned or even anxious about matters of this life? Or am I seeking sanctification, growth, or the spread of the gospel in all that I do?

 As a sidelight, when my plans please the Lord, or are the same as His, then even my enemies will be peaceful. Could those enemies be the ones I fight within myself? Could those enemies be my old sin nature? I can't kid myself because even though I think that I make plans, He and He alone establishes my steps. It all circles back to His sovereignty and me living practically in light of that fact! If I realize that every single detail of my life, even the seeming mundane or insignificant ones, are made for the Lord's purposes, that totally affects the way that I view them. Sadly, many times I function through these details on auto-pilot gaining nothing from my experiences. But what would happen if I would begin to talk with God constantly in the midst of my dull routines? What would happen if those necessities became the rich soil of growth? God's plans and purposes will be accomplished no matter how I view them, but sadly, I miss out on seeing His hand at work in my life on a minute-minute-basis.

Father,

Open my eyes to see Your purposes in every detail of my life. Unite my heart to fear Your name.

In the name of Jesus,

Amen

The Listening Ear

Prov. 15:31-33

The ear that listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

Oh the wisdom of listening! Quick to hear, Slow to speak, and slow to anger...How many times am I so focused on controlling anger that I forget that listening is essential to self-control? If I listen, and listen to apply, then a life-giving reproof will result. Actual wisdom will find fertile ground within my heart to grow and multiply. But if I ignore instruction, thinking that I know better, I am actually despising myself because I am not desiring what is beneficial for myself. Indulgence is not a gain! But a willingness to listen and learn is a gain! Not only that but listening and heeding a reproof increases intelligence and wisdom. How is this related to the fear of the Lord? Receiving a reproof from God or from people creates humility. It keeps self off the throne of my life and puts God where He should be. When humility is in control, then my heart is submissive and obedient before God.  ?When I am obediently fearing the Lord, I am growing in His wisdom. So what should my attitude be toward a reproof? I should embrace a reproof as the means of growth, as an path to humility, and as the way to fearing the Lord. What a spiritual blessing is gained from listening, listening to the entire matter! Listening and forgetting my pride! Listening and being open to reason!

Father,
Keep me ever listening to You and those You bring into my path. Help me to humbly receive a reproof and gain wisdom from it.
In His name,
Amen

The Fear of the Lord

Prov. 14:26-27

In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.

Why does fearing the Lord give confidence? What kind of fear brings confidence? Normally, fear undermines confidence, but perhaps fearing God has a total different meaning than what fear normally means. Since God is sovereign in will and purpose, fearing [respecting] Him and His plan would make sense. But what exactly does that mean? Does it mean living in accord with God and His plan? Does it mean revering and respecting Him for the goodness of His plan for me, or does it mean revering and respecting Him for whatever His plan brings into my life? Does it mean living with the same purpose that God had for my life? All of that sounds like it would be fine, but at the same time, the Bible says that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. So there must be an element of judgment intermixed with His love. There must be consequences, but I know that these consequences come at the hand of a loving heavenly Father in the form of judgment and discipline, discipline that proves I am His child. So whatever comes down the road, whether good or bad, I can trust my Father that it was formed in His sovereign plan and purpose for me. Because of this one fact,  have confidence in Him and in His plan for me. I fear Him because of His infinite loving wisdom and justice, because of His unalterable character, and because of His perfect plan for my redemption. In fear, respect, and reverence, I follow His plan and have confidence not just for myself but for my children. Because of my relationship with God, the divine umbrella extends over my family. This same fear of the Lord brings me life, life in the day-to-day routine and life for eternity. I will not die but will live with Him throughout endless ages.

Fearing Him means living in His presence and respecting His plan and purpose, whether it is seen from my perspective or from His. From my point of view, it means trusting Him for each little step that I take, but from His point of view, it means that my life completes the picture of redemption that He has set in motion from before time began, a plan that is concerned with my holiness and not my comfort. I am part of His plan!! How glorious! Why would I ever want to get off the Master's canvas and try and paint my own picture? Why would I want to have a plan of my own when I know it would fail? Why wouldn't I seek instruction from the Creator's manual instead of piecing one together after the fact? Living in the fear of the Lord means my mind, heart, spirit, strength, and soul [all of me] are united in Him! Nothing of me and all of Him! But how? Sounds impossible! But with God all things are possible! I am the vine and you are the branches. Whoever it is that abides in me and I in Him, He it is that bears much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. There it is. Living in the fear of the Lord is a process of growth and abiding, one that comes as a gift of grace.

Father,
Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth. Unite my heart to fear Your name.
In His name,
Amen

Hope Deferred

Prov. 13:12

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

Hope gives health to the heart of man! Perhaps the lack of hope in the world is a major contributing cause of suicide, abuse, and even crime. Without hope, where does man go? To what does he look forward? To what does he cling? Similarly, in the Christian world hope is of key importance. It was a constant looking forward to the city that was yet to come that fueled the endurance of the saints in Heb. 11. They were willing to die in faith because, even though they had not seen the promise fulfilled, they believed in these promises. They staked their lives on this hope for a heavenly city whose builder and maker was God. Certainly time has elapsed, but the hope of Heb. 11 is alive, well, and giving health to the hearts of believers today. Therefore since I am surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (to this great hope), I am to lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and run with endurance the race that is set before me, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of my faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. What builds this magnificient hope? It is looking to Jesus! The focus of this hope is eternal and infinite, without change and ever faithful. It is built on His sacrificial love for me and grows that same love in my heart. It is a love that constantly and unfailingly fuels the hope of endurance!

My heart also clings to His soon and sure return! For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. Encouragement comes from this glorious hope, a hope that is rooted in the resurrected Jesus who conquered death. He will come for me and take me to be with Him eternally. What could defer this hope? Is is anything that Jesus would or would not do? No, it comes back to me and Hebrews 12. If I take my eyes off Jesus, then the love of the world obstructs my focus. Then hope wanes, and I am spiritually sick. Jesus must be my desire-fulfilled in the day to day, in the near future, and in the distant future. His hope is not dimmed by time but flourishes over time. The longer I wait, the greater the joy! He is not only hope in the future, but He is hope in the present!   

Father,
Thank You for infusing my life and spirit full of this great hope. Keep my eyes on Jesus and on the hope of eternity, a hope free of sin and full of praise. Keep me heart-healthy.
In the name of Hope,
Amen

The Fruit of the Mouth

Prov. 12:14

From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.

What is the fruit of a man's mouth? How does what he says satisfy him with good? First, this chapter says that the words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them. Strangely enough, words have great power for life and death, and even though often said unthinkingly and in haste, are extremely difficult to retract. But by contrast, if the intent is help and deliverance, the words can function in an entirely different manner. Not only that but words provide the traps and snares for the soul of man. An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble. Often it is the foolish word uttered carelessly that determines an unwise or evil course of action. It may not only damage the spirit but lead into an action or a plan that takes a life. Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. Truth spoken satisfies the soul with good! Honest evidence determines the course of life, but the false witness is motivated by deceit, falsehood, and treachery. What can he gain? Who is he protecting? Often it is only himself!

There is one who rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Ouch! How often have I spoken sword thrusts not really caring who I hurt, and sometimes even desiring to hurt others with my words? Such an insightful word picture! To make the fruit of my lips satisfying, I would have to desist from sword play! No more! My goal would have to be healing through all of my words. Truth does bring healing because Jesus is the Truth. Once He is the meat of my words, then my words reflect Him. Then His truth permeates what I say and think, and I am satisfied with His good.

Yet a final warning is given in this chapter, Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are His delight. I must say like David, Put a guard over my lips that I might not sin against God.  I must be faithful in my motives, in my actual speaking, and in the purposes of my words. God has given me a renewed mission for my words. They are to bring glory to Him and to be vessels for Him to use. Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. Am I lifting others up with my words? Am I reducing the anxiety load? Am I making others glad? Not only that but are my word choices satisfying me with good and making me glad?

Father,
Teach me to utter no foolish word but to think of Your good in all that I say. Fill my words with Your power. Satisfy me only with your good and let it flow out of me to others.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Righteous Truths

Prov. 11:3

Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

In the long run, what counts? When time has ended and death makes it claim, what makes a difference? Certainly not riches, but instead righteousness is the only saving grace. Why? Righteousness is not based on any personal merit, not has man somehow amassed it, but instead it is imputed as a gift from God to those who have Jesus as their personal Savior. In fact, His righteousness is their righteousness given freely from the cross.

The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.(5) True righteousness is a guide, a narrow road that has only one destination. This truth has to do with the source of the righteousness. Because it is not based in self, it won't pander to fleshly desires. Since  it is rooted in a divine directive, it is supernaturally rooted in the heart of man so that I become God's child and He is my God. He gives me a new nature, a new heart that obeys and follows the lead of the His Spirit. It is by His grace and the blood of Jesus that I am blameless and can stay on His straight road. For I am confident of this very thing that He who began a good work in me will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. That is my final and only destination!

The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust. (6) Delivery or slavery: those are the two outcomes that are available to me. There is no middle road. It is either delivery through His righteousness or slavery by my own hideous lust. In myself, my situation is bleak and has no hope for anything positive. Why would I chose that road? Why would I listen to my own lust? It does boggle the brain, but sadly, often lust has a persuasive voice!

The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead. (8) Righteousness negates trouble because it is the divine imprint of the heart of God placed in the heart of man. It is when my lust is transformed into His holiness, when my willfulness is transformed into His obedience, and when my foolishness is transformed into His wisdom. However, wickedness is as simple as an easy walk! Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.(10) Righteousness affects others and brings blessing wherever  it is. Just as Jesus' righteousness brought Him to earth to reconcile man to God so His righteousness in me reaches out to others to reconcile them to God. My mission is His mission! Reaching out from His heart through my heart to the hearts of others!

The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward. (18) The fruits of wickedness are gained in deception and reaped in deception. They appear to be one way, but in truth they are sadly lacking. Yet, sowing in righteousness always gives what it promises. Righteousness is Truth. What the word promises will come true!

Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil will die. (19) Righteousness is life, but evil is death. The outcomes of each are a surety. They can be counted on. What I pursue is what I will gain. If I steadfastly and unwavering pursue a life of righteousness, then life will be my outcome. I will live together with Jesus in heaven praising God for eternity!

The desire of the righteous ends only in good; the expectation of the wicked in wrath.(23) Once the heart is cleansed and made righteous, then it can only end in good. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. His good for me is based in His righteous promise made practical in my heart!

Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. (28) Prosperity comes not in trusting all my plans and investments. Any Friday has the potential to be a black Friday! But with righteousness comes a true flourishing! His riches are my riches given at the expense of His life on the cross!

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise. (30) The fruit of this new righteousness within me becomes a tree of life for others. I am sharing this righteousness with them and allowing Him to use me for His purpose of capturing souls. Just as I was captured by the Father, I can be instrumental in capturing others. This is wisdom and blessing!

If the righteous is repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner! (31) Don't take it lightly. What is promised will come to pass not only for the righteous, but for the wicked and the sinner. God's payment plan may not surface as quickly as people think it should. The wicked sinners may think that they have one over on God, but not so. Rest assured! God's way will not fail!

Father,
Thank You for Your righteousness given to me through Jesus. Teach me to live and pursue righteousness steadfastly and unwaveringly.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Acceptable Speech

Prov. 10:6

Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Early on in chapter 10, the importance of godly speech is evident. The speech of a righteous man brings blessing while the wicked mouth merely conceals violence, acts that are too evil to mention; no doubt, acts that are orchestrated with his mouth. In fact, the mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,but the wicked mouth only destroys life. Obviously the mouth has the potential to be a blessing and a curse! It can give life and cause destruction! As James said And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness...setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell...It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. Oh dear! What a duplicitous member resides within my body!

This chapter provides a mirror for me to see and evaluate my heart and my mouth. Am I looking intently at my natural face in the mirror and then going away and forgetting, or am I listening to the words of God and heeding what He says? Be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

• On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found. Do I speak before I understand a situation? Am I spouting off because of my injured flesh or am I seeking wisdom from God? 
• The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool. Is there any speck of deception in my heart? Am I transparent and honest in all that I say? Have I confessed and forsaken negative feelings towards others?
• When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. Excess talking opens a dangerous door. I need to be quiet and show restraint. Do I think before I speak?
• The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth. Valuable speech comes from a righteous heart. What is the value of what I say? Is righteousness my motive? Am I godly in all my words?
• The lips of the the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense. Are my words bringing health and life to others? Am I sharing the life-giving Word in all that I do? 
• The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. Am I seeking wisdom and righteousness? Is wisdom the mark of my life?
• The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse. Acceptability comes from a righteous heart. Do I desire to be acceptable to God or to man? Am I living by His standard of righteousness?

My heart cries out for the wisdom from above, wisdom that is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of good fruits and mercy, impartial, and sincere, and a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Father,
I am praying Your words every day and asking You to grow me in righteousness and wisdom. Make my mouth and my words reflect Your holiness.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Wisdom Vs. Folly

Prov. 9:10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Wisdom is portrayed clearly in chapter nine's personification of Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly. Lady Wisdom is:

• prudent- prepared the meal and drink, sent out her young women to invite from the high places
• strong- built a house, slaughtered beasts
• generous- invites others in, the wise as well as the simple 
• enriching - offers the good gift of insight to all
• a teacher about life relationships-reproof, giving instruction
• a teacher about character- the scoffer, the wise man, the righteous man
• a life-lengthener-days and years will be multiplied

But by contrast, Lady Folly is

• loud
• seductive
• vacuous
• devoid of honor- sits at the door
• a trap for the simple 
• deceptive- has no riches of her own- offers stolen water and bread eaten in secret
• the hostess of dead guests- live in Sheol 

A contrast such as this should make it easy to see the superiority of wisdom over folly, yet the nature of man often follows the way of folly, a way filled with empty deception and death. What can I learn about wisdom from this lady? First, if I want to be wise, I must look at my heart. How do I respond to correction and reproof? If a fool is reproved, he will hate you for it, but a wise man will grow wiser still from the reproof and a righteous man will increase in learning. Reproof is a gift not a curse! Foolishness has distorted its image and made it seem a negative thing instead of a positive. Secondly, I must observe the actions of others and relate to them accordingly. Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. It is the wise man who knows who to reprove and how to reprove. He does it carefully for the good of that person not with self-serving motives. Finally, the key concept is that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. The passage demonstrates clearly how wisdom looks and acts, but undeniably asserts that wisdom is not achieved in human strength. It comes only from the Lord, from a personal and intimate relationship with Him. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere, and a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. How unlike anything that the world calls wisdom!

Father,
Make Your wisdom mine. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Final Instructions

Heb. 13

As the author of Hebrews winds down a book filled with Jesus in all His superiority and majesty, he closes with final instructions. What should believers continue to do in light of all the teaching that has gone before?

• Let brotherly love continue. It is not just beginning, but is an already established way of life that must continue. It is through this love that believers are known and that the gospel message is shared. And above all these, put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
• Show hospitality to strangers. God's sovereign plan does not just include friends and family. Reach out to others. It could be an angel.
• Remember those who are in prison and who are mistreated. Think of them as if I were undergoing their trial, definitely not just a passing thought. How would I want to be treated during this time?
• Keep marriage honorable. Adulterers and sexually immoral will be dealt with by God. Moral purity is a must!
• Keep free from the love of money. Be content! How hard is this when the world offers so much all around? But the real reason for contentment is because the Lord is with me constantly. I need never fear men, the world, or its system.
• Remember and imitate my spiritual leaders.  Learn from the body. In order to do that, I must know the body beyond a superficial knowledge. How do I do this? By being involved in the lives and growth of others, by gathering together with the body, and by praying for those in the body.
• Don't be led astray by false teaching. Stay true to the Word. Saturate myself in it. Let it be my life line to the Father through the teaching of the Spirit.
• Go outside the camp and bear the reproach. Pick up my cross daily and follow Jesus.  
• Continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of our lips that acknowledge His name. This is my life style. No matter the day or the circumstances, it must be continual praise all to the praise of His name.
• Do good and share what I have. Be generous and meet the needs of others.
• Obey and submit to my leaders. They will give account for me and are in God's chain of command.
• Pray for all. Support all in the most effective way possible--prayer.

Then as the author closes, he offers a powerful benediction. Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

It is all through Jesus, God's way to man! To Him be the only glory and all the glory!

Father,
Teach me to offer a continual sacrifice of praise to Jesus. When I read a chapter like this, it seems so overwhelming, but I know that through Your Spirit You can guide and lead me into obedience. Equip me with what I need to do Your will and be pleasing in Your sight.
In the name of my Shepherd,
Amen

Therefore...Therefore

Heb. 12:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of God.

The word 'therefore' takes me back to chapter 11, to all the faithful who have walked before me in the power of God. Because of this powerful faith that was not only theirs but also mine, I am to continue  walking. They are the great cloud of witnesses surrounding me. They are my window into what walking by faith looks like. But in case I still don't understand the author gives some principles for this walk. First I must lay aside every weight (something that makes my journey too heavy-perhaps trying to sneak in some of the world while I am walking with God.), and the sin which clings so closely. Ouch! The weight could be an 'if-y' thing, but the clinging sin is a nasty thing. Regardless of the nature of these things, I must get rid of them. I can not complete the journey hampered by sin or a clouded vision. Secondly, I must run (not walk, crawl, limp,etc. but run) with endurance. This word leads me to think that I should have a degree of vigor, excitement, and of course training. How else could I endure? Thirdly, then I must focus on Jesus who founded (saved) and perfected (sanctified) my faith. He did this not just by proclamation, but by the offering of His own life. He gave us His divine holiness and took my human evilness never once despising the shame, and such sin was the epitome of shame. When He completed it, He was back with His Father awaiting His next journey (calling me to Himself). What an example! As Hebrews says, Therefore He had to be made like His brothers in every respect, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. So what is my response, Let us hold fast the confession of our hope with wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

But how do I keep His example my focus? First I remember what He endured for me on the cross. I remember the gospel! If He, through the person of the Spirit dwells in me, then His same strength is mine! I don't have to fall prey to my humanity, my weaknesses, wearyings, and faintings. I can walk in newness of life. I can ask myself this simple question, Have I resisted to the shedding of blood! (Obviously not, but could I?) Then secondly, ask myself to remember that the Lord disciplines those that He loves, like a good and kind Father. Discipline brings holiness. God is not so concerned with my comfort on this journey but is so concerned with my holiness!! Holiness is needed for the race, for my endurance! Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. How am I running? Is it with drooping hands and heart, with weak knees buckling at the road blocks, or am I seeking His paths and His healing for what is to come? Am I willingly claiming His promises and uses His strength?

Father,
I ask only for Your grace and strength for such a journey as this. Reveal to me the weights and sins that I might confess and forsake. Unite my heart to Yours so that I live in the power of the cross and Your son. Help me always to remember Jesus and Your sovereign hand in my life.
In His Name,
Amen

By Faith

Heb. 11:20-40

[Continued]

What radical faith is this! These people who only looked forward to the promise of Jesus endured so much, and yet we have so much and endure so little! How sad!



• By faith Isacc was able to give future blessings to his sons showing his hope and trust in God. My hope is in God as well.
• By faith Joseph was able to believe in the exodus of his people and the returning of his bones to his homeland. He believed in the promised land as I eagerly wait for my promised home in heaven.
• By faith Moses' life was preserved against political edicts. God's sovereign power is over all, especially the affairs of men and governments.
• By faith when Moses when grown, even after living in Pharoah's house, chose rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin for a season. What a choice! Life threatening over life indulging! Eternal over temporal! He wanted the reproach of Christ because he looked forward to the reward. Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what like ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
• By faith Moses left Egypt despite the anger of the king. He endured by focusing on Him who is invisible such a focus as this eliminates the fear of this world.
• By faith Moses kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood to preserve the lives of their firstborn. His blood is what I must share with others so their lives can be saved as well.
• By faith Israel passed through the Red Sea on dry land, but in the same waters the Egyptians were drowned. Miracle!
• By faith the wall of Jericho collapsed by merely encircling them for seven days and blasting horns. Miracle!
• By faith, Rahab, a mere prostitute was used of God to save the lives of the spies and her own life. Salvation is for all! No sin is too black!
• By faith, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets--who through faith conquered kingdoms, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched fire, escaped the sword, were made strong out of weakness, were mighty in war, and put armies to flight. All in the power of God through their faith in God, not in their own personal intelligence, strength, or military prowess. For when I am weak, then I am strong!
• The list goes on of the terrible things that these heroes endured: death, torture, refusal of release because they wanted a better life, mocking, flogging, chains, imprisonment, stoning, sawn in two, killed with sword, dsititue, afflicted, mistreated, and naked, yet they were faithful, unwavering until the end. What faith is this!

After I read this chapter, I must ask myself what kind of faith do I have? The list concludes with this statement: of whom the world was not worthy. And to think that with all that they suffered and endured, they still did not receive the promises, but only looked forward to Jesus! They had to wait for what I received, the better One, Jesus Christ.

As I compare my faith to theirs, I notice an abdication of this world and a wholehearted desire for the world yet to come in them. Their commitment was unwavering and unaltered by anything that the world had to offer. The promise consumed them! Has Jesus consumed me?

Father,
Grow my faith so that I might focus on You only. Make me see Your hand in all that comes into my life, the good and the bad.
In the name of the Promised One,
Amen

By Faith

Heb. 11:1-19

What is a life of faith?

• By faith I know that creation came from the Word of God, out of things invisible. Creation resulted in the seen but originated in the unseen.
• By faith Abel offered an acceptable sacrifice through which he was deemed righteous. Through faith I am covered by the only acceptable sacrifice, Jesus Christ, and through that sacrifice I am made righteous.
• By faith Enoch was taken up and did not see death. Faith in Jesus gives eternal life whether I have to pass through death here or not, I will live eternally.
• Without faith, it's impossible to please God! Strong words that would negate human endeavor as a means to please God. I must believe in Him , His existence, and His involvement in my life as the Rewarder of those who do believe.
• By faith, Noah made the ark which preserved his life but brought condemnation to the world. He obeyed in the face of human fear and was concerned only with fearing God. In faith, I must step out and obey Him in all areas even ones that bring ridicule and fear.
• By faith Abraham followed God without knowing a destination. He went to a land of promise all the while looking forward to the city of God. His eye was on the prize at the end of the journey not so much on the journey itself. He walked without human maps but used the words of God instead.
• By faith Sarah received the power to conceive even when she was old in order that the promise might be fulfilled. She considered Him faithful to His word. How difficult was that! He is faithful to all of His words to me as well. I can count on them and Him!
• All of these people walked in faith without ever seeing the fulfillment of what they waited for.  They knew they were strangers and exiles on this earth not planting their feet firmly in the world's offerings and riches. Their one desire was a better country, one where God could be called their God. I too desire this better country. Like all these people, I must not plant my feet firmly in this world, its culture, its offerings, and its system. I must keep my eyes looking forward to the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
• By faith Abraham was willing to offer Isaac on the altar. He knew God was able to raise Him from the dead because Isaac was the child of the promise. Unbelievable! How this cuts across the grain of the heart of a parent! Abraham loved God more than his own child. It is only by faith that I can offer to God anything that is precious to me. How much do I believe Him and trust His word? How firmly do I grip my family?

What is this life of faith? These men and women who have gone before have shown me what faith really means. From their lives, I can see the principles that define the faith walk:

• The Word of God is powerful in creation, salvation, and every realm of my personal life.
• I must walk without destination...Just following Him step by step in the small details of life and in the overwhelming details.
• I must stake my life on His Word and His promises. That means I have to know His word and those promises. They must become my life's breath.
• I must look constantly forward to Heaven, eagerly awaiting the return of Jesus.
• I must live like a stranger and exile. How hard to not want what the world offers!
• I must live in the power of the gospel, the only acceptable sacrifice and righteousness.
• I must know that my righteousness is nothing. Jesus is my righteousness.
• I must know God personally and believe in what He says. This takes time with Him.
• I must know what He says in the moment!!!

What great lessons about faith! It takes the gift of faith to have them be a reality in my life.

Father,
Increase my faith. Give me Your strength to put these principles deep within my heart and life. Help me rest in You even when I don't know the outcome.
In Jesus name,
Amen

The Positive and the Negative

Heb. 10:21-25

...and since we have a great priest over the house of God,  let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,   not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

 

Because Jesus is my high priest, I am unbelievably blessed! I can enter the holy place by His blood in full assurance of faith without ever a doubt as to my acceptability because He has made me acceptable. I am washed in His pure blood, and my evil conscience is cleansed. These are not just new patches put on my old nature, but He has made me over totally new with His life-giving and life-transforming blood. He has done all this, but what do I do? I must hold fast my confession of hope without wavering. I must be faithful as He is faithful. Not only that but I must interact with the body of Christ loving them and encouraging them to good works as I worship together with them and even more so as the day approaches when Jesus makes His return. But what Jesus has done is even more amazing than this! He gives me His grace and strength to hold on, to be faithful, and to minister with other believers. All He wants from me is surrender and dependence.

 

But on the other hand, it is not so glorious! If someone goes on deliberately sinning after having heard the truth, judgment will happen. This judgment will be way worse than anything seen in the Old Testament. How much worse punishment, do you thnk, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which He was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? [Heb. 10:29] What a question! After reading this, fear should grip the human heart! Who would spurn the Son of God who offered HImself in loving sacrifice for the souls of mankind? Who would profane His shed blood with all its life-giving and life-transforming qualities? Who would knowlingly and willingly outrage the Spirit of grace? The answer should be no one who really cares about their eternal destiny, but sadly unregenerate man is often foolish, profane, and outrageous in what they do and think. After reading these vereses, it makes me look carefully at my heart? Have I brought glory to the Son of God and praised Him for His blood with my whole heart? Have I in any way outraged the Spirit of grace? The Lord will judge His people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

 

Father,

My heart is full of thanks for what Jesus has done for me. Teach me to honor and glorify the Son, His blood, and the Spirit of grace. Make this a reality in my life. Reveal to me the evil in my heart. Unite my heart to fear Your name.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Once for All

Heb. 9:27-28; 10:10, 12-14

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him... And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all...But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.  For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Jesus appeared for the express purpose of putting away sin once and for all by His own personal sacrifice. However, His sacrifice was only the beginning of the process which will be culminated at His second coming. Amazingly, His sacrifice was for me personally and put away my sins once and for all. I am eagerly awaiting His return where He will take me to heaven to live with Him. Since His sacrifice was perfect and fully complete, it required no action on my part just a submissive believing and accepting of what Jesus had done. What grace and love that Jesus would humble Himself to the point of death and willingly take my sins (and all sin)! That in itself would be huge, but He went beyond that to be the single, perfect sacrifice that would not only save me but would sanctify me. He made me perfect through the offering of His life's blood and gave me this treasure in a jar of clay to show that the surpassing power belongs to Him. This is why the Holy Spirit can bear witness with my Spirit saying, I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds. My heart and mind have been washed, cleansed, made alive, saved, and sanctified! What a glorious sacrifice is this! Yet, this sacrifice goes even further. He will remember my sins and lawless deeds no more!!! Sins forgiven and forgotten!! Reconciliation is complete.

Father,

Thank You for Jesus who saved and sanctified me, who dealt with my sin so completely that they are forgotten, and who is coming back for me so that I might be with You for eternity. Praise to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!

In Jesus name,

Amen

Wisdom

Prov. 2:4-6

If you seek it (wisdom) like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

I have been praying Jas. 3:17-18 asking that the Lord would makes these verses a reality in my life. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. Even as I read these verses again, I realize that these can only be accomplished in the power of the Lord. So what should I do? Seek it, seek it like silver and hidden treasure!! Treasure hunters often become obsessed with their mission (or their greed). The hunt seems to control their lives. That is the intensity that I must have! Seeking God's wisdom must control my life. It is only then that I will know and understand the fear of the Lord and the knowledge of God.  The Lord is the source of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding!

What a contrast between the wisdom of man and the wisdom of God! I am not sure that the world buys into any of these qualities. Purity is something that is long gone in our culture, and it seems that those with the most power and supposed wisdom are the least pure. Who is peaceable? If someone were really desiring to live at peace with others, they wouldn't be putting themselves first. And the American dream is going after what 'I' want! Gentleness is viewed as weakness, and being open to reason is interpreted as toleration of all to the exclusion of any Biblical principles. I mean if I believed in God that would not be tolerant of other religions! How much mercy and good fruits are visible? Although it is true that humanitarian gestures are touted, but on an individual level are people merciful? Good fruits is not something that can be compared at all since they are only produced by the Spirit of God. Impartiality and sincerity are replaced with getting ahead by who you know or kissing up to those who can advance your cause, and duplicity on so many levels. Just after a casual look at the world, it is obvious that the wisdom I must seek is God's! He is the One who gives it and grows it inside His children. And for what purpose? Not to make me special or a person of importance, but so that I might know Him and fear Him!! It all comes down to Him and bringing glory to His name!

Father,

Teach me Your wisdom. Make it a reality in my life. Grow me in Your word and grace.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Point of No Return

Prov. 1:24-26

Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strike you...

Sadly, there is a point of no return, of refusing to listen, of stubbornly choosing self over God' wisdom. But by contrast, if you listen and turn at the reproof, wisdom will flow over you giving you words of life as opposed to words of destruction. Verse 27 speaks of time when the foolish person, who has refused to listen, will then call on wisdom, but it is too late. They have crossed over the point of no return because they hated knowledge and refused to choose the fear of the Lord. What is left for this person? Their only recourse is eating the fruit of their own way and having their fill of their own devices. Harsh! The alternative is whoever listens to wisdom will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster. The choice is self and foolishness ending in destruction or listening and learning ending in life. I praise God that He drew me to Himself, turning my heart to Him and His wisdom. But even after salvation, wisdom is a tricky thing because self still wants control of the life and tries desperately to infect my soul with foolishness. It is my constant prayer that God will make His wisdom a reality in my life...But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of good fruits and mercy, sincere, and impartial, and a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. How flawed my wisdom is! How very different I am from this standard! But the Spirit through the power of the Word can grow me into this person. God's wisdom can be mine if my heart is submissive and truly desires it, if I let go the reins of my own self-will, and if I humbly submit to God as He shapes my life.

Father,

Make Your wisdom a reality in my life. Teach me how to be what You desire me to be.

In Jesus name,

Amen 

No Excuse

Ex. 4:10

But Moses said to the Lord, Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.

God has something for Moses to do, something that Moses felt he couldn't do. In his mind, what God was asking went against the gifts that God had given him. He couldn't be God's spokesman because he was slow of speech and tongue. No doubt, what Moses said was true, but it proves a valid point. God doesn't use me for my gifts or talents. In response to Moses, God said, Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak. God was taking Moses from the realm of human impossibility to the realm of divine intervention. God works through vessels of clay and makes them into His servants to show that the surpassing glory belongs to God and not to man!

Still this was not enough for Moses. He begged God to send someone else. In mounting anger, God agreed to use Aaron's mouth as the speaker, but Moses was still to give the words to Aaron. Moses was to be in the place of God to Aaron. How compassionate! Moses still had to do the task God called him to, but God gave him a helper. He knew Moses' weakness and He knows my weakness because He made us. I obey. I serve and speak and do whatever God calls me to do, but never without His grace and strength, never in my own strength. He always gives me what I need to do what He calls me to do. What a gloriously compassionate God!

Father,

Thank You for giving me your grace and strength. Help me to serve You only in Your power never in my own strength.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Wait Patiently

Ps. 40:1

I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined to me and heard my cry.

David had learned the blessings that came from waiting patiently on the Lord. They were many and remembering them encouraged his soul. When David waited, the Lord...

• inclined to him and heard his cry. How wonderful to know that when I cry He leans in and listens to my whisperings, my tears, my wailing, and my words, even my screams.
• drew him up from the pit of destruction, out of a miry bog and set his feet on a rock. God is a sure and present deliverer. For me, he saved me from a life of sin and established me on the rock, Jesus.
• made his steps secure. Once I am His, and my foundation is Jesus, then my steps are secure. I need not worry. Jesus has made me secure in His hand, and He is constantly with me.
• put a new song in his mouth, a song of praise to God. How glorious! It is amazing how important song is to God. He has made it an integral part of worship and bringing glory to His name.

All this came as the result of waiting on the Lord, waiting for His perfect timing, waiting for our hearts to be united to His. As if all these actions were not enough, God blesses the man who makes his trust in the Lord! Blessed of God! Who is this man? He is the one who does not follow the proud because the proud have no room for God. They are filled with self-sufficiency and feast on their own glory. Neither does this man follow lies. God has given believers a discerning spirit because Jesus who is the Truth dwells personally with each one who belongs to Him. He has given believers the person of the Holy Spirit to teach us all things and bring all things to our remembrance that Jesus said. We have all we need to discern and resist lies! We are, and I am this person who is blessed of the Lord! What should my response be to these great blessings? I will proclaim and tell of them, tell of His wondrous deeds and thoughts toward us. He is beyond compare! Like David my heart must delight to do His will, O my God, Your law is within my heart. What is my delight? Am I like a greedy Christian who just laps up all the blessings without sharing with others, without delighting in God and in His law? Am I obedient to His words that He has written on my heart?

Father,

Thank You for reaching down and offering me the gift of salvation, for the gift of Jesus, and for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Teach me to delight in Your law and to heed the words You have written on my heart. Unite my heart to fear Your name. Let Your song be my song of praise.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 
 

How fleeting I am!

Ps. 39:4

O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am.

David expressed the struggle of maintaining silence in the presence of evil either from within or from without. He didn't want to sin with his tongue so he figured his only course of action was to guard his tongue, guard his tongue with a muzzle. He was physically preventing himself from speaking. Even though he was mute, his action was of no avail. His distress was magnified, and his heart became hot!! He was passionately involved and could not quench the fire. As he was thinking through his situation, he asked God to let him deal with his humanity, to know the end of his day, his fleeting existence. God showed him that his life was a mere breath and a shadow, so all this distress and turmoil was for nothing. Is there a reason to struggle so over the details of life? No, like David I need to wait on the Lord! For in the Lord, he hoped, and I hope. What an example for me as I try and handle the details of this life. Even when I guard my mouth, the fire often burns within me! My feelings of hurt, injustice, anger, etc. often burn out-of-control. What is my recourse? I need to realize that this earth and all areas related to it are only a breath, easily extinguished. I must remember that my hope is in God, in realizing that He is the sovereign God who planned every tiny detail of my life. God is calling for a change of my my thinking, my perspective not just a shutting of my mouth. He wants me to rest in Him and realize that life's trials and irritations are there for my good, for my growth; in fact, they actually make me know the end of my days. They take my eyes of the temporal and shift it to the eternal. David ended by asking God to hear him and give him peace in his particular situation. For me, a cry for peace is the solution to my trial. But releasing those unholy emotions is so hard. It takes my surrender to experience His peace. It takes His grace to pry my fingers lose so that I can grip Him instead of myself.

Father,

Teach me the foolishness of lingering over the injustices of this life. Help me to keep this temporal life in its proper place and give me Your perspective. Help me to see Your hand in all that You have placed in my life.

In Jesus name,

Amen

His Way

Gen. 48:19

But his father refused and said, I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. Nevertheless, this younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.

God's plan often works in a way that is counter to the traditions and plans of man. Joseph was sure his father was wrong in blessing his younger son over the first born. But historically, Ephraim did become one of the leading tribes as opposed to Manasseh. But later, God's plan worked in a different way when the Ephraimites were replaced by Judah. No doubt at this time, Joseph felt the need to balance the scales when he talked to his father. He had serious doubts about the validity of Jacob's action. What is clear is that human balancing is often counter to God's balancing. Once again this account addresses the concept of God's lens versus my lens. I see only the short term with only a piece of the puzzle, but God sees the completed puzzle. He knows how best to bring His will and His purpose to pass. What should be my response? Instead of getting upset or fretting, I should trust in God to bring about His will and let His justice balance the scales of life. 

Father,

Keep my eyes focused on You and Your sovereign plan. Help me to see You in all the circumstances of my life.

In Jesus name,

Amen

My Steps

Ps. 37:23

The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in His way, though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.

What a promise! How reassuring to know that my steps are established by the Lord. As head knowledge, it is wonderfully comforting to know that whether I delight in His way or fall from my course, the Lord upholds my hand. I know He does that because I am His, and He is mine. I know because Ps. 139 says In His book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. My steps were established even before I existed. God has laid out the course of my life according to His will and purpose. When this verse says even though I fall, I think David is talking about those times when I ignore the leading of the Father and the prompting of the Spirit, and I head out on my own. This can never be good! It seems like a no-brainer that the course that God has for me would be the best. But still my flesh, at times, thinks it knows best! So foolish! So what if this great head knowledge would become a practical reality?  How would it change my perspective? How would it change my view of my daily routine and circumstances? I would have to see each incident as planned by God for my good, my growth. I would have to pray asking God to teach me through each circumstance instead of becoming frustrated, angry, disappointed, etc. Everything no matter how small would have a greater importance. Even the mundane details of life would draw me closer to the Father. It would eliminate going through life on auto-pilot or flying with me as the pilot. I would only have one Pilot, and He would be the one who created and established my steps. Glorious!!

Father,

Give me Your strength to practically view life this way. Change my thinking and responses. Keep Yourself before me constantly so that I can see You instead of me and my fleshly desires.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Sovereign God

Gen. 45:

So it was not you who sent me here, but God.

Joseph was out of prison and promoted to second in the land. His interpretation of Pharaoh's dream coupled with his economic plan were saving not only Egypt but all the surrounding lands.Then definitely by God's plan, Joseph was brought face to face with his brothers, the ones who hated him so much that they sold him into slavery. What was his response? Was he full of bitterness for all the years in prison? Was he desiring revenge on those who had changed the course of his life? Well, he might have if he truly believed they had actually changed the course of his life. On the brothers' return visit to Joseph, he had to leave the room because compassion was flooding out of his heart as tears flooded out of his eyes. This is not a heart of bitterness! Finally, the time was right for Joseph to identify himself to his brothers. Weeping, he asked them to come near to him. His words revealed his heart, his trusting in the sovereign plan of God. And do not be dismayed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life...to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to keep alive  for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God. What a powerful statement!! His faith in God and His sovereign plan were so strong that it cancelled bitterness and revenge. It fostered love, forgiveness, and protection for his family.

Practically living out the belief in a Sovereign God would be life changing. It would completely change the way you would view the haphazard circumstances of life. Instead of frustration over people who irritate you, argue with you, hate you, ignore your personal rights, treat you badly, are ungrateful, or any number of things that people do to you every day, you would look beyond them to the source of the problem. You would see behind all those negative and positive circumstances of life was the plan of God shaping you through those very people who seem to be the bane of your existence. You would have no more bad days because you would live believing that everyday would be controlled and orchestrated by God!! Why is it so hard to live practically like we believe in our heads? Why is it so hard to rest in God minute by minute? Perhaps it is related to who is on the throne of our lives, who is in control? We still deal with all the circumstances negatively because we think we have control over these situations. It is only when circumstances or relationships are totally blown out of control that we go to God. But in truth, we have no control at all. God is the only controller!

Father,

Give me a trust in You and Your sovereign plan. Help me to live like I believe You have a plan for every detail of my life. Take away my bitterness and frustration. Help me to live in Your power.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Opened Their Minds

Lk. 24:32

They said to each other, Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked with us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures.

On the road to Emmaus, the newly resurrected Jesus walked and talked with two disciples. Toward evening they ate together and Jesus broke bread and gave it to them. At that point their eyes were opened, and they knew it was Jesus. Looking back, they remembered that their hearts burned within them as He opened the Scriptures to them. Such a work as this the Spirit of God does within us! When we hear the Word, our hearts burn within us, His convicting power brings change and is our driving force for action. What was the result of their personal encounter? They went and told the other disciples. The good news was spread. The mission was begun!

Later, Jesus appeared to His disciples in the room. He revealed Himself to them in His resurrection form, a form that was still God and man. He still operated with a fleshly body. He wanted them to touch Him and to allow Him to eat. After calming their fears, He reminded them what He had told them earlier, He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. What He had told them earlier or even what had happened didn't really make sense to them until His power was put into operation in their minds. A man may study the Bible untold hours but still not grasp its true meaning unless the Spirit has opened his mind to understand. Jesus knew this fact and gave the greatest gift possible to His followers: the Holy Spirit. He indwells us and teaches us constantly. He convicts of sin (makes our hearts burn within us), brings all things to our memory that Jesus said (reminding us what we have heard and read earlier), and teaches us what all these things mean (opens our minds to understand the Scriptures). What a glorious account that reveals to us concretely the ministry of the Spirit and the Word in our lives! The Scriptures must be understood and applied. They are Jesus; He was the living Word, the logos. Through them and the power of the Spirit we are clothed with power from on high.

Father,

Open my mind to understand Your words. Keep me vitally connected to Your great power at work in Your words and in my life.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Praise Continually

Ps. 34:1

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

How exactly do I praise the Lord? I know that at church in corporate worship singing heart-stirring songs it seems so easy. My heart is lifted high and reaches out to God. The sermon feeds my soul, and I praise God for that. When I am in my weekly Bible study studying and praying with ladies, or when I am having my personal study and prayer time, my heart is stirred as well. But how do I replicate this verse? How do I bless the Lord at all times? How is His praise continually in my mouth?

Verse 2 says My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Perhaps it has to do with my state of heart. When I am humble, I realize my great need. In that need, I do cry out to God. I connect with Him, even blessing and praising Him for His work and provision in my life. But when I am self-sufficient and going about my own way, I rarely think of Him. The demands of my day overtake my soul, and I seem to operate in a different mode. It's not that I purposely stop praising God, it's that other menial tasks seem to take over. So how to eliminate this? Recognizing my need and dependence upon God seems to be a vital key to blessing the Lord at all times. If I am humble and dependent, I will be boasting in the Lord. He will be the One working in and through my life. He is the One who will be making me glad. My day should be filled not just with everyday tasks but with asking God to help me, to be with me, to guide me even in these tasks that I have done by myself for so many years. As I consciously seek Him, I can listen to praise music. I can pray. I can keep verses in my mind and at my ready access. I think it comes down to my awareness. What do I want? Do I want to go through my day on auto-pilot or with God as my pilot? Do I really see my need enough that I seek Him? If I want this crucial change, then I must pray and ask the Spirit to make it a reality in my life.

Verse 3 says O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt the Lord together! Hopefully, this is my end result. I will be magnifying the Lord and sharing how great He is with others. Together, we will exalt His name. In my mind I so want to live like this, but in my flesh, it is so easy to get way-laid.

Father,

I bring myself before You asking You to give me Your strength and wisdom to praise You continually. I know that the answer is in You not in my will power. I bring You my desire and my praise for who You are and for Your working in my life.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Eye of the Lord

Ps. 33:18-19
Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His steadfast love.

What is the eye of the Lord? What does this image connote? II Chron. 16:9 says For the eyes of the Lord run to and from throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward Him. God's eye is not limited to location. He constantly searches the earth for the express purpose of giving support to the blameless. Who could possibly be blameless? Only those who are washed int the blood and covered with the righteousness of Christ. In this reference and in Ps. 33 the eyes of God give hope and support, to tell believers that they are not alone wherever they are. God constantly sees and supports! I Pet. 3:12 says For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer... God's eyes are also focused on those He has chosen to be His children, those who are righteous because of the blood of Christ. He hears our prayers, our cries for help and for growth. Those with blameless hearts and righteous lives are the same group of people as those who fear Him [Ps. 33]. All three of these terms qualify the child of God. Out of this personal relationship with God believers have hope, hope in his steadfast love because The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is His faithfulness. His eyes deliver our souls from death and keep us alive in famine. His vision extends from inception to our final hour on this earth. In famine and in plenty, nothing distracts the eyes of the Lord from their watchful care over His children. Like the psalmist I must respond with, For my heart is glad in Him, because I trust in His holy name. Let Your steadfast love; O Lord, be upon me, even as I hope in You.

Father,
Thank You for Your watchful care, for Your eyes that know my every need, for Your eyes that respond and support, and for Your eyes that are with me even in death.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Super Blessings

Ps. 32:1-2

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

Blessings in any form are wonderful, but the blessings in this verse are crucial to life. Without God taking care of my sin issue, I would be lost eternally with no hope. So yes, the man whose sin is forgiven is blessed! The man whom the Lord holds no sin against is blessed! Practically, how did God grant this blessing? He did it through the sacrifice of His only, beloved Son. Jesus was God in the flesh who took the form of man. He humbled Himself to the point of death, death on a cross. His shed blood became the cover for my sin because His blood paid the penalty, the penalty that was mine. God willingly offered part of Himself to bless my life with forgiven sin! It is at the cross that this life of blessing begins.

After I am forgiven and born again, then I live in newness of life, resurrection life. But still I am a fleshly person with all the failings and flaws that people have, so how am I free of deceit? That too is a gift from God. When Jesus died and was resurrected, He not only paid for my sin and gave me new life, but He imputed His righteousness to me!!! When God looks at me, He sees the righteousness of Jesus. What a blessing is this!! This life of blessing is all of grace, gifts given to me by a gracious God and a glorious Savior!

But how do I continue to live this life of blessing? Verse 5 says I acknowledged my sin to you and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord, and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Simply put, it is a life of confession, of honesty. It is not a life of self-righteousness or a life that condones or justifies sin, but on the contrary, it is a life of submission and dependence. When I confess, my heart is free to receive all the grace that I need to live for Jesus and bring glory to Him and to the Father. His grace is sufficient for me, for His power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Confession and admitting my weaknesses opens the door for the great flow of God's grace and power for daily living. What a great blessing is this grace! How blessed am I to be God's child!

Father,

Thank You for sending Jesus, for forgiving my sin, for imputing to me His righteousness, for allowing me to confess sin, and for sending me grace for my weaknesses. Thank You for this great grace and for You being a gracious God!

In Jesus name,

Amen