Grass and Flowers

Isa. 40:30-31

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not be faint.

 

 

How great is our God! All flesh, no matter how powerful or important, is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower dies, but the word of our God will stand forever. Nothing that man can achieve, build, invent, accomplish, etc. lasts any longer than God has proclaimed it would. Strangely enough, man, in his few short years on earth, thinks he is master of his destiny even when he sees evidence to the contrary. Meteorologists may be able to predict hurricane Sandy's path and fortify against her ravages, but they can do nothing to stop her, for that matter even their fortifications were sadly lacking. The same goes for illness and financial ruin. The best health insurance or physician cannot prevent man from dying or from disease destroying his physical body, and no amount of financial strategies will stave off a recession or a  depression. Certainly, it may appear that man is controlling things, but when God sends Sandy, it is all over! When God has decreed human events, man cannot circumvent them. His word will stand forever and will always be True. Just because someone says there is no god doesn't make that true in the least. In fact, many of man's grandiose statements are merely the ravings of grass and flower withering to eventual death. All nations are as nothing before Him, they are accounted by Him as less than nothing and emptiness.

 

But for the believer, He will tend His flock like a Shepard; He will gather the lambs in His arms; He will carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. He is there with us as we endure the hardships and storms of life. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. How ironic that people in their prime think they have maximum strength, intelligence, and power, and are in need of nothing, especially something coming from God. They seem to have forgotten aging, disease, storms, financial ruin, etc. They think they are superior to all those who have gone before, to all those who have left a record of their failures. They refuse to learn from history. Man cannot sustain strength for the long haul! There are too many factors that he cannot control even though he believes he can. Once again, just because he says he can doesn't make it true. I am waiting on the Lord for all my strength so that when He says run, I can run. When He says, don't faint, I won't. My life is in the hands of the eternal God whose word is everlastingly true! Why would I stoop so low as to follow my own human inclinations or allow humanity to diminish my faith in the One who truly is powerful!

 

Father,

Take away my fear of the future and of the ravings of politicians.  Keep me resting in You as the storms You have sent become a reality. I know that You are my sufficiency, but help me live that truth.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Spiritual Blessings

Eph. 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

 

For me to bless God for His blessing me so plentifully would involve knowing how He has blessed me and then understanding how these blessings affect my life. I know that God has given me all that I need, but how often do I thank Him or bless Him for these spiritual blessings? Sadly my heart is more in tune with the physical blessings, the things that I can see and understand in this world.

 

To begin with all these spiritual blessings are in Christ. He is the conduit through which God's great love reaches man. It was through His great sacrifice that I could even know God. How hard it must have been for the Father to give up His only Son, to turn His face from Him when He took the sin upon Himself! What amazing love!  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

 

 

...even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,that we should be holy and blameless before Him. My life was destined before the world came into being. His purpose in choosing me and in sending His son was so that I would be holy and blameless. Since I could never achieve that state myself, God sent His Son. Not only did He choose me, but He gave me the means to make it a reality. Without the choosing of God, where would I be?  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

 

In love He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved.  When I was chosen, I was also predestined to be adopted as a son not because of what I had to offer, but because of Jesus Christ. Jesus obeyed the will of the Father implicitly to praise of His grace, a grace that is the means of my salvation, my power to live daily, and the greatest gift in my life. Without grace, there would be no way for me to know God. Without this destiny, where would I be?   Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

 

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight...In Jesus I am redeemed through His sacrificial blood. I have forgiveness because of the never-ending supply of grace, not a grace that was the bare minimum to get the job done or a grace that would run out, but it was a grace lavished upon me. What a glorious word lavished! This grace was not lavished indiscriminately but lavished in all wisdom and insight. God's plan and will are perfect even down to the administering of His great grace. Without this great blessing, where would I be? Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

...which He set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth. All of this great plan for me was set forth in Christ for the express purpose of being united in Him. His life becomes my life and His will my will. It was the perfect plan accomplished by the Perfect One for the imperfect and deeply flawed one. What an amazing blessing! I can be united with God! Without this plan, where would I be?  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory. In addition to all the previous blessings, God has given me an inheritance according to His will. This inheritance gives me hope in Christ. I know that as I longingly wait, He will come in God's time, according to His will, and to the praise of His glory. God works all things according to His will. Nothing takes Him by surprise! These blessings jsut keep coming! Certainly lavished! Without this great inheritance, in what would I hope? Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

In Him you also, when you heard the world of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession to it, to the praise of His glory. Once I believe in Jesus I am sealed with His spirit who is the guarantee of my inheritance. I don't have to worry that I will lose my salvation or that anyone or anything can take me out of His hand. I am eternally saved and sealed from the moment that I believed in Jesus. Certainly to the praise of His glory! Where would I be without this great peace and security? Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

What a glorious passage, one that I need to remember everyday. What great grace and God-given salvation!  May I never take these blessings for granted, but instead glorify the Father and the Son for uniting me to them. My heart and my voice must constantly say, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

 

Father,

Blessed be Your name, Your will and purpose, Your Son, Your grace, Your Spirit, Your plan for my life! Thank You for giving me such rest and peace as I long for Your return. Spirit, always remind me to thank and bless the Father for these great blessings and for giving me all that I need to live for Him.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

 



Boast in the Cross

Gal. 6:14

Far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.

 

 

Paul ends this letter to the Galatians with several final instructions. He begins with a fellow believer who is caught in sin, mature believers are to restore him in a spirit of gentleness all the while keeping watch lest they fall into temptation too. Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. This concern and love is what should characterize interpersonal relationships within the body, rebuking only out of love not out of a sense of spiritual pride.

 

Next he develops a vital principle that is not clearly understood. What if someone has asked Jesus to be his Savior and has publicly declared it, but there is no corresponding transformation of the heart and life. Paul's response is hard but true.  Do not be deceived God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. If believers are sowing to the flesh, then they will reap corruption. But the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life. Christianity is not a head knowledge, but is a life style. Believers are changed from the inside out, every area of their life reflecting Jesus. So let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Hang on, don't defect, stay true for in God's own time all will be made right. As believers have opportunity, they need to do good to everyone, especially to believers.

 

Paul closes with a reference to circumcision, an idea developed earlier in the book. He urges them not to listen to those who would add to the faith to avoid persecution. Their goal is not for the believer's welfare but an opportunity to boast in their own flesh. Far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. Neither circumcision or uncircumcision count for anything, but the crucial issue is the new creation, the transformed life, and boasting only in the cross.

 

These three important issues are still vital for today. Believers often rebuke other believers out of their own spiritual pride or biases. It has nothing to do with bearing burdens and fulfilling the law of Christ, but it actually makes the burden heavier for the one struggling. Of course, these people wouldn't notice that because they are too puffed up in their own spiritual pride, much like the Pharisees were. Secondly, the idea of living for the flesh is monumental today. Many believers blend into the world so well that they are not recognizable as a believers. Their lives are filled with the same pursuits and pleasures, but all the while, they think they are fine in God's eyes. Perhaps they think that they are living the best of both worlds, the spiritual and the fleshly. How sad! Finally he dealt with the issue of adding to the faith. Even though circumcision is not an issue today, there are many people who add to the faith and use their faith as an opportunity to boast in their own flesh, their own works. My only boasting point must be the cross of Jesus Christ. My life must be built only on grace, and out of this grace, I can bear the burdens of my fellow believers, live for the Lord, and do it all energized by His grace!

 

Father,

Grow me in these three areas. When my flesh rears its ugly head, prick my heart so that I might confess, repent, and live in Your grace.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Walk by the Spirit

Gal. 5:15

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

 

It sounds simple when it is stated like v. 15. Why should walking by the Spirit be so hard if the Spirit indwells believers? The rub comes in the fact that the desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit are at war; in fact, my life is a constant battle ground. I can never ease up on watching and praying because the flesh is lying in wait ready to pounce at its first opportunity. The works of the flesh are clearly obvious :sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. What a warning list! If any of these are evident, then my walk is compromised. The enemy has gained a foothold. When my life is infiltrated, I need to immediately confess and repent. This is an area that can not tolerate compromise. Those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

 

In contrast, walking in the Spirit is equally obvious: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such there is no law. And those who belong to Jesus Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. There is the answer: if I am continually struggling, I have not crucified the flesh. I must reckon it dead, no longer alive in my body, no longer appealing, and no longer tolerated. Walking by the Spirit is a narrow path leaving no room for the flesh to pop out even for a moment. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.  Envying or provoking either on the grounds of worldliness or on the grounds of spirituality is a no-go. My Spirit-Walk is unique to me and is something that I live by the promptings of the Spirit. My desires are an important part of this walk. Just as in the past,  I desired to gratify my flesh, I must know want to satisfy my spirit. My desire and commitment coupled with God's grace and strength will enable me to walk by the Spirit. I can't be wishy-washy in what I want and I must never tolerate sin in my own life. I must be preoccupied with walking in the Spirit and being a citizen of the kingdom of God.

 

Father,

I desire to walk in Your way. Point out what is wrong in my life and give me your grace to confess, repent, and walk in a new way. Change my desires so that they are in harmony with Your Spirit living within me.

In Jesus name,

Amen.

Love One Another

Gal. 5:14

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

 

How important is love in the body of Christ! Actually, it should define who believers are and how they act and respond to others. Sadly the Galatians were at war with one another over elements of the law. Some wanted to merge Christianity and Judaism. What resulted was a war within the body! Paul clearly told them that in Christ there was neither circumcision or uncircumcision, but only faith working through love. This preoccupation with the law was hindering them personally from obeying the truth and corporately plunging them into discord. They were called to freedom, but it was a freedom that wasn't meant to be a means to sin. As to the law, Paul said that the entire law was completed in one principle: love your neighbor as yourself. But if they continued to bite and devour one another, they would be consumed by one another. Certainly, warring with one another was sin, disobedience to God, as well as straying from the gospel of Christ. In no uncertain words Paul made his case! Love your neighbor as yourself! The same goes for us today. Love should be the keystone of our relationships with one another. It should be our default response not one that we have to muster up. Yes, I must love as Christ loved me!

 

Father,

Change my default. Grow Your love in me so that I can reflect You and Jesus. Open my ears that I might hear clearly what Your Spirit is teaching me.

In Jesus name,

Amen

What Is True About God

Lam. 3:22-23

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.

 

Chapter 3 begins with the writer declaring he is a man who has seen affliction under God's rod of wrath. His days have turned to darkness, and his flesh and skin have wasted away. As he examines his life, he sees only bitterness and tribulation. And worse yet, he feels his prayers are shut out. Where is his hope? When his endurance has perished and so has his hope from the Lord, what does he do? For all mankind, there are times when circumstances are constantly defeating, when illness and starvation consume the flesh, and when a man is scorned and becomes the laughingstock of all people. The writer's plight is something we all can understand and sympathize with. But where do we turn when everything in life is bearing down?

 

The writer himself knows the answer to the question when he says, But this I call to mind, and there fore I have hope. He rises above his circumstances and focuses on something other than himself and his problems. He calls to mind and remembers what is true about God. The mind and spirit trump the debilitating physical elements of his life and the defeating and constantly negative emotions. He rises out of the pit of self-pity and focuses his life on God!

 

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in Him. The Lord is good to those who wait for Him to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

 

The writer has come back to God accepting what God has allowed in his life and quietly waits for the Lord to save him. He knows that God's love and mercy are unending, that God is his portion, and that God is good to those who wait for Him. He is assured that in God's timing all his issues will be resolved and that they are for his good. He is submitting to God and seeing his life as an instrument to be used by God for His higher purposes. What a great lesson! I must always call to mind and remember what is true about God! I must not live only for the circumstances of this life, but live for God accepting His will and waiting patiently for Him.

 

Father,

Thank You for Your ending love and mercies. Increase my patience as I wait for You. Help me never forget what is true about You when circumstances pull me down.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 



Praise to My God and King

Ps. 145:1

I will extol You, my God and King and bless Your name forever and forever.

 

What a great psalm of praise and how perfect to memorize and pray! When I set out to memorize this psalm, I wanted to learn more about praising God, and I certainly did! Every night after the day is finished regardless of the stress, the pain, the busyness, the tension, the joys, the pleasures, and the time spent with God, I pray this psalm before I fall asleep. In the quiet and stillness as I lay in bed  with all the lights out, I can calm my heart and my mind and focus completely on Him. I can praise Him as He should be praised with His very own words!

 

The specifics of this prayer-praise times vary. On some days one verse in the psalm will touch my heart more than others. So it is exciting to watch and see what God teaches and will teach me.  Already, I have learned that my praise should be continual and consistent. No situation or circumstance should be reason enough to suspend my praise. In fact, suffering should be cause for more praise as I watch to see how God will work in the situations of my life. It should be an encouragement to me because it demonstrates how God is growing me in holiness and maturity in Christ.  Everyday I will bless you and praise Your name forever and forever.

 

Also I have pondered the generational relationship the psalm develops. One generation shall commend Your works to another and declare Your mighty acts. How can I make this a reality? What can God do through me to impact the next generation? Clearly, from this verse I should declare His works and mighty acts. His presence in my life is something that I should share with others including my children and grandchildren. It certainly gives me a higher meaning and purpose since God blesses my life not just for me but for me to share with others. That changes my focus completely taking me out of myself and into the lives of others. I so want to be that window inviting others to look and see that the Lord is good.

 

Finally some of the verses are just precious because they reinforce what I know to be true about God , and since they are constantly in my mind, they help me see the hand of God at work in my life. They give me a sharper and clearer awareness of God. The Lord is good to all and His mercy is over all He has made...Your works shall give thanks to You and all Your saints shall bless You. What does that say about me that even His works thank Him, and still I don't always bless Him and thank Him as I should?

 

The Lord is near to all who call on Him, who call on Him in truth. He is only a call away. How awesome is that! But why then do I sometimes neglect to call and try and handle life in my own strength? How foolish on my part! He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him...He has been impacting my thinking to see that the desires He fulfills are those desires of my heart to be close to Him, to be obedient, and to grow in Him. His desire for me and my desire for Him should grow to become one! My life is in Him.

 

The Lord preserves all who love Him...He has promised me and given me the seal of the Spirit that I am His eternally. Nothing can pluck me out of His hand! Praise Him! My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord and let all flesh bless His holy name forever and ever! Such resolve! The psalmist will have it no other way. Praise will be his language of choice! Is it my language of choice? Do I resolve to praise Him regardless of circumstances? Finally, I am encouraged to know that the praise I offer here in my weakness will be continued in eternity in my glorified body. What a glorious time I will have with all the saints praising the Father and the Son!

 

Father,

Continue teaching me about praise. Thank You for Your words that take me into Your presence.

In Jesus name,

Amen