Sunday, October 31, 2010
Our Rock of Ages
Scripture:
Psalm 62:5-6
I wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in Him.
He alone is my Rock and my salvation,
my Fortress where I will not be shaken. (NLT)
Observation:
Because of our fallen nature it can be quite a struggle for us to wait in silence for God to reveal His will, especially when we are hurting and discouraged and fearfully in doubt that God will intervene on our behalf. David realizes that he is nothing without God’s power and grace, and this gives him the confidence to remain steadfast in his faith that God’s will, will be done.
Application:
To have this kind of faith as David did, does not happen overnight. It comes by learning who God really is and what part He plays in our world and in our own personal lives. It comes by learning the Truth that is found in God’s Holy Word (Psalm 119:73). When you learn and believe in all the amazing things God has done through ordinary people (like you and me) since the creation of man, you will understand that our sovereign God is “in control”. He knows all things, my friends, and nothing will alter His plans for us, His creation—plans for good; plans for a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
Whenever we build the foundation of our lives on the solid Rock of Creation, we will systemically grow in our faith and learn to rely on the LORD our God, especially during the raging storms of life (Luke 6:47-48). And when you know that God is near and you have the hope of salvation stamped forever on your heart, you will fear less of this unstable world and have the Peace of God to comfort your weary soul and His strength to get you through!
Prayer:
O God in heaven, help develop in me the confidence of David, a man after Your own heart, so that I may rely on You in all circumstances. I give you all my thanks and praise for the good works You have already done in my walk with You and during this difficult life-journey that has not been an easy one thus far and will continue to be difficult until You come again. But knowing that You are near brings both comfort and peace to our souls—those who live in You!
Heart of the Matter
Scripture:
1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (NASB)
Observation:
Because Saul, Israel’s first king, had openly defied God’s commands, the LORD told Samuel to anoint a new king for His people and this new king was to be chosen from the sons of Jesse of Bethlehem. Like most humans, when Samuel saw the first of Jesse’s sons Eliab, he looked at Eliab’s appearance and thought that this must be God’s choice, but the LORD told him different. Samuel had to go through all of Jesse’s sons in order to find God’s choice for Israel’s next king. God knew that Jesse’s youngest son David was the right choice, because He knows each of us perfectly, both inside and out (Psalm 139:13-14).
Application:
God not only created us as physical beings, but because He breathed His breath of life into us (Genesis 2:7), we have a spiritual life as well. And it is because of this single act of love and compassion that we cannot hide anything from the LORD our God. He knows us far better than we know ourselves; He knows what is in our hearts and minds. Our God is so much more than an all powerful, all knowing God; He is also all loving and all caring and takes a personal interest in each of our individual lives.
Are we not all guilty of judging a person by their appearance before we have the opportunity of getting to know them? How blessed we are that God is not like us (Isaiah 55:9), for if He were, most of us would never have the gracious opportunity of drawing close to the LORD our God and find the new life in Christ Jesus that He desires for all His created peoples.
Prayer:
How I thank You, LORD God, for the abundant love and grace that You continue to pour out on Your people, especially those who have been deceived by this fallen world into believing that You are not who You say You are. But for those of us who know the Truth, we know where our joy lies, for You are the Giver of new life—one that will never end and one that will be glorious as You are glorious! Thank You for all that You are.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Peace In Christ
Scripture:
Psalm 50:13-14
I don’t need the bulls you sacrifice;
I don’t need the blood of goats.
What I want instead is your true thanks to God;
I want you to fulfill your vows to the Most High. (NLT)
Observation:
The LORD God no longer requires people to sacrifice the blood of His animals because the blood of the Perfect Lamb, Christ Jesus, was shed “once and for all” as the final sin offering. What the LORD now wants from His people; is that we humbly bring before Him all our sin and rebellion asking for His forgiveness, then walk in repentance with thankful hearts, for it is far better to walk in obedience, trusting and giving Him our thanks and praise, than the offering of sacrifices (1 Samuel 15:22).
We live in a fallen world, my friends, and there are many people who say they have the answers that will lead us out of the chaos that man has created in this world, but there is only One with whom we can entrust our lives to and He is our Creator and the only Savior of our world, Lord Jesus, the Lamb who has taken away the sins of the world (John 1:26). The sacrifice that God really wants is our broken spirits—our broken and repentant hearts (Psalm 51:17).
As a Christian nation we have taken our eyes off the LORD, being lulled into a comatose state of comfort while the world creeps in to destroy what God as made. As a nation build by God, we have become disillusioned with the world around us saying, “it could never happen to us”, but in reality the evil in this world has been infiltrating our churches, our schools, and our government for many years.
Application:
The best Hope we have, my friends, is to focus on the Truth found in the Holy Book of God’s Words and be ever so thankful for the salvation we do not deserve. When you “let go and let God” direct your paths it may not be the easiest road to follow, but it will fill your heart with a peace about this difficult life that will enable you to comfort those troubled hearts who live in fear of the days ahead. Don’t listen to the lies that question the goodness of God, for He hears every cry of His people and He is true to His Word! He is…coming to rescue us!
Prayer:
Thank You, Lord, for the salvation we don’t deserve. Thank You for allowing us the privilege of Your Presence in our lives, so that we can boldly come before you with all our sin and rebellion. Thank You for Your forgiveness and Your amazing grace.
Psalm 50:13-14
I don’t need the bulls you sacrifice;
I don’t need the blood of goats.
What I want instead is your true thanks to God;
I want you to fulfill your vows to the Most High. (NLT)
Observation:
The LORD God no longer requires people to sacrifice the blood of His animals because the blood of the Perfect Lamb, Christ Jesus, was shed “once and for all” as the final sin offering. What the LORD now wants from His people; is that we humbly bring before Him all our sin and rebellion asking for His forgiveness, then walk in repentance with thankful hearts, for it is far better to walk in obedience, trusting and giving Him our thanks and praise, than the offering of sacrifices (1 Samuel 15:22).
We live in a fallen world, my friends, and there are many people who say they have the answers that will lead us out of the chaos that man has created in this world, but there is only One with whom we can entrust our lives to and He is our Creator and the only Savior of our world, Lord Jesus, the Lamb who has taken away the sins of the world (John 1:26). The sacrifice that God really wants is our broken spirits—our broken and repentant hearts (Psalm 51:17).
As a Christian nation we have taken our eyes off the LORD, being lulled into a comatose state of comfort while the world creeps in to destroy what God as made. As a nation build by God, we have become disillusioned with the world around us saying, “it could never happen to us”, but in reality the evil in this world has been infiltrating our churches, our schools, and our government for many years.
Application:
The best Hope we have, my friends, is to focus on the Truth found in the Holy Book of God’s Words and be ever so thankful for the salvation we do not deserve. When you “let go and let God” direct your paths it may not be the easiest road to follow, but it will fill your heart with a peace about this difficult life that will enable you to comfort those troubled hearts who live in fear of the days ahead. Don’t listen to the lies that question the goodness of God, for He hears every cry of His people and He is true to His Word! He is…coming to rescue us!
Prayer:
Thank You, Lord, for the salvation we don’t deserve. Thank You for allowing us the privilege of Your Presence in our lives, so that we can boldly come before you with all our sin and rebellion. Thank You for Your forgiveness and Your amazing grace.
God Is Holy
Scripture:
1 Samuel 16:20
Who is able to stand in the presence of the LORD,
this holy God?” they cried out.
Observation:
After the Ark of the LORD was captured by the Philistines, the LORD inflicted plagues of tumors upon the Philistine people wherever their leaders sent the Ark. So in their fear, these kings sent the Ark back to Israel. But while the Ark of the LORD was in Beth-shemesh, seventy Israelite men looked into the Ark, and the LORD promptly killed them. So the people mourned, crying out, “who is able to stand in the presence of the holy God?”
Our Mighty and Holy God cannot be in the presence of anything that is not holy as He. Because His holiness is so pure and so good no human being, in their fallen state, is able to stand before Him and live. And it is because of this that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to intervene—so that our lives would be hidden in the One who is without sin and perfectly holy (Colossians 3:3). What an amazing gift this is, my friends, to be able to come before the living God (in our sinful and rebellious state) with all our concerns and questions and not be struck down or ignored, but forgiven and loved!
Application:
We have in our Lord, Christ Jesus, the only Way to God the Father. The world will tell you differently and try to convince you otherwise, but Christ Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). There is no other way, dear friends, that we will find face to Face fellowship and everlasting life with God other than entering heaven’s Most Holy Place with the Most Holy One, who is no longer separated from us because of the precious blood of Christ, our Lord and Savior (Hebrews 10:19-2o).
Prayer:
What an awesome blessing it is, dear LORD, that we can confidently and fearlessly come before you with all our sin and failures. Thank You for Your forgiveness and grace and for the Hope we have in You. I pray that You will help me remain strong in my faith and that You will touch my life in ways that bring you honor and glory.
1 Samuel 16:20
Who is able to stand in the presence of the LORD,
this holy God?” they cried out.
Observation:
After the Ark of the LORD was captured by the Philistines, the LORD inflicted plagues of tumors upon the Philistine people wherever their leaders sent the Ark. So in their fear, these kings sent the Ark back to Israel. But while the Ark of the LORD was in Beth-shemesh, seventy Israelite men looked into the Ark, and the LORD promptly killed them. So the people mourned, crying out, “who is able to stand in the presence of the holy God?”
Our Mighty and Holy God cannot be in the presence of anything that is not holy as He. Because His holiness is so pure and so good no human being, in their fallen state, is able to stand before Him and live. And it is because of this that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to intervene—so that our lives would be hidden in the One who is without sin and perfectly holy (Colossians 3:3). What an amazing gift this is, my friends, to be able to come before the living God (in our sinful and rebellious state) with all our concerns and questions and not be struck down or ignored, but forgiven and loved!
Application:
We have in our Lord, Christ Jesus, the only Way to God the Father. The world will tell you differently and try to convince you otherwise, but Christ Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). There is no other way, dear friends, that we will find face to Face fellowship and everlasting life with God other than entering heaven’s Most Holy Place with the Most Holy One, who is no longer separated from us because of the precious blood of Christ, our Lord and Savior (Hebrews 10:19-2o).
Prayer:
What an awesome blessing it is, dear LORD, that we can confidently and fearlessly come before you with all our sin and failures. Thank You for Your forgiveness and grace and for the Hope we have in You. I pray that You will help me remain strong in my faith and that You will touch my life in ways that bring you honor and glory.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Honor That Is Due
Scripture:
Malachi 2:1-2
“And now this commandment is for you, O priests. If you do not listen, and if you do not take it to heart to give honor to My name,” says the LORD of hosts, “then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings; and indeed, I have cursed them already, because you are not taking it to heart. (NASB)
Observation:
Even though this message from the LORD was given to the priests of Judah who were using their influence in corrupt ways to hurt God’s people rather than help them, I believe it still speaks to us today, because as Christians, we are all disciples of God’s Truth and the LORD holds us accountable in our spheres of influence. This especially holds true for the leaders of the Church, who God has set apart to shepherd His people.
The moral decline within America is a perfect example of how our leaders and the media can influence a nation. The LORD has exposed many evangelical leaders and Catholic priests in our country who have defiled the Lord’s name by their corrupt and immoral actions. Not only is the Church seeing a moral decline but our country as a whole is suffering this affliction as well, because many of our leaders in Government, the very people we voted into office, are corrupt, immoral, and are leading our great nation down a destructive path. All the turmoil that has engulfed our world is the consequences of moral decay and worldwide rebellion against our LORD God. And these consequences are running their course, my friends, just as God’s Word has been telling us for thousands of years.
Application:
With that said, there is indeed some Good News—our Almighty and All Loving God is alive and well and has provided us with a Savior, His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (John 3:16). He is our ticket out of this hellish turmoil that is dominated by Satan and those who are enslaved by the sinful pleasures of their flesh. Our Lord, Christ Jesus, will come again to save both the living and the dead (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18), restoring them and all His creation (Revelation 21:5) to its original glory so that we can live eternally in the presence of our Holy God. Imagine……sitting down and talking face to Face with our Creator. What a “Wonderful Life” it will be for those who persevere with faith in God’s Amazing Grace.
Prayer:
I ask You, LORD, to continue transforming my life into one that honors you in all that I do. I know that because of my sinful nature, many of my old habits tend to die hard, but I also know that anything is possible with You as my Transformer. Thank You for the opportunity to walk in Your forgiveness and grace. You are the answer to my prayers of many years and there is not One I honor more than You, my Creator and my God!
Malachi 2:1-2
“And now this commandment is for you, O priests. If you do not listen, and if you do not take it to heart to give honor to My name,” says the LORD of hosts, “then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings; and indeed, I have cursed them already, because you are not taking it to heart. (NASB)
Observation:
Even though this message from the LORD was given to the priests of Judah who were using their influence in corrupt ways to hurt God’s people rather than help them, I believe it still speaks to us today, because as Christians, we are all disciples of God’s Truth and the LORD holds us accountable in our spheres of influence. This especially holds true for the leaders of the Church, who God has set apart to shepherd His people.
The moral decline within America is a perfect example of how our leaders and the media can influence a nation. The LORD has exposed many evangelical leaders and Catholic priests in our country who have defiled the Lord’s name by their corrupt and immoral actions. Not only is the Church seeing a moral decline but our country as a whole is suffering this affliction as well, because many of our leaders in Government, the very people we voted into office, are corrupt, immoral, and are leading our great nation down a destructive path. All the turmoil that has engulfed our world is the consequences of moral decay and worldwide rebellion against our LORD God. And these consequences are running their course, my friends, just as God’s Word has been telling us for thousands of years.
Application:
With that said, there is indeed some Good News—our Almighty and All Loving God is alive and well and has provided us with a Savior, His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (John 3:16). He is our ticket out of this hellish turmoil that is dominated by Satan and those who are enslaved by the sinful pleasures of their flesh. Our Lord, Christ Jesus, will come again to save both the living and the dead (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18), restoring them and all His creation (Revelation 21:5) to its original glory so that we can live eternally in the presence of our Holy God. Imagine……sitting down and talking face to Face with our Creator. What a “Wonderful Life” it will be for those who persevere with faith in God’s Amazing Grace.
Prayer:
I ask You, LORD, to continue transforming my life into one that honors you in all that I do. I know that because of my sinful nature, many of my old habits tend to die hard, but I also know that anything is possible with You as my Transformer. Thank You for the opportunity to walk in Your forgiveness and grace. You are the answer to my prayers of many years and there is not One I honor more than You, my Creator and my God!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Scripture:
Zechariah 10:2
Household gods give false advice, fortunetellers predict only lies, and interpreters of dreams pronounce comfortless falsehoods. So my people are wandering like lost sheep, without a shepherd to protect and guide them. (NLT)
Observation:
Just as it was in the days of Zechariah, God’s people are still looking to the many false gods of this fallen world for truth about the how’s and why’s of living this difficult and challenging life. We may not have carved figures in our homes that we bow down to and worship, but just the same, we have many other man-made objects that we give our full attention to hoping they will give us the joy and fulfillment that our hearts long for. Many of the world’s people still go to fortunetellers, use Tara cards, perform séances, schedule their day by the horoscope found in the daily newspaper, and join various religious cults instead of looking to the only reliable source for Truth. And the only Reliable Source for absolute Truth, my friends, is the LORD God our Creator (John 14:6). And when you completely surrender your life to the LORD and His will, you will no longer find yourself wandering aimlessly through the darkness headed for hell, instead, He gives you both the desire and the ability to live a righteous life worth living—a walk in the Light that leads to Heaven.
Application:
This fallen world seems to have an endless supply of false hope and frivolous ways to obtain happiness and peace of mind that seem good at the time, but these schemes of the Enemy will only lead you further from the goodness that God wants for you (Matthew 7:15). We must remember and believe, my dear friends, that we are all God’s guests in this life; travelers just passing through (Psalm 39:12) on our way to an eternal life. You are given the choice to use your limited time depending on God’s Word to lead you Home or you can spend your allotted time searching for the things that will make you feel good in this life while ignoring where it leads to in the next.
Prayer:
Thank You, dear LORD, for the Light that leads us in Truth. It can be so easy to follow the lies of this fallen world that want us to focus on the pleasures of the flesh, rather than on the battle for our soul. It is hard to follow the Truth and go against the gods of this world, but when it is all said and done, Your children will reign with You, Lord, and experience the pleasures of Heaven that surpass anything this world has to offer!!
Zechariah 10:2
Household gods give false advice, fortunetellers predict only lies, and interpreters of dreams pronounce comfortless falsehoods. So my people are wandering like lost sheep, without a shepherd to protect and guide them. (NLT)
Observation:
Just as it was in the days of Zechariah, God’s people are still looking to the many false gods of this fallen world for truth about the how’s and why’s of living this difficult and challenging life. We may not have carved figures in our homes that we bow down to and worship, but just the same, we have many other man-made objects that we give our full attention to hoping they will give us the joy and fulfillment that our hearts long for. Many of the world’s people still go to fortunetellers, use Tara cards, perform séances, schedule their day by the horoscope found in the daily newspaper, and join various religious cults instead of looking to the only reliable source for Truth. And the only Reliable Source for absolute Truth, my friends, is the LORD God our Creator (John 14:6). And when you completely surrender your life to the LORD and His will, you will no longer find yourself wandering aimlessly through the darkness headed for hell, instead, He gives you both the desire and the ability to live a righteous life worth living—a walk in the Light that leads to Heaven.
Application:
This fallen world seems to have an endless supply of false hope and frivolous ways to obtain happiness and peace of mind that seem good at the time, but these schemes of the Enemy will only lead you further from the goodness that God wants for you (Matthew 7:15). We must remember and believe, my dear friends, that we are all God’s guests in this life; travelers just passing through (Psalm 39:12) on our way to an eternal life. You are given the choice to use your limited time depending on God’s Word to lead you Home or you can spend your allotted time searching for the things that will make you feel good in this life while ignoring where it leads to in the next.
Prayer:
Thank You, dear LORD, for the Light that leads us in Truth. It can be so easy to follow the lies of this fallen world that want us to focus on the pleasures of the flesh, rather than on the battle for our soul. It is hard to follow the Truth and go against the gods of this world, but when it is all said and done, Your children will reign with You, Lord, and experience the pleasures of Heaven that surpass anything this world has to offer!!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
A Song Worth Singing
Scripture:
Psalm 30:1, 12
I will praise You, LORD, for you have rescued me.
You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.
O, LORD my God, I will give You thanks forever!
Observation:
What an honor it is to be able to sing this song. What an incredible blessing it is to know that the victory is yours and that no matter how this fallen world may try to deceive and discourage you, the children of God have a glorious future ahead of them—One so glorious that our Creator, who loved His creation so much, put a plan into place that would keep the people who put their trust in Him out of the grips of eternal death and damnation (Jeremiah 29:11). We have in our LORD, a loving and gracious Savior; a faithful Shepherd who never gets tired of calling out to His lost ones. And once His call has been heard, the promise is this: If we return to Him, He will return to us (Zechariah 1:3). And this, my dear friends, is a promise that we can count on no matter how far we have gone astray.
Application:
As far as my own life is concerned, the Enemy came so close in completely taking my eternal life, which would have, forever, separated me from the Glory of God. What an amazing joy it brings me just knowing that all of my sins have been truly forgiven and forever forgotten by our Loving and Gracious and Merciful God (Isaiah 43: 25). This inner joy, which forever fills the heart, is what makes Christians everywhere stand apart from the rest of the world, because there is no doubt, whatsoever, that we, too, just as our Lord Christ Jesus, will be given a glorious new body that is void of death and decay, and pain and suffering. Our everlasting new life will be without shame or guilt. It will be abundantly happy, void of sadness and without the tears of frustration and grief. It will be an eternal life of seeing God face to face and walking hand in hand with our Savior. There is nothing of this world, my friends, which has the ability to fulfill this kind of joy. It is only through the Word of God and His Amazing Grace that we can find the Joy that gives us Everlasting Life in Him!
Prayer:
Thank You dear Lord, for this song of joy we can now sing—a glorious song that sings about Your gift of salvation that we do not deserve—a gift that was so dearly paid for by Your blood and sacrifice. Thank You for going to the Cross and giving us the peace and hope we do not deserve. You are so amazing and gracious, LORD God, and I will forever sing praises to Your Name.
Psalm 30:1, 12
I will praise You, LORD, for you have rescued me.
You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.
O, LORD my God, I will give You thanks forever!
Observation:
What an honor it is to be able to sing this song. What an incredible blessing it is to know that the victory is yours and that no matter how this fallen world may try to deceive and discourage you, the children of God have a glorious future ahead of them—One so glorious that our Creator, who loved His creation so much, put a plan into place that would keep the people who put their trust in Him out of the grips of eternal death and damnation (Jeremiah 29:11). We have in our LORD, a loving and gracious Savior; a faithful Shepherd who never gets tired of calling out to His lost ones. And once His call has been heard, the promise is this: If we return to Him, He will return to us (Zechariah 1:3). And this, my dear friends, is a promise that we can count on no matter how far we have gone astray.
Application:
As far as my own life is concerned, the Enemy came so close in completely taking my eternal life, which would have, forever, separated me from the Glory of God. What an amazing joy it brings me just knowing that all of my sins have been truly forgiven and forever forgotten by our Loving and Gracious and Merciful God (Isaiah 43: 25). This inner joy, which forever fills the heart, is what makes Christians everywhere stand apart from the rest of the world, because there is no doubt, whatsoever, that we, too, just as our Lord Christ Jesus, will be given a glorious new body that is void of death and decay, and pain and suffering. Our everlasting new life will be without shame or guilt. It will be abundantly happy, void of sadness and without the tears of frustration and grief. It will be an eternal life of seeing God face to face and walking hand in hand with our Savior. There is nothing of this world, my friends, which has the ability to fulfill this kind of joy. It is only through the Word of God and His Amazing Grace that we can find the Joy that gives us Everlasting Life in Him!
Prayer:
Thank You dear Lord, for this song of joy we can now sing—a glorious song that sings about Your gift of salvation that we do not deserve—a gift that was so dearly paid for by Your blood and sacrifice. Thank You for going to the Cross and giving us the peace and hope we do not deserve. You are so amazing and gracious, LORD God, and I will forever sing praises to Your Name.
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