Month: November 2016

I am not afraid

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

Psalms 3:1
O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.”  But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.  I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill.  I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.  I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.  Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked.  Salvation belongs to the LORD; your blessing be on your people!

Psalms 17:7
Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.

Psalms 42:10
As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?”

Genesis 15:1
After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”

Psalms 84:11
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Matthew 7:7
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Jeremiah 29:12
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Have you ever been in a situation where you thought the world was against you?  Have you ever had hope, faith, and trust in God that you could say  “even if there is a thousand who are against me, I am not afraid” because of your understanding of who God is?  Have you ever known what is like to seek God with your whole heart?  David saw the trouble around him and knew the intent to harm him.  He called out to God with the trouble and then claimed Him as his hope and shield.  He was not going to fear what man could do but rather who God is and what He had promised.  David claimed God’s steadfast love, His strength, and no good thing is withheld from those who walk uprightly.  We have so much to continue to know and understand about God this side of eternity.  Everyday there is something new to be thankful for.  A person once told me recently that he drove 20 miles to work on a farm.  He used to thank God for things he saw on the drive.  Fields, eyesight, hearing, transportation, trees, corn fields, rain, sunshine, clouds, sky, rivers, water, wind, thunder, lightening, snow, rocks, dirt, colors, etc…. the list is endless if we just give the minimal thought to it. Add to this the bible and His promises and now we can really have something to thank Him for.  Today see how many things you can thank God for – Keep Him on your mind no matter where you are or what you are doing.

Give Thought

“Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good”

“Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,”

Psalms 2:12
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Proverbs 16:20
Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

Psalms 40:4
Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!

Psalms 84:12
O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!

Psalms 146:3-5
Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,

Isaiah 26:3-4
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.

Isaiah 30:18
Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.

Jeremiah 17:7
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.

In light of the election and all of the comments, worries, projections, future outcomes, rise of nation, fall of nation, and loss of trust, gain of trust….. it is important to keep things in perspective.  It is very easy for us to have our eyes on the promises and commitments from our leaders no matter what party is in place.  I have experienced sadness and indifference to outcomes from the past.  What I do know is if I dwell on certain aspects (relationships, government, education, projects, prices, labor and a host of other issues) with negative thoughts of, no hope, no trust, or no future it consumes me. Jesus said ” Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” It is good for me to read these words of encouragement today “Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good” “Blessed is he whose mind is fixed on God”, “Blessed are those who trust is in the Lord”, “Blessed are those who wait for Him”, “Blessed is he who makes the Lord his trust”.  We can all do better at reading as much in His word as what we read about situations in the world.  We can all do better at leaning not onto our own understanding but give thanks to God for all of the blessings we have.  It is not wrong to be aware of potential issues and have concerns but to allow them to fill every waking thought is bad.  This will only set you on a course that leaves no thought or time for trusting and thanking God for He alone is our hope and strength.

Be wise, be warned

  • “Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them”

“Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

 

Psa 2:10
Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.  Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Hosea 14:9
Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.

Isaiah 49:23
Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who wait for me shall not be put to shame.”

Proverbs 4:18
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.

John 8:47
Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

John 18:37
Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

Romans 9:32-33
Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Be wise! In light of God’s word what does it mean to be wise? Serving Him, loving Him, fearing Him, listening to Him, hearing Him, trusting Him, resting in Him, seeking Him, relying on Him, and obeying Him are all scriptural.   Spend time in His word, listen for His voice, and humbly obey His leading.

The Lord knows the way of the righteous, do you?

“Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones,
to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”

Psalms 1:5
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Malachi 3:18
Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

Matthew 13:49
So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous

Matthew 25:32
Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

Matthew 25:41   “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Matthew 25:46
And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

The Lord knows the way of the righteous.  What does it mean to be righteous?  What comes to your mind when you think about what a righteous life looks like lived out?  Do you come up with many “Do’s and Don’ts?”  It gets a bit confusing if we put a list together because we soon come to a place of conflict with “Saved by Grace” and “None righteous no not one”.  Scripture is full of examples of those either trying to earn their way to God or just not listening at all to Him.  What is important to know – we are saved by grace and it is in this grace through Jesus Christ that we are a new creation – a child of the King – adopted into His family – blessed by being in this family.  Yes it is by the grace of God.  In this grace, this family, and blessings we are called to action.  Scripture is full of what this action looks like lived out – here are a few:  Listen and obey, meditate on My word day and night, pray to me, love me more than everything that is in the world, be humble, allow your self to be wronged, be kind, be joyful, make disciples, give generously, slow to anger, quick to forgive, honor and glorify Me, write my word on your heart, tell your children of Me, rely on My strength, trust in Me, cling to Me, believe in Me, trust not unto your own understanding….. and the list can go on and on.  We are to be righteous IN CHRIST and live our lives (action) in humble thankfulness honoring and glorifying God.  We will be held accountable for how we live in light of the grace we have been given.

 

Planted in God’s word 1

“Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds.”

Psalms 1:3
He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

Jeremiah 17:8
He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

Ezekiel 17:8
It had been planted on good soil by abundant waters, that it might produce branches and bear fruit and become a noble vine.

Ezekiel 47:12
And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.”

Psalms 128:2
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

Genesis 39:3
His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands.

Joshua 1:7-8
Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

A tree once it is planted does not move. It produces the fruit it was intended to produce.  With deep roots it weathers storms and drought.  We are to produce fruit in line with God’s grace, mercy and love.  What does this fruit look like in the life of those who call Him Lord their God? In 2 Peter it says: “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  In Galatians 5:22 Paul said this: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”  In 1 Corinthians 13:4 speaking of love Paul said: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends.”  Be a tree planted firmly in God’s promises humbly producing fruit that that honors and glorifies Him alone.

Blessed who walks…

“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

“but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

 

Psa 1:1
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Deuteronomy 28:2-68
And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God.
“The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you. They shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.”

Deuteronomy 33:29
Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, the shield of your help, and the sword of your triumph!

Luke 11:28
But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

John 13:17
If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

John 20:29
Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Blessed is the man who “delights in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” – “hear the word of God and keep it!” – “have not seen and yet have believed.”  In these blessings there are requirements for us and to think otherwise is foolish.  I love the verse “Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, the shield of your help, and the sword of your triumph!” He is the shield and sword in every battle we face.  Blessings abound for those who walk in His ways, listen to His voice, and obey.

Plans

“No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD.” “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain”

 

Malachi 1:4
If Edom says, “We are shattered but we will rebuild the ruins,” the LORD of hosts says, “They may build, but I will tear down, and they will be called ‘the wicked country,’ and ‘the people with whom the LORD is angry forever.’”

Matthew 12:30
Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

Isaiah 10:15
Shall the axe boast over him who hews with it, or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it? As if a rod should wield him who lifts it, or as if a staff should lift him who is not wood!

Lamentations 3:37
Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it?

Proverbs 21:30
No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD.

Psalms 127:1
Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.

Job 9:4
He is wise in heart and mighty in strength —who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded?

Job 12:14
If he tears down, none can rebuild; if he shuts a man in, none can open.

Job 34:29
When he is quiet, who can condemn? When he hides his face, who can behold him, whether it be a nation or a man?

The thoughts of man are aways looking for reasons and answers apart from God.  Our plans many times do not even give a nod in God’s direction.  We use our wisdom and experience and move forward without a thought to what God would have us do.  I speak from experience on this.  Having a great idea does not mean it is in line with God’s plan and purpose.  “Unless the Lord builds the house, the house is build in vain”.  There is one thing I do know and that is if it is God’s plan and purpose you will have peace no matter what troubles or issues arise.  And if not, you will not have peace in your heart.  Why do we move down paths without seeking God?  Why do we think our plan is better?  Why do we move down a path and then somewhere along it we invite God to come rather than making sure we are in line with His purpose?  Our plans may have the purest of intention but if we do not seek God we miss opportunity to see His hand and sovereign control and guidance.  We have opportunity to thank Him and praise Him for what we see Him doing from beginning to end.  We also have rest knowing He is in control when things seem to be going sideways. Stay in His word, seek Him each day, live for Him, and talk to Him about your plans, keep your ears open to His leading and your eyes open for the path He is guiding you to.

Decisions for each Day

““Therefore wait for me,” declares the LORD”

 

Joe 3:14
Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

Isaiah 34:2
For the LORD is enraged against all the nations, and furious against all their host; he has devoted them to destruction, has given them over for slaughter.

Ezekiel 38:23
So I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.

Revelation 16:14
“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”

Romans 1:18
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

Zephaniah 3:8  “Therefore wait for me,” declares the LORD, “for the day when I rise up to seize the prey. For my decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out upon them my indignation, all my burning anger; for in the fire of my jealousy all the earth shall be consumed.

Nahum 1:2
The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and wrathful; the LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies. The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. He rebukes the sea and makes it dry; he dries up all the rivers;
Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken into pieces by him.

We make decisions all the time, what to eat, what to wear, where to go, what to say, what to dwell on….. and so much more.  Many of these decisions determine the course of our daily life.  And, of course, there are decisions of others that intersect our decisions.  There are daily decisions that can make all the difference in the world for your day.  Those decisions are; “Will I submit my life to God today, to humbly serve, honor, and glorify Him?”  “Will I listen to Him through His word and leading of the Holy Spirit?” “Will I obey this leading?” “Will I lean on my own understanding?” “Will I love others as myself?” “Will I give to those in need?”  “Will I put others needs above mine?” “Will I choose to desire God with all of my heart, mind, and soul?” “Will I meditate on Him?” “Will I be thankful?” “Will I look for opportunity to speak of Him?”  Yes everyday we make decisions and many times we start the day without God in mind. Our day will be so much more full of peace, joy, hope, rest, and love if that first decision is to start the day as a thankful and humble servant of His

 

Governing Authority

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”

Rom 13:1
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval  for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.

Titus 3:1
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,

1 Peter 2:13-17
Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme  or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people  Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Proverbs 24:21
My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise,

2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

In light of the election I deviate today from Joel.  I see a great country divided on so many issues.  There are people in public view, from opposing sides, unable to respectfully communicate  to the issues.   This does not mean the masses have to participate or mimic this behavior in their lives or how they talk.  I know it is easy to come back with words aimed to hurt but we are called to be different, to act in such a way that our God is honored and glorified.  We are to be set apart and reflect His light in the darkness.  I read this comment recently “So far as our life in a community goes, there must be some form of government, which may be modeled according to the varying opinions of men, whether monarchical or republican, autocratic or socialistic; but when once it has been agreed upon, it must be obeyed”.  This form of government has spoken and we are called to be humble servants of God, respecting the position and the person in it.  Let your confidence be in God and His purpose and plan.    Let God’s word direct your heart, mind, and soul.  There is a verse in a hymn I quote often “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full into His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”

Wonders in heaven

“Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes”

 

Joe 2:29
Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.  “And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.

Matthew 24:29
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”

Luke 21:11
There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.   “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Isaiah 13:13-14
Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken out of its place, at the wrath of the LORD of hosts in the day of his fierce anger.
And like a hunted gazelle, or like sheep with none to gather them, each will turn to his own people, and each will flee to his own land.

Revelation 20:11
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.

2 Peter 3:10-12
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,  waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!

A day is coming and it is called “the day of the Lord” and “the day of God” when His wrath will be revealed.  This day will come like a thief and the heart of people will become faint – they will fear what comes upon them. Works we seem to cherish will be exposed.  Peter sees and understands this day coming stating “what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God”.  What is it that saves us from this day?  Believe in Jesus Christ and the redemptive work on the cross, repent and turn away from the life you were living, and be baptized.  From this point on our lives are to be yielded to Him in humble service to honor and glorify Him.  This point of conversion in our lives is the starting point, a new birth, new creation… not the end.  We were given gifts that are to be used for God’s service, we are to love, forgive, encourage, give generously, help the weak, help the orphan, help the widow, teach, pray, meet with other believers, break bread together, worship, praise, preach, make disciples, allow ourselves to be wronged, be in unity, confess, repent, be patient, read His word, meditate on it day and night, write it on our door posts so as not to forget it, write it on our heart, desire Him, and serve Him with all of our heart mind and soul.  Just like Peter said “what sort of people ought you to be”?