December 2016 – Page 3

Crying out

“O LORD, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, you are our God; let not man prevail against you.”

Psalms 11:1 In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, “Flee like a bird to your mountain, for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart.

2 Chronicles 14:11
And Asa cried to the LORD his God, “O LORD, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, you are our God; let not man prevail against you.”

Psalms 56:11
in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Psalms 25:2
O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.

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.

Psalms 16:1
Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

1 Samuel 22:3
And David went from there to Mizpeh of Moab. And he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and my mother stay with you, till I know what God will do for me.”

Psalms 55:6-7
And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness;

There are so many heart cries in these scriptures today. Cries for preservation, refuge, knowledge in God’s plan, peace, protection, fear, and shame. It is important to note these are cries from men to God and they are cries from a host of different problems they are facing. Where do you turn to? Have you ever neglected crying out for these? Why do we neglect crying out to God? What are we missing in our daily walk that keeps us ever searching for solutions apart from God? I fear it is neglect of His word and because of this it is lacking application in our lives. His word says precept upon precept, line upon line, and here a little and there a little. The question we need to ask ourselves is what is the time between precepts, and lines and here a little there a little? Keeping close to God is a heart and mind desire. Staying in His word is feeding this desire for more. Keep His word in your life everyday.

10 minutes

“For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.”

Psalms 10:3
For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the LORD. In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.” His ways prosper at all times; your judgments are on high, out of his sight; as for all his foes, he puffs at them. He says in his heart, “I shall not be moved; throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.”
He says in his heart, “God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it.”
Why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”?

Psalms 73:11
And they say, “How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”

Psalms 94:7
and they say, “The LORD does not see”

Job 22:13-14
But you say, ‘What does God know? Can he judge through the deep darkness?

Ezekiel 8:12
Then he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the dark, each in his room of pictures? For they say, ‘The LORD does not see us, the LORD has forsaken the land.’”

Isaiah 29:15
Ah, you who hide deep from the LORD your counsel, whose deeds are in the dark, and who say, “Who sees us? Who knows us?

Romans 1:21-22
For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools,

Psalms 49:10-13
For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names. Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish. This is the path of those who have foolish confidence; yet after them people approve of their boasts.

When you read these verses you understand the serious view God has on those who deny His existence or His ability to do anything about what they say or do. How easy is it for us to forget that this applies to each one of us. When we fail to find time to spend in His word, when we desire things of this world more than seeking Him, when we choose to neglect His expectation for our lives, when we stop listening for that quiet small voice of His leading us, when we fail to obey when we hear it, when we coast along life in our comforts and give no thoughts of Him day after day…… We are to encourage each other to stay in His word, we are to use His word as a light onto our path, we are to use His word to make disciples, we are to write his word on our heart and mind, we are to allow ourselves to be wronged for the sake of love and unity, we are to proclaim His glory, power, grace, love and mercy….. There is much we water down and see no benefit for not only our lives but those we come into contact each day. However if you would take 5 minutes a day to read His word and spend 5 minutes thinking about what it says to you I think you will see family, friends, neighbors, strangers in a different light – God will give you purpose and direction in all of life. 10 minutes a day.

My God why have you forsake me?

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?”

Psalms 10:1
Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

Psalms 22:1
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

Jeremiah 14:8
O you hope of Israel, its savior in time of trouble, why should you be like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night?

Psalms 13:1-3
How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,

Job 13:24
Why do you hide your face and count me as your enemy?

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?

Psalms 27:9
Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation!

1 Corinthians 2:9
But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—

Psalms 34:1-4
I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalms 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

We all face times of trouble where our heart hurts so bad and we seem to find nothing to ease it. Why does it seem like God is not there with us during these times when His word clearly says “He is very present help in trouble?” I wish I had the answer. I do know this – Every time, on the other side of those darkest moments I was better for it in some way. Seeing a deeper need for God – a greater hope in His help – a firmer faith in His word – an understanding of something other people went through that I gave no thought about – a clearer focus on seeking Him – in the future able to help someone else through the same trouble – a stronger desire to serve Him…… And a thankful heart. I know it seems strange but on the other side of trouble there is reflection on what you went through and an inner peace from God that strengthens you. A peace that passes all earthly understanding. However you don’t need to look very far before you see those without Christ who come through trouble with very bitter and resentful hearts and minds. Trusting God is for all times – good and what seems bad. The old hymn said it so clear “turn your eyes to Jesus, look full into His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace”

Rise Up

“He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail.”

Psalms 9:19
Arise, O LORD! Let not man prevail; let the nations be judged before you! Put them in fear, O LORD! Let the nations know that they are but men!

Psalms 10:12
Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted.

Psalms 44:23
Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever!

Psalms 68:1
God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered; and those who hate him shall flee before him! As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away; as wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God!

1 Samuel 2:9
“He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail.

2 Chronicles 14:11
And Asa cried to the LORD his God, “O LORD, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, you are our God; let not man prevail against you.”

Isaiah 42:13
The LORD goes out like a mighty man, like a man of war he stirs up his zeal; he cries out, he shouts aloud, he shows himself mighty against his foes.

Micah 5:15
And in anger and wrath I will execute vengeance on the nations that did not obey.

Psalms 79:6
Pour out your anger on the nations that do not know you, and on the kingdoms that do not call upon your name!

Sometimes there seems to be injustice and an over whelming loss of what is right and wrong. We face battles against sex trafficking, child abuse, and pornography. It is good for us to know the battle is not ours and for sure is not lost. God knows all of these battles and will pour out His anger to those who reject Him and cause harm to these little ones. Rise up, Rise up, be encouraged God is our King and the battle we fight is His calling in our lives. Do not allow your voice to be silent and your actions minimal. This is our country, our states, our cities, our neighborhoods, our friends, and our families. Do not be silent on Child abuse. Do not be silent on Child and Adult pornography. Do not be silent on minor and adult Sex trafficking. To say nothing and do nothing is allowing those who do to think it is OK.

Precept upon Precept

“And the word of the LORD will be to them precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little, that they may go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken”

“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”

Psalms 9:15
The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught. The LORD has made himself known; he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands.

Psalms 7:15
He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has made. His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends.

Psalms 35:8
Let destruction come upon him when he does not know it! And let the net that he hid ensnare him; let him fall into it—to his destruction!

Proverbs 5:22
The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin.

Proverbs 22:8
Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail.

Proverbs 6:2
if you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, and save yourself

Proverbs 12:13 An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble

Isaiah 28:13
And the word of the LORD will be to them precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little, that they may go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

Psalms 83:17-18
Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever; let them perish in disgrace, that they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth.

Our Christian walk is either getting closer to God day by day or getting further away day by day. There appears to be no ground where we can stand that isn’t on the path of one or the other. Both paths have something in common, they both have a single time point where there is a step closer or a set away. I like what is said in Isaiah: “And the word of the LORD will be to them precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little”. Precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little there a little are exactly the steps taken in either walking on a path closer to God or one that is moving away. Do you want to have a clue on what path or direction your on? Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks – what is it that comes out of your mouth most of the time? What are the thoughts that roam around in your head? Do you find opportunity to speak God into the lives around you? Does His word come to you while you are listening to songs or driving or listening to others speak? Start a new day – purpose to read 5 min of His word each morning and let the beginning of “Precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little, there a little guide your path from here to that time when time on this world nears it’s end and eternity is knocking at your door step.

Perfect Peace

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you”

“and you were not willing!”

Psalms 9:9
The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.

Psalms 18:2
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield,

Hebrews 6:18
we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

Nahum 1:7
The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.

Luke 13:34
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!

Proverbs 18:10
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

Psalms 91:1-2
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

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.

Have you ever needed peace about something? What if someone told you that you could have “Perfect Peace”? We search after it. We want it and yet at the same time we don’t seem willing to run toward it. We go after what seems right in our own eyes never approaching the One who can give us what we are desperately seeking. Paul said we can have “Peace that passes all understanding in Christ Jesus” by faith, trusting and seeking Him in our time of need”. The peace we seek apart from God is never lasting. It is a peace that is short lived and lacks any enduring substance. The next time you are seeking peace – seek and run to Him who is able to give and keep you in “Perfect Peace”

Fruit of your lips

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself”

“the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise”

Psalms 9:1
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

Psalms 86:12
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.

Psalms 34:1
I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalms 103:1
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,

Psalms 145:1
I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.

Psalms 146:1
Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

1 Chronicles 29:10
Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

Hebrews 13:15
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

Luke 10:27
And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

Isaiah 43:21
the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.

Do you remember the last time you “Praised God” for who He is, what He has done, His steadfast love, His power and might, His creation, etc…? I fear that we are to often seeking something from Him and to rarely praising Him. There is a song form Lauren Daigle:

Before I bring my need
I will bring my heart
Before I lift my cares
I will lift my arms

Before I speak a word
Let me hear Your voice
And in the midst of pain
Let me feel Your joy
Ooh, I wanna know You

You are my treasure and my reward
Let nothing ever come before
You are my treasure and my reward
Let nothing ever come before
I seek You

Remember in loving your God with all your heart, mind and soul we should be having praise flow out of us like a mighty river. Place praise for Him first in your heart and mind.