Tag: Precious

37.e. ” I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds”

 

 

Genesis 24:62  Now Isaac had returned from Beer-lahai-roi and was dwelling in the Negeb. And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening. And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, there were camels coming. And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel and said to the servant, “Who is that man, walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took her veil and covered herself. And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. Then Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

 Joshua 1:8    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.

 Psalms 1:2     but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

 Psalms 77:11-12    I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.  I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.

 Psalms 104:34   May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD.

 Psalms 119:15     I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.

 Psalms 139:17    How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

 Psalms 143:5  I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.

To meditate;  think, pray, remember, reflect, weigh, ponder, consider, deliberate, be in a thoughtful state – think deeply or focus one’s mind for a period of time, in silence – to think deeply or carefully about (something).  Isaac went out into the field away from what might distract him to meditate, on what we are not told. Was it about the loss of his mother, the servants mission for a wife for him, God’s supplying a sacrifice, what his father Abraham had told him about God and God’s promises, God’s creation, etc….. we do not know. He went to the field to meditate away from that which should distract him. There were no city lights dimming the ability to see the stars, sounds of cars and trucks on nearby roads, no city night sounds – he set himself in a place without distraction so he could meditate.  

We, very seldom, can get away from distractions. Children, spouse, lights, noise, phones, computers, TV, radio, neighbors, etc….. Most of the time our only time to meditate is when our head hits the pillow and we soon fall fast asleep. If we are honest many times our meditation is about worry, fear, anger, pride, greed, lust, confusion, projects, timelines, family, finances, sickness, etc…. Things of this world that overwhelm, consume, and distract us. Why is this? Why do we find it almost impossible to meditate on the things of God? Why is this concept so hard to grasp? It is the busyness of life and it consumes our hearts and minds. It distracts us from the things of God. Test me on this. See if this is not true. Shut off your computer, phone, or tablet, and for the next 10 minutes meditating on the things of God and His Word. 

Where did your mind want to wander too? Were there thoughts other than the things of God and His Word grabbing your attention? It is not impossible, it just takes training. To start;

  1. Try praising God and worshiping His greatness. 
  2. Try to picture His leading throughout the day.
  3. Give thanks for who He is, what He has given, and what He has promised.
  4. Thank Him for His Word
  5. Think about His Word
  6. Confess and repent
  7. Place your burdens in His hands
  8. Seek His discernment for your tomorrow
  9. Ask Him to lead you in all you say, think, and do so that Jesus Christ is honored and glorified

It is not so much about finding time, but rather making time for meditation on God and things of God.  I am not talking about a minute here or there throughout the day (though this should happen).  I am talking about time set aside and purposed for meditation on God and things of God. Whatever is prioritized will find the time.  Do me this favor. For one week (7 days straight) prioritize 10 minutes for meditating on God and things of God.  Do not do this in bed. Go to the basement, garage, bathroom, back deck, wherever, and set your mind to this.  I am more than confident that after 7 days you will find value, benefit, comfort, joy, faith, hope, and peace growing more and more each day.  It will be a time of refuge and refreshing for your soul.

33.u. “So as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God”

 

Matthew 16:24  Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.

 1 Peter 4:2    so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.

 John 12:25     Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

 Acts 20:24    But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

 Job 27:8   For what is the hope of the godless when God cuts him off, when God takes away his life?

 Luke 12:20    But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’

 Mark 8:37    For what can a man give in return for his soul?

The cross wasn’t about religious ceremonies; it wasn’t about traditions and spiritual feelings. The cross was a way to execute people. Everyone knew that the cross was an unrelenting instrument of death. The cross had no other purpose. We have done a pretty good job in sanitizing and ritualizing the cross. “Cross bearing does not refer to some irritation in life. Rather, it involves the way of the cross. “Denying self is not the same as self-denial. We practice self-denial when, for a good purpose, we occasionally give up things or activities. But we deny self when we surrender ourselves to Christ and determine to obey His will.”

Human nature wants to indulge self, not deny self. Death to self is always terrible, and if we expect it to be a pleasant or mild experience, we will often be disillusioned. Death to self is the radical command of the Christian life. To take up your cross meant one thing: you were going to a certain death, and your only hope was in resurrection power. (Guzik & Wiersbe)

Death is a friend no one wants but is always no more than one heartbeat or breath away from every single person born. We may deny it is with us at all times. We deny it has a time of its choosing to end our earthly life. We see it as a friend very close to others but not close to us. As hard as we may try to mask death’s inevitable fate for us we still will die and face eternity. Jesus is saying that death is coming to all and while we are still breathing you can choose to live life for eternal life or eternal death.  Choosing to follow the way of the cross to death means a person dies to self continually. They have set their hearts, minds, and souls on repenting of sin, humbly surrendering, following, trusting, obeying, and relying on Jesus Christ alone. Nothing this world has to offer is greater than honoring and glorifying Jesus Christ in all that think, say, and do. The way of the cross would seem like a burden to those who see it as taking away from this life. But, to those who have chosen it, to them it is life worth living, eternal life, and their heart is more than comforted in this. They find what others deem as a burden, it is has given them peace, love, joy, hope, courage, power, and a place of refuge from the very moment they were born again. 

Death comes to all and routinely gives no warning to its arrival. But, when it comes, eternity is waiting and it is here where God’s final judgment occurs and either eternal life or eternal torment is the result of the choice being made the living side of death. Choose to repent of sin, humbly surrender, follow, obey, trust, and rely on Jesus Christ for there is no other way to eternal life.

Upon death, no one can stand before God and claim they are worthy of eternal life because of their good works or anything else they have done. No one can say I did it my way and did not need Jesus Christ, nor did I need to burden myself with the way of the cross, nor can they say I went part way in following the path of the cross when it suited me. Scripture is clear, no one will find lasting peace, joy, love, hope, courage, power, and a place of refuge – eternal life – without surrendering this life and taking up the way of the cross through Jesus Christ.

30. r. “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,”

 

Matthew 5:5  “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

 Psalms 25:9   He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.

 Isaiah 29:19    The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.

 Psalms 149:4    For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.

 1 Peter 3:4    but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

 Psalms 69:32   When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive.

 Psalms 37:11    But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.

 Colossians 3:12   Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

In the vocabulary of the ancient Greek language, the meek person was not passive or easily pushed around. The main idea behind the word “meek” was strength under control, like a strong stallion that was trained to do the job instead of running wild. To be meek means to be willing to submit and control self-worth, pride, anger in a quiet, patient, long-suffering, gentle, peaceful, and humble way. It would be nearly  impossible for a person to purposefully be meek for the purpose of being meek. Being meek does not mean being passive or easily pushed around. It is more like a totally strong and capable, but who submits to be meek. He is trained to be meek instead of allowing hate, anger, and pride to rule his actions. It is more than personal restraint of the use of physical power, might, and strength or mental reasoning, knowledge, and wisdom. There is a deeper purpose, driver, and reason behind this meekness. It is more like the reason for being meek is so over-powering that these other displays of emotion and action are not even a thought. This is the life of those who have a soul deep desire to honor and glorify Jesus Christ. This ever growing desire permeates deeper and deeper into the heart, soul, and mind. It is displayed in those who want to grow in the knowledge and understanding of the grace, mercy, and love of Jesus Christ. There is godly strength in meekness. The normal worldly and fleshly reactions and thoughts, over time, do not even surface anymore. The over powering love to honor and glorify Jesus Christ smothers these desires. Oh, that we were so desiring and wanted to grow in meekness, gentleness, kindness, forgiveness, grace, mercy, and love.

30.o. “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul”

 

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

 1 Peter 1:7   so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

 Psalms 42:11   Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

 Hebrews 6:12    so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 6:18   we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul

There is so much misunderstanding in the Christian world today about what faith is. Most people think faith is believing that God will do what they want Him to do. They think, “If I can just believe intently enough, then I will get that promotion, or God will heal my sickness, or He will save my marriage.” “Faith extends beyond what we learn from our senses, and the author is saying that it has its reasons. Its tests are not those of the senses, which yield uncertainty.” Faith has its reasons. The Bible doesn’t recommend a “blind leap” of faith. But the reasons can’t be measured in a laboratory; they have to be understood spiritually. Faith does not contradict reason, though it may go beyond reason. One may objectively prove the Bible is the most unique book ever published and has impacted society more than any other book. But only faith can prove that the Bible is the Word of God. Therefore, this is a belief beyond reason but not in contradiction to reason or against reason. Faith is not a bare belief or intellectual understanding. It is a willingness to trust in, to rely on, and to cling to. By faith we can wait on God for His perfect purpose in our lives. By faith we can surrender our requests before God and allow His will to be done. By faith we have assurance that God is in control and He exceeds our imagination in power, might, love, knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. By faith we should want what God wants.  By faith we have reason for hope. By faith we live so that all we say, think, and do honors and glorifies Jesus Christ. Surely God is able to do more than we ask and much more than we can imagine.  By faith we find a peace and rest that passes all understanding.

24.w. “How you ought to walk and to please God”

 

1 Corinthians 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

 2 Peter 3:14    Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.

 2 Peter 1:4-9     by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.  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.  For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.

 Psalms 78:8   and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.

 Philippians 1:9    And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,

 1 Thessalonians 4:1   Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.

What keeps us from being “Steadfast”, “Immovable”, and “Diligent”?  Has the definition of these words changed? Loyal, faithful, committed, devoted, dedicated, dependable, reliable, steady, true, constant, unwavering, unswerving, resolute, determined, adamant, firm, unshakeable, unfailing, unyielding, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, careful, thorough, constant, persevering, persistent, zealous, dedicated, committed, driven, active, tireless. The meaning of these words has not changed so it be in our application of God’s Word in our lives.  If we are not in His Word there is little chance it will have influencing application.  If we allow ourselves to be consumed with what the world has to offer, how can we be steadfast, immovable, and diligent?  It takes work, commitment, and determination to be steadfast, remain immovable, and ever diligent in things of God.  Do not allow the allure of this word rob you of the grace, mercy, and blessings of God now and in heaven.

19.w. “It would be easy to blame those problems on their circumstances”

Proverbs 21:20   There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.

The Israelites in Nehemiah’s day were facing major financial problems. It would be easy to blame those problems on their circumstances–after all, they could not control the famine, or the taxes. But they had also failed to follow God’s principles about spending, saving, and indebtedness. So when that famine came, when those taxes were due, they were not prepared. In Genesis 41, we read about another famine. Remember the story? Joseph was in Egypt, and he interpreted a dream that Pharaoh had. He told Pharaoh, “There are going to be seven years of famine throughout the whole world, but the famine will be preceded by seven years of bountiful harvest. We need to set aside a portion of the excess so that when the famine comes, there will be food for everyone.” That is what they did, and sure enough, when the famine came, no one went hungry. That is a principle that the Jews in Nehemiah’s day had failed to live by: they had no cushion for emergencies. Proverbs 21:20 says, “There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.” In other words, the foolish person is the one who spends every last cent of his paycheck, who does not set aside some of his current income for future needs. If you disobey this principle, when that time of emergency comes, you are going to be forced to make some bad choices. You may be forced to sell your house for less than you paid for it. You may be forced to liquidate investments.

The way the Israelites handled their emergency was they went into debt. They mortgaged their homes. They mortgaged their property. They even mortgaged other family members. Today, there are many people who are mortgaging their futures because they have not prepared for financial contingencies. Many Christians have become slaves to Visa and MasterCard. Credit cards are convenient crutches when we run into a time of financial difficulty, but eventually we pay the price. We mortgage our future by spending years in debt. That is why Proverbs 22:7 says, “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.”

Why does God tell us to set aside something? It is not only to meet our own individual needs, but to take care of kingdom projects that come along as well. In 1 Corinthians 16:2, Paul was talking to the Corinthians about a special offering he was going to collect when he got there. He said, “On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.” This verse has nothing to do with tithing; Paul assumed that the Corinthians were going to give 10 percent of their income to the weekly needs of the church. No, this was a special offering Paul said, “I want you to have this money set aside so that when I arrive in Corinth, it will already be there, ready to give.” If you spend everything you make, there will not be money to invest in God’s work. But when we follow Proverbs 21:20, it not only provides for our needs, but it also provides for God-given projects in the future. (Jeremiah)

11.y. “They will call upon my name, and I will answer them”

Psalm 17:3    You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress. With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent. My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.  I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words.

Psalms 66:10    For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried.

Zechariah 13:9     And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’”

1 Peter 1:7     so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 4:4    For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.

Testing and refining come to every Christian.  It comes in different forms and at various times in our lives. It can come physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, and relationally.  We lie in bed at night unable to sleep as the burden laid on our hearts and minds consumes our sleep.  There are times we just can’t seem to handle anymore.  William Gruanll said something like this, “Faith is a plant that grows more in the darkness than in the light”.   When we cry out to God with the burdens weighing heavy on our soul, that is ok and right for us to acknowledge before Him.  We acknowledge that it is beyond our strength and ability to handle it.  Crying out to God is the one place our burdens will be lifted.  Oh, we try and try to handle it on our own over and over again, but we end up at the same place we started – trying to carry a burden we were never intended to carry alone.  Why do we cry out to God?  God will answer!  God has promised, “Come on to Me all who labor and are heavy laden, I will give you rest.”  “you will find rest for your souls.” But, there are times our path in life has taken a road/path that leads us away from God.  There are many temptations that our sinful nature will grab on to that lead us in to being apart from God.  In these times it is good for God to lay burdens on our hearts and minds so heavy that our souls find no peace.  Maybe we will turn from our wayward path and turn back to Him.  There are other times, in our lives, we are walking in the light of His Word and, best to our ability, humbly serving, honoring, glorifying, worshiping, following, trusting, and obeying Him and still, a trial/burden lands deep into our hearts and minds.  We lie awake at night and our heart aches and our mind mulls over and over again that which is giving us no peace or rest.  It is in these times we cry out to God and thank Him for His promises.  We acknowledge that we are helpless and lay our burdens at His feet, trusting, by faith, He will lift the burden and carry it for us.  He has promised it and is more than capable to give us peace and rest over it.  “Faith is a plant that grows more in the darkness than in the light”, water it with the Word of God, fertilize it with steadfast faith, and rejoice in the fruit it will produce. Quit trying to carry a burden we were never intended to carry alone.

156. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them.

1 Kings 17:1  Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” And the word of the Lord came to him: “Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” So he went and did according to the word of the Lord. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. And after a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land.

2 Kings 3:14    And Elisha said, “As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not that I have regard for Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would neither look at you nor see you.

Jeremiah 15:19     Therefore thus says the LORD: “If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them.

Acts 27:23  For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship,  and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’  So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.

“The Creator lives”, “before whom I stand”, “to whom I belong”, “to whom I worship.”  These are words of faith and understanding.  They speak of the certainty of God and the action of worship.  These are words of people who live each day with God first in their life.  They choose to serve Him, they seek to serve and honor Him, they cling to Him and trust Him,  they rely on Him, and they find purpose in following and obeying His leading.  Each of these people lives in morally declining cultures with society blindly following practices that are not of God.  They chose God over conforming to the moral decline.    Every day they hungered and thirsted for God’s leading and found purpose in reliant obedience.

Our lives should have God’s word deep into our heart and mind so that we are a light in a dark and lost world.  Read His word each day with intentional purpose to gain understanding and wisdom and knowledge of God.  Read His word each day to grow in faith, trust, reliance, hope, joy, strength, power, and love.  Read His word each day to have fuel in our heart and mind that the Holy Spirit can speak into our lives and direct us on paths that bring honor and glory to God.

135. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

1 Kings 3:3  Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places. And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

1 Chronicles 22:12    Only, may the LORD grant you discretion and understanding, that when he gives you charge over Israel you may keep the law of the LORD your God.

Proverbs 16:16     How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

Proverbs 3:13-18    Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,  for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.  She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.  Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.  Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.  She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.

Proverbs 2:3-9     yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,  if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,  then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.  For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

If I was to ask where do you find understanding, knowledge, and wisdom what would the first answer come to your mind?  Would it be “Alexia” or “Google it?” For sure you might find information enough to give you knowledge (facts) and you might read more about how you might understand these facts (meaning), but how to use this wisely (application) is somewhat evading.

Charles Spurgeon wrote; “Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise.  Many men know a great deal and are all the greater fools for it.  There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool.  But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.”

Those with wisdom know what actions to take next. They do the right thing in the given situation. In contrast, there are many who have great knowledge and understanding but who consistently do the wrong thing.

There is Godly and worldly knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. Sadly, with the internet, worldly knowledge and understanding seem to overshadow the need to have Godly knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.  Worldly knowledge and understanding do have a place in our lives but not at the expense of not having Godly knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.  To make sense of the world around us requires more than what it can offer in knowledge and understanding.  It requires knowing the Creator with a desire to seek understanding and wisdom that only He can give and enlighten our souls with.

If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free (John 8:31–32).

R.C. Sproul; Our Lord calls for a continued application of the mind to His Word. A disciple does not dabble in learning. He makes the pursuit of an understanding of God’s Word a chief business of his life.