Tag: Soul

Counted as Loss

d“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ  and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith”

Psalms 40:16  But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the LORD!” As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!

Isaiah 65:13  Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, my servants shall eat, but you shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, but you shall be thirsty; behold, my servants shall rejoice, but you shall be put to shame;  behold, my servants shall sing for gladness of heart, but you shall cry out for pain of heart and shall wail for breaking of spirit.

Psalms 22:26   The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD! May your hearts live forever!

Psalms 35:27   Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, “Great is the LORD, who delights in the welfare of his servant!”

Psalms 68:3   But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy!

Psalms 119:166  I hope for your salvation, O LORD, and I do your commandments.  My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly.

Psalms 105:3    Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!

Psalms 119:111    Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.

Luke 14:33   So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

Matthew 16:26   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?

I wonder if some of the lack of joy in our life comes from the fact we do not forsake all we have in this world.  Are we attached to things this world has to offer and missing out in having gladness and joy in our heart that comes from a closeness to God, a dependency on Him, and eyes of our heart, soul and mind focused on humbly serving Him in the short time we have this side of eternity.  Attachment to things this world has to offer is to believe the lie “it will satisfy”.  It is always very short in delivering satisfaction and is very good at sugar coating this false promise.  True  and lasting joy can only be found in God, humbly serving, willingly obeying, and always seeking Him.  What does it profit man to gain the world and lose their soul?

 

Gladness and Satisfaction

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

“Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.”

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”

Psalms 90:14  Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

Psalms 90:16  Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children.

Psalms 90:17  Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!

Psalms 36:7  How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.  They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.

Psalms 63:3  Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.  So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.  My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

Psalms 65:4    Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!

Psalms 103:5 who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

1 Corinthians 3:7    So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

Proverbs 16:3    Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

2 Thessalonians 2:16  Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,  comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

What gladdens your soul?  What satisfies your heart, soul and mind?  What do you see as blessings in your life?  I have been blessed with colleagues who come from other corners of our globe.  They have seen so much more about life outside of the United States.  The struggles of existence, lack of means, minimal opportunities, and disparity are all familiar to them.  When they see the culture of the US and what people complain about they are put back and see much of these complaints as foolishness.  This should not surprise us.  When our eyes are on what the world can offer, what we can take, and what others have these outcomes of thought are manifested in our lives.  However, scripture is always pointing us to be thankful to God, trusting in God, hoping in God, believing in God, relying on God, clinging to God, loving God, serving God, honoring God, glorifying God, praising God, obeying God, and praying to God.   Our culture and natural focus on the “here and now” robs us of a fulfilling, abundant, and purposeful life.  Do you want to satisfaction, blessings, and gladness in your heart, mind, and soul?  Choose to focus on Him alone who can – God

Guard My Mouth

“May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us?”

Psalms 39:1   I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.”

Psalms 119:9  How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.

1 Kings 2:4   that the LORD may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’

2 Kings 10:31   But Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn from the sins of Jeroboam, which he made Israel to sin.

Proverbs 4:26  Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.  Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.

Hebrews 2:1   Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.

Proverbs 21:23  Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

Psalms 73:8  They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression.  They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth.

Psalms 141:3   Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!

James 1:26   If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.

James 3:2  For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.  If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.  Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.  So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.  For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,  but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

I am not sure about you but many of these verses speak to my heart.  Read them again and again.  May God’s quiet voice speak to our heart and mind keeping us from speaking that which does not honor or glorify Him at all times.

Worship and Praise

Psalms 35:27  Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, “Great is the LORD, who delights in the welfare of his servant!” Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long.

Jeremiah 32:40  I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me.  I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul.

Zephaniah 3:17   The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

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

Romans 12:15   Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

John 16:22   So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

Psalms 70:4   May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!”

Psalms 68:3  But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy!

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.

Proverbs 11:20   Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the LORD, but those of blameless ways are his delight.

Psalms 117:2   For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!

Psalms 90:17    Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!

We get to make a choice on being joyful, glad, humble, praising and delighting in God.  I read this comment on what seems to be a reality in may lives: “instead of praise and worship there is constant murmuring and complaining which are prevalent among God’s children!”  We have a choice to worship and praise no matter what circumstance we find ourself in.  No matter what trial or burden our God is the same.  He is our heavenly Father who has the perfect purpose and plan for each of our lives.  We can rejoice in this no matter what comes our way.  We can praise Him knowing that He is our comfort, rock, strength and place of rest.  I have no idea why some seem to be be given great burdens to carry for extended periods of time.  Likewise I don’t understand why others are blessed without.  It is our place to know God is sovereign and in control, worthy of praise and worship forever.  Turn complaints to praise and worries to joy.  I am sure you will see the hand of God much clearer and His presence much closer.

Open my Eyes

“Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.”

“Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

Psalms 34:6  This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Psalms 3:4  I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill

Psalms 10:17   O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear

Psalms 66:16-20   Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul.  I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue.  If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.  But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer.  Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!

Revelation 7:17  For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

2 Kings 6:17  Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

2 Kings 19:35  And that night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies.

Daniel 6:22  My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.”

Matthew 18:10  “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

Psalms 119:18  Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.

There are many examples of God working wonders beyond our imagination.  I love the passage in 2 Kings where Elisha’s servant saw the enemy and shared fear and asked Elisha what should we do?  Elisha responded with “Oh God please open his eyes that he may see”.  The passage in Daniel where God shut the mouths of the lions is another example of God working beyond our imagination.  How much do we limit God by our lack of faith in His unlimited power, strength and might?  God does not change He is the same yesterday, today and forever.  It is mankind that continues down paths away from God. They no longer see need for they are blinded by their own self worth, self reliance, and self preservation.  The bible says they have itching ears seeking to hear what it is that aligns with their wayward thoughts.  They believe the lies of those who speak with authority about things which deny God and absolutely any need for Him.  Scripture is also clear where it says by the world wisdom no one will find God.  God calls this wisdom foolish.  It is the holy spirit working in us to bring honor and glory to God.  We do this by humbly submitting each day to Him, seeking to listen and obey His leading.  Listen to David when he said “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.”  We do well to stay in His word with the same request.

False Hopes

“Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.”

Psalms 30:6  As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.”

Isaiah 56:12  “Come,” they say, “let me get wine; let us fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow will be like this day, great beyond measure.”

Daniel 4:30   and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?”

Luke 12:19  And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’

Proverbs 27:1  Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

Luke 21:34  “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.

James 4:13-16  Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—  yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.  Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”  As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

Ecclesiastes 2:1  I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity.

What cares of this life blind us to our soul purpose of humbly serving, honoring and glorifying God?  What is in this life that compares to the promise of eternity in heaven?  What does a life look like that cares not for self but rather seeks to know, understand and serve God?  Our length of life is but a vapor when compared to eternity.  Yet we find ourselves consumed with satisfying ourselves with what this world has to offer.  Our minds lose sight of God so easily.  We allow our minds to dwell on things temporary and day after day focus on what pleases us.  We jump on a worldly cause and listen to others who speak with passion about it, never giving thought to or about God.  We would do well to first seek God and how to humbly serve Him.  We would do well to keep focus on Him.  We worry, we boast, we seek self pleasure, and we consume our lives with chasing after that which pulls us further and further away from God.  How long will God pursue us with grace and mercy before He says ENOUGH and  allows His wrath loose.

Joy comes in the morning

“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”

“The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”

Psalms 30:5  For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

2 Corinthians 4:17   For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

Isaiah 57:15-16   For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.  For I will not contend forever, nor will I always be angry; for the spirit would grow faint before me, and the breath of life that I made.

Isaiah 54:7-8   For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you.  In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD, your Redeemer.

Psalms 63:3   Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.

Psalms 16:11  You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Matthew 5:4   “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

2 Corinthians 7:9-10   As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.  For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

Psalms 59:16   But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.

But joy comes in the morning.  It is not fun spending time grieving, in distress, weeping, and having heart deep hurt.  Yet in this life it seems as though it does find us when we do not expect it.  Where do we turn in these times for comfort?  Who is able to ease the burden in our heart?  It is God.  We have seen those who do not trust God and their grief and anger over the distress they are in never goes away.  We see others and possibly ourselves that have passed through this time of trouble and recognize it was God who carried us.  The night time of trials, grieving, distress, and heart deep hurt is followed by “joy in the morning”.  I am not sure how or what God is able to do that turns these heart hurts into joy but I know it happens.  We have all seen loved ones who are in times of hurting and our soul would do anything to remove it.  It is God who leads us through the valley of the shadow of death onto green pastures.  It is He alone who lifts us up out of the darkness into light.  No one likes going through these times alone and it surely seems like that at the time.  God is there.  We should be ever ready to be used by God to be an encouragement and help to those hurting.

 

Let me Hear

“No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,  fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.”

Psalms 25:1   To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

Psalms 143:8   Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

Psalms 31:1  In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me!

Romans 10:11  For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

1 Peter 2:6   For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

Isaiah 26:3   You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Psalms 34:8  Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Psalms 37:40 The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

Psalms 13:2-4   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,  lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

Sometimes this walk of faith seems hard to bear.  Look at what David said: “I lift my soul to You”, “I trust in You”, “In You I take refuge”, and yet David also says: “How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?” This walk with God will encounter trials and issues.  Some of them are brought on by our own doing and other times they are the result of others.    God did not promise us we would not have no trials, troubles, or issues but He did promise: “To never leave us or forsake us”, “He would be ever present in times of trouble”, “He would protect us from evil”, “He would guide us”, “He would give us peace of mind”, “He would bless us”, “He would be our strength”, “He would make known His path for us”…… What kind of faith is it that is never tested and refined?  Hebrews says “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Faith is built on God’s word, His promises, through Jesus Christ.  How much of our faith is built on things of this world or on what others say?  If it is built on anything less than God’s word, His promises, through Jesus Christ it certainly will fail to sustain us in times of trials and troubles of this world and most definitely in eternity.  How do we grow in our faith?  Is it possible to grow without knowing and feeding on God’s word?  Read His word with expectation of Him opening your eyes, ears, and heart to His leading. Commit to humbly serving God more and more each day.

Be Reminded

Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct

Joshua 22:1
“You have kept all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you and have obeyed my voice in all that I have commanded you. You have not forsaken your brothers these many days, down to this day, but have been careful to keep the charge of the Lord your God. And now the Lord your God has given rest to your brothers, as he promised them
Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

Exodus 33:14
And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.
Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth.

Isaiah 63:9
I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord,
the praises of the Lord,
according to all that the Lord has granted us,
and the great goodness to the house of Israel
that he has granted them according to his compassion,
according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
For he said, “Surely they are my people,
children who will not deal falsely.”
And he became their Savior.
In all their affliction he was afflicted,
and the angel of his presence saved them;
in his love and in his pity he redeemed them;
he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
But they rebelled
and grieved his Holy Spirit;
therefore he turned to be their enemy,
and himself fought against them

Can we ever be reminded enough times?  I love how this is recorded in Joshua.  After they had obeyed the voice of God and after their brothers had rest from their enemies they are told that God would now give them rest.  And after receiving this word they are reminded:  “to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul”.   For years they have been obeying and yet they are reminded to Love God, Walk in His Ways, and Serve Him with their whole heart.  I think the reason for this reminder is that while we are dealing with issues and battles of the heart, mind, and soul our eyes are focused on our source of strength – GOD.  Where does our heart, mind and soul go to in times of rest?  This is a good question to ask ourselves.  Do we continue to seek God, desiring to hear His quite voice into our heart? How many times have you heard people testify to the closest they were to God was when they were yielding all control over to Him because the issue was greater than they could bear?  It is good to be reminded to keep our heart mind and soul desiring God everyday.  As well, it is good to ask our brothers and sisters how they are and if they are doing this in times of REST.  I love the verse in the old hymn “Turn your eyes on Jesus, look full into His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace”.  Let this be a reminder to each of us for every season of our lives, in times of turmoil and blessing.

With All Your Heart and Soul

But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord

Love the Lord your God with all your hear and with all your soul. This is the greatest command given to us to follow.  If we follow this command what would we see in the outward appearance of our lives?  Would we worry so much? Would we be blind to the needs of others?  Would our time be spent differently?  Would our generosity be more? Would we be kinder?  Would we see people in a more positive light?  These are questions each of us could ask ourselves.  Everyday we will have opportunity to love Him more and deeper.  Today is a new day, purpose in your heart to love Him more and be wanting to be used by Him for His glory and honor.

Matthew 22:35
And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets

Deuteronomy 6:4
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates

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.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.