“I love you, O Lord, my strength. 2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.” (Psalm 18:1-3 NIV).
What a great way to start the morning, “I love you, O Lord, my strength.” There are times when it doesn’t seem there is much to shout about; there are other times when we want to shout God’s praise at the top of our lungs. According to the forward this Psalm is a Psalm of David when God delivered him from the hand of Saul.
Have you ever stopped to consider that the valleys in life are necessary for the mountain top experiences? All of us want the mountain tops but we don’t want the valleys or the climbs necessary to get there.
What does David thank God for? For deliverance; for protection. However, it seems we sometimes forget that such responses of praise come only after hard fought battles. In this case, David is running from the King and Army of Israel, God’s anointed and God’s Army! How would you like to be in that situation? A fugitive being hunted by those who considered themselves the people of God. Tack onto the normal fear of such a hunted man the self-doubt that had to come knowing God’s man (which is how David viewed Saul) was after him. Think too of the isolation he must have felt. People are people, and whether or not the believed in David’s innocence the haunting reality was an underlying suspicion. Had to be.
Perhaps you are going through a difficult time as you read this thought. Let me encourage you, “Hang in there.” You may not see it now, but there is always light at the end of the tunnel, because at the end of the tunnel stands an all-powerful God. Look to Him and find the strength you need.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Are You for Real?
“1 Listen while I build my case, God, the most honest prayer you’ll ever hear. 2 Show the world I’m innocent— in your heart you know I am. 3 Go ahead, examine me from inside out, surprise me in the middle of the night— You’ll find I’m just what I say I am. My words don’t run loose. 4 I’m not trying to get my way in the world’s way. I’m trying to get your way, your Word’s way. 5 I’m staying on your trail; I’m putting one foot In front of the other. I’m not giving up.” (Psalm 17:1-5 MSG).
Good words. James wrote, “1 Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. 2 You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you? 3 And why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you have no right to. You’re spoiled children, each wanting your own way.” (James 4:1-3 MSG). Contrast that with our text, “1 Listen while I build my case, God, the most honest prayer you’ll ever hear. . . 4 I’m not trying to get my way in the world’s way. I’m trying to get your way, your Word’s way.”
I have to hand it to David, these are bold words. I wonder how many of us could honestly say to the God who knows everything about us, sees everything, knows even our intentions, “Go ahead, examine me from inside out, surprise me in the middle of the night— You’ll find I’m just what I say I am.” David wrote these words while running for his life from Saul. Later, David would discover that he was not so innocent, yet even in his guilt he, like us, would discover God’s mercy and grace that picks us up, dusts us off, and gets us started again on the right path.
I don’t know were you are as you read these words. Perhaps you are in a state of grace, and you identify with David, “I’m true through and through! A person of genuine integrity.” Or maybe you’ve read these words and thought, “Man, if only this were true of me!” In ether case, know this, God loves you, Christ died for you, and the Holy Spirit longs to help you become such a person. There is hope. If you’ve fallen, allow the Wonderful Counselor to pick you up. If you’re wounded, allow the Great Physician to tend to those wounds. If you are standing, praise God (but don’t forget it is by Him you stand), and like David say, “5 I’m staying on your trail; I’m putting one foot In front of the other. I’m not giving up.”
Good words. James wrote, “1 Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. 2 You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you? 3 And why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you have no right to. You’re spoiled children, each wanting your own way.” (James 4:1-3 MSG). Contrast that with our text, “1 Listen while I build my case, God, the most honest prayer you’ll ever hear. . . 4 I’m not trying to get my way in the world’s way. I’m trying to get your way, your Word’s way.”
I have to hand it to David, these are bold words. I wonder how many of us could honestly say to the God who knows everything about us, sees everything, knows even our intentions, “Go ahead, examine me from inside out, surprise me in the middle of the night— You’ll find I’m just what I say I am.” David wrote these words while running for his life from Saul. Later, David would discover that he was not so innocent, yet even in his guilt he, like us, would discover God’s mercy and grace that picks us up, dusts us off, and gets us started again on the right path.
I don’t know were you are as you read these words. Perhaps you are in a state of grace, and you identify with David, “I’m true through and through! A person of genuine integrity.” Or maybe you’ve read these words and thought, “Man, if only this were true of me!” In ether case, know this, God loves you, Christ died for you, and the Holy Spirit longs to help you become such a person. There is hope. If you’ve fallen, allow the Wonderful Counselor to pick you up. If you’re wounded, allow the Great Physician to tend to those wounds. If you are standing, praise God (but don’t forget it is by Him you stand), and like David say, “5 I’m staying on your trail; I’m putting one foot In front of the other. I’m not giving up.”
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Are You Seeking Advice or Agreement?
“I will praise the Lord who counsels me–even at night my heart instructs me.” (Psalm 16:7 NIV).
Who do you go to for advice? Family? Friends? What if the advice they give you is not what you want to hear? What do you do then? Truth be known, most of us don’t look for “advice” we want agreement. We want someone to tell us exactly what we want to hear.
The story is told of a little monkey who desperately wanted to go swimming in a forbidden lake. He had seen the lake from a distant, and its waters looked cool and inviting in that hot-humid climate, and its setting was serene. But he had heard stories about that lake and he wasn’t quite sure.
He went to the owl, who told him, “Cotton. You can’t swim in that lake! There are crocodiles there and they are sure to eat you!”
“Crocodiles? What’s a crocodile?” asked the little monkey.
“Crocodiles are huge amphibious reptiles. They have thick skin, huge teeth, strong jaws and they just love to eat little monkeys!” The Owl answered.
Cotton went away concerned, but undeterred. He wondered, “Do crocodiles really exist, or is the Owl trying to keep me from having fun?”
He went to a friend, a Baboon, and asked him about that lake. The Baboon told Cotton, “Cotton, you cannot go to that lake. There are crocodiles there and they will surely eat you!” “Ha! responded a nervous Cotton, “You are just trying to scare me! Crocodiles do not exist!” And off the little monkey scampered.
Animal after animal warned Cotton of the danger until he came to the Hyena. “Mr. Hyena,” Cotton queried, “Do crocodiles exist? I want to swim in Forbidden Lake, but everyone tells me a crocodile might eat me!”
“Hogwash!” the Hyena replied with a grin. “There are no such animals as crocodiles! That’s a story made up to keep little monkeys like you from having fun!”
“I knew it!” shrieked Cotton with delight. “Crocodiles do not exist! Crocodiles do not exist!” And off he swung through the trees, heading with delight and full abandoned to that inviting lake.
Cotton swam in that lake. He jumped from trees, did, back-strokes, enjoyed the cool water, confident that the hyena had steered him right. Suddenly there was a splash. An instant later the crocodile swam contentedly away saying, “Cotton the monkey does not exist.”
This is not my usual devotional. But the story makes a point. God gives us clear advice in His Word, through His people, and in our hearts. He is the wonderful counselor who will never steer us wrong, yet how often do we persist in wanting to have things our way. Wanting to hear only what we want to hear so that we can do what we want to do? I promise you, based on the authority of God’s Word, such thinking will get you into trouble! Such thinking will end in disaster.
Listen to God and don’t seek “further clarification” from those who do not know Him.
Who do you go to for advice? Family? Friends? What if the advice they give you is not what you want to hear? What do you do then? Truth be known, most of us don’t look for “advice” we want agreement. We want someone to tell us exactly what we want to hear.
The story is told of a little monkey who desperately wanted to go swimming in a forbidden lake. He had seen the lake from a distant, and its waters looked cool and inviting in that hot-humid climate, and its setting was serene. But he had heard stories about that lake and he wasn’t quite sure.
He went to the owl, who told him, “Cotton. You can’t swim in that lake! There are crocodiles there and they are sure to eat you!”
“Crocodiles? What’s a crocodile?” asked the little monkey.
“Crocodiles are huge amphibious reptiles. They have thick skin, huge teeth, strong jaws and they just love to eat little monkeys!” The Owl answered.
Cotton went away concerned, but undeterred. He wondered, “Do crocodiles really exist, or is the Owl trying to keep me from having fun?”
He went to a friend, a Baboon, and asked him about that lake. The Baboon told Cotton, “Cotton, you cannot go to that lake. There are crocodiles there and they will surely eat you!” “Ha! responded a nervous Cotton, “You are just trying to scare me! Crocodiles do not exist!” And off the little monkey scampered.
Animal after animal warned Cotton of the danger until he came to the Hyena. “Mr. Hyena,” Cotton queried, “Do crocodiles exist? I want to swim in Forbidden Lake, but everyone tells me a crocodile might eat me!”
“Hogwash!” the Hyena replied with a grin. “There are no such animals as crocodiles! That’s a story made up to keep little monkeys like you from having fun!”
“I knew it!” shrieked Cotton with delight. “Crocodiles do not exist! Crocodiles do not exist!” And off he swung through the trees, heading with delight and full abandoned to that inviting lake.
Cotton swam in that lake. He jumped from trees, did, back-strokes, enjoyed the cool water, confident that the hyena had steered him right. Suddenly there was a splash. An instant later the crocodile swam contentedly away saying, “Cotton the monkey does not exist.”
This is not my usual devotional. But the story makes a point. God gives us clear advice in His Word, through His people, and in our hearts. He is the wonderful counselor who will never steer us wrong, yet how often do we persist in wanting to have things our way. Wanting to hear only what we want to hear so that we can do what we want to do? I promise you, based on the authority of God’s Word, such thinking will get you into trouble! Such thinking will end in disaster.
Listen to God and don’t seek “further clarification” from those who do not know Him.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Benefits of Belief
“7 The wise counsel God gives when I’m awake is confirmed by my sleeping heart. 8 Day and night I’ll stick with God; I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go. 9 I’m happy from the inside out, and from the outside in, I’m firmly formed. 10 You canceled my ticket to hell— that’s not my destination! 11 Now you’ve got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face. Ever since you took my hand, I’m on the right way.” (Psalm 16:7-11 MSG)
When God takes hold of a person, watch out! The excitement’s just begun! Notice the benefits to those who walk with God. First, we are priviledged to receive the wise counsel of the Wonderful Counselor. Second, we have a happiness that is deep within, a happiness “from the inside out, and from the outside in.” The happiness God gives is not a temporary fleeting happiness, but a happiness that wells up from within.
Years ago, I had the privilege of making my first visit to the British Isles. I was a student at Moody Bible Institute and President George Sweeting, the Moody Chorale, and a group of us evangelism majors retraced the footsteps of D.L. Moody, marking the centennial anniversary of his work there. It was a wonderful experience.
While we were there I was enamored by the castles. They were not at all like I expected, single buildings, but some were huge walled cities within the city. Most castles we saw on that trip were in ruin, but some remained as strong as the day they were built. I began to wonder why. The answer was not long in coming.
The castles that were in ruin had their water supply located outside of the castle walls. In time of war, all the enemy had to do was cut their water supply. Under siege the castle would have to surrender and the enemy would dismantle it to keep it from being a problem in the future. Those castles that were still standing had built their structures right on top of the water supply! No enemy could cut it off.
Those who are in Christ find a “water supply” that springs up from within (See John 4:14). They have a true happiness. A happiness “from the inside out.”
There’s more. Not only does the Lord Jesus provide for us in this life, but our eternal destination is covered! “You canceled my ticket to hell . . .now you’ve got my feet on the life path.” Wonderful! What more could anyone want?
The late great Christian and Missionary Alliance Pastor, A.W. Tozer wrote, “Bible reading Christians should be the last persons on earth to give way to hysteria. They are redeemed from their past offenses and kept in their present circumstances by an all-powerful God, and their future is safe in his hands. God has promised to support them in the flood, protect them in the fire, feed them in the famine, shield them against their enemies, hide them in His safe chambers until the indignation is past and receive them into eternal tabernacles.” (Tozer: This World: Playground or Battleground).
Those of you who know Christ. Smile. You have everything in the world to be happy about! Those who receive these thoughts who may not yet have that personal commitment to Christ, what is keeping you from it? You have nothing to lose but your guilt, shame, sin, and load.
When God takes hold of a person, watch out! The excitement’s just begun! Notice the benefits to those who walk with God. First, we are priviledged to receive the wise counsel of the Wonderful Counselor. Second, we have a happiness that is deep within, a happiness “from the inside out, and from the outside in.” The happiness God gives is not a temporary fleeting happiness, but a happiness that wells up from within.
Years ago, I had the privilege of making my first visit to the British Isles. I was a student at Moody Bible Institute and President George Sweeting, the Moody Chorale, and a group of us evangelism majors retraced the footsteps of D.L. Moody, marking the centennial anniversary of his work there. It was a wonderful experience.
While we were there I was enamored by the castles. They were not at all like I expected, single buildings, but some were huge walled cities within the city. Most castles we saw on that trip were in ruin, but some remained as strong as the day they were built. I began to wonder why. The answer was not long in coming.
The castles that were in ruin had their water supply located outside of the castle walls. In time of war, all the enemy had to do was cut their water supply. Under siege the castle would have to surrender and the enemy would dismantle it to keep it from being a problem in the future. Those castles that were still standing had built their structures right on top of the water supply! No enemy could cut it off.
Those who are in Christ find a “water supply” that springs up from within (See John 4:14). They have a true happiness. A happiness “from the inside out.”
There’s more. Not only does the Lord Jesus provide for us in this life, but our eternal destination is covered! “You canceled my ticket to hell . . .now you’ve got my feet on the life path.” Wonderful! What more could anyone want?
The late great Christian and Missionary Alliance Pastor, A.W. Tozer wrote, “Bible reading Christians should be the last persons on earth to give way to hysteria. They are redeemed from their past offenses and kept in their present circumstances by an all-powerful God, and their future is safe in his hands. God has promised to support them in the flood, protect them in the fire, feed them in the famine, shield them against their enemies, hide them in His safe chambers until the indignation is past and receive them into eternal tabernacles.” (Tozer: This World: Playground or Battleground).
Those of you who know Christ. Smile. You have everything in the world to be happy about! Those who receive these thoughts who may not yet have that personal commitment to Christ, what is keeping you from it? You have nothing to lose but your guilt, shame, sin, and load.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Who May Worship Part 3
“Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? 2 Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. 3 Those who refuse to slander others or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. 4 Those who despise persistent sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord and keep their promises even when it hurts. 5 Those who do not charge interest on the money they lend, and who refuse to accept bribes to testify against the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.” (Psalm 15:1-5 NLT).
Let’s wrap this up. Who may worship? If we could sum up the answer to that question as found in this Psalm it would be that only those who horizontal relationships (man to man) are right can stand before God in the vertical relationship (man to God) and worship. How easy it is for us to forget or ignore this concept. So many of us think nothing of coming into God’s presence in corporate worship when we have unfinished business with those around us.
The first two requirements of the worship relationship are positive. Those who live right (in relation to their fellow-men) and those who speak right (in that horizontal relationship) have met the first two requirements for coming into God’s presence.
The third requirement seems negative at first glance. “Those who despise persistent sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord.” These two phrases are not separate ideas, notice the joining conjunction “and.” What does this mean?
We have in our society become enamored with celebrities. It doesn’t matter how they live or what they stand for, our tendency is to worship them, idolize them and emulate them. I think this is most clearly seen in the dress of young people who follow the fashion design if they are females of Brittany Spears (there’s a role model if there ever was one) or young men, of the “gangsta rappers.” These young people haven’t stopped to consider the message they are receiving and the life-style they are portraying. Not done. Show this to your teenager or pre-teen and watch their reaction. They will become immediately defensive claiming “this is the style,” and “everybody's doing it,” and “it looks cool.” Bottom line there will be a role-reversal that occurs: they will honor the persistent sinners and despise the faithful followers of the Lord!
Now I use this for illustration purposes only. The same thing is happening in different ways across all age groups. We have people who despise George W. Bush for his right stance on abortion and cheer Barak Obama for his wrong stance on this subject. (Those same people are now censoring me for such a comment). See how easy it is to get it backwards?
God’s word is clear: Who has the right and ability to worship? “Those who despise persistent sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord and keep their promises even when it hurts.” That last phrase could easily stand alone, but our text links it with this one thought. Let me summarize this point. It’s pretty hard to worship a Holy God when we are enamored with unholy people and their actions; when our secret desire is to be like them instead of pleasing the Father. It’s pretty hard to worship a Holy God when we dishonor those who faithfully follow Him in obedience calling them square or out of touch or goody two-shoes. It’s pretty hard to worship a Holy and faithful God if we are unfaithful to Him when times get tough.
To “despise persistent sinners” does not mean that we treat them badly, Jesus ate with persistent sinners. This phrase does not mean that we are not to associate with ungodly people, it means that we are to be sure that we remember who they are. We love the sinner but hate their sin. Jesus ate with sinners but he did not participate in any of their sins. We have professed believers today who have lost their focus on this subject.
Who may worship? The final requirement is found in verse 5: “Those who do not charge interest on the money they lend, and who refuse to accept bribes to testify against the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.” Who may worship? Those who emulate the Father’s love and are generous and honest. Those who can remain steadfast and faithful in the storms of life, the attacks of the evil one and resist the pull of temptation.
How will you approach worship this Sunday?
Let’s wrap this up. Who may worship? If we could sum up the answer to that question as found in this Psalm it would be that only those who horizontal relationships (man to man) are right can stand before God in the vertical relationship (man to God) and worship. How easy it is for us to forget or ignore this concept. So many of us think nothing of coming into God’s presence in corporate worship when we have unfinished business with those around us.
The first two requirements of the worship relationship are positive. Those who live right (in relation to their fellow-men) and those who speak right (in that horizontal relationship) have met the first two requirements for coming into God’s presence.
The third requirement seems negative at first glance. “Those who despise persistent sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord.” These two phrases are not separate ideas, notice the joining conjunction “and.” What does this mean?
We have in our society become enamored with celebrities. It doesn’t matter how they live or what they stand for, our tendency is to worship them, idolize them and emulate them. I think this is most clearly seen in the dress of young people who follow the fashion design if they are females of Brittany Spears (there’s a role model if there ever was one) or young men, of the “gangsta rappers.” These young people haven’t stopped to consider the message they are receiving and the life-style they are portraying. Not done. Show this to your teenager or pre-teen and watch their reaction. They will become immediately defensive claiming “this is the style,” and “everybody's doing it,” and “it looks cool.” Bottom line there will be a role-reversal that occurs: they will honor the persistent sinners and despise the faithful followers of the Lord!
Now I use this for illustration purposes only. The same thing is happening in different ways across all age groups. We have people who despise George W. Bush for his right stance on abortion and cheer Barak Obama for his wrong stance on this subject. (Those same people are now censoring me for such a comment). See how easy it is to get it backwards?
God’s word is clear: Who has the right and ability to worship? “Those who despise persistent sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord and keep their promises even when it hurts.” That last phrase could easily stand alone, but our text links it with this one thought. Let me summarize this point. It’s pretty hard to worship a Holy God when we are enamored with unholy people and their actions; when our secret desire is to be like them instead of pleasing the Father. It’s pretty hard to worship a Holy God when we dishonor those who faithfully follow Him in obedience calling them square or out of touch or goody two-shoes. It’s pretty hard to worship a Holy and faithful God if we are unfaithful to Him when times get tough.
To “despise persistent sinners” does not mean that we treat them badly, Jesus ate with persistent sinners. This phrase does not mean that we are not to associate with ungodly people, it means that we are to be sure that we remember who they are. We love the sinner but hate their sin. Jesus ate with sinners but he did not participate in any of their sins. We have professed believers today who have lost their focus on this subject.
Who may worship? The final requirement is found in verse 5: “Those who do not charge interest on the money they lend, and who refuse to accept bribes to testify against the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.” Who may worship? Those who emulate the Father’s love and are generous and honest. Those who can remain steadfast and faithful in the storms of life, the attacks of the evil one and resist the pull of temptation.
How will you approach worship this Sunday?
Monday, August 3, 2009
The Horizontal Requirement
“Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? 2 Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. 3 Those who refuse to slander others or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. 4 Those who despise persistent sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord and keep their promises even when it hurts. 5 Those who do not charge interest on the money they lend, and who refuse to accept bribes to testify against the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.” (Psalm 15:1-5 NLT).
Continuing our study in Psalm 15, “What are the requirements of worship?” The second requirement: “Those who refuse to slander others or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.” Slander is defined as “the utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame or damage another’s reputation.” The dictionary then points us to compare the word malign, where we read, “Malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying.”
The verse goes on, “or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.” All of this in answer to the question, “Who is fit to worship?”
Sometimes we forget the horizontal (man to man) aspect of the Christian walk. We think all is well if our vertical relationship (man to God) is right. Yet we are reminded again and again in Scripture that if the horizontal relationship is not right, there can be no vertical relationship and there is no circumventing this truth. Jesus said, “This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.” (Matthew 5:23-24 MSG). Again it is John who reminds us, “If anyone boasts, ‘I love God,’ and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both.” (1 John 4:20-21 MSG).
Now, sitting there in front of your computer there is no one to impress. Be honest, how are you on this vital point of the Christian life? You can fool men, but you can’t fool God (Hebrews 4:13; 2 Chronicles 16:9). No excuses. Don’t think you can run to God if there are unresolved conflicts with men standing in the way.
Funny, as I write this thought the words of the song, "Not my brother, but my sister but it's me O' Lord, standin' in the need of prayer . . . ." keeps running through my mind. Ouch!
Continuing our study in Psalm 15, “What are the requirements of worship?” The second requirement: “Those who refuse to slander others or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.” Slander is defined as “the utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame or damage another’s reputation.” The dictionary then points us to compare the word malign, where we read, “Malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying.”
The verse goes on, “or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.” All of this in answer to the question, “Who is fit to worship?”
Sometimes we forget the horizontal (man to man) aspect of the Christian walk. We think all is well if our vertical relationship (man to God) is right. Yet we are reminded again and again in Scripture that if the horizontal relationship is not right, there can be no vertical relationship and there is no circumventing this truth. Jesus said, “This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.” (Matthew 5:23-24 MSG). Again it is John who reminds us, “If anyone boasts, ‘I love God,’ and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both.” (1 John 4:20-21 MSG).
Now, sitting there in front of your computer there is no one to impress. Be honest, how are you on this vital point of the Christian life? You can fool men, but you can’t fool God (Hebrews 4:13; 2 Chronicles 16:9). No excuses. Don’t think you can run to God if there are unresolved conflicts with men standing in the way.
Funny, as I write this thought the words of the song, "Not my brother, but my sister but it's me O' Lord, standin' in the need of prayer . . . ." keeps running through my mind. Ouch!
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