“Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart. May the foot of the proud not come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away. See how the evildoers lie fallen— thrown down, not able to rise!” (Psalm 36:10-12 NIV).
Yesterday we talked about God’s love. Notice verse 10, “Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.” Somewhere in our sinfulness we have gotten the mistaken idea that the truth, “God is love,” (1 John 4:16 NIV) automatically excuses us from any consequence of sin. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our text reminds us that God’s love is experienced by “those who know (Him)” and His righteousness is reserved for “the upright in heart.” Our text goes on to remind us that there is coming a day when all who are unrighteous one day will “lie fallen— thrown down, not able to rise!”
If God is only love everyone gets to go to heaven–no matter how they lived or what they did. Before you rejoice at that thought, this means, Adolph Hitler, the mass murder of some 15 million people, Joseph Stalin who murdered some 30-60 million Russians, Chairman Mao Tse Tung who murdered 30 million Chinese, Saddam Hussain’s sons who brutally tortured and murdered thousands of innocent people, Nero, the terrorists who brought down the world trade center . . . all of these are enjoying the benefits of heaven today if God is only love. Ah, now the problem becomes a little more clear.
The same Bible that teaches God is love also teaches that He is just. The Bible says, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.” (Exodus 34:6-7 NIV– emphasis mine). And the Bible says, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27 NKJV). Now if God is just, certainly those listed in the paragraph above are not in heaven. But, before you rejoice, understand this: if God were only just, not only are the men mentioned above where they belong, but if God is only just, no one gets to go to heaven. “There is no one righteous, not even one . . . For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:10 & 23 NIV). This is why we need Christ. In Christ the justice of God is satisfied so that the love of God may be extended. You cannot experience the personal love of God apart from Christ. If you want to stand, you must stand in Him. If you want to stand you must first kneel at the foot of the cross.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Unbelievable Love
“Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O Lord, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.” (Ps 36:5-9 NIV).
What a glorious way to start the day! The song writer penned (on a dungeon wall I might add), “The love of God is greater far then tongue or pen can ever tell, it goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell . . . Could we with ink the oceans fill and were the skies of parchment made, were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade, to write the love of God above would drain the oceans dry, nor could the scroll contain the whole though stretched from sky to sky.”
Paul wrote, “And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts, living within you as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love; and may you be able to feel and understand, as all God’s children should, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high his love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves, though it is so great that you will never see the end of it or fully know or understand it. And so at last you will be filled up with God himself.” (Ephesians 3:17-19 TLB emphasis mine).
May you feel that love today. That incomprehensible, indescribable love. That love that caused the Father to send the Son to a world He knew did not want Him, to a world He knew would abuse Him to a world He knew would kill Him. It is that love that caused the self-sufficient God (which means He needs absolutely nothing from anyone or anything) to utter the first fiat of creation already having determined what it was going to cost Him! Amazing love!
Do you know that love? Have you personally responded to it? Have you invited Jesus into your own heart as Savior and Lord? If not, I pray that you will do that today. Here is a simple prayer you may pray: “Dear Lord Jesus, I need you. I know that I am a sinner and need forgiveness of my sin. I believe that you died on the cross and rose from the dead to pay the penalty for my sin and purchase a place for me in heaven which you offer as a free gift. I don’t understand it all, but I accept that gift by faith right now. Come into my heart. Help me from this moment on to live under your holy control. Thank you for hearing my prayer. In Jesus Name, Amen.”
May the Lord richly bless you as you live for Him.
What a glorious way to start the day! The song writer penned (on a dungeon wall I might add), “The love of God is greater far then tongue or pen can ever tell, it goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell . . . Could we with ink the oceans fill and were the skies of parchment made, were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade, to write the love of God above would drain the oceans dry, nor could the scroll contain the whole though stretched from sky to sky.”
Paul wrote, “And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts, living within you as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love; and may you be able to feel and understand, as all God’s children should, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high his love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves, though it is so great that you will never see the end of it or fully know or understand it. And so at last you will be filled up with God himself.” (Ephesians 3:17-19 TLB emphasis mine).
May you feel that love today. That incomprehensible, indescribable love. That love that caused the Father to send the Son to a world He knew did not want Him, to a world He knew would abuse Him to a world He knew would kill Him. It is that love that caused the self-sufficient God (which means He needs absolutely nothing from anyone or anything) to utter the first fiat of creation already having determined what it was going to cost Him! Amazing love!
Do you know that love? Have you personally responded to it? Have you invited Jesus into your own heart as Savior and Lord? If not, I pray that you will do that today. Here is a simple prayer you may pray: “Dear Lord Jesus, I need you. I know that I am a sinner and need forgiveness of my sin. I believe that you died on the cross and rose from the dead to pay the penalty for my sin and purchase a place for me in heaven which you offer as a free gift. I don’t understand it all, but I accept that gift by faith right now. Come into my heart. Help me from this moment on to live under your holy control. Thank you for hearing my prayer. In Jesus Name, Amen.”
May the Lord richly bless you as you live for Him.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Playing with Fire
“An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin. The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and to do good. Even on his bed he plots evil; he commits himself to a sinful course and does not reject what is wrong.” (Ps 36:1-4 NIV emphasis mine).
The Message renders these verses, "The God-rebel tunes in to sedition— all ears, eager to sin. He has no regard for God, he stands insolent before him. He has smooth-talked himself into believing That his evil will never be noticed. Words gutter from his mouth, dishwater dirty. Can’t remember when he did anything decent. Every time he goes to bed, he fathers another evil plot. When he’s loose on the streets, nobody’s safe. He plays with fire and doesn’t care who gets burned.”
Not a particularly pleasant thought for a daily devotional, but an unfortunately practical one.
David begins this particular Psalm with these words, “An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked . . . .” His mind is contemplating the problem of evil as it relates to men. We’ve all done it. We wonder how certain people can be so spiritually stupid–our text answers that, “For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin. . . he has ceased to be wise.”
One of the sad realities of sin is the deeper it is the less we recognize it. The heart of the problem of those suffering from addiction is not ultimately the substance itself but the heart of the addict him or her self. Only Christ can change that. Someone once observed, “You can take the bum out of the slum, but you can’t take the slum out of the bum.” Social change is not enough; we need Christ. The sinner “commits himself to a sinful course and does not reject what is wrong.” It is a choice. We are not simply “products of our environment.” I know people who have had a wonderful home environment and are rotten. On the other hand I also know people who have had a rotten home environment and are wonderful. The difference? Choice. No one has the power to make you what you are; you choose to be what you are. The sad thing is, when sin is factored into that equation, our tendency is to become blind to that particular truth. We cry in our milk, lament our lot in life, commit ourselves to continuing the downward slide and never recognize what is happening! The one who plays with fire may burn other people, but eventually they will get burnt themselves. The fact that hell is described as a place of burning is poetic justice at its best.
Thankfully, God has made a way out for anyone who will respond in faith to Christ. But just as the road to ruin is traveled by committed people, so the road to redemption must be traveled by committed people. It is not a one time decision and I’m off the hook. It is a daily walk. Jesus said, “Knowing the correct password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance—isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills.” (Matthew 7:21 MSG).
The Message renders these verses, "The God-rebel tunes in to sedition— all ears, eager to sin. He has no regard for God, he stands insolent before him. He has smooth-talked himself into believing That his evil will never be noticed. Words gutter from his mouth, dishwater dirty. Can’t remember when he did anything decent. Every time he goes to bed, he fathers another evil plot. When he’s loose on the streets, nobody’s safe. He plays with fire and doesn’t care who gets burned.”
Not a particularly pleasant thought for a daily devotional, but an unfortunately practical one.
David begins this particular Psalm with these words, “An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked . . . .” His mind is contemplating the problem of evil as it relates to men. We’ve all done it. We wonder how certain people can be so spiritually stupid–our text answers that, “For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin. . . he has ceased to be wise.”
One of the sad realities of sin is the deeper it is the less we recognize it. The heart of the problem of those suffering from addiction is not ultimately the substance itself but the heart of the addict him or her self. Only Christ can change that. Someone once observed, “You can take the bum out of the slum, but you can’t take the slum out of the bum.” Social change is not enough; we need Christ. The sinner “commits himself to a sinful course and does not reject what is wrong.” It is a choice. We are not simply “products of our environment.” I know people who have had a wonderful home environment and are rotten. On the other hand I also know people who have had a rotten home environment and are wonderful. The difference? Choice. No one has the power to make you what you are; you choose to be what you are. The sad thing is, when sin is factored into that equation, our tendency is to become blind to that particular truth. We cry in our milk, lament our lot in life, commit ourselves to continuing the downward slide and never recognize what is happening! The one who plays with fire may burn other people, but eventually they will get burnt themselves. The fact that hell is described as a place of burning is poetic justice at its best.
Thankfully, God has made a way out for anyone who will respond in faith to Christ. But just as the road to ruin is traveled by committed people, so the road to redemption must be traveled by committed people. It is not a one time decision and I’m off the hook. It is a daily walk. Jesus said, “Knowing the correct password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance—isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills.” (Matthew 7:21 MSG).
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
The Power of the Tongue
“My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all the day long.” (Psalm 35:28 NIV).
The human tongue is an interesting commodity. James says of it, "Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged by God with greater strictness. We all make many mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way. We can make a large horse turn around and go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a tiny rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot wants it to go, even though the winds are strong. So also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!" (James 3:1-10 NLT). I like the way The Message puts verses 5-10 of this (James) passage: "A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell. This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can’t tame a tongue—it’s never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can’t go on.” (Emphasis mine).
We don’t often think about the tongue and as such we greatly under-estimate it’s power. James is right, “By our speech we can ruin the world . . .” An obscure Austrian painter proved that. Probably no individual personifies the potent power of the tongue toward evil ends than Adolf Hitler. By all historical accounts, there is no way this mad-man should have ever gained the type of power he managed to gain. It was his speeches–the power of the tongue–that captured the German people and led to the holocaust and to a devastating world war. The tongue has power.
The tongue has power for good or for evil. Sadly because of sin, we seem to much more effective at using our tongues to tear down rather then build up. Oh that we could learn with the Psalmist to use our tongues “to speak of (God’s) righteousness and (sing) of His praises all day long.” I wonder what change such a commitment would bring in our churches alone not to speak of the changes that would occur in our world. If God’s people would determine to pray daily “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3 NIV), and then live it, I wonder what changes would be wrought in this land?
The human tongue is an interesting commodity. James says of it, "Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged by God with greater strictness. We all make many mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way. We can make a large horse turn around and go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a tiny rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot wants it to go, even though the winds are strong. So also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!" (James 3:1-10 NLT). I like the way The Message puts verses 5-10 of this (James) passage: "A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell. This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can’t tame a tongue—it’s never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can’t go on.” (Emphasis mine).
We don’t often think about the tongue and as such we greatly under-estimate it’s power. James is right, “By our speech we can ruin the world . . .” An obscure Austrian painter proved that. Probably no individual personifies the potent power of the tongue toward evil ends than Adolf Hitler. By all historical accounts, there is no way this mad-man should have ever gained the type of power he managed to gain. It was his speeches–the power of the tongue–that captured the German people and led to the holocaust and to a devastating world war. The tongue has power.
The tongue has power for good or for evil. Sadly because of sin, we seem to much more effective at using our tongues to tear down rather then build up. Oh that we could learn with the Psalmist to use our tongues “to speak of (God’s) righteousness and (sing) of His praises all day long.” I wonder what change such a commitment would bring in our churches alone not to speak of the changes that would occur in our world. If God’s people would determine to pray daily “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3 NIV), and then live it, I wonder what changes would be wrought in this land?
Monday, October 24, 2011
How to Handle a good Roast
“1O Lord, fight those fighting me; declare war on them for their attacks on me. 2Put on your armor, take your shield and protect me by standing in front. 3Lift your spear in my defense, for my pursuers are getting very close. Let me hear you say that you will save me from them. 4Dishonor those who are trying to kill me. Turn them back and confuse them. 5Blow them away like chaff in the wind—wind sent by the Angel of the Lord. 6Make their path dark and slippery before them, with the Angel of the Lord pursuing them. 7For though I did them no wrong, yet they laid a trap for me and dug a pitfall in my path. 8Let them be overtaken by sudden ruin, caught in their own net and destroyed.” (Psalm 35:1-8 TLB).
No matter where we are in life, no matter what we do, there will always be critics. I watch our President (no matter which of the 11 I’ve lived my life under) and no matter what course of action he takes, there are always those claiming it was the wrong course of action and a frenzied media to evaluate the situation with their own biased spin on the events.
Years ago I was the director of a camp for troubled young people. I remember giving the rules of the camp to one group of very defiant young women. One particularly stood out. Everything I said was met with a click of the tongue (a sign of disgust), a roll of the eyes and a toss of her head. As I finished the orientation I made a very positive and affirming statement which was met with a very comical beginning click, half rolled eyes and a caught toss of the head. Today you could almost hear Homer Simpson “D’OH!” This critic was caught in the act. If only all were that simple!
All of us know the pain of false pursuit, harmful lies, and personal attacks. The Psalmist continues, “These evil men swear to a lie. They accuse me of things I have never even heard about. I do them good, but they return me harm. I am sinking down to death. When they were ill, I mourned before the Lord in sackcloth, asking him to make them well; I refused to eat; I prayed for them with utmost earnestness, but God did not listen. I went about sadly as though it were my mother, friend, or brother who was sick and nearing death. But now that I am in trouble they are glad; they come together in meetings filled with slander against me—I didn’t even know some of those who were there.” (Psalm 35:11-15 TLB). It’s amazing to watch people come out of the wood-work for a good roast! There isn’t a pastor alive who has not had the experience of ministering care to people only to have them get well and turn viciously on them.
What do we do in times like these? The Psalmist knew. Give the issue over to God. Most commentators believe that David wrote this Psalm during the years he was being hunted by Saul. During this time, David had the opportunity to take matters into his own hands, yet he steadfastly refused. David realized that God does a much better job of setting things right, even if it does not appear to be in the timely manner for which we sometimes wish.
I don't know what issues you may be facing today, perhaps a friend or co-worker has suddenly turned against you or perhaps you are stinging from lies and rumors being spread about you. If you find yourself in such a predicament, you can do one of two things: you can stress over it and try to make it right, or you can entrust the issue to God and let Him work. I have learned over the years that when I try to fix certain things, I just end up in the way. Let go and let God work.
No matter where we are in life, no matter what we do, there will always be critics. I watch our President (no matter which of the 11 I’ve lived my life under) and no matter what course of action he takes, there are always those claiming it was the wrong course of action and a frenzied media to evaluate the situation with their own biased spin on the events.
Years ago I was the director of a camp for troubled young people. I remember giving the rules of the camp to one group of very defiant young women. One particularly stood out. Everything I said was met with a click of the tongue (a sign of disgust), a roll of the eyes and a toss of her head. As I finished the orientation I made a very positive and affirming statement which was met with a very comical beginning click, half rolled eyes and a caught toss of the head. Today you could almost hear Homer Simpson “D’OH!” This critic was caught in the act. If only all were that simple!
All of us know the pain of false pursuit, harmful lies, and personal attacks. The Psalmist continues, “These evil men swear to a lie. They accuse me of things I have never even heard about. I do them good, but they return me harm. I am sinking down to death. When they were ill, I mourned before the Lord in sackcloth, asking him to make them well; I refused to eat; I prayed for them with utmost earnestness, but God did not listen. I went about sadly as though it were my mother, friend, or brother who was sick and nearing death. But now that I am in trouble they are glad; they come together in meetings filled with slander against me—I didn’t even know some of those who were there.” (Psalm 35:11-15 TLB). It’s amazing to watch people come out of the wood-work for a good roast! There isn’t a pastor alive who has not had the experience of ministering care to people only to have them get well and turn viciously on them.
What do we do in times like these? The Psalmist knew. Give the issue over to God. Most commentators believe that David wrote this Psalm during the years he was being hunted by Saul. During this time, David had the opportunity to take matters into his own hands, yet he steadfastly refused. David realized that God does a much better job of setting things right, even if it does not appear to be in the timely manner for which we sometimes wish.
I don't know what issues you may be facing today, perhaps a friend or co-worker has suddenly turned against you or perhaps you are stinging from lies and rumors being spread about you. If you find yourself in such a predicament, you can do one of two things: you can stress over it and try to make it right, or you can entrust the issue to God and let Him work. I have learned over the years that when I try to fix certain things, I just end up in the way. Let go and let God work.
Friday, October 21, 2011
No Condemnation for Redeemed
“The Lord redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:22 NIV).
What a marvelous promise to start our day with! The term redeem means literally “to buy back.” We who have followed in Adam’s footsteps and willingly and blatantly rebelled against the God of the Universe, who declared that we would prefer death to His rule (for that is what sin says), God has graciously bought us back through the precious blood of Christ. Those who run to Him never have to fear condemnation, never have to fear final judgment.
We must, however, rid ourselves of the silly notion that this marvelous promise is completely fulfilled in this life–it is not. Those who promote the concept of prosperity preaching do a great disservice to the Gospel message and the promises of God. They are short-sighted; blind. Let us never forget that our final reward is not in this fallen world. Those who want their glory now I fear shall have it. Unfortunately they will discover that their investments were in the wrong place! Invest your riches in Heaven, that is where we who know and love Christ are headed anyway.
What a marvelous promise to start our day with! The term redeem means literally “to buy back.” We who have followed in Adam’s footsteps and willingly and blatantly rebelled against the God of the Universe, who declared that we would prefer death to His rule (for that is what sin says), God has graciously bought us back through the precious blood of Christ. Those who run to Him never have to fear condemnation, never have to fear final judgment.
We must, however, rid ourselves of the silly notion that this marvelous promise is completely fulfilled in this life–it is not. Those who promote the concept of prosperity preaching do a great disservice to the Gospel message and the promises of God. They are short-sighted; blind. Let us never forget that our final reward is not in this fallen world. Those who want their glory now I fear shall have it. Unfortunately they will discover that their investments were in the wrong place! Invest your riches in Heaven, that is where we who know and love Christ are headed anyway.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
God Will Comfort You
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:17 NIV).
Our Lord knows what it is to suffer–first-hand. While on earth he knew rejection, betrayal, misunderstanding, aggressive opposition, extreme physical abuse (in His scourging), and crucifixion (possibly the most agonizing, lingering death known to man).
He who knows what it is to suffer can be wonderfully near those who are suffering themselves. He is tender and kind, “A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth.” (Isaiah 42:3 NIV). We miss the beauty of those words if we don’t understand the compassionate “extra mile” illustrated by them.
The reed pipe was a tool of the shepherd. He used it for comfort both for the sheep and himself on those long, lonely nights of isolation. The same sound that brought comfort was a warning to predators as well–“stay away; human nearby.” These pipes were easily made, and just as easily broken. Because of the ease of their production, the common practice was when one broke, it was discarded and an new one found and crafted. Sounds a lot like some churches. We would rather transfer whole people from other fellowships into ours then mend broken people. Yet the Lord is in the mending business. While others might discard the useless broken reed, He repairs it and uses it! And the smouldering flax, He does not blow out, but gently fans it back to flame.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” I don’t know what hurt you may face today, but I know this: you won’t face it alone. The Lord of the Universe promises to be close, right there with you, in your problem; in your pain. You can lean on Him, the only question is will you lean on Him?
Our Lord knows what it is to suffer–first-hand. While on earth he knew rejection, betrayal, misunderstanding, aggressive opposition, extreme physical abuse (in His scourging), and crucifixion (possibly the most agonizing, lingering death known to man).
He who knows what it is to suffer can be wonderfully near those who are suffering themselves. He is tender and kind, “A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth.” (Isaiah 42:3 NIV). We miss the beauty of those words if we don’t understand the compassionate “extra mile” illustrated by them.
The reed pipe was a tool of the shepherd. He used it for comfort both for the sheep and himself on those long, lonely nights of isolation. The same sound that brought comfort was a warning to predators as well–“stay away; human nearby.” These pipes were easily made, and just as easily broken. Because of the ease of their production, the common practice was when one broke, it was discarded and an new one found and crafted. Sounds a lot like some churches. We would rather transfer whole people from other fellowships into ours then mend broken people. Yet the Lord is in the mending business. While others might discard the useless broken reed, He repairs it and uses it! And the smouldering flax, He does not blow out, but gently fans it back to flame.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” I don’t know what hurt you may face today, but I know this: you won’t face it alone. The Lord of the Universe promises to be close, right there with you, in your problem; in your pain. You can lean on Him, the only question is will you lean on Him?
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Answered Prayer
“17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17 NIV).
Joseph Scriven wrote, “O, what peace we often forfeit, O, what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” Now you recognize those words from the hymn, “What A Friend We Have in Jesus,” but Mr. Scriven never intended those words to be published. Those words were written to his ailing mother in a letter of comfort. Someone once wisely observed, “A Christian’s practical theology is often in his hymnology.”
Prayer is a weapon that is not only greatly misunderstood but it is a weapon that is often vastly underused! “You have not because you ask not,” the brother of our Lord wrote (See James 4:3).
The Bible is full of wonderful promises regarding the holy privilege of prayer that all believers enjoy. Yet, because our vision is so often limited, our requests seem to go unanswered (See James 4:3-10). There is a lot of wrong teaching in the world regarding what God does and does not promise His precious people. When we believe the illusions we always become disillusioned. This is never more prevalent then when it comes to prayer. “In Jesus Name” is not a magical incantation that will deliver our desires immediately to us. I fear some treat that phrase “In Jesus Name” as the budding child magician treats “abracadabra.”
Many of you know that I am an amateur illusionist (magician if you will). Occasionally I do a quick pocket trick for a child, and they become mesmerized by it. They want to try it. I try to discourage them and divert their attention, but once in awhile, there is that strong-willed child who cannot or will not let it go. Eventually I will hand them the object and they will try to make it disappear. I remember one little boy squeezing the object, shaking it, using every magical phrase he could think of, but of course the coin would not vanish. In utter frustration he handed it back to me with the assured statement, “Your magic coin is broke!” That’s how many people treat prayer.
Let me assure you, I don’t do “magic.” Slight of hand, illusion, call it what you want, but there is no magic about it. In order to bring about the magical effect, I have had to spend months sometimes learning a move. Regardless of what we seem to believe, prayer is not magic, nor is it illusion. Prayer changes things because it taps the resources of God. Now, I say all of this to come to the reality: “In Jesus Name,” is not some mystical incantation that will acquire for us the impossible, but “In Jesus Name,” is the recognition that we pray with the authority of the Son behind it. Prayer that finds answers is prayer that starts in heaven; we just complete the circuit so to speak.
One of the reasons so many are so disillusioned with prayer is because we’ve focused our eyes on this world and have taken them off reality. God’s promise to deliver cannot be limited only to this world. If God’s promise of deliverance was for this life only, it would be a futile promise indeed, for this life does not last.
Here’s what I know. God does not lie. The promise of our text is sure: “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” David experienced that temporary deliverance from Abimelech when he wrote this Psalm, but he did not experience the full deliverance until he closed his eyes in death. We were not made for this life. We were made for eternity. As long as we persist in looking for our joy and rewards here, prayer will be at best an “ify” proposition. When we focus on the reality however, we soon learn the power of prayer and the lasting peace knowing that the Lord hears our prayers and “delivers (us) from all (our) troubles.”
Joseph Scriven wrote, “O, what peace we often forfeit, O, what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” Now you recognize those words from the hymn, “What A Friend We Have in Jesus,” but Mr. Scriven never intended those words to be published. Those words were written to his ailing mother in a letter of comfort. Someone once wisely observed, “A Christian’s practical theology is often in his hymnology.”
Prayer is a weapon that is not only greatly misunderstood but it is a weapon that is often vastly underused! “You have not because you ask not,” the brother of our Lord wrote (See James 4:3).
The Bible is full of wonderful promises regarding the holy privilege of prayer that all believers enjoy. Yet, because our vision is so often limited, our requests seem to go unanswered (See James 4:3-10). There is a lot of wrong teaching in the world regarding what God does and does not promise His precious people. When we believe the illusions we always become disillusioned. This is never more prevalent then when it comes to prayer. “In Jesus Name” is not a magical incantation that will deliver our desires immediately to us. I fear some treat that phrase “In Jesus Name” as the budding child magician treats “abracadabra.”
Many of you know that I am an amateur illusionist (magician if you will). Occasionally I do a quick pocket trick for a child, and they become mesmerized by it. They want to try it. I try to discourage them and divert their attention, but once in awhile, there is that strong-willed child who cannot or will not let it go. Eventually I will hand them the object and they will try to make it disappear. I remember one little boy squeezing the object, shaking it, using every magical phrase he could think of, but of course the coin would not vanish. In utter frustration he handed it back to me with the assured statement, “Your magic coin is broke!” That’s how many people treat prayer.
Let me assure you, I don’t do “magic.” Slight of hand, illusion, call it what you want, but there is no magic about it. In order to bring about the magical effect, I have had to spend months sometimes learning a move. Regardless of what we seem to believe, prayer is not magic, nor is it illusion. Prayer changes things because it taps the resources of God. Now, I say all of this to come to the reality: “In Jesus Name,” is not some mystical incantation that will acquire for us the impossible, but “In Jesus Name,” is the recognition that we pray with the authority of the Son behind it. Prayer that finds answers is prayer that starts in heaven; we just complete the circuit so to speak.
One of the reasons so many are so disillusioned with prayer is because we’ve focused our eyes on this world and have taken them off reality. God’s promise to deliver cannot be limited only to this world. If God’s promise of deliverance was for this life only, it would be a futile promise indeed, for this life does not last.
Here’s what I know. God does not lie. The promise of our text is sure: “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” David experienced that temporary deliverance from Abimelech when he wrote this Psalm, but he did not experience the full deliverance until he closed his eyes in death. We were not made for this life. We were made for eternity. As long as we persist in looking for our joy and rewards here, prayer will be at best an “ify” proposition. When we focus on the reality however, we soon learn the power of prayer and the lasting peace knowing that the Lord hears our prayers and “delivers (us) from all (our) troubles.”
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
His Eye Is On You
“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.” (Psalm 34:15 NIV).
Prayer is one of the most misunderstood discipline in the Christian life. No wonder: prayer connects us to God, prayer unleashes God’s power, prayer does change things and the great enemy of our soul knows that, so he’s sought to pull the proverbial rug from under us and destroy our belief in the one thing that ultimately defeats him. Samuel Chadwick was right, “The one concern of the devil is to keep saints from prayer. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.”
With this in mind look again at the promise of our text: “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.” The Message translates our verse, “God keeps an eye on his friends, his ears pick up every moan and groan.” Some of you reading this thought may doubt that promise. You’ve been through a lot. Where was God during your ordeal? Where is He now? Where is the promised peace, the promised hope, the promised joy? The promise of Psalm 34:15 seems hollow; empty to you. Well, let’s look at it for a minute.
Years ago I had the experience of being in a hospital emergency room when a young boy was brought in for treatment. The scene sticks vividly in my mind even today. He needed stitches to close his wound. The doctors began preparations by sending his anxious mother from the room. She stood just outside the door where she could hear all that was going on. As the doctors began their work, the screams of that child was heart-rending for me, I can only guess at what his mother must have been feeling. He kept calling for his mother. Between sobs, and screams, that little voice pleaded, “Mom! Mom! Where are you? They’re killing me! Mom! Mom!”
I watched that mother, tears streaming down her cheeks. The more her boy cried, the more perfuse her tears became. Suddenly, the procedure was over. The doctor called for the mother to return to comfort her son. She wiped away her tears, put on her best smile (though I knew she herself was dying inside), and entered that room. I’ll never forget that pitiful little voice level the stinging accusation, “Mom, they hurt me and you let them!” And the loving response of that mother, “I know, honey. I know.”
We may not always see God in our pain, but we can be sure of this, He always sees us! Like that mother outside the emergency room door, “God keeps an eye on his friends, his ears pick up every moan and groan.” And like that mother, He doesn’t always rush in and stop the procedure because the Infinite Mind of the Universe knows that what we are going through is just what we need if we are going to get better. Be assured today: His eye is upon you.
Prayer is one of the most misunderstood discipline in the Christian life. No wonder: prayer connects us to God, prayer unleashes God’s power, prayer does change things and the great enemy of our soul knows that, so he’s sought to pull the proverbial rug from under us and destroy our belief in the one thing that ultimately defeats him. Samuel Chadwick was right, “The one concern of the devil is to keep saints from prayer. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.”
With this in mind look again at the promise of our text: “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.” The Message translates our verse, “God keeps an eye on his friends, his ears pick up every moan and groan.” Some of you reading this thought may doubt that promise. You’ve been through a lot. Where was God during your ordeal? Where is He now? Where is the promised peace, the promised hope, the promised joy? The promise of Psalm 34:15 seems hollow; empty to you. Well, let’s look at it for a minute.
Years ago I had the experience of being in a hospital emergency room when a young boy was brought in for treatment. The scene sticks vividly in my mind even today. He needed stitches to close his wound. The doctors began preparations by sending his anxious mother from the room. She stood just outside the door where she could hear all that was going on. As the doctors began their work, the screams of that child was heart-rending for me, I can only guess at what his mother must have been feeling. He kept calling for his mother. Between sobs, and screams, that little voice pleaded, “Mom! Mom! Where are you? They’re killing me! Mom! Mom!”
I watched that mother, tears streaming down her cheeks. The more her boy cried, the more perfuse her tears became. Suddenly, the procedure was over. The doctor called for the mother to return to comfort her son. She wiped away her tears, put on her best smile (though I knew she herself was dying inside), and entered that room. I’ll never forget that pitiful little voice level the stinging accusation, “Mom, they hurt me and you let them!” And the loving response of that mother, “I know, honey. I know.”
We may not always see God in our pain, but we can be sure of this, He always sees us! Like that mother outside the emergency room door, “God keeps an eye on his friends, his ears pick up every moan and groan.” And like that mother, He doesn’t always rush in and stop the procedure because the Infinite Mind of the Universe knows that what we are going through is just what we need if we are going to get better. Be assured today: His eye is upon you.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Long Life
“Sons and daughters, come and listen and let me teach you the importance of trusting and fearing the Lord. Do you want to live a long, good life? Then watch your tongue! Keep your lips from lying. Turn from all known sin and spend you time in doing good. Try to live in peace with everyone; work hard at it.” (Psalm 34:11-14 TLB).
Great advice for the start of a new work-week. It’s simple. It’s direct. It works.
All of us know the damage the tongue can do to others. It amazes me how cruel we can be even in our humor! We castigate people, put them down, make cruel remarks, the Bible is right, “The tongue has the power of life and death . . . . ” (Proverbs 18:21 NIV).
That same tongue that can be so deadly to others really cuts both ways. When we destroy others with our tongues we also destroy ourselves. The Contemporary English Version renders verses 12 and 13 of our text, “Do you want to live and enjoy life? Then don’t say cruel things and don’t tell lies.” It’s sad but true, as simple as this advice is, few fail to follow it. The nature of sin is that we recognize so easily others who are guilty of negative talk, but we excuse it in ourselves!
“Living the good life” involves living in peace with people. Living in peace with people takes work–sometimes hard work. Living at peace begins with controlling our tongues.
Great advice for the start of a new work-week. It’s simple. It’s direct. It works.
All of us know the damage the tongue can do to others. It amazes me how cruel we can be even in our humor! We castigate people, put them down, make cruel remarks, the Bible is right, “The tongue has the power of life and death . . . . ” (Proverbs 18:21 NIV).
That same tongue that can be so deadly to others really cuts both ways. When we destroy others with our tongues we also destroy ourselves. The Contemporary English Version renders verses 12 and 13 of our text, “Do you want to live and enjoy life? Then don’t say cruel things and don’t tell lies.” It’s sad but true, as simple as this advice is, few fail to follow it. The nature of sin is that we recognize so easily others who are guilty of negative talk, but we excuse it in ourselves!
“Living the good life” involves living in peace with people. Living in peace with people takes work–sometimes hard work. Living at peace begins with controlling our tongues.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Honor God
“Let the Lord’s people show him reverence, for those who honor him will have all they need. 10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will never lack any good thing.” (Psalm 34:9-10 NLT).
I am constantly amazed at the unholy familiarity most have today with the Holy God. The world uses His name in vain (even some Christians are guilty of the light use of His name as an exclamation of surprise), and even those who profess Him as Lord tend to treat Him with what appears to be a casual attitude.
This Psalm is a call to reality. Those who know the Holy need to begin to treat both He and His things as Holy. “Let the Lord’s people show him reverence.”
Now there are tremendous promises attached to this call: “for those who honor him will have all they need. 10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will never lack any good thing.” God always provides for the needs of His faithful. Always. This doesn’t mean as the false teachers today proclaim that God is going to cause His faithful to roll in the dough, have great health, etc., etc. What it does mean is that God in His grace will supply you with grace to help you whatever circumstances you may find yourself in. For instance, He doesn’t promise to heal all of our diseases this side of eternity, but He does promise to give us the grace we need as we walk through the crisis. He doesn’t promise to give us big houses or fancy cars, but He does promise to provide for us in our needs.
Some reading these words may argue, “But I know Christians who are hungry, etc.” I do as well. The promise is not to keep us from such experiences but to provide for us in those experiences. Early in our marriage, Myra and I lived what we now know was well below the poverty line. The ministry we were in did not pay much, and even then there were times when funds were not available to pay us at all. During those days we would sometimes stop along the road-side to collect soda bottles to earn enough money to purchase something for dinner (usually a box of macaroni and cheese).
One dark day as we rode home we found nothing. We knew we had nothing to eat at home, and as we approached the driveway, not one bottle had been collected. It seemed as if we were going to go without dinner that evening. But the promise of God is sure. As I collected the mail, there was a plain envelope stuck in among our mail. No markings at all were on that envelope and inside was a $10 bill! That might as well been a million dollars as far as we were concerned! God keeps His promises!
What difficulties are you facing today? May I suggest that that is the problem? You are facing your difficulties instead of turning and facing God. Honor Him, reverence Him, thank Him and watch Him work!
I am constantly amazed at the unholy familiarity most have today with the Holy God. The world uses His name in vain (even some Christians are guilty of the light use of His name as an exclamation of surprise), and even those who profess Him as Lord tend to treat Him with what appears to be a casual attitude.
This Psalm is a call to reality. Those who know the Holy need to begin to treat both He and His things as Holy. “Let the Lord’s people show him reverence.”
Now there are tremendous promises attached to this call: “for those who honor him will have all they need. 10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will never lack any good thing.” God always provides for the needs of His faithful. Always. This doesn’t mean as the false teachers today proclaim that God is going to cause His faithful to roll in the dough, have great health, etc., etc. What it does mean is that God in His grace will supply you with grace to help you whatever circumstances you may find yourself in. For instance, He doesn’t promise to heal all of our diseases this side of eternity, but He does promise to give us the grace we need as we walk through the crisis. He doesn’t promise to give us big houses or fancy cars, but He does promise to provide for us in our needs.
Some reading these words may argue, “But I know Christians who are hungry, etc.” I do as well. The promise is not to keep us from such experiences but to provide for us in those experiences. Early in our marriage, Myra and I lived what we now know was well below the poverty line. The ministry we were in did not pay much, and even then there were times when funds were not available to pay us at all. During those days we would sometimes stop along the road-side to collect soda bottles to earn enough money to purchase something for dinner (usually a box of macaroni and cheese).
One dark day as we rode home we found nothing. We knew we had nothing to eat at home, and as we approached the driveway, not one bottle had been collected. It seemed as if we were going to go without dinner that evening. But the promise of God is sure. As I collected the mail, there was a plain envelope stuck in among our mail. No markings at all were on that envelope and inside was a $10 bill! That might as well been a million dollars as far as we were concerned! God keeps His promises!
What difficulties are you facing today? May I suggest that that is the problem? You are facing your difficulties instead of turning and facing God. Honor Him, reverence Him, thank Him and watch Him work!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:8 NIV).
“Discover for yourself that the Lord is kind. Come to Him for protection and you will be glad.” (CEV).
Have you ever had the experience of trying to get a child to taste some new food? At time it can be maddening. They sit there with the predetermined mind-set of dislike. Lips closed tightly, that little head turning as ferociously as it can away from the approaching spoon. It’s comical. Then the taste. One of two things happen: either the child spits it out without giving it a chance, or their little eyes light up as they discover the joy of this new delicacy. Suddenly they can’t get enough.
A similar thing happens with faith. It’s amazing to me how stubbornly we persist in unbelief insisting on setting in our misery when a simple taste of faith will convince us that this is what we needed all along.
Psalm 34:8 is the best apologetic for faith there is! Subjective? Certainly before the “taste” it would seem so. But once one has made the discovery it becomes apparent in our souls of the very objective nature of our faith.
Permit me to illustrate. If I were to tell you that when I was in third grade (back with Fred Flinstone and the boys), that I fell and horribly broke my right wrist so that the hand hung down at a 90 degree angle from the arm while my fingers curved back and touched the wrist, you would probably doubt that account. You might argue the physical impossibility of such a picture, assuming that I was exaggerating the facts. You might look at my wrist and hand today and state, “They look fine. There is no physical limitations, obviously you imagined that experience since all the physical evidence shows facts contrary to your belief.”
Now suppose I produced my X-ray taken at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. The date was clearly marked, my name was on that film, the break was clearly seen, along with the angle of the wrist and curve of the fingers. You might look at that film and argue, “Hmmm . . . you know this doesn’t look anything like you. I think it is a forgery!”
We could argue the facts all day. I could say, “Look at the evidence!” While you maintained that the evidence was forged; a fake. You might even try to explain the new advances in medical technology and argue that things have changed greatly since that antiquated experience. I could tell you of the anesthesia, a gas that was administered by placing what looked like a strainer filled with cotton over my mouth and nose, and you could argue that there was no such think as that form of anesthesia, since you have never experienced it.
Bottom line: I know the story to be true because I lived it! You could try to convince me all day that I was delusional, but it would never work. Why? I experienced the whole frightful ordeal! While you can argue that my experience was “subjective,” it was very real and objective to me. I remember that cold, snowy Sunday evening when it happened. I remember the grey recliner I laid upon until my father returned home to take me to the hospital. I can recollect the sounds and smells and sights of that horrible night. I experienced it.
The best argument for faith is not the arguments of Josh McDowell, Lee Strobel, Ravi Zacharias and other notable apologists, the best argument for faith is experience: “Taste and see that the Lord is good; or “Discover for yourself that the Lord is kind. Come to Him for protection and you will be glad.”
Perhaps you are reading this devotional and you’ve never had a personal experience with the loving God of the Universe. I want to invite you, “Taste and see that the Lord is good. . . .” You will be pleasantly surprised. Christianity is a harsh, deny yourself religion; it is a wonderful, discover the love of Christ relationship. Come to Him.
“Discover for yourself that the Lord is kind. Come to Him for protection and you will be glad.” (CEV).
Have you ever had the experience of trying to get a child to taste some new food? At time it can be maddening. They sit there with the predetermined mind-set of dislike. Lips closed tightly, that little head turning as ferociously as it can away from the approaching spoon. It’s comical. Then the taste. One of two things happen: either the child spits it out without giving it a chance, or their little eyes light up as they discover the joy of this new delicacy. Suddenly they can’t get enough.
A similar thing happens with faith. It’s amazing to me how stubbornly we persist in unbelief insisting on setting in our misery when a simple taste of faith will convince us that this is what we needed all along.
Psalm 34:8 is the best apologetic for faith there is! Subjective? Certainly before the “taste” it would seem so. But once one has made the discovery it becomes apparent in our souls of the very objective nature of our faith.
Permit me to illustrate. If I were to tell you that when I was in third grade (back with Fred Flinstone and the boys), that I fell and horribly broke my right wrist so that the hand hung down at a 90 degree angle from the arm while my fingers curved back and touched the wrist, you would probably doubt that account. You might argue the physical impossibility of such a picture, assuming that I was exaggerating the facts. You might look at my wrist and hand today and state, “They look fine. There is no physical limitations, obviously you imagined that experience since all the physical evidence shows facts contrary to your belief.”
Now suppose I produced my X-ray taken at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. The date was clearly marked, my name was on that film, the break was clearly seen, along with the angle of the wrist and curve of the fingers. You might look at that film and argue, “Hmmm . . . you know this doesn’t look anything like you. I think it is a forgery!”
We could argue the facts all day. I could say, “Look at the evidence!” While you maintained that the evidence was forged; a fake. You might even try to explain the new advances in medical technology and argue that things have changed greatly since that antiquated experience. I could tell you of the anesthesia, a gas that was administered by placing what looked like a strainer filled with cotton over my mouth and nose, and you could argue that there was no such think as that form of anesthesia, since you have never experienced it.
Bottom line: I know the story to be true because I lived it! You could try to convince me all day that I was delusional, but it would never work. Why? I experienced the whole frightful ordeal! While you can argue that my experience was “subjective,” it was very real and objective to me. I remember that cold, snowy Sunday evening when it happened. I remember the grey recliner I laid upon until my father returned home to take me to the hospital. I can recollect the sounds and smells and sights of that horrible night. I experienced it.
The best argument for faith is not the arguments of Josh McDowell, Lee Strobel, Ravi Zacharias and other notable apologists, the best argument for faith is experience: “Taste and see that the Lord is good; or “Discover for yourself that the Lord is kind. Come to Him for protection and you will be glad.”
Perhaps you are reading this devotional and you’ve never had a personal experience with the loving God of the Universe. I want to invite you, “Taste and see that the Lord is good. . . .” You will be pleasantly surprised. Christianity is a harsh, deny yourself religion; it is a wonderful, discover the love of Christ relationship. Come to Him.
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