BEWARE AMERICA

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

May they prosper who love you.

Psalm 121:6

The church I was attending during an internship north from my home had a wonderful pastor, a pastor who unusually kept track of current events. A ten minute film had been passed among many pastors at the time. I'm talking about the latter 1950's when a stunning event had occurred. In those days, it was kept off of all news casts. . He had a private showing of the film with no children including teens were not allowed to come. The film was in black and white, probably filmed secretly. It showed a huge sit in of college students in the university administration building. The university was in California. There was no sound to it but in that day, what we saw was unsettling and shocking at best.

That event would be almost nothing compared to what we see in our day. I decided a long time ago that rebels will always find something to criticize and take it to the nth degree. I go from seeing that very tame event to what I've seen in our national Capitol building with demonstrators against Israel.

I recently read the above verse in my study time. It may be one of those verses people read quickly and move on. This isn't a verse or others like it, to be of great concern. Most folks don't know a lot about the history of Israel , but God pays no attention to the ignorance we may have regarding anything to do with Him or His people.

Just as we would be very protective of our own families, so God is with His people, His people is Israel and He's made some promises to the  world, that Israel is His family of heritage. Like a loving Father, he loves His people and will take any abuse of them only so long. In the above verse is the phrase....”may they prosper who love you.” This also indicates that no good will come to those who don't love His people. In my Bible, beside the above verse, I have printed :”10/7/23.”, a date that will never be forgotten by Israel's massive attack from their enemy. It would appear from demonstrations in our country that we are in agreement with their enemy.

God wants us to prosper but when He looses patience with us or any other country, beware. If we think some things are bad politically in our country right now, we can't imagine what will happen to us when God lifts His hand of blessing off of America.

Thank You, Father, for being so patient with us. A majority of folks in our country don't agree with radical demonstrations and those who pay for and conduct them. May Your Spirit move in a mighty way to bring hope and salvation to our people. In Jesus' precious name....Amen

SPIRITUAL AMNESIA

They forgot God their Savior,

Who had done great things in Egypt.

Psalm 106:21

Despite God's people having been captive for a time in Egypt, they saw the light of freedom. At first, their fleeing from Egypt to head for their homeland didn't seem so bad but a desert experience can wear thin. We should understand some of that after having spent time in our own deserts.

After a time, the people became impatient and disgruntled. At least in captivity they had some food to eat and water to drink but those things had become on the scarce side. Despite their complaining, God still took care of their basic needs. From a rock came water, from Heaven came manna and a little later, God sent meat for them to eat. Still, no matter what God did in providing and protecting, the people continued with their attitudes of ingratitude and disrespect.

Scripture tells us that those same people who had been grateful for their impending freedom from Egypt, actually forgot God, the God who had been their Savior in every way. Not just in the wilderness, but God had done great things for them even while in Egypt. We might tend to be critical of them and their ignoring God's goodness toward them, but I wonder if we have a right to do so.

When I came across the above verse a few days ago and after knowing some of the plight of God's people both in Egypt as well as in the wilderness, I had to wonder how I've behaved toward God in my own wilderness days. I think one of the most difficult things we can undergo is feeling that others have forgotten us. That is one of the hardest things to endure. I've gone through some of that some years back but not as of late.

I have to wonder how God feels when we forget Him. We can get so busy with life, responsibilities, activities and even burdens. We have known the goodness of God like those folks back then hadn't. We now have a Savior Who died for us, not just provided for us. When we forget Him, we are the losers. Where we fail, He doesn't. He never forgets us for one single moment. Our remembering our God will come because of a close, living and loving relationship with Him.

Father, forgive my loss of memory when it comes to remembering You and all You do for me. I can't repay You for Your goodness but certainly can love and respect you more. Thank You for being such a presence in my life and to not forget Your constant presence. In Jesus' name...Amen 

BLESS YOUR HEART

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10

Moving from the north to the state of Texas brought several adjustments. Most of those adjustments weren't negative in nature but there was one thing that became too over used. It seemed like no matter what might happen in one's life, you would often hear the same statement...”Well, bless your heart.” Whether good, bad or indifferent the circumstance, someone would invariably make that statement.

Through the years I've come to know that the heart is a very vital organ in one's body....a hollow muscular organ that pumps blood through one's circulatory system. Those facts are not new. Many if not most times a reference to the heart can mean having very deep positive feels for someone or something.

Many times in the Old Testament we can find admonitions regarding our spiritual hearts. Often we read of some negatives...the heart is deceitful, wicked, hard at times and on it can go. However, where there is a negative reference to one's heart, close behind is usually a word of encouragement and how God can step in helping us deal with those negatives.

Jesus spoke of the heart in the beatitudes where He said, “Blessed are the pure in heart....” He comforted His disciples in John 14:1 as He encouraged those men in His latter earthly days to not let their hearts be troubled with an added answer to that care of theirs.

We see the heart of God as He views our hearts in Ephesians 3:17-19 showing God's desire for our hearts:

...that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;

that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

may be able to comprehend with all the saints

what is the width and length and depth and height---

to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge;

that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

That's the heart God wants for each of us...a heart for Him and others.

Father, give me that heart to love You with abandon while loving those/what You love. I can't have that kind of heart without You working that in me. Thank You. In honor of Jesus' heart for me...Amen

 

APPROVED STUDY

Study to show yourself, approved unto

God, a worker who needs not be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.

II Timothy 2:15

We seem to spend a lifetime wanting and even seeking the approval of others. I began to learn this when I was in first grade. On report card day, my parents were all but standing inside our front door wanting to see without delay, my report card. I couldn't believe how they both read over that card, looking at grades and even at the character marks. I really wanted their approval and still, even today, want the approval of others. In these adult years, I recognize that above everyone else, I should want God's approval.

One way we can please God is how we regard His Word. We may read chapter after chapter in one sitting and hope God is pleased with our giving that time and effort. However, He is much more interested in the quality of our reading much more than the quantity. How often do we read a few chapters and close our Bibles feeling good about ourselves. So often after that, we maybe can't remember a thing we have read.

We have often heard folks encouraged to take one step at a time. Well, I'm trying to do that these days except taking one verse at a time. I select a chapter, read the first verse over and over if necessary to take in every ounce of meaning from it the Holy Spirit gives me. I may have to read it three or four times or more if needed. I don't move to the next verse until I've soaked up the first one.

That's not all the Bible reading I may do in a day, but that is a very determined effort to glean all I can from a chosen chapter. I may spend a few days on that chapter or more if necessary, but I want to squeeze everything out of it I can. I don't want to read only words on a page. I think God is pleased when I take His Word in a very serious and determined way. Try it...you'll like it.

Thank You Father for Your precious Word and for Your sweet Holy Spirit who is so happy and desirous to teach me while I am reading it. May He guide me to put into practice what I have read and learned...all for Your glory. In Jesus' name...Amen

 

SOLID AS A ROCK

The LORD is my rock and my

fortress and my deliverer;

My God, my strength, in whom

I will trust; My shield and the

horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 31:2

It's been some time since I have heard of someone being “solid as a rock.” People of physical and emotional strength are considered to be unmovable in their standards, unafraid to stand for what is right.

I live surrounded by rocks. There are rocks in the rivers and of course the mountains that are made up primarily of rock. A rock can be the size of a pebble or can be a huge boulder on a mountainside. People use rocks for decoration, often in their yards. Some even incorporate them onto sides of their houses. A scientific definition  of a rock is that it is a hard, natural formation of mineral matter.

However in the Psalm above, I see my Heavenly Father as being my rock. He gives me the power to be strong no matter the problems or adversities I face. I don't have His rock strength, but I can go to Him and He helps me to stand firm despite my circumstances.

God provided a rock in the wilderness for His people who had fled from Egypt. They came to the point of needing water for survival. The rock God provided spewed in floods of water for His people, thousands of them. When the heat of life overwhelms, He gives us the running water of the word to refresh us right where we are.

In Matthew 7:24-27 there is the parable of the building of houses not on sand but of on solid rock or the house can be easily destroyed. Aren't we grateful that our God is our firm foundation where we find a security in Him we can't find anywhere else.

Thank You Father for being my Rock. You sustain and refresh me as You are my firm foundation in life. On Christ my solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. In Jesus name...Amen

 

REJOICE ALWAYS

Rejoice in the Lord always,

again I say, rejoice!

Philippians 4:4

The book of Philippians became such a favorite for me many years ago. I don't think it was because of a sermon or Bible study presented by any one. It's one of those books that the Holy Spirit seemed to hand me as a special gift. This is a book I consider to be one I flee to when going through tough times.

The hard part of the love I have for this book is that sprinkled through the book is the encouragement to rejoice. Interesting in all of this is that in Philippians, Paul addresses a variety of situations that can be disturbing for any person. The idea of problems AND rejoicing don't seem to go together.

Paul addresses the subjects of suffering, personal behaviors, consistency in ones walk of faith, endurance, worry, lack of peace, thought issues and various insecurities. In it all, comes a sprinkling of REJOICE through this book. It seems impossible to bring the two opposites together. Despite that, through this precious book, we are as much as commanded to be people of rejoicing. No matter the issues, I can think on all the ways God has blessed and led in my life. Concentrating on those things encourages a spirit of rejoicing.

In Paul's day, many people used the word REJOICE as a greeting. Rejoicing doesn't mean happiness or that all is well in one's world. The rejoicing Paul is referring to is the result of a strong relationship with the Lord. Rejoicing is an encouragement to be a person of joy. True joy, as with love in their pure state can only come from a loving God.

No matter our circumstances, we can be people of joy. As believers we live and have our very beings in our relationship with our Heavenly Father. He never goes off duty when we are troubled. His peace, love and joy are always in abundance from Him, thus we can bask in those things with spirits of joy. It means we can be rejoicing people anytime, no matter the negatives that come our way. So..... REJOICE!

Father God, I rejoice in You today. Despite my concerns, You still bless, love and encourage me without end. Forgive my lack of gratitude and help me to stay focused on You and Your goodness in my life. Help me to be a rejoicing person. In Jesus' precious name...Amen

 

HOW REFRESHING

Repent therefore and be converted,

that your sins may be blotted out, so

that times of refreshing may come

from the presence of the Lord.

Acts 3:19

It must have been an exciting time in those beginning days of the church as we see the book of Acts. It's a special time seeing Peter who for the time was doing most of the preaching. The Holy Spirit had come into his life and he was a different guy. In a sermon, Peter gave the people the above words as to how to stay on good terms with God, and thus know spiritual refreshment like they had never known.

Folks were observing Peter and John at that time and despite their lack of education, those with questions couldn't deny there was something very different about both men. In fact, the people credited these two men's spiritual enthusiasm in the fact that they had been with Jesus.

There is a need in this culture of ours to see in us something that is very different from the norm. The answer those noticed in Peter and John is really the same for us in our day. Folks should see in you and me that we have been with Jesus. We've not been with Jesus in person like the disciples but we still have access to Jesus..

On a hot day, there's nothing like a glass of cold water. That is good for our physical selves, but spiritually, we have the water of the Word of God that refreshes us beyond expectation. In the Hebrew language, refresh means to breathe freely. Refreshment can give us new strength in every way. Spiritually speaking, the Bible I hold is even better than a glass of water. We need consistent hydrating of God's Word. With no pretense, folks hopefully will sense we've been with Jesus.

Thank You Father for Your Word and for You Holy Spirit as You so willingly teach us from it. May we come to know refreshment from the Word like never before, all for Your glory. In Jesus' name....Amen

 

JUST THINKIN'

Finally, brethren, whatever things

are true, whatever things are noble,

whatever things are pure, whatever things

are lovely, whatever things are of good

report, if there is any virtue, and if there

is anything praiseworthy....meditate (think)

on these things.

Phillipians 4:8

Sometimes we don't consider what we spend our time thinking about. There can be personal things that are affecting us that can lead to thoughts of gloom. At times, we don't feel we have control over what we think but in the above verse, there are several things we should set out minds on

God never puts any command in His Word we can't accomplish. At the end of this verse, Paul simply tells us to think on those things listed. Just about every good thing I can think of that might occupy my mind could fall under one of those categories listed.  No matter the cares we deal with in every day living can be overcome by Bible principles and comfort it offers to all of us

.

There is such comfort, however, no matter our own thinking, that our God is always thinking about us:

For I know the thoughts that I think

toward you, says the LORD, thoughts

of peace and not of evil, to give you'a future 

and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

Thank You Father, for keeping us in Your thoughts and for loving us like You do. In Jesus' precious name....Amen

 

FINISHING WELL

Now also when I am old

and grayheaded,

O God, do not forsake me,

until I declare Your strength

to this generation.

Psalm 71:18

With years, come a lot of history. I don't mean going into space, or the discovery of an unknown country. My history is as practical and American as most folks my age. I grew up in a time when it was almost a shock if an adult lived much beyond 65 years of age. In that area, we've come a long way with improved medical/medicine findings. There are, however, older folks who have lived to be 90, but they quit living around age 65. Thus, years of just existing seem to be for nothing no matter how much medicine one takes.

Brian and I have been members of several churches, many because of work transfers. We came to know godly men who were wonderful preachers. I have come to know outstanding women in those years who were deacon's wives, choir members, Sunday school teachers, etc. There were so many of them I watched as I sought to grow in my faith and service for the Lord.

Sadly, it came to be known that some of those folks who had faithfully served God for so many years, fell into deep sin when they had many more years to serve. They usually fell to the top three situations....money, sex or pride. Pastors who had wonderful ministries for 40 or more years, fell into sin and their testimonies ruined. The sad part of that is that no matter how wonderfully their ministries had been, in their latter years, people will usually recall only their fall into sin. This isn't just a problem for folks in leadership in a church. Lay people often go through the same process.

In the aging process, not a single one of us can afford to let up, become vulnerable to the wiles of Satan. Our older years are not a time to give up or ease up but to get up for the Lord. Many times a senior person will let up on Bible study and even church attendance, using age as an excuse for not being faithful to the things of God. We of age should be even more of an influence in the lives of others. Hopefully, when we pass from this life, folks will lovingly remember our faithfulness to God down to the the very minute we stepped into Heaven. May we finish well, leaving sweet memories of our love and faithfulness. May each of us no matter our age, finish well.

Father, keep us faithfully serving You as Your Holy Spirit empowers and teaches us. May we see each day as an opportunity to be an influence for You in the lives of others. In Jesus' name..Amen

OH HUSH!

Be still, and know that I am

God; I will be exalted among

the nations, I will be exalted

in the earth.

Psalm 46:10

The verse I have chosen for this blog has so often been a mystery to me. It can be a discouraging verse for those of us who really want to know God. We know a lot ABOUT God but He desires that we really know Him in more of a personal and intimate way, but being still to accomplish this is hard to accept.

We probably grew up being told to shut up (by the way, two very good words for the cause, nothing demeaning), be quiet, or to just be still. When very young, when I got antsy in school or church, being still was often an impossibility for me. Thus, I ended up being still and not concentrating on what was going on around me that was important.

I have rationalized the BE STILL in that verse and can't even begin when there could ever be perfect silence in my life no matter where I happen to be located. At home alone, I may hear dog-walker's pets barking, the furnace may kick in with it's low rumble, cars passing, phones ringing...all everyday sounds that ask no permission to make their sounds heard . I'm sure there would be places one could go where there would be absolute silence but not sure how long any of us could maintain our sanity if we found such a place.

Much to my relief, I found that the translation in the old transcripts didn't have so much to do with sound or noise as it did and still does have to do with the yielding of our spirits to God..surrender. Quietness isn't just being quiet in sound but quiet in spirit.

You and I will rarely if ever be able to totally get away from all noise or sounds. However, wherever we are, we can have a humble spirit of submission to God. The verse speaks of where God will be exalted. We are there. God desires that we know Him but that we exalt Him above anything or anyone else. Exalting Him means our lifting Him in personal adoration as high as we can raise Him above anything going on or above any person we can name. May it be so.

We do adore You Father even though we fall short so many times. Help us to give in to You with all our lives that we may know You like we never have before. In Jesus' precious and exalted name....Amen