"The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and great in lovingkindness." Ps. 145:8 By His grace He sent Jesus Christ to pay the price for our sins. In His mercy He does not give up on us when we fail and when we rebel. He is eternally patient with us and loves us in spite of our weaknesses and ignorance. "He is good to all" v9 and He is " kind in all His deeds" v17. Every day the sun rises and sets. There is air to breath and water to drink. Seeds planted in the ground take root and grow into bountiful fruit for us to eat. He does not grow weary of human kind and destroy us with a Word. Instead, He "is near to all who call upon Him" v18. He fulfills "the desire of those who fear Him" v19. He hears when we cry to Him, saves us and keeps us. Bless His Name. Speak well of Him every day! "Great is The Lord and highly to be praised and His greatness is unsearchable" !
Philippians 3-4
The true circumcision are those who worship in the spirit of God and boast / glory in Christ Jesus, Paul tells us in Phil. 3:3. To worship in spirit and in truth is what the Father seeks, Jesus told the Samaritan woman in John 4. Worship is not a ritual done in a building. Worship is a repsonse to the awareness of God's presence ( Tozer.. I think) . It is initiated by God - He makes His presence known and I respond with worship. Romans 12:1 tells us " present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship"
To boast in Christ Jesus instead of one's own accomplishments is the foundation of true worship. In Paul's day and culture/ religion the measure of religious status was all centered on the person's accomplishments. Paul had the credentials - Jewish from birth, circumsized according to the law, a member of the tribe of Benjamin ( he had the right anscestory) A pharisee, a zealous persecutor of sinners, blameless according to the law of Moses - outwardly at least. But he found out that all of that was worthless! Trash! It meant nothing at all to God because it ignored the perfect Son of God.
To know Jesus Christ the Lord is what has value. To gain Him. To be found in Him. To know the power of His resurrection. To know the fellowship of His sufferings. To be conformed to His death. This is what has value. This is what is worth pressing on for. Worth waiting for. Because when we know Him we will be ready for His return. In Him we can rejoice! Instead of practicing the Law, Paul instructs us to practice what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, good, excellent, and worthy of praise. ( Phil 4:8) The things he practiced. Being forbearing, not being anxious, but praying and trusting in God. Being thankful, standing firm, guarding our hearts and minds. Relying on the strength of Jesus Christ and His grace. Trusting Him for all that we need. Giving to Him all that we have.
The world today has a different standard than those in Paul's time. We measure religious success in different ways - our office or ministry, the size of our church, the largeness of our outreach. Personally we might think it is how often we go to church or read our Bibles, pray or go to Bible studies. But that is just as much rubbish as Paul had. What is of value is knowing Christ Jesus. To gain Him. To be found in Him. To share in His sufferings and death so that we might share in His resurrection. It is having the "grace of The Lord Jesus be with your spirit" Forgetting what "lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead"
Do what it takes to make this happen in me Lord Jesus! You alone are worthy of all praise.
Amen
Friday, March 1, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Praise The Lord who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and great in lovingkindness. He is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds. He is near to all who call on Him. He keeps all who love Him. This is the God, our King! And this is why we bless His Name and praise Him every day. I bless His Name by speaking out about the good things, the wonderful things, the great works He has done. To tell of His greatness and goodness. God saved me from my sins. He washed me and cleansed me and made me pure and blameless through the blood of Jesus Christ my Lord. God gave me a family and blessed me with a love for them and for my church as well. God rescued me from bad choices I have made and given me a life that has been to this point precious and sweet.
Not without trials, but the good far overshadowing the bad. You have been kind to me Father. Thank You. Thank you for being my Healer, my Provider, my Protector. My Shepherd. I will bless Your Name forever and ever. ( Ps. 145)
Philippians 2
To be like Christ. That is the desire of God's heart for us. Yet we cannot attain to that on our own. He began that good work and He will be the One to complete it. There is encouragement in Christ. There is consolation in His love. There is fellowship of the Spirit. There is compassion and affection in Him. So we are to:
Be of one mind.
Maintain the same love.
Be united in spirit.
Be intent on one purpose.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit.
Be humble and regard others as more important than ourselves.
Look out for the interests of others.
Have the attitude of Jesus, Who humbled Himself, emptying Himself to become a man and dying on the cross. Obedient unto death.
We work out our salvation with fear and trembling, in obedience to the will of God, who is at work in us to both " will and to work for His good pleasure." To act without grumbling and complaining, holding fast to God's Word, blameless and beyond reproach - this is what makes us lights in the world. Like Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus, we are to pour ourselves out in service to others. That they might have faith and joy also.
The Shepherd's voice is reminding me that I must put aside myself and my will and to look to His. God's will and man's good. Simplicity is what Thomas a` Kempis says. Sometimes not so simple. How do I do good to some who hide behind anonymous accusations? How do I maintain unity in the spirit with one who has lied and then refused to identify themselves for reconciliation? I need to consider them more important than myself. But what does that mean? That their comfort is more important than truth? I still have no answers. But I ask You Father to do in me what You will that Your work be complete in me. Amen.
Not without trials, but the good far overshadowing the bad. You have been kind to me Father. Thank You. Thank you for being my Healer, my Provider, my Protector. My Shepherd. I will bless Your Name forever and ever. ( Ps. 145)
Philippians 2
To be like Christ. That is the desire of God's heart for us. Yet we cannot attain to that on our own. He began that good work and He will be the One to complete it. There is encouragement in Christ. There is consolation in His love. There is fellowship of the Spirit. There is compassion and affection in Him. So we are to:
Be of one mind.
Maintain the same love.
Be united in spirit.
Be intent on one purpose.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit.
Be humble and regard others as more important than ourselves.
Look out for the interests of others.
Have the attitude of Jesus, Who humbled Himself, emptying Himself to become a man and dying on the cross. Obedient unto death.
We work out our salvation with fear and trembling, in obedience to the will of God, who is at work in us to both " will and to work for His good pleasure." To act without grumbling and complaining, holding fast to God's Word, blameless and beyond reproach - this is what makes us lights in the world. Like Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus, we are to pour ourselves out in service to others. That they might have faith and joy also.
The Shepherd's voice is reminding me that I must put aside myself and my will and to look to His. God's will and man's good. Simplicity is what Thomas a` Kempis says. Sometimes not so simple. How do I do good to some who hide behind anonymous accusations? How do I maintain unity in the spirit with one who has lied and then refused to identify themselves for reconciliation? I need to consider them more important than myself. But what does that mean? That their comfort is more important than truth? I still have no answers. But I ask You Father to do in me what You will that Your work be complete in me. Amen.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
We are to declare God's mighty acts and great unsearchable acts to the next generation. If we are following David's example of blessing the Lord every day, then it will be natural to us and we will tell our children and grandchildren the works and acts of God. Every Day! That is the key. Let my mouth speak of You O Lord, not of anything that is unworthy , let me not waste my breath on that which is temporary and fading, but to declare Your acts, to bless Your Name forever and ever. Especially to speak these before my children and grandchildren and great grandchildren. Forgive me O Lord for meditating on lesser things than "The glorious splendor of Thy majesty, And on thy wonderful works" Ps. 145:5 Glorious splendor - comliness, beauty, excellence, glory, magnificence, grandeur.
Philippians 1
Paul prays for this church in Philippi. He prays with joy because they are still partners in the gospel. They are growing in faith. They love and support him. But they are facing persecution.
Paul prays for their love to abound more and more...in knowledge and discernment.
For them to have real knowledge ( recognition and acknowledgement) and discernment. (perception/judgement)
That they may approve the things that are excellent. ( better of more value)
That they may be sincere ( genuine) and blameless until the day of Christ.
That they may be filled with the fruit of righteousness.
That they might conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
That they might stand firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel.
That they might not be alarmed by the opposition.
That they may know that to suffer for Christ's sake is a privilege granted to them.
Thomas a` Kempis said in his book " Simplicity ought to be our intention; purity in our affections. Simplicity doth tend towards God; purity doth apprehend and taste Him." and " If thou intend and seek nothing else but the will of God and the good of thy neighbor, thou shalt thoroughly enjoy inward liberty. "
To focus on , meditate on the majesty and glory of God and His mighty works and to live with simply in the light of His Glory will bring us to live as Paul prays for the church. Father, I pray for this for myself, for my family, and for my church. Holy Spirit, let Your power flow in us, for You who
" began a good work" in us will "perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" Amen!
Philippians 1
Paul prays for this church in Philippi. He prays with joy because they are still partners in the gospel. They are growing in faith. They love and support him. But they are facing persecution.
Paul prays for their love to abound more and more...in knowledge and discernment.
For them to have real knowledge ( recognition and acknowledgement) and discernment. (perception/judgement)
That they may approve the things that are excellent. ( better of more value)
That they may be sincere ( genuine) and blameless until the day of Christ.
That they may be filled with the fruit of righteousness.
That they might conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
That they might stand firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel.
That they might not be alarmed by the opposition.
That they may know that to suffer for Christ's sake is a privilege granted to them.
Thomas a` Kempis said in his book " Simplicity ought to be our intention; purity in our affections. Simplicity doth tend towards God; purity doth apprehend and taste Him." and " If thou intend and seek nothing else but the will of God and the good of thy neighbor, thou shalt thoroughly enjoy inward liberty. "
To focus on , meditate on the majesty and glory of God and His mighty works and to live with simply in the light of His Glory will bring us to live as Paul prays for the church. Father, I pray for this for myself, for my family, and for my church. Holy Spirit, let Your power flow in us, for You who
" began a good work" in us will "perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" Amen!
Monday, February 25, 2013
" I will extol Thee my God, O King. I will bless Your Name forever and ever. Every day I will bless Thee, and I will praise Thy Name forever and ever. Great is the Lord and highly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable." Psalm 145:1-3 To bless - to speak well of, to honor and praise with our voices. This psalm of David emphasizes verbal, out loud words of praise to our God. Over and over the verbs are focused on what comes out of our mouths - I will extol Thee, I will bless Thy Name, I will bless Thee, I will praise Thee, ( they) will declare They mighty acts, men shall speak of the power of Thine awesome acts, I will tell of Thy greatness, They shall eagerly utter the memory of Thine abundant goodness, shout joyfully of Thy righteousness, give thanks, speak of the glory of the Kingdom, make known.. Thy mighty acts. V. 21 sums it up " My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord; And all flesh will bless his holy Name forever and ever. " Looking forward to studying this psalm this week. It seems a good one to memorize. Lord help me to open my mouth every day to bless You and praise Your Name!
Moving to the NT book of Philippians this week. Today just reading the whole book through. What jumps out to me is Paul's love for this church. He prays for them and encourages them. He gently corrects them and he comforts them. He wants so much for them to stand firm and to keep moving ahead in their faith walk. He wants them to keep their eyes on Jesus. To stay " sincere and blameless". His prayers for them are full of joy. They are precious to him. Not perfect, but then neither is he, but pressing forward. This is a letter one would write to your grown children. Encouraging and confirming, yet reminding them of what is truely important. The day of Christ's return is drawing near. Be ready. But more than that, be excited and look forward to that wonderful day. For " to live is Christ and to die is gain"
The Shepherd's voice this morning sweetly and gently whispers, " Are you ready?" Am I living with expectation of His coming or of my death? Like Paul I hope that I shall not be to shame in anything, but that Christ shall "be exalted in my body whether by life or by death. " 1:20
Moving to the NT book of Philippians this week. Today just reading the whole book through. What jumps out to me is Paul's love for this church. He prays for them and encourages them. He gently corrects them and he comforts them. He wants so much for them to stand firm and to keep moving ahead in their faith walk. He wants them to keep their eyes on Jesus. To stay " sincere and blameless". His prayers for them are full of joy. They are precious to him. Not perfect, but then neither is he, but pressing forward. This is a letter one would write to your grown children. Encouraging and confirming, yet reminding them of what is truely important. The day of Christ's return is drawing near. Be ready. But more than that, be excited and look forward to that wonderful day. For " to live is Christ and to die is gain"
The Shepherd's voice this morning sweetly and gently whispers, " Are you ready?" Am I living with expectation of His coming or of my death? Like Paul I hope that I shall not be to shame in anything, but that Christ shall "be exalted in my body whether by life or by death. " 1:20
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Praise to The Lord ! I will sing praises to my God while I have my being, the psalmist says. While I can, while I have breath, I will sing to Him! You are my Hope Lord God! You are Almighty God! I will praise You. You are faithful. You are Just. You are merciful. You are kind. You are loving. You are Righteous. I am so thankful that You reign forever! Praise Your Name!
Ezekiel 43 Ezekiel is having a vision of the new temple and he sees the glory of the Lord returning to fill the house. It is like the vision he had before and it once again brings him to fall on his face. Here is the place of God's throne and " the place of the soles of My feet" ( v7). Where God dwells among the sons of Israel. Forever. But Israel still needs to be conscious of putting away her harlotries. The corpses of the kings needed to be removed from their place near God's throne. Any everything needed to be made exactly to God's standards. The altar is to be made and the sacrifices offered according to God's commands. Then He says "I will accept you"
The life and death of Jesus Christ was exactly according to God's standards. The sacrifice He offered, Himself, was perfectly completed. Because of this God says to us, "I will accept you".
He alone can bring us into the presence of God. Precious Jesus. Thank You for being the One who "keeps faith forever" Ps. 146:6. You are my Lord and Savior and there is no other Name under heaven by which we are saved.
Praise the Lord!
Ezekiel 43 Ezekiel is having a vision of the new temple and he sees the glory of the Lord returning to fill the house. It is like the vision he had before and it once again brings him to fall on his face. Here is the place of God's throne and " the place of the soles of My feet" ( v7). Where God dwells among the sons of Israel. Forever. But Israel still needs to be conscious of putting away her harlotries. The corpses of the kings needed to be removed from their place near God's throne. Any everything needed to be made exactly to God's standards. The altar is to be made and the sacrifices offered according to God's commands. Then He says "I will accept you"
The life and death of Jesus Christ was exactly according to God's standards. The sacrifice He offered, Himself, was perfectly completed. Because of this God says to us, "I will accept you".
He alone can bring us into the presence of God. Precious Jesus. Thank You for being the One who "keeps faith forever" Ps. 146:6. You are my Lord and Savior and there is no other Name under heaven by which we are saved.
Praise the Lord!
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Praise the Lord! Our trust is to be in God alone. There is no help or salvation in mankind. Not a even a prince can live forever or be a source of salvation. Only Christ! As Thomas a` Kempis reminds us " For men soon change and quickly fail; but Christ remaineth for ever, and standeth by us firmly unto the end" He tells us to learn to despise the outward and to give ourselves to the inward, to prepare our hearts for the Bridegroom, to let our thoughts fly to Him, to rest in His sacred wounds.
Psalm 146 :5 "How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, Whose hope is in the Lord" Oh how wonderful He is! How worthy of all our praise. He reigns! Praise the Lord!
Ezekiel 40 begins a detailed description of the new temple. Similar but not exactly like Soloman's temple, this is thought to be the temple of the Millenium. So detailed and orderly with exact measurements shown to Ezekiel by an angel with a measuring rod. As I read through The Bible Knowledge Commentary and looked at their sketches I long to see it. To know the marvel of seeing the Glory of the LORD filling the temple. This had to be amazing for Ezekiel, but of course he had already had of vision of heaven, so maybe this wasn't as exciting to him. But it had to be an encouragement after 25 years of exile. There would come a day when Israel would again be the people of God. A day when Jerusalem would be the city of God. When the people would be worshippers of the only True God. Forever. Oh what a day that will be!
The Shepherd's voice reminds me today that I must keep my eyes on Jesus, on the hope of His coming. This world and our country in particular will fail. We cannot trust in our government. It is sinful and cannot help us. God alone is our Hope and Help. May my thoughts continually fly to You Jesus! Fill me , dwell in me with all Your glory and beauty. Let Your kingdom come. amen
Psalm 146 :5 "How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, Whose hope is in the Lord" Oh how wonderful He is! How worthy of all our praise. He reigns! Praise the Lord!
Ezekiel 40 begins a detailed description of the new temple. Similar but not exactly like Soloman's temple, this is thought to be the temple of the Millenium. So detailed and orderly with exact measurements shown to Ezekiel by an angel with a measuring rod. As I read through The Bible Knowledge Commentary and looked at their sketches I long to see it. To know the marvel of seeing the Glory of the LORD filling the temple. This had to be amazing for Ezekiel, but of course he had already had of vision of heaven, so maybe this wasn't as exciting to him. But it had to be an encouragement after 25 years of exile. There would come a day when Israel would again be the people of God. A day when Jerusalem would be the city of God. When the people would be worshippers of the only True God. Forever. Oh what a day that will be!
The Shepherd's voice reminds me today that I must keep my eyes on Jesus, on the hope of His coming. This world and our country in particular will fail. We cannot trust in our government. It is sinful and cannot help us. God alone is our Hope and Help. May my thoughts continually fly to You Jesus! Fill me , dwell in me with all Your glory and beauty. Let Your kingdom come. amen
Monday, February 18, 2013
Psalm 146 Praise The Lord! He is our Help. He is our Hope. He is our Creator, our just Judge, our Provider, our Rescuer, our Healer, our compassionate Redeemer. He reigns forever! You are marvelous beyond words Father God, Mighty and Loving in all You do. I Praise Your Name.
Ezekiel 38-39 The future of Israel is the subject of this prophecy given to Ezekiel. These events have not yet been fulfilled, but are still to come. Great nations will once again come against Israel. They will come in great number, with mighty weapons, like a cloud they will come to cover the land. When this happens God will come against them. He will sanctify Himself, in zeal and blazing wrath, God will shake the mountains, He will strike with His sword. He will send pestilence, rain, hailstones, fire and brimstone. There will be no doubt in any person's mind that God has done this.
God will magnify Himself, sanctify Himself, and make Himself known " in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am The Lord" 38:23 " And My holy name I shall make known in the midst of My people Israel ; and I shall not let MY holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations will know that I am The Lord the Holy One in Israel. Behold, it is coming and it shall be done, declares The Lord God, That is the day of which I have spoken" 39:7-8
Israel will know their God. The nations will know the God of Israel. No one will be ignorant of the One Who made all things. We will rejoice in that day. The only sad part is that so many unbelievers will be forever lost to that joy.
You are God alone, from before time began. And You are on Your throne. You are God alone!
The Shepherd speaks: In times past God made Himself known with mighty works, yet there were unbelievers. In the future God will do this extraordinary work of delivering Israel from a massive army and nations will believe, but there are still unbelievers who die. Right now, in this present time, Oh God let us see Your mighty works and let the lost turn from their rebellious ways and believe and follow Jesus. May the nations know the God of Israel even now. Lord of the harvest , send forth reapers into the harvest. Please.
Ezekiel 38-39 The future of Israel is the subject of this prophecy given to Ezekiel. These events have not yet been fulfilled, but are still to come. Great nations will once again come against Israel. They will come in great number, with mighty weapons, like a cloud they will come to cover the land. When this happens God will come against them. He will sanctify Himself, in zeal and blazing wrath, God will shake the mountains, He will strike with His sword. He will send pestilence, rain, hailstones, fire and brimstone. There will be no doubt in any person's mind that God has done this.
God will magnify Himself, sanctify Himself, and make Himself known " in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am The Lord" 38:23 " And My holy name I shall make known in the midst of My people Israel ; and I shall not let MY holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations will know that I am The Lord the Holy One in Israel. Behold, it is coming and it shall be done, declares The Lord God, That is the day of which I have spoken" 39:7-8
Israel will know their God. The nations will know the God of Israel. No one will be ignorant of the One Who made all things. We will rejoice in that day. The only sad part is that so many unbelievers will be forever lost to that joy.
You are God alone, from before time began. And You are on Your throne. You are God alone!
The Shepherd speaks: In times past God made Himself known with mighty works, yet there were unbelievers. In the future God will do this extraordinary work of delivering Israel from a massive army and nations will believe, but there are still unbelievers who die. Right now, in this present time, Oh God let us see Your mighty works and let the lost turn from their rebellious ways and believe and follow Jesus. May the nations know the God of Israel even now. Lord of the harvest , send forth reapers into the harvest. Please.
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