Psalm 50 "The Mighty One, God the Lord, has spoken, " ( v1)
"May our God come and not keep silence..." (v3)
"Hear, O My people, and I will speak..." ( v7)
God summons: the earth ( v1) and the heavens ( v4). He summons all creation " to judge his people."
"God Himself is judge." and "the heavens declare his righteousness". God, the righteous judge is not impressed with the sacrifices and burnt offerings of His people. He doesn't need goats or bulls.
In fact, "every beast of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills, and everything that moves in the field is Mine.... the word is Mine and all it contains." His judgements are not based on how many sacrifices we have offered. His standards are much higher!
Those who will be saved, rescued, redeemed, and reckoned righteous are those who:
"Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving."
Who pay their vows "to the Most High"
Who call on Him in times of trouble.
Who honor Him with sacrifices of thanksgiving.
Who set their "way aright".
Those who doe not do these things, the wicked, who will be reproved:
Misuse God's Word.
Hate discipline.
Ignore His Word.
Honor thieves and adulterers .
Speak evil.
Lie.
Slander their own brothers.
God reveals to us here what really matters... what His WILL is for us:
He wants us to know that He doesn't want our stuff.... He has given it all to us in the first place, and He wants us to thank Him!
He wants us to do what we have promised Him that we would do... whatever vows we have made.. do it!
He wants us to trust Him, turn to Him for every need. He is faithful. He is able. He can do anything.
He wants us to honor Him. Honor His Word. Heed His Word.
He wants us to walk in obedience to His Word.
Heavenly Father, Your will be done. In me, in my family, in our church. In this nation. We thank You for all that You have provided. You have given us life and light . You have provided salvation through Jesus Christ the Lord. Thank you for daily bread and for Your Holy Word. Thank You for the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort. Lord, I want to fulfill all my promises to You. I made a vow before You to love and honor my husband. I want to keep that vow always. I put my trust in You. I call on Your Name when I need help. Every day. I will honor Your Name and Your Word. I will speak well of You. I will obey Your Word and walk in the Truth, by the help of Your Spirit. Every day. Thank you for showing me Your will. Let it be done in me. Amen.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Friday, February 7, 2014
Matthew 7
Jesus gives us a standard for judgement. The standard is this: How you judge others = how you are judged. If you judge harshly, you will be harshly judged. If you show mercy, then you will receive mercy. However you treat others, be sure that it is how you want to be treated.
So, how should we act?
We must always check our own hearts and motives and attitudes first. We must take care of our own "eye" beams.
Psalm 51 gives a great prayer model for doing just that.
"Be gracious to me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness; according to the greatness of Thy compassion blot out my transgressions." Eye beams / sins that keep us from seeing correctly must be removed by our loving and kind Father in Heaven. We must humble ourselves and come to Him seeking His mercy and grace.
"Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee, Thee only, I have sinned, and done what is evil in Thy sight, so that Thou art justified when Thou dost speak, and blameless when Thou dost judge." ( v2-4)
We must not only notice the beam in our own eye. We must agree with God that we are sinners, confess those sins, confess our need for His forgiveness and cleansing. We must admit that God is Right and we are not, that He is Judge and we are not.
"Behold, Thou dost desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part Thou will make me know wisdom."
Jesus tells us in Matthew 7, that the wise man builds his house on the rock. That is the man who not only hears what Jesus says, but acts on them. He requires genuine repentance. It is a small gate and a narrow way "that leads to life". Not many go that way. In fact there are so many that are wolves in sheep's clothing that Jesus gives us a way of judging correctly. Even judging ourselves correctly!
We will "know them by their fruits" ( Matthew 7:20). Only if the fruit is good do we know that the tree is good. Only those who are doing the will of the Father will enter the kingdom. Only those who hear His Words and act on them will survive. That is the narrow way.
The psalmist prays "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."
( v10)
He prays for the Holy Spirit. For the joy of salvation. For a willing spirit. He prays for good fruit.
The fruit of the Spirit, Paul tells us, " is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;" The psalmist tells us that these do not come by burnt offerings and sacrifices, but by a "broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart".
There were some who said "Lord, Lord". Who had great credentials - They prophesied, they cast out demons, they performed miracles. But they didn't know Jesus as their Savior and Lord. They never entered the narrow gate. Never confessed their sins, never removed their eye beams, never did the will of the Father. Never had any "good" fruit.
How then, can we know this narrow way, how can we bear good fruit?
Pray, Jesus tells us.
Ask. Seek. Knock. Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking.
Our Father in Heaven is the giver of what is "Good". He gives us the Holy Spirit, Who leads us into all righteousness. It is daily asking. Daily seeking. Daily knocking... and daily receiving life from Him.
Jesus tells His disciples, "I am the true Vine and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit..... Abide in Me and I in you, As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me." ( John 15:1-2,4)
Precious Savior, thank You for the Truth of Your Word that cleanses us as we walk in it. Break our hearts before the Father, that we might confess all sin and find the joy of Your salvation. Create in us clean hearts and steadfast spirits. May all beams be removed from our eyes. May our lives be filled with good fruit. To the glory of Our Father in Heaven. Amen.
Jesus gives us a standard for judgement. The standard is this: How you judge others = how you are judged. If you judge harshly, you will be harshly judged. If you show mercy, then you will receive mercy. However you treat others, be sure that it is how you want to be treated.
So, how should we act?
We must always check our own hearts and motives and attitudes first. We must take care of our own "eye" beams.
Psalm 51 gives a great prayer model for doing just that.
"Be gracious to me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness; according to the greatness of Thy compassion blot out my transgressions." Eye beams / sins that keep us from seeing correctly must be removed by our loving and kind Father in Heaven. We must humble ourselves and come to Him seeking His mercy and grace.
"Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee, Thee only, I have sinned, and done what is evil in Thy sight, so that Thou art justified when Thou dost speak, and blameless when Thou dost judge." ( v2-4)
We must not only notice the beam in our own eye. We must agree with God that we are sinners, confess those sins, confess our need for His forgiveness and cleansing. We must admit that God is Right and we are not, that He is Judge and we are not.
"Behold, Thou dost desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part Thou will make me know wisdom."
Jesus tells us in Matthew 7, that the wise man builds his house on the rock. That is the man who not only hears what Jesus says, but acts on them. He requires genuine repentance. It is a small gate and a narrow way "that leads to life". Not many go that way. In fact there are so many that are wolves in sheep's clothing that Jesus gives us a way of judging correctly. Even judging ourselves correctly!
We will "know them by their fruits" ( Matthew 7:20). Only if the fruit is good do we know that the tree is good. Only those who are doing the will of the Father will enter the kingdom. Only those who hear His Words and act on them will survive. That is the narrow way.
The psalmist prays "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."
( v10)
He prays for the Holy Spirit. For the joy of salvation. For a willing spirit. He prays for good fruit.
The fruit of the Spirit, Paul tells us, " is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;" The psalmist tells us that these do not come by burnt offerings and sacrifices, but by a "broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart".
There were some who said "Lord, Lord". Who had great credentials - They prophesied, they cast out demons, they performed miracles. But they didn't know Jesus as their Savior and Lord. They never entered the narrow gate. Never confessed their sins, never removed their eye beams, never did the will of the Father. Never had any "good" fruit.
How then, can we know this narrow way, how can we bear good fruit?
Pray, Jesus tells us.
Ask. Seek. Knock. Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking.
Our Father in Heaven is the giver of what is "Good". He gives us the Holy Spirit, Who leads us into all righteousness. It is daily asking. Daily seeking. Daily knocking... and daily receiving life from Him.
Jesus tells His disciples, "I am the true Vine and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit..... Abide in Me and I in you, As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me." ( John 15:1-2,4)
Precious Savior, thank You for the Truth of Your Word that cleanses us as we walk in it. Break our hearts before the Father, that we might confess all sin and find the joy of Your salvation. Create in us clean hearts and steadfast spirits. May all beams be removed from our eyes. May our lives be filled with good fruit. To the glory of Our Father in Heaven. Amen.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Psalm 52; Matthew 6: 25-34
".. do not be anxious for your life" Jesus says. "The lovingkindness of God endures all day long" the psalmist sings.
The evil man boasts in evil.
His tongue "devises destruction, like a sharp razor."
He loves "evil more than good"
He loves falsehood more than truth.
He loves words that devour.
He trusts in his riches.
He refuses to make "God his refuge".
Because of that attitude, the psalmist tells us, God will cause him to be:
broken down forever, torn down, overthrown, beaten
snatched up
torn away
uprooted.
He will be anxious about everything - "what shall we eat?" "what shall we wear?"
But the righteous man trusts in "the lovingkindness of God"
He gives thanks continually .
He waits on God's provision.
He is "like a green olive tree in the house of God" - alive, thriving, fruitful, useful!
He lives in faith.
He knows that our "heavenly Father knows that (we) need all these things".
He knows he is worth more than the birds that do not lack for food.
He knows that his provisions for life come from the Hand the One Who arrays the lilies in their beauty.
He "seeks first His Kingdom and His righteousness"
He is "anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving" he lets his "requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension" guards his heart and mind, "in Christ Jesus." ( Philippians 4:6-7)
"Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Father all Glorious, Ancient of Days, Over all Victorious, Thy Name we praise! Let Your Name be honored. Let Your kingdom come. Let Your will be done. Give to us our daily bread. You know what we have need of today. You are our Shepherd and we shall not want. We run to You, our refuge and we wait, with our eyes looking to You, for You "open Your hand and does satisfy the desire of every living thing." We bless Your holy Name. We extol You and praise You forever and ever.
Amen.
".. do not be anxious for your life" Jesus says. "The lovingkindness of God endures all day long" the psalmist sings.
The evil man boasts in evil.
His tongue "devises destruction, like a sharp razor."
He loves "evil more than good"
He loves falsehood more than truth.
He loves words that devour.
He trusts in his riches.
He refuses to make "God his refuge".
Because of that attitude, the psalmist tells us, God will cause him to be:
broken down forever, torn down, overthrown, beaten
snatched up
torn away
uprooted.
He will be anxious about everything - "what shall we eat?" "what shall we wear?"
But the righteous man trusts in "the lovingkindness of God"
He gives thanks continually .
He waits on God's provision.
He is "like a green olive tree in the house of God" - alive, thriving, fruitful, useful!
He lives in faith.
He knows that our "heavenly Father knows that (we) need all these things".
He knows he is worth more than the birds that do not lack for food.
He knows that his provisions for life come from the Hand the One Who arrays the lilies in their beauty.
He "seeks first His Kingdom and His righteousness"
He is "anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving" he lets his "requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension" guards his heart and mind, "in Christ Jesus." ( Philippians 4:6-7)
"Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Father all Glorious, Ancient of Days, Over all Victorious, Thy Name we praise! Let Your Name be honored. Let Your kingdom come. Let Your will be done. Give to us our daily bread. You know what we have need of today. You are our Shepherd and we shall not want. We run to You, our refuge and we wait, with our eyes looking to You, for You "open Your hand and does satisfy the desire of every living thing." We bless Your holy Name. We extol You and praise You forever and ever.
Amen.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Psalm 53 The fool says that there is no God. The fool is corrupt and unjust. He does not seek God. He does no good. He has no knowledge. He is in great fear. He is scattered. He is put to shame.
Father, let me never be a fool. You are God Most High. I seek Your face, I fear only You. You are the One I call upon and You hear me and answer. Thank You!
Matthew 6: 9-13 The Lord's Prayer. The model that Jesus gives us, to teach us how to pray correctly.
Our Father who is in heaven. We pray to Almighty God, the Creator and Sustainer of life. He is our Father. Our Abba. We come as children to our Daddy. To draw near to Him. To rest in Him and know Him. Like a child waking in the morning and snuggling up close to their daddy, we come to Him and delight to be near. To breathe in His spirit.
Hallowed be Thy Name. Jesus shares his prayer requests, Dennis Fuque teaches. His first request is that we ask that God's Name be honored. Father, let Your Name be honored today. May Your Name not be used in vain. May it not be used as a curse word. May it be praised and lifted up in true worship. May we speak Your Name with sanctified lips and purified hearts. May Your Name be honored by my life. May You be honored in my family and my church. May our nation honor You once again.
Thy Kingdom come. Dennis teaches that this is the second prayer request that Jesus shares with us.
Ask God our Father to send His Kingdom. Come and rule and reign. "Let your Kingdom come down. Let your kingdom come now." The kingdom of God is a rule of peace and righteousness. A rule of justice and mercy. A rule of truth and love. Yes, let your kingdom come, Lord!
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. The third request. Ask God for His will, His perfect, holy, amazing, wonderful will to be accomplished here on earth. In heaven His will is always done and there is always rejoicing! There is always peace. There is always love. There are no tears. There is no pain. There is no sin or death. Yes, let Your will be done here, today, in me and in this world.
Give us today our "daily bread", our provisions, that You know we need. Jesus tells us to simply ask and trust that our Father "knows what you need before you ask Him". Just ask. It is in His hands.
"And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors." Jesus knows this is a tough one for us, so He gives a little more information in verses 14 and 15. "For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions." In Matthew 18 Jesus illustrates this further in the parable of the king who forgave his servant of a huge, impossibly large debt, but that same man refused to forgive a small debt from his fellow slave. When the king found out what had happened he called the man back in and handed him over to the torturers. "So shall My heavenly Father also do to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart." Forgiveness is a big deal to the Father. It is a big deal to Jesus too. It is why He came to die for us.
However, forgiveness does not mean forgetfulness. It does not mean that we automatically trust the other person again. It means only that we let go of the debt or the offense that was made. We consider that person to not owe us anything. Just as God lays aside our offenses and trespasses and considers us free.
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." We pray for our Shepherd to "lead us in paths of righteousness for His Name's sake." ( psalm 23) To keep us from the places where we are tempted to forget or to doubt Him. To keep us from the temptation of worry or unforgiveness. Or from going our own way instead of His. We pray that He will keep us from the lure of the evil one who desires to kill, steal, and destroy us.
These requests cover the most vital areas of our lives. The first 3 cover the area of our relationship with our Father. Honoring His Name, seeking His Kingdom, and submitting to His will. The next 3 have to do with our everyday, ordinary lives. We need food to live. We need forgiveness. We need His guidance and deliverance. We need to pray this way!
"For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen"
Father, let me never be a fool. You are God Most High. I seek Your face, I fear only You. You are the One I call upon and You hear me and answer. Thank You!
Matthew 6: 9-13 The Lord's Prayer. The model that Jesus gives us, to teach us how to pray correctly.
Our Father who is in heaven. We pray to Almighty God, the Creator and Sustainer of life. He is our Father. Our Abba. We come as children to our Daddy. To draw near to Him. To rest in Him and know Him. Like a child waking in the morning and snuggling up close to their daddy, we come to Him and delight to be near. To breathe in His spirit.
Hallowed be Thy Name. Jesus shares his prayer requests, Dennis Fuque teaches. His first request is that we ask that God's Name be honored. Father, let Your Name be honored today. May Your Name not be used in vain. May it not be used as a curse word. May it be praised and lifted up in true worship. May we speak Your Name with sanctified lips and purified hearts. May Your Name be honored by my life. May You be honored in my family and my church. May our nation honor You once again.
Thy Kingdom come. Dennis teaches that this is the second prayer request that Jesus shares with us.
Ask God our Father to send His Kingdom. Come and rule and reign. "Let your Kingdom come down. Let your kingdom come now." The kingdom of God is a rule of peace and righteousness. A rule of justice and mercy. A rule of truth and love. Yes, let your kingdom come, Lord!
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. The third request. Ask God for His will, His perfect, holy, amazing, wonderful will to be accomplished here on earth. In heaven His will is always done and there is always rejoicing! There is always peace. There is always love. There are no tears. There is no pain. There is no sin or death. Yes, let Your will be done here, today, in me and in this world.
Give us today our "daily bread", our provisions, that You know we need. Jesus tells us to simply ask and trust that our Father "knows what you need before you ask Him". Just ask. It is in His hands.
"And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors." Jesus knows this is a tough one for us, so He gives a little more information in verses 14 and 15. "For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions." In Matthew 18 Jesus illustrates this further in the parable of the king who forgave his servant of a huge, impossibly large debt, but that same man refused to forgive a small debt from his fellow slave. When the king found out what had happened he called the man back in and handed him over to the torturers. "So shall My heavenly Father also do to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart." Forgiveness is a big deal to the Father. It is a big deal to Jesus too. It is why He came to die for us.
However, forgiveness does not mean forgetfulness. It does not mean that we automatically trust the other person again. It means only that we let go of the debt or the offense that was made. We consider that person to not owe us anything. Just as God lays aside our offenses and trespasses and considers us free.
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." We pray for our Shepherd to "lead us in paths of righteousness for His Name's sake." ( psalm 23) To keep us from the places where we are tempted to forget or to doubt Him. To keep us from the temptation of worry or unforgiveness. Or from going our own way instead of His. We pray that He will keep us from the lure of the evil one who desires to kill, steal, and destroy us.
These requests cover the most vital areas of our lives. The first 3 cover the area of our relationship with our Father. Honoring His Name, seeking His Kingdom, and submitting to His will. The next 3 have to do with our everyday, ordinary lives. We need food to live. We need forgiveness. We need His guidance and deliverance. We need to pray this way!
"For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen"
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Psalm 54 God, You are my helper. You are the sustainer of my soul. You deliver me from all trouble. I will give thanks to Your Name, for it is good. Father, thank You for hearing our prayers. For loving us and saving us from the punishment we deserve for our sinfulness. Thank You for changing us by the power of Your Might, delivering us from the dominion of darkness and transferring us to the Kingdom of Your beloved Son, Christ Jesus. May Your will be done, may Your kingdom come, and may Your Name be honored this day. Amen.
Matthew 6
Jesus has just taught the truth about righteousness...
True righteousness lets anger go. It lets fleshly desires go. It lets unfaithfulness go. It lets dishonesty go. It lets pride go. It lets vengeance go. It relies totally on being a son of the Father who is in heaven. Imitating Him Who is perfect. Perfect in holiness. Perfect in love.
This righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, for they know nothing about it.
They "practiced" their "righteousness" to be noticed.
They sounded a trumpet when they were giving alms, so that they would be noticed. ( v2)
They stood on the street corner or in the synagogue to pray loudly, so they would be seen. (v5)
They put on gloomy faces and neglected their appearance when fasting, so everyone would know that they were fasting. (v16)
They gathered wealth and prided themselves over their treasures, thinking this proved God's favor. (v19)
True righteousness, that which we receive from God, doesn't act in these ways.
Giving to those in need is done privately, without fanfare. The Father sees that and is pleased.
Prayer is personal and private, between you and the Father. Not just words repeated over and over, but real conversation, focused on what is vital to a life in Christ, to true righteousness in relationship with the Father in heaven.
Fasting is a private, personal commitment between you and the Father as you seek Him for a particular need or request.
Seeking spiritual treasure is much more important than earthly treasure, for it is eternal. This is what God really favors.
One life seeks the attention of men and receives their reward from men.
One life seeks the Lord and will be rewarded eternally.
One serves "mammon" - riches. One serves God.
Jesus calls the first group - hypocrites- play actors. He calls us to be real. He calls us to "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness;" and let Him provide all that we need.
For "your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him" ( v8)
Prayer is not a grocery list of what we think we need. It is entering into communion with the Father.
Using what we call the Lord's Prayer will help us learn how to do that His way.
More on that tomorrow.
Matthew 6
Jesus has just taught the truth about righteousness...
True righteousness lets anger go. It lets fleshly desires go. It lets unfaithfulness go. It lets dishonesty go. It lets pride go. It lets vengeance go. It relies totally on being a son of the Father who is in heaven. Imitating Him Who is perfect. Perfect in holiness. Perfect in love.
This righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, for they know nothing about it.
They "practiced" their "righteousness" to be noticed.
They sounded a trumpet when they were giving alms, so that they would be noticed. ( v2)
They stood on the street corner or in the synagogue to pray loudly, so they would be seen. (v5)
They put on gloomy faces and neglected their appearance when fasting, so everyone would know that they were fasting. (v16)
They gathered wealth and prided themselves over their treasures, thinking this proved God's favor. (v19)
True righteousness, that which we receive from God, doesn't act in these ways.
Giving to those in need is done privately, without fanfare. The Father sees that and is pleased.
Prayer is personal and private, between you and the Father. Not just words repeated over and over, but real conversation, focused on what is vital to a life in Christ, to true righteousness in relationship with the Father in heaven.
Fasting is a private, personal commitment between you and the Father as you seek Him for a particular need or request.
Seeking spiritual treasure is much more important than earthly treasure, for it is eternal. This is what God really favors.
One life seeks the attention of men and receives their reward from men.
One life seeks the Lord and will be rewarded eternally.
One serves "mammon" - riches. One serves God.
Jesus calls the first group - hypocrites- play actors. He calls us to be real. He calls us to "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness;" and let Him provide all that we need.
For "your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him" ( v8)
Prayer is not a grocery list of what we think we need. It is entering into communion with the Father.
Using what we call the Lord's Prayer will help us learn how to do that His way.
More on that tomorrow.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Psalm 55 Do you relate to David's prayers? I do. "I am restless in my complaint and am surely distracted." We prayed, but we feel like God has hidden Himself. David says that he feels "the pressure of the wicked" and his "heart is in anguish". He wishes that he could fly away and "be at rest". The worst part for David in this situation is that the one who is oppressing him was a friend,
"my companion and my familiar friend. We who had sweet fellowship together, walked in the house of God in the throng." Someone so close that they worshipped God together... to be betrayed by one so close is the hardest thing to handle. Makes me think of the kiss of Judas in the garden. He had been a friend of Jesus. They had eaten together and worshipped together. But then, a betrayal of the worst kind.
David says, "His speech was smoother than butter, but his heart was war; His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords." Can you relate? Yes, we all can. The world is full of smooth talkers....
So how does David handle this?
"As for me, I shall call upon God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur, and He will hear my voice. He will redeem my soul in peace from the battle which is against me... God will hear and answer them- Even the one who sits enthroned from of old." ( verses 16-19)
What does the sweet Shepherd whisper to him?
" Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken." ( v22)
Yes, we can "murmur and complain". I'm relieved! I have a tendency to do that. But the point really is what God does when we call on Him: He saves, He hears, He redeems, and He answers. Like David, we must learn to trust. Trust and obey. Trust Him in the small things and the large. Trust Him enough to let Him hear your murmurs and complaints. Believe that He will answer, that He will sustain you, that He who makes you righteous will "never allow" you "to be shaken".
Matthew 5: 21-48 Jesus has just made a shocking statement, " unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven." ( v20)
A surpassing righteousness? Those men were masters at keeping the Law, weren't they? How can anyone do better than that? Jesus teaches the meaning of true righteousness in contrast to the self-righteousness of the religious leaders of His time.
The Law stated "You shall not commit murder". ( The Pharisees justified themselves by convincing others to do their murdering for them.)
"But I say to you" Jesus stated, guilt begins with being angry with your brother, with calling him "Raca" or fool - good for nothing, foolish, empty-headed, stupid.
True righteousness includes reconciliation, friendship , restoration of relationships.
The Law stated "You shall not commit adultery"
Jesus stated, "But I say to you..." looking at a woman with lust in your heart IS committing adultery.
The sin is in the heart attitude, not just the outward act.
True righteousness is sacrificing your eye or your hand.. or your own lustful desires so that you might avoid even the thought of sinfulness.
The Law allowed a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce.
But Jesus said there was so much more that needed to be dealt with there. The only real reason for divorce that Jesus allowed was "unchastity" - adultery. ( a heart attitude or a physical action)
True righteousness is in a pure and chaste marriage relationship.
The Law called for men to fulfill the vows that they made.
Jesus says we shouldn't swear by anything, for we don't really have control over anything... it is all God's. He is sovereign in all things.
True righteousness is honesty in all things.. our yes is yes and our no is no..
The Law allowed for vengeance .
Jesus taught us not to resist. Turn the cheek, give the coat, go the extra mile, give to those who ask.
True righteousness is displayed in humility.
The Law said to love your neighbor.
Jesus said, "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
True righteousness is displayed in love.
True righteousness is only found in Jesus Christ. It is not in the keeping of the Law, but in the transformation of the heart. Only He can do that.
Thank you Jesus for taking my sin and giving me Your righteousness. It is only through Your power, Your resurrection power at work in my heart that gives me new life, Your life. Have Your own way in me Lord. Display Your true righteousness in my life by transforming me, renewing my mind and conforming me to Your will. I surrender all to You.
amen
"my companion and my familiar friend. We who had sweet fellowship together, walked in the house of God in the throng." Someone so close that they worshipped God together... to be betrayed by one so close is the hardest thing to handle. Makes me think of the kiss of Judas in the garden. He had been a friend of Jesus. They had eaten together and worshipped together. But then, a betrayal of the worst kind.
David says, "His speech was smoother than butter, but his heart was war; His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords." Can you relate? Yes, we all can. The world is full of smooth talkers....
So how does David handle this?
"As for me, I shall call upon God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur, and He will hear my voice. He will redeem my soul in peace from the battle which is against me... God will hear and answer them- Even the one who sits enthroned from of old." ( verses 16-19)
What does the sweet Shepherd whisper to him?
" Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken." ( v22)
Yes, we can "murmur and complain". I'm relieved! I have a tendency to do that. But the point really is what God does when we call on Him: He saves, He hears, He redeems, and He answers. Like David, we must learn to trust. Trust and obey. Trust Him in the small things and the large. Trust Him enough to let Him hear your murmurs and complaints. Believe that He will answer, that He will sustain you, that He who makes you righteous will "never allow" you "to be shaken".
Matthew 5: 21-48 Jesus has just made a shocking statement, " unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven." ( v20)
A surpassing righteousness? Those men were masters at keeping the Law, weren't they? How can anyone do better than that? Jesus teaches the meaning of true righteousness in contrast to the self-righteousness of the religious leaders of His time.
The Law stated "You shall not commit murder". ( The Pharisees justified themselves by convincing others to do their murdering for them.)
"But I say to you" Jesus stated, guilt begins with being angry with your brother, with calling him "Raca" or fool - good for nothing, foolish, empty-headed, stupid.
True righteousness includes reconciliation, friendship , restoration of relationships.
The Law stated "You shall not commit adultery"
Jesus stated, "But I say to you..." looking at a woman with lust in your heart IS committing adultery.
The sin is in the heart attitude, not just the outward act.
True righteousness is sacrificing your eye or your hand.. or your own lustful desires so that you might avoid even the thought of sinfulness.
The Law allowed a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce.
But Jesus said there was so much more that needed to be dealt with there. The only real reason for divorce that Jesus allowed was "unchastity" - adultery. ( a heart attitude or a physical action)
True righteousness is in a pure and chaste marriage relationship.
The Law called for men to fulfill the vows that they made.
Jesus says we shouldn't swear by anything, for we don't really have control over anything... it is all God's. He is sovereign in all things.
True righteousness is honesty in all things.. our yes is yes and our no is no..
The Law allowed for vengeance .
Jesus taught us not to resist. Turn the cheek, give the coat, go the extra mile, give to those who ask.
True righteousness is displayed in humility.
The Law said to love your neighbor.
Jesus said, "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
True righteousness is displayed in love.
True righteousness is only found in Jesus Christ. It is not in the keeping of the Law, but in the transformation of the heart. Only He can do that.
Thank you Jesus for taking my sin and giving me Your righteousness. It is only through Your power, Your resurrection power at work in my heart that gives me new life, Your life. Have Your own way in me Lord. Display Your true righteousness in my life by transforming me, renewing my mind and conforming me to Your will. I surrender all to You.
amen
Friday, January 31, 2014
Psalm 56 "Be gracious to me, O God..." The psalmist begins with an urgent prayer. It is a request for God Himself to stoop down, to bend down to us in kindness, to bestow favor, to take pity on us.
It is a prayer, a petition, a beseeching cry for the Most Holy God to come and help. It is an acknowledgment that although we are fighting as hard as we can...
That we are losing.
That we have been trampled.
That we are outnumbered.
That we are afraid.
But it is also a cry of faith! "When I am afraid, I will put my trust in Thee. In God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust. I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?" ( v3-4)
When fear and dread and terror come, we have a refuge. We can be confident and even bold and secure in the Lord, our God.
The enemy may :
distort our words
have evil thoughts about us
attack
lurk
watch our steps
wait to pounce on us, ready to even murder us
But God sees all!
He puts "my tears in (His) bottle" and writes it down in "His book"
"This I know, that God is for me." What a statement!
The God of the universe is for us! Make this statement of faith your own. Respond like the psalmist did.
Praise His Word.
Put your trust in Him.
Keep your vows to Him.
Render thanks to Him.
Walk before Him in light.. in truth and righteousness, in obedience to the Word.
"What can man do to me?"
Nothing that God can't take care of. He sees. He knows. He delivers. He is on our side!
Father in Heaven, how holy is Your Name! I praise You. I thank You for Your Word that lights my path. Here is Your will for us, plainly written out...trust You. Believe that You are for us. Help me to walk in this truth today. That no matter what the enemy tries to do, no matter what temptations he throws at me, I will KNOW that God is for me! Deliver me from the evil one, O God! He wants me to doubt You. To forget that You are on my side! O may I not forget. May I boldly proclaim in faith "In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid". Be gracious to me, O God! I need You every hour!
Thank You! Praise and honor and glory to our Mighty God and Heavenly Father.
Amen.
Matthew 5
You are the salt of the earth, Jesus tells his followers . You are the light of the world. Tasteless salt is worthless. Hidden light is useless. "Let your light shine before men is such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
What good works? What glorifies the Father?
In the next statement Jesus states that He came to "fulfill" the Law. To produce a righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees. Though they "kept" the Law, they never fulfilled it.
Only Jesus did that. And He calls us to that kind of righteousness. To the greatest commandment that sums up them all. "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself." ( Matt. 22:37-39)
The religious leaders prided themselves on their "keeping" of the Law. They were full of works. But they had no love. No love for God and no love for their neighbors. That only comes when we have come to Jesus. When we are "blessed" by : knowing we are poor, mourning our sin, humbling ourselves , being satisfied in Him.... By being transformed by His Word and Power.
Father, let Your light shine in me. Let the light of Your Love flood my life and bring glory to You!
Be glorified today!
Amen.
It is a prayer, a petition, a beseeching cry for the Most Holy God to come and help. It is an acknowledgment that although we are fighting as hard as we can...
That we are losing.
That we have been trampled.
That we are outnumbered.
That we are afraid.
But it is also a cry of faith! "When I am afraid, I will put my trust in Thee. In God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust. I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?" ( v3-4)
When fear and dread and terror come, we have a refuge. We can be confident and even bold and secure in the Lord, our God.
The enemy may :
distort our words
have evil thoughts about us
attack
lurk
watch our steps
wait to pounce on us, ready to even murder us
But God sees all!
He puts "my tears in (His) bottle" and writes it down in "His book"
"This I know, that God is for me." What a statement!
The God of the universe is for us! Make this statement of faith your own. Respond like the psalmist did.
Praise His Word.
Put your trust in Him.
Keep your vows to Him.
Render thanks to Him.
Walk before Him in light.. in truth and righteousness, in obedience to the Word.
"What can man do to me?"
Nothing that God can't take care of. He sees. He knows. He delivers. He is on our side!
Father in Heaven, how holy is Your Name! I praise You. I thank You for Your Word that lights my path. Here is Your will for us, plainly written out...trust You. Believe that You are for us. Help me to walk in this truth today. That no matter what the enemy tries to do, no matter what temptations he throws at me, I will KNOW that God is for me! Deliver me from the evil one, O God! He wants me to doubt You. To forget that You are on my side! O may I not forget. May I boldly proclaim in faith "In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid". Be gracious to me, O God! I need You every hour!
Thank You! Praise and honor and glory to our Mighty God and Heavenly Father.
Amen.
Matthew 5
You are the salt of the earth, Jesus tells his followers . You are the light of the world. Tasteless salt is worthless. Hidden light is useless. "Let your light shine before men is such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
What good works? What glorifies the Father?
In the next statement Jesus states that He came to "fulfill" the Law. To produce a righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees. Though they "kept" the Law, they never fulfilled it.
Only Jesus did that. And He calls us to that kind of righteousness. To the greatest commandment that sums up them all. "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself." ( Matt. 22:37-39)
The religious leaders prided themselves on their "keeping" of the Law. They were full of works. But they had no love. No love for God and no love for their neighbors. That only comes when we have come to Jesus. When we are "blessed" by : knowing we are poor, mourning our sin, humbling ourselves , being satisfied in Him.... By being transformed by His Word and Power.
Father, let Your light shine in me. Let the light of Your Love flood my life and bring glory to You!
Be glorified today!
Amen.
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