Month: July 2017

I am thankful to God that everyone whether they are righteous, ‘do it by works’, wicked or a ‘fence sitter’, all are loved by Him.  It is only those that love God back and accept salvation from their sins through Jesus, and have His righteousness imputed to them, that can be claimed by God to be His true and faithful child.  Even before the life and death of Jesus, the Old Testament sacrifice of the lamb offering, symbolized Jesus, and imputed righteous covered the participating repentant sinner, when their obedient faith in God allowed them to be forgiven.  It could never be by their works or faith, but both are necessary and occur because the love of God is within.  It is dangerous to be a ‘fence sitter’, because there can only be two classes at the final judgement; the children of God and those who have not claimed God as their own and so cannot be claimed by Him.  Matthew 25: 31, 32 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.  All nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.” In instruction given by Jesus is found clarification that a ‘fence sitter’ cannot answer the call of Jesus unless they get off the fence. There are a number of texts in John 10, when Jesus refers to Himself as the Shepherd and sheep as being His own flock, John 10: 14 “I am the good Shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.”  Jesus does not claim the goats as His own, Verses 33, 34 “And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.  Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’” 

The inspired writers of the scriptures give a clear picture of how a person who claims to belong to God should live and conduct themselves.  It does not seem to be enough, to say ‘I am a good person’ and not follow the requests of God.  Matthew 25: 35, 36 “For I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.”  The righteous ones have not done these kind deeds to impress Jesus, but because they have His love in their heart.  Therefore they wonder just what Jesus means, until, Verse 40 “and the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”

Isaiah 26: 7 “The way of the just is uprightness; O Most Upright, You weigh the path of the just.”  Psalm 97: 10, 11 “You who love the Lord, hate evil!  He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.  Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.”  I can understand that to love God and be His righteous person; will be a blessing to other people.  It is a way of selflessness, just as was the way of my Lord Jesus Christ when on earth.

I thank You God, that I am accepted, directed and cared for as Your child.

 

Almighty God, I am so glad for another day of life, and to be able to greet Your day with delight; knowing that I will be blessed by You, as I set aside my heart and time to commune especially with You.  Isaiah 55: 6, 7 “Seek the Lord while He may be found.  Call upon Him while He is near.  Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God for He will abundantly pardon.” 

Times are troubled and darkness and oppression is upon many peoples and parts of the earth, as they become innocent victims of the wanton atrocities of narrowed thinking peoples against others, for their own purposes: as if they were objects upon a chess board.  2 Corinthians 4: 6 “For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” Verses 8-10 “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed-10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.” Almost from the beginning of the Bible, there are records of acts of violence of one group of people upon another group of people; it appears to be more widespread around the world, in these times.

The disciples and believers, that established the early Christian church, after the death and resurrection of Jesus, suffered much persecution.  All the disciples of Jesus were martyred, save John who was banished to the Isle of Patmos.  The apostles during privation and opposition, remained firm in their faith in Jesus, and did not give up bringing the good news of salvation to others; knowing that this body is mortal, and their hope was fixed upon another ‘land’. Verse 16, 17 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”

Strangely whilst some people are losing their lives, because they hold to their simple uncluttered belief in Jesus Christ, others in more affluent places, have become more intellectual in their approach to loving and serving Jesus; more prone, to excuse some behaviours. Contrary to what many think, divisions had threatened to divert the early church.  2 Timothy 4: 1 “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season.  Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” Even though a so called ‘feel good religious faith’ may seem more comfortable to us as Christians, the scriptures are full of teachings that uphold purity and a forsaking of ‘doing our own thing’ for simple and total obedience to the requests of God.  Verses 3,4 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”  Awaken us dear God, when we get caught up in any teaching or belief position, which turns us aside from where Jesus is found; ‘to fables’.

Because You love me and desire my undivided heart and love, I testify with the psalmist in Psalm 119: 10-12 “With my whole heart I have sought You; oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes.”

This morning it is my delight to reflect on how good it is to go to sleep thinking about Your love toward me throughout the day.  Of the times I felt in need and prayed, then strength and quietness came into my mind; when perplexity and threatening disquiet was there before.  To wake after ‘the sleep of the exhausted’, my thoughts arise to my God again, and naturally I offer praises and ask that I may walk with Him, all day in His care; happy in the assurance this gives me.  Psalm 73: 23 “Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. 24 You will guide me with Your counsel……… 25 Whom have I in heaven but You?  And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.”   I will not forget to cry out in bad times, Verses 26 “My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  28 But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works.”  These words echo in my mind today, for I have reached out and You my God have filled my questions and needs.

Today I cannot be silent and not testify about the all-encompassing goodness, love and care of God toward me and all who believe His promises, and I resolve to, move over and give Him my heart and mind.  Psalm 86; 10-13”For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God. 11 Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name. 12  I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Your name forevermore.”

No matter what wrong we have done individually, we read promises in the scriptures that give assurance, that Gods love toward us is everlasting.  I have observed and experienced that to stop there and not love Him back and comply with the written counsel for conduct and living, not only hurts ourselves, but all those around us as well.  It is only by committing and experiencing His love, and life lived His way, do we even begin to appreciate we have been missing the blessings  in store for each one of us. My thoughts are not new observations, and are found in Psalm 119: 2, 3 “Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart!  They also do no iniquity; they walk in His ways.” 

I wonder why so many of us do not heed the advice and testimonies of those who have gone before, and instead must walk in our own disaster first!  In humbling need, I sincerely seek God and to come closer, plus walk in His ways. Verses 10 – 12 “With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. 12 Blessed are You, O lord!  Teach me Your statutes.”

Dear God,

Thank You for my most precious gift; which could only be, Jesus Christ Your one and only sinless Son!  To have Jesus as my best friend and the One whom I have asked to direct my life, is of inestimable value to my conscious mind and in my unconscious reality.  I find that to read about Jesus and to give Him my life in fervent prayer is as important to the well-being of my mind and emotions, as food is to my physical body.  Even though I know I have much progress to make in being a true reflection of Jesus, I do not lose heart, because I am in His care, and I abide in His promises to be with me and to change me to be more like Him.  John 6: 48-51 “I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50 This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread which comes down from heaven, if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.”  I believe that Jesus not only spilt His blood and gave up His flesh for me, but for every person who has drawn breath on the world.  I gladly accept His sacrifice, and the relationship He offers through reading and embracing the inspired words of scripture.

David, Gods’ anointed king, testifies about what God meant to him, Psalm 63: 1-3 “O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for you in a dry and thirsty land where there is not water. 2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. 3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you.”  Any place that does not believe in God and uphold Him, is spiritually dry and water less.  In a building dedicated to God, He has promised to be present when He is truly worshipped, and I look forward, to being instructed and mightily blessed, when I worship there today: even though we will no longer see Your glorious cloud above the sanctuary, as was the case for the Old Testament worship.

For those who come together to worship God and support one another, in a home or church building, and come with a prepared, prayerful heart, they will be blessed by God and drawn closer to Jesus and each other.  As with any fruitful, pleasurable and God blessed experience, we desire to come regularly not just to receive, but to give to God and His people, love and commitment.  Psalm 84: 1, 2 “How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of Hosts! My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord, my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”

My God, fill all Your people who come to You in humility, love and worship, with Your Spirit.  I love the observation given by the psalmist in verses 3,4 “Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young- even your alters, O Lord of hosts, My King and my God.  Blessed are those who dwell in Your house they will still be praising You. Selah

Thank You for hearing my praises and prayers.

 

Bless my soul and all that attends me, Oh my Father God.  I have contemplated my life and endeavours, and know that I have often gotten caught up in ‘the doing’, instead of relaxation, because I love to be active and achieve my ideas and goals.  Though life circumstances and inclination dictated against achieving great wealth, to have enough for comfortable living, has been important; and taken up considerable physical strength and focus.  I realize in the end, it is not whether we possess or achieve much that matters, but more it is our gratitude and joy in what we have, that nurtures relationships and brings enduring contentment.

Last night I watched a program that illustrated the replacement of a derelict girl’s school dormitory, with a very basic new weather tight one.  Then there were pictures of the small one roomed mud huts in which each family lived in the surrounding villages.  Over and over again, the helpers said, the girls and families were so happy and content, even though their houses were dark and they had so few possessions.  Obviously, the helpers were speaking from their perspective of coming from commodious dwelling places, with plenty in the wardrobe, pantry, shed and garage.  God blesses some people with wealth, who do not become caught up in them, or lured away from loving God and their fellow man.  But for every such person, why so many others who cannot handle much wealth, with balance and fidelity? The scriptures have much direction from God, on what really matters for His each beloved person.  1Timothy 6: 9, 10 “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 

Are, so now I see, that it is not the wealth and the possessions in themselves, that are necessarily the snare to my focus and integrity, but what and who has my heart, and total endeavour.   An all absorbing focus on money and possessions can be the problem for a poor man, as well for anyone on up to having extreme wealth.  Jesus was discussing what a man must consider, to truly follow Him, and said, Mark 8: 36, 37 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”  These questions are answered by another statement from Jesus, Matthew 6: 21 “For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.” 

King David had known a life of little wealth and prestige, as well as the reverse, with much wealth and prestige. Except for a few falls from grace, he had maintained his balance in life and devotion to God, whilst commanding the army and ruling Israel.

Because of the perpetual pace and input into our life and minds these days, it is profitable to refocus on loving God, and give Him praise in all stages and circumstances in life, in which we find ourselves.  Psalm 40:16, 17 “Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let such as love Your salvation say continually, ‘The Lord be magnified!”  But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinks upon me.  You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God.” 

Dear God, I have been lifted up by contemplating you, and have found the answer to my needs for every level and area of my body, mind and soul.  In the strength given by You, I will faithfully endeavour to always maintain a relationship with You, as the ‘treasure’ in my ‘heart’ and essential component in my daily functioning.  Psalm 42: 1, 2 “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.  When shall I come and appear before God?”

Amen and Amen.

 

In this part of the world, as with many other places, it is easy to know that the blessings from the Lord are abundant.  There is usually some type of fruit on the trees, in commercial and home orchards.  So like me to think of fruit trees and gardens!  Also the blessings of the Lord come to all areas of our mind and physical body; which is why Paul and others could praise God for their blessings, even while they were in hardship and prison.  To have such inner contentment,  can only change our whole attitude towards life, individuals and God Himself.  Please fill me with your praise and joy, my Father God, for then I will look for Your blessings, and the opportunity to be happy and sing songs of thankfulness. Proverbs 10: 22”The blessings of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.” 

In line with the old adage, ‘all things come around’, and ‘give and double blessings will return’, so goes the message of Jesus recorded in the Bible.  Luke 6: 38 “Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.  For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Verse 45 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil.  For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”  There have been people down through history, which were known for their selfless giving of themselves and means, and everyone loved and revered them.  They truly revealed the love and glory of Jesus Christ; which is wonderful to see and experience, especially when interacting with another, whether a relative, friend or far acquaintance.  Through the power of Jesus, I plan to become more loving considerate and selfless, in my desire, to love and help others.

Psalm 16: 8, 9 and 11 “I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.  Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope.”  11”You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” This Psalm is such a beautiful example of the good mental and spiritual health and happiness that comes to a life dedicated to living in contentment, peace and harmony, with an attitude of thankfulness to the Lord, God Almighty.  It is through the loving actions of Jesus, that we can travel on the ‘path of life’, enjoying His companionship, in the expectation, of a heavenly home with Jesus and countless angels.

I love you Lord, and know that you will come again soon. I remember Your promise, to assist, all who ask to know you intimately, and who endeavour to do your tasks, because they love You more than anything on this earth.  Please grow me spiritually so that I reflect You, as a true image, in Your total love.

It is good to take in and reflect on the fact, that all our actions and the way we live each day, will affect others here on earth and have individual, personal, eternal consequences.  Matthew 6: 19-21 ”Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  When we have lodging and sufficient healthy food, it is fruitful to be satisfied with Gods gifts and with our honestly earned means, and so reap peace of mind, and  general well-being of body and spirit.  Jesus Himself said, Luke 12: 15 “And He said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in abundance of things he possesses.” 

I wonder if any of us really understand the far reaching havoc that is wrought to personal relationships and upon world affairs, by allowing feelings of envy and jealousy to take hold, and ferment through.  When really analyzed, envy is based upon the  elevating of self, and most often leads to insinuating slurs toward others.  Someone who indulges their envious thoughts, will tend to belittle another, thinking to exalt themselves.,  The need to hear personal praise and be built up, has often become very important, so when another is praised, it,  ‘cuts them to the quick’.  Envy is the off spring of pride, and when entertained, does not lead to internal or outward peace, along with good will toward certain others.  Envy is often the basis of hatred, cruel deeds, revengeful plans and actions, murderous thoughts and sometimes murder or arranged killings.

Surely no one, wants to stay emotionally bound up, and reap much personal unhappiness, as well as affect others near and far, so drastically?  The Bible has much to say about envy and jealousy, with the effects thereof.  James 3: 14 – 16 “But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hears, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.”  Strong words indeed, obviously these problematic human attributes are not new in human relationships.

It is evident all around us in the world, the result of actions based on pride, jealousy and envy upon relationships.  It is also easy to understand, that emotionally envy leads to intense, non-peaceful thoughts , jealousy, fractured relationships and deep unhappiness.   Surely over a period of time, such intense feelings and the stress of it all, must impact the physical health of the body, significantly.  Proverbs 14: 30 “A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones.  Amazingly modern s science supports such statements in the Psalms and Proverbs and has found that the bones are impacted negatively by poor mental and emotional health.  Proverbs 27: 4 “Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, but who is able to stand before jealousy?” 

The humble loving Jesus, gave such a different example, than the envious or jealous person, and spoke and wrought peace, through word and deed, based on selfless love.  How He must long for every person on earth to follow His example of loving, selfless living!  Philippians 2: 3, 4 “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” 

Dear God, I pray that my natural sinful, selfish self, does not manifest itself so often, and instead more of the attributes of my loving Saviour, Jesus are manifested.  1Corinthians 13: 4 “Love suffers long, and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up.” Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit so I can be increasingly filled with all His gifts.

Today I begin by pondering the power and greatness of God Almighty, for His ways are past finding out, by the finite mind of mankind.  Psalm 40: 5 “Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which you have done and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them.  They are more than can be numbered.”  It is a wonder of the Gods instruction, that Job knew about and named star constellations in the heavens, thousands of years ago; whilst he gave testament about the greatness of God the Creator.  Job 9:9 “He made the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades………….”  Verse 10 “He does great things past finding out, yes, wonders without number.”  The Holy Spirit is never seen by human eyes, but His interventions are known by us; and He was the Father of Jesus, by ways unknown to us.  Verses 11, 12 “If He goes by me, I do not see Him; if He moves past, I do not perceive Him. If He takes away, who can hinder Him?  Who can say to Him, ‘What are You doing?’”  Many writers in the Scriptures have formed a close loving relationship with their God, and have written very often about the deficits of the fallible human mind to understand fully all things pertaining to God and creation.  Romans 11: 33 – 35 “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past find out! 34 ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord?  Or who has become His counselor?  35 Or who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to him?’”

Every parent who really cares about their children, and themselves live on the right side of the law, plan for their own children to stay out of trouble with the judiciary and live happy fulfilling lives. Every Christen parent wants their children, to also stay in a close and loving relationship with God and His Son Jesus.  King David, was anointed by God to be king of Israel, also wanted no less for his children, and spoke to his son Solomon along these lines, when he was about to be crowned king in his stead. 1 Chronicles 28: 9”As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts.  If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.” 

Because King David had followed God’s instruction’s, and subdued the hostile nations around Israel, he was not given the task of building a permanent temple for worship, in Jerusalem.  Verse 6 “Now He said to me, ‘It is your son Solomon who shall build My house and My courts, for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his Father.’”  However God had given David the plans for the temple and he had collected and donated much of the building materials.  Solomon was a young man not schooled in how to build the magnificent, huge temple; and the task must have loomed as a large almost incomprehensible project; all of which his father understood,   Verse 20 “And David said to his son Solomon, ‘Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God–my God–will be with you.  He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.” 

The precious words of encouragement delivered by Solomon’s father, had originated out of his long personal experiences with his God; and are for us all, this very day.  All we need to do is to say yes to God, and place our God given life and plans, in the care of Jesus, and He will direct our path, and sustain us along the way.  Solomon, in Proverbs often refers to God, being wisdom, and about the enduring ‘fruits’ that come from following the way of God Almighty.  Proverbs 10, 11 “Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold; for wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.” Verse 32 “Now therefore, listen to me, my children, for blessed are those who keep my ways.”

I have accepted You, Jesus again this day, and rejoice in the knowledge that you never forsake me, and will always direct my path and sustain me, because I have asked.  Amen