Thursday, September 27, 2012

"The Strength of My Heart" Ps 73:26

Our despicable heart that would spit in Gods face!!!

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Ps 73:26

The number of times I sin daily is astronomical! How about you? Do you war with that old sinful man/woman who fights against the rule of Jesus Christ in you?

Take courage friend!

The Lord Himself is our strength! This is why our salvation is something we cannot lose because it isn't about our ability to hang on, but about His!

It is Jesus, our Savior, Who supports our despicable heart that would rather spit in Gods face! He satisfies the Fathers wrath that was against us having taken all that wrath on to Himself. Only He could have done that, we were never able to satisfy the Fathers holy will.

He is our portion forever! It is Jesus Who has made us holy before God so that no matter how many times our hearts fail we can turn to Him and receive His pardon and grace. It is He Who holds our sinful hearts in His hands appeasing the Fathers anger by interceding for us daily in heaven.

Who do we have in heaven? We have a powerful, loving Savior Who guides us and will bring us to Himself after our fight on earth is over. He is the strength of our hearts.

Friday, September 21, 2012

"Why People Come to Jesus"

Why don't more people come to Jesus? Are people who follow Jesus more privileged? Did we get lucky when we choose to follow Him? Why is the cross so intellectually offensive? A Christian can see how wonderful Jesus is, why can't people who are very clearly lost? Are Christians actually smarter than non-Christians?

First Corinthians 2:1-5 shows us that the Apostle Paul understood his preaching would not win anyone because of his brilliant rhetoric. He knew only one thing: the gospel as unfolded in Jesus. He knew that worldly wisdom was unsuccessful at converting anyone. He still used all persuasive methods available in that culture to move people to Jesus, but in the end Paul knew that the cross was foolishness to those outside of Jesus.

So what made the difference? What was it that converted the lost? It is the unfolding revelation of salvation provided by God through the work of Jesus.

But what makes the gospel message uniquely different? It is a work of God, not of any man, lest we boast of our salvation. God chooses the foolish things of the world to transform people so that we can see it truly is unique and only a work that God can do.

The best arguments in the world can be powerful, but it is the Spirit of God working through the preaching messenger that changes a persons soul, that removes the blinding veil from their eyes, that quickens their spirit to desire a relationship with Jesus.

People come to Jesus because God has ordained that the message spoken be the means of awakening.

Monday, September 17, 2012

"Theres A Lion Outside?" Proverbs 22:13

"The sluggard says,'There is a lion outside; I will be killed in the streets!'" Proverbs 22:13

We laugh when our small children are to tired to clean their room, but mention ice cream and they coming running!

We humans can make up some pretty good excuses to get out of doing something we do not want to do. This verse in proverbs was always a mystery to me until faithful teachers of Gods word taught me its meaning.

Lazy people will make up amazing excuses to get out of work, even saying there is a lion outside. That's like saying, "a jet plane could fall on me today so I better not go out."

One of the great lessons from Proverbs is: work hard and don't be a sluggard! Sluggards make ridiculous excuses.

"How close is the Lord?" Ps 73:21-28

Do you have confidence in Jesus?

How do you view your position with Jesus? Is He close or stand-offish?

Read Psalm 73:21-28. Make a list about God: how is God described? What does he do for the writer?

Now look at the psalmist: where is he positionally with God - near or far? What was his life like before God took his hand? How is God in relationship with the psalmist?

Now, make this passage a prayer. Speak it to God as worship and thanksgiving.



Friday, September 14, 2012

"So as to Believe" Matthew 21:23-32

Read Matthew 21:23-32

To believe Jesus is to obey Him.

Which son did right? The obedient one.

Which sinner did right--prostitutes or religious leaders? Prostitutes.

Jesus didn't care about promoting his authority, He cares about those who just believe.

Christians love to talk about belief but were we fail is in our obedience.

There were two Christians, one who talked the talk about belief and one who walked the talk with obedience. Tell me which one is of the faith? Faith without works is dead.

If you truly obeyed Jesus what would your life look like?

"Joy in Justice" Proverbs 21:15

"The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, but is terror to the worker of iniquity." Proverbs 21:15

Justice usually come after one in authority hands down a sentence for a perpetrator to be punished.

Justice may not come as we would want it to, but it will come. When all men stand before Jesus, He will be the Just and the Justifier of all.

Those who are righteous have joy in justice because their complaint has been heard and their case stands open before a wise and all knowing and just God. Those martyred saints in Revelation 6 cry out for the blood of those who killed them because of their hatred for Christ.

God Almighty, will enact justice.

Those workers of iniquity may have gotten away their whole lives with their acts of cruelty and viciousness, but the day will come when a holy fire will burn off the dross and reveal all.

Which person will you be?

Read Proverbs 21:1-17 and weigh yourself on the scales of justice. Better to do it now while there is mercy available in Jesus.

"We May Not See Our Sin" Psalm 19:13

The book of Numbers calls this sin, "a high hand," a flagrant sin that has become such a normal part of one's life that it reeks of arrogance and pride.

Should we not be praying the previous verse, Ps 19:12, "Who can discern his ways? Acquit me of hidden faults."

Many times we cannot even see our sins, it may take an objective person to point it out. And never discount Gods use of such means of grace - another person! They may be just whom God has sent.

Cry out to Jesus even now to show you your "high handed" sins. He who raised His two hands and received the nails is able to prevent your sins from ruling over you.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Psalm 19:7 "Restoring the Soul"

The law of the lord is perfect restoring the soul. Ps 19:7

It's easy to trust the new testament with just such a statement. But the old testament?

Yes! Absolutely!

Yes the "new" reveals the "old" but the "old" holds the keys that unlock so much of the "new."

Don't neglect the "old", it is all inspired by God and profitable.

Read Psalm 19 before heading out today.

James 2:17-26 "Are you really alive? Prove it!"

So many people talk of hypocrisy in the church. People talking like this are usually those on their way out the door or those who won't return to church.

Those of you without hypocrisy, go ahead and cast the first stone.

If your faith is really alive prove it by your works. Show me you can forgive your child's rapist, show me you can admit to being wrong, show me by loving me even when I tell you I've committed a grievous sin.

Show me by not leaving the church when things don't go your way and instead seek to confront lovingly, humbly, and mercifully.

Your faith without works is DEAD. Do we get that? Dead. Christ has not taken up residence in your life if your works aren't consistent with Christ's works! Not the healing, feeding 5000 type of works. The dying on the cross asking the father to forgive kind.

You are alive in Jesus? Prove it!

Read James 2:17-26.

Prov 19:24-29 "Am I truly listening?"

"Reprove one who has understanding and he will gain knowledge." Prv 19:25

These verses teach us that failing in listening causes a person to be a shameful and disgraceful person.

Only but injustice, lies, and punishment await those who fail to listen.

Remember that Proverbs teaches over and over that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (19:23).

Are you truly listening? To Gods word, to Gods authorities over your life, to Gods gift to you in the people around you?

Read Proverbs 19:24-29

Pro 15:1-17 Hows your tongue?

              Proverbs 15:1-17

15 A gentle answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable,
But the mouth of fools spouts folly.
 A soothing tongue is a tree of life,
But perversion in it crushes the spirit.
 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
But the hearts of fools are not so.

How's your tongue?

What is it spewing?

Do your words bring healing or hurt

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Psalm 19 "Perfect World"


Psalm 19 - Perfect World and Word

19  
1 The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard.

Whether we acknowledge it or not the heavens are shouting the glory of God.  

When you look around at your world do you see the Great Creator of all?

 They have no voice (v.3), yet the day pours forth speech (v.2), and the night reveals the knowledge of our Creator God (v.2).  

Thank Him for this perfect creation today!