Month: December 2015

TRUST – We All Do, but in Whom or in What???


Spiritual Blog - Trust

Psalms 20:7-8 – “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. 8 They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright.”  NKJV

 

I had a person tell me once, “I have no faith in anything.”  I thought they were joking and laughed.  My laughter inspired such anger and it was then difficult to communicate and educate as to the fallacy of that statement.  We all have “faith” or “trust” in something or someone and none are totally devoid of faith or trust, as his statement suggested.

I have experienced losing faith in someone or something but every day I demonstrate faith and trust.  I trust the chair to hold me up when I sit down.  I do not think about it, I have experienced the dependability of the chair or chairs and now trust without question.  I trust the restaurant in which I order a meal to prepare it properly, maintain a certain level of cleanliness and sanity.  My trust may be and has proven to be misguided at times but my overall experience allows me to trust without giving it a second thought.  This is true in many areas of life.

I know some who are so distrusting of banks and other financial institutions they have literally buried their money or hidden it at home to insure its safety.  I know some who have become so cynical and distrusting of people they are unable to develop any meaningful relationships in life and are lonely and miserable.  I know some who are so trusting they are frequently taken advantage of but continue to trust time and again exposing themselves to hurt.

The Psalmist raised this issue that some trust their ability or possessions (chariots or horses) and the result is that things and self can and often do fail us.  The contrast was that rather than relying on the arm of flesh those of faith TRUST by remembering the Name of the LORD and rise and stand upright in the midst of difficulty and triumph.  The issue is not “Do We Trust?”  The issue is “Whom or What Do We Trust?”  God created in us the ability to trust otherwise we would never have turned to Him and received His mercy and grace.

Trust is easy to offer but once violated it is incredibly difficult to regain.  The words, probably Solomon’s in Proverbs 25:19 are applicable.  He says, “Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.”  I am sure that most have experienced a foot or other portion of their body which has become strained or sprained as well as having a toothache.  Those are incredibly painful experiences.  If you have a sprained foot or ankle walking is most difficult and if you have a toothache you can focus on almost nothing else.  Likewise placing confidence in someone who is unfaithful, untrustworthy and unreliable brings disappointment that is almost unbearable at times.  Man will fail but God will not.

So “who” or “what” do we trust?  I pray that we become like the Psalmist and remember the name of the LORD our God and place our confidence in Him.  God is completely reliable and has promised to NEVER leave or forsake us.  If He says it, He will do it.

            God bless you as you go through this day!

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BEING THANKFUL… But to Whom…


Spiritual Blog - Thankful

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – “Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  NKJV

 

             I have been concerned about the mindset of people, especially in America, for some time.  I read something recently that caused me to, once again, examine America as a Christian nation or as a nation that is truly thankful to God.  I still believe that the majority of Americans believe in God, the God of the Bible.  I do not know what percentage actually serve God with a whole heart but I do believe that based on what people believe, America could still be called a Christian nation.

I love history and value books like they were gold mines from which I can glean nuggets that are priceless.  Reviewing our American history I find that our first President, George Washington acknowledged his thankfulness and confidence in God unashamedly and without castigation by those demanding the mythical separation of church and state as a constitutional mandate.  In 1789 he proclaimed a “day of public thanksgiving and prayer” and implored the heavens to “pardon our national and other transgressions” while urging the citizenry to practice “true religion and virtue.”  He would probably be impeached and most assuredly censored today for such a proclamation and request.

In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln urged Americans to set aside the last Thursday of November as “a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”  Imagine that proclamation today and consider the outcry from the media, the leftist and activist.  Lincoln would have been ridden out of town on a rail but he was unabashed in his willingness to acknowledge God’s hand in the affairs of this nation and our need of His help.

President John F. Kennedy said, “More than three centuries ago, the Pilgrims, after a year of hardship and peril, humbly and reverently set aside a special day upon which to give thanks to God.  They paused in their labors to give thanks for the blessings that had been bestowed upon them by Divine Providence.”  He then quoted the Bible saying, “It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord.”   That was America of old, the America of my youth and I long for a return to that attitude in this nation, in our churches, homes, businesses and world.

I do not own, nor will I, this book but it is used in schools to teach our children about Thanksgiving.  The title is “The Very First Thanksgiving” by Rhonda Greene.  One review of the book said, “This is a beautifully illustrated picture book for young children about the original Thanksgiving feast but there is one caveat, this book nowhere mentions God, who is after all the reason for the holiday.”  The author carefully avoids mention of God in the presentation which is perfect for the politically correct who want to dismiss God from society.

Today we are witnessing an assault on the Christian faith and while we just celebrated Thanksgiving my question is to whom or what are people giving thanks?  Children today are told to be thankful but God is not mentioned in the equation.  It is time that we return to the basic principles of our faith and teach those under our care whom we are to be thankful too!  Sadly, we are, by our action or inaction, giving thanks to everything but God and that is tragic and disastrous.

God bless you as you go through this day!

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SEX CHANGES – Transgender and God…


Spiritual Blog - Sex Changes

Psalm 139:13-16 – “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.  14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.  15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.  And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.”  NKJV

             I am troubled with the hoopla over Bruce Jenner deciding he was truly a woman and going through the extensive effort to become one.  Truthfully, he cannot be a woman for his chromosomes remain the same before and after.  I heard a psychologist say that people who engage in this behavior have a mental health issue and I would not argue that.  This whole “transgender” fervor and the overt and covert declarations that God blew it in creating people troubles me deeply.

The question I have and until now have given it little public expression is:  “What will people like Bruce or Caitlynn Jenner say to God when they stand before Him?”  Will they tell God He blew it?  Obviously they believe He did so how do we square this type of behavior with the Bible?

David declared in Psalm 139 that man is “fearfully and wonderfully made” and that God knew our members, parts, gender, etc. before we were even conceived.  If we believe that God is Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent how do we reconcile the suggestion that He screwed up in creating us?   Bill Gothard said years ago that those particular physical characteristics in each of us were marks of ownership and a recognition that God did not make mistakes.

I guess if we press this to the limit we would have to question other cosmetic attempts to fix what God created in our human bodies.  Honestly, I do not know how to answer these questions although I have an opinion.  I have not thought, researched and prayed it through to the place of have a core conviction regarding some things.  I know in my own heart that since I am a Creation of God and God is Perfect I have to believe that He knew what he was doing in creating me flaws and all.  He made me a male, gave me the particular physical traits that I have and since He knows the end from the beginning I believe that He did or allowed it for a reason.

I was not created 6’5″ and while each of us undoubtedly, as some time, have questioned why some part(s) of our bodies were created as they were.  I have found in this inquiry that I understand some of them and others I simply accept.  Why are some members of the same family able to dip into the gene pool and have a full head of hair and others given to male pattern baldness?  There are so many physical traits that we could delve into but if we accept what God has created and focus on Him not some perceived deficiency in us we will be ahead in the game of life.

I am convinced that if I lament the abundance or lack in a particular physical aspect of my physical frame I will open the door to the devil to create an unhealthy condition in my heart.  I will be prone to question God in all things not just those particular things.  I will miss the reality and truth that I am ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ and my frame is His design as is my gender.

I really would not have the audacity or courage to stand before God and say “Sorry Father, but you blew it when you created me.”  We are told that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and if we do not like the temple can that spill over into not liking the architect of the temple?

I find myself looking at this matter and although I probably won’t give it a lot of time, I sense that we are going to be dealing with people in church and life who have questions that we need to have answers for.  I would ask that you examine your heart, search God’s Word and prepare to give answers to those who challenge and honestly inquire.  We are to be ready to give answer to every man for the reason of hope that is in us.  Know what you believe and why?

God bless you!

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THE POWER AND PROBLEM OF FEAR…


Spiritual Blog - Fear

1 John 4:18 – “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”  NKJV

 

The more I examine the words of Jesus, as found in the Gospels, the more I realize how powerful and problematic fear is in the lives of believers and non-believers.  Some have suggested that, in the Gospels, there are 125 times when the LORD issued something as an imperative.  He instructed us to “love others” and many other directives.  The number one theme in the Gospels is appears is found in a variation of the words “do not be afraid”, “fear not” and “have courage” which we find 21 times.

We know that LOVE is a central tenet of Christianity but the power and problem of fear is so great that our LORD focused on it more than He did love.  FEAR as John tells us in 1 John, “has torment”.  FEAR causes paralysis and encourages one to draw back, hold back or slink into the shadows in hiding.  FEAR keeps us from loving as God loves because we are afraid of being hurt.  FEAR makes the risk greater than the reward and immobilizes us causing us to draw inward and not let others get too close.

FEAR negates generosity highlighting the possibility of lack and creates a scarcity mentality which leads to a spirit of poverty and miserliness. If we fail to give freely and cheerfully we close the door to blessings in our lives.  Remember that Jesus said in Luke 6:38, “Give, and IT will be given unto you good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put in your bosom.  For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”  FEAR says, “If I give there will not be enough to care for my own family and needs” and thereby shuts the windows of heaven.

FEAR is contagious.  I have witnessed fear spread through people like a wildfire and a deadly disease.  FEAR, in a sense, creates spiritual amnesia and we forget the good things and the blessings of the LORD in our lives.  We forget to remember!  When fear takes over “security” becomes our god and we dare not venture outside our safe parameters.  We become hesitant and unwilling to venture out into the deep and cast our nets for the unknown brings horror to our hearts.  We cannot get out of the boat and walk to Jesus because of Fear.  FEAR negates faith and paralyzes potential.

FEAR is incredibly powerful in our human lives and Jesus recognizing the problem instructed us to guard against it and encouraged us to “look heavenward”.  He repeatedly promised to be with us.  The question is which will be most powerful in our lives, FEAR or FAITH?  The answer to that question is demonstrated in our actions not just our professions.

God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day He has created.

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WHERE COULD I GO???


Spiritual Blog - Where

John 6:61-69 – “When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you?  62 What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before?  63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.  64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” 

66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 

68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”   NKJV

  

James B. Coats of Summerland, Mississippi wrote a number of Gospel songs including the classic, “Where Could I Go But to the Lord.”  As with many of the timeless songs of faith Coats captures truth that resonates with virtually hungry heart and person desiring to find true spiritual freedom.

The song begins with the plight of man in the midst of a sinful world and the neediness of human beings.  The first verse also captures the visual that often we are facing the temptations and tempest of life with a sense of aloneness.  In that time of desperation many realize there is only one place to turn and that is God.  If we are needing a refuge for our soul, a friend to stand with us in all things and at all times what other source can we turn but God?

He continues to tug at our heart strings in the verse, “Neighbors are fun I love ’em everyone.  We get along in sweet accord, but when I face the chilling hand of death…”  In that time of facing eternity there is only one real source of comfort and strength and that is God.  He draws out of our emotions the joy of life with friends and the wonderful fellowship we have together but when the chips are down and the clouds roll in there is only one true source of strength and that is God.

In our text Jesus presented some difficult truths that caused many to realize the commitment was more than they were willing to make.  After he and the disciples witnessed the multitude turning away Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”  It is here that Peter uttered the words that are captured in this song.  Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”  Simply, “Where Could We Go But To You Lord?”

Life is sometimes like a peaceful sea and at other times like a raging tempest with the waves billowing ready to crush our vessel in its anger.  In those times of terror we realize that outside God there is no safety but we are sheltered in His arms and in Him there is peace that transcends human comprehension.

            God bless you and be with you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!

 

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IT IS NO SECRET WHAT GOD CAN DO…


Spiritual Blog - God

Ephesians 3:20-21 – “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”  NKJV

 

The Gospel Song written by Stuart Hamblen, “It Is No Secret What God Can Do” was recorded by almost every major recording artist a few decades ago and has been a favorite of those who love Gospel music for years.

Stuart Hamblen captured the hearts of many when he wrote this tune and the first verse identifies the reality of human failure.  It seems that with each passing day we are reminded again and again of our inability to hit the mark and how often we stumble in our walk.  In our own strength living the Christian life is an impossibility and something we should never forget.

In the second verse Hamblen reminds us of how often we long for strength and courage to face the daunting task of life that is before us and how easily we become discouraged.  His words are an encouragement as he declares, “Do not be dishearted for I have news for you.”   It is here that he begins the incredible reminder and source of powerful encouragement as he writes:  “It is no secret what God can do.  What He’s done for others He’ll do for you.  With arms wide open, He’ll pardon you.”  This reminder of God’s incredible longsuffering and tender mercy is so refreshing in our daily struggle to walk before Him and be perfect.

I love how Hamblen continues declaring that in God there is no night because He is light and we are NEVER alone.  The comfort that no matter where we are we are at home because we are IN HIM.  He then reminds us that we are more than conquerors through Jesus as he pens the words, “There is no power can conquer you while God is on your side.  Take Him at His promise, don’t run away and hide.”  Why?  Because it is no secret what God can do!  What He’s done for others He will do for you.  He stands before us with His arms of love and mercy wide open calling for us to “Come unto Unto Me.”

As Paul declares in our text, God is able to do EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY above all that we can think or ask!  Think about that!  Exceedingly abundantly ABOVE all not some but all that we can think, imagine or even dare to ask.  That is the God we serve and His power is immeasurable beyond all human comprehension.  That God does not operate in secret but has openly declared through the words of Jesus in Luke 12:32, “Fear not little flock, for it is My Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom…”   God is more desirous to bless us than we are to be blessed.

Remember God openly showers His love, mercy, grace, peace, protection and provision upon His children.  Stop living in fear and walk into His arms and receive from Him Life and that more abundantly!

            God bless you richly is my prayer!

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GOD UNDERSTANDS MY TEARS…


Spiritual Blog - Tears

Psalm 56:8 – “You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?”  NKJV

 

The imagery is powerful regarding God’s response to our tears, hurts, heartaches and/or sorrows.  He puts them in His bottle.  The suggestion is that your tears are so important to God that he keeps them as a constant reminder and then records them in His book.  That is such a powerful statement my heart melts when I read it and I tremble at the knowledge that God not only sees and hears but is taking steps to deal with our difficulties.

Someone said, “Laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and you cry alone.”  That is not true for the Child of God for as this passage records, God takes note of our tears so we are never alone.  We may feel that everyone on earth has forsaken us and no one cares or understands what we are facing and that might be true but God does.  He is carefully recording each tear, the cause and the remedy.

The wording of the Psalm suggests that God has “A” bottle and in that bottle he keeps the tears we cry as well as the tears of Jesus.  He lists them individually in his book and in due time will respond to wipe away our tears and bring us into his incredible joy.  The Psalmist tells us that “weeping last for the night but joy comes in the morning.”  Then we read in Psalm 116 – “For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.”   Wow! 

Remember what the writer of Hebrews declared about our LORD in 4:15, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”  We are then encouraged to “come boldly to the throne of grace”.  That place of grace is where we find mercy in the time of need.  Hallelujah!

The Isaacs sing a song entitled, “He Understands My Tears” that I will conclude with.

             “It’s hard to believe He still loves me

             Knowing how wrong I have been

             When all I can say is I’m sorry

             When all I can feel is my sin.

 

             He understands when all I do is cry

             He feels the hurt that no one can see down inside

             And when the words get in the way I know He still hears

             For He understands my tears.

 

             You may not believe that I’m broken

             For all you can see is my smile

             Oh but He hears the heart that’s unspoken

             And He gives me strength through each trial.

 

             He understands when all I do is cry

             He feels the hurt that no one can see down inside

             And when the words get in the way I know He still hears

             For He understands my tears.

 

             Oh when the words get in the way I know He still hears

             For He understands when no one else can

             He understands my tears.”

 

Yes and as you go through this day go knowing that no matter what you encounter you are never alone!   God bless you richly as you enjoy His day of salvation!

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MERCY NOT JUSTICE…


Spiritual Blog - Mercy

Psalm 51:1-2 – “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.  2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.”  NKJV

 

One of the reasons I love the Psalms is their directness and connectivity to the human heart.  This was probably written after Nathan the prophet went in to David to confront him over his sin with Bathsheba.

David did not hide from his sin for he knew that God knew and the weight of his guilt came crashing down upon him.  He recognizes that without MERCY he is doomed and therefore he cries out to God.

  • Have MERCY upon me.

He makes no attempt to justify his actions or blame anyone or anything else.  His simple request and plea is MERCY. 

  • According to God’s lovingkindness and mercy.

David, understood that God was and is a loving God more willing to forgive than condemn when genuine repentance was offered. 

  • Forgive, Blot Out and Wash Me.

His prayer was forgiveness, cleansing and restoration.

In the next verses the Psalmist cried, “I acknowledge my transgression, and my sin is always before me.”  He further states that his sin was, at its very foundation, sin against God.  Yes we sin toward others but the root of our sin is missing the mark and in so doing we hurl darts into His heart.  He goes further to identify the depravity of man, not as a justification for sin but a realization of his humanity and that without God’s mercy and help he could not walk uprightly before God.

Then in verses 10-11 we find the powerful cry that we should all pray:

“Create in me a clean heat, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast     me away from your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.”

If that were not powerful enough verses 12-13 declare, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.  Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.”

He never asked for JUSTICE that we hear so much about today, he asked for MERCY.  I do not want what I deserve I want what the Mercy and Grace of God will afford.

May God be with you as you live the beautiful day in Him!

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