Believers in this World have Protection from this World - Psalm 26-26

Psalms 25:1-3 "To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.

This is a trio of Psalms to read after a bad at work. After you have been pushed, doubted, defamed and deflated, these three Psalms echo God's providential care and His unending expressions of love to those who love Him and seek Him. The first three verses of twenty-five bears this out. David cries out to God for vindication in 24:5 and claims it in 25:1-3. He knows the only hope he has in life for protection from the world is in his hope in God. David rejoices in the midst of trials and difficulties becuase he knows the One in Whom he trusts. He knows that God will make him to stand and not be shamed and that God has the power and will to put to shame those who persecute him. This may be speaking of many times in David's life but his inter-personal battle with King Saul certainly bears out the truth of what David believes. Saul was put to shame. David was vindicated. When he was forced out of Jerusalem because his son rebelled and took the kingdom, David was vindicated. These are very much Messianic Psalms as we see Jesus under persecution and suffering but eventually vindicated. Those who fear God and trust God have no reason to fear being put to shame. We will be vindicated and God will put our enemies to shame. Live your life like David and echo his words in your prayer: Psalms 25:20 "Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you."

Larry Levite: A "Pastor" with a Monthly Maintenance Program - Judges 17-21

I love the story of Micah, the young man who steals money from his mother; he gives it back and she makes him an idol out of it he can set up in his bedroom to falsely worship. The story of Micah is the story of most religion people in today's society. Micah had a "shrine," sacred religious "clothing," and he even "consecrated" one of his sons to be his personal priest. But, then something better came along. A Levite, struggling in his own life to fulfill the real meaning of worship and purpose, comes to Micah's house. Micah makes an offer to the Levite he can't refuse: "Be my personal priest and I will clothe you, pay our wage and "maintain" you. The priest was going to have a monthly "mantenance" program similiar the arrangement we might make with the pool guy each summer. The Levite was Micah's personal guru. Never intended in Old Testement commandments, the Levite was translating his blood line into cash flow. He would be able to provide "worship" to Micah and his family and live safe and secure with a wage. (By the way, the Levite was supposed to receive no wage or land and was to live off the offerings of the people - thus tying their prosperity to the obedience of the people). When a better offer comes along later, the Levite takes it, thus demonstrating his desire for personal prosperity over Godly obedience. Not much has changed in today's "priesthood." We all, a Holy Priesthood (see 1 Peter), tend to follow the easiest path and the path of comfort in our worship and service. Discomfort in worship makes us ... uncomfortbale. So, we complain about the beat of the music, the tempeture of the church and/or the length and directness of the message. We are willing to move from one place of service to another for more comfortable surroundings and more "opportunity" to be served by a broader batch of ministries "for us" to receive. We are not better than "Larry Levite" who shops his service for a "Lazy Living."

Posturing is what we do in the flesh not in faith - Genesis 32-35

Jacob is terrified to meet with his brother Essau. He should be. With his mother's help and Essaus selfishness Jacob swindled both his brother's birthright and blessing of his father. Because of thie fear (lack of faith) Jacob sends a gift and distributes his possesions in a way to demonstrate to his brother God's blessing in his life, his new social status, his strength and his ability to negotiate, should that be needed. Essau, in return comes to meet him and brings 400 of his armed men. Essau wanted to show Jacob he, too, was strong and possessed strength and status. It is what today's society would call, "posturing." When you are in the moment of the flesh you posture. You have to set yourself up in the eyes of others so that they have a reason to "believe" you, "respect" you, and/or, in this case, "fear" you. Because you are not trusting God you have to use possessions to bring on psychological impressions in the minds of your foes. In faith you simple believe God is for you and you don't have to posture. In faith we don't worry about our possessions we worry about who possesses us. In faith we allow God to make impressions in our foe and not our own strengths. Posturing is for the weak. Faith is for the strong.

Do you satisfy the hunger or others or yourself? Romans 15-16

People are hungry. They are hungry for lots of things. Their "appetite" is often clear and they attempt to please it (Romans 16:17-18). That is how Paul ends this section. He warns us to stay clear of those who only want to statisfy their own appetities to please themselves. But, Paul begins this section in 15:1,2 with an admonishment to "bear" with those in the faith and not "please oursleves" but to satisfy the needs of others. Outside of avoiding specific sins in our lives isn't this the hardest of all Christian duties? We are to propell ourselves into a life that is duty focused "on others." I believe, becuase this is such a tough rigor of Christian faith, that is the reason Paul uses Christ as the example for our fulfillment of this duty in 15:3. Since Christ took on our weaknesses and sin and infirmeries, we, too, ought to take on the struggles and self-pleasing hungers of others and not try to "please ourselves." We can only do that because Christ did it and because He is living within us. We, in fact, can't do it. It must be because of what Christ is doing in us through the ministry of the Holy Spirit; which is what Paul previously wrote and outlines in Romans 7:4,6 and chapter 8. Evidence of faith and the Spirit's work in our lives is the ability to know that Christ is working through "by loving others through us." We are the conduit for Him to express love. That love takes on the look of pleasing others rather than pleasing ourselves. That is when you know you are loving and when you know God's love is flowing through you but the ministry of the Spirit. When you love others to the extent you are bearing them and pleasing them over yourself you know you are experiencing Spirit filled love.

Do you and your freinds recognize and honor Christ's authority? Matthew 20-22

In chapter twenty-one of Matthew we read that the religious leaders of the day wanted to know "by what authority" Jesus healed people and performed miracles? What is odd about their question is the fact that most commom people in that day (and ours) who observe a miracle tend to think God is involved in some way or another. Therefore the answer would seem a little obvious. The religious leaders should have recognized that Jesus was fulfilling every Old Testement Scripture they had attached to their robes and, hopefully, their minds. Jesus, rather than answering them, ask them by what authority John the Baptist performed his baptisms. They, of course, so fearful of the people, decided not to answer (they would allow the fear of the people to cripple them again in 21:46). The reason Jesus asks them about John the Baptist was not to deflect the question about His authority but to demonstrate His authority and provide His answer. It was at the Baptism of John that Jesus was blessed and approved by God with an audiable voice that others would hear. God, at that moment, granted Jesus "authority." If that wasn't enough to demonstrate Jesus "authority" to the religious leaders, He also uses Scripture and Tradition. In 22:45, 46 Jesus asks the religious leaders His own question. He asks, "Why does the Scripture say that King David would call the Messiah 'Lord'?" The answer, which would reveal both the authority of Jesus and that Jesus was therefore the Messiah, was that the only reason for King David to call the Messiah "Lord" would be that the Messiah would come through King David and be greater than King David, or, God. King David had more authority and honor than anyone in the Jewish mind. So, if Jesus was doing things that God was pleased with and King David called Him "Lord" than the people of the day ought to recognize His authority. Jesus has the authority over the world around us and the world in us. Our failure to recognize His authority is Pharisaical at best. Jesus, by God's approval and will, has been given complete authority. When men reject Him and His rule in their hearts it is because they want their own rule. We are to recognize His rule in our lives. In every aspect of our lives.

God's Word outlast it all - Isaiah 40-44

In this section God begins with declaration of who He is and what He wants to do for those who trust in Him - He wants to Comfort them by providing us a Savior. As He unfolds this theme (the entire theme of the Bible) with a broad statement about God's Word lasting forever. In 40:8 Isaiah writes, "The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever." Comparing it His Word to the grass of the field is not necessarily a large comparison in our minds. Grass withers. We all know that. But, the contrast is not how great God's Word is over grass. The comparison is how brief the grass of the field is compared to how enduring God's Word is. One is so brief the heat of the day can scorch it. On the other side we have God's Word that will never fade. When we put our trust in the creation as opposed to the spoken Word we do ourselves harm. We lean upon God's Word we are safe and secure in our lives. God has give us the promisses of His Word as an enduring and trusted shield. We need to rest in them. We are to stop trusting in the temporal and rather relax in the eternal faithfulness of His Word.

Can you trust what you oberve and/or hear? Job 15-17

God has put Job in a very special place. Although we can "assume" it happened again, we have no story quite like Job's in all of God's Word. If you "observed" or "heard" about Job and you were living in his day you would make some valuable assumptions about "why" this is happening to Job. Even in our day it is not unusual for people to make a false judgment about why something is happening to someone else. We almost always assume they have down something and some sort of "karma" is coming back on them. There are times we hear, "Oh, how tragic, they didn't deserve that." In this section Eliphaz is once again confronting Job and he is taking issue with Job's declaration of that he is righteous and this is "undeserved." In 15:17 Eliphaz tells Job he is going to share with him what he has "observed" and been told from the past. We often rely on past observation to confirm current beliefs. And, now that we have Job's story, we, too, can rely on this observation to make future decisions in regard to sin and suffering. But, Eliphaz has never seen what he is seeing. He is simply going on what has happened in the past and this is a new past. God is doing something great here in Job's life and Eliphaz has no understanding or any knowledge and experience with it. Observations of the past can be reliable but they don't leave room for God miraculous acts in the present. When Jesus beaconed Peter to come to Him on the water Peter would never have left the boat if he would have relied completely on the past. Israelites would never cross the Red Sea if they relied upon the observations of the past. God's redemptive story (the Bible) is to show others a grand story that is not based upon observation of the past. Christ's coming again won't be believed if all you have is observation from the past. God is a revealing God. Therefore, obervation of the past can't be your only tool to determine what is happening now or in the future. You have to give room to God to act in life to create a new history based upon the promises and integrity of His Word.

Before God can save, you have to recognize your in trouble - Psalm 21-23

In these three Psalms we have a great picture in the redemptive story of the Bible. In these three chapters we have the writer (David) seeing the fallen state he is in and the need of a Savior (a Savior to be born from his seed). The problem with most people is that they know they have some defects but don't sense they have to be saved. They know they have a few "issues" in their life but nothing so serious they can't "work" through it. In the following verses we see the real theme of these three chapters in graphic form:

Psalms 22:20-21 "Deliver my soul from the sword, My only life from the power of the dog. Save me from the lion’s mouth; From the horns of the wild oxen You answer me."

David sees four possible terrors he needs to be rescued from: The Sword; The Dog; The Lion; and, The Wild Oxen. Each has the power to kill and/or to inflict harm. Each has the power to send him to his grave. David cries out to God for "deliverance" and that is what these chapters are about. Today we have a society who doesn't see the sword, dog, lion or oxen. We only see minor issues facing us and think our man-made remedies will save us and cure us. But only God can deliver from real harm. The Lord will deliver those who cry out to Him. That is the lesson from these verses and chapters. God Saves ... do we know we need it?

From women to hairless to the Hall of Faith - Judges 12-16

Samson is you and is me. Samson is one of the best examples of God using failed people to accomplish great missions. Samson had a propensity toward sexual desires, boastful plaitudes and anger outburst. Yet, in Hebrews 11 we see his name listed in the famed Hall of Faith. God used Samson to accomplish great things in His plan for the nation of Israel. God uses people like Samson. In our weakness, sin and lack of purpose. God changes us to use us. At the end of this story of Samson we find Samson betrayed, blind and broken. He stands in the midst of his enemy ridiculed, but ready. Stationed between the equivalent of the "corner pillars" of the palace Samson destroys God's enemy (and himself). Even in the broken part of life God finds a way to use us. Perhaps when we thought we were finished and could no longer be used or wanted by God, He finds a way. Samson comes to God in faith and is used to accomplish his final mission. Death is not a constraint to our service for God ... it could be our avenue to service.

God uses previous experiences to prepare us for new adventures - Genesis 28-31

There is a principle of Scripture that could be summarized as follows, "You Become what you Behold." The story of Jacob is a great example of this principle worked out in a life. Jacob was "not" a man of the field. In earlier chapters we read that Jacob was rather a "soft" man, living in tents and not of the field (Genesis 25). When Isaac, his father wanted to give the blessing to his brother Isaac told his brother to go out into the field to kill and animal. Rebekkah helped Jacob simply take a sheep from the flock. Jacob was not known for his "manly" prowess. So, when we read of his story at the well and his first encounter with is wife to be, Rachael, we understand the above prinicple. He notices all of the "flocks" coming to the well at the wrong time (being gathered together) and notes it is "note time" (29:7). Despite his being a man of tents, Jacob had observed much in his life about herdsmanship and it had produced in him the skills necessary to be a good shepheard. Hence the principle, "you become what you behold." In this case, God used the skills he beheld in his youth to later outfox his father-in-law, Laban. Moses was in the wilderness for 40 years prior to leading the nation, through the same wilderness, for 40 years. You become what you behold. David practiced daily the protecting of sheep with his sling. He later kills Goliath with it. You become what you behold. Jacob became a product of what he beholds in Laban ... Laban was a trickster and Jacob becomes one, as well. So, we should be careful what we behold.

Don't judge God's servants! Romans 13-14

After all the deep, deep and mysterious doctrine of Romans 1-11, it is great to get to the practical outcome of it in chapters 12-16. Last week, in chapter 12, we discovered that we are to practice love with our brothers and with any evil doers. Since our reading program breaks up the flow of these chapters it is good to call to memory that Paul meant for us to hear these truths in their entirity. So, as we see that we are connected by Christ's blood with our brothers, Paul tells us that we are governed no longer by law but by love. And, that love works itself out in our treatment of one another (13-14). Paul even goes to the extent that we don't "judge" our brother. In 14:4 he tells us to "not judge another's servant." What a marvelous concept for us to grasp in our day-to-day lives. My brother in Christ is Christ's servant! Who am I to judge Christ's servant? We are not to make judgments on Christ's servants for to "His own Master" he stands or falls and hi master "is able to make him stand ... and he will stand" (this last phrase is a reference to Christ completing the work in us to the very end). When we look at our brother or sister and think judgmental thoughts we are judging Christ's work in that person's life. We are judging Christ! Christ is at work in each servant's life and we are to allow Him to do the work and not inflict our judgment. Stop making judgments of your brother. You are both servants of Christ.

God demands we forgive others from our hearts - Matthew 17-19

Forgiving others may be one of the hardest things Believers do, if not the hardest. In the end of Matthew chapter 18 we have Jesus own words on the concept of forgiveness. He actually states that if we "don't forgive others 'from our hearts' our Father in Heaven will do the same to you." The illustration given by the Savior is that of a rich man who forgives one of his slaves a great amount and then the slave doesn't fogive someone who owes him a small amount. The analogy is quite clear for us. We are to fogive others, from the heart, simply because God has forgiven us. We have no "right" or "standing" to hold others to their sins and not fogive, since we too have sinned and are in need of forgiveness. But, the believer has the possibility to forgive someone, whereas the non-believer has no moral framework to forgive. When then non-believing world forgives they have no place to "put" the offense they are forgiving. In order for forgiveness to be true the offense has to be "paid for" to be truely forgiven. Otherwise there is no justice. Forgiveness absent justice is not forgiveness. It is ignoring the offense. There is some earthly merit in "ignoring" but that is not true forgiveness. The reason the believer can forgive "from the heart" is because we know that the offense (theirs and ours) has been paid for by the death of Christ. Since Jesus paid the penalty for the offense why am I withholding my love and forgiveness from them? I can forgive them, completely from the heart, because the offense has been delt with "justly." My flesh may struggle with "feelings" of forgiveness, but I am not to forgive them because I feel like it. I am to forgive with an action of the heart that is based upon Christ's finish work and forgiveness of them. That is true forgiveness.

God even directs the weeds in the cracks! Isaiah 34-39

Have you ever passed by a business no longer in existence? What once was a gathering place of the masses is now the house of the haunted. What was once clamor, shinny, and sparkling clean is dirty, dingy and dark. Windows are broken where displays once titillated. There is total devistation. This is the same scene we see in Isaiah 34. Zion (Jerusalem), because of the sins of the nation of Israel, will be laid desolate. In 34:13 we read that thorns and weeds will come up through the cracks in the foundation. Animals will rule where once Saul, David and Solomon ruled. In fact, in 34:16 we read that God's Word will direct the animals and the weeds to conquer the city that Jesus will one day be crucified. God controls even the weeds that pop up through the cracks in the sidewalks! He controls the wild animals (not so "wild" really) as He directs them to conquer this beloved city. We should never forget that it is God who controls the destiny of men, of animals and, yes, of even the weeds in the cracks on the sidewalks! God's Word directs His creation - is that so hard to believe? The Potter can direct the Clay the way the Potter wants. If He has that much control (and he does) over these things, what control does He have over your daily events? Over your plan(s) for life? Are you willing to let the weeds in the cracks bend at His will but not you, the pinnacle of His creation? God sent His son to redeem His creation - all of it! But, we are the center of that redemption. Can we rejoice in what He has planned for us today, even if might be weeds in our cracks? God is in control and has a marvelous plan. If the weeds and the animals obey His Word so too should we.

Is there hope? Job 14

When we forget that Job was probably the first book written we fail to realize what early revelation Job had. He had no cannon of Scripture to reveal to him the greater truths of God, as we do. In chapter fourteen we read about Job's primitive but deep doctrine of future things. In 14:14 he asks a great question? He asks, "If man dies, will he live again?" If we fail to see the depth in the question we only have to think of today's society. Our society today, with all the depth of a kiddie pool, is obsesed with entertainment and fulfilling their life with happiness and fun. Job, who is in the middle of a crisis with no apparent health care plan, stops to ask the question all men should ask, in any age. It is shocking how many of today's youth and fast-paced-go-getters are not concerned with events after their death. God is in the process of condemning the world and offering salvation and man stands by and lets the train of salvation leave the station while they down anothe six-pac of pleasure. Job apparently sees a "change" coming because he says he will "wait, until my change comes." He may not have known all the particulars of Christ's future ressurection for man, but he had faith in knowing that God was going to so something. He already confessed that he was mere grass and would pass away. He was willing to trust God with is hope of the future without knowing the particulars. He asked the questions and readied for the answers. Today we skip the questions and ignore the answers. God has promised a great ressurection to us. We have hope of life ever-after. Rejoice in knowing what God's plan is. Have the faith of Job and know your future is in His hands.

Do we dare pray this? Psalms 18-20

Psalm 18 is a Psalm we pray when we are in trouble; in a tight place and have enemies on all sides. In expressing himself to God, David prays the following: Psalms 18:20 - "The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness; According to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me". What would our lives be like if we prayed this way? What if we asked God to bless us "according" to the righteousness we portray? Of course, since we are clothed with the righteousness of Christ (believes according to Romans 5-6) we can pray that and expect good things. That is our positional righteousness. We are positionally, in Christ, righteous before God. But, what if our blessings each day were dependent upon our "practical" rigtheousness - our day-to-day rigtheous living out of our positional standing in Christ? Would we find blessing from God? And, in fact, that is how some of our earthly blessings to come - through our practical, every day walk. When we are practicing our positional righteousness every day we are obeying His Word and carrying out His will - that leads to natural blessing (Psalm 19:11). When we are disobey His Word and disregard His will we reap what we sow (18:24). So, do we dare pray this prayer today foroursleves: Bless me accornding to my "practical" righteousness? We can't be righteous apart from Christ's indwelling Spirit - for even our righteousness is as filty rags - but the point stands. God bless those who do His will. Even if we are positionaly righteous we can't expect practical blessings if we are walking with Him each day. Our purpose is to match our practical walk with our positional standing before God - that is our daily purpose. Do we dare pray David's words?

What to do when God says you don't need more! Judges 6-11

In this story of Gideon we have insight into how God works with His people and what He really wants to accomplish. You can't read God's Word very long without discovering that God wants us to trust Him for EVERYTHING! He, of course, wants us to trust Him for our salvation. But, He wants us to trust Him for ever provision, our strength each day, our vision for the future, ... for everthing. God wants us to trust Him and will often send a thorn to our side to make sure have to trust Him (2 Cor. 12:7). These truths are spoken of much in God's Word but never so exemplified as with this story of Gideon. Gideon starts out with 22,000 men of war to fight against the Midianites. He is already facing a large task since the enemy was already much bigger. However, God wants Gideon to completely trust in Him. Using some unusual methods God trims Gideon's army down to a mere 300 solidiers. Not only does He take him down in bodies God gives Gideon the weapons of a torch and a pitcher. How would you go to war with these resources? Gideon would want more but would receive less. We all think more is the answer to our defeating the enemy in our life. But, with God, the answer is not more resources, but more understanding of the character of the God who called us. As it is in this story Gideon, despite the few troops, allows his heart to be puffed up and forsakes God. But, the story teaches us that God doesn't need us and can accomplish a great thing with just a few of faith. Jesus told the Pharisees that God could raise up from the stones those to worship Him and therefore don't think to highly of yourself (Matthew 3:9). Remember, God is in the process of striping us of our relying on anything but Him. The next time you think you need more ask, "More of what?" What we really need is just more understanding of who He is and what He can do! He can do a lot with 300 pitchers and 300 torches.

What do you do when your friends question your faith? Genesis 24-27

In chapter 24 Abraham is concerned that his son, Isaac, will take a wife from those in the land and thus violate the covenant he has with God. So, he instructs his servant to go to the land he left to find a wife for Isaac. The servant, either out of curiosty, seeking further instructions, doubt or intrigue, asks, “Suppose the woman is not willing to follow me to this land ; should I take your son back to the land from where you came?” How do you respond to those around you who ask you the reason for the "hope that is in you?" Peter tells us to always have that answer (1 Peter 3:15). Abraham immediately points the servant to the sovereignty of God. God wants us to trust Him for everything. So, Abraham makes sure the servant is equipped to do the job he was asked. If you are going to solicit others to help you in your personal (or professional) life you should make sure they are not only equipped with the parameters of the job but also the Person behind the job. Teaching others about the sovereignty of God is key in making sure we surround ourselves with those committed to the same thing we are committed to. The servant goes to the land of Abraham's birth and actually prays a prayer for help from God, fully trusting in the sovereign God of Abraham. Surround yourself with those who believe what you believe and educate those who don't.

Do you worry about "acceptance"? You should! Sorta! Romans 12

Everyone seems to have a different method or mission in regard to be "accepted" by others. Some will go to eany length to "fit in" or to get othrs to "accept" them. Some view themselves as "mature" and therefore not needing anyone's acceptance - there is a feeling that this is the mark of maturity. Others simple "don't care" what people think and go on with their life in the way they want; disgarding others and living on the Island of Disconnect. With all these different quests perhaps we should let Romans 12 give us direction. Which one is the correct mind set or mission? In Romans 12:1 and 2 we read that we are to "present our bodies to God as living sacrifices, because this is our 'acceptable' duty in worship." Paul adds in the next verse that we are to renew our minds so that we can find what that "acceptable" and perfect will of God is. Later in 14:18 we read that their is a way we can find ourselves "acceptable" to God. Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:10 that we are to always be discerning to "prove what is acceptable" in our lives for God. However, before we move into a life of "I have to prove myself to God" we have to remember that God has already placed us into the Beloved and "accepted" us based upon Christ's sacrifice. So, we are both accepted (Positionally) and yet need to seek God's acceptance (Practically). God wants us to yield to the ministry of the Holy Spirit who is producing fruit in our lives, to show us what is "acceptable" to God. By living a life that is discern what is acceptable to Him we will find ourselves acceptable to others. We need not concern ourselves with being accepted by others as long as we are searching and yielding to what is acceptable to God. Whatever the view of others on seeking approval, believers are told to find approval in submitting to God's will through the ministry of the Holy Spirit who renews our minds.

Are your eyes on the wind or on He who causes the wind? Matthew 14-16

Matthew 14:30 - "But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” The story of Peter walking on water is intriguing. As a person who lives the majority of the year on water, anyone who "walks on water" gets my attention. We could be crticial of Peter but, other Christ, he is the only one I know who walked on water. Elisha made an axe-head float on water (2 Kings 6). Moses saw water stop flowing in sea and start flowing out of a rock (Exodus 4 & 17). Jonah had quite an experience under the water (Jonah 2). But, as far as I know, Peter is the only person who wasn't God to "walk on water." Yet, his experience was shorten not because of his weight, science, or his gate. His legs sank because his eyes wandered. Peter lost the opportunity of a life time because he feared the wind more than the fear of God. He assumed he was not supposed to walk on liquid. Yet, God's power has constantly demonstrated His control over water. But, Peter's eyes saw life through natural eyes rather than spiritual eyes. Like Peter we make the same mistake. We see diseases through our natural eye rather than through our spiritual eyes, even though we have constant examples of God healing others. We see money problems through natural eyes rather than through spiritual eyes even though we have constant examples of God providing for others. We see mountains in front of us as real mountains even though God majors on mountain climbing as we use spiritual eyes rather natural eyes. Do you see the wind or the God who controls the wind. Walk on water today! Use your spiritual eyes.

God longs to bless us! Isaiah 29-33

Isaiah 30:18 - God Is Gracious and Just Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him. This verse is such a wonderful statement of God's redeeming grace. If it were written alone, in a book by itself, it would be more than wonderful to behold and empowering to believe. It stands as a marker of God's character, mission and purspose toward us. However, the verse does not stand in solitary. It is planted in the midst of warnings and judgement and condemnation of Israel for her sins and her silence toward God. What makes these words about God so powerful is that they stand in contrast to the context in which they are written. Like a white mark on a black wall God's grace and love and forgiveness is painted agains the black, dark and rebellious sin of Israel. To find this verse in the midst of chapters 29-33 is like finding an osasis. Like a lilly pad in a stinky swamp we read about God's grace and His compassion. For the believer today it is 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." What a blessing to know that God, in the middle of pronoucing judgement demonstrates His love toward His people. If you read 30:18 you should be struck by God's love. If you read the verses before it and after you have to stand in amazement of who He is toward us and what we really deserve. We don't deserve His compassion. We don't deserve His blessing. Praise God for His character toward us.

God reveals the answers to life - Job 12-13

Once again Job is both defending himself to his accusers and vindicating himself toward God; wise in regard to the former but foolish toward the later. In the process of doing so he spends some time in the later part of chapter twenty-two dewelling on God's character. (If her were to stop there it would be great.) In Job 12:22 he gives us some great words to meditate upon today. God reveals the secerts of life: "He reveals mysteries from the darkness and brings the deep darkness into light." This entire section is full of great truths to calm our hearts and challenge our minds, but knowing that God reveals deep things to us is truly a provoking thought. Paul tells us at the end of Romans 11 about the depths of God's revelation. He gives us some insight into God's mystery in one of the most glorious sections of God's Word in Ephesians 1. Moses tells us in Deuteronomy 29:29 that the "secret thigs belong to God." God is the revealer of mysteries. He is the holder of mysteries. He alone knows the secrets of life. We have so many "philosphers; psychologists; and politicians" who believe they know the mysteries of life. But, if they "stumble" onto anything worthwhile at all, it is because God has decided to use them as a tool or voice for His revelation. Develop a personal relationship with the Revealer of Mystries. Meditate today on Job 12:22.

How to pass God's test(s) - Psalm 15-17

In this section we have some very powerful phrases. One that is on the top of my list is found in 17:3 and reads as follows: "... You have tested me and You find nothing ... ". I placed a note along this phrase in my Bible that asks the obvious question: "Who can say that? Can I say that?" I wish! When God comes to test (and He will and He does and He is) what happens with us. In our minds we think the test is mulitple choice questions we can't answer or essay questions we can't compose. In reality the word means when God comes with fire to refine us. The word for "tested" here is a word for "smelting" or "refining." There are several verses in God's Word that speak in regard to God's testing us like silver or gold are tested (refined) - Job 23:10; Psalm 66:10; Zech. 13:9; 1 Peter 1:7. In each of these passages we are told that the test or refinining is for the purpose of producing what God is trying to produce in us: Shape us into His image. He created us in His image and than Adam's sin caused the image to become marred with sin. Through His Son He is refinning us into His image, which was the original purpose. To be in the position David finds himself (You tested me and you find nothing) you have to have a union, by grace through faith, with Christ. In that union our refining (testing) is still blazing hot but it is through the comfort of the Holy Spirit and through His guidance and perfecting work. It is through the shapping of the brotherhood of Christ that this testing takes on a "refining" process. God is producing gold and silver in us and with us. As we submit to His refining process we can then, and only then, say with David, you have found nothing. God tests us and finds nothing when He sees us through the Blood of Christ and in His Union. Allow the daily difficulties of life to refine you. It is a way for God to shape us to His image. It is His purpose for us.

Form a Partnership to fight sin - Judges 1-5

In Judges we have the story of Israel conquering and settling in Canaan, the promise land. Joshua had died and his last word from the Lord was to execute justice and don't show kindness. However, what we read in this section is that the nation failed to execute justice. They allowed the enemy to live in their midst. As a result God gave them over to the sin of the land. It produced The Cycle (fall into sin; cry for deliverance; God sends a judges to deliver them; they rejoice in that deliverance for awhile; they fall into sin; repeat; repeat). It is too bad they fell into the cycle when they began so good. Like most of us we can begin good but it is the finish that matters. In 1:3 we see Judah being the first to attack the enemy (the enemy is the picture of sin in our lives). Judah asks Simeon, his brother to help in the fight. Simeon agrees, as long as Judah agrees to help him fight his enemies later. Judah agrees and does (1:17). The two of them have success against their common enemies. Ecclesiastes tells us that "two are better than one" (4:9). We seldom ask any one to help us fight sin in our lives. We are too proud and too captive by the sin to ask. We might do it as we fight the sin of gluttony (to lose weight) but we seldom do it for our secret sins. God has given us brothers to help us carry the weight and to defeat the sin through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. When we fail to defeat the sin God can, and often does what He did to Israel: release us to more sin until we cry out for deliverance. Why not avoid that and ask a brother to partner with you in regard to defeating sin in your life? God gives us brothers for that reason.

God will stretch our faith - Genesis 20-23

In this section we have one of the great stories of the Bible that gives all who read it pause. Abraham is asked to sacrifice his son, Isaac. We shutter to think of doing that, however, before focusing on what that teaches us about faith and God, remember: God sacrificed His son for us. We may feel conflicted over this but God's sacrifice of His son is no less of a conflict. You may ask, how could Abraham even consider offering his son. It should be noted that the companion passage to look at this is found in Hebrews 11:17-19. In Hebrews we read that Abraham had "reasoned" that if he killed Isaac, God would raise him from the dead. Abraham's faith was a working faith. It was an active faith, not a passive-I-will-just-trust-God-and-pray faith. Abraham could do this because God had just promised in the preceding chapter that Isaac would be the son who would produce children for Abraham (21:12). But, there is more. In chapter twenty-one Hagar and Ishmael are sent away. How could Abraham do that? He sent them into the wilderness, alone? He could do that because God had just told him that Ishmael would be a great nation as well.. So, when he sent them away he believed in God's promise and he believed that God would do something to protect them. Here again is an active and computing faith, not a passive and dormant faith. God stretched his faith in chapter 22 but Abraham was excercising his faith in chapter 21. God strecthes our faith. That is why in 22:1 we read God "tested" him. The little things we believe in (chapter 21 and Ishmael) give us the abiltiy to stretch our faith in the great things (chapter 22 and Isaac). Beleive God's promises and "compute" that when you do He will do something really big. Here he protected Ishmael and he provided a sacrifice in place of Isaac.

God's promises don't fail; even if I fail to believe them - Romans 9-11

In this section we have some of the deepest and strongest theology in all the Bible. The subject of God choosing some to be saved and some for destruction is a great mystery to us (Romans 11:25). I would not attempt to explain or solve the mystery in a 300 word devotional. I remember years ago talking to someone about the subject and asking them what they thought of this section, especially chapter eleven. His statement was honest and blunt (and, I think how most people probably handle the issue); he said, "I try not to read chapter eleven. I have a very hard time believing it is ture." That would be funny if it weren't so seriously wrong. But, it simply illustrates what Paul is saying in chapters nine and ten. In 9:1-5 we read that Israel had rejected God's word and therefore were rejected (although he goes on to say a remnant will be saved). We might think, since they did not believe, something was wrong with the promises of God ... they failed to convince them to believe. However, in 9:6 Paul writes: "But it is not as though the word of God has failed ...". God's word (His promises) don't fail simply because we refuse to consider them, read them, ignore them or don't trust them. You can stick your head in the sand all you want but God's Word is still true and still strong and still the avenue to faith (10:17). My friend can "not read" a section of the promises all he wants. It still stands as God's Word. God has given us His promises and we gain more faith the more we believe them, despite their logic or their ability to fit into our finite minds. God's promises are real and stay true even when we fail to believe them. And that is something to praise God about.

Wisdom has children and they tell a story - Matthew 11-13

In Matthew 11:19, Jesus makes a claim to demonstrate to the religious leaders of they day that His means, message, and methods would someday be seen by others and "vindicated" or "justified." In 11:19 we read, "Yet, wisdom will be vinidcatd by her deeds." In other versions the same text reads, "Wisdom will be 'justified' by her children." The word in the text "vindicated" or "justified" is the same word used in Romans to tell us we are "justified by grace through faith." We often look for wisdom in young people and in adults. We want to see if they have wisdom or if they possess wisdom. In this passage Jesus personfies wisdom and let's us know that wisdom will prdouce children and those children have a story to tell. Godly people, who are filled with God's Spirit, will produce fruitly wisdom that others will soon see. You can't hide wisdom. It finds a way to express itself. It bears fruit like the tree rooted in the riches soil. Wisdom's children will speak well of their parent. Wisdom's children will let all know that Godliness is within. So, when you seek wisdom, remember that others may not agree initially with your direction but will eventually see the fruit. Wisdom's children will tell the story.

God gives peace to the steadfast heart - Isaiah 23-28

This is an interesting section of Isaiah. It has a large pool of lessons from which we can drink. In chapter 26 we read this wonderful passage

Isaiah 26:3-4 - “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock.

These words fall in the middle of God pronouncing judgment and discipline. Hearing these words is like being in a building where the fire alarm goes off and everyone scrambling for safety, but you hear a voice that says, "If you stand firm by Me you will be okay!" Think of that. You smell smoke, fell heat and see flames, but, because you are next to the Voice, you are fine and have perfect peace. Think of Peter walking on the water in the midst of the storm. His steadfast look at Christ kept him above the water. His looking around caused him to sink. Think of Daniel. His steadfast look at God kept him free from the Lions. Or, his three Hebrew friends, who found themselves in the fire with Christ. A steadfast mind produces a mind of peace. God is our "everlasting" rock and we have only to trust in His care to experience His peace. It should also be noted, however, that peace is a gift from God, accornding to this verse. It reads, "You will keep in perfect peace." You don't get peace based upon circumstances. Peace is not the absence of war, or bad situations. Peace is the presence of God in your life. God remains in the life of those who have a steadfast look at the Savior. If you lack peace don't look at the circumstances around you look to Him who is within you.

Your friends think, "Believers have no problems!" - Job 11

For many years I have written about Job and his friends in a devotional type setting. I have often penned (typed) that Job's friends are "right in their doctrine but wrong in their application." I stand by that statement but in Zophar's case I am not so sure. Zophar does say some things in the excellent chapter about the character of God and reminds Job of some important truths (that are pure in doctrine but disfunctional in direction towards Job's problem). But, in the later part of this chapter Zophar makes the same mistake non-believers do about most believers in their lives. Zophar tries to tell Job that if he only were to act righteous He would find that life would be good and "bright as the noonday sun" (v. 17). He tells Job if it wasn't for his sin "darkness would be like morning." Here is the problem many non-believers have with Christians and our faith: Christians do suffer and are not called to a life with no pain. Too many people think that once you come to Christ your life will be on easy street and each day is a picnic. There is one thing for a non-believer to say that but quite another for believers to believe that: But they do. God did not promise us ease; He promised us forgiveness; freedom; and fellowship. Let's not fall into the trap that non-believers set for us. Christ did say we would suffer in this world, as He suffered. Abraham wandered "as in a alien world" (Hebrews 11). Noah was mocked (Genesis 6). Daniel was imprisoned (Daniel 6). Paul persecuted (Acts). So, the next time we are in suffering, like Job it may not be because of sin. But, the unbelieving world will think that. However, you and I must remember that God uses these circumstances to produce mature followers for Him (James 1).

God's Word is tested and true - Psalm 12-14

Psalm 12:6,7 - The words of the Lord are pure words, As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times. You, O Lord, will keep them; You will preserve him from this generation forever.

These words ought to come in the welcome packet for each new believer. When we come to Christ we ought to get an owner's manual for our new faith and life and these two verses ought be inscribed in gold on the outside of the folder. Walking with God by faith is complex to many but simple to the Man of God in Pslams. Walking with God by faith is as simple as taking God at His Word and believeing in it and acting accordingly. God has spoken and we are meant to respond in faith. Romans tells us that "faith comes from hearing the Word of God" (Romans 10). In Hebrews 11 we read all the things the "famous ones" did by acting in faith at God's command to them. They didn't question God's Word they simple obeyed it. This verse tells us that the reason we can trust God's word is because it has been purified like silver. His word is purified by His character. Since God is pure so too must His Word be. And, by the way, new believers do recieve an owners manual upon new birth ... It is His entire First addition of His Word!