My Time is Not My Own

Psalm 31: 14-17a
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

"14But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD, I say, "You are my God." 15My times are in Your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me. 16Make Your face to shine upon Your servant; Save me in Your lovingkindness. 17Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I call upon You;…"

While my times are in God’s hand, what I do with my time is a choice God leaves up to me. Life is so full of choices. I can choose to sit and watch, or I can choose to play in the game.

I picked up a book today entitled, THE JOURNEY FROM SUCCESS TO SIGNIFICANCE by John C. Maxwell. The book is full of quotes. One that is worthy of note is the following quote by Gail Sheehy: “If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we are not really living. Growth demands a temporary surrender of security. It may mean a giving up of familiar but limiting patterns, safe but unrewarding work, values no longer believed in, relationships that have lost their meaning. As Dostoevsky put it, ‘Taking a new step, uttering a new word is what people fear most.’ The real fear should be the opposite.”

When the psalmist prayed “deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me” he was probably referring to those who wanted to kill him physically. Our prayer today may need to be that God protect us from the enemies that steal our time, and therefore our abilities to use the time, that God has given us to be significant in the life of someone else.

Am I willing to take a new step or utter a new word, placing my trust in God, rather than hiding behind my fears?

The Dawn of a New Day

Psalm 30 (NIV)
1 I will exalt you, O LORD, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
2 O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.
3 O LORD, you brought me up from the grave; you spared me from going down into the pit.
4 Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name.
5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

What is it about the dawn of a new day that brings hope when life is throwing us a curve? Living in a rural area, we have a great view of the eastern sky. When I do get up early, I walk to the road to pick up the newspaper. On many days the combination of sun and clouds create some magnificent reminders of the artistic talents of the God of Creation. And if I think about it, no one but me has the exact view that I do. Somehow a beautiful sunrise can help clarify my perspective on life.

There were times at work when the chemical plants for which I was responsible had problems and they seemed to pick the nights to do this. Going to work in the middle of the night, half asleep, was never fun. No matter how bad the problems might be, I was, in most cases, happy to see the light of day.

When life is in a “night” phase, we have difficulty imagining that “day” will come, so, how am I to act when the “day” arrives? David suggests in these verses that we sing, praise God’s name, and rejoice. This sounds like true worship if we are careful to give God the proper credit.

The Voice of God

Psalm 29 (NIV)
1 Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.
3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.
5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning.
8 The voice of the LORD shakes the desert; the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the LORD twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, "Glory!"
10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.
11 The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

Reading these verses brings to memory the privilege our family had to spend about 2 weeks in the mountains of Colorado for several summers. One of the things we enjoyed was sitting in our rented cabin and listening to the thunder roll through the mountains. It was not quite as enjoyable to be on a hiking trail when a storm arose and the lightening began to strike nearby. Twisted oaks and fallen trees reflect the forces generated by wind and water through hurricanes and tornadoes.

The forces of nature are a reminder of the power of Almighty God. The voice of God can be mighty. It can also be a gentle whisper as it was when God spoke to Elijah. We are to hear it in whatever form it comes.

More Thoughts on Waiting for God

Lamentations 3: 19-33 - The Message (MSG)
"19 -21 I'll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, the poison I've swallowed. I remember it all—oh, how well I remember— the feeling of hitting the bottom. But there's one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:
22 -24 God's loyal love couldn't have run out, his merciful love couldn't have dried up. They're created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over). He's all I've got left.
25 -27 God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It's a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God. It's a good thing when you're young to stick it out through the hard times.
28 -30 When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don't run from trouble. Take it full-face. The "worst" is never the worst.
31 -33 Why? Because the Master won't ever walk out and fail to return. If he works severely, he also works tenderly. His stockpiles of loyal love are immense. He takes no pleasure in making life hard, in throwing roadblocks in the way:..."

Note what is said in these verses about waiting for God:
1. God is faithful
2. “God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks.”
3. It is a good thing to hope quietly for God through the hard times
4. Pray and wait for hope to appear
5. Don’t run from trouble
6. God’s love for us renews itself every day
7. “…the Master won't ever walk out and fail to return.”

How long should I wait? How about until the Lord returns?
James 5:7-8 (NASB) “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.

Being patient and waiting for God obviously requires that I begin to view my life from a perspective not my own. I must begin to view life and its issues from a God perspective and that is something I can't do on my own.

Why is Waiting So Hard?

Psalm 27:1, 14 (NASB)1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?
14Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD.

I find it interesting that David begins this psalm with the bold statement that he has nothing to fear because he has God as his light, salvation and defense, and he ends the psalm with a reminder that we are to be strong and take courage as we wait for God to act on our behalf. His reminder to “take courage” is an admission that waiting on God rather than acting on one’s own behalf involves an act of faith.

I must admit that my personality type is one that wants to analyze a situation, state the problem, develop alternatives to solve the problem, decide on a best course of action, and then act on that decision. In some situations, there’s nothing wrong with this; however, there are times when one alternative is to wait and see how God wants to deal with a situation.

What do we do then in the intervening time between the realization that God is acting in a matter and we realize the results of God’s action? We could do as Abram and Sarai did in the case of the birth of an heir to Abram – figure out our solution to God’s promise with the result being family problems that persist to today. Or, we can take God’s promise to act in his time, meaning we wait for God’s leadership.

I wish there were some easy answers to this, but I am convinced that God allows us to be in these situations to learn more about Him and ourselves. A passage from Colossians 1:9-11 (NIV) has something to add to this, I believe. “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience…”

God wants us to learn endurance and patience so we can become more like He wants us to be. To be more like him, we must begin to understand the patience and endurance He is exhibiting toward us. If we ever think we have overcome the issue of impatience, isn’t it interesting how God can subtly remind us that we still have more to learn?

God's Way to Do Things

Psalm 25:4-5 “Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day.”

Micah 6:8 (NASB) “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

When I begin to think about the ways of God, it occurs to me to look at what Jesus did during his time here on earth. Using the Gospel of Luke as a reminder of Jesus’ life what do I see Jesus doing?
- Healing of the sick
- Teaching and training of those who would carry on his ministry
- Giving advice for living such as
* loving my enemies,
* blessing those who curse me,
* praying for those who mistreat me.
- Feeding the hungry
- Sending out his followers to share his message
- Giving warning and encouragement
- Spending time in prayer and communion with his Father in Heaven
- Loving on children
- Associating with the non-religious
- Warning those who were religious for the wrong reasons
- Sacrificing himself for us

Am I Qualified for a Blessing from God?

Psalm 24:3-5 (NIV)
Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior.

Based on Psalm 24, those with clean hands, a pure heart, true worship and truthful lips qualify for God’s blessing.

I’m really not qualified to comment on this passage, so I will provide another passage for contemplation.

The Message (MSG) by Eugene H. Peterson
Matthew 5:3-12
3"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
6"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
7"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.
8"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
10"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
11 -12"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.”

Jesus’ definitions certainly don’t fit what I typically think of as blessings. Being blessed seems to be a bit “messy.” It seems to be more of an “attitude within the circumstances” rather than “altitude above the circumstances.”

Who or What is Following You?

Have you ever felt like you were being followed? One night when I was in high school, I was driving home after summer band practice in my family’s second car – a 1953 Plymouth. It seems like no one else had a car like this – a greenish exterior and a blue interior. It had a 6-cylinder engine and overdrive – definitely a family car.

About half way from town to our house, I noticed that there was a car following me. I was driving below the speed limit and expected that whoever was behind me would pass, but they didn’t. I decided to slow down a little to let them by, and they slowed down. I speeded up and they did the same. I was beginning to wonder who and why I was being followed. Finally, the car passed me and I learned who was following. It was my Dad! Then I began to wonder why he was following me.

It turned out that he had been called back to work and was on his way home when he came up behind me. He had planned to follow me home, but then realized when I started changing speeds, he was causing me concern. You can imagine how relieved I felt when we got home and I found out the whole story. I was so glad I did not get caught speeding or doing something else crazy!

Reading Psalm 23 today, I was reminded of this tale from my past when I read the last verse “Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” In The Message, this verse reads “Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I'm back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.”

Isn’t it good to know that God’s goodness and lovingkindness are pursuing us? Isn’t it sad to think that we are sometimes in such a hurry that we don’t slow down long enough to partake of what God has for us? Maybe we need to take a look behind us occasionally and see what we may be missing.

Who's in Charge?

If you want to get some information about the details of your wireless phone bill, good luck! I spent over an hour this morning trying to learn why my Federal Universal Service charge on my wireless bill had increased since last month. I also wanted to find out why the charge for the first phone on my plan was at a lower percentage of my bill than the two other phones on my plan. The answer was given that “they” dictate what the phone company charges. “Who are they?” I asked. “The government” was the reply. “Who in the government dictates the amount?” “The FCC” was the answer. This story could go on, but I’ll spare you the rest.

Isn’t it interesting that our society always has an answer for a problem and many times the answer becomes a “passing of the buck” rather than a straight-forward answer? The chaos of our day may make is wonder at times if there is any rhyme or reason for what’s happening. We may reach the point of wanting to cry out to God and ask the question, “Who’s in charge here?” Today Psalm 22:28 (NASB) reminded me of a truth I need to always remember: “For the kingdom is the LORD'S and He rules over the nations.”

God’s methodology of rule is not what my methodology of rule would be. I am reminded of the verse in Isaiah 55: 8 (NASB) "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.” So, when I get frustrated with things, what am I to do?

I must stop and listen to what the Master had to say about life.
Matthew 6:31-34 (NASB) "Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

What's in a Name?

What’s in a name? How important can it be? To what length do corporations go to protect a name, even the way the name is printed? When the names of Stalin or Hitler are mentioned, an immediate mental response is likely – one that is not positive. However, for some of old enough to remember the disease poliomyelitis and its terrible effects, the name “Joseph Salk” was imprinted in our minds because of the vaccine he invented to prevent the disease.

When David wrote in Psalm 20: 1 (NIV) “May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you,” he indicated that the name of the God of Jacob possessed the power necessary to provide protection.

When we think of the ultimate in protection, the possession of eternal life, we are led to the name of the one who provided, provides and will provide that life. That name is the name “Jesus.” Paul, writing to the Philippians, (2:5-11) (NIV) stated “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

The “name above every name,” the name “Jesus” is the most wonderful name we can know. Yet it’s interesting how that name causes men both to praise and also to curse. The NIV translation indicates that “every knee should bow” while the NASB translation reads, “EVERY KNEE WILL BOW.” We should and we will all bow to the name.

As a Christian, we are witnesses and representatives of the “name”. What we say and what we do is a reflection on the “name.” We are eager to call on the “name” for protection, but are we willing to become “nothing” and “servant”, humbling ourselves in obedience to what we are called to be? Doing this won’t get our names on the Hollywood walk of fame, but it will get our names in the “Lambs Book of Life.” Where else do we need our name written?

Psalm 19, written by David, contains several descriptors of God’s Word.
- His Word is “perfect, restoring the soul”
- It is “sure, making wise the simple”
- It is “right, rejoicing the heart”
- It is “pure. enlightening the eyes”
- It provides warning

The keeping of God’s Word provides “great reward.”

David closes this psalm with verse 14: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.” (Note the reference to God as a “rock” as was also in Psalm 18.)

I believe there is a significant link between the results of being in God’s Word (a restored soul, wisdom, rejoicing heart, and enlightened eyes) and the prayer that “the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight.” Could there also be a progression from acceptable words to acceptable heart meditation, in the sense that it may be easier to say the right things than to control where the thought process takes us? James 1:26 (NIV)- “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” James 3 contains several verses dealing with how the tongue can get us into trouble.

It is also necessary for both the tongue and the mind to be under control before we are “acceptable” in God’s sight on a relational basis. If our tongues and our minds are under God’s control we may be more able to follow the advice of 1 John 3: 18 “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” This verse supports some of the thoughts expressed by my dear friend, Ken Hall, over these past few days in his blog at the follo0wing address http://www.bucknerprez.typepad.com/

The Rock

There is a place in central Texas called Enchanted Rock. This rock rises about 450 feet above the surrounding area and is part of an underground mass of 90 square miles. While this rock may not offer many places to hide, it does provide a visual understanding of how big a rock can be. Comparison of my size to the size of that rock makes me realize how small I am in comparison to the size of a portion of God’s creation. Another beautiful place that comes to mind when I think of the term “rock” is the area of the Grand Teton Mountains, those massive structures rising more than a mile above the surrounding area.

David, the writer of Psalm 18 describes God as his “rock.”
Psalm 18 (NASB)
"I love You, O LORD, my strength."
2The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies.
46The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock; And exalted be the God of my salvation
49Therefore I will give thanks to You among the nations, O LORD, And I will sing praises to Your name.

Praise God for the beauty he created, for in it we begin to see the beauty of the Creator Himself.

What does David mean when he says, “I will give thanks to You among the nations”? Could it be that we are to witness to others who do not know our God through our verbal praise? Could it be that this praise is to be voiced in places other than within the walls of our homes and our churches? Maybe someone else is looking for a "rock".

What Brings "Complete" Satisfaction?

Psalm 17:1-3, 6, 15 (NASB)
“Hear a just cause, O LORD, give heed to my cry; Give ear to my prayer, which is not from deceitful lips. Let my judgment come forth from Your presence; Let Your eyes look with equity. You have tried my heart; You have visited me by night; You have tested me and You find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.”

“I have called upon You, for You will answer me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, hear my speech.”

“As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake.”

What in this world brings “complete” satisfaction? If the word “complete” implies something that is sufficient, never requiring anything else, I fear the answer for most of us is “nothing in this world.” The thing that brings joy today may become a liability tomorrow, or at best is replaced by something we decide is better.

I remember during my childhood days thinking about how much better life would be when I no longer had to go to school. By the time I reached the teenage years, the target had moved to the timeframe of “after graduation with a degree in chemical engineering and marriage.” At the job, the satisfaction level to be achieved became a promotion to a higher position. Obviously, this saga continued and then one day retirement came – something most people seek. It seems the search continues even then.

What we need to learn at some point of life is to seek the true source of satisfaction, one that is altogether sufficient. We need meaning and purpose, a sense of doing something of eternal value. Note what the psalmist, David, states in Psalm 17:15, “I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake.”

What is God’s likeness? Could it be the model of life we saw in God’s Son that He calls on us to live – that majestic life referred to in Chapter 16? Does the crucifixion of “self” and the servitude to the “Master” bring us as close to complete satisfaction as is possible in this life? I’ve come to the conclusion that each of us must answer this question for ourselves. We are each accountable to God not only for our actions, but also for our attitudes – our “satisfaction index.”

The Majestic Ones

Psalm 16:1-3 (NASB) "Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You. I said to the LORD, 'You are my Lord; I have no good besides You.' As for the saints who are in the earth. They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight."

I have the enviable position of knowing some of the saints who are and have been on the earth. I am privileged to call several of them “friend” or “family.” Some of the family members have gone on to a better place, and so have several of the “friends.” Others are still involved with this adventure we call life.

I have a wonderful wife, two beautiful daughters, two sons-in-law, and five wonderful grandchildren for whom the phrase “in whom is all my delight” definitely applies. It is so true that we have nothing good that does not come from our Lord. I have also been blessed by knowing some of God’s faithful servants, both men and women, whose faith has allowed them to do wondrous works for our Lord. I am truly inspired by the ways I have seen you allow God to use you in his work. I will not call you by name, but if you happen to be one of those to whom I sent a note about this blog, you are a part of the circle of friends to whom I refer.

Thank you for allowing God to mold you into one of his “majestic ones.”

The Ever-Present Love of God

In Psalm 13, David questions God as to how long he must endure the trials he is facing. Then David relays his trust in God. Psalm 13:5-6 (NASB) “But I have trusted in Your loving kindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.”

God’s loving kindness, according to the Holman Bible Dictionary, is “The Old Testament’s highest expression for love…It is a love which remains constant regardless of the circumstances.” We have the promise of Jesus (recorded in Matthew 28:19-20 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.") that emphasizes that He is always with us.

Thank you, Lord, for your love and presence, even when we don’t recognize it.

Refined Silver

Psalm 12:6 “And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.”

Refining of ores containing silver can be accomplished by heating the material to high temperatures in the presence of oxygen or air. Most metals at high temperature are oxidized; however, gold and silver are non-oxidizing metals. If the ore containing silver is placed into a furnace built of clay, the oxidizing metals are absorbed into the clay, leaving a more pure silver residue. Repetition of this process further refines the silver as more of the impurities are absorbed at each step of oxidation, a process is called cupellation.

High purity silver is a valued product, today as well as in the times when David was writing the Psalms. Of much more value than pure silver are the flawless words of God that we find in the scriptures. Whereas the value of silver floats in the marketplace, depending on the current or perceived supply-demand situation, the Word of God is always of infinite value.
When we hear God speak, the smart thing to do is listen and follow what He says.

Reunion Scheduled!

Who in the annuals of history would you like to see face-to-face?
- Heroes of the faith from the Bible
- Martyrs from years ago
- Historical figures such as Leonardo da Vinci or Michelangelo
- Great men and women from American history
- Family members we never knew or met, especially those who for one reason or another died soon after birth, such as my brother, or as a result of a miscarriage, both children and grandchildren.

Won’t heaven be the greatest family reunion ever?

But most of all, what will it be like to see Jesus, the Son of God, one day? Psalm 11:7 (NIV) states “For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face.”

Who Hears an Orphan's Cry?

Psalm 10:17-18 (NIV) “You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.”

According to some information I read on the Voice of the Orphan website www.voiceoftheorphan.com, the United Nations counts 143 million kids around the world as orphans.

That’s an amazing statistic. God hears their cry. Do we?

God's Justice

Equitable justice involves punishment of the guilty as well as vindication of those who have been oppressed and unjustly wronged. Individuals as well as nations are subject to the Heavenly judicial system. God judges nations for their wrongdoing. All of us as individuals are accountable to God for what we have done and have failed to do.

In Psalm 9 (NASB), David declares the following concerning God’s justice:
“The LORD also will be a stronghold for the oppressed”
“You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.“
”He does not forget the cry of the afflicted”
“For the needy will not always be forgotten, Nor the hope of the afflicted perish forever.”

What level of responsibility might we as believers have in alleviating the problems faced by the oppressed, the afflicted, or the needy of this world? Matthew 25:40 (NASB) states, “The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'”

In Praise of the Majesty of God

I ended the blog yesterday with the question, “How big is your God?” When we contemplate the greatness, the majesty, of God, where do we begin? One way to begin to fathom the magnificence of God is to take a look at His physical creation. A trip to the mountains brings reminders of the greatness of God’s creation; but a night view of the heavens from the top of a mountain puts the size of God relative to everything else into even more perspective. In the verses from Psalm 8 noted below, David, upon considering God’s creation, asks the question, “… what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?”

Psalm 8 (NIV) “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

How much does God care for us? When God ordains praise from the lips of the little ones of the earth, how much more should those of us who are adults praise him for his majesty and glory? Why would God honor man with the responsibility of ruling over his creation? Love can be the only answer, because God is love.

Who is My Shield?

When men go into battle, there is always a need to ensure that the necessary defensive covering for the body is available. At the time the Bible was written, one of the major items of defense was the shield. In Psalm 7:9-10, the psalmist declares “God Most High” to be his shield from “the violence of the wicked.”

The passage of scripture we studied this morning was from 1 Peter 1. Verses 3-5 (NIV) read as follows: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Peter indicates that through faith we are shielded by God’s power. The apostle Paul, writing to the Ephesians (6:10-12), encouraged them to “put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.” One piece of that armor was the shield of faith.

I have two choices in facing the challenges of live. I can stand directly in the line of fire and handle the situation on my own, or I can choose by faith to stand behind my shield, the Lord Most High. Note that God does not always choose to remove us from the battle for our safety. He may choose to allow us to remain within the struggle in order to strengthen our shield of faith. It seems to me that those who have trusted in their shield in the past are more prepared to handle the next struggle that will come.

I have heard people ask the question, “How big is your God?” Maybe that’s how big my shield is also.

Answered Prayer

Psalm 6:9 (New Living Translation) "The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord will answer my prayer."

Why is it that we wait until there is nothing else to do and then pray, knowing that God hears a prayer spoken in faith? Why is it that we think God is not listening when His answer is "no"?

Won't it be revealing in eternity to learn how many prayers God has answered on our behalf that we don't even know were prayed for us?

Joyful Praise

Psalm 5:7, 11 New Living Translation
7 Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe.
11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever.

My mother and her dad were a part of my family to whom the gift of singing was totally absent. My mother hardly ever sang and when she did, it was obvious that she was totally tone deaf. I certainly expect that she has been singing in the heavenly choir since her death in order to make up for the time she missed out here.

My two sweet daughters definitely have the gift of joyful praise. I remember telling them once that they could learn anything, if it were set to music. They both seem to have the ability to hear something once or twice and then remember the words and music forever. It was and still is a delight to hear them sing, and especially sing together. At the funeral of both my parents, the two of them and one of the sons-in-law lifted our spirits in praise to God through their gift of music.

Thank God for the gift of praise through music. In the Message by Eugene H. Peterson, Psalm 98: 4 reads: “Shout your praises to God, everybody! Let loose and sing! Strike up the band!”

When Does God Hear Me When I Pray?

I decided to use the Book of Psalms as a devotional focus to start out 2007. Each chapter seems to provide a particular insight for me. Today for example, I saw the statement in Psalm 4:3 that “the Lord hears when I call to Him.” But the truth of the matter is that sometimes I call on God and it seems that He is not listening.

Further research of the scriptures led me to a passage in Isaiah 59:2 which indicates that we can cause God not to hear us: “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.”

So, the problem is me again. I’ve made choices that have separated me from God. On more than one occasion I have found that my failure to forgive someone who has wronged me or someone close to me has resulted in my loss of fellowship with my Heavenly Father. No matter how I rationalize why it is okay to continue to hold a grudge, this failure to forgive results in my loss of the ear of God.

The verse for me that seems to summarize what I have to do to regain God’s ear is 2 Chronicles 7:14: “and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
- Step 1 – Humble myself. Deal with the issues at hand in the way God wants.
- Step 2 – Pray. Agree with God about my sins.
- Step 3 – Seek God’s face. This can reverse the process described in Isaiah 59:2.
- Step 4 – Turn from my wicked ways.

I then can claim the promise of Jeremiah 33:3 we read: “call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”

God hears my prayers when my relationship with Him is as He intended it to be. It is only then that I can learn what He wishes to share with me.

Peace and Justice - Can it Happen?

Before Christmas I began reflecting on the concept of peace that is contained in Isaiah 9:6-7 (New Living Translation): “6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!”

When we see the events that have unfolded over the years we call the 21st Century, where is that peace? It is certainly not in the typical current events reported in print or in the electronic media.

What is fair or just about the multitudes of children who spent this past Christmas in an orphanage somewhere in Russia, Latvia, China, Africa, or for that matter in some sort of foster care in these United States? Most, if not all of them, are there due to the mistakes of someone other than themselves.

What is fair about the prosperity of evil men at the expense of many who are impoverished?

What are my choices in dealing with the concept of God’s fairness and justice? I can continue to look at this from my human perspective, or I can attempt to fathom the concept from God’s perspective. Which is more likely to be the correct choice?

To quote one of the philosophers of our family (daughter Lori), “Regardless of faith, there is still that part of me that wonders at times like these why the pains of this life aren't divided equally among people, so everyone gets a fair share. Then it dawns on me that I don't want my fair share. Compared to most of the people in the world, I don't know what it is to suffer. Thank God for His grace and mercy, even in the hard times!”

Is it fair or just that the innocent pay the penalties due the guilty? Was it fair that the sinless Son of God be made sin so that evil men not have to suffer the ultimate penalty of sin, but have the opportunity to obtain the true peace that is available only from the Prince of Peace? Was it fair that the only perfect man to ever live on this earth died on a cruel cross for my sin?

Believing the Bible to be true, I must look at the words, “His government and its peace will never end” from a perspective not my own. God’s rule of peace can only come to a person on an individual basis when that person accepts God’s terms for that peace. I cannot negotiate the terms for securing this peace; I must accept them as God has dictated.

This peace, one that passes all understanding of mankind, can’t be earned by anything I can accomplish in this life. This peace requires me to humble myself before an almighty God and accept this peace as a free gift, a gift that caused God to forsake his only Son as the price He paid for me. Peace of mind and heart is a gift that cannot be purchased in any manner, no matter how much we may spend from our earthly resources; it can come only as a gift of God. John 14:27 (New Living Translation) says, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

Having received such a wonderful gift of peace, what am I supposed to do with it?
- Am I to hide the gift to keep others from stealing it?
- Am I to share the gift with my small circle of close friends?
- Or should I let as many people as possible know that the same gift is available to everyone?

The answer to seems to be rather obvious from the words of Jesus in Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”(New Living Translation)

So what’s the conclusion? God calls to share his peace with others. Ultimate justice is in God’s hands, not mine. Quoting again from Isaiah 9:7, “His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!”

Reverent Worship

According to the dictionary, reverence is profound adoring awed respect. In 1992 I went to the airport to see President George H. W. Bush speak. When the President of the United States goes somewhere, the preparation for his arrival is a significant event, as evidenced by all of the security that is involved. I did not get to shake President Bush’s hand, but was close enough to see him and to sense much of the adoring respect that he was given at that event.

Seeing over the past few days, the many things done to honor the deceased former President Gerald Ford reminds me again of the respect we give people in authority.

Based on the way we honor mortal men, how then should I conduct myself in order to worship God with the reverence called for in Psalm 2:11 “Worship the LORD with reverence and rejoice with trembling.”? I can’t begin to give a complete list of what I should do, but here’s a few.

By recognizing God’s exalted position relative to my place – It’s a master-servant relationship. I need to understand my place in relation to Him.

By recognizing God’s limitless power as compared to my weakness. - God’s power is creative as well as redemptive. Whatever power I have in a spiritual sense is the power that God allows to flow through me as his ambassador.

By acknowledging that all that I am or have is a gift of God’s grace.

By trying to comprehend the greatness of God. - Paul was blinded by the glory of God. God told Moses that no man was able to see the face of God and live; and Moses face was visibly radiant as a result of being in God’s presence.

By living a life acceptable to God. - In Romans 12: 1, Paul defined worship as follows: “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”

January 1, 2007 - Thoughts on Starting a New Year - How to Be Blessed

The Amplified version of the Bible states in Psalm 1:1 that a person who does not follow the advice or purposes of the ungodly is one who is “blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous and enviable).” Also, this person does not stand “submissive and inactive” in the path where sinners walk; neither does he sit “down (to relax and rest) where the scornful (and the mockers) gather.” Psalm 1: 2 states “But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.”
How can one avoid the advice and purposes of the ungodly? Psalm 1:2 instructs us to find ourselves in the study and meditation on God’s teachings, using the Bible as our guide and Psalm 119:105 (The Message) reads “By your words I can see where I'm going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path.”

The issue is the application of what I know to be true. Now that the Christmas and New Year celebrations are past, I am fully aware that I have over-indulged in all of the good food available over the holidays. I know better, but do it anyway. With regard to our spiritual food, it seems too easy to do the opposite of what we do with regard to our caloric intake. We fast on our spiritual diet when we should be doing the opposite.

How can one be guilty of being submissive and inactive while in the path where sinners walk? If my focus is on self and self-interests, I fail to recognize the needs of others. If I am not spiritually strong and nourished, I become spiritually lethargic, just as a starving person would be in a physical sense.

With regard to those who scorn and mock what is good, the psalmist states that we are not to sit down and relax with them. I believe he realizes that it is not possible to totally avoid them; however, we should not condone what they do by joining them. The boundary between realistic discussion of issues, and what is commonly called a “gripe session” or “gossip,” is easily crossed if we are not careful.

So, if I wish to be a blessed person, I need to be on a regularly involved in reading and meditating on God’s word rather than loitering in the spiritually unhealthy hallways of the world.