Psalm 11:3 If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?
Think about that today. What can you, as a follower of the LORD JESUS, do today in light of the crumbling erosion of the foundations in our world today? Will you allow the erosion to seep into your life? Will you allow it to change your attitude and your focus? OR will you choose to fall on your face before the SOVEREIGN GOD, who reached HIS HOLY hands down into the dirt and fashioned and formed you, and cry out to HIM.
In the margin of my Bible next to Psalm 11:3 I have written Isaiah 58:12. In light of an eroding spiritual foundation GOD calls for HIS people to fast and pray.
Isaiah 58:6-12 Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into the house; When you see the naked, to cover him; and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then Your light will break out like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth, and your righteousness will go before you; the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; You will cry, and HE will say, "Here I am." If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, And if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, Then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom will become like midday. And the LORD will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; You will raise up the age old foundations; And you will be called the repairer of the breach, The restorer of the streets in which to dwell.
Clearly we live in a day of wickedness and bondage. GOD has given us a the power to break the cords of bondage that bind us. Take a few minutes and slowly read the six verses above. Ask the FATHER to write these truths on your heart. You see, as long as we choose to embrace our empty religious rituals we will remain a people in bondage with eroding foundations. Make note of the times in the above verses that the Holy Spirit through the pen of Isaiah says, "IF...THEN"
I close this morning with the same verse I opened with. If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?
We can TRUST the GOD who made us and fall on our faces before HIM and ask HIM to break the chains and cords that bind us to our religiosity. Let's give up our religious pursuits and run after the LORD JESUS with every fiber of our being. Let's be followers of CHRIST.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Game Plan
Psalm 66:1-4 Shout joyfully to GOD, all the earth; Sing the glory of HIS name; Make HIS praise glorious. Say to GOD, "How awesome are YOUR works! Because of the greatness of YOUR power YOUR enemies will give feigned obedience to YOU. All the earth will worship YOU, and will sing praises to YOU; They will sing praises to YOUR name."
Psalm 96:1-5 Sing to the LORD a new song; Sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless HIS name; Proclaim good tidings of HIS salvation from day to day. Tell of HIS glory among the nations, HIS wonderful deeds among all the peoples. For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; HE is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, BUT THE LORD MADE THE HEAVENS.
I would like to take a minute this morning to encourage your heart. Both of the above Psalms begin with a call to praise and sing and shout joyfully. Please notice, if you will, the object of that praise and joyful singing is the LORD. In days of uncertainty we can always trust HIM and we can always sing songs of praise to OUR GREAT GOD. You see folks, HE hasn't changed. I would encourage you to take some time over the next couple of days and weeks to go back and read through some of the Old Testament. Watch how GOD dealt with and responded to HIS PEOPLE. See HIS love and tender care of them even in judgement.
Our mandate to go and make disciples HAS NOT CHANGED. Our marching orders are no different today than they were the day that the LORD JESUS looked into the eyes of HIS disciples and told them to go. In days of uncertainty the LORD JESUS stands before you and me and says, "GO and boldly tell them who I AM."
My daughter asked me yesterday morning, "Mommy, when will I have to start paying to tell people about JESUS?" Those are the words of an 8 year old little girl. Does she realize the price that may ultimately be asked of her? NO, I am certain that she does not. We have finally turned fully in another direction and it is time for those of us who claim the name of JESUS CHRIST to stand up and be counted for HIM. We must get busy. SING A NEW SONG. It will likely cause folks to ask you who you are and why you are singing. And folks, until the day HE comes and calls us home, be that through death or rapture, let's keep singing. We KNOW the ONE who wrote the game plan. There are difficult days ahead for all who will be willing to claim the name of CHRIST...it is coming. Let's stand and be counted for the ONE who gave HIS LIFE'S BLOOD to invite us into relationship with HIMSELF.
Because of JESUS-
Vicky
Psalm 96:1-5 Sing to the LORD a new song; Sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless HIS name; Proclaim good tidings of HIS salvation from day to day. Tell of HIS glory among the nations, HIS wonderful deeds among all the peoples. For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; HE is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, BUT THE LORD MADE THE HEAVENS.
I would like to take a minute this morning to encourage your heart. Both of the above Psalms begin with a call to praise and sing and shout joyfully. Please notice, if you will, the object of that praise and joyful singing is the LORD. In days of uncertainty we can always trust HIM and we can always sing songs of praise to OUR GREAT GOD. You see folks, HE hasn't changed. I would encourage you to take some time over the next couple of days and weeks to go back and read through some of the Old Testament. Watch how GOD dealt with and responded to HIS PEOPLE. See HIS love and tender care of them even in judgement.
Our mandate to go and make disciples HAS NOT CHANGED. Our marching orders are no different today than they were the day that the LORD JESUS looked into the eyes of HIS disciples and told them to go. In days of uncertainty the LORD JESUS stands before you and me and says, "GO and boldly tell them who I AM."
My daughter asked me yesterday morning, "Mommy, when will I have to start paying to tell people about JESUS?" Those are the words of an 8 year old little girl. Does she realize the price that may ultimately be asked of her? NO, I am certain that she does not. We have finally turned fully in another direction and it is time for those of us who claim the name of JESUS CHRIST to stand up and be counted for HIM. We must get busy. SING A NEW SONG. It will likely cause folks to ask you who you are and why you are singing. And folks, until the day HE comes and calls us home, be that through death or rapture, let's keep singing. We KNOW the ONE who wrote the game plan. There are difficult days ahead for all who will be willing to claim the name of CHRIST...it is coming. Let's stand and be counted for the ONE who gave HIS LIFE'S BLOOD to invite us into relationship with HIMSELF.
Because of JESUS-
Vicky
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
A Statement of Faith
I sit here on the morning after an historic election in our country. I think about the stress I saw in my youngest daughter two mornings ago as she looked up at me and said, "Mom, if Mr. Obama gets elected does that mean that we cannot tell people about Jesus?" Yesterday afternoon a few minutes before 1:00 my phone rang, it was the school nurse. She was calling to tell me that my youngest daughter was sitting in her office with a tummy ache that she had been struggling with all day. I couldn’t help but wonder as I put her to bed last night if it wasn’t a little bit of worry over the election. Eight year old children aren’t suppose to worry about such things. My ten year old got up yesterday morning asking, "Will we know today Mom?" She went to bed asking, "When will we know Mom?"
I answered Allie’s question on Monday morning. I looked in her little face and I said, "we will always be able to tell people about Jesus, but it is going to start to cost us something."
I am relatively certain that in a couple of hours when my children wake up for school they will be asking, "Mommy, who won?" I am thankful this morning that I can look them in the eyes and say Mr. Obama won the election girls, BUT PRAISE GOD we serve the LORD JESUS and HE IS GOD.
For an hour and a half or so I have been reading my Bible, turning from page to page and reading the Words that have, over and over in the course of my Christian life, comforted my heart. My heart is full this morning and I consider fresh this morning WHO GOD IS. HE is GOD. In thinking about who HE is, I have also been reminded of who we are. My heart wants to sit here and type Psalm after Psalm, but I don’t have the space for I would surely type them all. When the world seems to be turning upside down, our GOD invites us to come and sit with HIM and hear HIS heart toward us.
Because we serve the immutable sovereign creator of the world, we don’t have to wonder what HE thinks about us. We are not left to sit and try to determine of our own accord what will please HIM. HE gave us HIS WORD. HE had it written in the common language of the common people so that we can turn to HIM in uncertain days and know that HE is absolutely certain. HE does NOT change. Because HE does not change we can rest in who HE is. Because HE does not change we can look back through the annals of time and know that HE will take care of HIS people. We can look back through the history of our world and we can rest in the unshakable truth that GOD surrounds HIS people. We can trust that HE never leaves us and HE never forsakes us. In the book of Joshua, GOD told Joshua that he would be successful in direct proportion to his obedience. HE was very clear that Joshua would be fighting from a position of victory, but obedience to what GOD called for was the key to that victory. (Josh. 1:5-9)
The political culture in our day does not determine who GOD is. The political scene that we are looking at will not determine how HE acts and responds to HIS people. If we turn all the way back to Genesis HE has always been clear about how we are to live. We are to follow HIM wholeheartedly. HE spoke to Cain in Genesis 4 and told HIM, "If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it." As believers this is where we stand today. GOD has clearly spoken and as believers, it is our responsibility to walk in obedience.
What does this look like? JESUS told us that if we loved HIM we would keep HIS commands. HE told us that HE came to serve and if we love HIM we will serve. HE said that if
we would obey HIM, HE would disclose HIMSELF to us. The truth of the matter is simply this: GOD is still GOD today. HE has not changed. We, as believers in JESUS CHRIST, are tasked with being willing to follow HIM wherever that road leads. Make no mistake, being a follower a CHRIST promises heart ache and struggle as we face certain persecution. JESUS said, "if they hated ME they will hate you." Following JESUS will not be a life of ease and leisure. No! Being a follower of JESUS CHRIST is an embracing of difficult days. It will require a willingness to suffer without lashing out at those who would cause that suffering. Recall JESUS on trial. The Bible tells us that JESUS made no reply to HIS accusers. HE didn’t seek to defend HIMSELF. HE was seeking to pay the price for our sin so that we could walk with HIM in relationship. Lashing out at those who do not believe the way we believe will NOT further the cause of CHRIST. We must walk steadfast and immovable and ask the HOLY SPIRIT to flow through us to love and show love to those who will surely mistreat and malign us.
Being one who claims to follow the LORD JESUS will not be an easy road, but JESUS has promised to walk that road with us by the indwelling presence of the HOLY SPIRIT. JESUS said that the road to eternal life was straight and narrow and that few would find it, but that the road to damnation was wide and winding and many would go that way. Today, in 2008 I believe we will begin to see a separation of those who are truly willing to follow JESUS and those who were only looking for fire insurance. JESUS didn’t die on a cross to give us an easy life. HE died on that cross to invite us to walk with HIM the road that HE walked to pay the price that we could never have paid.
Suffering is coming for all who seek to follow JESUS. I believe that with all of my heart. I also believe that in that suffering we, who will choose to follow JESUS, will experience HIS peace and presence in ways that we could never have imagined. How else could Paul have penned the words of Philippians 4:6-9? There is a peace that comes from GOD that will surpass our suffering and it will enable us to run the race with endurance.
In summary, I believe that GOD is GOD. I believe that HE exists and always has and makes no attempt to prove that to us. I believe that HE reached down HIS holy hands into the dirt and fashioned man and breathed HIS very breath into the nostrils of that man. HIS existence is presupposed and all of creation points to a creator. I believe in JESUS, the FATHER’S only SON. I believe HE existed, uncreated before time began. I believe that JESUS wrapped HIMSELF in human flesh and came and dwelt among us. I believe that HE invites us to walk with HIM in relationship that is ONLY possible because HE came and wrapped HIMSELF in human flesh. I believe in the HOLY SPIRIT. I believe that HE indwells all believers at the moment of salvation. I believe that HOLY SPIRIT enables us to walk in a manner that we could otherwise never walk. I believe that the HOLY SPIRIT lives through us and makes us who we could never be. I believe that without JESUS we are hopelessly lost. I believe that once we have JESUS we are hopelessly indebted to HIM and obligated to share HIM with anyone that GOD brings across our path.
I answered Allie’s question on Monday morning. I looked in her little face and I said, "we will always be able to tell people about Jesus, but it is going to start to cost us something."
I am relatively certain that in a couple of hours when my children wake up for school they will be asking, "Mommy, who won?" I am thankful this morning that I can look them in the eyes and say Mr. Obama won the election girls, BUT PRAISE GOD we serve the LORD JESUS and HE IS GOD.
For an hour and a half or so I have been reading my Bible, turning from page to page and reading the Words that have, over and over in the course of my Christian life, comforted my heart. My heart is full this morning and I consider fresh this morning WHO GOD IS. HE is GOD. In thinking about who HE is, I have also been reminded of who we are. My heart wants to sit here and type Psalm after Psalm, but I don’t have the space for I would surely type them all. When the world seems to be turning upside down, our GOD invites us to come and sit with HIM and hear HIS heart toward us.
Because we serve the immutable sovereign creator of the world, we don’t have to wonder what HE thinks about us. We are not left to sit and try to determine of our own accord what will please HIM. HE gave us HIS WORD. HE had it written in the common language of the common people so that we can turn to HIM in uncertain days and know that HE is absolutely certain. HE does NOT change. Because HE does not change we can rest in who HE is. Because HE does not change we can look back through the annals of time and know that HE will take care of HIS people. We can look back through the history of our world and we can rest in the unshakable truth that GOD surrounds HIS people. We can trust that HE never leaves us and HE never forsakes us. In the book of Joshua, GOD told Joshua that he would be successful in direct proportion to his obedience. HE was very clear that Joshua would be fighting from a position of victory, but obedience to what GOD called for was the key to that victory. (Josh. 1:5-9)
The political culture in our day does not determine who GOD is. The political scene that we are looking at will not determine how HE acts and responds to HIS people. If we turn all the way back to Genesis HE has always been clear about how we are to live. We are to follow HIM wholeheartedly. HE spoke to Cain in Genesis 4 and told HIM, "If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it." As believers this is where we stand today. GOD has clearly spoken and as believers, it is our responsibility to walk in obedience.
What does this look like? JESUS told us that if we loved HIM we would keep HIS commands. HE told us that HE came to serve and if we love HIM we will serve. HE said that if
we would obey HIM, HE would disclose HIMSELF to us. The truth of the matter is simply this: GOD is still GOD today. HE has not changed. We, as believers in JESUS CHRIST, are tasked with being willing to follow HIM wherever that road leads. Make no mistake, being a follower a CHRIST promises heart ache and struggle as we face certain persecution. JESUS said, "if they hated ME they will hate you." Following JESUS will not be a life of ease and leisure. No! Being a follower of JESUS CHRIST is an embracing of difficult days. It will require a willingness to suffer without lashing out at those who would cause that suffering. Recall JESUS on trial. The Bible tells us that JESUS made no reply to HIS accusers. HE didn’t seek to defend HIMSELF. HE was seeking to pay the price for our sin so that we could walk with HIM in relationship. Lashing out at those who do not believe the way we believe will NOT further the cause of CHRIST. We must walk steadfast and immovable and ask the HOLY SPIRIT to flow through us to love and show love to those who will surely mistreat and malign us.
Being one who claims to follow the LORD JESUS will not be an easy road, but JESUS has promised to walk that road with us by the indwelling presence of the HOLY SPIRIT. JESUS said that the road to eternal life was straight and narrow and that few would find it, but that the road to damnation was wide and winding and many would go that way. Today, in 2008 I believe we will begin to see a separation of those who are truly willing to follow JESUS and those who were only looking for fire insurance. JESUS didn’t die on a cross to give us an easy life. HE died on that cross to invite us to walk with HIM the road that HE walked to pay the price that we could never have paid.
Suffering is coming for all who seek to follow JESUS. I believe that with all of my heart. I also believe that in that suffering we, who will choose to follow JESUS, will experience HIS peace and presence in ways that we could never have imagined. How else could Paul have penned the words of Philippians 4:6-9? There is a peace that comes from GOD that will surpass our suffering and it will enable us to run the race with endurance.
In summary, I believe that GOD is GOD. I believe that HE exists and always has and makes no attempt to prove that to us. I believe that HE reached down HIS holy hands into the dirt and fashioned man and breathed HIS very breath into the nostrils of that man. HIS existence is presupposed and all of creation points to a creator. I believe in JESUS, the FATHER’S only SON. I believe HE existed, uncreated before time began. I believe that JESUS wrapped HIMSELF in human flesh and came and dwelt among us. I believe that HE invites us to walk with HIM in relationship that is ONLY possible because HE came and wrapped HIMSELF in human flesh. I believe in the HOLY SPIRIT. I believe that HE indwells all believers at the moment of salvation. I believe that HOLY SPIRIT enables us to walk in a manner that we could otherwise never walk. I believe that the HOLY SPIRIT lives through us and makes us who we could never be. I believe that without JESUS we are hopelessly lost. I believe that once we have JESUS we are hopelessly indebted to HIM and obligated to share HIM with anyone that GOD brings across our path.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
A Thought to Ponder...
Think about it...
Anything in my life that misrepresents the character or nature of CHRIST is sin.
As you go about your day today think about things in light of the above heavy, yet very accurate, definition of sin. Folks, we take it all to lightly some days. I'm not sure GOD is at all pleased with the things we engage in or choose to allow in our lives.
Ask yourself as you go today....what IS in my life that is a gross misrepresentation of the character and nature of the ONE WHO HAS CHOSEN TO RESIDE IN me.
Anything in my life that misrepresents the character or nature of CHRIST is sin.
As you go about your day today think about things in light of the above heavy, yet very accurate, definition of sin. Folks, we take it all to lightly some days. I'm not sure GOD is at all pleased with the things we engage in or choose to allow in our lives.
Ask yourself as you go today....what IS in my life that is a gross misrepresentation of the character and nature of the ONE WHO HAS CHOSEN TO RESIDE IN me.
Monday, January 14, 2008
In the Waiting...
Good Morning. This morning I just want to briefly share something with you. Some of you who receive this email have been walking this journey with me for the entire 6 years that I've been walking it. Others of you have been here for just a brief part of those 6 years. Whatever the length of time you have been reading my heart morning after morning, I want to say thank you for the privilege of walking together. Thank you for allowing me to have shared my time with the FATHER with you.
Having said that I will say that I will now begin a time of quiet. For those that have been here this entire journey we have walked some hard roads together. We have walked through relocations, the death of my Mom, the deaths of many of your loved ones and many other really hard things. Some roads, though, are much too private and much too important to walk publicly. I have begun such a journey. The warfare has been great in recent months and I believe after seeking counsel and much prayer that it is now time to say I'll see ya later. Not, I won't ever write again, but for a good while, I'd say a year or so I will be quiet and what the FATHER and I share will be just that...what HE and I share.
Some times we must take time to sit back and just be with HIM and no one else. This is one of those times for me. I'm going to leave you this morning with the words of a song by Greg Long. I could share so many, but I will share just this one and say if over the course of the next 12 months, GOD brings me to your mind, pray for me. Ask GOD to hold my heart ever closer to HIS OWN. Ask HIM to do the work in my life that ONLY HE can do. I love you...Because of JESUS!
This is a song, but it is also the prayer of my heart:
In the Waiting
Pain, the gift nobody longs for...still it comes
And somehow leaves us stronger when it's gone away.
Pray... I try and pray for your will to be done...
But I confess, it's never fast enough...
For me, It seems the hardest part is waiting on YOU,
When what I really want is just to see YOUR hand move
I want a peace beyond my understanding
I want to feel it fall like rain, in the middle of my hurting
I want to feel your arms as they surround me
and let me know that it's OK...
To be here in this place,
Resting in the peace that only comes in the waiting
Time, time to let it go and just believe
Trusting in what noone else, but YOU can see
Free, freedom from the fears that close me in
When I can't beyond where I have been
But then again, the silence doesn't mean that I'm alone
As long as I can hear, that I'm still YOUR own
I want a peace beyond my understanding
I want to feel it fall like rain in the middle of my hurting
I want to feel your arms as they surround me
and let me know that it's OK...
to be here in this place
Resting in the peace that only comes, in the waiting
In the waiting...yeah...
O...I want a peace beyond my understanding
I want to feel it fall like rain...
In the middle of my hurting.
I want to feel your arms as they surround me
and let me know that it's OK...
to be here in this place
Resting in the peace that only comes....
In the waiting
Having said that I will say that I will now begin a time of quiet. For those that have been here this entire journey we have walked some hard roads together. We have walked through relocations, the death of my Mom, the deaths of many of your loved ones and many other really hard things. Some roads, though, are much too private and much too important to walk publicly. I have begun such a journey. The warfare has been great in recent months and I believe after seeking counsel and much prayer that it is now time to say I'll see ya later. Not, I won't ever write again, but for a good while, I'd say a year or so I will be quiet and what the FATHER and I share will be just that...what HE and I share.
Some times we must take time to sit back and just be with HIM and no one else. This is one of those times for me. I'm going to leave you this morning with the words of a song by Greg Long. I could share so many, but I will share just this one and say if over the course of the next 12 months, GOD brings me to your mind, pray for me. Ask GOD to hold my heart ever closer to HIS OWN. Ask HIM to do the work in my life that ONLY HE can do. I love you...Because of JESUS!
This is a song, but it is also the prayer of my heart:
In the Waiting
Pain, the gift nobody longs for...still it comes
And somehow leaves us stronger when it's gone away.
Pray... I try and pray for your will to be done...
But I confess, it's never fast enough...
For me, It seems the hardest part is waiting on YOU,
When what I really want is just to see YOUR hand move
I want a peace beyond my understanding
I want to feel it fall like rain, in the middle of my hurting
I want to feel your arms as they surround me
and let me know that it's OK...
To be here in this place,
Resting in the peace that only comes in the waiting
Time, time to let it go and just believe
Trusting in what noone else, but YOU can see
Free, freedom from the fears that close me in
When I can't beyond where I have been
But then again, the silence doesn't mean that I'm alone
As long as I can hear, that I'm still YOUR own
I want a peace beyond my understanding
I want to feel it fall like rain in the middle of my hurting
I want to feel your arms as they surround me
and let me know that it's OK...
to be here in this place
Resting in the peace that only comes, in the waiting
In the waiting...yeah...
O...I want a peace beyond my understanding
I want to feel it fall like rain...
In the middle of my hurting.
I want to feel your arms as they surround me
and let me know that it's OK...
to be here in this place
Resting in the peace that only comes....
In the waiting
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Where will you turn?
Good Morning Y'all! My heart is encouraged this morning. The FATHER has once again, reached down from the portals of heaven and has wrapped me up in HIS tender arms and has held my heart close and has whispered into my heart, "Vicky, TRUST what you know to be true about ME. TRUST who you KNOW that I AM."
Let's look at just a few verses from Psalm 9 this morning. Let's begin at the beginning and then we will move down to verses 9 & 10. HIS WORD is alive folks, and HE will use HIS WORD to change our lives IF WE WILL LET HIM. HE will encourage us IF WE WILL COME TO HIM. HE will be all that HE is every time, BUT HE will never force us to come. Let's look at HIS WORD.
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart; I will tell of all YOUR wonders. I will be glad and exult (rejoice) in YOU; I will sing praises to YOUR name, O MOST HIGH.
David said, "I WILL!" He didn't qualify these I will statements. Notice there is NO "if" behind any of David's "I will's". He simply said, "I WILL..."
I wonder if we can say with David, "I will give thanks...I will tell...I will be glad and rejoice....I will sing..."
You see folks, it's not about the circumstances in our lives...it's all about WHO HE IS. We can go on thanking HIM in the difficult days because HE is no less GOD on dark rainy days than HE is on the bright warm sunny ones. We can go on telling of HIS wonders BECAUSE THERE ARE ALWAYS wonders to tell of. We can go on being glad and rejoicing because even in the darkest of hours we can CHOOSE to think on things that are good, and right, and noble, and honest, and pure and just; and this gives us cause to rejoice. And no matter what we can always sing praise to HIS NAME because HE IS WORTHY!
Drop down to verses 9 & 10 and we will close. The LORD also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, A stronghold in times of trouble. And those who KNOW YOUR NAME will put their trust in YOU, for YOU, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek YOU.
Those two verses pack a wallop! You see, it's not about our circumstances. It's not about how dark the day seems. It's not about how difficult the trail we are walking. IT'S ALL ABOUT WHO HE IS. HE IS A STRONGHOLD IN TIMES OF TROUBLE. Write that down and memorize it, practice it, think about it UNTIL IT IS THE MOST REAL THING IN YOUR MIND. HE is there when you can't take another step. HE is the STRONG and MIGHTY ONE that you can CHOOSE to run to when the storm is dark and the wind is raging and the waves threaten to wash you away. HE NEVER FORSAKES THOSE WHO SEEK HIM. In John 6 HE said that HE WOULD NEVER TURN A WILLING HEART AWAY.
Here is the bottom line...GOD IS GOD. HE is ALL that HE has said HE IS. And we can absolutely unequivocally trust HIS NAME. The NAME of GOD is a strong tower, the righteous runs into it and is safe. Mark that down and bank on it.
Now, that should give us cause to stop and praise HIS NAME.
LORD JESUS, WE JUST WANT TO PRAISE YOU. YOU ARE WORTHY OF ALL OF OUR PRAISE. YOU ARE WONDERFUL AND FAITHFUL AND HOLY AND TRUE AND TRUSTWORTHY. THANK YOU FOR INVITING US TO KNOW YOUR NAME. THANK YOU FOR INVITING US TO CALL ON YOUR NAME. THANK YOU FOR INVITING US TO RUN TO THE STRONG TOWER OF YOUR MIGHTY NAME. THANK YOU FOR INVITING US TO LOVE YOU BECAUSE OF WHO YOU ARE. O JESUS, WE DO LOVE YOU.
Let's look at just a few verses from Psalm 9 this morning. Let's begin at the beginning and then we will move down to verses 9 & 10. HIS WORD is alive folks, and HE will use HIS WORD to change our lives IF WE WILL LET HIM. HE will encourage us IF WE WILL COME TO HIM. HE will be all that HE is every time, BUT HE will never force us to come. Let's look at HIS WORD.
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart; I will tell of all YOUR wonders. I will be glad and exult (rejoice) in YOU; I will sing praises to YOUR name, O MOST HIGH.
David said, "I WILL!" He didn't qualify these I will statements. Notice there is NO "if" behind any of David's "I will's". He simply said, "I WILL..."
I wonder if we can say with David, "I will give thanks...I will tell...I will be glad and rejoice....I will sing..."
You see folks, it's not about the circumstances in our lives...it's all about WHO HE IS. We can go on thanking HIM in the difficult days because HE is no less GOD on dark rainy days than HE is on the bright warm sunny ones. We can go on telling of HIS wonders BECAUSE THERE ARE ALWAYS wonders to tell of. We can go on being glad and rejoicing because even in the darkest of hours we can CHOOSE to think on things that are good, and right, and noble, and honest, and pure and just; and this gives us cause to rejoice. And no matter what we can always sing praise to HIS NAME because HE IS WORTHY!
Drop down to verses 9 & 10 and we will close. The LORD also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, A stronghold in times of trouble. And those who KNOW YOUR NAME will put their trust in YOU, for YOU, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek YOU.
Those two verses pack a wallop! You see, it's not about our circumstances. It's not about how dark the day seems. It's not about how difficult the trail we are walking. IT'S ALL ABOUT WHO HE IS. HE IS A STRONGHOLD IN TIMES OF TROUBLE. Write that down and memorize it, practice it, think about it UNTIL IT IS THE MOST REAL THING IN YOUR MIND. HE is there when you can't take another step. HE is the STRONG and MIGHTY ONE that you can CHOOSE to run to when the storm is dark and the wind is raging and the waves threaten to wash you away. HE NEVER FORSAKES THOSE WHO SEEK HIM. In John 6 HE said that HE WOULD NEVER TURN A WILLING HEART AWAY.
Here is the bottom line...GOD IS GOD. HE is ALL that HE has said HE IS. And we can absolutely unequivocally trust HIS NAME. The NAME of GOD is a strong tower, the righteous runs into it and is safe. Mark that down and bank on it.
Now, that should give us cause to stop and praise HIS NAME.
LORD JESUS, WE JUST WANT TO PRAISE YOU. YOU ARE WORTHY OF ALL OF OUR PRAISE. YOU ARE WONDERFUL AND FAITHFUL AND HOLY AND TRUE AND TRUSTWORTHY. THANK YOU FOR INVITING US TO KNOW YOUR NAME. THANK YOU FOR INVITING US TO CALL ON YOUR NAME. THANK YOU FOR INVITING US TO RUN TO THE STRONG TOWER OF YOUR MIGHTY NAME. THANK YOU FOR INVITING US TO LOVE YOU BECAUSE OF WHO YOU ARE. O JESUS, WE DO LOVE YOU.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Strength for the weary
Isaiah 40:29 says: HE gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might HE increases power.
Psalm 29:11 says: The LORD gives strength to HIS people, The LORD blesses HIS people with peace.
Psalm 68:35 says: O GOD, YOU are awesome from YOUR sanctuary. The GOD of Israel HIMSELF gives strength and power to the people. Blessed be GOD!
I find myself wondering this morning if maybe you haven't begun this New Year feeling a little bit weary. I spent some time yesterday afternoon with a lady that was very weary. I could tell as soon as I walked into her home that the heaviness of her burden was wearing her down. There was little eye contact made and it was painfully obvious that she is hurting. My heart ached for her, but I had no words that could ease the pain that she is facing. I asked her, "Are you reading your Bible?" She said, "Not so much, but I am praying everyday." I encouraged her to spend time in the Psalms. You see, in all of the years that I have been coming to this book GOD has used the WORDS of Psalms to comfort my heart over and over and over again. HE has spoken from Psalms so many times that my immediate reaction to struggle is to begin scrolling through the book of Psalms looking for a word of hope or encouragement for a weary heart. This morning the FATHER gave me that WORD again.
You may have noticed though that I didn't start with a verse from Psalms. I was actually in Psalm 68 today and it cross references to Isaiah 40...what a wonderful chapter for us when we feel weary and tired and weak.
I would encourage you this morning if the daily grind is getting to you, get out a 3x5 card and write down the above verses. When you feel like you can't keep on keeping on, REMEMBER that the ONE WHO CREATED you gives strength to the weary and power to the weak.
Let's back up to Isaiah 40:28...Do you not know? Have you not heard? The EVERLASTING GOD, the LORD, the CREATOR of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. HIS understanding is inscrutable.
The ONE who made us understands that we get weak and weary and tired. HE understands that we are dust. HE knows that we sometimes falter in our faith, and struggle under the burden of the load that we carry. In KNOWING all of that HE has graciously offered to give us HIS strength when we are weary and HIS power when we are weak. Let's close this morning with 2 Corinthians 12:9. And HE said to me, "MY grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weakness, so that the power of CHRIST may dwell in me.
FATHER, THANK YOU THAT WHEN WE ARE WEARY AND TIRED WE CAN KNOW THAT YOU NEVER TIRE AND YOU NEVER GET WEARY. THANK YOU THAT WHEN WE FEEL OVERWHELMED WITH OUR CIRCUMSTANCES AND SITUATIONS YOU WILL REACH DOWN AND CARRY US. MY PRAYER THIS MORNING IS THAT WE WOULD BE WILLING TO BE CARRIED BY YOU. O FATHER, LET US SEE OUR OWN PRIDE AND OUR OWN WILLFULNESS SO THAT WE WILL BE WILLING TO BE CARRIED BY THE ONE WHO UNDERSTANDS IT ALL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORD. THANK YOU FOR USING IT TO CHALLENGE MY HEART. THANK YOU FOR CHARGING US, AS YOUR CHILDREN, WITH THE COMMAND TO BE DIFFERENT. FATHER, TEACH US TO WALK THE WAY YOU WOULD HAVE US...EVEN IF THAT INVOLVES GREAT HEARTACHE ALONG THE WAY. WE LOVE YOU. WE INVITE YOU TO BREAK US AND MOLD US AND MAKE US INTO WHO YOU WOULD HAVE US BE. YOU, JESUS, ARE WORTHY AND WONDERFUL AND WE WANT TO WALK LIKE YOU. IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS WE PRAY...AMEN!
Psalm 29:11 says: The LORD gives strength to HIS people, The LORD blesses HIS people with peace.
Psalm 68:35 says: O GOD, YOU are awesome from YOUR sanctuary. The GOD of Israel HIMSELF gives strength and power to the people. Blessed be GOD!
I find myself wondering this morning if maybe you haven't begun this New Year feeling a little bit weary. I spent some time yesterday afternoon with a lady that was very weary. I could tell as soon as I walked into her home that the heaviness of her burden was wearing her down. There was little eye contact made and it was painfully obvious that she is hurting. My heart ached for her, but I had no words that could ease the pain that she is facing. I asked her, "Are you reading your Bible?" She said, "Not so much, but I am praying everyday." I encouraged her to spend time in the Psalms. You see, in all of the years that I have been coming to this book GOD has used the WORDS of Psalms to comfort my heart over and over and over again. HE has spoken from Psalms so many times that my immediate reaction to struggle is to begin scrolling through the book of Psalms looking for a word of hope or encouragement for a weary heart. This morning the FATHER gave me that WORD again.
You may have noticed though that I didn't start with a verse from Psalms. I was actually in Psalm 68 today and it cross references to Isaiah 40...what a wonderful chapter for us when we feel weary and tired and weak.
I would encourage you this morning if the daily grind is getting to you, get out a 3x5 card and write down the above verses. When you feel like you can't keep on keeping on, REMEMBER that the ONE WHO CREATED you gives strength to the weary and power to the weak.
Let's back up to Isaiah 40:28...Do you not know? Have you not heard? The EVERLASTING GOD, the LORD, the CREATOR of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. HIS understanding is inscrutable.
The ONE who made us understands that we get weak and weary and tired. HE understands that we are dust. HE knows that we sometimes falter in our faith, and struggle under the burden of the load that we carry. In KNOWING all of that HE has graciously offered to give us HIS strength when we are weary and HIS power when we are weak. Let's close this morning with 2 Corinthians 12:9. And HE said to me, "MY grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weakness, so that the power of CHRIST may dwell in me.
FATHER, THANK YOU THAT WHEN WE ARE WEARY AND TIRED WE CAN KNOW THAT YOU NEVER TIRE AND YOU NEVER GET WEARY. THANK YOU THAT WHEN WE FEEL OVERWHELMED WITH OUR CIRCUMSTANCES AND SITUATIONS YOU WILL REACH DOWN AND CARRY US. MY PRAYER THIS MORNING IS THAT WE WOULD BE WILLING TO BE CARRIED BY YOU. O FATHER, LET US SEE OUR OWN PRIDE AND OUR OWN WILLFULNESS SO THAT WE WILL BE WILLING TO BE CARRIED BY THE ONE WHO UNDERSTANDS IT ALL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORD. THANK YOU FOR USING IT TO CHALLENGE MY HEART. THANK YOU FOR CHARGING US, AS YOUR CHILDREN, WITH THE COMMAND TO BE DIFFERENT. FATHER, TEACH US TO WALK THE WAY YOU WOULD HAVE US...EVEN IF THAT INVOLVES GREAT HEARTACHE ALONG THE WAY. WE LOVE YOU. WE INVITE YOU TO BREAK US AND MOLD US AND MAKE US INTO WHO YOU WOULD HAVE US BE. YOU, JESUS, ARE WORTHY AND WONDERFUL AND WE WANT TO WALK LIKE YOU. IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS WE PRAY...AMEN!
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