Wednesday Thought -- October 31, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

The devil is good at twisting scriptures.  Sometimes he uses only those portions of scripture that say what he wants said.  When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he quoted scripture.  In one temptation, Satan said to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down.  For it is written:  ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” (Matthew 4:6)

That’s a quotation from Psalm 91:  “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” (Psalm 91:11-12)

What Satan didn’t mention was the next verse.  “You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.” (Psalm 91:13)

Jesus didn’t give in to the temptation to test God by jumping off the highest point of the temple.  But He did fulfill the next verse.  He did tread on the lion who seeks to devour us, Satan himself. (1 Peter 5:8)  And He did trample the serpent, Satan, the deceiver!

Don’t believe Satan, for he is the father of lies.  But you can trust the word of the Father.  He’ll see that it comes true.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- October 30, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.  Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.  You turn men back to dust, saying, ‘Return to dust, O sons of men.’  For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.” (Psalm 90:1-4)

Have you ever considered how long God has been around?  He loved your great-grandfather and offered salvation to him.  My great-grandfather was a war baby.  He was born shortly after the war ended – the Civil War.  And God was around then, loving him and offering salvation to him.  When your mother was born, God was there watching, pleased that a new child had entered His world.  And long before your family even had a name, God was there and knew the generations that would come.

When John Hancock put his name on the Declaration of Independence, and He knew then what this nation would become.  When Orville and Wilbur first lifted off in flight, God was there, and knew jet planes would follow soon!

He watched with pleasure as Paul slept in the Roman prison, knowing there was a servant who would be faithful even unto death.  He wept with David’s first glance over toward Bathsheba’s house, knowing what sin David’s desire would birth.

For generation after generation, God has been there, never changing, ever loving, ever wooing men and women into relationship with Himself.  And all the time, He was God, Almighty, invincible, eternal, King of all creation and all time.

And forever, He’ll still be there.  And He’ll still love you!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- October 29, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD?  Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings?  In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him.  O LORD God Almighty, who is like you?  You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you.  You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.  You crushed Rahab like one of the slain; with your strong arm you scattered your enemies.  The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it.  You created the north and the south; Tabor and Hermon sing for joy at your name.  Your arm is endued with power; your hand is strong, your right hand exalted.  Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.  Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.” (Psalm 89:6-15)

There is no one like God!  He is held in reverence among the heavenly beings.  He alone controls the sea and its waves, no one else can even try.  The heavens belong to God.  He set the seasons.  He designed the weather patterns.  He controls the sun and the stars.

We may study all of these things and we may learn a great deal about them, but no one can control them, no one except God.

The earth, too, belongs to God.  We can predict earthquakes, sometimes, but we cannot stop them or reroute them.  We can track tornados and other storms, but we can’t divert them from the path God has set them on.  All the forces of the earth are in God’s control, no one else’s.

And what is the One who controls heaven, earth, and sea known for?  Power.  Strength.  Righteousness.  Justice.  Love.  Faithfulness.  These are His unchanging characteristics.  His power, strength, and authority are enough for us to fear Him.  His righteousness, justice, love, and faithfulness are more than enough to make us love Him and seek His presence.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- October 26, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.  I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.  For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.” (Psalm 86:11-13)

An undivided heart is one that does not waver in its focus on and commitment to God.  That was David’s prayer, and it certainly matched God’s desire for him.

The enticement away from an undivided heart was strong in David’s life, even as it is in ours, too.  David struggled with selfishness just like we do.  When his heart was focused on his own needs and desires, it was not fully focused on God.

Paul described the journey toward an undivided heart in this way, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Paul describes a radical process, putting to death my own needs, desires, and will in order to be fully devoted to God.

That was David’s prayer.  It should be our prayer, too.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- October 25, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty!  My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.  Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young -- a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.  Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.” (Psalm 84:1-4)

There are many struggles in this life.  What we go through is often difficult.  Often, we are not comfortable.  Sin has marred the landscape around us and deeply affected the world and our lives.  Disease brings pain and discomfort.  Aging brings aches and frustrations to us and those we love.  Life is not always easy.  Life is not often easy!

But here’s a thought from the Psalmist to keep us going:  we’re not home, yet!  God’s dwelling place is lovely.  It is the home we seek and wait for.

Paul said, “But our citizenship is in heaven.” (Philippians 3:20)  We’re just visitors here in this world, our true homeland awaits in eternity.

David was confident, “I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23:6)  That is God’s promise to those who trust Him.

When life gets tough, remember:  you’re not home, yet!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- October 24, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.  Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 82:3-4)

The heart of God can be seen in the ministry of Jesus.  Matthew says of Jesus’ ministry:  “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.’” (Matthew 9:35-37)

Jesus saw the needs of the people around Him, He had compassion on them, and He moved to meet their needs.  He saw their physical needs and met them.  He saw their spiritual needs and met them, too.

The church reflects the heart of God when we model our actions after those of Jesus.  We are to see the physical needs of the people around us and move to meet them, as God supplies the resources.  We are to we see the spiritual needs of them, too, and move with the Gospel to meet them.

The Psalmist challenges us to look for the weak and the needy – and to move to rescue them.

See the crowds and their needs.  Move to meet them as God provides.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- October 23, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me.  So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.  If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!” (Psalm 81:11-14)

God is looking for a people who will listen to Him and walk according to His direction.

Israel failed in that.  They were rebellious.  They heard the direction God gave and they chose to follow their own way instead.  They were stubborn.  When God disciplined them to bring them back to Him it took them a long time, often multiple generations, to pay attention and turn back.

The sad truth is that it was to Israel’s harm that they chose not to follow God.  If only they had listened to God they would have found even greater blessings from Him.  God’s direction was not arbitrary.  His will was not harmful to His people.

How much like Israel are Christians today?  God is still looking for a people who will listen to Him and walk in His direction.  Like Israel, are we rebellious?  Like Israel, do we chose to ignore God’s direction and follow our own?  Like Israel, are we stubborn, even in the face of God’s discipline?  Are you rebellious and stubborn before God?

When will we learn that God’s direction and will are not for our harm, but for our good?  When will we learn that greater blessings await us when we listen to Him?

His, by Grace,

Steve