Spirit of God

Have you ever seen anyone that's just pumped up for God?  I mean the type that they are loud, crazy, and passionate about their God? The kind that is just an authentic outpouring of the Spirit of God?  I know a few guys that are like that.  It's an awesome and powerful thing to see and be a part of.  One I just read his testimony the other day, the other I heard his, and the final I miss since I don't get to be around him as much soaking up some of that spiritual pressure he emits.  It is great to see these young babes in Christ be growing at an immense rate. It is because the Holy Spirit is actively working in their lives. I read this verse today

Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah.  1 Samuel 16:13

Its cool to study the life of King David.  He did some tremendous acts for the his Lord GOD.  He also did some pretty horrible things too.  But what he didn't do was turn away from God.  See when King David got touched by the Spirit he was changed.  From that point forward King David did not cease striving to let the world know about his God.

We get this same Spirit that lives within us when we accept Jesus as the leader of our lives.  Each person is given a measure of His Spirit.  This Spirit we receive gives us knowledge in all things (1 John 2:27), tells us the paths in which we should take (Isaiah 30:21), helps us to pray (Romans 8:26), and also is how we worship Him (John 4:24).  God gave us a tremendous asset to follow Him.  And when we get this spirit we should use it.  I remember when first coming back to Christ I made a vow that when I heard His voice I would not turn away as I use to but would listen and submit for the glory of His name.  *And that same Spirit still drives me today with passion and conviction.  That passion may not always be carried out emotionally because emotion is the least  part of our human existence.  But it will be carried out in our actions. Because actions are dictated by faith.

So today let us live by the Spirit.  But not only in word but let us LIVE (come alive) in the Spirit.  Let us put forth fruits of the passion and power that God has put in our lives.  I charge you to let each action be guided by the Spirit of God in us but grounded to the Word He's given us.  Because Jesus says those who are planted firmly will bear fruits 30 60 and 100 fold (Matthew 13:23), which is a tremendous harvest.

*Note:  I have given examples of many young Christians because of how the Spirit seems to emanate from them so powerfully because they are new to this feeling.  I am still new because I have only come to have a year and four months of following Christ yet I believe that this passion will continue to grow more and more each day.  It is as a relationship with a spouse (as ours with Christ is compared) where when we learn more about the characteristics, personalities and desires in their hearts we begin to love them more.  We will love Christ more everyday because (if we pursue him) we will see how much He loves us, all that He's done for us, all that he has in store, and all that He is each day.

Do you Love God?

I love my parents and respect them. This is evident in how I live.  When Mother's day or Father's day comes around I get them a gift.  When their birthday comes I treat them to something special.  And even on other days I get them something just for being my parents.  I believe that they enjoy those things.  But that is just part of showing my love for them.  The other part is obeying their instructions for me to live by.  As a child I had been growing up with rules, these rules now are understood and those I should follow.  And if I break a rule here or there they will correct me, however when there is a direct order given I am expected to follow this.  They are my parents.  The other day I was asked to make my little brothers bed up so that my neice could sleep in it.  What if when they got home from picking her up the bed wasn't made and I just said I didn't make it because I spent all my time baking a cake for you so that when you arrived we could have a party?  A party would sound good on any other occasion. To have a little fun in honor of my parents would be great. However, at this time my mother would not care for the party because her mind would be fixed on the bed not made for my neice.

In 1 Samuel 15 Saul was givin a direct order to take over Amalek and completely destroy everything.  I mean everything animals and people (3).  He doesn't though.  Saul keeps the best of the animals and spares the kings life (9). As soon as that happened God spoke to Samuel and told him how greived he was about appointing Saul as King (10).  Then Saul and Samuel had some conversation back and forth about why he didn't do what God had told him.  King Saul says he didn't do it but the people did it for God (20-21).  But Samuel drops the hammer on him in the verses following.

Samuel said, "Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD?  Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.

King Saul disobeyed a direct order from God.  I remember in boot camp that if you disobeyed a direct order from a D.I. then it was an automatic write up.  And this order is from God the Father.  How many times do we disobey direct orders from Him?  When the Spirit calls us to do a certain job, or to speak to a certain person about our faith, do we just ignore Him?  This is a direct order given from the King of our faith, God.  And who are we to disobey this?  But we do.  Even made more perfect than a felling inside us is the living Word of God, the Bible (2 Peter 1:16-21). When do we see something in this and decide it does not pertain to my life but only for those in that time.  I believe in Heb. the writer says Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

So today let us not discard the Spirit as he urges us to do things.  Let us not count it as a mere request but a command givin by the ultimate Authority.  And I charge you as brothers in sisters in Christ to read His word and not just read but to act upon what is written.  Because Jesus states those who love me follow my commandments (John 14:15).  Now the question becomes "do you love him?"

Leadership

At this present moment I am discipling a new Christian.  It is an amazing thing that God has me being a part of.  I  get to see him grow and mature in his faith.  I also get to help him deal with struggles that are a part of his life.  This bond between us grows stronger each day as Christian brothers and as friends.  What if I were to suddenly become engulfed in self.  What if I were to take money from the offering plate at church and he is sitting next to me.  Or what if when we were riding to Joplin I would have flipped off one of the drivers who had cut me off.  What would my friend's reaction had been to that?

In 1 Samuel chapter 8 it talks about this very thing.  The leaders appointed over Israel were doing evil.  They began taking bribes and perverting justice (3).  And in doing so it cause the people to sin.  They turned away from God.  See at this point in time there where judges in the land and the judges would look to God when trouble would rise.  In doing so there comfort would be in the Lord rather than their leader.  However in this day they began to want a king.  They trusted not in the LORD God. (20).  Though they were sinning they were honest in their efforts.  For their leaders they could not trust to guide them unto the LORD or show them the correct path to walk (5).

Today let us walk in a manner worthy in which we have been called.  This passage may seem as if it were for a great leader but in fact these were Samuels sons. We are all leaders.  And in that we must all live each step of life guided by the Father in heaven.  I charge you to take each step in faith depending on the Savior for all your needs, remembering there are those, kids, youth, adults, who are watching the decisions we make and the outcome of each.  Let us not be the ones that lead others astray but let us ground them stronger in our God we trust in.  For Paul wrote in the spirit if it where for us even to stop eating meat we must do it to grow another in Christ that they might glorify His name.  That means rather than doing what we want and sacrificing their faith we must sacrifice our lives to do what it takes to grow their faith.

Faith in God

Faith God
Have you ever told a child a fairytale or a ghost story? They always believe. Sometimes it’s funny because the tales are so outlandish and impossible that it’s a wonder they would even listen. Children possess a greet ability to have faith. That is why at one point Jesus said we must come to him as they do, believing (Mark 10:15). Later the bible says we must h ave this faith to please him (Hebrews 11:6).

Let me tell you a story about a young woman named Hannah. She had no children and wanted one very badly. So in faith she asked God to give her a child. She stated that if that child came she would devote him or her wholly to God. She prayed diligently on her knees and soon she became pregnant. She received the child she had wanted! God had given her a son. And when the child was weaned she gave him to become a priest.

In this story recorded in 1 Samuel chapter 1 three things stuck out to me in this woman’s faith.
1) She had a need (major need) but knew to whom she could take it. She went boldly yet humbly before God. We have got to know that if there is a problem great or small that the Father of Lights is the one who can and will save us.

2) She went to God with humility and passion in her heart. The bible says she continued tonsay “your servant”(10) and that she was deeply destressed and wept bitterly.(11) It even goes on to say that they thought she was drunk because of the passion she showed. When we go before God we should lay it all out before him. Put it all on the line for he cares for us deeply. God doesn’t want just our words He wants everything about us. Our emotions and our passion when coming to him.

3) She honored her vow to God. I believe this is the most important part because it proves her faith in the LORD. She gave up her child to become a priest. Many times we would make promises to God and when they are fulfilled we don’t hold our end of the bargain. That’s like saying that I didn’t believe you could actually heal me (or whatever the need was) God so that’s why I said those things. Faith is bread in action. When Hannah got her baby from God she showed her faith in God by giving that baby to Him. I hope we can all have faith as strong as Hannah’s

Finally I charge you to bring all that you have to God whatever it may be. But don’t bring it half heartedly. I charge you to bring God all you have physically spiritually and emotionally. But most of all I charge you to live in faith. Let your life tell the story of God. When our lives tell the story rather than our mouths (though we still should speak on these things) people tend to listen more.

A Good Word

Today, I woke up sick.  I spent the latter part of yesterday on a chicken farm.  I went into the houses and instantly my nose began to run pools and my lungs folded up like a lawn chair at the same time.  Usually when I work there I wear a mask covering my face and I have an inhaler for emergencies. However, this time I had none.  My inhaler broke because of a door falling on it (weird circumstances) and no mask because I got a new vehicle (thank you Jesus) and I didn't transfer the masked into the car.  Fighting through that work yesterday was a tough ordeal.  After I came home my niece was here (who I love dearly) and playing all night when it feels like you have peanuts for longs is a tall order.  I woke up not feeling good.  And being sick is not fun, but when I turned on my computer I looked on Facebook (the incredible social network) and received a message from a friend.  She said that she had seen something and that it had reminded her of me (something Christian) and that encouraged me.  Proverbs talks about this very thing.

Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. Proverbs 12:25

People have heaviness in their hearts.  This world is full of turmoil and trouble because this world is cursed and fallen.  Trouble is everywhere.  How I felt this morning happens a million times a day and as servants of the King we need to take up our responsibility as an encourager. The bible says many times that we should encourage one another, exhort one another and edify one another.  Are we doing this?  I'll probably get better from this sickness (LORD willing)  and be fully healthy, but some have emotionally and spiritually heaviness.  How much more would one need a cheerful word in this?

I charge you today to not live in the light of your own life but to notice the lives of others.  I charge you to bring joy in another persons life, and to bring a word that uplifts and encourages the people around you.  Let us not talk negative to tear down but positive to build up.  Let us not forget the times we felt hopeless and needed encouragement.  Let us spread this encouragement and exhortation to others.  Above all let us bring the ultimate good word Jesus Christ to those in spiritual turmoil because He the only saving grace for humanity.

The Wise and the Foolish

Proverbs talks much about wisdom.  As a matter of fact this book is filled with many sayings about what to do to become wise, how to act if you are wise, and how precious wisdom is.  I ran across some verses today in my daily readings.

Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come eat of my bread and drink of the wine which I have mingled.  Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.  He that reproveth a scorner getteth himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.  Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.  Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will in crease in learning.  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Proverbs 9:4-10

This I have read previous times and it always hit me a certain way; however, today it seems a bit different.  This is one of those passages where we should start from the last verse and work up.

 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. We must remember where wisdom comes from.  Wisdom comes from God.  We must first honor the King and know in whom we should base our belief system on.  Jesus said "I am the way the truth and the life..."  John 14:6. All truth is Christ.  Therefore if any man or woman has wisdom in anything in this world it has come from the Father who is truth. It is only discerning that truth which becomes increasingly difficult. Let us remember that.

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will in crease in learning. Let us learn from each other is next on the list.  Let us tell each other of how to avoid situations how to love better, how to reach certain goals, how to apply things in our lives, how to gain a better relationship with others, how to live more for Christ, and many other things.  Let us learn from each other.  This is why we are part of a body in Christ, to share experiences. The writer of Hebrews (Heb 10:24) said "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works;"  We must remember it is good for us to share with each other in our problems and to gain advice from others in the family of God.  This will help us to live greater for God.  But refer back to the first point because only true wisdom comes from God. Any wisdom we get outside of God's people is not safe to be taken (not to say that some of our non-Christian acquaintances cannot have sound advice, but the can because all truth is of God) and cannot be trusted unless one is able to discern truth from lie.  And this is true because does the world and Christ have to do with each other.  They are enemies (James 4:4).

He that reproveth a scorner getteth himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.  Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. In the context of these words the writer is saying that we should not continue to push wisdom on those who do not want to receive it. And this is true.  I believe that we should try to help those in need, yet if the person denies the advice and begins to argue then it is unwise to continue any further with the conversation. Also we are to choose to whom we present this advice to.  This is to put our pearls before swine.  It must be evident that they will accept this wisdom we give.  And that is the traditional view that I have seen.  However, as I read this part of the scripture today I began to think, what if Solomon wrote this not only to warn of the fool, but also to warn us of ourselves as being the fool.  How many times do we argue when a Christian friend is only giving us advice about our actions or our faith.  He or she is only doing what the bible directs them to do (Gal 6:1).  Maybe these verses are here to warn us of ourselves.  Maybe they are here to bring to light the foolishness that we have.  As I look back on my life I realize that I was the fool many of times.  We should choose to listen to those who give advice (especially elder in the faith) so that maybe we can become greater followers of Christ through their revelation.

Whoso is simple, let him turn in heither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come eat of my bread and drink of the wine which I have mingled.  Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding  Finally I charge you to listen to these words for they are not mine but only interpretations of the Word of God.  But not only my blog but all those that think they know it all, because maybe there is some truth to the words they have to say.  Listen and become wise for what is the price of wisdom? I charge you to see the humility in listening and isn't humility being Christ-like which being gives us better understanding? So let us listen more today and become wise in and through our God.

We Have a Purpose that God will Help Us Fulfill!

At Fuel last night Darrel read from a passage about David.  In this passage he alluded to the fact that God did not call David home until He had accomplished all that David would accomplish in his life.  I read a verse this morning and it gives me confidence of the word Darrel spoke last night.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.  The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.  Do not forsake the work of your hands.  Psalm 138:7-8 ESV

 I will give a few ideas of what this verse is saying.

1. God has a plan for us all. The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me   He has something for us each to carry out in our lifetime.  Some may be short and some may take an entire lifetime, yet God has a plan and a purpose for each of His creations.  It is funny how secular humanism say that we are to create our own meaning in life. "Go do what makes you happy."  Yet has anyone that has tried that gain fulfillment in there lives?  Take Micheal Jackson (an extreme case on both ends).  He is the King of Pop.  Arguable know as the best singer, dancer, and performer of his era and even former and latter eras.  One of the richest people (even after he went broke he sold those Beetle rights and made more money) to walk the planet.  And dare I say one of the handsomest (before all the surgery) people.  But he found no fulfillment as you can see by the parentheses after all his achievements.  He could not find happiness in all of his accomplishments and turned to worldly avenues which ultimately lead to his death and now eternity in hell.  There are many akin to this story I only chose one where the extremes where on both ends.

2. God is going to do whatever it takes to fulfill that purpose. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life   God is going to do His part of the deal. He will equip, strengthen and protect us.  We do not have to worry that He would not do His part.  If life were akin to a high school football game God would be the coach and we would be the players.  After a player knows what position he/she plays, (because God equips us but we still have to work hard to make our selves ready [Proverbs 29:18]) he/she begins to train diligently in getting bigger, faster, and stronger for that position through the training of the coach, but if the player truly wants to be great he/she will exercise and eat right on his/her on time as well as dedicating himself/herself fully to the position he/she was given (1Cor 9:24-27).  Also the coach is scouting out the other team thinking of schemes that will no doubt win the match, and if the players follow the game plan he has mapped out for them then they will have the victory (the Bible is God's game plan for living a glorious life for Him).  The coach will also take a player out if he/she is not producing because of lack of practice or effort (no fruit produced because of the lack of spiritual discipline)  and the coach will also make his players run laps if he sees one slacking (God's discipline).  And if the coach is good, and his players trust him and devote themselves to the sport then victory will be ensured.  That is exactly the way our lives are as Christians.  If we trust God and devote ourselves to His work we will accomplish the task He has set out for us and win the war against flesh, the world and Satan.

3. It is all dependent on us.   Do not forsake the work of your hands  We have to be about doing God's work for His work to be accomplished in us. The writer knew he was doing the will of the Father therefore he pleaded that God would not leave his side.  We ought not think that God will do anything with us if we do not work for Him. We ought not cry out to God (unless for salvation) for a work in our lives if we are not in the process of doing His will daily.  As the football analogy went, If a player does not practice hard he will not be in the game.  God's not going to put us in the game if we are not actively trying to prepare ourselves and living in a manner worthy of His calling.

I challenge you today to live in a manner worthy of the calling of Christ.  In this way only can our lives truly have purpose and be filling.  Ken, at Impact, said about John 10:10  "God gives us life when we accept Him, but we don't have it abundantly because we don't live for Him."  Lets make a commitment to live for Jesus today.

A Personal Body Guard

A few years ago I can remember my paster preaching on Psalm 125.  I'm not sure if he used it as an example or as the sermon's main context but it stuck.

They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.  As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.  For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.  Psalm 125: 1-3

How I love this psalm.  Let us break it down.   They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.  Have you ever tried to move a mountain.  It takes a lot of effort.  Maybe a nuclear bomb could do some damage but other than that it is impossible (aside from God).  That is exactly what it is to trust in GOD.  The quote "If you stand for nothing you will fall for anything"  applies here.  Trust brings a person to believe and do what he/she trust in deems necessary.  A rock climber when repelling must trust the rope.  That means he/she makes decisions based on his trust in the rope that he/she is using.  As in the same way we should base all our trust on GOD.  He is the foundation of all decisions we should make.  If we do this undoubtedly we will have peace and joy in all that can happen in our lives.

 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.  We always hear of the hedge of protection that God puts around his children that stay in His will.  This is a clear scripture that represents that.  God will protect us, first with His presence "...the LORD is round about..."  Its awesome to know that our Father Himself will be there to protect us.  How blessed are His angels who protect but it says confidently the He is round about us.  Second, God will protect us henceforth.  As soon as we are converted, He brings the Holy Spirit to dwell with in us.  The Holy Spirit is a powerful person living within each Christian and He protects us from all harm.  Third, Gods protection is forever.  Now this is the key because when we trust Christ as savior we have His protection forever.  That means no death and no hell.  When God says something He means it (Num 23:19).  Forever is a clear statement for the protection that God will have on His people. In glory there will be no sickness, no sadness, and no suffering, only peace and the love of Christ will be there.  How awesome is this!

Some people may ask "If this hedge is true then why is there persecution and death of the saints?"  I must first refer back to the last statement that the hedge of protection God has given each Christian is first of all about our salvation; however, as men and women of Christ grow stronger in Him, he/she gains a powerful desire to do His will no matter the cost.  I believe God sees this desire in his/her heart and blesses him/her with a legacy.  Sometimes God sees fit to glorify His name exponentially through torture and martyrdom than only a few through a life living.  We see stories that have impacted our lives even now through the sacrifices of others.  I wrote about one of those that impacted me not to long ago.  And through these stories Christians around the world gain strength.

However, there are conditions to the protection of God.  For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity. God, controlling everything, will not allow any hand to touch the body of a Christian apart from His will unless we walk away from Him.  The mountains in the previous verse are not an all en campusing mountains, but mountains that protect yet allow freedom.  God as King and Sovereign Ruler does not control His people as puppets but allows us to make decisions because He loves us, yet our decisions come with consequence.  We must remain in the will of the Father and He will protect His children.

I ask which will you chose today, protection or desertion.  It sounds easy when put in these terms but I know life has many twist in turns; however, I remind you.  "He that trust in the LORD...cannot be removed..."

Persecution

I am low and unworthy of the love and sacrifice that God has given me.  I do not deserve all that He has done for me in my life.  Persecution of the Christian is unseen in the place that I live.  It is not on the scale as it is for those in many countries where they torture, imprison and kill those who follow the God of creation.

I start off everyday with prayer supplication meditation and reading of God's word.  I spend time with Him quietly to myself.  For this I believed that I was strong and passionate and close to my God.  I was wrong beyond belief.

I watched a video of a girl, Sarah, who was persecuted for her faith in Christ.  They asked her to sign a document that would implicate her Christian brothers and sisters in activities that would be contrary to the laws of the government of the country she lived.  But Sarah did not.  Her penalty was torture.  Sarah was beaten beyond belief and was forced to walk with chains shackled to her legs.  As I watched this movie I thought I do not know if I could take such abuse.  I thought back to all the movies and stories I had seen with different scenes of torture.  It scared me and I felt in my heart that I would give up the lives of those who follow Christ, or would not be able to proclaim His life, just to save my own.  As I watched I kept thinking, why would God do such things to me? or really to her?

They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on the right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.  But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?  And they said unto him, We can.  And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized.  Mark 10:37-39

Then Sarah said something.  She said that as she walk she could see her foot prints.  Her foot prints were in the trail of blood that was left from her injuries.  As Sarah seen this she said this must have been a little of what Christ felt as he walk the path of Golgotha. She gained strength in knowing that she could suffer only a fraction of what Christ suffered for us, for Him.

As I heard that my spirit began to stir and my heart began to tremble. I saw then that my life was not in the standard in which it should be.  How can I be caught up in this world?  How can I be living for my flesh?  I thought that I was living fully for Christ but I was only giving Him what I thought was all of me which was conditional on my environment.  I must be ready to die for Christ.  Or better I must be ready to be tortured for Christ.  It is easy to die knowing that you will be with the Father instantly but to be in constant pain feeling body parts ache from the abuse done to them by various methods induced by different tools created only to bring the pain that is felt.  In this mind frame how can I sin?  How could I be hubris, lustful, slothful, or even covetous?  To not sin is good yet in truth, would being tortured for Christ not be the greatest thing I could do for my Lord?  To suffer the same as He did and to show my love for Him, I pray this would be my heart.  I know my heart is not this way, but I pray that it will be.  God has shown me quite a marvelous thing tonight. And once I know I can never turn away from the knowledge given to me.  Can I drink the cup that Christ has drank?

The Word Helps Us Persevere

In my life I have done seen and been through many things.  It is that way with all of us.  Some times we are angry at the things that man does to us or even what God may put us through.  However, these things have happened or can be used to bring glory to God alone.

For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.  Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.  They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.  Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.  I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou has quickened me.  I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.  The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.  I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad  Psalm 119:89-96

 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. What God speaks will endure.  His precepts, His laws, His judgments, His mercies, His grace, His love; they are all forever, and will endure.  That is the first thing that the writer of Lamed states.  That means everything he bases his life on is through the words of God, or scripture.  We too would be well to do the same.  Before we realize the help that our experiences have given us in our walk with Christ, we must first understand that the word of God is eternal.

Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.  The power of God is so awesome, it is so mighty that we can stand firm knowing that it will never change.  This verse speaks of God's power.  "...thou hast established the earth..."  The Power that established the earth has the ability (since He made something out of nothing) to know what should go before me that I might be established more in Him, right?  They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.  This is another testimony of Gods power.  Time, space, matter, energy, all these things still act along the same principles and guidelines that they have been since the beginning, but not only on earth but in all the heavens.  This principles and building blocks for the universe do not change and create stability in this world, but not only that they are his servants.  God controls them.  That means that even in all the things of this world that could happen, sickness, pain, time, strength, He controls them and they do His bidding.  If that doesn't make you jump for Joy or shout to Jesus I don't know what will.

Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.   This is the first key verse.  It helps us to know the practical strength and divine power of the Holy Spirit within us, and the reason for His law in our lives.  The reason is so we should be able to endure trials and glorify His Name.  God's word to us is a strength in our spirit and a anchor of His truth.  I remember hearing Charles Stanley saying once in a sermon that because he was a preacher and had to study the bible daily for his sermons and lessons that when he was depressed, saddened, or fearful he knew he could make it through because of the promises of God.  He said he was made to study because he was a pastor, but he was telling us who do not have to study daily (but should) that we should study to build that trust, which is called faith.  See our faith comes by reading more about the truth of our Savior in the bible "Unless the law had been my delight..."  The word then becomes the turbine that propels us as believers to terry through.


I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou has quickened me.  This is the second part to the key point, in that we must not forget His word or what he has done through it.  As we have read and have applied His word to our lives, through the things He has delivered us in we also gain faith.  And this faith we have does not only stay with us but will abound and grow in others as they also see the things that God has carried us through in His word.  In many cases this will bring the lost to Christ as well.  When the lost notice the problems we have are similar to their own and yet we go about them with more joy and peace then they do it brings that smell of Christ to their lives that may influence them to come to a decision in faith.  Our trials are of excellent greatness if we endure through His word.

  I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.  The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies. The writer of this psalms gradually lets down after the climax telling that through his faith increase he can call out to the LORD with confidence.  "I am thine"  We too can be this same way.  Many times in psalms God's servants call out to him.  The reason they do this is because  they know that He will save.  We should have this same thought process.  However, we must remember that we must be in his will "I have sought thy precepts....but I will consider thy testimonies."  Following the will of our Father is the ultimate guideline in all of these things.  If our will is not lined up with His there is no longer any salvation, but a frightful ending of condemnation.  If we do not follow the directions in building a play set, if the play set breaks we cannot be angry that someone has got injured or we have to buy a new one because we did not follow the directions.  Christ (not to say we use Him) is the same way.  If we do not follow His will, we ought not think He will help when we call out to Him.

 I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad  I love how the writer ends this.  He knows that Gods methods are true and righteous.  They will endure.  He can see corruption in all things but Gods word.  That is why he follows it and lives by it.  That is why I follow and live by it.  That is why we all should follow and live by it.  Jesus said "I am the way the truth and the life..."  I believe with all my heart if a person genuinely searches for truth without bias he will find truth in Jesus.

Our experiences help us to gain a true perspective on our salvation and Savior.  Let us not shrink away from the things we have done but embrace them in the light of our Savior.  For through them God has created wonders, He has made a swan from what we thought was an ugly duckling.

A Little on the Church

I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.  Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.  Psalm 119:63;79

The Church is an important aspect of the Christian faith.  It was clearly established by Christ, and was talked about among all the apostles.  It is the bride of Christ, His elect people in whom He wishes to spend eternity with.

I am not talking about the building, in these scriptures are not stones or doors or walls talked about, what is talked about are the people.  The Church is the people of God.  The people that Christ loved so much that he gave His life for them.  A people who are suppose to love each other as the sign of the One who loved us.  We are to strengthen one another as Christ strengthened us and we are to acknowledge sin amongst each other as Christ acknowledged sin by dieing on the cross.

I am a companion of all them that fear thee We are to be one body.  That is the beauty of the Church, just because we do not know each other we are known through Him who knows all.  We are all brothers and sisters and should treat each others as such, not giving regard to race, age, background or denomination. "That they [believers] all may be one..." John 17:21

Let those that fear thee turn unto me We also must be willing to help the fellow brethren in what ever he may need or desire in Christ.  We are to be aids to one another.  That is the reason in which Christ has brought us together; that we may be a single body working together to achieve His purpose.  "For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together... but that the member should have same care one for another" 1Cor 12:24-25  When one member is hurting then God brings us into recollection of this that we might pray, or if happy rejoice with him.  "...whether one member suffer, all ...suffer...one member honoured, all...rejoice..." 1Cor 12:26

I believe it is said best here the manner in which we should live as the Church.

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Philippians 2:1-3

In considering  this passage we must do the following:

Love.  We are to love each other. "He that loveth his brother abideth in the light..." 1John 2:10

Help each other. We are to pray for one another "...and let them pray over him [one in the church]..." James 5:14   And to keep each other walking in righteousness "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault,...restore such an one..." Galations 6:1

The Church is needed for the spiritual growth of the individual in the church and the edification of the Church as a whole.  It would be good for us to remember Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is..."  I believe our lives and the Churches depends on it.

Comfort Through the Word of God

It is amazing what the word can do. Here is Zain.

Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.  This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.  The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.  I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.  Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.  Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.  I have remembered thy name, O LORD in the night, and have kept thy law.  This I had, because I kept thy precepts.  Psalm 119:49-56 

 The writer of this psalm gives examples of his hope, which should be encouraging to us all. His comfort can be found in the promise that God has already given him. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.  This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.  For us what God has given us is His Son's death on the cross.  In all the anguish and pain we may go through we are to remember that God has already shown His love, not "why does God not love me now? It seems like the whole world is coming down on me!"  God has proved his love to us on the cross. 1John 4:9

The word of God, not only comforted the psalmist in the hour of his need, but also gave him courage.  The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.  I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.  I believe this psalm is at a time when David was fleeing from Saul and had run to Gath for cover.  David said this knowing that he could have killed Saul many times before but had not because killing the king was contrary to the Word of God.  David knew that by doing what was said in the Word he was taking faith, and faith was to be his shield.  David remembered (through the bible) the many accomplishments that God had already done for his people (and himself), so why not him now.  Likewise we must remember God's Word and what it says about our protection and being able to overcoming this world through Him.  We should comfort ourselves, in this fact.

David said This I had, because I kept thy precepts. The Word of God is good, and is meant for many things, but we must do what it says.  The comfort of God does not come through reading His Word alone but by taking action upon what the word says.  This is the faith aspect that we have in the God's Word.  That if we do what He says, all things will work together.  That is why there is this verse "All things work together for the good of those who love the Lord, and are called according to His purpose."

On a side note,  One thing that touches my heart is the burden and anger that David has for sin. Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law. Yes, I believe he was truly scared, but I believe his terror was more from the things that could happen if a person strays from the perfect word of God. Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.  I have remembered thy name, O LORD in the night, and have kept thy law. He understood the reason's for the laws God had created for us out of love.  We ought to hate sin and all that it does.  I have come to realize if we still desire for sin we will sin, but if we hate sin the spirit will overcome our carnal selves.

What Can I Learn From Studying God's Word?

What happens when we read Gods word. From Vau of Psalm 119 here are seven things.

Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word. So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me:  for I trust in thy word.  And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.  So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.  And I will walk at liberty:  for I seek thy precepts.  I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.  And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.  My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.  Psalms 119:41-48

First salvation. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.  Salvation comes from the word of God.  Anyone who reads in earnest truth will find salvation through Jesus Christ. Faith comes by either speaking about the Word or reading the Word.  In either case many men and women have become part of the family of God through the divine Word of God.

Second, once saved we will be able to defend our faith. So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me:  for I trust in thy word. We begin to trust that what God's Word says is true. Therefore we will be able to tell others the depths of love that God has for us through His Word, and the great mercies and grace He has shown us through His Son's death on the cross.  We will be able to be a witness to others about the faith in which God has graced us with.  Then we will be reaching others for Him.

Third, hope comes from the Word of God.  And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.  As we read the scriptures we learn more about our Savior and His birth, life, death, and resurrection which brings us our hope.  Our hope in life, that He will never leave us nor forsake us, and that all things will work together for the good of those who love the Lord; and our hope in death that we shall be with Him or that we shall not see death because He will come back to get us.  Oh what glorious hope we have in Christ through His Word.

 Fourth, We will have peace and true freedom. So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.  And I will walk at liberty:  for I seek thy precepts. When we read His Word we begin to walk in it and see that we are not bound to sin but have freedom and that our life has a purpose, which is serving the true Creator.  These two things are a yolk that are with us our entire lives; wondering why even though we try to be good we cannot or what consequences we get because of the wrong we do and why do we always long for something more, a greater purpose.  Dealing with sin God breaks those chains. We no longer have to worry about what happens because we have sinned because our Redeemer has paid for all our sin, but not just that;  we no longer have to sin.  We have the Spirit that raised Christ from the dead to give us power of our sin that we would never walk in it again.  And with peace, we find that the goal or achievement we were trying to do to make our lives have meaning, whether it be money, sex, drugs, objects, or relationships, is in Christ.  He brings that peace that passes all understand.  A king you will only find when you meet Him and study His word.

Fifth, we begin to witness.  I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved This may seem like the second and it is similar but in witnessing we have a boldness about our witness "...before kings," because of the experiences we begin to go through and the more discernment we have through the scriptures. Our witness will not only be in word but also in deed.  "...I will delight myself in thy commandments,"  We see understand more fully the grace and mercy and love that God has for us.

Sixth, we begin to praise Him in spirit and in truth.  My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; Knowing more about our Saviour and King through the scripture gives us a deeper understand of Him as God and as a man,  This allowing us to know more fully the sacrifice it would take for him to come down from heaven and dwell in a carnal body, humbling himself solely for our edification.  In knowing these things how much more will we praise our Saviour and our Father, who sent Him.  O how great God is.

Finally, we continue to study and learn even more. and I will meditate in thy statutes.  With the increase of knowledge we have for the LORD we begin to want to know more and more about Him.  For example in a relationship with a spouse we do not want to stop learning about our spouse after we are married. We want to continue knowing more and more about our spouse everyday so that our love can be grander, our relationship can be greater and our bond of friendship can be stronger.  Likewise it is for Christ.  After salvation we do not toss our Savior to the side and say I guess were living together now (in our heart).  We long for a better relationship in love and in friendship daily by meditation on His word and His statutes and living in them daily.

A Burning Desire

How many of us have the most extreme desire to do what the Lord says?  How many of us have a burning passion for the commandments and precepts of the holy Father.  I read this verse and it cut me to the bone.

My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times. Psalm 119:20

 I just got done reading a book about heaven, It was amazing.  The thought of Jesus coming back to get us and preparing and we are to be at home with him.  What a great and wonderful feeling that will be.  We cannot comprehend the wonder and spender our home shall be.  David in this context of this verse is saying just that.  Here is what he says previously

I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.  Psalm 119:19

David longs so much for Gods laws and precepts, he desires to do all that God commands him because he knows at this moment that is the closest he can be to his "home" until he is called by the One who makes our homes.  In a like way we should desire so much to do Gods will and follow his way because it is a way to gain that closeness that we long for with Christ.  "...whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God...Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you." James 4:4;8.  Our home is not here so we must act like that and live for the kingdom in which we belong in "...I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul" 1 Peter 2:11.

Today, let our hearts burn with desire to serve the LORD.  Let us each search each ourselves for any sin that could be separating us from the Father.  And with a pure heart draw near to God with such a longing and desire that it will burn until the day of His returning!

The Condescending Grace of God

I just read a commentary about a verse, Psalm 113:6.  This amazed me because it brought to the realization of the love that God truly has for us.

Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth. Psalm 113:6

God is above all gods, above all things and yet He who is above all things willfully stoops down to see what is in heaven and even more crouches to see our lowly selves on the earth.  It is an amazing thought to think that a God would love us so much to be involved in the most intricacies of our lives.  A God so loving that he would be with the weak, poor, and destitute.  A God so loving that He would be with the people we ourselves would not get near.  And as I think of this it reminds me of Jesus.  He himself who was above all things decided to be born, in a stable, which is not clean by any means or even sanitary, live a life of poverty working as a carpenter which is hard work cutting and forming wood, and then as a vagabond having no place to lay his head, and finally dieing why would God want to die? but for His love for us a wretched, evil, sinful people He died.  Glory to God almighty who humbled himself to behold the  things in heaven and earth. That is why the psalmist says "From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised."

This is titled Condescending God because of the true meaning of the word which struck me when I first read it.  Condescend is to come or bend down, so far as a particular action is concerned, from one's position of dignity or pride; to stoop voluntarily and graciously. 

Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:6-8

The Righteous Man

Many of times we do not know how to act in order to be Christians.  I know that love is the ultimate action, yet it becomes difficult to know the ways in which to live our lives.  Psalm 112 comes out plainly to show Godly living.

Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: He is gracious, and full of compassion and righteous.  A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.  Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.  He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.  His heart is established, he shall not be afraid... Psalms 112:4-8

First lets state that the psalm is about the people who fear God, Christians for a modern day term if you will.  The first thing in these verses that is pointed out is that our lives should have a visible difference "...there ariseth light in the darkness..."  We should have a flavor as Paul says in Corinthians that others can smell when they are around us.  They (Christians and non-Christians) should know we are in Christ the moment we are around them.  The psalmist then explains what he means in this statement. 

Gracious. Gracious is characterized by or exhibiting kindness or courtesy; kindly, benevolent, courteous.  In all things we must be kind.  "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." Phillipians 2:3 We must treat others not just how we want to be treated but better than we would want to be treated.

Full of Compassion.  Compassion is the feeling or emotion, when a person is moved by the suffering or distress of another, and by the desire to relieve it.  We must be full of willingness to sacrafice ourselves to relieve others of the struggles in which they are in.  We must put ourselves in harms way for the strengthening of another human being.

Righteous.  Being righteous is conforming to the precepts of divine law.  Being righteous is following the Holy Bible.  Doing all that is in it whether we like what it says or not.  Obeying the commandments of God despite what we think about it.

Shows favor.   In one commentary I read it says that if we have the means then we should always promote wellfare to our fellow man.  I believe this is true but even if we do not have a particular means there is always another way to promote wellfare whether it be either in word or deed we should show favor to others.

Lend.  Lending is a tough thing for some people.  It is hard to let someone borrow.  But here it plainly says lend not give.  I believe it is so because we have to trust and be trusted.  Not all people are trust worthy but we are all granted trust until that trust is broken.  Let our yes's be yes and our no's be no.(Matthew 5:37)  It is our Christain duty to trust others. We may say they are taking advantage of us but I heard a priest say one time "I am giving my advantage away."

Guide's affairs with discretion.  In all that we do as Christians we should prepare.  I am not saying that God will use the preparation we have but I know he will honor it. (Poverbs 29:18) However God will direct our paths when we make this preparation. "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps" Proverbs 16:9

Shall not be moved (trust).  We will never wavor from the truth of the gospel.  Whether it be inticing sin, or fear of upcoming events, or troubles in our circumstance we will stay founded on our foundation in Christ Jesus.  We will know that the Lord is soveriegn and has all  the pieces working together for His good because we love them.  Our faith will indure because we trust God through all circumstances. Trust is to have faith or confidence; to place reliance; to confide.  We must rely on Gods perfect plan because if we are in His will His plan is at work. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" Romans 8:28

In living life we must strive to live by these principles.  Of course they are very hard but with the help of Christ all things are possible.  These attributes will manifest themselves in our lives if we pursue Him.  But know that we know them we can pursue Christ with greater vigillence than ever!