Romans 8:5 "For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. "

God put the second part of this verse on my heart while listening to a Joyce Meyer broadcast on line while working at Campus Crusade for Christ on December 30, 2009.

Paul said that God has given us the mind of Christ (1Co 2:16 ).  We have it.  Do we use Him or go about our merry way?  I believe the mind of Christ is the Spirit within us.  As usual, God gives us the choice to live with our minds set on the flesh or according the things of the Spirit.

I am greedy for the things of the Spirit and confess to setting my mind on the flesh to obtain more spiritual things.  You are thinking, "HUH?"  I hunger for the Word of God.  I get so excited about books that will teach me more and more that I will buy them on credit.  This year I will not do that.  I probably don't need to buy a single book.  Notice that word "need."  I believe my library has everything I "NEED" to study whatever God is calling me to study.  If I "NEED" more I can find it online, in the church library, or in my pastor's library.  He always has a good book to read. 

I spend a lot on iTunes as well.  I buy Christian books on mp3 with iTunes.  But I DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT!!!  I'm discovering that there are several Christian speakers that offer free downloads and podcasts.  Joyce Meyer is one of those speakers.  There is no reason for me to spend any money with iTunes this year.  (But I will accept gift certificates :)

My goal this year is to work my way out of credit card debt.  There are, of course, many reasons why my credit card debt is higher than I consider acceptable.  Like many of you, Christmas presents often go on the credit card.  Wouldn't it be fun to pay for Christmas in cash?  Maybe I can do that next year.  It is a worthy goal.

Things came up last year that were very expensive, like four new tires for my car.  Perhaps this year, God will be gracious and give me a year without heavy expenses such as this.  All things are possible.

My credit card debt is much lower than the national average. But it is more than I make in a month.  And that is too much debt. 

Lord Jesus,
You are ultimately my Provider and my Deliverer.  Today, this first day of 2010, I ask You for help to get me out of debt.  Jesus, I'm going to put every effort into not spending money and cutting costs where I can.  Please show me Your hand of kindness during this year, 2010.  I will look for it and record it when I can.  There may be things I cannot see, like accidents about to happen yet I escape.  How would I know?  Or perhaps the possibility of contacting a virus but I escape unscathed.  Perhaps something needs to be fixed on my car but it waits until my debt is paid.  I don't know what may happen.  I ask for Your help, guidance, and strength to make wise decisions and resist temptation.  Please help me.  Thank You so much for all that You will do for me this year.  I pray and ask in Your Name, the Name of Utmost Power, Jesus.  Thank You, my Lord and my Deliverer.  Amen.

And now Lord, I pray for my friends.
I'm not the only one struggling.  I pray that You will speak strength and encouragement to them as they, too, resist the temptation to spend money that they don't have.  Please grant them wisdom, understanding, and discernment.  Reveal to them the truth about their spending habits.  Open their eyes so that they can see they are often tempted by the enemy to purchase things on credit that they don't need.  Help them to be wise to advertising.  Help them to resist buying food and beverages from fast food restaurants.  Give them the strength to go home to eat, if possible, or plan to take something with them to save a few dollars every day.  Help them to see that small beginnings amount to great victories in You.  When they do have unexpected expenses, when there is illness or necessary repairs to homes and cars, bless them with the means to pay for these things and grace as they use credit to pay for them.  Thank you for Your grace.  But better yet, even as Abraham kept changing his prayer to save his nephew in Sodom, I pray for my friends, that those who are diligently paying off their debt and honoring You will not have any unexpected expenses this year.  Protect us and help us all.  I pray for all of my friends that You will keep them employed this year.  If they need new jobs, I pray that You will provide and prove that You are our Provider.  We turn to You expectantly.  Bless us with generous hearts as well and teach us wisdom in giving and may our giving be according to what Your Spirit puts upon our hearts.  Bless us with the ability to bless others.  You are rich in lovingkindness and there is no end to Your storehouses in heaven.  There is nothing You cannot do for us.  May we have the same mind toward You, O God, that there is nothing we would not do for You.  In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Sin - What constitutes sin?

Sin is missing the target.  

If God's way of thinking was the center of the target, how many times a day would you hit the bull's eye?

If God's will was the center of the target, how many times a day would you hit the bull's eye?

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

If doing the right thing was the center of the target, how many times a day would you miss the bull's eye?

If right thoughts were the center of the target, how many times a day would you miss the bull's eye?

^" Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin." (James 4:17)

Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)

If love is the center of the target, how many times will you score a bull's eye? Are you close?  Did you hit the target at all?

James, the half-brother of Jesus said, "For we all stumble in many ways."  (James 3:2)
The Bible says, "God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there is anyone who understands, who seeks after God.  Every one of them has turned aside; together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one." (Psalm 53:2-3)

If entering heaven required hitting the bull's eye perfectly all the time, none of us would pass the test.  With a lifetime of practicing righteousness, our target might show progress, but it will also reveal how many times we missed.

The good news is that if you are still breathing there is hope.  God knows you can't hit the bull's eye all the time.  He knows every time you missed.  But His heart is so compassionate.  His Word says, ^"Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:6-7)


"But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART"—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.


For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." (Romans 10:8-13)

Today is New Year's Eve.  Today is a great day to give up.  Yes, give up.  If you are doing something that you know is not right, then it is sin.  You know it is sin.  Today is the perfect day for you to return to God.  He is waiting.

Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'" (Revelation 3:20-22)

It's time to step out of the prison of your dead life and circumstances and enter into a new abundant and eternal life full of grace.  Behold, Jesus is standing at the door.  Your release is imminent.  All you have to do is ask and say, "Lord, save me."

He who covers his sins will not prosper,

But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
Proverbs 28:13

So, why do the wicked prosper?  Even Jeremiah was frustrated with this seeming contradiction of God's word.

Jeremiah 12:1 (NASB)
¹ Righteous are You, O LORD, that I would plead my case with You; Indeed I would discuss matters of justice with You: Why has the way of the wicked prospered? Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease?

Is it OK to ask "Why?"

Apparently so, there are 419 occurrences of the word in the Bible.  Job asked "why" a lot. 

Job 7:20-21 (NASB)
²⁰ "Have I sinned? What have I done to You, O watcher of men? Why have You set me as Your target, So that I am a burden to myself?
²¹ "Why then do You not pardon my transgression And take away my iniquity? For now I will lie down in the dust; And You will seek me, but I will not be."

Job 10:2 (NASB)
² "I will say to God, 'Do not condemn me; Let me know why You contend with me.

Job 13:24 (NASB)
²⁴ "Why do You hide Your face And consider me Your enemy?

Job 21:7 (NASB)
⁷ "Why do the wicked still live, continue on, also become very powerful?

The various psalmists, including David, asked "Why":

Psalms 2:1 (NASB)
¹ Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing?


Psalms 10:1 (NASB)
¹ Why do You stand afar off, O LORD? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?


Psalms 10:13 (NASB)
¹³ Why has the wicked spurned God? He has said to himself, "You will not require it."

Psalms 43:2 (NASB)
² For You are the God of my strength; why have You rejected me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

Psalms 43:5 (NASB)
⁵ Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.


Jesus quoted Psalm 42:9 and asked, "Why?"

Psalms 42:9 (NASB)
⁹ I will say to God my rock, "Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?"

Yet, He surely knew in His heart verse 11:
 
Psalms 42:11 (NASB)
¹¹ Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.
And Israel wonders:

Psalms 44:23 (NASB)
²³ Arouse Yourself, why do You sleep, O Lord? Awake, do not reject us forever.

Psalms 44:24 (NASB)
²⁴ Why do You hide Your face And forget our affliction and our oppression?

Psalms 52:1 (NASB)
¹ Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? The lovingkindness of God endures all day long.

Psalms 74:1 (NASB)
¹ O God, why have You rejected us forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture?

And we wonder:


Psalms 88:14 (NASB)
¹⁴ O LORD, why do You reject my soul? Why do You hide Your face from me?

So when we read:

Proverbs 28:13 (NASB)
¹³ He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.

When we ask "WHY", we really need to look at our own condition first.  We need to follow the teaching of our Master, who said:

Luke 6:40-42 (NASB)
⁴⁰ "A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.
⁴¹ "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
⁴² "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.

We need to remember that Jesus suffered at the hands of evil men for the purpose of saving sinful man.  Also, we need to examine ourselves first for sin before we condemn another.

We must remember that the life we live today is another day in our eternal lives.  There is a judgment day coming and everyone will stand before the Great Judge and receive either mercy or punishment.  Therefore, have mercy on the wicked and pray that they, too, may know the grace and mercy of Jesus. Remember the example that Jesus set before us.

Luke 23:34 (NASB)
³⁴ But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."

You can ask why, but know that in the end, you are responsible for yourself.

As for prosperity - remember eternity.

Proverbs 3:1-6 (NASB)
¹ My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments;
² For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you.
³ Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man.
⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Deliverance - This is the Favorable Year of the Lord

Luke 4:16-22 (NASB)
¹⁶ And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read.
¹⁷ And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,
¹⁸ "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,
¹⁹ TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD."
²⁰ And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him.
²¹ And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
²² And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips...


Do you ever feel oppressed?  You know, subjected to harsh domination, or difficult and binding circumstances, burdened with debt and no way out, stuck in a horrible job without hope of something better, or perhaps constantly subjected to cruel remarks or intimidation by others?  Perhaps you are caught up in something that you know is wrong and you don't know how to stop.

Many of us have suffered such difficulties at some time or other.  I'm trying to think back on my trials that God allowed me to suffer.  And you know what?  I don't think I ever prayed, "Lord, set me free."  Hmmm..... think about it. 

Years ago I worked for a flower shop in my town.  I got along with the owner/manager, Mr. B, quite well during the first three years.  However, during holidays he brought in one of his business partners to assist the sales ladies.  Her name was Miss Tinker, now deceased.  She was just plain mean.  She made employees cry and quit.  I cried but I did not quit.  I prayed my heart out.  "Oh God, help me to be perfect so she won't yell at me."  Of course, God would not make me perfect, only God is perfect.  However, as I struggled He perfected me.  Eventually, Miss Tinker and I got along very well.  

But today I wonder what would have happened if I had prayed, "Lord, this job is oppressive.  You came to set the oppressed free.  If You are willing, please open up another job for me."

At that time, back in the 1970's, I wouldn't leave that job because it was one of the few jobs in my town that closed on Sunday.  We live in a tourist town and most of the businesses cater to tourist 365 days a year.  Only construction jobs, business offices and government operations close on Sunday.  I was not trained nor educated to work in an office. 

An amazing thing did happen without asking.  Seven years later, I was asked to work in a travel agency.  They would train me and I would have Sundays off.  So God proved that He was able to do abundantly more than I could ask or think.  Could this have happened sooner?  Perhaps.

[This next paragraph is rambling.  It is a mix of thoughts and a prayer all at the same time.  However, I want to keep it in this format.  This is what it is like to be in constant prayer.  You think, you pray, you listen, you prayer, you sin in your thoughts, you pray, you sin in your speech, you pray, you sin in action, you pray, you stand amazed at God's workmanship, you pray and praise and worship, and you pray.]

Right now, I am worried about my credit card debt.  It has crept up and I want it paid off.  Debt is oppressive.  I currently help to support two missionaries and I want to support a third.  I cannot do that until my debt is paid off.   God can deliver me from this debt but it will take hard work and sacrifice on my part.  I ask, "O God, to be set free.  I repent from frivolous spending and will look for ways to use what I have and be grateful.  I ask for wisdom as I spend money, strength to resist the temptation to buy what I don't need, and self-control.  I even pray this now in Jesus Name and give thanks because I know He is able to work all of these things in me.  I know that it is His desire that I be debt free.  I believe You desire to show me how to work myself out of debt.  I also pray for more hours at work."  I'm a part time employee.  My hours are flexible.  I work 20 to 30 hours a week.  "So Lord, I pray for more hours and, for my part, I will make myself available.  I'm scheduled to work from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.  But I will endeavor to be there before 10:00."  One of my problems in the morning is that when I get into my quiet time with the Lord, I don't want to leave.  So I must be determined and self-disciplined to move along and not be late.  After all, God is always with me.  I'm sure I can clock in at 9:45, or 9:30, or 9:00 on those days that the boss comes in early.  I know that if the boss is in the office that he will give me work to do.  The Lord has also shown me that I can let go of some of my activities and by doing that I can save $100 a month.  He is willing to bring me out of debt if I am will to do the work.  He will set me free but I have to step out of the cage.  "Thank You Lord for setting me free of debt."

There are many ways to be oppressed.  Governments are, by nature, oppressive.  They want complete control of our lives.  It has taken a couple hundred years, but our government is finally learning how to oppress its people, promising outrageous service for even more outrageous taxes.  It spends money foolishly and cannot manage what it promised to give decades ago.  But it promises to do more if we pay more taxes.  People are like foolish sheep and believe in a government that has a history of failed promises.  Just ask our native Indians about that.  Ask our retired military about that, too.  People will not tolerate poor government for long.  The young will rise up and try to overtake broken regimes.  But what if we turned to God and repented as a nation.  The history of the Old Testament teaches that if we turn to God, He will heal our land.  There is hope; His name is Jesus.

What we don't understand is that the greatest oppression of all is sin.  I have had the horrible experience of watching good people fall into the worst temptations.  Their lives are ruined if they don't repent.  It is horrible.  But there is a hope.  It will take hard work on their part.  Just like my credit card debt, they need to repent and exercise discipline on purpose because they love God more than sin.  They need to make obedience to God more important than temporary pleasure.  This will not be easy.  It requires a deliberate act of the will to put God first.  But if they truly love God, it is possible because all things are possible with God.  (Mark 10:27) 

Jesus was consumed with compassion for the worst of sinners.  He understands our weaknesses and stands ready to forgive and to give us the strength we need to succeed in righteousness.  This is His hearts desire.

Jesus came to set us free.  He turns the key and opens the door of the cell of our oppression as we confess our sins and determine to repent and sin no more.  We must step out!  So step out today.  Don't step back into the prison cell of sin.  Set your sight on Him and say, "This is the favorable year of the Lord.  I claim that Jesus has set me free.  I will live my life for Him and Him alone."  Say it over and over and over again. 

We are free!

He Promised

Psalms 147:1-20 (NASB)
¹ Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant and praise is becoming.

TO BUILD US UP, TO GATHER THE OUTCAST
² The LORD builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the outcasts of Israel.

TO HEAL OUR BROKEN HEARTS

TO HEAL OUR WOUNDS
³ He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.
THAT HE KNOWS EACH OF US BY NAME - TO BE INTIMATELY ACQUAINTED
⁴ He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them.
TO BE STRONG FOR US AND TREAT US WITH UNDERSTANDING
⁵ Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite.
TO SUPPORT US AND DEFEND US
⁶ The LORD supports the afflicted; He brings down the wicked to the ground.
⁷ Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; Sing praises to our God on the lyre,
TO PROVIDE FOR US
⁸ Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who provides rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.
⁹ He gives to the beast its food, And to the young ravens which cry.
¹⁰ He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He does not take pleasure in the legs of a man.
TO FAVOR THOSE WHO FEAR HIM AND WHO WAIT FOR HIS LOVINGKINDNESS
¹¹ The LORD favors those who fear Him, Those who wait for His lovingkindness.
¹² Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!
TO BLESS OUR CHILDREN
¹³ For He has strengthened the bars of your gates; He has blessed your sons within you.
BRING US PEACE AND SATISFY US WITH GOOD FOOD
¹⁴ He makes peace in your borders; He satisfies you with the finest of the wheat.
¹⁵ He sends forth His command to the earth; His word runs very swiftly.
TO KEEP US WARM IN THE WINTER
¹⁶ He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes.
¹⁷ He casts forth His ice as fragments; Who can stand before His cold?
¹⁸ He sends forth His word and melts them; He causes His wind to blow and the waters to flow.
TO GIVE US HIS WORD
¹⁹ He declares His words to Jacob, His statutes and His ordinances to Israel.
DO DEAL WITH US WITH KINDNESS AND NOT AS WE DESERVE
²⁰ He has not dealt thus with any nation; And as for His ordinances, they have not known them. Praise the LORD!

THANK YOU LORD FOR YOUR KINDNESS.  

BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL, AND ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME.  DO NOT FORGET HIS BENEFITS.

Again and again, my Shepherd saves me.

Psalms 40:1-3 (NASB)
¹ I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
² He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.
³ He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD.


One of the first scripture songs I learned as a new Christian was Psalm 40:2-3.  I, of course, acquainted this song to my salvation.  That was 32 years ago.  Now I see that He has delivered me again and again from the pit of miry clay.

I'm never in the pit by myself.  There is always someone with me.  We are covered in filth and our feet are sucked into the quagmire of our own selfish ways.  Stubbornly, we accuse each other of getting us into this mess.  But nobody held a gun to our heads and told us to step in.  We did it all by ourselves.

I am learning.  I'm making new friends, older and more mature friends that seem to stay out of trouble.  They aren't caught up in selfishness nor seeking to be number one.  They are confident in their station in life because they are confident in their Shepherd.  They have no need to push themselves forward nor push others out of their way.  The Shepherd knows who they are and where to find them, right by His side.  They look to Him and are radiant.  When it is time to shear these sheep, their coats will be lush and bramble free, beautiful and a delight to work with.

I, by no means, have arrived into perfection.  I struggle just like everyone else.  But daily I have every reason to praise my God.  He is the One who sets me free, makes my fleece white as snow and establishes my way.  I will set my face toward Him.  I will sing His praises.  I will answer when He calls and I will follow Him.  I will not fear the path through the valley of the shadow of death.  Though the wolf and the lion lie in wait.  I will not fear, because my Shepherd is by my side.  Scary? Sometimes. But I put my trust in Him.

Psalms 40:4-5 (NASB)
⁴ How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.
⁵ Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count.

Thank You, Lord, for thinking of me today.  I cherish You above all.  I love You.

Psalms 40:11-17 (NASB)
¹¹ You, O LORD, will not withhold Your compassion from me; Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me.
¹² For evils beyond number have surrounded me; My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to see; They are more numerous than the hairs of my head, And my heart has failed me.
¹³ Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; Make haste, O LORD, to help me.
¹⁴ Let those be ashamed and humiliated together Who seek my life to destroy it; Let those be turned back and dishonored Who delight in my hurt.
¹⁵ Let those be appalled because of their shame Who say to me, "Aha, aha!"
¹⁶ Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let those who love Your salvation say continually, "The LORD be magnified!"
¹⁷ Since I am afflicted and needy, Let the Lord be mindful of me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God.

Be magnified, O Lord, for You are highly exalted.  There is nothing You cannot do.  O Lord, my eyes are on You.  Be magnified.

http://www.higherpraisetube.com/video/90/Don-Moen--Be-magnified

Why Should I Be Afraid!

I will fear no evil for You are with me! (Psalm 23)

Think about it.  God is with us; Emanuel!  If God is with us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

Take a moment and look at your situation.  Is God bigger than your situation?  Is He bigger than your problem?  Is He mightier than your enemies?  Is His storehouse great, abundant and overflowing out of His kindness?  Is He the great Shepherd?  Is your mountain of trouble anything but a grain of sand in the eyes of God?

If you answered yes to any of these questions then you need to magnify the Lord in your own mind until you see clearly that He is your mountain of strength, your high tower, your rock of defense, your sword and your shield, your helmet of salvation, your breastplate of righteousness, your belt of truth, and the boots upon your weary feet.  He is and has everything you need to get you through your darkest night.  Praise Him and worship Him in your darkest moments and He will shed the light of truth upon your situation.  Give thanks that He is God and able to take care of you.  Look to Him until your face becomes radiant with His glory.  You will never have to be ashamed when God is your God.  He will save you out of your troubles.  Listen to Him and He will give you wisdom.  Put your hope in Him and He will not disappoint you.


Psalms 34:1-22 (NASB)
¹ I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
² My soul will make its boast in the LORD; The humble will hear it and rejoice.
³ O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.
⁴ I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.
⁵ They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces will never be ashamed.
⁶ This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him And saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷ The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.
⁸ O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
⁹ O fear the LORD, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want.
¹⁰ The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing.
¹¹ Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
¹² Who is the man who desires life And loves length of days that he may see good?
¹³ Keep your tongue from evil And your lips from speaking deceit.
¹⁴ Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.
¹⁵ The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous And His ears are open to their cry.
¹⁶ The face of the LORD is against evildoers, To cut off the memory of them from the earth.
¹⁷ The righteous cry, and the LORD hears And delivers them out of all their troubles.
¹⁸ The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
¹⁹ Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
²⁰ He keeps all his bones, Not one of them is broken.
²¹ Evil shall slay the wicked, And those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
²² The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.

Follow the Shepherd

Lord Jesus,
You are my Shepherd.  Because of You, I am satisfied.  You lead me to good pasture and cause me to rest after the journey.  Here the water is clean and drinkable; it is not turbulent, running quickly over dangerous rapids.  Here, O Lord, You restore my soul.  When others look upon Your sheep, they are amazed at our good condition.  You have an excellent reputation and I am blessed and thankful to be among the sheep of Your pasture.  You are the Good Shepherd and I adore You.  I look for You in the middle of the night and there You are, standing watch and protecting me.  Under Your watchful eye, I am safe.  I will stay near and follow You all the days of my life.  Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.  Amen.

I will follow the Shepherd.  During the past year He has put Jeremiah 29:13 upon my heart, "You will seek Me and you will find Me when you seek Me with all your heart."  The responsibility to seek is mine.  Two days ago, as I read Psalm 27 and verse 8, I was deeply encouraged because I saw that God told David to seek His face, too.  And David sought Him with his whole heart.  In fact, God says that David is a man after His own heart.  David adored God and dreamed of the day that he would live in the house of the Lord forever.  Jut the thought of living a life without God brought feelings of despair to David's heart.  So he prayed to God to teach him the way of righteousness and to keep him safe.


Psalms 27:4, 8, 11-14 (NASB)
⁴ One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His temple.
⁸ When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, O LORD, I shall seek."
¹¹ Teach me Your way, O LORD, And lead me in a level path because of my foes.
¹² Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries, For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence.
¹³ I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.
¹⁴ Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.


In a few weeks, our church is going to start a study called, "Seeking Him."  All the Sunday school classes will pursue this course together.  Each Sunday the pastors will preach from the same lesson.  Even our extended outreaches will participate.  Together we will lay aside our current studies and unite in "Seeking Him."  I am excited about this study.  It is right in line with Jeremiah 29:13 and Psalm 27:4,8.

Sadly, the enemy is already stirring up discontent among a few of our members because they were not asked if they wanted to do this.  Here is my thought on that, when I was a child my father worked hard to give us a nice home, clothes upon our backs, toys to play with, and food upon our table.  My mother managed the money very carefully and made a few dollars go a long way.  She shopped carefully and prepared a nutritious meal for us every single day.  We did not tell Dad where to work and we did not tell Mom what to feed us.  We ate what was put before us.  We were all very healthy children, neither fat nor underweight.  Today, I thank God for my parents and for their care.  Parents are an example of our church leadership.  We do not tell the pastors what to preach.  We do not tell the leadership what to feed us.  After "Seeking Him," they have prayerfully decided that for a few months we will eat from this study and so we shall.

I do recall that as a child I did not like Lima beans but had to eat them anyway.  After I left home I did not have to eat them anymore.  However, as an adult I like to eat Lima beans in soups and caseroles.  I can thank my mom for that, she taught me to eat what is good.  God bless her.  And so, these few who are disgruntled will eat the same meal as the rest of the church.  They will be fed good food and when the study is over they can return to their routines.  Someday, they too will see that the food of God's Word was indeed good, that they were well fed and benefited with the rest of the family.

May the Lord watch over us and protect us from the schemes of the enemy to tear us apart with griping and grumbling.  May we not be like the Israelites at Meribah.  May He be patient with us and may our lives glorify Him with the good fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  In Jesus name, amen.