The Lord's Righteousness

Psalm 4 (NKJV)

1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

2 How long, O you sons of men, Will you turn my glory to shame? How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood? Selah

3 But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The LORD will hear when I call to Him.

4 Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah

5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.

6 There are many who say, "Who will show us any good?" LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.

7 You have put gladness in my heart, More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.

8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

When we call upon God, we do so on the basis of His righteousness. He is merciful and hears our prayers when we trust in Him. God sets apart for His use those who seek to live godly lives. The world looks in vain to find good because they love things without eternal value and are led by lies. God alone is good.  He lifts up His light upon those who are His own; He puts gladness in our hearts and makes us dwell in safety.

Meditate within your heart on God’s goodness and righteousness; your soul will find peace.

Thursday Devotional - Chasing After the Wind of Explanations

Thank you to Matt Brumage and Renae Phelps for writing the last couple Thursday devotionals while I was on vacation!

Back to Ecclesiastes…

We often seek out explanations, whether it’s in the news, with our kids or our co-workers. In fact, three-year-olds are great at asking “why” about everything! I’m glad my kids aren’t in that phase anymore! They still ask “why” a lot, but not over and over.

How much do you and I ask God “why” over and over? He wants us to know Him and ask Him questions, but there are going to be things we won’t ever be able to understand this side of Heaven. Even the wisest man, Solomon, had many questions for God that he didn’t get answered.

Ecclesiastes 8:14 and 16-17    ¹⁴ There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: the righteous who get what the wicked deserve, and the wicked who get what the righteous deserve. This too, I say, is meaningless…¹⁶ When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the labor that is done on earth—people getting no sleep day or night— ¹⁷ then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it.

No one can comprehend or explain all God has done. We are assured that in the end, though, it will go best for the God-fearing.

Ecclesiastes 8:12-13 ¹² Although a wicked person who commits a hundred crimes may live a long time, I know that it will go better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him. ¹³ Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow.

We can pray and ask and study the Bible to understand what God enables us to understand. We can stop the repetitive “whys” and accept that we aren’t going to get answers for everything. God wouldn’t be God if we could fully understand Him!

Alice

Your body is a temple

I Corinthians 19-20

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

The content of these verses is talking about fleeing from sexual immorality.  While this is something that I feel the world does not take very serious any more, it is not the only thing that we need to remember with our bodies being a temple of the Holy Spirit. 

One area that I feel the world, including many Christians, don’t think about with regards to treating our bodies as temples is with drinking.  Drinking seems to be very acceptable any more.  While I’m not condemning having a drink, we need to understand what is good for our bodies and what is not.  Does it benefit your body?  If not, what is the purpose? 

Many people these days want to fit in with those around them.  To the point that we have redefined our standards on what is acceptable and really come to accept anything.  This is not what we have been called to do as Christians though.  We need to remember that we have been set apart.  Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.  We are not our own, Christ paid the ultimate price for us therefore we are to honor God with our bodies.

The Lord is Our Shield

Psalm 3 (NKJV)

1 LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me.

2 Many are they who say of me, "There is no help for him in God." Selah

3 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.

4 I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah

5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.

6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around.

7 Arise, O LORD; Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.

8 Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah

Almighty God is a sure help when we are in need. He is a shield of strength and the lifter of our heads in difficult times. Because He is our sustainer, we can sleep in peace and not fear tomorrow or those who may rise up against us.  When we cry out to the Lord, He hears. He is our stronghold. There is salvation and blessing with Him and Him alone. 

Ponder these wonderful truths and let them bring peace to your heart.

The Story

You rarely see a local newspaper anymore. Growing up there were two things that were read; the bible and the newspaper.  Seems like back then we were eager to know what was going on. Not much has changed. It is reported that adults now say they often get news on a mobile device (58 percent) than those who get news on a desktop or laptop computer (39 percent). About 96 percent said they access news via the internet. Today we no longer wait for the paper to hit the front porch.

My grandfather would read the paper as he was watching the evening news. My Gran would read her large white bible while listening from the dinner table. The newspaper was a sacred as the bible it seemed. Both provided answers. As a youth, I would skim the comics and entertainment sections. For some strange reason, I loved the classified section as well. I believe it’s called Craigslist these days.

In high school, I joined the Journalism Club. My teacher, Mrs. Allard, gave me a crash course in writing. She handed out the writing assignments and set the deadlines. We had a strict deadline for stories because the paper printed twice a week.

In class, she covered Who, What, Where, When and Why and How? The 5 W's!  This is a very basic writing format. She taught us that if you don't have these questions answered you don't have a story.

I think about my life’s story and I want God to answer that same format to bring me the answers I am searching for. Why do I put God on a strict timeline? I pray that the Lord will forgive me for questioning His timing. I pray that he will forgive me for not trusting his process. My life story cannot be covered from beginning to end within two days. I realize that my story is much more important and will take more time to develop.

Like Job in the bible, I often ask, “Why me Lord?” Job is answered by God and reminded that God is the creator of all things. We are not God and, therefore, we don't have the ability to understand why he does what he does. Job 38:4 While I do not always understand why I am suffering. I know that I can bring my pain and grief to God and trust that he is in control.

The story of my life is beautiful and sweet. It is authored by God. It has many pages, although how many I do not know. 

 Here are the answers to my story:

Who? I am Gods Child

Read John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

What? For His Plan

Read Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Where? For His Will

Read Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

When? For His Timing

Read Ecc 3:1 For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven:

Why? For His Glory

Read 1 Cor 6:20 For you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.

How? For His Sacrifice

Read Romans 5:8

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us

I pray that you patiently wait for God to reveal the plans for your life. Only God knows the answers to your beautiful story.   May you rejoice in His presence.

This Is Us

“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.” Matthew 5:38-39 NLT

We have all watched in horror this past weekend the absolute worst in our society.  Regardless of the situation, it was clear that something must have gone wrong in their individuals lives.  I have watched as others have blamed each other for who did what wrong or how they were right all along.  Then, a watched gentleman eloquently lay out the case about who bares the blame for what has happened.  It had nothing to do with a killer or gun.  Not Democrat or Republican.  Not Christian or atheist.  It was one simple answer.  Us.  I kept hearing that in my head.  Me?  I’m to blame?  Of course not!  I have no hatred for my fellow man or woman!  I didn’t pull the trigger.  I don’t even know any of the people in El Paso or Dayton.  How is this on me?

Then it hit me.  I have spent so much time lately trying to figure out why this person felt this way or how that person must certainly be wrong that I did not look at the one person who could make a difference.  The one person who God would have me look at.  Me.  And when I did, I found my answer.  We spend a lot of time wanting to blame the ills of the world on everyone else, and yes, everyone has a level of accountability for their own life.  But if blaming others for their flaws is truly ‘what Jesus would do,’ would we have God’s grace?  Would Jesus look at the sinner and say to them, “You are beyond redemption.  I’m sorry?”  Or would He look at our brokenness and with loving eyes say, “I love you.  I forgive you, and come follow me.”  Forgiveness is hard!  It’s hard because I must stop focusing on neither who is wrong nor how I am right.  I must look deeper and realize what my father once told me: If you’re not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

A relationship with God means that sometimes we must view ourselves from the outside in. Turning the other cheek is not about being wimpy or simply giving in when someone knocks you down.  It’s about looking at the situation, and instead of lashing out with anger and contempt, focusing on God’s love.  It’s looking inward at those things happening around us and asking how we could do better.  Some view it as being accountable.  Others may view it as taking responsibility for those things which we have no control over.  I don’t believe we should take responsibility for everything.  What we should do is look inside of ourselves, and ask a simple question.  Are we doing enough to make the world better?  Is there something more we could or should be doing?  Does God expect more from me?  It is easy to simply look at those things happening around us and

God is still in control.  Turning the other cheek is not about accepting being slapped around.  It is about how do we respond when challenged.  Do we respond with fear, anger, and blame?  Or do we look with courage, love, understanding, and grace?  Do we hold grudges, or do we think as Paul when he said, “When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, so that Satan will not outsmart us.” (2 Corinthians 2:10-11). Let us focus on looking both outward and inward when tragedy strikes to be better Christians.  How will you respond when God prompts you to look inward?  What will you ask God for to be a better servant?  My prayer is that the next time we look outward to the world, we do not just look to blame.  We look at with a heart of Christ to do better and acknowledge that good or bad, this is us.  Amen.

Trust

Proverbs 3:5-6 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

I know that I used this verse recently however it was really speaking to me again this morning.  I’m facing a number of changes in my life right now and some things seem very uncertain.  Just one of those things, that may sound odd, is that the principal at my son’s school has left.  Now you might think this is not a big deal however I’m on the PTO board and we work very closely with the principal.  The announcement came after all of our planning meetings so we are all kind of trying to figure out what to do about some of those things. 

Right when we think we have things figured out and life is smoothing out, that’s when God laughs and says, but did you trust me with your plan? 

Today I want to encourage you not to trust your own understanding or planning, rather to trust the Lord.

The Nations Rage

     Psalm 2 (NKJV)

1 Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? 

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, 

3 "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us." 

4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. 

5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: 

6 "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion." 

7 "I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 

8 Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. 

9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.'" 

10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. 

11 Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling. 

12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

In the psalmist’s time, the nations raged. . .and they’re still raging today.  The people too continue to plot and rebel against God.  The noise and tumult this creates can be quite unsettling and distracting.  But God’s not worried.  He looks down upon the raging and plotting in His sovereignty, knowing what the outcome will be. His Anointed, the Lord Jesus Christ, will rule over all.  Yet, despite the audacity of man going his own way and shaking his fist at Almighty God, God is merciful and provides a way for all to be saved, if they will repent. 

Those who trust in Jesus Christ as Savior have nothing to fear.  The world can rage but we are blessed.  There is peace in His sovereignty.  With Him is victory and eternal life.

What Does God Risk For Us?

We don't think of God risking, anything, ever. But is that really fair to assume God risks nothing in dealing with us? I'm pretty sure I can make a good case that it is God Himself who teaches us that, without sacrifice, love is meaningless. Sacrifice is inherently risky. It is a type of loss, and the potential of more loss. I stumbled on this concept in a rather unlikely place, Exodus, and specifically, at Mount Sinai as God shows up in Person. Here are his preparatory instructions to Moses:

The Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and make them wash their clothes and be ready for the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. You must set boundaries for the people all around, saying, ‘Take heed to yourselves not to go up on the mountain nor touch its edge. Whoever touches the mountain will surely be put to death! No hand will touch him – but he will surely be stoned or shot through, whether a beast or a human being; he must not live.’ When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast they may go up on the mountain.”

(Exodus 19:10-13 NET)

God is about to show up and turn Mount Sinai into the greatest most dramatic light show in recorded history. He is holy, and the mountain where He shows up will also be holy. Even sanctified people with sanctified clothes and sanctified priests can't approach it. Good grief! The people comply, and the Great I AM makes His appearance! And when Moses goes to speak with Him, this is what He is most concerned about:

The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain, and the Lord summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. The Lord said to Moses, “Go down and solemnly warn the people, lest they force their way through to the Lord to look, and many of them perish. Let the priests also, who approach the Lord, sanctify themselves, lest the Lord break through against them.”

(Exodus 19:20-22 NET)

All the impressive dramatic appearance, and He still wants to talk about the people not "breaking through" to Him. At first I thought this sounded suspiciously like the Wizard of Oz hiding behind a curtain. But then my thoughts began to change. The character of God isn't one to "hide". What's going on here? Look at Moses' response to God:

Moses said to the Lord, “The people are not able to come up to Mount Sinai, because you solemnly warned us, ‘Set boundaries for the mountain and set it apart.’” The Lord said to him, “Go, get down, and come up, and Aaron with you, but do not let the priests and the people force their way through to come up to the Lord, lest he break through against them.” So Moses went down to the people and spoke to them.

(Exodus 19:23-25 NET)

Again with the "stay away!" message from God. Why descend on Mount Sinai at all if He's so concerned about the people approaching Him? If you read the parts of the chapter I haven't included, you know the answer. For those who didn't, here it is: "The Lord said to Moses, 'I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak with you and so that they will always believe in you.'" (Exodus 19:9 NET) Do you see it? Does the risk of God show up for you yet?

Here's what I think God showed me through this passage about Himself, and His love for His people. I believe that God felt it was worth the risk of the damage to the people of Israel to affirm the leadership of Moses. It showed both love for the people, and love for Moses specifically. Think about it, what would it mean if one of the sons of Israel did "break through" to see God? Isn't that what we, as Christians, are supposed to be doing? Aren't we supposed to be seeking a closer relationship with God? Yet, when He appeared there, to affirm Moses' leadership, He showed up in a way that would destroy rather than affirm His people. Isn't that risky on the part of God to do so? He wants the closer relationship, yet shows up in a way that could potentially damage it. It's a risk. He takes it out of love.

I think, looking at our relationship with our Creator and Savior, we can all see places where He has risked something for our relationship. If nothing else, consider Jesus crucified, buried and raised again as a risk on our Father's part. But trust me when I tell you, there are even more risks, risks for you personally. Consider what your Savior has risked for you lately. And having found it, worship Him because of it. Then, like shampoo, "lather, rinse, repeat".

Seeing & Seeking Understanding

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.  “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?”

“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.” John 9:1-3

I read a passage from a pastor offering two perspectives.  He noted a comment made by an African American author, James Baldwin, which said, “To be black and conscious in America is to be in a constant state of rage.”  He then followed up with scripture saying, “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)  I was fascinated by this, and thus, circled back to him to ask what he was trying to say.  I’m sure he thought I was trying to start a fight, which I was not.  With that being said, he might not have understood what James Baldwin meant.  Baldwin spoke during a time of oppression, and today, many African Americans still feel some level of this.  This rage is not in the sense of lashing out or destructive.  It is the form of hurt, pain, and frustration with the struggles of inequality, and is often hidden.  Despite this, the overwhelming majority like me live fully productive lives with the inner peace Paul spoke of.  The two thus coexist.  It’s a perspective that if heard the right way can help one understand and grow further to help other brothers in Christ.

God often places us in circumstances so that we can grow in our faith.  I have read today’s verses multiple times.  I always focused on the miracle.  However, I recently read a different perspective on this.  The beauty of Jesus’s teaching here was twofold.  First, He wanted to show God’s work in the blind man.  This went beyond just giving him sight.  It also spoke to the man’s appreciation for what God did for him.  Second, it was for the disciples themselves to see the suffering of others as opportunities to help and grow in understanding Christ.  Jesus gave them the courage to believe they could truly do things that others would say couldn’t be done.  This would come to fruition after Christ ascended to Heaven.  Peter would later heal a lame man saying, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” (Acts 3:6b)  As Christians, we should always seek understanding of others.  If we come solely from a place of condemnation, we run the risk of misinterpreting what one is saying.  Furthermore if we are too passive, we lose opportunity to share who Jesus Christ is all about.

Being a follower of Christ can be a balancing act.  We are to be strong advocates for Him and His word.  We are also to be compassionate and understanding showing grace as Christ showed us.  I spoke of the struggle we have with sin a week or so ago.  The struggle here is about discerning what is the right amount to apply of both scripture and understanding.  How much understanding must I show versus what word of God I must deliver?  Well, that is what spiritual growth is all about, isn’t it?  Let us be willing to endure the growing pains of learning to be more Christ-like not only to others but also within ourselves.  Whose perspective do you find difficult to understand?  What situations must you better balance God’s word with His heart?  My prayer is that like the blind man we can open our eyes to better see and like the disciples seek understanding.  Amen.