Psalm 5

Psalm 5 (NKJV)

1 Give ear to my words, O LORD, Consider my meditation.

2 Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, For to You I will pray.

3 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.

4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You.

5 The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity.

6 You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; The LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

7 But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.

8 Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; Make Your way straight before my face.

9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; Their inward part is destruction; Their throat is an open tomb; They flatter with their tongue.

10 Pronounce them guilty, O God! Let them fall by their own counsels; Cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions, For they have rebelled against You.

11 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.

12 For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.

God does not take pleasure in wickedness or evil, and He can’t accept sin in His presence because He is holy.  Yet God has graciously provided a way for sinners to be able to stand in His sight, through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. But God will judge those who rebel and reject His Son; they will be pronounced guilty one day.

By contrast, those who love His name and trust in Christ will be saved. We can rejoice because God blesses the righteous (those who are in a right standing with Him).  We can be joyful because He surrounds us with His favor as a shield.

Thursday Devotional - Chasing After the Wind of Immortality

I would guess most people like to think they are going to live forever (or at least a very long time). We don’t like to think or talk about or prepare for death, but it’s inevitable. Solomon didn’t like it either and realized all his wisdom, power and wealth couldn’t prevent it or predict it.  

Ecclesiastes 9:1-2a and 12    So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God’s hands, but no one knows whether love or hate awaits them. ² All share a common destiny—the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, the clean and the unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not.

¹² Moreover, no one knows when their hour will come:

As fish are caught in a cruel net,
    or birds are taken in a snare,
so people are trapped by evil times
    that fall unexpectedly upon them.

All people face death and no one knows exactly when. Our destiny is in God’s hands and His timing. We can spend lots of money to look younger or feel younger, but it won’t change the outcome. This life is temporary, whether it’s a few years or a century. Instead of chasing after immortality, let’s chase after that which is eternal.

II Corinthians 4:16-18     ¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Where are you and I focusing more on something temporal than eternal? What verses help you focus on what’s of eternal value?

Alice

Treasures

Matthew 6:19-21

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

My son and the cousins his age are headed up to my parent’s this week.  My mom has plans to take the kids on a Pirate Cruise (https://www.munisingpiratecruises.com/).  Yesterday my son started asking questions about it.  Would they get treasure?  Would there be real cannons?

This got me thinking about all the treasures we tend to store up here on earth.  Maybe it’s money, maybe it’s something different.  No matter what it is, the material things of this earth are only temporary.  If you pour all of your time and energy into something here on earth, that is where your heart is also. 

We are told that instead we should be storing up treasures in heaven.  What are treasures in heaven?  Investing in people, rather than things (Luke 12:32-22, Luke 14:13-14), faithfully enduring persecution (Matt. 5:11-12, 2 Cor. 4:16-18, 2 Tim. 4:8), loving your enemies (Matt. 5:43-48), praying in secret (Matt. 6:5-6), serving the Lord and his people (Matt. 10:41-42, 1 Cor. 3:9, Heb. 6:10).

There are just a few examples.  When it comes to the greatest treasure we can have, it will be seeing God face-to-face.

Are you investing in earthly or heavenly treasures today?

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.