Psalm 59:16-17 5/25/2021*

“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.

On whom do you rely?

David wrote this psalm when King Saul had men hunting him in order to kill him.  The government is after David – the king of the land has issued a death warrant ….and David’s response is to wake up in the morning and start singing praises to the Lord.

I also claim to rely on God yet feel anxiety at the slightest hint of danger. Any threat, credible or not, can destroy my peace and send me into an episode of dwelling on the most catastrophic possible outcomes of my situation.

So, there appears to be a disconnect in what I say I believe, and how I live my life. And it seems to be related to my lack of understanding of the last phrase of this passage… “on whom I can rely”.

So, let me ask you again…who do you rely on?  When it comes down to it what is your fortress?  What do you trust in times of trouble? …Is it your money?  Is it your ability to avoid problems? … or maybe your connections to powerful people?

Those are all things we run to – but none of them are reliable. David’s peace is unshakable because his reliance is on God.

In this fallen world there are terrible threats. There are real dangers – but your God is powerful – He loves you and paid an incredible price to redeem you.  God withheld nothing when it came to purchasing your salvation, and He will not abandon you now. …Rest in that truth.

Make God your refuge during this time of trouble.  As you wake up this morning with dogs growling at the door … choose to sing praises to God. Choose to implicitly trust in the one you can rely on.  

Intentionally put your faith in your Father’s love…bank on it… rest in it…Let God be your refuge, and when fear knocks at your door - let your songs of praise drowned out its lies.

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."
– Corrie Ten Boom

Ezekiel 31:10 - 11 5/18/2021*

 “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because the great cedar towered over the thick foliage, and because it was proud of its height, I gave it into the hands of the ruler of the nations, for him to deal with according to its wickedness.”

I wonder how long I will read the bible before I stop being surprised at God’s reaction to Pride.  Taking credit for what God has given and lording it over others is considered wickedness in God’s sight.

I am quick to point out wickedness - and there is plenty around these days … But I seldom view my arrogance as an example of it.  However, God does… and considering its destructiveness I see why God’s is disgusted by it.

lucifer was cast out of Heaven because of pride.  Adam and Eve were evicted from the garden because of arrogance…. And in this passage, a ruler is brought down due to conceit… Pride is the original sin and is devastating.

We are ripped apart by its poison. Family members do not speak to each other because of pridefulness. We split from friends when we are offended.  Culturally, we divide into tribes and separate from each other based on meaningless differences. People are depressed and angry because their self-importance is not recognized.

Our society has found ways to tolerate and even celebrate this venom. We call it self-reliance, or confidence…. but when that confidence is not based on the power of God - He calls it wickedness.

We call ourselves self-made men…but how ill-informed is that? We didn’t make anything …. We were made in the image of God, and by the power of God.  That, and that alone, is why we are valuable.

Pride is a toxin that we carry within ourselves. If it is in your heart, you may rest assured it is not dormant.  It is growing and has plans to destroy you and separate you from those you love.  Pride is a product of ignorance and is the most destructive force in human history. 

Do not celebrate it, do not tolerate it, and do not ignore it….  It is a viper in your home. Make it your mission to root it out and eliminate it today.

“Let us measure ourselves by our Master, and not by our fellow-servants: then pride will be impossible.” - Charles Spurgeon

 

 

 

 

Colossians 3:13 5/11/2021*

“…Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
 
This will be a rough ride this morning so continue reading at your own risk. 
 
Can any of us forgive as the Lord forgave us?
 
When I think of the people, I have “forgiven” I feel virtuous…but my reconciliation efforts pale in comparison to what God has done for me.
 
For the record:
- No one has brutalized and put my child to death. 
- No one has continued to attack me after receiving my forgiveness.
- No one has accepted my forgiveness and then ignored me until they needed something else.
- No one takes my forgiveness and then continues to do the same thing repeatedly still expecting to fellowship with me.
 
So, this verse is a mystery…but if God means what He says, (and He always does) then we have an immense amount of work to do. 
 
First, we must define the standard…how does God forgive? 
 
God’s forgiveness separates me from my sin as far apart as the east is from the west” (Psalms 103:12). Is that how you forgive?  Is the sin of the person you forgave far away from them… or is your forgiveness partial and conditional?
 
Do you say, “I’ll forgive you, but I won’t forget”? - God says, “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." (Hebrews 8:12)
 
Is the one you have forgiven permanently stained by the act they committed? - God says, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow" (Isaiah 1:18)
 
That is the target. The bar has been set and will not be lowered.  I warned you this would be a rough ride… but God said what He said… By the way Jesus re-enforces this with His parable of the unforgiving slave. (Matthew 18:21-35)
 
This kind of supernatural forgiveness can only be achieved through the power of the Holy Spirit and the strength to do it can only be found on your knees.  Take God at His word and determine to obey.
 
“Forgive as the Lord forgave you” … Six little words that will change your life. It will be the hardest thing you have ever done, and it will provide the greatest freedom you have ever experienced…both for you and the one you forgive.
 
“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” - Lewis B. Smedes

PSALM 23:3 5/4/2021*

“He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness. For the sake of His name.”

If there is one thing in life that I need it is to be restored. “He restores my soul” is a powerful statement that brings peace over me when I read it. 

Each day is a battle that I often feel battered and depleted after fighting, and this verse says that HE restores me… God Himself, like a loving parent restores my soul…not my bible reading…not my quiet time…just His loving power – redeems and rejuvenates me.

Don’t miss this offer…. Is there anything in life you need more than to be restored?  

Can you imagine the freedom of being forgiven and allowed to drop all the baggage you have been carrying? Can you think of anything better than permanently erasing all the mistakes and sin in your past and being able to look in the mirror and like what you see?

Most people would give all they have to be renewed - and yet every morning when you meet with God that is on the table. 

Restoration is clearly and powerfully offered each day and instead we leave it and try to restore ourselves. But redemption is His business and only He has the power to restore you.

After restoring you, He also guides you– Like He did the Israelites, with shade in the daytime and warmth and light at night. God does not give you a map and point the way to righteousness - He grabs your hand and leads you down the path.

The end of this verse tells you why …You bear His name…You are His child…He loves you and paid an inconceivable price for your redemption.

No matter how lost you have become he will restore your soul. Stop fruitlessly trying to repair yourself. Quit wandering aimlessly. And start reaping the benefits of being a child of the King.  Turn to Him and He will restore you, guide you, and embrace you as His own. 

“God is able to fix that which is broken so that what stands repaired is immeasurably greater than that which stood before... Therefore, the most staggering brokenness conceivable is in reality the greatest opportunity imaginable.”
― Craig D. Lounsbrough