Word of God Speak…

Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Our Verse of the Day continues to emphasize the Word of God and its power to change the thoughts of our hearts. It has the power to transform our lives … affording us the knowledge of God and His will! Indeed, its importance cannot be emphasized enough because it is how God reaches out to us through His Spirit to come to a knowledge of the Truth! Perhaps the instruction of Paul can help us out in this regard:

1 Corinthians 2:9-14 (NIV)

⁹However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” (Citing Isaiah 64:4) —the things God has prepared for those who love Him— ¹⁰these are the things God has revealed to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. ¹¹ For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. ¹²What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. ¹³This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual truths with Spirit-taught words. ¹⁴The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

We have learned from Paul: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” (Cf. 2 Timothy 3:16) Peter affirmed: “For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit. (Cf. 2 Peter 1:21) The writer of Hebrews enlightened: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the Prophets at many times and in various ways; but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe.” (Cf. Hebrews 1:1-2) And John proclaimed: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” (Cf. John 1:1-4)

And so, this is the key point I have found to be my guide: “Embrace what Jesus has revealed through the words He received from the Father! He is the Living Word … alive and active! It is His words that bring discernment and judgment into our hearts! Yes, He alone, is our salvation!

John 8:25-32 (NIV)

²⁵“Who are you?” they asked. “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. ²⁶“I have much to say in judgment of you. But He who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from Him I tell the world.” ²⁷They did not understand that He was telling them about His Father. ²⁸So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I AM HE, and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. ²⁹The One who sent me is with me; He has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases Him.” ³⁰Even as Jesus spoke, many believed in Him. ³¹To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³²Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 12:44-50 (NIV)

⁴⁴Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the One who sent me. ⁴⁵The one who looks at me is seeing the One who sent me. ⁴⁶I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. ⁴⁷“If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. ⁴⁸There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. ⁴⁹For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. ⁵⁰I know that His command leads to eternal life. So, whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

As I meditate on these things, my thoughts recall what Paul wrote to the Church at Ephesus … His praises to God for the spiritual blessings we receive through His Son … our Lord Jesus Christ:

Ephesians 1:3-14 (NIV)

³Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. ⁴For He chose us in Christ before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love ⁵He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will— ⁶to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves. ⁷In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. ⁹He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, ¹⁰to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. ¹¹In Him we were also chosen (made heirs) having been predestined according to the plan of God who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, ¹²in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory. ¹³And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of His glory.

And so, I join with Paul in his prayer: “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Cf. Ephesians 1:17-19) Indeed, the great power of transformation is found in the Word of God! It is our light in the midst of this dark world! Amen.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. ~ Jesus

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is My Word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. ~ Isaiah 55:10-11

All Scripture is God-Breathed…

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Our Verse of the Day is one we have studied it before, but perhaps we need a reminder of how important the Holy Scriptures are to our daily walk with God. Let’s put the verse into context. Paul has just warned Timothy how there will be terrible times in the last days, and he describes how people without the indwelling Holy Spirit will behave toward God and other people. So, Paul encourages Timothy to consecrate himself through knowledge of the truth in order to withstand the “perilous times and persecution” that will surely come. Paul writes:

2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NIV)

¹⁴But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, ¹⁵and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

There are a few points that Paul makes here that I would like us to note:

1. From infancy (from childhood), Timothy has known the Scriptures. So, one question would be – how did this happen? How would a little child be exposed to the Word of God? We might find the answer in 2 Timothy 1:5 where Paul shares, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” The implication is that the Scriptures were read and taught to Timothy as a child by his mother and grandmother – which resulted in his coming to faith in Jesus Christ. If there is no other takeaway – I hope you can see the importance of teaching your children the Bible and its influence upon their lives….

2. All Scripture is God-breathed. What does this mean – God breathed? We might find the answer in 2 Peter 1:21 where he declares: “For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets (holy men of God), though human, spoke from God as they were carried along (moved) by the Holy Spirit. And the writer of the Book of Hebrews asserts the following: “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son….” (Cf. Hebrews 1:1-2) Jesus knew and quoted Scripture – saying “It is written ….” If there is no other takeaway – I hope you can see the reliability of the Bible to be your guide into the heart and mind of God….

3. Paul shares the purpose of Scripture – why it was given by God and why it has been recorded for us: “It is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Scripture has a great purpose in guiding us to faith in Jesus Christ and teaching us what is right … what God expects of His people. It sets us apart to serve God in the manner that He reveals in His Word. As Paul explained, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Cf. Ephesians 2:10) If there is no other takeaway, I hope that you can see the benefit of reading the Bible to understand what God desires from our lives.

I’m not sure what else I could add to our verse for today; but I think that I could characterize it as the Readers’ Digest Abridged Version of Psalm 119. Although it is quite long, Psalm 119 contains meditations on the excellence of the Word of God that I believe will stir your heart and reinforce what Paul shared with Timothy regarding the Scriptures. Likewise, we could even reduce this admonition to a single verse of Scripture quoted by the Lord Jesus: “It is written: “Man shall not live on bread (food) alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Cf. Matthew 4:4) Here Jesus is actually quoting Deuteronomy 8:3. The implication is that the Word of God (spiritual food) is just as life-sustaining to our spirits as natural food is for our physical bodies. Yes, both are essential to a full and healthy life as God our Creator has purposed for His treasured possession. (Cf. Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 7:6, 14:2, 26:18, 33:19; Psalm 135:4)

These are the reasons that I try to share Scripture with you each day. This is why we stay focused on the Word of Life. The Word of God is able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. This is why we study to grow and be filled with the knowledge of God’s will through all wisdom and understanding as the Spirit gives. (Cf. Colossians 1:9) “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it discerns the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Cf. Hebrews 4:12)

And so, I hope our Verse of the Day will encourage you and I to keep at it … to persevere in our pursuit of truth so that might be transformed by the renewing of our minds and conformed to the image of Christ Jesus. Yes, I pray we will all continue to diligently seek God through His Word so that these we might live worthy of the Lord Jesus and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work. (Cf. Colossians 1:10) God wants us to know what He expects and to discern His will for our relationships with Him and with one another. So, let us to be diligent and devoted in our study time … in our training time … and in our spiritual correction time. Indeed, let us delight ourselves in the Lord through His presence found in His Word….

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Reverence Through Fellowship…

Ephesians 5:19-20 (NIV)

Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our Verse of the Day looks into aspects of our fellowship and interaction with one another in the Church. Paul spends considerable time discussing relationships Ephesians 5, so I thought it might be good to reprint this portion of his letter to provide the context for what Paul is instructing us. To me, several of his points are connected to the last few verses that we have recently studied:

Ephesians 5:1-21 (NIV)

¹Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children ²and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. ³But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. ⁵For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. ⁶Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. ⁷Therefore do not be partners with them. ⁸For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light ⁹(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) ¹⁰and find out what pleases the Lord. ¹¹Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. ¹²It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” ¹⁵Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²¹Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Notice that our conduct with one another is to be “imitators of God” and to “walk in love just as Christ has sacrificially loved each of us.” What we do … how we behave around and toward one another is to be marked with the utmost concern, reverence, and respect for the dignity of others – as contrasted with our former way of life and conduct when we were lost and without of the light of the Spirit. We have been redeemed (saved) from darkness and called to leave our lives of dead works and to be wise … to make the most of every opportunity to be instruments of light in this dark world. And where do we find this wisdom? How do we attain it? “The fear of Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Cf. Proverbs 9:10)

Proverbs 8:12-14 (NIV)

¹²“I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. ¹³To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. ¹⁴Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power.

Proverbs 14:26-27 (NIV)

²⁶Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge. ²⁷The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.

Proverbs 23:17-18 (NIV)

¹⁷Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. ¹⁸There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

Indeed, our lives are to be characterized by worship (reverence) for God – being filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. We are to sing and make music from our hearts unto the Lord; always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. And note Verse 21 – that we are to submit ourselves to one another out of reverence for Jesus Christ. The NKJV translates this verse: “submitting to one another in the fear of God.” Thus, we can see that submission to each other within the Body of Christ is an act of reverence for God; and humility is the fear of the Lord. (Cf. Proverbs 22:4) I think these verses also confirm that love for one another is “how” we can demonstrate our love (worship) for God. (Cf. 1 John 3:11, 23; 1 John 4:7, 11, 12)

As you begin your day, I encourage you to consider how your conduct towards others – especially those of the household of faith – reflects your relationship with God. These Scriptures indicate how we behave and interact with others is indicative of our walk with Jesus Christ. For we were once darkness, but now we have received the light of the Lord. Therefore, we are called to live as children of light and to find out what pleases the Lord. My prayer is that we will do so. Amen.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Fear of the Lord…

Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Our Verse of the Day is one we have studied before; but perhaps, the Lord wants us to review it again. And today I sense there is a need to distinguish the concept of “fear” as it is applied here in this wisdom literature because we can confuse the use and application of this word without its some context.

The first use of the word translated “fear” in the Bible occurs in Genesis 3:10, “He (Adam) answered, “I heard you (the Lord) in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” In this context, the traditional meaning of “fear” is recognized because Adam described himself as “afraid”. The definition here is “a feeling induced by perceived danger or threat that occurs within us and which causes a change in metabolic and organ functions and ultimately a change in behavior; such as fleeing, hiding, or freezing from perceived traumatic events.” In short, fear is a response to the perception of a danger or threat to the body or life. But this is not the type of response God desires in us when it comes to an intimate relationship with Him. In this respect, God tells us: “Do not fear … do not be afraid.” (Cf. Isaiah 41:13,14; 43:1,5; 44:2,8; 51:7,12; 54:4,14)

So then, what is the “fear of the Lord” as used in our verse? Used as a noun this context, “fear” refers to profound reverence, awe, and wonder toward God. This concept of “fear” finds its expression through worship, submission, and obedience. Consider Exodus 20:20 where we see both uses of this word: “Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” Moses asserts that our understanding of who God “is” and a reverent relationship with Him should keep us from sinning against Him. Likewise, in Deuteronomy 6:13, Moses admonishes the people: “You shall fear the Lord your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name.” I believe we can infer from these passages that “the fear of the Lord” will ultimately find its deepest expression as “love” for God. As Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands.” (Cf. John 14:15) Therefore, worship, submission, and obedience are the proper responses of love.

I think the Holy Spirit wants us to heed what these Scriptures are saying. It is important for us to understand that we will not find or obtain the wisdom of God until we fear Him. Until we hold God with deepest reverence in our hearts and believe Him at His Word, the knowledge and understanding that we need to submit to Him will fail to penetrate our hearts or change them. This is why we most assuredly need Jesus Christ to abide in us! For He is the power of God and the wisdom of God! And He has chosen us out of the world to follow Him and to worship Him.

I believe the question to ask yourself is this: “Do I truly fear God?” Consider this verse: “Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” (Cf. Job 1:8) Do you think God would characterize you with those words? Over and over in Scripture, we are admonished to fear the Lord, yet I wonder if we truly do…. Jesus shared some strong words for the hypocrisy of “religious” people:

Luke 12:1-5 (NIV)

¹Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak to His disciples, saying: “First of all, be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. ²There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. ³What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. ⁴“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. ⁵But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him.”

What is the application for us? Our worship of the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ should be in Spirit and in Truth! (Cf. John 4:23-25) Indeed, holy fear, awe, and reverence for God, whether genuine or insincere, will be manifested in our behavior and conduct. It should be authentic and without hypocrisy. As Paul wrote: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, that he will also reap.” (Cf. Galatians 6:7) Likewise, we find a similar admonition from James:

James 3:13-17 (NIV)

¹³Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. ¹⁴But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. ¹⁵This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. ¹⁶For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. ¹⁷But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

Well, I hope your thoughts are stirred; and I pray that each of us will spend some time in meditation to focus on what it means to “fear” God. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom for this life. Through wisdom we gain understanding of the awesome majesty, power, and holiness of God. Yes, we come to know His Will … as revealed through His commandments. And then, submission and obedience will ultimately be our expression of love for Him. As Solomon concluded: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” (Cf. Ecclesiastes 12:13)

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

I Desire To Do Your Will

Psalm 40:8 (NIV)

I desire to do your will, my God; your Law is within my heart.

Our Verse of the Day comes from Psalm 40, and I encourage you to read the entire Psalm for its context. I find the meditation of King David regarding his personal struggle with sin to be honest and transparent. David sees his desire to do what is right as dependent upon his relationship with God. He writes: “Be pleased to save me, Lord; come quickly, Lord, to help me.” (Verse 13) And, “You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay.” (Verse 17) He observes the connection between desire and action as predicated upon the Word of God being embedded within his heart….

Indeed, if we desire to do the will of God, it follows that we must know and understand His will. I believe this is why the law … the commandments of God found in His Word … must be stored within our hearts. His Word must be treasured above all else! For the Word of God is necessary to change the human heart so that we are enabled to do His will. (Cf. Hebrews 4:12) The Prophet Jeremiah observed: “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” (Cf. Jeremiah 17:9-10) And Jesus taught: “For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” (Cf. Matthew 15:19) Indeed, unless we engage ourselves in the Word of God so it will become active within us, we will struggle to submit to the will of God for our lives.

Surrendering to the will of God is what accomplishes our sanctification! (Cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:3) And the sanctifying work of God within us is accomplished through His Word. Jesus declared as He prayed to the Father: “Sanctify them (disciples and future believers) by the Truth; Your Word is Truth.” (Cf John 17:17) The Word of God (His Will) has been sufficiently revealed to us through His Prophets … and in these last days through His Son. (Cf. John 1:1-2; Hebrews 1:1-2) Consider Psalm 119:11 which states: “Your Word I have hidden in my heart … so that I might not sin against You.” Indeed, His Word, hidden in the soil of a fertile heart, will germinate thoughts of righteousness and godliness to motivate whatever we say and do. Indeed, everything we do as humans (our fruit) is the outward expression of our thoughts … whether good or evil. So as we cultivate reverence for God in our inner beings, let us carefully plant His Word within our hearts to become a harvest of obedience to His Will….

The Apostle John brings us some additional insight on this matter of faith. He connects obedience with our love for God … our reverence for God expressed through obeying His commands. John recorded that Jesus told His disciples: “If you love me, keep my commands.” (Cf. John 14:15)

1 John 2:4-6 (NIV)

⁴Whoever says, “I know Him,” but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. ⁵But if anyone obeys His Word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in Him: ⁶Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did.

1 John 5:2-3 (NIV)

²This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out His commands. ³In fact, this is love for God: to keep His commands.

I think the question for us is this: “Do we truly desire to do God’s will?” Are we motivated by the love of God to please Him through obedience of His will? Are we chasing after the heart of God with reverence for Him? My solemn prayer is that we will spend more time reading and studying the Law (its commandments, statutes, and precepts) as well as the testimonies of the NT writers in order to comprehend the fullness of God’s Word and put it into practice. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God is the spiritual tool through which He sanctifies us. God proclaimed through Moses: “I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.” (Cf. Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7; 20:26; 21:8; 22:32) In his epistle, Peter quoted Moses and confirmed its application: “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” And since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.” (Cf. 1 Peter 1:15-17)

Yes, I believe the Lord is calling each of us to holiness … leading us with His Spirit to sanctify ourselves through His Holy Word. Our Heavenly Father desires us to live in reverent fear of Him and to do His will. So, may we have ears to hear what the Spirit of God is saying to His Church….

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

A Willing Spirit…

Psalm 51:12 (NIV)

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Our Verse of the Day comes from Psalm 51, and it is an intense confession and lamentation of David – prompted after Nathan the Prophet confronted him regarding his adultery with Bathsheba and his subsequent act to have her husband killed in battle. I encourage you to reference the story in 2 Samuel 11-12. In the final verse of that chapter we read, “But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.”

Though he was a man who pursued the heart of God and experienced intimate spiritual relationship with Him, David fell into great temptation. He committed adultery; and then afterwards, a murder as the consequences of his sin spiraled out of control. In that time … in that moment … it is clear that David did not guard his heart nor fear God. Indeed, the consequences of his actions had far-reaching effects on his relationship with God and those around him. And so, Psalm 51 captures the outpouring of his confession and repentance before God. David expresses that God desires faithfulness from us … righteousness and holiness … even from the moment of our conception. David asks God for cleansing, healing, renewal, and reinstatement of the fidelity he had violated. And from his prayer, we learn it is a broken spirit … a broken and contrite heart … that our loving and compassionate Father will use to restore us to Himself.

In his confession, David acknowledges not only his transgressions, but he observes in Verse 4 the following concerning his sin: “Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight; so You are right in your verdict and justified when You judge. David asserts that his sinful actions against other people were indeed sins against God Himself! Further, He agrees that God’s judgment of his sins is righteous and just. David continues in his prayer to seek forgiveness and cleansing of his sins: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” And it is here that we find the context of our verse today….

To fear God is the beginning of wisdom; and reverence establishes the foundation for our obedience and faithfulness to Him. Like David, we can too easily become focused on ourselves, our own inner desires, and the allure of worldly things. Indeed, there is so much “pleasure” available that it can be challenging to our faithfulness. And the battle between light and darkness … between truth and lies … only seems to be intensifying in this world. Since we are caught in the torrent of spiritual warfare, it is understandable that we might become distracted and operate in the flesh. The deception and confusion can give rise to all kinds of temptations … enticing us to make bad decisions under the circumstances. If ever there was a time to guard our hearts and put on our spiritual armor (Cf. Ephesians 6:10-18), it is now in these latter days.

I see our Verse of the Day as a reminder of the constant struggle we face on the journey of faith. Any sin or transgression in our lives not only displeases the Lord, but there are profound consequences. We quench the Spirit who is working within us (Cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:19) … and we grieve the Spirit who has sealed us unto the day of redemption. (Cf. Ephesians 4:30) We are robbed of the “joy” of our salvation, and we begin to isolate ourselves from God in guilt and shame. Indeed, we dishonor the sacrifice of Christ on the cross to atone for our sins, and we separate ourselves from the presence of God through His Holy Spirit. Our capacity to love one another and minister to others is diminished because we have compromised ourselves….

As we meditate upon these thoughts, I hope that we will spend some time for introspection. As David did, let us kneel before the Father and pray: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Cf. Psalm 139:23-24) And as John affirmed, “This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is Light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all (every) sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word is not in us. (Cf. 1 John 1:5-10)

Though our transgressions may not rise to the level that David committed, it is certain that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Cf. Romans 3:23) So, it is my hope that as we examine ourselves before God, we will join David with repentant hearts as the Lord reveals our transgressions. For God is willing to purify us and to restore our joy. He is faithful to do so. Because of His mercy and grace, He will give us a willing spirit to live worthy of Him. As Paul wrote: “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Cf. Galatians 5:24-25)

My friends, I believe the Father is calling our hearts to confession and repentance today so that He might restore the joy of our salvation! Let us humble ourselves in reverence. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Cf. Hebrews 4:16) And I am reminded of what Paul asserted: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (Cf. 1 Corinthians 10:13) So, let us be diligent to guard our hearts and minds so that we do not fall prey to our enemy the devil – who prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (Cf. 1 Peter 5:8)

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

The Words of My Mouth…

Psalm 19:14 (NIV)

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

As I read our Verse of the Day, the first thought I had was: “What words? What meditation?” So, I stopped to read the entire Psalm and find out. I have reprinted it here for you:

Psalm 19 (NIV)

¹The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
²Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
³They have no speech; they use no words; no sound is heard from them.
⁴Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
⁵It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
⁶It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.

⁷The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
⁸The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
⁹The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.

¹⁰They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.
¹¹By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. ²But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.
¹³Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

¹⁴May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Wow! King David had a remarkable awareness of God … an intimate relationship with Him. He understood God as the loving Creator of all things … the entire universe and all of its inner workings, the stars and galaxies, the planets, and all that fill them. David understood His inconceivable power and divine being and that God is worthy of reverence and worship from all created things. He even meditates here that the heavens testify of God’s being and His glory. Then David moves to recognition of God’s Word. Words … speech … languages are nothing more than the articulation of thoughts … of concepts. They can be descriptive or definitive. But words (and sounds) are connected to the ideas intended to be communicated and shared between living creatures. In this context, the Word of God is the articulation (revelation) of God’s thoughts and of His will. David declares the thoughts of God are perfect, refreshing, trustworthy, radiant, joy giving, wisdom instilling, righteous, pure, highly valuable, and eternal. In keeping (observing and obeying) the Word of God, we receive the reward of knowing Him in an intimate way. We discover the passion of His thoughts toward us and His sovereign will for us. We conceive and experience the “heart” of God … full of love (agape) for us – creatures made in His own image. I cannot think of any greater reward than His gift of everlasting life and being surrounded by His presence and glory.

So, what are the meditations of your heart today? What thoughts have you or will you share with God today? David gave us an awesome example that I believe God found “pleasing” to Him. As for me, my thoughts drifted to this verse in Isaiah as I began to write:

Isaiah 64:4 (NIV)

Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.

1 Corinthians 2:6-14 (NIV)

⁶We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. ⁷No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. ⁸None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. ⁹However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen,what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”the things God has prepared for those who love Him— ¹⁰these are the things God has revealed to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. ¹¹For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. ¹²What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. ¹³This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. ¹⁴The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 1:18-30 (NIV)

¹⁸For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” (Citing Isaiah 29:14) ²⁰Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. ²²Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, ²³but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, ²⁴but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. ²⁶Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. ²⁷But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹so that no one may boast before Him. ³⁰It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

Lord God, may it be that only your words become the words of my mouth. May it be that the meditation of my heart is upon you and you alone. May I see the wisdom of your Word … may it be my only guide … a lamp for my feet and a light unto my path. (Cf. Psalm 119:115) This is the meditation and desire of my heart, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. There is no one like you. There is none besides you. You alone are Creator. You alone are Savior. You have blessed my soul with thoughts too deep for me; and yet, my soul rests in you. Indeed, those who know your Name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation! Yes, I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” Amen.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

My Soul Longs For You!

Psalm 63:1 (NIV)

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.

Our Verse of the Day opens Psalm 63 – A Psalm of David when he was in the Desert of Judah. It is a beautiful psalm of reflection … a song of deep longing for intimacy with God … a chorus of praise for the presence of God and His lovingkindness. I have reprinted the entire Psalm for us:

¹You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land where there is no water. ²I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. ³Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. ⁴I will praise you as long as I live, and in your Name I will lift up my hands. ⁵I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. ⁶On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. ⁷Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. ⁸I cling to you; your right hand upholds me. ⁹Those who want to kill me will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth. ¹⁰They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals. ¹¹But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God will glory in Him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.

Whenever I feel alone inside, I find this psalm so uplifting. It reminds me that when my soul is parched and in need of living water, the Lord is ever near! There is a cloud! There is a river! Oh, to feel His rain upon me … the flood of refreshing waters He sends to those who are weary! Indeed, God is present in His sanctuary. He overshadows me when I lay on my bed and think of Him during the night. The Lord hears me when I praise Him. Yes, He surrounds me when I am still in the quiet place before Him…. Like the meditation of David in Psalm 139, I recite these same thoughts before the Father:

Psalm 139:1-7 (NIV)

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. ²You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. ³You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. ⁴Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. ⁵You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. ⁶Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain….

David asked, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” Well, the answer is that God is omnipresent and He is omniscient. We cannot hide ourselves or our sin from God. “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Cf. Hebrews 4:13) Yet, this truth is not something to be feared; rather, I find hope in the knowledge that His eyes are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayers. (Cf. 1 Peter 3:12; Psalm 34:15)

So, let us continue to long for the presence of God in our lives. Let us place our full confidence in His presence. For our Heavenly Father has revealed His presence unto us! “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (Cf. John 1:14) Indeed, it is His abiding presence that keeps us alive! Oh, His love is better than life….

A Final Thought:

1 John 3:19-24 (NIV)

¹⁹This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in His presence: ²⁰If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything. ²¹Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God ²²and receive from Him anything we ask, because we keep His commands and do what pleases Him. ²³And this is His command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us. ²⁴The one who keeps God’s commands lives in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Lord Jesus, I thank you that when my soul is thirsty, I can come to the well … a well of living water that never runs dry. Jesus, you proclaimed: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink; and whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (Cf. John 7:37-38) So, Lord, this morning I ask You for a drink of the water that You give … for the spring of water welling up to eternal life! (Cf. John 4:13-14) Refresh my soul, O Lord! I thirst for You … my soul longs for You! Fill my cup, Lord, to overflowing! For I ask in your precious and mighty name … Amen!

Abounding In Love…

Philippians 1:9-11 (NIV)

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

In our Verse of the Day, I believe we encounter a different concept with regard to the impact that knowledge and discernment have upon our redemption. We typically think of wisdom, understanding, and depth of insight, as the role of the Holy Spirit for our walk as born-again creations. Indeed, He is our guide into all Truth. He is our Advocate … our Helper … our Comforter … who teaches us all things and reminds us of everything Jesus taught His disciples. (Cf. John 14:26; 15:26) Yet here, Paul appears to assert its impact on the growth and maturity of our love as followers of Christ. He prays for our love to abound … for the love within us to grow and mature and bear fruit … in response to the work of the Holy Spirit.

Why is this important? Well, Paul states the purpose of his prayer is “so that we may be able to discern what is best and to live in a consecrated position for the soon return of our Lord Jesus. We know the primary goal of our life in Christ is to love God and to love one another. But love is not just a matter of the emotions; rather, to be effective and productive for the Lord, we must use our intelligence and exercise discernment. And so, I think Paul is praying not only that the Philippians continue in their outpouring of sincere love, but he is encouraging them to operate in love that exercises knowledge and moral discernment. Paul indicates that love directed by intelligent, moral decisions will manifest itself as the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ … as the completion of God’s love that brings Him glory, honor, and praise! (Cf. 1 John 4:11-17)

As I pondered the issue of moral discernment and how the Holy Spirit impacts our capacity to love more deeply, I recalled some passages where Paul discusses whether our interactions with others are beneficial or harmful. I believe these selections represent practical applications of how our love for both God and others abounds (increases) with knowledge and depth of insight:

1 Corinthians 6:12-20 (NIV)

¹²“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. ¹³You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. ¹⁴By His power God raised the Lord from the dead, and He will raise us also. ¹⁵Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! ¹⁶Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” (Citing Genesis 2:24) ¹⁷But whoever is united with the Lord is one with Him in Spirit. ¹⁸Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. ¹⁹Do 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; ²⁰you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.

1 Corinthians 10:23-33 (NIV)

²³“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. ²⁴No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. ²⁵Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, ²⁶for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” (Citing Psalm 24:1) ²⁷If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. ²⁸But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. ²⁹I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? ³⁰If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for? ³¹So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. ³²Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— ³³even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

As love abounds in our redeemed, transformed hearts … as it matures in outward expression to those around us, such love always seeks and endeavors to operate in the Spirit of Christ. It requires us to “discern what is best.” As Paul asserted: “I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.” I think this mindset is essential if we intend to share the truth in love. As Paul would later instruct the believers in Philippi:

Philippians 2:1-5 (NIV)

Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ²then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. ⁵In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus….

My friends, when we love as Jesus loved us and gave Himself for us, we will be filled with the fruit of righteousness in our lives. Its effect will be quietness and confidence forever. (Cf. Isaiah 32:17) We will no longer be conformed to the pattern on this world; rather, we will be transformed by the renewing of our minds. (Cf. Romans 12:2) And I think this is Paul’s ultimate desire – that when we stand before God in the judgment, our lives will have been filled with the spiritual fruit of righteousness that comes from Jesus Christ – produced by the Holy Spirit. (Cf. Galatians 5:22-23) And then, the Father will receive all the glory and praise! “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Cf. Ephesians 2:10)

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Removing the Veil…

1 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV)

The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

Our Verse of the Day brings an important point to the table regarding our mission to share the Gospel with those who do not know the truth. Paul explains: “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” In 1 Corinthians 1:18-19, Paul wrote: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” (Citing Isaiah 29:14) And Paul observed in another place, “Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. (Cf. 2 Corinthians 4:3-5)

Therein lies the challenge that we also faced before we came to faith in Jesus; and it is the same issue for someone who is not ready to receive the message of hope and salvation. And so, we are to be servants to unbelievers for Jesus’ sake. That is our commission … our marching orders from the Lord. We are to love others as we have been loved. We are to speak the truth in love; and we are to be salt and light in this world … to be Jesus in this world. That is why I believe it is imperative that we work together with the Holy Spirit to prepare the soil of hearts God has called to salvation. What I mean is that we should be in fervent prayer for those who need salvation to be receptive to what the Spirit of God is prompting them to hear in their heart. We need to pray for spiritual ears to hear … for the spiritual eyes of hearts to be opened to see the Gospel. Indeed, the preparation of prayer is more important than our words in the beginning of leading someone to Christ….

So, this morning, I challenge each of us to be in prayer for someone who needs to see the light of the Gospel; the good news that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, within their heart. Pray that they will not seek the wisdom of this world … which is foolishness in God’s sight … and ask the Lord to unveil and reveal the truth to them. In other words, the Spirit must do the prompting and leading … for it is HE who guides us into all truth. Yes, “When He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide into all the truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.” (Cf. John 16:13) For you and I cannot enter the heart of a person, but we can let our light so shine before them, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. (Cf. Matthew 5:16)

Father, You call our hearts in prayer this morning for the lost and the prodigal. We ask and pray that You will remove the veil of darkness from their hearts so that the light of the Gospel will shine before them. We ask You, Holy Spirit, to reveal the Truth to their hearts so that they would receive Jesus into their hearts and atonement for their sins … redemption and reconciliation … deliverance and healing … grace and peace … within their souls. Yes, we pray in the Mighty Name of Yeshua Hamashiach (Jesus the Messiah), Amen.