Jesus

Living in the Presence

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“And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.” Exodus 13:21-22 (KJV)

The LORD had just worked out the deliverance of Israel out of Egyptian bondage.  Now He gives them the assurance of His presence, and His abiding with them with a pillar.  By day it was a Pillar of cloud; by night a Pillar of fire.  He would lead them by day and by night.

How did the Moses and the children of Israel know where to go?  God was leading them with His powerful presence.

This Pillar was associated with the “Angel of the LORD” and with when Moses spoke with the LORD (Exodus 33:9-11).  The Pillar was to stand between the Israelites and the Egyptians later before they would cross the Red Sea.  He was their Guide and Protector.  Notice too, that “He took not away the Pillar…”  He is the Living Presence.

For the Christian  that Pillar is the presence of GOD within every follower of Jesus Christ.  He is that Cloud by day, and Fire by night.  He is our Comforter, our Conviction, our Direction and Guide every moment of the day and the night (John 16:7-11).  The Holy Spirit is Jesus Christ in you to lead and guide you to become like Jesus in living.  That is the desire of every born again believer; to be like Jesus: loving the Father, doing the Father’s will, glorifying the Father, doing the work of the Father.

Living in the Presence of the LORD begins by following His Son Jesus Christ.

What You Do When You Hear the Word of the LORD

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“He that feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses: and he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field.” Exodus 9:20-21 (KJV)

The words are written as the warning from Moses to Pharaoh, and his people of Egypt, of a plague of hail and fire that would kill every thing caught in the open field.  Those who had seen the previous plagues happen just as Moses had said, “feared the word of the LORD”, and acted upon it, and saved animals and human life.

What do you do when you hear the word of the LORD?  What is our response when God speaks?  Do you even hear when God speaks?  Do you care when God speaks?  You need to respond.  You need to hear.  You definitely need to care.  Your eternal destiny depends upon it.

There is judgment coming, is even already here, if you have eyes to see it, and ears to hear it.  Fear the word of the LORD, and flee for shelter.  The shelter is the cross of Jesus Christ.  There is no safety outside the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD will determine your eternal destiny.  If you fear the word of the LORD and seek shelter in the cross of Jesus you will live forever with Him.  Outside the cross of Christ is eternal torment, eternal dying.

The Purpose of Judgment

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“Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land. And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay My hand upon Egypt, and bring forth Mine armies, and My people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth Mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them. And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them, so did they.” Exodus 7:2-6 (KJV)

In these verses we know the children of Israel have been enslaved in Egypt for around 400 years.  This was foretold by GOD to Abraham back in Genesis 15:13; and now God is about to fulfill His promise of deliverance.

Egypt has been a cruel taskmaster to Israel in the midst the land.  Forced labor, unrealistic standards for making brick, and building numbers, and living conditions.  God had heard their cry, their pleading for help.  Now help has come.

God sends His messengers; Moses and Aaron to deliver God’s word to the Pharaoh of Egypt.  He does not hear nor does He intend to let the people go.  The Lord of all creation has given Pharaoh opportunity to release the people without pain, sorrow, judgment; and he has refused.  Now GOD will show Himself strong to the Pharaoh, to Egypt and to His own people.  They will know that “I am the LORD” God says.

When I read the Scriptures that is a continued theme throughout the Bible.  God works, He moves, He judges, that we might know that He is the LORD.

The greatest way that was and is shown us is through the cross of Jesus Christ.  The wrath of God upon sin was poured out upon His Son.  His love for mankind was shown in that He judged Jesus His only begotten Son in our behalf.

O hear the word of the LORD today.  Believe Him.  Call on Him and He will hear you.

The Ever-Present One

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“And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? And He said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain. And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is His name? What shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is My name for ever, and this is My memorial unto all generations.” Exodus 3:11-15 (KJV)

The Scripture above gives us Moses’ account of his call of God to return unto Egypt to free the children of Israel from bondage.  This is his first encounter with GOD, and it is awesome.

Moses sees God as holy, all powerful, and all present, and even all knowing in one event.  He also learns His name.  The name says that He is eternal.  Where He is is the present.  He is the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.  You will notice it does not say that “He was the God” but “the God of…”  That strongly implies the living, resurrection power of God; the eternalness of God, past, present and future.

His name, I AM, also reveals to us that He is Self-Sufficient; that He is in need of nothing.  It also reveals to us that we need Him.  We do not exist without Him.  We do not breathe without Him.  We do not move without Him.  There is no sunrise without Him.  He gives us each day, each beat of our heart, each step we take.  He is the One who holds all things together.  If He were to remove His hand from this world, and this Universe it would fly into pieces (Colossians 1:16-17).

This Self-Sufficient One desires to come to you today.  Call on Him.  He is the One who provides your salvation, through the cross of Jesus.

The Beginning of Life and Death

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“And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence. So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.” Genesis 50:24-26 (KJV)

The book of Genesis, the book of beginnings finds a great divide.  A divide between life and death.  Everyone likes to talk about life.  Not many will even deal with the topic of death.  In the end we must realize that death, though inevitable for us all is merely the absence of life.

God never created death.  God created life.  Disobedience to God brought death; Adam’s and Eve’s sin in the garden produced death from the life God had given.  The choice they had between the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was a choice of life and death.  Their choice was death, thus this is the journey of mankind through the end of Genesis, and through our own day as well.

Joseph was sold into Egypt fulfilling God’s plan to make a great nation through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  God gives life for all those who believe Him and trust Him.  Joseph died in Egypt with the promise of God and hope that one day Israel would return to the land of Promise – the land of Canaan.

Because of the sin in the garden death came to mankind, and every man, and woman since that time has gone the way of death; with the exception of two men – Enoch (Genesis 5:21-24) and Elijah (2 Kings 2:1-15).  Then there was Jesus the Christ, Son of God who died and was bodily raised conquering the power of death for all who would trust in Him.

One day those who believe and follow Jesus will look upon His face.  We will see Joseph, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the prophets, David, friends, family, and many people we never expected to find there.  All are there through the atoning death of Jesus Christ on the cross, His burial and bodily resurrection.  Death is conquered by the resurrected power of life through Christ Jesus.

That coffin in Egypt which held Joseph will be empty.  Those coffins which have held the bodies of your loved ones who loved Jesus will be empty when Jesus comes for His own.  Contrary to what some believe there is a “First resurrection” (Revelation 20:5), and there is a “second death” (Revelation 20:6, 14).  Which will you have part in?  The second death is the eternal absence of meaningful life and God.

GOD loved us so much He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him would not perish, but have everlasting life.  Believe Him and live forever. Reject Him and die forever.

Israel; Jacob’s Fear Not

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“And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I. And He said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation: I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.” Genesis 46:2-4 (KJV)

Israel is the new name God had given to Jacob.  Jacob had been a “supplanter” a deceiver; and had tried to have things his own way.

Jacob’s life had now changed at the end of his life.  He had just heard that his son Joseph was not only alive, but was a ruler in the land of Egypt, and due to famine throughout the Middle Eastern countries was being invited by that son and the Pharaoh of Egypt to come into the land and dwell there.

Now there was no more scheming, no more planning and or plotting to achieve his desired path, but now Jacob was in the hands of the Sovereign hands of GOD.  “Fear not to go down into Egypt…” were the words of God to Jacob.

God promised Jacob that when he died Joseph would be at his side.  He also promised that it would be in Egypt that “I will there make of thee a great nation”.  He also promised that they would come out of Egypt, to the land He had promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

We can learn from these passages; as Joseph’s brethren had learned – You cannot thwart the  plan of God.  Instead they were used in their evil plot to work the plan of God.  How do I explain that?  I do not even try.

It is best for me and all God’s children to leave these matters in His hands; to trust Him, and believe that whatever happens is going to be for our good and His glory.  It was, for example, our evil that caused Jesus to be nailed to the cross; however it was the plan of God that His Son die for our sins, that we might have access to the very throne of God.

God speaks, and He sees to it that what He speaks comes to pass just as He has spoken.  Just as Jacob/Israel saw his son Joseph again; so too will Jesus come again.

Believe God and trust Him today.

The LORD Has Spoken

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“The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.” Psalm 50:1 (KJV)

Of this Psalm, and of this verse Matthew Henry has written,

It is probable that Asaph was not only the chief musician, who was to put a tune to this psalm, but that he was himself the penman of it; for we read that in Hezekiah’s time they praised God in the words of David and of Asaph the seer, 2Ch_29:30. Here is,
I. The court called, in the name of the King of kings (Psa_50:2): The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken – El, Elohim, Jehovah, the God of infinite power justice and mercy, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. God is the Judge, the Son of God came for judgement into the world, and the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of judgment. All the earth is called to attend, not only because the controversy God had with his people Israel for their hypocrisy and ingratitude might safely be referred to any man of reason (nay, let the house of Israel itself judge between God and his vineyard, Isa_5:3), but because all the children of men are concerned to know the right way of worshipping God, in spirit and in truth, because when the kingdom of the Messiah should be set up all should be instructed in the evangelical worship, and invited to join in it (see Mal_1:11, Act_10:34), and because in the day of final judgment all nations shall be gathered together to receive their doom, and every man shall give an account of himself unto God.
Matthew Henry Commentary

God is LORD of all the earth.  From the rising of the sun until its going down He rules, and sets the rising and the fall of kings and kingdoms.  His Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom.

God’s plan is being fulfilled today, His will for you and me today is to hear Him, and follow His direction and His Holy Spirit.  If you have no ear for GOD or His Word; repent, and believe Him.

Now Hear This

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“Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world: both low and high, rich and poor, together.” Psalm 49:1-2 (KJV)

There are voices all around the world crying out for a hearing.  Weeping, wailing, mourning, crying, shouting, rioting, killing; and all for someone to hear them.  Some for a show of power and authority.  Some because they hurt in their innermost being.  Sometimes, most times in fact that hurt is worse than any hurt.

The Most Holy One wants our attention.  Does He have it?  With some; with very few does He have our attention.  We cry out for His attention, but does He have ours?

This Psalm is for the “sons of Korah” once again.  It is for all who have lost.  It is for the low and high , the rich and the poor.  God calls out for our attention.  He calls out for us to hear.

Are you one of those people who say, “Well, I cry out for God.  I want to hear Him, but He never speaks to me.” type people?  He will not hear you, until you hear Him.  It begins by hearing His Word, and His Son.  If you feel God is not listening to you; listen to what God says of His Son Jesus.  “This is My beloved Son… hear Him” (Matthew 3:17; 17:5).

The message of Jesus Christ breaks all barriers.  The high in society and culture; or the low in society and culture need Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.  Hear this, all ye people…

Great is the LORD…

/ Tim A. / 2 Comments

“Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of His holiness.” Psalm 48:1 (KJV)

Greatness is often ascribed to athletes, business men, presidents, world leaders, sometimes even preachers, and teachers.  To give credit where credit is due is a good thing, but let us face it there are none who are so great.

Men or women  we lift up and place on pedestals can fall off the stands so easily.  We have seen athletes fall, presidents, business men and women alike come crumbling down.  None of us are “Great”.

There is only One who is Great; and that is the LORD.  He alone is worthy of praise, honor and glory.  The one’s whose hearts are knit with His, are the one’s who should greatly praise Him.

When we read the Bible, and as we read the Psalms we find that these words are really not about us; they are about the One who made us, along with all that is.  We live in a time, and culture where everything is about “Me”.  However, it should be about Him.

Great is the LORD, and He is greatly to be praised with our lives, our hearts, our minds and our strength.  He is holy, separate from all things and worthy.  True praise and worship of the LORD will begin when you trust and believe in the Son of God, Jesus the Christ, and trust His finished work on the cross, His burial and bodily resurrection.  Let praise of Him begin today.

Being Safe

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God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 (KJV)

Being safe, and safety is a concern for many citizens of the United States and the rest of the world.  Many are dependent upon their government, security companies, body guards, and such.  These things have a great tendency to fail.

The place for “Refuge” is not in trusting government of any nation, or the United Nations.  The Psalmist tells us, and it is so very true; “God is our refuge” He is our place of safety.

“Refuge” is a shelter.  Maybe even a hiding place where we can go just to be alone with God.  God is also the source of our boldness, our might, our strength.

Some feel that God; if He exists is way off somewhere else, and nowhere near this earth; or at least nowhere near themselves.  The Psalmist has another thought, and the one I hold.  He is a very present help in trouble.  He is even Help when there is no trouble.

You can trust the Lord in times of trouble; in times of fear and assault from others.  You can depend on Him to aid you and give you strength through the worst trial of your life.  In Him through Jesus the Christ, Son of the Living God there is life.

Song for the King

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My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the King: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Psalm 45:1 (KJV)

The heart of the writer of this song is overflowing, jubilant, praising.  It may be because it is the King’s wedding day.

For a scribe, a ready writer, one who loved the King it would truly be a wonderful, glorious day; and he would write of it with a joyous heart.  This Psalm was written with a king in the lineage of David in mind; and it would not be wrong to especially include the Messiah of Israel as this King.

Those who love King Jesus can understand the jubilance of this song.  The Christian is longing for that day when we will see the King in His glory when He comes to claim His bride, and completes the redemption of creation.

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” 1 John 3:1-3 (KJV)

If you do not know this King He is the one who died on the cross, was buried, a bodily arose and came out of that grave alive.  He is the one who is soon returning.  Call on His name.  Ask forgiveness for your sins, and turn to Him believing Him.  His name is Jesus the Christ, Son of the Living God.

Listening to His Story

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We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work Thou didst in their days, in the times of old. Psalm 44:1 (KJV)

How often do we pay attention to the history of the past?  We often hear some people say things like “History is written by the people who won the wars”.  Only a one sided story in other words, and in many cases that may be the truth.

I love reading the Word of God.  It is about GOD.  It is about our beginning, and our end of this life.  It is His story.  It is about God working to call a people to Himself.  It is about God delivering a people from sin, its condemnation, and the wrath of God upon sin, and upon His own Son whom He sent to be the Redeemer of mankind.

Someone might ask, “What if “Our fathers” were wrong, or just flat out told a lie?”  Do we have no confidence in our fathers of the faith?  We cannot however, only believe because of what the fathers have told us in Scripture.  We must believe because we too have heard God for ourselves.  We have seen Him move.  We have seen Him work changing the lives of people who came to Him.  Beginning with ourselves we see the change.

It is often because of His story from the past that we are led to believe Him today.  His story from the past is His story still today.  The history we speak of is usually of what happened in years past.  The story of God, and His salvation is His story that lives today, and into the future.

Listen to what the faithful “Fathers” have told us; then we can believe the faithful Father today.

The Greatest Desire

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As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God. Psalm 42:1

This Psalm’s title is “For the sons of Korah”.  Korah was a leader in rebellion against Moses’ leadership through the wilderness journey (Numbers 16).  There were three men who are noted for that rebellion; Dathan and Abiram being the other two.  All who joined these three in the rebellion were destroyed when the ground opened up and swallowed them alive.  Some of Korah’s sons evidently did not join their father, and lived.  They had a heart for God; which was given them by God’s grace.

There are human desires aplenty in our times.  They have in fact run amuck.  Many think that life is all about having their desires fulfilled.  The greatest desire for which I am aware is the desire to know God.  Many will deny that of course.  The desire for God is usually masked by craving other things to find fulfillment.  They do not.

Whether it is beer, wine, hard liquor, cannibis, cocaine, heroine, or any other mind robbing drug; there is no fulfillment for the human mind and heart until we find our rest and peace in GOD.

The deer, or hart as the text says, after running through the woods, or across the plains, or the meadow longs for that fresh, flowing stream of water for a drink, for refreshment.  Just as that deer desires water, and finds refreshment the one who knows GOD seeks fulfillment in Him.  Once you are fulfilled in Him, you long, you desire to know Him even more.

You can look in religion, but you will not be fulfilled there.  You can look in nature you will not find fulfillment there.  You can look wherever you choose, but you will not find fulfillment until you believe what God says about His Son Jesus Christ.  “This is my beloved Son, hear Him.”

In Jesus Christ Son of the Living God there is fulfillment, and everlasting life.

Wrong Side of Judgment

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“O LORD, rebuke me not in Thy wrath: neither chasten me in Thy hot displeasure.” Psalm 38:1 (KJV)

No one that I know wants to be on the wrong side of judgment.  By that I mean the danger end of a shotgun, rifle, or pistol.  For those unfamiliar with this thought I will just say, no one looks forward to standing in court before a judge; at least if they are in the right mind.

No one should desire to stand on the wrong side of the judgment of GOD.  I know that I sure do not want to.  Neither did David the Psalmist.  GOD is the supreme Judge.  He hates sin.  He judges sin; my sin and yours.  We cannot even appear  before Him unless sin has been dealt with.

No one can be good enough, sinless enough to appear before GOD of Creation on their own merit.  Not me, nor you.  Our own “righteousness” condemns us, it does not save us.  We are born in a condemned state, apart from GOD; without GOD.

GOD Himself stepped into the world picture in the person of His Son Jesus Christ, pouring out His wrath, His displeasure upon Him for us, that we might come into His presence and glory.

If you do not desire to be rebuked in the wrath of GOD; in which you will not survive it; neither will you survive His hot displeasure; then, you must receive GOD’S gracious gift of salvation He has provided by way of the cross of Jesus Christ.  Jesus died, was buried, and bodily arose and came out of the grave, and lives today awaiting the time to come again and make all things right.

No Fret, nor Envy

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“Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.” Psalm 37:1 (KJV)

For short commentary on this verse I will turn to Charles H. Spurgeon this morning:

The Psalm opens with the first precept. It is alas! too common for believers in their hours of adversity to think themselves harshly dealt with when they see persons utterly destitute of religion and honesty, rejoicing in abundant prosperity. Much needed is the command, “Fret not thyself because of evildoers.” To fret is to worry, to have the heart-burn, to fume, to become vexed. Nature is very apt to kindle a fire of jealousy when it sees law-breakers riding on horses, and obedient subjects walking in the mire: it is a lesson learned only in the school of grace, when one comes to view the most paradoxical providences with the devout complacency of one who is sure that the Lord is righteous in all his acts. It seems hard to carnal judgments that the best meat should go to the dogs, while loving children pine for want of it. “Neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.” The same advice under another shape. When one is poor, despised, and in deep trial, our old Adam naturally becomes envious of the rich and great; and when we are conscious that we have been more righteous than they, the devil is sure to be at hand with blasphemous reasonings. Stormy weather may curdle even the cream of humanity. Evil men instead of being envied, are to be viewed with horror and aversion; yet their loaded tables, and gilded trappings, are too apt to fascinate our poor haft-opened eyes. Who envies the fat bullock the ribbons and garlands which decorate him as he is led to the shambles? Yet the case is a parallel one; for ungodly rich men are but as beasts fattened for the slaughter.

From The Treasury of David.

Evil people will fail in all their doings.  Their eternity will be loss.  What is there to envy?

The only hope for all people; no matter their religion or lot in life is Jesus Christ.  He died to pay our sin debt, was buried, and bodily arose again, and forever lives, and will one day soon return in all His glory.

Servant of the LORD

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“The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.” Psalm 36:1 (KJV)

In a day where no one likes to be anyone’s servant, even slave, we do not like the term “Servant of the LORD”.  That may just be where the “Transgression” begins.  It is where the transgression begins.

The title of the Psalm, “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD.” has a reference to “David the servant of the LORD”  Do you; do I have a problem with being the servant of the LORD?

It is transgression if we are not.  In fact if we do not yield to the LORD we have no fear of God, and we are estranged from Him.

If we are servants of the LORD, then there is allegiance to Him, devotion to Him, love to Him, and of doing His Word; loving Him with all our hearts, all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength.  We obey God, even by obeying the laws of men, as long as they do not violate the law of God.  To do so is a transgression against God, and there is “…No fear of God before his eyes.”

GOD calls us to Himself through His Son Jesus.  Yield to the One who died on the cross, was buried, and rose again.  He is coming again. Live for Him.

Bless the LORD

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“I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1 (KJV)

This Psalm is titled to be written during or of a time when David feigned insanity before a Philistine king – Achish (1 Samuel 21:10-15).  It is really a time of David’s weakest moment, because he feared this king; however the LORD delivered Him.

It is for that reason that David realizes he needs to “Bless the LORD” rather than deny Him.

How about you and me?  Do we bless the LORD with our lives or are we feigning ignorance, insanity, or just plain apathetic about Him?  That is certainly not blessing Him.

David determined, “I will bless the LORD at all times…”  Let us make that our determination today, and throughout the New Year.  To bless is to adore with the actions of our lives.  We bless God when we stand for His word and works.  We bless God when we love our neighbor as we love ourselves.  We bless the LORD when we love Him with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength.  We bless the LORD when we hear His word and do it.

When we bless the LORD “Praise” will come from our mouth.  We will praise Him for being GOD.  If He blesses us will make no difference.  We will praise Him because of who He is.

It all begins, because He first loved us, and showed that love by sending His Son Jesus the Christ who died for our sins, was buried and rose again from the grave.

Happy in Forgiveness

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” Psalm 32:1 (KJV)

Another Psalm of David with a “Blessed”.  The word means Happy.  However in a world where everyone wants happiness we must understand that the happiness men and women, boys and girls are wanting and for the most part having; is sadly lacking in merit and quality.

The happiness which the Psalmist is writing of is from God; it is not fleeting.

There are people today who say something like this, “God wants me to be happy” so they set about seeking happiness in anything that they believe will make them so.  A man who is unhappy with his wife knows a woman he works with, they talk, they share secrets, they encourage and comfort one another; he believes he can be happy with her.  That is not the Happiness which God gives.

Notice in the verse above the four other words which are given; two of which are essential for “Happiness”.  “Forgiven” and “Covered”.  “Transgression” is rebellion against God.  “Sin” is transgression.  The word “Forgiven” carries the meaning of being carried by another.  The word “Covered” has the meaning of concealing never to be revealed again.

There can only be true, God given happiness when our transgressions are forgiven and our sins are covered.  That has been given all who will believe and receive it through God’s gift of His Son Jesus Christ dying on the cross for our sins – our transgressions – being buried carrying our sins away, and His bodily resurrection from the dead.  Believe Him and receive His free gift of grace.  That is “Happiness” beyond human understanding.

Trusting the Righteous LORD

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“In Thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in Thy righteousness.” Psalm 31:1 (KJV)

For David trusting the righteous LORD was not even questioned.  In who else, or what else was one to trust?  He knew that you cannot even trust yourself without reservation, or second guessing one’s self.  He knew there was nothing righteous in himself, or anyone else.  He also knew there were times he was ashamed of things which he did; but never the works of GOD, or His acts.

In whom do you trust?  Are trusting that your place of employment is secure?  It is not.  Are you trusting your spouse without reservation?  He/She is human, and can fall and fail just as you can.  I pray you do trust your spouse as we are called to, but not for eternity, and eternal reasons.  Men, you will not get to heaven on the “Train” of your wife’s wedding gown.  Ladies, you will not get to heaven on the strength and faith of your husband.

Because our LORD is a righteous LORD we can trust Him implicitly.  Because the human race is a sinful race we cannot trust God on our own.  He has made a way through the righteousness of His only Son.  He was crucified on a cross for our sins, was buried, and bodily arose from the grave, and ever lives calling all who will hear to follow Him.  He is our only access to the righteousness of GOD.

Then, we can, with David say, “In Thee, O LORD, do I put my trust…”  Trust Him.

Lifting Up the Name of the LORD

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

“I will extol Thee, O LORD; for Thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.” Psalm 30:1 (KJV)

According to this Psalms title it is a song at the “Dedication of the house of David”.  The LORD had lifted David to heights he had never dreamed.  He was the king of Israel.  He had wealth, subjects, soldiers, and worth.  David, however, knew from whom these things had come.

He says in this song, “I will extol Thee, O LORD…”  To “extol” means to lift up, to praise and adore.  God had lifted him up, and he now lifts up the name of the LORD, so that all may know the LORD.

We live in a world and/or a culture which is absorbed with self fulfillment.  I have some news for you.  This life is not about you.  It is about GOD.  It is about His greatness, His grace, His mercy, His love, and Him sending His Son to die for us.

Let us be content to be like David; whether we have been exalted to greatness in a palace or whether we live in a fallen down shack in the woods; let us exalt, extol – lift up – the name of Jesus.  He is the “exact representation” (Hebrews 1:1-3) of the Father.

Lift up His name by believing Him.

Giving Unto the LORD

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

“Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.” Psalm 29:1 (KJV)

Today I will let only C. H. Spurgeon from THE TREASURY OF DAVID speak on this verse…

“Give,” i.e., ascribe. Neither men nor angels can confer anything upon Jehovah, but they should recognise his glory and might, and ascribe it to him in their songs and in their hearts. “Unto the Lord,” and unto him alone, must honour be given. Natural causes, as men call them, are God in action, and we must not ascribe power to them, but to the infinite Invisible who is the true source of all. “O ye mighty.” Ye great ones of earth and of heaven, kings and angels, join in rendering worship to the blessed and only Potentate; ye lords among men need thus to be reminded, for ye often fail where humbler men are ardent; but fail no longer, bow your heads at once, and loyally do homage to the King of kings. How frequently do grandees and potentates think it beneath them to fear the Lord; but, when they have been led to extol Jehovah, their piety has been the greatest jewel in their crowns. “Give unto the Lord glory and strength,” both of which men are too apt to claim for themselves, although they are the exclusive prerogatives of the self-existent God. Let crowns and swords acknowledge their dependence upon God. Not to your arms, O kings, give ye the glory, nor look for strength to your host of warriors, for all your pomp is but as a fading flower, and your might is as a shadow which declineth. When shall the day arrive when kings and princes shall count it their delight to glorify their God? “All worship be to God only,” let this be emblazoned on every coat of arms.

The LORD My Rock

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

“Unto Thee will I cry, O LORD my Rock; be not silent to me: lest, if Thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.” Psalm28:1 (KJV)

The Psalmist David is praying again.  It is important to pray.  It is important to whom you pray even more.  David prayed to the One he calls “My Rock”.  Who is this Rock?  He is the One who followed the Israelites through the wilderness of the Exodus.

The apostle Paul says, “And that Rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:4).

Have you; as a Christian; ever felt as though He was being silent to you?  That silence is a motivation to be fervent, to be earnest, to be patient, and bold in your praying.  This is something I must remember.

It does seem when you begin to feel as though He is silent to you that also feel like one whom God will not hear; like those who “Go down to the pit”.  They are those who do not know God; those who have chosen to reject His free gift of grace, and refuse to receive His daily mercies.

You can go to the Rock, and He will hear you.  That Rock is Jesus Christ Son of the Living God, and God of the living.

Judgment You can Trust

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

“Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.” Psalm 26:1 (KJV)

No one of us enjoy the thought of being judged by another human being.  We can be the worst, and the harshest of judges.

The Psalmist (David) goes to Jehovah, and request His judgment.  Would I do that?  I will say this; I do desire His judgment over yours.  It is a good thing to desire the judgment of GOD.  His judgment is holy, just and righteous.

As David; if we come to Him with with a moral integrity that is based on the grace of God, then you or I have nothing to fear in God’s judgment.

You will notice that David comes to make this request based on his trust in the LORD – “I have trusted also in the LORD…”

Let me give you some thoughts concerning judgment. First, when we have trusted the LORD we can know that His judgment is right.  Second, when we are trusting the LORD we can judge ourselves: “If we would judge ourselves we would not be judged” (1 Corinthians 11:31).  Third, we can be free of the fearful judgment of GOD by trusting in the One who took our judgment for us; that is, His Son  Jesus Christ.

Knowing Him, trusting Him, and He keeps us from the “Slide” ie., from falling.

Has God Forsaken His Own???

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

“My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?” Psalm 22:1 (KJV)

The writer of this Psalm was feeling as though Go had forsaken him.  David is the Psalmist who was feeling so.  It must have been a trial of epic proportions.  Let us remember that it is faith which  causes him to cry out to God at this time.

This Psalm, at least the first verse, was quoted by our Saviour while He was hanging on the cross (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34).  It was as He came through the darkest part of the crucifixion.  For three hours there was a complete and total darkness, which the earth experienced during those hours; but O the darkness which our Lord endured was far greater than any physical, or temporal darkness of the earth.

Jesus had taken upon Himself the sins of the whole world.  We are told in Scripture that God does not look on sin with favor; thus the judgment of God was upon His Son.  There is no way we can understand the events of that dark time in our Lord’s dying; however I believe I can say that it was the most dark time of His life and death.

Because Jesus was forsaken by His Father for that time He will never forsake those who are His own.  We can hear the promise, “I will never forsake you or leave you”, and know that He is always with us.

You are His only when you come to Him believing that He died for you on the cross, was buried, and rose again bodily from the grave.  Believe in Him.  Call on Him believing.

Rejoicing in GOD Our Salvation

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

“The king shall joy in Thy strength, O LORD; and in Thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!” Psalm 21:1 (KJV)

Kings and all leadership ought always rejoice in God’s salvation, and in His strength.He never abandons those who are His.

When king David wrote these words he may have had a deliverance in a battle in mind.  Whether that is what it was or not does not negate the truth of the glorious salvation that GOD provides through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son Jesus Christ.

That word “Salvation” is from the Hebrew word “yeshua” which means salvation.  It is also the name that Christian Jews call Jesus.

Join me in rejoicing in GOD’S glorious salvation through the gift of His crucified, buried and resurrected Son.