Tag: bible devotion

Praise and the Peace of God’s Presence

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“O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” Psalm 22:3

Psalm 22 is known by all as the Messianic psalm prophesied of and quoted by Jesus Christ as He died and gave up His life for all mankind on that old rugged cross.

In the tragedy that would occur on Calvary, David tucks in this verse describing God dwelling in the place where His people praise Him.

If you are living a life of praising God, then no matter what circumstance you face, you are drawn near in heart and soul to Him, and the peace of His presence is never far from you.

One psalmist once declared, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all” Psalm 34:19, knowing that at the end of his course, victory was on the other side.

But on this side of life, we may still face many challenges and difficulties we are not keen on.  For the very word tells of the distress it brings in one’s life.  But it is in the midst of these struggles the individual must train themselves where the thoughts of their heart will lie: in the bosom of God’s faithfulness, or in the logic of human thinking.

The first would always be the winning choice regardless of one’s current condition, for in the bosom of God’s faithfulness, these moments of hardships, with the tears and turmoil they may possess, give way and make room to be refreshed in the fire by the God who will step in with you – to have one’s heart lifted with peace above the circumstance because praise has elevated you.

Oh, my friends, praise is powerful!  Praise can lift you from the deepest pit and the direst of occasions.  Though physically one may not experience the immediate relief they long for, but when our thoughts and intents of heart are transferred from viewing the troubles before us to the faithful God who has always been with us, we are raised by the power of His presence in the midst of the storm.

Naturally, we may be down, but inside we rise to the place where His glory dwells.  Inside, we seem to soar into the heavenlies, leaving the cares of this world behind.

“O thou that inhabits the praises of Israel,” will He not also come near to you and me when we sequester ourselves with Him, lean upon His bosom of faithfulness, and just praise.

Tears may mingle there, but let praise be not absent.

Cares may be cast there but let not the Hallelujah’s be silenced.

“I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1

“O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people” Psalm 117:1.  You do not have to be Israel’s biological child to praise the LORD.  The heart of the saint, His redeemed one, crying out, “Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:6) knows that “praise is comely for the upright” (Psalm 33:1) no matter who they are or where they hail from.

“Give unto the LORD the glory due his name…” Psalm 29:2

“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High:” Psalm 92:1

We may not be before the ark decorated with cherubim, but we can come before the “Throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in times of need” (Hebrews 4:16) which is decorated with His undeniable glory.

And while there before that place of His presence, let us not just ask from Him, but let us offer to God our genuine, heartfelt praise.

Difficulties, struggles, and hurts – with great compassion for the trials some face, I will never downplay their experience.  But according to Job, regardless of our present experience, we can still find a place of praise, for he said, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” Job 1:21. 

“Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.

Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised.

The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.

Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high,

Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;

That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.

He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord.” Psalm 113

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A Little at a Time

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“And the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once, lest the beasts of the field become too numerous for you.”
Deuteronomy 7:22, NKJV

Here we go again. A new idea, a new project, and the excitement within us wells until we are busting at the seams to implement or work it into our already busy lives.

Don’t get me wrong, the wonderful creativity that God has placed in us yearns to be expressed in multiple ways. And thankfully we are always learning about different things or different ways to do the things we are already doing.

The only problem is, our enthusiasm and excitement can get the best of us sometimes.  We can rush ahead and try to take on or accomplish several projects at once, juggling and spinning many plates at the same time, wondering why we are exhausted and overwhelmed while still dealing with what is in front of us daily.

When Moses was preparing the hearts of the Israelites to conquer the promised land, he relayed God’s plan of progression.  God could, no doubt, take on multiple nations and worlds at one time if He wanted to because He is God, the Creator of all.  But for these people, as they entered the land to begin their conquest, they would do it a little at a time.

Our heavenly Father is a wise, gentle, and gracious God knowing how easily it is for our human nature to become overwhelmed by taking on too much at once.

Is this you today? Have you ever stood back and wondered how in the world will you get all of this done, or where do you even begin?

Listen to the wisdom of our gracious God and get to your tasks step by step, one thing at a time, a little at a time. 

Many have taken on the idea of an octopus mentality – arms, ideas, and projects flying in every direction all at once, and we wonder about our feeling of overwhelm, multitasking, often to our own detriment.

Our zeal gets the best of us, and we add another plate to the spinning mess we are already juggling.

Step back, my friend, and reevaluate what you are doing and what is the ultimate final goal you would like to achieve.  What are the most important things for that project, that day, or that time?  What steps need to be taken for the greatest end result?

Now, let’s break it up and take it on a little at a time so as not to frazzle our energies or our minds.

We are not God.  We cannot take on the whole universe at once, but if we heed His wisdom perhaps our days can be a little less hectic, and a little more productive.

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The Redeemer Shall Come!

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“And the Redeemer shall come to Zion…”
Isaiah 59:20

Ready or not, was what we shouted when we were ready to open our eyes to find those who hid from us in the game of Hide-and-Seek. But today, we are past the times of games. There is no more time for playing.

The Redeemer shall come and those who are repentant, who turn from their transgressions and sins will meet Jesus face to face!

Oh, what a day that will be! The chains and the shackles of this world will be permanently loosed and true freedom will come once and for all. God’s people will rise to reign in victory because the Redeemer has come!

At Jesus’ first coming He was a babe in a manger who grew to become our Savior; our sacrifice on the cross. At His second coming, He’s coming with all the power of heaven to judge: “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works,” (Matthew 16:27).

For those who remain unrepentant, it will be a fearful time: “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory,” (Matthew 24:30, emphasis added).

Luke 21:25-28 explains further that it is going to be a time for the “distress of nations, with perplexity” and also of “men’s hearts failing them for fear.” That the “powers of heaven shall be shaken,” then, they will see the “Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (v.27).

The end of verse 28 encourages us to, “Lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh!” The Redeemer is coming, ready or not!

The Redeemer is coming for His people. God had long ago established a direct covenant with His people from the time of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 15; 17:1-7).

But Jeremiah 31:31-33 foresees a new covenant that God will write on the hearts of mankind. The “new” that God was doing would not resemble the same as He established with their forefathers. “New” did not mean recycled or upcycled to God. New meant new. A new way of doing things. A new story to tell. A new deliverance to grant to a lost and dying world. New!

The idea behind the new covenant is for restored lives, regardless of ethnicity or background. This restoration will take place when people are made new spiritually. People are made new when they enter into a new relationship with God, through His Son, Jesus. When they do, God forgives their sins. It’s the message behind the Bible, it’s the message centered in the Gospels, and it is the message carried through to Jesus Christ on the cross, the testator of the New Testament, the new covenant (see Hebrews 9:14-22).

At the Lord’s Supper, Jesus declares, “For this is the blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins,” (Matthew 26:28). Jesus was and is the Source of the new covenant, the Redeemer that would take away the sins of the world to those who accept Him:

  • “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name,” (John 1:12, emphasis added).
  • “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus,” (Galatians 3:26, emphasis added).
  • “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God, (Ephesians 2:19, emphasis added).
  • “Ye are Christ’s!” He has secured membership for you and me. He has redeemed us and set us in place to be called His own. We are now “joint-heirs” with Him, we are connected with Him, (Romans 8:17, emphasis added).

The Bible tells us, “Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men!” (Psalm 31:19, NKJV, emphasis added). God promised a Redeemer and our Redeemer is coming back! We who belong to Him have something to get excited about!

“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth,” Job 19:25

Job knew where his trust lies, and we know today, that in Christ is our redemption: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins,” (Colossians 1:14).

Victory is ours. New life is ours. Our Redeemer is real and He saves, and He is coming back again! Get ready!

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The Beauty of Redemption

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“To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” Ephesians 1:6, 7

Sin is ugly and has been a battle mankind has fought since the Fall.  Sin is an intrusion into this world and our lives.  It was never supposed to be a part of the program nor was it supposed to act like it has dominion, because it doesn’t.

God has the final answer for sin.  The psalmist declared, “Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away,” (Psalm 65:3).  The word “purge” means to clean out, to get rid of, and eradicate it from the vessel that was holding it. 

Although there is no possible way for a man, woman, or child to get right before God on their own, when that person brings themselves before the only true God who can do the holy restorative work needed in that life – they can become clean.  He will purge it from that trusting life.  There is forgiveness and redemption found in God.

In Isaiah, He says, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool,” (Isaiah 1:18).  God has the means to do away with all iniquities and transgressions, and His name is Jesus: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” Ephesians 1:7

David, the author of Psalm 65, quoted above and below, knew personally what it was like to be on the receiving end of God’s forgiveness.  He knows what it’s like to be taken in a fault and feel overwhelmed in this battle against sin.  He knows that God is to be praised because He is the one who has made atonement for the sins of mankind (read entire Psalm 65).

Recognizing the wonder and beauty of it all, he writes: “Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple,” (Psalm 65:4).

“Blessed;” happy and full of joy is the one who is allowed “to approach unto thee.”  This individual has received God’s answer to the sin problem of this life.  The barrier that those iniquities and transgressions caused between man and God has been pulled down, and now, that one has open access to the Almighty.  Therefore, they are “blessed.”

“That he may dwell in thy courts” gives the impression of permanence.  The bond between the redeemed and the Redeemer has been sealed and solidified with everlasting love through the ever-saving blood of Jesus Christ.  The usage of the word “courts” brings the repentant heart to where He is.  Those blessed individuals are so because they have been welcomed to enter into the realm of His holy Majesty.  The “blessed” have become holy courtiers in His kingdom.  With the lifting of the plague of sin that blocks the unbelieving from entering, this one who has received forgiveness can enter those holy grounds on the premise of His grace: “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14; see also Ephesians 2:8).

David continues to write, “We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.” God satisfies with “goodness” those who come to Him (see also Psalm 36:8).  With the inclusion of the word “we,” King David also applies this to himself as being on the receiving end of the blessings that flow from God.  With the dissatisfaction of dealing with everything wrong in this life, he looked forward to a day when he would know the sweet, uninterrupted joy of His “goodness” continually and freely flowing upon him.

This goodness is found where He is; in His “house, even of thy holy temple.”  As much as sin and iniquities have tried to prevail or overwhelm – more so will His goodness overshadow and satisfy us when we repent.  Corrie Ten Boom reminds us, “There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still.” 

To the soul that turns to Christ, the ugliness of sin is done away with and He will satisfy with the beauty of redemption.

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:12-14

Isn’t this beautiful!

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Share Your Flavor!

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“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” Matthew 5:13

You, my friend, have an offering to the world inside of you. You have something intricately valuable within that can affect change in the lives of others.

The term “influence” has become a part of our everyday language. Many are looking to their peers and others for encouragement, guidance, and skill to inspire them and show them how to do life better.

Examples have been around since the beginning of time and who one chooses to pattern themselves or behaviors after will make a notable difference in that life. 

Why not be one who others can see as a beacon of hope, a mark of excellence, an example of which path to walk in the days allotted to us here on this earth. After all, it is what Christ has done in you that has made a difference in your life. Now, as the “salt of the earth,” you, as one in Him, can share your flavor with the world.

So many lives have been touched by wrong influences. And it’s not as if every step we take can we boast in some perfection of our own, because we cannot. But as ones who have been changed ourselves, we can help others by being a guiding light while navigating this path called life.

The current culture of our world is begging for models of good influence. Some truly don’t know which way to go or lack good examples to follow. Why not be that one? A little sprinkling of the salt that is in you can change the whole trajectory and flavor in the life of another.

Open the shaker, and pour.

“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” Proverbs 27:17

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The Glory Which is to Come

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I sit on my couch in the early morning, sipping my beverage and eating a bowl of hot breakfast cereal when through my window shines the rising sun. Its brightness captivates me and invites me to the joy of the new day before me.

It’s beautiful to see its rising and to feel the warmth of its encouraging rays stretching out before me. Like one of my cats who always seems to find that perfect spot on the floor to enjoy its richness, I, too, just sit to soak in its shining goodness.

As beautiful, and as welcoming as this morning moment is, I am reminded of the morning of a new day that all believers will be privileged to rise to. A day this physical sun cannot compare to or even touch in beauty and splendor, because, in that place, there will be a “city,” that has “no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof,” (Revelation 21:23).

Can you imagine the glory of that moment, of that place?

While I may struggle to put into words the thoughts my heart feels when taking in the reality of those written expressions of our future and the picture of glory they represent, one day all those who are in Christ will see this and so much more for themselves.

No matter how beautiful or hard a moment here may be, they will all be eclipsed by the glorious future that awaits the believing heart. Our hope, rest, peace, and restoration we are yearning for will all come to fruition when we enter the place where God’s glory shines brighter than any sun.

Live for that moment, dear friends. Let the beauty of what will be capture your heart, overshadow any troubles, and strengthen your steps for these days. For these days have nothing on that glory which is to come.

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

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No More…

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When brokenness is healed, the recovery of wholeness is known.

When wrongs are made right, sorrow and tears are no more.

How often do we look for days like that during our living?  Alas, we are not promised the absence of these worldly foes.  The promise we do have and hold so dear is that one day their grip on us will be no more.

The thought of “no more” is a beautiful thought.  It’s not the joys of life we want to erase.  Nor the happy moments we seek an exit from.  Rather, it’s the things that squeeze our hearts with pain and despair.  The things that press upon us like a heavy weight that we can’t seem to get relief from, searing us with sadness and dread, and so we seek to get away from it as fast as we can. 

But despite it all, we have an assurance that we won’t face these days forever.  There will come a time when their mark will be but a distant memory. 

With faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and His shed blood giving us access to heaven, those within the walls of that beautifully eternal city will no longer be associated with the disturbances of living that being in this flesh brings. 

There, there will be peace unimaginable and joy inexpressible.  Because there, the things we warred against and worried over in this flesh will be no more.  Instead, there the hand of our loving heavenly Father reaches out and gently and tenderly wipes the tears of what we experienced fighting through this life on earth, away. 

I try to imagine the absolute freedom that will bring.  I try to think of the final release of letting everything go from here that we dealt with, what will it be like?

It may be hard to imagine what that time of no more will look like while we are still in this flesh. So, we hold on to His promises for dear life that strengthen our daily hope for that day.  Because we know when the Bible says, “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” (Revelation 7:17), that promise is our very real reality when all this will pass away.

No more.  What could you do if you didn’t have to deal with _______________ no more? 

Although we are not there yet, we can foster an environment that will shore up our faith for the wonderful future that awaits us.

Some principles we can incorporate are:

  • Watch and pray.  “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).  Remain vigilant and be on guard against any detractors in contradiction of your holy destiny.
  • Feed your faith.  “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,” (Jude 1:20).  The authority of what you have coming as a holy inheritance is based on what Christ has already done, and what the Word promises is yours.  Continue to feed on that Word like a starved man seeking to be truly filled. 
  • Live honorably for that day.  “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13).  Continue to live what you believe to be true and right.  Your daily steps will speak more about who you really are than a million well-to-do messages ever will.
  • And produce the Fruit of the Spirit.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).  Your living is not just for your own inheritance, but to help others see the light (Matthew 5:16) so they will be drawn to experience Him who can give them the gift of “no more,” too. 

These principles will help to keep your heart, mind, and faith concentrated on the reward ahead and not the messes of today. 

The idea of no more may seem hard to comprehend, but the realness of it is as sure as God Himself wiping every tear from your eyes.  It will come to pass.

A Fruitful Prayer

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22, 23

Dear Lord, help me to produce this fruit in my life today.  There is a harvest of goodness and love, joy and gentleness, peace and longsuffering, faith, meekness, and temperance I desire my life to bring forth in abundance.  I want my life to touch people in people in a beautiful way with Your beautiful Spirit within me.  In my shortness and frustrations, help me to remember the fruit that grows on Your tree.  When I don’t understand everything, help me to remember to use the same grace and mercy You have shown me.  Let my heart and my actions speak louder than my words today.  My desire is to live like You want me to live and to produce in my life those things that put a smile on Your face.  In Jesus’ name, I pray, AMEN!

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