Based on Psalm 48
God is very powerful and can protect his people even from armies. God puts his people in a secure place, where they can feel secure because of the defences that he has given them. But to enjoy God's protection requires a submission to God's instruction.
Understand the strength of God's counsel so that you can teach it to others.
Thursday 28 February 2013
Tuesday 26 February 2013
True Enthusiasm
Based on Psalm 47
There are times when enthusiastic triumph will be in order. Especially when Jehovah comes and establishes himself as rightful king of Planet Earth, obliterating the heathen governments. What a wonderful day that will be.
Sing praises to God with understanding. It is painful to watch ignorant people who do not show the fruit of a saving relationship with Jesus in their lives pretend to worship him with enthusiasm. But it is wonderful to see enthusiasm in the worship of those whose lives have been transformed by Jesus.
I will focus on an understanding of God, so that at the appropriate time comes I will spontaneously be enthusiastic, there are times that God forbids sorrow, but there are times that God prescribes affliction of the soul, God never prescribes false enthusiasm. (Proverbs 26:23)
There are times when enthusiastic triumph will be in order. Especially when Jehovah comes and establishes himself as rightful king of Planet Earth, obliterating the heathen governments. What a wonderful day that will be.
Sing praises to God with understanding. It is painful to watch ignorant people who do not show the fruit of a saving relationship with Jesus in their lives pretend to worship him with enthusiasm. But it is wonderful to see enthusiasm in the worship of those whose lives have been transformed by Jesus.
I will focus on an understanding of God, so that at the appropriate time comes I will spontaneously be enthusiastic, there are times that God forbids sorrow, but there are times that God prescribes affliction of the soul, God never prescribes false enthusiasm. (Proverbs 26:23)
Monday 25 February 2013
Preparation for the Test
Based on Psalm 46
God is the best person to put your trust in. He can guarantee you safety even if there is an earthquake that causes the whole land to slide into the sea. There is a place where a wonderful river is the source of joy to the city of God, where he will live and protect his people. At a time when the infidels are angry with God's people and the nations are in a frenzy God will utter his voice and the earth will melt. But God's people know they are safe because they trust in him. God's people will see how he has emptied the world and ended all the wars. Contemplate in quietness until you know that Jehovah is God, because one day he will be revealed as much greater than the infidels when he comes in glory to Earth. Your source of confidence for the future must be that you trust in God.
Great trust is needed to hold back fear when the ground is slipping from under your feet, yet those who make God their trust can have this experience.
The statement that Jehovah of armies is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge is repeated twice with the injunction to meditate on these passages.
There is a time coming when we will need to exercise this kind of trust in God because all the faithful will be under attack and disasters will be in many places. Experience trust in Jesus today so that like Jacob you will trust in in the time of great inner trouble.
Build your faith on the sure foundation of God's word, and live in accordance with it, although this will bring disadvantage, if you choose advantage over integrity you are training yourself to fail in the day of testing.
God is the best person to put your trust in. He can guarantee you safety even if there is an earthquake that causes the whole land to slide into the sea. There is a place where a wonderful river is the source of joy to the city of God, where he will live and protect his people. At a time when the infidels are angry with God's people and the nations are in a frenzy God will utter his voice and the earth will melt. But God's people know they are safe because they trust in him. God's people will see how he has emptied the world and ended all the wars. Contemplate in quietness until you know that Jehovah is God, because one day he will be revealed as much greater than the infidels when he comes in glory to Earth. Your source of confidence for the future must be that you trust in God.
Great trust is needed to hold back fear when the ground is slipping from under your feet, yet those who make God their trust can have this experience.
The statement that Jehovah of armies is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge is repeated twice with the injunction to meditate on these passages.
There is a time coming when we will need to exercise this kind of trust in God because all the faithful will be under attack and disasters will be in many places. Experience trust in Jesus today so that like Jacob you will trust in in the time of great inner trouble.
Build your faith on the sure foundation of God's word, and live in accordance with it, although this will bring disadvantage, if you choose advantage over integrity you are training yourself to fail in the day of testing.
Saturday 23 February 2013
The Wedding of the King
Based on Psalm 45
This Psalm describes the marriage of the king, which surely parallels the marriage of the Lamb to his bride the Church.
The Psalm switches to speaking to God in verse 6, or perhaps the Psalm has always been addressing God the Son and making references to the other members of the Godhead. God's throne is forever unlike other governments, he is the ultimate king.
This king loves righteousness and hates wickedness therefore his God anoints him, Messiah means anointed.
David speaks of the honourable maidens and the queen dressed in gold. At this point there is a transition from description of the king to description of and counsel for the bride.
She is counselled to forget where she has come from; the Christian must follow Jesus and obey him completely not turning back to those things that could not save. The king will find this commitment very attractive.
Who is this daughter of Tyre? Ezekiel 28:12-19 describes the figurative king of Tyre (Tyre did not have a literal king) who is clearly described as Satan. The Church will eventually be respected by those who have followed Satan's teachings, and the godly woman will eventually be vindicated by the ungodly women.
The well made clothing of the bride is gold but it is glory within that is emphasised. Right clothing is important along with the virtue it represents, but the greatest beauty is from within, consider Proverbs 11:22. Good character and right attitudes will be revealed in dress and appearance; these are attractive to the godly man, but right dress and appearance will not be attractive without godly virtue within. Evil character and wicked attitudes will be revealed in dress and appearance; these are attractive to the sinful man, but corrupt dress and appearance will not be attractive when youthful charm passes. If as a virtuous woman you believe there are not enough godly men; use your time, efforts, resources and influence to win men to the truth and encourage godly men despite their faults. Young women do not tend to value virtue in a man, they tend to value money, charm, confidence and expressiveness, which have no direct correlation to virtue. Therefore many men are deceived into thinking they should disregard virtue in favour of gain and are lost forever. Older women, teach the younger women these things or yet another generation will suffer.
The bride and her maidens will be brought into the king's palace, and they will heal the wounds of those who are not there by doing good for many. This glory will be eternal.
To trust God when all seems lost glorifies him, to trust God when all seems sure glorifies him, today by prayer and fasting I will glorify God before the angels by showing I trust in him for the success of his work.
This Psalm describes the marriage of the king, which surely parallels the marriage of the Lamb to his bride the Church.
The Psalm switches to speaking to God in verse 6, or perhaps the Psalm has always been addressing God the Son and making references to the other members of the Godhead. God's throne is forever unlike other governments, he is the ultimate king.
This king loves righteousness and hates wickedness therefore his God anoints him, Messiah means anointed.
David speaks of the honourable maidens and the queen dressed in gold. At this point there is a transition from description of the king to description of and counsel for the bride.
She is counselled to forget where she has come from; the Christian must follow Jesus and obey him completely not turning back to those things that could not save. The king will find this commitment very attractive.
Who is this daughter of Tyre? Ezekiel 28:12-19 describes the figurative king of Tyre (Tyre did not have a literal king) who is clearly described as Satan. The Church will eventually be respected by those who have followed Satan's teachings, and the godly woman will eventually be vindicated by the ungodly women.
The well made clothing of the bride is gold but it is glory within that is emphasised. Right clothing is important along with the virtue it represents, but the greatest beauty is from within, consider Proverbs 11:22. Good character and right attitudes will be revealed in dress and appearance; these are attractive to the godly man, but right dress and appearance will not be attractive without godly virtue within. Evil character and wicked attitudes will be revealed in dress and appearance; these are attractive to the sinful man, but corrupt dress and appearance will not be attractive when youthful charm passes. If as a virtuous woman you believe there are not enough godly men; use your time, efforts, resources and influence to win men to the truth and encourage godly men despite their faults. Young women do not tend to value virtue in a man, they tend to value money, charm, confidence and expressiveness, which have no direct correlation to virtue. Therefore many men are deceived into thinking they should disregard virtue in favour of gain and are lost forever. Older women, teach the younger women these things or yet another generation will suffer.
The bride and her maidens will be brought into the king's palace, and they will heal the wounds of those who are not there by doing good for many. This glory will be eternal.
To trust God when all seems lost glorifies him, to trust God when all seems sure glorifies him, today by prayer and fasting I will glorify God before the angels by showing I trust in him for the success of his work.
Friday 22 February 2013
Learning Dependence
Based on Psalm 44
As Israel was given the promised land by the power of God, even so today God shows his power through his weak chosen instruments. Yet his people suffer greatly in order that they may learn to depend continuously on God, so his glory will not be stolen by them.
In this prayer David first reminds himself of how God has worked in history and his own experience.
It is clear from this Psalm that suffering can happen to good people without being punishment and the only response is to turn to God.
God is faithful in keeping his faithful people acquainted with the reality of his power and their impotence, so they will trust him in all things and thus find ultimate deliverance.
God has showed his power to me, bringing greater opportunities to replace those that were lost. I must continue to trust in him and not turn to my own ability. I can do this by continuing to meditate on his word.
As Israel was given the promised land by the power of God, even so today God shows his power through his weak chosen instruments. Yet his people suffer greatly in order that they may learn to depend continuously on God, so his glory will not be stolen by them.
In this prayer David first reminds himself of how God has worked in history and his own experience.
It is clear from this Psalm that suffering can happen to good people without being punishment and the only response is to turn to God.
God is faithful in keeping his faithful people acquainted with the reality of his power and their impotence, so they will trust him in all things and thus find ultimate deliverance.
God has showed his power to me, bringing greater opportunities to replace those that were lost. I must continue to trust in him and not turn to my own ability. I can do this by continuing to meditate on his word.
Thursday 21 February 2013
The Blessed Hope
Based on Psalm 43
Please God judge me, I want to know if this is my fault; and if not, vindicate me from those who have deceived and betrayed me. God you are my only hope to endure, but you are letting me suffer like this. Please give me your truth as a guide for me to reach my final home, I can expect suffering in this world but joy in the new. Yet I still feel heavy inside, I will tell myself to praise God who gives me joy in this world and is everything to me.
Ask for judgment and look towards the blessed hope of Jesus return.
By exercise of will, praise God even when full of sorrow.
I will pray for judgment of myself and praise God, spending some time thinking about the blessed hope.
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Titus 2:13
Please God judge me, I want to know if this is my fault; and if not, vindicate me from those who have deceived and betrayed me. God you are my only hope to endure, but you are letting me suffer like this. Please give me your truth as a guide for me to reach my final home, I can expect suffering in this world but joy in the new. Yet I still feel heavy inside, I will tell myself to praise God who gives me joy in this world and is everything to me.
Ask for judgment and look towards the blessed hope of Jesus return.
By exercise of will, praise God even when full of sorrow.
I will pray for judgment of myself and praise God, spending some time thinking about the blessed hope.
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Titus 2:13
Wednesday 20 February 2013
The Pain of Separation
Based on Psalm 42
A desperate desire for Jesus is the result of our inability to directly communicate with him, we are tormented by doubts and fears and enemies among God's people. But Jesus shows us how to be faithful despite the hardest temptations.
The troubled soul needs Jesus. Even worshipping God with his people is not enough to satisfy the deepest pain of our lives.
Specifically it is the pain of the scorn of those who tempt us to doubt God which so deep it is like having a knife jammed between one's ribs. Such deep pain must originate in a deeper love.
The true follower of Jesus will find comfort in him and feel deeply what his name is dishonoured. Such love for Jesus is accompanied by a determination to depend on Jesus and his word and to love but not depend on his people.
I will depend on the promises of Jesus to be fulfilled and meditate on them as I do his work.
A desperate desire for Jesus is the result of our inability to directly communicate with him, we are tormented by doubts and fears and enemies among God's people. But Jesus shows us how to be faithful despite the hardest temptations.
The troubled soul needs Jesus. Even worshipping God with his people is not enough to satisfy the deepest pain of our lives.
Specifically it is the pain of the scorn of those who tempt us to doubt God which so deep it is like having a knife jammed between one's ribs. Such deep pain must originate in a deeper love.
The true follower of Jesus will find comfort in him and feel deeply what his name is dishonoured. Such love for Jesus is accompanied by a determination to depend on Jesus and his word and to love but not depend on his people.
I will depend on the promises of Jesus to be fulfilled and meditate on them as I do his work.
Tuesday 19 February 2013
The Reward of Kindness
Based on Psalm 41
He that considers the poor will be delivered by Jehovah from the time of trouble and inherit the new Earth. In the meantime God will strengthen them to endure their sufferings.
In the midst of painful disease and the triumph of our enemies we may cry out for forgiveness and God will forgive and uphold us in our integrity because we trust in him and bless him.
I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. John 13:18
Jesus experienced this, and it is something that his followers will be called to experience.
Think of those who are less fortunate than you, to help them and Jesus will repay you one day.
However, in the short term you can expect ungratefulness and even betrayal.
Reach out in love to those who need any kind of assistance you can render, do not be concerned if they are not grateful; but do it as a kindness to Jesus.
He that considers the poor will be delivered by Jehovah from the time of trouble and inherit the new Earth. In the meantime God will strengthen them to endure their sufferings.
In the midst of painful disease and the triumph of our enemies we may cry out for forgiveness and God will forgive and uphold us in our integrity because we trust in him and bless him.
I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. John 13:18
Jesus experienced this, and it is something that his followers will be called to experience.
Think of those who are less fortunate than you, to help them and Jesus will repay you one day.
However, in the short term you can expect ungratefulness and even betrayal.
Reach out in love to those who need any kind of assistance you can render, do not be concerned if they are not grateful; but do it as a kindness to Jesus.
Monday 18 February 2013
Preach Righteousness by Faith
Based on Psalm 40
Jehovah rescued David from many a seemingly hopeless situation, and David faithfully told people about what Jehovah had done and was doing in his life, making him righteous simply because he trusted Jehovah enough to obey him. When fear gripped David, he remembered this, and trusted once more in Jehovah to rescue him.
When David waited patiently for Jehovah to help him, Jehovah helped him out of a situation he could not get out of by himself.
David shared the life-changing righteousness he had received by faith from Jehovah with others; Jehovah will not abandon his faithful servant who has shared the truth in every possible way.
When brought to a situation you know you can't escape, trust that Jesus can save you, and he will, he often allows you to get into such situations so you will learn trust.
Tell people about the everlasting gospel of righteousness (justification and sanctification) by faith or you are compromising the mercy that Jesus wants to give you. Share it in every place, and at every time; whether you expect a positive response or not. But you cannot share righteousness unless you have it.
I will show I trust that Jesus can open the way for me to share righteousness by faith by not long hence spending time in prayer and fasting for this purpose.
Jehovah rescued David from many a seemingly hopeless situation, and David faithfully told people about what Jehovah had done and was doing in his life, making him righteous simply because he trusted Jehovah enough to obey him. When fear gripped David, he remembered this, and trusted once more in Jehovah to rescue him.
When David waited patiently for Jehovah to help him, Jehovah helped him out of a situation he could not get out of by himself.
David shared the life-changing righteousness he had received by faith from Jehovah with others; Jehovah will not abandon his faithful servant who has shared the truth in every possible way.
When brought to a situation you know you can't escape, trust that Jesus can save you, and he will, he often allows you to get into such situations so you will learn trust.
Tell people about the everlasting gospel of righteousness (justification and sanctification) by faith or you are compromising the mercy that Jesus wants to give you. Share it in every place, and at every time; whether you expect a positive response or not. But you cannot share righteousness unless you have it.
I will show I trust that Jesus can open the way for me to share righteousness by faith by not long hence spending time in prayer and fasting for this purpose.
Sunday 17 February 2013
Reflection and Reformation
Based on Psalm 39
David's attempt to avoid sin by silence while he is being punished leads him to more perfectly realise the emptiness of life without eternal life. He realises that we are all living a show and because of death nothing ultimately matters. David pleads with God for salvation from sin so that he can live a righteous life and no longer be punished. David feels like a stranger in the world but wants strength lest he dies unsaved and loses his eternal existence.
David made a decision to be conscientious and restrained himself from speaking in order to avoid sin. When he did this he had opportunity to reflect on his life, and soon could not restrain himself from pouring his heart out to God with sorrow for the shallowness of his life.
In the midst of God's rebuke, David is reminded that he is a stranger in this world just as his righteous ancestors were.
To spend time away from people in silent reflection and prayer is good for the soul, but cannot be sustained indefinitely.
The righteous are strangers in this world, they will find companionship among other righteous, but generally must depend only on the companionship of Jesus Christ.
I will put time aside to spend alone with Jesus and not highly regard the understanding of those around me.
David's attempt to avoid sin by silence while he is being punished leads him to more perfectly realise the emptiness of life without eternal life. He realises that we are all living a show and because of death nothing ultimately matters. David pleads with God for salvation from sin so that he can live a righteous life and no longer be punished. David feels like a stranger in the world but wants strength lest he dies unsaved and loses his eternal existence.
David made a decision to be conscientious and restrained himself from speaking in order to avoid sin. When he did this he had opportunity to reflect on his life, and soon could not restrain himself from pouring his heart out to God with sorrow for the shallowness of his life.
In the midst of God's rebuke, David is reminded that he is a stranger in this world just as his righteous ancestors were.
To spend time away from people in silent reflection and prayer is good for the soul, but cannot be sustained indefinitely.
The righteous are strangers in this world, they will find companionship among other righteous, but generally must depend only on the companionship of Jesus Christ.
I will put time aside to spend alone with Jesus and not highly regard the understanding of those around me.
Saturday 16 February 2013
Overcoming
Based on Psalm 38
David is enduring great pain and suffering, but he brings this only to Jehovah. He is sure that much of his pain is punishment for his sin, but also feels betrayed that even his good works seem to bring punishment. He puts his trust in Jehovah his God and prays for salvation from his suffering.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus taught us to bring our burdens to him alone, and promised peace. In addition he requires us to take his burdens and bear them for the salvation of our neighbour and the salvational education of our own soul.
David did not vocalise his troubles because he trusted that God would hear and rescue him.
David experienced persecution from people he did good to because he was living his life in a way that glorified God.
Faith waits for God's solution even in greatest suffering, and does not burden others.
Troubles increase when we follow Christ's example and our usefulness for God increases.
I do not need to be discouraged by problems, but may continue to wait on God's providence and only tell of them to Jesus.
David is enduring great pain and suffering, but he brings this only to Jehovah. He is sure that much of his pain is punishment for his sin, but also feels betrayed that even his good works seem to bring punishment. He puts his trust in Jehovah his God and prays for salvation from his suffering.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus taught us to bring our burdens to him alone, and promised peace. In addition he requires us to take his burdens and bear them for the salvation of our neighbour and the salvational education of our own soul.
David did not vocalise his troubles because he trusted that God would hear and rescue him.
David experienced persecution from people he did good to because he was living his life in a way that glorified God.
Faith waits for God's solution even in greatest suffering, and does not burden others.
Troubles increase when we follow Christ's example and our usefulness for God increases.
I do not need to be discouraged by problems, but may continue to wait on God's providence and only tell of them to Jesus.
Thursday 14 February 2013
A Song of the Everlasting Gospel
Based on Psalm 37
Oh! This psalm is so full of good instruction, I cannot bear to summarise it. I will copy it here in full, look for the following themes; the existence and destiny of the unsaved, the way of life of the saved person and compare the two.
Psalm 37
A Psalm of David.
1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers,
neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
and wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the Lord;
and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the Lord;
trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light,
and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him:
fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way,
because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath:
fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off:
but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be:
yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth;
and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12 The wicked plotteth against the just,
and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
13 The Lord shall laugh at him:
for he seeth that his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow,
to cast down the poor and needy,
and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart,
and their bows shall be broken.
16 A little that a righteous man hath
is better than the riches of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken:
but the Lord upholdeth the righteous.
18 The Lord knoweth the days of the upright:
and their inheritance shall be for ever.
19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time:
and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20 But the wicked shall perish,
and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs:
they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.
21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again:
but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.
22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth;
and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord:
and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down:
for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old;
yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken,
nor his seed begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth;
and his seed is blessed.
27 Depart from evil, and do good;
and dwell for evermore.
28 For the Lord loveth judgment,
and forsaketh not his saints;
they are preserved for ever:
but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land,
and dwell therein for ever.
30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom,
and his tongue talketh of judgment.
31 The law of his God is in his heart;
none of his steps shall slide.
32 The wicked watcheth the righteous,
and seeketh to slay him.
33 The Lord will not leave him in his hand,
nor condemn him when he is judged.
34 Wait on the Lord, and keep his way,
and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land:
when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
35 I have seen the wicked in great power,
and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not:
yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright:
for the end of that man is peace.
38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together:
the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord:
he is their strength in the time of trouble.
40 And the Lord shall help them,
and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked,
and save them, because they trust in him.
Can you see that trusting God is the way of life? Righteousness by faith has always been the teaching of the Bible, it is the everlasting gospel.
It takes a lot of trust to just do good even when it seems silly. I resolve to trust God enough to do good even to those who do not deserve it.
Oh! This psalm is so full of good instruction, I cannot bear to summarise it. I will copy it here in full, look for the following themes; the existence and destiny of the unsaved, the way of life of the saved person and compare the two.
Psalm 37
A Psalm of David.
1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers,
neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
and wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the Lord;
and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the Lord;
trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light,
and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him:
fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way,
because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath:
fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off:
but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be:
yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth;
and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12 The wicked plotteth against the just,
and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
13 The Lord shall laugh at him:
for he seeth that his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow,
to cast down the poor and needy,
and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart,
and their bows shall be broken.
16 A little that a righteous man hath
is better than the riches of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken:
but the Lord upholdeth the righteous.
18 The Lord knoweth the days of the upright:
and their inheritance shall be for ever.
19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time:
and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20 But the wicked shall perish,
and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs:
they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.
21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again:
but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.
22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth;
and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord:
and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down:
for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old;
yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken,
nor his seed begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth;
and his seed is blessed.
27 Depart from evil, and do good;
and dwell for evermore.
28 For the Lord loveth judgment,
and forsaketh not his saints;
they are preserved for ever:
but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land,
and dwell therein for ever.
30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom,
and his tongue talketh of judgment.
31 The law of his God is in his heart;
none of his steps shall slide.
32 The wicked watcheth the righteous,
and seeketh to slay him.
33 The Lord will not leave him in his hand,
nor condemn him when he is judged.
34 Wait on the Lord, and keep his way,
and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land:
when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
35 I have seen the wicked in great power,
and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not:
yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright:
for the end of that man is peace.
38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together:
the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord:
he is their strength in the time of trouble.
40 And the Lord shall help them,
and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked,
and save them, because they trust in him.
Can you see that trusting God is the way of life? Righteousness by faith has always been the teaching of the Bible, it is the everlasting gospel.
It takes a lot of trust to just do good even when it seems silly. I resolve to trust God enough to do good even to those who do not deserve it.
Wednesday 13 February 2013
The Problem With The Wicked
Based on Psalm 36
I am beginning to realise that the problem with (the wicked) fake Christians is that they are not convinced to fear God.
They make themselves look good to everyone until their evil ideas fall from favour in the distant future. Whenever they talk damaging or deceptive words come out and whether by accident or design they completely neglect studying the Bible to know the right way to live and how to help others. He dreams and fantasises of evil things and starts moving down that path; he makes the mistake of not hating evil.
Jehovah, you are as merciful as the vastness of space and as reliable as the clouds are high. You tower as a mountain of morality and your deep and unstoppable judgement is like the ocean. You are the one that keeps humans and animals alive.
You are amazingly kind, which is why people choose to trust your comfort and protection. These will be satisfied and filled with pleasure in your house. Because you have the fountain of eternal life and you are the light to really see by.
Keep being kind to those who know you by study and experience and keep giving your righteousness to those who want to be godly.
Protect me from the persecution of the proud and the opposition of the fake Christian. One day false Christians will be thrown down and never recover.
Fill your mind with the word of God and answered prayers, do not let your mind go down the path of evil thoughts.
The Church needs to be taught to fear God.
I am beginning to realise that the problem with (the wicked) fake Christians is that they are not convinced to fear God.
They make themselves look good to everyone until their evil ideas fall from favour in the distant future. Whenever they talk damaging or deceptive words come out and whether by accident or design they completely neglect studying the Bible to know the right way to live and how to help others. He dreams and fantasises of evil things and starts moving down that path; he makes the mistake of not hating evil.
Jehovah, you are as merciful as the vastness of space and as reliable as the clouds are high. You tower as a mountain of morality and your deep and unstoppable judgement is like the ocean. You are the one that keeps humans and animals alive.
You are amazingly kind, which is why people choose to trust your comfort and protection. These will be satisfied and filled with pleasure in your house. Because you have the fountain of eternal life and you are the light to really see by.
Keep being kind to those who know you by study and experience and keep giving your righteousness to those who want to be godly.
Protect me from the persecution of the proud and the opposition of the fake Christian. One day false Christians will be thrown down and never recover.
Fill your mind with the word of God and answered prayers, do not let your mind go down the path of evil thoughts.
The Church needs to be taught to fear God.
Saturday 9 February 2013
Persecution
Based on Psalm 35
There are two ways in which the Christian longs and prays for the judgment:
In physical persecution causing us to pray that God will intervene and to judge them by returning their persecution on themselves.
In verbal persecution from our former brethren causing us to pray that God will vindicate us and expose those that try to tear us down.
Considering the general lack of widespread forms of either kind of persecution in the West it is unsurprising that there is little enthusiasm for the truth about the judgment.
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. Rev 14:6-7
But the judgment is real, and we ought to fear lest we be judged unrighteous for persecuting men and women of God yet we ought to be confident that God will vindicate us and punish our persecutors if we are men and women of God.
Physical Persecution
An important point is in verse 7; that the persecution is without cause. Just punishment for your faults is not persecution.
The most important point though is that David's prayer is for God to intervene on his behalf by attacking his persecutors, David fought many battles (which is not glorified in the Bible), but he does not fight back against persecution.
The early church experienced this on occasions when the other Jews illegally attacked them and on a larger scale when they were massacred intentionally for running an illegal cult. Christians were also tortured and massacred by Constantine for refusing to accept his particular kind of Christianity and again by Rome in the Inquisition. Today Christians are physically persecuted in places where they are a very small minority compared to other religions.
When God delivers us from physical persecution we will rejoice in the fact that God is the most able deliverer (verse 10).
Verbal Persecution
This begins with people telling lies about us (verse 11) and goes on to previous friends and brethren being ungrateful and turning on us with mockery and rumours. Then the traitors start working out how to damage us and start looking for evidence against us, they will be able to do this. But God can intervene by throwing them into disunity and confusion, he can expose them as dishonest, he can destroy all persecutors. But this requires the judgment, and make sure you are not a persecutor in how you live your life.
The early church faced this in the mockery of the Sanhedrin and Pharisees and later by the lies by the Romans that Christians drank blood. Later the Christians were accused of disbelief in the divinity of Jesus in ways that didn't even make sense to them. Christians were maligned by superficial histories and deliberately confused with apostates. Today Christians are genuinely confused with apostates, and many Christian leaders teach heresies that makes God seem bad.
When God delivers us from verbal persecution we will rejoice in the freedom from false accusations and confusion and in our new understanding of how good God really is (verse 28).
I do not need to prepare for persecution except to live godly today and trust God that he will deliver me in life or death when the time comes.
There are two ways in which the Christian longs and prays for the judgment:
In physical persecution causing us to pray that God will intervene and to judge them by returning their persecution on themselves.
In verbal persecution from our former brethren causing us to pray that God will vindicate us and expose those that try to tear us down.
Considering the general lack of widespread forms of either kind of persecution in the West it is unsurprising that there is little enthusiasm for the truth about the judgment.
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. Rev 14:6-7
But the judgment is real, and we ought to fear lest we be judged unrighteous for persecuting men and women of God yet we ought to be confident that God will vindicate us and punish our persecutors if we are men and women of God.
Physical Persecution
An important point is in verse 7; that the persecution is without cause. Just punishment for your faults is not persecution.
The most important point though is that David's prayer is for God to intervene on his behalf by attacking his persecutors, David fought many battles (which is not glorified in the Bible), but he does not fight back against persecution.
The early church experienced this on occasions when the other Jews illegally attacked them and on a larger scale when they were massacred intentionally for running an illegal cult. Christians were also tortured and massacred by Constantine for refusing to accept his particular kind of Christianity and again by Rome in the Inquisition. Today Christians are physically persecuted in places where they are a very small minority compared to other religions.
When God delivers us from physical persecution we will rejoice in the fact that God is the most able deliverer (verse 10).
Verbal Persecution
This begins with people telling lies about us (verse 11) and goes on to previous friends and brethren being ungrateful and turning on us with mockery and rumours. Then the traitors start working out how to damage us and start looking for evidence against us, they will be able to do this. But God can intervene by throwing them into disunity and confusion, he can expose them as dishonest, he can destroy all persecutors. But this requires the judgment, and make sure you are not a persecutor in how you live your life.
The early church faced this in the mockery of the Sanhedrin and Pharisees and later by the lies by the Romans that Christians drank blood. Later the Christians were accused of disbelief in the divinity of Jesus in ways that didn't even make sense to them. Christians were maligned by superficial histories and deliberately confused with apostates. Today Christians are genuinely confused with apostates, and many Christian leaders teach heresies that makes God seem bad.
When God delivers us from verbal persecution we will rejoice in the freedom from false accusations and confusion and in our new understanding of how good God really is (verse 28).
I do not need to prepare for persecution except to live godly today and trust God that he will deliver me in life or death when the time comes.
Friday 8 February 2013
Promises
Based on Psalm 34
David resolved to tell people about the way Jehovah saved him from his fears and troubles.
Promise:
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
Jehovah calls you to experience his goodness for yourself by trusting him now.
Promise:
O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
Promise:
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
Teaching the fear of Jehovah:
Do you want a wonderful long life?
Be careful not to say bad or deceptive things.
Walk away from doing bad things and deliberately do good things; exert yourself to get peace.
Jehovah is watching over his people and listening for their prayers so he can help them.
Jehovah disapproves of people who do bad things and is preparing to destroy them.
(If you are growing in a relationship with Jesus you are righteous)
The righteous cry out and Jehovah listens and saves them from their troubles (make sure you don't reject his means of salvation).
Jehovah is close to broken hearted people and saves people who are sad because they hate the sin they have committed.
Promise:
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
Broken bones are a sign of rebuke, as a shepherd broke the bone of a wayward sheep, if a child of God wanders by intentionally turning to sin God will often "break a bone" that is bring a painful, debilitating thing into their life that may cause them to return to him for healing. Such painful punishment will not come from God when you have not sinned deliberately, hence Job's friends insisting he must have sinned, but it was really Satan that brought that suffering. Also, on the cross, Jesus was hurt in many ways, but none of his bones were broken, because he had not sinned. These thoughts probably need some development in their relation to potential suffering in my future.
The wicked, subtle but malignant sinners, will not be killed by the righteous, but by evil, blatant and ignorant sinners, or simply by evil/bad circumstances. Don't try to bring down the wicked yourself, pray, and live righteously.
Promise:
The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
David resolved to tell people about the way Jehovah saved him from his fears and troubles.
Promise:
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
Jehovah calls you to experience his goodness for yourself by trusting him now.
Promise:
O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
Promise:
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
Teaching the fear of Jehovah:
Do you want a wonderful long life?
Be careful not to say bad or deceptive things.
Walk away from doing bad things and deliberately do good things; exert yourself to get peace.
Jehovah is watching over his people and listening for their prayers so he can help them.
Jehovah disapproves of people who do bad things and is preparing to destroy them.
(If you are growing in a relationship with Jesus you are righteous)
The righteous cry out and Jehovah listens and saves them from their troubles (make sure you don't reject his means of salvation).
Jehovah is close to broken hearted people and saves people who are sad because they hate the sin they have committed.
Promise:
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
Broken bones are a sign of rebuke, as a shepherd broke the bone of a wayward sheep, if a child of God wanders by intentionally turning to sin God will often "break a bone" that is bring a painful, debilitating thing into their life that may cause them to return to him for healing. Such painful punishment will not come from God when you have not sinned deliberately, hence Job's friends insisting he must have sinned, but it was really Satan that brought that suffering. Also, on the cross, Jesus was hurt in many ways, but none of his bones were broken, because he had not sinned. These thoughts probably need some development in their relation to potential suffering in my future.
The wicked, subtle but malignant sinners, will not be killed by the righteous, but by evil, blatant and ignorant sinners, or simply by evil/bad circumstances. Don't try to bring down the wicked yourself, pray, and live righteously.
Promise:
The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
Thursday 7 February 2013
Dependence
Based on Psalm 33
Express joy in Jehovah all you who are being made good because praise is best coming from good people. Praise Jehovah skilfully and confidently with instrument and voice.
Praise him for the way he fulfils his promises and does not deceive.
Jehovah loves morality and good judgement/discernment, so he has filled the earth with signs of his goodness.
By his word Jehovah made everything we see as we look up, including all the stars. A person who can do that just by speaking surely has the power to change your heart and make you good too.
Jehovah moved the continents to gather the oceans together, using deep marine trenches and also later ice caps to allow dry land to appear. A person who can do that by any means has power to protect you from anything but also to destroy the whole world.
Everybody should be totally scared of Jehovah, they should be speechless when they think of him.
Because Jehovah is the only person in the universe who can actually exercise total power through his words. (Magic is the Satanic desire for this power, and has only attained the ability to deceive, no further.)
Jehovah routinely confounds nations and armies; he caused a radio to break at the critical moment and the course of WW2 was changed at Midway, he caused a bout of sickness in Napoleon and the course European history was changed at Waterloo. When Jehovah gives advice, it works for ever, in all times and all places, the thoughts in scripture are eternal principles. How important is it to have Jehovah on your side?
Jehovah looks down from among the stars and can see right through you. From the place where he lives among the nebula he can watch everybody on Earth. He made the heart of each one of us and he is thinking about what we are doing.
A king cannot always be saved by his army, or a champion by his strength, a horse is not fast enough to escape everything. It only takes one arrow/bullet.
But that God, Jehovah, the one looking down on us with the massive power to set galaxies in motion and make the continents move, with the delicate power to break a radio at his word; that God is intently watching over anyone who fears him and relies on his mercy and protection. That God is just waiting to save them from death, to preserve their life from starvation. To save their lives, not to make them rich.
I am going to depend on Jehovah who will preserve me from nature and man. I will rejoice from the heart because I trusted in his name Jesus.
Cover me with your mercy Jesus, I am relying on you.
Jesus' protection is dependent on your full dependence on him not others or yourself. If you leave even one foot in quicksand you will still sink. Keep both feet on the solid rock; resolve in your heart that you want to only rely on Jesus to protect and guide you. You can pray to the Father and ask him to make this resolution become a reality for you.
"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." Heb 13:5-6
Express joy in Jehovah all you who are being made good because praise is best coming from good people. Praise Jehovah skilfully and confidently with instrument and voice.
Praise him for the way he fulfils his promises and does not deceive.
Jehovah loves morality and good judgement/discernment, so he has filled the earth with signs of his goodness.
By his word Jehovah made everything we see as we look up, including all the stars. A person who can do that just by speaking surely has the power to change your heart and make you good too.
Jehovah moved the continents to gather the oceans together, using deep marine trenches and also later ice caps to allow dry land to appear. A person who can do that by any means has power to protect you from anything but also to destroy the whole world.
Everybody should be totally scared of Jehovah, they should be speechless when they think of him.
Because Jehovah is the only person in the universe who can actually exercise total power through his words. (Magic is the Satanic desire for this power, and has only attained the ability to deceive, no further.)
Jehovah routinely confounds nations and armies; he caused a radio to break at the critical moment and the course of WW2 was changed at Midway, he caused a bout of sickness in Napoleon and the course European history was changed at Waterloo. When Jehovah gives advice, it works for ever, in all times and all places, the thoughts in scripture are eternal principles. How important is it to have Jehovah on your side?
Jehovah looks down from among the stars and can see right through you. From the place where he lives among the nebula he can watch everybody on Earth. He made the heart of each one of us and he is thinking about what we are doing.
A king cannot always be saved by his army, or a champion by his strength, a horse is not fast enough to escape everything. It only takes one arrow/bullet.
But that God, Jehovah, the one looking down on us with the massive power to set galaxies in motion and make the continents move, with the delicate power to break a radio at his word; that God is intently watching over anyone who fears him and relies on his mercy and protection. That God is just waiting to save them from death, to preserve their life from starvation. To save their lives, not to make them rich.
I am going to depend on Jehovah who will preserve me from nature and man. I will rejoice from the heart because I trusted in his name Jesus.
Cover me with your mercy Jesus, I am relying on you.
Jesus' protection is dependent on your full dependence on him not others or yourself. If you leave even one foot in quicksand you will still sink. Keep both feet on the solid rock; resolve in your heart that you want to only rely on Jesus to protect and guide you. You can pray to the Father and ask him to make this resolution become a reality for you.
"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." Heb 13:5-6
Wednesday 6 February 2013
Two Ways to Live
Based on Psalm 32
Happy is he whose rebelliousness is forgiven, whose moral guilt is covered. Happy is he to whom Jehovah does not account for perverse thoughts and motives, in whose breath/life is no artful dodging.
(Artful dodging is the best translation I can think of for this word translated "guile" but actually meaning deceitful and lazy, like someone who is always being clever and tricky to get out of work. This happy person has been fully forgiven by Jehovah, but this would be no good to him if he had an attitude of avoiding the effort of Jesus' yoke. Only those who are willing to learn from Jesus day by day and rise higher and higher will be saved. I didn't say those who reached some particular level of growth, I said those who are willing to be disciples of Jesus. People who are forgiven but are artful dodgers in the faith will hear Jesus saying "I never knew you". The word translated "spirit" is hard to translate, but it has to do with your life and what makes you in the image of God; you are a free moral agent, you have a will.)
By keeping his sins to himself, David got arthritis and various other problems.
When David confessed his sins directly to Jehovah; he was forgiven. Meditate on that.
Don't leave it until it is too late before you pray to God, there will be a time when it will be too late.
God will protect those who trust in him. Think about that.
God will reveal the truth to you and show you the way he wants you to live your life by means of his prophets.
Don't be like an animal and wait until God shows you a sign or forces you into something or gives you an epiphany of your own to help you decide what to do; you have been given a brain, so use the guidance God has provided through his prophets and make a decision.
If you foster your own crazy thoughts you will suffer, if you foster trust in Jehovah you will be spared many sufferings.
Those of you who are saved, why don't you demonstrate a bit more joy about it?
Happy is he whose rebelliousness is forgiven, whose moral guilt is covered. Happy is he to whom Jehovah does not account for perverse thoughts and motives, in whose breath/life is no artful dodging.
(Artful dodging is the best translation I can think of for this word translated "guile" but actually meaning deceitful and lazy, like someone who is always being clever and tricky to get out of work. This happy person has been fully forgiven by Jehovah, but this would be no good to him if he had an attitude of avoiding the effort of Jesus' yoke. Only those who are willing to learn from Jesus day by day and rise higher and higher will be saved. I didn't say those who reached some particular level of growth, I said those who are willing to be disciples of Jesus. People who are forgiven but are artful dodgers in the faith will hear Jesus saying "I never knew you". The word translated "spirit" is hard to translate, but it has to do with your life and what makes you in the image of God; you are a free moral agent, you have a will.)
By keeping his sins to himself, David got arthritis and various other problems.
When David confessed his sins directly to Jehovah; he was forgiven. Meditate on that.
Don't leave it until it is too late before you pray to God, there will be a time when it will be too late.
God will protect those who trust in him. Think about that.
God will reveal the truth to you and show you the way he wants you to live your life by means of his prophets.
Don't be like an animal and wait until God shows you a sign or forces you into something or gives you an epiphany of your own to help you decide what to do; you have been given a brain, so use the guidance God has provided through his prophets and make a decision.
If you foster your own crazy thoughts you will suffer, if you foster trust in Jehovah you will be spared many sufferings.
Those of you who are saved, why don't you demonstrate a bit more joy about it?
Tuesday 5 February 2013
Be Faithful
Based on Psalm 31
In times of trouble and persecution, stay faithful to Jehovah and he will preserve you.
Here is a vivid description of the pain of being outcast for one's faith, in such a case we must simply trust God and call on him and he will give us the strength we need to endure until we overcome.
But faithfulness suggests continual devotion, and if I am not faithful now I will not be faithful in hard times.
Ask God to give you the power of the Holy Spirit in your life, so you can be faithful today.
In times of trouble and persecution, stay faithful to Jehovah and he will preserve you.
Here is a vivid description of the pain of being outcast for one's faith, in such a case we must simply trust God and call on him and he will give us the strength we need to endure until we overcome.
But faithfulness suggests continual devotion, and if I am not faithful now I will not be faithful in hard times.
Ask God to give you the power of the Holy Spirit in your life, so you can be faithful today.
Monday 4 February 2013
Song of Jacob's Trouble
Based on Psalm 30
I can praise Jehovah for the way he has changed my life.
I prayed to Jehovah and he healed me of sin.
Jehovah figuratively brought me back from the dead (I was dead in my sins) and preserves me from death so I do not end up in a hole in the ground.
Sing to Jehovah if he is sanctifying you and thank him when he think of how superior he is to you, yet he helped you.
Because he is quick to stop being angry and gives life by his favour. You may experience weeping one night but tomorrow is a new day, and Jehovah will bless you with joy.
There will be a time when I will prosper spiritually. The latter rain of the Holy Spirit will be poured out and a special work of sanctification will begin in me. I will believe that my faith is invincible.Thousands will be converted each day, and my ministry will seem powerful.
But then I will feel like Jehovah has hidden his face from me in displeasure, and I will be torn inside.
I will pray to Jehovah, plead with Jehovah; what is the good if my blood is spilled and I die? (probation for sinners must have finished or there could be good come of it) When I am dust, will that praise you? (the dead do not praise God, being unconscious) How will I show your true nature and the everlasting gospel if I become dust? Hear me Jehovah, have mercy on me, please help me.
Then suddenly my mourning is transformed into rejoicing, suddenly the clothes of persecution are replaced with heavenly white.
Why did you do all this? It was for an end, for a final purpose; by trusting in Jehovah when it is hardest I receive glory, and this glory will beautifully declare God's glory in gratefulness for all the universe to know that God is love.
I can praise Jehovah for the way he has changed my life.
I prayed to Jehovah and he healed me of sin.
Jehovah figuratively brought me back from the dead (I was dead in my sins) and preserves me from death so I do not end up in a hole in the ground.
Sing to Jehovah if he is sanctifying you and thank him when he think of how superior he is to you, yet he helped you.
Because he is quick to stop being angry and gives life by his favour. You may experience weeping one night but tomorrow is a new day, and Jehovah will bless you with joy.
There will be a time when I will prosper spiritually. The latter rain of the Holy Spirit will be poured out and a special work of sanctification will begin in me. I will believe that my faith is invincible.Thousands will be converted each day, and my ministry will seem powerful.
But then I will feel like Jehovah has hidden his face from me in displeasure, and I will be torn inside.
I will pray to Jehovah, plead with Jehovah; what is the good if my blood is spilled and I die? (probation for sinners must have finished or there could be good come of it) When I am dust, will that praise you? (the dead do not praise God, being unconscious) How will I show your true nature and the everlasting gospel if I become dust? Hear me Jehovah, have mercy on me, please help me.
Then suddenly my mourning is transformed into rejoicing, suddenly the clothes of persecution are replaced with heavenly white.
Why did you do all this? It was for an end, for a final purpose; by trusting in Jehovah when it is hardest I receive glory, and this glory will beautifully declare God's glory in gratefulness for all the universe to know that God is love.
Sunday 3 February 2013
Valour
Are you a mighty man? Or do you want to be one? Give to Jehovah; give him glory and strength.
How do you give glory? Imitation is the highest form of praise; live a Christ-like life. Give him the credit for everything because every good thing comes from him. Show in your life that you are terrified of Jesus, by refusing to sin or compromise no matter the consequences in this age.
How do you give strength? Strength is muscle, bone and blood; it is energy, endurance and health. Work your muscle for doing good, strengthen your bones by avoiding bad, purify your blood and then give it for the work of the gospel. Focus your energy on finishing the work of Jesus, learn endurance by overcoming every trial by the blood of the Lamb and the support of his people, keep your body in health by obeying the laws of life and health and be prepared to give your life and health for the work of the gospel.
Thus you will be mighty.
Are you a beautiful woman? Or do you want to be one? Give Jehovah the glory due to his name and worship Jehovah in the beauty that comes from being consecrated, carefully set apart.
How do you give glory to his name? Speak about Jesus, lift him up as the source of everything good in your life. Tell people why you love Jesus and in your heart prefer to be ashamed yourself than to shame him.
How can you be consecrated? By your actions demonstrate clearly that you trust Jesus more than anyone by following his word without regard to what you fear you may miss out on in life. Give up anything that suggests you care more about what sinful people think of you than what Jesus wants.
Thus you will have the beauty of holiness.
The voice of Jehovah is mighty, with infinite power. The power of the waves, the power of the lightning, the power of the river are just shadows of his power and awesomeness.
The voice of Jehovah breaks the giant cedar trees and can make them flutter around in the floodwaters like butterflies. The voice of Jehovah has power over the terrible bush fires, and can cause the Earth to tremble.
The voice of Jehovah is the power in nature that allows life to exist, he helps the animals to reproduce and knows his way around every forest. Every one in the house of God talks about his glory (or they should).
Dominant even over the power of the flood, dominant over everything, Jehovah is the greatest being in the universe and forms the supreme government of the universe forever.
And yet...
Jehovah will come to you who trust him and give you strength.
Jehovah will come to you who trust him and give you peace.
I think the word valour is appropriate somewhere here.
There's got to be more information about glorifying God in the Bible...
Does God Have An Orchestra?
The title of this post has nothing to do with its contents except as a preliminary question.
I suppose God has got some kind of orchestra, but that is not relevant.
The question I have just been wrestling with is about whether God speaks either audibly or inaudibly to those of us who are not prophets.
I know God speaks to us through his word the Bible, and that the Holy Spirit communicates through this means whether directly through personal hearing/study or indirectly through hearing/reading the word preached.
I know that I have something called a conscience which usually gives me correct moral instruction, but I think a case can be made that the conscience is subject to manipulation and I suppose it cannot therefore be the infallible word of God to my soul. I have been mislead by my conscience I think. At any rate, my conscience (I don't know about yours) definitely expresses itself in feelings of guilt or joy and peace; not in words, to conscience comes under feeling, not something to put my faith and trust in.
I know God can speak to me through various means and so on, but these are not what I was wrestling about.
I have been wrestling about whether God speaks words into my mind when I am in prayer (or even not in prayer). I have heard reports from Christians with like faith to me, (that also do not claim to be prophets) that they have received audible messages from God relating to some specific point of action. I have never experienced this, but I never felt I had reason to doubt it.
But that is not what I was wrestling about. I was wrestling about whether God speaks words into my mind. Silent words that have no audible components, a still (silent) small voice I would say.
I have long cherished this ability to communicate both ways with God, though I have always been plagued by a lack of certainty as to whether the origin of the thoughts was mine or divine.
It has been for me my strongest fortification of faith when most challenged. I know (and know of) many Christians who share this view. Usually the most committed and spiritual of Christians.
I am naturally sceptical, by training I am doubtful, faith is a struggle. My two-way mental connection with God has been my strongest band to tie me to him.
I have received thoughts to do things that were right and appropriate; things that future revelations and events have shown to have been unusually wise. My conversations with God led to my genuine conversion, my consecration and finally my affiliation with people who have the truth.
Yet it is the people with the truth that cause me to wrestle.
Is it true that God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit only through impressing on my mind the written and spoken word of God directly and indirectly?
If this is so then God cannot have been speaking to me in this way as I have thought he was for so long.
My mind whirred though verses of scripture.
Not one passage came to mind that talked of God speaking to anyone in any kind of voice except through a true prophet, except in very special and unusual circumstances (when it sounded like thunder). The passages that come to my mind talk about experiencing God though his word and his power in my life; not through my thoughts.
It feels like I'm contemplating atheism.
It feels like a betrayal of everything precious in my past.
I am left clinging to nothing but the prophetic writings.
It feels like I am being cut off from God.
How could the experience that has led me into so much good be a false experience?
Yet I must stand on God's revealed word.
What does this mean?
If the experience is from Satan, why would Satan lead me into the very church, perhaps the only church where his deception would ever be unmasked.
There came a thought to my mind:
Satan knew that would be the only way you would justify clinging to this deception.
It was one of those thoughts.
I know it was my rational thought from my brain, or it was claiming its own falsity.
What I had thought were God's thoughts planted in my mind and turned into my own words was actually my God-given brain shooting out possibilities for my will to consider.
Now I know to base my decisions on my own judgment using the wisdom from God, the understanding given by the Holy Spirit and the knowledge given to me through the prophets.
God can give specific counsel in this way, I have experienced that too, and it is much more solid.
For example I became a vegetarian after reading Acts 15; why? because the Holy Spirit caused that the strong injunctions against most of the meat the Christians had available might show me from the text what my action should be in this now horribly degraded world. I can think of many other examples.
I am not to seek a connection with the divine inside me, I am to let God speak to me through his chosen channels; the prophets. Where the prophets are silent, I am free to choose based on my God-given wisdom and God-given preferences.
What about those replies in my mind? What about the people who hear an audible sound?
This brings me back to the title of this post.
I sometimes hear very quiet orchestral music. Riding in the back of the car on long trips Dad used to play classical music and I was always sorry when it stopped. I longed for it to start again, and this was especially the time I used to hear it. I would think it was coming through the speaker system and put my ear against the speakers. It was still there, but no louder.
Why wasn't it louder?
Because my mind was playing a tune to me, unbidden, not thought of; not necessarily recently heard. Not coming from my mouth or my throat, not entering through my ears; my mind was able to play music as if it had its own orchestra. God was not playing music to me, I don't think such a possibility has any scriptural grounds, nor did I get that impression. It has not changed in frequency with my growing spirituality, but rather diminished with the waning of my hearing orchestral music through my ears.
My brain is fearfully and wonderfully made, but my deepest thoughts (or feelings) are desperately wicked; I don't understand either of them.
If my mind can play me music it can answer my questions as if they have origin in an external being, if I expect and hope for that.
Does this challenge the core of my faith?
No, though I was shaken.
I think it will strengthen my faith enormously. No longer will my prayers and actions be guided my own arbitrary foolishness directed by my wicked heart, creating confusion when God sometimes answers and sometimes doesn't. I will direct my prayers to claim his promises, and I know what he has promised he will do.
I suppose God has got some kind of orchestra, but that is not relevant.
The question I have just been wrestling with is about whether God speaks either audibly or inaudibly to those of us who are not prophets.
I know God speaks to us through his word the Bible, and that the Holy Spirit communicates through this means whether directly through personal hearing/study or indirectly through hearing/reading the word preached.
I know that I have something called a conscience which usually gives me correct moral instruction, but I think a case can be made that the conscience is subject to manipulation and I suppose it cannot therefore be the infallible word of God to my soul. I have been mislead by my conscience I think. At any rate, my conscience (I don't know about yours) definitely expresses itself in feelings of guilt or joy and peace; not in words, to conscience comes under feeling, not something to put my faith and trust in.
I know God can speak to me through various means and so on, but these are not what I was wrestling about.
I have been wrestling about whether God speaks words into my mind when I am in prayer (or even not in prayer). I have heard reports from Christians with like faith to me, (that also do not claim to be prophets) that they have received audible messages from God relating to some specific point of action. I have never experienced this, but I never felt I had reason to doubt it.
But that is not what I was wrestling about. I was wrestling about whether God speaks words into my mind. Silent words that have no audible components, a still (silent) small voice I would say.
I have long cherished this ability to communicate both ways with God, though I have always been plagued by a lack of certainty as to whether the origin of the thoughts was mine or divine.
It has been for me my strongest fortification of faith when most challenged. I know (and know of) many Christians who share this view. Usually the most committed and spiritual of Christians.
I am naturally sceptical, by training I am doubtful, faith is a struggle. My two-way mental connection with God has been my strongest band to tie me to him.
I have received thoughts to do things that were right and appropriate; things that future revelations and events have shown to have been unusually wise. My conversations with God led to my genuine conversion, my consecration and finally my affiliation with people who have the truth.
Yet it is the people with the truth that cause me to wrestle.
Is it true that God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit only through impressing on my mind the written and spoken word of God directly and indirectly?
If this is so then God cannot have been speaking to me in this way as I have thought he was for so long.
My mind whirred though verses of scripture.
Not one passage came to mind that talked of God speaking to anyone in any kind of voice except through a true prophet, except in very special and unusual circumstances (when it sounded like thunder). The passages that come to my mind talk about experiencing God though his word and his power in my life; not through my thoughts.
It feels like I'm contemplating atheism.
It feels like a betrayal of everything precious in my past.
I am left clinging to nothing but the prophetic writings.
It feels like I am being cut off from God.
How could the experience that has led me into so much good be a false experience?
Yet I must stand on God's revealed word.
What does this mean?
If the experience is from Satan, why would Satan lead me into the very church, perhaps the only church where his deception would ever be unmasked.
There came a thought to my mind:
Satan knew that would be the only way you would justify clinging to this deception.
It was one of those thoughts.
I know it was my rational thought from my brain, or it was claiming its own falsity.
What I had thought were God's thoughts planted in my mind and turned into my own words was actually my God-given brain shooting out possibilities for my will to consider.
Now I know to base my decisions on my own judgment using the wisdom from God, the understanding given by the Holy Spirit and the knowledge given to me through the prophets.
God can give specific counsel in this way, I have experienced that too, and it is much more solid.
For example I became a vegetarian after reading Acts 15; why? because the Holy Spirit caused that the strong injunctions against most of the meat the Christians had available might show me from the text what my action should be in this now horribly degraded world. I can think of many other examples.
I am not to seek a connection with the divine inside me, I am to let God speak to me through his chosen channels; the prophets. Where the prophets are silent, I am free to choose based on my God-given wisdom and God-given preferences.
What about those replies in my mind? What about the people who hear an audible sound?
This brings me back to the title of this post.
I sometimes hear very quiet orchestral music. Riding in the back of the car on long trips Dad used to play classical music and I was always sorry when it stopped. I longed for it to start again, and this was especially the time I used to hear it. I would think it was coming through the speaker system and put my ear against the speakers. It was still there, but no louder.
Why wasn't it louder?
Because my mind was playing a tune to me, unbidden, not thought of; not necessarily recently heard. Not coming from my mouth or my throat, not entering through my ears; my mind was able to play music as if it had its own orchestra. God was not playing music to me, I don't think such a possibility has any scriptural grounds, nor did I get that impression. It has not changed in frequency with my growing spirituality, but rather diminished with the waning of my hearing orchestral music through my ears.
My brain is fearfully and wonderfully made, but my deepest thoughts (or feelings) are desperately wicked; I don't understand either of them.
If my mind can play me music it can answer my questions as if they have origin in an external being, if I expect and hope for that.
Does this challenge the core of my faith?
No, though I was shaken.
I think it will strengthen my faith enormously. No longer will my prayers and actions be guided my own arbitrary foolishness directed by my wicked heart, creating confusion when God sometimes answers and sometimes doesn't. I will direct my prayers to claim his promises, and I know what he has promised he will do.
Saturday 2 February 2013
The Cycle of Faith
Based on Psalm 28
If I did not hear the voice of Jehovah I would be like a dead man.
The wicked and the workers of iniquity are people who speak like friends but plan to stab you in the back. May God give these people what they deserve; they disregard the work that Jehovah is doing and he will destroy them.
Jehovah gives me all my strength and protects me, I have a deep peace because I know I can trust him.
When God helps me I am delighted and realise my trust was not in vain, then I can tell everyone what God has done for me. Jehovah is to be our source of strength.
Lord save your church, bless your remnant, feed them with your word and elevate their minds.
When I put my trust in God and call on him for help and everybody knows it. God has great reason to help me, and when he does I can tell others; increasing their faith. This also increases my faith to trust God again in the future and the cycle repeats. Thus God becomes a source of infinite strength when I act in harmony with his commandment.
May every word I speak be of faith and trust that God will bless me by achieving his purpose in my life.
If I did not hear the voice of Jehovah I would be like a dead man.
The wicked and the workers of iniquity are people who speak like friends but plan to stab you in the back. May God give these people what they deserve; they disregard the work that Jehovah is doing and he will destroy them.
Jehovah gives me all my strength and protects me, I have a deep peace because I know I can trust him.
When God helps me I am delighted and realise my trust was not in vain, then I can tell everyone what God has done for me. Jehovah is to be our source of strength.
Lord save your church, bless your remnant, feed them with your word and elevate their minds.
When I put my trust in God and call on him for help and everybody knows it. God has great reason to help me, and when he does I can tell others; increasing their faith. This also increases my faith to trust God again in the future and the cycle repeats. Thus God becomes a source of infinite strength when I act in harmony with his commandment.
May every word I speak be of faith and trust that God will bless me by achieving his purpose in my life.
Friday 1 February 2013
The Teacher
Based on Matthew 5:1-2
Jesus was always ready to teach. Not to opine or argue, but to teach. Jesus taught multitudes and he taught close friends.
May every word I say be calculated to teach and not a word of idleness.
Jesus was always ready to teach. Not to opine or argue, but to teach. Jesus taught multitudes and he taught close friends.
May every word I say be calculated to teach and not a word of idleness.
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