Saturday Jan 28 2012

Saturdays are such blessings.  No work tomorrow so you can lazy it tonight.  A day of getting things done, of doing what you want to do.  
So what do you want to do?  How do you manage your time?
Consider today's lesson from Bob Hoekstra:



January 28


Growing in the Grace of God
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  (2Pe_3:18)
Let's reflect upon some of the heavenly territory we have explored thus far. Grace is for spiritual growth and progress in the Lord. It is not intended only for birthing and starting out with the Lord. "But grow in the grace . . . of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Growth in Christ is to be produced by God's grace at work in us. 
Often, God's people are apprehensive about an emphasis upon His grace. We become concerned that irresponsibility, ungodliness, laziness, or indulgence will result. We can rest assured on the promises and purposes of God that true grace does not produce such consequences. Such effects are produced by the flesh of man, either by licentiousness or by legalism. 
Licentiousness hopes to turn grace into a means by which sinful indulgence is acceptable. "For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness" (Jud_1:4). Legalism aspires to add religious performance to grace, thereby appealing to the self-righteous hopes of man. "Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit,  are you now being made perfect by the flesh?" (Gal_3:2-3). 
When a person truly lives by the grace of God, righteousness results, not ungodliness. When a person increasingly learns to draw upon the grace of God for daily living, Christlikeness develops, not worldliness. When grace becomes more and more the resource for life, sin diminishes; it does not increase. "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under law but under grace" (Rom_6:14). 
The temptation is to rely upon the law of God in order to generate godliness. The demand of the law to be holy, loving, and perfect becomes a false security to our flesh. We think that by hearing, repeating, or depending upon this demand, we can thereby accomplish it. Let us not forget that "the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope" (Heb_7:18-19). God's grace is the "better hope" that does not fail to bring forth what God desires. 
The Lord has ordained for us a life-long involvement with His grace. He wants to work "grace for [upon] grace" (Joh_1:16) for the rest of our days. This is the "new and living way" (Heb_10:20). Perhaps this could all be summarized in another acrostic on grace: Glorious Realities As Christ Empowers. 
Gracious Father, how bountiful is Your provision for my spiritual growth. How foolish of me to think that I need more for developing in godliness than Your grace supplies. O Lord, I long to grow in the image of Christ. I beseech You, remind me and convince me that Your grace is the only sufficient hope. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Friday Jan 27

Last weekend of January already.  February arrives next week!  My oh my how time flies.
What a month, a new beginning, a renewal of promises and hopes.  Then the slow cooling and realization as life goes on each day in its endless variety.  
Meaning, depth, Love... we all seek this in our lives. 
Only God can give us these important and vital feelings.  
Only God can open our hearts to the infinite wonder and joy of His Love and Grace.  
Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior?  Do so today!



January 27


CHRIST PLEADING FOR ADMISSION
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me."-- Rev_3:20.


DO NOT forget the majesty and glory of Him who asks for admission!
In the following verse, He declares that He is able to give the right of sitting with Himself on His Throne. He stands, that some day we may sit! O child of two worlds, shut your ear to the chatterings and noise of this passing age, and listen to Him who stands at the door of your life and knocks!
Of course, we know that the Saviour never withdraws Himself from hearts that are really His own. He abides in them, as they abide in Him. But with us there may be ebbs as well as flows. The current may drop from feet to inches. The light may linger in the sky, while clouds obscure the face of the sun. The heat of the body may remain, but the extremities may become chilled. It is under these circumstances that the Lord of all worlds comes to the door of our poor tenement, and stands, and knocks, and asks for admission!
We may expect His knock when our love is cooling. Once our hearts beat quickly when we heard His approaching step; now, when He is at hand, we keep Him waiting on the doorstep till His head is filled with dew, and His locks with the drops of night. Do we not all know what it is to be "neither hot nor cold"? Somehow our heart has gone dead! It is then that we may expect to hear the knock of Christ. He only asks us to admit Him and He will restore the soul to love, and love to the soul.
We may expect His knock when we must go forth from this world. The moment comes when the post will present us with a letter like that received by Christiana: "The Master expecteth thee to stand in His Presence, in clothes of immortality, within ten days." The same summons will come to Mr. Honest and Mr. Ready-to-halt; to Mr. Despondency and to Miss Much-afraid; to Mr. Stand-fast and Mr. Valiant-for-truth. But in each case there will be the accompanying knock of Jesus, saying: "Fear not, I will be with you. I have called you by your name, you are Mine." (Isa_43:1).


PRAYER
We thank Thee, O God, that Thy love has come to us in a human Form, that it shines from the Face of the Man Christ Jesus, and speaks to us in gentle tones we can understand. We thank Thee that He stands at the low doorway of our hearts, and knocks, and waits to come in and dwell with us for ever. 
We humbly ask that the Holy Spirit may open our eyes more fully to behold Him, and our hearts more ardently to love and welcome Him. AMEN.

Tuesday Jan 24 2012

God loves you.  Do you love God?



January 24


The Lost Boys
"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10
One afternoon, while sitting in my hotel room during a break in a conference, I decided to use the time to do some writing. It was quite and private, with little more than the distant sound of traffic passing by below my window. Pecking away at the keys drew me deeper and deeper into my thoughts, as I searched for the best way to turn a phrase so as to say what was stirring in my heart.


That's when I first heard it. It was far enough in the background of my attention that I really didn't notice it clear enough to tell what it was, but I knew that I distinctly heard it. Abruptly, I became more aware of my surroundings than I had been just moments earlier, and only then was I able to hear it even more clearly. And now it was unmistakable. I heard crying in the hallway.
What at first had sounded like the typical protesting of a small child not getting his way, quickly escalated to the sounds of full blown terror. And it wasn't just one kid; there were at least two, literally screaming in fear just outside my door.
I leapt into action not knowing what I would find, but bracing myself for something awful from the sound of things. Opening my door I found two small boys, ages five and three, standing alone in the long hallway frightened out of their wits. They were lost in this large hotel, and the horror of their predicament was too overwhelming for their unseasoned minds to handle.
The three year old was crying the loudest; and the five year old was trying to keep a brave face in spite of his own tears, but even he knew they were in real trouble. I could see it in his eyes.
Seeing me standing there helped....but only a little. After all, I was the dreaded stranger every kid is repeatedly warned about in these foul, self-indulgent days. Instinctively, I knelt down to eye level with the boys and spoke with a calm and reassuring voice, offered with a confident smile. "Are you boys lost?" I asked, dismissing the obvious.
The five year old took heart and responded, "Yes, sir." They had pushed the wrong button on the elevator and got off on the wrong floor. Unable to find their room – panic hit them hard and that's when crying turned to screaming outside my door.
I offered my hand to him and said, "Let's go down to the Hotel lobby and they will know how to find your mom and dad." Once the five year old took my hand, his little brother took courage and came peacefully along with us, holding my other hand.
On the elevator I continued to calm them down by letting them push the buttons and feel some sense of control. And there I stood on the elevator holding hands with two little lost boys, reassuring them that everything would be alright, and asking them if Disneyland was as fun as they hoped it would be.
Once in the lobby, we found dad – grateful beyond words to see his boys safe and sound. He thanked me, hugged his boys with relief, and called off the hound dogs. I returned to the elevator to go back up to my room. The experience ended as quickly as it had started, and my afternoon was headed back into itself. That's when the Spirit of the Lord spoke to my heart. He said five simple things.


First, being lost can be a really frightening thing to those who suddenly realize just how lost they truly are. 
Second, somebody somewhere needs to hear the cries of those who are lost and crying out for help. 
Third, upon hearing those cries, that somebody needs to do something to help those that are crying – even though it doesn't fit into their plans for the day.
Fourth, getting on their level and speaking in words they can understand is vital if one is serious about bringing the lost back to the father. 
And, fifth, delivering them safe and secure in the father's presence is the goal. Our task isn't over until that has occurred.
Hey, heard any crying lately? Its just outside your door. Listen for a minute; you'll hear it. Really.

Monday Jan 23 2012

Life is our opportunity, training, and growing time to learn God's Love.  Our passage here is to absorb His lessons, learn the meaning of the lessons, and then grow in knowledge and wisdom about the Love of God.  
We are so blessed when God loves us enough to teach us, then lead us to knowledge, opens our eyes to His Grace and Love.
Thank!  you God, my Lord, my Savior for Your Grace and Love.  
Thank you my God, my Heavenly Father, for the gift of Your Son Jesus - who came into this world to be our sacrificial lamb and thus our Redeemer.  
Thank you My God for the Holy Spirit who guides me and leads me to You.


May you have a wonderful day in God's love.  


Consider today's mediation:



Gen 29:20  And Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him a few days, for the love he had for her. 

Wed Jan 18 2012

My life is but a short breath in the grand history of mankind.  
But it's all I know and all I have.  
So, to me, God's love is what makes the difference in my life. 
I hope you have found the Love of God in all that you are.


Today's lesson from Charles Spurgeon:

January 18


Morning
“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.”
- Heb_4:9
How different will be the state of the believer in heaven from what it is here! Here he is born to toil and suffer weariness, but in the land of the immortal, fatigue is never known. Anxious to serve his Master, he finds his strength unequal to his zeal: his constant cry is, “Help me to serve thee, O my God.” If he be thoroughly active, he will have much labour; not too much for his will, but more than enough for his power, so that he will cry out, “I am not wearied of the labour, but I am wearied in it.” Ah! Christian, the hot day of weariness lasts not for ever; the sun is nearing the horizon; it shall rise again with a brighter day than thou hast ever seen upon a land where they serve God day and night, and yet rest from their labours. Here, rest is but partial, there, it is perfect. Here, the Christian is always unsettled; he feels that he has not yet attained. There, all are at rest; they have attained the summit of the mountain; they have ascended to the bosom of their God. Higher they cannot go. Ah, toil-worn labourer, only think when thou shalt rest for ever! Canst thou conceive it? It is a rest eternal; a rest that “remaineth.” Here, my best joys bear “mortal” on their brow; my fair flowers fade; my dainty cups are drained to dregs; my sweetest birds fall before Death’s arrows; my most pleasant days are shadowed into nights; and the flood-tides of my bliss subside into ebbs of sorrow; but there, everything is immortal; the harp abides unrusted, the crown unwithered, the eye undimmed, the voice unfaltering, the heart unwavering, and the immortal being is wholly absorbed in infinite delight. Happy day! happy! when mortality shall be swallowed up of life, and the Eternal Sabbath shall begin.


Evening
“He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”
- Luk_24:27
The two disciples on the road to Emmaus had a most profitable journey. Their companion and teacher was the best of tutors; the interpreter one of a thousand, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. The Lord Jesus condescended to become a preacher of the gospel, and he was not ashamed to exercise his calling before an audience of two persons, neither does he now refuse to become the teacher of even one. Let us court the company of so excellent an Instructor, for till he is made unto us wisdom we shall never be wise unto salvation.
This unrivalled tutor used as his class-book the best of books. Although able to reveal fresh truth, he preferred to expound the old. He knew by his omniscience what was the most instructive way of teaching, and by turning at once to Moses and the prophets, he showed us that the surest road to wisdom is not speculation, reasoning, or reading human books, but meditation upon the Word of God. The readiest way to be spiritually rich in heavenly knowledge is to dig in this mine of diamonds, to gather pearls from this heavenly sea. When Jesus himself sought to enrich others, he wrought in the quarry of Holy Scripture.
The favoured pair were led to consider the best of subjects, for Jesus spake of Jesus, and expounded the things concerning himself. Here the diamond cut the diamond, and what could be more admirable? The Master of the House unlocked his own doors, conducted the guests to his table, and placed his own dainties upon it. He who hid the treasure in the field himself guided the searchers to it. Our Lord would naturally discourse upon the sweetest of topics, and he could find none sweeter than his own person and work: with an eye to these we should always search the Word. O for grace to study the Bible with Jesus as both our teacher and our lesson!

Tuesday Jan 17 2012

Love is the ultimate gift.  There is no higher feeling, greater emotion than love.  There are many things we humans feel, but  Love truly is the most wonderful and greatest emotion.


Jesus loves you and me.  He died for us.  He lives for us.  He loves us daily.  Be Happy in Jesus!



January 17


Howling at the Moon
"Jesus, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end." John 13:1 NASB
I shall never forget the emotion I felt when I first heard my dad sing in church one day the old hymn, "Why Should He Love Me So?" Coming from the heart of a man who so deeply felt his failure in life, and who had such overwhelming regrets as a father — dad's rapture in God's love was both profoundly gratifying and enigmatically bewildering. "God loves me!" he would say, "but, why?!”
No hound dog ever sounded so mournful as did my father when he tilted back his ancient head and belted out with deep-toned marine gusto, "Why Should He Love Me So." It was nothing any producer would ever push to the media, but I know that when dad sang it, it went straight to the heart of God.
Dad's in heaven now. He no doubt has joined the celestial choir of all who have joined together to proclaim their marvel of our Savior's love. I also have no doubt he likely steps forward from time to time and leads out in a favorite solo — "Why Should He Love Me So." I can tell you that sometimes, when no one is looking and I'm alone, I'll toss back my head and croon in fond memory of dad's devotion to Christ — "Why Should He Love Me So?" Though I am alone when I do this, at times it almost sounds like a duet.
Have you ever wondered why should He love you so? If one views God only as being immense, then it is not likely such a one would ever consider how much God loves them. Immensity makes God too big, too austere, too preoccupied with the universe to ever give any serious thought to someone who is so comparatively insignificant.
But, God is not immense — He is infinite. There is a marvelous difference. F.W. Boreham wrote of "the essential difference between immensity and infinity. The former has limits," he said, "while the latter has none." In other words, God can love you specifically because He is God.
What I'm saying is that God loves you oh, SO much! 
Why then don't you join us other hound dogs and belt out a song of praise back His way? Sometimes howling at the moon is the sweetest sound God ever heard.

Monday Jan 16 2012

Love is life, to live is to love.



January 16


GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST
"Thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins."-- Mat_1:21.


JESUS WAS "born a Saviour." Being what He is, the King of Love, it is not wonderful that He entered into so close an identification with our human race that needed Him so sorely. Could Infinite Love have stood idly by? Every soul which enters into the human family helps to quicken or depress its vitality. How much our race owes to the great souls that have been born into it, but how much more to Him who was in the form of God, and thought it not robbery to be equal with God! He laid aside the use of the mighty power, which as Creator He might have employed, and stooped to be born in a stable, that He might share the life of the humblest and poorest.
What love for men must have burned in the heart of Jesus! His zeal for mankind ate Him up. There was a true enthusiasm for humanity in His heart. Why should there not be the same with us? Let us ask that the "love of Christ--i.e. the very love which burnt within Him--may also constrain us." Let us be willing to subject ourselves to inconvenience, to limitations, to the wrapping of swaddling clothes, if only we may get near to others, removing all sense of distance and aloofness.
"'Glory to God in the Highest" (Luk_2:14). Nothing has so augmented the glory of the Father as this stooping to death, even the death of the Cross. (Phi_2:6-11). Men have turned to God with adoring reverence, as they could not have done if they had known Him only in Nature. Whenever we seek the glory of God as our main end and purpose, it will always result in peace on earth. Live for the glory of God, and you will have peace in your heart, and your life will flow forth in goodwill and blessing for others.
The outburst of song from the shepherds, "glorifying and praising God," as they wended their way back to their flocks, must have amazed all whom they met, and it bespoke the wonder that had transformed their lives. We are so ordinary and commonplace, so unemotional and impassive, we cannot forget ourselves, and are never carried beyond ourselves. David said that while he mused the fire burned! Let us muse on the love of God in descending to our world, in living our life, and dying for us on the Cross. Then we shall burst out into songs, and shall come back to our ordinary life with the flow of a new spirit (Luk_2:20).


PRAYER
My Father God! Let the motto of my life henceforth be, "Glory to God in the Highest," for only so can there be peace in my heart and goodwill towards men. May my heart be kept in unison with the Angel's song. AMEN.

Friday Jan 13

We are half way through the first month of 2012.
How are you doing so far?  
Many changes? 
Or are you back to the old routine?


Many, many changes for me.  I thank God for His blessings and Love.
Ultimately, we all go back to God.


Today's thoughts, from James Ryle:

January 13


Your True Colors
"You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors." (James 1:3, The Message)
During a pregame talk with the Colorado Buffaloes some years ago I asked the question, "What do you get when you squeeze a lemon?" Of course the standard answer fired back from coaches and players alike, "Lemon juice!”
But what nobody knew that morning was that I had filled the lemon with ketchup. When I squeezed it tight and the red liquid oozed over my hand, they were all taken back.
"You're wrong," I then said. "The actual answer is that you get whatever is inside it.”
At that point I had them right where I wanted them, and then asked, "So, what's inside you? What are we going to see when pressure puts the squeeze on you?" The answer is the same to the lemon question; we will see whatever is in you.
The great C. S. Lewis said, "A sudden provocation does not make me an ill-tempered man. It shows what an ill-tempered man I am." James tells us in his letter that "under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors." Maybe this is why the Lord provides so many wonderful opportunities for us to be squeezed.
The origin of the phrase "true colors" comes from naval parlance back in the days when pirates sailed the high seas. Vessels would always fly on their topmast the flag of their country of origin. But pirates were notorious for hoisting the flags of different nations so as to gain an advantage against unsuspecting vessels. However, under no circumstance would any honorable Captain ever fly false colors. Thus, the phrase "true colors" indicates authenticity in both motive and manner.
The Lord wants to make us truly authentic men and women, but to get us there He has to squeeze out the other stuff – and He will do so with unrelenting pressure until there is nothing left to ooze.
So, you been feeling squeezed lately?

Be blessed, be happy in God's filling of you with His Holy Spirit.

Thursday Jan 12, 2012

Today, I am thankful.
How about you?


Today's meditation, from Charles Spurgeon:

January 12


The General Ability of the Law
Then the LORD delivered to me two tablets of stone written with the finger of God, and on them were all the words which the LORD had spoken . . . You have heard that it was said . . . But I say to you . . . .  (Deu_9:10 and Mat_5:27-28)
Although the law of God is unable to justify or sanctify, it does have some strategic ability in God's plan for man. These verses from the Torah and the Sermon on the Mount help us reflect upon this matter. These two profound sections of the Bible pertain to the law of God. Torah (Hebrew for law) refers to the books of Genesis through Deuteronomy. These books give an extensive explanation of the message of God's law. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) includes Jesus' clarification of man's understanding of the law. 
When these portions of the Bible are read, studied, or taught, the general ability of the law is at work. In these passages the very character and will of God are revealed. The message related to those "two tablets of stone" spoke of God's character, "I the Lord, your God, am holy." The summary of this message expressed God's will for man, "be holy." The details of the message indicated what holiness would be like in conduct toward God and in relationships with others. Jesus' words would eventually extend this message of holiness even into attitudes of the heart. 
The law of God is His standard for spiritual measurement. By His law, God measures holiness in people's lives by revealing His will, which is based upon His holy character. This is why all of us "fall short of the glory of God" (Rom_3:23). We don't measure up to God's holy standard. 
The measuring instruments of man are a helpful illustration of the law. When a tape measure is used to evaluate the height of people, it measures growth or reveals the absence of it. It does not produce human growth. So it is with the law of God. The law describes and measures what God wants lives to look like. It does not cause such spiritual growth to appear. Only God's grace at work in our lives is the sufficient dynamic that produces spiritual growth. 


O Lord, my Hope, I give You praise for Your holy character, revealed in Your holy law. 
I agree with Your will, desiring holiness in my life. 
I also agree with You that I fell far short of Your glorious standard. Thank You for cleansing me of all unrighteousness. 
Thank You for clothing me in the righteousness of Your dear Son. Now I place my hope in You for any and all progress in the path of righteousness. 
O Lord, have Your way in my life, working Your will, by Your grace, through Jesus Christ my Lord, Amen.

Tuesday Jan 10 2012

So, how's it going so far.
Already the second week in January of 2012!


Today, two thoughts, one from George Morrison:

January 10


Known in Adversities
"Thou hast known my soul in adversities." Psa_31:7
One great comfort of assurance in this verse is that such knowledge is always very thorough. When someone has known us in adversities, then he has known us as we really are.
There is a sonnet by Blanco White, familiar to all the lovers of the beautiful, in which he develops the thought that but for the night, we should never know the stars. And so there is a very real sense in which we may say we never know a life till we have seen it in the darkness of adversity. When the sun is warm and all the leaves are green, you can scarcely see the cottage in the forest. But when the storm of winter sweeps the leaves away, then at last you see it as it is. It may be stronger than you ever thought, or it may be more battered and decayed, but always the winter shows it as it is.
Indeed, the revealing power of adversity strips the summer covering away. It shows us not in the setting of our circumstance, but as we are in naked reality. And therefore one who has known us in adversities, and been at our side in sorrow and calamity, knows us with an intimacy that probably nothing else can ever give. That is why the knowledge of a doctor is often more searching than that of any friend. That is why the knowledge of a wife often reaches to an unrivalled intimacy, for she has known her husband not only when all waswell with him and when the sun was shining on his head, but when his heart was wary and his body sick and all his hopes seemed crumbled into dust.
Hidden Burdens
It was a great comfort to the psalmist also that the Lord had pierced through every disguise. That is why he uses the word soul: "Thou hast known my soul in adversities." To the Hebrew, more simply than to us, that word "soul" just meant the real self. There was nothing theological about it. It was a common word in common use. And what the psalmist deeply felt was this: the knowledge of God had pierced through all disguises and known him in the secret of his being.
There are few things more beautiful in life than the way in which men and women hide their sorrows. On the street and in the shops there is a quiet heroism as great as any on the battlefield. You may meet a person in frequent conversation, yet all the time and unknown to you, some sorrow may be lying at his heart. How often a mother, when she is worn and ill, struggles bravely to hide it from her family. How often a husband, deep in business difficulties, struggles to keep it hidden from those at home. How often a minister, called from a scene of death which may mean for him the end of a friendship, has to go to a marriage and be happy there as if there were not a sorrow in the world. Talk of the disguises of hypocrisy! They are nothing to the disguises of the brave—those cheerful looks, that quiet and patient work, when the heart within is heavy as a stone. That Spartan youth who kept a smiling face while the fox was gnawing away at him has his fellows in every community.
But Thou hast known my soul in adversity. That was the joy and comfort of the psalmist. There was one eye that pierced through all concealment, and that was the eye of an all-pitying God. Others had known his outward behavior for in trials there are many eyes upon us. Others had heard his words and seen his actions and wondered at the courage in his bearing. But only God had read the secret story and seen how utterly desolate he was and known how often, in spite of all appearances, he had been plunged into profound despair.
There is a point where human knowledge ceases and beyond which human sympathy is powerless. It pierces deep if it is genuine, but there are depths to which it cannot pierce. And it was just there, in the region of his soul, that the psalmist felt that there was One who knew him and would never leave him nor forsake him. He felt it in the sustainment he received. He felt it in the strength that was bestowed upon him. He felt it in the peace that rested on him, a peace such as the world could never give. And so when the sun shone on him again, as sooner or later it does on all of us, he took his pen and wrote in gratitude, "Thou hast known my soul in adversities."
The Condescension of God's Love
There was one other comfort for the psalmist at which our text hints unobscurely. He had been awakened through the knowledge that he speaks of to the infinite condescension of God's love.
A well-known German religious writer who has brought comfort to multitudes of mourners tells us how once he had a visit from a friend who was in great distress. This friend had once been a very wealthy man, and now he had fallen upon evil days, and that very morning one of his old companions had passed him without recognition on the street. Then Gotthold, for such was the writer's name, took him by the hand and, pointing upward, said, "Thou hast known my soul in adversities."
It is one of the sayings of the moralist that the world courts prosperity and shuns adversity. There are rats in every circle of society who all hasten to leave the sinking ship. But what the psalmist had awakened to was this: the eternal God, who was his refuge, had known him and acknowledged him and talked with him when his fortunes were at their very blackest. Nothing but love could explain the condescension. He had found in God a friend who was unfailing. "If I ascend into heaven thou art there; if I make my bed in hell thou art there." 
So was the world made ready for the Savior who, when other helpers fail and comforts flee, never deserts us, never is ashamed of us, never leaves us to face the worst alone.




And this illumination from James Ryle:

January 10


Towering Humility
"We were sure of ourselves in God." (2 Th 2:2, The Message)
Most people assume that humility involves some form or other of groveling; that cowering demeanor that bows in an abject manner towards others. And so, when tasked with the charge to "humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord", we tend toward a somewhat cowering posture – supposing this is what the Lord wants from us.


Outrageous nonsense! The Lord wants us to come boldly to the throne of Grace; not as beggars — but as sons and daughters.
There was nothing cowering about Jesus Christ at all. He did not snivel in the presence of Pilate's Empire, nor cringe before the sneer of His accusers. He stood as a man of towering humility. And those hearty souls who followed Him in the early years were described by others as "men who turned the world upside down" (Acts 17:6). Nothing groveling about that. Nothing at all.
Humility is the God-given self-assurance that eliminates the need to prove to others the worth of who you are, and the rightness of what you do. 
Jesus was thus a humble man, as were His apostles. "We were sure of ourselves in God," Paul said. And so are those who follow Jesus today. That is, those who are real as opposed to those who are merely being religious.
Somewhere around 360AD a new model of "christian" emerged; one that has altered the public image of Christ to this day. The Roman Emperor Julian, successor to Constantine, found this new form of humility repulsive, as the historian Ibsen tell us.
"Have you looked at these Christians closely?" Julian asked, "They are hollow-eyed, pale-cheeked, flat-breasted all; they brood their lives away, unspurred by ambition. The sun shines for them, but they do not see it: the earth offers them its fullness, but they desire it not; all their desire is to renounce and to suffer that they may come to die."
Jesus was not hollow-eyed, pale-cheeked, nor flat-breasted. Neither were Peter, James and John; nor Paul the Apostle. We should not be so either. Rather, being sure of ourselves in God, we may thereby be clothed in true humility and thus receive the fullness of God's grace to turn our world upside down today – as did our fathers of old when it was their turn.

Monday January 9

Dear friend,
Life is so worrisome.  Life is so complicated.  
But in the end it is all about our relationship with God.



January 9


Morning
“I will be their God.”
- Jer_31:33
Christian! here is all thou canst require. To make thee happy thou wantest something that shall satisfy thee; and is not this enough? If thou canst pour this promise into thy cup, wilt thou not say, with David, “My cup runneth over; I have more than heart can wish”? When this is fulfilled, “I am thy God”, art thou not possessor of all things? Desire is insatiable as death, but he who filleth all in all can fill it. The capacity of our wishes who can measure? but the immeasurable wealth of God can more than overflow it. I ask thee if thou art not complete when God is thine? Dost thou want anything but God? Is not his all-sufficiency enough to satisfy thee if all else should fail? But thou wantest more than quiet satisfaction; thou desirest rapturous delight. Come, soul, here is music fit for heaven in this thy portion, for God is the Maker of Heaven. Not all the music blown from sweet instruments, or drawn from living strings, can yield such melody as this sweet promise, “I will be their God.” Here is a deep sea of bliss, a shoreless ocean of delight; come, bathe thy spirit in it; swim an age, and thou shalt find no shore; dive throughout eternity, and thou shalt find no bottom. “I will be their God.” If this do not make thine eyes sparkle, and thy heart beat high with bliss, then assuredly thy soul is not in a healthy state. But thou wantest more than present delights-thou cravest something concerning which thou mayest exercise hope; and what more canst thou hope for than the fulfilment of this great promise, “I will be their God”? This is the masterpiece of all the promises; its enjoyment makes a heaven below, and will make a heaven above. Dwell in the light of thy Lord, and let thy soul be always ravished with his love. Get out the marrow and fatness which this portion yields thee. Live up to thy privileges, and rejoice with unspeakable joy.


Evening
“Serve the Lord with gladness.”
- Psa_100:2
Delight in divine service is a token of acceptance. Those who serve God with a sad countenance, because they do what is unpleasant to them, are not serving him at all; they bring the form of homage, but the life is absent. Our God requires no slaves to grace his throne; he is the Lord of the empire of love, and would have his servants dressed in the livery of joy. The angels of God serve him with songs, not with groans; a murmur or a sigh would be a mutiny in their ranks. That obedience which is not voluntary is disobedience, for the Lord looketh at the heart, and if he seeth that we serve him from force, and not because we love him, he will reject our offering. Service coupled with cheerfulness is heart-service, and therefore true. Take away joyful willingness from the Christian, and you have removed the test of his sincerity. If a man be driven to battle, he is no patriot; but he who marches into the fray with flashing eye and beaming face, singing, “It is sweet for one’s country to die,” proves himself to be sincere in his patriotism. Cheerfulness is the support of our strength; in the joy of the Lord are we strong. It acts as the remover of difficulties. It is to our service what oil is to the wheels of a railway carriage. Without oil the axle soon grows hot, and accidents occur; and if there be not a holy cheerfulness to oil our wheels, our spirits will be clogged with weariness. The man who is cheerful in his service of God, proves that obedience is his element; he can sing,
“Make me to walk in thy commands,
‘Tis a delightful road.”
Reader, let us put this question-do you serve the Lord with gladness? 
Let us show to the people of the world, who think our religion to be slavery, that it is to us a delight and a joy! Let our gladness proclaim that we serve a good Master.

Friday January 6 2012

Dear friend,
How is your New Year going?  I hope you are off to a fresh new start and keeping all the good things of the past.  


Me too.  I hope this is the year of new beginnings and new lives for myself and my loved ones.
Today's lesson:



January 6


Steel in Your Convictions
"We call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope..." (1 Th 1:3)
"To be, or not to be?" That was the question in Shakespeare's classic soliloquy, asked by brooding Hamlet as he contemplated suicide. But the nobler question for those of us who choose to live is, "What to be, or what not to be?" That's the real question.
Ours is a post modern world of faithless men, loveless women, and hopeless dupes galore. In a day when "anything goes" it would seem that everything has gone.
But not really. For God is faithful, loving, and hopeful — and now, even as in the day of Elijah, He has no less than seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal; those stalwart souls who — like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego — stand upright while everyone else bows before the golden idol.
And mark these men and women, for they not only stand up — they stand out. There is something about them that distinguishes them from the rest. They are doers of the word, and not talkers only.
Paul commends those whose "work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope" sustain them in times when others are like feathers in the wind — blown about by every whim and fancy. "It is clear to us," he continues, "that God has put His hand on you for something special. For when the Message we preached came to you, it wasn't just words. Something happened to you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions." They had backbones made of metal!
"What to be, or what not to be?" Is this a question that has crossed your mind? How about being a man or woman upon whom God has placed His hand for something special; a doer of the word, and not a hearer only? How about being someone who is known for their work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope?
How about being someone who can stand up and stand out with God-given steel in your convictions? Now that would be something worth being indeed!

I hope your day is wonderful.  Full of God's love and grace.

Tuesday January 3, 2012

Here we go, 2012.  
First day of school in 2012, primary elections in Iowa for the republicans, a new start for billions of people.  
I have to depend on my God, each year has gotten weirder and weirder.  The events are slowly eating away at the life I once knew.


Lord God, God of gods, Lord of lords, my God, my Savior and Redeemer, have mercy on me, bestow your grace upon me, let thy love replace anger, let thy grace flow and forgiveness through the Sacred Blood of your Son Jesus wash me clean, empower me and enliven me to come to your Holy Presence.  Forgive my human weaknesses, forgive my multitude of weaknesses and sins, my anger and lust and desire and hate and fear and weaknesses.  Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy upon me. 
Bless Ona and keep her safe.  Give her Peace and let your Grace through the Holy Spirit fill her with your Love and forgiveness.  Guide her back and let her know that her family loves her.
Bless my children.
Be with Kimberly as she works to resolve her angers, frustrations, desires, lusts, wants, and finally comes to you to find her real love, joy and peace.  Keep her safe and guard her with your angels.
Bless my Hoya so that he can achieve his goals and hopes.  Bless him with your grace and mercy that he may see you and come to worship you.  Give him your love, your blessings, your mercy and grace, bless him with knowledge and Redeemer.  Save him Oh  Lord and make him your great servant.
Bless my Yoona so that he will have strength, courage, faith, belief and love for You and do what he must to honor you, our family and our forefathers.  Give him thy Love and Blessings.  Fill him with thy Holy Spirit and redeem his life for your service.  Give him strength and courage to do what is right and do what he must.  Bless his hand and his handiwork, bless his work and bless his body with strength, his mind with clarity and vision and inspiration, his spirit with thy Love and Grace.


Thank you God for all your gifts.  Thank you God, my Heavenly Father for all your love, mercy, and grace.  Bless us today, in the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Monday January 2, 2012

Happy New Year, 2012.  May this year be THE year for all good things.  Enough of heartaches, set backs, disasters, losses, hurts, painful and searing life events... enough now O my God, my Father, my Lord, my Creator.  Enough, Please God, give us this year your bounty, your love, your grace, your blessings, your inheritance, your Holy Spirit.  
Please my God, bless my children, bless their work, bless their futures, give them your grace, vision, love and insight.  Bless them with wealth, health, love, loving, caring kind hearts.  


Today's thoughts from Charles Spurgeon:



January 2


Morning
“Continue in prayer.”
- Col_4:2
It is interesting to remark how large a portion of Sacred Writ is occupied with the subject of prayer, either in furnishing examples, enforcing precepts, or pronouncing promises. We scarcely open the Bible before we read, “Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord;” and just as we are about to close the volume, the “Amen” of an earnest supplication meets our ear. Instances are plentiful. Here we find a wrestling Jacob-there a Daniel who prayed three times a day-and a David who with all his heart called upon his God. On the mountain we see Elias; in the dungeon Paul and Silas. We have multitudes of commands, and myriads of promises. What does this teach us, but the sacred importance and necessity of prayer? We may be certain that whatever God has made prominent in his Word, he intended to be conspicuous in our lives. If he has said much about prayer, it is because he knows we have much need of it. So deep are our necessities, that until we are in heaven we must not cease to pray. Dost thou want nothing? Then, I fear thou dost not know thy poverty. Hast thou no mercy to ask of God? Then, may the Lord’s mercy show thee thy misery! A prayerless soul is a Christless soul. Prayer is the lisping of the believing infant, the shout of the fighting believer, the requiem of the dying saint falling asleep in Jesus. It is the breath, the watchword, the comfort, the strength, the honour of a Christian. If thou be a child of God, thou wilt seek thy Father’s face, and live in thy Father’s love. Pray that this year thou mayst be holy, humble, zealous, and patient; have closer communion with Christ, and enter oftener into the banqueting-house of his love. Pray that thou mayst be an example and a blessing unto others, and that thou mayst live more to the glory of thy Master. The motto for this year must be, “Continue in prayer.”


Evening
“Let the people renew their strength.”
- Isa_41:1
All things on earth need to be renewed. No created thing continueth by itself. “Thou renewest the face of the year,” was the Psalmist’s utterance. Even the trees, which wear not themselves with care, nor shorten their lives with labour, must drink of the rain of heaven and suck from the hidden treasures of the soil. The cedars of Lebanon, which God has planted, only live because day by day they are full of sap fresh drawn from the earth. Neither can man’s life be sustained without renewal from God. As it is necessary to repair the waste of the body by the frequent meal, so we must repair the waste of the soul by feeding upon the Book of God, or by listening to the preached Word, or by the soul-fattening table of the ordinances. How depressed are our graces when means are neglected! What poor starvelings some saints are who live without the diligent use of the Word of God and secret prayer! If our piety can live without God it is not of divine creating; it is but a dream; for if God had begotten it, it would wait upon him as the flowers wait upon the dew. Without constant restoration we are not ready for the perpetual assaults of hell, or the stern afflictions of heaven, or even for the strifes within. When the whirlwind shall be loosed, woe to the tree that hath not sucked up fresh sap, and grasped the rock with many intertwisted roots. When tempests arise, woe to the mariners that have not strengthened their mast, nor cast their anchor, nor sought the haven. If we suffer the good to grow weaker, the evil will surely gather strength and struggle desperately for the mastery over us; and so, perhaps, a painful desolation, and a lamentable disgrace may follow. Let us draw near to the footstool of divine mercy in humble entreaty, and we shall realize the fulfilment of the promise, “They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.”