Thursday, September 8

Slowly and surely the days get a bit shorter, the temperatures drop a few degrees, and we slowly transition into Fall.  Tonight the annual cycle of the football season begins anew, a sure sign of Autumn.  So many things change yet we measure time by events, passages and many annual cycles in our lives.  
Are we just cogs in the grand wheel of life?  Do we have any say in our life passages?  What is valuable?  What is needed?  So many questions and so many proposed answers!  
May I suggest to you the one source of answers that has worked for thousands of years?  The Bible, God's Holy Words.  
Consider today's meditation by F. B. Meyer:



September 8


THE DEVOTIONAL USE OF SCRIPTURE
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." -- Psa_119:105.


IN EACH verse of Ps. 119, the Psalmist mentions the Scriptures, with one exception, and the constant quotation of the Old Testament by our Lord and His Apostles yields abundant evidence of loving and reverent fellowship with the holy men of past ages, who wrote and spoke as moved by the Holy Spirit. It is specially remarkable that the Lord Jesus in His Temptation, in all His teaching, and in the agony of the Cross bore constant witness to the unique authority of the Word of God spoken through the Old Testament saints.
We may know God, says the Psalmist, through a threefold revelation. Though they have no audible voice or language, the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament of space, studded with myriads of stars, shows His handiwork. Though speechless, their words witness for Him to the uttermost parts of the earth.
The closing stanza of this great Psalm unfolds God's handiwork in the construction and direction of our moral nature. Between these golden clasps the Psalmist extols the Scriptures under ten striking similitudes, and that disposition must be indeed extraordinary that does not come within the scope of one of them. The soul that needs restoring; 
the simple who would become wise; 
the sad heart who would rejoice; 
the eyes that would be enlightened; 
the soul that longs for the gold of truth; 
the desire for sincerity and reality; 
the search for understanding and righteousness--
all such needs and many more are met from a devout reading of Holy Scripture.
All great ministries which have remained fresh and fragrant through long courses of years have proved the wealth of inexhaustible teaching and inspiration which lies hidden in the Bible. Let us each one resolve to soak ourselves in the Scripture before turning to prayer, as water poured in to moisten the sucker will help to draw water up.


PRAYER
Teach us, O Blessed Spirit of Inspiration, so to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest Thy words, that we may be thoroughly furnished unto all good works, and be enabled to lead others into a true understanding of and love for its hidden treasures. AMEN.


Have the courage to go to the Bible and ask God for Inspiration!  May you find your answers!

Wednesday September 7

Wow, we are moving through September, second week of a short month already.  How's life for you?  Are there many problems and challenges, is the rule of three seemingly endless for you?  
yeah, me too!  
Loving kindness and Mercy are all that keeps me going.  Somedays I do wonder what this is all about.  If my Hope and Faith were less, I would give up.  Only by Hope in my God, and Faith in Jesus and by the Grace of the Holy Spirit am I able to go on day by day.  


Today's meditation, from Bob Hoekstra:



September 7


Once More on David and the Lord's Lovingkindness
How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life.  (Psa_36:7-9)
As we go further into these verses, David confesses to God another reason why he had such a yearning for the Lord's lovingkindness. "You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures." Those who are drawn to God's lovingkindness (desiring to face all of life on the basis of His loving commitment to His people) find a delightful spiritual river from which to drink by faith. 

This world is a dry place, spiritually speaking. As we saw previously, David understood this clearly. "O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water" (Psa_63:1). In this dry and barren world, David experienced much anguish. He served a king who wrongfully persecuted him. "Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him; and Saul was still more afraid of David. So Saul became David's enemy continually" (1Sa_18:28-29). 


David had a wife who mocked his love for God. "And as the ark of the LORD came into the City of David, Michal, Saul's daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart" (2 Samuel 6:16). 


He had a son who betrayed him. "Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate . . . Moreover Absalom would say, 'Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice' . . . So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel" (2Sa_15:2, 2Sa_15:4, 2Sa_15:6).  


In this barrenness of unfaithful relationships, David sought after the Lord earnestly. "I spread out my hands to You; My soul longs for You like a thirsty land" (Psa_143:6). In stark contrast to such heart-breaking, human disappointments, David found the Lord's lovingkindness to be like a satisfying river of spiritual delights. "You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures." He found the Lord to be an ever-flowing supply of true life. "For with You is the fountain of life." In the Lord's lovingkindness, David found loyal love, steadfast commitment, and abounding grace.

Dear Lord, my fountain of life, the world as been a dry and thirsty land for me as well. There has been opposition, rejection, and betrayal. Lord, I want to come to You day by day to drink by faith from the lovingkindness that You alone can pour forth, in Jesus name, Amen.




May you have a blessed day in the Lord's lovingkindness!

Tuesday Sep 6

Now the long span to Thanksgiving break, with a dash of Halloween in October.  Lot to get done and learn and do.  


How's your life going?  No matter who you are and what's going on, know that God loves you and has a reason for all that happens in your life.  Consider how you are living.  Are you an example of a true Christian?  Can some one look at you and your actions and say, "hey, that's a Christian"?   Consider today's meditation from James Ryle:



September 6


VIRTUE — A Cluster of Many Noble Things
"His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue." (2 Peter 1:3).
VIRTUE, in a word, is the character of Jesus Christ. It is the power of moral excellence which produces character so great, and conduct so becoming — that the world is never the same for having seen and experienced it.
We were called to Jesus by His glory and virtue — not just to behold and adore it; but to share in it. To become ourselves an extension of it in our sphere of influence. "The works that I do, you shall do," Jesus said, "and even greater works than these shall you do, for I go to My Father."
Imagine the impact upon this planet when the one Jesus of Nazareth becomes increasingly multiplied over and over in the millions of His followers all around the world. Why, a wave of virtue would sweep this globe in such measure that the glory of the Lord would cover the earth as waters cover the sea.
VIRTUE in not one thing; it is a cluster of many noble things. It is humility in victory; no gloating or taunting in the defeat of an opponent. It is silence in suffering; no whimpering or whining to others over the unfairness of our trials. It is generosity in wealth; no hoarding of great riches in excess of reason, while others suffer great excess of want.
Virtue is kindness in power; no cruelty and indifference to those who look to you for leadership. It is decisiveness in crisis; no waffling, or shifting, nor shirking of responsibilities. It is courage in battle; no cowering in fear while others take the hit.
Virtue is grace in greatness. May you in all things at all times be known as a virtuous person.


Jesus said, "Be careful what you are hearing. The measure of thought and study you give to the truth you hear will be the measure of virtue and knowledge that comes back to you—and more besides will be given to you who hear." (Mark 4:24, Amplified Bible)


I pray that you are filled with God's love and your life is full of love, peace, and happiness.

Monday Sep 5, Labor Day

A national holiday to honor the millions of laborers!  
God bless the honest, hardworking people around the world.  May their work be rewarded and the benefits shared with them.  


Today's meditation looks at Virtue, from James Ryle:



September 5


Whatever Happened to Virtue?
"For the righteous LORD loves justice. The virtuous will see His face." (Psalm 11:7, Living Bible)


Whatever happened to VIRTUE?
It's a word we don't often hear much anymore. It didn't use to be that way. A glance down the Hallway of History is illuminated with many great quotes regarding virtuous living. Here are but a few choice examples:
"Even in decline, a virtuous man increases the beauty of his behavior. A burning stick, though turned to the ground, yet has its flame drawn upwards." (Saskya Pandita, Tibetan Monk, 1120).
"When a virtuous man is raised, it brings gladness to his friends, grief to his enemies, and glory to his posterity." So said William Johnson, English Dramatist, 1572.
"No people can be great who have ceased to be virtuous." (Samuel Johnson, English poet 1750). Benjamin Franklin picked up on this and said, "There never was a truly great man that was not at the same time truly virtuous." (1780).
During the crisis of the Civil War, Frederick Douglas said, "The life of a nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous." (1865).
Somewhere along the way we shifted gears and covertly turned a cold shoulder to such notions. And now we are a Nation more given to Vice than to Virtue. How did this happen? Somewhere back there several years ago, a group of so-and-so's decided to do a social experiment, which was founded upon the faulty notion that Life and all things in it is better without God.
Business is better without God. Politics are better without God. Education is better without God. Sex is better without God. Money is better without God. Society is better without God. The Arts are better without God.
Such thinking is nonsense — and we now see the full fruit of these seeds in the dismal indifference which characterizes a society of non-virtuous people. Selfishness trumps self-sacrifice; personal interests take priority over the needs and concerns of others; petty arguments have replaced great debates — and this little piggy said, "ME, ME, ME," all the way home.
But God is moving among us even still. He is summoning a people who hunger for that which is virtuous. Maybe you are one of them, and your heart is being drawn to the higher and nobler things of God. If that be so, then let me leave you today with Paul's timeless counsel, and we'll talk more about this tomorrow.
"Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:8).

God bless us all!

Saturday September 3

First Saturday of September 2011... so much happening.  Even though it's nearly 90 outside here in Florida, there is a definite sense of changing of the seasons.  The weather will be nice for several more months as it slowly cools down and moves toward a southern autumn.  The football season has started, the new cars are coming out, the NFL will start this week, and life moves onto one of it's most energetic seasons, with Halloween next month, Thanksgiving, then Christmas and New Years.  Much to celebrate, enjoy and be thankful for as we move forward.


However, not everyone is enjoying the fruitful season.  We still have millions out of work, economy is stuck in the mud, still fighting two wars, although Iraq is mostly just a money sinkhole now and Afghanistan is supposed to be winding down.  Then what?  Who will finance the war machines and war industries?  More people out of work!


So the trials and tribulations of a great nation and its great peoples continues!  It seems hard to accept, but this is where we really need to see the "Hand of God".  Consider today's meditation and reflection from Bob Hoekstra:



September 3


David Confessing God as His Refuge
Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us . . . . You are my hiding place . . . You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.  (Psa_62:8 and Psa_32:7)


David often confessed God as his refuge. This is another indicator that he typically lived by the grace of God (that is, by trusting God to work on his behalf).  
The need or desire to find a refuge (a place of shelter or protection) is common among mankind. The storms of life can beat down relentlessly. Circumstantially, it can be as though Ezekiel's prophetic warning is being fulfilled toward us. "There will be flooding rain . . . great hailstones . . . and a stormy wind" (Eze_13:11). 
We long for a shelter. At other times, threats and dangers seem to lurk around every corner. Experientially, it can be as though we are reliving the trials of David. "The pangs of death encompassed me, And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid. The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me" (Psa_18:4-5). 
We long for a place of protection. David knew where to turn for refuge when troubles multiplied. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psa_46:1). Our place of shelter and protection is not a place, but a person. When troubles come, we can turn to Him. He is totally available to help us ("a very present help"). Whenever we exercise our trust in Him, whenever we pour our heart out to Him in prayer, we can enjoy the Lord as our refuge. "Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us."  
At other times, we are not looking so much for a refuge (a place of shelter or protection), we are seeking a hiding place (a secret solitude).  When this occurs, we easily identify with David's desire to flee. "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! For then I would fly away and be at rest. Indeed, I would wander far off, And remain in the wilderness" (Psa_55:6-7). Well, God has more good news for us. As David learned, the Lord is willing and able to be that hiding place. "You are my hiding place . . . You shall surround me with songs of deliverance." Whenever we turn to the Lord and allow Him to encompass us with songs of His delivering power, we can enjoy the Lord as our hiding place. Of course, one practical way to be surrounded by God's "songs of deliverance" is to spend time prayerfully reading in the book of Psalms. They are God's divinely inspired rescue songs.


Dear God, my refuge, I so often long to be sheltered and protected. I praise You that I can find that by running to You in prayer! Dear Lord, my hiding place, I frequently yearn to flee for a secret solitude. I rejoice that I can find that by allowing You to surround me by Your message of deliverance found in Your word!

Friday Sep 2

Second Friday of the school year.  Still working out the relationships and connections.  Getting settled and beginning to get things done.  Life is in transit, changes happening.  Family is in disarray with each child facing many challenges and difficulties.  Wife and I, well, divorced in all but name.  Guess we are staying together for the convenience and legal issues... too expensive and costly to go through the divorce proceedings.  Ah, changes...

Today's meditation addresses changes very nicely, from James Ryle:

September 2

Healthy Things Grow

"As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby." (1 Peter 2:2).

Here is a formula I developed some time ago, which many have found to be very helpful in assessing just where they are in this thing called spiritual growth. Perhaps you will find it useful in your life as well. It consists of seven simple facts, each one leading to the other in a natural and inevitable sequence of healthy growth.

Fact #1 — healthy things grow. This is a fact. If you want to be healthy, you are going to grow. This is true of many things; whether it be people, plants, businesses, marriages, churches, investments, or whatever — if it is healthy, it will grow.

Fact #2 — growing things change. This is how we know they are growing. They are different than when we last saw them.

Fact #3 — changing things challenge us. Mark Twain said, "The only person that likes change is a wet baby." Basically, we like things to stay the way we like them. We are creatures of habit and comfort, and so enjoy things to be left alone when we have them just the way we think they ought to be. When change happens, it presents us with challenge. The greater the change; the greater the challenge.

Fact #4 — challenging things force us to trust God. I mean, what else are you going to do — quit? Challenge requires that we trust God, especially when we are faced with something that seems to be more than we can handle. God knows your limits. He knows exactly where to apply the pressure to cause you to turn to Him in faith. What might be a test for someone else may be a walk in the park for you — and vice versa. It is not a test until it forces you to turn to God in simple trust.

Fact #5 — trust leads to obedience. The old Gospel song writer said it best, "Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey." If we truly trust the Lord, He will reveal His will to us; show us what to do. Thus, trust leads to obedience. The only question now is, will we obey?

Fact #6 — obedience makes us healthy. Jesus said, "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me. For My yoke is easy, and My burden light; and you shall find rest for your souls." When we obey the Lord, His joy floods our souls and His peace fills our lives. There is no rest for the wicked; but those who do God's will find their lives filled with blessing.

And Fact #7 — healthy things grow! Now we are back to where we started. That's how it works; it is the cycle of spiritual growth every child of God experiences. Even now you are somewhere in this cycle — that is, if you want to be healthy. 

Review these seven phases and consider where you are in the process. You'll end up in a good place, praising God for bringing you through it all.

Changes happen, I hope they happen for a good reason for you!  

Thursday Sep 1

Welcome Fall, welcome September.  Another cycle, another year, another time of holidays and celebrations.


If life seems to take a long time to get to where you want to go, consider today's meditation:



September 1


Right Was the Pathway Leading to This


"So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel." (Luke 1:80).


It was said of John the Baptist that "the child grew and became strong in spirit" ...while he was in the desert. And notice that his growth was primarily spiritual. No growth is complete that leaves out spiritual development.
I often heard Bill McCartney tell his football team, "The spiritual is to the physical as four is to one." By this he meant that a man with his spirit set right by God had far more going for him that a man with nothing but muscles. Take a guy who is physically fit and infuse him with the Holy Spirit — you have a formidable package! That's what John the Baptist was like.
Notice the scripture goes on to say of John, "He was in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel." Hmmm. I wonder if the Lord sometimes puts us in the desert in order to have us grow and become strong in spirit. It certainly would seem so, looking at John as an example.
A gem is not polished without rubbing, nor are godly men and women made without trials. Think about it. Haven't the greatest strides in your spiritual journey always come during times of significant difficulty and hardship? "Many men and women owe the grandeur of their lives to their tremendous difficulties." (C.H. Spurgeon).
John was in the desert until his showing forth unto Israel. Might not the same be true of you? This pattern certainly holds true for many of God's champions. Paul was himself in the desert for three years, and then sidelined in Antioch for fourteen years before the Lord brought him forth into his apostolic ministry.
Joseph endured the hostilities of false accusation and unjust imprisonment long before God exalted him in all of Egypt. Moses tended sheep for forty years before leading the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage and into history. David was faithful in the unseen and uncelebrated duties of ordinary labor, and there secretly slew a lion and a bear, long before God brought him out publicly to slay Goliath, and lead a Nation.
It seems clear enough that God uses the dry and desperate times in the desert to effect a spiritual maturity in our lives. Perhaps this short poem says it best for all of us,


Light after darkness, gain after loss;
Strength after weakness, crown after cross;
Sweet after bitter, hope after fears;
Home after wandering, praise after tears;
Sheaves after sowing, sun after rain;
Sight after mystery, peace after pain;
Joy after sorrow, calm after blast;
Rest after weariness, sweet rest at last;
Near after distant, gleam after gloom;
Love after loneliness, life after tomb;
After long agony, rapture of bliss;
Right was the pathway, leading to this.
— Francis Havergal