Tag Archives: kindness

Transitioning–The Gospel

21 Thursday Jun 2018

Posted by in A Father's Love, Devotions, spiritual warfare, wisdom, worship

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

It is time to transition out of the Old Testament and back into the New. Since we started looking at the names of God last fall, we have seen a very detailed profile of who God is, and how He was perceived by those that passionately sought him.  Still, with that rich history, the people of Israel continued to stray away from God and attempt to live lives that were independent of His love and leadership.  So, after  leading them to the promised land, establishing them as a nation, watching them push Him away as their leader and demand a king; God still loved them. Next, He attempted to place them in the hands of Godly kings–only to have the kings also reject him and try to lead the nation independent of him.

Finally, it was time to execute His promise from Genesis–send the Messiah. The people of Israel had been watching for Him for generations, the one that would finally deliver Israel from their enslavement and make them free.  The sad news was, that Israel still had no idea that the freedom they needed was not the freedom they sought. God sent Jesus to free them from sin and eternal separation from Him. He was restoring to them a life of purpose, and an eternity of completeness and joy.  The people, sadly, were still looking for a warrior king to make them great on the world stage and in the world’s eyes.  As we track through the book of Matthew, it is going to be amazing how God made clear that He was fulfilling the prophecies laid out throughout the Old Testament.

God had delivered on the promises to His people; all he had left to offer–was himself.  He loved us and as any loving father would, He did not spare even His own life  for those He loved! That is the Good News, That is the GOSPEL!

God Bless You

Romans 5:8 New International Version (NIV)

8 But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

 

Psalm 148–Let All Creation Praise The Lord

18 Monday Jun 2018

Posted by in A Father's Love, Creation, Devotions, wisdom, worship

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

As the book of Psalms is coming to an end, Psalm 148-150, all remind us that God is the center of the universe, not men. In Psalm 148, the psalmist literally cries out-“If God made you, then praise Him.” Whether the heavenly host, or the grandest creation–praise the God that created you. Whether you are a king or a pauper, praise the God that gave you life. Whether the most domestic of creatures, or the wildest of beasts-give God the praise He deserves.

Acknowledging God for who He is; is the single most important act we can do. It is important to thank God for what He has done for us, but, it is even more important to remember that God is God and we are not. We need to confess with our mouths that He is Lord! Then, we will gladly thank Him for what He has done. We will seek Him, and return if we walk away. We will ask for our needs and expect Him to provide, prepare and protect us in this chaotic journey. Amazingly simple, yet, exceedingly difficult–we must daily surrender the Lordship of our life to the Creator and Master of the universe–Our Father, God!!!

God Bless You

Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord from the heavens;
    praise him in the heights above.
2 Praise him, all his angels;
    praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
3 Praise him, sun and moon;
    praise him, all you shining stars.
4 Praise him, you highest heavens
    and you waters above the skies.

5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
    for at his command they were created,
6 and he established them for ever and ever—
    he issued a decree that will never pass away.

7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
    you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
    stormy winds that do his bidding,
9 you mountains and all hills,
    fruit trees and all cedars,
10 wild animals and all cattle,
    small creatures and flying birds,
11 kings of the earth and all nations,
    you princes and all rulers on earth,
12 young men and women,
    old men and children.

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
    for his name alone is exalted;
    his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
14 And he has raised up for his people a horn,[b]
    the praise of all his faithful servants,
    of Israel, the people close to his heart.

Praise the Lord.

Psalm 147–Why do We Praise Him?

15 Friday Jun 2018

Posted by in A Father's Love, Creation, Devotions, spiritual warfare, wisdom, worship

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

The psalmist answers the burning question on the mind of his readers–“Why are you so devoted to this God of Israel?” In a word, because God does it all. He created the Earth, He built a nation of priests to draw the world back to relationship with him. He gave his people the Law and a land that they could prosper and grow in. He gave them grace and mercy when they forsook him. While God allowed them to experience the independence from Him, and the exile that followed–He brought them back and restored them. He gave them the law–the basis of law all over the free world. Mostly, He sent his Son to restore what sin had so brutally ripped away.

Why do we praise God–see above. Without God and His handiwork, we would be dead and scattered. There would be no purpose, no hope and no reason to expect anything but pain and death. We would be atrocious and selfish; and the life we lived would have no meaning or purpose.  As with the psalmist–God has shown Himself faithful time and again.  He loves us and wants nothing more than for us to have a full and meaningful life here and eternity with Him in Heaven. That is clearly reason enough to praise Him. 

God Bless You

Praise the Lord.[a]

How good it is to sing praises to our God,
    how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
    he gathers the exiles of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted
    and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars
    and calls them each by name.
5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
    his understanding has no limit.
6 The Lord sustains the humble
    but casts the wicked to the ground.

7 Sing to the Lord with grateful praise;
    make music to our God on the harp.

8 He covers the sky with clouds;
    he supplies the earth with rain
    and makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He provides food for the cattle
    and for the young ravens when they call.

10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
    nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;
11 the Lord delights in those who fear him,
    who put their hope in his unfailing love.

12 Extol the Lord, Jerusalem;
    praise your God, Zion.

13 He strengthens the bars of your gates
    and blesses your people within you.
14 He grants peace to your borders
    and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.

15 He sends his command to the earth;
    his word runs swiftly.
16 He spreads the snow like wool
    and scatters the frost like ashes.
17 He hurls down his hail like pebbles.
    Who can withstand his icy blast?
18 He sends his word and melts them;
    he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.

19 He has revealed his word to Jacob,
    his laws and decrees to Israel.
20 He has done this for no other nation;
    they do not know his laws.[b]

Praise the Lord.

Psalm 143–Thanks For Listening

08 Friday Jun 2018

Posted by in A Father's Love, Creation, Devotions, spiritual warfare, worship

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

David was definitely having a week.  As he was writing this psalm, one can hear the desperation. Saul was hunting him like a vile traitor, he had disparaged him to the kingdom and swore to wipe him off the planet. David was on the run, hiding and hoping to see each day’s new sunrise.  In the midst of that scenario, David knew he needed God and his presence like his body needed water.

Dehydration kills people so much more quickly than does starvation. Our body simply shuts down without fluids. What is worse, being thirsty is not always the symptom–confusion, lethargy, hunger and stomach sickness are often the signs.  Spiritually, David feared the same. He was afraid that without God’s presence he would grow faint and die. God was not a convenience–no he was the most vital life force for the beloved king.

We should seek that level of relationship with our Lord.  Depending upon God for the very essence of our spiritual life–that is what He is willing to be. God was never about doing religious acts. God has repeatedly reminded His chosen–that He only wants us to trust Him and allow Him to transform our lives into something amazing. God leads, God builds and God completes us–we simply have to allow the spiritual hydration.  Without Him we remain dry and confused doomed to spiritually dehydrate. But, do not worry, God is listening and ready to quench our spiritual thirst!

God Bless You

Lord, hear my prayer,
    listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
    come to my relief.
2 Do not bring your servant into judgment,
    for no one living is righteous before you.
3 The enemy pursues me,
    he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in the darkness
    like those long dead.
4 So my spirit grows faint within me;
    my heart within me is dismayed.
5 I remember the days of long ago;
    I meditate on all your works
    and consider what your hands have done.
6 I spread out my hands to you;
    I thirst for you like a parched land.[a]

7 Answer me quickly, Lord;
    my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
    or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
    for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
    for to you I entrust my life.
9 Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,
    for I hide myself in you.
10 Teach me to do your will,
    for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
    lead me on level ground.

11 For your name’s sake, Lord, preserve my life;
    in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
    destroy all my foes,
    for I am your servant

Psalm 125–God’s People Will Endure

14 Monday May 2018

Posted by in A Father's Love, Devotions, Holiness, spiritual warfare, wisdom, worship

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Things are not always as they first appear.  We live in a world where the church remains under fire and the people ​that are doing all manner of evil seem to hold all the cards and carry the day. The Psalmist faced the same frustration. David followed God closely and for years lived in a cave hiding from a King that God took his hand from. The other kingdoms that surrounded and attacked Israel worshiped all manner of god’s and idols. Still, they were forever capturing and enslaving God’s people.

The psalmist kindly reminds us that God’s people, no matter the appearance, will last as others fade away. Our lives are eternal, his kingdom is eternal and his provision, protection and preparation is eternal. There are surely trials, temptations and detours along the path in this journey–but, we cling to the same hope as the psalmist–we are unshakable, unbreakable and unstoppable as God’s kids. Like the psalmist, we must cling to the hope of glory and the truth of God’s promise–it is there where we can find the peace and direction to withstand any storm.

God Bless You

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,

which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people
both now and forevermore.

3 The scepter of the wicked will not remain
over the land allotted to the righteous,
for then the righteous might use
their hands to do evil.

4 Lord, do good to those who are good,
to those who are upright in heart.
5 But those who turn to crooked ways
the Lord will banish with the evildoers.

Peace be on Israel.

Psalm 115–Not to US

23 Monday Apr 2018

Posted by in A Father's Love, Devotions, Holiness, spiritual warfare, wisdom, worship

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

The shortest psalm gives the greatest message–not Long, not  complex but as poignant and real a message to God and to his chosen.  There is nothing we could do, no one we can be, nowhere we can live that would ever overshadow the greatness of our God! His love and faithfulness commands our reverence, his grace our praise.  We deserve death, hell and a life of emptiness–through him we receive a life of peace, purpose, provision and power!
He is the GREAT I AM. He does not need our praise or devotion, but he gives us a life ad a purpose that makes our hearts burst with that praise and devotion.  Thank You Lord for your love and faithfulness.  Theu will make me ever devoted, always grateful and praising your name forever!
God Bless You
  1. Not to us, Lord, not to us

    but to your name be the glory,
    because of your love and faithfulness.

Psalm 109–God is Our Vindicator

13 Friday Apr 2018

Posted by in A Father's Love, devotion, Devotions, Holiness, spiritual warfare, wisdom, worship

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

One of the hard lessons in life we all learn, is that mean people, do mean things, even when we are nice. Each of us have encountered those that lie, cheat, abuse, accuse, berate, frustrate and seek to end our friendships, our reputations and even our lives–if possible.  They have no other reason to do so–other than “that they can.”

In recounting the life of David, he had several people like that. Saul, Absalom, Doeg, Ahithophel and many other enemies had one goal–to find, destroy and ultimately kill God’s dear friend. They didn’t have real cause to harm him, except for their personal gain realized from David’s demise. So David, a man after God’s own heart–went to his knees; and, took the task of vindication to the same God that had taken on all his other battles.

David had no where else to go! He was, at various points–hiding in caves, running for his very life, leaving his palace, or hiding in enemy territory. He did not have a local advocate, a media outlet or a 1-800 number to call for relief–He ONLY HAD the creator of the universe!!! History tells us that was all he needed. God did vindicate David. He prepared, protected and provided all David needed to be the greatest king in Israel.

He provides those same resources for us! We have no better outlet or resource for our preservation and vindication; than God Almighty. Life and those in our lives throw curve balls intended to up-end and destroy us. We want so badly to retaliate and avenge our wrongs. David reminds us that we need to look to our Father in Heaven for all things–even vindication–because, God can and will do it better than anybody else!

God Bless You

My God, whom I praise,
do not remain silent,
2 for people who are wicked and deceitful
have opened their mouths against me;
they have spoken against me with lying tongues.
3 With words of hatred they surround me;
they attack me without cause.
4 In return for my friendship they accuse me,
but I am a man of prayer.
5 They repay me evil for good,
and hatred for my friendship…

Help me, Lord my God;
save me according to your unfailing love.
27 Let them know that it is your hand,
that you, Lord, have done it.
28 While they curse, may you bless;
may those who attack me be put to shame,
but may your servant rejoice.
29 May my accusers be clothed with disgrace
and wrapped in shame as in a cloak.

30 With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord;
in the great throng of worshipers I will praise him.
31 For he stands at the right hand of the needy,
to save their lives from those who would condemn them.

Psalm 108–God is Our Victory

12 Thursday Apr 2018

Posted by in A Father's Love, Creation, Devotions, Holiness, spiritual warfare, wisdom, worship

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It really did not matter the circumstance–David knew God was Israel’s only chance for freedom.  During the first part of his reign as King, he fought the Edomites, the Philistines, and several other groups that had creeped back into Israel.  Israel, while strong, was never victorious without God at their side.

Conversely, Israel was never defeated when God led the battle.  As King, David had the gift of being in tune with God and having God’s spirit

 lead him.  So, when David walked away–it could impact the entire nation.  David was giving God the due praise for leading Israel to victory and the acknowledgement that apart from God–Israel could do nothing.

In our lives, we also have the spirit of God to lead, guide and comfort us. Like David, when we are walking with him–we can enjoy hos presence and victory.  But, like David–apart from him, we can do nothing.  It makes the decision easy–follow and submit. Solomon, in Proverbs 3:5-6 said it best, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways–and he will make your path straight.”

God Bless You

 

My heart, O God, is steadfast;
    I will sing and make music with all my soul.
2 Awake, harp and lyre!
    I will awaken the dawn.
3 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
    I will sing of you among the peoples.
4 For great is your love, higher than the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
    let your glory be over all the earth.

6 Save us and help us with your right hand,
    that those you love may be delivered.
7 God has spoken from his sanctuary:
    “In triumph I will parcel out Shechem
    and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth.
8 Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine;
    Ephraim is my helmet,
    Judah is my scepter.
9 Moab is my washbasin,
    on Edom I toss my sandal;
    over Philistia I shout in triumph.”

10 Who will bring me to the fortified city?
    Who will lead me to Edom?
11 Is it not you, God, you who have rejected us
    and no longer go out with our armies?
12 Give us aid against the enemy,
    for human help is worthless.
13 With God we will gain the victory,
    and he will trample down our enemies.

Psalms 104–God Works!!!

06 Friday Apr 2018

Posted by in A Father's Love, Creation, Devotions, Holiness, wisdom, worship

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,

God works! Throughout the Psalms, the psalmists have praised God for who he is, for what he has done in their lives and the lives of his chosen people Israel. In Psalms 104, the writer acknowledges God’s work of creation. It is no small wonder–this universe, that God has created. From the smallest particle, to the most distant galaxy, one can see God’s signature everywhere.  The universe is so vast, that there are stars we see–whose light has been traveling here since the time of Moses. There are particles so small that we only know that they are there because we can see their end product.

We see God’s hand in the lives of people. How we become selfless in crisis, how we love our children unconditionally. We see his order shine in the midst of chaos.  God worked hard to create a place of wonder, and create us in his spiritual image. Still, men do all they can as a race of people, to discount His very existence and impact in their lives.

Still, God’s wonders appear in grass, in lives, in planets and in the hearts of those that trust him. He takes wicked murderers like David, Moses and Paul and turns them into the greatest men of God. He uses lovely, but timid ladies like Naomi, Ruth or Esther; and through them, changes the world. He works through us as well. 

Each kind word, selfless deed and introduction to strangers–is another miracle from his hand. We never know what an impact he has through us, by our simple availability. God works–around us, through us and sadly even sometimes despite us! Help me Father to be available, and useful to show the handiwork you have created.

God Bless You

my soul!

    O Lord my God, you are very great!
You are clothed with splendor and majesty,
2     covering yourself with light as with a garment,
    stretching out the heavens like a tent.
3 He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters;
he makes the clouds his chariot;
    he rides on the wings of the wind;
4 he makes his messengers winds,
    his ministers a flaming fire.

5 He set the earth on its foundations,
    so that it should never be moved.
6 You covered it with the deep as with a garment;
    the waters stood above the mountains.
7 At your rebuke they fled;
    at the sound of your thunder they took to flight.
8 The mountains rose, the valleys sank down
    to the place that you appointed for them.
9 You set a boundary that they may not pass,
    so that they might not again cover the earth.

10 You make springs gush forth in the valleys;
    they flow between the hills;
11 they give drink to every beast of the field;
    the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell;
    they sing among the branches.
13 From your lofty abode you water the mountains;
    the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.

14 You cause the grass to grow for the livestock
    and plants for man to cultivate,
that he may bring forth food from the earth
15     and wine to gladden the heart of man,
oil to make his face shine
    and bread to strengthen man’s heart.

Psalm 100–How To Enter God’s Presence

02 Monday Apr 2018

Posted by in A Father's Love, Creation, Devotions, Holiness, worship

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In this age of identity protection, it seems like there is a need to have a password to go anywhere or do anything.  What is my user ID, What is my password…Well, to enter into the presence of God, the user ID is Jesus and the password is “Thank You”.  As the psalmist saw it, we are to come into God’s presence with a grateful heart and worshipful mindset.  

To be in the worshipful mindset, we need to understand Who God; is and who we are in him.  He is God-our Creator, our Master and Lord. But, He is also Father, Shepherd, and Savior.  God is our Provider, Healer, Shelter and Guide.  He is God.  We should come into His presence humbly, gratefully and joyfully.  When we do, we should be singing praises, giving thanks and expecting to be received with open arms. 

There is no mystery about who God is. There is no reason we cannot enter His presence each day. That is where we should be. We simply need to do so with the right spirit and the right heart–We simply need to know He is God, and that He is glad to see us!!

God Bless You

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
2     Serve the Lord with gladness!
    Come into his presence with singing!

3 Know that the Lord, he is God!
    It is he who made us, and we are his;[a]
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
    and his courts with praise!
    Give thanks to him; bless his name!

5 For the Lord is good;
    his steadfast love endures forever,
    and his faithfulness to all generations.