'Revive us, and we will call upon Your name. O LORD God of hosts, Restore us;
Cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved.'
(Psalm 80:18-19)
REVIVE us, O Lord God…for we are languishing in a quagmire of worldly confusion; living in a time where the truth is ignored and cast aside; the once solid foundations are crumbling before us; persecution increases around us; deception and lies and distortion rule the day; the gods of this earth have been heralded and put on display; self is elevated above even You, Lord; and the peoples' hearts truly are exceedingly wicked.
RESTORE us, O Lord God…so that we might stand firm in Your truth; that our devotion to You would be affirmed; that we would be exhorted and encouraged to fight the good fight of faith; that the joy of Your salvation would come alive in our lives; and that our love for You would be made manifest in all that we do; Holy Spirit fill us each day until we overflow with Your grace and Your truth.
And upon Your reviving and restoring us Lord Jesus,
As we humble ourselves and abide in You,
Your witnesses to this lost world we shall be.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
they shall one day discover...
For behold, Your enemies make an uproar, And those who hate You have exalted themselves.
They make shrewd plans against Your people, And conspire together against Your treasured ones.
They have said, "Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, That the name of Israel be remembered no more." For they have conspired together with one mind; Against You they make a covenant…
(Psalm 83:2-5)
The battle has been the same since days of old…this is nothing new, not even in our day. We have even heard in our times this refrain from those who follow the god whose goal is death and destruction - "Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more." The forces that are out to eliminate the one true God from the land of the living are still conspiring.
The enemy that is out to destroy God's people still makes shrewd plans against them. The enemy of our soul, the devil, is hard at work seeking to kill and destroy those whom he may. The battle wages on in the heavenlies and plays out in the affairs of our world. A growing number of nations in our world make covenants against the Lord and His people and this is reflected in the growing persecution as well as the increasingly persuasive agenda that is being pushed to remove God's truth from all facets of daily life.
May we, as believers in the living Lord, take heed and stand strong and firm in the knowledge that God is on His throne, the Lord Jesus is at His right hand and the Holy Spirit is dwelling within us leading us to all truth….
And that they (those who are His enemies) will one day discover that He alone, whose name is the LORD, is the Most High over all the earth.
They make shrewd plans against Your people, And conspire together against Your treasured ones.
They have said, "Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, That the name of Israel be remembered no more." For they have conspired together with one mind; Against You they make a covenant…
(Psalm 83:2-5)
The battle has been the same since days of old…this is nothing new, not even in our day. We have even heard in our times this refrain from those who follow the god whose goal is death and destruction - "Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more." The forces that are out to eliminate the one true God from the land of the living are still conspiring.
The enemy that is out to destroy God's people still makes shrewd plans against them. The enemy of our soul, the devil, is hard at work seeking to kill and destroy those whom he may. The battle wages on in the heavenlies and plays out in the affairs of our world. A growing number of nations in our world make covenants against the Lord and His people and this is reflected in the growing persecution as well as the increasingly persuasive agenda that is being pushed to remove God's truth from all facets of daily life.
May we, as believers in the living Lord, take heed and stand strong and firm in the knowledge that God is on His throne, the Lord Jesus is at His right hand and the Holy Spirit is dwelling within us leading us to all truth….
And that they (those who are His enemies) will one day discover that He alone, whose name is the LORD, is the Most High over all the earth.
Friday, June 11, 2010
body, soul and mind
"YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND" [Luke 10:27]
We have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb - body, soul (spirit) and mind. And our spiritual redemption (our new heart) is assured for those who believe by faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But what about the body and the mind? Where do they fit into the equation in today's world?
Jesus did a complete work when He sacrificed Himself on that cross. It wasn't an installment plan where there was more that needed to be done for our redemption. When He cried out from the cross "it is finished" and the veil was torn in half from top to bottom the price was paid in full - no other work was needed. And just as He was raised to new life, we too are raised to new life when we are born again from above - body, soul and mind. We are even called a 'new creation' after we have tasted of the salvation which God in His mercy has provided for those who believe.
So, why do we in our day seem to neglect the body and the mind in our redemption? We are called to live our lives (body, soul and mind) as a pleasing sacrifice, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, abiding in Him in ALL that we do - body, soul and mind. Honoring the Lord with our body, soul and mind (everything that we do, say and think) should be the desire of our heart.
Joyously feasting upon His Word, standing steadfast in His truth, willingly following His leading, patiently waiting upon Him, attentively listening to His still small voice, ever abiding in Him who directs our path, not being conformed to this world and offering Him praise and thanksgiving in ALL things…
Our sights fixed, our focus directed, our minds engaged, our thoughts held captive… this is our call today - a child of the living God - body, soul and mind.
We have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb - body, soul (spirit) and mind. And our spiritual redemption (our new heart) is assured for those who believe by faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But what about the body and the mind? Where do they fit into the equation in today's world?
Jesus did a complete work when He sacrificed Himself on that cross. It wasn't an installment plan where there was more that needed to be done for our redemption. When He cried out from the cross "it is finished" and the veil was torn in half from top to bottom the price was paid in full - no other work was needed. And just as He was raised to new life, we too are raised to new life when we are born again from above - body, soul and mind. We are even called a 'new creation' after we have tasted of the salvation which God in His mercy has provided for those who believe.
So, why do we in our day seem to neglect the body and the mind in our redemption? We are called to live our lives (body, soul and mind) as a pleasing sacrifice, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, abiding in Him in ALL that we do - body, soul and mind. Honoring the Lord with our body, soul and mind (everything that we do, say and think) should be the desire of our heart.
Joyously feasting upon His Word, standing steadfast in His truth, willingly following His leading, patiently waiting upon Him, attentively listening to His still small voice, ever abiding in Him who directs our path, not being conformed to this world and offering Him praise and thanksgiving in ALL things…
Our sights fixed, our focus directed, our minds engaged, our thoughts held captive… this is our call today - a child of the living God - body, soul and mind.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Faith in action
Faith in action (works) means - fearing the Lord and trusting completely in Him while obeying His call upon our lives. Any other actions (works) that we do become just wood, hay and stubble and have no heavenly value. We can bear no heavenly fruit without abiding (fearing, trusting, obeying) in Him.
Looking at Abraham, as an example, what he did when the Lord God called him -
Abraham feared the Lord.
Abraham immediately responded to God saying "Here I am" and "now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me".
Abraham trusted completely in the Lord.
Abraham trusted in God for he said "I and the lad will go over there and we will worship and return to you' and "God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering".
Abraham obeyed the Lord.
After God had given him the call Abraham immediately responded - he 'rose early in the morning…arose and went to the place of which God had told him" and he 'bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar' and he 'stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son'.
God said to Abraham "In you seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice".
(Genesis chapter 22)
So how does our 'faith in action' measure up -
Do we fear the Lord God Almighty?
(do we have an awe and a reverence for Him, do we honor Him as creator and redeemer God, do we worship Him and glorify His name, do we bless Him for who He is, do we praise His Holy name, do we tremble at His presence, do we prostrate ourselves when we come before His throne)
Do we trust Him completely?
(in all aspects of our lives [that He is the provider, sustainer, redeemer, full of grace and mercy and loving-kindness, righteous, a mighty fortress, deliverer, protector, healer, all-knowing, all powerful, everlasting], when the world says we are foolish for believing the truth of God, when it looks like there is no hope or future, when we are placed into a situation that seems impossible to resolve, when the enemy comes in like a flood against us)
Do we obey His voice and His call upon our lives?
(in everything that He has called us to do, when He has called us to do it - even the little things, even if it is to wait on Him, even if it is not what we want to hear, even if we think that it is too difficult or not worthwhile in our minds, even if it is outside of our comfort zone, even if it is to love the unlovable)
Looking at Abraham, as an example, what he did when the Lord God called him -
Abraham feared the Lord.
Abraham immediately responded to God saying "Here I am" and "now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me".
Abraham trusted completely in the Lord.
Abraham trusted in God for he said "I and the lad will go over there and we will worship and return to you' and "God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering".
Abraham obeyed the Lord.
After God had given him the call Abraham immediately responded - he 'rose early in the morning…arose and went to the place of which God had told him" and he 'bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar' and he 'stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son'.
God said to Abraham "In you seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice".
(Genesis chapter 22)
So how does our 'faith in action' measure up -
Do we fear the Lord God Almighty?
(do we have an awe and a reverence for Him, do we honor Him as creator and redeemer God, do we worship Him and glorify His name, do we bless Him for who He is, do we praise His Holy name, do we tremble at His presence, do we prostrate ourselves when we come before His throne)
Do we trust Him completely?
(in all aspects of our lives [that He is the provider, sustainer, redeemer, full of grace and mercy and loving-kindness, righteous, a mighty fortress, deliverer, protector, healer, all-knowing, all powerful, everlasting], when the world says we are foolish for believing the truth of God, when it looks like there is no hope or future, when we are placed into a situation that seems impossible to resolve, when the enemy comes in like a flood against us)
Do we obey His voice and His call upon our lives?
(in everything that He has called us to do, when He has called us to do it - even the little things, even if it is to wait on Him, even if it is not what we want to hear, even if we think that it is too difficult or not worthwhile in our minds, even if it is outside of our comfort zone, even if it is to love the unlovable)
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Abide and appoint
He will abide before God forever;
Appoint lovingkindness and truth that they may preserve him.
So I will sing praise to Your name forever…
(Psalm 61:7-8)
Lord, may it be the yearning of our hearts that -
1) we shall abide before You forever and
2) You appoint lovingkindness and truth that they might preserve us all the days of our life.
For if we do not abide in You there can be no life, no fruit, no grace, no truth in our life upon this earth.
And without Your Spirit filling us with Your lovingkindness and Your truth we shall be as wood, hay and stubble…of no earthly good for the glory of Your heavenly kingdom.
Appoint lovingkindness and truth that they may preserve him.
So I will sing praise to Your name forever…
(Psalm 61:7-8)
Lord, may it be the yearning of our hearts that -
1) we shall abide before You forever and
2) You appoint lovingkindness and truth that they might preserve us all the days of our life.
For if we do not abide in You there can be no life, no fruit, no grace, no truth in our life upon this earth.
And without Your Spirit filling us with Your lovingkindness and Your truth we shall be as wood, hay and stubble…of no earthly good for the glory of Your heavenly kingdom.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Hope for your future
"There is hope for your future" declares the LORD"
(Jeremiah 31:17)
Do you have hope? If so, what is your hope based upon? Or said another way, where do you find your hope?
In our current day I am sure there are many who are asking the question "where is my hope? what hope?"
It all seems so hopeless! The very weak economy, global economic chaos, threats of continued terrorism, disrespect for the law, selfishness abounding, earthquakes, volcanoes, tornados, flooding - a lot of stressful stuff happening all at the same time! We can get so bogged down and stressed up in the 'stuff of the day' that we don't look beyond our current circumstances to the One who is in control of ALL THINGS…
I know that I for one am guilty of this. There seems to be so much more to be stressed about these days - is it me or is it the times? Getting 'caught up' in the controversial sound bite of the day can get you off the narrow path and lead you astray down the path of hopelessness - you end up in the struggle that is the wisdom of the world. Don't bite!
May our focus be continually on the One who knows the future, on the One who is our hope.
We are and always have been in a struggle and this struggle is not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers that wage war against the flesh. We must be resilient and totally reliant upon the Holy Spirit to take our stand in this battle - and battle we must. Although the enemy appears to be more intense at this time in our lives, the battle is still the same, the weapons of warfare are still the same, our call to stand firm in His truth is still the same and the final outcome, which is our victory, is still the same - let us stand firm in it!
Let not the struggles and hopelessness of this world lead us down a path that takes our eyes off the HOPE that is within us for that is what the enemy wants for us - to believe that there is no hope, no future…
Our hope and our future is certain in Christ Jesus - bite on that!
(Jeremiah 31:17)
Do you have hope? If so, what is your hope based upon? Or said another way, where do you find your hope?
In our current day I am sure there are many who are asking the question "where is my hope? what hope?"
It all seems so hopeless! The very weak economy, global economic chaos, threats of continued terrorism, disrespect for the law, selfishness abounding, earthquakes, volcanoes, tornados, flooding - a lot of stressful stuff happening all at the same time! We can get so bogged down and stressed up in the 'stuff of the day' that we don't look beyond our current circumstances to the One who is in control of ALL THINGS…
I know that I for one am guilty of this. There seems to be so much more to be stressed about these days - is it me or is it the times? Getting 'caught up' in the controversial sound bite of the day can get you off the narrow path and lead you astray down the path of hopelessness - you end up in the struggle that is the wisdom of the world. Don't bite!
May our focus be continually on the One who knows the future, on the One who is our hope.
We are and always have been in a struggle and this struggle is not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers that wage war against the flesh. We must be resilient and totally reliant upon the Holy Spirit to take our stand in this battle - and battle we must. Although the enemy appears to be more intense at this time in our lives, the battle is still the same, the weapons of warfare are still the same, our call to stand firm in His truth is still the same and the final outcome, which is our victory, is still the same - let us stand firm in it!
Let not the struggles and hopelessness of this world lead us down a path that takes our eyes off the HOPE that is within us for that is what the enemy wants for us - to believe that there is no hope, no future…
Our hope and our future is certain in Christ Jesus - bite on that!
Friday, May 14, 2010
the righteous man
'The righteous man will be glad in the LORD and will take refuge in Him'
(Psalm 64:10)
As we proceed through these times of angst and concern for the future, where the stress and pain of a poor economic environment has gripped many, where the liberties and freedoms that we have taken for granted for so long are slowly being eroded away - we still serve a living, loving and all-knowing Lord.
We live in the temporal and the events of the temporal directly affect the daily grind that we call life. The struggles of the life in the flesh, though they be many and often difficult, are still but for a moment in the light of eternity.
Yet, we are also called to live in the spiritual as born again believers in the living Lord. And it is in the spiritual that we see the hand of God working in, around and through us to work out His plan for this lost and dying world (a plan that was written before the foundations of the world). Might we see through the 'eyes of faith' knowing and believing that our Lord is truly in control of all things, resting in Him as we face the daunting task that is living life in this temporal world.
True believers in all ages have faced trials, tribulations and even persecution for their faith in God and yet the answer is still the same today as it has been throughout history - the righteous man will be glad in the Lord and will take refuge in Him.
Christ is our righteousness - Christ is our refuge…
Our hope, He is our redeemer
Our strength, He is our power
Our provision, He is our provider
Our life, He is our sustainer
(Psalm 64:10)
As we proceed through these times of angst and concern for the future, where the stress and pain of a poor economic environment has gripped many, where the liberties and freedoms that we have taken for granted for so long are slowly being eroded away - we still serve a living, loving and all-knowing Lord.
We live in the temporal and the events of the temporal directly affect the daily grind that we call life. The struggles of the life in the flesh, though they be many and often difficult, are still but for a moment in the light of eternity.
Yet, we are also called to live in the spiritual as born again believers in the living Lord. And it is in the spiritual that we see the hand of God working in, around and through us to work out His plan for this lost and dying world (a plan that was written before the foundations of the world). Might we see through the 'eyes of faith' knowing and believing that our Lord is truly in control of all things, resting in Him as we face the daunting task that is living life in this temporal world.
True believers in all ages have faced trials, tribulations and even persecution for their faith in God and yet the answer is still the same today as it has been throughout history - the righteous man will be glad in the Lord and will take refuge in Him.
Christ is our righteousness - Christ is our refuge…
Our hope, He is our redeemer
Our strength, He is our power
Our provision, He is our provider
Our life, He is our sustainer
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