Psalms 130:6
My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning:
I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
Can you see the people of Israel camped around the tabernacle? Each in the divisions of tribes camped out... three on the west, three on the east, three on the north and three on the south. The night has engulfed them, and all but the fire of God is burning over the holy of holies. They look on in wonder and somewhat fear. That holy fire of God representing the presence of their holy God. But in that night, that is not the only fire that they visibly see. A fire toward the entrance of the gates is seen. It is the fire of the brazen altar. One that continually burned in judgment toward sin.
I can see the Israelite children as parents tucked them into their sandy, wilderness beds. The glow of the presence and judgment of God looming across the ceiling of their earthly tents. Steadily, the fire of the altar is burning as the family falls to sleep hoping for the morning to rise. Over night the fire of the altar dwindles down. All that is left before the night finally falls are embers and a small flame or two.
As the day begins to break, the priest and levites have made their way to their tabernacle duties. One begins to stoke the fire at the brazen altar while the others trim the wicks, check the bread, offer the incense upon the golden altar. Then the morning sacrifice is placed on the brazen altar and the fire laps up the flesh, signifying judgment of sin being atoned by the blood of a sacrifice. The morning wind begins to blow....
As the sun rises, the families are waking up and coming out of their tents to help the tribe. The wind blows in the smell of the sacrifice on the altar. "What's that smell dad?" says one of the children. A dad turns with tears and says, "That's God's mercy son." Oh what joy to know that the lamb had taken their place. Although the judgment seemed to loom over their heads during the night, when the day broke in the morning they found out that God was merciful, forgiving, and graceful!
My soul will wait for you Lord! More than those that wait for the morning! This world may get dark. Judgment may seem as if it is looming over me but the Lamb has taken my place! My sins are gone and I could wake up tomorrow to the daybreak of my first day in Heaven. I'll wait!
Thursday, September 7, 2017
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
That Cat Was Getting It...
Romans 12:21
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
I know you may think I'm crazy, but then again there wouldn't be much change in your view of me. While I was driving my morning school bus route the other day I saw something that I really needed to see. I love how God reveals Himself in everything. Sometimes we don't see it because we don't have our eyes open or looking for Him.
When I pulled up at a routine home, I saw a big, fat, white dog. I've seen this dog on numerous morning routes. I know the owner and also know that she is eating well. She is an outside dog with an inside home life. So needless to say, she lacks for nothing and fetches the same (hahaha). On this morning things were much different when I pulled up. See a black cat had pranced across the yard of this dog. In just one glimpse, this dog was getting it! She took off after that black cat in a blink of an eye. Now this cat knew her prancing days were over and she better do something quick. That cat was gone! It jumped up in the air, then ran down the side of that brick home. It was out of that yard!
As I saw this I couldn't help but laugh. Then God nudged my heart. I began to cry and pray, "Lord, let that be me! Do that same thing for me! When my flesh prances itself in my life, please let your Spirit in me be strong and well fed so that it runs that fleshly desire away." Our scripture tells us this morning how we can feed the white dog (Holy Spirit) enough to run off the old black cat (flesh). Don't be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.
You know what? I'm sure that old black cat will come back someday. But I guarantee you that it won't be so prissy and prance across the lawn this time. Because that white dog will be waiting and maybe, just maybe this time he will be fed enough to catch him.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
I know you may think I'm crazy, but then again there wouldn't be much change in your view of me. While I was driving my morning school bus route the other day I saw something that I really needed to see. I love how God reveals Himself in everything. Sometimes we don't see it because we don't have our eyes open or looking for Him.
When I pulled up at a routine home, I saw a big, fat, white dog. I've seen this dog on numerous morning routes. I know the owner and also know that she is eating well. She is an outside dog with an inside home life. So needless to say, she lacks for nothing and fetches the same (hahaha). On this morning things were much different when I pulled up. See a black cat had pranced across the yard of this dog. In just one glimpse, this dog was getting it! She took off after that black cat in a blink of an eye. Now this cat knew her prancing days were over and she better do something quick. That cat was gone! It jumped up in the air, then ran down the side of that brick home. It was out of that yard!
As I saw this I couldn't help but laugh. Then God nudged my heart. I began to cry and pray, "Lord, let that be me! Do that same thing for me! When my flesh prances itself in my life, please let your Spirit in me be strong and well fed so that it runs that fleshly desire away." Our scripture tells us this morning how we can feed the white dog (Holy Spirit) enough to run off the old black cat (flesh). Don't be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.
You know what? I'm sure that old black cat will come back someday. But I guarantee you that it won't be so prissy and prance across the lawn this time. Because that white dog will be waiting and maybe, just maybe this time he will be fed enough to catch him.
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
Stayed A Little Too Long
2 Samuel 11:1
And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
Some people for years have taught that David's sin was committing adultery with Bathsheba. But long before he saw her in the bathtub he committed sin. It seems this sin is so common that it is now no longer viewed as sin at all. It's the sin of laziness, which in the case of David in this scripture, and in our case as well, was disobedience.
Can laziness be a sin? Yes! Now before you think I'm talking about sleeping in on a Saturday morning, I am not. According to scripture, laziness is the greatest downfall. Most every sin is hatched from laziness and carelessness.
David was a man of war. God had called and used David to defeat many people and countries in the name of the Lord. He was supposed to be there at war when the kings went forth to battle but David thought that he should take ease. So Joab and some servants were sent in his place. While they were winning the battle on the field of war, David was not so victorious. His tarrying at Jerusalem brought a wondering mind upon him. This is when he discovered Bathsheba. Now, had he gone to war this would have been avoided. Had he obeyed God and been the man God called him to be this wouldn't have happened. As much as David could have said, "The devil made me do it... She shouldn't have been bathing where I could see her... Uriah shouldn't have married such a beautiful woman..." he couldn't. It was his disobedience and laziness that brought this upon him.
Are you hanging around someone or holding on to something that you should let go of? Don't be lazy and think, "Oh, I've got plenty of time and it's really no big deal they don't need me today." Get away from it! Get rid of it! Confess your sin unto Him today. Even if you think it's the smallest thing, it's really not.
And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
Some people for years have taught that David's sin was committing adultery with Bathsheba. But long before he saw her in the bathtub he committed sin. It seems this sin is so common that it is now no longer viewed as sin at all. It's the sin of laziness, which in the case of David in this scripture, and in our case as well, was disobedience.
Can laziness be a sin? Yes! Now before you think I'm talking about sleeping in on a Saturday morning, I am not. According to scripture, laziness is the greatest downfall. Most every sin is hatched from laziness and carelessness.
David was a man of war. God had called and used David to defeat many people and countries in the name of the Lord. He was supposed to be there at war when the kings went forth to battle but David thought that he should take ease. So Joab and some servants were sent in his place. While they were winning the battle on the field of war, David was not so victorious. His tarrying at Jerusalem brought a wondering mind upon him. This is when he discovered Bathsheba. Now, had he gone to war this would have been avoided. Had he obeyed God and been the man God called him to be this wouldn't have happened. As much as David could have said, "The devil made me do it... She shouldn't have been bathing where I could see her... Uriah shouldn't have married such a beautiful woman..." he couldn't. It was his disobedience and laziness that brought this upon him.
Are you hanging around someone or holding on to something that you should let go of? Don't be lazy and think, "Oh, I've got plenty of time and it's really no big deal they don't need me today." Get away from it! Get rid of it! Confess your sin unto Him today. Even if you think it's the smallest thing, it's really not.
Monday, September 4, 2017
Playing Horseshoes
Mark 12:34
And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
In this mornings scripture we really need to take the time to read Mark 12:28-34. It will tell us of a scribe that came to Jesus with a question. This question dealt with what the first commandment was. Jesus answered him with, "The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." Jesus told this man that loving God was the greatest of all commandments.
When the scribe heard the answer of Jesus he responded with, "Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." The scribe knew his commandments. He was very well learned in the word of God.
Look at what the response was from Jesus... "Thou art not far from the kingdom of God." Don't you wonder sometimes why Jesus didn't say, "Exactly! Surely you will be with me in the kingdom of my Father"? Jesus said, "Thou art not far from the kingdom".
This scribe was so close, but yet so far away. Many people believed, even today still believe, that keeping commandments is all that you need to do. But the word of God continually tells us differently. When it comes to salvation, it's by Grace through Faith! Keeping commandments without placing our faith in Him can be done by many people but only for a little while. But keeping His commandments after we have placed our faith and lives in His hands is a lot easier to walk in and keep.
This scribe depended on his actions to save him. Why would you play horseshoes with your salvation? It's not about how close you can get to perfection or being good. It is about surrendering our lives to Jesus. It's about getting closer to Him everyday. Ask King Agrippa about playing with horseshoes in Acts Chapter 26. So close!
Friday, September 1, 2017
But It's Mine!!!
Psalms 51:3
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Have you ever just sat and watched children play? Yes, those little so-called angels of yours? When it is just one of them there really is no trouble. When you add another one, well now you've got something. I always loved it when my boys were little. Oh the things they would say to one another! Such words of kindness, gratitude and love. Hahaha, not always. One of the phrases that I remember each of them at times saying in a loud and ever so loving voice was... "That's Mine!" I can remember Patti telling them both to come to her and the whole time still yelling, "But Mom, it's mine!"
Listen to David this morning in our scripture as he says the same statement. He tells God, "It's my sin Lord and it is ever before me." You know something that is very funny? When our boys were little, and even at times today, when we pointed out something that had been broken, torn or messed up they immediately became generous. Why their love took over and instantly they gave all the credit to the other brother.
David could have easily said, "Lord, I couldn't help it. She was bathing out in the open. God, everyone else is doing it." No, David said, "It's mine." You know, sin doesn't catch us by surprise. It is the result of wrong thinking, wrong actions and disobedience. Sometimes temptation creeps up and smacks us right in the face, but sin is our choice. Children of God listen this morning... We have a choice when it comes to disobedience. When we can realize that it is OUR sin and not the cause of Satan or someone else, we can find forgiveness. Oh the grace of God that we can have if only we say, "It's mine Lord, please forgive me!"
Oh, what peace we often forfeit
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Have you ever just sat and watched children play? Yes, those little so-called angels of yours? When it is just one of them there really is no trouble. When you add another one, well now you've got something. I always loved it when my boys were little. Oh the things they would say to one another! Such words of kindness, gratitude and love. Hahaha, not always. One of the phrases that I remember each of them at times saying in a loud and ever so loving voice was... "That's Mine!" I can remember Patti telling them both to come to her and the whole time still yelling, "But Mom, it's mine!"
Listen to David this morning in our scripture as he says the same statement. He tells God, "It's my sin Lord and it is ever before me." You know something that is very funny? When our boys were little, and even at times today, when we pointed out something that had been broken, torn or messed up they immediately became generous. Why their love took over and instantly they gave all the credit to the other brother.
David could have easily said, "Lord, I couldn't help it. She was bathing out in the open. God, everyone else is doing it." No, David said, "It's mine." You know, sin doesn't catch us by surprise. It is the result of wrong thinking, wrong actions and disobedience. Sometimes temptation creeps up and smacks us right in the face, but sin is our choice. Children of God listen this morning... We have a choice when it comes to disobedience. When we can realize that it is OUR sin and not the cause of Satan or someone else, we can find forgiveness. Oh the grace of God that we can have if only we say, "It's mine Lord, please forgive me!"
Oh, what peace we often forfeit
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Cover Your Mouth
Proverbs 30:32
If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.
Oh how many times the hand of my mom or dad came around the back of my neck to cover the words I was in mid-stream of saying or about to say. Do you remember those days? Think of how every time you had a cold or cough and people would tell you, "Cover your mouth!" You would have been coughing for days, hour upon hour and sometimes forget but Praise the Lord there were always those germ police to enforce the law. (I'm joking, it was for a great benefit)
Let's read our scripture again this morning. It says if we have done foolishly by boasting or lifting ourselves up then to put our hand over our mouths. This simple means to stop. Stop lifting up ourselves. Stop the pride and arrogance of praising our works. As Christians we should understand that there is nothing that we can do apart from Christ who dwells in us. People used to say to me, "Be careful up there on that high-horse, it's a nasty fall from that height." What could we actually boast of that we do? Think of it like this... I love to build with lumber. I love the design, cutting, fabricating of it all. I love to stand back and know that I have been able to do something like that, but I can't take the credit. God, who loves me so, taught me and gave me the strength and ability to do these things. It is the Lord who receives all credit.
Also our scripture says something that really speaks to me. If we have an evil thought, put our hands over our mouths. Hahahaha, don't you love the way God is so plain in His wisdom that He speaks to us? Some think that in order to understand the scriptures we need a PHD or high education. No, it is simple. It's always and only understood through the Spirit of the Lord.
God is telling us that it is best to walk around with your mouth covered than to spew out the contagious, evil bitterness and pride. I would love to see Christians put their hands over their mouths before they pass it along. Let's learn a lesson from God today and "Cover Our Mouth".
If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.
Oh how many times the hand of my mom or dad came around the back of my neck to cover the words I was in mid-stream of saying or about to say. Do you remember those days? Think of how every time you had a cold or cough and people would tell you, "Cover your mouth!" You would have been coughing for days, hour upon hour and sometimes forget but Praise the Lord there were always those germ police to enforce the law. (I'm joking, it was for a great benefit)Let's read our scripture again this morning. It says if we have done foolishly by boasting or lifting ourselves up then to put our hand over our mouths. This simple means to stop. Stop lifting up ourselves. Stop the pride and arrogance of praising our works. As Christians we should understand that there is nothing that we can do apart from Christ who dwells in us. People used to say to me, "Be careful up there on that high-horse, it's a nasty fall from that height." What could we actually boast of that we do? Think of it like this... I love to build with lumber. I love the design, cutting, fabricating of it all. I love to stand back and know that I have been able to do something like that, but I can't take the credit. God, who loves me so, taught me and gave me the strength and ability to do these things. It is the Lord who receives all credit.
Also our scripture says something that really speaks to me. If we have an evil thought, put our hands over our mouths. Hahahaha, don't you love the way God is so plain in His wisdom that He speaks to us? Some think that in order to understand the scriptures we need a PHD or high education. No, it is simple. It's always and only understood through the Spirit of the Lord.
God is telling us that it is best to walk around with your mouth covered than to spew out the contagious, evil bitterness and pride. I would love to see Christians put their hands over their mouths before they pass it along. Let's learn a lesson from God today and "Cover Our Mouth".
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Still as Strong!!!
Joshua 14:6-11
Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the Lord said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea. Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the Lord my God. And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the Lord my God. And now, behold, the Lord hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the Lord spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.
This scripture gets me so excited! I love to hear Caleb's testimony here. He is saying to Joshua that he is as strong in his faith than ever. He starts by reminding him that he was forty years old when he started this journey of faith and now he is eighty-five. But something he says really stirs up my heart. He says, "I have wholly followed the Lord." Wow! What a faith and trust in the Lord.
Caleb was just like us. He heard the people and their negative reports on the land. I imagine that everytime he got pumped up and excited about going into the promised land he heard the voices of those naysayers. Maybe Caleb would have a few men gathered around him saying, "Men, brethren, the land is just over that horizon. We can do this! God will be with us!" Then those around him murmuring, "Yeah, like He was in Egypt? Someone told me that the people in this land were twice as big as the Egyptians..." "Yea, we're like grasshoppers to them..." another would say. And as Caleb said, the people's words would melt their hearts. The sound of discouragement often made the people feel defeated.
Caleb wholly followed the Lord. Would you? Or better yet, do you? Even when the people tell you how worthless your stance is? Even when the naysayers degrade the Word of God that you have preached for years?
Caleb said that his strength was strong then, and today it's still as strong, in faith as well as in body. Thank you Lord for my calling! It is just as fresh today as it was in the day you called me. The Gospel is just as true and powerful today as it was back then when I trusted and believed.
Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the Lord said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea. Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the Lord my God. And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the Lord my God. And now, behold, the Lord hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the Lord spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.
This scripture gets me so excited! I love to hear Caleb's testimony here. He is saying to Joshua that he is as strong in his faith than ever. He starts by reminding him that he was forty years old when he started this journey of faith and now he is eighty-five. But something he says really stirs up my heart. He says, "I have wholly followed the Lord." Wow! What a faith and trust in the Lord.
Caleb was just like us. He heard the people and their negative reports on the land. I imagine that everytime he got pumped up and excited about going into the promised land he heard the voices of those naysayers. Maybe Caleb would have a few men gathered around him saying, "Men, brethren, the land is just over that horizon. We can do this! God will be with us!" Then those around him murmuring, "Yeah, like He was in Egypt? Someone told me that the people in this land were twice as big as the Egyptians..." "Yea, we're like grasshoppers to them..." another would say. And as Caleb said, the people's words would melt their hearts. The sound of discouragement often made the people feel defeated.
Caleb wholly followed the Lord. Would you? Or better yet, do you? Even when the people tell you how worthless your stance is? Even when the naysayers degrade the Word of God that you have preached for years?
Caleb said that his strength was strong then, and today it's still as strong, in faith as well as in body. Thank you Lord for my calling! It is just as fresh today as it was in the day you called me. The Gospel is just as true and powerful today as it was back then when I trusted and believed.
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