Sunday, October 11, 2015

http://www.worldmag.com/2015/10/building_church_community_the_right_way/page1

Food for thought concerning the typical local church and how community is founded and fostered. I am interested enough to read the book. One thing is certain, true gospel community can only and will only be built on the gospel which will be diverse ethnicities, societies, etc. May God grow His church, His way, for His Glory!
I am encouraged & exhorted by the Psalmists confidence in the Lord our God. In Psalm 2 the nations seek to rise up and overcome Him, to which the Psalmist states, "He who sits in the heavens laughs.." The Lord scoffs at His enemies attempts to overtake Him and thwart His plans. The best option of the wicked kings lies in their submitting to the sovereign rule of Lord. If they would be wise, serve the Lord with fear and rejoice in Him, then they would be blessed. Those who take refuge in the Lord will be blessed (made whole). We can have the same confidence as we meditate upon the Word and rest in His sovereign rule over every and all circumstances, if we chose to take refuge in Him we will enjoy the blessedness of His presence. How I need to be reminded in this day and hour our family is facing that He, our conqueror, laughs at the pseudo-strength of the enemy. Our God is Mighty indeed. 
"Blessed is the man......[whose] delight is in the Law of the Lord, and on His law He meditates day and night." Psalm1:1

A simple truth that daily evades my thinking. I am appalled by my own mindset, though often unrecognized and unstated, that blessedness comes from mere hard work and being "a good guy." Ruminating upon the Word, not mere religious activity or hard work, brings blessedness to the believer, the worshipper of Yahweh. I have much to learn from the cows who ruminate or chew the cud. They chew, swallow, partially digest, regurgitate and being all over until all the goodness is consumed from the food. Blessedness, happiness, wholeness of life will come when I ruminate/meditate on the Word daily with the distinct purpose of knowing Him. Such involves more than merely reading the Word, I must chew on the Word which involves thinking then returning later to think deeply upon the text. The Psalmist says, "he [the one meditating upon the Word] is like a tree planted by the rivers of water [flourishing in life] that yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither." I am thankful that the Father so desires me/us to flourish that He has given us His written Word. Now, I must go to ruminate and meditate. Have a splendid day of worshipping the King!

Saturday, October 3, 2015

"Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding." Job 28:28
Reverence and awe of the Lord is/brings wisdom which is not a mere "decision" but rather a way of thinking about matters. Walking in wisdom should be, must be the desire and passion of the follower of Jesus. I wish no longer to be a mere "church goer" who does some "Christian work," but rather one who lives with wisdom drawn from the Word cultivated in my heart and saturating my mind. May God grant me the grace to turn from evil today as temptations, and sometimes fierce temptations, arise. 

Monday, September 21, 2015

Thanks Tim for a reminder of some things that will cause the follow of Jesus to "lose their zeal for" for Christ. You can read them here: http://www.challies.com/quotes/how-to-lose-your-zeal-for-christ. In my life I realize that my zeal is waned when I neglect a steady diet of ingesting and digesting the Scriptures. We need the Word to keep us zealous for Him! May you and I be zealous for the King today!

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Reminder #2

“My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend, to keep you from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words. For at the window of my house I have looked out through my lattice, and I have seen among the simple, I have perceived among the youths, a young man lacking sense, passing along the street near her corner, taking the road to her house in the twilight, in the evening, at the time of night and darkness. And behold, the woman meets him, dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart. She is loud and wayward; her feet do not stay at home; now in the street, now in the market, and at every corner she lies in wait. She seizes him and kisses him, and with bold face she says to him, “I had to offer sacrifices, and today I have paid my vows; so now I have come out to meet you, to seek you eagerly, and I have found you. I have spread my couch with coverings, colored linens from Egyptian linen; I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of love till morning; let us delight ourselves with love. For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey; he took a bag of money with him; at full moon he will come home.” With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life. And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth. Let not your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths, for many a victim has she laid low, and all her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death.”
Proverbs 7:1-27 ESV
http://bible.com/59/pro.7.1-27.esv

Proverbs 7 provides a stiff warning concerning the "price" of "sexual freedom." Enamored with sexual innuendos and phonographic invitations, our society celebrates so called "free sex," however, such comes at a high cost. The greatest of those being separation from the very source of pleasure - Christ Himself. Be aware, the enemy will use any tactic to deter you from the greatest pleasure and treasure in life - God Himself. The writer of Proverbs, more than likely having paid the high price of falling to seduction and/or "free sexual living," waves a warning flag to us the reader. Give heed to the warning. Sexual pleasure is meant for the marriage bed alone and only there, in monogamy and commitment, will you experience its greatest pleasures. 

Reminder

http://youtu.be/NqMYHmoXMAQ

An encouraging brother sent me this song, though a different singer, this morning as I am sitting in the hospital reading the Word & planning my limited day of work.  What a fantastic reminder that my Father is indeed amazing, indescribable, unfathomable, uncontainable and yet we can talk of Him. No language completely does His character and majesty justice, however, we can speak of Him in language understandable to mankind. YES, my God is all this and much, much MORE!