Tuesday, October 30, 2012

G - GEMS FROM PSALMS - 7


G – GEMS FROM PSALMS – 7

This lesson is not meant to be sad or discouraging.  Rather it should be uplifting and a real encouragement to those in Christ.  Ps. 116:15   Those in Christ are precious in the sight of the Lord.  God created us, loves us, and wants fellowship with us.  God came down and walked with His human creation but later He could no longer walk with them for they sinned. 

Scripture tells us that we are made of dust.  Gen.3:19   This is the way God created man in the beginning.  Job realized this and added the fact that if God so desired, He could gather together His spirit and His breath and return all men back into dust.  Job 34:14,15   (This is what makes us alive.  Gen.2:7; Job 33:4   The breath of the Almighty gives me life.)    

How important it is to realize that kings, rich men, presidents, professors, preachers, as well as the poor, lame, uneducated—whatever circumstance—all will die and return to dust unless Jesus comes first.  Eccl.3:20   Death is a great equalizer.  Our significance is small indeed, except that which is achieved through Jesus to the glory of God.  Ps.89:48   Job reminds us that we came into this world with nothing and we will leave this world with nothing.  We can take neither riches nor possessions with us.  Job 19:25-27

The flimsiness of life is given with several word pictures.  We are as grass and flowers that wither and die.  1 Pet.1:24,25; Ps.90:5,6   We are like a shadow that is fleeting and then goes away.  Job 14:1,2   Job also explains death as man lies down and does not rise until the heavens are no longer…Job.14:10-12   This would be until the end of the world.
Man at his best is a mere breath.  Ps.39:5

Even though our life is just a wisp, great hope can be obtained in the Lord.  Ps.73:25   What a great question!  Whom have I in heaven but you?  David’s desire was for the Lord and not for anything on earth.  Ps.73:26,28   This desire dispels the longing for riches.  Our lives are sometimes filled with earthly desires and the need of material things.  Our spiritual downfall could be found in these things.  1 Tim.6:9   The  mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.  Rom.8:6

We are given hope by our choices.  This was true with the Israelites.  Deut.30:19,20   Even though death occurs, the believer’s hope is not lost.  Ps.146:4.5   Our human body has been of the earth, but we will have a heavenly body.  1 Cor.15:49   Many things we do not understand and cannot explain but we trust in His promises, that they will come to pass.  Jhn.14:2,3   This is all beyond our imagination.  1 Cor.2:9

With the coming of Jesus, death has been abolished and life and immortality has been brought through the gospel.  2 Tim.1:10   Our choice must be righteousness for therein is life.  Prov.12:28   Death has been swallowed up in victory.  1 Cor.15:54   There is no victory without Jesus and His resurrection.  1 Cor.15:17   Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life…We must come to Him.  Jhn.11:25,26   Do you believe this?

Our real citizenship is no longer on this earth.  It is in heaven.  Phil.3:20,21   Even though we live in the world, we are foreigners.  Those around us do not understand the things of the Spirit.  Job 32:8; 1 Cor.2:14   Today we have many living around us that are from varied cultures.  They speak a different language.  They sometimes dress differently.  Their interests are different.  This is the way with a Christian.  We are aliens.  We don’t speak or dress as the world.  Our interest is in the spiritual things of life.  We are getting ready for our new home.

The Old and the New Testaments speak of the hereafter.  Isa.25:8   He will swallow up death for all time…Tears will be wiped away from our eyes.  Isa.26:19   Those in the dust will arise and shout for joy and the earth will give birth to the departed spirits.  Dan.12:2   Daniel gives us the price of a wrong choice.  …But the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.  Our choices in this life will regulate our eternal destiny.

More detailed descriptions are given in the N.T.  1 Thess.4:16-18   What a promise for the future!  And so we shall always be with the Lord.  We don’t know a lot of the details.  If God wanted us to know, He would have been more specific.  It isn’t for us to imagine to the extent of creating false assumptions.  We do know that we must be ready from this hour on.  Those that have no hope because they have not followed Christ in belief and obedience will be grieving.  1 Thess.4:13   Jesus gives us another word-picture in Matt.25:31-33   This is the grand separation of righteous from unrighteous or of those who have followed Christ or not. 

An expression that proves true is:  A person that accepts salvation is born twice but dies once.  The person that does not accept salvation but goes his own way is born once but dies twice.  We determine which we want.  Rev.20:15   We certainly would want our name written in the book of life.  Only we can act.  The way has already been made.  Jhn.14:6

Death is a precious thing for one that is in the Lord for that one is precious in the sight of the Lord. Ps.116:15   May this give us great comfort as we realize that our times are in His hands.  Ps.31:15  
  

I - GEMS FROM PSALMS - 9


I – GEMS FROM PSALMS – 9

For what do you have a deep longing in your heart?  A young person might have a longing to be able to drive.  Sometimes there is a longing for a soul-mate.  As family grows there might be a longing for a larger home.  Perhaps a longing to see or be with someone that has been away for some time becomes real.  Probably everyone has some longing for some thing or some one.

Ps.42:1   A deep longing for God and spiritual things is expressed as a deer longing for water.  In this time of drought we can picture this great need and desire as steams become dry.  Water is necessary for life.  Water is used as an expression of spiritual food.  Too often our spiritual lives are like dried-up streams.  How deep is our longing for our God and for spiritual food?  Is it like a deer that has been running and stops and pants for water.  Our need is to develop this deep longing for God and His Word as the deer pants for water. 

Ps.42:2   Our thirsty soul cannot be satisfied with things of this world for which we might long.  This longing needs to be much deeper.  Ps.63:1   Our God is a living God.  As we long for Him, He can supply.  Things of this world may suffice for a time but they all will deteriorate or die.  Matt.6:19-21   Our God is not only living, He is everlasting.  Jer.10:10   The Thessalonians were commended because they had turned from idols to a living and true God.  1 Thess.1:9   People make “stuff” or people with a lot of charisma their idols.  This all changes in time and there is no lasting satisfaction.  Go with what can satisfy our thirsty souls forever.  Ps.107:9

Jesus gave us the answer.  Matt.5:6   Blessed (deep-felt joy) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…You mean there is joy when we hunger and thirst for righteousness?  The next phrase answers this question.  For they shall be satisfied.  If we have been extremely hungry or thirsty, what joy there is when we finally are able to have food and water.  We may not have known that feeling to the extreme that some have experienced.  However, to whatever extent, there is joy in finally being satisfied. 

So often we hunger and thirst for the wrong things.  It is our human “self” that we want to satisfy.  Earthly satisfaction is like an attempt to fill a broken cistern.  Jer.2:13   We are satisfied for a short duration and then become thirsty again.  Job called out, Oh that I knew where I might find Him.  Job.23:3   This is the cry of a truly thirsty soul.  Oh that we might have that thirst.

The answer is in front of us if we would but heed.  Jesus gives the answer in Jhn.7:37,38.   If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.  The woman at the well did not understand the kind of water Jesus was talking about.  Jhn.4:13,14   Jesus gave the contrast of earthly water and spiritual water.  Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again.  This was water to fulfill our earthly desires.  Then He presents the water that will be for eternity.  …the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.  What a difference!  We have to make the choice as to which kind of water we will seek to quench our thirst.

When our thirst is quenched in God’s way, we travel on the Way of Holiness as found in Isa.35:6-8,10   This description describes such a change that happens in our lives.  …the unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way;…Our thirst becomes different.  We no longer want to become just like the world.  Rom.12:2   We can sing with David, My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the Lord…This is our thirst.  Ps.84:2,10

Famine for the words of the Lord does exist.  Amos warns of this famine.  Amos 8:11   Again, Jesus has the answer.  Jhn.6:35   …he who believes in Me will never thirst.  If we do not believe (which includes obedience  It would be strange to believe and then not obey the one in whom you believe.), there will be consequences.  Lk.6:25   Woe is not good.  The exclusion of the spiritual will not bring good results.  Jhn.6:27   Work for the food which endures to eternal life. 

This will bring joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment to our souls.  Isa.12:3,4   What a promise is given in Ezek.36:26,27.   Isaiah reaches out to those that thirst with an invitation found in Isa.55:1-3.  …Why do you spend money…for what does not satisfy?  We want and then buy.  It does not last so we throw and want again, then buy.  On and on this goes without satisfaction that is lasting.

As the Word of God ends, the promise is given:  I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.  Rev.21:6,7   We do have some “overcoming” to do on the Way of Holiness but we have this promise if we overcome.  Revelation gives the invitation…let the one who is thirsty come…And again we note the phrase water of life.   Rev.22:17


Tuesday, October 23, 2012

H - GEMS FROM PSALMS - 8


H – GEMS FROM PSALMS – 8

Psalm 37 gives some important admonitions that can apply to us today.  We, like David, have a tendency to be discouraged as we see those that are not following Christ to prosper and receive success and importance according to the world when we do not. 

As David thinks about the prosperity of the wicked, he says to not fret about it and don’t be envious.  Ps.37:1   David may have been writing as he talked to himself.  The “wicked” may not be such to us.  They may be outstanding citizens and considered good people but they are having success that may be in competition with us.  The fact is that they are not in the Lord and we are trying hard to please the Lord.

Psalm 73 shows the deep feeling of frustration in David as he viewed the success of the unrighteous.  A few verses will show this feeling.  Ps.73:12,16,17   Their future will not continue in that prosperity forever.  Ps.37:2   When we fellowship with the Lord and come in contact with Him in worship, then we, too, will understand.  So the first admonition is given to us—trust.  This trust is to believe in, rely on, and depend on.  Our prosperity and success is spiritual.  That is what will last.

Ps.37:3   Too often we want to trust in ourselves.  “We can do it”, we say.  Jer.17:5,7   It is important that we put our complete trust in the Lord.  The wealthy put their trust in their riches.  Prov.11:28   The political powerful trust in their success.  Ps.146:3   The mighty cannot trust in their strength before God.  Deut.28:49,52; Ps.20:7   The intelligent know nothing in comparison to God.  Prov.3:5; Rom.1:22   None of these will gain success forever.  It will only be those who trust in the Lord. 

In times of trouble or discouragement, don’t we need someone with whom we can just pour out our hearts.  God is the one.  Ps.62:8   God doesn’t move.  He is our Rock and He is forever.  Our  mind cannot wander from here and there but must remain steadfast in the Lord for perfect peace.  Darts of trouble may inflict us on the outside but we can have inner peace as we put out trust in Him.  Life doesn’t give us this perfect peace except in the Lord.  This requires complete trust in Him.  Ps.26:3,4   We can lay it all on Him.

The next admonition in this psalm is to delight thyself in the Lord.  Ps.37:4   A person not following the Lord will not find real and lasting joy.  An example of this is found in Isa.58:13,14.  Since the old Law was nailed to the cross (Col.2:14), we no longer observe the Sabbath Day (Saturday).  However, the first day of the week is now the important day for the Christian.  Acts 20:7; 1 Cor.16:2   This first day was very important to the early Christians and continues to be so today.  Heb.10:25   We find joy as we meet together in worship as we encourage one another.

We take joy in pleasing those we love.  The same is true and even more so with our Lord.  Ps.119:35  Where is our delight, our joy?  Ps.1:2   We have great joy in salvation.  Where would we be otherwise?  Ps.35:9   As we trust in the Lord, we are able to enjoy peace and joy because of our hope in the Lord.  Rom.15:13


As delight in the Lord becomes a part of our lives, our desires change.  We will be given the desires of thine heart.  Matt.6:33; Ps.40:8   The desires of our heart are such as pleases our Lord.  We don’t get everything for which we ask.  God knows what we need and what is best for us.  He also knows the timing which is best for us.  Sometimes we just have to wait on the Lord.  Ps.27:14; Jude 21   Our desires become what God wants for us and what He sees as best for us.

Commit thy way unto the Lord.   Ps.37:5   When we commit our ways unto the Lord, we entrust our lives to Him.  We hand over our way to our Lord.  It isn’t “our” way any more.  Prov.16:3   We roll our burdens off of ourselves and on to the Lord for He knows the best way.  1 Pet.5:7   Ruth had a problem and was anxious but Naomi had good advice.  Ruth 3:18   Again we see that important word, “wait”.  Our impatience is overcoming at times.  Ps.55:22   Our “way” includes the manner in which we live and the results thereof.  Every part of our life belongs to the Lord when we are committed.

Ps.37:7   “Rest” is a beautiful word.  How we long for true rest.  Sometimes this word in Hebrew means to keep silent, hold your peace.  As we trust the Lord, delight ourselves in Him, and commit our lives to Him, there is no need to argue with God.  We know His way is best and so we rest in His way.  Ps.62:1,5   Jesus gave us a wonderful promise if we will but go to Him.  Matt.11:28-30   The mercy, goodness, and lovingkindness of the Lord gives us rest for our souls in all that He has done for us.  Ps.116:7 

Isa.48:17,18   God knows best.  We need the words spoken by Isaiah.  If only we would pay attention and listen to let God lead us.  The words, “if only”,  so often come from our lips.  We follow our own ways and fail.  Then, if only we had listened.  God has seen this often in His children.  Deut.32:29; Ps.81:13,14   Jesus sorrowed over Jerusalem because Israel had not listened.  Lk.19:41,42

May we not sorrow over our remorseful “if only”.  Let us with resolve trust in the Lord, find our delight in the Lord, commit our way unto the Lord that we may rest in the Lord.  Life for a Christian does not consist of possessions owned, success in the eyes of men, or anything that confines us to this earthly life but in spiritual possessions and spiritual success.  Rom.14:17; Phil.4:7 



    

Friday, October 19, 2012

SPARK by Jason Jaggard


SPARK by Jason Jaggard

The title comes from Spark Groups that Jason Jaggard formed (first small and than grew) with the purpose of taking risks to make yourself and better person or the world a better place.  The risks could start very small.  Some guidelines were:  The risk had to be immediate—within 6 days.  The risk needed to be controllable.  In other words, it had to be within your power to do it.  The risk would need to be challenging enough to stretch your comfort zone.  Lastly, the risk should be positive to make your life or the world better.

Each of these guidelines is discussed with many examples, both Biblical and present life, that illustrate and teach these points.  By taking a risk, we can change ourselves or our world—one spark at a time.

How a person’s uniqueness and ability to partner with God qualifies us to serve mankind.  We were created to serve.  We should see opportunities rather than obstacles and not be afraid to take the risk.  Too often we focus on what we cannot do rather than what we can do.  Doing nothing only leads to more nothing.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

F = GEMS OF PSALMS - 6


F – GEMS OF PSALMS – 6

Did you ever feel the world was tumbling in on you as you realized you had made a terrible decision.  In fact, you had sinned against God.  Or is sin that grave of a matter to us.  We know that all sin (Rom.3:23) and so what’s the big deal if everyone is doing it.

Our eyes are blinded as passions flare and desires increase beyond our reason.  James explains the progression of sin in Jam.1:14,15.  We must understand just what sin is.  Sin is transgression of God’s law.  1 Jhn.3:4   God is all-knowing, all-powerful, everywhere all the time, and He is holy.  God knows us inside out and knows what is best for us and we can trust Him to care for us.  His laws are not grievous.  1 Jhn.5:3   Jesus said His yoke is easyMatt.11:29,30  

Parents, teachers, and even the laws of the land give do’s and don’ts.  So it is with God.  If we fail to do the things that we are told to do, we commit sins of omission.  If we go ahead and do the things we are told not to do, we commit sins of commission.  God loves us and wants us to follow His way but He left it up to our free will.  We choose.  His heart is broken just as a parent’s heart if we fail to follow His way.

David followed the progression of sin as given in James.  As so often happens, he tried to cover his sin with another sin.  Because of a simple story told to him by Nathan, he finally came to grips with his sin and he felt the world crumble around him.  We want to look at parts of two psalms as we look into the heart of David. 

David cries out to God to blot out his sin because of His compassion and lovingkindness. Ps.51:1   It isn’t because of David’s greatness even though he is the king.  It is the greatness and love of God that involves this possibility.  A great teacher was asked to give some deep truth about God.  His answer, “Jesus loves me, this I know, because the Bible tells me so.”  What could be a deeper truth.

God can blot out our sins.  David recognized this as the only way.  Isa.43:25; Ps.51:2   Washing is associated with cleansing.  1 Cor.6:11   This happens as our sins are washed away.  Ps.51:7   Whiter than snow is another picture of our life being made clean from sin.

Ps.51:3   David wasn’t just asking God “to forgive me of my sins”.  He acknowledged exactly what his sin was.  This is essential for our forgiveness and growth.  It takes humility but we must know what sins we have committed, say so, and repent.  An alcoholic must admit that he is one before he can be helped.  We are no different.  Forgive me of my sins—what sins?  This is not a generic situation.  Job 34:32

Ps.51:4   We need to realize that when we sin, we sin against God.  David recognized that fact.  It hurts God and the fact that we have hurt God needs to hurt us.  Joseph was an example of this as he ran from Potiphar’s wife.  Gen.39:9   How we need to think in those terms.  How can I do this to my Lord?  It is too easy to go about our life and never give it a thought.  This grieved David.
Can we feel the pleading of David as he prays in Ps.51:10.  How we all need a clean heart.  Ezekiel mentions an undivided heart.  Ezek.11:19   Our heart cannot be divided—part for the Lord but part for self and the world.  1 Jhn.2:15,16   These things do not produce a clean heart.  Matt.5:8   A clean heart is a pure heart and this brings great joy.  Our thoughts make a difference with our heart and spirit.  Phil.4:8  

An undivided heart has a steadfast spirit. Jam.1:8   Standing fast in the Lord is a requisite of a strong faith, a clean heart, and a steadfast spirit.  1 Cor.15:58   Never would we want to be cast away from the presence of the Lord.  Ps.51:11   Where would we go?  Ps.139:7-10

Ps.32:1   What joy and peace of mind to know that our sin is forgiven.  David experienced that.  We can as well when we become a Christian.  Acts 13:38; Acts 2:38; Col.2:12,13   Sin separates us from God.  Isa.59:2   Our sin could cast us away.

Ps.32:5   Again sin is acknowledged.  It is not hidden.  Of course it couldn’t be hidden from God but we sometimes deceive ourselves into thinking we can.  It is confessed and then, praise God, it is forgiven.  What a blessing to David and to us!

Ps.32:9   Some are as stubborn as a mule and are left with no understanding and consequently, no forgiveness.  Our desire must be to be led, yoked if you will.  We need to be teachable and humble.  God will teach and lead us if we allow it to be.  Ps.32:8   We can then rejoice in the fruit of salvation.  Ps.32:11; Heb.10:22,23       

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

E - GEMS FROM PSALMS - 5


E – GEMS FROM PSALMS – 5

This has been called the “greatest poem in the psalter”.  Certainly it is one of the better known and favorite of the psalms.  Any one who has been in church very long has heard and perhaps said the last verse many times.  However, let us begin with the first part of the psalm.

The psalm can easily be divided into two parts and perhaps three.  The first six verses declare the power and glory of God in His creation.  Ps.19:1   David, the author, uses the Hebrew word for God that means power.  The power of God is shown by His creation.  We speak of the handiwork of some people with thread, yarn, or wood.  Think of the beautiful and intricate creations of God in His work with nature and the heavens.  More amazing, yet, is His creation of life in the human being made in His image.  Ps.139:14  God’s majesty is beyond description.

Ps.19:2   God’s power and glory is consistent throughout day and night.  It continues forever.  Rom.1:20   The man who does not believe will eventually suffer.  Ps.28:5   God’s work is beyond comprehension.  Ps.74:16,17   Isaiah questions Israel in Isa.40:26,27   Isaiah then proceeds to answer his own questions.  Isa.40:28,31

Ps.19:3,4   Whatever language or dialect, people can comprehend the message of God through His creation.  God’s existence, power, and glory is a universal language.  Not only is God universal but God is eternal.  His power and will lasts forever.  Gen.8:22

Ps.19:5,6   Many worshipped the sun in those days.  Even today some tribes do the same.  The sun is pictured as a bridegroom coming out of his tent.  Its size, temperature, and distance is sustained by God in just the right manner as to help us and not destroy us.  The continuity of creation is expressed in Eccl.1:5-7

The psalm now abruptly changes.  A new Hebrew word is used for God.  It now is Lord which is used for God’s counsel and will.  The creation showed God’s power and glory but not how to live. Rom.8:4   Then David begins to enumerate all that the law of the Lord does.  The law is not the do’s and don’ts of the Levitical law but the plan of God and instructions as to how we are to live to fulfill His will and please Him.  Ps.19:7   God’s law is perfect.  It was given for man’s well-being.  It is given through the inspiration of the Scriptures.  2 Tim.3:16   His plan of salvation is given as well as the manner of life that will please Him.  Prov.6:23   God’s law is given in such a way that even the simple can have understanding.  Ps.119:130

Ps.19:8   We can’t always trust the laws of our land.  As people become corrupt, so do our laws.  God’s laws are right.  Neh.9:13   In Paul’s dilemma he delighted in God’s law.  Prov.30:5   Eyes see in the light.  Eph.1:18   God’s Word is light.  Prov.6:23

Ps.19:9   Our fear of the Lord is not horror, terror, or dread.  We love the Lord and know that He loves us.  We also know His power so we hold great respect with awe at His glory and grace.  Samuel enjoined the people to fear the Lord.  1 Sam.12:24   Many times we question the judgments of men but never those of the Lord.  Rev.16:7

Ps.19:10   A man’s wealth in that day was determined by gold.  The Word of the Lord is worth much more than material riches.  How difficult it is to remember that for a man that is desiring success and wealth .  Ps.119:127; Jam.2:5; 1 Tim.6:10

Honey was considered a luxury and was not only wonderful to the taste but also had medicinal purposes.  Honey dripping from the comb was considered the most pure.  This is likened to the instruction of the Lord.  Ps.119:103

Ps.19:11   The directions of life are given by the Lord.  Some are given as warnings.  Prov.16:25   Keeping the Lord’s directions bring reward.  Isa.3:10,11   Our faith brings rewards now and eternally.  Heb.11:6; Jam.1:25   We must lay hold and not lose what we have worked for that our reward will be full.  2 Jhn.8

Ps.19:12,13   Sometimes we don’t understand or realize our sins.  A sinful habit may have been committed so many times that it is “normal”.  We don’t think of it as sin.  Other times we suppose that they are hidden and no one knows.   We need to say with Job, Teach me…show me where I have been wrong.   Job 6:24   This takes humility.  Then we need to act upon it.  Repent and change.

Acknowledging a sin and then continuing in it is a presumptuous sin.  We know but we do anyway.  This can have control over us.  Heb.10:26; Rom.6:12   Sin is powerful but we can have victory over sin for greater is He that is within me than he that is in the world.  1 Jhn.4:4; 2 Thess.3:3

Ps.19:14   Perhaps we have recited this verse many times but have we considered what we were praying—and yes, it is a prayer.  May it ever be on our lips and in our hearts.  What we say and do comes from the heart.  Prov.23:7   David knew that sin could not dwell in his heart for God to listen to his prayers.  Ps.66:18,19

As children of the Lord, we need to find out what pleases Him.  Eph.5:8-10,17   It is not enough to just know what pleases our Lord.  We must do it.  Josh.1:8   The Lord is our strength.  Ps.18:2   He will provide us with the strength we need.  Eph.1:19   Job knew of his Redeemer.  Job 19:25   As we make our words and our ways acceptable to our Lord, may we ever meditate on the gift of grace given to us by the blood of Jesus.  1 Pet.1:18-21