Worthy

Revelations 4:11

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure all things are and were created.

In my twenty one year career I have received a few awards, for aiding in the saving of a life or just overall quality performance. I attended settings in which others applauded the acts or actions of my past. Someone thought I was deemed worthy of praise. Somehow that pales in comparison to what God has done.

He created all creatures great and small. He hung the stars in the heaven. He warmed the sun with light and painted the skyline with beautiful rays of sun and clouds. He carved out the Grand Canyon and placed the birds in air to soar its heights. But His greatest of all creations was man. Man, who was created in the image of God himself, a mirrored likeness in body, soul, and spirit.

O Lord, you are worthy of praise. Not that I am worthy to offer You praise, but You are worthy to receive glory and honour from Your creation. Your glory is evident to all creation. The mountains sing and the rocks cry out. You are worthy to receive all that I have in service and honour to You. My actions should reflect my humility in knowing that I am created for His pleasure and glory. In humility and love, I honour my King in my words and deeds.

You are worthy, O Lord, to receive power. Power not given by man, not grasped by man, but held in Your storehouse and used for Your pleasure. Power to calm the seas. Power to light the sun and chase away the darkness of night. Power for life and power for death. Power for healing and power for strength. Power for salvation and power for redemption. You my King, are worthy to be praised.

Wrath

On a semi country road today, while driving to a meeting, I noticed a medium sized golden tree standing in a grassy field. It was a perfectly shaped tree with a round bottom that gradually thinned at the top like a pear. This golden beauty was alone in the grassy field. The closest tree or shrub was another twenty feet behind it.

The tree was in the process of loosing its leaves. The tree top down to the middle had already lost its leaves and was bare, its golden beauty resting on the ground below. The lower half of the tree was still robed in beautiful golden yellow leaves.

A strange image entered my mind. The tree reminded me of a woman, half clothed – naked and exposed to all who passed by. I was reminded of the passage in Ezekiel 16 and my heart was broken. “I will sentence you to the punishment of women who commit adultery and who shed blood; I will bring upon you the blood vengeance of my wrath and jealous anger. Then I will hand you over to your lovers, and they will tear down your mounds and destroy your lofty shrines. They will strip you of your clothes and take your fine jewelry and leave you naked and bare…I will put a stop to your prostitution, and you will no longer pay your lovers. Then my wrath against you will subside and my jealous anger will turn away from you; I will be calm and no longer angry.” (38-42)

My heart was broken that this beauty stood there half clothed in elegance, exposed, stripped of its golden beauty and unable to cover its nakedness. God’s creation is in a version of prostitution just like Israel. Israel was blessed by God, given a land of plenty, a place of peace and rest. Yet Israel was not satisfied. She envied the nations and people around her. She followed their wicked practices. She worshipped their many different idols.

In our world today it is preached over and over again, “don’t have any idols before God.” Television is an idol, internet, money, work, kids, hobbies, and the list goes on. But do we hear the word preached about the jealous anger of God? Do we hear about His anger, wrath, or punishment? Do we know the depth of pain and sorrow we cause as we chase after these man made items of pleasure? Do we understand the sacrifice and love that has been offered to us? Do we know the riches and beauty we have been adopted into? Do we know His love? Do we know His intimacy? Do we know Him?

O Beloved, listen to Him. Have you rejected His love? Have you walked away from Him? Have you accepted His gifts and blessing and turned and used them for your own selfish pleasure and gain? Have the distractions of this world pulled you from intimate fellowship with Him? Are you missing church on a regular basis? Are you watching television and not reading the Bible? Are you sleeping late in the morning and not spending time in prayer? O Beloved, listen to the cry of His heart before He burns in jealous anger. Turn from this path of destruction, fall on your knees and call to your Heavenly Father who longs to pull you into His loving arms. He longs to feed you at His banqueting table, to clothe you in joy, peace, and righteousness. Simply repent and call out to Him asking forgiveness. Call to Him. Run to Him. Return to Him.

For My Own Sake

Psalm 43:25
I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.

I have wrestled for weeks over four small words in this verse; for my own sake. I recall early teachings that I am unworthy and imperfect for a Holy God. Teachings that God forgives and forgets my transgressions, removes them as far as the east is from the west, and washes me whiter than snow so I may approach the throne of His perfect Glory and enter into His Almighty presence. He sent His one and only Son who died on the cross for me. He penned the words in the greatest Book so I might know His power and glory. These teachings and my understanding was that all this was done - for “my sake.” But the words stated here are in conflict of that understanding.

In Psalm 50:9-11 I found the following, “you have no need of a bull from my stall or of goats from my pens, for every animal of the forest is yours, and the cattle on a thousand hills. If you were hungry you would not tell me, for the world is yours and all that is in it.”

You have no need of me, but you created me. You have no need of me, but you love me. I have nothing to give you, but you give to me and long after me. I have turned my back on you, and you still have compassion towards me. I desire selfish things and earthly prosperity and you gave your Son’s life. O, why do you do these things for me? I am undeserving of any kindness from a Holy and Just Creator.

And in the light of your wisdom and grace you said, for my own sake I have blotted out your transgressions and remember them no more. I created you, I formed you, and I love you. I didn’t create you to destroy you. I do all these things for my own sake, because you are my joy and my delight. You are mine and I will rescue and save you through the blotting out of your transgressions and forgiveness through grace. I do all these things for my own sake.

For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all (Rom 10:4). For the world is mine and all that is in it (50:11) and who has given to God, that God should repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen (Rom 11:35-36).

“Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation (2 Cor 6:2).” The God of heaven offers, for His own sake, because the world is His and all that is in it. Will you choose this day the pleasures this world offers or the God of all creation? It is for His own sake you were created. It is for His glory that you exist. But it is your choice to believe, accept, and live for the God of all creation.

Read

As I read the opening sentence of the book I was caught off guard by the character’s passionate plea. I could feel the painful sorrow within as he pleaded for his best friend to return so he could be comforted and encouraged during the last days of his life.

The character, the author, wrote loving words of encouragement while recalling days gone by. He wrote strong words of faith urging the younger to remain true and faithful. He wrote words of warning, cautioning the younger not to waver in his duties and to be careful in befriending and trusting those who abandoned him. Finally he ended his introduction with the writing of his own memories of the two of them together in days past, once more encouraging the younger to come quickly.

As I read I was drawn into the life and character of Paul as recorded in 2 Timothy. Paul knows the days ahead lead to his death. His friendship and fatherly love flow through his pen and onto the pages, for generations and generations to read and know. Did Paul know that such a personal letter would be used in this way? Paul wrote them for that day, for that moment, for him, and for his beloved friend.

I write today to encourage you to dive in, take the plunge, sit, read, and absorb the story, character, and setting of any bible story. Read as though you are there. Read as if you are the main character. Read and let the Holy Spirit fill you with wisdom and knowledge. Read.

Try first or second Timothy. Pick an easily understood translation like NIV, NASB, or the Message. If you have a study bible read the introduction and get a bearing on the time, place, and purpose of the writing. Pray for understanding and then read. Put yourself into the story. Put yourself into the author or a particular character, see what they see, feel what they feel, and know an Almighty God.

Start today and read. Watch God expand your understanding, wisdom, and knowledge. Read and be blessed with grace and peace that is only offered and promised by God himself through Christ Jesus our Redeemer, Savior, and Lord. Read and discover God. Learn to love. Learn to know. Learn to listen. Read, and know that He is God, the great I AM.

Feeble Hands

While at home this past week recovering from surgery I have been subjected to the local and national news. The stories reported were of senseless crimes, death, violence, disaster and destruction. But rarely reported were stories of rescues and selfless acts of mercy. I also saw business hungry law firm commercials begging for money to any cause they can discover and deem unjust to all! Why? Because “you deserve it, it’s your right.” I saw horror shows presented at times when kids were home alone, commercials for upcoming television programs with women scantily dressed and abusive language.

Then I read the book of Isaiah and the tears began to flow; broken and crying over the wayward behavior of Israel and Judah; their rebellious attitude toward God, His commandments, His covenant promises, and His impending judgment, and I thought of the news and the world in which we live. I thought of my own life and the priorities and attention I have given to “stuff.”

We are a nation that lives like we are our own gods. Serving the selfish ambition, passionate lusts, and violent desires buried deep within our souls. Living life like there is no tomorrow, no punishment for crimes, caring not for one another, but moving through life with the attitude of “me first, because I deserve it.” I can only imagine the pain and sorrow of our Creator and Lord; and I am sure “that image” is not near the depth of sorrow felt in the heavenly realm.

Believer, as you look into this wretched world does a mirror reflect back the wicked state of your own heart? Are you burdened by the lack of interest or time you give to the Creator; the Lord God Almighty? Do the priorities of this world, work, television, and family activities push away any time for the Savior? O believer and child of God do you truly believe there is a God in heaven? Do you believe the words written in the Bible are true? Do you believe the judgments? Do you believe the promises?

All is not lost. For the gospel is called “the gospel of peace.” Isaiah writes of the doom and destruction that all of Israel will feel and know. He writes of the impending judgment on this world as a whole. For God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If He is to punish the deeds of the unjust and unrepentant in times past, then He surely will be true to His words in judging the deeds of this present world. But “strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you,’ (Isaiah 35:3b-4).” Isaiah not only writes about impending doom and judgment, but he also writes of the promised ransom by the greatest Redeemer of all.

Let your “feeble hands be strengthen and your wobbly knees be steady. Be strong, do not fear.” God has given you the power to overcome and the hope to endure (Rom 5:5). He has given you a path of righteousness. “A highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it…and the ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away, (35:8-10).” You have the power and strength within you. Will your faith allow you to set aside the necessary time to enter the secret places of the most high and abide in His everlasting promises? Sit at His feet, read the Bible, and learn of Him. Learn who He is, who He was, and who He will be. Allow the wisdom and knowledge of God to enter into the deep recesses of your mind and heart and strengthen your feeble hands and wobbly knees. “For those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength…they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint, (40:31).” Come. Confess and turn from the sins of your past, and walk in the Way of Holiness. Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Who Loves You?

Having been a mother of young children and recently a nursery worker at church, loving memories of holding precious babies continue to surface as beautiful pictures of God’s love for His children. I couldn’t help but recall such love as I read Isaiah 30:15, “This is what the Sovereign Lord the Holy One of Israel says: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.”

I recalled the small baby that is crying and distressed over the unfamiliar surroundings; the different noises, the unfamiliar voices, the different sights. The baby is not happy. Continued cries offer the child no comfort and the familiarity is lost.

The nursery worker lovingly reaches down, picks up the precious child, and firmly yet gently holds the tear filled child. She holds the child confidently, offering a quiet strength of love and comfort. As the child squirms and struggles against the unfamiliar arms and voice he slowly begins to recognize the confident strength of the one who holds him. Slowly all crying and squirming settles into a quiet rest and trust that this worker is there for his love and comfort. Her job is to satisfy the child’s basic needs in a loving and nurturing environment.

O that we as believers would learn to repent of our self reliant ways and rest in the loving arms of our Savior. O that we would come to the Comforter and find a quiet uncomplaining trust in the Lord God Almighty. O believer, fight no more against the hand that longs to hold you. Run no more from the one who longs for you to trust in Him. Are you coming to the Father? Are you trusting the written words of comfort, strength, peace, and joy?

O believer, “the Lord longs to be gracious to you.” (18) He longs to rise from the throne of glory and envelope you in His compassion. Will you quietly rest in His loving arms?

Doubts

I sit here with less than 24 hours until I teach the eighth grade girls at Sunday school tomorrow. I have no fear, but I do have my doubts. Doubts of whether I will be understood, doubts whether my skills and Bible knowledge is enough, doubts about being prepared. What a wonderful mind game Satan can play.

Fortunately for me I am confident in my calling. I know this was not a position I sought. I know that God has grown a love in me for His children that was never there before. I know He grew the understanding of His word. But this confidence does not prevent these attacks; instead they provide the defense I need to withstand the attack. And God is ever faithful, always there; He is the strong tower, He is the mighty fortress filled to the rim with words of wisdom, reminders, and encouragement.

This morning He led me to Philippians, where Paul was in prison and chains for having shared the gospel of Christ with others. He writes;

“It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter?” (1:15-18)

Having prayed through these doubts and read these wonderful words of encouragement, I am strengthen and renewed in my calling. I am once again filled with love; love that He poured into me, love that came from Calvary. Nothing is more powerful than knowing that this message and these words are not mine. That God himself prepared them and He alone has a purpose and intent for each one. In confidence and love I look forward to tomorrows teaching on Esther.

Romance

The cry of the heart is, I want to be good. I want to read my Bible, study, and pray. I want to be patient, kind, thoughtful, loving, and slow to anger. But these are not natural for me. Why do I struggle so? Didn’t God promise the presence of the Holy Spirit, His power, strength, and comfort to those who believe on Him? I really want to do these things for God, but I don’t seem to be able to follow through with any commitment. Why not? Why can’t I do what I know I should do?

Many of us are doing what we heard preached from the pulpit, taught in Sunday school, or evidenced by other believers. We are going through the motions, because leaders have said this is the life a believer should live. We are taught about a loving, sacrificial, eternal, God and King. But we cannot seem to do what He simply asks of us.

I have been taught math, but I don’t do math problems everyday. Had a teacher told me that was the purpose for learning it I would have laughed at her and told her she was crazy. I do math, because I love the challenge of discovering the answer, and because math just seems logical.

Unfortunately many listen and believe what others say about God, never discovering for themselves God’s character, His undying, selfless love for His creation. Never knowing the pain and sorrow the generations before caused. Never reading the love stories of old. Never reading with wonder and amazement at what it took for God to create the oceans, the mountains, the valleys, the Grand Canyon, the beautifully painted sunrises, all creatures great and small. Never knowing the anguish at the first shed of blood. Never knowing His anger. Never know His tears. Never knowing His joy.

Never knowing how God was jilted by His own people, how they turned their backs on the one who gave them everything they needed, He fought their battles, sent rain on their crops, and birthed an entire generation. He divided seas and calmed oceans. He healed the sick, raised the dead, cried with sorrow at the harassment of His creation. He loved us first.

I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard; My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choices vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. (Isaiah 5:1-2a)

The lover’s heart was so full of joy for his beloved that He did everything of necessity to care for and protect his beloved vineyard from pests, pestilence, and un-welcomed guests who wished to devour such beauty. God’s love gave us all we need. His hand of providing, protection, and blessing covers those who believe. Dive deep into His written words. Discover a God that none can describe. Discover an ember of love that will burn into a blazing fire. Discover a love so strong that not even death could contain it. Sit in the warm glow of the written words, wrap your heart, mind, and soul around every word. Search with longing at all God is, and was, and is to be.

Then fall on your knees and worship Him. Take this new discovery of love and look anew at His request that you come to Him, read His word, study, and pray. Discover a loving resolve that awakens you in the morning with anticipation and excitement. A resolve that keeps you awake at night, reads through a pounding headache, concerns of unfinished work, or unpaid bills. Read, study, and pray, and watch an “unseen God” come to life inside of you. Read….and find a Love like no other.

Tears

In search of the majestic throne of the Creator and living God, I wandered into the book of wonders, Revelation. As I read of all the glorious and strange creators I was amazed at the beauty the earth has been blessed and blanketed with, and I must admit, confused at all the hybrid looking creatures described within this book. Yet as I searched for the words that describe God and His kingdom glory, my eyes walked the path of man’s torment here on earth: a path of seeing wonders of wonders; a path of living in shear terror; a path of knowing not from whence mine help cometh.

Here at my computer, my heart broke; opened and spilled out at all that belongs to God that will be destroyed. As if I were the mother who birthed this creation and was now required to watch my children being trampled and destroyed; watching as they live in agony and terror at the destruction of their home and physical body. The sorrow came from a place within that has never been opened this wide before. My heart broke at those “that knew God, but neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Rom 1:21)

How can I share in the glory of God’s kingdom while others are trampled and destroyed below? How can I walk past my co-worker knowing that they maybe one blinded by the world’s deceits, lost in the pleasure of selfishness, lost in the temporary joy of man’s created pills and drugs of happiness and bliss. How can I look and not mention Your glory to another? How can I lay my head on my pillow at night, knowing that another opportunity to share the “good news of the gospel of peace” was lost?

“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.” (Rom 1:18) O believer, wake up! We are just as undeserving of God’s glorious treasure as those blinded by the world’s advertised pleasure. It is only by God’s endless loving kindness that we know of God’s eternal joy and salvation. And that someone cared enough to share the wisdom and knowledge of God with us. Beloved, as heir to the throne, God’s adopted children, hesitate not to walk amongst the poor, the sick, the drug addict, the abandoned, the confused, the angry, and the lost. Hesitate not to open your lips and sing praises to the King. Hesitate not to give a reason for the hope that is in you. Hesitate not, and say, “I will go where You will send me.”

A Glimpse of Heaven

I stand amazed and in wonder at the beauty beyond words - The King of Kings upon the throne, the angels of heaven in all their splendor singing and praising the great I AM, the saints of old in all perfection, the streets of gold, the mansions of glory, and the river of life which flows through the gates of glory. What a sight to behold. What a place of splendor and majesty. And who am I that I should be called the daughter of the King? Who am I that I deserve to be ransomed to glory? Who am I that You are mindful of me? Who am I that You love me? Who am I that You died upon the tree at Calvary? Who am I that I should stand in the presence of Your glory?

Ever mindful of the eternal hope that is within me, I can’t help but realize that though I stand amazed others will wiggle and scream in torment and pain, crying for the living water to quench their thirst and free them from the place of eternal judgment. Others who knew not the truth, others who rejected the truth, others who thought there was no end, others who thought I have no sin, others who lived for themselves and said there is no God.

In humbled silence and wonder of heart, a fragrant aroma of the Heavenly Father is near. He bids, “Will you go? Will you tell? Will you share? Will you love? For I long, I desire, that all men will know Me. Will you be the one?

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrated his own love for us in this; While we were still sinners Christ died for us. (Rom 5:7-9)

Dry Bones

Ezekiel 37:9 Thus saith the Lord, O breath, breathe life upon these slain, that they may live.

A husband stands in the kitchen, gun in hand and no reason to live. He has come home to find his wife and kids are gone and divorce papers stare at him from the kitchen counter. She has left him for another.

A daughter lays in the emergency room as doctors and nurses try desperately to save her life. She has been missing for months. At the age of sixteen she thought sex, drugs, and life on her own was the road to happiness.

A corporate woman attends a board meeting and learns she no longer has a job. She has spent her entire career climbing the corporate ladder, bypassing opportunities for a husband and family. Fame and fortune was her future, the desire of her heart.

A son lays bleeding on the side of the road, a victim of gang violence. A gang family of sex and violence seemed better than the suburban life of boredom.

O dry bones, creatures of God’s own image, you are loved with an everlasting love. Your Heavenly Father looks upon you with tears of sorrow. A Father who loves you enough to let you go because holding on will not convince you that what you desire is not good for you. O dry bones, flesh of my flesh, the world has convinced you that these temporary pleasures are the meaning and purpose of life. Instead of giving life, they have sucked you dry and left you for dead. You have been used until there is nothing more it can take from your life.

O dry bones, “no eye pities thee, nor has compassion upon thee, but you have been cast out into the open field.” (Eze 16:5) O dry bone, O sinner, the God of heaven desires that “none should perish.” He knows the pain and agony of judgment. He knows the grief and sorrow of rejection and death born upon the shoulders of Christ Jesus. He knows the joy and celebration of Christ’s death and resurrection. O breath, breathe life upon the husband through the bonds of friendship. Breathe God’s enduring love and eternal hope.

O breath, breathe life into the dieing daughter. Come, Father of life, fill this weary soul with Your love, fill her spirit with the knowledge of Your mighty presence and love. Adorn her with a spirit of life and longing for You. Breathe, that she may live for You.

O breath, breathe upon the corporate woman. Fill the tear stained anguish cups with Your living water. Hold the sobbing shoulders underneath your mighty wings. Whisper Your words of strength and peace, your plan and purpose for her life. Breathe that she may live for You.

O breath, breathe life into the dieing son. As paramedics work feverishly to save his life, hear the cries of your servant, a paramedic and child of Yours, cries out for You to save him from this “body of death” and live for Your kingdom glory.

O Breath of Life, Enduring Love, Precious Father, You are the breath of life; breathe upon these slain, that they may live with eternal hope for Your love and glory here on earth and forever more with You in eternity.

PRAISE

Psalm 33:1
Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous; for praise is comely for the upright.

“Daddy, look at me!” is a familiar cry we parents hear. Our children love to show us what they can do, have learned, or accomplished. They long for the loving parental praises of their parents or guardians. They long for our undivided attention and admiration. It fills their heart with joy and strength for new adventures and challenges. It lets them know they are loved, adored, and truly cared for.

God is no different. He longs to hear praise from His beloved. He longs to hear us cry in admiration, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty!” He rejoices in our learning, our understanding, our joy, our prayers, and the songs of our heart. O believer, rejoice in the Lord. Rejoice and sing in the freedom from eternal, everlasting, death and separation from God. Rejoice in the death, suffering, and – hallelujah – resurrection of God’s son, Christ Jesus. Rejoice in the stories and struggles of saints gone before us. Rejoice in the rich history of God as recorded in the Bible. Rejoice in the spirit of love and a sound mind we have been given. Rejoice in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit; rejoice in His teaching, His comfort, and His intercessory prayer. Rejoice!

O believer, rejoice. Sing praises to the King of Kings. Bow before the throne of His Majesty and Glory and praise Him. Reach into the deepest recesses of your heart, recall the depth of depravity you have traveled, and weep in glorious praise at all He has done. Beloved, you are beautiful in His sight, and nothing is more beautiful to Him than to hear your praises. To hear you recall His selfless giving, His loving protection, His power of healing, His lessons of discipline, and His plans for our future. You – His pride and joy – are His delight. He loves His creation that was made in His very own image; holy, pure, and eternal.

O believer, rejoice in the Lord; take delight in Him, and lift your hands heavenward and from the depth of your soul praise the Lord Most High! He is the King of Kings; the Lord of Lords; the Master, Savior, and Creator; Emmanuel – God with us. He alone is worthy of our praise. O believer, dance before the King and praise His Holy name!

Filth

We recently went on vacation for a week. When we got home we unloaded the luggage, groceries, and other items we took with us, or brought back. Even though we removed everything from the car, it was still filthy. It had bird droppings, water spots, mud, dirt, sand, and even trash still inside.

We are the same way. We can stop smoking, drinking, cussing, looking at pornography, talking ugly, being rude and disrespectful, arguing with your spouse or boyfriend, being dishonest and untruthful, but until we confess these wrongs and ask for forgiveness we are still filthy. Yes, we have by all appearances cleaned up our life and made room for some more good qualities, but we are still filthy, we are dirty inside and out. The residue of our travel in this world still weighs heavy on our heart and soul. We are still caked in it, we still smell like it, and we look awful. We may look better, but we are not clean.

Until we remove ourselves from the distractions of this world, enter our prayer closet, and fall before the Most Holy God and confess the errors of our ways, we are unclean and intolerable in His sight. But, “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) He alone can clean you up. He alone can remove all traces of filth you have been wallowing in. He alone can and will remove any guilt and shame of your past. He alone will forgive and forget.

He longs for a pure, holy, and intimate fellowship with His creation; His creation that was made in His very own image; His creation that was made to fellowship, worship, and praise the Creator; His creation that was designed to rule over the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, and all the creepy things on the ground. You are His pride and joy, the delight of His heart, and like earthly parents who long to see you succeed in life, He longs for you to be pure and holy.

When earthly parents weep and mourn over the error of your ways, God also weeps and mourns. He made us pure and holy and nothing is more heart breaking than to see His pride and joy falling for the lies and deceits of this world, tossed around by the deception of “the good life,” or carried away by the filthy lustful pleasures this world claims is your right and privilege. O how His heart aches and mourns for His creation. O how He longs for the pure, undefiled fellowship He once had.

O sinner, O believer, come into the Holy and Mighty presence of the Lord God almighty, fall at His feet in anguish and sorrow at the path of life you have wandered down. Lay prostrate at His feet and moan at the wretched state of your heart and mind. Repeat the anguished words of Paul as he cried, “What a wretched man I am. Who can save me from this body of death?” O sinner, O believer, confess your heart, confess your thoughts, confess your speech, your actions, and lay them at His feet.

Love

I have loved thee with an everlasting love.

Jeremiah 31:3

“I have loved thee with an everlasting love” brings to mind such a beautiful love between a husband and a wife. A pure love, undefiled, selfless, generous, kind, thoughtful, and caring. A love that says “til death do us part.” A love that speaks no angry words and knows and speaks sweet words of love and encouragement. A love that gives to its beloved and says, “Take. This is mine and I give it to you.” A love that longs to please and is satisfied in that giving.

If you know God’s love, you know this pure, holy, undefiled, selfless, kind, thoughtful, bountiful, caring, and sacrificial love. His love is so pure that I can never repay it. His love is so kind that my generosity will never merit against it. His love is pure, holy, and undefiled and my love will never match it. His love is bountiful, caring, and selfless and my love will never compare to such selflessness and kindness. Yet, He loves me “with an everlasting love.” His love endures. His love died for me, endured death, and lives forever. His love longs for my love.

His love rises early in the morning and waits for me to awake. His love waits patiently for me to speak and acknowledge His presence. His love longs to talk about the activity of my day. His love is selfless in His providing for my basic needs. His love smiles as I leave and start a new day, but wonders when I will spend time with Him. His love hovers over me and clings to me like the cloths I wear, but I never noticed His enduring presence. His love looks on as I struggle through difficult people and problems. His love reaches out to hold my hand and longs to whisper words of wisdom and advice in my ear, but I don’t see or hear Him. His love patiently waits for me.

His love longs to please in the selfless giving of time. As my calendar is freed with canceled appointments He longs to talk with me over lunch, but I never noticed His presence in the car. Instead the news of the day, the phone has rung, or the songs of this world enticed my mind and consumed my newly found free time. Yet undaunted He waits. His love gives through the selfless acts of kindness of others once again asking patiently for my attention and I didn’t see Him.

His love protects me as I travel home, yet as I missed the speeding car that ran a red light I never noticed His presence. Once home I drop my bag and purse and plop my tired body in a chair and turn on the television. His love continues to call to me, but I don’t hear Him. His love whispers words of love and kindness, they go unnoticed. His love waits for me as I finish the day, but I walk past and fall into bed.

“His love is everlasting.” When will I notice? When will I see all that He has and is and will continue doing for me? When will my cold heart burn with the fire of His love? When will I know His very presence moment by moment, morning by morning, and day after day? When will this selfish heart break open and spill out its love for the One who loved me first? When will this heart give its love to the Giver and Provider of all love? When will I?

O Precious Father, may Your love never grow cold within me. May I always know Your intimate presence. May I always long to spend time with You. May the deepest yearnings of my heart surface to the top and cry, “Abba Father. You who loved me first fill my every thought with Your enduring love.” May I know from whence I came. May I long never to be the same. May my thoughts and selfishness be tamed by Your pure and holy love. O Father, may I share Your love in return with equaled devotion and cry out that I am unworthy of Your kindness and caring. Fill my longing with You. Fill my yearning with You. Fill my desire for love with You. Fill my entire being with You and may every sense of my being know Your everlasting presence and enduring love.

Goodness

Psalm 31:19-20

How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. In the shelter of your presence you hide them from intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues.

How great is your goodness –You, who created the universes; You, who created all living things; You, who bestowed upon me the likeness of Your holy image.

How great is your goodness – You, who loves me; You, whose joy is my delight, You, my Father and my King.

How great is your goodness – You, my provider; You, my healer; You, my protector.

How great is your goodness – You, who knows my tears; You, who knows my fears; You, who knows my heartaches and dreams.

How great is your goodness – You, who gives me strength; You, who gives me rest; You, whose shelter and presence I long for.

How great is your goodness – You, whose kingdom is everlasting; You, whose glory is forever; You, whose holiness is enduring.

How great is Your goodness you lavish on me. O Precious Father, may I never forget Your goodness. Remind me often of whence I came and may my heart remain humble of all that you gave. May the remembrance of your goodness forever be before me. May my heart long to please you from all the goodness you have bestowed upon me. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.

Sing for the King

2 Samuel 6:5
And David and all the house of Israel played before the Lord on all manner of instruments.

Where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst. I am Jehovah Shammah; the God who is here. I am with you always. I am the God of all creation. I am the First and the Last. I am the One who is, and was, and is to come. I am Emmanuel. I am the Prince of Peace. I am the Potter. I am the Vine. I am the Author and Finisher of your faith. I Am the Lord God Almighty.

The knowledge of who God was, and is, and is to come should bring us to our knees in reverence. The knowledge should indwell our hearts and minds. It should stir our feet to dance, our lips to sing, and our hands be raised in praise to the King.

He is the beginning of all life. He is the sustainer of present life. He is Eternal life. And we are the first fruits of His creation. We are loved. We are cared for. We are - because He is.

Everyday we look in the mirror we should see the God who created us, and our hearts should fill our minds with awe and our lips with praise. We like David and all Israel, should play, sing, and dance in His presence. Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Revelations 2:5
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Hosea 10:12
Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy, break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

It is time to “break up my fallow ground” and repent. I have become comfortable and lazy in my physical and spiritual life. I have allowed weeds to grow among the Christian qualities and characteristics God has grown in my life. In some cases the weeds continuously grab hold of these godly roots and block out or strangle the quality from ever being productive – a stronghold. I can sow good seeds all day long, but if I don’t actively and daily control the weeds and pests in my spiritual life than I will not reap a harvest of good spiritual fruit.

Spiritual weed and pest control is a learned art. How can I “watch for” and “remove” these pesky weeds? Weeds of laziness, of selfishness, of pride, of wasteful spending, of gluttony, of anger, of shifting the blame – “It’s not my fault,” of lying, cheating, stealing, bitterness, and the list goes on. As in real gardening, learning to control and remove weeds is a continual learning and doing process. During the different seasons, winter, summer, spring, and fall, different techniques for removing and controlling weeds are done. Read, study, and learn God’s word on how to battle, and daily remove these weeds and strongholds in your life. When is the helmet of salvation used? When is the breast plate of righteousness used? When is the girding of the truth used? When do I use my feet shed with the gospel of peace? When and how do I use the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit?

It is time to break up my fallow ground, stir up the fertile righteous soil in my life, and pull out the weeds from within the garden of my life. Does this mean my spiritual harvest is gone? I don’t have any good qualities or characteristics to draw on to keep me sustained in my spiritual walk? No, it doesn’t. You have a storehouse of spiritual fruit that you have reaped, and you have the daily manna in God’s word that will sustain you during this time of repentance and re-growth of new spiritual fruit in your life.

This sounds like a season of repentance; a time where seeds of righteousness are not planted but allowing the spiritual soil, my heart, an opportunity to rest from the grips of wretchedness. A time of continuously turning over the soil, molding and tilling my heart, and preparing it for new spiritual growth and fruit.

In retrospect, this same process has been done before in my life, but I was not actively engaged. The Holy Spirit prepared my heart, my spiritual soil, for me. I am no longer a spiritual baby or child. The weeds are obviously not pretty flowers anymore. I no longer see the beauty in all things, but I know the good from the bad.

O precious Father, I am on my knees in this garden of my life. I have allowed your Spirit to till my spiritual soil in preparation for this moment. As I look around and see the weeds that remain, I am broken at the wretched state I have been so content to live in. O Father, give me strength to sustain me during this season in my life; this season of repenting and removing the weeds and wretchedness that has grown in me. Lord, use these tears and pain to fertilize Your next crop of spiritual fruit intended for me and others. O Father, Your servant, Your child, longs to please you. May you receive the praise and glory for all that is done. Selah.

Nursery - Again?

1 Peter 2:1-4

Wherefore laying aside all malice, and guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby; if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Working in the church nursery again has been fun and challenging. My kids are twelve and seven so the mental recall of what a baby needs has been painful, but alas not forgotten. I remain amazed at the inherent maternal instincts that God has blessed women with.

Babies are loveable, innocent, sweet, precious, and I am probably one of a few who would say, challenging. Thanks to my competitive nature I love challenges. Having relatively older children my brain is challenged to understand and recall again the language of a baby. Is that whimper from discomfort with gas? Is he tired? Is he wet? Is he hungry? Does he just want his mama? Does he want to be held and snuggled? Oh my, what am I doing back in the nursery?

With all honesty I can tell you that it didn’t take long to find that once believed lost understanding. Besides the sheer joy that a mother would trust us to care for her child for a couple of hours, there is one more pleasure in the nursery; a baby that is hungry and wants to be fed.

If you understand the baby’s language and the crying early enough you will have instant pleasure in satisfying a simple need. A hungry baby becomes wiggly, uncomfortable, discontented, and very very vocal. Place the bottle in the baby’s mouth and all that goes away. Pure contentment and delight is evident in the body language of the baby. Some babies latch hold of the bottle and inhale like a vacuum. Others latch on and gently enjoy every swallow. Regardless, the baby is nourished and satisfied until the next feeding.

“As newborn babes” we are to desire the “sincere word.” We should be like the babies who become uncomfortable when we miss our bible reading in the morning. We should be distressed when we don’t study our Sunday school lesson or quiet devotional. Our whole body should cry in pain when we go days, weeks, months, and years without so much as reading the Bible.

If you have tasted that the Lord is gracious than you should be uncomfortable, discontented, and even feel malnourished if you do not read the Word of God on a regular basis. Babies have regular feedings and so should you.

Praise the Lord

Psalm 150:6
Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.

As I sit here this morning the dawn of the new day is transitioned with a beautiful chorus from the birds outside the window. A beautiful melody. A song of a new day. A song of provision. A song of beauty and love and joined by others. O, “let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.”

How is it that the birds have a new song every morning and I struggle to get out of bed and whisper a simple, “Good morning Lord?” Every morning should be filled with a new song in my heart. Every morning I should dance with joy that my Redeemer lives and death has lost its sting. Every morning I should recall the “work of His hand” in all creation and in my own life. Every morning I should know His loving forgiveness that removes my shame as “far as the east is from the west.” Every morning I should know that He fills my cup with joy and it runs over. Every morning I should know the expanse of His love that nailed my Savior to the cross. Every morning my heart should sing with the birds; singing praises to the King who was, who is, and who is to come.

Praise God in his sanctuary.
Praise him in the firmament of his power.
Praise him for his mighty acts.
Praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Praise him with the sound of the trumphet.
Praise him with the psaltery and harp.
Praise him with the timbrel and dance.
Praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
Praise him upon the loud cymbols.
Praise him upon the high-sounding cymbols.
Let everything that hath breath praise the lord.
Praise ye the Lord. (Psalm 150)

Sing!

1 Timothy 1:14-17
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to them which should here after believe on him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Today is Sunday, a day for corporate worship. A day to gather with the saints and sing praises to the King. Today is the day where Christ is known to all believers, because where two or more are gathered in His name, there He is in the midst of them. Today is the day to enter the temple courts with alms, praise, and thanksgiving.

Do you know “the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God?” Do you know the God of salvation, of peace, of joy? Do you know the God who provides, the God who heals, the God who leads us in triumphant procession? Do you know the God whose banqueting table is prepared for you? Do you know the God who leads you to green pastures and beside the still waters?

O, if you know Him lift high your voice and sing! “Great is thy faithfulness.” “Unto thee O Lord I will lift up my voice.” “Glory in the highest.” “It is well with my soul.”

O, lift high your voice and sing for He ransomed the sinners. He freed the chains that bind. He has healed the broken hearted. He, the Creator, loves His most precious creation, you!

Do you know this love? Sing as one who knows this love. Sing as one who knows this freedom. Sing as one just pardoned. Sing as one just freed from guilt and shame. O, lift high your voice and sing to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, only wise God, Holy, Almighty, all glorious, and all powerful. Sing!!