9You visit the earth and cause it to overflow;
You greatly enrich it;
The stream of God is full of water;
You prepare their grain, for thus You prepare the earth.
10You water its furrows abundantly,
You settle its ridges,
You soften it with showers,
You bless its growth.
11You have crowned the year with Your bounty,
And Your paths drip with fatness.
Psalm 65:9-10
For the most part of Psams 64 & 65, David spoke a lot about being victimized by his oppressors but these two verses refocused him back on God. It's all about God, never us. We need to recalibrate our hearts in the most emotional times.
I was feeling really terrible since last night. I wanted to give up on this journey, call it quits and just be happy. I started searching my soul in what that would take. Drinking? Hanging around people who agreed with me? Joining in on worldly conversations and activities? I really couldn't do this anymore, I needed to live the way I wanted. In this momentary lapse of stability, God gave me this passage and I was quicky reminded that this life has struggles but it's really all about our glorious Father, Son & Spirit. In 2 Corinthians 6:14 i was also told "do not be bound together with unbelievers.."
I prayed before my devotions that He speak to me because I needed help... He heard my cry and preppared a little sermon in these scriptures. This isn't by chance, it's because I've been spending time with Him daily and my ears are in tune. My sorrow has quickly turned into dancing (ps 30:11).
Father God, You are so wonderful to me, a dirty sinner. Thank You for correcting my heart and filling it afresh with Your Spirit. Thank You for allowing me to dwell in Your covering and seek refuge as I collect my thoughts. I will always return back to me because I'm not of this world, I'm a new creation in Christ Jesus! Love You Daddy! Amen!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Withholding Blessings
10Then she (D)fell on her face, bowing to the ground and said to him, "Why have I found favor in your sight that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?"
11Boaz replied to her, "All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know.
12"(E)May the LORD reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel,(F)under whose wings you have come to seek refuge."
Ruth 2:10-12
There must have been so much suffering in Naomi's family. From her husband to her 2 sons, all were lost. She didn't even want to be called Naomi and wanted to be called Mara, since the Lord has left her. There must've been so much dispair in their lives.
Ruth chose to stay with her mother-in-law even though her obligations ended with the death of her husband. She was faithful. She must've cried out to God so many times during her trials yet she remained faithful. And acknowledgement came from a stranger, in a place where she didn't expect it. It was the owner of the field, Boaz, that was touched to show compassion. He allowed her to glean the fields and even cared for her safety by commanding the others not to harm her. Boaz had it in his heart to bless her, a foreigner, and not withhold God's encouragement and love.
This is a message I need to listen to really carefully. I withhold God's blessing from so many because I'm selfish. And it's in a passive way too. I want to share a word or even a deed with someone but I choose not to because I don't want to bother them. Or I don't want to inconvenience someone. Or worse yet, I think I'm not the one to deliver the message... what? We're commanded to spread the Word of Jesus Christ why am I resisting? Even if I'm not doing it right, wouldn't God guide my tongue correctly? Wouldn't He, the King of all creation, prevent me from making any mistakes? Sure, I'll make mistakes but it all can and will be used by Him but nothing, absolutely nothing will happen unless I bring it to the table. I need to listen and obey the promptings of God's Spirit... I have to.
Father God, as I draw closer and closer to You every day I can hear the complaining of my flesh. I know where my problems are and it's sickening that I'm doing nothing about it. Why be a follower of The Way if I can't even right my own life? Please Lord, I pray that I can change my ways and love Yours. Help me put on the new self... "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." (2 Cor 5:17). Love you my Counselor. Amen!
11Boaz replied to her, "All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know.
12"(E)May the LORD reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel,(F)under whose wings you have come to seek refuge."
Ruth 2:10-12
There must have been so much suffering in Naomi's family. From her husband to her 2 sons, all were lost. She didn't even want to be called Naomi and wanted to be called Mara, since the Lord has left her. There must've been so much dispair in their lives.
Ruth chose to stay with her mother-in-law even though her obligations ended with the death of her husband. She was faithful. She must've cried out to God so many times during her trials yet she remained faithful. And acknowledgement came from a stranger, in a place where she didn't expect it. It was the owner of the field, Boaz, that was touched to show compassion. He allowed her to glean the fields and even cared for her safety by commanding the others not to harm her. Boaz had it in his heart to bless her, a foreigner, and not withhold God's encouragement and love.
This is a message I need to listen to really carefully. I withhold God's blessing from so many because I'm selfish. And it's in a passive way too. I want to share a word or even a deed with someone but I choose not to because I don't want to bother them. Or I don't want to inconvenience someone. Or worse yet, I think I'm not the one to deliver the message... what? We're commanded to spread the Word of Jesus Christ why am I resisting? Even if I'm not doing it right, wouldn't God guide my tongue correctly? Wouldn't He, the King of all creation, prevent me from making any mistakes? Sure, I'll make mistakes but it all can and will be used by Him but nothing, absolutely nothing will happen unless I bring it to the table. I need to listen and obey the promptings of God's Spirit... I have to.
Father God, as I draw closer and closer to You every day I can hear the complaining of my flesh. I know where my problems are and it's sickening that I'm doing nothing about it. Why be a follower of The Way if I can't even right my own life? Please Lord, I pray that I can change my ways and love Yours. Help me put on the new self... "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." (2 Cor 5:17). Love you my Counselor. Amen!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Temporary Framed through Eternity
16Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
17For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,
18while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Our faith needs to be strengthened day by day, hour by hour sometimes. We live in a world that's struggling to do most basic things and it doesn't matter if it's a huge thing like Paul goes through or just standing firm with our beliefs as we make daily choices. God uses Paul to encourage us that our reward in heaven is so much greater than what we have now. This is not even an appetizer! We need to give up! Give up our desires and agendas; but hold on to the eternal desires of His heart. Only when we're in tune to this glory can we appreciate the blessings in this life.
Yesterday we went to New Hope Windward because Michelle was serving (song So Small). Pastor Dave Barr gave a great message on Thank Therapy. He talked about Phil 2:14-15. It was part of a series on complaining. I thought of the Serenity Prayer, the full prayer P. Dave read. The ending of that prayer talked about being somewhat happy in this life but being extremely happy in the next. If we're so near-sighted, we'll never see the riches of heaven; and we'll be stuck in wrong choices & consequences.
Heavenly Father, I pray that my thoughts and decisions work in reverse to my flesh. Instead of thinking short-term first help me to frame my mind through Heaven's perspective. I want to look from eternity's standpoint to make daily decisions. Love You! Amen!
17For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,
18while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Our faith needs to be strengthened day by day, hour by hour sometimes. We live in a world that's struggling to do most basic things and it doesn't matter if it's a huge thing like Paul goes through or just standing firm with our beliefs as we make daily choices. God uses Paul to encourage us that our reward in heaven is so much greater than what we have now. This is not even an appetizer! We need to give up! Give up our desires and agendas; but hold on to the eternal desires of His heart. Only when we're in tune to this glory can we appreciate the blessings in this life.
Yesterday we went to New Hope Windward because Michelle was serving (song So Small). Pastor Dave Barr gave a great message on Thank Therapy. He talked about Phil 2:14-15. It was part of a series on complaining. I thought of the Serenity Prayer, the full prayer P. Dave read. The ending of that prayer talked about being somewhat happy in this life but being extremely happy in the next. If we're so near-sighted, we'll never see the riches of heaven; and we'll be stuck in wrong choices & consequences.
Heavenly Father, I pray that my thoughts and decisions work in reverse to my flesh. Instead of thinking short-term first help me to frame my mind through Heaven's perspective. I want to look from eternity's standpoint to make daily decisions. Love You! Amen!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Love Throughout Failures
30"If his sons forsake My law
And do not walk in My judgments,
31If they violate My statutes
And do not keep My commandments,
32Then I will punish their transgression with the rod
And their iniquity with stripes.
33"But I will not break off My lovingkindness from him,
Nor deal falsely in My faithfulness.
Psalms 89:30-33
No matter how much we fail or how far we've gone away from God will remain faithful and never revoke His love. This doesn't mean our decisions won't have consequences, it definitely will. But as we go through life He'll always be right there like a living parent.
I think about this psalm and it's very comforting, like a father who just gave his child a good spanking. But even as this happened he's taking the time to explain the situation with a firm lovingkindness. I need to accept all consequences of my failures in this way.
Father God, help me to be free of my failures. Not to welcome them but never to be afraid of taking risks. You know that's my flaw. Praise to You my king for what Youre doing through my life this season. I have a peace about taking risks, knowing that I'm right where You want me to be... even if I don't know, that's ok. Love You Dad. Amen!
And do not walk in My judgments,
31If they violate My statutes
And do not keep My commandments,
32Then I will punish their transgression with the rod
And their iniquity with stripes.
33"But I will not break off My lovingkindness from him,
Nor deal falsely in My faithfulness.
Psalms 89:30-33
No matter how much we fail or how far we've gone away from God will remain faithful and never revoke His love. This doesn't mean our decisions won't have consequences, it definitely will. But as we go through life He'll always be right there like a living parent.
I think about this psalm and it's very comforting, like a father who just gave his child a good spanking. But even as this happened he's taking the time to explain the situation with a firm lovingkindness. I need to accept all consequences of my failures in this way.
Father God, help me to be free of my failures. Not to welcome them but never to be afraid of taking risks. You know that's my flaw. Praise to You my king for what Youre doing through my life this season. I have a peace about taking risks, knowing that I'm right where You want me to be... even if I don't know, that's ok. Love You Dad. Amen!
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