Category: Good Life Journal

Journal Acts 5 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation and notes are mine)

 

Scripture: Now, many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles…

And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them.

The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. (Acts 5:12-16)

Observation: The incident of Ananias and Sapphira get all the attention in Acts 5, but while that is a wakeup call against misleading people, it isn’t the only thing to pay attention to…

What was the change event that made ordinary disciples into apostles?

Application: I wonder why the first few chapters of Acts seem to be all caught up with signs and wonders?

And I wonder why the current church isn’t.

In fact, if I look at the surface of church history, I sure don’t see testimony of any sort of steady, consistent, regular miracles happening. (Look above at the reference scripture: “…many signs and wonders were regularly done…”) Miracles weren’t a “Surprise!”, they were expected.

The scripture reads like miracles weren’t on the heels of a well spoken message or any other sort of preparation…miracles were just “there”.

Somewhere in the intervening centuries, preaching/teaching took a predominant role and emphasis and miracles faded from expectation.

Shucks, I look in the mirror and I don’t expect them either. Why is that?

I am not a dispensationalist—I don’t think that God has arranged eras of time that He has decided to move differently than what His testimony has revealed. (Note: I base my POV on the negative proof of the scripture, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Heb 13:8) If God can be false in any part of his testimony, then who is to say what is valid for today and what is not? The Gospel falls apart from implied inconsistency. Therefore, God must be true throughout his Word without any inconsistency. How’s that for a quick theology mini lesson?)

Back the other day, posting on Mark 16, Jesus rebuked the disciples for their “unbelief and hardness of heart.” (c. Mk 16:14) Is that what I am experiencing? Unbelief? Having a hard heart? I must think that if I am not directly, then I am unbelieving and hard hearted at least directionally.

What will open my “believer-thingy” and soften my heart to have faith in these things like miracles happening as an everyday, ordinary occurrence?

This is not a “theological” position in me—I truly want to know and moreover want to be an instrument of His Grace in an ordinary and everyday way (which perhaps should include regular, not extraordinary, practice of the gifts of the Spirit in our community). Theory is one thing, practice (praxis) is another. Praxis is, “…the process of using a theory (or a theological position) or something that you have learned in a practical way…”

Study in the Word is not meant to be theological alone (although that is needed), but it must lead to a practice.

 

Prayer: Shoot, Lord: It is a good thing that you don’t open up many options to jabber, otherwise I would never stop. The Gospel is too rich to be contained in only one direction.

Stir me up, O God, stir me up. Keep me steady on the path of righteousness.

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal Acts 6 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation and notes are mine)

 

Scripture: And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.

 

Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty…And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen (a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit) and Phillip, and [5 others]. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid hands on them.

 

And the word of God continued to increase…

 

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (etc.)…, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. (excerpted from Acts 6:2-10)

 

Observation: I see the advent of the deacons; the separation of church leadership from operational functionality in the local church; a form of church polity emerging; and how being a deacon is more than just the muscle for the local church…

 

Application: Goodness, that wrote harsh—but it is possible that it is directionally accurate, despite lacking in flowery and wordy language.

 

This all started because discrimination was rearing its ugly head in the local church: Greek believers (gentiles) were being treated as second class citizens in the predominantly Jewish congregation of believers.

 

So what did the core leadership do? Calling the entire local church together, the apostles said, “Choose among yourselves candidates for this new, next level of leadership”, a shrewd move, perhaps remembering what Jesus taught them, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. So be wise as serpents and innocent as doves…” (Matt 10:16) Maybe they never thought that could be applicable in dealing with the local church…  (Is this the beginning of Congregationalism as church polity? I must think about it more…)

 

Out of the task to choose seven guys, Stephen and Phillip predominate in the Acts narrative, if only because stuff happens with them and is recorded by Luke.

 

Stephen was observed to be a man “full of grace and power (interesting to meditate how these go together) and was doing great wonders and signs among the people.” He was so full of the Spirit of God that men could not withstand his wisdom. He also is martyred in the next chapter.

 

Phil was the evangelist recorded in Acts 8. Looks like a whole chapter was appointed to show the works of Phillip.

 

The other 5 weren’t talked about much in the scriptures, except for Nicolaus (a proselyte of Antioch). According to some google research I did, this guy may have been a budding heretic and may have been responsible for the heresy recorded by John in Revelations, the Nicolaitan movement influencing churches (Ephesus and Pergamum) and which Jesus spoke specifically against. Nicolaus may have been a political choice, and if so, sort of proves that the gift of discernment should be desired to be sharpened daily.

 

Sometimes the narrative supplies a lot of stuff to think about…

 

Prayer: Father, thanks for letting me write. These things bounce around between my ears and putting them in writing allows me to review and tackle them point by point in the future.

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Scripture

 

Vs 4 And Peter directed (the lame beggar’s) gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.”

Vs 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.

VS 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”

 

Vs 8 And leaping up, he … entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

Vs 10 And all the people … were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Vs 11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people (were) utterly astounded …

 

Vs 12 And when Peter saw it, he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?

 

Vs 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, ²⁰ that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, ²¹ whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.

 

Observation

 

Expectations & Response

 

In this chapter I see a series of expectations and various responses when reality is different from those expectations.

 

From most walkers by, the lame beggar likely expected nothing.

Peter told him to “look at us”.

The lame beggar now “expected to receive something” from Peter and John.

Instead of “silver or gold”, Peter told him to “rise up and walk”.

 

The lame beggar’s response was more than “rise and walk”.

His response was “walking and leaping and praising God”.

 

“All the people” also had an expectation … to see the usual lame beggar on a mat.

Their response to a different reality was “wonder and amazement” and “utter astoundment”.

 

Peter then called for a different response … “Repent!”

 

And a response of “Repent” leads to “Refresh” leads to “Receive” leads to “Restore”!

 

Application

 

What are my expectations? … And what is my response when reality does not meet it?

Do I expect God to remain active in the world?

Do I expect others to play a role in God’s great unfolding?

Do I expect myself to participate in this?

And how do I respond?

 

Everyone has “expectations” in life … for what God can do? … Or will do?

… Are mine too low?

Do I expect God to show up?

 

Are my expectations consistent with what God wants done?

The lame beggar wanted “silver or gold”?

God granted him “rise and walk”!

 

The lame beggar expected enough to sit right where he was.

Could he even conceptualize “rise and walk”?

 

What about me?

What is my “gold and silver” that I think will be enough to sit right where I am?

What is my “rise and walk” that I can’t even imagine God’s willingness to grant?

 

And what would be my response if God were to grant it?

 

Would I respond with “wonder and amazement” at a new reality?

Or would I respond with “leaping and praising” of the God who created the new reality?

 

I am one who tends to keep my expectations pretty low.

(May sound strange from a largely optimistic person.)

We live in a very broken world, with very selfish people.

Why would they, or even me, live to a different expectation?

 

A big question, then, right now for me is …

Where is the line between “Your grace is sufficient?” and “God act!!!”

 

Well … what would be my response if He did act?

Would it be a dumbfounded astonishment? … Or a leaping with praise?

 

Perhaps, if I repent, I can find out.

 

Prayer

 

God, help me to praise in everything

Help me to have the highest expectations of You

Even in the midst of a sinful world

Help me play whatever role you would have me in it

Grant me to repent when and where I need it

And Praise you always

In Jesus name

Amen

 

Journal Acts 4 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation and notes are mine)

 

Scripture: And as [Peter and John] were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

And they arrested them and put them into custody until the next day (for it was already evening).

But many who had heard the word believed—and the number of the men came to about 5,000…” Acts 4:1-4

Observation: The Scriptures can convey a sense of irony and understatement: Annoyed? Really?

Tossing Peter and John in a drunk tank overnight?

And “about 5,000” responded to the teaching despite this?

That’s power—even if I don’t understand the transitions…

Application: What is so compelling about the resurrection of the dead subject that tons of people respond powerfully?

In all the subjects of the Gospel that can be broken down, separated, and talked about, the resurrection of the dead doesn’t make my personal top 10.

In fact, this subject and the subsequent antipathy with the Sadducees is what starts the ball rolling sending Paul to Rome for trial (Acts 22).

This morning I am wondering why I tend—no, I focus—on the Gospel outline of innate sin of Man to a Holy God, the need of Redemption, and the subsequent insistence of pursuing Godliness to the End, and not talking about, referring to, the subject of resurrection of the dead.

My mental picture of the pursuit of being a successful disciple is the analogy of the game of baseball. It doesn’t matter where the Manager puts me, I need to play the position assigned with effort, intensity, and most importantly, increasing skill through all my days until the End.

The resurrection of the dead subject seems to be something of “after the End” (except as it applies to Jesus, the Son of God) or an individual act of the Spirit of the miracle of raising the dead through the hands of disciples—not the same thing being referred to that got the Sadducees hot and bothered.

I have post-it notes on my desk wall about subjects I need to pay attention to. Today I added another one: the Resurrection of the Dead—Why?

I don’t have an answer yet. But, through the grace of the Holy Spirit and some elbow grease, eventually I will.

 

Prayer: Father, help me not to forget this subject. As I read the Scriptures, open my eyes to the subject of the Resurrection of the Dead and where does it fall in the outline of the Gospel.

Address my “wait” problem and allow me the patience to hear from your whisper. Without being arrogant, I request a good and thorough answer and “just” an answer alone—something I can sink my teeth into and be satisfied in You about.

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Scripture –  

Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive the power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.”

Observation –  

Jesus answers the disciples question about restoring the kingdom to Israel by telling them only the Father knows times of events, then he starts verse 8 with But.  This is an important but, because when the Holy Spirit comes to the disciples they will receive power.  In the power of the Holy Spirit the disciples are to be Jesus’ witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea.  Samaria is significant because this shows the gospel is to go beyond the nation of Israel  and then extend to all nations.  The gospel goes beyond all geographic, cultural and ethnic barriers.

Application – 

As a baptized born again follower of Jesus, the Holy Spirit is alive in me and gives me power, strength, wisdom and discernment.  Acts 1:8 is Jesus last instructions to his disciples before His ascension into heaven with the Father.  It is not a question if we choose to be Jesus witnesses, Jesus says you will be my witnesses. Nor is it a question where I am to be a witness for Jesus.  I am called  to be a  witnesses and ambassador for Jesus everywhere!  The disciples started first in Jerusalem which is their city then to Judea which is their state and expanded into different regions of country and to all ends of the earth.  I must start in my home and my hometown to serve people and be a witness here in Bradenton.  God’s plan is for the gospel to be carried to all people groups and I have a contributing role to help extend His glory.   There are more people from different groups throughout our state  and country that I can be intentional about sharing the Love of Christ with.  Sometimes it can be a simple question of how are you doing and  how can I pray for you? We can all pray and there is power in prayer whether it is in front of a food stand, on  the sidewalk for a family seeking an abortion in Sarasota or the Katso people group in China. I also have the opportunity to partner with missionaries and  sending  organizations who are placing goers in an unreached people group where no one knows the name of Jesus.

Prayer – 

Father,

Thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit to give me strength when I can do  nothing on my own.  Let the Spirit guide me to be a witness for you to extend your glory here and amongst the nations. 

Journal Acts 2 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation and notes are mine)

 

Scripture: “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave utterance.

Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem, Jews—devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound (the “roaring wind” from the second verse) the multitude came together, and they were bewildered (because each one was hearing them (the disciples) speak in [the devout men’s] language.

[skipping down to verse 11]…we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” Excerpted from Acts 2:4:11

Observation: What is more controversial? A display of a spiritual gifting or that these bunch of guys in an upper room, hanging out together, would have it all together enough to simply talk EXTENSIVELY about the mighty works of God?

Application: You know why Christians are firmly encouraged to read the Scriptures repeatedly? Because the Holy Spirit will emphasize or expose something missed over the first dozen times a verse or section was read.

It is akin to seeing a movie more than once: I will pick up on a detail I missed previously. How many times have I seen Star Wars 4? And how many times have I noticed something new in the corner of a scene? That is like the producer of Acts (the Holy Spirit) grabbing the attention of the reader after the first reads…

During my first 40 years of being a believer, I am “Yeah, yeah, speaking in tongues; gift of the Spirit, nothing new to see here except to confirm in the mirror Gifts are for today and prepare to discuss (argue) with others about their validity.”

But what do I see today?

The group of knuckleheads known as Jesus’ disciples start talking. While speaking in languages they have supernaturally been enabled with, they are talking specifically about the mighty works of God—so that the hearers are bewildered AND amazed.

What is the difference between the “mighty works of God” and the “mighty word of God?” If there is no difference, why does the Scripture differentiate between them? Word and Works aren’t exactly interchangeable in a sentence.

The point for me this morning is “Why don’t I talk about God’s mighty Works?” Is it because I don’t gaze in the morning sky (or wherever) and I don’t recognize his Works—and they don’t move me, stir up my soul?

The Gospel is a work, a mighty work. It was conceived before time began and is never ending (think hard on it: Will the Gospel end with the advent of the New Jerusalem? My money is on NO.).

Does the Gospel grip my soul? Does it grip my soul enough that if NOT ONE OTHER PERSON ever is converted, does not get “saved”, will I still be in awe of the Gospel and speak of it (not present it, but speak of it) every day for the rest of my life?

I think that is why I saw this today. I have thought (and still do) that the Gifts of the Spirit is the “mighty work” to pay attention to.

However, if I think in a measure that prioritizes to my pea-brain what God has done, his Mighty Works, the works of the Gospel trumps all. That is why it is good to study all the disparate parts of the Gospel (even where the Gifts fall in) and put effort into knowing and understanding every doctrine involved—so that every day I awake amazed at what God has done!!

 

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the shoulders of your mighty men that have come before. They have explained the Gospel in a systematic way so that I can pick out the volume of the Doctrine I need to review today.

I surrender to You, help me to surrender more.

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal Ps 14-15 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation and notes are mine)

 

Scripture:  “…there is none who does good.

 

The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are ANY who understand, who SEEK after God?

 

(conclusion) They have ALL turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is NONE who does good,

 

Not…even…one.” Ps 14:1b-3

 

Observation: This is an incontrovertible, undeniable principle of the Gospel. Without this, the Gospel as we know it, becomes weak and ambiguous.

 

Application: So why, Face in the Mirror, is this important to be reminded of in so firm a way?

 

Reviewing the Gospel from the aspect and doctrine of Man:

• Adam became corrupt, therefore all generations succeeding from Adam are corrupt.
• Because Man is corrupt, Man is considered not-holy and cannot come into the presence of God without falling victim to His Holy Wrath (whatever passes for annihilation in God’s economy).
• Because God loves Man (inconceivable but true), God makes a way to pardon Man:

o   First through the Sacrificial System/Process, and then,

o   Through the Final Sacrifice, the Holy, Sinless, Son Jesus.

o   Notice that nowhere Man’s corruption is changed, it is only pardoned and found acquitted through faith in the Blood of Jesus.

• In parallel, Man’s inner being (heart) is changed, tantamount to being born again. Fresh start? Yes, but also no, for:
• Born again Man is at war with the Corrupted Man to put to death the corrupted urges of the Inner Man: “For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death (mortify) the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Ro 8:13; see also Ro 5 through 8 for further explanation)

 

Therefore, to put it another way, I walk in holiness by effort in the Grace of God, changed by His Grace to be able to do that.

 

It is because I have faith in the propitiation of Jesus, the acquittal decision of my Corrupt nature (Sin) before the Throne/Judgment Seat AND ONLY BECAUSE of Him: I haven’t been changed so much to be declared INNOCENT, only to be forgiven of my Sin.

 

Now the party in Revelation makes sense:

“And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne…the 24 elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him…They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things and by your will they existed and were created.” Rev 4:9-11

 

“And when (the Lamb) had taken the scroll, the 4 living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb…And they sang a new song, saying: “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals. For you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God (from every tribe and language and people and nation) and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God…

 

Then I looked and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels…saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!!” Rev 5:8-12

 

Prayer: All Glory to You who has pardoned my Sin undeservedly with your own Blood.

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal Ps 12-13 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation and notes are mine)

 

Scripture: (David speaking) “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

 

(continuing a lament) How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

 

(a challenge) Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, ‘I have prevailed over him,’ lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

 

(a conclusion) But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart SHALL rejoice in your salvation. I WILL sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.” (complete Ps 13)

 

Observation: Again, I learn about conduct and attitude from one whom God called “a man after my own heart.” (Ps 89 and Acts 13:22)

 

Interestingly enough David isn’t all victory, triumph, and success. He has “bad” and depressionary days—just like me.

 

But he knows to “set his jaw”, narrow his eyes in concentration, and speak to his faltering heart about where to go…

 

Application: At times the scriptures get read in a “rat-ta-tat” way, when there should be pauses, change in cadence, emphasis in emotion—it should be orchestrated like reading Shakespeare or “The Cat in the Hat.”

 

If the individual Psalms could be theatrically portrayed like a “one man show”, perhaps I would be able to extract more of what it means to be a functioning and authentic disciple?

 

Slowing down the reading and mulling the meaning of each section, imagining how David must have said it to himself; how he spoke the words and the sentences to the heavens; how David unwittingly went from a question to a lament to a challenge to the Holy Spirit, and finally grabbed himself by the scruff of the next and said, “Nevertheless…”

 

Isn’t this how I am supposed to be? Why then do I want to jump to the punch line and suppress my emotions and the lamentations of my heart BEFORE I can take advantage of what the Holy Spirit is doing in me?

 

David indicates in this Psalm that he is all by himself (“How long must I take counsel in my soul…”). That is probably the lot a ton of Christians find themselves in. Why? Why should that be true?

 

• Is it because what passes for fellowship is shallow?
• Is it because deep, abiding friendships are not sought, nor found? (take for instance Jonathan and David; how about the brotherhood described in Psalm 133)
• Is it because I don’t look for “evidences of Grace” in others so I may encourage/exhort them that “they may not fall into the deceitfulness of sin?” (Heb 3:12-13)
• Is it because our Christian culture doesn’t “put up” with sad and downcast faces for only so long?

 

Do I know how to care for our own in the glaring shadow of the Cross?

 

Right now, I am in what passes for my “prayer closet” and channeling David’s emotion. I probably do this every day because outside of my wife and one other I feel like I have no one to walk this through with. (Note: This is not recent, what I wrestle with is decades long and I have concluded it is similar to Paul’s thorn in the flesh description (2 Cor 12:7)).

 

But others may be walking through stuff in the same manner, doing it alone, awaiting a godly hand and shoulder to cry upon. That same “shoulder” may be  waiting for an invitation… This “wait” may be unconsciously attempting to establish authority; maybe not. The Promise Keepers I have encountered (holding one another accountable) were big in establishing hierarchical authority—counter to the direction of the Scriptures.

 

Prayer: Father, help me to be faithful in a continual manner; walking the narrow road of righteousness. I don’t want to be a fatalist, thinking that “all I have is You and myself. This isn’t true and will never be true.

 

I want more and accurate discernment; that prophetic grace-based discernment, so that I may serve the local church effectively.

 

Help me not to be a coward but to listen intently and speak boldly.

 

Even the “found” can be “lost” at times.

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal Ps 10-11 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation and notes are mine)

 

Scripture: “The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven;

 

His eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man. The LORD tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence…

 

For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.” Excerpted from Ps 11:4-7

 

Observation: This is testimony of God’s holiness and omniscience.

 

Application: Sometimes it is difficult to extract stuff from the scriptures; I must really think hard about it.

 

Take testing by God for instance. My first impulse is that I am being tested for a pass/fail grade; God is testing me to see how well I have done.

 

That might be reasonable except that God is omniscient—he sees everything from before to beyond. God is aware of my conduct and life 10 minutes from now right now—he does NOT have to wait on the clock to tick.

 

Therefore, with that incommunicable attribute firmly in mind of his Omniscience, I can kick the idea to the curb that God does not EVER wait on the clock to advance to experience any future.

 

If I embrace that one attribute fully, how does that change any expression I have about God intersecting with my life? Even if I cannot see what my future is like, God sees it—not can see it; not will see it. He sees it. Right now.

 

How about this? God sees my deeds with his eyes open. God even sees with his eyelids closed.

 

Back to the subject of testing: God has no need of testing me to see if I am going to fail or not—he already knows. You know who doesn’t know and needs to know the pass/fail grade?

 

Me.

 

True that. If I am serious about PURSUING Jesus and his holiness, I want to know and be aware of my shortfalls in performance.

 

Wanting to know this, I should and must ask the Holy Spirit to reveal these things to my awareness SO THAT I can review and/or record them to make a biblically focused response—If I don’t have a plan to execute, I cannot obtain a result. That is part of being a disciple in truth and not just in name.

 

Prayer: Father, I want to please you and feel your pleasure towards me. You are pleased with righteousness; it says so in the scripture above.

 

It also says you are not pleased with wickedness, in fact, you hate it. How do you deal with me when I do wicked, hateful, violent things? I know grace and mercy, but your omniscient patience rules the day!

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Psalm 9

Scripture

 

Vs 1 I will recount all (the Lord’s) wonderful deeds.

Vs 6 The very memory of (the enemy) has perished.

 

Vs 12 (The Lord) does not forget the cry of the afflicted.

Vs 14 I may recount all your praises,

Vs 17 The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God.

VS 18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten,

Observation

From beginning to end of this psalm there is “recounting” and “memory” and “forgetting” and “forgotten”.

Many things filling the mind or utterly gone from the mind.

And the “Who, What, and When” seem to matter.

These are past, present, or future actions done by God or the psalmist.

Application

What fills my mind?

What do I allow to constantly play over and over again through my head?

What do I remember?  … What do I forget?

What tends to dominate my thinking? … The good? … or the bad?

For the psalmist here, he “recounts the Lord’s wonderful deeds”!

He is filling his mind with not just “positive thoughts”.

He is recalling specifically what the Lord has done …

And they are “wonderful”! … (Full of wonder!)

What happens when the mind is full of the wonderful deeds of the Lord?

“The very memory of the enemy has perished.”

I am a “positive guy”.

But are my “positive thoughts” merely a function of thinking negative circumstances will turn around?

To be truly “wonderful” is to be more than pollyannish.

“Negative” circumstances don’t necessarily become “positive” circumstances.

I can’t count on this. That’s foolishness.

But I can count on The Lord to be good.

And then I can “recount” all the good the Lord has done and is doing.

This is a must …

Because those who “forget God” are “wicked”!

What’s better than my remembering of God?

God’s remembering of me!

Even when I am “needy” and “afflicted” and feel “forgotten”,

I can know this will not always be!

“The Lord does not forget the cry of the afflicted.”

“For the needy shall not always be forgotten.”

And when I remember that I am remembered …

I can go on “recounting all the wonderful deeds of The Lord!”

Prayer

Thank you, again, God, for your word

But thank you especially for your remembering

Even when I forget about you!

Holy Spirit, help me recount the wonders

In Jesus name

Amen

Journal Ps 6-7 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation and notes are mine)

 

Scripture: I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping.

 

(deep breath…) My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes.

 

(straighten up my shoulders…) Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping. The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord accepts my prayer. (Ps 6:6-9)

 

Observation: David didn’t dismiss his feelings and expressions of anguish, sorrow, heartache, pain, and distress easily. He cried out to the Lord.

 

Question is: Do I dismiss these emotions and thoughts and go right to the punch line of having a prayer answered and miss the benefits of the toil to get there?

 

Application: I must make no mistake: there is a benefit in wrestling with feelings of anguish, etc. If there isn’t a benefit to be obtained, how is faith perfected?

 

If I skip the work, where will I get the muscle memory when I will need it?

 

There is a reference that lines up with this. Romans 12:15 says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” I can instantly align with rejoicing with others, but I fail to weep, opting otherwise to convince them to see the goodness of God.

 

How many of those folks have I tried to do this with and how many have seen right through the insincerity behind it? For I have tried to major in the praise and rejoicing part (positive thinking) and have minored (if not failed) in consolation to my brother by just keeping my mouth shut and letting my own tears flow.

 

I remember Alan, going through the beginnings of his marriage breaking up, and just sitting against the building with him. I paid attention to the Spirit and just put my arm around him when my heart was warring within me, “Say something. You are supposed to minister to him!! Find, dredge up within you a holy statement that will make him feel better!!” All the time I was sitting with him I was looking for a scripture bullet to load in my holy six gun to shoot.

 

I didn’t succumb for with effort I placed productive faith in “weeping with those who weep.”

 

That is testimony about serving another. What about when my world comes crashing in the dark, when sleep isn’t found because my mind is filled with anguish, sorrow, and torment?

 

This is the testimony of David in Psalms 6. It serves me well to understand that David isn’t trying to escape the emotion of dread; he acknowledges them in detail.

 

And then, not too quickly but firmly says, “Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping. The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord accepts my prayer.”

 

In another Psalm, David says it this way, “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God for I shall again praise him, my salvation…” (Ps 42:5) I have this personal picture of picking my soul by the scruff of the neck and shaking it, speaking this psalm to it.

 

I am wandering in this post today. I can’t help but think I want to be like Jesus. He was a man of sorrows—but didn’t stay there. He wept over Lazarus even though he knew he was going to raise him up in a couple of hours.

 

Dealing with personal sorrows biblically and thoroughly is like an exercise regimen conducted by the Holy Spirit. Do your spiritual pushups, don’t skip, so that you will be strong when called upon.

 

Prayer: Father, I think I am becoming aware that when I am confronted with anguish and you allow me to cry out like David did, you are doing a number on my pride, diminishing it tendril by tendril.

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Scripture – 

Psalm 5:11 – But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.  

Observation – 

In verse 10 David is asking God to make those who have rebelled against Him to bear their guilt.  For those who seek God as their shelter there is joy.  There is a  constant song to the Lord.  David asks for protection over those who seek Him when in danger.  Joy will abound in those who love the name God.

Application –

Whether I am doing great or facing difficulties the Lord is my refuge and in Him I have joy.  Where else will I look for shelter?  I know I have protection in Jesus who overcame death and died for me so I can have life in Him.  This is my greatest need and is cause for unending joy to sing praises to God for His grace and mercy.  Jesus loved me first and I love Jesus  and rejoice in His name above all names.  

Prayer – 

Father,

Thank you for your love, grace and mercy you have for me and sending Jesus so I can have a relationship with you.  Let the Spirit guide me to seek you, find shelter in you, grant me protection and let me be joyful and sing your praises to glorify you.  

Journal Mark 16 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

 

Scripture: [continuing the account post-resurrection] “After these things [Jesus] appeared in another form to two of them [the Road to Emmaus Incident] as they were walking into the country.

 

And they went back and told the rest (of the disciples), but they did not believe them. Afterward [Jesus] appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.

 

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to the whole creation…and these signs will accompany those who believe…”” edited from Mark 16:12-17b

 

Observation: A familiar story, similarly told in some form from Matthew, Luke, and John. Four sets of eyes, four writers, all writing what was remembered and personally important.

 

Application: I think that this is where just sticking to one recounting of the Post-Resurrection accounts doesn’t do the story justice, but it does give me insight on what was important to the writer.

 

I shift gears and become a historian, or investigative reporter, and try to roll four accounts into one narrative, before breaking it apart again. “Just the facts, ma’am…” From Mark’s account:

• Somehow Jesus was able to hide in plain sight, like he did on Emmaus Road.
• Loves the disciples but is not above calling them knuckleheads for not believing he was seen.
• Equates unbelief with hardness of heart: This is important for a person like me to understand. My unbelief equals hard-heartedness.
• Beware kicking your feet up and relaxing. Jesus likes to pop in unannounced under those circumstances.
• And the ultimate “if/then” statement: “…these signs follow those who believe…”

 

Here’s a question I wrestle with: Do I spend more time explaining away scripture or make more effort explaining stuff that is difficult, like Mark 16:17-18.

Am I comfortable in Christ to embrace that profound theological position of “I don’t know; it is a mystery…”, I’ll have to get back to you later on that?

 

Prayer: Lord, let me wrestle with your Word with diligence and patience. Many times, the scriptures challenge my beliefs with things that are fantastic and difficult to imagine putting into practice. But please don’t let me discount and ignore your words because I am a coward.

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal Mark 15 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

 

Scripture:  And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last.

 

And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. (Mark 15:37-38)

 

Observation: A profound event: The Holy of Holies is now forever accessible to Man through the Propitiation of the Son.

 

Application: I remember hearing a man preach on this.

 

It bears repeating: the ripping of the Curtain to the Holy of Holies is a profound event. Men now have access to God.

 

The reason why? Because the Son of God gave himself as the final and ultimate sacrifice to atone for Man’s sin against God.

 

The visual of ripping the curtain from top to bottom is that the mighty Hand of God did the ripping. If this was a mortal man, the curtain would be ripped from the bottom up—because that would be the easy grip.

 

I imagine the picture: Jesus breathed his last; the curtain is split open. The presence of God is available to a sinner like me…

 

I am amazed.

 

Prayer: Trinitarian God, Almighty Lord, Everlasting Father.

 

Please do not let me consider the Gospel in a flippant manner—as I am prone to.

 

Allow me to behold the wonder of your grace—as my flesh tries to avoid.

 

It is only by your sovereign grace that I can draw near to you.

 

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes