Category: Good Life Journal

Scripture:

[5] ..Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

[6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, [7] casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

 

Observation:

After first addressing elders, and then the younger, Peter addresses everyone as “all of you”.

Clothe yourselves with Humility – surround yourselves with humility, let there be no way to see you without seeing you as humble..  That’s how important humility is.

It is equally expected for elders to serve and shepherd the younger with humility as it is form the younger to humbly serve the elders.

Furthermore elders and young alike are to be humble before the Lord.  This is, to rely on Him as Lord of all.  To recognize His power, to exalt Him and to know that He is always in control.  With that, there is no reason for anxiety because He cares about you.

 

Application:

Rather than point out that pride is a sin equal to other sins like adultery, I believe this is an instance of humility being pointed out as part of God’s will for us as an action we must take, and not a passive behavior.

Humbly presenting ourselves and our needs before God shows in a way that we believe in Him, not just know of Him.  Humility before him and before others shows that we know where our strength comes from – it comes from God alone.

As we humbly present ourselves before God, we should be handing our anxiety to Him as well.  Holding on to anxiety from worrying too much about things means that either..

1) We don’t trust God.  We don’t trust that He is good, that He cares about us, that He has good plans for us, that He keeps His promises, that He is in control..

OR

2) We know better than God what is best for us, thereby elevating ourselves to god status.

 

Prayer:

Lord thank You for teaching me and growing me through my strengths and through my weaknesses.  I know that all I am comes from You and that if I had nothing on this earth, I would still have You.  Lord take my anxiety and let me be anxious about nothing.  Lord help me to clothe myself in humility at all times and in all situations.  In Jesus’ mighty name I pray.  Amen.

 

Scripture: “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.  Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

 

Be sober minded…”  (1 Pet 5:5b-8a)

 

Observation:  What does God value the most?  Humility.

 

Analysis: “I am proud to say I don’t have an issue with humility.”

 

That statement blows it all up, I should be expecting a ZAP!! from On High any moment.

 

Worse part is that every so often I think it.  It especially comes out in me when I dare to compare myself to other people.  It is very similar to the Pharisee in the Temple: “Thank you God, I am not like that guy next to me.”  Whereas the tax collector beat his breast and cried out, “Be merciful to me, a sinner.”

 

Even when I don’t consciously know when I think it, it is there every moment of the day.

 

Why, though?  I remind myself that it is part and parcel of the Adam-derived Rebellion gene deep in my DNA.  The Serpent whispered: “Take, eat, for in eating you will be like God.  Wouldn’t that be cool?  You can relate to the Creator of the Universe as an equal…”  God said, “No”, and Adam said, “Aw, what would it hurt to know about Good and Evil?”  Adam’s pride rose up, and there we go for the last umpteen thousand years and beyond.

 

Pride replaced humility in Eden and now I work at being humble—not outwardly humble alone but rooting out pride wherever I find it in my heart.

 

Peter gives one example to work on: my relationship with others.  Paul talks about it to the Philippian church: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Phil 2:3)

 

There are examples all over the NT from the Pharisees, to the pharisee wanna bees; the discriminators of baptism of John vs. Jesus; gift practitioners; and all sorts of divisions, real or imagined.  And I know that I either have, are, or will practice them in the future.

 

What is the one thing that I need to keep in mind about humility?  The Gospel.  And that every morning (as my wife reminded me this AM).  Lam 3:21-23: “But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning…”  Why do I call this to mind?  The previous verse: “My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me…” and the “it” I remember is my Sin.

 

Now that I wandered all over the place, so what do I do now?  Goodness, that is working out my salvation with fear and trembling and submit myself under the mighty hand of God, however that works out.  After all, I would rather humble myself before God because I really, really, do not want to be resisted.

 

Prayer:  Lord, my head is bowed.  While I am writing this, I am following a conference call and rolling my eyes, thinking pridefully—but having to stay on the sidelines.  It is such an example of my innate pride roiling around in me.  I want to serve you and you alone.  You see in me how confused I get at times, straining the dividing line between being a servant and stepping into a leadership role.  Ah, I relax in your rest, awaiting your direction.  AMEN.

 

1 Peter 4:8 – Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Observation-

Peter is telling the church to be stewards of grace, be prepared to suffer and follow God’s will.  However, above all the other things he has just told the believers we are to continue to seriously love each other.  Our attitude of love towards others is a reflection of Christ’s love for us.

Application –  

Throughout scripture, Jesus tells us the importance of loving God and loving others.  This is our role as a Christian.  We love because he loved first.  There is only one way and only one thing that has the power to change hearts and thereby lives.  The love of Christ that changes one from inside compels us to love and serve others.  When we are loving others we are sharing the love of Christ.  We are to not cease but to love others fervently.  Genuine love for someone points to Christ and away from sin.

Prayer –

Father,

Thank you your love and grace in Jesus.  Let me receive your love and through the power of the Holy Spirit share it with others to glorify you.

Scripture: “Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives (when they (the husbands) see your respectful and pure conduct.

 

Do not let your adorning be external [only—added in the NASB]—the braiding of hair, and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

 

For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves….” (1 Peter 3:1-5a)

 

Observation:  As a husband, I have to acknowledge a few things: This wasn’t written for me to lord it over my wife; Caring for my wife’s soul, I have to think and consider how to coordinate with the Holy Spirit to assist implementing this; In the light of my own character, I must acknowledge how very difficult and fearful this is for my wife.

 

Knowing what the face in the mirror looks like deep in the heart and soul, I should get a glimpse of what “working out my salvation in fear and trembling” looks like to her.

 

Analysis:  Let me transparent with full candor: Way often, I am a knuckle-head first class when it comes to being a husband.  And I mean a 1^stClass Knucklehead with ruffles and flourishes, oak leaves and clusters.

 

After the past few days, I should be up for promotion to a higher grade of knucklehead (if there is one).

 

There are a few more sections of scripture that I must believe raises the hairs on the back of my wife’s neck like this one—and they all have to do with how wives become holy.  Often, the prospect is distasteful and approached with gritted teeth and maybe a bit of rebellion.

 

Why do I speculate that?  Because I would, given opposite circumstances.

 

Today, I remember to identify evidences of Grace.  Those places where my wife is submitting to the will of the Lord, obeying the Word, and actively looking to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in heart change.

 

Note to self: When you remember to identify evidences of Grace in my wife’s life, do not do it with ulterior motives, deceit, and a self-serving attitude.  Self: remember that you are RESPONSIBLE to present your wife, pure and dressed in white, to your Savior—because you dealt with her the way Jesus deals with you.

 

Prayer:   Father, I thank you for the Gift of Grace Deborah is to me.  A gift from Your mighty hand, just right, for us to become one in You.  Thanks for giving her more patience than I acknowledge.  AMEN.

Scripture: “So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.” 1 Peter 2:1-2

Observation: So many sections of scripture can be passed over quickly to get to the “eye-candy.” These two statements can be a whole Sunday worth of sermon. I bet that Charlie Spurgeon did just that once upon a time…

Analysis: I haven’t broken these two verses down before.

I think I know why:
1. I considered myself sort of immune from malice, deceit, envy, and slander. I would have accepted (and still do) the hypocrisy gene in me.
2. While I understand the “newborn” reference, I don’t quite apply it to the face in the mirror.

It probably doesn’t matter what the duration from “Yes, Lord” and now is measured in (days, weeks, months, years…decades), there was a point where I did not identify with being a “newborn.” Seems condescending in some sort of way.

I said to the cosmos, “I am a big boy now” and to authenticate that statement I took off my diapers and pulled on my big boy pants.

The Holy Spirit is probably NOT talking to real newborns in Christ but talking to guys like me who boast about being a decades long Believer.

I am breaking verse 1 down for myself:

1. Do I have or practice malice?
2. Do I have or practice deceit?
3. Do I practice hypocrisy?
4. Envy?
5. Slander?

If I am at all candid and transparent, I must say yes to all 5 points above. And I must take in sober consideration that I am NOT graded on a curve—if I am guilty in any respect, I am guilty in all respect. 95% success rate in overcoming envy is still 100% guilty for example.

Pounding on my sin is not where Peter is going, though. He is clear that I have all of these things innately but gently says “Put them all away. Make your focus not on your sin (because it is there, and Jesus died for that) but focus intently for the “pure spiritual milk.”

So, what is that milk? The Word of God. The writer of Hebrews latches on to that same picture: “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you AGAIN the basic principles of the oracles of God—you need milk, not solid food.” (Heb 5:12)

I think that Peter is not denigrating me (you are but a child and will always be a child) but gently reminding me that I have not “arrived”, no matter how far I have come. Peter exhorts later, “Humble yourself, therefore, under the mighty hand of God…” (1 Pete 5:6)

Good advice comes like this: not a slap, but a hug. And no pulled punches (sorry for the conflicting metaphor).

Prayer: Lord God, I cannot help but feel like I have fallen hard. Isn’t that something that when I used the word “fallen” describing myself appropriately in my walk with You, I am just as aware that it could be taken another way and I would have to explain myself to questioning minds. Goodness, how often do folks have to clarify their minds and give up talking about the Gospel?

Anyway: Thank you for saving me. Thank you for caring for me enough that You talk with me daily and cause me to seek You and Your face. AMEN.

Scripture: “…he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you—who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

 

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes (though it is tested by fire)—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ…

 

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”  Excerpts from 1 Peter 1:3-13

 

Observation:  There are certain key words that pop out at various times in my Christian walk.  Sometimes they are nouns.  Sometimes (a lot of times) verbs.  Recently the words and inferences that pop out are associated with “Authenticity.”

 

Analysis:   The “tested genuineness of (my) faith…”

 

In my earlier years I could read this phrase and be content with “the tested performance of my faith” and think that I have nailed it.  After all, if I perform my Christianity well, doesn’t that mean I am “genuine?”

 

Over the last few years I am thinking “no, it doesn’t.”

 

I continually ask myself if performance is not indicated being genuine, what is being a genuine Christian all about then?  By the way, the above is not just a slick writing phrase, I really do continually ask, meditate, study and reflect, etc. on this subject.

 

In yesterday’s Journal post of Ps 35, David wrote emphatically “Say to my soul, “I am your salvation!”  Paul writes to the Philippians “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,” (Phil 2:12)

 

I think that sometimes I can get all caught up with “doing something”, “performing my Christianity”, that I forget who it is that I serve and more importantly how puny I am in the Gospel picture.  I forget where my strength comes from.  I need more times of crying, no, shouting out at the top of my lungs, “Say to me O God, because I am losing sight; Say to my soul, “I am your salvation, son.”

 

When I am tested by various trials, do I really come out the other end with Genuineness more precious than gold?  Or have I just endured an especially unpleasant period with not really gaining anything?  Am I that guy in the parable who took his Master’s money and just hid it in the ground—not gaining but not losing either—only to find the Master less than pleased?

 

This is not a post about gaining or losing salvation.  It is a post about chasing sanctification, chasing holiness in the Sight of God, of traversing the course of gaining maturity—of not only knowing Him but being known by Him (Matt 7:23).

 

Prayer:  Father, how authentic do you want me to be?  How do I know what authenticity, genuineness looks like?  How do I understand “doing your will” verses doing tasks?  I do not wasn’t to be frozen and paralyzed between seeking You and doing stuff.  I want to know you more…and do more in your name.  Guide me, teach me, change me, O Lord of the Gospel. AMEN.

Scripture: “Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me!  Take hold of shield and buckler and rise for my help!  Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers!

 

Say to my soul, “I am your salvation!”” Ps 35:1-3

 

Observation:   From what I read here, it is not the physical intervention to perceived enemies that is most important, it is the condition of my soul.

 

Analysis:  I stopped in my tracks when I read this.

 

David says: “Contend for me; fight for me; rise to my help; take up your weapons and all against my foes!”

 

It occurs to me anybody can ask this.  And many do.  It follows the old saying “there are no atheists in foxholes while the shells are falling.”

 

But who says with any sort of loud cry, “Say to my soul, O Lord, say it loudly, intensely, and with effectiveness, “I AM YOUR SALVATION!!”

 

My soul cannot hear arguments from God on my behalf.  My soul cannot comprehend bloody battle defending me.  These things can go on all around without me being changed at all.  In fact, without the effect of my soul being changed, I can go into pride mode and say “See how God loves ME, you dirty animal.”

 

My constant need is not “knowing that He loves me”, it is “He is my salvation!!”  There are miles of differences between these two statements.

 

I think David knew that.  It isn’t the confidence of 10,000 mighty warrior angels surrounding me.  It is the eternal confidence of the Cross in my life that is greater than anything.

 

Prayer:  Lord, I am again freshly amazed at Your grace in my life.  I would ask you to let up on me for a day or two, but that wouldn’t do me any good.  You want to conform me to the Image of the Son.  Currently I am but a dark shadow and I need to be continually transformed.  Taking a deep breath, I ask for that, my Lord.  AMEN.

Scripture:

[16] The king is not saved by his great army;

a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.

[17] The war horse is a false hope for salvation,

and by its great might it cannot rescue.

 

Observation:

A king may be able to USE an army and a warrior may be able to USE great strength to help overcome obstacles but..

The army of a king and the strength of a warrior are only tools.  Tools given to the king and the warrior by God.

The great strength of warriors, the armies of  kings, and the symbolic war horse does not SAVE them.  Only God can do that.

 

Application:

I feel like many people, Christians included,  have a tendency to get in a mindset where they rely wholly on, and find their hope in, their own strength or the strength of the army around them, in whatever form that army takes.  They feel like “self-made” men or women who forget that their physical strength, their mental strength, their intellectual capability, and all their other gifts, are gracious gifts from the Lord.  These gifts do not save us.  These gifts are not what we should find our hope in.  These gifts are tools to be used in our walk with Jesus to honor Him and glorify His name.  If we keep that in mind, our strength and our hope will always be in the Lord and we will joyfully use our God given gifts to serve Him and honor Him.

 

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for my salvation. Especially knowing what a wretch I was and that You saved me anyway.  Thank You for giving me another day on this earth to glorify Your name.  Let me never forget that my hope is in You and not in the tools and environment You have graciously given me.  In Jesus might name I pray. Amen.

Scripture: “Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints and give thanks to his holy name.

 

For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime.  Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning…”

 

“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.  O Lord my God: I will give thanks to you forever.”  Excerpts from Ps 30:4-12

 

Observation:  The Psalmist turns the tense of this chapter from speaking to God to speaking to himself.  Then he speaks to other folks.  Up, in, and out: What does it all mean?  I cannot get away from the triune-ness of my own life in Him.

 

Analysis:   One of the objectives (if not the primary objective) of journaling is to reveal my heart on paper.

 

Why is that?  I think so that I can see later the goodness of God in my life and how He took my present circumstances and turned them into dancing.  I subjectively write now so I can objectively read and review later—part of that “Examine yourself” directive in 2 Cor 13:5.

 

What person do I know that exhibits the most patience?  My guess is the one who makes the time to put thoughts to paper (or Word program like what I am doing now).

 

Am I patting myself on the back or polishing my halo?  Goodness, may it never be.  I may be the least patient person I know over the age of 3.

 

I read the references above (and, really, all three of these Psalms) and while I see some triumphal declarations by the Psalmist, most of what my imagination says is the Psalmist is grinding out Scriptural/Doctrinal truth, spoken out loud, so his ears can hear and speak to his heart—making a reminder of the Goodness of God while struggling with his emotions and thoughts.

 

“Weeping may tarry for the night…”  How many times do I fall asleep to the tune of “Deliver me, O God! Help me in my distress (or whatever other word falls into that space)” and I either literally/figuratively cry myself to sleep?  Often enough these days to wonder about how really convicted I am about being a disciple!

 

“Joy comes in the morning…”  It seems it has been a long time since I awoke with Joy in the Majesty.  The prophet Jerimiah laments in Lamentations 3 (like the Psalmist and is recommended reading) and comes to the same conclusion: “But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning….” (Lam 3:21-23b—don’t just read the eye-candy parts, read all of it).

 

I write to remind myself that there are not only “dark times of the soul” but also foggy, murky, undefinable laments, discouragements, and depressions that occur in me.  The response that they trigger is to remind myself of God’s indescribable Mercy and Love towards me, undeserving as I am.

 

Do those reminders always reach my mind so that “my mourning turns into dancing?”  Not always.  But I am convinced of this: If I haven’t practiced reminding and speaking the Gospel to the face of the mirror in the joyful times of my life, what I am experiencing now would be so much worse.

 

Prayer:  Father, in the midst of dimming light I rejoice in You—even as my “rejoicing” comes through a clinched jaw and gritted teeth of determined self-preaching of the Gospel to my soul.  Why, O Lord, does this linger so?  What am I not hearing from You?  Lift this weight from my countenance, O Lord, and let me sing and dance with joy again.  AMEN.

Psalm 27:1 – The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Observation-

The Lord is omnipresent and soverign, but here we see the psalmist’s importance of having a relationship with the Lord.  The Lord is the light in darkness and personal savior to the psalmist. When walking in the light of the Lord, having been saved, the psalmist asks who should he fear.  The Lord is the center and strength of psalmist’s life.  Again, he poses the rhetorical question of who should he be afraid?

Application –  

The answer to the psalmists question is to fear no man, rather to have a fear and reverence for the Lord.  I need to recognize the Lord as my creator, redeemer and fortress of my life.  In John 1:9-10, John describes John the Baptist foretelling about Jesus as, “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.  He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.”  Jesus, who created everything, came to earth in flesh to die a sacrificial death so those who believe in him can be saved and have eternal life in relationship with the Father.  When I think from the perspective that I trust Jesus with my life, salvation and I amwalking in His light there is really nothing to fear as Jesus is my greatest need.  My response should be to love Him, love others and give the glory to Him.

 

Prayer –

Father,

Thank you for your steadfast love, shelter and salvation through Jesus.  Let the power of the Spirit guide me to humbly submit to walk in your light and make you known.

Scripture: “To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

 

O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

 

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.  Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation—for You I wait all the day long…” Ps 25:1-5

 

Observation:  There must be a time where I gather up all the funky thoughts, hitch up my britches and recalibrate my soul before God, just like the Psalmist does.

 

What happens if I don’t take advantage of this instrument of Grace?  Nothing good, I’ll bet.  My guess?  A hardening of the heart is in my near horizon…

 

Analysis: Sometimes the Word of God just opens like a flower when seen with time-lapse photography.

 

A small bud, gradually opening up petal by petal until the full bloom is shown and I go in hushed tones, “How beautiful.  Just the right thing for the right time and all a gift from God.”

 

And then there are other times where the Word just thuds like a lead balloon in me.  I don’t get it; the words are not alive; they don’t vibrate with meaning; they just lie there like a stone in my mind.

 

That’s how this posting was for me last week when I started writing it.

 

Interestingly enough, I started the post, got the scripture reference down, and…..then the phone rang.

 

All that the Holy Spirit was preparing me for with the above reference fluttered to the ground like a wounded bird.  Even now, the day after that particular phone call, I am just now noticing how timely this Scripture reference is.

 

“O God: In You I trust.  Don’t let me be put to shame…”  Instead, I fumbled around in my own strength, trying to keep from gnashing my teeth at those speaking to me.  While I succeeded in being outwardly humble (maybe—objective self-examination is difficult in the best of times), inwardly I barely kept the lid on a percolating rage.  Certainly, grumbling, complaining, and disputing was well evident, albeit silent.

 

That is the awesome thing of being a Christian.  The Father’s stated purpose is to conform me to the image of the Son (Ro 8:29).  If it wasn’t for the times like I just experienced, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to confess, repent, and hitch up my britches to walk that narrow road of righteousness.

 

Prayer:  Thank you Lord God.  I am so ever grateful that you take the chisel and tap hammer to my stony heart and not the sledge.  AMEN

Scripture: “The Lord is my shepherd—I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul.

 

He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”  Ps 23:1-3

 

Observation:  Who is the Psalmist declaring these things to?  That’s right: the man in the mirror.

 

Analysis:  Worship, in all its forms, is broadly summed up like this:

 

• To God (“You O Lord are a shield to me…);
• To my heart (“Why are you in despair O my Soul…”;
• To the folks around me as reminding and encouragement, and lastly (“Lift up your voice and praise Him with loud shouts of praise”);
• To the unregenerate (beat’s me—I am sure there is a scripture somewhere for this category).

 

Like I said, broadly.

 

I picture the Psalmist here, off by himself.  I would like to picture a quiet, peaceful and serene place, but that is not supported by the text. Facts are: the scripture isn’t clear.

 

However, I can relate to the Psalmist in this: no matter the turmoil around me (or not), I can have turmoil within and sometime, just sometimes, I need to talk to my heart and remind it of the truths of the Gospel.

 

Unfortunately, prayer like this isn’t taught much in discipleship meetings, nor sermons, or anything like that.  It is not on the specific agenda of teaching “how to be an effective disciple.” Example:

 

Wednesday night small group: “Tonight we are going to talk about and practice about a specific kind of prayer: Praying to remind your own heart on the Goodness of God.”  Not teaching about how good God is, or anything like that, but teaching the practice and technique of HOW TO PRAY TO MY OWN HEART.

 

Yesterday’s post mentioned “guarding my immortal soul.”  This is the category that praying to my own heart falls in.

 

The Psalmist reflects on God’s Character and Purpose; His exhibited care; the Why’s of what He does; the functions that lead me in His ways (rod and staff).  Why I should have confidence and my undeserved rewards.  Check it out: they are all in the text.

 

23 is not a Psalm for the dead, but for the living; not for the ones who are finished chasing Him, but for the ones that can still pursue.

 

Prayer:  You, O Lord, are a balm to my soul; a feast for the eyes of my heart; a shout of triumphal joy of your saving Grace.  I don’t deserve it, still you called me.  Make my heart soft every day…AMEN.

Scripture: “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

 

Day to day pours our speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.  There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.  Their voice goes out through all the earth and their words to the end of the world.”  Ps 19:1-4

 

Observation:  If I read the rest of Psalms 19, I should see many statements that maybe I could have written about.  But what could be better than writing about the Majesty?

 

Analysis: “The law of the Lord is perfect; the testimony of the Lord is sure; the precepts of the Lord are right; the commandment of the Lord is pure…

 

The fear of the Lord is clean; the rules of the Lord are true—(they) are more to be desired than gold, even much fine gold…etc.” Ps 19:7-10a and more, reading to the rest of the selection.

 

I could have written about these.  To get to them, I would have to gloss over the Psalmist’s word portrait of the Majesty of God.

 

I cringe when I think of what I skip over in the scriptures to get to what I have called the “eye candy”; those couple of dozen references that seem to satisfy whenever I need a “bible boost.”

 

When is the last time I have sat on the back porch (or anywhere) and gazed into the sky with the express thought of “The heavens, O Lord my God, declare Your handiwork!  I can imagine seeing Your Glory as you hold all the planets in their orbits; you have named the stars, every one of them.”

 

When have I last preached to myself: “All of the heavens pour out speech, speaking of your Majesty!  Nothing can stop the testimony of the skies; it resounds through all the earth….”

 

In the book, “The Enemy Within” (studying at Sat AM Coffee at IHOP), the writer plopped out a phrase about “guarding their immortal souls.” (location 209, Kindle).

 

Cultivating awe.  To be my best on “mission”, I need to habitually cultivate “awe.”

 

Example: Remember Simon the magician (Acts 8)?  He though “ministry” was cool and wanted to buy a place with the disciples.  Here is a good example of not cultivating “awe” through the fear of the Lord.

 

Prayer:  Father, I want my eyes to be filled with your Majesty and Glory, as much as they can be.  There are sooo many things in You to pursue.  Make it so that I am in pursuit systematically (by Your guidance, Spirit) and not lose sight of the Tapestry of the Gospel, You, O Lord, the thread that holds all together.  AMEN.

 

Scripture

 

Vs 21 And (the local Jewish leaders) said to (Paul), “… none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you.

Vs 22 But we desire to hear from you (Paul) what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”

 

Vs 23 … they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.

Vs 24 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.

 

Observation

 

Paul has finally made it to Rome. He wants to speak to the Jewish leaders before he speaks with Caesar.

The local Jewish leaders are eager to hear from Paul because of an interesting contrast.

Christianity is “spoken against everywhere”.

Yet, against Paul, a Christian, there is “no evil spoken”.

Not only were they eager to listen to Paul, but they wanted to continue to hear … “morning till evening”.

Paul spoke about the Kingdom of God, using the Word of God, pointing to Jesus.

The result … some believed, some did not believe.

 

Application

 

There are some things I can control and some things I can’t control. The same was true for Paul.

I can’t control whether people believe something is truth or not.

I can’t control whether people speak badly about a way of thinking or living or believing.

I do, however, have some control over how people speak about me … my reputation.

 

The people around Paul had heard terrible things about what Paul believed, but nothing bad about Paul, himself.

This actually created an opportunity, an open door, for Paul to speak the truth about Christianity.

 

The same can be true today, and in my life.

Christianity, or “this sect”, as it’s referenced is often times “spoken against everywhere”.

But how about me? … Are people willing to listen to me? … Even about what they hear bad things about? Christianity

What I do and how I do it and what I say and how I say it … is completely in my control.

This should give influence in “earning the right to be heard”.

 

When people encounter me, does it prevent a contrast from the negative things heard about Christianity?

And what then, should I speak about?

Paul spoke about the Kingdom of God, trying to convince them of Jesus. … I should do the same.

There is an unseen reality around every listener … the Kingdom of God.

And there is a Savior of every listener … Jesus.

But just as in Paul’s day … some will believe … and some will not.

I can only control what I can control … but I must do that well.

 

Prayer

 

Thank you, God, for your Word

Open my heart to know you more clearly

Help me to live and speak it well

In Jesus name

Amen

Scripture: vs 21-25, 35, 42-43

 

[21] Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. [22] Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. [23] For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, [24] and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ [25] So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.

 

[35] And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat.

 

[42] The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. [43] But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan..

 

Observations:

 

In the midst of a storm, a literal life threatening storm, and while it was not that he verbally proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ, Paul boldly speaks the Gospel.  With an “I told you so” moment, he tells the men on the boat that the past is behind them, that the Lord spoke to him through an angel, that they should listen to him now, and that they have hope.  And, in the middle of the storm, ready for more turmoil, Paul gives thanks to God.

 

Application:

 

Paul was so good about this – about sharing the story, from his perspective, so others around him could understand.  How the Lord spoke with him.  How the Lord directed him.  How the Lord affected him.  And, that the past is the past – time to move on with new hope.

 

This is another subtle reminder from the Apostle Paul to give thanks to the Lord in all things, even in the middle of a storm, and to tell THE Story from our perspective.  How living for the Lord has changed our lives.  Paul didn’t come right out and say Jesus loved him enough to send an angel to warn him and to guide and affirm him.  He chose words and actions that fit the occasion.  The men on the ship knew there was something different about Paul.  He was set apart an had hope found only in Jesus Christ.

 

Prayer:

 

Lord thank You for Your word.  Thank You for reminding us that we stand apart with hope in You.  Thank You for reminding us that there are many ways of sharing the Gospel and our faith and hope in You.  Help us to find the right ways to share Your good news based on the people we are around and any given circumstance.  In Jesus holy name I pray, amen.