Today I want to look at Psalms 25. It is a Psalm full of powerful truths and a Psalm of hope and confidence in God.
What caused David to pen these word? It was his concern of being put to shame. What is shame? It is a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior. I don't know at what point in David's life he wrote this Psalm, but king David understood shame and he understood enemies. He had his share of both.
He starts out by saying that he trusts in God. Yet, immediately after that he asks God to not let him be put to shame. Then as if encouraging himself, he says those who put their trust in God will never be put to shame. Is this true? Yes - Do Christians never experience shame? No - It is true that those who trust in God are never put to shame, and it is true that Christians experience shame. This is because we are not always putting our trust in God. David is not talking about a simple confidence or faith. He is referring to faithful walk with God.
He makes his point clear in the rest of the Psalm. Shame comes to those who are treacherous. As always David uses the extreme example. Yet, ultimately David says, those who don't live for God will be put to shame. This does not only apply to the sinner, but to those in Christ who don't walk wholly in God's way. It is this topic that David addresses in the rest of the Psalm. He asks God to to teach and guide him in God's way. Then recognizing his own sinfulness. He asks God to show his love, mercy and forgiveness in fear that his past sins would come back and haunt him. Do to his sins, he then expresses the affliction of his soul.
David then comes full circle and says that integrity and uprightness will protect him. It will keep him from being put to shame.
This is true for us. As we walk in integrity and uprightness as believers: we will not be put to shame, our souls will not be in torment, and we will not be afraid. There may be those who may try place shame on us, but we will not be ashamed because we know that we did what God required of us. Satan and others may try to put a guilt trip on us, but we can be confident as long as we know that we did what God asked. No shame can befall a man or woman who walks in integrity and does the Lord's will.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
The Worth of Man
What is man worth? Man has great worth because God shed his blood for them. The Psalmist David was amazed at the value God placed on humans.
Psalms 8:4-6 - "what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?
Psalms 8:4-6 - "what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?
5 You have made them a little lower than the angels
and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
you put everything under their feet:"
and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
you put everything under their feet:"
What a deep questions that David asked God. I don't think it is a question that we can answer. When we think about how much God loves us and how elevated position he has given us, it is quite amazing. He values us more than anything else in His creation. We are the pinnacle of His handy work. I would even dare to say that he has put greater value on us than even His angels.
Hebrews 1:14 - " Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?"
Hebrews 2:16 - " For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants."
God didn't send his Son to die for the fallen angels, but us. Wow! Now be careful you don't get puffed up with pride. His great love for us and consideration of us has nothing to do with some great innate worth that we have.
To God be all the glory! Amen!
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Prepare the Way
Mark 1:1-4 - " The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”3
“a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins."
Even as John the baptist prepared the way of the Lord, we His church are to prepare the way for his second coming. Even as John the Baptist announced the coming of the Messiah which was great news, we are to announce the coming of Christ in the air to take His church home. We are to be heralds even as in the days of old when they would send messengers ahead of the king proclaiming His coming.
John not only proclaimed the coming of the Messiah, but encouraged people to repent. In other words, people need to prepare themselves for His coming. This is the whole reason kings would send messengers ahead of them, so that the people would be ready to receive Him. It wasn't for the purpose of making people dance around with joy. It was for them to set right what wasn't right, and fix the city up and gather people together to welcome his coming. Those who feared that they might have offended Him or found disfavor with him would prepare to make amends. If the king found them unready, he would punish them or with hold his favor from them.
John was called to set the paths straight. What does this mean? It means getting everything and everybody ready for His arrival. It means putting everything in its proper place. It is making sure everyone is doing the right thing.
It is like when our president is going somewhere. There are many people who go ahead of him planning his stay and make sure everything is in place for the his arrival because he is an important person and a busy person. He doesn't have time to stand around as people scurry about trying to prepare for him. Everything must be just as it should be so that his arrival and time there may go smoothly. A lot of work goes into preparing for the arrival of a president. Much goes on behind the scenes.
What are you doing to prepare yourself and others for Christ's return?
“a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins."
Even as John the baptist prepared the way of the Lord, we His church are to prepare the way for his second coming. Even as John the Baptist announced the coming of the Messiah which was great news, we are to announce the coming of Christ in the air to take His church home. We are to be heralds even as in the days of old when they would send messengers ahead of the king proclaiming His coming.
John not only proclaimed the coming of the Messiah, but encouraged people to repent. In other words, people need to prepare themselves for His coming. This is the whole reason kings would send messengers ahead of them, so that the people would be ready to receive Him. It wasn't for the purpose of making people dance around with joy. It was for them to set right what wasn't right, and fix the city up and gather people together to welcome his coming. Those who feared that they might have offended Him or found disfavor with him would prepare to make amends. If the king found them unready, he would punish them or with hold his favor from them.
John was called to set the paths straight. What does this mean? It means getting everything and everybody ready for His arrival. It means putting everything in its proper place. It is making sure everyone is doing the right thing.
It is like when our president is going somewhere. There are many people who go ahead of him planning his stay and make sure everything is in place for the his arrival because he is an important person and a busy person. He doesn't have time to stand around as people scurry about trying to prepare for him. Everything must be just as it should be so that his arrival and time there may go smoothly. A lot of work goes into preparing for the arrival of a president. Much goes on behind the scenes.
What are you doing to prepare yourself and others for Christ's return?
Monday, April 23, 2012
Sin's Decietfulness
As believers we must be on guard against sins deceitfulness. We must be on guard against the pull it has on us. Sometimes it draws us down it's path and we are not even aware of the hold that it has on. Sometimes we know that we are going down the wrong path, but struggle against the downward spiral it has us on. As some would say, sin is a slippery slope. Yet, the Bible gives us many solutions to this problem. One of then we find in Hebrews 3:12-14.
" See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 14 We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end."
We have the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen us, but we need others to help us not fall on the slippery slope. We need other to help hold us up or help us back up when we stumble. Paul, says encourage one another daily. I used to think this meant encourage someone when they are down in the mouth or depressed. In other word lift up each others spirit. Yet, this is not what it is talking about.
He is talking about encouraging one another to do good. He is talking about exhorting those who are on the slippery slope. He is talking about strengthening those who are weak in their faith and are experiencing a moment of weakness. He is talking about showing others how they have been deceived by sins deceitfulness. It is a true saying that we are our brother keeper.
Yet, those who encourage others to do good, counsel them, warn them, and encourage them to do what is right are often rejected by the very ones they are trying to help. This is because of their blindness and/or pride they have in their heart. We must not be offended by them but continue to encourage them in love. When we are on the other end of things, we need to remain humble and be open minded.
God help us to encourage one another and receive the encouragement others give us.
" See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 14 We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end."
We have the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen us, but we need others to help us not fall on the slippery slope. We need other to help hold us up or help us back up when we stumble. Paul, says encourage one another daily. I used to think this meant encourage someone when they are down in the mouth or depressed. In other word lift up each others spirit. Yet, this is not what it is talking about.
He is talking about encouraging one another to do good. He is talking about exhorting those who are on the slippery slope. He is talking about strengthening those who are weak in their faith and are experiencing a moment of weakness. He is talking about showing others how they have been deceived by sins deceitfulness. It is a true saying that we are our brother keeper.
Yet, those who encourage others to do good, counsel them, warn them, and encourage them to do what is right are often rejected by the very ones they are trying to help. This is because of their blindness and/or pride they have in their heart. We must not be offended by them but continue to encourage them in love. When we are on the other end of things, we need to remain humble and be open minded.
God help us to encourage one another and receive the encouragement others give us.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Christ Incarnate
Christ became flesh and dwelt among, the God incarnate. This is truly a mystery, but a wonderful thing.
Hebrews 2:14-18 - "Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."
When we really think about it, this is a supernatural act of God. The God who is eternal, creator of heaven and earth, who is spirit and who is without limit in power, knowledge, and wisdom, took on our flesh and blood and shared in our humanity.
The goal of this divine intervention in time and space was to die for us that we might be set free from sin and the death that comes with it. It was not only necessary that he took on our humanity to die, but that he might fully understand us that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest. As result he does not only sympathize with us but empathizes with us and able to help us when we are tempted.
What a glorious God we serve.
Hebrews 2:14-18 - "Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."
When we really think about it, this is a supernatural act of God. The God who is eternal, creator of heaven and earth, who is spirit and who is without limit in power, knowledge, and wisdom, took on our flesh and blood and shared in our humanity.
The goal of this divine intervention in time and space was to die for us that we might be set free from sin and the death that comes with it. It was not only necessary that he took on our humanity to die, but that he might fully understand us that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest. As result he does not only sympathize with us but empathizes with us and able to help us when we are tempted.
What a glorious God we serve.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Motivated by Mission
Today we want to talk about the mission of the church. We want to talk about what can motivate people to be involved in the mission. Jesus says the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. (Luke 10:2) Why did we lack laborers for the harvest? We lack laborers because they are not motivated. Motivation is essential to succeed in any endeavor. What motivated Jesus?
First of all, he was motivated by compassion.
Matthew 9:36 - "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." See also: Matthew 14:14; 15:32
Secondly, Christ was motivated by love. (John 3:16)
These two characteristics are developed as we spend time with Christ and allow Christ's Spirit to work in and through us. It is also developed as we spend time with people. Christ spent time with the multitudes. We can't be cooped up in our church or caught up in our own little lives. We are comfortable to live in our own little circle of people. We need to get out of our comfort zone and make a purpose of reaching out to those beyond our little circle. We often talk about our circle of influence. I challenge you today to widen the circle.
Thirdly, Jesus was motivated by a sense of purpose.
John 4:34 - "“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work." See also: I Peter 2:9
Often believers have a sense of purpose, but often their focus of purpose is not correct. You may say, I purpose to be like Christ. If you purpose to be like Christ, then you will be actively involved in His mission. We are to be like Christ, not only to please Him and have fellowship with Him, but ultimately to draw others to Him.
To fulfill the great commission, it will take thought, planning and a clear goal. It will take funding, energy and time. In essence, it will take purposeful steps.
Fourthly, Christ was motivated by the love of the Father.
John 15:9 - "“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love."
When we don't testify to others about Jesus Christ, we lack love for that person. We know his destiny is eternal torment, but we don't really care. We don't want to take the time or make the effort to rescue him from drowning in his sin. We just pass by in our life boat and wave with a smile on our face.
Fifthly, Christ was motivated by the fear of the Lord.
Matthew 10:28 - "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."
Paul says it this way in 2 Corinthians 5:11 - " Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience."
Not a fear that cause us to cringe or shrink back. This is the fear the devil puts in our hearts. Yet, we are to have a healthy fear of the Lord. It will cause us to walk up rightly and motivate us encourage others to do the same. No one who cares about someone wants to see that person judged and condemned.
Finally, Christ was motivated by the joy set before him.
Hebrews 12;2 - " fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Also see: I Thessalonians 2:19-20
What joy was their in suffering. There is no joy in suffering. Yet, there is joy in knowing what the suffering will bring. We are willing to make great sacrifices when we understand their is great reward in it. We are willing to be ridiculed and looked on badly when we know it will produce good results and rewards.
God motivate us even as you are motivated to win the lost at any cost.
First of all, he was motivated by compassion.
Matthew 9:36 - "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." See also: Matthew 14:14; 15:32
Secondly, Christ was motivated by love. (John 3:16)
These two characteristics are developed as we spend time with Christ and allow Christ's Spirit to work in and through us. It is also developed as we spend time with people. Christ spent time with the multitudes. We can't be cooped up in our church or caught up in our own little lives. We are comfortable to live in our own little circle of people. We need to get out of our comfort zone and make a purpose of reaching out to those beyond our little circle. We often talk about our circle of influence. I challenge you today to widen the circle.
Thirdly, Jesus was motivated by a sense of purpose.
John 4:34 - "“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work." See also: I Peter 2:9
Often believers have a sense of purpose, but often their focus of purpose is not correct. You may say, I purpose to be like Christ. If you purpose to be like Christ, then you will be actively involved in His mission. We are to be like Christ, not only to please Him and have fellowship with Him, but ultimately to draw others to Him.
To fulfill the great commission, it will take thought, planning and a clear goal. It will take funding, energy and time. In essence, it will take purposeful steps.
Fourthly, Christ was motivated by the love of the Father.
John 15:9 - "“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love."
When we don't testify to others about Jesus Christ, we lack love for that person. We know his destiny is eternal torment, but we don't really care. We don't want to take the time or make the effort to rescue him from drowning in his sin. We just pass by in our life boat and wave with a smile on our face.
Fifthly, Christ was motivated by the fear of the Lord.
Matthew 10:28 - "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."
Paul says it this way in 2 Corinthians 5:11 - " Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience."
Not a fear that cause us to cringe or shrink back. This is the fear the devil puts in our hearts. Yet, we are to have a healthy fear of the Lord. It will cause us to walk up rightly and motivate us encourage others to do the same. No one who cares about someone wants to see that person judged and condemned.
Finally, Christ was motivated by the joy set before him.
Hebrews 12;2 - " fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Also see: I Thessalonians 2:19-20
What joy was their in suffering. There is no joy in suffering. Yet, there is joy in knowing what the suffering will bring. We are willing to make great sacrifices when we understand their is great reward in it. We are willing to be ridiculed and looked on badly when we know it will produce good results and rewards.
God motivate us even as you are motivated to win the lost at any cost.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Some Good Verses
Today I just wanted to share with you some of my favorite verses out of 2 Timothy.
2 Timothy 1:7 - "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."
Thank you God for your Spirit that gives us power, love, and self-discipline. Help us to submit to him.
2 Timothy 3:16 - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,"
I believe this firmly. It is for this reason I have served the Lord these 26 years in Haiti. Because God's Scripture is God-breathed, it has the power to bring life and change in the lives of others.
2 Timothy 4:2 - " Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction."
We are not all preachers, but we all need to tell the good news of Jesus Christ. We need to always be ready to testify of what Christ has done for us and doing in us. Also, we need to watch one another in love and bring correction when necessary. Of course we need to encourage one another. Finally we need to have great patience on with another.
2 Timothy 1:7 - "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."
Thank you God for your Spirit that gives us power, love, and self-discipline. Help us to submit to him.
2 Timothy 3:16 - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,"
I believe this firmly. It is for this reason I have served the Lord these 26 years in Haiti. Because God's Scripture is God-breathed, it has the power to bring life and change in the lives of others.
2 Timothy 4:2 - " Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction."
We are not all preachers, but we all need to tell the good news of Jesus Christ. We need to always be ready to testify of what Christ has done for us and doing in us. Also, we need to watch one another in love and bring correction when necessary. Of course we need to encourage one another. Finally we need to have great patience on with another.
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