I recently read a book called "Compassionate Jesus" by Christopher W. Bogosh. The subtitle on the cover says, "Rethinking the Christian's Approach to Modern Medicine". I'll admit, I kind of wiggled my eyebrows at that. I don't really have an approach to modern medicine. I'm not a huge fan of medicine, I don't give it really freely, but I'm going to do everything in my power to keep my kids from hurting or feeling bad. I wondered what kind of path this book was going to take me on.
The first chapter is regarding the act of prolonging life. The author makes a great point in this chapter, which is the fact that our society today is obsessed with prolonging life. Bogosh discusses decisions such as Do Not Resuscitate orders and exhausting every medical treatment available, and what he says is that it all comes down to - what is God's will? Is it God's will that I seek every medical treatment for my condition, no matter what? Or is it God's will that I spend the rest of my days serving Him and loving on my family? The answer is different for everyone. As Bogosh says, "God's glory takes precedence over physical healing" (p. 20). It's just hard to see that when you're in the situation. He also does a great summary of Biblical compassion as found in scripture.
He discusses the advancements that are constantly coming through medical facilities. Obviously these are great advancements - vaccinations, MRIs, insulin, etc. He takes us on a history of the medical profession which is pretty interesting. He also provides financial reports and statistics on the health care system - some of which made a physician state that "as a culture, we really have to acknowledge that we're mortal" (p. 58).
The book is written by a man in the medical profession (hospice care, specifically) so it is extremely interesting for him to break down everything from life support to vegetative states to emergency room visits. You can tell that he wants all people to be aware of these situations (and be prepared) and wants Christians to be able to parallel these situations with scripture when making decisions.
The book is very detailed and I learned a lot. Bogosh uses a lot of examples with different responses to different situations, which I found interesting and made a lot of sense to me.
If you or a loved one is struggling with medical decisions, I would recommend you read this book. It may help you line your beliefs up with scripture. If nothing else I believe it will help you lean more on God than medical technology, and I think that is exactly what the author is looking for.
Thank you to Cross Focused Reviews and Reformation Heritage Books for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Psalm 146
Today's scripture is Psalm 146. Go here to read it in your preferred version.
Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul.
2 While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.
3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:
6 Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:
7 Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners:
8 The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous:
9 The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
10 The Lord shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the Lord.
I must praise God - This is stated four times in the first two verses.
As long as I live I will praise Him. While I have a body I will praise God. I believe some people say this but it's just lip service. When things start to be hard in life they drift away from God and start to question His goodness.
I have to remember not to put my trust in any human. Not a family member, a spouse, or a pastor. Not to say that I don't trust people, but I don't put them on a pedestal. If I give people too much credit and then they mess up, it will really disappoint me. It ought not to be that way. God is where my trust should lie, and God will never fail me!
Verse 4 makes another good point. Say I put all my trust in someone and then they die. In that moment, "his thoughts perish". God will never die and will never go away. He is the complete opposite of us humans.
Happy is the person who asks for help from the God of Jacob. Who places his hope in God. The God who is the Creator, the keeper of truth, the righteous judge, the feeder of the hungry, the one who takes care of our needs, the one who breaks our bonds and chains, the one who opens the eyes of the blind, the one who lifts us up when we are bowed down. What an amazing God. He loves the righteous. He takes care of us whether we are homeless, fatherless, widowed, or any other affliction. But if we are an enemy of God, He can turn our world upside down.
God will reign forever. Regardless of our belief in Him. Praise Him. He will reign over every generation here on earth.
When I read this scripture it made me think of the song 10,000 Reasons. One of our favorites to sing at church, so I wanted to share it with you!
Questions? Comments?
Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul.
2 While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.
3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:
6 Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:
7 Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners:
8 The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous:
9 The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
10 The Lord shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the Lord.
I must praise God - This is stated four times in the first two verses.
As long as I live I will praise Him. While I have a body I will praise God. I believe some people say this but it's just lip service. When things start to be hard in life they drift away from God and start to question His goodness.
I have to remember not to put my trust in any human. Not a family member, a spouse, or a pastor. Not to say that I don't trust people, but I don't put them on a pedestal. If I give people too much credit and then they mess up, it will really disappoint me. It ought not to be that way. God is where my trust should lie, and God will never fail me!
Verse 4 makes another good point. Say I put all my trust in someone and then they die. In that moment, "his thoughts perish". God will never die and will never go away. He is the complete opposite of us humans.
Happy is the person who asks for help from the God of Jacob. Who places his hope in God. The God who is the Creator, the keeper of truth, the righteous judge, the feeder of the hungry, the one who takes care of our needs, the one who breaks our bonds and chains, the one who opens the eyes of the blind, the one who lifts us up when we are bowed down. What an amazing God. He loves the righteous. He takes care of us whether we are homeless, fatherless, widowed, or any other affliction. But if we are an enemy of God, He can turn our world upside down.
God will reign forever. Regardless of our belief in Him. Praise Him. He will reign over every generation here on earth.
When I read this scripture it made me think of the song 10,000 Reasons. One of our favorites to sing at church, so I wanted to share it with you!
Questions? Comments?
Friday, August 16, 2013
Psalm 149
Today's scripture is Psalm 149. Go here to read it in your preferred version.
Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
4 For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;
7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord.
We have so many commands in these nine verses.
Verse 6-9 - I don't believe this is a call to war for Christians. I believe it could refer to Old Testament physical battles which were fought and won under God's control. It could also refer to our spiritual battles that we fight in every day. And we certainly must be prepared for those circumstances.
If I had to guess, I'd say that one or two of these commands in these verses come pretty naturally to some of us, and then maybe we struggle with the others. Of course, I have no idea who is reading this and I don't know your circumstances. But I can tell you, for example, I don't ever have to be reminded to sing to God. Singing praises to Him is just part of me that is like a natural reflex. But being joyful? Now sometimes that's a struggle. Let me give you a shining example from my life. Shopping is a very hands-on experience for our 2-year old Hunter. Anytime possible I keep him in a shopping cart, guarded from the temptations that can be found along the walls of whatever store we're in. But sometimes I'm just running in to grab one thing. ONE THING. And it doesn't matter how many times I say, "Okay guys, we're just going in to get a pack of baby wipes, and then we're paying and leaving!" - oh yeah, that goes in one ear and right out the other! Hunter is a "toucher". So he's got to touch everything within reach. It has lights on it? He's going to make them go. It makes a sound? He wants to hear it. It doesn't do anything? Then he's going to pick it up and shake it. He snatches things up faster than I can go behind him and clean them up sometimes! Now imagine that I just needed one thing and I have to be somewhere in ten minutes, and now I'm going to be late because I'm cleaning up after Mr. Hunter... do you think I'm feeling joyful in that moment? I'll go ahead and tell you the answer - NO!
Unfortunately, I lose my joyful attitude more often than not some days. But I'm working on it. Every night I pray with both the kids before bed, and when I pray with Hunter I always, always thank God for his energy and his health. He might drive me nuts during the waking hours but I know how blessed I am that he can run me ragged.
Rejoicing in God is also something that doesn't come that naturally to me, I'm sad to say. I am working on this too, though. I try not to say we are "lucky" if something good happens. I try to direct the kids to thank God for the circumstances because I want them to know He works in all the small things in our lives. But just like most people, there are plenty of times I forget to give God credit for things that happen in my life. I feel like I have just fixed things all by myself and I give myself a nice little pat on the back. Or I think, "Well that's fortunate, how that worked itself out." I'd like to give God more credit for the good things in my life, and I want to spend more time rejoicing in Him.
So what do you need to work on today? I know our pastor the other day was just talking about the oxymoron "miserable Christian". He said there should be no such thing as a miserable Christian. If you are truly saved, you at least have one thing to praise, sing, rejoice about and be joyful for! If nothing else in your life is good, you have eternal life with Jesus Christ! But if we show a sour outlook to those around us, they may feel that Christianity doesn't hold anything new for them. After all, anyone can be miserable, right? A Christian with the assurance of salvation should never fall into that category. We are above that because God has placed us above that. Sometimes we just need a little reminder of that.
Comments? Questions?
Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
4 For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;
7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord.
We have so many commands in these nine verses.
- Praise! Praise in the congregation (verse 1), praise His name in dance (verse 3), let His praise be in my mouth (verse 6), praise the Lord (verse 9)
- Sing! Sing praises with instruments (verse 3), sing aloud (verse 5)
- Rejoice in Him! Rejoice in our Creator (verse 2)
- Be joyful! Be joyful in God our King (verse 2), be joyful in glory (verse 5)
Verse 6-9 - I don't believe this is a call to war for Christians. I believe it could refer to Old Testament physical battles which were fought and won under God's control. It could also refer to our spiritual battles that we fight in every day. And we certainly must be prepared for those circumstances.
If I had to guess, I'd say that one or two of these commands in these verses come pretty naturally to some of us, and then maybe we struggle with the others. Of course, I have no idea who is reading this and I don't know your circumstances. But I can tell you, for example, I don't ever have to be reminded to sing to God. Singing praises to Him is just part of me that is like a natural reflex. But being joyful? Now sometimes that's a struggle. Let me give you a shining example from my life. Shopping is a very hands-on experience for our 2-year old Hunter. Anytime possible I keep him in a shopping cart, guarded from the temptations that can be found along the walls of whatever store we're in. But sometimes I'm just running in to grab one thing. ONE THING. And it doesn't matter how many times I say, "Okay guys, we're just going in to get a pack of baby wipes, and then we're paying and leaving!" - oh yeah, that goes in one ear and right out the other! Hunter is a "toucher". So he's got to touch everything within reach. It has lights on it? He's going to make them go. It makes a sound? He wants to hear it. It doesn't do anything? Then he's going to pick it up and shake it. He snatches things up faster than I can go behind him and clean them up sometimes! Now imagine that I just needed one thing and I have to be somewhere in ten minutes, and now I'm going to be late because I'm cleaning up after Mr. Hunter... do you think I'm feeling joyful in that moment? I'll go ahead and tell you the answer - NO!
Unfortunately, I lose my joyful attitude more often than not some days. But I'm working on it. Every night I pray with both the kids before bed, and when I pray with Hunter I always, always thank God for his energy and his health. He might drive me nuts during the waking hours but I know how blessed I am that he can run me ragged.
Rejoicing in God is also something that doesn't come that naturally to me, I'm sad to say. I am working on this too, though. I try not to say we are "lucky" if something good happens. I try to direct the kids to thank God for the circumstances because I want them to know He works in all the small things in our lives. But just like most people, there are plenty of times I forget to give God credit for things that happen in my life. I feel like I have just fixed things all by myself and I give myself a nice little pat on the back. Or I think, "Well that's fortunate, how that worked itself out." I'd like to give God more credit for the good things in my life, and I want to spend more time rejoicing in Him.
So what do you need to work on today? I know our pastor the other day was just talking about the oxymoron "miserable Christian". He said there should be no such thing as a miserable Christian. If you are truly saved, you at least have one thing to praise, sing, rejoice about and be joyful for! If nothing else in your life is good, you have eternal life with Jesus Christ! But if we show a sour outlook to those around us, they may feel that Christianity doesn't hold anything new for them. After all, anyone can be miserable, right? A Christian with the assurance of salvation should never fall into that category. We are above that because God has placed us above that. Sometimes we just need a little reminder of that.
Comments? Questions?
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Psalm 17
Today's scripture is Psalm 17. Go here to read it in your preferred version.
Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.
3 Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.
6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.
8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
9 From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.
10 They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.
11 They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;
12 Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
13 Arise, O Lord, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:
14 From men which are thy hand, O Lord, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.
15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
When I cry out to God, He will hear my cry. But that does not mean He will give me what I ask. He is righteous, and at times I am deceitful and don't even realize it. If I am asking something in His will, I believe He won't hesitate to give it to me.
Because God can see our lives in a way that we never could, we should ask Him to judge us righteously. Every day I should ask God to test me. To remove things from my life that shouldn't be there. To search me, even while I sleep. We should attempt to live as if there is no evil found in us. I should do as David says in verse 3 and purpose that my mouth will pure in God's eyes.
Verse 5 - See how important it is that we know God's word and the right choices? The words of God's lips can keep us from following the path of the destroyer - of wicked people. God will hold my hand along in this life. I don't want to slip on the path of life. The truth is, though, I will. But as I trip, and begin to slide, God will grab me and hoist me back up. On a real path, if you slip on mud by yourself, you fall and bust your bottom! But if you're holding on to someone they can tighten their grip on you to keep you from slipping. That is our God!!
God wants me to call on Him. When I do, He will hear me and incline His ear to me. When we trust in God and have people rising up against us He will save us. He will show how marvelous He is and how amazing His love for us is.
Psalm 17:8 - Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings.
I have memorized that scripture because I helped Brianna memorize it and now it's forever in my mind (I hope!). I love it because it's a promise of comfort and love.
Keep me close to you, God, when my enemies surround me and I feel closed in. Their hearts are hard and closed up and yet they speak so boldly and so proudly. They remind David of a lion, hungry and stalking it's prey, surrounding it and licking it's lips, ready to pounce.
But David calls on God to ARISE.
Confront my enemy. Cast him down. Deliver me from this situation.
So many people in this life are content with life as it is. But that is going to be it for them. This life is the best they will ever see, and that is so sad.
But "as for me" (verse 15), the day I day is the beginning of my new life. When I can look at God and all His righteousness... when I awake in heaven - in God's presence - in His likeness - that will be the satisfaction for us as Christians. Not this life here on earth.
Comments? Questions?
Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.
3 Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.
6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.
8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
9 From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.
10 They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.
11 They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;
12 Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
13 Arise, O Lord, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:
14 From men which are thy hand, O Lord, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.
15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
When I cry out to God, He will hear my cry. But that does not mean He will give me what I ask. He is righteous, and at times I am deceitful and don't even realize it. If I am asking something in His will, I believe He won't hesitate to give it to me.
Because God can see our lives in a way that we never could, we should ask Him to judge us righteously. Every day I should ask God to test me. To remove things from my life that shouldn't be there. To search me, even while I sleep. We should attempt to live as if there is no evil found in us. I should do as David says in verse 3 and purpose that my mouth will pure in God's eyes.
Verse 5 - See how important it is that we know God's word and the right choices? The words of God's lips can keep us from following the path of the destroyer - of wicked people. God will hold my hand along in this life. I don't want to slip on the path of life. The truth is, though, I will. But as I trip, and begin to slide, God will grab me and hoist me back up. On a real path, if you slip on mud by yourself, you fall and bust your bottom! But if you're holding on to someone they can tighten their grip on you to keep you from slipping. That is our God!!
God wants me to call on Him. When I do, He will hear me and incline His ear to me. When we trust in God and have people rising up against us He will save us. He will show how marvelous He is and how amazing His love for us is.
Psalm 17:8 - Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings.
I have memorized that scripture because I helped Brianna memorize it and now it's forever in my mind (I hope!). I love it because it's a promise of comfort and love.
Keep me close to you, God, when my enemies surround me and I feel closed in. Their hearts are hard and closed up and yet they speak so boldly and so proudly. They remind David of a lion, hungry and stalking it's prey, surrounding it and licking it's lips, ready to pounce.
But David calls on God to ARISE.
Confront my enemy. Cast him down. Deliver me from this situation.
So many people in this life are content with life as it is. But that is going to be it for them. This life is the best they will ever see, and that is so sad.
But "as for me" (verse 15), the day I day is the beginning of my new life. When I can look at God and all His righteousness... when I awake in heaven - in God's presence - in His likeness - that will be the satisfaction for us as Christians. Not this life here on earth.
Comments? Questions?
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Psalm 54
Today's scripture is Psalm 54. Go here to read it in your preferred version.
Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.
2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.
3 For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.
4 Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.
5 He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth.
6 I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O Lord; for it is good.
7 For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.
This psalm was written while Saul was chasing David. Read 1 Samuel 23 for that background story.
Verse 1 - God will save me when I am in need, like David said. He knew to call out to God, whose name and strength is much greater than ours. He is so awesome and knowledgeable that we should want to be judged by Him. We know it will be a fair and honest judgment and will make us better.
Verse 2 - As we read so often in scripture, God will hear my prayer and give ear to my words when I pray to Him.
Verse 3 - Strangers even are against David. They don't even know him but they've made it their personal business to attack him.
Verses 4-5 - David knew God was on his side. His "helper". God is on the side of righteous people, but those who are against Him will be rewarded with evil. They are on the path of destruction.
Verse 6 - I will freely sacrifice to God as I praise Him. This is not something forced. I know how good God is and therefore out of that comes praise. Freely.
Verse 7 - I can see throughout my life that God is my deliverer and His desire for my enemies is not success in beating me down.
Comments? Questions?
Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.
2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.
3 For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.
4 Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.
5 He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth.
6 I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O Lord; for it is good.
7 For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.
This psalm was written while Saul was chasing David. Read 1 Samuel 23 for that background story.
Verse 1 - God will save me when I am in need, like David said. He knew to call out to God, whose name and strength is much greater than ours. He is so awesome and knowledgeable that we should want to be judged by Him. We know it will be a fair and honest judgment and will make us better.
Verse 2 - As we read so often in scripture, God will hear my prayer and give ear to my words when I pray to Him.
Verse 3 - Strangers even are against David. They don't even know him but they've made it their personal business to attack him.
Verses 4-5 - David knew God was on his side. His "helper". God is on the side of righteous people, but those who are against Him will be rewarded with evil. They are on the path of destruction.
Verse 6 - I will freely sacrifice to God as I praise Him. This is not something forced. I know how good God is and therefore out of that comes praise. Freely.
Verse 7 - I can see throughout my life that God is my deliverer and His desire for my enemies is not success in beating me down.
Comments? Questions?
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Psalm 14 AND Psalm 53
Today I am looking at Psalm 14 and Psalm 53. Go here to read Psalm 14 in your preferred version, and go here to read Psalm 53 in your preferred version.
Psalm 14
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
2 The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord.
5 There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.
6 Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the Lord is his refuge.
7 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
Psalm 53
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.
5 There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.
6 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
I'm sure you can see why I am doing both of these psalms on the same day. They are extremely similar, although there are slight differences.
Psalm 14+53 Verse 1 - The fool has said in his heart there is no God. A foolish person will not have thoughts of God at all when making decisions.
Psalm 10:4 - "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts."
Some characteristics of the godless: (all found in the first verse of both these psalms)
Psalm 14+53 Verse 3 - So many people do what is described in these verses - "gone aside", "gone back" (turned aside), become "filthy", none do good.
Psalm 14+53 Verse 4 - They do not call upon God. They just feast on others. That is what sustains them.
Psalm 14, Verse 5 - One day fools will fear God. He is the God of the righteous. That will be apparent one day.
Psalm 14 Verse 6 - The Lord is our refuge - a shelter for the poor in spirit.
Psalm 53:5 - One day they will have a spirit of fear. God will not always turn a blind eye to those who oppose Him.
Psalm 14:7; 53:6 - God is our salvation. One day in God's time we will all truly be free. Then we will rejoice and be glad and be full of praise!
Comments? Questions?
Psalm 14
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
2 The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord.
5 There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.
6 Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the Lord is his refuge.
7 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
Psalm 53
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.
5 There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.
6 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
I'm sure you can see why I am doing both of these psalms on the same day. They are extremely similar, although there are slight differences.
Psalm 14+53 Verse 1 - The fool has said in his heart there is no God. A foolish person will not have thoughts of God at all when making decisions.
Psalm 10:4 - "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts."
Some characteristics of the godless: (all found in the first verse of both these psalms)
- Foolish
- Corrupt
- Abominable
- None do good
Psalm 14+53 Verse 3 - So many people do what is described in these verses - "gone aside", "gone back" (turned aside), become "filthy", none do good.
Psalm 14+53 Verse 4 - They do not call upon God. They just feast on others. That is what sustains them.
Psalm 14, Verse 5 - One day fools will fear God. He is the God of the righteous. That will be apparent one day.
Psalm 14 Verse 6 - The Lord is our refuge - a shelter for the poor in spirit.
Psalm 53:5 - One day they will have a spirit of fear. God will not always turn a blind eye to those who oppose Him.
Psalm 14:7; 53:6 - God is our salvation. One day in God's time we will all truly be free. Then we will rejoice and be glad and be full of praise!
Comments? Questions?
Monday, August 12, 2013
Psalm 13
Today's scripture is Psalm 13. Go here to read it in your preferred version.
How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
6 I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.
Verse 1 - Wow. How often we feel like this! A pity party! Do we really think God has forgotten us?
Psalm 10:12 - "Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble." - God won't forget those who humble themselves
Isaiah 44:21 - "Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me."
We ask God how long He's going to hide from us when in fact, in Jeremiah 33:3 God tells us if we will call out to Him, He will answer us and show us great and mighty things! He is not hidden from us, we are not seeking Him!
Jeremiah 33:3 - "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."
Verse 2 - How long shall I take counsel in my soul? My soul? My sinful, broken soul?? My soul gives no counsel. Exodus 18:19 says if we listen to God, He will give us counsel! He will be with us! Psalm 1:1 tells us not to walk in the counsel of the ungodly and that certainly includes myself.
Exodus 18:19 - "Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee"
Psalm 1:1 - "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful."
Verse 3 - Finally - a cry to God for help. Scripture tells us many times if we will cry out to God He will hear us and consider us. Asking God to open our eyes is significant. We are so blind without Him. In Ephesians 4:18 we read that alienation from God is due to blindness in our hearts. In 2 Corinthians 4:4 we see that blindness is caused by Satan, so blindness is exactly the opposite of what God wants for us.
Ephesians 4:18 - "Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:"
2 Corinthians 4:4 - "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."
We must continue to trust in God's mercies.
Psalm 136:1 - "O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever."
Lamentations 3:22-23 - "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."
My heart will rejoice in salvation. Don't ever forget that! I will sing to God and praise Him for all He has done for me!
Bountiful Blessings! Gotta remember that. We have so many things to praise God about.
---------------------------------------
I have a story which I think is very cool about this. Back in July, Stephen and I went to a church camp with our youth group called Camp Anchorage. All week long I heard several speakers saying repeatedly, "God's mercies are new every morning!" They never gave a scripture reference but I didn't think much about it. But then during my devotions I kept coming across scriptures of God's mercy. It got me wondering where that scripture in the Bible was about new mercies every day. Well, I looked all through my Bible and couldn't find anything. So I went to the front porch, which was the hangout between sessions. A guy, Anthony, was out there and I was going to ask him, but he was involved in a lengthy conversation with another sponsor. I decided to wait it out. I regretted it when they kept talking and talking! Finally after about ten minutes, they finished up and I jumped at the chance to ask Anthony if he knew where this scripture was. Funny thing was, as soon as I had gotten out the question and he started to say, "I don't kno....." another man was walking up the steps and just as clear as day said, "That's Lamentations chapter 3. I just read that a couple of days ago."
I was super excited! Not just to find the scripture, but because I felt like God had just stepped into my conversation!
Now you might say I was lucky that he was walking by, because I was going crazy trying to find this scripture. I don't think I was lucky. I think God had those two men continue their conversation until Mike was going to be walking up the steps and could hear my question. I'll never forget that because it just showed me how much God loves me - that He is in all the small stuff in my life. That He wants to do small things like that for me to show me how much He cares. If you don't think God cares about things like that in our lives, I truly believe you are sadly mistaken.
Comments? Questions?
How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
6 I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.
Verse 1 - Wow. How often we feel like this! A pity party! Do we really think God has forgotten us?
Psalm 10:12 - "Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble." - God won't forget those who humble themselves
Isaiah 44:21 - "Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me."
We ask God how long He's going to hide from us when in fact, in Jeremiah 33:3 God tells us if we will call out to Him, He will answer us and show us great and mighty things! He is not hidden from us, we are not seeking Him!
Jeremiah 33:3 - "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."
Verse 2 - How long shall I take counsel in my soul? My soul? My sinful, broken soul?? My soul gives no counsel. Exodus 18:19 says if we listen to God, He will give us counsel! He will be with us! Psalm 1:1 tells us not to walk in the counsel of the ungodly and that certainly includes myself.
Exodus 18:19 - "Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee"
Psalm 1:1 - "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful."
Verse 3 - Finally - a cry to God for help. Scripture tells us many times if we will cry out to God He will hear us and consider us. Asking God to open our eyes is significant. We are so blind without Him. In Ephesians 4:18 we read that alienation from God is due to blindness in our hearts. In 2 Corinthians 4:4 we see that blindness is caused by Satan, so blindness is exactly the opposite of what God wants for us.
Ephesians 4:18 - "Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:"
2 Corinthians 4:4 - "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."
We must continue to trust in God's mercies.
Psalm 136:1 - "O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever."
Lamentations 3:22-23 - "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."
My heart will rejoice in salvation. Don't ever forget that! I will sing to God and praise Him for all He has done for me!
Bountiful Blessings! Gotta remember that. We have so many things to praise God about.
---------------------------------------
I have a story which I think is very cool about this. Back in July, Stephen and I went to a church camp with our youth group called Camp Anchorage. All week long I heard several speakers saying repeatedly, "God's mercies are new every morning!" They never gave a scripture reference but I didn't think much about it. But then during my devotions I kept coming across scriptures of God's mercy. It got me wondering where that scripture in the Bible was about new mercies every day. Well, I looked all through my Bible and couldn't find anything. So I went to the front porch, which was the hangout between sessions. A guy, Anthony, was out there and I was going to ask him, but he was involved in a lengthy conversation with another sponsor. I decided to wait it out. I regretted it when they kept talking and talking! Finally after about ten minutes, they finished up and I jumped at the chance to ask Anthony if he knew where this scripture was. Funny thing was, as soon as I had gotten out the question and he started to say, "I don't kno....." another man was walking up the steps and just as clear as day said, "That's Lamentations chapter 3. I just read that a couple of days ago."
I was super excited! Not just to find the scripture, but because I felt like God had just stepped into my conversation!
Now you might say I was lucky that he was walking by, because I was going crazy trying to find this scripture. I don't think I was lucky. I think God had those two men continue their conversation until Mike was going to be walking up the steps and could hear my question. I'll never forget that because it just showed me how much God loves me - that He is in all the small stuff in my life. That He wants to do small things like that for me to show me how much He cares. If you don't think God cares about things like that in our lives, I truly believe you are sadly mistaken.
Comments? Questions?
Friday, August 9, 2013
Psalm 9
Today's scripture is Psalm 9. Go here to read it in your preferred version.
I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
3 When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.
4 For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.
5 Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.
6 O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.
7 But the Lord shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.
8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
9 The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
11 Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.
13 Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:
14 That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.
15 The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.
16 The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.
17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.
19 Arise, O Lord; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.
20 Put them in fear, O Lord: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.
Verse 1 - I will praise God with my whole heart. With my soul. With my mind and my thinking. With my determination and my will. With my conscience and moral character. With my courage. With my emotions and passions. Did you know that phrase "whole heart" means all these things? Do you praise God and please God in all these areas? I know I don't, sadly. I will tell of god's marvelous works because my heart is so full of this!
Verse 2 - I will be glad and rejoice in God. I will sing praises to God because He is most high!
Verse 3 - God's simple presence is so powerful that our enemies (enemies of God) will simply fall and perish just at His presence.
Verse 4 - God sit on His throne judging all of us righteously.
Verse 5 - This judgment on the wicked is totally righteous. Not without cause.
Verses 6-7 - Our enemies are going to fall eventually. They will just crumble. But God endures forever.
Verse 8 - He sits on His throne and judges us righteously.
Verse 9 - He is our refuge in times of trouble, in times of persecution.
Verse 10 - We can continue to fully put our trust in God because He will never forsake us.
Verse 11 - Sing praises to God and talk about all of His doings (repeat of verse 1)
Verse 12 - If we will humble ourselves and cry out to Him, He will not forget us
Verse 13 - He will have mercy on us and lift us out of the gates of death. He is the God of my salvation!
Verse 14 - He saves us and we should give Him all the glory for that. We must put that praise out in the open. We must continue to rejoice in our salvation! Do not cheapen it. Do not forget what God has saved you and I from.
Verse 15-20 - When people are wicked they fall into their own traps. They are bringing God's judgment on themselves. All those who refuse God's salvation will certainly go to hell. David begs for God to remind these people of their humanity. We get so puffed up and think we are so special. The truth is, we are so insignificant. We are so weak on our own. Humans are nothing without God. Unfortunately, so many people will not see this until the day of judgment.
I know this scripture is pretty straight-forward, but one thing you can do to go more into it is list all the promises of God in these verses. There are so many!
Questions? Comments?
I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
3 When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.
4 For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.
5 Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.
6 O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.
7 But the Lord shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.
8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
9 The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
11 Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.
13 Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:
14 That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.
15 The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.
16 The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.
17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.
19 Arise, O Lord; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.
20 Put them in fear, O Lord: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.
Verse 1 - I will praise God with my whole heart. With my soul. With my mind and my thinking. With my determination and my will. With my conscience and moral character. With my courage. With my emotions and passions. Did you know that phrase "whole heart" means all these things? Do you praise God and please God in all these areas? I know I don't, sadly. I will tell of god's marvelous works because my heart is so full of this!
Verse 2 - I will be glad and rejoice in God. I will sing praises to God because He is most high!
Verse 3 - God's simple presence is so powerful that our enemies (enemies of God) will simply fall and perish just at His presence.
Verse 4 - God sit on His throne judging all of us righteously.
Verse 5 - This judgment on the wicked is totally righteous. Not without cause.
Verses 6-7 - Our enemies are going to fall eventually. They will just crumble. But God endures forever.
Verse 8 - He sits on His throne and judges us righteously.
Verse 9 - He is our refuge in times of trouble, in times of persecution.
Verse 10 - We can continue to fully put our trust in God because He will never forsake us.
Verse 11 - Sing praises to God and talk about all of His doings (repeat of verse 1)
Verse 12 - If we will humble ourselves and cry out to Him, He will not forget us
Verse 13 - He will have mercy on us and lift us out of the gates of death. He is the God of my salvation!
Verse 14 - He saves us and we should give Him all the glory for that. We must put that praise out in the open. We must continue to rejoice in our salvation! Do not cheapen it. Do not forget what God has saved you and I from.
Verse 15-20 - When people are wicked they fall into their own traps. They are bringing God's judgment on themselves. All those who refuse God's salvation will certainly go to hell. David begs for God to remind these people of their humanity. We get so puffed up and think we are so special. The truth is, we are so insignificant. We are so weak on our own. Humans are nothing without God. Unfortunately, so many people will not see this until the day of judgment.
I know this scripture is pretty straight-forward, but one thing you can do to go more into it is list all the promises of God in these verses. There are so many!
Questions? Comments?
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Leadership in the Home
Stepping away from the psalms this morning to write about something that I loved in a book I am reading. It's called "What Every Woman Wants in a Man" by Diana Hagee. And please forgive the title. It's not a great title, but the book is really good, I promise!
The topic I want to briefly touch on is leadership in the home. Helping your husband become an effective godly leader. This is so important and these are great scriptures so I just wanted to share them with you.
1. Respect him. At home and in public.
1 Timothy 3:11 - "Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things."
2. Acknowledge his authority. Don't try to override his authority with your children.
2 Samuel 15:4 - "Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!"
The background behind this is Absalom's family life. His father is David the king and his mother was Maacah (2 Samuel 3:3). One problem here was that Maacah was the daughter of a heathen king, yet David married her anyway. There was division in them from the beginning due to their religious beliefs. Issues between parents can create hostility and pride in the children. Pride is a sin of such downfall it is probably greater than many others. Pride can lead to so many things. If you read the stories of pride in the Bible, or think of things you've done in your own life due to pride, you can see how easily it overtakes you. Let that pride slip. Acknowledge that your husband is in charge of the household and respect that. Believe me, I know this is easier said than done. But it does create more harmony.
3. Respond to his leadership. Don't deceive him. If your husband and you decide something together and it's something you didn't necessarily want, don't go behind his back and deceive him to get your way.
Hebrews 4:12 - "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
You can deceive your husband for a while but you can't deceive God for a second.
4. Praise him.
Ephesians 5:33 - "Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband."
5. Be unified with him in purpose and in will. Come together for your goals and requests in prayer.
Amos 3:3 - "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"
6. Be his helpmate. Don't compete with your husband.
Genesis 2:18 - "And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him."
7. Listen to him. Don't be a mouth when you should be an ear and a heart. (Ouch - this one hits me hard!)
1 Kings 3:9 - "Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad."
8. Pray with him and for him. Cover him in prayer daily, especially for discernment and wisdom.
Ephesians 6:18 - "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."
9. Bless him.
Numbers 6:24-27 - "The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them."
10. Be thankful for him. Thank God for your husband every day and pray for the traits that God wants in him.
1 Corinthians 1:4-8 - " I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Comments? Questions?
The topic I want to briefly touch on is leadership in the home. Helping your husband become an effective godly leader. This is so important and these are great scriptures so I just wanted to share them with you.
1. Respect him. At home and in public.
1 Timothy 3:11 - "Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things."
2. Acknowledge his authority. Don't try to override his authority with your children.
2 Samuel 15:4 - "Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!"
The background behind this is Absalom's family life. His father is David the king and his mother was Maacah (2 Samuel 3:3). One problem here was that Maacah was the daughter of a heathen king, yet David married her anyway. There was division in them from the beginning due to their religious beliefs. Issues between parents can create hostility and pride in the children. Pride is a sin of such downfall it is probably greater than many others. Pride can lead to so many things. If you read the stories of pride in the Bible, or think of things you've done in your own life due to pride, you can see how easily it overtakes you. Let that pride slip. Acknowledge that your husband is in charge of the household and respect that. Believe me, I know this is easier said than done. But it does create more harmony.
3. Respond to his leadership. Don't deceive him. If your husband and you decide something together and it's something you didn't necessarily want, don't go behind his back and deceive him to get your way.
Hebrews 4:12 - "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
You can deceive your husband for a while but you can't deceive God for a second.
4. Praise him.
Ephesians 5:33 - "Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband."
5. Be unified with him in purpose and in will. Come together for your goals and requests in prayer.
Amos 3:3 - "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"
6. Be his helpmate. Don't compete with your husband.
Genesis 2:18 - "And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him."
7. Listen to him. Don't be a mouth when you should be an ear and a heart. (Ouch - this one hits me hard!)
1 Kings 3:9 - "Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad."
8. Pray with him and for him. Cover him in prayer daily, especially for discernment and wisdom.
Ephesians 6:18 - "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."
9. Bless him.
Numbers 6:24-27 - "The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them."
10. Be thankful for him. Thank God for your husband every day and pray for the traits that God wants in him.
1 Corinthians 1:4-8 - " I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Comments? Questions?
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Psalm 7
Today's scripture is Psalm 7. Go here to read it in your preferred version.
O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:
2 Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
3 O Lord my God, If I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;
4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)
5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.
6 Arise, O Lord, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.
7 So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.
8 The Lord shall judge the people: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.
9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
10 My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.
11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
12 If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.
13 He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.
14 Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.
15 He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.
16 His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.
17 I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high.
This is a song written by David, apparently when someone was verbally attacking him. David did turn to God in this time which is what we should do.
In verse 1, David acknowledges that he's putting his trust in God to save him and deliver him from his enemies. He is totally alone and without help (verse 2) so he knows he has to rely on God. Apparently David has been accused of something, because he basically says here, "If I've done this which I was accused of, then allow the persecution to continue... lay down my honor..." (verses 3-5). But David feels that he has not done anything evil to anyone he was at peace with (verse 4); in fact, he definitely spared Saul's life twice even as Saul was chasing him in an attempt to kill him (1 Samuel 24 and 26). But because David is sure of his innocence he prays that God's wrath would come against the ones accusing him of these things (verse 6). In verse 7 it looks as though David is speaking on behalf of all accused Christians - we gather and plead for the same things as David, and we acknowledge God's rightful place which is high on His judgment seat. Yes, God will judge all people. As believers, we should want to be judged by God. Corrected. So we ask God to judge our insides. Judge my righteousness and my integrity (verse 8) which is really not good at all. Try (judge) my heart (which is not very good on it's own either!), but I can ask to be judged internally because God is my defense (verse 10)! Nothing of what I've done. God judges the righteous so we can learn and grow from these things.
Yes, God is angry with the wicked every day. Just like He gives us the chance for a new beginning every day. And yes, for those who don't repent, He will go to battle against them ("whet His sword", "bent His bow", "prepared instruments of death", "ordain arrows")... it all sounds very harsh but God gives so many opportunities for people to come to Him. These people have dug a ditch which they've fallen into, and they will reap what they sow. But when God comes through for us and shows He's on our side we must make sure to praise Him for that.
Questions? Comments?
O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:
2 Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
3 O Lord my God, If I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;
4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)
5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.
6 Arise, O Lord, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.
7 So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.
8 The Lord shall judge the people: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.
9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
10 My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.
11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
12 If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.
13 He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.
14 Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.
15 He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.
16 His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.
17 I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high.
This is a song written by David, apparently when someone was verbally attacking him. David did turn to God in this time which is what we should do.
In verse 1, David acknowledges that he's putting his trust in God to save him and deliver him from his enemies. He is totally alone and without help (verse 2) so he knows he has to rely on God. Apparently David has been accused of something, because he basically says here, "If I've done this which I was accused of, then allow the persecution to continue... lay down my honor..." (verses 3-5). But David feels that he has not done anything evil to anyone he was at peace with (verse 4); in fact, he definitely spared Saul's life twice even as Saul was chasing him in an attempt to kill him (1 Samuel 24 and 26). But because David is sure of his innocence he prays that God's wrath would come against the ones accusing him of these things (verse 6). In verse 7 it looks as though David is speaking on behalf of all accused Christians - we gather and plead for the same things as David, and we acknowledge God's rightful place which is high on His judgment seat. Yes, God will judge all people. As believers, we should want to be judged by God. Corrected. So we ask God to judge our insides. Judge my righteousness and my integrity (verse 8) which is really not good at all. Try (judge) my heart (which is not very good on it's own either!), but I can ask to be judged internally because God is my defense (verse 10)! Nothing of what I've done. God judges the righteous so we can learn and grow from these things.
Yes, God is angry with the wicked every day. Just like He gives us the chance for a new beginning every day. And yes, for those who don't repent, He will go to battle against them ("whet His sword", "bent His bow", "prepared instruments of death", "ordain arrows")... it all sounds very harsh but God gives so many opportunities for people to come to Him. These people have dug a ditch which they've fallen into, and they will reap what they sow. But when God comes through for us and shows He's on our side we must make sure to praise Him for that.
Questions? Comments?
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