Finer than Gold, Sweeter then Honey

You must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you (Matthew 12:36-37)

Psalm 19 resets my perspective. David proclaims the glory of God seen in the skies above; often when I’m driving or within view of the outdoors, if my mind grows anxious, I find comfort in gazing at the sky to find the LORD in the clouds, the sun, or the sheer blue expanse. David writes of the heavens:

“Day after day they tell the story; night after night they tell it again. They have no speech or words; they have no voice to be heard. But their message goes out through all the world; their words go everywhere on earth” (Psalm 19:2-4).

LORD, let me hear the message you reveal today. The sun brings light to our world every morning, and your perfect Word is fresh daily. Your law revives my soul, makes wise my simple ways, rejoices my heart, enlightens my eyes, endures forever and is true and righteous altogether (Psalm 19:7-9). Jesus says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). LORD, let the Word springing from your glorious creation surrounding me purify my heart. Solomon wrote “Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it (Proverbs 11:27). Holy Spirit, help my mind seek good in all I see and hear. In this world, evil exists, but let me not dwell on what displeases you. Remind me to shake the dust off my boots and praise God for His faithfulness and His almighty power that transformed my life. Isaiah prophesied of Jesus,

“He will not fight or shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally He will cause justice to be victorious. And His name will be the hope of all the world” (Matt 12:19-21).

Thank-you Holy Father that your Son makes justice victorious. He is our hope from whom we receive “the Spirit of wisdom & understanding, the Spirit of counsel & might, the Spirit of knowledge & the fear of the LORD” (Isaiah 11:2). LORD, fill me with your Spirit so that neither I crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. LORD, I thank you for the believers who edify and train me, but when I am among those whose hope is not in you, let your Spirit overpower the strife in my flesh and meeken my ambitious ways. Help my words glorfy your Son and reach the ears that long to hear your message. I praise you LORD that your wondrous acts fill my heart with joy in your goodness; give me understanding when I rely on my reasoning instead of seeking your will. Show me the truth when I justify my opinions. Reveal your wisdom when I am positioned to do your work. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

And His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness He shall judge the poor, & decide with equity for the meek of the earth (Isaiah 11:2-4).

Happy Birthdays

May our granaries be full, providing all kinds of produce; may our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields (Psalm 144:13)

Last week, my baby girl turned five. What a precious age she is, but I thought that at three and four also. The first two years, she was precious but I barely knew the LORD then, and mommyhood was less joyful for me. I loved her, and I had lots of help, but knowing God, experiencing a connection between He and I or realizing once again that it’s there, has introduced an immeasurable magnitude of joy far beyond any pleasure in earthly delights. David wrote in Psalm 16, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy (v11). In about three weeks, I’ll celebrate five years free of substance abuse. A common cliche concerning addiction is “you only get high once” meaning you can never recapture the same chemical induced euphoria experienced the first time you use drugs. A relationship with God is just the opposite; as you build a relationship with the LORD, the fullness of joy in knowing Him continues to grow magnificently new. The continual chasing of false highs through all manner of controlling behaviors may cost you everything not tied to the addiction: family, home, job, car, freedom…life. The following of Christ costs what denies the Lordship of Jesus: substance abuse, of course, and any worldly passion or influence that attempts to usurp God’s role in your life. Putting God first sometimes seems kind of arbitrary and abstract, but I remind myself frequently, it’s done in a series of decisions gradually more often won by the Holy Spirit (in agreement with what the Bible says) than by the flesh (in agreement with the “I” or some non-scripture based call possibly socially, musically, or activity -oriented). “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!” (Psalm 143:10). Many of us will fail to pray and wait over every decision, but just like regular good diet and exercise keep our bodies fit, daily prayer, praise, and study of the Word keep believers strong, in communion with one another, and equipped. “God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear” (I Cor. 10:13). Temptation leads us away from relationship with the LORD, but He provides an escape. His grace and spiritual building help me find it.

In Zechariah earilier this week, the prophet received visions of evil and a vision of salvation. First, he saw a flying scroll said to be a curse, one side for thieves and the other for liars. Lately I’ve been reminded that confession is good for the soul. The last few months of my addiction were low in usage but full of lies and sneaking around, betraying those who were caring for my daughter while I was at work in the job the LORD allowed me to keep. Of the Ten Commandments, lying and thieving break two. Stealing can be time and attention owed to another such as spouses, children, or employers, of course, so in that respect, many of us are shown great mercy on a regular basis. Whether in distress or otherwise preoccupied, my cry today is to the LORD, not a street pharmacist. “For your name’s sake, O LORD, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!” (Psalm 143:11).

A few weeks after my deliverance, I confessed my sneaky lying activities to my mother; I thought I’d grown strong enough to not need the crutch again, but now I believe the Holy Spirit that has kept me from consequence so often compelled me to confess out of self-preservation,. In Zechariah’s second vision of evil, a woman in a basket named wickedness is planted in a community. Wickedness flourishes where truth is not honored; when we step away from God’s truth, we become vulnerable to the decieving spirit of the enemy that seeks to hold our souls captive for eternity. With the third vision of horses patrolling the earth, the LORD speaks through Zechariah, “And those who are far off shall come and help to build the temple of the LORD…And this shall come to pass, if you will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God” (Zec 6:15). Thank-you Jesus, for suffering the cross so your perfect Spirit could be birthed in me, transforming my heart & mind to be obedient to the Almighty, our Creator. Holy Father, enable me to help build your temple! Let those who are far off hear the invitation of King Jesus and rejoin the Body of Christ.

David wrote, “May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace” (Psalm 144:12). LORD, I thank-you for my sweet daughter; I thank-you for her sweetness, her love, her desire to know more about you. I thank-you for standing by me as I raise her, for guiding my decisions, for safeguarding us, for leading me away from influences who would try to usurp your role in our lives. LORD, help me raise her to be strong & sharp as a corner. Help me do right by your creation entrusted to my care. Jesus says, “Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!” It’s been said that people stop developing emotionally when they start using drugs. This might be true for any number of choices that spiritually lead us away from God. LORD, I’m so glad for the knowledge of you I have today. I’m so sorry for turning away in my youth. I pray for wisdom to make right choices for my child and to equip her to make right choices also. LORD, your Word says to rescue those stumbling towards slaughter (Pro 24:11). I thank-you that I was rescued. I pray any youth or young adult making decisions that halt their growth have a sudden revelation of your awesome power. Earlier this spring, I moved a dying yellow rose bush from my center garden to a shadier spot where it has flowered & still has buds. LORD, help your lost sons & daughters get moved to where they rejoice in your spirit. I thank you for refuge in your shade for my darling girl and I. Help us rescue those who are being taken away to death (Pro 24:11).

“His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love” (Psalm 147:10-11).

An Invitation from the Lord

“Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on His throne” (Revelation 3:21)

Our Lord Jesus promises that we, sons of Adam & daughters of Eve, will share His throne if we overcome the temptation to turn away from God. This is an invitation to a royal meeting. Have you ever found yourself in a situation surrounded by others more qualified than you, whether amongst your family, your comrades in service, your coworkers, or your church members? Do you ever know you are blessed to live in our nation? Revelation 3 reminds us that we need God, that we should buy His gold purified by fire, wear His white garments to replace our shame, accept His discipline, and shed indifference. When we read this with faith in our Father as Creator, His Word is the roar of an enormous lion. His paw could crush my skull, but He devours the wolves that threaten me. Being humbled by our surroundings is a wonderful feeling. We should never be threatened by blessing. David wrote, “Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice! (Psalm 141:2) While students in our favorite classes, we brought our papers to the front desk, eyed the teachers as they went through the stack, hoping and believing their look of pleased satisfaction was on account of our work. How much more shall we desire our prayer and worship to bring joy to our Father, the living God.

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends” (Revelation 3:20). Jesus left heaven, lived unnecessarily in a vile world, and suffered an unimaginable death to His flesh so His resurrection could redeem usto the Father. His words to John remind us that He calls for us. Through Moses, God told the Israelites of His Word, “It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us…Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us…But the word is very near you” (Deu 30:12-14). Jesus stands at the door and knocks. The Lord’s chosen nation received His promises in their mouths and hearts so they could follow Him. We receive not because of our family or social network, but because we accept Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior. The blessings of the Lord in our daily life bring joy, but the Holy Spirit birthed in us is the magnificent pull to His throne of grace. King Soloman wrote, “Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor (Pro 21:21).” Christ Jesus defines righteousness and kindness; we never have to wonder “who says what is righteous and kind?” Lord Jesus tells us in the gospel, and the Holy Bible exemplifies His teachings from Genesis to Revelation. David calls for Holy Spirit help in the Old Testament: “Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds (Psalm 141:4) . Walking in blessing or amid temptations of every kind, because of the cross, we have the power within to resist arrogance, pride, and falling into sin. We cannot do this in perfection as did Christ Jesus; our God reminded Paul the great apostle, His strength is made perfect in weakness. In our weakness, we call upon the Lord. Have mercy! Give me strength! Praise Jesus for the living Word! “But my eyes are toward you, O GOD, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless! (Psalm 141:8) Thank-you Lord, for revealing yourself to me through the scriptures, for allowing me to know your glorious presence in your house, for witnessing your marvelous work in my peers and mentors, for gifted worship artists who cleanse my heart from the call of the enemy and lift your name in a way I can’t accomplish on my own. I praise you for life, for your love, mercy, and grace, and for life.

“O LORD, I call upon you; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you! (Psalm 141:1)

Holy and Awesome is His Name! (Psalm 111:9)

Psalm 111

Daniel 2

Hebrew 13 – James 1

Good morning, God! Good morning, Jesus! Good morning, Holy Spirit! Your works, Lord, are great: the beautiful trees and the morning grass in the fresh light of the rising sun remind me again that you, Holy Father, are the Truth, the God of our creation, and giver of all that is good. Thank-you that I am alive, full of joy, and able to take notice. Full of splendor and majesty is your work, and your righteousness endures forever. Almighty God, you are the author of justice; you define perfection. You cause your wondrous works to be remembered”. Bless you Lord, more magnificant than the sum of all of you’ve set in motion on this earth, that you know we need reminders of your presence to protect us from misunderstandings, confusion, and vain imaginations; you who formed our hearts and minds know what we need at any given moment. You do not delight in our failings but in our need and our love for you. The LORD is gracious and merciful. (Psalm 111:2-4)

Christ Jesus, I praise you for your love and suffering that allows us to know our God. I thank-you that your gift of life births the Holy Spirit who guides and leads us with grace, more and more as our hope is only for what pleases you and what is in keeping with your Word. Lord Jesus, you have always been with the Father, but you left your position to show us the light, the one path to eternal bliss, offering your blood as sacrifice. Therefore, Holy Spirit, let us go to Him outside the camp and bear the reproach He endured. Guide us in your will, so we magnify what you have done for all. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come (Hebrews 13:13-14).Holy Spirit, let us not be deceived. Nothing offered of this world we inhabit today compares to you, Holy Spirit, or what our God can do with our lives. We know every good gift and every perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures (James 1:16-18). Holy Spirit, Lord Jesus, hear the prayers of your people who desire to be your firstfruits, cherished and delightful to your eye. Today, Holy Spirit, let me be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Remind me that anger is a reaction and may be masked by pride and false thinking of any kind that forgets you are the God of all things, sunny and stormy. Therefore enable me to put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save souls (James 1:16-18).

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might.
He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings;
He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;
He reveals deep and hidden things;
He knows what is in the darkness, & the light dwells with Him.
To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise (Daniel 2:20-23).