Today's reading: Job 27, 28, 29; Psalm 7, 37, 67, 96, 127; Proverbs 7
Job 29:3, "When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness;"
I remember being very scared of the dark growing up. I am so glad that I did not grow up during the era when going to the bathroom at night included a candle and a path out back. I would not have done well in such a case. Now that I am older we have indoor plumbing and I don't have to worry too much about the candle or flashlight. Some of my family remember vividly those days of a house having two (2) rooms and a "path". Not me.
Today I was reminded of such thinking about the candle mentioned in the Scripture for today. You know darkness is an interesting character. Have you ever noticed that when you went into a dark room and turned on the light that the darkness immediately flees? I think that is so awesome.
I am reminded of the sweet shepherd of Israel who walked "...through the valley of the shadow of death..." in Psalm 23:4. He feared no evil because he knew that God walked with him. God is light and darkness will flee away in His presence. I am sticking with the Light, myself.
It is my prayer and hope for you today that you are a child of the Light and are filled with the light of God so that in those dark days His light will shine on your path.
So, how are you shining?
Monday, June 7, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
June 6, 2010
Today's reading: Job 24, 25, 26; Psalm 6, 36, 66, 96, 126; Proverbs 6
Job 25:4, "How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?"
This is a great question. So many people ask this question today; but, they seek to justify themselves by what they do. It is not what you do. It is what Jesus did. To be justified is as some Christians of old used to say, "Just as if I have never sinned." This is true but it is way more than that. To be justified is to be standing before the Judge and He examines all of the evidence and hears all of the testimony from both sides and slams the gavel down and says, "Not guilty!" You see the Judge looks at the blood of Jesus and sees full payment for our sin. It is by His blood that we are justified and many other things also.
When you come to the realization of the truth of Scripture that Jesus died for you it should motivate you and I to tell others about salvation by grace, through faith. The Scriptures tell us in Psalm 126:5-6, "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." What a promise of God. Sowing is telling others about Jesus and what He did for them. Reaping is actually showing them how to be saved. What an awesome privilege we have to share the Gospel with others or tell others how to be born-again. I hope you are telling others as you go. We are commanded to do so.
So, how are you doing?
Job 25:4, "How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?"
This is a great question. So many people ask this question today; but, they seek to justify themselves by what they do. It is not what you do. It is what Jesus did. To be justified is as some Christians of old used to say, "Just as if I have never sinned." This is true but it is way more than that. To be justified is to be standing before the Judge and He examines all of the evidence and hears all of the testimony from both sides and slams the gavel down and says, "Not guilty!" You see the Judge looks at the blood of Jesus and sees full payment for our sin. It is by His blood that we are justified and many other things also.
When you come to the realization of the truth of Scripture that Jesus died for you it should motivate you and I to tell others about salvation by grace, through faith. The Scriptures tell us in Psalm 126:5-6, "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." What a promise of God. Sowing is telling others about Jesus and what He did for them. Reaping is actually showing them how to be saved. What an awesome privilege we have to share the Gospel with others or tell others how to be born-again. I hope you are telling others as you go. We are commanded to do so.
So, how are you doing?
Saturday, June 5, 2010
June 5, 2010
Today's reading: Job 21, 22, 23; Psalm 5, 35, 65, 95, 125; Proverbs 5
Proverbs 5:19-20, "Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?"
I am increasingly disturbed with the number of marriages that break up. This should not be. The problem is that the statistics are just as bad in the Church as they are in the world. this really should not be. We know one couple that have been married for (40) forty years and are in the process of getting a divorce. I am heart broken over this.
I know in one case that the husband did not heed the counsel of our Scripture verse for today. He "lost that lovin' feelin'." Well, I don't agree with that truthfully. I don't believe that we just fall in love and then fall out of love. You see love is a choice. What the world calls love the Bible calls lust. Love is not a feeling. It is a choice! I choose to love my wife or I choose not to love my wife; whatever, the case may be.
I look forward every month to reading this passage. I like it because it is such good practical advice. It is a great reminder to me and other men out there too. If we do not heed the teaching and warning of the Scripture then we will be like the man in Proverbs 5:22, "His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins." If you want to be free then you have to live the life that Christ sets forth or you will not be truly free. You will be enslaved to sin like so many others.
Do you know Christ as your Saviour? I hope so.
Proverbs 5:19-20, "Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?"
I am increasingly disturbed with the number of marriages that break up. This should not be. The problem is that the statistics are just as bad in the Church as they are in the world. this really should not be. We know one couple that have been married for (40) forty years and are in the process of getting a divorce. I am heart broken over this.
I know in one case that the husband did not heed the counsel of our Scripture verse for today. He "lost that lovin' feelin'." Well, I don't agree with that truthfully. I don't believe that we just fall in love and then fall out of love. You see love is a choice. What the world calls love the Bible calls lust. Love is not a feeling. It is a choice! I choose to love my wife or I choose not to love my wife; whatever, the case may be.
I look forward every month to reading this passage. I like it because it is such good practical advice. It is a great reminder to me and other men out there too. If we do not heed the teaching and warning of the Scripture then we will be like the man in Proverbs 5:22, "His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins." If you want to be free then you have to live the life that Christ sets forth or you will not be truly free. You will be enslaved to sin like so many others.
Do you know Christ as your Saviour? I hope so.
Friday, June 4, 2010
June 4, 2010
Today's reading: Job 18, 19, 20; Psalm 4, 34, 64, 94, 124; Proverbs 4
Job 19:25, "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:"
Today as I am writing this the news stations are reporting that the legendary coach John Wooden is in the hospital and his condition is listed as grave. He is 99 years old. Wow! What a successful life this man has led in the eyes of the world. I do not know his spiritual condition; but, I do pray that he has been born-again.
You and I who know Christ as our Saviour do not need to fear death. Our eternal destiny is as sure as Christ arose from the dead. That is the beauty of the resurrection of Christ. It is because He arose and now lives that you and I can rest assured that if we are His child then we will do likewise. Amen!
We serve a risen Saviour. You can go all over the world and find the grave of different "religious" leaders and they will contain what is left of their remains. You will never find the grave of Jesus with any remains in it whatsoever. He used a borrowed tomb because He only needed it for three (3) days.
I hope today that you and I will live like we serve a risen, living Saviour. We should because there are millions who do not know Him that are depending upon us to point them to Christ. Does the resurrection enable you to live for Jesus? I hope so.
How are you doing?
Job 19:25, "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:"
Today as I am writing this the news stations are reporting that the legendary coach John Wooden is in the hospital and his condition is listed as grave. He is 99 years old. Wow! What a successful life this man has led in the eyes of the world. I do not know his spiritual condition; but, I do pray that he has been born-again.
You and I who know Christ as our Saviour do not need to fear death. Our eternal destiny is as sure as Christ arose from the dead. That is the beauty of the resurrection of Christ. It is because He arose and now lives that you and I can rest assured that if we are His child then we will do likewise. Amen!
We serve a risen Saviour. You can go all over the world and find the grave of different "religious" leaders and they will contain what is left of their remains. You will never find the grave of Jesus with any remains in it whatsoever. He used a borrowed tomb because He only needed it for three (3) days.
I hope today that you and I will live like we serve a risen, living Saviour. We should because there are millions who do not know Him that are depending upon us to point them to Christ. Does the resurrection enable you to live for Jesus? I hope so.
How are you doing?
Thursday, June 3, 2010
June 3, 2010
Today's reading: Job 15, 16, 17; Psalm 3, 33, 63, 93, 123; Proverbs 3
Psalm 33:18, "Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;"
I was reading "Larry Lilly's Journal" today. It came on time; but, sometimes I put off reading it as soon as it arrives in the mail. As I was reading today he related a story about a prisoner he was talking to recently. This man related that "Larry Lilly's Journal" saved his life. He had a gun pointed at his own head and was going to kill himself when he saw Dr. Lilly's faithful work for Jesus. He put the gun down and read the literary work. He repented of his sin and also went to the authorities and repented of some things. For this he is serving a sentence in prison. As he talked with Dr. Lilly he asked him, "So, what is your name?" You see this literary work was sent by God to this man's wife in order to preserve his life, I believe.
Today at lunch my mother, my son and I went to a local fast food establishment. The reason we went was because Zach works there. I was told that Zach wanted to see my son. You see, a few years ago Zach was a struggling boy. In hopes of giving him something to do to divert his attention somewhere other than where it was he was asked to be a peer in my son's class at school. Our son had been written off by school officials as a "bad kid" because of his inability to communicate. This makes him aggressive. Zach is the only person that has ever worked with our son who has never been hit by him. You see, they needed each other. In their own way they needed the other one and God worked it out in His timing to bring two boys across each other's path at just the right time. Zach is now almost 18 and walks several blocks to work and seems to be a responsible young man. Praise God!
My rant today? Simple really. Our Scripture today reminds us that God is not removed from you and I; but, He is ever watching us and meeting our needs. He is not watching us to pound us with His fist. He is watching over us and cares for us just like the Heavenly Father that He is and for that I am thankful. I don't know where our son would be today; nor, do I know where Zach would be either.
God is good! All of the time!
Psalm 33:18, "Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;"
I was reading "Larry Lilly's Journal" today. It came on time; but, sometimes I put off reading it as soon as it arrives in the mail. As I was reading today he related a story about a prisoner he was talking to recently. This man related that "Larry Lilly's Journal" saved his life. He had a gun pointed at his own head and was going to kill himself when he saw Dr. Lilly's faithful work for Jesus. He put the gun down and read the literary work. He repented of his sin and also went to the authorities and repented of some things. For this he is serving a sentence in prison. As he talked with Dr. Lilly he asked him, "So, what is your name?" You see this literary work was sent by God to this man's wife in order to preserve his life, I believe.
Today at lunch my mother, my son and I went to a local fast food establishment. The reason we went was because Zach works there. I was told that Zach wanted to see my son. You see, a few years ago Zach was a struggling boy. In hopes of giving him something to do to divert his attention somewhere other than where it was he was asked to be a peer in my son's class at school. Our son had been written off by school officials as a "bad kid" because of his inability to communicate. This makes him aggressive. Zach is the only person that has ever worked with our son who has never been hit by him. You see, they needed each other. In their own way they needed the other one and God worked it out in His timing to bring two boys across each other's path at just the right time. Zach is now almost 18 and walks several blocks to work and seems to be a responsible young man. Praise God!
My rant today? Simple really. Our Scripture today reminds us that God is not removed from you and I; but, He is ever watching us and meeting our needs. He is not watching us to pound us with His fist. He is watching over us and cares for us just like the Heavenly Father that He is and for that I am thankful. I don't know where our son would be today; nor, do I know where Zach would be either.
God is good! All of the time!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
June 2, 2010
Today's reading: Job 12, 13, 14; Psalm 2, 32, 62, 92, 122; Proverbs 2
Job 7:12, "But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:"
The other evening we were watching one of those shows on TV that have funny videos (some are not funny at all). On this episode there was a group whitewater rafting down a river. As they made their way down the river a kayak comes across the screen and is thrown into the boat with the group of kids. It was kind of funny. The next video was a large boat docking. A man jumped off the boat with rope in hand. When he landed he stumbled and fell down on the dock and rolled off the dock to the shore and then down the shore and under the dock as it paralleled the water's edge. I was laughing so hard I could almost not stop.
I am sure that you are wondering where I am going with this little trip down memory lane. I was thinking about that poor guy who fell and how he was not tied off to keep him from falling like that. This brought to my feeble mind that if you and I are not tied off to something stronger than us, we could fall at anytime.
Some of us do as Job 12:25, "They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man. This makes me think of those who do not know Christ as their Saviour and how they do just what this passage says. They do not have the moorings to keep them stable.
Job is one of those guys in the Bible that you would say is tied off to the right place. Look at Job 13:15, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him." This guy is putting his full faith and trust in God. Job is tied off right where he needs to be. You and I need to be tied off there too just like Job of old.
The best place in the world to get this mooring is God's house. Look at Psalm 122:1, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD." What is your attitude at Church time? Is it a drudgery to go or is it a true pleasure? As you go to Church and learn more about God you will become more grounded and it will take less and less to knock you off course.
So, how is your mooring? Rock solid I hope.
Job 7:12, "But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:"
The other evening we were watching one of those shows on TV that have funny videos (some are not funny at all). On this episode there was a group whitewater rafting down a river. As they made their way down the river a kayak comes across the screen and is thrown into the boat with the group of kids. It was kind of funny. The next video was a large boat docking. A man jumped off the boat with rope in hand. When he landed he stumbled and fell down on the dock and rolled off the dock to the shore and then down the shore and under the dock as it paralleled the water's edge. I was laughing so hard I could almost not stop.
I am sure that you are wondering where I am going with this little trip down memory lane. I was thinking about that poor guy who fell and how he was not tied off to keep him from falling like that. This brought to my feeble mind that if you and I are not tied off to something stronger than us, we could fall at anytime.
Some of us do as Job 12:25, "They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man. This makes me think of those who do not know Christ as their Saviour and how they do just what this passage says. They do not have the moorings to keep them stable.
Job is one of those guys in the Bible that you would say is tied off to the right place. Look at Job 13:15, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him." This guy is putting his full faith and trust in God. Job is tied off right where he needs to be. You and I need to be tied off there too just like Job of old.
The best place in the world to get this mooring is God's house. Look at Psalm 122:1, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD." What is your attitude at Church time? Is it a drudgery to go or is it a true pleasure? As you go to Church and learn more about God you will become more grounded and it will take less and less to knock you off course.
So, how is your mooring? Rock solid I hope.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
June 1, 2010
Today's reading: Job 9, 10, 11; Psalm 1, 31, 61, 91, 121; Proverbs 1
Job 11:6, "And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth."
Several years ago we went to Church with a guy that when you would ask him how he was doing he would reply, "Better than I deserve." This truth is substantiated here in our passage for today. If the truth be known we all deserve nothing but hell. Wow! That is not politically correct. I realize that it is not politically correct to talk about hell; but, it is a reality and must be talked about.
Job is telling us the truth here. He is reminding us that we deserve hell; but, God in His mercy has provided us a way of escape. Our escape plan? Jesus Christ. This also answers the question in Job 9:2, "I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?" Again the answer is Jesus Christ.
Persons who are just or justified are people that will not go to hell. Thanks be unto God! To be justified is to have been before the Judge and He looks at the evidence and sees that Jesus Christ has paid your personal sin debt and then strikes the gavel down and says, "Paid in full. Not guilty." This ought to do something for you. I know that it sure hit home to me today.
Now how do we live this truth out? It is simple really. Live like you have been freed from prison (the prison of sin). Live justified. Live your life like Jesus Christ is your King. Easy said, I know. Some days it is not so easily done.
So, how are you doing?
Job 11:6, "And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth."
Several years ago we went to Church with a guy that when you would ask him how he was doing he would reply, "Better than I deserve." This truth is substantiated here in our passage for today. If the truth be known we all deserve nothing but hell. Wow! That is not politically correct. I realize that it is not politically correct to talk about hell; but, it is a reality and must be talked about.
Job is telling us the truth here. He is reminding us that we deserve hell; but, God in His mercy has provided us a way of escape. Our escape plan? Jesus Christ. This also answers the question in Job 9:2, "I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?" Again the answer is Jesus Christ.
Persons who are just or justified are people that will not go to hell. Thanks be unto God! To be justified is to have been before the Judge and He looks at the evidence and sees that Jesus Christ has paid your personal sin debt and then strikes the gavel down and says, "Paid in full. Not guilty." This ought to do something for you. I know that it sure hit home to me today.
Now how do we live this truth out? It is simple really. Live like you have been freed from prison (the prison of sin). Live justified. Live your life like Jesus Christ is your King. Easy said, I know. Some days it is not so easily done.
So, how are you doing?
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