Psalm 28:6-9
“Blessed be the Lord! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. The Lord is the strength of His people; He is the saving refuge of His anointed. Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.”

I turned to this psalm this morning and in the margin of my bible was written a prayer of thanksgiving on 1 November 2007 to God for bringing my son home safely from Iraq after a 15 month tour there. As I read these verses again my heart wells up with joy and thanksgiving for God’s kindness and mercy. Yet, I have a confession to make. Once my son was back from Iraq I stopped paying attention to the war. I stopped praying regularly for our soldiers who serve so faithfully over there. I have a friend whose son is in Afghanistan and husband is in Iraq so this has reminded me to pray again for our soldiers. In yesterday’s news I heard that a 26 year old lieutenant from the city where I presently live was killed in Baghdad last week. He was my son’s age. It caused me to be so sad for this young man and his family and again so grateful to God for bringing my son home.

By God’s kindness I have been convicted of my selfish behavior. Once my son came home, I for all intent and purposes, forgot about the other soldiers there. My desire is to persevere in prayer for the soldiers who remain in harm’s way and for their families as they wait for their loved ones to come home. How have I even been able to consider NOT persevering when these people are willing to sacrifice their entire lives to serve their country?

Oh Lord, thank you for the gift of your conviction. I am so sorry for receiving what I wanted for my son and then not persevering in prayers for other’s sons and daughters. This is so prideful and selfish. Thank you for the blood of Jesus that covers my sins. You are so merciful to me. I am weak Lord and I need your help to persevere in prayer. These men and women persevere in WAR and I find it hard to remember to pray for them? Oh Lord, may you affect a change in my heart and help me to remember to pray for our soldiers. May you use their lives to advance the gospel and may peace there reign soon. Please keep them safe Lord. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

2 Corinthians 10:7
“Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we.”

This scripture is an admonishment by Paul to the Corinthians as he is defending his ministry but it speaks to us in 2008 as well! Sadly, many Christians experience the “friendly fire” of other Christians, either in competing ministries or just plain competition, comparing ourselves to one another.

I remember, about 12 years ago I was in a conflict with a brother in Christ and God very kindly yet firmly showed me that this person was as much HIS as I was and I was not to treat my brother, God’s child, badly. I will never forget the day that God showed that to me. Paul did well to admonish us that we should remind ourselves that just as we are in Christ so are our brothers and sisters, and we must love them accordingly!

Oh how I love God’s Word that is as applicable today as it was then!

1 JOHN 2:15-17
“DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD OR THE THINGS IN THE WORLD. IF ANYONE LOVES THE WORLD, THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM. FOR ALL THAT IS IN THE WORLD- THE DESIRES OF THE FLESH AND THE DESIRES OF THE EYES AND PRIDE IN POSSESSIONS- IS NOT FROM THE FATHER BUT IS FROM THE WORLD. AND THE WORLD IS PASSING AWAY ALONG WITH ITS DESIRES BUT WHOEVER DOES THE WILL OF GOD ABIDES FOREVER.”

I’ve been thinking about this Scriptures since I read yesterday’s Girl Talk blog. (http://girltalk.blogs.com/girltalk/2008/09/worldliness-res.html) I encourage you to read it. I don’t know the answer to the questions of where the line is drawn between worldliness and godliness but I do know that I want to find out. I do know that I do not want to love this present world. I do know that I want to treasure Christ above all things. I’m looking forwards to CJ Mahaney's new book on Worldliness. I know I need help in this area? Do you?

The hidden life (J. R. Miller, "The Hidden Life" 1895)

"Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart!" 1 Samuel 16:7

Those who are striving to live near the heart of Christ, must realize that it is the hidden life which makes the character.

What we are in the depths of our being, where no human eye can penetrate--that we are actually, as God sees us.

This inner life will ultimately work its way through to the surface--transforming the character into its own quality.

Nothing can be more important, therefore, than that the hidden life be true, pure, beautiful, and Christ-like.

"Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart!" 1 Samuel 16:7


I receive a small devotional from the site, gracegems.org. This one really hit me this morning so thought I’d share it with you.

As I read this I was even more aware of how much I depend on God for the sanctification of my soul. Scriptures tell me in Jeremiah 17:9 that our hearts are deceitful above all things and beyond cure, who can understand it? The bible tells us from beginning to end that GOD understands our hearts and he has the cure! JESUS!

I am encouraged this morning to rest in the promises of God that He will complete what he has begun in me, that He will sanctify me completely. I don’t even know the depths of the wickedness of my heart! I can deceive myself into thinking that it’s not that bad!!! But God knows and HE, by his grace, by the blood of Jesus took that heart of stone and softened it and made it desire and treasure Jesus! AMAZING!

Some people get panicked when they realize that God knows and understand the depths of our hearts. Believe it or not I find it comforting! I know that God knows the depth of my sin and saved me and continues to sanctify me and brings to surface remaining sin that I wouldn’t even be aware of if it were not for the kindness of God who leads me to repentance!

This motivates me to press in close to Jesus, the ONLY cure to my heart problems!

Does it motivate you?

2 Cor 5:21
“For our sake
He made HIM
to be sin
who knew NO sin
so that in HIM
we might become
the righteousness of God.”

I am struck anew this morning by the miracle of the gospel. I am in awe of God’s incredible mercy and kindness. God demands righteousness and holiness from us BUT in his sovereign grace, God himself, gives to us what we so desperately need! Righteousness! He gives us HIS righteousness, the righteousness of Christ.

In the scripture immediately preceding this scripture, Paul writes, “we implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” And then Paul proceeds to tell us how we are to be reconciled to God. He made Jesus to be sin, not just take our sin, but to BE sin .. Jesus, who knew NO sin becomes sin … and those who are in Christ become the righteousness of God! Amazing grace! If this doesn’t win our hearts, nothing can. If this miraculous truth doesn’t motivate us to share the gospel ,then what can?

Oh how beautiful Jesus is!

Thank you Jesus for being sin so that in you I become the righteousness of God. Thank you for taking your righteousness and giving it to me. Thank you for receiving the wrath of God that belongs to me, so I will NEVER have to bear the wrath of God and am instead a recipient of His mercy, love and grace. You are worthy of all honor, glory and praise!

PROVERBS 18:13
IF ONE GIVES AN ANSWER BEFORE HE HEARS, IT IS HIS FOLLY AND SHAME.”

I love how God’s Word is so practical. I read this Scripture this morning and I so identified with it. I often speak before I hear!!! Do you know what I mean? I’ve been in conversations with people where I’m not EVEN listening to what they are saying because I’m already thinking of what I am going to say in response!!! Now, how can I know what my response should be if I’m not even listening to what the other person is saying? OR I’ve been in situations where I just blatantly interrupt people and begin to say whatever it is that I want to say!!!! And yes, I’ve embarrassed myself many a time doing this. Again, may I LISTEN more than I SPEAK!

"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt." (Abraham Lincoln)

Proverbs 17:28 “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”

Interesting thoughts… Lincoln’s quote seems close to scripture but actually it is quite different… in the world’s eyes, the one who is silent, the one who perhaps doesn’t express his/her opinon very often, the one who avoids quarrels and words of contention, by the world’s standards is thought a fool. BUT in God’s opinion (the only one that counts!), according to proverbs, the one who keeps silent is considered wise… even a fool is considered wise if he keeps his mouth shut!

Either quote, though, says its better to remain silent… J Mr. Lincoln says you may be thought of as a fool if you remain silent, but it is better to be thought a fool than to prove it by speaking. God says, even a fool will be thought of as wise if he remains silent.. so therefore it is wise to be silent.

One of the things that God has been teaching me for a couple of years now is to talk less and listen more. He has been teaching me that I don’t have to tell everyone everything I know or think I know! I do not have to express my opinion or make a point about everything that is being discussed in front of me. God has given me so much grace in this area! I used to be like a bull in a china shop with my words all the time! If there was a doctrine to defend, I was defending it and not humbly. If there was a political point to make, I was making it! If there was an opinion on child rearing or marriage issue I was voicing it! But by God’s grace I am keeping silent more and more.

As those who know me well know, I am NOT perfect in this area AT ALL! But hopefully I am getting better. I certainly desire to be more silent in certain areas of my life. Proverbs tells us to seek and treasure and value wisdom! If remaining silent is wise, then this is definitely an area I will continue to surrender to God. I want him to change me!!!

Is it ironic then that I write a blog??? Is it because I want to be heard? Hmmm… I hope and pray it is for the encouragement of the saints and the glory of God!

Luke 9:23
“And He said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”

Every John Piper book I read is my favorite Piper book, :), but the one I’m reading right now is soooooo good! It is presently my favorite! Haha!

Actually, I am reading a book titled, STAND A CALL FOR THE ENDURANCE OF THE SAINTS , and it is a compilation of authors edited by John Piper and Justin Taylor. In a chapter, by Piper, I was very affected by a story he told about the martyr Polycarp who died for his faith in 155 AD. I am amazed at the power of God’s grace at the time of Polycarp’s death!

Piper says, “The proconsul sent word that is should be proclaimed aloud to the crowd three times, “Polycarp hath confessed himself to be a Christian.” After the crowd found out there were no beasts available for the task, they cried out for him to be burned alive. The wood was gathered, and as they were about to nail is hands to the timber he said, “Let me be as I am. He that granted me to endure will grant me also to remain at the pyre unmoved, without being secured with nails.” The fire did not consume him, but an executioner drove a dagger into his body. “And all the multitude marveled at the great difference between the unbelievers and the elect.” When we are so satisfied in Christ that we are enabled to willingly die for Him, we are freed to love the lost as never before, and Christ is shown to be a great Treasure. (Stand, p.45)

ummmm. WOW! This man treasured Christ so deeply, securely and sincerely that he KNEW that God’s grace would keep him in the fire as he willingly died for his faith! Amazing. I’ve been thinking about this ever since I read it several days ago. Here, in America, we are not put to death for being Christians. We are not even persecuted like our brothers and sisters were in days gone by and presently are in countries like China, India, North Korea, Saudi Arabia…etc. So, all we have to do is die to self! Why is it so hard to do so? I can see how being burned at the stake would be hard, but to die to self??? Why do I get offended so easily? Why can’t I die to self? Why do I get annoyed at others so easily? Why can’t I die to self? Why is my anger so easily ignited? Could it be because I have more stake in this world than I do in Christ? Could it be that I treasure my desires and my wants more than I treasure Christ? That is easily the reason why it is so difficult to die to self.

My prayer today and for days to come is that by God’s grace I would treasure Christ more than I treasure anything in this world. That I would treasure Christ more than I treasure respect, reputation, myself… THEN by His grace, I will be able to die to self.

Mark 5:18-20
“As he (Jesus) was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.”

I read this scripture this morning and was encouraged and reminded that when I am with family and friends, both Christian and non Christian, I must speak of what the LORD has done for me and how he has had mercy on me!

John 15:13
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

In my recuperating and resting of my leg (which Dennis is forcing me to do), I have been watching a lot of movies and doing a lot of reading. Yesterday I watched a John Grisham novel made into a movie called, The Chamber. It was very good. I kept holding out for the happy ending but it didn’t come and yet, it ended the way it was supposed to.

In a nutshell, the grandson lawyer of an embittered, callous old man on death row for murdering children was trying to get a stay of execution for his grandfather. In the end, he couldn’t and the man was justly put to death for his crime. The last scenes were very graphic as the viewer watched this man’s heart finally soften towards others but was ready to face his execution by gas. I found myself repulsed and riveted to what I was watching. I found myself crying as this man was put to death, and at the same time realizing that he DESERVED to die for his crime. The scenes went back and forth between the guilty man’s execution, the crowds outside cheering for his death, and the grandson’s sorrow at failing to get a stay for his grandfather.

Then the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and I wept for I was reminded that I should be punished for all my sins. I DESERVE the just punishment of how I have offended God. BUT instead!!! Jesus was executed! A guiltless man was declared guilty! A guiltless Jesus came for the sole purpose of taking my sin upon himself and be executed for them. He bore the guilty price and I was declared set free!

As I watched this man in the movie die a horrible death, I thought of my Jesus dying an even more horrible death for he took on the wrath of God upon himself so I never, ever, ever would bear that wrath. Jesus was separated from God so I wouldn’t be!!! In the movie, the crowds cheered for this guilty man to die. In reality, the crowd cheered for a GUILTLESS man to die. I’m sure I would have been one of those cheering for JESUS to die BUT while I was a sinner, Jesus died for me. What great love is this!

How kind of God to minister to me through a silly movie while I rest my bum leg. :)

Thank you JESUS!

1 Corinthians 10:13-14
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Therefore my beloved, flee from idolatry.”

There has been many a time when I have incorrectly prayed, “oh Lord, provide a way of escape from this temptation.” The Scriptures are clear that God WILL provide a way of escape. The more accurate prayer would be, “Oh Lord, help me to TAKE the way of escape that you provide!” Praise GOD for providing a way of escape from the temptations to sin that we face. How kind, merciful and gracious of our God! AMEN?

1 John 4:19-21
“We love because He first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God”, and hates his brother, He is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.”

“When our hearts find their rest in Christ, we stop using other people to meet our needs, and instead we make ourselves servants to meet their needs.” (John Piper, Stand, p.44)

I am reading John Piper’s latest publication, Stand, A Call for the Endurance of the Saints. It is SO good!
When I read this sentence in his book, “when our hearts find their rest in Christ, we stop using others to meet our needs, and instead we make ourselves servants to meet their needs.” WOW! Can you imagine if every person who considers themselves a Christian had this outlook? This is how it MUST be, this is how it WILL be, becoming a servant and seeking to serve the needs of others rather than seeking to have our own needs met is a fruit of being at rest in Christ. It is a fruit of being a Christian! Do we do this perfectly? Of course not… we still have remaining sin but we should be fighting for this !! Fight to be at rest in Christ! Fight to see Christ as our greatest treasure rather than anything in this present world, to include our “needs.” Christ fulfills ALL we need and this frees us up to be His ministers to His church.
Pray to keep fighting against selfishness, surrendering to the work of the Holy Spirit as you are being sanctified!

Psalm 68:1-3
“God shall arise, His enemies shall be scattered. And those who hate Him shall flee before Him! As smoke is driven away, so shall you drive them away; as wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God!
BUT the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy!”

Yesterday, Dennis and I attended a get together in our neighborhood to come around a woman whose father died last week. The hostess of this gathering said a prayer before she asked our neighbor to tell us a bit about her dad. The prayer went as follows: “Please receive this man Lord because he was good.” My heart was so sad as I heard what is obviously her belief… that if one is “good” they will be in the presence of God forever.

I silently prayed for my friend and my other neighbors that God would draw them to Christ in faith and repentance and into a knowledge of the truth. As Dennis and I were walking home I said to Dennis, “I am SO glad that I do not have to stand before the Lord one day based on MY goodness!” He responded with the same words. Then I read the above scripture this morning.

It is going to be a sad, sad, day when those who are not clothed in the righteousness of Christ have to stand before God and be judged. They will not be able to stand before him based on their righteousness, their goodness. BUT the righteous, will be able to be jubilant with joy before God and exult because the Christian is standing before Him based on the righteousness of Christ that has been credited to them!!!!!

I am able to be jubilant with joy before God because I have no fear. I have no fear of His judgment because I am in Christ and I am judged by Christ”s righteousness for I have NONE of my own and ALL of Christ's!

My short interaction with my neighbors yesterday and then reading this scripture this morning has done two things for me:

1. I am thankful for the mercies of God upon my life and for calling me to Him, for opening my eyes with faith to believe and repent of my sins. I am thankful that the righteousness that God demands of me was given to me by HIMSELF!

AND

2. A renewed resolve to pray for my neighbors and family and friends who do not know JESUS! I don’t want them to have to flee from GOD and perish before HIM! They will not know the gospel unless they hear the gospel!!! May God give me favor with my neighbors and develop relationships so I may share Christ with them!

Psalm 37:5
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will act.”

Lord, it is YOU that has given to me the desire to draw closer to you, to desire to endure to the end, the desire to be faithful. I find, however, that I cannot do it! But I know that by the empowering of the Holy Spirit and by the work of YOUR grace in my life, I can and I will. Because YOU have initiated my relationship with you, because you first loved me, because you chose me, YOU will complete what you began in me. Lord, I need your help. Please assist me to do those things that I am responsible for, to read your word, to preach the gospel to myself daily, to consecrate myself to you daily, to trust in your sovereignty and love… I need your help to do these things. Give me the desire to do those things which is my duty to do. Help me to thirst for you more and more and more. I commit myself to you, Lord. I commit my way to you Lord. I trust in you Lord. I need your mercy and your help and I believe you will do what you have promised. In Jesus name. Amen.

“I feel, when I have sinned, an immediate reluctance to go to Christ. I am ashamed to go. I feel as if it would do no good to go, as if it were making Christ a minister of sin, to go straight from the swine-trough to the best robe, and a thousand other excuses; but I am persuaded they are all lies, direct from hell.
John argues the opposite way: ‘If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father.’ (1 John 2:1). I am sure there is neither peace nor safety from deeper sin, but in going directly to the Lord Jesus Christ. This is God’s way of peace and holiness. It is folly to the world and the beclouded heart, but it is the way.”
—Robert Murray M’Cheyne, quoted by Andrew Bonar, Robert Murray M’Cheyne (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1960), 176

Just the other day after being convicted of sin, I thought to myself, “how can I go to the Father after I so blatantly sinned? Do I even feel a godly sorrow?” I ended up going to the Lord and expressing regret at my sin but also confessed my lack of godly sorrow and even though this was the right thing to do, I still felt that niggle of guilt. As I read this quote (which I received this morning from one of my favorite blogs,( Of First Importance), I was encouraged and relieved! When we sin where else CAN we go? We HAVE to run to the Father… we have no other hope!!! Before the Father through Jesus Christ is our ONLY hope!!!!!! This is the way to peace and holiness!

There is a lot of talk in the Christian community of what spiritual warfare is. A few weeks ago my pastor reminded us that spiritual warfare is the devil casting doubt upon God’s promises and character. I was in the midst of spiritual warfare the other day when I thought that I could not go to God with this sin because I wasn’t “properly” sorrowful! What a lie!!! Where else was I to go??????

I am so encouraged and grateful to God for the timing of this quote on a blog that I read! I was refreshed and reminded of the greatness and goodness of God. I was reminded of His delight in giving grace and mercy. He knows that I am but human and I need His help. My poor heart was afraid but I was reminded that my debt was paid! ( Jesus, My Only Hope).

AMEN? AMEN!

Proverbs 2: 1-5

IF :

1. I receive His words
2. I treasure up God’s commandments
3. I incline my heart to understanding
4. I call out for insight
5. I raise my voice for understanding
6. I seek understanding like silver
7. I search for understanding like a hidden treasure

THEN:
1. I will understand the fear of the Lord
2. I will find the knowledge of God

Can’t beat that!

PROVERBS 3:11-12
“MY SON, DO NOT DESPISE THE LORD’S DISCIPLINE OR BE WEARY OF HIS REPROFF, FOR THE LORD REPROVES HIM WHOM HE LOVES, AS A FATHER THE SON IN WHOM HE DELIGHTS.”

As a parent, I know that because I love my children I discipline them. I do not let them go their own way. When they were young I woudn't let them run across the street, I taught them how to stop and look both ways. If they ran into the road without permission or without looking they were disciplined. As they got older they learned to cross the street but new lessons emerged. How to choose friends, how to study, how to drive carefully, how to be a responsible family member and friend, etc etc… We taught them all these things because we love them. When they disobeyed they were lovingly disciplined (sometimes not so lovingly. :( )

So it is with God and more so because God loves perfectly, God disciplines perfectly. This process of sanctification can be quite painful at times as God reveals another layer of persistent sin, or a new sin we were never aware of! But we can be sure of one thing: God reveals our sins and yes, even disciplines us because He loves us!!!!

So, when I am convicted of sin it is easier to not walk in condemnation because it is proof positive that I belong to God BECAUSE He does discipline me. The one who does not belong to God does not know the conviction of the Lord!

Thank you God that I know your discipline. Show me my sin! Help me to hear you! Help me NOT to despise your discipline! Help me to endure to the end!