"I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." Psalm 27:13
It seems like most of our attention is given to our problems and our conversations usually center around the bad things or trying situations that are happening. There is nothing wrong with acknowledging a problem. But this morning I want to talk about the goodness of the Lord. Do we spend as much-- or more-- time talking about God's goodness as we do the problems?
God is good. He is good no matter what is happening. He is good when everything else is bad. He is good in the daytime and in the night time. He is good in the times of rain and sunshine. God is good in times of plenty and times of lack. God is good when all is well and when it's not. God is good in times of peace and in times of war. God is good in times of sickness and in times of health. God is good everyday, not just at certain times. God is good even when I'm not. God is good when the mountain is before me. God is good when the lions roar. God is good when I am rejected by men. God is good even when the furnace is hot. God is good in the valley. God is good on the mountain. God is good in green pastures. God is good in the wilderness. He is good when I have problems and He is good when I don't. Need I say more??
God is good and we need to spend more time meditating on and talking about God's goodness then we do on the things that are happening around us. That's part of... "His praise shall continually be in my mouth." Which do you spend more time talking about--- your problems or His goodness? If we would do the latter, perhaps some of our problems would not seem as big.
Have a great day. Meditate on the goodness of the Lord today.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
"It's Over When?"
"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." Revelation 22:13
We have a saying here in the states--- "It isn't over until the fat lady sings". (I mean no offense.) In opera when "the fat lady sings" her song, everyone knows it's the end. This term is also used in sports to encourage the fans that even though it may look like their team is losing, the game isn't over until it's over. As I thought about this saying, I realized that the truth is... "It isn't over until God says." God always has the last word. It's over when He says it's over.
Lazarus was dead. The disciples tried to talk Jesus out of going to Lazarus and putting their lives in danger because Lazarus was dead. Mary said he was dead. Martha said he was dead and was even stinking. The mourners cried in unison, Lazarus is dead. He was dead, it was over, it was finished. But it really wasn't over until God said it was over. He had the final word. His final word was, "Lazarus, come forth."
It doesn't matter what the situation is, it doesn't matter how it may look, it doesn't matter what others are saying... it isn't over until God says it's over. Always remember that He has the final say so in the matter. Sarah said her womb was dried up and her child bearing days were over, but God had the final word... she had a son. The king said to the three Hebrews that they were going to die in the furnace for not bowing to his image, but God had the final word... the king saw four men in the fire walking around. Even on the cross, it wasn't over until He said it was over. He had the last word. He's the one who said when the price for our sins was paid in full... "It is finished".
We often say that God is in control. The fact that He has the last word in any and every situation is our proof that He is in control.
Have a great day. It's over when God says it's over.
We have a saying here in the states--- "It isn't over until the fat lady sings". (I mean no offense.) In opera when "the fat lady sings" her song, everyone knows it's the end. This term is also used in sports to encourage the fans that even though it may look like their team is losing, the game isn't over until it's over. As I thought about this saying, I realized that the truth is... "It isn't over until God says." God always has the last word. It's over when He says it's over.
Lazarus was dead. The disciples tried to talk Jesus out of going to Lazarus and putting their lives in danger because Lazarus was dead. Mary said he was dead. Martha said he was dead and was even stinking. The mourners cried in unison, Lazarus is dead. He was dead, it was over, it was finished. But it really wasn't over until God said it was over. He had the final word. His final word was, "Lazarus, come forth."
It doesn't matter what the situation is, it doesn't matter how it may look, it doesn't matter what others are saying... it isn't over until God says it's over. Always remember that He has the final say so in the matter. Sarah said her womb was dried up and her child bearing days were over, but God had the final word... she had a son. The king said to the three Hebrews that they were going to die in the furnace for not bowing to his image, but God had the final word... the king saw four men in the fire walking around. Even on the cross, it wasn't over until He said it was over. He had the last word. He's the one who said when the price for our sins was paid in full... "It is finished".
We often say that God is in control. The fact that He has the last word in any and every situation is our proof that He is in control.
Have a great day. It's over when God says it's over.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
"Satan Doesn't Change"
"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." John 8;44
I don't really like to talk about the devil because he doesn't deserve for us to waste our breath on him and he is a defeated foe, but the Bible says that we aren't ignorant of his devices so I must talk about him this morning in order to make you aware of his devices so that when he comes you will recognize that it is him and not fall prey to his schemes to steal, kill and destroy you.
The devil is the same as he has always been- his character hasn't changed. Jesus said he was a murder and liar from the beginning and he still is today. In the Garden of Eden- back at the beginning- he was a deceiver. In the Book of Revelation he is still called the deceiver at the end of time. (Revelation 20:10) Because he doesn't change- he has no new tricks in his bag- we can expect him to come against us the same way he always does-- with lies, deception, accusations, confusion, fear and questions to plant doubt. He came to Jesus in this same way when he tried to tempt him in the wilderness. He tried to deceive Jesus with the word of God. (Imagine trying to deceive The Word with the word.) He told Jesus lies, and tried to get Him to fall for his accusations.
Just because he is defeated doesn't mean that he gives up- he still thinks he can win and he still thinks the same weapons he has always used will still work. They only work if we are ignorant of them. They only work if we don't recognize them. They only work if we aren't aware of what they are. Once we realize that these are his weapons, each time he tries to use them on us we will recognize them and know their source. Once we know the source then we know what to do about it.
Have a great day. Satan is a defeated foe who does not change-- his methods, his weapons, his schemes, his devices, his character and his nature are always the same-- so he is easy to recognize.
I don't really like to talk about the devil because he doesn't deserve for us to waste our breath on him and he is a defeated foe, but the Bible says that we aren't ignorant of his devices so I must talk about him this morning in order to make you aware of his devices so that when he comes you will recognize that it is him and not fall prey to his schemes to steal, kill and destroy you.
The devil is the same as he has always been- his character hasn't changed. Jesus said he was a murder and liar from the beginning and he still is today. In the Garden of Eden- back at the beginning- he was a deceiver. In the Book of Revelation he is still called the deceiver at the end of time. (Revelation 20:10) Because he doesn't change- he has no new tricks in his bag- we can expect him to come against us the same way he always does-- with lies, deception, accusations, confusion, fear and questions to plant doubt. He came to Jesus in this same way when he tried to tempt him in the wilderness. He tried to deceive Jesus with the word of God. (Imagine trying to deceive The Word with the word.) He told Jesus lies, and tried to get Him to fall for his accusations.
Just because he is defeated doesn't mean that he gives up- he still thinks he can win and he still thinks the same weapons he has always used will still work. They only work if we are ignorant of them. They only work if we don't recognize them. They only work if we aren't aware of what they are. Once we realize that these are his weapons, each time he tries to use them on us we will recognize them and know their source. Once we know the source then we know what to do about it.
Have a great day. Satan is a defeated foe who does not change-- his methods, his weapons, his schemes, his devices, his character and his nature are always the same-- so he is easy to recognize.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
"It's Pretty Clear"
"Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near." Isaiah 55:6
When I asked the Lord what He wanted to say to us this morning, the scripture above came to me-- I heard it as clearly as if someone had spoken it audibly to me. So as I sat down to write the devotional I asked the Lord to "expound" the scripture and tell me what He wants us to know through this verse today.
I heard nothing from Him. I asked Him again to lead me and tell me what to write-- I can't write anything unless He gives to me what to say. Then I heard Him say-- you don't need to talk about the verse; it's pretty "self explanatory". (Of course, since He is God He is right.)
Some things don't need a whole lot of explanation. They are as clear as crystal. This verse is one of those "clear" things- no explanation needed. So let me "sum" up what the Lord wants to say to us this morning... "Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near."
Have a great day. Don't try to make some things more complicated than they are. Simply take it for face value and as it is.
When I asked the Lord what He wanted to say to us this morning, the scripture above came to me-- I heard it as clearly as if someone had spoken it audibly to me. So as I sat down to write the devotional I asked the Lord to "expound" the scripture and tell me what He wants us to know through this verse today.
I heard nothing from Him. I asked Him again to lead me and tell me what to write-- I can't write anything unless He gives to me what to say. Then I heard Him say-- you don't need to talk about the verse; it's pretty "self explanatory". (Of course, since He is God He is right.)
Some things don't need a whole lot of explanation. They are as clear as crystal. This verse is one of those "clear" things- no explanation needed. So let me "sum" up what the Lord wants to say to us this morning... "Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near."
Have a great day. Don't try to make some things more complicated than they are. Simply take it for face value and as it is.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
"Look Up"
"My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." Psalm 5:3
I have a word for you this morning from the Lord--- Don't lose your focus. Keep focused and looking in the right direction. When bad things happen, look up. When you hear bad reports, look up. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, look up. When things are chaotic, look up. When you face trials, look up. When relationships are threatened, look up. When the situation you are in changes for the worse, look up. When you face a storm, look up. When you face flood waters, look up. When you are in the lion's den, look up. When you face the giant, look up. When the situation seems impossible, look up. When it looks like you'll be destroyed, look up. When it appears as though the enemy has triumphed, look up. When the clouds are dark, the mountain too tall and the valley too deep, look up.
In describing the events of the end time Jesus spoke a word of hope lest our hearts faint because of the "fearful things" that are coming upon the earth... "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." (Luke 21:28) "Look up and lift up your head." This is His word of hope to us when things around us- whether they be on a small scale or large scale, whether they are personal and individual or worldwide and common- our hope in trying times is found in staying focused and looking in the right direction. "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help." (Psalms 121:1)
Have a great day. Don't let the events, situations, trials and circumstances of life cause you to look to the left or to the right--- keep looking up... looking to Jesus.
I have a word for you this morning from the Lord--- Don't lose your focus. Keep focused and looking in the right direction. When bad things happen, look up. When you hear bad reports, look up. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, look up. When things are chaotic, look up. When you face trials, look up. When relationships are threatened, look up. When the situation you are in changes for the worse, look up. When you face a storm, look up. When you face flood waters, look up. When you are in the lion's den, look up. When you face the giant, look up. When the situation seems impossible, look up. When it looks like you'll be destroyed, look up. When it appears as though the enemy has triumphed, look up. When the clouds are dark, the mountain too tall and the valley too deep, look up.
In describing the events of the end time Jesus spoke a word of hope lest our hearts faint because of the "fearful things" that are coming upon the earth... "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." (Luke 21:28) "Look up and lift up your head." This is His word of hope to us when things around us- whether they be on a small scale or large scale, whether they are personal and individual or worldwide and common- our hope in trying times is found in staying focused and looking in the right direction. "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help." (Psalms 121:1)
Have a great day. Don't let the events, situations, trials and circumstances of life cause you to look to the left or to the right--- keep looking up... looking to Jesus.
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