Tag Archives: Life Journal

“Rest” 05.03.11

by • on 12:11 PM • in 320, Exhortation, Life Journal

Scripture

2 Samuel 7:9-11 (NASB)
“I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make you a great name, like the names of the great men who are on the earth. 10 “I will also appoint a place for My people Israel and will plant them, that they may live in their own place and not be disturbed again, nor will the wicked afflict them any more as formerly, 11 even from the day that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. The Lord also declares to you that the Lord will make a house for you.

 

Observation

Here God brings to David’s memory His promise to give His people rest! God promised Israel that the LORD would bring them into a state of rest and that He would cut off all their enemies. God promised that He would remove from Israel everything thing that robbed them of their rest. The bible says that the LORD is the Lord of peace. Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace, and God gives the ‘peace that surpasses all human understanding.’ God promised peace and rest to the nation of Israel. God’s plan was to bring Israel into a place of rest from all her enemies. God also declared that He would make them a house. In other words, He would become their place of rest. As they dwelt in the land of promise, they would find rest and as they remained in that place, they would abide in His rest.

 

Application

When God saved me, His plan from the start was to bring me into a place of true rest – a place where He had destroyed all my enemies: my flesh, the world and the devil. God has created a dwelling place for me to abide in. That place is the perfect place of rest, the perfect and never ending state of total peace. As I abide in Christ, I am abiding in that place of rest. That place where I dwell in the presence of God’s eternal peace. I note here also that it is God alone who gives this peace. It doesn’t come from the enemies. It doesn’t come from making peace with the world, my flesh or the devil. True peace can only come from God. False peace is all the world has to offer. The world’s peace is temporal and predicated upon external circumstances, but God’s rest/peace is predicated exclusively upon His promises. It’s internal, completely disconnected from life and external problems I face in life. It’s amazing that that is possible, but it is and that’s God’s promise to me not only today, but for every day of my life! Total 100% rest and peace in and through every trial that life may bring my way. God is peace. He is love and He is rest. The bible tells me to “see to it that I fail not to enter into this rest” (Hebrews). If I am lacking rest in my soul, I need to draw near to God and He will draw near to me. Read it again! God says that HE will bring TOTAL REST from ALL my enemies today. My enemies include everything today that threatens to rob me of God’s perfect rest. Give them to Jesus in exchange for His perfect rest.

 

Prayer

Father today I thank You for Your perfect rest, the peace that only You can give my heart. You tell me in Your Word, “I will keep his mind in perfect peace, who’s mind is stayed upon Thee”, and today Lord I choose to keep my mind fixed upon You. Not upon the enemies of rest. Not upon those issues that stress me out and cause me to doubt Your great love. Today Lord I choose to abide in Your rest. I choose to abide in your rest. I’m Yours and Your rest is my reward for choosing to believe You and dwell in Your holy presence. I love You! In Jesus’ name, amen.

Read full story • Comments { 2 }

“The Right Heart” 4.26.11

by • on 3:39 PM • in 320, Life Journal, Uncategorized

 

 

Scripture

2 Samuel 1:11-12 (NKJV)
11 Therefore David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him. 12 And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.

 

Observation

David had just received the news of the tragic death of King Saul and his son Jonathan. David’s heart was broken in grief. He didn’t rejoice at the death of Saul. He didn’t take pleasure in the man’s life that had pursed him and sought to kill him. David was a man after God’s own heart, and David loved God’s people. The Bible tells us that even God does not delight in the death of the wicked and that God does not desire that anyone should perish. Yet God will never force anyone to do the right thing, which is to obey Him and to love Him and to follow Him. Life is hard and sometimes obeying God seems impossible, yet God still demands our allegiance in following Him. Saul disobeyed God and the end result was that God removed Saul as His King.

 

Application

God can raise up and use anyone He chooses. The only two requirements that need to be met are: 1) You must be called by God for the task; 2) You must surrender to God to follow and obey Him. Nobody is perfect and God is not looking for perfect people, but He is looking for people who have David’s heart. A heart of submission, forgiveness, and undying loyalty to Christ. D. L. Moody once said, “The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in and by the man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him. I will try my utmost to be that man.”

 

Prayer

Father today I praise You for Your amazing grace. Keep my heart tender to Your voice. May I always obey You in all that You call me to do. Give me a heart like David’s that can mourn the death of those who seek my harm. I love You and rejoice at being counted worthy to suffer for Your holy name! Amen.

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

“A New Song!” Psalm 40:1-3

by • on 9:11 PM • in 320, Life Journal

Scripture

Psalms 40:1-3 (NASB)
1 I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the Lord.

Observation

King David loved the Lord and David placed his complete trust in the Lord for his life. David knew that he was called of God to be the King of Israel and that in every difficulty that he experienced, God was in control. David knew that he could not rush the plans of God. He knew that as he encountered trials, that he must wait patiently for the Lord’s answer. In due season, as David waited upon the Lord, God would respond to his cry. It’s not that God was deaf, slow, or too busy to respond to David; it’s just that God had a purpose for everything that David went through and God wasn’t in a hurry to help David escape before he learned what God had for him. David thought that he was waiting for God, when in reality, God was waiting for David. God was waiting for David to learn through each of his times of difficulty. As David learned what God had for him, God discontinued the trial, and David moved on. In the trials, David’s feet felt like he was standing upon the miry clay of uncertainty. But in due season, after David had learned the lesson that God had for him, the Lord set David’s feet upon a rock, making his every decision in life secure. Through the process of his trials, David was broken of self-reliance and he learned to trust upon the Lord through everything. The end result was nothing short of miraculous – God filled David’s heart with joy, out of which came his new song of praise to our God. And through it all, God promised even greater blessings – ‘many will see and fear and trust in the Lord!’ Through his trials he waited; as he waited he was pruned; as he was pruned he learned to lean upon God; as he leaned upon God his feet were set on solid ground; as his feet were set on solid ground God filled his heart with a song of praise; as he sang the Lord’s praises, many other people’s lives were impacted and dramatically brought to the Lord.

Application

I too have walked the path through the pit of despair and destruction, waiting upon the Lord. Although I have so often prayed that God would spare me from various trials, God so often has chosen to spare me through various trials. My way is the easy way, but God’s way is the path that brings me the most spiritual growth and maturity. How often I have cried out to God, “Please No!” “Please let this cup pass from before me!” How often the very thing that I have feared has come upon me. The question for me during my trials, is the same as Job’s response: ”will I still praise the Lord, though He slay me”?  How often Satan comes during my blackest hours and tempts me to doubt the love and goodness of God? Yet as I come to realize that the only way the get my feet to rest upon the rock and make my footsteps firm, is always through the trials. I don’t want the trials. I don’t want the tests. Life is hard enough. Yet if I desire to grow spiritually and allow God to prepare me to meet Him one day, I must go through the valleys. God is never in a hurry. He simply, methodically is perfecting the work that He began in me some 40 years ago. How thankful I am that He hasn’t given up on me! Though I cry out, He doesn’t detour the trial just because it’s hard, God is so good to me! Not because He spares me of hardship, but because He proves Himself faithful and matures me through everything I must face.  A person is no more an athlete just because you go to the YMCA, than he is a spiritual giant because he has been saved for many years. Life is hard and maturing is even harder, but there are really no other options. Following Jesus Christ is hard, but the alternative is unbearable.. All trials are merely for a season, but the rewards are eternal!

Prayer

Father I thank You for the new joy that You have placed within my heart today! It’s not because I have learned the secret of escaping from my trials, but because You have taught me victory through my hardships. When I have prayed ‘Lord deliver from my trials’ and yet You have chosen to deliver me through my trials, I thank You for Your perfect will! Thank You that You have not always answered my prayers of escape as I have desire, but have always had a better plan. Thank You that though I may not be where I’d like to be spiritually, I am on the path of being matured. And as I go through each trial, I come to know Your voice ever more so intimately as I am maturing in Christ. Thank You for this day. May I be a testimony of Your faithfulness, that for all who wait upon the Lord, in due season will have their feet set upon the rock. Thank You for the many victories that only come through the storms. Continue to mature my faith as I grow in You, and may many come to saving faith as a result of what You are doing in me today! I believe that many will be forever changed because of what You have done in me! Amen.

Read full story • Comments { 2 }

“Boasting in Christ” Gal. 6:14

by • on 11:59 PM • in 320, Life Journal

S – Scripture

Galatians 6:14 (NASB)
14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

 

O – Observation

The Apostle Paul was a very godly man with a great calling of God upon his life. He understood the temptation of the human heart to brag, so Paul declared, “May i never brag on my own achievements. But if I do brag, let it be about the cross of Calvary and what Jesus Christ has done in my life.” Paul fully recognized the power of Calvary. First to the death of his old nature, and then into the victory of the new nature in Jesus Christ. There is no power outside the cross of Calvary, but in it, nothing can stop you. Paul’s prayer and focus was that he had been crucified to this life. He recognized that he no longer had the right to determine what he wanted to do with his life, where he would live, and what he might do for a career. He simply had died at Calvary with Christ and now his life belonged to the Savior. Paul realized the brevity of life, and that this is nothing worth bragging about, but only those things which are eternal. A man may work his entire life and accumulate a vast array of worldly possessions; he may be a business man that transforms the skyline of New York City; and his name may even be in the book of “Who’s Who of America”‘; but without Jesus Christ, life is worthless. Paul said, “I’m not going to brag about my career; how intelligent that I am; or even what a great Apostle that I am….If I brag, it’s going to be on Jesus Christ and the power of the cross in my life!”

A – Application

It’s so easy to get side tracked in life, especially now with our bad economy. It’s so easy to lose focus, to become consumed on the things of this world that are passing by. I think about all the people who have lost so much in this life time, especially since the collapse of our economy. I wonder how many people used to brag about their portfolios? Or maybe their 3rd home in the Swiss Alps? Or if they miss arguing about which BMW to take to dinner? I think the crash of our economy has really brought home the true values of life. Unfortunately many people have not dealt well with it, and some have even taken their own lives – so sad. I am so blessed today that I don’t need to try to impress anyone. I don’t need to have a professional portfolio put together so that at night when I go to sleep, I feel like I am “somebody”. I am somebody! In fact in Christ and through His cross, I am somebody great in the kingdom of God and my precious Savior loves me!!! What else could I hope for, what else do I truly desire…whatelse is there? I can hardly think nothing, but the cross of Jesus Christ, and I can brag on that! And I will! As Paul said “Whatever has been gained to me, has been lost eternally”. Wow! convicting, and refocusing! Today I will glory in the fact that I have been crucified with Christ, and that through this, the world and all its temptations have died to me, and I to it.

P – Prayer

Lord Jesus I love You! And i thank You for setting me free from the bondage of self-ambition! Thanks You that in You alone today I will find my joy, peace and fulfillment. The world has nothing on You Lord, teach me to not look to it for my fulfillment. In You alone, I find my delight. In Your cross, I rejoice today! In You I live and move and have my being and I love You for loving me! May I live today as if it were my last day on earth to bring You glory. Today if I brag, may it be about You and the work that You are doing in my life. Amen.

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

“Love Thy Neighbor” (Daily Devotions 3.14.11)

by • on 11:44 PM • in 320, Life Journal

S – Scripture

Galatians 5:14 (NASB)
14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

O – Observation

In this one word (love), the complete law is fulfilled. To love ones neighbor is the final mark of truly being sold out to Jesus Christ! Many  people think that keeping the law is what impresses God and grants them salvation, joy and fulfillment. But in reality, only through love is the law fulfilled. Through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ – God floods our hearts with His love (Romans 5:5), thereby the complete law is fulfilled. The evidence of salvation is meted out in a person’s love for their neighbor. The disciples asked Jesus “who are my neighbors”, and the Lord responded by saying “everyone God puts in your life are your neighbors”. That makes it really hard because that means we don’t get to choose our neighbors, and therefore we don’t get to choose who we will love. We must love everyone that God puts in our lives. Paul had been struggling against the Judaizers who had been falsely teaching the Christians of Galatia that they needed to keep the law and be circumcised in order to truly be ‘saved’, but that is simply not true. The purpose of the law is to condemn. The purpose of the law is to be a schoolmaster that simply reveals that all men are under condemnation for having broken the law. Only through repentance and faith can one escape the penalty of God’s justice. The evidence of being born again is love, especially love for God’s people. That love is meted out through serving others. In this one word ‘love’, the complete law is fulfilled – “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”.

A – Application

 What a huge conviction! As Paul says in 1 Cor. 13, without love, I am nothing. Being a true disciple of Jesus Christ is not determined by how much money I give, how often I read my bible, or even by how many times per week that I attend church. My true love for God is demonstrated by my love for my neighbor! Man is that convicting! I often don’t love my neighbor as God loves me and when God shows me this, He is simply showing me that I am really not in love with Him the way that I think that I am in love with Him. I must not love in word and tongue only, but in action and deed if I am to truly love my neighbor as myself. It has been stated that “I only love God as much as I love the person I love the least!” Lord help me!

P – Prayer

Lord help me today to love my neighbors as myself. Sometimes I think it would be easier to move than to love my neighbors, but Lord I know that it’s really a flaw in my walk with You that prevents me from loving others as You love me. I surrender to You today Lord and I ask that You would fill me with Your perfect agape love for all that you bring across my path today. Your love is perfect, Your love is unconditional, Your love is merciful. When I struggle to love others, may I open my heart to You and allow you to love them through me. Bless this day I as seek to live for You. Amen

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

“Everything has a Season” (Daily Devotions 2.21.11)

by • on 1:37 AM • in 320, Life Journal

S – Scripture

Numbers 9:21-23 (NASB)
21 If sometimes the cloud remained from evening until morning, when the cloud was lifted in the morning, they would move out; or if it remained in the daytime and at night, whenever the cloud was lifted, they would set out. 22 Whether it was two days or a month or a year that the cloud lingered over the tabernacle, staying above it, the sons of Israel remained camped and did not set out; but when it was lifted, they did set out. 23 At the command of the Lord they camped, and at the command of the Lord they set out; they kept the Lord’s charge, according to the command of the Lord through Moses.

O – Observation

God had set His children free from the bondage of the land of Egypt. With a mighty hand and a powerful demonstration, God destroyed the power of Egypt over His people. At the hand of Moses, the LORD began to lead His people towards the promised land. It was a land that flowed with milk and honey, yet God had to prepare His people to receive the blessing of all that He had for them. The direct trip from Egypt to the land of Cana was only a few days, yet God took them on a path that lasted 40 years as He prepared them for all that He had for them. God led them by His Spirit in days, months and years. As God led them, sometimes they would spend only a few days in one location as God prepared them for the next stage. At other times, God might have them remain stationary for years. Only God knew His plans and His timing was perfect as He prepared His people for their future.

A – Application

My LORD has also set me free from the bondage of my ‘Egypt’. Paul says in Romans, that my flesh was my old master, but now in Christ, I am a new creation and old things have passed away – all things have been made new. Daily I am being led by God’s Spirit! Everyday of my life takes me one step closer to my eternal home. Whether God leads me for a few days in one spot, or several years, it’s all a work of God’s Spirit as He completes the work that He has begun in my life. Life is filled with trials, and every trial brings growth. I can’t rush the trials, I can’t avoid the trials, all that I can do is realize that God has an appointed time for me within each trial. My job is not to run or seek to escape from my hardships, but rather what I must do is ask God – “Lord, what do You want me to learn from this trial?” Or, “Lord, is there an area of my life that You are seeking control over?” “What must I do Lord, anything?” Often I have found that God doesn’t show me why I’m in a trial, but I always realize that, ” God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” I may not always realize why I’m going through what I’m going through, but I must always remember that God has a purpose for it in my life. So often I have prayed that God would deliver me FROM a trial, when in fact I have come to see how often He has chosen to deliver me THOUGH my trials. Some last a day. Some last a week. And some never seem to end – Yet God is preparing me through these times for the great and awesome things that are to come! Glory to His name! If I’d have realized what He had in store for me, I’d have trusted Him more throughly!

P – Prayer

Father today, I surrender to be led of Your Spirit. Keep me from ever getting ahead of You or failing to move when you call me. May I always be sensitive to Your leading, guiding and directing in my life. Teach me to be thankful in and through all things. May I never wait to praise You until after my trial is over, but may my heart be filled with thanksgiving in my trials, knowing that no test may last one day longer than You allow. I love You and surrender a new to You today. I love You! Amen 

 

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

“I’m Forgiven!” (Daily Devotions 2.15.11)

by • on 2:21 AM • in 320, Life Journal

S – Scripture

“Do not remember this sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to Your loving-kindness remember me, for Your goodness sake, O LORD.” Psalm 25:7

O – Observation

King David had had many failures during his life time. Some of them were very small, maybe even un-perceivable to the average person, but some of his failures were massive. Probably the greatest failure of King David was concerning his sin with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband. David realized that apart from the grace of God he could never be forgiven. When David confessed his sin and he declared to the Lord that if there were any sacrifice that he could make to cleanse his sin away, he would have offered it. At this point historically, God had not made provision for the cleansing of the sin of adultery or murder - so all David could do was to look forward to the day God would send His only begotten Son into the world to pay for David’s sin. Though his sin was great, God’s grace was much greater.

A – Application

How often I categorize my sin. Some sin I write off as ‘not too bad’ – stuff I think that God will overlook as I continue to try to have fellowship with Him. Other sin is horrific, and I’m absolutely amazed that God not only can forgive me, but that He desire to forgive me! His grace and mercy towards me is higher, deeper, wider and longer than my small mind can even begin to comprehend!

P – Prayer

“Father today I think You for Your amazing grace! I thank You Lord that as I live this day, I have a pure conscience – not because I’ve lived a perfect life or because I’ve paid my penance, but because you have forgiven me! Thank You for Your matchless grace that covers my every sin! Remember me according to Your loving-kindness. I love you LORD, praise be to your name!” Amen

Read full story • Comments { 1 }

“Author of Confusion” (Daily Devotions 2.12.11)

by • on 7:39 AM • in 320, Life Journal

S – Scripture

“The city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia… [32] So then, the assembly was in confusion and the majority did not know for what reason they had come together.” Acts 19:29, 32

O – Observation

The Lord had been performing extraordinary miracles at the hand of the Apostle Paul. The movement of the Holy Spirit was so great that many of the people were getting saved and doing away with their witchcraft and idolatry. The end result was that the makers of the idols were losing their source of income and their businesses were failing. Many of the makers of the idols band together to seek to destroy Paul and the people of ‘The Way’ (Christians). Satan is the author of confusion and the father of lies. Wherever Satan is at work, there will always be mass confusion, frustration, chaos and disunity among people. People who reject the Lord don’t even need a reason to hate those who follow the Lord. God is not the author of confusion, but rather of order, peace and unity. When the world pushes God out of its life, the end result will always be confusion.

A – Application

If I abide in Christ today my life will be filled with peace, contentment and unity - everything but confusion. Today if I am tempted to become frustrated, distressed or anxious in my thinking, then I must be quick to remember that this is not of the Lord. The LORD is not the author of confusion, frustration or disunity. When I begin to experience these feelings, the I must immediately turn to the Lord and call upon His name to settle my mind back to a place of rest and correct thinking. The enemy loves to confuse my thoughts, frustrate my mind and sow seeds of disunity. How often I have felt frustrated and have not been able to ‘put my finger on why’? That is exactly what these people experienced in v. 32, ‘they didn’t even understand why they were all banning together in an uproar.’ Today I must guard my mind and put on the helmet of salvation and meditate on the Word of God, allowing it to be my measuring stick of truth.

P – Prayer

“Father I thank You today that all of your ways are ways of order. All of the thoughts that You put in my mind today will cause me rest and peace as I abide in You. Give me Your mind today. Settle my heart from all fears, worries and anxious thoughts. Cause me to think Your thoughts today. Cause me to know Your love and experience Your presence in my life today. May Your Spirit stand guard over my mind and every thought that enters it. I pray that You give me discernment to know what is of You, and what are the fiery darts of the enemy. I love You so much!” Amen.

Read full story • Comments { 1 }

“Living Bold” (Daily Devotions 2.11.11)

by • on 6:32 AM • in 320, Life Journal

S – Scripture

And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.” And he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. Acts 18:9-11

O – Observation

The Apostle Paul was a true man of God. He was led by the Spirit of God and he obeyed the Lord. Whether God brought him to a city for a few days or several months. Paul was not his own, he simply fulfilled the call of God upon his life by following the Lord from city to city. Paul never did a demographic study or attempted to be a man pleaser, nor did Paul ever run when the going got tough – he simply yielded his life to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Paul simply taught the word of God and did not allow the people’s response (good or bad) to sway him. Whether he was well received or even hated and persecuted, Paul went from city to city as God led him.

A – Application

I must guard my mind from what people think as I live my life in obedience to the call of God upon my life. My mind, my goals, my thoughts, must always remain on pleasing the Lord. I cannot allow the standards of modern man to become my measuring stick to success. The key to success is ‘determining where God has called me to serve Him, and then simply abiding in the center of His will’. Whether a few months or many years, God has much more to accomplish through my life. My goals and life’s ambition must always be to please my LORD. If God leaves me right where I am for the rest of my life, that is because that is where He has chosen to do an even greater work!

P – Prayer

“Father today I pray that I would be totally consumed in pleasing You! Make my heart to dwell in the center of Your will. Whether the enemy comes and tries to tempt me away from You, may I always realize that true joy and contentment comes from living for You! Give me a heart that seeks to please and glorify You alone. Close my ears to both the praises and complaints of men. Cause my heart to be so captivated by doing Your will, that I can think of nothing else. I love You!” Amen.

Read full story • Comments { 0 }