Thanks-Living
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
(1Th 5:18)
Saying ‘thank you’ is an expected response from any polite saved or unsaved person (Matt 5:47). This verbiage can be shallow or hollow and may not derive from a truly thankful life. But the apostle tells us to ‘give’ thanks, not just saying it. This giving of thanks has to come out of abundance, because we can’t ‘give’ if we don’t possess. That is the reason why Paul who was shown how great things he must suffer for Jesus name’s sake (Acts 9:16) can give thanks in worst of conditions. More than that, he gloried in his infirmities because he understood suffering is nothing in comparison to what the Son of God has done for him on the cross (2 Cor 11:23-30). Thankfulness is not a flippant exercise, but one that have a deep encounter with the Living God and known the amazing grace of God that ‘saved a wretch like me’ (John Newton) . Meet a suffering man or woman whose life is full of thankfulness, we have met one that will exclaim ‘Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?’ (1Ch 17:16).
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
(Php 4:6-7)
Peace is a companion to a life that exuberates with thanksgiving. Shallow prayers not out of a thankful life won’t keep us, opening doors for attacks from evil, discouragement, depression and bitterness. Thankful prayers spares us from fretting and gives us divine confidence, thus we wait only upon God, for our expectation is from Him and not any other source (Psa 62:5). Relying on other sources is like leaning on bruised reed that can pierce us (2Ki 18:21) and bring about disappointment which may lead to bitterness. Thankful prayers are powerful spiritual weapons against the unseen enemy, standing our ground in the victory Christ has already won for us (Eph 6:13).
Friday, August 28, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Godly Heritage
….. thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
(Psa 128:3)
There is a blessing to our next generation attached to fearing the Lord. Fearing the Lord must not be confused with being frightened which will cause us to stand ‘afar off’; the healthy fear of the Lord draws us to Himself (Exo 20:21). ‘The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.’ (Prov 19:23), what more can we ask for in this state of abundant of life (John 10:10). The key to bringing up children correctly lies with how the father and priest of the family fear the Lord. There is only so much we can discipline, teach and lead to ensure our children don’t end up in moral defeat and lose the Kingdom of Heaven. Earthly fathers who live their lives under this constant relationship with his Father in Heaven will have the assurance of blessing upon their children.
The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: …..
(Jer 11:16)
Olive trees are known for their longevity and some in the Garden of Gethsemane date back to the time of Jesus. The first mention of olive is of the dove that brought a plucked leaf and from that Noah knew that the flood waters were abated, thus signifying the end of God’s judgment by flood and start of a new beginning. The blessing of a father that fears the Lord is that He ensures our children begin as olive plants to become trees who are called by name, signifying a relationship and not by some foreign god.
His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree….
(Hos 14:6)
The goodly fruit of the natural olive tree blesses mankind with oil for cooking, lighting, food, cosmetics and medicine. The spread of the olive tree provides protection and shelter to God’s creatures. Our children’s lives can carry the anointing (separation, consecration, spirit led instead of living in the flesh) of God for bearing the Words of Eternal Life, shining as lights in our crooked and perverse nation, bring healing to the nations and praying for the safety of our nation to be spared from God’s judgment.
Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
(Psa 127:5)
Twice mentioned was the blessing that the seed of our fathers will possess the gates of the enemies (Gen 22:17, 24:60), the first one from the Lord to Abraham and the second from Rebekah’s brothers, as though ‘Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven’ (Matt 6:10). The seed of those who fear the Lord echoing back the heart of the Father. That is the life that our seed are supposed to live, carrying the eternal significance of God’s plan and purposes. Do we live this kind of a life and can we leave such a powerful heritage to our children. The God fearing father would be the ones that ‘that walketh in His way’ (Psa 128:1) which carries the same fatherly spirit that Paul has calling out to ‘be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ’ (1 Cor 11:1). Paul knew because there are already many instructors and not many fathers (1 Cor 4:15), only fathers can truly love sacrificially more than teachers. The father will be the man whom God will use to sharpen the arrow point, straighten the shaft and prepare the fletching so when the Master calls to launch the arrow it will inevitably hit the mark. We don’t want our children to miss the mark or come short (Rom 3:23) of God’s target, which is 'in bringing many sons unto glory' (Heb 2:10) and nothing less of that.
….. thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
(Psa 128:3)
There is a blessing to our next generation attached to fearing the Lord. Fearing the Lord must not be confused with being frightened which will cause us to stand ‘afar off’; the healthy fear of the Lord draws us to Himself (Exo 20:21). ‘The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.’ (Prov 19:23), what more can we ask for in this state of abundant of life (John 10:10). The key to bringing up children correctly lies with how the father and priest of the family fear the Lord. There is only so much we can discipline, teach and lead to ensure our children don’t end up in moral defeat and lose the Kingdom of Heaven. Earthly fathers who live their lives under this constant relationship with his Father in Heaven will have the assurance of blessing upon their children.
The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: …..
(Jer 11:16)
Olive trees are known for their longevity and some in the Garden of Gethsemane date back to the time of Jesus. The first mention of olive is of the dove that brought a plucked leaf and from that Noah knew that the flood waters were abated, thus signifying the end of God’s judgment by flood and start of a new beginning. The blessing of a father that fears the Lord is that He ensures our children begin as olive plants to become trees who are called by name, signifying a relationship and not by some foreign god.
His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree….
(Hos 14:6)
The goodly fruit of the natural olive tree blesses mankind with oil for cooking, lighting, food, cosmetics and medicine. The spread of the olive tree provides protection and shelter to God’s creatures. Our children’s lives can carry the anointing (separation, consecration, spirit led instead of living in the flesh) of God for bearing the Words of Eternal Life, shining as lights in our crooked and perverse nation, bring healing to the nations and praying for the safety of our nation to be spared from God’s judgment.
Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
(Psa 127:5)
Twice mentioned was the blessing that the seed of our fathers will possess the gates of the enemies (Gen 22:17, 24:60), the first one from the Lord to Abraham and the second from Rebekah’s brothers, as though ‘Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven’ (Matt 6:10). The seed of those who fear the Lord echoing back the heart of the Father. That is the life that our seed are supposed to live, carrying the eternal significance of God’s plan and purposes. Do we live this kind of a life and can we leave such a powerful heritage to our children. The God fearing father would be the ones that ‘that walketh in His way’ (Psa 128:1) which carries the same fatherly spirit that Paul has calling out to ‘be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ’ (1 Cor 11:1). Paul knew because there are already many instructors and not many fathers (1 Cor 4:15), only fathers can truly love sacrificially more than teachers. The father will be the man whom God will use to sharpen the arrow point, straighten the shaft and prepare the fletching so when the Master calls to launch the arrow it will inevitably hit the mark. We don’t want our children to miss the mark or come short (Rom 3:23) of God’s target, which is 'in bringing many sons unto glory' (Heb 2:10) and nothing less of that.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Health of Our Christian Walk
(plese click here to audio visual link)
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: ……
(Psa 121:3)
To ‘walk before the Lord’ is to ‘keep in pace’ with God. It is living a life that is in keeping with His will, our eyes focusing not on our pathway but on the One leading us. ‘Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters… so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God… (Psa 123:2). It is a life that is led by the Good Shepherd (Psa 23:2). Jesus’ call to discipleship is ‘Follow Me’ and ‘be yoked to Him’, nothing more simplistic and assuring than that. This is the call of faith, because there should not be anything in us to question or to reason with the One leading. There is true security if we are at rest by choosing this way of living, strive-less as it were; ‘…neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.’ (Psa 131:1)
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
(Gen 17:1)
An everlasting covenant was given to Abraham thirteen years after Ishmael’s birth that came with a condition… walk before Him and be perfect. The word ‘perfect’ refers to be morally unblemished, not as much as perfectionism but one’s life that carries a purity with regard to our love and loyalty to Christ our Savior. We know that Abraham’s life wasn’t ‘perfect’ but there was a consistent natural gravitation to the friendship with God that was so delightful to Him (Jam 2:23).
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
(Psa 37:23-24)
The God directed life led (not driven) by His Grace and Holy Spirit for we do not claim to know the way of Righteousness (Psa 1:6) but He will be our constant Guide. A God ordered life is not doomed with permanent failures. Sometimes he will allow us to stray to meet our wits end, but always within His saving reach.
O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
(Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing - Robert Robinson)
Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
(John 10:34)
The tragedy with many is that our eyes are focused not on the Good Shepherd because we want to direct our own destiny. Taking full control is say that we want to be in the place of God. This is a grievous temptation we will always face for its very source is satanic in nature… ‘…then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods’ (Gen 3:5). King Asa ‘was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great’ for his eyes looked not unto the Lord for salvation but to man. Sadly he took matters into his own hands and formed an unholy league using the holy things of the House of God as payment thus mixing the holy with the unholy, purity in relationship lost. This serves as a warning to us regarding the health of our Christian walk. Where is the focus of our eyes? If it is on the pathway then we trend on dangerous ground, but if on the Lord, He will certainly bring unwavering stability to our lives and not fall into deceit (Eph 4:14).
(plese click here to audio visual link)
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: ……
(Psa 121:3)
To ‘walk before the Lord’ is to ‘keep in pace’ with God. It is living a life that is in keeping with His will, our eyes focusing not on our pathway but on the One leading us. ‘Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters… so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God… (Psa 123:2). It is a life that is led by the Good Shepherd (Psa 23:2). Jesus’ call to discipleship is ‘Follow Me’ and ‘be yoked to Him’, nothing more simplistic and assuring than that. This is the call of faith, because there should not be anything in us to question or to reason with the One leading. There is true security if we are at rest by choosing this way of living, strive-less as it were; ‘…neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.’ (Psa 131:1)
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
(Gen 17:1)
An everlasting covenant was given to Abraham thirteen years after Ishmael’s birth that came with a condition… walk before Him and be perfect. The word ‘perfect’ refers to be morally unblemished, not as much as perfectionism but one’s life that carries a purity with regard to our love and loyalty to Christ our Savior. We know that Abraham’s life wasn’t ‘perfect’ but there was a consistent natural gravitation to the friendship with God that was so delightful to Him (Jam 2:23).
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
(Psa 37:23-24)
The God directed life led (not driven) by His Grace and Holy Spirit for we do not claim to know the way of Righteousness (Psa 1:6) but He will be our constant Guide. A God ordered life is not doomed with permanent failures. Sometimes he will allow us to stray to meet our wits end, but always within His saving reach.
O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
(Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing - Robert Robinson)
Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
(John 10:34)
The tragedy with many is that our eyes are focused not on the Good Shepherd because we want to direct our own destiny. Taking full control is say that we want to be in the place of God. This is a grievous temptation we will always face for its very source is satanic in nature… ‘…then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods’ (Gen 3:5). King Asa ‘was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great’ for his eyes looked not unto the Lord for salvation but to man. Sadly he took matters into his own hands and formed an unholy league using the holy things of the House of God as payment thus mixing the holy with the unholy, purity in relationship lost. This serves as a warning to us regarding the health of our Christian walk. Where is the focus of our eyes? If it is on the pathway then we trend on dangerous ground, but if on the Lord, He will certainly bring unwavering stability to our lives and not fall into deceit (Eph 4:14).
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Audio Visuals on Radical Obedience and Psalm 131 (NKJV) - A Song of Ascents
Audio visuals done by brother Rich Crowe. More audio visuals can be found at http://www.youtube.com/user/stack45ny. It's a blessing to have a met a brother who has an urgency to share the gospel with the gift that the Lord has blessed him with.
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