Make It Your City

Psalm 122 (ESV) is one of my favorites. I’m focusing on verses 5-9, but the whole psalm speaks to us of ordering our world, our lives, according to God’s Will and His Way. That’s the standards and boundaries thing again. Notice that verse 5 speaks of thrones of judgment, and the House of David. We reign in Jesus’ Name as kings and queens in the earth, Again, these are not only titles. They are also job descriptions. (Proverbs 31) Verses 6-8 give us an idea how important peace is. Verse 9 sums it up: “For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good.” (Joshua 24:15)

One way in which we do this is by establishing and maintaining order, by working together to make things work better for everyone in the household, and by building one another up in the LORD/Lord. This works at work, in school, in church, etc. I know most of you know this already. But, some things can really throw a whammy into a life; and it’s those of you I’m speaking to. Try it for just one month. You will see a positive difference. I can tell you from personal experience that peace and quietness within are linked to order and cooperation.

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Standards & Boundaries

Psalm 121 (ESV) is today’s study. This psalm speaks to me of the standards and boundaries that God has set for us. It also speaks to me of the example that Jesus set for us. If you go through the Bible from beginning to end, you will find out who, and whose, you are. There’s an awesome fifteen minutes every morning, eh? What a way to start the day, too. “You are precious and honored in my sight,” is like getting that hug and affirmation from Dad. That is, in fact, what is happening when we read about what God says about us; what He says we are. If you don’t know whose you are, you won’t know who you are. If you don’t know that, you won’t know what you want to do or where you want to go-or what you can and can’t do, and where you can and can’t go. This is what verses 7 and 8 tell us.

It’s so important to know who the LORD/Lord is, and who we are in Him. I remember my grandmother telling me that, “we do things this way,” or, “we do not do that.” God tells us exactly the same things; because the things we do grow from within (who we are), and we grow into the things we do (build upon, expand).

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The Pull From Behind

Psalm 120 (ESV)

In my distress I called to the LORD,
and he answered me.
Deliver me, O LORD,
from lying lips,
from a deceitful tongue.

What shall be given to you,
and what more shall be done to you,
you deceitful tongue?
A warrior’s sharp arrows,
with glowing coals of the broom tree!

Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech,
that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
Too long have I had my dwelling
among those who hate peace.
I am for peace,
but when I speak, they are for war!

This is a short one, so I posted the whole psalm. When I read this, I think about the past I left behind. Sometimes we need to leave people where they are, and go on without them. They’ll catch up when they’re ready. This is especially true when we’re trying to break off and overcome generational curses. That pull from behind can be a real doozy; but we have to resist it with all we’ve got.

When I was coming through some of my stuff, I learned to pray and ask God to show me the truth, and to give me the strength to receive it. It’s so much easier to paint those lovely little scenarios we’d like to be in, right? Sometimes the lies we tell ourselves are worse than the dragon we’re fighting.

Let me tell you about those who hate peace. They may not be necessarily opposing you openly. But when you look at the way someone lives, look to see if their lifestyle is conducive to order and peace. If not, you may not want to spend too much time there. This includes family members. The last verse of this is about open opposition. Don’t let it change your resolve, or your path. Again, you may need to separate yourself from the opposition. Keep pushing through. The best thing you can do for them is pray for them.

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Happy Birthday, America

I thought I’d share a recipe for a grilled breakfast with you. It’s a wonderful way to start out the holiday. You’ll need a bag of frozen Potatoes O’Brien, 1 lb. of ground breakfast sausage, shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese, a dozen eggs, a 9X13 cookie sheet or cake pan, and 1 stick butter or margarine (non-stick cooking spray if you prefer). when the coals are hot, melt the butter on the cookie sheet or in the cake pan. Brown the potatoes, and push to the side or back. Cook the breakfast sausage next, and when cooked, mix with the potatoes and spread evenly in the pan or on the cookie sheet. Crack the eggs onto the mixture, cover with foil, and let cook approx. 10 minutes. *Run a spatula under the mixture, once or twice during this time, to keep it from sticking. Season the eggs with salt and pepper if you wish. Top with the shredded cheese, cover with the foil and cook until cheese is melted. Serve right from the grill. Bon Appetit!

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It Begins and Ends With Him

Taw (Psalm 119:169-176)

Let my cry come before you, O LORD;
give me understanding according to your word!
Let my plea come before you;
deliver me according to your word.
My lips will pour forth praise,
for you teach me your statutes.
My tongue will sing of your word,
for all your commandments are right.
Let your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
I long for your salvation, O LORD,
and your law is my delight.
Let my soul live and praise you,
and let your rules help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
for I do not forget your commandments.

Finally, we’re finished with the entire psalm. This last section is a good one to post right on the bedroom door, or by the bathroom mirror. It really helps us focus on setting ourselves in agreement and alignment with God’s Word and ways. God always hears, always answers, and will deliver us.

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Saturday Silly

Let me tell you how creative the crooked folks can get in an economic crisis. I passed by a little strip mall recently. There was a laundromat in that strip mall. Now, on the end of the building where a bar was, was a sign that read, “Dry your clothes for free.” At first I thought, “man they must really be having a hard time getting people to come in there.” I wondered where in the heck they’d put the dryers. Right behind the little mall was a storage place. “Ah, the storage place must be offering to dry the clothes for free,” I thought. Stands to reason. Just set up some clotheslines in a few of the storage rooms, and you’re in business. Then it dawned on me. I bet they let you dry your clothes in there for free, alright. Yeah, but you have to pay to get the key so you can get your clothes out when they’re dry. Sheisters!!! They should be reported! I think it would be hilarious if that laundromat started offering to dry their customers clothes for free. That would put those crooks right out of business, wouldn’t it?

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Shut Them Down

Sin and Shin (Psalm 119:161-168

Princes persecute me without cause,
but my heart stands in awe of your words.
I rejoice at your word
like one who finds great spoil.
I hate and abhor falsehood,
but I love your law.
Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous rules.
Great peace have those who love your law;
nothing can make them stumble.
I hope for your salvation, O LORD,
and I do your commandments.
My soul keeps your testimonies;
I love them exceedingly.
I keep your precepts and testimonies,
for all my ways are before you.

The very first line of this section reminds us that “we war not against flesh and blood, but against the powers, principalities, and hosts of spiritual wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12) Actually, verses 10-17 of Ephesians 6 illustrate this whole section of the psalm. All through the gospels, we can find evidence of Jesus looking a little deeper than the surface. Changing the way you live and deal with life can be rough going for awhile. And, believe me, those “princes” will give you a run for your money. But when we look a little deeper, we begin to discover things like triggers that cause us to fall back into old habits. We begin to discover how much our emotions may be affected by those triggers, and keep us stuck. This is where journaling is so helpful. It helps give us a picture of what might really be happening. Then, we can make that plan of action and move forward.

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What It Adds Up To

Resh (Psalm 119:153-160) (ESV)

Look on my affliction and deliver me,
for I do not forget your law.
Plead my cause and redeem me;
give me life according to your promise!
Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek your statutes.
Great is your mercy, O LORD;
give me life according to your rules.
Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
but I do not swerve from your testimonies.
I look at the faithless with disgust,
because they do not keep your commands.
Consider how I love your precepts!
Give me life according to your steadfast love.
The sum of your word is truth,
and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

His law will deliver you from affliction. “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt. 712) We have an intercessor before God, the Father. “And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” (Rom. 8:27) It is in God’s Word that we find salvation in every situation. “We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” (2Peter 1:19) “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (John 6:63) God’s mercy is greater than anything you can come up or down with, and anything you might go down to. “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16) Every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God is truth; pure truth! “But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matt. 4:14) *I did this post with strictly scriptural references to illustrate the message: God’s Word and God’s Way work; every time!

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Did You Want Me To Answer?

Qoph (Psalm 119:145-152)

With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD!
I will keep your statutes.
I call to you; save me,
that I may observe your testimonies.
I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I hope in your words.
My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,
that I may meditate on your promise.
Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;
O LORD, according to your justice give me life.
They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;
they are far from your law.
But you are near, O LORD,
and all your commandments are true.
Long have I known from your testimonies
that you have founded them forever.

When I read the first line of this section, I thought of all those times I cried out to the LORD/Lord…not really wanting the answer. This is because I already knew it. I didn’t want to hear that I had to take responsibility. I thought about the man at the pool of Bethesda. When Jesus found out he’d been lying there for 38 years, He asked him, “Do you want to get well?!” And the man, looking at the Healer, ran down his list of excuses. I’d have been crawling, rolling, screaming until somebody picked me up and threw me into that pool! Jesus is always near; and knows our deepest fears. And, His grace and mercy are always so awesome! We can trust His answers!

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Stir Yourself Up!

Tsadhe (Psalm 119:137-144) (ESV)

Righteous are you, O LORD,
and right are your rules.
You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness
and in all faithfulness.
My zeal consumes me,
because my foes forget your words.
Your promise is well tried,
and your servant loves it.
I am small and despised,
yet I do not forget your precepts.
Your righteousness is righteous forever,
and your law is true.
Trouble and anguish have found me out,
but your commandments are my delight.
Your testimonies are righteous forever;
give me understanding that I may live.

When I read this section of the psalm, I’m reminded of King David. I’m also reminded of the many times I’ve read aloud from the Psalms when I was discouraged, or feeling overwhelmed. There are actually some folks who would be surprised that one has to do that. When you have a heavy burden on your shoulders and you feel like you’re barely hanging on, with your absolute last ounce of strength-whether physically, or, and especially, in spirit, it’s okay to tell the LORD/Lord about it! When we speak the Word into our situation(s), we hear it. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. And God’s Word is alive and ready to accomplish what it’s sent for. (Rom. 10:17) (Heb. 4:12) I’ve said before, when we take up the Word of God, we’re taking Jesus by the hand. Take that, devil!

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