Maybe He’s Doin’ You A Favor

Today’s message comes to us from Psalms and Proverbs 30. Psalm 30 is King David singing to the LORD. The whole thing is beautiful! (Psalm 30:6-7)”As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.”
By your favor, O LORD, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed.” (ESV) This one really caught my attention. I’ve had three or four of those mountains in my life. There’s a twofold revelation here. First, we can get so caught up in our success(es) that we forget who got us there. “King/Queen of the hill, I am.” You’re already in trouble the minute you think it. I know; you think God would say, “Oh, yeah?” He doesn’t. God says, “Oh, no!” He knows what you’re in for. The devil loves to knock you down. That’s where the second revelation comes in. “By your favor,” O LORD, you made my mountain stand strong.” Oh, oh; what happened to my mountain? My high place just turned into a desert wilderness! It’s a mountain of sand! And here comes the storm! “God, why did you let that happen? God, can you hear me down here?! GOD, ARE YOU LISTENING?!! GOD, HELP ME!” “Yes, my child, I am listening. Now you’ve got it right.” (Matthew 5:1-14) (ESV)

Proverbs 30:1-9 reinforce Psalm 30. It’s almost like a small recap of Job. “I’ve learned my lesson, and I’ll just shut up and praise you now, LORD/Lord.” LOL Proverbs 30:7-9 go on with a short request by Agur, of the LORD. Then the rest of the proverb gives us some observations Agur has made. He ends with a bit of wise advice.

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Your Holy Attire

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 29. Verses 1&2 “Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness. *(or, in holy attire)-(ESV) The whole Psalm is beautiful; written by King David, of course.

When I think about holy attire, especially on Sunday, when we gather to worship the LORD/Lord, I’m looking at my heart. I must admit that my heart has not always been right before the LORD, in church on Sunday morning. Praise and worship poured out of my mouth; but my heart was far from Him; more times than I can count, I’m afraid. I had to actually go before the LORD/Lord, and ask Him to give me His Heart. I’m so thankful for His mercy and grace. He is so very patient with us. Yes, He answered that prayer for me. I still ask for His Heart; every morning! Believe me; it helps tremendously; and on a daily basis!

The rest of the Psalm speaks to us about God’s Voice. Verses 5-8 are really awesome, and touch on exactly what I was talking about above. “The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire. The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.”

Think about your hardened heart, on a Sunday morning, maybe after an argument with your mate, or fighting traffic all the way into town, etc. Sometimes, everything that can go wrong does, doesn’t it? There you stand…going through the motions…JESUS, HELLLLPPPP! Am I right?! He steps right up, and speaks to the storm; doesn’t He? Fire purifies and that wilderness just vanishes. When I think of that wilderness, and how it took them forty years to make a three day journey…I think I’m pretty sure that I’m gonna holler right away, Lord! I want to hear that “Peace be still!” The LORD’s voice is stronger than COVID! Have a beautiful day!

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Ooh, The Picture’s Clearer

Today’s message comes from Psalms and Proverbs 14. Both give us a clearer picture, yet, of evil, and evil doers. We’re also shown how easily we can backslide and get lost. We are reminded that the LORD is our refuge. He has restored our fortunes through Christ Jesus. Jesus redeemed us, and everything that belongs to us, when He died on Calvary for us.

Interestingly, Proverbs 14:9 tells us that fools have no conscience, or shame. Proverbs 14:19 is a three-fold revelation. “The evil bow down before the good; the wicked at the gates of the righteous.” First, this confirms our dominion over them/victory over them in Jesus’ Name. Secondly, they do this in mockery-so be on your guard. Thirdly, they cannot stand in the Presence of God, nor can they prevail against us. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) This makes me think of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man sure changed his tune when faced with the truth, didn’t he?

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If He Doesn’t, We Don’t Either

Today’s message comes from Psalm 5, and from Proverbs 5. Psalm 5 begins with a prayer, actually. “In the morning, you hear my voice; I prepare a sacrifice for you, and watch,” the psalmist says. Beginning your day with God is absolutely revolutionizing to your life! I can tell you that from personal experience. Try it for one month, and make sure you note the changes you begin to experience, in your attitudes, your strength, patience, etc.

Psalm 5:4 -6 tells us: “For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.” If God doesn’t delight in it, we shouldn’t either. And, if you think about it, and are honest with yourself, none of us does delight in wickedness when we’re on the receiving end; do we? Sin, as I’ve said before, comes in three ways: 1. Sin others commit against us. 2. Sin we commit. 3. Sin fallout-which is the way the sin in the world affects us and our lives. But, we have a hope in Christ Jesus. Psalm 5:7-8 say to us, “I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house…” This is a powerful revelation about the power of love and faithfulness. When we exercise love faithfully in our dealings, and are faithful to the Word of God; to His ways, we surround ourselves, and those we deal with, with protection against the sin and wickedness. The last two verses of the psalm are awesome! “But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.” There is jubilation and rejoicing over being loved. When we walk out our new life with the LORD/Lord, as we walk it out, there is, truly, less and less struggle, and more and more joy and peace.

Proverbs 5 is, again, a father’s admonition to his sons. This warns about “the forbidden woman.” if you think in terms of standards and boundaries, this woman represents false teaching, cults, and ways and practices that are contrary to God’s Word and His Ways. This includes some of those peers who consider themselves “cool,” and those friends who really aren’t your friends in the end. Proverbs 5:5-6 tell us what’s actually going on with them: “Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol; she does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it.” The rest of the proverb tells us there are consequences to sin and iniquity. Iniquity is your attitude toward sin-be it your own, or someone else’s. Verse 22 tells us: “The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin.” Lack of discipline is actually a destroyer. It causes us to struggle needlessly, and sometimes even destroys dreams and goals. That’s a powerful revelation to parents about letting our children just run amok. Lack of discipline makes your child ignorant, foolish, powerless, and easy prey for evil. It makes us easy prey for the devil.

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Saturday Silly – January 9, 2021

My cousin’s wife has been wanting breast implants for about the last three years, now. He said it’s all he hears about. My cousin is kind of a smart aleck, so when he saw this certain billboard, he couldn’t resist. The billboard read: “Growing healthcare options right in your own backyard.” He called his wife on his cell-phone, and asked her if she’d like him to pick up a pot of breasts. Needless to say, he was in the dog house with his wife. When he told me what he’d done, I said, “Gee, I should see if they have some teeth.” My cousin replied, “you better wait till you have a home again. Now, you’d have to carry them around in your cart; and they’d be rattling all the time over the bumpy sidewalks. Besides, that, there’s not much room in your little “tent.” They might bite you in the butt.”

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Today I Have Begotten You

Today’s message comes from Psalm 2 and Proverbs 2. I hope you’ll feel closer to the LORD/Lord when you finish with it. See how much the Father loves us.

Psalm 2:7-9 tells us: “I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Is that awesome?! This is David speaking by the Spirit. He was speaking of Jesus and you and me. Jesus is the One who gave us the power to become God’s children in His Name. “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.” (John 1:12-13)

Proverbs 2:1-5 tells us: “My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.” One must accept the offer Christ gives us, and receive Him in our hearts. Jesus taught about receiving God’s Word into our hearts and applying them, in Matthew 13:3-9. Proverbs 2:6-15 explains to us why we need God’s wisdom to live by. We are kings and queens in the Earth, and if we are to rule over our lives according to God’s Word, we need His wisdom to overcome the evil and darkness Satan has brought to the earth. Jesus called him the “ruler of this world.” –The world that does not know Christ Jesus, or has rejected Him; that is. It’s also the world that we may have grown up in, or may have gotten ourselves into. With God’s love and His wisdom, we can overcome all three. Here’s Red Letters by David Crowder. I hope it blesses you as much as it does me-every time I hear it. If you don’t know Jesus, you don’t know what you’re missing! He loves you so very much! Don’t stay in that darkness; call out to Him and come out into the sunshine of His love, His peace, His joy! He loves yo, and so do I!

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Saturday Silly-December 12, 2020

Boy, I don’t know about you all, but I believe that studio apartments have gotten so small, you may as well just rent a closet somewhere. I went with a friend to look at a furnished studio apartment recently. When we opened the door, I felt like we were walking into a closet. My friend said, “It’s not too cramped; I think I can manage this.” (She’s a little flighty, and doesn’t think things through sometimes) I thought to myself, “Oh, yeah? You’ve only been in here three minutes. Spend a whole day in it.” The apartment manager said all the furniture in it was brand new, and encouraged my friend to try out the easy chair. My friend kicked off her shoes so she wouldn’t mess up the upholstery, and settled herself in the chair. She flipped the lever and reclined the chair, and this loud voice came from next door. It said, “Oh, my God! Will you get your feet out of my lap, please?! And go change your socks!” She jumped up out of that chair so fast. She decided not to take that studio apartment…and I’m still laughing!

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Look For The Candy Bar

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to look for the glad surprises as we walk with Him. This, we’re told, is the way a child bows to the one who loves him/her.

When I read the message, I’m reminded of my daughter at age three. She spied a candy bar in Grandpa’s shirt pocket one day, and asked him for it. Grandpa was not above spoiling little ones a bit. He took to hiding one in his pocket every few days. He’d make sure it was peeking out when he came in. Her little face got so bright it could have lit up the whole house. Those little glad surprises brought Grandpa just as much joy as they did my daughter.

We need to have that attitude with God. He says, “I know the plans I have for you; plans to prosper you, and not to harm you.” It takes a little practice, but if you stick with it, you can do it. Look for the candy bar whenever you say, “Not my will, but yours, Lord.” There’s always a treat in the end, isn’t there? Yeah. And, I’m so glad Jesus doesn’t say, “You of little faith; why did you doubt me?” I’m pretty sure He knows we do enough of that ourselves…I do, anyway.

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It Counts As Victory To Him

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that each and every little victory is still counted as victory. Each one is just as important, and celebrated as all the others. Our Lord does not compare us to anyone; so, we shouldn’t either.

Jesus sees the loving and striving; not the imperfections. Every effort you make toward progress is a victory in itself. Did you know that? Yes! You might be trying to win a battle, and only get half of the stuff right, or only go a few steps before you’re stumped, or tired. You still made progress, didn’t you? Yes, you did! Never, ever discount any step forward-never!

There was a time, when I was fighting depression, that I celebrated the victory of having the bed made and the breakfast mess cleaned up in the morning. Boy, you should have heard the whoops and seen the war dance when we had three or four mornings in a row under our belt. Do you know what? The more celebrating I did, the easier it got to keep going. I also was somehow infused with a new energy, for some reason. LOL Was that you, Jesus? Yes, it was!

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The Way, The Truth, And The Life

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, is entitled: “My Richest Gift.” The message speaks to us about abundant life; and bids us to take it, and to use it. That abundant life spoken of here is the life flow of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

John 4:13-14 is referenced: “…but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” In my Bible study, this morning, I was reminded of Jesus’ words in John 14:6- Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.”

Applying this scripture to overcoming generational curses, addictions, and any other adversity, really works. You see, Jesus also said, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32) Putting this all together, we have this revelation. The truth will lead you to the way to empower life…in any situation, in everyday living. Example: (Truth) The oven is hot when it’s on (Way) We do not touch it (Life) We don’t get burned and hurt. This teaches, or empowers, the child to steer clear of the oven; especially when it is in use. That’s a simple one. If you use those three gifts (truth, way, life) your life becomes more powerful and joyful. That spills over into other’s lives as well. *The reason truth comes first, is because Jesus is the true bread from Heaven; and truth has to do with God’s Word- (Romans 3:4)

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