Finding Purpose

It is not necessary that we ever ask ourselves what we are doing on this earth. In fact, it may be more peaceful if we do not ask such a question. It is sufficient that we find our way to believing in our God, and with that be content. But for at least some of us, there comes those moments when we feel compelled to ask the question, believing there is something bigger, something larger, that we are to be doing. As I write this now I am doing so to try to better understand this question for myself. I am one of those asking the question. It turns out Jesus answered that question.

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

When we get to a place where we want that something more, that something more is the equity of things being right or just. The creation, in its fallen state now, is not there. We are not there in that place of perfection. But as a part of God’s creation we are drawn without measure to see that righteousness in the earth. That is the kingdom of God, and we want it to be here. We were made to live in that place with God from the beginning. After the garden, that went missing. And we will always be drawn toward that end. So no matter what we do, the closer we draw to God, the more we are starving and thirsty for that sustenance of His righteous kingdom on this earth. And God tells us we will be filled (which means in abundance). This constant desire and the filling of it is the building up process we go through on our journey toward eternity with Him. This is the answer to the question, to be and to stay hungry for God and more of Him.

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You. Thank You for putting this burning desire, this hunger within us for Your kingdom. Please usher Your kingdom into our lives, and through our lives into this earth. Let Your work in our lives be for a sign to those around us that You alone are God. Please use us to heal those that have been wounded and to help them meet their needs. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Full Joy

God’s plan is for His people to be complete, wanting nothing.

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

As James states earlier, we may have to go through some “stuff” to get there. Here he suggests that we need to be patient to get there. Notice he does not say we have to be down trodden or sad or upset. True enough all of these are things I have felt in times when I am having my patience tested, but they are not necessary. It would seem to me that there should be a way for us to experience something positive from God while we are on our way to what He has for us. Today I found an interesting scripture that I have read and skipped over many times that actually addresses this point, I think.

2 John 1:12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

What stood out to me was what John said would make their joy full. When our joy is full, we are encouraged. The need for encouragement for me goes hand in hand with times when my joy is not full. John says that seeing the believers face to face would cause their joy to be full. Something happens when we gather together. If we treat each other with respect, when we gather together we see the Jesus in others and it helps us remember that we are not alone, that God is on our side. When we have opportunity, let’s spend time with other believers that our joy may be filled up!

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You. Thank You for this day. There are many with needs today Father. Please keep people same from the climates around them. Please make it possible for people, especially Your people, to come to no harm today. Raise up Your people and help them to be full of joy. Help Your people to know You and the power of Your name. Help Your people to not only have what they need, but to share abundance with others that there be no lack. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

I Know The King

This morning I find myself drinking coffee, sitting in a booth at a fast food restaurant. Sitting here I was trying to think of something that is comforting. Although life has its challenges, this morning when I got up I began both praying to God and talking to myself out loud about how great the day would be. And I noticed how much better the day has seemed for me as a result. As I pondered that experience, a thought crossed my my mind that made me smile. I know the King.

Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Zechariah is a great book fortelling much about the Messiah. He records information about both the first and the last coming of the Messiah. Here we see he says the King of the daughter of Zion, the King of Zion, will come and will be just, with salvation, and lowly, riding on an ass (donkey). And we know who that was, right?

John 12:12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.
16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

Jesus (Yeshua) is the King of Zion. For those of us that believe, He is our salvation, our healer, our deliverer, and our God. We live in a world created by our God. This is His place, and what He says goes. He has absolute authority.

Leviticus 26:11 And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you.
12 And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

Just as God promised originally through Moses, Jesus confirmed when He said that if we keep His words, He will dwell with us. So, the King says He will live with us. Do you suppose if the King of a country were to move into your house, maybe that would be good for you, right? Well, if you are a believer, the next time you get to feeling unsettled about something in life, just stand up and say to the darkness,

“I know the King!”

Prayer
Father, we praise You as the Most High! Thank You for all Your help in our lives. We ask today Father that You would stand up for us and deliver us from the darkness today. Bring us our provisions. We praise Your name, for You alone are worthy to be praised! Thank You for being our King. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

When We Pray

People have asked me and others at various times in our lives how we can endure some situation or difficult time. When I hear this question what I hear is people asking me how I can be at peace, or “rest”, when what can be seen seems to big to handle. The answer has been given time and time again by those that have gone on before us. And we can take advantage of what they learned because some of these have been recorded.

Psalms 102:12 But thou, O Lord, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.
13 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.
14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.
15 So the heathen shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.
16 When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.

We rest because God is forever. When we cry out, God has mercy on us, the citizens of Zion to come. When we call, it is time for favor. God shows up, and He regards the prayer of the destitute, those in need. So for those of us that believe that God exists and is on our side, we can rest in times of trouble knowing that He will come to our aid when we call.

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You. Please come to our aid. Please watch over Your people today and deliver them from their troubles.Please keep Your people safe over the next few days from the challenges of the weather and other things that threaten them. Show Yourself strong on their behalf. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Broken Down, Without Walls

Have you ever struggled with thoughts in your mind that you wish you could get rid of permanently? I am thinking of those thoughts that if Jesus was standing in front of you and you had to say them our loud, you would be embarrassed. These thoughts are usually tied to some type of emotional response that is not good – hatred, greed, lust, etc. This morning as I awoke from a dream, I had some thoughts like that and I asked God to help me get rid of them. He did. I will tell you how He helped me. Maybe it will help you as well. And I will show you some scriptures I found that really describe what happened.

Proverbs 25:28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

Proverbs describe what is going on in these situations. The word “rule” here means control. “Spirit” means wind or breath of a human or the actions that make up the life of a human. The word for “city” is interesting. It means a place that is guarded by waking up or watching. “Broken down” means there is an opening that is not intended. And the word “walls” means protection. Putting that together, it means If we have no control over our being, we will be like a guarded place with a breach in the protection. That really describes how I felt.

I discovered something finally when I called out to God with my voice. I heard myself. I actually began to talk to my mind, sort of muttering “No, I am not going to think that.” Then I continued to ask God out loud to take it away. I sensed He wanted me to continue to mutter, to speak to these thoughts. When I did, I went from those words to singing whatever spiritual song I could think of at the time. As I did, the thoughts tried to return. This time when I said “No” out loud, they were some how scrambled and destroyed. I think in pictures a lot, so for me is is like suddenly the computer screen gets all scrambled up. Finally, as I began to search the scriptures, God gave me the one above and also Psalms 104, which speaks about all of the great wonders of provision for all of creation that God has provided. There is one verse that fit this situation.

Psalms 104:33 I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord.

If you have thoughts you wish would go away, try telling them out loud, “No” and then ask God for help. Sing His praises and He shows up. He will fight on your behalf. This is one way we gain control over our own spirit.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. We praise You for giving us the ability to control our own spirit when we cry out to You for help. We cannot do this without You Father. But we can do it with You. Please reach out to Your people today and give them the provision recorded in Psalms 104 today Father. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Out Of The Net

There are many things in life that can catch us off guard. It can feel like something just snuck up on us and grabbed us. It’s that sinking feeling that we have when we wonder how we will get by some event in life that seems too big for us. The event is real. The feeling, a result of the event, is real. Many times, we condemn ourselves for something we did wrong, which can have nothing to do with the event, and that self condemnation is real. And our God, bigger than all of them, is also real. And there is an answer to this in the Psalms.

Psalms 25:8 Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11 For thy name’s sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
12 What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
15 Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.

In Psalms 25, the writer is singing to God about his need for deliverance from some enemy. We see here that the writer knows he has sinned. And he knows that he can ask God to forgive his sin, and God will forgive. The word “meek” here means someone that is depressed and/or sad. That’s the feeling when we face what seems like something too big for us, right? Notice that God’s response to the sin of His people is not to crush us, but to teach us, to show us the flow in verse 8. The teach in verse 9 and on is a stronger word meaning to provoke or prod or stimulate. When we are depressed about our situation, God wants to come to us in a strong way that gets us remembering Him and moving in the direction He is showing us. He then gives us His private counsel, His “secret”. And if we keep our eyes on Him, He plucks our feet out of the net.

Today, if you feel you are facing something bigger than you can deal with, or you know someone that is, please cry out to God. God will turn to you, to that person you are praying about, and deliver them. If we can approach God with a thankful heart, knowing that He is on our side, He always turns toward us to deliver us.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You as the Most High God, King of the Universe and all that is. We cry out to You today Father, and ask that You forgive us our sins, and also forgive those wee know that are facing troubles. Please take us from the net of our enemies. We ask for Your private counsel. We ask for You to help us to live in a good place free from troubles, and walking on the road You show us. Thank You for all You do for us each and ever day, especially today. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

And So It Begins…

It is common for people to want to start the New Year with a look to a brighter future. This morning as I watch the snow falling, I find myself in that same place. How do we make life better? Can we? The answer is yes, in a way. Yesterday I found myself pondering this very thought. Here is what I cam up with after thinking it through for a while. This is God’s world, and He is active in it and has a plan for it. Psalms 98 reveals that God is active in this world because He remembers His people.

Psalms 98:1 O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
2 The Lord hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
3 He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
5 Sing unto the Lord with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King.
7 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
8 Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together
9 Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

We are engaged in battle. God will come to our aid because we are a part of His plan. We are to praise Him in that plan, and look for His deliverance. He will bring His judgment, which sets things right.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. Thank You for saving us. We ask that You begin a new work in us today. Please reveal Your path to us today and everyday. Please show us what we are to do. Please come and remember Your mercy toward Your people. Heal the brokenhearted today Father. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Building Takes Time

As we wind down another year, it seems a good time to reflect on all that God has done in our lives this year, and think about what is next. God has been good to us, I suggest. Here we are with yet another year of life and memories. Paul indicated that building takes time in several places, and that can be good to remember.

1 Corinthians 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

In both these letters to churches, Paul is indicating that building takes time. He likens it to plants that grow, and then to people as they grow and change. Today, it may be good to reflect on where we have come in the last year, and where we want to be this time next year. And everyone, please stay safe on the roads tonight and tomorrow.

Special Request

My wife and I want to thank you for your kindness in coming here to read each day. We would like to ask that you pray and ask God if there is something more He wants you to do to help us. If so, please click on the “Help Us” menu item above and follow His leading. Thank you.

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You as the Most High. Thank You for yet another year with You and Your family. Please lead and guide us today to do Your will that God may be glorified. Please keep us safe. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

It’s Not Us

Looking into the backyard this morning there is a light covering of snow that allows for dots of grass to stick through. It has become an icy cold winter wonderland playground for our squirrels. They seem to love to run and play tag as they skim the light snow. As I watched I began to wonder, how do they survive that cold (it is like 15 degrees out this morning). I remembered the scripture where Jesus talked about the birds being taken care of by God.

Matthew 10:27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Somehow, God is taking care of the animals in the forest. When I thought about that it seemed like a pretty big job, because there are so many forests and so many animals – but God is making sure at every moment that all of them are cared for every day. And according to what Jesus said, we are being cared for too. It made me curious to see these scriptures, and know in my head that they are true, but at the same time to have other thoughts in my head about concerns in my life. That’s when I finally got it.

When I am discouraged, it is because I have an idea about how things are and how they will be in my own mind. These things in my head become like a script to a movie or a play that I have to act out. But I am the one writing that stuff in my head (maybe with doubts from the enemy). In those moments we are applying our hearts and minds to something, some plan, we have created. It’s like painting ourselves in to a corner mentally. What we forget is that God is the One with the plan that works. So no matter what we see, the One creating the plan and directing the movie we call our lives has set us up to be the ones that win in the end.

Think of it like your favorite DVD where the good guys win. No matter how many times you play it, the good guys win, right? Same thing here. No matter how many things come at us that seem negative, God made our DVD so we will win, no matter how many times it is played out.

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You above all the earth for You alone are King. Thank You for watching over the squirrels. Thank You for watching over us. Please send to Your people today the opportunities they need, the healing they need, the provision they need, that all men will look upon us and know that You did that and that You alone are King. In Jesus (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Mashed Potatoes

Last night my wife and I had a pot luck dinner at our friends house. There were many yummy things to eat – roasted chicken, dressing, and more. And of course a personal favorite of mine, mashed potatoes. There is just something about these foods – especially the mashed potatoes – that make us feel good, right? I guess that is why they call them “comfort foods.” Foods like mashed potatoes trigger something in our bodies that cause our physical bodies to feel different, to feel better, at that moment. Yes, I know there is a chemistry behind it that causes us to “feel” those feelings. but all of this is not really what I am getting at here. Just like our physical person can be comforted, our spiritual person can be comforted as well.

Psalms 119:49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

God has set up a plan for us to be comforted. He has said things to us in our prayer times and in His scriptures that are intended to give us hope, and that hope is intended to comfort us. The word here for affliction means depression, and quickened means revived. God has set this up for us. Sometimes I know I feel bad that I want to be comforted, but God created us to want and need time with Him in prayer and reading the bible. This time gives us hope and revives us.

Both the physical and spiritual person need care and feeding on a regular basis. Both need to feel comforted. While comfort foods are good, they can be overdone. However, we can never spend too much time with our God. Today, let’s spend time in prayer and reading the scriptures, and let the King of the universe give us hope and revive us to life in Him.

Prayer
Father, we thank You today that You give us hope. We praise You for being our King. Today we ask that You raise us up and comfort us. We need You. We need life in You. We need to know deep within our hearts that You are with us, in us, and on our side. Please give us our deliverance and our provision speedily today Father. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.