God's Word = Life & Healing!

Reading:  Proverbs 4
My Verse:  "My son, be attentive to my words;
                        incline your ear to my sayings,
                    Let them not escape from your sight;
                         keep them within your heart.
                    For they are life to those who find them,
                          and healing to all their flesh" (Proverbs 4:20 - 22)

 So much is said here!  The main idea for me is that Your Word, Oh LORD God brings healing!

I heard this most amazing sermon some time ago.  The thought that has stayed with me was the idea of how sin attacks us immediately upon birth.  The birthing process is not a shock only to our physical being but also to our spiritual being!  This is because we, upon birth, enter a most unwelcome environment spiritually!  It is an environment populated with spiritual enemies, enemies that want to basically destroy us and start working on that immediately!

"Be sober-minded; be watchful.  Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (I Peter 5:8).

"The LORD said to Satan, "From where have you come?"  Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it"  (Job 1:7).

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12).

Many think they do not "need" healing because they haven't had any obvious trauma.  But, truth be told everyone needs healing.  We are all of us damaged to some degree because we live in a fallen world.  But, praise God this is only for a time!  There is coming a time when "the prince of this world will be driven out!" (John 12:31)

Sadly, "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God" (2 Corinthians 4:4).

But this does not have to be!  You, LORD God, preserved this Your word, the Bible, for us.  In it are Your words of healing.  It is alive and applies to all peoples in all ages!  The last verses of this Psalm illustrate this truth most wonderfully!

"Put away from you crooked speech,
     and put devious talk far from you.
Let your eyes look directly forward,
     and your gaze be straight before you.
Ponder the path of your feet;
     then all your ways will be sure.
Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
     turn your foot away from evil" (Psalm 4:24-27)

My heart overflows with thankfulness!  I serve a most wonderful God!

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!






       

Healing & Refreshment

Reading:  Proverbs 2,3
My Verse:  "Be not wise in your own eyes;
                         fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
                     It will be healing to your flesh
                         and refreshment to your bones" (Proverbs 3:7,8).

The statement here is pretty clear and definitive.  If we turn away from evil,  we will have "healing to (our) flesh" and "refreshment to (our) bones!"

Living for You LORD God is good for us - physically, emotionally, and mentally!

People that focus on living a clean life are healthier!   Studies keep coming out that confirm this biblical truth! One such did an extensive survey of studies done from 1872 to 2010 and concluded:

"There is rapidly growing evidence that stress and negative emotions (depression, anxiety) have (1) adverse effects on physiological systems vital for maintenance of physical health and healing [344–346], (2) increase susceptibility to or worse outcomes from a wide range of physical illnesses [347–351], and (3) may shorten the lifespan prematurely [352, 353]."

The study went into detail as to the things that cause "stress and negative emotions."  It is so interesting that they could have just quoted scripture!  They refer to all the things You, LORD God tell us not to allow into our lives!  

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. . . . Now the works of the flesh are  evident; sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:18-24).

Why are we always so surprised at these things?  Why do we always think we will "get away" with sin?  It really is only logical that any sin will  drag us down and damage all that we are.  You created us to be like You.  When we rejected You, Your beloved and only begotten son Jesus stepped in to make it possible for us to be saved from ourselves!  All of scripture is for the purpose of bringing us back to wholesomeness - back to You, LORD God! (John 20:31)  And most wonderful is the fact that when we do turn to You, You help us to live a life of truth and purity.  

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such things there is no law" (Galatians 5:25).

Thank You, LORD God for the "healing" and "refreshment to (our) bones!"

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

We Ambush Our Own Lives!

Reading:  Proverbs 1
My Verse:  "But these men lie in wait for their own blood;
                         they set an ambush for their own lives.
                    Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain;
                         it takes away the life of its possessors" (Proverbs 1:18,19).

This is such a constant in our lives, we see it all the time.  We often engage in it ourselves!  And that is self destructive behavior!  We greedily go after things that are really bad for us and end up hurting not only ourselves but our loved ones!   We  "ambush" our "own lives."

Attended a candle light vigil for homeless youth last evening.  It was a very nice, albeit sad event and also such an eye opener!  It seems that most youth end up homeless not because of their own behavior but the self destructive behavior of their parents - mostly through substance abuse, but also bad decision making - poor choices.

Many think the grass is greener on the other side so to speak and go after something that isn't really there - be it drugs for a high, money, comfort, power, fame, pleasure, etc.  Even if the immediate goal is reached - the high or thrill from the drugs, the comfort, the power, the fame, the pleasure - it doesn't satisfy or last!  And so off they go for more of the same - ending up in this constant chasing after the wind lifestyle.

Sadly, the thing that everyone wants, what they are striving for is peace.  There is so much in this world that is offered or masked as peace.  

"They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, Saying, "Peace, peace."  But there is no peace" (Jeremiah 6:14).

Only You, LORD God can give us true and deep abiding peace.  "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27).

Dear LORD God, help me in this.  Help me to examine my life constantly for this very thing.  Free me from the tyranny of my own selfish desires.  It is easy to become so bogged down I can't see clearly.

Today in my run I came around a corner and there was the sun just coming up!  It was so beautiful and refreshing.  It felt like I was lifted up above the mire of this sinful world for but a moment.  I was able to behold the beauty and freshness of Your light and all that it offers - freedom from dread, deep inner peace.

Love how this Proverb ends:

"But whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster." 

Thank You, LORD God for this.  Thank You for Your cleansing light!

Ditat Deus - God Enriches! 

    

EvenThe Moon and Stars Praise the LORD!

Reading:  Psalms 148 - 150
My Verse:  "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!
                         Praise the LORD!" (150:6)

Wow!  Leaves me breathless!  According to these last Psalms basically all that exists will praise You, LORD God!

Psalm 148:2 speaks of all the angels praising You, LORD God.
     "Praise him, all his angels;
            praise him, all his hosts!"

Psalm 148:3 speaks of the sun, moon and stars praising You!
      "Praise him, sun and moon,
           praise him, all you shining stars"

Then Verse 7 speak of the sea creatures.
        "Praise the LORD from the earth
             you great sea creatures and all deeps"

The elements are to praise You!
          "fire and hail, snow and mist,
               stormy wind fulfilling His word!"

Even those things one does not think of as offering praise are to praise You!
          "Mountains and all hills." 
          "fruit trees and all cedars"
          "beasts and all livestock"
          "creeping things and flying birds!"

We humans are to praise You:
          "in the assembly"
          "with dancing"
          "with tamborine and lyre" and with our voices - "Let the praises of God be in their throats."

Luis Giglio has a wonderful sermon series called "How Great is our God."  This is available on god tube.com, click on ministry, then sermons, and scroll through to Giglio. He has this wonderful lesson on Psalm 148 using the praise sounds of the stars and whales!  So fun!

This morning the sunrise was breathtaking! Thank you, LORD God for reminding me how incredible You are, how all things do praise You!

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

Put Not Your Trust In Princes!

Reading:  Psalms 146 - 147
My Verse:  "Put not your trust in princes,
                        in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.
                    When his breath departs, he returns to the earth;
                         on that very day his plans perish" (Psalm 146:3,4).

This Psalm is so appropriate for today!  Our election has just been completed - what a relief!  It is always amazing how people give themselves over so completely to putting all their trust and hope in a candidate.  That candidate becomes almost like a little god for a time.  Such that it becomes impossible for such candidate to fulfill not only all that he or she promises but also all that is expected from their supporters.  "Put not your trust in princes!"

We so need this reminder;  "in whom there is no salvation."  Salvation does not come from any man.  We do need leaders, and we are to pray for and support these leaders (I Timothy 2:2), but we must always remember that You, LORD God only can truly save us.  We need to also remember that it is You that places men and women into positions of authority and it is You that removes them. "For there is no authority except from God . . ."  (Romans 13:1).

We must also remember man is but a breath and "when his breath departs, he returns to the earth!"
All of us will die - there is no getting around that.  When we die, like it or not - believe it or not, we will face You LORD God!  We will be required to answer to You for how we lived this life with which You have gifted us.  We will be required (there is no choice!) to acknowledge You at that time!

"For we will all stand before the judgement seat of God; for it is written.

     As I live, says the LORD, every knee shall bow to me,

        and every tongue shall confess to God."

 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God." (Romans 14:11,12)

Finally, when a man dies so do his plans - "on that very day his plans perish."  This may seem a sad thing but it is also a good thing.  Unfortunately, many of man's plans are gone awry.  Leaders start off with good intentions but their ego leads them astray as they lust after more power, more wealth, more fame.  They end up placing themselves at the center of their plans and compromise away their ideals. Instead of seeking You for guidance - You, LORD God are pushed aside.  They forget that without You nothing can be accomplished.

          "Except the LORD build the house, 

they labor in vain that build it; 

except the LORD keep the city, 

the watchman wakes but in vain" (Psalm 127:1).

I will pray for my leaders but I will remember it is You, LORD God that keeps me.

"The LORD will keep you from all evil;

He will keep your life.

the LORD will keep 

your going out and your coming in

from this time forth and forevermore" (Psalm 121:7,8).

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!

Falling and Bowed Down!

Reading:  Psalms 143 - 145
My Verse:  "The LORD upholds all who are falling
                        and raises up all who are bowed down" (Psalm 145:14).

What a paradox!  Somehow it doesn't seem that I should be falling and bowed down if I am a child of You, LORD God.  And yet You do address this issue often in Your word.  Being a Christian or follower of You does not mean we are exempt from trials even to the point of feeling like we are "falling" or being "bowed down!"

We watched a movie, The Railway Man,  that depicted the true story of a British soldier who suffered incredible torture while a prisoner of the Japanese in World War II.  The mental and emotional anguish this man suffered throughout his life way after the war was intense.  It wasn't until he fell in love and married(late in his life) , that he was able, with the help and love of his wife, to address and deal with the deep anger.  The result being that he confronted his Japanese torturer with the intent of killing him, ended up forgiving the man and becoming great friends with him.  The movie for me depicted not only the deep depravity of man but also the amazing healing power of love.  You, LORD God, are the author of this love.

I run and work out.  I am learning the more I push myself, the better the results.  My body feels stronger and healthier after the stress of being pushed!  The stress and strain isn't easy and yet seems necessary to maintain my health.  You, LORD God, do this for me spiritually - You push me so that I will grow stronger and healthier spiritually.

Paul, the man who learned first hand what it was to suffer, stated what suffering brings about in our character if we keep our eyes on You, LORD God through our trials.

"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been burned into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us" (Romans 5:3,4,5).

This is so important!  When the verse says "all who are falling"  and "all who are bowed down" the author is speaking of followers of You, LORD God.  Suffering without You, without love simply distorts us even further as it did the British soldier.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
     and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
 when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
     and the flame shall not consume you" (Isaiah 43:2).

This is an amazing promise that we, as followers of You, LORD God, can hang onto!  We can hang onto this because nothing can separate us from Your love!

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  For I am sure that neither death  nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth,  nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:37 - 39).

Thank You for this reminder to me!  I may feel I am "falling" or "bowed down"  but that is only temporary.  You, LORD God, will bring me through all things if I keep my eyes on You!

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!