In what is thought to be the first letter written to the new Christian community, the Lord's brother, James, addressed in careful detail one of the single most difficult challenges we all face. He wrote, "NO MAN CAN TAME THE TONGUE...WITH THE TONGUE WE PRAISE OUR LORD AND FATHER, AND WITH IT WE CURSE MEN, WHO HAVE BEEN MADE IN GOD'S LIKENESS. OUT OF THE SAME MOUTH COME PRAISE AND CURSING. MY BROTHERS, THIS SHOULD NOT BE" James 3:8-10 NIV
David understood the pervasive and destructive nature of this tiny body part and made this request of God - "SET A GUARD OVER MY MOUTH, O LORD; KEEP WATCH OVER THE DOOR OF MY LIPS. LET NOT MY HEART BE DRAWN TO WHAT IS EVIL, TO TAKE PART IN THE WICKED DEEDS OF EVILDOERS; LET ME NOT EAT OF THEIR DELICACIES." Psalm 141:3-4 NIV
In this prayer, David makes two requests because he knew how they are interrelated:
1) "keep watch over my lips"
2) "let not my heart be drawn to what is evil".
Jesus said it is "OUT OF THE OVERFLOW OF THE HEART, THE MOUTH SPEAKS". Matthew 12:34
David's prayer should be mine too. Since I cannot tame my tongue, if there is no way for it to be brought under control, I am hopelessly mired in a persistent sin I can't change, real repentance is impossible. But hold on, there is hope for me yet.
If I take Jesus' words seriously, the real culprit here isn't my tongue but my heart. So, David's prayer makes sense when I recognize that only God can do what has to be done in my heart in order to take better control of my tongue.
So here is my best take on all this - my prayer should be "Cleanse my heart O God and help me recognize the power of my words before they are spoken. Fill my heart with your love and give me your heart that I may bless and not curse."
I praise you my Almighty Father for giving me your Holy Spirit to train me to be a righteous, if imperfect, testimony to your love in a hateful world. Help me too to not partake of the "delicacies/sweet talk (MSG)" of those who speak only evil.
HALLELUJAH!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Security - The Elusive Goal
The words "elusive" and "security" appear to be an oxymoron when used in the same sentence. Yet, for all of us, security is an always elusive goal we all seek. We do get there at times and feel secure until that new storm comes rolling through and our sense of security evaporates again. Its a roller coaster ride for sure.
Today, I feel more secure than at any time in my life. Well, at least I did until our national politicians began tinkering around with Medicare and Social Security, but that's my point here. Any sense of "security" can never be tied directly to any form of government because politicians who make policies and laws can change literally ANYTHING they please if they can get enough backing from their peers. But, that's how democracy works. Its mostly a messy process that somehow has worked very well so far despite the bickering and backroom bargaining.
In spite of it all I can honestly say that I feel a greater sense of "security" today than in my younger years. It has nothing to do with who sits in the White House or on the Congressional floor. They will probably always say and do things that can cause a feeling of insecurity in the those of us who aren't privy to the discussions and don't get to vote in the legislative process. No, my sense of security is the result of two crucial elements:
1) I no longer have the same challenges that I faced when I was a younger husband and father of three and worked hard to provide them with a reasonably comfortable and safe life. For those of you still in that place, hang tough it works out!
2) My knowledge of God's love has grown significantly beyond those younger years and has produced a deeper faith than I have known before.
David stated this same faith - "I know the Lord will surely help those who are persecuted; he will maintain the rights of the poor. Surely the godly are praising your name for they will live in your presence." PSALM 140:12-13 NLT
The NIV says, "the upright will live before you."
The MSG says, "that good people are secure in your presence."
When you look at the context of Psalm 140 in its entirety, you get the full picture of what David was facing even as he wrote those words. Life, of course, is always tenuous, everyone's life. But the "upright" are the "godly" who have heard God's words and have given him absolute permission to teach them how to live "securely".
I believe it's always true that ANYTHING can happen to ANYONE, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE. But, that isn't all the truth. ANYONE can also make the choice in any circumstance to trust the love of God to guide them to a better outcome than seems imminent. Its a carefully cultivated lifestyle that far supersedes any power that men have.
If you need to feel the secure love of God, find a quiet place, turn off your cell phone, open your Bible to ROMANS 8 and read it slowly for six consecutive days. Then write me how it turned out. God's love is FOREVER. HALLELUJAH!
Today, I feel more secure than at any time in my life. Well, at least I did until our national politicians began tinkering around with Medicare and Social Security, but that's my point here. Any sense of "security" can never be tied directly to any form of government because politicians who make policies and laws can change literally ANYTHING they please if they can get enough backing from their peers. But, that's how democracy works. Its mostly a messy process that somehow has worked very well so far despite the bickering and backroom bargaining.
In spite of it all I can honestly say that I feel a greater sense of "security" today than in my younger years. It has nothing to do with who sits in the White House or on the Congressional floor. They will probably always say and do things that can cause a feeling of insecurity in the those of us who aren't privy to the discussions and don't get to vote in the legislative process. No, my sense of security is the result of two crucial elements:
1) I no longer have the same challenges that I faced when I was a younger husband and father of three and worked hard to provide them with a reasonably comfortable and safe life. For those of you still in that place, hang tough it works out!
2) My knowledge of God's love has grown significantly beyond those younger years and has produced a deeper faith than I have known before.
David stated this same faith - "I know the Lord will surely help those who are persecuted; he will maintain the rights of the poor. Surely the godly are praising your name for they will live in your presence." PSALM 140:12-13 NLT
The NIV says, "the upright will live before you."
The MSG says, "that good people are secure in your presence."
When you look at the context of Psalm 140 in its entirety, you get the full picture of what David was facing even as he wrote those words. Life, of course, is always tenuous, everyone's life. But the "upright" are the "godly" who have heard God's words and have given him absolute permission to teach them how to live "securely".
I believe it's always true that ANYTHING can happen to ANYONE, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE. But, that isn't all the truth. ANYONE can also make the choice in any circumstance to trust the love of God to guide them to a better outcome than seems imminent. Its a carefully cultivated lifestyle that far supersedes any power that men have.
If you need to feel the secure love of God, find a quiet place, turn off your cell phone, open your Bible to ROMANS 8 and read it slowly for six consecutive days. Then write me how it turned out. God's love is FOREVER. HALLELUJAH!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
God Knows - Yes He Does!
Psalm 139 is one of David's most personal and intimate prayers to God. Every line contains a personal pronoun as he proclaims his absolute confidence in the loving care of the God he felt a close personal connection with.
"O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit down and when I rise. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, you know it completely, O Lord." Psalm 139:1-4 NIV
Jesus came to show us the very personal nature of God as a Father who is involved in the lives of his kids. He's always been involved, but until Jesus, men seem to have not felt God's daily, powerful presence. Many OT authors wrote similar testimonies about God, but they didn't really understand what it all meant. David seems to be very comfortable in the knowledge that God knew it all. He wrote out of a deep sense of gratitude rather than the fear that seems to always lie underneath what the prophets wrote.
Now that we have the broad outpouring of his Holy Spirit and the sure testimony of Jesus and his Apostles, we can see God and experience the daily presence of God as our Father, the ONE who loves us and whose grace is always greater than any of our mistakes and failures. So, we can live daily in the personal presence of God without being afraid to make a mistake. Of course if we live in the mistaken belief that God's grace gives us the green light to live a sinful life in rebellion against his words, we're right back in the rocky boat with God's OT family.
David continued, "You hem me in behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain." Psalm 139:5-6
I'm right there with David. I may not be able to totally grasp the significance of God's hand upon me but I sure can feel it in my spirit and that feeling is truly awesome. HALLELUJAH!
"O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit down and when I rise. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, you know it completely, O Lord." Psalm 139:1-4 NIV
Jesus came to show us the very personal nature of God as a Father who is involved in the lives of his kids. He's always been involved, but until Jesus, men seem to have not felt God's daily, powerful presence. Many OT authors wrote similar testimonies about God, but they didn't really understand what it all meant. David seems to be very comfortable in the knowledge that God knew it all. He wrote out of a deep sense of gratitude rather than the fear that seems to always lie underneath what the prophets wrote.
Now that we have the broad outpouring of his Holy Spirit and the sure testimony of Jesus and his Apostles, we can see God and experience the daily presence of God as our Father, the ONE who loves us and whose grace is always greater than any of our mistakes and failures. So, we can live daily in the personal presence of God without being afraid to make a mistake. Of course if we live in the mistaken belief that God's grace gives us the green light to live a sinful life in rebellion against his words, we're right back in the rocky boat with God's OT family.
David continued, "You hem me in behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain." Psalm 139:5-6
I'm right there with David. I may not be able to totally grasp the significance of God's hand upon me but I sure can feel it in my spirit and that feeling is truly awesome. HALLELUJAH!
Friday, October 29, 2010
"Love Never Dies"
As I have studied the 70+ Psalms of David all this year one of his favorite phrases is about God's "unfailing love". He uses that phrase several times just in Psalm 33 - "The word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love." Psalm 33:4-5 NIV
Love that never fails isn't a natural human trait. For most of us, love is a fleeting feeling that can evaporate with the right circumstances. That's pretty understandable with Hollywood types but it seems to be true with many people of faith also.
We can learn how it's done, keeping love alive and vibrant, but only from God. It takes patient commitment to pay attention to the word of the Lord because only he is "faithful in all he does". Learning to love the things God loves, "righteousness and justice", is a long process for the fickle human heart.
Paul wrote, "Love never fails", which Peterson in the Message states as "Love never dies." 1 Corinthians 13:8 I like that because love, the love of God (AGAPE) just keeps on no matter what. David wanted his nation to understand the commitment God had made to them and what it demanded of them. Sadly, even though they kept singing David's songs long after his death, they failed to recognize that love when God sent his Son to save them. The Holy Spirit wants desperately for all of the human family to get that same message today, which is why we have David's beautiful songs from centuries ago. But as in David's day, many today still ignore the God's "unfailing love" in Jesus Christ.
We are all born with the ability and instinct to love, but our practice of love can be fickle as we search for it's definition in worldly society. Only God, who IS love, can teach us how to do it. His love that never dies provides us with the perfect model to copy. HALLELUJAH!
Love that never fails isn't a natural human trait. For most of us, love is a fleeting feeling that can evaporate with the right circumstances. That's pretty understandable with Hollywood types but it seems to be true with many people of faith also.
We can learn how it's done, keeping love alive and vibrant, but only from God. It takes patient commitment to pay attention to the word of the Lord because only he is "faithful in all he does". Learning to love the things God loves, "righteousness and justice", is a long process for the fickle human heart.
Paul wrote, "Love never fails", which Peterson in the Message states as "Love never dies." 1 Corinthians 13:8 I like that because love, the love of God (AGAPE) just keeps on no matter what. David wanted his nation to understand the commitment God had made to them and what it demanded of them. Sadly, even though they kept singing David's songs long after his death, they failed to recognize that love when God sent his Son to save them. The Holy Spirit wants desperately for all of the human family to get that same message today, which is why we have David's beautiful songs from centuries ago. But as in David's day, many today still ignore the God's "unfailing love" in Jesus Christ.
We are all born with the ability and instinct to love, but our practice of love can be fickle as we search for it's definition in worldly society. Only God, who IS love, can teach us how to do it. His love that never dies provides us with the perfect model to copy. HALLELUJAH!
Friday, October 15, 2010
"Stubborn As A Mule"
Through his prolific song writing and using his music as a teaching medium, David was the primary source of spiritual education for his nation. As both their political and spiritual leader, he brought together the best of both worlds, although that was a rather brief reality which his successors failed to live up to.
Speaking in the first person for Yahweh, David taught them this truth - "I WILL INSTRUCT YOU AND TEACH YOU THE WAY YOU SHOULD GO; I WILL COUNSEL YOU WITH MY EYE UPON YOU. BE NOT LIKE A HORSE OR A MULE, WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING, WHICH MUST BE CURBED WITH BIT AND BRIDLE OR IT WILL NOT STAY NEAR YOU." Then follows the "counsel" he wanted them to hear and pay very careful attention to - "MANY ARE THE SORROWS OF THE WICKED, BUT STEADFAST LOVE SURROUNDS THE ONE WHO TRUSTS IN THE LORD. BE GLAD AND REJOICE O RIGHTEOUS, ALL YOU UPRIGHT IN HEART." Psalm 32:8-11 ESV
All of us are by nature as stubborn as a mule, we have to LEARN TO LISTEN to our parents, our teachers, our spouse and especially our Maker and Father. Our instinct is to run away from what appears uncomfortable or in any way threatens our sense of self. Anyone who has ever spent much time around mules or horses understands why David chose them as an example of how not to be. We all need to listen closely to God's instructions and resist the instinct to run away.
I know of NO better words of advice than these few simple words from David. The Israelite people knew it then just like we know it now, but we too need to be reminded. All David did was re-state the ancient SHEMA of Moses from Deut 6, what Jesus called THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT at Mark 12.
Maybe you too will appreciate Eugene Peterson's interpretation of David's words - "God-defiers are always in trouble; God-affirmers find themselves loved every time they turn around". Psalm 32:10 MSG I can only add HALLELUJAH!
Speaking in the first person for Yahweh, David taught them this truth - "I WILL INSTRUCT YOU AND TEACH YOU THE WAY YOU SHOULD GO; I WILL COUNSEL YOU WITH MY EYE UPON YOU. BE NOT LIKE A HORSE OR A MULE, WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING, WHICH MUST BE CURBED WITH BIT AND BRIDLE OR IT WILL NOT STAY NEAR YOU." Then follows the "counsel" he wanted them to hear and pay very careful attention to - "MANY ARE THE SORROWS OF THE WICKED, BUT STEADFAST LOVE SURROUNDS THE ONE WHO TRUSTS IN THE LORD. BE GLAD AND REJOICE O RIGHTEOUS, ALL YOU UPRIGHT IN HEART." Psalm 32:8-11 ESV
All of us are by nature as stubborn as a mule, we have to LEARN TO LISTEN to our parents, our teachers, our spouse and especially our Maker and Father. Our instinct is to run away from what appears uncomfortable or in any way threatens our sense of self. Anyone who has ever spent much time around mules or horses understands why David chose them as an example of how not to be. We all need to listen closely to God's instructions and resist the instinct to run away.
I know of NO better words of advice than these few simple words from David. The Israelite people knew it then just like we know it now, but we too need to be reminded. All David did was re-state the ancient SHEMA of Moses from Deut 6, what Jesus called THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT at Mark 12.
Maybe you too will appreciate Eugene Peterson's interpretation of David's words - "God-defiers are always in trouble; God-affirmers find themselves loved every time they turn around". Psalm 32:10 MSG I can only add HALLELUJAH!
Friday, October 8, 2010
"Stuck In A Dark Place With No Way Out?"
Over and over Yahweh has proven that he is about forgiveness and giving his children endless opportunities to correct and improve our lives. At any time we can turn our hearts to him and seek his face if we understand his forgiveness is never without some crucial conditions.
David prayed these words with absolute confidence - "DON'T THROW ME OUT WITH THE TRASH OR FAIL TO BREATHE HOLINESS IN ME. BRING ME BACK FROM GRAY EXILE, PUT A FRESH WIND IN MY SAILS." PSALM 51:10-12 MSG
Jesus is the only one of God's children who never had a need to pray David's prayer, but he always knew his Father's heart. In his first public teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave some very specific instructions about prayer and changing our heart to seek the Father.
I fear most of us think such change is hard, and it very often is. However, it can begin in an instant with a commitment to change my mind about whatever is causing the unrest in my spirit. That's called repentance, a change of mind that results in a change of actions. The hard part is holding on to that commitment on Monday and beyond.
We're never stuck in a dark place with no way out! Our Father is always a forgiving parent whose love/grace is stronger than any of our mistakes. Jesus proves that doesn't he?! God is always waiting for us to come home from the pigpen so he can throw us a party with the fattened calf. He will always put a "fresh wind in my sails." HALLELUJAH!
David prayed these words with absolute confidence - "DON'T THROW ME OUT WITH THE TRASH OR FAIL TO BREATHE HOLINESS IN ME. BRING ME BACK FROM GRAY EXILE, PUT A FRESH WIND IN MY SAILS." PSALM 51:10-12 MSG
Jesus is the only one of God's children who never had a need to pray David's prayer, but he always knew his Father's heart. In his first public teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave some very specific instructions about prayer and changing our heart to seek the Father.
I fear most of us think such change is hard, and it very often is. However, it can begin in an instant with a commitment to change my mind about whatever is causing the unrest in my spirit. That's called repentance, a change of mind that results in a change of actions. The hard part is holding on to that commitment on Monday and beyond.
We're never stuck in a dark place with no way out! Our Father is always a forgiving parent whose love/grace is stronger than any of our mistakes. Jesus proves that doesn't he?! God is always waiting for us to come home from the pigpen so he can throw us a party with the fattened calf. He will always put a "fresh wind in my sails." HALLELUJAH!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
CAN'T OUTRUN THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD
Trying to ignore God or hide from his Fatherhood is futile. Pointless. We've all tried to go that route at one time or another only to find out that our actions only put us square in the middle of his holy radar. We can't run, we can't hide, we can't reason or rationalize our way past his unfailing love. All we can finally do is give in to his truth and seek his forgiveness for our foolishness.
David tried that same dead end street - for most of a year. I really don't think he did much singing or praying or writing of worship songs after his sin with Bathsheba and against her brave husband. God waited and waited for David to come to his senses and own up to his sin, but David was on the run. It was only after God confronted him in the person of Nathan the prophet that David gave in to the sadness his sin had created in his spirit. At some point between his visit from Nathan and the conception and birth of Solomon David once again picked up his pen to open his heart to what he had known for a long time was going to happen anyway.
This whole story is played out at 2 Samuel 12 for all of us, men and women, to learn something about our Father. I believe David may have penned Psalm 51 during his 6 days of fasting and praying while his son's life hung in the balance. But it could have been later. If you haven't read that story in a while, take ten minutes to do so and get the point that what God did was save David from himself.
If sin is allowed to fester in the soul long enough, it always poisons our entire spirit and causes us to ignore what we know is the truth. Eventually the heart assumes a "what's-the-use" posture based on the demonic conclusion that there is nothing good in me anyway so why even try!? But our Father will not accept that very wrong assumption from any of us.
"My sin is always before me" is David's confession to God that he had always understood the seriousness of what he had done. He pleads with God to give him his joy back and cleanse him of his sin. This prayer at Psalm 51 has been uttered by God's people for centuries because we too have tried to run and hide from Yahweh in our own way. Our Father just won't ever give up on any of us who will turn back to him and pray David's emotional prayer.
I have also learned to appreciate Psalm 32, which seems to be David's song of thanksgiving after his joy had been restored. Our Father is always seeking to correct our thinking and behavior. His Holy Spirit will always convict and encourage. HALLELUJAH!
David tried that same dead end street - for most of a year. I really don't think he did much singing or praying or writing of worship songs after his sin with Bathsheba and against her brave husband. God waited and waited for David to come to his senses and own up to his sin, but David was on the run. It was only after God confronted him in the person of Nathan the prophet that David gave in to the sadness his sin had created in his spirit. At some point between his visit from Nathan and the conception and birth of Solomon David once again picked up his pen to open his heart to what he had known for a long time was going to happen anyway.
This whole story is played out at 2 Samuel 12 for all of us, men and women, to learn something about our Father. I believe David may have penned Psalm 51 during his 6 days of fasting and praying while his son's life hung in the balance. But it could have been later. If you haven't read that story in a while, take ten minutes to do so and get the point that what God did was save David from himself.
If sin is allowed to fester in the soul long enough, it always poisons our entire spirit and causes us to ignore what we know is the truth. Eventually the heart assumes a "what's-the-use" posture based on the demonic conclusion that there is nothing good in me anyway so why even try!? But our Father will not accept that very wrong assumption from any of us.
"My sin is always before me" is David's confession to God that he had always understood the seriousness of what he had done. He pleads with God to give him his joy back and cleanse him of his sin. This prayer at Psalm 51 has been uttered by God's people for centuries because we too have tried to run and hide from Yahweh in our own way. Our Father just won't ever give up on any of us who will turn back to him and pray David's emotional prayer.
I have also learned to appreciate Psalm 32, which seems to be David's song of thanksgiving after his joy had been restored. Our Father is always seeking to correct our thinking and behavior. His Holy Spirit will always convict and encourage. HALLELUJAH!
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