Trust (Feb 28)

Psalm 34

1 A Psalm of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. 9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. 10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. 11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? 13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. 18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. 20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken. 21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. 22 The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

Psalm 125:1

They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.

Proverbs 29:25

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

Jeremiah 17:5-8

5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. 6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. 7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. 8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

1 Timothy 5:5

Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

Rebuke and Discipline (Feb 21)

From time to time, children need rebuke and discipline. This is also true, of course, with God's children. But how do you deal with it? As we study the Scripture and apply it to our lives, we soon find areas where we have run afoul of God's will. Do we seek change in ourselves or do we try to change the Word of God to fit our lives? We can't really change the Word of God, but sometimes we might say things like, “That isn't really what it means,” “Things were different back in Bible times. Today is different,” “The words may have been translated differently,” or “That's not really what I'm doing.” We may try to explain away the conviction, but we still hear and feel the rebuke from God. The better option is to change our ways to adapt to God's unchanging Word. We can ignore rebuke or complain about it, or we can repent and be blessed because of it.

Proverbs 1:23

Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

Ezra 10:10-12

10 And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel. 11 Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives. 12 Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do.

Proverbs 23:13-14

13 Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. 14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

Ephesians 6:4

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Proverbs 3:11-12

11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: 12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Psalm 39

1 To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. 2 I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. 3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue, 4 LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. 5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. 6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. 7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. 8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish. 9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it. 10 Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand. 11 When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah. 12 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. 13 O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.

As Unto the Lord (Feb 14)

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. - Colossians 3:23

To whom do you belong? Who is sovereign over your circumstances? Who really is in control? We may answer that we belong to God, but sometimes the way we go through our lives doesn't really agree with that answer. One of the first things that I think of when reading the above Scripture is how we approach our jobs. Many people enjoy their jobs, but a lot of people do not. In fact, even the people that say that they enjoy there jobs surely have a stretch of time, or at least a few days here and there, that they would rather be somewhere else doing something more important or something more enjoyable. Well, instead of being bummed out or complaining about our circumstances, I think it is better to remember the statement, “whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” I know some people that do their jobs very shabbily. I also know people that cheat their employers out of money by showing up late, leaving early, taking extra or extended breaks, or otherwise slacking off at work. If this is how the Christian approaches work, it is not a good witness of their master.

God has not placed us where we are simply for the output we can produce, whether it is at a factory, at a desk, at school, or at home with children. He has put us there because that is a context in which He wants to display Himself. Our work is about Him, even if it's entirely secular in our minds. We are there because God wants to put godliness on display for others to see. He wants to infiltrate the culture we work in. (Chris Tiegreen)

This, of course, does not just apply to work, but all areas of life. If you have the God's Spirit living in you, all that you do will be done for His glory—not your own.

Whatever you do, have this in mind: you are doing it not just because God wants you to be there, but because He wants to be there too.

Colossians 3

1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

Sticky-Togetherness (Feb 6)

Sometimes when it snows, we get enough to build something. You know that I have built many things over the years. I usually build one or two things per year, as we haven't gotten many snow storms in recent years. These things that I build are usually a hit as I get many comments from people that drive by and see them. I'm glad that some people enjoy driving by to see what I've built because I enjoy building things.

Friday night and early Saturday morning, we had a snow storm which dumped about eighteen inches of snow all over the place. When I was cleaning off my car after work on Friday, I noticed that the snow was very wet and heavy. It was also very slippery on the roads. But when I shoveled the walk later that night, it was very light and powdery: you know, the kind that sparkles like diamonds in the sun (or in this case, the streetlights). When I got up on Saturday and saw that we had a foot and a half of snow, I knew it was a great opportunity to build something. You see, the more snow you have, the less you have to gather from all over the yard! By afternoon, the sun was out and I thought the snow was starting to melt a bit. This is good because it makes it easier to work with. I got dressed in some warm clothing and went to play in the snow. I was only out for ten or fifteen minutes and I already had a big pile gathered. I knew I'd be able to make something big. Unfortunately, I got a late start and it wasn't long before the sun went past the trees. That leaves me and my creation in the shade, the temperature drops, and soon the snow gets crisper. By five o'clock I realized that I would not be able to finish my sculpture. The snow was getting too powdery. I probably could have just carved something out of the pile, but couldn't really pack snow on to shape it right. I'll have to finish it another day when the sun is out.

As I stood there trying to figure out what to do with my pile, I picked up a chunk of snow. I broke off a piece and it just fell apart. I could see all of the individual flakes. It wasn't packing snow. All of the flakes where individual bits and they wouldn't stick together. I know that it is for this reason, that I couldn't put them all together to build something neat. In order to build a big snow creation, I need to get all of those flakes to come together, be joined, and stay that way. But I stopped working on my creation last night because the snow lacked this “sticky-togetherness.” So, that's what we're talking about today. You see, people need “sticky-togetherness” too. The most obvious example of togetherness between people that comes to mind is marriage.

Ephesians 5:31

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

This is symbolized at the wedding by two candles (which represent the bride and groom) being brought together to light a unity candle. The two individual candles are then extinguished. They are now one. You snuff out the unity and you've got nothing. I guess sometimes they leave the individual candles lit to represent that although they are joined as one, they still have their personalities and individualities. That thinking seems to be rooted right in this divorce-happy mindset today. Snuff out the unity and you still have the separate candles. You see, they never did have unity. They never did have true marriage. The second example of togetherness between people that comes to mind is that between people and God. That is fitting, actually, because in the scripture that we just read, Paul was using the example of marriage to draw a parallel to the relationship between people and God.

John 15:4-8

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

John 17:23

I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Finally, on a related note, I would like to mention the togetherness between one another. Perhaps you felt that the last scripture that we read felt a little cut off. Well, it was. Let's read a few verses before that.

John 17:20-23

20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Jesus prayed for that same unity that exists between himself and the Father, and also between himself and the church, to be present between each believer and other believers. We need sticky-togetherness! You may get tired of hearing it, but I'll keep preaching it. Just as a bride and groom become one flesh, and just as the church becomes inseparably united with God, we should also be joined together as one by the Spirit of God and His Love. Do you remember my story at the beginning? The sun had passed the trees and was low in the sky. I was in the shadows and it grew cold and the snow would no longer pack. The snow flakes separated and fell apart. Let's not have a cold attitude and cold hearts in the church anymore! We need warm love in the church. We can't just be a bunch of individual flakes! We need to be packed together and built into one church, melted together by the radiant sunshine of God's grace and His love!

Romans 12:3-5

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

1 Corinthians 12

Colossians 2

Ephesians 2