This Poor Man Called and the Lord Heard Him

Psalm 34

This Poor Man Called and the Lord Heard HimMy soul brags in the Lord. Psalm 34:1 Does yours?

Glorify the Lord with me. Let us exalt, praise, and shout his name together. Psalm 34:2-2

I sought the Lord and he answered me. He delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4  What are your fears? List them.

This poor man called and the Lord heard him. The Lord saved me out of all my troubles. Psalm 34:6 What troubles you? Make a list and give it to God.

The angel of the Lord sets up camp around those who fear him. The angel of the Lord delivers them. Psalm 34:7  Of what do you need deliverance?

Fear the Lord, for those who fear God lack nothing. Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Psalm 34:10 What good things do you lack? Make a list. Give it to God.

It’s not me who lives and says these things, but Christ living in me. Galatians 2:20

May the Words of My Mouth and the Meditation of My Heart Be Pleasing in Your Sight

Psalm 19

May the Words of My Mouth and the Meditation of My Heart Be Pleasing in Your SightIf you have ever attended a worship service, you may have heard a pastor pray these words before the sermon:

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

There is certainly nothing wrong with asking that our words and heart-felt thoughts be pleasing to God, but as with any passage in any book, context matters. Before David prayed these words in Psalm 19:14, he affirmed the words of God as pleasing to all men and women.

The law of the Lord is perfect. The law of the Lord revives the soul. Psalm 19:7

Law: the system of rules which a particular country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members and which it may enforce by the imposition of penalties.

Perfect: having all the required or desirable elements, qualities, or characteristics.
Revive: restore life, energy, consciousness, or strength.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy. The statutes of the Lord make wise the simple. Psalm 19:7

Statutes: a rule of an organization or institution.

Trustworthy: able to be relied on as honest or truthful.
Simple: easily understood; presenting no difficulty.

The precepts of the Lord are right. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart. Psalm 19:8

Precepts: a general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought.

Right: morally good, justified, or acceptable; true or correct as a fact.
Joy: a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.

The commands of the Lord are radiant. The commands of the Lord give light to the eyes. Psalm 19:8

Commands: an authoritative order.

Radiant: sending out light; shining or glowing brightly.
Light: makes things visible.

The fear of the Lord is pure. The fear of the Lord endures forever. Psalm 19:9

Fear of God: sense of respect, awe, and submission.

Pure: not mixed or adulterated with any other substance or material.
Forever: for all future time; for always.

The decrees of the Lord are sure. The decrees of the Lord are altogether righteous. Psalm 19:9

Decrees: an official order issued by an authority.

Sure: certain, without doubt, secure.
Righteous: morally right, excellent, virtuous.

By the Lord’s law, statutes, precepts, decrees, and ordinances your servant is warned. In keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 19:11

Who can discern his own errors? Only the one who fears the Lord and has his law, statutes, precepts, decrees, and ordinances in his heart.

The next time you are about to say, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord,” compare your words to those found in scripture. If you find your comments at odds with God’s law, statutes, precepts, and decrees, stop, turn, and examine how you arrived at that thought and conclusion. Then ask to be forgiven and for God’s help in showing you how his perfect words apply to your circumstances.

Lord, keep your servant from willful sins. Forgive my hidden faults. May my sins not rule over me. Only then will I be blameless and innocent of great transgressions. Psalm 19:12-13

The great danger in God’s work is placing the needs of others above the call of Christ. Am I foolish enough to trust what Jesus said? – Oswald Chambers

In That Day Even the Light Will Be Darkened by the Clouds

Isaiah 5:18-30

In That Day Even the Light Will Be Darkened by the CloudsWoe to those who drag sin along with ropes of deceit. Isaiah 5:18

Woe to those who mock God by saying, “Let God hurry. Let him hasten his work so we may see for ourselves.” Isaiah 5:19

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil. Isaiah 5:20

Woe to those who call darkness light and light darkness. Isaiah 5:20

Woe to those who are clever in their own eyes. Isaiah 5:21

Woe to those who are heroes of drinking wine and champions of mixing drinks. Isaiah 5:22

Woe to you who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent. Isaiah 5:23

Woe to those who rejected the law of the Lord Almighty and spurned the word of the Holy One. Isaiah 5:24

In that day if one looks at the land, he will see darkness and distress. Even the light will be darkened by the clouds. Isaiah 5:30

Have we come to the point where God can withdraw his blessing from us without our trust in him being affected? – Oswald Chambers

Keep Away From Every Brother Who Does Not Live According to the Teaching You Received From Us

2 Thessalonians 3

Keep Away From Every Brother Who Does Not Live According to the Teaching You Received From UsIn the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idol and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.  2 Thessalonians 3:6

Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard him as an enemy. Only warn him as a brother. 2 Thessalonians 3:14

May the Lord himself give you peace at all times and in every way. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Impulsiveness is always a trait of the natural flesh. Watch how the Spirit of God gives us a sense of restraint to impulsiveness. Impulsiveness instantly wants to vindicate. An impulsiveness adult is always a spoiled person. – Oswald Chambers

 

A Man Planted a Vineyard on a Fertile Hillside

Isaiah 5:1-17

A Man Planted a Vineyard on a Fertile HillsideA man planted a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He cleared it of stones. He planted choice vines. He built a watchtower to guard it. He cut out a winepress for his vineyard. He sought and expected a good crop of grapes, but his vineyard only produced bad grapes. Isaiah 5:1

The vineyard of the Lord Almighty is Israel (and now also his Church.) God looked for “mishpat” (justice) but he saw “mispah” (bloodshed). God looked for “sedaqah” (righteousness), but he heard cries of “se’aqah” (distress). Isaiah 5:7

Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field till no space is left and you live alone in the land. Isaiah 5:8

Surely the great houses will become desolate, the fine mansions left without occupants. Isaiah 5:9

10 acres of vineyard will produce 6 gallons of wine. 6 bushels of seed only 22 litters of grain. Isaiah 5:10

You have harps and lyres at their banquets, pipes and timbrels and wine, but you have no regard for the deeds of the Lord, no respect for the work of his hands. Isaiah 5:12

Therefore my people will go into exile for lack of understanding. Isaiah 5:13

Stop the disrespectfulness of debating with God. If you are debating as to whether or not God can deliver from sin, then either let Him do it or tell Him that He cannot. Do not quote this or that person to Him. Simply obey. – Oswald Chambers

Hold to the Teachings and Traditions We Passed on to You

2 Thessalonians 2:13 - 3:5

Hold to the Teachings and Traditions We Passed on to YouFrom the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13

Hold to the teachings and traditions we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. 2 Thessalonians 2:15

Lord, by your grace give me eternal encouragement, good hope, encourage my heart, and strengthen me in every good deed and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Lord, pray for me that your message may spread rapidly and be honored. Lord I pray that I and all my family and friends may be delivered from wicked and evil men and women. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2

Lord, you are faithful. You will strengthen and protect me from the Evil One. May you direct my heart into your love and Christ’s perseverance. 2 Thessalonians 3:5

God’s holiness is based on agonizing repentance, a sense of inexpressible shame and degradation, and also on the amazing realization that the love of God demonstrated itself to me while I cared nothing about Him. – Oswald Chambers

 

The Man of Lawlessness

2 Thessalonians 2

The Man of LawlessnessDo not let anyone deceive you. 2 Thessalonians 2:3

The Man of Lawlessness will be revealed. He will oppose and exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped. He will set himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. 2 Thessalonians 2:4

You know the power that is holding back the Man of Lawlessness. 2 Thessalonians 2:6

The secret power of lawlessness is already at work, but the One who now holds it back will continue to do so till He is taken away. 2 Thessalonians 2:7

The coming of the Man of Lawlessness will be in accordance with the work of Satan. The Man of Lawlessness will work all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs, and wonders. He will display every sort of evil. He will deceive those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie. All who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness will be condemned. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

The central point of the kingdom of Jesus Christ is a personal relationship with Him, not public usefulness to others. This time of soaking before God is being spent in getting rooted and grounded in Him, which may appear to be impractical, then you will remain true to Him whatever happens.- Oswald Chambers