YOU ARE SET APART FOR OUR LORD!

But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him. —Psalm 4:3

You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.  —Psalm 4:7

Fellow follower of Jesus, brother and sister, rejoice for our Lord has set you apart for Himself!  You are—

• His
• Children of God
• Children of light
• Sons and daughters
• His possession
• His priests
• His saints
• Heirs of God
• Joint heirs with Jesus
• A new creation in Christ
• A branch on the Vine
• A friend of Jesus
• His temple
• His church
• His bride
• Living stones
• A member of Christ’s body
• Chosen
• Forgiven
• Adopted
• Sealed with the Holy Spirit
• Alive in Christ
• God’s workmanship
• A citizen of heaven
• Free in Christ

Fellow follower of Jesus, brother and sister, what joy fills our hearts to know these things, to know who we are in Jesus!  You are His and He hears you!  Trust Him!  Rejoice!

Dear Father it is a wondrous joy to know who we are in Jesus and all that You have done for us, are doing for us and will do for us.  Words cannot even express the immense delight to know I am Yours.  Oh, that I would be faithful to Your desires for my life by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of my Lord Jesus, Your Son.  Yes, may this be so for Your honor and glory! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rKKybs7o2Q

The Killing of Creativity and Critical Thinking

Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger. —Proverbs 19:15

The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth. —Proverbs 19:15

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. —Proverbs 20:1

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death. —Proverbs 21:6

When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. —Proverbs 21:15

The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. —Proverbs 21:25

“For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat” (II Thessalonians 3:10).   Make no bones about it— our culture here in America is encouraging slothfulness and that slothfulness is casting people into a deep sleep.  Worse than that, our government is providing drugs and drug paraphernalia to users to robotize them.

There was a sign I read years ago.  It was out in one of the Midwest National Forests.  It read— “Do not feed the bears, they will become dependent on you.”  So it is with people when the government “feeds” the people.  It matters not whether it is “free: money, “free” food, “free” drugs… people will become dependent on the government.  This kills creativity except for the creativity to deceive to get these “free” things.  Those who are being led astray like this are not wise.

How does a people gain control over another group of people?  Drug them up by giving them free drugs.  Dumb them down by ruining the educational system.  Destroy the medical system so proper care cannot be given to people.  Pay workers to stay home and not work and destroy the economy.  Destroy jobs and encourage idleness.  Get people addicted to other things than just alcohol— like technology— As the title of an article by a Harvard professor read— “We are turning our kids into robots.”  No better way to control a people than by robotizing their thinking, making them “cookie cutter” casualties of callous leaders.

The desire of the sluggard will kill him— kills the desire to think, kills the desire to act, kills the desire to be creative, kills the desire for relationships, kills the desire to truly love… Laziness, idleness will kill a culture, a people, a nation… America is dying…  Oh, that we would do the right thing.  But justice being done is a “terror to evildoers.”  So, when evil doers are in control you can be sure justice will not be their goal— no, evil will.  Just look at our culture.  Where are the good leaders?  Brother and sister, fellow follower of Jesus— pray for our leaders.  Pray for our nation…

I am grateful to know, Dear Father, that regardless of what is happening in our culture, You are ultimately in control and that I need not be a pawn of perverted people.  No, instead I am Your child and I will seek to think and act according to Your Word and not according to the world’s corrupt counsel.  Oh, may I do this by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.  Yes, may it be so and done all for Your honor and glory. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJgyQGl33kw

IT IS VAIN TO PLOT AGAINST THE LORD!

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” —Psalms 2:1-3

Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. —Psalms 2:10-12

            “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?”  Why is it that “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed?”   The answer is given— “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”  Man in his natural state does not want to be in subjection to the Lord.  Instead, man wants to be the god of his own life.  He wants to call the shots and live for himself.  But this casting off restraint and wanting to do their own thing is all in vain.  We know the end of the plan of God according to His Word.  It will not end well for all who are unwilling to live for Him and with Him.

            Kings, rulers of the earth are warned.  They are to “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.”  If they do not submit to Him who gave them the ability to be in the position they are in— then He will be angry with them and they will perish… forever in hell.  Kings, rulers of the earth ought to be wise enough to not want to experience the wrath of the Lord!  But are they?  Or, are people in general?  Apparently not for the vast majority.  Just look around the earth… look around you… how sad!

            Brother and sister, fellow follower of Jesus, let us tell people the good news of the gospel and warn people the outcome if they reject what Jesus has done for them.  Yes, Dear Father, may we be faithful in this work You have given us.  May this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus! So may it be! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0yL3N6CAAs

WE ARE IN GREAT NEED FOR THE GODLY WISE

The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. —Proverbs 13:14

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. —Proverbs 14:27

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. —14:34

The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. —Provers 15:7

            Be around the wise and you will increase in wisdom as you learn from them.  This “teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.”  Yes, it is a joy to be around those who are wise.  Doing so will surely have a positive impact on one’s life for doing so.  The wise have a proper perspective on who the Lord is and have a desire to turn people “away from the snares of death” and to live rightly, righteously.

            It is sad to say our nation has become a reproach, to be seen in error more and more.  “Righteousness exalts a nation,” but our nation is on the sharp decline of immorality and evil.  Plain and simply if we have bad leadership at any level, then that leadership will impact rest of the nation.  Of course, we cannot put it all on leadership in this nation because the people vote for who they want.  So the state of our nation is a reflection is on the state of a large portion of its people.

            We need wise leadership at all levels, including in the church, the body of Christ.  Without it the church will not be and do what our Lord desires.  Oh, that we would see leaders rise up that will take the mantel of wise leadership for the glory of God.  Yes, Dear Father, may this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.  So may it be!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu2S9y3r0XE

MORE BLESSED TO GIVE

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. —Proverbs 11:24

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ —Acts 20:35

            How have you given recently?  Are you withholding what you should give?  Those who withhold will only suffer want.  This can be true in the area of time, treasure and talent.  Are you giving of your time as our Lord desires according to His plans and purposes?  Or, are you filling your time with what you desire?  How about your “treasure?”  Are you giving of your treasure as our Lord desires according to His plans and purposes?  Or, are you spending your treasure on what you desire?  How about your talents?  Are you giving of your talents as our Lord desires according to His plans and purposes?  Or, are you using your talents on what you desire? 

            Richness in a person’s life comes when they are givers.  “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”  Sure, it is a blessing to receive, but it is a greater blessing to give.  So, where is your focus?  Paul worked hard so he could help others, give to others, bless others.  He did not covet “anyone’s silver or gold or clothing” (Acts 20:33).  He was not serving to get, but to give and He put much effort into that focus.  Where is our focus?

            If we live with a focus on the need for someone to meet our desires, then we are going to be wanting and have an emptiness.  Praise God when people give toward us!  But the greater blessing is when we are giving.  So, I ask you— “How are you giving and are you content?” 

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:12-13). 

            Of course, we can look to Jesus who gave His all at the cross so we could be redeemed for a selfish life to a selfless life like His.  So, Dear Father, may this be our focus.  May we be givers, blessing others for Your honor and glory by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.  So may it be! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJgyQGl33kw

FEAR OF THE LORD

The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. —Proverbs 8:13

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. —Proverbs 9:10

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. —Psalm 111:10

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. —Proverbs 1:7

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.  For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.  —Proverbs 2:1-8

The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short. —Proverbs 10:27

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death. —Proverbs 14:27

Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. —Proverbs 15:16

Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD evil is avoided. —Proverbs 16:6

The fear of the LORD leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble. —Proverbs 19:23

Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. —Proverbs 22:4

Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. —Proverbs 23:17

            The “fear of the Lord” is to have a proper perspective on Who He Is and who we are.  We should stand in reverent awe of our Lord.  Those who truly fear the Lord will have or be growing in their—

• Hatred of evil, pride, arrogance, the way of evil and perverted speech
• Wisdom and knowledge of God
• Understanding
• Recognizing knowledge comes from God
• Knowing that following His Word gives good understanding
• Love of wisdom and knowledge
• Understanding that life can be extended
• Being a fountain of life
• Having little fearing the Lord is better than great wealth with turmoil
• Avoiding evil
• Contentment
• Humility
• Zeal for the Lord

Yes, a proper attitude toward our Lord will have a positive impact on a person life-long and they will be ready to meet their God.  Those who do not have a proper attitude toward our Lord will be motivated negatively and not be ready for when they meet God.  That will be horrible!  May you and I be ready to meet God!  Yes, Dear Father, may this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of your Son Jesus— all for Your honor and glory! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ35aiGAchc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYZw0dfLmLk

PRAISE HIM!

Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven. —Psalm 148:13

            Today, applause for our Lord comes from—

• The heavens
• The angels
• The sun
• The moon
• The stars
• The waters above the heavens
• The earth
• The great sea creatures
• The deeps
• The fire
• The hail
• The snow
• The midst
• The stormy wind
• The mountains
• The hills
• The fruit trees
• The cedars
• The beasts
• The livestock
• The creeping things
• The flying birds
• The kings of the earth
• The peoples of the earth
• The princes
• The rulers of the earth
• The young men
• The maidens
• The old men
• The children

Yes, let us going in the praise of our Lord and applause Him for Who He is— the Creator and Sustainer of all things!  Brother and sister, fellow follower of Jesus, He is the One who loves us, the One who is preparing a place for us and the One we will be with forever will everyone will praise and applause Him forever.  No more sin, conflict, sorrow, tears or death will be there!  Yes, Dear Father, may You be praised and applauded always and forever by the power of Your Holy Spirit and by the authority of Your Son Jesus.  Oh, yes may this be so and I am so looking forward to being with You and all who love You in glory.  Yes, ever so come Lord Jesus!  May it be soon! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0yL3N6CAAs Let us ponder all that praises You and we join with all who praise You!

THE WISDOM OF GOD

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. —Proverbs 1:7

Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. —Proverbs 1:29-31

So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. —Proverbs 2:20

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. —Proverbs 3:7

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. —Proverbs 3:13-15

She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed. —Proverbs 3:18

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. —I Corinthians 1:21

            Wisdom— the proper application of knowledge.  Take our Lord out of the picture and godly wisdom cannot exist.  Everything starts with Him and to not acknowledge that is to deny Him who has all knowledge.  To deny Him is to live according to worldly wisdom and through worldly wisdom one is unable to know Him.  Worldly wisdom is worldly because it is seeking to live without Him.  Worldly wisdom seeks to be wise in one’s own eyes and does not turn away from evil.  Worldly wisdom actually hates the knowledge of God and those practicing worldly wisdom will not receive His counsel and will despise His reproof.  They will end up eating the fruit of their own ways and be filled with their own devices.  They are fools (Psalm 14:1).

            But those who have called on the Lord will seek to “walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous.”  They know that in themselves they are not wise, but need the wisdom of our Lord and will turn away from evil.  To the follower of Jesus, wisdom is more valuable than gold and more precious than jewels.  They know that nothing compares to the wisdom of God and that wisdom “is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.”

            Worldly wisdom believes that godly wisdom is foolishness.  Those living by worldly wisdom cannot understand— “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate’” (Romans 1:18-19).  Unless “God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ,” nobody could understand the cross and who Jesus is.  So, brother and sister, let us pray for those around us that do not know Jesus and that God would cause His light to shine in their hearts as He did ours.  Yes, Dear Father, may this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.  So be it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmZTz5H49zw

THE LORD IS MY HELP, HOPE AND REUGE

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. —Psalm 1:3

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” —Psalm 2:2-3

Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.  Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.  Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. —Psalm 2:10

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever. —Psalm 146:5

            Those who live according to the Word of God are like a healthy, fruitful tree that prospers in all they do.  Those whose help and hope are in the Lord are blessed.  Those whose faith is in Jesus simply understand that our He “made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever.”  Hallelujah— what a joy unspeakable to know this!

            How unfortunate that “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”  They devise plans to not serve our Lord and they want to live lives free of His restraints.  They do not want to submit to Him, His Word or His ways.  Look around the earth and see where that has gotten us!

            Our Lord warns rulers of this world.  He says, “Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.  Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.  Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled.”  Taking this warning lightly and not heeding it will only lead to destruction forever.  On the other hand, those who take refuge in Him are blessed.  Oh, that rulers, and others, would bow the knee to Him!

            But what about you and me.  Are we truly taking refuge in our Lord?  If so, then we are blessed.  If so, they we have His help and hope.  If so, they we will be like a healthy tree and prosper because we trust in His Word and seek to live according to His Word.  Hallelujah— to the One who is our Creator and our Sustainer of all things.  This is the One in whom I trust and take refuge in!  And I thank You, Dear Father, that I can trust You fully as my Help, Hope, Protector and Guide through the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ge3uvXjet_c

GREAT IS OUR LORD!

And the LORD said to Job: “Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.” —Job 40:1-2

Who has first given to me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine. —Job 41:11

Then Job answered the LORD and said: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” —Job 42:1-6

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. —Psalm 145:3

            Job surely came to the point of understanding and acknowledging that “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.”  We are so small in our understanding of God and His ways.  Just like Job we must say, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted” and “I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.”  Plain and simply— there is so much we do not know or understand about God and His ways.  “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).  “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

            Should we find fault with God?  Absolutely not!  There is no fault in Him!  Should we argue with God?  Of course not!  That is an argument we will not win.  We cannot add to God or take away from Him.  He is self-sustaining and has eternally existed from the past and will eternally exist into the future.  There is nothing that we can give to God that puts Him in debt to us.  Everything that is belongs to Him.  Job’s conclusion of his communication toward God was— “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”  When we truly see Him for Who He is and ourselves for who we are, then we, like Job, can only “despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”  Regardless of what we are going through, this ought to be our conclusion as well because “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.”

Dear Father, I know so little of Who You are and the work You do and how You do it.  Oh, that I would have the proper perspective on myself before You and be faithful with the work You have given me.  May this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus Your Son.  Yes, so may this be!   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZqV6i98SkA