Pray for America

I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever. {Thomas Jefferson}

The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse. {James Madison}

If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under. {Ronald Reagan} 

 Our nation is on the brink of moral, social, governmental, and economic destruction. I am all for citizens making their voices heard - please take the time to call/write your state Congressmen, and, for heaven's sake, VOTE! - and we should certainly do so. However, the most important thing we can do is pray for our ailing nation as she continues to decline.

Please join me in bringing America before the Lord during this time of uncertainty. Some suggestions to help you get started:

• Pray for the men and women serving in various positions in the government - the President, Vice President, the Presidential Cabinet, the Supreme Court Justices, members of Congress, etc.
• Pray for the men and women who will be appointed into those positions during the upcoming election.
• Pray for the safety of the American people, especially those serving in the military.
• Pray for the declining social and moral values of our nation's society.
• Pray for America to return to her biblical foundation.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD: {Psalm 33:12}

The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. {Proverbs 21:1}

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Take a Stand

"Vashti Refuses the King's Summons"
by Edwin Long

During my last semester of college, I was required to do an in-depth study of a piece of art as part of the requirements for an art appreciation class. As I wandered the halls of the Bob Jones University Museum & Gallery, I came upon a painting entitled "Vashti Refuses the King's Summons" by Edwin Long. This painting depicts the moment after Queen Vashti has refused the King's request for her to appear before him and his guests at a royal orgy (see Esther 1 for the whole story).

"Vashti" is an absolutely stunning painting to see in person - the small photo reproduction in this post doesn't do it justice. Long painted this piece in such a realistic way I half expected the figures to step out of the frame! I was so taken with it that I purchased a small copy to add to my art collection (the original was a bit out of my price range ;) ).

As I was studying "Vashti" and thinking about the story that inspired it, I was reminded that doing the right thing is usually not easy or popular. Not much is know about Vashti apart from this story (to my knowledge, at least). From what little we know of her, it is obvious that she wasn't afraid to take a stand for what she knew was right.

{ What's popular isn't always right. What's right isn't always popular. }

Vashti was the wife of King Ahasuerus of Persia, and, consequently, the Queen of Persia. From what we can tell from Scripture, Ahasuerus wasn't the most morally upright man of the day. He had a problem with lust and drunkenness, and often combined the two by hosting royal orgies. Orgies were parties where immoral behavior and drunkenness were encouraged among those in attendance. This was the sort of function at which a drunk Ahasuerus called for Vashti to appear. In ancient Persia, the King's word was law - even his smallest wish. The penalty for failing to comply with Ahasuerus' laws/wishes was anything from exile to death, depending on his mood. Vashti knew the risks and chose to take a stand in spite of the very real possibility that she could be executed for doing so. What a courageous woman!

Vashti lost her place as Queen, but she kept her character intact. Her courage in the face of such formidable consequences is commendable and inspiring.

Don't be afraid to take a stand for righteousness. It might not be easy, popular, or comfortable, but we are called to do it.

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What is Sin?

What is sin?

It is the glory of God not honored.

The holiness of God not reverenced.

The greatness of God not admired.

The power of God not praised.

The truth of God not sought.

The wisdom of God not esteemed.

The beauty of God not treasured. 

The goodness of God not savored.

The faithfulness of God not trusted.

The commandments of God not obeyed.

The wrath of God not feared.

The grace of God not cherished.

The presence of God not prized.

The person of God not loved.

That is sin.

{John Piper}

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. {Galatians 5:19-21}

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Overcoming Shame

Shame is the feeling or belief that something is fundamentally wrong with you. Feelings of shame can rule your life if you have been influenced by hurtful, unhealthy relationships. Shame can consume you when you focus on other people's negative opinions of you to the point where you believe them over God's opinion of you.

God created us with the emotion of shame to help us live by biblically based standards. God wants you to feel shame when you choose to violate His standards. That's how He created us. You should feel shame when you lie, cheat, steal, hurt someone, or act immorally. However, don't confuse shame with guilt. Guilt is legitimate shame designed to bring us to repentance. Shame is a distorted form of guilt where we feel  responsible for the sinful actions of others. Perhaps someone belittled you, violated you, threatened you, or blamed you for a something for which you were not responsible. Sadly, most people who have experienced those types of situations assume responsibility for the other person's sin and carry the shame of that sin for years (sometimes indefinitely). 

{ Guilt is about what you have done. Shame is about who you are. }

Shame causes feelings of embarrassment about things that should not cause embarrassment. Some examples of this would be:

• For being sick or hurting.
• For being alive.
• For needing to talk to someone about a problem.
• For wanting to feel loved and appreciated.
• For wanting to feel significant. 
• For needing to ask for help.
• For letting someone help you.

Shame often leads to depression. Depression results when we meditate on the circumstances of our lives in an unbiblical way. 

How is depression fueled by shame?

• Shame tells you you are guilty.
• Shame causes you to feel you have to "work off the dirt" or the weight of guilt over sin that wasn't yours to begin with.
• Shame causes self-pity.
• Shame takes your joy.
• Shame brings hostility and bitterness.
• Shame hinders your view of God.
• Shame causes you to reject relationships, even your relationship with God, because you feel you are not worthy of love or acceptance. 

God gives special promises in His Word about relief from shame.

Let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. {Psalm 25:3}

I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. {Psalm 34:4-5}

Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded, for thou shalt not be put to shame... {Isaiah 54:4} 

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. {Hebrews 12:2} 

Crucifixion was the most painful and humiliating form of execution in ancient times. When Christ died on the cross, He despised the shame that kind of death brought. He rejected it because He knew He was innocent. He can help you reject the shame, the depression, the false guilt that comes from shouldering the burden of sins that are not yours to bear.

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Quotes by C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis (or "Jack," as he liked to be called) is one of my favorite authors and Christian apologists. His writings are some of the most profound works on Christianity that I have read so far in my experience with Christian apologetic literature. His unique ability to describe complex ideas in a simple ways is an inspiration to me.

So, without further ado, I would like to share with you some quotes attributed to him that I have found helpful, thought-provoking, and encouraging. I hope they will minister to your heart, as well.

"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling 'darkness' on the walls of his cell."

"A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading."

"Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you will get neither."

"Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important."

"Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point."

"Failures are finger posts on the road to achievement."

"God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing."

"Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see."

"Nothing that you have not given away will ever really be yours."

"There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, 'All right, then, have it your way.'" 

"We are what we believe we are."

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."

 "You don't have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body."

"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will be come unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable."

"I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time - waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God - it changes me." 

"Love is not an affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained."

"Atheism turns out to be too simple. If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning..."

"To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you."

"Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a dead world."

"There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind."

"What draws people to be friends is that they see the same truth. They share it."

"I know now, Lord, why you utter no answer. You are yourself the answer. Before your face questions die away. What other answer would suffice?" 

"God allows us to experience the low points in life in order to teach us lessons that we could learn no other way."

"Though our feelings come and go, God's love for us does not."

"It is not your business to succeed, but to do right; when you have done so, the rest lies with God."

"To walk out of His will is to walk into nowhere."

"When you are arguing against God, you are arguing against the very power that makes you able to argue at all."

"God loves us, not because we're lovable, because He is love. Not because He needs to receive, because He delights to give."

"Faith in Christ is the only thing to save you from despair."

"When we lose one blessing, another is often most unexpectedly given in its place."

"If God forgives us, we must forgive ourselves. Otherwise it is like setting up ourselves as a higher tribunal than Him."

"If we only have the will to walk, then God is pleased with our stumbles."

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Facing the Giants

"David" by Michelangelo

"Teenage Boy Kills Local Terror, Goliath." I imagine that would have been the headline article for the newspapers in Israel when David killed Goliath. (I realize newspapers didn't exist in David's day, just my overactive imagination at work here. ;) ) How remarkable that a teenage shepherd boy took down a nearly 10-foot tall military powerhouse that had the armies of Israel quaking in their sandals for well over a month (40 days)! I think it's safe to assume that no one other than David could have imagined how the encounter between the boy with a sling and the giant with the full trappings of war would conclude.  (You can find the full account of this remarkable story in I Samuel 17.)

While it's unlikely that any of us will ever confront a physical giant like Goliath, many (if not all) of us face spiritual giants that are just as formidable and deadly. There names are Fear, Doubt, Temptation, and Pride.

{Fear} This giant is aroused by danger, evil, pain, concern, or anxiety. It hinders us from facing difficult circumstances with faith. It prevents us from doing the right or "hard" thing because of the possibility of failure or rejection.

{Doubt} This giant holds us captive when we question or are uncertain about promises God has given us in His Word. Doubting means that we consider God's Word questionable or unreliable.

{Temptation} This giant rears its ugly head when we are slack in guarding our minds, bodies, and souls from the alluring siren calls of the world to engage in sinful activities or thought patterns that are contrary to the way we have been called to live.

{Pride} This giant comes on the scene when we have an unbiblical view of ourselves, high or low. We can become overly confident in our own abilities or consumed with our failures; both are expressions of pride.

How are we to fight against such formidable giants?

Fight Fear with Faith. Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:3-9; 1 Chronicles 28:20; Psalm 23:4; Psalm 27:1; Psalm 56:3-4; Isaiah 41:10; Isaiah 54:4; Matthew 10:26; Matthew 10:28; Romans 8:28; 1 Corinthians 16:13; 2 Corinthians 4:7-11; Philippians 4:6-7; 2 Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 13:5-6; 1 Peter 5:7.

Fight Doubt with Truth. Psalm 15:1-2; Psalm 25:5; Psalm 43:3; Psalm 86:11; Psalm 119:160; Matthew 17:20; Luke 18:27; John 8:31-32; John 17:17; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 4:25; Philippians 4:13; Philippians 4:19; 1 John 1:8. 

Fight Temptation with Purity. Psalm 119:11; Proverbs 7:25-26; Matthew 5:27-29; Matthew 26:41; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; 1 Corinthians 10:13; James 1:12-14; Galatians 5:16-25; Philippians 4:8; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 2 Timothy 2:22; Titus 2:12; Hebrews 2:18; James 1:12-14; James 4:7; 1 John 2:14-17. 

Fight Pride with Humility. Deuteronomy 12:4;  Obadiah 1:3; 2 Chronicles 26:16; Psalm 10:4; Psalm 138:6; Psalm 147:6; Proverbs 3:34; Proverbs 8:13; Proverbs 11:2; Proverbs 13:10; Proverbs 15:33; Proverbs 16:5; Proverbs 16:18-19; Proverbs 18:12; Proverbs 21:4; Proverbs 22:4; Proverbs 25:9; Proverbs 26:12; Proverbs 29:23; Isaiah 2:11; Isaiah 5:21; Isaiah 23:9; Daniel 5:20; Matthew 18:3-4; Luke 14:7-11; Luke 22:24-27; Mark 9:35; Romans 12:3; 1 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 4:2; Philippians 2:1-11; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:2-6.

Ask the Lord to help you identify areas where these giants have taken hold in your life. As He brings those areas to light, it can be discouraging to see how easy it is for them to creep in and take us captive. Just remember: the same God who enabled David to defeat Goliath is the same God who will help you bring down the giants in your life, as well.

"David with the Head of Goliath" by Caravaggio 

Please comment below: What giants have you faced in your life? How has the Lord enabled you to defeat them? What verses have helped you and/or encouraged you in this process?

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What God Says About "Getting Even"

When someone is hurt - physically, emotionally, or otherwise - the initial (and natural) response is often anger. Hurt can cause fear, sadness, hopelessness, depression, feelings of isolation, and/or a deep loneliness. All of these emotions are fertile ground for anger. We often respond to this anger by wanting to hurt those who hurt us. After all, it's only fair that  they get what they deserve by getting the same treatment...right?  


Let's dive into God's Word and see what He has to say about wanting to get even.


Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious of the wicked; for there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out. {Proverbs 24:17-20}


...it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; {2 Thessalonians 1:6}

Okay, so we know how we're not to respond...but how are we to respond to those who hurt us?

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh the sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. {Matthew 5:44-46} 


Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. {Romans 12:14}


Recompense no man evil for evil. {Romans 12:17a}


Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, said the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good. {Romans 12:19-21}


And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. {Ephesians 4:32}


Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. {Colossians 3:13}


What does God say about us if we choose to stay angry anyway and seek to "get even"?

He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. {I John 9-11}


Anger cannot be hidden or denied. It must be responded to, or it will consume you. God commands you to get rid of it. You must bring it out of the darkness of denial and into the light of admission and repentance.

Signs of an angry spirit:

• A critical or sarcastic attitude
• Holding a grudge or keeping a list of hurts
• Being extremely negative on a regular basis
• An unforgiving disposition

Do any of these describe you? Would others describe you in a similar way?

Quiet your heart and ask the Lord to show you any areas of your life where you are holding on to anger. Are you willing to acknowledge your anger, your desire to "get even," as sin? 

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. {Psalm 139:23-24}

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Remember...

Edited by Myrna Moore

But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not willingly grieve the children of men. 

{Lamentations 3:32-33}

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Friends: Gifts to be Treasured

Photo by Myrna Moore

Today I had the unexpected blessing of receiving a phone call from a very dear friend whom I haven't heard from in six months. (Yes, there were tears, but they were tears of joy.) We were able to   catch up on each other's lives, share burdens, and rejoice in what the Lord is teaching us and doing for us. To be honest, I was a little sad when we had to say goodbye, but so thankful that we had been able to talk (finally!). I have missed her more than words can express.

Friendship is a beautiful manifestation of God's loving care for us. I believe that with all my heart.

Is maith a sgathan suil caraide. 

A friend's eye is a good looking-glass.

 {Gaelic Proverb}

A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. {Proverbs 17:17}

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. {Proverbs 27:17}

Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. {Proverbs 27:9}

I am so thankful for the godly friends God has placed in my life. How often I so foolishly take them for granted! They help me up when I fall, encourage me when I'm discouraged, point me to Christ when I take my eyes off Him, put up with my silly antics and bad moods, make me laugh when I don't even want to smile, and so much more. I am not what I ought to be, but I hope I can be at least a fraction of the blessing to my friends that they have been to me. I am forever indebted to them for their kindness, generosity, exhortation, and encouragement. Thank You, Lord, for the tremendous gift of friendship!

Photo by Myrna Moore

True, godly friends are bits of Heaven on earth - precious gifts to be treasured. 

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Names of God: Jehovah-Jireh

"The Lord our Provider" or "the Lord who provides." Not "the Lord our Sometimes Provider" or "the Lord who might provide if he feels like it." He has promised to always provide for the needs of His children.

The Bible records many, many examples of God's provision. God promised to provide a son for the childless Abraham. Abraham's barren wife, Sarah, miraculously bore Isaac several years later (see Genesis 15-18 and Genesis 21 for the full account). God rescued the children of Israel from their multiple centuries of bondage in Egypt and provided for their material needs as He led them through the wilderness to the Promised Land (see Exodus for the whole story). God used ravens to provide for Elijah's material needs while he hid from his enemies (see I Kings 17:2-6). God worked through Elijah to provide food for the widow of Zarephath and her son (I Kings 17:7-24). The list goes on and on.

Seeking to try Abraham's faith once again,God told Abraham to give Isaac back to the Him in the form of a burnt offering.

Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee to the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains, which I will tell thee of {Genesis 22:2}.

If you are a parent, you can imagine the incredible pain Abraham must have struggled with when God commanded him to sacrifice Isaac. He had waited so long for God to fulfill His promised provision of a son, and now it seemed that God was going to remove this precious child from him.

Nevertheless, he obeyed.

And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass [donkey], and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God told him {Genesis 22:3}. 


Notice what he says when Isaac asks him about the sacrifice.

And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering {Genesis 22:7-8}.


What incredible faith in God's provision!

Right as Abraham is about to kill Isaac on the altar, a heavenly presence identified as "the angel of the LORD" (v. 11) stops him.

And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing to him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. {Genesis 22:12}.


Because of Abraham's faith and obedience, God provided a ram for Abraham to sacrifice in place of Isaac.

God promises to meet any need we have.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. {Philippians 4:19}

However, sometimes what we think of as "needs" are really just wants. This raises a very important question: How do we distinguish between a need and a want? Paul answers that question in a letter to Timothy.


But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment [clothing] let us be therewith content. {I Timothy 6:6-8}


What need do you have today? Perhaps you have unpaid bills, an empty pantry, a threadbare closet, or a bank balance in the red. These situations can easily dishearten us and cause our faith to falter in God's promises to provide for our needs. Remember that God is bigger than any need you face. He is Jehovah-Jireh: the Lord YOUR Provider. 

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Blessings and Prayers from the Emerald Isle

Circle me, Lord.

Keep protection near 

and danger afar.

Circle me, Lord.

Keep hope within.

Keep doubt without.

Circle me, Lord.

Keep light near

and darkness afar.

Circle me, Lord.

Keep peace within,

Keep evil out.

"If God sends you down a stony path, may he give you strong shoes." - Tradition

May God give you

for every storm, a rainbow;

for every tear, a smile;

for every care, a promise;

and a blessing for each trial. 

For every problem life sends,

a faithful friend to share;

for every sigh, a sweet song,

and an answer for each prayer.

You are the peace of all things calm

You are the place to hide from harm

You are the light that shines in the dark

You are the heart's eternal spark

You are the door that's open wide

You are the guest who waits inside

You are the stranger at the door

You are the calling of the poor

You are my Lord and with me from ill

You are the light, the truth, the way

You are my Savior this very day.

May you see God's light on the path ahead

when the road you walk is dark.

May you always hear,

even in your hour of sorrow,

the gentle singing of the lark.

When times are hard, may hardness

never turn your heart to stone.

May you always remember

when the shadows fall - 

you do not walk alone.

Thanks to Thee, O God, that I have risen today,

to the rising of this life itself;

may it be to Thine own glory, O god of every gift,

and to the glory, aid Thou my soul.

With the aiding of Thine own mercy,

even as I clothe my body with wool,

cover Thou my soul with the shadow of Thy wing.

Help me to avoid every sin,

and the source of every sin to forsake,

and as the mist scatters on the crest of the hills,

may each ill haze clear from my soul, O God.

Christ be with me

Christ before me

Christ behind me

Christ in me

Christ beneath be

Christ above me

Christ on my right

Christ on my left

Christ where I lie

Christ where I sit

Christ where I arise

Christ in the heart of every man

who thinks of me

Christ in the mouth of every man

who speaks of me

Christ in every eye that sees me

Christ in every ear that hears me

Salvation is of the Lord.

- Saint Patrick

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Washed Clean

As I write this, rain is tapping away at the windowsill. The taps are becoming progressively louder as the rain starts coming down harder. At first glance out the window, it looks to be a dreary scene.

The rain has lightened up to a soft drizzle now.

On a second, more concentrated look out the window, I see it - a bush situated right underneath the window. I remember noticing the other day that this particular bush was covered in pollen and spider webs. Thanks to the rain, the bush is now free from the pollen and spider webs. It has been washed clean from all the filth I had noticed before. I couldn't help but be reminded of how Christ's atonement on the Cross gave my soul a similar cleansing when I accepted Him as my Savior.

(I realize this comparison/illustration breaks down, but bear with me a little.)

Back in in the days of the Old Testament, those who loved and feared God were required to make sacrifices to make restitution for their sins (you can read more about this in the first five books of the Old Testament, Genesis-Deuteronomy). Blood had to be spilled to cover their sins, because "without the shedding of blood is no remission [pardon/forgiveness]," Hebrews 9:22b. This wasn't just a one-time event. They had to take a sacrifice to the Tabernacle or the Temple (depending on when they lived) every day of their lives.

Approximately 2,000 years ago, God sent His Son to serve as the once-for-all sacrifice for all mankind. Christ was the Lamb "who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God" (Hebrews 9:14). The little phrase "without spot" carries big significance. God required a perfect sacrifice to make restitution for the sins of Old Testament believers. When Christ came to earth to die for us, that standard had not changed. He couldn't just be "good enough" - he had to be perfect, sinless, something  humans can never be no matter how hard we try. Christ had such great compassion and love for us pitiful, sinful, hopeless creatures that he "washed us from our sins in his own blood" (Revelation 1:5), something we could never do for ourselves.

The rain washed away the impurities I saw on the bush outside my window. The bush had no way of removing the filth itself; it was helpless. Similarly, you and I are completely helpless to cleanse our sinful hearts to be the perfect sacrifice that God requires to atone for sin. When we accepted Christ, Christ's blood washes us clean from all the "dust" and "spider webs," all the impurities of our sinfulness, once and for all. That doesn't mean we never sin again - we still have our sinful nature, and it will remain until we die. But our sins - past, present, and future - are already paid for. We do not have the burden of them on our shoulders anymore because of what Christ did for us on the Cross.

If you know Christ as your Savior, you have great cause to rejoice: you are washed clean of your sins by the blood of the Lamb - FOREVER!

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Hoping in God

Life is hard. A loved one dies unexpectedly. A friendship turns sour. A job opportunity falls through. Finances are tighter than expected. It is easy (and normal) for difficult circumstances like these to cause us to lose hope in God, His plans, and His promises. When the future looks bleak, how are we to keep hope alive when life hurts?

A dear friend shared Psalm 42 with me during a very difficult time in my life when my hope in God was failing. In this passage, David records how he dealt with the same feeling of hopelessness. I would like to share it with you.

Psalm 42

{As the hart [deer] panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, o God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?} David uses the picture of a thirsty deer longing for water to illustrate how his soul was yearning for fellowship with God.

{My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.} Tears are a natural response to adversity and difficult circumstances. David is baffled to the point of emotional distress at why he is experiencing the difficulties he is relating in this passage; he is also distraught at the cruel taunting of those asking him "where is your God now, David?"

{Why are thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.} David gives himself a bit of a spiritual pep talk in this verse. He reminds himself that God is worth putting his hope in, and he exhorts himself to praise God through the adversity and difficulty, even though he doesn't understand.

{O my God, my soul is cast down within me...Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows have gone over me.} David continues to express his normal feelings of distress and hopelessness.

{Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.} David reminds himself again of God's changeless, loving care for him as His child.

{I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God} Once again, David releases a natural, human response to adverse circumstances while his enemies continue to taunt him.

{Why are thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.} David closes this psalm with the same spiritual pep talk found earlier in the passage.

Life is hard; life hurts, but God is bigger than any circumstance we will ever face. Keep your hope firmly rooted in Him. His light breaks the darkness of hopelessness.

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Remember Lot's Wife

Remember Lot's wife. {Luke 17:32}

Scripture is full of exhortations to leave behind the "old man," the way we thought and acted before we received the "new man" thoughts and actions through Christ's atoning work on the cross. Listen to the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 

A less positive exhortation to refrain from looking back at our past life of hopeless bondage to sin and the world (ie. pre-salvation) is the story of Lot's wife. You can read the whole story in Genesis 18:20-19:30. In a nutshell, the story goes like this: Lot and his family lived in the city of Sodom, one of the most wicked cities of the day. God told Abraham, Lot's uncle, that He would destroy Sodom and Gomorrah due to their abominable practices. Concerned for his nephew's safety, Abraham persuaded God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah if there were ten righteous people living in the city limits. Since there were not ten righteous people living in those cities, God sent two angels to Sodom to warn Lot about the coming judgment. They urged him to take his family and flee the city as quickly as possible. The angels warned them not to look back as they left. Lot's wife did not heed the warning, and she was turned into a pillar of salt.

{Philippians 3:13-14}

While there are many lessons to be learned from this story (including heeding God's word and obeying it, etc.), I would like to focus on just one in particular for now. God bringing Lot and his daughters safely out of the destruction of Sodom is a picture of Christ rescuing us from the debauchery of sin through His shed blood. when we "look back" at our former life, before Christ rescued us, we are making opportunity for the Devil to entice us back into that lifestyle. If you know Christ as your personal Savior, you have been made a new creature - you don't have to live your old, hopeless, dead pre-conversion life anymore because Christ has given you new, hopeful, joyful, everlasting life! 

In Philippians 3:13-14, Paul uses the picture of an athlete running a race to illustrate this transformative change: "...but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God." If an athlete looks back while running a race, he/she will veer off-course or possibly even cause injury, hampering his/her ability to run. The same is true if we look back at "those things which are behind," meaning a pre-Cross, pre-Christ lifestyle and sinful habits that may have seemed enjoyable at the time. It hinders our ability to run towards "the high calling of God."

Remember Lot's wife - don't look back, look forward! 

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Spiritual Warfare

Exactly 68 years ago, in the early hours of the morning, the Allied Invasion of Normandy ("D-Day") began. The operation was the largest amphibious invasion in world history.

Over 160,000 land troops were involved in this operation: 73,000 American troops, 61,715 British and 21,400 Canadian. 195,700 allied naval and merchant navy personell in over 5,000 ships were involved as well.

 "You will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped, and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely....The free men of the world are marching together to victory. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory. Good luck, and let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking." - General Dwight D. Eisenhower giving the D-Day order on June 6, 1944.
 

As you can see, this was a massive undertaking! 

The landings took place along a 50-mile stretch of the Normany coast. This landing site was divided into five sectors: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. The Americans' orders were to take Utah and Omaha beaches while the British were to take Gold and Sword, leaving the Canadians to take Juno Beach.

D-Day was the beginning of the end for not only the German Armed Forces, but Hitler most of all.

In the same way, Satan is constantly plotting to invade and attack the souls of Christians. The Apostle Peter warns us to "[b]e sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" {I Peter 5:8}

 I don't know about you, but the thought of a hungry lion coming after me with the intent to kill is pretty terrifying to me!

How are we to defend ourselves from Satan's bombardments? The Apostle Paul answers that question for us in Ephesians 6:

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" {Ephesians 6:10-17}

Paul uses the picture of a suit of armor to represent the most important doctrines of Christianity.

First, he stresses the necessity of putting on the entire suit of armor. If a knight failed to put on his entire suit of armor, he would leave himself exposed to the weapons of the enemy, resulting in severe injury or death.

The belt of truth ("loins girt about with truth"): The belt joins the suit of armor together and prevents it from sliding off the wearer's body. Truth, in the same way, is the central doctrine that links all the other elements of Christianity.

The footwear of peace ("feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace"): Footwear protects the feet from anything that would hinder the wearer's movement. Peace, then, is the "footwear" that enables the Christian to share the Gospel with those who have not heard the name of Christ.

The shield of faith: Knights used the shield to stop enemy weapons from hitting their target. Faith is the shield the Christian uses to "quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." Without faith, the Christian has very little defense against the Devil's onslaughts.

The helmet of salvation: The helmet protects the most vital part of the body: the head, which houses the brain. If the head is damaged, the brain cannot work properly, and the whole body suffers. In the same way, then, salvation is the most essential part of the Christian life. Without it, Satan can eat us for breakfast!

The sword of the Spirit: The sword was the knight's main weapon in combat. The Word of God, the Bible, is the Christian's weapon against the Devil's attacks. Without the Sword, we are merely defensive.

We are in a war, my friends. Let's put on the whole armor of God so that we may be effective soldiers in Christ's army!

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Bible Reading... What Do You Do?

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
{Psalm 119:105}

Christians know the importance of spending time in God's Word on a daily basis. Scores of verses within the pages of the Bible reinforce this vital part of a Christian's relationship with God. Countless men of God have preached countless sermons on this topic. But...how does one go about reading the Bible, exactly? 

I have heard many different "plans" and "schedules" for reading the Bible during personal time alone with God. These include, but are not limited to: reading through the Bible in a year, reading through the Bible in 6 months, reading through the Bible in 3 months, reading through the Bible chronologically, reading one book of the Bible every day for a month, and reading through the Bible by topic, to name a few.

With all these different methods for reading the Bible, how you know which one is the "right" one? 

I do not believe there is one "right" method for reading the Bible. God made us all unique, with unique rates of reading and absorbing information. You might want to try several different plans over a period of time to see which one(s) compliment your unique, God-given abilities. For several years I used a plan to read through the Bible in a year. Starting on January 1st of this year, I decided to challenge myself a bit more and started a 6-month plan for reading through the entire Bible, which (Lordwilling) I will finish at the end of June. I have enjoyed using both of these methods, and hope to try others to enhance my study of the Word.

Whatever plan/method you use, the result is the same: you are drinking in the precious words of our amazing God, and that is truly an awesome gift! 

Please leave a comment below with a response to these questions: What plans and/or methods have you used in your personal study? Which ones did you like and why? 

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