29 October 2013 - Encouragement!

From the Bible and friends encouraging words are in constant supply

To share some of them in some simple verse, is what today I will try

 

"This is what the Lord says to you", per 2 Chronicles 20:15

"Do not be afraid or discouraged" is a Biblical line oft seen

Verse seventeen says "go out to face [the battle] tomorrow"

"And the Lord will be with you" so feel joy and peace, not sorrow

 

Philippians 3:20 says that our problems on earth are only for a season

These should not worry us as we are "citizens of heaven", Paul did reason

 

"And we know that in all things", God is powerful and great

He "works for the good of those who love him" per Romans 8:28

 

"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you"

So wrote David in Psalm fifty five verse twenty two

This is repeated almost verbatim in First Peter five verse seven

"Because He cares for you", "cast your anxiety" on God in heaven

 

These are words that serve to encourage and uplift me

Whether in a Bible, online, or in an email I may see

And while I thank God for all of those reminders so apt

I also thank my friends whose messages keep me rapt

28 October 2013 - Luke 6:10-15

"Whoever can be trusted with very little" says verse ten

"Can also be trusted with much", again and again

The converse holds true for those who are dishonest

For they will be dishonest with much if put to the test

And "if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth"

"Who will trust you with true riches" without good spiritual health

"No servant can serve two masters" per verse thirteen

For one he will love while for the other hatred will be seen

The Pharisees justified themselves in the eyes of man

But God knew their hearts like only Our Creator can

"What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight"

Put another way, what is popular on earth is not always right

 

This passage is often used in relation to finance

Which is natural due to a reading at first glance

But to other aspects of life it applies just as much

In fact, it applies to everything I do or touch

Whether it is money, talents, or opportunities

Each represents a chance that I must seize

To do what pleases God by putting Him first

For in His love I want to be eternally immersed

27 October 2013 - ENCS

From Nashville, Pastor Kevin Yorke made a long trip

He spoke to us today on the topic of leadership

The world faces many leadership crises, Kevin did say

Leadership involves being a catalyst for change every day

We can be catalysts for both physical and spiritual change

Especially in those places which have some values strange

 

He referred to the book of Judges and Deborah

She was a unique judge who is viewed with awe

The Israelites cried to the Lord for help one year

Because Sisera's oppression had them living in fear

Commandments from God she did the mighty Barak instruct

But due to a lack of faith, true leadership and honor he ducked

She accompanied Barak to battle, but with him was quite candid

Deborah prophesied that to a woman Sisera would be handed

This shows that God often chooses unlikely people to lead

There are many examples of this in the Bible we do read

 

The first step of being a leader, Pastor did not make us guess

He said that God taps us because we are going to say yes

Nonetheless, he said, it is never easy to lead

But God is there, just waiting for us to proceed

This is in contrast to several of the Israelite tribes

Whose unwillingness to fight led to Deborah's jibes

Pastor added that when leaders lead, not all will follow

When we say yes, we will be let down by some we know

 

But when we lead and are in trouble, God will intervene

As with rain that stopped Sisera's chariots in that scene

Godly leaders will give God the glory, as a matter of course

And give credit to others, even if they were a weak force

 

By saying yes to God, we are chosen to lead

The talents He has given us are all we need

26 October 2013 - Psalm 84:4-12

"Blessed are those who dwell in your house"

"They are ever praising you", not like a mouse

"Blessed are those who strength is in you"

"Whose hearts are set on pilgrimage" too

"They go from strength to strength" says verse seven

Until "each appears before God in Zion", or heaven

It is far better to spend one day in God's courts

"Than a thousand elsewhere", the psalmist retorts

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield"

Favor and honor He always does wield

"Blessed is the one who trusts" in the Lord Almighty

That is something to which all believers must agree

 

This psalm serves to encourage, uplift, and remind

Its sentiments should always be in my heart and mind

I love the line ending with "a thousand elsewhere"

As it serves to reinforce how much God does care

It is also the chorus of a wonderful song

One to which I will always sing along

But the core message of this passage for me

Is contained on the "blessed are" lines I see

To dwell in God's house and in Him find my strength 

Will no doubt serve me well for all my life's length

25 October 2013 - Psalm 42:1-5

"As the deer pants for streams of water" starts Psalm 42

The psalmist goes on to say "so my soul pants for you"

And then "my tears have been my food day and night"

As I wonder where is my God who will make this right

"These things I remember as I pour out my soul"

When I went to God's house, protection was my goal

"Why, my soul, are you downcast?" verse five does say

"Why so disturbed within me?" on the glorious day

So "put your hope in God, for I will praise Him"

"My Savior and My God" are not said on a whim

 

In response to a prayer, I was kindly sent this verse

The message is apt and concise, but far from terse

Verse five holds a key message that forever should last

God's Presence is here; there is no reason to be downcast

When I think back on all the wondrous things God has done

I am encouraged every day with the rising of the morning sun

Knowing this merely makes me want His Presence even more

And it is available right here, resting in my heart, my core

Dear God, let your Presence shine through me

So that joyful, peaceful, and rejuvenated I may be

20 October 2013 - 2 Peter 3:8-18

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends”

Is how this passage starts - and also ends

“With the Lord a day is like a thousand years”, Peter did say

He continued with “and a thousand years are like a day”

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise” to anyone

For “He is patient”, waiting for repentance to be done

“The day of the Lord will come like a thief” into a store

At that time, “the heavens will disappear with a roar”

“Since everything will be destroyed in this way”

We “ought to live holy and godly lives” today

And since we look forward to the day of His return

(Even if it means that many things here will burn)

We should “make every effort to be found spotless”

As well as at peace with God and also blameless

For “our Lord’s patience means salvation” for us all

Peter reminded that this was also written by Paul

Therefore, with this knowledge, we should be on our guard

So that we do not err and from our secure position fall hard

“In the grace and knowledge” of our Lord we should grow

Giving Him glory now and forever is what we should show

 

A good reminder of perspective this passage shall be

To live a “holy and godly” life is still an aim for me

I am far from spotless, blameless, or at peace

And I often wonder if my errors will ever cease

But about God’s power and mercy I do know

With this knowledge, my faith will again grow

I thank God for such reminders from Peter and Paul

And endeavor to make “give glory” my clarion call

 

13 October 2013 - Psalm 13

“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” David said

And “how long will you hide your face from me?” instead

“How long must I wrestle with…thoughts” on my part

Followed by “and every day have sorrow in my heart?”

“How long will my enemy triumph over me?”

Lord, “please look on me and answer” my plea

“Give light to my eyes” or in death I will sleep

Then “my enemy…will rejoice” and not weep

But David says “I trust in your unfailing love”
“My heart rejoices in your salvation” from above

“I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me”

That is the key message from verse six we do see

 

David wrote this being pursued by a jealous Saul

“How long?” is repeated by David four times in all

He talks about wrestling with thoughts not right

That parallels Isaac’s struggle that infamous night

But despite his angst about the ongoing feud

By reiterating his faith, David did still conclude

 

A powerful lesson that serves to remind me

No matter what, faithful to God I should be

Over us, He does watch, protect, and guide

For He loves us and never leaves our side

As such, there is no challenge that is too big

To Him, the biggest log around is merely a twig

If I put my trust in Him and Him alone

Great mercies and power will be shown

 

So dear Lord, hear this my fervent prayer

Please do not allow me to ever despair

For I know that about me, you truly do care

Your abounding love is what I do declare

6 October 2013 - 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly" Paul said
But "whoever sows generously will...reap generously" instead
Each of us should give based on what we feel in our heart
For God loves a cheerful giver so blessings He will impart
Verse eleven states that "you will be enriched in every way"
"So that you can be generous on every occasion" each day

To encourage generosity was the point of this part of Paul's letter
Considering our talents and time makes the message even better
For Whatever God gives us, He wants us to share and others bless
I have not listened to this exhortation all the time, I humbly confess
I know that my stewardship legacy is defined through the week
Dear God, it is your Word, your desires, and your path that I seek
Please open my eyes and my heart so I can better follow your way
So that I do more things that please you every hour of every day