makin' a list

Hebrews 13:7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

thought i'd make at least a partial list in obedience to this verse (praise God for each of these faithful ones!):

Ethel Richman
Sue Richman
John Richman
Ted Nusser
Dorothy Nusser
Martha Gaston
Helen Lockwood
Ralph McAuley
Phylis Tittle
Irene Reese
Rachel Schafer
Alberta Conley
Ruth Ann Carter
Jim Thomson
Shirley Cannon
Jim Lockwood
Wayne Christen
Scott Chamberlain
Jill Lawrence
Karen Montgomery (nee Young)
Mark Montgomery
Johnny Williams
Bruce Cicchese
Jim Cicchese
Jeff Wright
Diane Wright
Mike Prom
Mark Dunn

Steve Lorah

mayans, winter storms and the unchanging nature of Jesus

Even though many of the kids were hoping for/counting on a snow day today, the flakes are just now beginning to float down, and they are already an hour into their day.

Our FCA reading through the gospel of Mark had us at the end of chapter 4 today. Jesus and his disciples were in a boat. He's sleeping. It's storming. They're panicking. "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" Jesus rebukes the wind and waves - like they're his barking dog, "Quiet! Be still!" They obey immediately. The disciples are terrified as they recognize Jesus' power and authority. (Mark 4:35-41)

Yesterday and today, in meditating on Hebrews 13, I am reminded of the great encouragement of verse 8: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever."

Praise God - Jesus has authority over the storm, the days and seasons - and He DOES care! (I'm worth more than many sparrows! - Matthew 10:31)

Trust in the Name of the LORD Our God

I was reading Psalm 20 this morning as I was working on Sunday's bulletin (this week's responsive reading). It is a great reminder for days like today:

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." Psalm 20:7

ministry strategy

as per the apostle Paul: (with comments by steve)

"I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: (a weighty place to be commissioned so DO NOT take these instructions lightly)

preach the word; (gotta know it to preach it)
be ready in season and out of season; (that's pretty much all the time... in fact it IS all the time)
reprove, ("to criticize or correct, especially gently")
rebuke, ("to express sharp, stern disapproval")
and exhort, ("to give urgent advice, recommendations or warnings")
with complete patience and teaching. (thorough, time consuming and costly - don't give up)

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (this Bible stuff's boring, let's try something else, something more fun and entertaining)

As for you, (denoting contrast)

always be sober-minded, (don't get distracted or muddle headed)
endure suffering, (persevere - don't give up - and yes, this means that there will be suffering, expect it)
do the work of an evangelist, (tell the good news of Christ's life, death and resurrection)
fulfill your ministry." (see instructions above)

2 Timothy 4:1-5

yeah, i love 2 Timothy 2 OR i'm a list guy

breaking down the content of 2 Timothy 2 based on the commands:

• "be strengthened" 2 Timothy 2:1 - yeah, i know, this first command is kind of a strange one in that it looks to something done for us not by us - the grace that strengthens me is outside of me - it is in Christ Jesus... alone
• "entrust" 2 Timothy 2:2 - the generational nature of the gospel message - four of them are mentioned in this verse...
• "share" 2 Timothy 2:3 - not the usual mother to child command to share... a call to share IN SUFFERING! - mindset: soldier, athlete, farmer
• "Think over" 2 Timothy 2:7 - okay, you've made it this far, review the first 6 verses again - the Lord will give you understanding
• "Remember" 2 Timothy 2:8 - Jesus Christ - His resurrection - His descent (from David - the throne is His by right)
• "Remind" 2 Timothy 2:14 - of these things - ie. Jesus' resurrection, His kingship, Paul's imprisonment, the freedom of the word of God, dying and living with Him, enduring and reigning with Him, denial of and by Him, His faithfulness
• "charge" 2 Timothy 2:14 - not to quarrel about words
• "Do your best" 2 Timothy 2:15 - to present yourself to God as one approved - ie. a worker who rightly handles the word of truth
• "avoid" 2 Timothy 2:16 - irreverent babble - it leads people into more and more ungodliness
• "flee" 2 Timothy 2:22 - youthful passions - in order to be a clean vessel, holy and set apart for honorable uses - useful to the master of the house - ready for every good work
• "pursue" 2 Timothy 2:22 - righteousness, faith, love, and peace - with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart - in order to be a clean vessel, holy and set apart for honorable uses - useful to the master of the house - ready for every good work
• "Have nothing to do" 2 Timothy 2:23 - with foolish, ignorant controversies - they breed quarrels - the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome, but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness

i always loved how rocky and bullwinkle would give alternate titles for the next episode...

so this blogpost could either be titled: "yes, Hebrews 4:12 is my favorite verse, but don't forget to read Hebrews 4:13 with it" OR "speaking of Matthew 5:3, here's a great quote for a monday morning"

"We cannot bear to acknowledge either the seriousness of our sin and guilt or our utter indebtedness to the cross.... But we cannot escape the embarrassment of standing stark naked before God. It is no use for us to try and cover up like Adam and Eve in the garden. Our attempts at self-justification are as ineffectual as their fig leaves. We have to acknowledge our nakedness, see the divine substitute wearing our filthy rags instead of us, and allow him to clothe us with his own righteousness (cf. Revelation 3:17-18). Nobody has ever put it better than Augustus Toplady in his immortal hymn "Rock of Ages":
Nothing in my hands I bring,
Simply to your cross I cling;
Naked, come to you for dress;
Helpless, look to you for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die." - John Stott, The Cross of Christ

a missionary psalm

96

Oh, sing to the LORD a new song;

sing to the LORD, all the earth!

Sing to the LORD, bless His name;

tell of His salvation from day to day.

Declare His glory among the nations,

His marvelous works among all peoples!

For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;

He is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,

but the LORD made the heavens.

Splendor and majesty are before Him;

strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,

ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name;

bring an offering, and come into His courts!

Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;

tremble before Him, all the earth!

Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!

Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;

He will judge the peoples with equity."

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;

let the sea roar, and all that fills it; 

let the field exult, and everything in it!

Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy

before the LORD, for He comes,

for He comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world in righteousness,

and the peoples in His faithfulness.

ezekiel, augustine and the poor in spirit

It amazes me how often the various things I read during my time with God tie together, therefore reinforcing what He is teaching me! (He knows I have to hear things more than once to get it.) This morning I read this in Ezekiel 33:10-11:

"And you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, 'Thus have you said: 'Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we rot away because of them. How then can we live?"' Say to them, '"As I live," declares the Lord GOD, "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?"'"

Then I read this prayer in The Confessions:

"Let them turn back, and seek You, for You do not forsake Your creation as they have forsaken their Creator. Let them only turn back, see! there You are in their hearts, in the hearts of all those who confess to You, who fling themselves into Your arms and weep against Your breast after their difficult journey, while You so easily will wipe away their tears. At this they weep the more, yet even their laments are matter for joy, because You Lord, are not some human being of flesh and blood, but the Lord who made them, and now make them anew and comfort them.

 And what of myself: where was I as I sought You? You were straight ahead of me, but I had roamed away from myself and could not find even myself, let alone You!"

All of this while meditating on Matthew 5:6 for camp: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

safe home

with this title, i can go a couple of different directions today (and neither will have to do with baseball)...

1. we've been working on memorizing Psalm 119 this summer, so at lunch time we were practicing. the second section of 8 verses falls under the heading of the Hebrew letter Beth, which means "house" (Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem using one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet to begin the verses of each 8 verse section). Psalm 119:9 which begins the section says, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word." the "house" section, "guarding it according to Your word" - sounds like a "safe home" to me ;) (i know, a terrible pun.)

2. but truthfully, the reason why this title came to mind was because after lunch i was singing through several selections from Gadsby's Hymns (which i got from amazon last week - 1156 hymn texts!!!). i came to one by Joseph Hart which reminded me of the way our pastor often closes our evening worship services, "Goodnight, and safe home" (he's from Northern Ireland). the verse reads:

This God is the God we adore;

Our faithful, unchangeable Friend;

Whose love is as large as His power,

And neither knows measure nor end.

'Tis Jesus, the First and the Last,

Whose Spirit shall guide us safe home:

We'll praise Him for all that is past,

And trust Him for all that's to come.

AMEN!

adding my amen!

this morning i read a prayer of Augustine's in The Confessions:

O Lord our God,
grant us to trust in your overshadowing wings:
protect us beneath them and bear us up.
You will carry us as little children,
and even to our grey-headed aged you will carry us still.
When you are our strong security, that is strength indeed,
but when our security is in ourselves, that is but weakness.
Our good abides ever in your keeping,
but in diverting our steps from you we have grown perverse.
Let us turn back to you at last, Lord, that we be not overturned.
Unspoilt, our good abides with you,
for you are yourself our good.
We need not fear to find no home again
because we have fallen away from it;
while we are absent our home falls not to ruins,
for our home is your eternity.

AMEN!!!

10 reasons i'm excited summer quizzing starts today

1. i love Bible quizzing
2. the chance to see some new faces giving quizzing a try
3. the chance to see some new faces develop a love for Bible quizzing
4. more than Bible quizzing, i love the Bible
5. Bible quizzing is a great encouragement to memorize large chunks of the Bible
6. the chance to see some new faces be encouraged to memorize large chunks of the Bible
7. we are quizzing on Psalm 119 - probably the greatest exposition on the Bible ever written
8. the chance to see some new faces (and old ones) develop a love for the Bible through memorizing large chunks of the Bible that speak about the great worth and importance of the Bible
9. more than the Bible, i love the God who reveals Himself to us through the Bible
10. the chance to see some new faces (and old ones) get to know the God (and get to know Him better) who reveals Himself through the Bible as they memorize large chunks of the Bible and experience a growing love for Him and His Word!

God, use Your Word today! (1 Peter 1:23-2:3)

a good thing...

back in the day, when we were doing a Bible study through the book of Hebrews, we had a standard comment in reference to Hebrews 11:6 (which says that "without faith it is impossible to please Him") which would pop up again and again in ensuing studies: "pleasing God is a good thing."

well, today as i was reading 2 Corinthians 5:9 the phrase "we make it our aim to please Him" really jumped out at me. i found it especially intriguing that there are "why's" going in both directions from the phrase:

first, the verse begins with the word "so" - "so whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him." why the "so"? - well, looking back in the preceding verses, Paul is talking about our hope of eternity - our eternal dwelling with God - that here and now we are in a "tent" away from the Lord, living by faith rather than by sight... SO the first "why" of aiming to please Him is that we are looking ahead to BEING WITH HIM.

second, verse 10 begins with the word "for" - another "why" looking back to verse 9: "for we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." the second "why" is that although the here and now may be temporary, there is a judgment for it.

so there you have it - two reasons to aim to please the Lord, one positive (eternity with Him), one potentially negative (judgment) - and the reminder, "pleasing God is a good thing... and the alternative is wrath." best to make it our aim to please Him! (and praise God that in our failures - our righteousness is found in Christ!!! 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Death in the City

I just finished reading a little book by Francis Schaeffer entitled, "Death in the City." It is a look at our modern/postmodern culture through the lens of the prophet Jeremiah and the first chapter of Romans. I would highly recommend it.  Here are a couple of quotes from the closing pages:

"If a Christian does not pray, if he does not live in an attitude of prayer, then no matter what he says about his doctrine... [h]e is living in unfaith"

"Maybe now we begin to see why in the evangelical church we often have a feeling of dustiness, unreality and abstraction. I think the reason is that many are functioning as though they know less about the universe than the pagan knows. They have moved over in unfaith and are living as though the universe is naturalistic. No wonder there is a dustiness! In such a case the evangelical church is a museum of dead artifacts representing what once was living practice of the doctrine we still say we believe."

"Being a Bible-believing Christian, then, not only means believing with our heads, but in this present moment acting through faith on that belief. True spirituality is acting at the given moment upon the doctrines which one as a Christian says he believes."

"reformation and revival - the return to pure doctrine and the return of individuals and groups to a proper relationship to the Holy Spirit."

fast falls the eventide

there can't be many better ways to finish a day of worship than to sit reading on the front porch on a warm spring evening - reflecting on the providence of God and the lessons He is teaching me through time spent in His Word and the living of life in His world... tonight i took two light, enjoyable reads out with me (ones that i would highly recommend): Spiritual Birthline by Stephen Smallman and The Tapestry by Edith Schaeffer...

Spiritual Birthline is one that i picked up to read in conjunction with my preparation for teaching a sunday school class for the next term on regeneration (using primarily John Piper's Finally Alive)... so what are the chances that the chapter i would read tonight would make heavy reference to the 8th chapter of Acts and the story i just preached from this evening at church... even reinforcing many of the points i was making? well, i'd say 100% knowing how frequently God uses repetition to communicate truths that He is trying to teach me!

The Tapestry is the autobiography of Francis and Edith Schaeffer and the underlying theme throughout the book ties in well with the idea of being sensitive to how God is working in lives - mine and those around me... resting secure in the knowledge of His plan and trusting Him for guidance...


as i reflect on the past week, i praise God for what He has done... as i look ahead to the week to come, i ask for wisdom, direction and strength - may i be a vessel in the Lord's hand to do His will...

"The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of Your hands." Psalm 138:8

"a graduation from and a commencement of... ! ... an ending and a beginning! How incredible it is that Christianity gives us that to look forward to. We don't have to watch the sand run out of the sandglass of life's time for ourselves or for our loved ones without realizing that really, truly, actually, without any vestige of doubt, cruel though separation is, and hard though the contemplation of change is, we are moving toward a graduation which is also a commencement." edith schaeffer

abide with me: fast falls the eventide;
the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide:
when other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
help of the helpless, o abide with me.

swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
change and decay in all around i see;
o Thou who changest not, abide with me.

i need Thy presence every passing hour;
what but Thy grace can foil the tempter's pow'r?
who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
through cloud and sunshine, o abide with me.

i fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness,
where is death's sting? where, grave, thy victory?
i triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies:
heav'n's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee:
in life, in death, o Lord, abide with me.

another one of those days for question 1

today we said "goodbye for now" to the dear lady who taught me (and hundreds of others) in the nursery class in sunday school... never was any doubt that she was a Philippians 2:3-4 woman. who knew that one of the neighborhood kids she used to go and pick up to bring to church would turn out to be my foster brother?!? O God, raise up others like her in the church!

my thoughts can't help but turn again to the beginning of the heidelberg catechism:

Q: What is your only comfort in life and in death?
A: That I am not my own, but belong - body and soul, in life and in death - to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven: in fact, all things must work together for my salvation. Because I belong to Him, Christ, by His Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for Him.

jingle, jingle, happy bells!!!

good will hunting?

various thoughts while sitting in Isaiah 53 on this Good Friday...

• Jesus was intimately familiar with the Scriptures... i can't help but think that Isaiah 53:10 was on His mind as He prayed in the garden "yet not what I will, but what You will" - "it was the will of the LORD to crush him; He has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hands."
• the incredible contrasts of crushing/prospering, anguish/satisfaction in verses 10-11 - this interplay ties in well with Hebrews 12:2 "who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, scorning its shame"
• the repeated explanation of the "why": "for our transgressions," "for our iniquities," "the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all," "stricken for the transgression of my people," "an offering for sin," "make many to be accounted righteous," "he shall bear their iniquities," "he bore the sin of many," "makes intercession for the transgressors"
• my mind is drawn to the Ethiopian eunuch sitting in his chariot, reading these same words when the Holy Spirit sends Philip to the Gaza road - "do you understand what you are reading?" "how can I, unless someone guides me?... about whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or someone else?" "then Philip opened his mouth and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus." - am i prepared to share like Philip? am i praying/looking for eunuchs? God, use me!

taw

Psalm 119:169-176
    169. Let my cry come before You, O LORD; give me understanding according to Your word!
    170. Let my plea come before You; deliver me according to Your word.
    171. My lips will pour forth praise, for You teach me Your statutes.
    172. My tongue will sing of Your word, for all Your commandments are right.
    173. Let Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts.
    174. I long for Your salvation, O LORD, and Your law is my delight.
    175. Let my soul live and praise You, and let Your rules help me.
    176. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments.

sin and shin

Psalm 119:161-168
    161. Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of Your words.
    162. I rejoice at Your word like one who finds great spoil.
    163. I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love Your law.
    164. Seven times a day I praise You for Your righteous rules.
    165. Great peace have those who love Your law; nothing can make them stumble.
    166. I hope for Your salvation, O LORD, and I do Your commandments.
    167. My soul keeps Your testimonies; I love them exceedingly.
    168. I keep Your precepts and testimonies, for all my ways are before You.

colors

the section of Psalm 119 that i read this morning contains the verse, "Seven times a day I praise You for Your righteous rules." (Psalm 119:164) it got me to thinking about, "how much do i honestly praise God? for anything, let alone for His righteous rules?" definitely nowhere near as much as i should...

well, that thought was playing through my head as i've been making my rounds today, and let me tell you what i've definitely been noticing and intentionally praising Him for: COLORS. our amazing, creative God made a world that explodes with color and made me with eyes to see them! and these springtime hues are a reminder that life is bursting forth where just a short time ago death seemed to reign!

aren't they amazing? - the whites of pears, the pink of plums, the vibrant pinks of magnolias, the pinks and blues and whites and purples of hyacinths, the yellows and whites of daffodils, the purples and whites and oranges and variegation of crocuses, the green of grass, the slightly different greens of lilies and irises starting to push up through the soil, the green points of hostas starting to push through out of their purple claw-like shells... (and that's just off the top of my head)

HALLELUJAH! it makes me want to sing with rich mullins...

resh

Psalm 119:153-160
    153. Look on my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget Your law.
    154. Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to Your promise!
    155. Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek Your statutes.
    156. Great is Your mercy, O LORD; give me life according to Your rules.
    157. Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, but I do not swerve from Your testimonies.
    158. I look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep Your commands.
    159. Consider how I love Your precepts! Give me life according to Your steadfast love.
    160. The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous rules endures forever.

qoph

Psalm 119:145-152
    145. With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD! I will keep Your statutes.
    146. I call to You; save me, that I may observe Your testimonies.
    147. I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in Your words.
    148. My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on Your promises.
    149. Hear my voice according to Your steadfast love; O LORD, according to Your justice give me life.
    150. They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose; they are far from Your law.
    151. But you are near, O LORD, and all Your commandments are true.
    152. Long have I known from Your testimonies that You have founded them forever.

tsadhe

Psalm 119:137-144
    137. Righteous are You, O LORD, and right are Your rules.
    138. You have appointed Your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness.
    139. My zeal consumes me, because my foes forget Your words.
    140. Your promise is well tried, and Your servant loves it.
    141. I am small and despised, yet I do not forget Your precepts.
    142. Your righteousness is righteous forever, and Your law is true.
    143. Trouble and anguish have found me out, but Your commandments are my delight.
    144. Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.

pe

Psalm 119:129-136
    129. Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.
    130. The unfolding of Your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
    131. I open my mouth and pant, because I long for Your commandments.
    132. Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is Your way with those who love Your name.
    133. Keep steady my steps according to Your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
    134. Redeem me from man's oppression, that I may keep Your precepts.
    135. Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes.
    136. My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep Your law.

ayin

Psalm 119:121-128
    121. I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.
    122. Give Your servant a pledge of good; let not the insolent oppress me.
    123. My eyes long for Your salvation and for the fulfillment of Your righteous promise.
    124. Deal with Your servant according to Your steadfast love, and teach me Your statutes.
    125. I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies!
    126. It is time for the LORD to act, for Your law has been broken.
    127. Therefore I love Your commandments above gold, above fine gold.
    128. Therefore I consider all Your precepts to be right; I hate every false way.

samekh

Psalm 119:113-120
    113. I hate the double-minded, but I love Your law.
    114. You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.
    115. Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.
    116. Uphold me according to Your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope!
    117. Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for Your statutes continually!
    118. You spurn all who go astray from Your statutes, for their cunning is in vain.
    119. All the wicked of the earth You discard like dross, therefore I love Your testimonies.
    120. My flesh trembles for fear of You, and I am afraid of Your judgments.

nun

Psalm 119:105-112
    105. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
    106. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep Your righteous rules.
    107. I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to Your word!
    108. Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O LORD, and teach me Your rules.
    109. I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget Your law.
    110. The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from Your precepts.
    111. Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.
    112. I incline my heart to perform Your statutes forever, to the end.

mem

Psalm 119:97-104
      97. Oh how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.
      98. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.
      99. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.
    100. I understand more than the aged, for I keep Your precepts.
    101. I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep Your word.
    102. I do not turn aside from Your rules, for You have taught me.
    103. How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.
    104. Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

lamedh

Psalm 119:89-96
    89. Forever, O LORD, Your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
    90. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You have established the earth, and it stands fast.
    91. By Your appointment they stand to this day, for all things are Your servants.
    92. If Your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
    93. I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life.
    94. I am Yours; save me, for I have sought Your precepts.
    95. The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider Your testimonies.
    96. I have seen a limit to all perfection, but Your commandment is exceedingly broad.

kaph

Psalm 119:81-88
    81. My soul longs for Your salvation; I hope in Your word.
    82. My eyes long for Your promise; I ask, "When will You comfort me?"
    83. For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten Your statutes.
    84. How long must Your servant endure? When will You judge those who persecute me?
    85. The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; they do not live according to Your law.
    86. All Your commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
    87. They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken Your precepts.
    88. In Your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of Your mouth.

yodh

Psalm 119:73-80
    73. Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn Your commandments.
    74. Those who fear You shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in Your word.
    75. I know, O LORD, that Your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
    76. Let Your steadfast love comfort me according to Your promise to Your servant.
    77. Let Your mercy come to me, that I may live; for Your law is my delight.
    78. Let the insolent be put to shame, because they have wronged me with falsehood; as for me I will meditate on Your precepts.
    79. Let those who fear You turn to me, that they may know Your testimonies.
    80. May my heart be blameless in Your statutes, that I may not be put to shame!

teth

Psalm 119:65-72
    65. You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD, according to Your word.
    66. Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments.
    67. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word.
    68. You are good and do good; teach me Your statutes.
    69. The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep Your precepts;
    70. their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in Your law.
    71. It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.
    72. The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

heth

Psalm 119:57-64
    57. The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep Your words.
    58. I entreat Your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise.
    59. When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to Your testimonies;
    60. I hasten and do not delay to keep Your commandments.
    61. Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget Your law.
    62. At midnight I rise to praise You, because of Your righteous rules.
    63. I am a companion of all who fear You, of those who keep Your precepts.
    64. The earth, O LORD, is full of Your steadfast love; teach me Your statutes!

zayin

Psalm 119:49-56
    49. Remember Your word to Your servant, in which You have made me hope.
    50. This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your promise gives me life.
    51. The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from Your law.
    52. When I think of Your rules from of old, I take comfort, O LORD.
    53. Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake Your law.
    54. Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning.
    55. I remember Your name in the night, O LORD, and keep Your law.
    56. This blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept Your precepts.

waw

Psalm 119:41-48
    41. Let Your steadfast love come to me, O LORD, Your salvation according to Your promise;
    42. then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in Your word.
    43. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in Your rules.
    44. I will keep Your law continually, forever and ever,
    45. and I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought Your precepts.
    46. I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame,
    47. for I find my delight in Your commandments, which I love.
    48. I will lift up my hands toward Your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on Your statutes.

a fitting date

Am I a soldier of the cross
a follower of the Lamb,
and shall I fear to own His cause,
or blush to speak His name?

Must I be carried to the skies
on flowery beds of ease,
while others fought to win the prize,
or sailed through bloody seas?

Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
to help me on to God?

Sure I must fight, if I would reign;
increase my courage, Lord.
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
supported by Thy word.

Thy saints in all this glorious war
shall conquer though they die;
they see the triumph from afar,
by faith they bring it nigh.

When that illustrious day shall rise,
and all Thy armies shine
in robes of victory through the skies,
the glory shall be Thine.

                                         - Isaac Watts

he

Psalm 119:33-40
    33. Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.
    34. Give me understanding, that I may keep Your law and observe it with my whole heart.
    35. Lead me in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it.
    36. Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!
    37. Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in Your ways.
    38. Confirm to Your servant Your promise, that You may be feared.
    39. Turn away the reproach that I dread, for Your rules are good.
    40. Behold, I long for Your precepts; in Your righteousness give me life!

covered by love

rich stuff from ray ortlund's article in the february issue of tabletalk:

"Peter shows how heavenly love behaves. He writes, "Love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8). Before we knew the love of Christ, we gave away our love to people according to how they performed for us. If they measured up to our expectations, we loved them well. But if they let us down, the relationship cooled off. And if they betrayed us, we had no more love for them. Then the gospel came to us, revealing God's earnest love for us not only when our performance fell short but even when we hated Him. Now we are learning to recalibrate our relationships with one another in a Godlike way.... Rather than trot out the offender's sin for everyone to see, rather than embarrass the offender, love submerges his offense - and not just one sin now and then but a "multitude of sins." This heavenly love is not easy. But it is of God, and it is beautiful."

daleth

Psalm 119:25-32
    25. My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to Your word!
    26. When I told of my ways, You answered me; teach me Your statutes!
    27. Make me understand the way of Your precepts, and I will meditate on Your wondrous works.
    28. My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to Your word!
    29. Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me Your law!
    30. I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set Your rules before me.
    31. I cling to Your testimonies, O LORD; let me not be put to shame!
    32. I will run in the way of Your commandments when You enlarge my heart!

gimel

Psalm 119:17-24
    17. Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word.
    18. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Your law.
    19. I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not Your commandments from me!
    20. My soul is consumed with longing for Your rules at all times.
    21. You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from Your commandments.
    22. Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I have kept Your testimonies.
    23. Even though princes sit plotting against me, Your servant will meditate on Your statutes.
    24. Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.

beth

Psalm 119:9-16
      9. How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word.
    10. With my whole heart I seek You; let me not wander from Your commandments!
    11. I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
    12. Blessed are You, O LORD; teach me Your statutes.
    13. With my lips I declare all the rules of Your mouth.
    14. In the way of Your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.
    15. I will meditate on Your precepts and fix my eyes on Your ways.
    16. I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

aleph

Psalm 119:1-8

1. Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD!
2. Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with their whole heart,
3. who also do no wrong, but walk in His ways!
4. You have commanded Your precepts to be kept diligently.
5. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping Your statutes!
6. Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all Your commandments.
7. I will praise You with an upright heart, when I learn Your righteous rules.
8. I will keep Your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!

in context, it says so much more

it's one of those songs that many of us learn as little kids in the church (and one of the two that i can still remember how to sing in russian from our '93 trip):

this is the day, this is the day, that the LORD has made, that the LORD has made. we will rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it, yes be glad in it. this is the day that the LORD has made. we will rejoice and be glad in it. this is the day, this is the day that the LORD has made.

as i read Psalm 118 this morning, i was reminded that this song comes from Psalm 118:24. AND i was struck once again (i think i first really noticed it the last time through the Psalms) by how much deeper the contextual roots of our rejoicing are to go than the sentiments of the song may lead us to believe.

first, let me say, the sentiments of the song are not wrong. the fact that God made today IS reason to rejoice. His sovereign control of each and every day is definitely a theme of this Psalm. However, there is more - and that's where it gets exciting!

Psalm 118:1 begins with a call to thanksgiving for the LORD's goodness and steadfast love.
Psalm 118:2-4 builds with the refrain of "His steadfast love endures forever."
Psalm 118:5-7 is a stanza recalling the LORD's help when faced with enemies.
Psalm 118:8-9 is a reminder that the LORD is the best and only sure refuge.
Psalm 118:10-12 speaks of the power of the name of the LORD against our foes.
Psalm 118:13-16 harkens back to Moses' song in Exodus 15:2 after the people had crossed safely through the Red Sea - the LORD is my strength, my song and my salvation.
Psalm 118:17-18 tells of God's sovereignty even in life and death situations.

and now to our stanza, Psalm 118:19-24:

the gates of righteousness opened up for us to enter the presence of the LORD and give thanks! God's salvation has come - through the stone which the builders have rejected! (a verse often quoted of the Christ in the New Testament) all of this, God's marvelous plan of salvation which He has allowed our eyes to see!

THEN WE COME TO OUR VERSE

"This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

what is "this day"? the day we have seen God's plan of salvation, the day we have entered the gates of righteousness to give thanks by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain! (Hebrews 10:19-20) wow!

Psalm 118:25 in light of the preceding 24 verses, God save us, God give us success - only You can.
Psalm 118:26-27 Bless the LORD! Worship the LORD!
Psalm 118:28-29 Give thanks to MY GOD! Extol Him! He is GOOD and His STEADFAST LOVE endures forever!

this is still just skimming the surface of this passage, but what a wonderful reminder it is to rejoice - not only in God's sovereignty in creation and providence, but even more in His salvation worked through the life, death and resurrection of His Son. may we look beyond our day to day circumstances to be reminded of our great source of joy!

short but sweet

it may be the shortest of the psalms (the shortest chapter in the Bible, in fact), but Psalm 117 contains a ton of truth:

Praise the LORD, all nations!
Extol Him, all peoples!
For great is His steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD!

Line 1:

• a call for praise
• a call for praise of the LORD
• a universal call for praise of the LORD
• a universal call for exuberant praise of the LORD

Line 2:

• a call for praise, lauding, applauding, magnifying, glorifying
• a call for praise, lauding, applauding, magnifying, glorifying of the LORD
• a universal call for praise, lauding, applauding, magnifying, glorifying of the LORD
• a universal call for exuberant praise, lauding, applauding, magnifying, glorifying of the LORD 

Lines 3 and 4 (why?):

• His covenant love is great
• His covenant love is great toward us
• His covenant love is great toward us AND He is faithful
• His covenant love is great toward us AND He is faithful forever

Line 5 (the summation):

• a call for praise
• a call for praise of the LORD
• a call for exuberant praise of the LORD

Got it?

Long Line of Givers

i've been using "Drawing Near" by john macarthur during my morning devotions this year. today's reading had me meditating on Philippians 1:3 and challenged me to thank God for people who have been a help to me in my Christian walk. well, as i drove to fca this morning i started making a mental list of people who through their giving have enabled me to work in ministry for the past 16 years as well as to travel on 8 short term mission trips (literally all over the world). i praise God for these people and miss those who are no longer here!

Ted & Dorothy Nusser
Ethel Richman
John & Sue Richman
Kenny & Berta Baxter
Mark & Tammy Blackburn
Jason & Brandyn Boyd
Paul & Lois Boyd
Ryan & Sarah Boyd
Ruth Boyd
Dick & Marilyn Chamberlain
Scott & Ginny Chamberlain
Wayne & Janet Christen
Mac & Betty Curry
Katie Dearth
Ron & Rachel Delaney
Don & Helen Derrington
Eric & Lisa Derrington
Heath & Molly Devore
Rick Devore
Mark & Jessica Dunn
Dave & Sue Elliott
Jim & Barb Elliott
Ethel Golba
Duane & Joanne Hetzer
Tom & Barb Jeffries
Dortha Johnson
Fred & Charmaine Kane
Mike Kane
Frank & Cathi Keenan
Merideth Keenan
Jean Kidder
Carl & Anne Kirkbride
Dan & Susan Kirkbride
Dick & Joyce Kontnier
Jim & Rena Lockwood
Steve & Helen Lorah
Donnie & Amy Maltarich
Ray Mathes
Ralph & Betty McAuley
Ed & Loretta McCoy
Rachel McCoy
Willard & Vera Miller
Mark & Karen Montgomery
Brian & Bethany Neville
Mark & Cathy Neville
Mike & Shannon Nusser
Terry & Becky Nusser
Willa Nusser
Jay Parry
Hop & Virginia Pickens
Jim Pickens
Dottie Pike
Jim Reed
Earl & Irene Reese
Matt Rickard
Sarah Richman
Amber Ross
Larry & Jill Ross
Jim & Becky Russell
Fred & Kathy Schaaf
Ken & Mary Schneidmiller
Leroy & Elaine Schrader
Scotty Shaw
Steve & Marcie Skrinjar
Rick & Kip Steffan
Rachel Tellish
Sarah Tellish
Don & Mary Thompson
Herb & Jackie Thompson
Jerry & Freda Thompson
Jim & Beth Thomson
Claire & Wanda Unrue
Denzell & Bev Walker
Elvin & Ruth Weir
Tom & Beth Weir
Harley Wheeler family
Dave & Anna Wiegand
Boots Windell
Bob & Helen Wolf
Ron & Marianne Wolf
Jeff & Diane Wright

wow! and i know that's just the tip of the iceberg... i'm sure i'll remember others throughout the day and keep editing this... PRAISE GOD for blessing me with so many wonderful people to supply my needs!

and the elders fell down and worshiped...

Why?

"Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created." Revelation 4:11

"Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth." Revelation 5:9-10

"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" Revelation 5:12

some good quotes for a snowy morning

"With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give Him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to Him and accepted by Him. Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all His demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity." Romans 12:1-2 (J.B. Phillips)

"We should be 'jealous'... for the honor of His name - troubled when it remains unknown, hurt when it is ignored, indignant when it is blasphemed. And all the time anxious and determined that it shall be given the honor and glory which are due it." John Stott

"the Word of God that we read and proclaim will fall on deaf ears unless God Himself attends that Word by the Holy Spirit and opens the ears of those who hear it." R.C. Sproul

"The first thing, therefore, that God does when He makes anyone a new creature in Christ, is to send light into his heart, and show him that he is a guilty sinner." J.C. Ryle

the task at hand

from the passage read during the devotions at my first session meeting as an elder in our church...

"and we urge you, brothers,

• admonish the idle,
• encourage the fainthearted,
• help the weak,
• be patient with them all." 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Father, help me to be faithful in Your service.

one oh three

bless the LORD, o my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name!
bless the LORD, o my soul, and forget not all His benefits,

• who forgives all your iniquity,
• who heals all your diseases,
• who redeems your life from the pit,
• who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
• who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

the LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the people of Israel.
the LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always chide, nor will He keep His anger forever.
He does not deal with us according to our iniquities.

• for as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him;
• as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.
• as a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear Him.

for He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.


as for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;
for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.
but the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children,
to those who keep His covenant and remember to do His commandments.
the LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all.


bless the LORD, o you his angels, you mighty ones who do His word, obeying the voice of His word!
bless the LORD, all His hosts, His ministers, who do His will!
bless the LORD, all His works, in all places of His dominion.
bless the LORD, o my soul!