Treasure lost?

Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!

When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,

let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

The Holy Bible  : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ps 14:7

 

For years humanity had lost its treasure.  In the Garden of Eden, man had everything he needed.  His treasure included walking with God, having food and water, having a helpmate, and had dominion over all the animals.  The deceiver deceived.  The treasure at hand suddenly became boring its beauty became dull.  Selfishness was conceived and separation from God occurred.  The treasure was lost.  Humanity realized that life without this treasure was miserable.  This misery was compounded by hopelessness, despair, agony, and the desire that something could happen that would change.  The promise of salvation seemed like a fairy tale that would never come true.  Stories were shared from generation to generation that Hope was coming.  Some thought it was ridiculous.  Others continued to believe.  The Word of God revealed the direction from which Hope would come, "out of Zion."  Where is Zion?  Zion was considered to be the citadel in Palestine which was the center of Jerusalem.  It was the ideal nation and society envisioned by Judaism.  It would only make sense that out of Zion, salvation would come.  The Bible is so cool to point us to this incredible place called Zion.  There are over 100 Old Testament references to Zion and several New Testament references like 1 Peter 2:6 and Revelation 14:1.  This particular verse in Psalm 14:7 reminds its readers that the truth of Zion is linked to fortune.  This is not a reference for material gain or instant wealth, but a reminder that God's plan is to restore His people and make them much better than they could ever imagine!  Colossians 2:2-3 remind us of this connection!  Check it out for yourself!

 

 

² My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

The Holy Bible  : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Col 2:2-3

 

Salvation has indeed come to us from Zion.  The fortunes have been restored!  They are both found in Christ!  Why are you looking anywhere else? 

 

 

Sick at Heart

I am sick at heart.

How long, O Lord, until you restore me?

Tyndale House Publishers: Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 2nd ed. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 2004, S. Ps 6:3

 

What a confession!  I wonder just how many people have come to a point in their lives where they have thought this?  What about those that have actually said this out loud?  There is no doubt that this is a terrible place to be.  Sick at heart.  Not necessarily a physical heart disease as we might hear about that comes from high blood pressure, bad cholesterol, and congestive heart failure.  The Psalmist is talking here about a sick heart that perhaps comes with depression, sadness, despair and agony.  The NIV uses the phrase "my heart is in anguish."  There are times when we struggle because life can be tough.  After all, there is sickness, death, pain, and suffering in this world.  The Fall of Man as outlined in the Book of Genesis describes how that all came to be.  However, even in this verse of gloom there is hope!  "I am sick at heart.  How long, O Lord, until you restore me?"  Did you catch that? It is not "can you restore me?"  It says, "How long, O Lord, until you restore me?"  There is a sense of hope in this verse.  It does not lead one to think that God can't accomplish restoring a sick heart.  In fact, it shows that not only that He is able, but it is anticipated.  Are you anticipating God to restore you or are you experiencing gloom and doom in a way that keeps you clouded and hopeless?  Here is the big picture:  God is able and God will restore you, if you are willing to let Him.  Perhaps you need to pray this prayer:

"Father, I know you love me.  I know you have washed me and my sick heart with the blood of Christ.  Help me Lord, to realize that from this day forward I will be restored and in the big picture, I am redeemed!"

 

Next, it may be helpful to remember the great passage found in Ephesians 3:20-21,

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

 

The Holy Bible  : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Eph 3:20-21

 

Reflections on Psalm 5:7

But I, by your great mercy,

will come into your house;

in reverence will I bow down

toward your holy temple.

The Holy Bible  : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ps 5:7

I don't think the majority of Christians today fully understand the mercy of God.  I am reminded daily of my sinfulness and just how unclean I am.  My uncleanliness prohibits me from being able to approach a Holy and Just God.  Just a few verses preceding this verse in Psalm 5:4, we are reminded that God is not a God that takes pleasure in evil nor One where evil can dwell.  I am absolutely unable to approach God because I am a wicked, evil person by nature.  I don't mean to be that way, but I am.  In fact, all of us are.  The Bible tells us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  Indeed, we are but filthy rags before a pure and clean God.  Psalm 5:7 reminds me that by His great mercy, I can come into His presence.  His great mercy?  Wow.  What an understatement!  I am convinced that the older I get the more I recognize just how great is the mercy of God!  It seems that the harder I try to live a life of purity and holiness, the further I fall.  However, the great mercy of God is always prevalent and helps me to realize His love more and more.  In fact, the more I learn and experience the mercy and love of God, the more worshipful I become.  I am realizing the truth of the second half of this verse, "...will come into your house; in reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple."  I learned a long time ago that I don't necessarily have to be in the house of God to worship Him.  I have been able to worship Him in many places- along a beach, in the woods, on a mountaintop, in my car, in my house, and many other countless places.  Even though there have been many places of worship I have been able to experience the Holiness of God, it always helps me to be among other believers who are experiencing in their walk the truth of this verse and have recognized just how great God's mercy is to us. Last week at an Advent service, we sang as a community of faith the beautiful Christmas song "O Holy Night."  For years I have felt that I needed to sing that song on my knees in reference to the line "fall on your knees, oh hear the angels' voices..."  As we sang this beautiful hymn, I was pleasantly surprised that many of the people of God in this particular service were on their knees with hands raised high.  I worshipped because they were worshipping.  As the old country preacher might say, "it was catchin'."  We need other believers to come along side us as the writer of Hebrews reminds us to "spur one another along."  We do need this.  However, there are times when I need to realize through my private worship that I have comprehension that Almighty God is great with His mercy and when I realize this, I must be reverent with my posture, my place, and the position of my mind.  In fact, as we have just started the hoopla of celebrating a New Year, I am recognizing that in my life I must worship more, not just on Sundays in a service, but I must worship more daily.  Part of my worship has been to commit to studying for a year the Book of Psalms.  Five days into this study, I am realizing just how great God's mercy is and already am I wanting and desiring to worship more. Wow!The best is yet to come!!

Reflections on Psalm 4:2

How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame^a?

How long will you love delusions and seek false gods^b?

^a Or you dishonor my Glorious One

^b Or seek lies

The Holy Bible  : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ps 4:2

This is a tough verse to swallow.  Especially if you have been there, done that and have that T-shirt!
The Psalmist has witnessed the ridicule and shame of one's own demise.  Perhaps like many of us, he is writing about himself.  Many of us that have called ourselves Christian have at one time or another been guilty of turning God's glory into shame.  Maybe it was greed.  Maybe it was lust.  Maybe it was jealousy.  No matter what, it was selfishness.  Dr. Joseph Godwin, the Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Mars Hill College, once said that "selfishness was the sin that stunk all the way to heaven."  Selfishness indeed gets the best of us.   In the lastest Narnia movie, Prince Edward and Prince Caspien are warned that they would be tempted about their selfishness.  Isn't interesting that that the enemy knows those areas that we are weakest?  I do however find great comfort in the fact that even Jesus was tempted to turn glory into shame, love delusions, and seek false gods.  It is interesting in studying those passages that highlight the temptation of Jesus to see that Jesus always fought temptation with the Truth of God's word.  I have found that works for me as well, as long as I am willing to do so.  There are reasons to stay in the Word.  What excuse are you making?

I find it very interesting to study God's Word.  One of my favorite things to do is to look at a passage and understand it better by looking at the meaning of the words used in that passage.  For example, I was reading Psalm 3:3 this morning and light bulbs went off in my mind.  Look for yourself:

But you are a shield around me, O Lord;

you bestow glory on me and lift^b up my head.

^b Or Lord, / my Glorious One, who lifts me up

The Holy Bible  : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

We can tell from the structure of this sentence, that "you" is referring to God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth.  It would not take one long to use a concordance to discover that God and who God is has thousands of scriptureal references.  Of course the whole Bible is about God.  However in this verse, "You are" indicates that God is very much in the present.  He is in the here and now and therefore very aware of the circumstances of my life.  He is active.  He is alive. The next phrase, "a shield" refers to the fact that God is protector.  By its very definition, shield refers to one that protects or defends.  Just yesterday I saw on the History Channel a segment about the shields that the early Roman soldiers used and how they used them in battle.  As long as the shields were in place, the battles were won and the enemies were defeated.  I have never been in combat per say, but I know I have had my share of battles.  Battles with self, with others, with callings, and with obedience.  It is good to know that even before battle begins, my shield is present.  Nothing can penetrate this shield because I am aware of the omnipotence of God.  God is not just a shield, He is my shield!  The next couple of words in this passage indicate so!  God is a shield around me.  This reminds me of the omnipresence of God.  God is all around me.  He knows what is sneaking up on me at the same time He knows what is in front of me and what is to my left and right. He knows me so well, that He is aware of my surroundings.  Do you find that amazing?  I am blown away to know that my God loves me that much that His shield is around me!  What happens as His shield is around me?  He bestows glory on me!  How does He do that?  Outside the fact that He is God and He can do anything He wants, He bestows glory on me because I am His since I was bought and paid for by the redeeming blood of His Son.  For that reason, I am not able to lift my head, but He is able to lift my head.  What a beautiful reminder of the power that God can have in our lives if we allow Him to do so!  Are you allowing God to be your shield, to bestow glory on you, and to lift your head up?  I hope so!  If not, though, whatcha waitin' on?

 

45 Lessons Life Taught Me

I can't say that I wrote this, but I certainly can say I have passed it along! This is some great wisdom! Enjoy!

45 Lessons Life Taught Me
Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, OH
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written."
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will.
Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it. (???)
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come...
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Adult ADD?

I woke up early this morning feeling a bit chilly. I first thought that my wife had hogged all the covers again. Then I tried to see what time it was and couldn't see the clock so I thought my wife had blocked the clock with something and I couldn't see it. (Notice even in a sleepy stupor how quick I am to shift blame.) Then, I realized in the dark, cold and very quiet that the power was off. All of these thoughts came in just a few seconds as I sleepily tried to figure out what was going on and if I was even awake. My mind begins to process as I reach for my cell phone to look at the time. 3:00 AM. Nice. Oh, I have a text message. It is from the basketball coach, "Can you give a pre-game devotion at 1:20 for the game on Saturday?" Wow, when was that sent? 12:22 AM. Wonder what I should talk about? I will have 4 minutes to inspire and point them to Christ. Great. Power is still off. Are the pipes going to freeze? Are the girls warm enough? Wonder why the power is off? I paid the bill right? Must have been a blown transformer. Transformer! Transformed! That is it! I will share with the basketball team about being transformed through Christ! "I beseech you therefore, brethern, in view of God's mercies, off your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable and pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:1-2). God's power transformed to us through Christ! Therefore we should respond by not doing what our world tells us to do that is selfish, greedy, and unholy. But we should be transformed by the renewing of our mind. Another translation, the New Living Translation, says to change the way you think! Change the way I think? Yes. Change the way you think! What should I think about? Think about these things: whatever is TRUE, whatever is NOBLE, whatever is RIGHTEOUS, whatever is PURE, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is ADMIRABLE, and whatever is PRAISEWORTHY (Philippians 4:8)! Hmm. Oh yea, the power was off until about 6:15 and it came on then off then on then back off and now is back on. There is a blizzard coming. Hopefully, the power won't go off this next week in the blizzard when the temperatures drop to like 5! I really think that I am becoming more and more ADD-ish as I get older. Look a squirrel! :)