Jesus Christ your King

Jesus Christ your King

Genesis 4-6 | Psalm 2 | John 2

The Psalms are a collection of songs and prayers to God from various people (e.g. Kings David and Solomon) living in the Old Testament era. With content ranging from praise of the glorious God to questioning his motivation or character, it is fascinating that many of the situations and emotions described in the Psalms have parallels in the modern world.

The Psalm for reading today is divided equally into four sections. The first (vv.1-3) criticises mankind for conspiring together "in vain" against the Lord, the second (vv.4-6) tells of God's response: that He has installed His King (Jesus) on Zion with power to rule "with an iron sceptre" (which is a terrifying promise of judgement to those rebelling). The third (vv.7-9) is in the voice of the Divinely appointed King (Jesus), and promises His absolute reign and authority on earth, while the fourth (vv.10-12) is an invitation for those rebelling to "Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling" and to "Kiss the Son", as "Blessed are all who take refuge in Him".

It may be hard to imagine yourself as ever having 'conspired against God', but Romans 3 tells us that "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away." It is ignorance of God (that is: ignoring God) and making our own plans for our lives that is rebellion and conspiration against God.

As Christians, we are saved by the grace of God, through faith in Him (cf. Eph. 2:8), and this faith is expressed by the "giving of our lives" to God - that is, by living with Him as more than our guide, but in control, conforming our lives to His Will.

I heard an illustration of human life that I will borrow and change - it likens each individual's life with the movement of a car, in which we are the drivers. To ignore God in our life is akin to driving through the streets choosing the direction as we go, based on how appealing it looks from the turn. In this way, we may go around in circles, we may come to dead-ends and we may get horribly lost. If you think about it, this is a rather aimless approach to life and equates with those described in the first section of today's Psalm - those who ignore God. To these God responded by installing His King who promises absolute reign and authority and calls indivduals to take refuge in Him.

And so the second approach to life would be the "I take refuge in the King" scenario. Here, individuals consult the King to know where they are supposed to be headed (through prayer and reading the Bible) and consult the road map (you guessed it - the Bible) to see how to get there. In this way, in general we will know which turns to take and which to avoid. We may find ourselves on the "Highway to Heaven", we may find ourselves seemingly going nowhere, we may take many interesting turns and from time to time we may have to get on the tollway (where the cost of travelling down that road is painful but necessary). At some points we may forget which way is best or right, or we may ignore what we know to be best simply because another street looks too appealing - but it is neverthless true that with the guy who designed all the roads being the guy who leads you through them, we're travelling the right(eous) road in life.!

It makes me sad to consider all the times I have ignored blatant directions from God and took 'wrong turns' in life. I can always, always look back on such decisions as mistakes that put me on the wrong course. Similarly, however, I can look back and see where the eternal map-maker guided me back on course. Can you do the same? What things have you deeply regretted doing in your life? How did God respond... and where are you now?

Pray now, that God will strengthen you to trust in Him for all things, and to enable you to follow His direction in all areas of life - especially when a wrong turn neverlethess looks appealing, or in times when you are unsure of which way to go. 

God's Covenant

God's Covenant
Genesis 7-9 | Psalm 3 | John 3

After God's judgement on the earth recorded in Genesis chapters 6-8, we immediately find God blessing Noah, the one obedient inhabitant of the earth before the flood, and the head of the only living family on earth after the flood. This blessing came in the form of a covenant (which means 'agreement') from God to mankind, that "Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth".

Tomorrow we will read of a covenant that God makes with one man, Abram (Gen. 12:2-3), that He will bless him and his descendants for all generations to come. Throughout our reading of the Old testament we will see that this covenant is renewed repeatedly with Abram's descendants, who eventually form the nation of Israel.

The notion of covenant is important throughout the Bible, indeed the major Biblical divisions of the "Old Testament" and "New Testament" refer respectively to the Old Covenant and the New Covanant. The beginnings of the Old Covenant are traced to the previously mentioned Abram, as God chose him and his descendants as His people, promising him (and them) land, great numbers of offspring, great general blessing and that all people on earth would be blessed through him/them. It is in this final promise, that "all people on earth would be blessed through him", that we realise a great plan of some sort is evident in God's actions.

From the 'original sin' of Adam and Eve, to the murder of Abel, to the sins of the people in the time of Noah, it is abundantly clear that mankind had become inherantly rebellious. Even after the destruction of the earth by flood, sin remained prominent amongst the eight human survivors - no sooner had the 'righteous' Noah survived the great flood than he "became drunk" and lay naked... and his son Ham enjoyed the spectacle of his father's failings, gossipping about it to his brothers (which was not particularly honouring to His father). At any rate, the problem of sin that started with Adam and Eve would continue on the earth forever, and God would always be justly angered and hurt by this constant rebellion - remember yesterday's Psalm: "Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?"

Romans 6:23 tells us that "the wages of sin is death". This is a universal truth or law akin to the saying "what goes up must come down". Sin has the consequence of death. If you fail to do with your life what you are supposed to do, that life will be taken from you. Adam and Eve found this out the hard way - they were made to live forever without suffering, but their sin meant that they died. And this is the situation of the human race - sin is inherent within us and we will all die.

God could not stand that His beloved creation were inevitably subject to death in this way. We will read that God introduced a sacrificial system to Abram's descendants where the punishment of death was inflicted on a prized animal or similar possession of the person deserving death rather than on the person himself. In this way the importance and destructiveness of sin was highlighted and God's merciful provision was shown yet again. However, we find that this system too, left much to be desired - how can a flawed sheep be a substitute for a man? How can any animal be a substitute for a man who is supposed to be flawless?

Enter Jesus, A descendant of Abram, known as "the Christ" and also known as God's Son. John 3:16, arguably the most quoted verse of the Bible, tells us that "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." Jesus was a perfect man who made Himself the substitute for all other men. The "New Covenant" is built on Jesus' blood. It is an agreement from God to man that whoever puts their faith in the blood of Jesus will not persih but have eternal life.

It is easy to read that verse as promising that which we know we will not receive - eternal life on earth. Our lives now are flawed, and all who believe in Jesus are still destined to die one day. But they will not perish in the eternal death that follows physical death for those who rebelled in their physical lives. Instead they will receive eternal life as it was meant to be: in paradise with God.

When believers speak of their eternal focus, it is this to which they refer. Eternal life as it was meant to be. No suffering. No more death. No illness. No hatred... God has promised through the blood of His Son.

Pray and thank God for providing and sacrificing His Son for you; and ask for constant reminder of your eternal focus, that you may be seeking eternal reward, not temporary luxuries in this fallen world.

The end of all things is at hand.

The end of all things is at hand.

I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. The heavens and the earth, which are now, ... are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled.
We have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. We ... look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

1 Pet. 4:7. Rev. 20:11. 2 Pet. 3:7. Ps. 46:13. Matt. 24:6. 2 Cor. 5:1. 2 Pet. 3:13,14.

First day of fall

Today is the first day of Fall. Fall has always been my favorite time of year. To me, fall seems as if it is a time of slowing down. The slowing of our frenzied life of summer, when the eve’s begin to get cool. It’s a time for opening the window while you’re sleeping and listening to the crickets instead of the hum of the heater or the air conditioner. It’s a time of balance, where the world stands still for a moment, the moment between growth and death. It’s a maturing time, when the soil seems to hold a special loam and the richness of the leaves and even the air that we breath has a musky yet snappy smell, that tells you “time has passed and the world is about to sleep.”Fall is a respite between the hot day’s of summer and the bone chilling day’s of winter, where everything seems to be in balance. It helps you prepare for the breakneck speed of the upcoming holiday season, while affording you the opportunity to drink that hot cup of spiced apple cider.

Fall is a time of wandering the pumpkin patch for that special big one, and apple orchard’s for hand picked “Grannys” that will make a wonderful pie.
It’s the time to rake leaves, which is just another way of “starting fresh.” It’s a time for replenishing the pantry with hardy vegetables that will be turned into crock pot stews. It’s a time when the twilight arrives early and you can walk the neighborhood in the dark at 6:00, unencumbered by loud music, traffic and lawnmowers.

O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. He ... became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. In the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.
Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Matt. 26:39. John 12:27. John 6:38. Phil. 2:8. Heb. 5:7,8. Matt. 26:53. Luke 24:46,47.

Of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

Of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.
His Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things. If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
I and my Father are one. The Father is in me, and I in him. My Father, and your Father; and ... my God, and your God. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one.
The Church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Having ... these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

John 1:16. Matt. 17:5. 1 John 3:1. Heb. 1:2. Rom. 8:17. John 10:30,38. John 20:17. John 17:23. Eph. 1:22,23. 2 Cor. 7:1.

I delight in the law of God after the inward man.

I delight in the law of God after the inward man.

O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure enlightening the eyes. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass.

Rom. 7:22. Ps. 119:97. Jer. 15:16. Song of Solomon 2:3. Job 23:12. Ps. 40:8. John 4:34. Ps. 19:8,10. James 1:22,23.

The Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

The Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that wait for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Prov. 3:26. Ps. 76:10. Prov. 21:1. Prov. 16:7. Ps. 130:5,6. Ps. 34:4. Deut. 33:27. Jer. 17:7. Rom. 8:31.

Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever

Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.

The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty: thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.
The Lord is ... great in power. If God be for us, who can be against us? Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us, and he will deliver us. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory. Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee and praise thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.

Matt. 6:13. Ps. 93:1,2. Nah. 1:3. Rom. 8:31. Dan. 3:17. John 10:29. 1 John 4:4. Ps. 115:1. 1 Chr. 29:11,13,14.

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. Whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
Brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. We desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end; that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and perseverance inherit the promises. So run, that ye may obtain.

Rom. 12:11. Eccl. 9:10. Col. 3:23,24. Eph. 6:8. John 9:4. Luke 2:49. John 2:17. 2 Pet. 1:10. Heb. 6:11,12. 1 Cor. 9:24.

A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.

A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.

No man, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive: but speaking the truth in love, ... grow up into him in all things which is the head, even Christ.
Abide in me. Be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

James 1:8. Luke 9:62. Heb. 11:6. James 1:6,7. Mark 11:24. Eph. 4:14,15. John 15:4. 1 Cor. 15:58.

Ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son.

Ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son.

He received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.
Be ye ... followers of God, as dear children. If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.
The brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame. These things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

1 Cor. 1:9. 2 Pet. 1:17. 1 John 3:1. Eph. 5:1. Rom. 8:17. Heb. 1:3. Matt. 5:16. Heb. 12:2. John 17:13. 2 Cor. 1:5.

Salt of the earth.

Ye are the salt of the earth.

That which is not corruptible. Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. The children of God, being the children of the resurrection. The incorruptible God.
If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption.
Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Matt. 5:13. 1 Pet. 3:4. 1 Pet. 1:23. John 11:25. Luke 20:36. Rom. 1:23. Rom. 5:9-11. 1 Cor. 15:42. Mark 9:50. Eph. 4:29.

Daily Light

Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground. We commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. Study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands.
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. The night cometh when no man can work.
Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Always abounding in the work of the Lord forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
There remaineth ... a rest to the people of God. Unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing.

Ps. 104:23. Gen. 3:19. 2 Thess. 3:10. 1 Thess. 4:11. Eccl. 9:10. John 9:4. Gal. 6:9. 1 Cor. 15:58. Heb. 4:9. Matt. 20:12. Isa. 28:12.

O Lord, hold me up.

My feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O Lord, held me up.
The Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.
A just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again. Although he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.
Rejoice not against me, O my enemy: when I fall, I shall arise: when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.
If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Ps. 73:2. Ps. 94:18. Luke 22:31,32. Prov. 24:16. Ps. 37:24. Mic. 7:8. Job 5:19. 1 John 2:1. Heb. 7:25.

I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me.

I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil. My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
How precious ... are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. Lord, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward.
Not many mighty, not many noble, are called. Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom? Having nothing, and yet possessing all things. The unsearchable riches of Christ.

Ps. 40:17. Jer. 29:11. Isa. 55:8,9. Ps. 139:17,18. Ps. 92:5. Ps. 40:5. 1 Cor. 1:26. James 2:5. 2 Cor. 6:10. Eph. 3:8.

Fountain of Living Water

Daily Light

The fountain of living waters.

How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life.
Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty. Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. This spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive.
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters. The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Jer. 2:13. Ps. 36:79. Isa. 65:13. John 4:14. John 7:39. Isa. 55:1. Rev. 22:17.

Happiness

Happiness

"If you aren't happy, why aren't you?

Chances are it is because you want something which you do not have, objects or conditions. This is probably not a good enough reason and a review of your situation and perceptions may be in order.

You may have seen video of children in very poor countries laughing and playing, unconcerned that they should have more to be happy about. They are happy because they are playing, because they have their friends and family, and some food to eat that day. Everyone has the right to be happy, and if they can be in their situation, shouldn't you?

"Happiness consists more in small conveniences of pleasures that occur every day, than in great pieces of good fortune that happen but seldom to a man in the course of his life." - Ben Franklin (1706-1790)

Happiness is inside us, in our minds, in our thinking. It is not external material things or experiences, but the enjoyment of our thoughts and feelings. This is good because our thoughts, and therefore our happiness, are up to us.

Start by reviewing the things that you have to be happy about and dwell on these. Don't overlook the little or basic things that you take for granted.

Make a habit of substituting unhappy thoughts with happy thoughts. Whenever an unfavorable picture enters your mind, eject it and replace it with a pleasant one. We all have some nice experiences to recollect and there are usually little pleasures around us most of the time. You can even imagine enjoyable experiences, and it will have a similar positive effect.

"Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you." - Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864)

Establish good principles and conduct yourself according to these principles. Love, or at least be tolerant of, your fellow humans. Don't strive too hard for that which, in the end, will not make you happier.