Tag: Psalms

We Are Neither Forgotten Nor Abandoned

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It has been my observation that most people think Jesus and the story of Christmas are unnecessary because they do not believe there is a need for Grace. They just do not accept the situation as painted by scripture.

This is what I think — The birth of Christ is an amazing declaration, an eternal statement to all of us. The arrival of Jesus clearly established — God is real; God is just; God offers grace. The heavens were opened and a completely different world came into view through Jesus. The coming of the Messiah as our Savior is confirmed by the veracity of the Old Testament message concerning the new covenant. We know that humans are isolated from God, but we are not forgotten or abandoned. If we were forgotten, no Savior would have been required. If we were abandoned, no Savior would have come. Yet, the Logos came to us in the humblest of circumstances.

So, now what? We were made to traverse this world Walking with God. The birth of that lowly child is the bridge between the old self and the new self. Psalms 111:6-10 says “He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations. The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are established for ever and ever, enacted in faithfulness and uprightness. He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever; holy and awesome is his name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.”

Isaiah 7:10-17 says — “The Lord spoke to Ahaz, ‘Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.’  But Ahaz said, ‘I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.’ Then Isaiah said, ‘Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel. He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste. The Lord will bring on you and, on your people, and on the house of your father, a time unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah—he will bring the king of Assyria.’ “See 2 Chronicles 28:14-27 (if you are curious about the king of Assyria).

Jeremiah 31:31-34 says “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah — not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

I wonder if Isaiah and Jerimiah understood the full depth and meaning of their prophetic message when they first spoke the message aloud. It is an amazing glimpse into the future, our future.

I choose Jesus.

Hollywood And The Tree Frogs

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When the moon passes by the front window and moon shadows grow long almost laying on the floor, then the birds start to sing, and the sky transforms from twinkly black to a beautiful blue. The clouds began their morning dance as the wind picks up a bit and pushes down the road to the next ranch. Here at the Bent Knee Ranch, Hollywood is first rousing, looking for a sip of coffee and breakfast.

Hollywood says — Ahh…  breakfast; the warm smell of porridge, apples, and raisins in a bowl. Ahhhh… So yummy.

Miss Tillie knows what Hollywood likes and sets out to create a grand morning breakfast. The creative work she does in the kitchen is her offering of service to the one true living God. She says, it is my privilege to be of service to God, to help Hollywood begin his day on the Ranch, and to make this home a small glimpse of heaven. Every task in the house is done to bring glory to God, it is a privilege to serve God in this way. God made us to be creative and to do all things to his Glory – even a thing like cooking and homemaking becomes artwork and ministry as the home she builds is used to serve the community.

Then she asks Hollywood — when do you think the Tree frogs will start singing this year?

Hollywood replies – Soon. Very Soon. The weather is just right. Perhaps before the week is completed. I will let you know what I see when I get out onto the land.

So, Hollywood leaves the house and starts working on his ranch duties. He mends a few fences, checks on the cattle, repairs the barn door, and then rides the range looking for calves that are wandering alone and unprotected. His day is long and he sings to pass the time. He was taught by his grandfather that his work on the land is a ministry to Miss Tillie and the others that come to visit and ask questions about life. But, today he is thinking about Tree Frogs for his Miss Tillie.  He sings a song in his head that his mother taught him many years ago —

Do not look at me with big eyes,

Your glowing look, your sunny sky,

happy days I have come to know,

That tree frog I loved so long ago.

Do not smile for what you do,

It seems my dreams have come true.

We are happy as could be in the blue,

That tree frog smiled so long ago.

He remembers the early days with Miss Tillie. Ranch life was much more uncertain in those days. The thunderstorms often started fires, the wolves were always looking for a free lunch from the herd and the local town was not a nice place to visit.

But times have changed, people grew up and grew wise. Hollywood was part of that change. He did not like to bring attention to himself but he could see the differences in people as he brought peace to the valley of the Bent Knee. He continued singing:

When you speak, I think of trees,

A tree right here in the room with me.

Your voice that calls me so low,

That tree frog lost so long ago.

It is strange how God brings you near,

So many days, so many years.

Now it seems I am moving so slow,

Chasing a tree frog so long ago.

Hollywood smiled. He remembered the songs of his earlier days. Now, his whiskers were a bit gray; he moved a bit slower; he kept a bit closer to the fire in the evening. But his mind was still strong. He loved God, Miss Tillie, the Bent Knee Ranch, the local town, and his cattle. They have lived a grand life. Often people come by in the afternoon to visit and ask questions about their struggles. They know that Hollywood and Miss Tillie have become wise in their old age and they look for his counsel.

But now, it was time for supper, Hollywood found some good things to eat. He chopped and shaped and gently placed his vegetables in the pan to cook them tender through and through. He found a thick steak and placed it on the coals to sear and sizzle until it was a bright pink inside. His coffee cup was empty and he poured Miss Tillie a cup of coffee to have with her meal.

Then Hollywood gave thanks for the meal and quietly watched the sun set on the hills. In the distance he could hear the call of a tree frog, first one, then a second, then a whole choir of singers filling the night with the gentle praise for God’s goodness and mercy as the day ended. Miss Tillie smiled.

Psalm 23:6 — Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Please note: In 1956 a cowboy poet, Jim Jennings, published a short book about his experience working at ‘dude’ ranches in the west. My Great grandmother, Goldie Livingston, obtained a first edition copy of Jim’s self-published book in the fall of 1956. The poetry in this story is adapted from Jim’s book.

Unmerited Grace for All

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It has been my observation that we Christians look to the Bible for lasting meaning and hope; this search allows us to use our reasoning abilities as God intended. The Bible presents the reality of God (implied in Revelation 1:8), who has revealed Himself to all people (implied in Psalms 19:1-2).

The apostle Paul argued this point when he wrote, “since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, eternal power, and divine nature have been clearly seen; being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). This declaration, in which God reveals Himself through nature, is also shown to the heart of every person, for “that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them” (Romans 1:19).

John Calvin referred to this as the ‘sensus divinitatis’, which is an innate sense of divinity, an intuitive knowledge that God exists. Calvin wrote, “there exists in the human mind and indeed by natural instinct, some sense of Deity.” He further states, “All men of sound judgment will therefore hold, that a sense of Deity is indelibly engraved on the human heart.” Calvin also wrote, “there never has been, from the very first, any corner of the globe, any city, any household, without religion, [which] amounts to a tacit confession, that a sense of Deity is inscribed on every heart.”

The problem is not with God’s clear revelation, but with the human heart which is rebellious. For those possessed with sinful persistence, they suppress the truth with their unrighteousness (implied in Romans 1:18). These rebels have a sinful heart that ignores God’s grace to pursue earthly passions.

In Romans 1:21-23 Paul wrote — For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. (NIV).

God never forces Himself on anyone. People are free to choose whether to accept Him or not. If they reject the gentle nudge from the Spirit of God, he does not render the final judgment upon them right away. Rather, God extends to them an undeserved period of kindness and goodness, regardless of whether they have yielded to grace or continue rebelling (implied in John 3:16). But death brings the period of kindness to closure.

This grace is dependent on God and not the attitude or actions of men. Jesus said of His Father, that “He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45). Paul affirmed this grace, saying, “In the generations gone by, He permitted all the nations to go their own ways [in rebellion]; and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:16-17). Here, God’s grace is obvious, Elohim provides what we need. He even blesses the unsaved and unrepentant. His love, mercy, and goodness are extended toward the undeserving entirely because of his earnest goal to see all of us yield to Grace before we die.

Salvation comes to us by grace alone (it is an undeserved gift), through faith alone (adding no works), by Jesus alone (as the only One who saves). Paul wrote, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation comes to us via the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (implied in Romans 10:9). We deserve death; but grace abounds through the ransom paid by the Lamb of God.

I choose Jesus.

Refine your Message

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It has been my observation, during the time we spend talking to God, he gradually aligns our will with his, changing the way we view a situation, and changing the way we respond to a problem. Sometimes we miss his answers (because we are not listening or we are expecting a different answer so we do not recognize it when it comes), and other times the answer comes through reading the Bible or talking to others, but God will answer. His wisdom sees farther and loves deeper than we can imagine. God enables us to set our vision for an eternity fellowshipping with those he loves, not just gratification in the immediate moment. There is no one else who can see and know what he does, and he delights to share his wisdom with us in prayer.

If you have an approach to formulate your prayer, then stick with it. Nurture your method and grow close to God. If you were curious about finding something different to formulate your prayer time, you might consider using the ACTS approach (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication). Let us take a closer look at the four elements.

Adoration. Begin your prayer in adoration and praise of God. When the time is right, focus on the absolute majesty and wonder of who God is and how He desires to be with you, always. If you want inspiration, you can pray with a Psalm of praise such as Psalm 100, or Psalm 67.

Contrition. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal your sinfulness and need for God’s mercy and grace. Become comfortable talking with God about specific sins — repent and seek forgiveness. Check out Psalms 51 for an example.

Thankfulness. Take the time to thank God for the positive things in your life. Try to notice the blessings you often take for granted. Take a look at Psalms 77 for an example.

Supplication. lift up your cares and concerns to God. Pray for the people in your life, for those who are suffering, for the needs of all people throughout the world. Ask God to show you who to pray for today.

If the Holy Spirit—God’s way of being with us, working through us, and speaking to us—is the way in which continuity is maintained between the life of Jesus and the life of Jesus’ community, then prayer is the primary way we receive and participate in that presence. Prayer is our way of being attentively present to God who is present to us in the Holy Spirit. This frees us from thinking that prayer is about our posture or our ‘right words.’ Prayer is a part of being attentive to the God who is already present with us; to the God already at work in us, our communities, and the world; and to the God who wants us to participate in his ongoing work.

As we pray, we are dependent on the Holy Spirit whether we recognize it or not. Paul says — we do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God (Romans 8:26–27).

In this passage, Paul is saying more than — When you cannot find the words, the Spirit will help. We are given assurances the Holy Spirit is interceding as needed. As needed, the Holy Spirit will take whatever we offer, however rich or impoverished our words are, however inadequate we feel, and intercede. This is an amazing part of prayer and of the relationship we foster with the one true living God. He fills in the blanks. We are struggling, unsure how to proceed, he moves with authority. He then gives us glimpses of his plan, his focus, his assurance we are in a safe harbor. Why? Because we have yielded to him, we have conformed our requests to his will.

In Revelation 5, John describes a vision of a slain Lamb upon a throne, surrounded by elders who are constantly worshiping. Each elder is holding a golden bowl full of incense, the incense in the bowl are the prayers from the people of God. Our ordinary, everyday prayers reach the very presence of God. They fill the throne room. They are the smoke that surrounds the throne.

I choose Jesus.

The Path Forward

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It was my observation while browsing Psalms, that David and Asaph often spoke of the need to meditate on the truth of God, the works of God, and the nature of God. Psalms 77:10-12 tells us – I will remember the deeds of the Lord, yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago, I will consider all your works and meditate on your mighty deeds (NIV).  This is a clear mandate for meditation. But how do we meditate from a biblical viewpoint? Let me be clear, meditation is not sitting still and emptying your mind of all thoughts. It is not a ship drifting aimlessly in a still ocean, with no anchor or no sail. Rather, meditation is focused, contemplation on a theme from scripture, which includes giving ample space for God’s word to breathe life into you, for the Spirit of the living God to teach you. Psalms 119:15 tells us – I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways (NIV).

So, what do we do? We step away from busyness and noise, internal and external. Get still, find a place that is quiet. Find a time that is quiet. Get alone with God. Just as you moved the dial on a radio to a specific channel, do the same with God – focus your mind on him. This takes time to learn, time to engage in intentional meditation. It is easy to read a few scriptures, it is not so easy to really ponder on the word, and patiently wait in quietness for the message from God to arrive. Psalms 49:3-4 implies — My mouth will speak your words of wisdom; meditation from my heart brings understanding (NIV).

Start simple, focused, with modest objectives. Work at getting 5 minutes of focus on the essence of God. If you drift, do not be too hard on yourself. Keep trying. God will respect the effort and deliver. Find a regular time. Put this time on your calendar if needed. Time is not found, it is scheduled. Make a plan. Stick to it. Select the right time and the right location. In time you can and will meditate anyplace. You will learn to shut out the outside din and inside self-talk to get focused on God. But, at first it is wise to meditate in the same place at a regular time.  Psalms 1:2 implies we are to delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on his law — day and night.

Isaac found it helpful to meditate in his field in the evening, someplace where others did not disturb him, where he was surrounded by the splendor of God’s creation (implied in Gen. 24:63).  Develop a standard plan of action. This is directed thought, not mindlessness. Build a list of topics, keep them on your phone, build a list of verses you want to ponder on, keep them on your phone (edit the list as needed). Get the topic or verse in your head – get started. This is God’s thing – give him space to work. Let him teach. Work the scripture, over and over. Let the Spirit do his job. Absorb.

If you are struggling with something, this is a good time to ponder on how to leverage God’s word to resolve the issue. This is a time for honesty and ownership of our part in the situation. This is a time to hear God’s plan and then learn from the master. Focus on the word, let God speak through his word. Find a path forward. Finding internal peace is the goal, getting quiet is the method, embracing rest is the outcome (see Psalm 77 for a template). In my view, meditating involves us having an open heart, a slow contemplation of God. We should be much more interested in what God has to say about the passage we are meditating upon than what we think about that passage. Be still and know he is God. Major on listening, minor on talking.

I know this topic is a big ‘ask.’ Give it a little thought. I do not meditate all day, but I do set down and focus my thoughts on God often each week. When I am swimming in the noise of the day, I turn to him.

I choose Jesus.

Consuming the Wind

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Written by Dan

It has been my observation that death is the great equalizer, no one can outrun death, no one can avoid death, we all will pass through the portal. Some to life everlasting and others to an everlasting bad day. But what about the things we accumulate? What happens? Do those things matter? Solomon pondered on these things and formulated the essential statement on birth and death in a world with little grace.

Ecclesiastes 5:15-17 says — Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands. This too is a grievous evil: As everyone comes, so they depart, and what do they gain, since they toil for the wind? All their days they eat in darkness, with great frustration, affliction, and anger. (NIV)

Psalms tell us — Do not be overwhelmed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them. Though while they live, they count themselves blessed—and people praise them when they prosper—they will join those who have gone before them, who will never again see the light of life (Psalm 49:16-19).

It is clear we do not accumulate anything in this world that stays with us after death. What is the impact of this? First, we see the fleeting nature of wealth, second, we are schooled by Solomon on the notion that our wealth is nothing, valueless when compared to the immensity and grandeur of the one true living God. We bring nothing because we have nothing material that is of value to God. He desires our heart, which is what we bring with us into the next world. We have nothing we have collected that is of any value to God. He looks for the heart, not the objects.

In Psalms we read — For you, Oh Lord, are my hope, my trust … from my Youth. Upon you I have learned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you (Psalm 71:5-6).

When we were born, we arrived with nothing. Then, in death we leave with nothing (implied in 1 Timothy 6:7). The dust that formed us, envelops us in death. For we were born in sin, and if we do not find grace in our life and turn towards the one true living God to receive the ransom, then we die in sin. We are unsanctified.   Our sorrow during life is magnified 1 million-fold in death without Jesus.

Our departure without the benefit of Grace is not God’s plan, it is Lucifers plan. He will try to twist and misalign the precepts squeezing all the power from the saving message. This is a difficult thing to wrap our mind around, yet we know he loses his campaign of destruction if we yield to Jesus. The darker truth is — he wants to distract us with wealth, causing our heart to be glued and focused on this world, striving to avoid death so that we may wrap our arms about the great wealth we accumulate and cling to rather than embracing and valuing the eternal gift given to each of us through the shed blood of Jesus.

In Hosea 12:1 we learn about Ephraim, a tribe of Israel trying to feed from the wind. How can that be? I think we quickly learn that feeding from the wind leaves us with an empty tummy. Wind cannot provide us with strength or stamina. What was Hosea the prophet talking about? I think the message is a metaphor that states pursuing wealth to bring happiness leaves us empty. If we pursue wealth for selfish reasons, we are fools. If we do manage to accumulate wealth, we will not find it easy to maintain. I think it is wise to consume the Word of God, leave wind consumption for the godless.

I choose Jesus.