Jesus Calling: September 13

Come to Me and rest. Give your mind a break from its habitual judging. You form judgments about this situation, that situation, this person, that person, yourself, even the weather--as if judging were your main function in life. But I created you first and foremost to know Me and to live in rich communication with Me. When you become preoccupied with passing judgment, you usurp My role.
     Relate to Me as creature to Creator, sheep to Shepherd, subject to King, clay to Potter. Allow Me to have My way in your life. Rather than evaluating My ways with you, accept them thankfully. The intimacy I offer you is not an invitation to act as if you were My equal. Worship Me as King of kings while walking hand in hand with Me down the path of Life.

Matthew 7:1
English Standard Version

Judge not, that you be not judged.
 
John 17:3
English Standard Version 

And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
 
Romans 9:20-21
English Standard Version 

²⁰ But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” ²¹ Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 

I Timothy 6:15
English Standard Version 

which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 



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Proverbs 11:7-8 - The End of The Wicked

Proverbs 11:7-8

⁷ When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish,
And the hope of strong men perishes.
⁸ The righteous is delivered from trouble,
But the wicked takes his place.

Message: The righteous, not the wicked, in the end

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.
 

What the Lord is Saying:

The mark of the Christian, I see often in scripture, is hope for the future. Culture and society trains us in the idea of "live for now" or "go for the gusto" or "just do it." The overwhelming sense then is to grab all that you can right now because now is all that we know. The challenge I see often in talking to people about the Lord is to get them to think about their entire life span. Ecclesiastes reminded us earlier that their is joy and good times in the here and now, but the majority of scripture reminds that God is concerned about our eternal well being.

As Stephen Covey made famous in his book, "7 Habits of Highly Successful People" we are to "Begin with End in Mind." Life actually takes on more fulfillment when we think first about where we are going so that we can then realize that we are on a journey and so what we do now means something.

These verses, I think, make mention of the wicked man that has set in pattern a life that is primarily concerned about this present life only. It is very true that right now the wicked do often prosper. I see this all the time and I know other people see it and therefore our ideal is trying our best to capture the best of both worlds and yet it seems that my primary focus day in and day out is on the prosperity of now versus later.

So this Proverb here is very important. It reminds me that the toil of wicked man right now (and man is wicked when he ignores God as his creator, Lord, and Savior) is momentary and his expectation will perish. His best laid plans will come to an end.

The hope of the Christian is eternity with God in heaven. This is why a Christian is a Christian. A person comes to Christ because of a recognition that their sin separates them from God and this is significant for today and tomorrow. Christ paid the penalty for sin. Each person can be free by knowing Christ and his forgiveness and love.

It is then that the "righteous is delivered from trouble." There is no trouble for the righteous. It is the wicked that end up in trouble.

Promise: The righteous, not the wicked, in the end

Jesus Calling: September 12

Receive My Peace. It is My continual gift to you. The best way to receive this gift is to sit quietly in My Presence, trusting Me in every area of your life. Quietness and trust accomplish far more than you can imagine not only in you, but also on earth and in heaven. When you trust Me in a given area, you release that problem or person into My care.
     Spending time alone with Me can be a difficult discipline, because it goes against the activity addiction of this age. You may appear to be doing nothing, but actually you are participating in battles going on within spiritual realms. You are waging war--not with the weapons of this world, but with heavenly weapons, which have divine power to demolish strongholds. Living close to Me is a sure defense against evil. 

John 14:27
English Standard Version

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
 
Isaiah 30:15
English Standard Version

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel,
“In returning and rest you shall be saved;
    in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
But you were unwilling,
 
2 Corinthians 10:4
English Standard Version

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 




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Psalm 12:6 - Inspiration, Infallibility, Inerrancy

Psalm 12:6 - The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.

Message: The words of the Lord are the highest and greatest words we can read

Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

Psalm 12 is a Psalm that is said to have definitely been written by David. 

Man's Words
The predominant theme of the Psalm is the calling out of man as being fallible and a man of iniquity. There is almost a sense of surprise that not even the Godly man cannot remain without sin. Psalm 12:1 says, "the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men." 

Their isn't specific wickedness that is mentioned and it isn't saying that their is no good in man and that Godly man does not ever do good, but throughout life not even man can be counted on in all circumstances, in all ways. 

Verse 2 remarks, "They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart, do they speak." Verse 1 is a general statement and verse 2, then is an example of that failing. It is not the only failing, but simply one that is mentioned here as an example. Man's speaking words were often in vain and couldn't be relied upon. And man's words could convey a double meaning, they could have selfish motives, they could be deceptive. And man can have a double heart meaning they say one thing and then do another. Man's talk will often not be backed up with his walk. Overall, man if fallible.  

God's Words
Then God's words are spoken. "The words of the Lord are pure words." In contrast to man, the Lord's words are pure. God's words can always be relied upon. All His words are true and faithful. It needs to be clearly stated and clearly received and revered and known that the Lord's words are pure. 

The Psalmist describes how pure those words are. The commodity silver is used and the commodity is is taken to a place where it is tried and purified, not once or twice, but very often, seven times through the fire. The word seven in the Scriptures denotes a complete or perfect number. So, the process of it going through fire was repeated and repeated and repeated and repeated and repeated and repeated and repeated, seven times. It was complete and His words are pure. 

While men, and even those who professed to be good men failed and no complete reliance could be placed on their statements, the most perfect trust could be reposed on all the statements of God. 

Application
This is a reminder to me that God's words needs to always be my chief source of guidance and wisdom. How quickly do I often go to man's words instead for guidance and wisdom. But, I need to be trained by God. 

I live in a culture that doesn't uphold God's words or even his name in a great manner. Even in the church, God's words are being spliced and diced so that the ways of the culture will not be compromised. It is a tough time because being a Christian is getting to be more and more unpopular and people who hold up the word of God are being laughed at more and more. 

But, I just need that reminder to my life that God's words are in fact the most complete and greatest words I could ever hope to read and know. I don't believe this says that I only read the "red letters" in the Bible or only the words that are said to only come from God for the Word says that "All scripture is inspired by God." And so I am to uphold all of its words, but my reliance on the words of God are indeed the greatest. And from that standpoint, I must be very careful to uphold those words. 

This is a process that grates against man and his ways. Just looking at the words of the 10 commandments is a chore to us and goes against our thinking. But, I must be careful. As I have seen from passages, like in Ecclesiastes, life is to be enjoyed. God has provided an abundance and goodness in life to eat, enjoy each others company and live life to the fullest. But, still I must be careful throughout that enjoyment that my enjoyment is based on God's providence and his words are always upheld in my life, for they are the pure words. 

It is not that man can never be relied upon. It is not to say that there aren't good words found in man. But, I must remember that man's words can be fallible while God's words are never fallible. So, I don't think this means I never listen to man, but I always must think about what I'm hearing and not always take it as complete.


Promise: While men, and even those who professed to be good men failed and no complete reliance could be placed on their statements, the most perfect trust could be reposed on all the statements of God. 

Jesus Calling: September 11

Rejoice in Me always! No matter what is going on, you can rejoice in your Love-relationship with Me. This is the secret of being content in all circumstances. So many people dream of the day when they will finally be happy: when they are out of debt, when their children are out of trouble; when they have more leisure time, and so on. While they daydream, their moments are trickling into the ground like precious balm spilling wastefully from overturned bottles.
     Fantasizing about future happiness will never bring fulfillment, because fantasy is unreality. Even though I am invisible, I am far more Real than the world you see around you. My reality is eternal and unchanging. Bring your moments to Me, and I will fill them with vibrant Joy. Now is the time to rejoice in My Presence!

Philippians 4:4,12
English Standard Version

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. ¹² I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
 
Psalm 102:27 
English Standard Version 

But you are the same, and your years have no end.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 




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Jesus Calling: September 10

I am always available to you. Once you have trusted Me as your Savior, I never distance Myself from you. Sometimes you may feel distant from Me. Recognize that as feeling; do not confuse it with reality. The Bible is full of My Promises to be with you always. As I assured Jacob, when he was journeying away from home into unknown places, I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. My last recorded promise to My followers was: Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Let these assurances of My continual Presence fill you with Joy and Peace. No matter what you may lose in this life, you can never lose your relationship with Me. 

Isaiah 54:10
English Standard Version

For the mountains may depart
    and the hills be removed,
but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,
    and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,”
    says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
 
Genesis 28:15
English Standard Version 

Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.

Matthew 28:20
English Standard Version 

teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 




Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Psalm 2:7-12 - God's Call to Kiss His Son

Psalm 2:7-12
⁷ “I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord:
He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
⁸ ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,
And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.
⁹ ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,
You shall shatter them like earthenware.’”

¹⁰ Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
¹¹ Worship the Lord with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
¹² Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!

Message: Jesus speaks to all the nations and the Lord will be worshiped always

Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

Chapter 2, the first 6 verses was broken into two 3 verse stanza's that were very similar in their organization, but reflect 2 different views. It began with the heathen nation, the non-Israelites, the kings of the earth, the rulers and their opposition to the ways of the Lord. They sought to bind the strong cord. But, God responded and made known that His plans will never change or be altered. His ways are the same. He will take care of the opposition and their ways will be thwarted as He will anoint His messiah over all and set Him high upon the hill. 

The Decree

In verses 7-12 it appears to continue for 3 verses or stanza's about Jesus and then the last 3 verses returns to a message to the kings of the earth and rules. While verse 4 uttered the words of Jehovah, now the Messiah speaks, "I will tell of the Lord" versus verse 6, "I have installed My King."That seems amazing that this Psalm, written by David, 1000 years before the time of Christ, here David speaks of the Messiah. David paves the way for the message of the Messiah. That's kind of hard to even fathom, that those words would be spoken of a future person.

Once you know, you must make him known. That should be my motto.

While "sons of God" has been used in scripture to refer to saints or children of God, the naming, "Son of God" is only appropriated to the Messiah in Scripture.  

To Infinity and Beyond
In verse 8, the idea is that the Father gives the son dominion or hands over the entire world. Heathen and nation are synonymous words here are therefore translated as such in different translations. At this time, there were Hebrews and non-Hebrews, just as in the New Testament it is spoken often that there are Jews and Gentiles. The idea here then is that God the Father grants God the Son the entire world as His inheritance. God is not a God of the Jews only. The Book of Romans often is showing the Jews that the message of God through Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is going out to all people, everywhere and going out to the uttermost parts of the earth. 

I think of Acts 1:8 here in the words of uttermost parts of the earth, "but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." The ministry of Jesus in people's lives, his disciples, would reach the uttermost parts of the earth. How exciting to see a verse written 1000 years before Christ have its culmination later in this same idea in Acts. It goes to show how the words and message of the New Testament isn't so new. 

Verse 9 reiterates a common theme in this 2nd chapter of Psalms and that is that God has complete authority over all people and specifically, he will deal with the enemies of God. God will deal with them. Man does not need to and really should not be doing to bad-mouth people that think and live contrary to the word of God. My message to them is always simply the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus. People's eyes are blinded and they need to know that Jesus died for all, for sinners. This verse shows the completeness of their destruction as they will be shattered like a potter's vessel is shattered. And yet this will be an act of the Messiah. 

Address of Psalmist who has heard the words of Jehovah and Messiah
This book begins with the evil plot of the heathen nations and then Jehovah speaks that these nations have no dominion over him or His people. The Messiah enters and sees his impact and now the writer of this Psalms adds his words from verse 10-12.  

He begins with verse 10 or the writer begins speaking to the kings, the judges of the earth. They are not to attempt to resist the ways of God but to surrender to Him and "show discernment" or "be wise." They need to realize that it is not good to be an enemy of the Messiah. This could be a similar prayer that I could pray today towards people that people need show discernment or be wise and take instruction, Jesus is to be served with fear. 

I was reading a comment yesterday by a person on Facebook and they simply remarked, "God is love." I think this is a statement that is overused by many. People use this statement because this is all they want God to be is a God of love and then they define that love as meaning God accepts the behavior and lifestyle of anyone. God does love but his love is so needed because of the sin of man. He loves in spite of man's sin and His love removes the penalty of sin. The thing about these 3 verses now in Psalm 2, 10-12 is they are showing that people need to come before the Messiah and accept Him. 

Verse 11 says to "rejoice with trembling." Yes, we are to praise God but we do so because we recognize his almighty power and that the consequences of being found opposed to him must be overwhelming and awful. 

Verse 10 says to "show discernment" and "be instructed."  Verse 11 says we need to "serve the Lord with fear", "rejoice" but "with trembling." There are times, I think, when people need to see and know the real Messiah, not just the Messiah they conjure up in their mind. 

Verse 12 says, "Do homage to the Son" but I think the King James Version does a better job with this phrase by saying, "Kiss the Son." Man is to come before the Son of God and express his allegiance to the Son. A kiss expresses an Oriental custom to show respect towards one of superior rank. 

In 1 Samuel 10:1, "Then Samuel took the flask of oil, poured it on his head, kissed him and said, “Has not the Lord anointed you a ruler over His inheritance?" The ruler here received a kiss from Samuel as the Lord's anointed ruler. 

But, kissing is also done to idols. 

I Kings 19:18, "Yet I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him." 

You see this often in sports, for when the team or person wins the championship or ultimate prize a trophy is given to them and they kiss it. In that kiss, they are showing their allegiance to that prize that they had been seeking. In this same manner, man is to kiss the Son. We are to show our complete allegiance to Him. We are to accept Him completely for who He is and this will mean many things to us. There will be many ramifications, but he is our God and King. He deserves it and He has done so much for us that we should be willing to do anything for Him. 

Or "He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled." There are consequences for not embracing Him as He is. And this is what people don't want to see. They just want to hear and believe the words, "God is Love." They want to embrace the idea that God will allow them to do whatever because He is love. That there is no accountability to Him. 

For "How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!" Is God Love? Yes indeed and we are to seek Him and take our refuge in Him. I am to hide myself in him. This is the message of the Gospel, that man is a sinner and Jesus has redeemed man and so man takes his refuge not in his/her own good behavior, but takes his/her refuge in Him and Jesus is our protector and He blesses us.
  

Promise: It is in vain to attempt to oppose the Lord and His appointed king. From Tabletalk:

It is not difficult to get people to say nice things about Jesus when the only Jesus they know is the gentle Jesus of popular culture who makes no demands on anyone. That is not the Jesus of Scripture. We live in an era of divine patience, when God is holding back His wrath so that many may be saved. But make no mistake, this patience is not eternal. Gentle Jesus, meek and mild, will execute His wrath at the appointed time. Today is the day of salvation, tomorrow the day of wrath.