A strong support...

"When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." -- Psalm 94:18-19

Over the years I've had two knee surgeries. While  waiting for  each  procedure I found myself leaning a lot. I would lean to get up from my desk, when I went up and down stairs and other times through the day. Leaning is fine when you have the right support. A strong support is a good thing.

The psalmist knew that in the midst of opposition and oppression he needed support. He learned to lean on the love of the Lord. With such a support he also found joy for his soul. His foot would refrain from slipping, and his anxiety would slip away. A strong support is a good thing.

Are you so independent that you don't need to lean? Or have you found the support of others undependable? Well, let the Lord's love and consolation be your support today and find joy for your soul as you lean on his strong support.

Mightier than the Sea...

"The seas have lifted up, O LORD, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea— the LORD on high is mighty." -- Psalm 93:3-4

Last week we headed down the road toward Cape Cod to visit family. With such trips our plans are always fluid with the possibilities of coastal storms. The power of the waves during a storm are quite sobering for any traveler. While a ship may rise and fall with the pounding, there is One greater in power that remains unmoved.

No matter where we may find ourselves in life, the waves of the ocean or the waves of distress and troublesome storms will often lift their voice. The Psalmist is secure in the fact that the Lord reigns and he is mighty. He could choose to be frightened in the face of turmoil or be at peace in the knowledge that the Lord is armed with strength. His choice is clear... Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea— the LORD on high is mighty!

How will you travel today? Will you be secure and at peace, or will the waves of life overwhelm you? When Peter kept his eyes on the Lord... He walked on the troubled waters (Matthew 14:29) Keep your eyes on the One who is mightier than the breakers of the sea and be at peace!

It's ALL about HIM!

"For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen." -- Romans 11:36

Aristotle embraced the geocentric model, believing the earth to be the center of the universe. In 1543 Copernicus proposed a new paradigm placing the sun in the center. Over the years I have met some rather unusual individuals that dogmatically believe that they themselves are in fact the center of the universe. Could they all be wrong?

Paul has taken the Roman believers from the answer for mankind's lost condition to the divine elective plan for Israel. When all the detail and design is thoroughly revealed the reader can see that all the glory belongs to the Lord of creation. The whole universe comes together with beautiful symmetry when we acknowledge God as the true Center. Paul alone was right.

The best day is the one that begins with this truth: "For from him and through him and to him are all things." Every day continues to grow better and make more sense when, the Lord is given all the glory. Life is never about us... it's ALL about Him!

One direction...

"For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes." -- Romans 10:2-4 

The pilot announced, "I have good news and bad news; the good news is, we're making great time and the bad news is, we're lost." Yes, it's an old worn out joke, but it readily applies in this case. Zeal and progress may be tremendous, but when the knowledge is lacking and the direction is wrong, all is lost.

Religion may seem to be just right, but if it isn't true to Scripture then people will suffer, both now and eternally. Paul wrote about his nation and the incredible zeal they had for God. Their relationship was solely built on a righteousness of their own without submitting to God's righteousness. For these "religious" people, there was no place for Christ, the end of the law.

Too many people are under the persuasion that they "know" all there is about the Bible and religion. Their zeal is unfounded and misdirected as a result. The reason to read the Scriptures is to find truth and find our way to God. While Paul wrote in verse 13, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”, he also wrote in verse 17, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ."  Don't be in such a hurry that you lose your way. Stop and read the Word and be zealous for the one direction that is right.

Selfless Compassion...

"I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race..." -- Romans 9:1-3

I attended an ordination service for a good friend some years ago. He was being ordained to the Gospel ministry with a focus on inner city mission work. His brother spoke of growing up near the city and making many visits as a family. One thing he remembered about my friend was the way he wept over the homeless and downtrodden of the city. To this day my friend has unceasing anguish in his heart for the city. He has selfless compassion.

Sincere ministry should be passionate. The passion comes from deep within and motivates us as Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:14, "For Christ’s love compels us..." In the above passage he is also moved by the lost condition of his brothers and he has a passion for their salvation. His passion is so strong that he is willing to be cut off from Christ for the sake of his brothers. He had selfless compassion.

Jesus gave his life for the salvation of the lost, what are we willing to give? Do we love the Lord and the lost enough to be passionate about their salvation? May we pray for the passion of Paul as we look to the fields that are white unto harvest? Sincere ministry needs selfless compassion.

Our dwelling place...

"Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." -- Psalm 90:1-2 

While growing up our family lived in six different places. Since high school I have lived in nine different locations. Some of those living quarters are no longer standing and some have drastically changed. One might fairly ask, "Where is my dwelling place?"

Moses shared a similar experience. He moved all over the Middle East during his lifetime. He lived in the Pharaoh's court as well as in a tent. After the Exodus he moved more times than anyone could count. But, Moses was always secure and settled because the Lord was always his "dwelling place".

It doesn't matter how many times you've moved or how much change has been experienced, my friend. Your God who has been the same from before the mountains were born. From age to age and from place to place, you can be secure and settled in life, when the Lord is your "dwelling place".

Honor in peace...

"It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel." -- Proverbs 20:3

We learn to debate in high school and watch heated exchanges every day on the news. Quarreling seems to be a natural part of our society. Yet, what is actually accomplished from these rapid-fire, disrespectful and self-righteous diatribes? After all is said and done, there is no honor in a quarrel.

As Solomon wisely writes, to avoid strife is an honorable effort. Jesus spoke of peacemakers being blessed ones in Matthew 5:9 and the writer of Hebrews wrote in 12:14, "Make every effort to live in peace with all men..." Being quick to quarrel is a foolish pursuit with little gain.

To be an honorable disciple of Christ is to follow in his steps of gentleness and patience. In the words of Paul in 2 Timothy 2:24, "... the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful." It is far wiser to avoid strife and affirm peace.