I AM A WOMAN…

 

I am a woman of confidence – God is my Confidence.

             Psalm 71:5        Proverbs 3:26

 I am a woman of strength – God is my Strength.

             Psalm 28:7        Psalm 140:7

 I am a woman of courage – I will not be afraid.

             Psalm 27:1        Psalm 46:1-3     2 Timothy 1:7

 I am a victorious woman – With God I will gain the victory.

             Psalm 60:12      Psalm 108:13

 I am a powerful woman – The God of Israel gives strength and power to His people.

             Psalm 68:35

 I am a woman with hope – The Sovereign LORD is my Hope.

             Psalm 71:5        Colossians 1:27

 I am a woman with a message – I will proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD and will proclaim His righteousness to all generations.

             Psalm 71:15-18

 I am a wise woman – I fear the LORD for the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.

             Psalm 111:10    Proverbs 9:10

 I am a woman of joy – singing to the Rock of my Salvation and filled with joy, for the LORD has done great things for me.

             Psalm 95:1        Psalm 126:3

 I am a woman blessed by the LORD – crowned with His love and compassion.

             Psalm 115:13    Psalm 103:4

 I am a woman with insight – my insight comes from meditation on God’s Word.

             Psalm 119:99

 I am a woman of peace – for I love God’s Word.

             Psalm 119:165

 I am a woman under God’s protection.

             Psalm 121

 I am a woman of purpose – for the LORD will fulfill His purpose for me.

             Psalm 138:8

 I am a woman with focus – for my eyes are fixed on the Sovereign LORD.

             Psalm 141:8

 I am woman who is loved – for God loves me.

             I John 4:10, 16

 

            

GOD WORKING HIS PURPOSE IN MY LIFE

GOD WORKING HIS PURPOSE IN MY LIFE

(Musings on I Corinthians 10:13)

Temptations, trials and testing are common to every one of us, including me. The Greek word used for “temptation” in this verse may apply to trials and testing as well as to well as to temptation to sin.  I choose to include both ideas in this verse, for God has a purpose for allowing such into the life of each believer.  Tested glass is tempered to withstand a certain weight; gold and silver are purified by extreme heat and fire to remove unwanted dross.

 

God is at work in my life conforming me into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. God will provide all that I need to enable me to endure each temptation, trial or testing for the time He has allotted to me.    Victory is mine when I submit to Him and let Him do His work. He may provide a quick escape route, esp. when temptation to sin is present; or He may wish me to go through the period of trial or testing for a short time or an extended time.  He will provide me with the strength, courage and joy needed during that period. (Did I say “joy”? Yes, joy – for there is joy in knowing the God has said, “It is the LORD who goes before you.  He will be with you: He will not leave you or forsake you.  Do not fear or be afraid.” – Deut. 31:8) Jesus promised to be with me forever and to never, ever, under any circumstance whatsoever to leave me. (Matt. 28:20)  God may be refining me or He may be preparing me for service.  Maybe I will be able to comfort another in like circumstances because I have found God faithful when I went through such difficulties. 

 

With God all things are possible. God knows my frame; He knows what I can stand and where my breaking point exists. He knows my strengths and my weaknesses and will not go beyond my ability to endure. Whatever the intended purpose, God is faithful!  God said it in His Word and I believe it!

 

May these shared thoughts be of help to you when you find yourself wondering why God is allowing certain difficulties to come into your life.  They have encouraged me, and often I need to be reminded that God is working His purposes in my life.

His Love......Reaching

"Right from the beginning God's love has reached, and from the beginning man has refused to understand.  But love went on reaching, offering itself.  Love offered the eternal...we wanted the immediate.  Love offered deep joy...we wanted thrills.  Love offered freedom...we wanted license.  Love offered communion with God Himself...we wanted to worship at the shrine of our own minds.  Love offered peace...we wanted approval for our wars.  Even yet, love went on reaching.  And still today, after two thousand years, patiently, lovingly, Christ is reaching out to us today.  Right through the chaos of our world, through the confusion of our minds.  He is reaching...longing to share with us...the very being of God.   His love still is longing, His love still is reaching, right past the shackles of my mind.  And the Word of the Father became Mary's little Son.  And His love reached all the way to where I was."   (Gloria Gaither - "Hymns for the Family of God", p. 200)


This is so beautiful, so touching, so real that I had to share it with you.  God does love me.. and you.. and all mankind, and He desires a relationship with you. You need only to Admit that you are a sinner, Believe that Jesus, God the Son, died to pay the penalty for your sins and that He is alive, and Commit your life to Him, receiving His free gift of eternal life.  Then He will pour His love into your heart and call you His own and make you His child forever.

Open My Eyes That I May See

I remain amazed at new truths discovered in Scripture which I have not seen before.  They were always there; but my eyes were not opened to them until the present reading.  In reading Luke 24:13-32 - the meeting on the road to Emmaus of 2 disciples and Jesus "that very day", the day of Resurrection - I was struck with the fact that the eyes of understanding of the disciples were kept from recognizing Jesus. (Lu. 24:16)  As they walked, Jesus explained the reasons of why it was necessary "that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory", beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself." (Lu. 24:26-27)  How precious it must have been to be in the physical presence of the living resurrected Lord Jesus Christ and to have Him explain the words that He had given to men to write - His very words!  As Jesus supped with them and broke bread, "their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him.  Their hearts had burned within them as they had listened to Him open the Scriptures to them.


As I read Scripture, I, too, desire my heart to burn within with new truths. Only Christ, the Light of the world can open the eyes of understanding.   I desire the risen Christ to "Open my eyes that I might see glimpses of truth Thou has for me; place in my hands the wonderful key, that shall unclasp and set me free."  That is the Song my Saviour gave to me for today.  What song has He given you?

Walking Through the Valley of Deep Darkness and Distress

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, (valley of deep darkness) I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."  Psalm 24:4


Last evening our Life Group shared thoughts on Psalm 23; it has kept me thinking.  The day before I had meditated upon Psalm 118:507a.; "Out of my distress I called on the LORD.  The Lord answered me and set me free.  The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.  What can man do to me?  The LORD is on my side as my Helper..."  The two Scripture readings seemed to dovetail.


The Good Shepherd must sometimes lead His sheep through deep ravines or up steep and narrow mountain paths in order to reach the rich pastures and quiet streams of water that will nourish His sheep.  Those areas can be areas of deep distress and danger. In the caves may be robbers waiting in the shadows to steal a sheep. In the shadows of the rocks or bushes may be wild animals waiting for their next meal. Rain and moisture on the trails can cause a fall, as can narrow trails edged by cliffs. But the sheep must pass through.


The sheep who have come to know their Shepherd are not afraid.  They know that He will take care of them, just as He has in the past.  For the Shepherd carries a rod to drive away the robbers, wolves, bears and lions.  He carries a staff with a hook on the end to gently guide the sheep, keeping the sheep on the path and pulling back the one who is straying or is starting to fall.  The shadows are real; the dangers are real.  But "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear."  "....I will fear no evil."


Why, then, as I in distress?  My Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ, is always with me to tenderly care for me and to bring me great blessing.  I must come to know more and more about Him;  I must learn to trust Him completely.  When I sense danger or am in distress, I must cry out to Him.  He will always answer me.  O, what a wonderful Shepherd this ewe lamb has!!

Bless the LORD

Bless the LORD!



      Often, in my Scripture reading, I come upon a word or phrase that catches my attention.  I muse on it all day (ruminating like a cow, savoring each bit of thought as it comes to mind). A few days ago, while reading Psalm 135:19-21, I was struck with the phrase, "Bless the LORD!"  What does it mean to bless the LORD? I know He blesses me many, many  times in many, many ways; but how do I bless Him? The greater blesses the lesser; the lesser is blessed by the greater. So how can the greater be blessed by the lesser?
     My conclusions were thus: I bless the LORD as I thank Him for His blessings bestowed upon me.  I bless Him when I pay attention to His Word (just as my parents were blessed when I listened intently to them.)  I bless the LORD when I obey His revealed will and commands (just as I felt blessed when my sons obeyed me without complaint.)  I bless Him when I respect and care for that which He has created.  I bless Him when I praise Him in thought, word and son.  And I bless Him when I praise Him to others and tell them of His greatness. The LORD is blessed as I acknowledge His as my God and as God alone for there is no one greater than He!
   I choose to bless the LORD each and every day.  What about you?

FEAR NOT, O JESHURUN!

FEAR NOT, O JESHURUN!

"Thus says the LORD, who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Fear not, O Jacob my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen." (Isaiah 44:2)

"But Jeshurun grew fat, and kicked; you grew fat, stout, and sleek; then he forsook God who made him and scoffed at the Rock of his salvation." (Deuteronomy 32:15)

"Thus the LORD became their king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people were gathered, all the tribes of Israel together." (Deuteronomy 33:5)

"There is none like God, Jeshurun, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in his majesty. The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms." (Deuteronomy 33:26-27)

"Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, the shield of your help, and the sword of your triumph?" (Deuteronomy 33:29)

"Jeshurun" (upright one) is a poetic designation for Israel, relating to the ideal nations, holding before the people moral and spiritual character, the object of their creation. In Deut. 32:15 Israel is reproached by God for failing the ideal. Israel was to be the righteous people, but they rebelled and scoffed at the Rock of their salvation. "The LORD became king in Jeshurun." Later the nation would reject their King and demand a king like the nations around them. In Deut. 33:26 God reminded Israel that He "rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in His majesty." What a powerful picture of God coming to the aid of His people! "The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms." They were "a people saved by the LORD, the shield of your help and the sword of your triumph." No wonder Isaiah could remind them of this: "Fear not, o Jacob my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen."

There is no need to fear when the LORD is my King. My King formed me before birth in the womb – no, before I was even there. Before I was conceived, God formed me in His mind and in His plan and numbered the days of our life. At that time I was without human substance. In the womb I became flesh and bone and was given the breath of life. The One who formed me and who chose me will help me in any situation. He rides through the heavens to get to me. His mighty majesty approaches! My King comes to my aid! Why fear? Just cry out to Him. He sees, He hears, He already knows what is taking place and how I am reacting to the circumstances. Yet He "waits" for me to call on Him. No- before I call He answers, for He has already planned the solution. The Eternal God is my dwelling place; underneath me are the Everlasting Arms, holding me, protecting me, comforting me, guiding me, taking care of me. I am "Jacob my servant"; I am "Jeshurun"; I am "a people saved by the LORD", who is the Shield of my help and the Sword of my triumph! Oh, what a King I serve!

Love One Another = Forgive One Another

What a peaceful world it would be if all would follow these words of the Apostle Paul to the Ephesians!

"Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind.)

"And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely] as God in Christ forgave you."

Ephesians 4:31-31 (Amplified Bible)

God in Christ Jesus paid the penalty for all of our sins by dying a cruel death on the Cross of Calvary, thus making it possible for us to forgive others completely. He gave us an example that we should follow in His steps. If you say that you cannot forgive someone for what they have done, you place yourself above the Savior and say that the offence that you refuse to forgive is greater than the ones for which Christ paid. Nothing is impossible for God to do; you CAN forgive others and become useful and helpful and kind to the offender.

A Wounded Bird's Song

Once I heard a song of sweetness as it cleft the morning air,
Sounding in its blest completeness like a tender, pleading prayer;
And I sought to find the singer whence the wondrous song was born;
Til I found a bird, sore wounded, pinioned by an ugly thorn.

I have seen a soul of sadness while its wings with pain were furled;
Giving hope and cheer and gladness that should bless the weeping world;
Soon I learned a life of sweetness was of pain and sorrow born,
For that stricken soul was singing with its heart against a thorn.

You are told of one who loves you, of a Savior crucified,
You are told of nails that pinioned, and a spear the pierced His side.
You are told of cruel scourging, of a Savior bearing scorn,
And He died for you salvation with His brow against a thorn.

You are not above the Master! Will you breathe a sweet refrain?
Then His grace will be sufficient when your heart is pierced with pain.
Will you live to bless His loved ones though your life be bruised and torn,
Like a bird that sang so sweetly with its heart against a thorn?

(The title is mine. The words were given to me by a dear friend many years ago with no title or author. It spoke to me today and I pass it on to all who have their "heart against a thorn")

Jesus Understands

Jesus Understands

Sometimes friends disappoint us. They turn against us. Sometimes they seek to harm or destroy our reputation or our ministry. They may even seek to destroy our life. Does Jesus care? Does He understand? In John 13:21 we read “After He had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit…” Even though Jesus knew who would betray Him and even though it was determined from eternity past, He was still “troubled in spirit”. It was not easy for my Savior to acknowledge that one of His trusted chosen disciples would turn against Him. He was grieved that Judas Iscariot would do this. Jesus is always grieved when one turns his/her back on Him and turns against Him when it seem that that one was walking with Him. He understands how we, too, feel when our friends turn against us. He has been there. Hebrews 2:14-18 tells us that Jesus shares our humanity. He had to be made like us in every way, yet without sin. He is our merciful and faithful high priest. And “because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help (to run, not walk, but to run to the aid of) those who are being tempted (and tried)”

“What you are about to do, do quickly.” Jesus did not want delay in this matter. It had been pre-determined; the decision had been made, the lot had been cast – “Don’t delay.” Judas alone knew what Jesus meant by that remark. Later the disciples would know. But Jesus protected them from any hard, difficult feelings and potential conflicts; and He protected Judas from exposure and potential embarrassment by not revealing the betrayer’s identity until the time of betrayal. Jesus’ kindness and sensitivity to the feelings of others extended to all concerned. He even called Judas “friend”. (Matthew 26:50) He has left us an example to follow in His steps; He has shown us that we need not turn in anger against the friend who turns against us. We are to forgive, “even as God in Christ Jesus forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32) Yes, Jesus does care; He does understand.

I AM A WOMAN…

I am a woman of confidence – God is my Confidence. Psalm 71:5 Proverbs 3:26

I am a woman of strength – God is my Strength. Psalm 28:7 Psalm 140:7

I am a woman of courage – I will not be afraid. Psalm 27:1 Psalm 46:1-3 2 Timothy 1:7

I am a victorious woman – With God I will gain the victory. Psalm 60:12 Psalm 108:13

I am a powerful woman – The God of Israel gives strength and power to His people. Psalm 68:35

I am a woman with hope – The Sovereign LORD is my Hope. Psalm 71:5 Colossians 1:27

I am a woman with a message – I will proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD and will proclaim His righteousness to all generations. Psalm 71:15-18

I am a wise woman – I fear the LORD for the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Psalm 111:10 Proverbs 9:10

I am a woman of joy – singing to the Rock of my Salvation and filled with joy, for the LORD has done great things for me. Psalm 95:1 Psalm 126:3

I am a woman blessed by the LORD – crowned with His love and compassion. Psalm 115:13 Psalm 103:4

I am a woman with insight – my insight comes from meditation on God’s Word. Psalm 119:99

I am a woman of peace – for I love God’s Word. Psalm 119:165

I am a woman under God’s protection. Psalm 121

I am a woman of purpose – for the LORD will fulfill His purpose for me. Psalm 138:8

I am a woman with focus – for my eyes are fixed on the Sovereign LORD. Psalm 141:8

I am woman who is loved – for God loves me. I John 4:10, 16

Peace, Perfect Peace??

Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?
The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.

Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?
To do the will of Jesus, this is rest.

Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round?
On Jesus' bosom naught but calm is found.

Peace, perfect peace, or future all unknown?
Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.

Peace, Perfect peace, death shadowing us and ours?
Jesus has vanquished death and all its powers.

It is enough: earth's struggles soon shall cease,
And Jesus, call us to heaven's perfect peace.
AMEN
(Edward H. Bickersteth, 1875)

“In 1875, while Edward Bickersteth was vacationing in Harrowgate, England, he heard a sermon on Isaiah 26:3, 'Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee' (KJV). The minister explained that the original Hebrew read, “Thou wilt keep him in peace, peace...' In Hebrew the repetition of the word indicates intensity or perfection. That afternoon Bickersteth visited a dying relative. When he found the man deeply distressed, he withdrew for a while and wrote this hymn. Then he returned to read Scripture and to share the comforting lines he had written.”
(Taken from The One Year Book of Hymns, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1995, Sept. 10)

The Prince of Peace has come and He gave us these words:
“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.” (John 14:27)

“I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have
tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

May you find comfort in these words from the Prince of Peace,who came to this earth to provide you with His peace, dying in your place, paying the penalty for your sins and rising from the dead to give you life eternal when you put your faith and trust in Him.

May God's peace rest on you today,

Talk - Talk - Talk

"Talk, talk, talk - all you do is talk!" Have you heard those words or said them to anyone? People say that "talk is cheap", but the Psalmist in Psalm 71 (ESV) says, "Talk!" "My mouth is filled with Your praise and with glory all the day." (v.8) "My mouth will tell of Your righteous acts, of Your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge." (v.15) "With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of Your righteousness, of Yours alone." (v.16) "So even to the old age and grey hairs, [and I have many!] O God, do not forsake me until I proclaim Your might to another generation, Your power to all those to come." (v.18) "My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to You..." (v.23) "And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long..." (v.24).
So speak up! As for me, I will fill my mouth with the praises of God and will glorify Him with my lips. I will tell others of God's righteous acts and deeds, of HIs power and of His help. I will proclaim and remind and shout and tell and sing so that all my hear about and come to know the great God I love and serve. He is my Rock of Refuge to which I may continuallly come. (Ps. 71:3)

God Our King

God is our King -
Sovereign - King of King
Celestial - King of Glory
Eternal - King of the Ages
Global - King of the Nations
National - King of Israel
Racial - King of the Jews
Righteous - King of Righteousness
Moral - King of Righteousness
Personal - My King
Beautiful - King in His Beauty
Terrestrial - King of All the Earth.

Worship Him.
Bow down to Him.
Adore Him.
Pledge allegiance to Him.
Honor Him.
Listen to Him.
Obey Him.

"The LORD Almighty - He is the King of Glory!"

God's Hiding Place

Where can I go when troubled, frightened, maligned or attached? God has a hiding place for His children. David said, "You are a hiding place for me..." (Psalm 31:7) Here are a few descriptions of God's provisions of safety.

a refuge, a rock of refuge - Psalm 30:1,3
a strong fortress - Psalm 30:2
the cover of His presence - Psalm 30:20
His shelter - Psalm 27:5; 30:20
A stronghold - Psalm 27:1
under the cover of His tent - Psalm 27:5
my dwelling place - Psalm 90:1; 91:9
the cover of His pinons - Psalm 91:4
behind His shield and buckler - Psalm 91:4
under His wings - Psalm 91:4
in the shadow of His wings - Psalm 36:7; 63:7
under the shelter of His wings - Psalm 61:4
a strong tower - Psalm 61:3
in the shelter of the Most High - Psalm 91:1
in the shadow of the Almighty - Psalm 91:1
in the hands of Jesus - John 10:28
in the hands of the Father - John 10:29
hidden with Christ in God - Colossians 3:3

Go to God. Reflect on His Presence, His Person, His Power. You will find your Hiding Place and you will find rest for your soul in the midst of any trial.

Psalm 71:3 tells us that we may come to Him continually. He is our perpetual Hiding Place - always there, always available, forever. He will never turn us away. Isn't God great!? And He is my God!

THIS GOD - MY GOD

THIS GOD – MY GOD

While meditating on Psalm 18 I was struck with the descriptions of God and with the verbs describing His actions. I encourage you to read the Psalm before reading my ramblings. We have a great God.

This God is – my Strength, my Rock, my Fortress, my Deliverer, my God, my Rock of Refuge, my Shield, the Horn of my Salvation, my Stronghold.

When I call to this God, He hears, He acts, He answers, He delivers, He rescues, He comforts. He supports, He light my lamp and lightens the darkness, He strengthens, He steadies, He secures, He rewards. He shows Himself merciful, blameless, pure, and shrewd. He equips He trains, He provides, He elevates and makes great, He avenges and subdues, He exalts.

This God will take care of the battles for me. He will deal with any enemy I may have or encounter. Salvation belongs to Him.

Although written by David as a song of praise after the LORD rescued Him from Saul and his enemies, it is recorded for me and for all who love God. This God who answered David's cries for help, will answer my cries for help. He delights to answer the prayers of His children. Indeed, “This God – His way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him. For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?” (Psalm 18:30,31ESV)

In Times Like These, Look Toward Heaven

In these hard times, look toward heaven. It is a paradise prepared for those who love God, those who have placed their faith and trust in Christ and have received (and have right now) eternal life. “What no eye has seen, not ear heard, not the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Cor. 2:9). Revelation 21:9-22:5 describes the New Jerusalem that God has ready and prepared for us.

In place of darkness, God has prepared light. Indeed, Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (Jn. 8:12) In heaven “the Lord God will be their light.” (Rev.22:5)

In place of famine, economic and financial hardships and hunger God has prepared food – “the Tree of Life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month” (Rev. 22:2) - always there-always enough. It is provided for our enjoyment, for we will not have to eat to live. We will never die. (Jn. 11:25,26) We will not have to eat to stay well, for there will be no sickness. The leaves of the Tree of Life is for healing. (Rev. 22:5)

In place of drought there will be the river of water of life flowing constantly from the throne of God down the street of gold.(Rev. 22:1) We may drink of it freely. Thirst will be unknown for Jesus has said, “Everyone who drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (Jn. 4:13,14)

In place of wars there will be peace. Life will be free from violence, false judgments, persecution, reviling, quarrellings, hatred. There will be no corruption, evil, deceit, filth, coarse talk or swearing, hatred or murder. “Nothing unclean will ever enter it (heaven), nor anyone who does what is detestable or false.” (Rev 21:27). “For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it” (Rev. 22:3) God and the Lamb will rule forever; all will pay homage and worship Him.

In place of rejection will be acceptance. No longer will we feel lonely or devalued; for we “will see His face, and His name will be on their (our) foreheads.) (Rev. 22:4) We belong to the family of God; we are special; we are His! We are privileged, for we will reign with Him forever. (Rev. 22:5) All around will be beauty – no ugliness. (see Rev. 21:10-21) Never will there be sorrow, or sadness, or mourning, or crying, or pain. “For God Himself will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes and death will be no more.” (Rev. 21:3-4)

“O, that will be glory for me, glory for me, glory for me; when by His grace I shall look on His face, that will be glory, be glory for me!” (Charles H Gabriel, 1856-1932) Oh, “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20) Come today! Come now! Come and set Your people free! Come and take us to live in Your Presence forever!!! AMEN

God's Pure Words

The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times." Psalm 12:6 (ESV) God's words are as pure as pure silver. The refining process of silver is a long process that results in pure silver. The lead ore that contains the silver must be heated in a furnace so hot that only the molten lead ore mixed with silver remains. The lead oxide (dross) rises to the top and is skimmed off (or poured off if it is in a vessel). To "purify seven times" results in all the dross being removed. Only pure silver remains.
Webster's College Dictionary defines "pure" as being free from adulterating or extraneous matter; being free from contamination, pollution or dirt; unmodified by an admixture, simple or homogeneous; absolute; being that and nothing else; being free from blemishes, spotless; without any discordant quailty (rings clear and true); untainted with evil or guilt; innocent; independent of sense or experience (pure knowledge); maintaining the same quality throught its duration.
Apply each definition to God's Word. God's words are indeed pure! I can read it, meditate on it, and trust it - it is pure, it is true. God never changes. "God said it; I believe it; that settles it!" Man may attempt to manipulate it. He may try to change it. He may question it. He may attempt to disprove it. He may even try to destroy it. But the fact remains - God's Word, all of His words, needs no defense. It is pure, pure as the purest of silver. It will stand forever.

(See Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 30:5; John 17:17; Matthew 24:35; Isaish 40:8)

"But for me..."

"But for me..." - three little words seemed to jump out at me as I read Psalm 73. The Psalmist had just spoken about the wicked and about how God would deal with them. Then comes the words, "Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire beside you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." What a treasure in the middle of gloom! Focus on Him, not on the wicked or the troubles about you. God will put an end to those who are far from Him and who are unfaithful to Him; "But for me, it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works." There is a determination to stay close to God. God is my strength, God is my refuge. "I have decided to follow Jesus." But for me... I want to be near God. I want to be continually with Him. I want to tell others about Him. How about you?