Twas the Week After Christmas

by David Scott Robertson

Well, here we are...again.
Together we stand at the threshold of another new year.

For me, the week nestled between Christmas Day and New Year's Day has always been unique and special. Typically, I'm off work and on vacation, and this year is no exception. In my household and in my heart, these seven days have traditionally been a brief but important season of reflection and anticipation; an opportunity to evaluate what went right and what went wrong in the year prior - what worked and what didn't - and a chance to make adjustments and tweaks for a better tommorow. It reminds me of insects that hibernate all year and then come out for a week to lay eggs and then die. Then again, maybe that's not a good analogy!

It's the week after Christmas that I get caught up in all sorts of obscure projects. For example, today I cleaned out the glove compartment of my car. Now, it is immaculate. I have an envelope for each important category of paper in my glove compartment: emissions, warranties, insurance, and a miscellaneous envelope to stuff all the documents I didn't know what else to do with.

I polished a pair of boots today that had sat muddy in my garage for the last four months. This is the week I'll clean up my hard drive. I'll organize my closet, my chest and drawers, and I'll go through my junk drawer (you do have a junk drawer, don't you?) And so it goes.

It's funny, but I feel the urge to purge, the need to organize or agonize, and to sit down and "goal-set" so I can "goal-get" what I want to accomplish in the coming year.

Yes sir, the week after Christmas, for me, is an unusual time of organization and inspiration in preparation for the New Year.

As I ramp up for a new year, my excitement builds. It's like a football team starting out a new season with a perfect record with no losses. It's a chance to begin again with a clean slate - at least emotionally.

Although there are countless (unaswerable) questions that could cross my mind about what the future year holds, I balance these with those truths I know to be non-negotiable and firmly established. These rock-solid truths bring stability and courage into my life. For example...

...I know that my Redeemer lives.
...I know God is my Father.
...I know Jesus is my Lord.
...I know the Holy Spirit will be my faithful Guide to help me find my way.
...I know God's Word will not change.
...I know my eternal destination of heaven is settled and fixed.
...I even have my faith to hold on to concerning less stable truths in my life. For example...

...Faith that my marriage will endure another year.
...Faith that my career will continue to provide an income for my family.
...Faith that our health will hold up.
...Faith that my daughter Abigail will continue her trend of excellence.
...Faith that "there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways" (Psalm 91:10-11).

I know the scriptures say: "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" (Hebrews 11:6).

To be honest with you, God is not the only One that looks to faith as an indispensible commodity. I need it too. My faith in God, my faith in the love of my wife and family, my faith in the love of my church family and friends, my faith in my country and its ideals, all spur me on to face the New Year with hope.

I'm going to end this thought with a statement that I hope you can mentally and spiritually grab hold of and repeat it out loud as your own.

"THIS NEXT TWELVE MONTHS IS GOING TO BE THE GREATEST YEAR OF MY LIFE."

I dare to believe God for it. How about you? Do you dare? If yes, go ahead and say it out loud as a declaration to God, to the devil, and to yourself.

DSR
12/28/03

Reading a Miracle Between the Lines

by David Scott Robertson

(Josh 2:1 NIV) Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. "Go, look over the land," he said, "especially Jericho." So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.


I read something in God's Word the other day that leaped off the page into my heart! I had read the story of the fall of the city of Jericho many times and yet had never seen what I'm about to describe to you. What I discovered may be common knowledge to you, but it was a revelation to me. I believe the Lord opened my eyes to see a "miracle between the lines" in this familiar Old Testament passage.

As our opening verse reveals, Joshua had sent two spies into the land of Canaan to investigate it. Somehow (that's another story for another day) they wound up at the house of Rahab the prostitute, who lived in Jericho.

To be more precise, Rahab's house was located on the wall of the city of Jericho.

(Josh 2:15 NIV) So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall.

I don't exactly know if her house was on top of the wall or embedded into it, whatever the case it is a fact of biblical history that it was part of the wall and included a life-saving window through which the two spies escaped the grasp of the king of Jericho who had dispatched soldiers to find and kill them.

Before escaping to freedom to return to Joshua, the two spies made a covenant with Rahab to save her life and the lives of her family provided that she and her family stayed within the confines of her house when the Lord will have given them the city.

(Josh 2:18 NIV) unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house.

(Josh 2:19 NIV) If anyone goes outside your house into the street, his blood will be on his own head; we will not be responsible. As for anyone who is in the house with you, his blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on him.

Let's fast forward the story to the fall of Jericho and I'll show you the miracle between the lines.

Before beginning the conquest of Jericho and implementing the bizarre battle strategy that God had given Joshua of marching around the city day after day, Joshua makes this statement concerning Rahab:
(Josh 6:17 NIV) The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the LORD. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent.

Here it is again: The explicit statement that all who are in her house will be saved from certain death.

And now we come to "D-Day." God orders to army to march around the city seven times on the seventh day and then it happens - miracle upon miracle! Obvious miracles and hidden miracles! Miracles plainly stated and miracles between the lines!

(Josh 6:20 NIV) When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city.

(Josh 6:21 NIV) They devoted the city to the LORD and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it--men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys.

(Josh 6:22 NIV) Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, "Go into the prostitute's house and bring her out and all who belong to her, in accordance with your oath to her."

(Josh 6:23 NIV) So the young men who had done the spying went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother and brothers and all who belonged to her. They brought out her entire family and put them in a place outside the camp of Israel.

We can plainly see that the walls of Jericho falling at the shout of the people was an undeniable miracle that left the city more or less defenseless against the invading Israeli army. But what is not so plain to see is the miracle of Rahab's house, which scripture says was part of the wall, remained completely intact despite every supporting structure above, beneath, and around it caving in! Can you just picture the sight?

We know that Rahab's house was not at the base of the wall for the two spies needed a rope to descend safely from it and besides the thick wall was there for defensive purposes and a low window would have compromised that objective.

What I think I am reading between the lines is an outstanding miracle of the walls of Jericho completely disintegrating at the shout of the Lord's command and the house of Rahab is supernaturally protected as it falls to the ground safely with its human cargo of Rahab's family!

Talk about a special effect! I'd like to see Hollywood try to portray that miracle in a film adaptation of the fall of Jericho!

But there's more. Joshua allowed Rahab to live outside the camp but that's just it, she was permitted TO LIVE outside the camp and to this day, the Bible says, her descendents live among the people of God.

(Josh 6:25 NIV) But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho--and she lives among the Israelites to this day.

Well, this concludes my observation of the astonishing "miracle between the lines" concerning Rahab's house and family. But here's where the grace of God picks up where we leave off. God's kindness to Rahab continues as you can readily see as the great God Jehovah permits her to marry into the lineage of the Messiah, Christ Jesus Himself:

(Mat 1:5 NIV) Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse…

But God is still not done with miraculous kindness to Rahab. When the writer of Hebrews starts to walk the readers through the great "hall of faith," guess who shows up in the list? Rahab!

(Heb 11:31 NIV) By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

Finally, Jesus' half-brother James even mentions her in Holy Scripture:

(James 2:25 NIV) In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?

So you see, there are many miracles between the lines of scripture that you can piece together with the help of the Holy Spirit!

DSR
12/22/03

The Dynamic vs. the Demonic

by David Scott Robertson

There are two primary forces at work in our world today.

The DYNAMIC power of God and the DEMONIC power of the devil.

Each are diametrically opposed to the other having opposite objectives in mind for humanity.

God works in partnership with the human spirit while the devil strives to control the fleshly, carnal nature of man.

Capitalizing on man’s natural tendency to sin, the demonic power of the devil seeks to manipulate, control, and influence man to take the pathway of least resistance, the one that builds no spiritual muscle. Satan knows very well that…

> Flesh doesn’t want to read the Bible.
> Flesh doesn’t want to go to church.
> Flesh doesn’t want to pray.
> Flesh doesn’t want to enter into an accountability relationship with another person.
> Flesh doesn’t want to submit to authority.
> Flesh wants what it wants when it wants it and woe to the person who objects.
> Flesh is a self-serving, self-seeking, self-centered aspect of our humanity that the demonic power of the devil leverages to its maximum potential.

The dynamic power of God, on the other hand, works through the agency of His Holy Spirit to conform us into the image of Jesus, and bring us to maturity attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:13).

No surprises in what I’ve said thus far. But the real question is “Where are you in all of this? Where do you fall in the epic battle for your soul?”

Are you allowing the dynamic power of God to dominate your behavior and propel you further and deeper into God’s plan for your life? Or are you allowing the demonic power of the devil to influence you; however subtlety it may be, to drift away from God’s plan for your life?

This is a question that we must ask ourselves and respond to on a daily basis.

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test ourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Corinthians 13:5)

DSR
12/15/03

A Message to Children and Teenagers

by David Scott Robertson

"Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. For in the eighth year of his reign [he was 16 years old at this time] while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year [at this point he was 20 years old], he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the wooden images…he broke down the altars of the Baals…" (2 Chronicles 34:1-4)

And the Bible goes on to describe in detail the exploits and zeal for the Lord of young king Josiah.

My point and word of encouragement to children and teenagers today is this: God has historically used young people for His purpose and plan. I believe he often does this because their faith is so pure and has not yet been soiled by religion.

God will elevate a young person - an 8-year-old, a 16-year-old, a 20-year-old - to positions of influence, so that He can use them, often mightily. You don't have to wait to grow up to become a man or woman of God to be used powerfully by the Lord - you're already there; right now, today.

Young person, you might say, well, "I'm not a king" or "I'm not a queen", or "I'm not the president" or "I'm not a pastor" or "I'm not a whatever...."

That's OK! God is not looking for a person with a position to make an impact on the world, he's looking for a young man or a young woman who is available to stand up for Jesus Christ.

The boy Samuel was groomed to become one of Israel's greatest prophets. The shepherd boy David was used to kill a giant. Jesus Himself, at 12 years old, astonished the teachers of the law because of His wisdom. Even a superficial search of the scriptures would turn up many young people whom God used to advance His cause and kingdom.

If you are reading this and you are twenty years of age or younger, may I challenge you to think outside the box of your paradigm of age limitations? May I suggest that now is the acceptable time for you to seek the Lord and make an impact on your world. Even if you don't yet have a driver's license, still you are the perfect age right now to do exploits for God in your sphere of influence: at your gradeschool, your junior high, or your high school.

I want to share an incredible verse with you about another 8-year-old king. He's found in 2 Chronicles 36:9 - "Jehoiachin was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months and ten days. And he did evil in the sight of the Lord."

You see, it's NOT the position or the power you possess that makes you acceptable before God. I believe the key is your openness, willingness, and availability before the Lord that makes the difference between you earning the reputation as a good king or an evil king; a wise student or a foolish one; a good communicator for Christ or a secret agent Christian who barely confesses he or she knows Jesus at all.
The Apostle Paul wrote in his first letter to his young protégé Timothy: "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." (1 Tim 4:12)

When the young person Jeremiah protested to God about being too young to respond to God's call to be His prophet God replied:

"But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD. Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth." (Jeremiah 1:7-9)

When children or teenagers receive Christ as Savior, they do not get indwelt by a miniature version of the Holy Spirit! No, they receive as much of the miracle of "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27) as an adult.

The main thing, like Jeremiah experienced, is to allow God to put His words in your mouth. Then regardless of your age you can speak with authority.

When that happens, an 8-year-old, 16-year-old, or 20-year-old can do exploits for God just like young king Josiah did. As a matter of fact, all that is necessary is "to believe," in other words, to exercise faith in Jesus and His power. Then any person, regardless of age, can demonstrate the power of Christ operating through them to the point that the following scripture applies to them:

"And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." (Mark 16:17-18)

DSR
12/2/03

The Awesome Power of Choice

by David Scott Robertson

What to wear.
Where to live.
What to eat.
Whom to marry.
What to read.
What to watch.
What to drive.
What to buy.
Who to admire.
When to go.
When to return.
Go to heaven.
Go to hell.

The awesome power of choice.

DSR
11/24/03

Here I Am

by David Scott Robertson


(Exo 3:4 NIV) When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!" And Moses said, "Here I am."

(Gen 22:11 NIV) But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied.

(Gen 31:11 NIV) The angel of God said to me in the dream, 'Jacob.' I answered, 'Here I am.'


Moses, Abraham, and Jacob, famous biblical and historical figures, each heard God calling their name. But this experience is not unique to biblical patriarchs. These are three among multitudes of people who have at various times heard God call their name throughout history.

What is the proper response when God calls your name? I believe the answer may be found in the responses of Moses, Abraham, and Jacob: "here I am."

You see, God is looking for a man or woman who is willing to be found. The Bible says that
"…the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him" (2 Chronicles 16:9 KJV).

God is on a "search and bless" mission. His desire is to bless and not curse, to build up and not tear down, to establish and not demolish, to freely give abundant life through Christ here and now and eternal life in the hereafter. All we have to do when the Lord calls our name is answer "here I am!"

Some might say: "Well, that was fine for Moses, Abraham, and Jacob but I haven't heard God call my name. He certainly hasn't appeared to me in a burning bush, I've not heard an audible voice from heaven or even had a dream or vision where God called my name. Since that's not the case, therefore I conclude that God may not be calling me at all."

Please note that there is Someone else that is saying "here I am." It's Jesus.

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20 NIV).

God, who is completely impartial and plays no favorites, extends His invitation and call to all men everywhere at all times.

"The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" WHOEVER is thirsty, let him come; and WHOEVER wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life" (Revelation 22:17).

God is calling your name today, are you listening?

Don't be like Adam and Eve when God called out to them in the Garden of Eden and because of sin in their life they tried to avoid God's call altogether:

"Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?" He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid" (Genesis 3:8-10).

You can run but you cannot hide from God. Don't let fear that you are sinful, unworthy, or unacceptable before God prevent you from answering God's call with "here I am!"

Jesus Christ has made a way for us to have confidence in responding to God's call on our life with "here I am!"

Let's purpose in our hearts, this very day, that the next time we hear God's voice calling to us, we will respond to Him like the prophet Isaiah did:

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8).

DSR
11/17/03

A Matter of the Heart

by David Scott Robertson

“Does not my word burn like fire?” asks the Lord. “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes rock to pieces?” - Jeremiah 23:29

Have you ever heard the ridiculous question: “Is it possible for God to make a rock so big that He cannot move it?” I believe the answer to this question is “yes.”

God has crafted the human heart after His own heart - with the capacity to love and obey or hate and disobey.

Mankind, through disobedience and sin, has hardened his heart to such a degree that even God, who will not violate man's free will, cannot move it.

The only possible solution of the condition known as “hardness of heart” is the Word of God. “Is [not My word] like a mighty hammer that smashes rock to pieces?” God asked through the prophet Jeremiah.

God's Word to fallen mankind is Jesus.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1 NIV).

“He [Jesus] is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God” (Revelation 19:13 NIV).

Like “plaque” hardens a human body's arteries and constricts the normal flow of blood and leads to heart disease, so sin clogs up the pipeline through which the blood of Jesus flows to bring abundant and eternal life.

What is the solution to reverse the awful effects of sin?

“Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool”
(Isaiah 1:18).

Today if you find yourself in a situation where your have discovered that you have a bad heart - you continually are failing the “stress tests” of life - the "rat race" has totally exasperated you and you are tired of living a poor quality of life - if this describes you, then may I recommend making an appointment with Dr. Jesus?

Jesus Christ can painlessly perform a “heart transplant” (for no cost) and give you a new heart fashioned after His own. He will gladly make you a man (or woman) after God's own heart. Suddenly, miraculously, you will find that your heart transplant was a success, and you have been transformed into a true worshipper, an obedient son or daughter, a healthy Christian.

DSR
11/3/03

The Real Life

by David Scott Robertson

Col. 3:3-4 (New Living Translation - NLT)

For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. [4] And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

I was reading the Bible in my usual morning devotions the other day and stumbled across this verse. The words “real life” reached out and grabbed my attention and it’s been days since I’ve read this passage and still I can’t seem to let it go.

The God’s honest truth is plainly stated right there in the text: “…when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed…

To be “in Christ”, then, is to be in “real life.” If that’s the case, then the opposite is also true: To not be in Christ is to live a counterfeit life, a cheap copy of the real thing.

Many people I know “compartmentalize” their lives. That is to say, they divide their whole person up into multiple compartments that make up their life. They have their work life, their family life, their social life, their recreational life, their church life, and so on. That’s fine but we can’t allow one aspect of our lives to be dominate to the point that we imagine that’s who we are.

When asked "who are you?", some respond with phrases like:

“I'm a plumber.”
“I'm a mother of three.”
“I'm a golfer."
“I'm a leader in my church.”

This may be something they do but it isn’t necessarily who they are.

Luke 12:15 (NLT)

Then he said, "Beware! Don't be greedy for what you don't have. Real life is not measured by how much we own."

We can “possess” or enjoy a great work life, family life, social life, recreational life, and church life but still miss entirely experiencing the real life that God has made available to believers through His Son Jesus.

Our real identity is found in Christ. Our real life is found and maintained through
”feeding on Jesus”.

Deut. 8:3 (NLT)

Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people need more than bread for their life; real life comes by feeding on every word of the Lord.

Again, I think the answer is plainly revealed here. The mystery of how to live a real life is simply to feed on God’s Word. Jesus is the Word (John 1:1), therefore feeding on Jesus, the Bread of Life, on a daily basis is key to experiencing the real life.

1 Tim. 6:19 (NLT)

By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may take hold of real life.

In conclusion, the "real life" we live is not found in the abundance of things we possess, the quality or quantity of our earthly achievements and relationships, or even the good works we do for God and country. The "real life" the Bible describes which leads to "abundant life" during our earthly lives and "eternal life" in the life to come after our death is found only in Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul was right on when he penned these words centuries ago under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philipians 1:21).

DSR
10/27/03

The Bible in Three Words

by David Scott Robertson

THE OLD TESTAMENT

Genesis
In the beginning

Exodus
The Passover Lamb

Leviticus
Book of laws

Numbers
Forty years wandering

Deuteronomy
Moses repeats history

Joshua
Conquest of Canaan

Judges
Deliverance through judges

Ruth
The Kinsman Redeemer

1&2 Samuel
Saul and David

1&2 Kings
Elijah and Elisha

1&2 Chronicles
David and Solomon

Ezra
Return from captivity

Nehemiah
Rebuilding the wall


Esther
Queen Esther’s deliverance

Job
Discourse on suffering

Psalms
Praise the Lord!

Proverbs
Wisdom, temperance, justice

Ecclesiastes
All is vanity

Song of Solomon
Love God’s way

Isaiah
Prince of Peace

Jeremiah
The weeping prophet

Lamentations
Afflictions of Israel

Ezekiel
The dry bones

Daniel
The lions’ den

Hosea
Apostasy of Israel

Joel
Blessings of repentance

Amos
A courageous reformer

Obadiah
Doom of Edom


Jonah
The reluctant missionary

Micah
Promise of peace

Nahum
Destruction of Nineveh

Habakkuk
Mysteries of providence

Zephaniah
Future Israeli glory

Haggai
Rebuilding the temple

Zechariah
Motivating the Jews

Malachi
Bring the tithe


THE NEW TESTAMENT

Matthew
Jesus is Messiah

Mark
Jesus is supernatural

Luke
Biography of Jesus

John
Son of God

Acts
The early church

Romans
Grace of God


1&2 Corinthians
Power of love

Galatians
Justification by faith

Ephesians
Way of salvation

Philippians
Paul in prison

Colossians
Abandon worldly philosophy

1&2 Thessalonians
Christ is coming!

1&2 Timothy
A young pastor

Titus
Our Blessed Hope

Philemon
Receive and forgive

Hebrews
A better covenant

James
Faith and works

1&2 Peter
Privileges of believers

1&2&3 John
Warning against heresy

Jude
Warnings against immorality

Revelation
Come Lord Jesus!

DSR
10/19/03

My Wife is Like the Space Shuttle

by David Scott Robertson

I don’t know a lot about aviation and I know even less about women, but I do know a little about both. And as odd as it may sound, there is connection between the two, particularly as it has to do with marriage.

Flying has always fascinated me. I’ll admit that it’s been tough for me to grasp some of the concepts that make air travel possible. How the Air Force’s C-5 cargo plane (which boasts a payload of roughly 10,000 square feet) can fly carrying Abram's tanks and tractor trailer trucks and fire engines and hummers (all at the same time!) is beyond me. But God created the Law of Thermodynamics and gave man permission to comprehend it and harness its potential.

Mankind has come a long way since Wilbur and Orville Wright first flew into the history books. As a matter of fact, the length of the Wright Brothers historic first flight could literally have fit inside the C-5 transport plane!

Airplanes, like women, come in all shapes and sizes (literally and figuratively). And in the context of the marriage relationship, I see some striking similaries as it has to do with a married woman's personality. Let me give you a few examples of what I’m talking about…

Some wives are like hang gliders. A hang glider allows a person to jump off a cliff and “fly” for a while until they eventually drift to earth. Some wives are like that. They possess absolutely no spiritual power. There’s no “motor” in them to sustain the forward motion of spiritual progress in their life (you see, prayer is the engine that drives personal revival, and some wives don't have a prayer life.) Consequently, the men that are married to “glider wives” eventually get dragged down from the destiny. Sometimes what starts off as exhilarating fun ends up in a crash landing resulting in injuries.

Some wives are like a plane simply called a glider. Gliders have to be towed behind a motorized vehicle (some wives rely on someone else' spiritual experience to carry them) and then released to catch the thermals and glide as long as possible. Some wives are just like that. Although they are a bit more sophisticated that a hang glider, they too have no engine to drive them forward spiritually. The men that are married to “glider women” will never reach their potential in God and “go the distance” because their woman continually pulls them down and holds them back. Their wife is always in search of a better high – perhaps a higher income, a higher standard of living, a higher social standing, or maybe even a narcotic or alcoholic high. Men married to “gliders” are always restrained by environmental conditions.

Some wives are like aircraft called “ultra-lights.” (By the way, some men mistakenly think thinness in their woman is a superior factor to her holines and character; not true!) Ultra-lights are usually a single passenger hang-glider with a small engine strapped behind the seat. Husbands married to “ultra-lights” are usually “married singles.” That is, the wife has her life, her friends, and her agenda, and she usually sails off into the wild blue yonder on her own. If the husband of an “ultra-light wife” objects, she usually flies off the handle.

Some wives are like Lear Jets. They are built to fly the corporate mission. “Lear Jet wives” are married to their careers. They want to prove that they can succeed in a “man’s world” while leaving husband and family standing at the gate.

Other wives remind me of Jumbo Jets (figuratively speaking, of course!). These type of wives are built to fly with the crowd. To their view, the more passengers along for the ride, the better! These are wives that fill their lives and schedules with lots of social activity, even including other male friends. Unfortunately, there’s not much time left over for intimacy with her husband. But she reasons that’s okay because she feels closer to some of her female and male friends at the health club than she does to her husband anyway.

Some wives are like fighter jets. They are armed and dangerous. They are on guard 24/7 against anything that might hurt them, including their husband. They had a mean-spirited attitude toward their spouse that keeps them from flying the friendly skies together.

Then there are wives that I liken to the space shuttle. These are women that can go supersonic. They can go to heights that few others can and sustain speeds that would incinerate other aircraft made of lesser expensive materials. They can actually leave the earth’s atmosphere and view celestial sights beyond description. And they are built to withstand re-entering earth’s unforgiving atmosphere without burning up.

I am very aware of recent national tragedies that have involved NASA’s space shuttle program ending spectacular missions in heartbreaking disaster. And to continue with our analogy, this only shows that no woman (or wife) is perfect. But nevertheless the design of the space shuttle is a modern marvel that personifies creative genius.

To me, my wife is like the space shuttle (and I say that in a respectful and admiring way!) My wife was created by the greatest Genius of all time, God Himself. He designed her for speed and height. One writer put it this way: "God created us to soar with the eagles not scratch dirt with the turkeys!"

My wife is fearfully and wonderfully made and that my soul knows very well. Like the space shuttle, she is a sophisticated and complex mechanism having a multitude of talents and abilities, many of which I have yet to discover. Her potential is unlimited.

Men who are fortunate enough to be are married to “space shuttle wives” are free to explore the vast expanse of the unknown together. They can go far, high, and very, very fast together investigating the mysteries and wonders of God all within the safe context of the secure capsule of married love. Together, this couple can perform rich experiments in the things of God and fly to destinations that only a privileged few will ever see.

God’s will for every married woman is for her to be a “space shuttle wife.” God’s will for every man is to entrust him with a woman of this caliber. This kind of woman is a design after His own heart and He loves her completely. He doesn't hand the keys of her life over to just anyone. No men who will pilot a "space shuttle wife" must be trained.

Fortunately, God has given us His Holy Spirit as our Trainer that daily unstructs us how to operate such a sophisticated and valuable invention from the heart of God. Just like each space shuttle costs millions of dollars so each woman of this caliber is priceless and one-of-a-kind. Only by regular and thorough training from the Bible can a husband receive certification to operate at these unusual levels.

The Lord, in His wisdom, surrounds husbands and wives with an experienced team of scientists (apostles), engineers (prophets), technicians (evangelists), business executives (pastors), and skilled workers (teachers) who all co-labor with God to craft your marriage into the union He intends for it to be.

DSR
10/9/03

The King's Friend

by David Scott Robertson

King David. One of the greatest earthly kings who ever ruled. Chosen by God, anointed by the prophet Samuel, David was destined by God to govern the twelve tribes of Israel.

King David had an unusual ability to surround himself with competent men of excellence to serve in various important capacities.

There were “David’s mighty men” – thirty of the most outstanding warriors in the entire kingdom (1 Chronicles 12:4). The first book of Chronicles (chapter 27) lists other important officials that David conscripted to help him reign effectively:

Azmaveth was in charge of the royal storehouses (v. 25);
Ezri was in charge of the field labor (v. 26);
Shimei was in charge of the vineyards (v. 27);
Baal-Hanan was in charge of the olive trees (v. 28);
Shitrai was in charge of the herds of cattle (v. 29);
Obil was in charge of the camels (v. 30)
Jehdeiah was in charge of the donkeys (v. 30);
Jaziz was in charge of the sheep (v. 31);
Jonathan, David’s uncle, was one of the king’s counselors (v. 32);
And Hushai the Arkite was the king’s friend (v. 33).

All these men (along with others I didn’t list) and their respective positions were vital to King David’s success in administering the affairs of his kingdom.

But I want to key in on one man listed in the Holy Scriptures whose job description is a bit vague – and that man is Hushai the Arkite – the king’s friend.

What does a friend of the king do? I’m sure King David had lots of “friends” who thought it politically correct to be in good standing with the king even thought they may have had no personal passion or investment in the man himself. Why do you suppose Hushai is mentioned by name and His “title” of friend specifically mentioned when listing David’s officials?

Could it be that David realized that he needed a man in his life whose sole purpose was to tell it to him straight? Did Hushai receive his official title as “the king’s friend” AFTER David’s affair with Bathsheba? Did David recognize his need for a man around him who wouldn’t be afraid to look him in the eyes and ask him “What are you doing?”

Hushai had proven his fidelity to David when David’s son Absalom rebelled and tried to usurp the king’s authority. David, on the run and fearing for his life, left the palace and headed up the Mount of Olives. It was here the king encountered his friend:


(2 Sam 15:32 NIV) When David arrived at the summit, where people used to worship God, Hushai the Arkite was there to meet him, his robe torn and dust on his head.
(2 Sam 15:33 NIV) David said to him, "If you go with me, you will be a burden to me.
(2 Sam 15:34 NIV) But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, 'I will be your servant, O king; I was your father's servant in the past, but now I will be your servant,' then you can help me by frustrating Ahithophel's advice.

And that’s exactly what Hushai did even though it put his life at severe risk.

(2 Sam 15:37 NIV) So David's friend Hushai arrived at Jerusalem as Absalom was entering the city.
(2 Sam 16:16 NIV) Then Hushai the Arkite, David's friend, went to Absalom and said to him, "Long live the king! Long live the king!"
(2 Sam 16:17 NIV) Absalom asked Hushai, "Is this the love you show your friend? Why didn't you go with your friend?"

Hushai was willing to die with or for David. It reminds me what Jesus taught when He declared:

(John 15:13 NIV) Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Hushai remained faithful to David during all aspects of his reign as King of Israel even when David was temporarily deposed. Apparently, this fidelity and faithfulness was so impressive to him that when God restored the kingdom back to David after Absalom was killed that David apparently installed Hushai the Arkite in the office of friend.

I may not have all the facts right and my insight is limited given the scriptures don’t offer an explanation of David’s peculiar job title.

But there’s something there! The Holy Spirit made certain you and I down the timeline of history would read about Hushai the Arkite – “the king’s friend” – and we would wonder.

All I know is I want to be faithful to all of my friends and most especially to my Friend that sticks closer than a brother, Jesus my Lord. To be called a friend by those I love and respect exceeds the benefits of carrying a lucrative title in any organization.

DSR
10/6/03

The Strengthening Angel

by David Scott Robertson

We catch up with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane…

“He [Jesus] withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed,
‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’
An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him” (Luke 24:41-43).


What an interesting thought – an angel strengthening Jesus! I have often wondered about this scene. I would love to know the details and implications of this angelic visit.

(And note it wasn’t the first time Jesus had this kind of visitation. After being tested forty days in the wilderness, angels were commissioned to strengthen Him: “Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him” -- Matthew 4:11)

As is usually the case, there is always more than meets the eye in the events of Jesus’ life.

But concerning “the strengthening angel” as I call him in the Garden of Gethsemane -- I am particularly interested in this character. Most students of the Bible quickly realize that Jesus agonizing over His destiny while battling with His human nature in the Garden of Gethsemane is one of the most emotionally charged moments of Jesus’ earthly life. In fact, scripture records that He was in such emotional turmoil that He sweated great drops of blood. (see Luke 22:44).

God the Father knew this was a crucial time for Jesus and therefore dispatched a special angel to go and strengthen Jesus at this significant time.

Did the angel have a message from the Father that brought tremendous encouragement to Jesus?
Was the manifestation of the angel itself a sign to Christ that was produce courage?
When He was being overwhelmed with His humanity was the supernatural sent to help Him
Bring it into perspective?

God didn’t send angels (plural) to strengthen Christ but God sent only one angel. Who was this one angel? Did it have special meaning that this one specific angel was sent? Is it possible that Jesus was familiar with this particular angel?

Was this angel none other than the Archangel Michael, the mighty warring angel who watches over Israel? Could it have been Gabriel, the very one who announced to the virgin Mary that Jesus would be miraculously conceived? Perhaps it was the angel that in Old Testament times killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in one night per the command of Jehovah to save King Hezekiah and his people under siege. It’s possible that “the strengthening angel” was the very angel that God has assigned in the future to cast the devil into the bottomless pit for a thousand years!

We could go and on and on speculating the identity of this angel on special assignment to strengthen the Savior of the World during a critical moment but one thing we do know – it worked. Jesus rallied to go on and fulfill His ultimate destiny to die for the sins of the world and redeem mankind.

This is where we can apply a truth to our lives. It is possible that we know someone, either saved or unsaved, who has a great call of God on their lives. He or she may be going through a tough time about now. They may be struggling with doing God’s will or taking the pathway of least resistance.

Today you and I can accept a special assignment from God to be a “strengthening angel” to them to encourage them, to remind them of God’s presence in their life, and to assure them of their destiny in Christ if they persevere and don’t give up.

I’m sure that it was a great honor to “the strengthening angel” to come and minister to the Lord Jesus Christ. Today there is great honor in ministering, serving, and strengthening those who call Him “Lord.”

DSR
9/29/03

Standing at the Border

by David Scott Robertson

DEDICATION: Today's thought is dedicated to anyone reading this who is in discouragement, in distress, in sickness, or in big trouble.

Here I am, Lord.
Standing at the very border between the land of impossibility and the land of miracles.

My people, my race, my nationality of humankind says I can't cross over.

Many say I'm not authorized. I don't have the proper identification and paperwork (i.e., a death certificate) to cross over from the realm of the natural to the supernatural.

I disagree.

I've got family on the other side.
I have a Father in the land of miracles.
I have an Elder Brother in the region of the miraculous.
My Mentor and Teacher resides in the domain of the living God and He bids me come.

No earthly agency can issue a border permit or boarding pass to transport me over to the other side.

No, it's a paperless trail I follow and a ticket-less flight whose cost is free.
I don't have to pay because the burden of the price has been born by the One who has invited me over to the other side.

To cross I will need a passport. Fortunately, that detail has been provided as well. My passport is called faith and God has given me the necessary measure of it. My faith is small and compact and fits easily inside the shell of a mustard seed. But it is enough.

Enough to get me from here to there…

From the land of impossibility to the land of miracles -
From the place of hopeless despair to the place of boundless joy -
From the place of captivity to the place of freedom -
From the place of crippling sickness to the place of healing and wholeness.

Faith is the rapid transportation that I need to cross over.

Once I've crossed the border, I will change my citizenship permanently. I will become an inhabitant living in God's country. I have sought political asylum there it has been granted by the government of God. I have sought sanctuary and a haven of rest from my labors has been granted.

So I've got a made up mind, I'm going over; I'm crossing. I'm not going to tolerate or compromise with low living any longer.

My ticket, by the way, is transferable and re-usable. Would you like to have it once I've crossed over? It's made out to "whosoever will let him come."

Would you like to join me? Would you like to cross over to the other side of your problem? Cross over to the other side of your crisis? Your sickness?

Then, in the name of Jesus Christ, let's go now!

DSR
8/20/03

WWJD IHWM?

by David Scott Robertson

What would Jesus do (WWJD) if He were me (IHWM)?

That Jesus Christ walked the earth is a historical and theological fact.

There is far more real, conclusive, court-admissible proof that He existed than any other man.
I don’t, however, need to review the evidence, I’ll take it on faith.

But I am curious as to what Jesus would have done if He were me given that presently my physical body doesn’t work right.

WWJD IHWM?

How long would he have tolerated this situation?
Do you suppose He would have said something like “Oh well, I guess it’s just God’s will” that I’m handicapped, disabled, dysfunctional, etc.

Ever wonder if the Boy Jesus had a cold growing up? The flu? Did He ever have the chicken pox? A fever? A fever blister?

I wonder if He ever smashed His thumb with a hammer growing up in Joseph’s carpentry shop? In all those years of working with wood did the young man Jesus ever bleed from a splinter? If so, wouldn’t that blood be as holy as the blood to be shed on the cross?

I’ve had a cold. I’ve had the flu. I had chicken pox when I was a kid complete with a fever. I’ve had a fever blister and blisters on my hands from working with wood and I’ve smashed my thumbs and probably all my fingers besides. I’ve bled like a stuck hog as my mother dug out with a sewing needle wooden splinters buried in the palm of my hands.

WWJD IHWM?

Knowing what He knew – or more importantly, knowing Who He knew – my thought is that Jesus were in my shoes would have taken the need to His Father right away.

And whatever Father said about the matter was the way it would be.
If it had pleased the Father to subject Jesus to all sorts of childhood diseases, accidents, bumps and bruises, cuts and scrapes, then that’s what would have happened.

If Jesus were like me, He would have suffered through it and made it to adulthood anyway.
But Jesus was unlike me and the rest of us.

It pleased the Father to have Jesus be…

Born of a virgin,
Born a male Jew,
Born into a culture that would by an large ignore and reject Him,
Born to die to redeem a lost race,
Born to die in the worst way possible in the era of history – brutally and cursed on a cross.

It pleased the Father to strike Him,
To turn His back on Him as Jesus became sin for a people who without Him would die in their sins without hope.

WWJD IHWM?

Good thing He wasn’t.

DSR
8/20/03

Receiving Your Miracle

by David Scott Robertson

Anybody out there like me?
You’re in a jam! You’re in such a pickle that nobody, but nobody, can help you!
Like me, your situation requires either a medical breakthrough or a divine miracle - one or the other and either is fine by us!

We're what the medical community calls “untreatable, incurable, and inoperable.”
They don’t call us “terminal” because whatever physical disorder we’re dealing with won’t kill us. They just tell us, “I’m sorry, you’re just going to have to learn to live with it.”

Anybody out there ever heard a negative, pessimistic report like that? Well, don’t you buy it! It ain’t over yet! You and I may be having “technical difficulties” with our bodies but I wouldn’t count us down and out just yet.

Now for me, my deal is a pesky little problem called Retinitis Pigmentosa (R.P. for short). Total night blindness, tunnel vision, that sort of thing. (You’re deal is probably worse than mine but we each have our own cross to bear, right?)

Well, I wrote all that to set the stage for where I’m at and what’s going on right now.
As I write this, I’m in a cabin, alone, on top of a mountain. I’ve come up here to seek the Lord about this very matter.

I’ve only been here a couple a days and boy oh boy have I run the gamut in emotions..

I’ve cried out loud and I've cried in silence.I’ve shouted bold declarations of healing and I’ve prayed quietly to myself. I’ve danced, I’ve worshipped, I’ve lifted my hands to the Lord, and I’ve laid prostrate before Him. I’ve tried to be humble and contrite;
I’ve tried to be courageous and bold; I’ve told the devil where he can go and I’ve asked God to do what only He can do. I’ve read the Word, prayed the scriptures and fasted and feasted before the Lord.

I laid down on the couch one afternoon and closed my eyes and asked the Lord to either call me up to heaven where He was or come down here to when I am so I can talk to Him directly about this issue (I wasn't trying to be beligerant, I was just desperate!)

I asked Him to show me what I have done (or not done) that was standing in the way of me receiving the manifestation of my healing (I know that according to the Bible I’m already healed by faith through grace by the stripes of Jesus - 1 Peter 2:24).

Well, I did all that and guess what? I woke up this morning with R.P. in my eyeballs.

What do you think about that?

Can we conclude, then, that God does not heal?
No. He’s a Healer whether you or I ever receive our healing.

Can we conclude, then, that God’s Word is not true (or just a little bit off)?
No. Let God be true and every man a liar (Romans 3:4). His Word is so true that all truth is judged by it.

Can we conclude, then, that it is not God’s will to heal me?
No. It’s not over yet. Just because God won’t do a “dog and pony show” for me when I kick up and scream and holler and bellow out the way I think spiritual folks should do to get some mighty miracle from God doesn’t mean that it’s not His will to heal me.

You want to know what I think? (Well, it’s my thought and I’m going to tell you what I think whether you like it or not! After all, you don’t have to read it!) Here’s what I think…

I think there is a very, very, very strong possibility that I will receive a complete manifestation of my healing very, very, very soon.

I also think there is a very, very, very remote possibility that I may have to wait a while to receive a complete manifestation of my healing.

Aha! That’s where Christians from the “faith camp” may have a problem with me! They may say I’m just trying to “save face” by saying it or believing it in such a way that it could work out either way.

You know what? I’m not going to argue the point with anybody. All is know is that I’m not going to “lose the victory” and give up on God and discount His holy Word just because I don’t get what I want when I want it.

You know what I discovered in my time with Christ? God has given me nearly every single thing I ever needed (even wanted) but rarely has He given it to me WHEN I wanted it!

I choose to think that the manifestation of my healing is kind of the same way. I’m going to continue to work as hard as I can doing kingdom work and be about my "Father's business” of winning souls and making disciples until Jesus returns. My hope is that He catches me in the very act of serving Him when He returns to rapture the church away.

In the meantime, I’m going to walk by faith and not by sight until the day that I walk by sight and not by faith.

My encouragement to you who are reading this today and suffering through some awful something is to continue on, press on toward the high call of God on your life and don’t let anything stop you no matter what.

Don’t let disease, sickness, a handicap, or any other disability prevent you from doing all that you can, to whomever you can, whenever you can with the help of God for the glory of God.

I assure you, therein you will find little time to feel sorry for yourself and who knows when God will slip up on you and surprise you with the manifestation of your healing while you’re busily at work for Him?

Ralph Waldo Emerson was quoted as saying: “The Moravian symbol was a bull, standing in between an altar and a plow, below which were the words: ‘Ready for either.’”

How about you and I, who are waiting patiently (or impatiently) for the manifestation of our miracle, be ready for either as well?

DSR
8/20/03

The Well Dressed Christian

by David Scott Robertson

Are you a well-dressed Christian? Do you dress properly before going out into the world? Have you “put on” the right outfit before leaving the house dressed as as disciple of Christ?

What you wear as a believer in Jesus does make a difference. It makes a HUGE difference in your effectiveness as a Christian.

Now don’t worry, I’m not going to meddle in your business about dress length for ladies and length of hair for men. I’m fishing for a deeper truth than preference. In my view, to be a “well-dressed Christian” you must follow the Bible’s dress code for believers found in Ephesians 6:10-17:

[11] “Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. [12] For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.
[13] Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. [14] Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. [15] For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. [16] In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. [17] Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (New Living Translation).

The armor of God is so important that we must “put it on” every day of our lives. This may sound silly, but my daily habit after I take a shower each morning is to verbally (yes, I say it out loud) to put on the full armor of God as specified in the passage of scripture above.

I especially love the “helmet of salvation”. I envision this helmet to be a full-face helmet like the ones the Knights of the Round Table might have worn. You know, the kind that covers the entire head so that you cannot see who is wearing it.

As I put on my helmet, I say words to this effect: “I put on the helmet of salvation to guard my mind in Christ Jesus today, to shield me from the stormy blast of sexual lust and sin, to keep my mind in perfect peace, and to prevent me from fearing man which is a snare.

Thank you for the helmet covering my ears – to prevent me from hearing faith-crushing words that can discourage me, especially words from my own mouth.

Thank you for the helmet covering my eyes – help me, Lord, to make a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a woman or gaze at things I should not be meditating on.

Thank you for the helmet covering my mouth – set a guard over my mouth and keep watch over the door of my lips.”

And from that point, I put on the rest of the armor of God piece by piece as is described in Ephesians. Then and only then do I consider myself dressed for the day; dressed for the work of a Christian; dressed for battle.

Are you of a mind to take some advice today?

How about each morning, when you put on your blue jeans, your shirt, your make up, whatever you do to get ready for work, school, or life – try putting on the full armor of God at that time when you’re getting ready. Commit to memory the passage in Ephesians describing what God has made available to you for your own protection as you walk out each day into spiritual warfare with the devil.

And finally, once you have adorned yourself with the full armor of God, don’t neglect to do what the Apostle Paul admonishes us to do once we have “suited up”:

“Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere” (Ephesians 6:18 NLT).

When you’ve done all that, now you are a well-dressed Christian!

DSR
8/11/03

Reach Out for the Cross

by David Scott Robertson

Have you ever awakened from a deep sleep and found yourself disoriented in your own bedroom? You’re still a little groggy as you get up out of the bed trying to stumble your way through the pitch black darkness to the bathroom (stubbing your toe along the way) running into furniture?

I’ve had that experience before where I’ve found myself standing in my very own bedroom in the darkness with zero visibility not knowing which way was up. As a matter of fact, I have had that happen on more than one occasion. But I want to tell you that even in that awkward situation God has taught me a great lesson.

You see, on the end of our bed there are tall wooden poles. The decorative poles complement the headboard and make for a lovely bed. But the wooden poles on the end of the bed serve another purpose for me.

Whenever I can’t see anything at all in the darkness of the room, I reach out for a wooden pole at the end of my bed. And the moment my fingers locate the pole, instantly I know where every single piece of furniture is in the room. I can’t see it with my eyes, but I can now see it in my mind’s eye. I’ve memorized where everything is in relation to the bed and now I can safely navigate my way through the darkness because the wooden pole on my bed has suddenly put everything into perspective.

And the thought that the Holy Spirit etched in my heart was that this is how the cross works. As we stumble our way through a world darkened by sin, often disoriented (even afraid) because we don’t exactly know which way to go to find relief, we can reach out for the cross of Jesus Christ.

And the moment we come in contact with the cross, instantly we know the way home. Although we can’t see the cross of Christ with our natural eyes, through the eyes of faith we can experience His sin-forgiving sacrifice, and the illumination of the truth of God’s love drives away the darkness. Suddenly, the cross has put everything in perspective.

Today if you are having difficulty navigating your way through a specific problem or through life in general, reach out for the cross. Touch it and be touched by it and you’ll see life in a whole new light.

DSR
8/4/03

I'm Ready

by David Scott Robertson

I'm ready.
I'm ready to let go of control of my life.
I'm ready to abandon myself to the Lord Jesus Christ.

At long last I'm ready.
It's taken a lifetime, but I'm ready.

I'm ready to release my future and destiny to God.
I'm ready to yield and submit fully to the lordship of Christ Jesus.

I'm ready to get radical and fanatical.
I'm ready to be politically incorrect.
I'm ready to get crazy for Jesus.
I'm ready to get buck wild for the vision to win souls and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).
I'm ready to allow the Holy Spirit free reign in me to be His witness (Acts 1:8).

I'm ready to walk in the power of a New Testament believer.
I'm ready to lay hands on the sick and see them recover.
I'm ready to forsake sin, resist temptation and take my own thoughts captive for the praise of His glory.
I'm ready to be fully delivered so I can work with the Holy Spirit to get others delivered fully.

I'm ready to bear the cost of being a disciple.
I'm ready to pray the price of being a man of prayer.
I'm ready to be a man full of God's Holy Spirit.
I'm ready to study to show myself approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed rightly dividing the Word of Truth.
I'm ready to take the promises of the Bible and walk them out in daily life.
I'm ready to preach, teach, and prophesy whenever, wherever, to whomever as the Spirit leads.
I'm ready to open my heart to Jesus, open my life to sinners, and open the way of life to persons lost and alone on life's highway wandering aimlessly.

I'm ready to receive the impartation of the anointing of the Holy Spirit for works of service for it is given only to those who will not squander it or sit idly by.
I'm ready to believe God for the supernatural to work in and through my life.
I'm ready to be like Jesus.

I'm ready to walk in the authority of a deputized follower of Christ who will do even greater works than Jesus because He said so.
I'm ready to fulfill those good works that God has prepared in advance for me to do (Eph. 2:10).
I'm ready to rise up and conquer, to be an overcomer and not overcome; to be a victor and not a victim; to walk in abundance and not lack; to be prosperous and in good health even as my soul prospers (1 John 3:2).

I'm ready to be about my Father's business and occupy until Jesus returns to earth in power and great glory.

Are you ready?

Ready or not, here I come!

DSR
7/30/03

Priceless

by David Scott Robertson

So you didn't win $20,000,000 in the lottery.
At least you had enough money to feed your family this week.

So you don't drive a Lexus.
At least you know the joy of reliable transportation.

So you don't live in what some would call a mansion.
At least you live in America where you can freely choose to live anywhere you want.

So you don't wear the finest and most fashionable clothes.
At least you own a coat to keep you cozy warm on a chilly winter morning.

So you don't have a big, lucrative position in a ultra successful career.
At least you work hard and honest and earn a decent living.

I suppose the comparisons in standards of living could go on endlessly but we don't need to in order to make the point.

The point is that wherever we happen to fall on the socio-economic scale, there are far more things of priceless value that money CANNOT buy than money CAN buy.

If you had $1,000,000 in the bank right now, would it affect the taste of your food?

Think about it.

You don't need taste buds to live but my oh my don't they increase the enjoyment of eating? If you can eat, that means you're alive. If you can eat, that means you have teeth, an appetite, and food readily available, and more than likely friends or family to socially enjoy the meal with. Once the food is eaten, your body uses if for energy. The energy gained from eating allows you to accomplish all sorts of things.

Finally, your body digests the food and eliminates it. All this happens without you even thinking about it. The only time you think about it is when these bodily functions don't work and then you'd gladly spend all the money you had in your bank account to get them to work properly if it were possible.

The joy and benefits of eating and tasting your food is just one example among thousands of simple pleasures that we take for granted that money CANNOT buy like…

Peace of mind, contentment, personal satisfaction, accomplishment, integrity and character, favor and a good name, the love of a committed spouse, the admiration of a child, the enduring fellowship of a faithful friend, the respect of a peer. Abilities, capabilities, faculties, opportunities, giftedness, talents, intelligence, reasoning, are but a few examples among innumerable privileges that money CANNOT buy. Money may be able to rent happiness but it CANNOT buy most things of TRUE value. (How you define "true value" will determine what kind of man or woman you are.)

The most profound expression of "true value", to my view, is found in the context of the spiritual realm. It's in the spiritual realm where things that on earth are perceived as "in-valuable" become "un-valuable".

For example, money can't buy salvation.
Money can't buy right standing with God.
Money can't buy access to heaven.
Money can't buy eternal life.
Money can't buy what the Bible calls "abundant life" (John 10:10).
Money can't bribe the devil to leave you alone or garner the favor of God to bless you.

Money is amoral -- neither good nor bad. How it is used and enjoyed or abused and misused is what we have to give a stewardship accounting to God for one day. It's been said that money makes a good servant but a terrible master. True indeed.

Therefore, my advice, for the reader today in this short thought is to not to worry about what you don't have nor boast in what you do possess. Simply be content with what you have, where you're at, whom you are with, and what you are while at the same time balancing that contentment with a continual dissatisfaction with status quo and perpetually pressing on to be all you can be for God.

The Apostle Paul wrote it much better than I ever could:

(Phil 4:11 KJV) Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
(Phil 4:12 KJV) I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
(Phil 4:13 KJV) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

DSR
7/28/03

Scenes We'd Like to See in the Bible

by David Scott Robertson

SITUATION: SATAN TEMPTS EVE
(Gen 3:1 NIV) Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "DID GOD REALLY SAY, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"
(Gen 3:2 NIV) The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,
(Gen 3:3 NIV) but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'"
(Gen 3:4 NIV) "YOU WILL NOT SURELY DIE," the serpent said to the woman.

CONSEQUENCE: Sin, death, and disease entered the human race.

SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Eve (to the serpent): "Hey! You calling my Daddy a liar? We'll just see about that! I'm going right now to get Adam and we'll go see God and see just who the liar is, you or Him!"


SITUATION: CAIN'S OFFERING REJECTED
(Gen 4:3 NIV) In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD.
(Gen 4:4 NIV) But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,
(Gen 4:5 NIV) but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. SO CAIN WAS VERY ANGRY, AND HIS FACE WAS DOWNCAST.

CONSEQUENCE: Cain allows anger and rage to drive him to commit the first murder in the Bible.

SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Cain (to the Lord): "Lord, you are so right and I am so wrong! I'm sorry! I'm going to offer the right sacrifice next time and ask my brother Abel to help me get it together correctly."


SITUATION: ABRAM'S WIFE TRIES TO HELP GOD OUT
(Gen 16:1 NIV) Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar;
(Gen 16:2 NIV) so she said to Abram, "The LORD has kept me from having children. GO, SLEEP WITH MY MAIDSERVANT; PERHAPS I CAN BUILD A FAMILY THROUGH HER." Abram agreed to what Sarai said.

CONSEQUENCE: The descendents of Ishmael (Palestinian nations) and the descendents of Isaac (the Jewish nation) have been at war ever since.

SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Abraham (to Sarai): "Hold on there, Sarai! Who knows what the long term effects of such a decision might be? Let's have faith and not stumble in unbelief regarding the promise of God concerning our son to be born through us."


SITUATION: LOT LOOKS OUT FOR #1
(Gen 13:7 NIV) And quarreling arose between Abram's herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time.
(Gen 13:8 NIV) So Abram said to Lot, "Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers.
(Gen 13:9 NIV) Is not the whole land before you? Let's part company. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left."
(Gen 13:10 NIV) Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)
(Gen 13:11 NIV) SO LOT CHOSE FOR HIMSELF THE WHOLE PLAIN OF THE JORDAN and set out toward the east. The two men parted company:
(Gen 13:12 NIV) Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and PITCHED HIS TENTS NEAR SODOM.

CONSEQUENCE: Lot pitches his tent toward Sodom and eventually lives in the wicked city and it torments his righteous soul, lowers his standards for men to marry his daughters, and ultimately costs him his own marriage.

SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Lot (to Abram): "Uncle Abram, you have been so kind and generous to me and my wife and kids. How about you take the fertile plain and I'll head for the hills?"


SITUATION: MOSES MISREPRESENTS GOD TO THE PEOPLE
(Num 20:8 NIV) "Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. SPEAK TO that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink."
(Num 20:11 NIV) Then Moses raised his arm and STRUCK THE ROCK twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.
(Num 20:12 NIV) But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them."

CONSEQUENCE: Moses forbidden from entering the Promised Land.

SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Moses (to the community of Israel): "Hey! Settle down, brothers! God is strong and powerful and loves you so much that all I've got to do is speak to this rock and water will flow out to water you, your little ones, your flocks and herds! After everyone is watered, I'll lead you to a land flowing with milk and honey!"


SITUATION: TEN FEARFUL SPIES POISON ISRAEL'S FAITH
(Num 13:25 NIV) At the end of forty days they [the twelve Israeli spies] returned from exploring the land.
(Num 13:26 NIV) They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. There they reported to them and to the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land.
(Num 13:31 NIV) But the men [the ten fearful spies] who had gone up with him said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are."
(Num 13:32 NIV) AND THEY SPREAD AMONG THE ISRAELITES A BAD REPORT ABOUT THE LAND THEY HAD EXPLORED. They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size.

CONSEQUENCE: Every adult twenty years and older sentenced by God to wander and die in the desert for the next forty years (except Joshua and Caleb).

SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: The ten spies (to Moses and the community): "We're with Joshua and Caleb! We can conquer these overgrown bullies without question because the God who brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand will bring us into the Promised Land with a mighty hand!"


SITUATION: JOSHUA FAILS TO "INQUIRE OF THE LORD"
(Josh 9:3 NIV) However, when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,
(Josh 9:4 NIV) they resorted to a ruse: They went as a delegation whose donkeys were loaded with worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended.
(Josh 9:14 NIV) The men of Israel sampled their provisions BUT DID NOT INQUIRE OF THE LORD.

CONSEQUENCE: Joshua erroneously makes a treaty with an enemy and the whole assembly grumbles against him and the leaders.

SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Joshua (to the Gibeonites trying to trick him): "Hold on a minute fellas! Before I make my decision, let me go and check this out with God to see if you're on the up and up!"


SITUATION: SAMSON'S LUST BLINDS HIM IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE
(Judg 16:6 NIV) So Delilah said to Samson, "TELL ME THE SECRET OF YOUR GREAT STRENGTH and how you can be tied up and subdued."

CONSEQUENCE: Samson betrayed to the Philistines by Delilah and is blinded while in slavery.

SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Samson (to Delilah): "You know what, Delilah? I've just come to the realization that every time I confide in you the secret of my great strength, the very next thing that happens to me is an attack in that very area. You're using your body to coax the truth out of me. I'm out of here, you traitor!"


SITUATION: SAUL'S IMPATIENCE CAUSES HIM TO OFFER UNAUTHORIZED SACRIFICE
(1 Sam 13:9 NIV) So he said, "Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings. " And Saul offered up the burnt offering.
(1 Sam 13:10 NIV) JUST AS HE FINISHED MAKING THE OFFERING, SAMUEL ARRIVED, and Saul went out to greet him.
(1 Sam 13:11 NIV) "What have you done?" asked Samuel. Saul replied, "When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Micmash,
(1 Sam 13:12 NIV) I thought, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord's favor.' SO I FELT COMPELLED TO OFFER THE BURNT OFFERING."
(1 Sam 13:13 NIV) "You acted foolishly," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.

CONSEQUENCE: God abandons disobedient King Saul and Saul forfeits the kingdom.

SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Saul (to his soldiers): "Let's give Samuel another five minutes before we take matters into our own hands."


SITUATION: KING DAVID LUSTS FOR BATHING BEAUTY
(2 Sam 11:1 NIV) IN THE SPRING, AT THE TIME WHEN KINGS GO OFF TO WAR, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. BUT DAVID REMAINED IN JERUSALEM.
(2 Sam 11:2 NIV) One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful,
(2 Sam 11:3 NIV) and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, "Isn't this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite?"
(2 Sam 11:4 NIV) Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (She had purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she went back home.

CONSEQUENCE: Because David was not where he was supposed to be (he was in the wrong place at the wrong time), David falls into lust, commits adultery, and ends up masterminding a successful plot to murder his lover's husband.

SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: David (from his roof to Bathsheba): "Hey lady! Yeah, you! Close the curtains when you take a bath, will you? You're liable to cause the married men around here to stumble!

(To himself): "I'm going to join my troops! It's a whole lot safer on the battlefield than here on my roof!"


SITUATION: KING HEROD MAKES FOOLISH OFFER
(Mat 14:6 NIV) On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod so much
(Mat 14:7 NIV) THAT HE PROMISED WITH AN OATH TO GIVE HER WHATEVER SHE ASKED.
(Mat 14:8 NIV) Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist."
(Mat 14:9 NIV) The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted
(Mat 14:10 NIV) and had John beheaded in the prison.

CONSEQUENCE: One of the greatest men who ever lived (according to Jesus - see Matthew 11:11) was murdered.

SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Herod (to Herodias): "Great dance, Herodias! Outstanding! Tell you what…ask of me anything you want up to half my kingdom and short of murder and I'll give it to you."


SITUATION: PILATE CONDEMNS THE CHRIST TO DEATH
(Mat 27:24 NIV) When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!"
(Mat 27:25 NIV) All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!"
(Mat 27:26 NIV) THEN HE RELEASED BARABBAS TO THEM. BUT HE HAD JESUS FLOGGED, AND HANDED HIM OVER TO BE CRUCIFIED.

CONSEQUENCE: The spineless Pilate succumbs to the pressure of public opinion and becomes an accessory to the murder of Jesus Christ.

SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Pilate (to the crowd): "Crucify Him? You've got to be kidding! Why do you think I'm in authority and you're not? As long as I'm in charge around here I will not allow innocent men to be condemned. You may want Him to die but not on my watch!"


SITUATION: JUDAS BETRAYS JESUS WITH A KISS
(Luke 22:47 NIV) While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him,
(Luke 22:48 NIV) but Jesus asked him, "JUDAS, ARE YOU BETRAYING THE SON OF MAN WITH A KISS?"

CONSEQUENCE: Judas Iscariot betrays Jesus, commits suicide, and trades away a lofty position in heaven to the lowest place in hell.

SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Judas (to Jesus before he kissed Him): "Master, I've really messed up! Because of my greed, I've been betraying you and I am sorry, Lord! I repent! I can't go through with this! Please forgive me!"


SITUATION: THE RICH, YOUNG RULER CHOOSES UNWISELY
(Mark 10:17 NIV) As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
(Mark 10:19 NIV) You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'"
(Mark 10:20 NIV) "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."
(Mark 10:21 NIV) Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
(Mark 10:22 NIV) AT THIS THE MAN'S FACE FELL. HE WENT AWAY SAD, BECAUSE HE HAD GREAT WEALTH.

CONSEQUENCE: The rich, young ruler misses the opportunity of a lifetime and today we don't even know his name.

SCENE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Rich, young ruler (to Jesus): "Lord, I will do as you say and come and follow you. You are worth more than all my possessions. I trust that the riches of knowing you are of far greater value than all my worldly riches combined."


SITUATION: THE PRODIGAL SON LAUNCHES OUT
(Luke 15:11 NIV) Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons.
(Luke 15:12 NIV) The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
(Luke 15:13 NIV) "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.
(Luke 15:14 NIV) AFTER HE HAD SPENT EVERYTHING, THERE WAS A SEVERE FAMINE IN THAT WHOLE COUNTRY, AND HE BEGAN TO BE IN NEED.

CONSEQUENCE: The prodigal son loses everything and hits rock bottom.

SCENES WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SEEN: Younger son (to his father before leaving): "Dad, you're the greatest! Where could I ever go on God's green earth to find a better place to call home? I don't want anybody or anything to ever come between us, father!"


SITUATION: PEOPLE ARE LOST AND SEPARATED FROM GOD
(Rom 3:23 NIV) for ALL HAVE SINNED and fall short of the glory of God…"
(Rom 6:23 NIV) For THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Isa 53:6 NIV) WE ALL, LIKE SHEEP, HAVE GONE ASTRAY, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

CONSEQUENCE: People who die without Christ are eternally separated from God.

SCENE WE'D LIKE TO SEE: (Acts 3:19 NIV) Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,
(Acts 3:20 NIV) and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you--even Jesus.

(Acts 16:31 NIV) They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household."

(John 3:16 NIV) "For 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.
(John 3:17 NIV) For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

(Rom 10:9 NIV) That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
(Rom 10:10 NIV) For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

DSR
7/21/03

What Are You "In To" These Days

by David Scott Robertson

I live IN the United States of America,
IN the State of Tennessee,
IN Rutherford County,
IN the City of Murfreesboro,
IN a comfortable home in a nice neighborhood.

I'm IN love with my wife,
IN good relationship with my daughter and family who are all IN good health.
On top of that, I'm IN a good financial situation.
I enjoy good standing IN the community and I'm IN a great church.

Whatever you or I may be "IN to"
Does not compare to being…

"IN Christ."

Without Him you and I are
IN trouble,
IN hot water,
IN a state of confusion,
IN store for an eternity without God.

These two words: "IN Christ," change everything.

It means your name is written IN the Lamb's Book of Life.
It means you have a mansion reserved for you IN heaven.
It means you have God living IN you.
It means that you are IN God's Word, IN the faith, and walking IN truth.

You're IN the household of faith,
IN the family of God,
IN line for abundant life,
The blessings of God are IN store for you because you are abiding IN the secret place of the Most High.

All this because you and I are "IN Christ."

What are you IN to these days?
Whatever you may be involved IN,
Above all, make certain that you are IN Christ, for then, you will be IN position to be IN the center of God's will.
That's important because "IN [His] presence there is fullness of joy and at [His] right hand there are pleasures evermore" (Psalm 16:11).

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all IN the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:17).

DSR
7/14/03

Your Love IS Better Than Life!

by David Scott Robertson

"Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you" Psalm 63:3

I remember this verse.
As a 12-year old young person I heard this verse in church being quoted by the pastor.
I even remember where I was sitting that day - on the back pew.
The reason I remember it so well is because at the time I didn't believe it.

I remember having a conversation with myself after the passage was quoted.
In my mind I was challenging the pastor's declaration and the conclusion I arrived at was (employing the wisdom and mental faculties of a 12-year-old mind): "I disagree with that scripture. My life is better than God's love." I remember disagreeing with the pastor and rejecting outright what he said was true.

As a 7th grader who had not yet been born again, I had just gotten out of school for summer vacation. My mind was filled with thoughts of all the fun a 7th grader could get into being freed from prison for three months. After all, how could the "love of God" possibly compare with my friends, riding my bike, swimming, watching television, playing tennis, and getting into everything I could get in to? God's love sounding "boring" to me. At the time I thought trading my idea of fun for God's love was a poor trade. I concluded it was a crummy deal and I wasn't buying it.

Right then and there, as I was daydreaming (little did I know that I was doing what the Bible calls "counting the cost" of being a disciple of Jesus) I made up my mind, that my life was better than God's love.

I was wrong.

I spent the entire summer without God. I went on "vacation" and left God at church.
Oh, I visited God at His house on Sundays, but it was to me kind of like visiting an elderly aunt because your parents made you. I would have much preferred to go to my friends' house instead of God's house any day of the week.

Church and a relationship with the Lord were the furthest thing from my mind. After all, I was having fun! I was enjoying my life! I'm young, I've got a lot of living to do! (or so I thought).

I was spending lots of time with my friends, swimming, watching television, playing tennis and getting into everything I could get in to. But somewhere along the line, it happened. It hit me. Subtly at first, but the feelings grew. There came a time during that summer break that I came to an understanding that my life of exciting adventures apart from God was not all that it was cracked up to be.

Later, in retrospect, I have come to understand that the prayers of my parents and other Christians who cared enough about me to pray were laboring together with God and the result of their intercession for me was conviction.

Conviction is the best and worst thing a 12-year-old boy can experience. It is a grace gift from God that says "I've not given up on you".

As the crazy, lazy days of summer began to draw to a close, I had time to think. And during some of those "thinking times" up in tree, wading in a creek, riding my bike alone, somewhere along the line I began to review and evaluate my summer adventures. And when I tallied it all up, to my surprise, I came up short. And somewhere in all of that I made a startling discovery about myself - a realization that comes to every man and woman on the planet sooner or later, at one time or another - and that was that inside I was empty

And although I didn't understand it at the time (and I certainly didn't have enough theology in me to comprehend that God was working on me) I began to become increasingly aware of this profound, hollowness inside me that everything I tried to stuff in there didn't fill. Something was missing that friends, sports, and television couldn't replace.

And in those moments of "thinking" my belief system began to crumble. My firm conviction that my life was better than God's love began to waffle and waiver. The foundation of my faith had basically been built upon the trinity of me, myself, and I. (I was about to encounter the real Trinity!)

One Sunday morning I went to church as usual with my parents (thank God for parents who had enough on the ball spiritually to faithfully take the family to church!) I have no idea what the preacher preached that day but it was enough. He and the Holy Spirit were tag-teaming and putting the hurt on my pride, error, and sin.

It was enough and instead of crying "uncle" I cried "Lord" and gave up. When the altar call was given I irresistibly responded and knelt at an altar and invited Jesus to move in to my heart and life.

I got saved that day. I really did experience the "new birth" and became a child of God and I will never forget the peace that flooded my soul. I loved everybody and thought everybody loved me. And I began the greatest adventure of my life.

It's been thirty years since that day and this coming Sunday you will find me faithfully taking my wife and daughter to church.

Since that wonderful day I have developed the good habit of daily Bible reading. And each time I encounter Psalm 63:3 in my readings, thoughts similar to those I've shared surface.

I started my Bible reading today with Psalm 63:1 but I only got three verses into it when I stopped and began to write what you have now read.

Although I've only read three verses, I think I'm done with my Bible study for the day. It only took 15 seconds to have an experience with God this morning. Tomorrow morning I'll open the Word again and expect something fresh and new to flood my soul. But one thing I know for sure right now that I can tell you, and mean it with all of my heart…

GOD'S LOVE IS BETTER THAN LIFE, MY LIPS WILL GLORIFY HIM!

DSR
7/7/03

I Thank You, Jesus

by David Scott Robertson

I thank you, Jesus,
For initiating our relationship.

I had no rights to you,
No access to you,
No kinship or family tie to you
That would warrant you’re coming to rescue me from my sin.

And yet,
Notwithstanding,
You heard the distant and feeble cry for help of my fallen soul lost in a dark and lonely place.
You heard my voice long, long ago…
And though there were ten thousand times ten thousand angels
Worshipping you in a heavenly language,
Their worship, their song, their holy adoration
Could not drown out my voice crying in the wilderness.

“O God, help!”
“O Lord, I need you!”
“O God, I’m lost without you.”

And you came.
You left your place of perfection.
You left the throne of your glory where all recognized and responded correctly to your righteous and absolute power, authority, and holiness.

You left all that behind
And headed to a hostile and alien land that you knew,
In your foreknowledge,
Would despise and reject you
And ultimately require of you your life.

And you came to me.
You came to me by the way of the cross.
You came to me through the way of death.
You came to me not by taking the scenic route,
But by taking the brutally hard path up a hill called Mount Calvary.

You did it because you knew that this road was the only path that led to my heart.
And in that single act of selfless sacrifice in your sinless perfection,
You rescued me and mankind once for all through your profound love.
And I live to tell about it.
Me who was destined to self-destruct in one short life span and depart from light to darkness,
From temporary pleasures to eternal torment.

I live to tell about
Meeting a Man who told me all things I ever did --
One who knew me and loved me anyway.

I have met Jesus,
The Savior of the world,
The Lord of my life,
The greatest Hero who ever lived.

With that in mind, Lord,
I give you my heart, my life, my worship, my obedience, my labor, my token and pledge of my abiding love for you and your Word and your will and your ways.

I thank you, Jesus,
For being the inspiration of these words emanating from a transformed life.

DSR
6/20/03

The Great-Ness of God

by David Scott Robertson

(Mat 8:23 KJV) "And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.

(Mat 8:24 KJV) And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

(Mat 8:25 KJV) And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.

At one time or another we've all experienced a rain storm. Thanks to modern media and Doppler radar we even know about thunderstorms and enjoy the benefits of a National Weather Service who issues warnings of impending severe weather.

When a thunderstorm graduates into a tornado or hurricane this goes beyond "ordinary" and becomes a "great" or "severe" storm. People in a tornado or hurricane's path seek shelter and pray for personal safety and minimum property loss.

This was similar to the case in the scripture passage quoted above when the disciples, seasoned fisherman who were no strangers to storms, became so alarmed at the "great tempest" that they all thought they were going to die. Notice what happens when Jesus intervenes:

(Mat 8:26 KJV) "And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm."

I love these words: "…and there was a great calm." Please note that it was not an ordinary, common, expected, or normal calm. It was not a customary or traditional calm. No, the Bible says it was a "great calm." It was a calm that could be felt.

Just like the "great tempest" provoked thoughts of fear of perishing in the disciples so the "great calm" provoked thoughts of wonder and amazement:

(Mat 8:27 KJV) "But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!"

When God shows up on the scene of a tornado, hurricane, blizzard, earthquake, mudslide, volcanic eruption, or any other natural disaster that can be named…the "great-ness of God" can be seen in the midst. In a God-charged atmosphere, the ordinary can become extraordinary; unplanned meetings can become divine appointments; unexpected detours can become non-scheduled delights brimming with the simple pleasures of God's provision and power.

(Psa 16:11 KJV) "Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."

So there you have it, right there plain as day in God's Word - a "great tempest" followed by a "great calm" resulting from a three-word command from Jesus, the Author of Life.

Now here are a few principles from the passage I believe the Holy Spirit wants to teach us:

I firmly believe that the Lord wants us to come to such a place of security in our relationship with God that if Jesus is in our boat, all is well regardless of the storms raging around us. In other words, we become convinced that the safest place on earth is in the center of God's will. I also believe God wants us to learn to trust Him no matter what. I believe God wants us to experience a "great calm" IN the storm not just AFTER the storm. Not only that, I also believe that Jesus would have been extremely pleased if one of His disciples had taken the initiative to exercise "great faith" against the "great tempest" and commanded the "great calm" to come as Jesus was so painstakingly trying to train them to walk in the authority of the believer. That's a cue for us if we can take the hint.

(John 14:12 NIV) "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."

Jesus, Prince of Peace, please help us to walk daily in a continual state of "the great calm" that you afford those who believe and trust in Your name and in Your Word. Amen.

DSR
6/15/03