by David Scott Robertson
"As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice" (Psalm 55:16-17).
* * *
I absolutely love the 52nd week of each year.
Closure of the year is at hand. Like an accountant "closes out the books" for a company annually, so I like to "close out the year" the last week of each December.
This week I intend to…
…clean out my desk.
…clean up my car.
…clean out my closet.
…clean up my to-do list.
…clean out my gym bag.
…clean up my diet.
…clean out my dresser.
…clean up my act.
…clean out my hard drive.
…clear up loose ends.
I want to enter the New Year as organized and prepared as possible.
The brief season between the Christmas and New Year's holidays are a time to gather my thoughts, evaluate what did and didn't work in the previous year, and chart a new course for the next twelve months.
Traditionally, during the span of these few days, it has been my custom to contemplate and document goals for the upcoming year.
In the past, I have narrowed my goal setting down to roughly seven vital relationships. My relationship with…
…God
…my wife
…my daughter
…my extended family (including church amily)
…my ministry
…my finances
…myself
Each year I have made incremental progress in these respective areas that has been quite rewarding. This year, however, I am taking a completely new approach.
I strongly sense this new direction is of God. My goals for the New Year can be written on a single sticky note. Envision the scripture reference from Psalms - Psalm 55:16-17 - followed by three empty squares, or blocks, underneath them. That's it. That's what I hope to accomplish in the New Year.
The empty squares represent three blocks of time and the scriptural passage I've listed contains the key to understanding what these blocks mean.
"Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice" (Psalm 55:17).
The three blocks of time that I will concentrating on in the coming year are three meetings with God every day. I will follow the Psalmist's practice of prayer in the verse above.
The first meeting will be each evening. I will meet with God to plan tomorrow tonight. I will get a jump on the next day today by spending quality time with Jesus each evening. Further, I will ask God to speak to me through my dreams to bring expanded revelation for the day to come.
My next meeting will be my "first fruits offering" of the morning. The first item on my day's agenda will not be exercise, headline news, email, or even breakfast. It will be a time spent in worship and in the Word.
My next scheduled quiet time with the Lord will occur around noon of each day. I will try and make a mid-day connection with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to apply any necessary course corrections. Like a boxer listens to his coach between rounds, I want each of these meetings to prepare me to make the most powerful contribution possible to God's plan and program for my life in the current 24-hour cycle.
Please note that these three blocks of time are by no means the only times I will be seeking the Lord for the Bible admonishes us to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17) 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).
But these three blocks of time are dedicated times with my Heavenly Father; they are consecrated times with the Lord Jesus; and they are closed-door meeting times with the Holy Spirit in an attempt to tap into a power that I have previously been too busy to make happen.
I'm deciding right now not to allow myself to get enslaved to a legalistic view of these special times with the Lord. I'm not going to use a stopwatch. I will use these precious times to worship, take communion, read my Bible, study devotional resources, listen to sermons, watch strategic DVD's, pray, write thoughts like this one and so on.
I've got a hunch that all the other categories of my goals will fall into place once I begin living life in the right order and putting first things first. If I can discipline myself to show up to spend time with God in the evening, morning, and around noon each day, I think my life is going to take a turn for the better.
Time will tell. And eternity will too.
DSR
12/27/05
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Monday, December 19, 2005
Lift Up Holy Hands
by David Scott Robertson
"I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing" (1 Timothy 2:8).
* * *
I love to raise my hands in worship to the Lord - in my private devotions and in public church services. Why? Isn't that out of order? Should the ushers show me to the door? Am I disrupting the service or causing confusion? Nope! Nothing could be farther from the truth.
The truth is there are at least 5 reasons why we should lift up our hands in worship to the Lord:
1. I RAISE MY HANDS BECAUSE IT'S SCRIPTURAL.
"Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place" (Psalm 28:2).
"I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands" (Psalm 63:4).
"Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD" (Psalm 134:2).
2. I RAISE MY HANDS IN WORSHIP BECAUSE I KNOW THE ANSWER.
When I was in school, when the teacher asked a question in class and I knew the answer, I raised my hand to be called upon. Nowadays, in worship services, I know that Jesus is the Answer to every problem I face! I raise my hand symbolically to acknowledge that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).
3. I RAISE MY HANDS IN WORSHIP AS A SIGN OF SURRENDER.
"Stop or I'll shoot!" the police officer instructs the fugitive. "Now, raise your hands where I can see them." The officer wants to see with his eyes that there is no weapon in the man's hands.
Raising of the hands has always been a sign of surrender in such instances. In one simple gesture a great deal is communicated nonverbally: "I am at your mercy! I give up! I submit! I yield! I will not fight or struggle any longer against you! See, I am placing myself in a position to not contend with you!"
That is a good posture for us to approach God. Humbling ourselves and admitting our weakness may be humiliating, but that's the point, isn't it?
4. I RAISE MY HANDS IN WORSHIP AS A SIGN OF VICTORY.
The boxer knocks out his opponent, his hands go up. The hockey player scores, up goes his hands! The tennis player drives match point down the line. He pumps his fist into the air. We can see a hundred players and thousands of fans go through this ritual every Sunday afternoon on TV. Raising one or both hands into the air has always represented victory in circles of competition.
In the spiritual war we are engaged in, we have the victory through the blood of Jesus! We have been made to be more than conquerors through Christ who loves us. No enemy can prosper against us!
Uplifted hands, before or during or after the battle is always appropriate. As a matter of fact, I firmly believe it is always better to celebrate the victory with raised hands before the battle (that requires faith) than after the battle as a show of aggression on my part to a defeated foe. That's how confident I am in the Lord.
5. I RAISE MY HANDS IN WORSHIP INVITING MY FATHER TO PICK ME UP.
When my daughter was an infant and before she learned how to express her desires verbally, when she wanted me to pick her up she would raise both her hands to me. Instantly I knew what she wanted and responded immediately. Who do you think put that cause and effect response in the heart of child and parent? Why our Heavenly Father, who in case you didn't already know this, is the best Father, Daddy, Papa, of all time!
Lift up your hands to your Father and He will be glad to scoop you up into His loving arms anytime your faith collides with His loving kindness and tender mercy. Ever felt like you just needed a good hug when life gets you down? Is your heart breaking and you need some comfort? Or on the other side of the spectrum of emotions, are you glad to the bone and need to transfer that joy to someone else? A "pick me up" from God can accomplish all of this in short order and the sure fire way for a child to get picked up by its father is to lift up both of those hands and look up!
When we as parents get busy or distracted and sometimes our youngsters who can talk add "pick me up, Daddy" to the equation. I don't know how your family operated, but when that happened in my house, it didn't take long at all for me to satisfy my child's need to be picked up, hugged, and loved on for a little while. God knows the value of power of touch.
To sum it up, the act of raising your hands before the Lord can mean many things but know this, each act has meaning. God knows your heart, your motive, and what you want and need at the time. He will receive your "spiritual act of worship" (Romans 12:1-2) as a prophetic act if you will obey the biblical admonishment to "lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing" (1 Timothy 2:8).
DSR
12/19/05
"I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing" (1 Timothy 2:8).
* * *
I love to raise my hands in worship to the Lord - in my private devotions and in public church services. Why? Isn't that out of order? Should the ushers show me to the door? Am I disrupting the service or causing confusion? Nope! Nothing could be farther from the truth.
The truth is there are at least 5 reasons why we should lift up our hands in worship to the Lord:
1. I RAISE MY HANDS BECAUSE IT'S SCRIPTURAL.
"Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place" (Psalm 28:2).
"I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands" (Psalm 63:4).
"Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD" (Psalm 134:2).
2. I RAISE MY HANDS IN WORSHIP BECAUSE I KNOW THE ANSWER.
When I was in school, when the teacher asked a question in class and I knew the answer, I raised my hand to be called upon. Nowadays, in worship services, I know that Jesus is the Answer to every problem I face! I raise my hand symbolically to acknowledge that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).
3. I RAISE MY HANDS IN WORSHIP AS A SIGN OF SURRENDER.
"Stop or I'll shoot!" the police officer instructs the fugitive. "Now, raise your hands where I can see them." The officer wants to see with his eyes that there is no weapon in the man's hands.
Raising of the hands has always been a sign of surrender in such instances. In one simple gesture a great deal is communicated nonverbally: "I am at your mercy! I give up! I submit! I yield! I will not fight or struggle any longer against you! See, I am placing myself in a position to not contend with you!"
That is a good posture for us to approach God. Humbling ourselves and admitting our weakness may be humiliating, but that's the point, isn't it?
4. I RAISE MY HANDS IN WORSHIP AS A SIGN OF VICTORY.
The boxer knocks out his opponent, his hands go up. The hockey player scores, up goes his hands! The tennis player drives match point down the line. He pumps his fist into the air. We can see a hundred players and thousands of fans go through this ritual every Sunday afternoon on TV. Raising one or both hands into the air has always represented victory in circles of competition.
In the spiritual war we are engaged in, we have the victory through the blood of Jesus! We have been made to be more than conquerors through Christ who loves us. No enemy can prosper against us!
Uplifted hands, before or during or after the battle is always appropriate. As a matter of fact, I firmly believe it is always better to celebrate the victory with raised hands before the battle (that requires faith) than after the battle as a show of aggression on my part to a defeated foe. That's how confident I am in the Lord.
5. I RAISE MY HANDS IN WORSHIP INVITING MY FATHER TO PICK ME UP.
When my daughter was an infant and before she learned how to express her desires verbally, when she wanted me to pick her up she would raise both her hands to me. Instantly I knew what she wanted and responded immediately. Who do you think put that cause and effect response in the heart of child and parent? Why our Heavenly Father, who in case you didn't already know this, is the best Father, Daddy, Papa, of all time!
Lift up your hands to your Father and He will be glad to scoop you up into His loving arms anytime your faith collides with His loving kindness and tender mercy. Ever felt like you just needed a good hug when life gets you down? Is your heart breaking and you need some comfort? Or on the other side of the spectrum of emotions, are you glad to the bone and need to transfer that joy to someone else? A "pick me up" from God can accomplish all of this in short order and the sure fire way for a child to get picked up by its father is to lift up both of those hands and look up!
When we as parents get busy or distracted and sometimes our youngsters who can talk add "pick me up, Daddy" to the equation. I don't know how your family operated, but when that happened in my house, it didn't take long at all for me to satisfy my child's need to be picked up, hugged, and loved on for a little while. God knows the value of power of touch.
To sum it up, the act of raising your hands before the Lord can mean many things but know this, each act has meaning. God knows your heart, your motive, and what you want and need at the time. He will receive your "spiritual act of worship" (Romans 12:1-2) as a prophetic act if you will obey the biblical admonishment to "lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing" (1 Timothy 2:8).
DSR
12/19/05
Monday, December 5, 2005
I Know the Answer
by David Scott Robertson
“Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down? Who holds the wind in his fists? Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak? Who has created the whole wide world? What is his name – and his son’s name? Tell me if you know” (Proverbs 30:4).
* * *
In this verse, Agur son of Jakeh, poses five questions to the reader.
QUESTION #1. WHO BUT GOD GOES UP TO HEAVEN AND COMES BACK DOWN? I know the answer!
A. Enoch – He had the testimony that he pleased God simply by walking in His ways and consequently God took him alive to heaven (Genesis 5:24).
B. Elijah – A chariot of fire and horses of fire carried Elijah alive to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11).
NOTE: Since it is appointed unto man once to die and after that to face judgment (Hebrews 9:27), it is possible that this pair may be the “two witnesses” spoken about in Revelation 11:3.
C. The Apostle John – God opened a door in heaven and invited John to “come up here and I will show you what must take place after this” and suddenly John was transported alive to the throne of God (Revelation 4:1-2).
D. Paul – He was caught up alive and taken to the third heaven on the “Holy Ghost Express” and heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell (2 Corinthians 12:2-4).
E. All living born again believers – In the end times, genuine Christians who are alive and remain at the time of the Rapture of the Church will be caught up with the righteous dead to heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) and come back down with Christ as an army riding white horses at the Second Coming of Christ to the earth (Revelation 19:14).
(This is not an exhaustive response but I do know at least part of the answer!)
QUESTION #2: WHO HOLDS THE WIND IN HIS FISTS? I know the answer!
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit!
QUESTION #3: WHO WRAPS UP THE OCEANS IN HIS CLOAK? I know the answer!
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit!
QUESTION #4: WHO CREATED THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD? I know the answer!
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit!
QUESTION #5: WHAT IS HIS NAME – AND HIS SON’S NAME? TELL ME IF YOU KNOW. I know the answer!
PART ONE OF THE QUESTION: His name is…
A. El-Shaddai – God Almighty
B. Yahweh – the covenant name of God
C. Jehovah-Jireh – “The Lord Will Provide” (Genesis 22:14)
D. Jehovah-Rophe – “The Lord Who Heals” (Exodus 15:22-26)
E. Jehovah-Nissi – “The Lord Our Banner” (Exodus 17:15)
F. Jehovah-M’Kaddesh – “The Lord Who Sanctifies” (Leviticus 20:8)
G. Jehovah-Shalom – “The Lord Our Peace” (Judges 6:24)
H. Jehovah-Tsidkenu – “The Lord Our Righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:5-6)
I. Jehova-Rohi – “The Lord Our Shepherd” (Psalm 23)
J. Jehovah-Shammah – “The Lord is There” (Ezekiel 48:35)
K. Jehovah-Sabaoth – “The Lord of Hosts” (Isaiah 1:24)
L. El-Elyon –“Most High” (Deuteronomy 26:19)
M. El-Roi – “God of Seeing” (Genesis 16:13)
N. El-Olam – “Everlasting God” (Genesis 21:33)
O. El-Gibhor – “Mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6)
P. Father – (2 Samuel 7:14-15)
Q. Judge – (Psalm 7:8)
R. Kadosh – “Holy One” (Psalm 71:22)
S. Kanna – “Jealous” (Exodus 20:5)
T. Palet – “Deliverer” (Psalm 18:2)
U. Magen – “Shield” (Psalm 3:3)
V. Eyaluth – “Strength” (Psalm 22:19)
W. Tsaddiq – “Righteous One” (Psalm 7:9)
X. Stone – (Genesis 49:34)
Z. Zur – “God Our Rock” (Deuteronomy 30:18)
NOTE: These are not all the names of God but a few in which God has chosen to reveal His qualities and attributes to His creation.
PART TWO OF THE QUESTION: His Son’s name is Jesus.
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
I know the answer to these five great questions because God has provided us with the Answer Book – the Bible. Read God’s Word and you will be wise. Quote God’s Word and you will never be wrong. Hide God’s Word in your heart to prevent you from sinning against Him. Live God’s Word and prosper abundantly on earth and eternally in heaven.
DSR
12/5/05
“Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down? Who holds the wind in his fists? Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak? Who has created the whole wide world? What is his name – and his son’s name? Tell me if you know” (Proverbs 30:4).
* * *
In this verse, Agur son of Jakeh, poses five questions to the reader.
QUESTION #1. WHO BUT GOD GOES UP TO HEAVEN AND COMES BACK DOWN? I know the answer!
A. Enoch – He had the testimony that he pleased God simply by walking in His ways and consequently God took him alive to heaven (Genesis 5:24).
B. Elijah – A chariot of fire and horses of fire carried Elijah alive to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11).
NOTE: Since it is appointed unto man once to die and after that to face judgment (Hebrews 9:27), it is possible that this pair may be the “two witnesses” spoken about in Revelation 11:3.
C. The Apostle John – God opened a door in heaven and invited John to “come up here and I will show you what must take place after this” and suddenly John was transported alive to the throne of God (Revelation 4:1-2).
D. Paul – He was caught up alive and taken to the third heaven on the “Holy Ghost Express” and heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell (2 Corinthians 12:2-4).
E. All living born again believers – In the end times, genuine Christians who are alive and remain at the time of the Rapture of the Church will be caught up with the righteous dead to heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) and come back down with Christ as an army riding white horses at the Second Coming of Christ to the earth (Revelation 19:14).
(This is not an exhaustive response but I do know at least part of the answer!)
QUESTION #2: WHO HOLDS THE WIND IN HIS FISTS? I know the answer!
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit!
QUESTION #3: WHO WRAPS UP THE OCEANS IN HIS CLOAK? I know the answer!
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit!
QUESTION #4: WHO CREATED THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD? I know the answer!
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit!
QUESTION #5: WHAT IS HIS NAME – AND HIS SON’S NAME? TELL ME IF YOU KNOW. I know the answer!
PART ONE OF THE QUESTION: His name is…
A. El-Shaddai – God Almighty
B. Yahweh – the covenant name of God
C. Jehovah-Jireh – “The Lord Will Provide” (Genesis 22:14)
D. Jehovah-Rophe – “The Lord Who Heals” (Exodus 15:22-26)
E. Jehovah-Nissi – “The Lord Our Banner” (Exodus 17:15)
F. Jehovah-M’Kaddesh – “The Lord Who Sanctifies” (Leviticus 20:8)
G. Jehovah-Shalom – “The Lord Our Peace” (Judges 6:24)
H. Jehovah-Tsidkenu – “The Lord Our Righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:5-6)
I. Jehova-Rohi – “The Lord Our Shepherd” (Psalm 23)
J. Jehovah-Shammah – “The Lord is There” (Ezekiel 48:35)
K. Jehovah-Sabaoth – “The Lord of Hosts” (Isaiah 1:24)
L. El-Elyon –“Most High” (Deuteronomy 26:19)
M. El-Roi – “God of Seeing” (Genesis 16:13)
N. El-Olam – “Everlasting God” (Genesis 21:33)
O. El-Gibhor – “Mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6)
P. Father – (2 Samuel 7:14-15)
Q. Judge – (Psalm 7:8)
R. Kadosh – “Holy One” (Psalm 71:22)
S. Kanna – “Jealous” (Exodus 20:5)
T. Palet – “Deliverer” (Psalm 18:2)
U. Magen – “Shield” (Psalm 3:3)
V. Eyaluth – “Strength” (Psalm 22:19)
W. Tsaddiq – “Righteous One” (Psalm 7:9)
X. Stone – (Genesis 49:34)
Z. Zur – “God Our Rock” (Deuteronomy 30:18)
NOTE: These are not all the names of God but a few in which God has chosen to reveal His qualities and attributes to His creation.
PART TWO OF THE QUESTION: His Son’s name is Jesus.
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
I know the answer to these five great questions because God has provided us with the Answer Book – the Bible. Read God’s Word and you will be wise. Quote God’s Word and you will never be wrong. Hide God’s Word in your heart to prevent you from sinning against Him. Live God’s Word and prosper abundantly on earth and eternally in heaven.
DSR
12/5/05
Monday, November 28, 2005
Water Walker
by David Scott Robertson
(John 21:7 NIV) Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.
* * *
This single verse endlessly fascinates me. I cannot prove the things I am about to say regarding this scripture. Nevertheless, it is my conviction that there is an amazing story embedded in this passage regarding Peter.
A few verses earlier, the Bible records Simon Peter’s statement: “I’m going out to fish” (John 21:3). What was he really saying here to the other disciples? Could this have been code for, “since Jesus is dead, I’m going back to my old job as a fisherman?”
Peter had washed out as the cocky disciple who boasted to the Lord, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will" (Matthew 26:33). Jesus broke the news to him that "…this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times" (Matthew 26:34).
Peter, at that point, still had not been broken of his bad habit of correcting the Lord as we discover when Peter responds: "…Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you” (Matthew 26:35).
So back to point about Peter jumping into the water that flagged my attention in the first place.
As soon as Peter heard John say that “it is the Lord!” he snapped into action. Immediately he put on his outer garment. Don’t you find that interesting? I’m a swimmer and before I swim laps I take off my garments; including my shoes and socks, and put on a light swimsuit. It’s hard to swim with clothes on. Why did Peter put on his outer garment, which may have been a cloak or robe that when waterlogged would make swimming to shore exceedingly difficult, perhaps even dangerous?
I think I may have the answer. Could it be that Peter didn’t plan on swimming to shore at all? If he was going to swim, wouldn’t he leave his outer garment in the boat and maybe even take off his sandals and dive in head first? But he didn’t dive in; the Bible says he jumped in.
Could it be that Peter, once Jesus’ identity had been confirmed by John, wanted to get back into the Lord’s graces by walking on the water to Him? Could it be that Peter wanted to “hit the ground running” in making his way back to the Lord? What better way to demonstrate to Jesus that he would was no longer willing to take his eyes off the Master than by walking on water like He had before? Perhaps in Peter’s thinking it was the perfect scenario for him to “make up” for his denial and get things back on track with the Lord.
Whatever thoughts or hopes might have been racing through Peter’s impulsive mind at the time must have drown as gravity took him below the water’s surface, outer garment and all. If this were the case, so much for impressing Jesus Christ.
A few verses later, we find Jesus striking at the heart of the matter in His conversation with the sopping wet disciple.
“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17).
The point I sense that Jesus was possibly making to Peter that could apply to us centuries later is this: Walking in miracles isn’t as impressive to Jesus as caring for His flock.
It may not be exploits that Christ is looking for as much as faith expressed in works of love. Jesus seemed to confirm this thought with His profound statement of what true discipleship would look like:
“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35).
DSR
11/28/05
(John 21:7 NIV) Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.
* * *
This single verse endlessly fascinates me. I cannot prove the things I am about to say regarding this scripture. Nevertheless, it is my conviction that there is an amazing story embedded in this passage regarding Peter.
A few verses earlier, the Bible records Simon Peter’s statement: “I’m going out to fish” (John 21:3). What was he really saying here to the other disciples? Could this have been code for, “since Jesus is dead, I’m going back to my old job as a fisherman?”
Peter had washed out as the cocky disciple who boasted to the Lord, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will" (Matthew 26:33). Jesus broke the news to him that "…this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times" (Matthew 26:34).
Peter, at that point, still had not been broken of his bad habit of correcting the Lord as we discover when Peter responds: "…Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you” (Matthew 26:35).
So back to point about Peter jumping into the water that flagged my attention in the first place.
As soon as Peter heard John say that “it is the Lord!” he snapped into action. Immediately he put on his outer garment. Don’t you find that interesting? I’m a swimmer and before I swim laps I take off my garments; including my shoes and socks, and put on a light swimsuit. It’s hard to swim with clothes on. Why did Peter put on his outer garment, which may have been a cloak or robe that when waterlogged would make swimming to shore exceedingly difficult, perhaps even dangerous?
I think I may have the answer. Could it be that Peter didn’t plan on swimming to shore at all? If he was going to swim, wouldn’t he leave his outer garment in the boat and maybe even take off his sandals and dive in head first? But he didn’t dive in; the Bible says he jumped in.
Could it be that Peter, once Jesus’ identity had been confirmed by John, wanted to get back into the Lord’s graces by walking on the water to Him? Could it be that Peter wanted to “hit the ground running” in making his way back to the Lord? What better way to demonstrate to Jesus that he would was no longer willing to take his eyes off the Master than by walking on water like He had before? Perhaps in Peter’s thinking it was the perfect scenario for him to “make up” for his denial and get things back on track with the Lord.
Whatever thoughts or hopes might have been racing through Peter’s impulsive mind at the time must have drown as gravity took him below the water’s surface, outer garment and all. If this were the case, so much for impressing Jesus Christ.
A few verses later, we find Jesus striking at the heart of the matter in His conversation with the sopping wet disciple.
“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17).
The point I sense that Jesus was possibly making to Peter that could apply to us centuries later is this: Walking in miracles isn’t as impressive to Jesus as caring for His flock.
It may not be exploits that Christ is looking for as much as faith expressed in works of love. Jesus seemed to confirm this thought with His profound statement of what true discipleship would look like:
“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35).
DSR
11/28/05
Sunday, November 6, 2005
But...
by David Scott Robertson
“At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land. 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. They gave Moses this account: "We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there” (Numbers 13:25-28).
* * *
Moses had ordered twelve tribal leaders to explore the land of Canaan prior to the nation entering in to possess the land. This territory was the exact destination that the great God Jehovah had led them to using a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. There could be no mistake, this was the place.
The passage I opened with sadly chronicles the official report of the majority of the twelve spies upon returning from their expedition. The consensus was a dismal one.
The first words out of their mouths were good! It was truth!
“We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is the fruit” (13:27).
Oh, that they had stopped right there and kept their fears to themselves! An entire generation’s future lay in the balance on the next few words. Then, brace yourself, here it came – the bombshell. The next word was like an atomic warhead exploding – “but…”
What do you mean “but?” After all God had done to sustain, uphold, and preserve hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children in an impossible situation, one would think that the very last word out of their mouths would be “but…”
Had not God led them to that precise spot supernaturally? Had God not performed miracle after miracle in order to set the stage for the conquest of Canaan? Had not God fed an entire nation with manna from heaven and watered their herds with water from a rock, for goodness sake?
The very men who had walked on dry ground at the bottom of the Red Sea with massive walls of water on either side of them somehow had the audacity to say the word “but…”
(Num 13:28 NIV) But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there.
It was as if the word “but” was the transition from a blessing to a curse for an entire nation. From that word forward, the anger of God Himself was aroused, the very God whose declared that He was slow to become angry.
When I came to the word “but” in the text, I lowered my Bible to my lap prayed out loud in my recliner: “Holy Spirit,” I prayed, “what can you teach me from this passage?” Then I waited in silence. The following words bubbled up within my spirit:
“With many words sin is not absent.”
“Quit while you are ahead.”
“Even a fool appears wise when silent.”
“Parents stopped naming their children after the names of the ten spies.”
“It would be better not to speak at all that to speak in such a way that another’s faith is crushed.”
“The word ‘but’ is not the culprit in this instance rather a lack of faith in God.”
God doesn’t expect us to lie or pretend that problems, even severe problems, okay, even problems that appear impossible to resolve in the natural, don’t exist. Of course they do! God doesn’t get any glory out of you and me trying to “cover for God” and pretend that real problems don’t exist.
Caleb was one of the spies who gave God the opportunity to use the word “but” in its proper context.
“But Caleb tried to encourage the people as they stood before Moses. ‘Let’s go at once to take the land,’ he said. ‘We can certainly conquer it!’” (v. 30).
Well, the rest, as they say, is history. The ten spies with their faithless report perished in the wilderness along with every Israelite twenty years and older (Numbers 32:11) down to the last person. (Can you imagine being the “last Israelite” from that generation still living holding back the forward progress of an entire nation? He probably had a “do not resuscitate” sign on his sick bed there at the end!)
God used the word “but” again later on in his reference to Caleb:
“But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it” (Numbers 14:24).
The conclusion of the matter is this: Be very wise in your usage of the word “but.” The words that follow that important word in your speech may very well determine life or death, blessing or cursing, a commendation from the Lord or condemnation from the devil.
DSR
11/6/05
“At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land. 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. They gave Moses this account: "We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there” (Numbers 13:25-28).
* * *
Moses had ordered twelve tribal leaders to explore the land of Canaan prior to the nation entering in to possess the land. This territory was the exact destination that the great God Jehovah had led them to using a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. There could be no mistake, this was the place.
The passage I opened with sadly chronicles the official report of the majority of the twelve spies upon returning from their expedition. The consensus was a dismal one.
The first words out of their mouths were good! It was truth!
“We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is the fruit” (13:27).
Oh, that they had stopped right there and kept their fears to themselves! An entire generation’s future lay in the balance on the next few words. Then, brace yourself, here it came – the bombshell. The next word was like an atomic warhead exploding – “but…”
What do you mean “but?” After all God had done to sustain, uphold, and preserve hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children in an impossible situation, one would think that the very last word out of their mouths would be “but…”
Had not God led them to that precise spot supernaturally? Had God not performed miracle after miracle in order to set the stage for the conquest of Canaan? Had not God fed an entire nation with manna from heaven and watered their herds with water from a rock, for goodness sake?
The very men who had walked on dry ground at the bottom of the Red Sea with massive walls of water on either side of them somehow had the audacity to say the word “but…”
(Num 13:28 NIV) But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there.
It was as if the word “but” was the transition from a blessing to a curse for an entire nation. From that word forward, the anger of God Himself was aroused, the very God whose declared that He was slow to become angry.
When I came to the word “but” in the text, I lowered my Bible to my lap prayed out loud in my recliner: “Holy Spirit,” I prayed, “what can you teach me from this passage?” Then I waited in silence. The following words bubbled up within my spirit:
“With many words sin is not absent.”
“Quit while you are ahead.”
“Even a fool appears wise when silent.”
“Parents stopped naming their children after the names of the ten spies.”
“It would be better not to speak at all that to speak in such a way that another’s faith is crushed.”
“The word ‘but’ is not the culprit in this instance rather a lack of faith in God.”
God doesn’t expect us to lie or pretend that problems, even severe problems, okay, even problems that appear impossible to resolve in the natural, don’t exist. Of course they do! God doesn’t get any glory out of you and me trying to “cover for God” and pretend that real problems don’t exist.
Caleb was one of the spies who gave God the opportunity to use the word “but” in its proper context.
“But Caleb tried to encourage the people as they stood before Moses. ‘Let’s go at once to take the land,’ he said. ‘We can certainly conquer it!’” (v. 30).
Well, the rest, as they say, is history. The ten spies with their faithless report perished in the wilderness along with every Israelite twenty years and older (Numbers 32:11) down to the last person. (Can you imagine being the “last Israelite” from that generation still living holding back the forward progress of an entire nation? He probably had a “do not resuscitate” sign on his sick bed there at the end!)
God used the word “but” again later on in his reference to Caleb:
“But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it” (Numbers 14:24).
The conclusion of the matter is this: Be very wise in your usage of the word “but.” The words that follow that important word in your speech may very well determine life or death, blessing or cursing, a commendation from the Lord or condemnation from the devil.
DSR
11/6/05
Sunday, October 30, 2005
What's in a Name?
by David Scott Robertson
David S. Robertson. That’s the name my parents gave me. Throughout my lifetime, as far back as I can remember, people have been calling me by my name. Maybe you’ve had a similar experience!
The United States government may know us as a nine-digit number, but those who really know us call us by name.
How people address us often reveals how they feel about us.
TELLER AT THE BANK: “Hello, Mr. Robertson.”
MY FRIEND BOB: “Hi David!”
MY RACQUETBALL PARTNER, MARK: “Hey buddy!”
MY WIFE, MONICA: “Hi, Honey!”
MY MOTHER WHEN SHE’S MAD AT ME: “David Scott Robertson!”
THE GUY I CUT OFF IN TRAFFIC: “Watch it, Jerk!”
Sometimes, others know us so well they give us “nick-names.” Nicknames can be cruel or funny or kind, depending upon how the person/group feels about you.
JESUS USED NICKNAMES
The dynamic duo brother-team of James and John earned a nickname from the Lord:
“James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder)…”(Mark 3:17).
THE DISCIPLES USED NICKNAMES
An early Christ-follower named Joseph was such a nice guy to be around that the apostles gave him a nickname:
“Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement)…” (Acts 4:36).
MY WIFE USES NICKNAMES
My wife, Monica, often calls me “honey,” “baby,” or “sweetheart” and I love it when she uses terms of endearment like this!
What’s in a name? Plenty! It can become a “self-fulfilling prophecy” about who you are as a person. Jacob is a good example of this. Jacob was a name that was built on the Hebrew noun for “heel” meaning, “he grasps the heel” or “he cheats, supplants” (Genesis 25:26; 27:36).
God later changed his name at a place called “Peniel” because Jacob had a profound encounter with the Lord.
“Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.” God said to him, "Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel. " So he named him Israel” (Genesis 32:28;35:10).
Many others in the Bible got a name change:
HOSHEA, SON OF NUN(Numbers 13:16)
“These are the names of the men Moses sent to explore the land. (Moses gave
Hoshea son of Nun the name Joshua.)
SIMON(John 1:42)
“And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter).
SAUL OF TARSUS(Acts 13:9)
“Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said…”
ABRAM(Genesis 17:5)
“No longer will you be called Abram ; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations."
JOSEPH(Genesis 41:45)
“Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt.”
I have a few friends who changed their names themselves after having a radical encounter with God. One of my friends, formerly known as “T.J.” now asks to be called “Thomas” since his conversion to Christ. My friend Joe used to be known as “Joseph,” but he left that old troubled character behind after the Lord set him free from chains that bound him to his past. I think this is glorious!
What’s in a name? Plenty! The Great God Jehovah Himself has elected to be known by several different names. Like the many facets of a diamond held up to the light, each name of God reveals a different but splendid aspect of God’s character:
“Jehovah” meaning “I AM WHO I AM” or “the Self-Existent One.”
“Elohim” (a plural noun, more than two) meaning God occurring 2,570 in the Old Testament.
“El Shaddai” – God Almighty or “God All Sufficient.”
"Adonai” meaning “Lord.”
“Yahweh” is the covenant name of God.
“Jehovah-Jireh” means “The Lord will Provide.”
The Word of God reveals many other names that the Lord has chosen to describe Himself to mankind besides those few listed here.
(NOTE: For a fascinating study into the names of God, go to: http://www.ldolphin.org/Names.html)
Interestingly, names changes are not limited to just individuals as the two verses below illustrate:
THE LAND
"No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah ; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be married" (Isa 62:4).
THE BODY OF CHRIST
"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you" (John 15:15).
Greater minds than mine have opened this can of worms and understood it better than me. The point I want to leave with today is that if you know Jesus, the name above all names, then you have connected with the one name that can save your soul.
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12)
One day, one fine day, Jesus will give us a new name. And that, dear friend, is the name that will stick for eternity.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it” (Rev 2:17).
DSR
10/30/05
David S. Robertson. That’s the name my parents gave me. Throughout my lifetime, as far back as I can remember, people have been calling me by my name. Maybe you’ve had a similar experience!
The United States government may know us as a nine-digit number, but those who really know us call us by name.
How people address us often reveals how they feel about us.
TELLER AT THE BANK: “Hello, Mr. Robertson.”
MY FRIEND BOB: “Hi David!”
MY RACQUETBALL PARTNER, MARK: “Hey buddy!”
MY WIFE, MONICA: “Hi, Honey!”
MY MOTHER WHEN SHE’S MAD AT ME: “David Scott Robertson!”
THE GUY I CUT OFF IN TRAFFIC: “Watch it, Jerk!”
Sometimes, others know us so well they give us “nick-names.” Nicknames can be cruel or funny or kind, depending upon how the person/group feels about you.
JESUS USED NICKNAMES
The dynamic duo brother-team of James and John earned a nickname from the Lord:
“James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder)…”(Mark 3:17).
THE DISCIPLES USED NICKNAMES
An early Christ-follower named Joseph was such a nice guy to be around that the apostles gave him a nickname:
“Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement)…” (Acts 4:36).
MY WIFE USES NICKNAMES
My wife, Monica, often calls me “honey,” “baby,” or “sweetheart” and I love it when she uses terms of endearment like this!
What’s in a name? Plenty! It can become a “self-fulfilling prophecy” about who you are as a person. Jacob is a good example of this. Jacob was a name that was built on the Hebrew noun for “heel” meaning, “he grasps the heel” or “he cheats, supplants” (Genesis 25:26; 27:36).
God later changed his name at a place called “Peniel” because Jacob had a profound encounter with the Lord.
“Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.” God said to him, "Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel. " So he named him Israel” (Genesis 32:28;35:10).
Many others in the Bible got a name change:
HOSHEA, SON OF NUN(Numbers 13:16)
“These are the names of the men Moses sent to explore the land. (Moses gave
Hoshea son of Nun the name Joshua.)
SIMON(John 1:42)
“And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter).
SAUL OF TARSUS(Acts 13:9)
“Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said…”
ABRAM(Genesis 17:5)
“No longer will you be called Abram ; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations."
JOSEPH(Genesis 41:45)
“Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt.”
I have a few friends who changed their names themselves after having a radical encounter with God. One of my friends, formerly known as “T.J.” now asks to be called “Thomas” since his conversion to Christ. My friend Joe used to be known as “Joseph,” but he left that old troubled character behind after the Lord set him free from chains that bound him to his past. I think this is glorious!
What’s in a name? Plenty! The Great God Jehovah Himself has elected to be known by several different names. Like the many facets of a diamond held up to the light, each name of God reveals a different but splendid aspect of God’s character:
“Jehovah” meaning “I AM WHO I AM” or “the Self-Existent One.”
“Elohim” (a plural noun, more than two) meaning God occurring 2,570 in the Old Testament.
“El Shaddai” – God Almighty or “God All Sufficient.”
"Adonai” meaning “Lord.”
“Yahweh” is the covenant name of God.
“Jehovah-Jireh” means “The Lord will Provide.”
The Word of God reveals many other names that the Lord has chosen to describe Himself to mankind besides those few listed here.
(NOTE: For a fascinating study into the names of God, go to: http://www.ldolphin.org/Names.html)
Interestingly, names changes are not limited to just individuals as the two verses below illustrate:
THE LAND
"No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah ; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be married" (Isa 62:4).
THE BODY OF CHRIST
"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you" (John 15:15).
Greater minds than mine have opened this can of worms and understood it better than me. The point I want to leave with today is that if you know Jesus, the name above all names, then you have connected with the one name that can save your soul.
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12)
One day, one fine day, Jesus will give us a new name. And that, dear friend, is the name that will stick for eternity.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it” (Rev 2:17).
DSR
10/30/05
Monday, September 5, 2005
The Code
by David Scott Robertson
* * *
1. SOG
2. MOC
3. D7
4. EX412
5. TYJ
* * *
Before I compose very important documents, I usually write (or type) "the code" or letters you see here that appear above this text.
I used it today as I composed comments I will be making at the funeral of a very dear friend. I write these letters before I write a sermon. Often I'll write them on the top left of my legal pad if I'm in an important meeting where I need to speak with extra caution or wisdom.
I have done this for years and today is the first time I've ever told anybody about it. Let me tell you what the letters above stand for and why I think they're vital to my communication.
1. SOG - Stands for Spirit of God.
First and foremost, I invite the Holy Spirit to inspire me to speak or write well. I realize also that what I don't say is nearly as important as what I do say, so I ask the Spirit of God to help me cull out what is not appropriate. Certain thoughts or ideas may be good but it may not be the right time or audience to share them with.
2. MOC - Stands for Mind of Christ.
Scripture reveals that in Christ are "…hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:2-3). I figure since Jesus knows everything and He lives in my heart (spirit), then why not ask for the His thoughts to dominate and mine to be taken captive (2 Corinthians 10:5)? 1 Corinthians 2:16 says that we can have the mind of Christ, so by putting the letters MOC on the left margin of my document, I am saying to God that I want the mind of Christ to influence what I write and/or speak.
3. D7 - Stands for the Divine 7
These are 7 things I pray over myself and my family regularly:
(1) Divine Receptivity - the ability to hear God's voice...clearly
(2) Divine Creativity - genius from Jesus for Jesus
(3) Divine Productivity - the ability to get more done in less time
(4) Divine Enablement - trusting that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength
(5) Divine Intervention - God working creative miracles on my behalf
(6) Divine Favor - walking daily in the FOG - the favor of God
(7) Divine Rhythm - doing God's perfect will in God's perfect timing
4. EX412 - Stands for Exodus 4:12.
This is one of my favorite verses in the whole Word of God. God is speaking directly and audibly to Moses in this passage. Moses had an inferiority complex when it came to public speaking. God counters with, "Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."
Well, that should have ended all Moses' fears, right? Yes it should have but it didn't. Basically, Moses' response to the Lord God's extraordinary promise was: "Here am I, Lord, send Aaron."
But as for me, I'm going to take God up on that promise and claim it as my own! Since God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), I believe that God is going to help me speak and teach me what to say. He did it for Moses, Aaron, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Jeremiah, David, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel, Joseph, and others, so why not me?
5. TYJ - Stands for Thank You Jesus!
I always try to thank Him in advance, BEFORE I write the first word, because that requires faith! And God loves it when we exercise faith and trust Him for things we have not yet apprehended.
Thank God for Jesus! Without Him, I wouldn't have a prayer! Jesus makes things happen in my life like nobody else can! He is worthy of all praise and credit before, during, and after the thought is written, the lesson is taught, the sermon is preached, the altar call given, or anything is accomplished that I have asked for His divine assistance with. God is worthy of all the glory, the honor, and the praise!
Now, here's an idea! Why not put these acronyms or your own special code on your projects that may not mean anything to anybody else, but God knows the code!
DSR
9/5/05
Sunday, August 28, 2005
The Value of Being Sent Out
by David Scott Robertson
"Then Moses went back home and talked it over with Jethro, his father-in-law. 'With your permission,' Moses said, 'I would like to go back to Egypt to visit my family. I don't even know whether they are still alive'" (Exodus 4:18).
This is one of the most amazing verses I have found in the Old Testament concerning the value of being sent out by those in authority over you.
In Exodus chapter three, we read the story of how Moses had a close encounter of the God-kind. This is the famous "burning bush" passage. The Great God Jehovah called and commissioned Moses to go and be His representative before Pharaoh to deliver the nation of Israel from over four centuries of Egyptian bondage.
In Exodus chapter 4, we read about how God then empowered Moses to perform a series of miracles to convince both the Jewish and Egyptian officials that God had indeed sent him.
But even though Moses had a supernatural experience with God, please notice something both peculiar and important. Undeniably, Moses had had an incredible meeting with God:
- He witnessed the miracle of the burning bush (3:3)
- He audibly heard the voice of God (3:4)
- He had stood on holy ground (3:5)
- God had revealed Himself and His covenant name (3:6)
- He became privy to God's secret plan to rescue His people (3:7)
- He received a mandate directly from God Himself (3:10)
- He had received God's personal guarantee of His presence and assured victory (3:12)
- He received details about the plagues and plunder of the Egyptians (3:30-21)
- He personally participated in not one, but two actual miracles (the rod becoming a snake and his hand becoming leprous) (4:1-7)
- God predicted the reunion of Moses with his long-lost brother, Aaron (4:14)
Wow! When is the last time you have heard from God so clearly? When is the last time you have received authorization from God to liberate a nation?
I could go on, but my real point that I've been building up to is my opening text:
"Then Moses went back home and talked it over with Jethro, his father-in-law. 'With your permission..." (Exodus 4:18, New Living Translation).
It amazes me that even though Moses had experienced God like no other before him, He didn't immediately go and begin to fulfill God's mission. No, first he went and talked it over with his father-in-law, Jethro! Next (now get this!) he actually asked permission to go! The King James Version of the Bible translates this request as "Let me go, I pray thee…." The New International Version reads, "Let me go back to my people…." The words may differ slightly but the point remains the same - Moses asked his father-in-law to let him go do what God had called him to do!
What's up with that? Does that not fly in the face of much of our cultural Christianity that says "God told me…" and so off they go just like that to begin the task! Many workers in the local church "drop everything they're doing" (or rather everything they've committed to do) without so much as asking their pastor for his blessing. As a result, many are "abandoning their posts" prematurely. Often zealous but immature Christians bring reproach upon the very name that is calling them to greatness by doing things in the wrong order. They inadvertently tarnish genuine "words from the Lord" by believing that if God told them something then who cares what anybody else thinks?
You see, I believe God uses leaders to help younger believers get the timing right. The right thing at the wrong time is the wrong thing. If Jethro had told Moses, "Now Moses, I agree that you have heard God, but as your employer, before you go, I need you to bring my flocks and herds that you have been watching these past four decades to market to sell next month like we agreed." You will never convince me otherwise that God would not honor that!
Indeed you may be called to do an exploit for God but rarely (if ever) will God require you to break your word or fail to fulfill to do something you have committed (covenanted) to do. You may be in week 3 of a 12-week class that you volunteered to teach and the thing that honors God is for you to complete the assignment.
Listen, sometimes God gives you the "heads up" on something coming down the road as a courtesy so you can prepare yourself for His next assignment. He may tell you things in advance so you can bring closure to your current commitments, spend time getting prayed up, get counsel and advice from those more seasoned than you, obtain the blessing of those in authority over you, and get sent out properly with much celebration!
Notice that God didn't rebuke Moses for going to Jethro to talk things over. God didn't threaten to kill Moses for asking permission to quit his job and secure a blessing from the man under whose authority Moses had prospered for nearly forty years. Conversely, God rewards those who honor those in authority over them and seek to be sent out with a blessing on their new adventure!
Notice the very next verse how God validated Moses after he consulted with Jethro:
"Before Moses left Midian, the Lord said to him, 'Do not be afraid to return to Egypt, for all those who wanted to kill you are dead" (4:19).
God speaks again! Moses lived nearly his whole life up to that point without seeing miracles and hearing God's voice, now it's getting to be a habit!
Why is this concept of obtaining permission, securing a blessing, and being sent out by those in authority over you important? Watch what happens in Moses' life later regarding Jethro.
Since Moses left on good terms with Jethro and no bridges were burned on the way out the door, God was able to use this former authority in Moses' life to be a great blessing to him in the future.
In later years, when Moses was responsible to sit as judge over millions of people, Jethro came for a visit and watched Moses literally wear himself (and the people) out from morning till evening (Exodus 18:13) trying to solve the community's problems.
Jethro pointed out: "…What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him" (Exodus 18:17-19).
Jethro went on to suggest to Moses an efficient and effective judicial system that would be so successful in providing speedier justice that much of the infrastructure of his concept remains intact to this day!
This one suggestion transformed Moses' life and lifted a burden too great for any one man to bear! And note that the idea didn't come directly from God rather God sent this breakthrough idea through the mouth of Jethro!
However you must recall that it all started when Moses was "sent out with a blessing" by Jethro. This one act set the stage so that years later God could use a man with whom Moses had a healthy relationship to be a continual fountain of blessing to him.
The point? Truly, God may be speaking to you and calling you to another place, another ministry, another church, another assignment. But if you will follow his example of taking your revelation to your pastor if you are in a church or your employer if you are in a business or your coach if you are on a team (or to whomever God has placed you in authority under) and talk things over, and either fulfill your commitments or get permission and blessing to be released from them, God will honor you for it! You will never be penalized for keeping your word and honoring authority.
In the years ahead, you can happily do God's will with no regrets, no burned bridges, and no relationships to repair. Consider, for your own good and for the good of those who will follow you, the value of being sent out.
DSR
8/28/05
"Then Moses went back home and talked it over with Jethro, his father-in-law. 'With your permission,' Moses said, 'I would like to go back to Egypt to visit my family. I don't even know whether they are still alive'" (Exodus 4:18).
This is one of the most amazing verses I have found in the Old Testament concerning the value of being sent out by those in authority over you.
In Exodus chapter three, we read the story of how Moses had a close encounter of the God-kind. This is the famous "burning bush" passage. The Great God Jehovah called and commissioned Moses to go and be His representative before Pharaoh to deliver the nation of Israel from over four centuries of Egyptian bondage.
In Exodus chapter 4, we read about how God then empowered Moses to perform a series of miracles to convince both the Jewish and Egyptian officials that God had indeed sent him.
But even though Moses had a supernatural experience with God, please notice something both peculiar and important. Undeniably, Moses had had an incredible meeting with God:
- He witnessed the miracle of the burning bush (3:3)
- He audibly heard the voice of God (3:4)
- He had stood on holy ground (3:5)
- God had revealed Himself and His covenant name (3:6)
- He became privy to God's secret plan to rescue His people (3:7)
- He received a mandate directly from God Himself (3:10)
- He had received God's personal guarantee of His presence and assured victory (3:12)
- He received details about the plagues and plunder of the Egyptians (3:30-21)
- He personally participated in not one, but two actual miracles (the rod becoming a snake and his hand becoming leprous) (4:1-7)
- God predicted the reunion of Moses with his long-lost brother, Aaron (4:14)
Wow! When is the last time you have heard from God so clearly? When is the last time you have received authorization from God to liberate a nation?
I could go on, but my real point that I've been building up to is my opening text:
"Then Moses went back home and talked it over with Jethro, his father-in-law. 'With your permission..." (Exodus 4:18, New Living Translation).
It amazes me that even though Moses had experienced God like no other before him, He didn't immediately go and begin to fulfill God's mission. No, first he went and talked it over with his father-in-law, Jethro! Next (now get this!) he actually asked permission to go! The King James Version of the Bible translates this request as "Let me go, I pray thee…." The New International Version reads, "Let me go back to my people…." The words may differ slightly but the point remains the same - Moses asked his father-in-law to let him go do what God had called him to do!
What's up with that? Does that not fly in the face of much of our cultural Christianity that says "God told me…" and so off they go just like that to begin the task! Many workers in the local church "drop everything they're doing" (or rather everything they've committed to do) without so much as asking their pastor for his blessing. As a result, many are "abandoning their posts" prematurely. Often zealous but immature Christians bring reproach upon the very name that is calling them to greatness by doing things in the wrong order. They inadvertently tarnish genuine "words from the Lord" by believing that if God told them something then who cares what anybody else thinks?
You see, I believe God uses leaders to help younger believers get the timing right. The right thing at the wrong time is the wrong thing. If Jethro had told Moses, "Now Moses, I agree that you have heard God, but as your employer, before you go, I need you to bring my flocks and herds that you have been watching these past four decades to market to sell next month like we agreed." You will never convince me otherwise that God would not honor that!
Indeed you may be called to do an exploit for God but rarely (if ever) will God require you to break your word or fail to fulfill to do something you have committed (covenanted) to do. You may be in week 3 of a 12-week class that you volunteered to teach and the thing that honors God is for you to complete the assignment.
Listen, sometimes God gives you the "heads up" on something coming down the road as a courtesy so you can prepare yourself for His next assignment. He may tell you things in advance so you can bring closure to your current commitments, spend time getting prayed up, get counsel and advice from those more seasoned than you, obtain the blessing of those in authority over you, and get sent out properly with much celebration!
Notice that God didn't rebuke Moses for going to Jethro to talk things over. God didn't threaten to kill Moses for asking permission to quit his job and secure a blessing from the man under whose authority Moses had prospered for nearly forty years. Conversely, God rewards those who honor those in authority over them and seek to be sent out with a blessing on their new adventure!
Notice the very next verse how God validated Moses after he consulted with Jethro:
"Before Moses left Midian, the Lord said to him, 'Do not be afraid to return to Egypt, for all those who wanted to kill you are dead" (4:19).
God speaks again! Moses lived nearly his whole life up to that point without seeing miracles and hearing God's voice, now it's getting to be a habit!
Why is this concept of obtaining permission, securing a blessing, and being sent out by those in authority over you important? Watch what happens in Moses' life later regarding Jethro.
Since Moses left on good terms with Jethro and no bridges were burned on the way out the door, God was able to use this former authority in Moses' life to be a great blessing to him in the future.
In later years, when Moses was responsible to sit as judge over millions of people, Jethro came for a visit and watched Moses literally wear himself (and the people) out from morning till evening (Exodus 18:13) trying to solve the community's problems.
Jethro pointed out: "…What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him" (Exodus 18:17-19).
Jethro went on to suggest to Moses an efficient and effective judicial system that would be so successful in providing speedier justice that much of the infrastructure of his concept remains intact to this day!
This one suggestion transformed Moses' life and lifted a burden too great for any one man to bear! And note that the idea didn't come directly from God rather God sent this breakthrough idea through the mouth of Jethro!
However you must recall that it all started when Moses was "sent out with a blessing" by Jethro. This one act set the stage so that years later God could use a man with whom Moses had a healthy relationship to be a continual fountain of blessing to him.
The point? Truly, God may be speaking to you and calling you to another place, another ministry, another church, another assignment. But if you will follow his example of taking your revelation to your pastor if you are in a church or your employer if you are in a business or your coach if you are on a team (or to whomever God has placed you in authority under) and talk things over, and either fulfill your commitments or get permission and blessing to be released from them, God will honor you for it! You will never be penalized for keeping your word and honoring authority.
In the years ahead, you can happily do God's will with no regrets, no burned bridges, and no relationships to repair. Consider, for your own good and for the good of those who will follow you, the value of being sent out.
DSR
8/28/05
Monday, August 22, 2005
The Little Things
by David Scott Robertson
A while back my family and I decided we needed to get away and spend a few days in the Smoky Mountains.
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, are two neighboring townships that are home to multiple dinner theaters, getaway cabins, helicopter rides, bungee jumping, miniature golf, go-carts, museums, malls, water parks, antique outlets, fine dining and a hundred other activities designed to satiate even the most adventuresome tourist.
Sevier County Tennessee is one of the hottest spots in the mid-South to connect with thousands of ways to spend your money and do something or see something out of the ordinary.
It didn't take long in the Smokies before I made an interesting discovery about myself. I discovered that it was the "little things" that really made the trip worthwhile for me.
My wife, daughter, and I went to the "Country Bear Jamboree" and enjoyed a marvelous dinner and show for $34.95 (+ tax) apiece. But you know what? We also enjoyed eating turkey sandwiches and potato salad and cookies from Kroger in the motel room watching Animal Planet.
My wife, daughter, and I went to Dolly Parton's "Dixie Stampede" wild-west dinner show for $35.99 (+ tax) apiece. But you know what? We also enjoyed going to the movie theater in Pigeon Forge to catch the world premier of Episode III of Star Wars for a fraction of the cost.
My wife, daughter, and I went to the "Comedy Barn" and enjoyed a hilarious evening of good, clean jokes, skits, and music that they presented for $19.95 (+ tax) apiece. But you know what? We also had a blast popping some microwave popcorn and eating snacks out of the vending machines at the motel and piling up in bed together watching re-runs of M*A*S*H and "Full House."
My wife, daughter, and I went to Dollywood and had an awesome day of music and rides and shows for $43.50 (+ tax) apiece. But you know what? We also had a memory-making time in the pool together playing "Marco Polo."
From the experience, I've come to a not too surprising conclusion. For me, it doesn't take much to have a good time. It doesn't take a lot of money, a lot of glitz and glamorous costumes and animatronics to make a super-duper memory.
Nope. For me, it's not necessarily where I'm at or what I'm doing or how much it costs that counts...it's who I'm with.
I love being with family and close friends doing whatever. At the end of the day, at the end of vacation, yes, even at the end of life, we'll probably discover that it was the "little things" that brought us the most enjoyment and lasting satisfaction.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the little things that enhance our quality of life.
Thank you for taste buds.
Thank you for ripe bananas.
Thank you for ice cream.
Thank you for the thrill of throwing rocks in the pond with our kids.
Thanks for bedtime stories.
Thanks for the family piling up in the bed to watch a funny movie with all the dogs and cats curled up asleep around us.
Thank you that every day, every single day, you arrange lots of little things to cross paths with us that add value to who we are.
And thank you, Lord, for the good sense you give us to discern the simple pleasures of life.
DSR
8/22/05
A while back my family and I decided we needed to get away and spend a few days in the Smoky Mountains.
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, are two neighboring townships that are home to multiple dinner theaters, getaway cabins, helicopter rides, bungee jumping, miniature golf, go-carts, museums, malls, water parks, antique outlets, fine dining and a hundred other activities designed to satiate even the most adventuresome tourist.
Sevier County Tennessee is one of the hottest spots in the mid-South to connect with thousands of ways to spend your money and do something or see something out of the ordinary.
It didn't take long in the Smokies before I made an interesting discovery about myself. I discovered that it was the "little things" that really made the trip worthwhile for me.
My wife, daughter, and I went to the "Country Bear Jamboree" and enjoyed a marvelous dinner and show for $34.95 (+ tax) apiece. But you know what? We also enjoyed eating turkey sandwiches and potato salad and cookies from Kroger in the motel room watching Animal Planet.
My wife, daughter, and I went to Dolly Parton's "Dixie Stampede" wild-west dinner show for $35.99 (+ tax) apiece. But you know what? We also enjoyed going to the movie theater in Pigeon Forge to catch the world premier of Episode III of Star Wars for a fraction of the cost.
My wife, daughter, and I went to the "Comedy Barn" and enjoyed a hilarious evening of good, clean jokes, skits, and music that they presented for $19.95 (+ tax) apiece. But you know what? We also had a blast popping some microwave popcorn and eating snacks out of the vending machines at the motel and piling up in bed together watching re-runs of M*A*S*H and "Full House."
My wife, daughter, and I went to Dollywood and had an awesome day of music and rides and shows for $43.50 (+ tax) apiece. But you know what? We also had a memory-making time in the pool together playing "Marco Polo."
From the experience, I've come to a not too surprising conclusion. For me, it doesn't take much to have a good time. It doesn't take a lot of money, a lot of glitz and glamorous costumes and animatronics to make a super-duper memory.
Nope. For me, it's not necessarily where I'm at or what I'm doing or how much it costs that counts...it's who I'm with.
I love being with family and close friends doing whatever. At the end of the day, at the end of vacation, yes, even at the end of life, we'll probably discover that it was the "little things" that brought us the most enjoyment and lasting satisfaction.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the little things that enhance our quality of life.
Thank you for taste buds.
Thank you for ripe bananas.
Thank you for ice cream.
Thank you for the thrill of throwing rocks in the pond with our kids.
Thanks for bedtime stories.
Thanks for the family piling up in the bed to watch a funny movie with all the dogs and cats curled up asleep around us.
Thank you that every day, every single day, you arrange lots of little things to cross paths with us that add value to who we are.
And thank you, Lord, for the good sense you give us to discern the simple pleasures of life.
DSR
8/22/05
Sunday, August 14, 2005
To Obey is Better
by David Scott Robertson
"But Samuel replied: 'Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams'" (1 Sam 15:22).
* * *
Obedience is a good thing. It works well for kids who obey their parents, employees who obey their employers and citizens who obey their government's laws. In fact all who humbly submit to those God has placed in authority over them will benefit from their obedient attitude.
Obedience brings reward. Obedience can save your life. Obedience, over time, will result in promotion in nearly every instance.
Nowhere is obedience more vital than in the Christian life.
God has a thing about obedience. Time and again we see examples in the Scriptures where obedience brings the miraculous. More often than not, irrational and ridiculous commands from God designed to build or test faith in order to bring about miracles hinged on an individual's simple obedience:
- Jesus told ten lepers to go and show themselves to the priests. They were healed when they obeyed (Luke 17:14).
.
- Jesus told a blind man to go wash mud off his eyes in a pool of water. He was healed when he obeyed (John 9:7).
The prophet Elijah told a widow woman to take her last meal and give it to the prophet. She obeyed and God sustained her through a famine with oil and flour that didn't cease until the famine did (1 Kings 17:13).
- The prophet Elisha told a widow to borrow empty pots from her neighbors and God would fill them with oil to sell to rescue her sons from slavery. She obeyed and she struck oil (so to speak), enough to sell and pay a huge debt (2 Kings 3-5).
- God told Joshua to have his men walk around the city of Jericho seven times and shout. They did and the walls came tumbling down (Hebrews 11:30).
- God told Noah to build an ark to save his family from certain death. He did and they survived the flood (Genesis 6).
These are but a few of billions of examples of how God has honored obedience and converted submission and compliance into miracles.
Many times people adopt an attitude that says, "I won't obey a leader unless I first agree with him or her." This is where we can get into trouble. God always honors obedience and never rewards disobedience. The only exception is when a leader asks you to do something that violates God's rules.
One of the reasons that I firmly believe that King David was referred to in Scripture as "a man after [God's] own heart"(1 Samuel 13:14) was not just that he loved to worship God. Perhaps more important was David's profound understanding of the concept of obedience to authority. David refused to "touch the Lord's anointed" (1 Samuel 24: 12-13) and disrespect authority, namely King Saul.
Obedience is powerful! Partial obedience is disobedience! Delayed obedience is disobedience! If we want to experience the fullness of all that God has for our lives we must become obedient sons and daughters of God.
It seems Mary, the mother of Jesus, was really on to something when she said to the servants at the wedding of Cana in Galilee: "do whatever he [Jesus] tells you" (John 2:5).
Sounds good to me.
"If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God…" (Deuteronomy 28:1-2).
DSR
8/14/05
"But Samuel replied: 'Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams'" (1 Sam 15:22).
* * *
Obedience is a good thing. It works well for kids who obey their parents, employees who obey their employers and citizens who obey their government's laws. In fact all who humbly submit to those God has placed in authority over them will benefit from their obedient attitude.
Obedience brings reward. Obedience can save your life. Obedience, over time, will result in promotion in nearly every instance.
Nowhere is obedience more vital than in the Christian life.
God has a thing about obedience. Time and again we see examples in the Scriptures where obedience brings the miraculous. More often than not, irrational and ridiculous commands from God designed to build or test faith in order to bring about miracles hinged on an individual's simple obedience:
- Jesus told ten lepers to go and show themselves to the priests. They were healed when they obeyed (Luke 17:14).
.
- Jesus told a blind man to go wash mud off his eyes in a pool of water. He was healed when he obeyed (John 9:7).
The prophet Elijah told a widow woman to take her last meal and give it to the prophet. She obeyed and God sustained her through a famine with oil and flour that didn't cease until the famine did (1 Kings 17:13).
- The prophet Elisha told a widow to borrow empty pots from her neighbors and God would fill them with oil to sell to rescue her sons from slavery. She obeyed and she struck oil (so to speak), enough to sell and pay a huge debt (2 Kings 3-5).
- God told Joshua to have his men walk around the city of Jericho seven times and shout. They did and the walls came tumbling down (Hebrews 11:30).
- God told Noah to build an ark to save his family from certain death. He did and they survived the flood (Genesis 6).
These are but a few of billions of examples of how God has honored obedience and converted submission and compliance into miracles.
Many times people adopt an attitude that says, "I won't obey a leader unless I first agree with him or her." This is where we can get into trouble. God always honors obedience and never rewards disobedience. The only exception is when a leader asks you to do something that violates God's rules.
One of the reasons that I firmly believe that King David was referred to in Scripture as "a man after [God's] own heart"(1 Samuel 13:14) was not just that he loved to worship God. Perhaps more important was David's profound understanding of the concept of obedience to authority. David refused to "touch the Lord's anointed" (1 Samuel 24: 12-13) and disrespect authority, namely King Saul.
Obedience is powerful! Partial obedience is disobedience! Delayed obedience is disobedience! If we want to experience the fullness of all that God has for our lives we must become obedient sons and daughters of God.
It seems Mary, the mother of Jesus, was really on to something when she said to the servants at the wedding of Cana in Galilee: "do whatever he [Jesus] tells you" (John 2:5).
Sounds good to me.
"If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God…" (Deuteronomy 28:1-2).
DSR
8/14/05
Monday, August 8, 2005
God's Musician
by David Scott Robertson
Quietly, without any fanfare, God's musician makes her way to her instrument of worship.
Sliding onto the creaking wooden bench, her hands, having made the trip innumerable times, quickly retrace the familiar path to the beginning chord of another expression of praise unto God.
With perfect timing, God's musician begins to perform her ceremonial duty with fervor and zeal, accuracy and skill, heart and soul.
Ten fingers, two hands, one heart, united in synchronized harmony worshipping with every keystroke; offering up an undefiled melody as fragrant incense before God.
Playing to no audience, God's musician focuses intently on the Master Conductor who orchestrates the sacrifice of praise resonating from an inanimate object through a yielded human vessel.
As the musical sacrifice goes forth, discerning members of the congregation signify their agreement with God's musician with uplifted hands and tightly closed eyes…lost in the spirit of worship of the object of their worship…Jesus Christ.
The music stops, but the worship echoes on in sweet refrains. God's musician, quietly, without any fanfare, slips back to her seat; moved, satisfied, humbled.
DSR
8/8/05
Quietly, without any fanfare, God's musician makes her way to her instrument of worship.
Sliding onto the creaking wooden bench, her hands, having made the trip innumerable times, quickly retrace the familiar path to the beginning chord of another expression of praise unto God.
With perfect timing, God's musician begins to perform her ceremonial duty with fervor and zeal, accuracy and skill, heart and soul.
Ten fingers, two hands, one heart, united in synchronized harmony worshipping with every keystroke; offering up an undefiled melody as fragrant incense before God.
Playing to no audience, God's musician focuses intently on the Master Conductor who orchestrates the sacrifice of praise resonating from an inanimate object through a yielded human vessel.
As the musical sacrifice goes forth, discerning members of the congregation signify their agreement with God's musician with uplifted hands and tightly closed eyes…lost in the spirit of worship of the object of their worship…Jesus Christ.
The music stops, but the worship echoes on in sweet refrains. God's musician, quietly, without any fanfare, slips back to her seat; moved, satisfied, humbled.
DSR
8/8/05
Sunday, July 31, 2005
The Balanced Life
by David Scott Robertson
Is it possible to enjoy life even though your body doesn't work properly? What if somebody doesn't like you? Is there joy available despite the fact that you don't have everything you want?
What if things in your own life, things in the lives of your loved ones, things in politics, things in the economy, things in the environment, things in the church, things all around just don't line up and aren't in the balance you think they ought to be? What then?
If this is the situation, is it possible to rejoice, to be filled with joy, and to be content? The biblical answer is yes.
The sad reality is, though, as Christians, we don't always embrace the biblical answer. We don't always rely on God's resources. We don't always manifest the "fruit of the Spirit." We don't always "walk in the Spirit." We don't always deny the lusts of the flesh. We don't always hide His exceedingly great and precious promises in our hearts. Sometimes, quite frankly, we forget some of His benefits. Often, we permit our emotions to overshadow and override our prayer life. Intentional or not, to our own hurt, we live far below our privileges as children of God. When we allow one or all of these things to happen, we become imbalanced.
Until Almighty God sets all things right at the consummation of the age and ushers in a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness rules, there will always be imbalance throughout the world and in our relationships. It can be no other way.
But the good news is that our attitude is a different story. It's an inside job. Our faith is just that - OUR faith. Nobody can take it away from us unless we allow it. No one can make us dislike or hate anybody. These are all personal choices that we make.
You and I are responsible for maintaining our own "inner balance." We must submit to the Holy Spirit inside us and allow Him to lead and guide us into all truth in all our thoughts, words, and actions.
Being born again by the Spirit of God and having Him actually take up residence inside our hearts and lives makes all the difference in the world! You may want to say the following three phrases out loud:
Living in me is the key to being FREE! Living in me is the key to walk in VICTORY! Living in me is the key to my DESTINY!
The Holy Spirit is the key to a balanced life! Tap into the genius of Jesus to live in freedom and victory and fulfill God's destiny for your life. Thousands of years ago, a man named Paul discovered the truth of the balanced life and penned these words:
Philip. 4:11-13 (NLT)
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. [12] I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. [13] For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.
-- The Apostle Paul, written from a prison cell
DSR
7/31/05
Is it possible to enjoy life even though your body doesn't work properly? What if somebody doesn't like you? Is there joy available despite the fact that you don't have everything you want?
What if things in your own life, things in the lives of your loved ones, things in politics, things in the economy, things in the environment, things in the church, things all around just don't line up and aren't in the balance you think they ought to be? What then?
If this is the situation, is it possible to rejoice, to be filled with joy, and to be content? The biblical answer is yes.
The sad reality is, though, as Christians, we don't always embrace the biblical answer. We don't always rely on God's resources. We don't always manifest the "fruit of the Spirit." We don't always "walk in the Spirit." We don't always deny the lusts of the flesh. We don't always hide His exceedingly great and precious promises in our hearts. Sometimes, quite frankly, we forget some of His benefits. Often, we permit our emotions to overshadow and override our prayer life. Intentional or not, to our own hurt, we live far below our privileges as children of God. When we allow one or all of these things to happen, we become imbalanced.
Until Almighty God sets all things right at the consummation of the age and ushers in a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness rules, there will always be imbalance throughout the world and in our relationships. It can be no other way.
But the good news is that our attitude is a different story. It's an inside job. Our faith is just that - OUR faith. Nobody can take it away from us unless we allow it. No one can make us dislike or hate anybody. These are all personal choices that we make.
You and I are responsible for maintaining our own "inner balance." We must submit to the Holy Spirit inside us and allow Him to lead and guide us into all truth in all our thoughts, words, and actions.
Being born again by the Spirit of God and having Him actually take up residence inside our hearts and lives makes all the difference in the world! You may want to say the following three phrases out loud:
Living in me is the key to being FREE! Living in me is the key to walk in VICTORY! Living in me is the key to my DESTINY!
The Holy Spirit is the key to a balanced life! Tap into the genius of Jesus to live in freedom and victory and fulfill God's destiny for your life. Thousands of years ago, a man named Paul discovered the truth of the balanced life and penned these words:
Philip. 4:11-13 (NLT)
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. [12] I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. [13] For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.
-- The Apostle Paul, written from a prison cell
DSR
7/31/05
Sunday, July 17, 2005
The RIGHT TIME
by David Scott Robertson
"You see, at just the RIGHT TIME, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly" (Romans 5:6).
* * *
Yesterday I dropped my wife off at the Nashville International Airport to catch a flight to Orlando, Florida to attend a job-related conference. The flight converts a 12-hour drive into a 2-hour flight. We had to time it just right to leave home, make the drive from Murfreesboro to Nashville, and drop her off in time to meet all the security check requirements.
Sometimes, life is a lot like catching a flight at an airport. We do our best to manage and balance the "hurry up" versus "wait patiently" aspects of our busy lives. Jesus had to contend with the same 24-hour periods of time that we do every day of our lives. Unlike us, however, Jesus was able to pull off being on time, all the time, every time.
ARRIVALS - ON TIME - At the RIGHT TIME in human history, Jesus arrived. Not a day early, not a day late, but at just the RIGHT TIME.
"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…" (1 Timothy 1:15).
POSSIBLE DELAYS AHEAD - Many had tried to get Jesus off Father God's timetable. His birth would not wait until a sterile hospital birthing room was invented and Mary could have an epidural to relieve the pain.
"…and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7).
BOARDING CALL - Later on, Jesus' own mother tried to jump-start His public ministry by asking Him to perform a miracle.
"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come" (John 2:4).
LET'S GET THIS THING OFF THE GROUND - His brothers tried get Him to prematurely become a celebrity.
"Jesus' brothers said to him, 'You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.' For even his own brothers did not believe in him. Therefore Jesus told them, 'The RIGHT TIME for me has not yet come; for you any time is right. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil. You go to the Feast. I am not yet going up to this Feast, because for me the RIGHT TIME has not yet come'" (John 7:3-8).
THIS FLIGHT MAY BE CANCELLED - Jealous religious leaders of the day incited zealous but misguided laymen to try to terminate the Messiah's mission.
"All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way" (Luke 4:28-30).
And this they tried on more than one occasion.
"At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds" (John 8:59).
RIGHT ON TIME - In spite of all the human (and demonic) attempts to get Jesus off track, it never happened. Jesus was never in a hurry and never late.
- He sat at a well to get a drink at just the RIGHT TIME so He could meet a woman and reach a city (John 4:6-29).
- He approached a town gate at just the RIGHT TIME and gave back a dead son to his mother (Luke 7:12-15).
- He walked past a blind fellow named Bartimaeus at just the RIGHT TIME and the man went home seeing (Mark 10:46-52).
- He told Peter to cast a line into a fishing hole at just the RIGHT TIME so he could hook the exact fish swimming by with a coin in its mouth (Matthew 17:27).
- And on and on it goes, story after story, of Jesus showing up and all of heaven breaking loose.
UNEXPECTED DELAYS - Even when He was accused of being late, He was on time.
- "Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died" (John 11:21).
- "While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?" ((Mark 5:35).
Turns out even His delays had meaning and purpose and glorified His Father in heaven.
ALL FLIGHTS ON TIME - We stand on solid ground when we say that Jesus Christ was at the right place at the RIGHT TIME all the time.
Knowing what we know now, we can readily see that wherever Jesus happened to be and whatever Jesus happened to be doing, He was doing the right thing at the right time. He was always on schedule, on track, and on target with the will of His Father in heaven.
Storms didn't stop Him, demons didn't delay Him, detours didn't hinder Him, working one-on-one with people didn't set Him back; even times of rest didn't prevent Him, not even once, from being in the right place at the right time. Nothing at any time impeded, obstructed, interrupted, or even postponed God's plan for His life. Jesus truly lived in the center of God's will and timing. And to beat all, even His death was on time.
DEPARTURE - ON TIME - At the RIGHT TIME in human history, Jesus departed. Not a day early, not a day late, but at just the RIGHT TIME.
"I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do" (John 17:4).
"When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit" (John 19:30).
Amazing! Even though Jesus died a young man, he did not die prematurely. He actually "finished the work" that God had called Him to do. He is the ultimate example of a purpose-driven life.
Fast-forward to our society today, most particularly the American culture. We are driven by time. It's not just catching a plane that brings time management to the forefront of our thinking either , it filters down to mundane, routine things like catching a meal. Fast food restaurants, microwave ovens, pizza delivery, "heat it up and eat it up" is where many of us really live.
This cycle of fighting to be on time invades many other areas of our lives. Overnight package delivery, day planners and hand-held computers all have their part to play in a culture that wants what it wants when it wants it.
Ironically, most people procrastinate on life's most vital issues. The urgent intercepts the important. Soccer practice is urgent; getting your child saved is important. Fighting rush hour traffic to meet friends after work at the restaurant is urgent; introducing friends to Christ is important. Getting to your aerobics class three times a week by 6am to work on your body temple is urgent; getting to church Sunday by 10am to get your spiritual house in order is important.
In conclusion, I suggest that we do our best to align our life schedules up with the timetable of Father God. Accept delays and part of His plan. Tolerate detours as unexpected opportunities. If your steps are ordered of the Lord (Psalm 37:23), then don't freak out if you fail to finish your daily to-do list. Expect the unexpected and consider that those interruptions, delays, and detours just may be divinely inspired.
Settle in your heart that God is never late but rarely early. Good things come to those who wait…on the Lord. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord as you face rugged circumstances. Resist the temptation to accuse God of being "out of the loop" of your life when it comes to a hundred practical things that didn't happen when you wanted them to happen.
I said it before but I want to say it again: we stand on solid ground when we say that Jesus Christ was at the right place at the RIGHT TIME all the time - on schedule, on track, and on target with the will of His Father in heaven. And since Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), why not expect and receive a miracle today of being in sync with God's plan for your day/week/month/quarter/year/life?
DSR
7/17/05
"You see, at just the RIGHT TIME, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly" (Romans 5:6).
* * *
Yesterday I dropped my wife off at the Nashville International Airport to catch a flight to Orlando, Florida to attend a job-related conference. The flight converts a 12-hour drive into a 2-hour flight. We had to time it just right to leave home, make the drive from Murfreesboro to Nashville, and drop her off in time to meet all the security check requirements.
Sometimes, life is a lot like catching a flight at an airport. We do our best to manage and balance the "hurry up" versus "wait patiently" aspects of our busy lives. Jesus had to contend with the same 24-hour periods of time that we do every day of our lives. Unlike us, however, Jesus was able to pull off being on time, all the time, every time.
ARRIVALS - ON TIME - At the RIGHT TIME in human history, Jesus arrived. Not a day early, not a day late, but at just the RIGHT TIME.
"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…" (1 Timothy 1:15).
POSSIBLE DELAYS AHEAD - Many had tried to get Jesus off Father God's timetable. His birth would not wait until a sterile hospital birthing room was invented and Mary could have an epidural to relieve the pain.
"…and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7).
BOARDING CALL - Later on, Jesus' own mother tried to jump-start His public ministry by asking Him to perform a miracle.
"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come" (John 2:4).
LET'S GET THIS THING OFF THE GROUND - His brothers tried get Him to prematurely become a celebrity.
"Jesus' brothers said to him, 'You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.' For even his own brothers did not believe in him. Therefore Jesus told them, 'The RIGHT TIME for me has not yet come; for you any time is right. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil. You go to the Feast. I am not yet going up to this Feast, because for me the RIGHT TIME has not yet come'" (John 7:3-8).
THIS FLIGHT MAY BE CANCELLED - Jealous religious leaders of the day incited zealous but misguided laymen to try to terminate the Messiah's mission.
"All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way" (Luke 4:28-30).
And this they tried on more than one occasion.
"At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds" (John 8:59).
RIGHT ON TIME - In spite of all the human (and demonic) attempts to get Jesus off track, it never happened. Jesus was never in a hurry and never late.
- He sat at a well to get a drink at just the RIGHT TIME so He could meet a woman and reach a city (John 4:6-29).
- He approached a town gate at just the RIGHT TIME and gave back a dead son to his mother (Luke 7:12-15).
- He walked past a blind fellow named Bartimaeus at just the RIGHT TIME and the man went home seeing (Mark 10:46-52).
- He told Peter to cast a line into a fishing hole at just the RIGHT TIME so he could hook the exact fish swimming by with a coin in its mouth (Matthew 17:27).
- And on and on it goes, story after story, of Jesus showing up and all of heaven breaking loose.
UNEXPECTED DELAYS - Even when He was accused of being late, He was on time.
- "Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died" (John 11:21).
- "While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?" ((Mark 5:35).
Turns out even His delays had meaning and purpose and glorified His Father in heaven.
ALL FLIGHTS ON TIME - We stand on solid ground when we say that Jesus Christ was at the right place at the RIGHT TIME all the time.
Knowing what we know now, we can readily see that wherever Jesus happened to be and whatever Jesus happened to be doing, He was doing the right thing at the right time. He was always on schedule, on track, and on target with the will of His Father in heaven.
Storms didn't stop Him, demons didn't delay Him, detours didn't hinder Him, working one-on-one with people didn't set Him back; even times of rest didn't prevent Him, not even once, from being in the right place at the right time. Nothing at any time impeded, obstructed, interrupted, or even postponed God's plan for His life. Jesus truly lived in the center of God's will and timing. And to beat all, even His death was on time.
DEPARTURE - ON TIME - At the RIGHT TIME in human history, Jesus departed. Not a day early, not a day late, but at just the RIGHT TIME.
"I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do" (John 17:4).
"When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit" (John 19:30).
Amazing! Even though Jesus died a young man, he did not die prematurely. He actually "finished the work" that God had called Him to do. He is the ultimate example of a purpose-driven life.
Fast-forward to our society today, most particularly the American culture. We are driven by time. It's not just catching a plane that brings time management to the forefront of our thinking either , it filters down to mundane, routine things like catching a meal. Fast food restaurants, microwave ovens, pizza delivery, "heat it up and eat it up" is where many of us really live.
This cycle of fighting to be on time invades many other areas of our lives. Overnight package delivery, day planners and hand-held computers all have their part to play in a culture that wants what it wants when it wants it.
Ironically, most people procrastinate on life's most vital issues. The urgent intercepts the important. Soccer practice is urgent; getting your child saved is important. Fighting rush hour traffic to meet friends after work at the restaurant is urgent; introducing friends to Christ is important. Getting to your aerobics class three times a week by 6am to work on your body temple is urgent; getting to church Sunday by 10am to get your spiritual house in order is important.
In conclusion, I suggest that we do our best to align our life schedules up with the timetable of Father God. Accept delays and part of His plan. Tolerate detours as unexpected opportunities. If your steps are ordered of the Lord (Psalm 37:23), then don't freak out if you fail to finish your daily to-do list. Expect the unexpected and consider that those interruptions, delays, and detours just may be divinely inspired.
Settle in your heart that God is never late but rarely early. Good things come to those who wait…on the Lord. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord as you face rugged circumstances. Resist the temptation to accuse God of being "out of the loop" of your life when it comes to a hundred practical things that didn't happen when you wanted them to happen.
I said it before but I want to say it again: we stand on solid ground when we say that Jesus Christ was at the right place at the RIGHT TIME all the time - on schedule, on track, and on target with the will of His Father in heaven. And since Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), why not expect and receive a miracle today of being in sync with God's plan for your day/week/month/quarter/year/life?
DSR
7/17/05
Thursday, July 14, 2005
It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time
by David Scott Robertson
A few weeks ago, I pulled out of my driveway early to drive to the local YMCA to workout.
As I approached the end of my street, there was a News Channel 5 truck with a TV camera set up in the front lawn of a house, a police car, and crime scene tape draped across the front yard of the house directly across the street from the television camera.
I found out later that morning that a 17-year-old boy had gotten into an argument around 2:00 a.m. with his stepfather and had taken a 30" sword and fatally stabbed the man.
When I heard the news, my heart ached. I thought about the older man's tragic death, but I also thought about what else died about 2am that morning.
There was an empty seat in English class at the local high school the next day. There will be two empty seats around the Thanksgiving table this year. There will be no presents under the tree for these two men - one has gone on and one has gone away.
The boy traded designer jeans for a prison uniform. He traded the gold chain around his neck and the cool bracelet for leg irons and handcuffs.
He will probably never marry, never vote, and never serve his country in the military. He won't make the yearbook or graduate with his class. More than likely he will never go to college.
He won't see most of his friends again. In an instant, he's off the team, out of the club, disqualified from everything and disassociated from nearly every friend and family member for a very long time.
I think the newspaper reported that he will be tried as an adult. The future of a felon, especially a murderer, is not an easy one. Some would say that his life is "over." A tragic waste; a crying shame. All because in the heat of the moment, it "seemed like a good idea at the time" to lash out in violence. Wrong.
The irony of the freedom to make choices is that many choose poorly. What seems like a good idea at the time ends up sealing our fate, altering our destiny, re-routing everything good and in an instant removing - for years or for life - the freedom to make choices.
Two major thoughts emerge as I write this: (1) think before you speak or act; and (2) it's not over until God says it's over.
When this young man becomes an old man in prison and his classmates are becoming grandparents, people may have long forgotten him but God will not have forgotten this old man. God alone can redeem a man. God alone can take what the devil meant for harm and convert it to good. God alone can take a man behind bars and set the captive free.
There are millions who have made choices that "seemed like a good idea at the time" but are now reaping the horrible, tragic, and expensive aftermath of their rash decision. These are not just murderers, felons, and cons. They are housewives, business executives, and people from all walks of life.
Many come to Christ when their choices have devastated their lives. What about you?
What's it going to take for you to let go and let God have His way with your life? When are you going to let God guide your thoughts, words, and deeds instead of taking matters into your own hands? What is it going to take before you abandon the age-old excuse, "well, it seemed like a good idea at the time" and begin to walk in the Spirit?
DSR
7/14/05
A few weeks ago, I pulled out of my driveway early to drive to the local YMCA to workout.
As I approached the end of my street, there was a News Channel 5 truck with a TV camera set up in the front lawn of a house, a police car, and crime scene tape draped across the front yard of the house directly across the street from the television camera.
I found out later that morning that a 17-year-old boy had gotten into an argument around 2:00 a.m. with his stepfather and had taken a 30" sword and fatally stabbed the man.
When I heard the news, my heart ached. I thought about the older man's tragic death, but I also thought about what else died about 2am that morning.
There was an empty seat in English class at the local high school the next day. There will be two empty seats around the Thanksgiving table this year. There will be no presents under the tree for these two men - one has gone on and one has gone away.
The boy traded designer jeans for a prison uniform. He traded the gold chain around his neck and the cool bracelet for leg irons and handcuffs.
He will probably never marry, never vote, and never serve his country in the military. He won't make the yearbook or graduate with his class. More than likely he will never go to college.
He won't see most of his friends again. In an instant, he's off the team, out of the club, disqualified from everything and disassociated from nearly every friend and family member for a very long time.
I think the newspaper reported that he will be tried as an adult. The future of a felon, especially a murderer, is not an easy one. Some would say that his life is "over." A tragic waste; a crying shame. All because in the heat of the moment, it "seemed like a good idea at the time" to lash out in violence. Wrong.
The irony of the freedom to make choices is that many choose poorly. What seems like a good idea at the time ends up sealing our fate, altering our destiny, re-routing everything good and in an instant removing - for years or for life - the freedom to make choices.
Two major thoughts emerge as I write this: (1) think before you speak or act; and (2) it's not over until God says it's over.
When this young man becomes an old man in prison and his classmates are becoming grandparents, people may have long forgotten him but God will not have forgotten this old man. God alone can redeem a man. God alone can take what the devil meant for harm and convert it to good. God alone can take a man behind bars and set the captive free.
There are millions who have made choices that "seemed like a good idea at the time" but are now reaping the horrible, tragic, and expensive aftermath of their rash decision. These are not just murderers, felons, and cons. They are housewives, business executives, and people from all walks of life.
Many come to Christ when their choices have devastated their lives. What about you?
What's it going to take for you to let go and let God have His way with your life? When are you going to let God guide your thoughts, words, and deeds instead of taking matters into your own hands? What is it going to take before you abandon the age-old excuse, "well, it seemed like a good idea at the time" and begin to walk in the Spirit?
DSR
7/14/05
Saturday, July 9, 2005
One-of-a-Kind
by David Scott Robertson
To celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary (July 4), my wife and daughter and I took a quick trip to Chattanooga, Tennessee to relax and play.
We stopped by Coolidge Park, one of the city's newest parks located next to the Tennessee River. At the park, there is a large fountain for the kids to run through, lots of greenery to stretch out on, and a pedestrian bridge crossing the river.
However, without question, the focal point of the park is the one-of-a-kind carousel, a machine that has a storied history and combines the old and new techniques of carousel carving.
In the early 1980's, a man named Bud Ellis founded "Friends of the Carousel" in Chattanooga and taught his friends and other supporters how to carve. When Coolidge Park opened, the carousel was its centerpiece. The ride utilized clear white lights, had a mirrored center column, beautiful round sweeps and fifty-two hand-carved animals that adorned it. In addition to the carvings, it featured two band organs, a Wurlitzer and a new Stinson organ.
The Coolidge Park Carousel combines 1895 carving techniques with 21st century technology to produce a one-of-a-kind ride. Painted on the bottom of the Stinson organ are the words, "Dedicated to Children of All Ages."
What impressed me about this unique carousel is that there is not another one like it in the world. These are not mass produced in an automated factory in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. There are not two of these carousels; there is one.
The story behind the labor of love, commitment, and dedication of a small army of men and women banded together for the cause of the preservation and restoration of a piece of history may never be fully told. And the best part of all this is that my wife and my daughter and I got to ride it! A priceless memory was made thanks to the efforts of people we will never know.
This carousel is a one-of-a-kind creation harvested from the imagination of man. In the same way, when God makes a human being, he or she is a one-of-a-kind creation originating from the very heart of God.
In many ways, the Coolidge Park Carousel and a human being are similar. Both are ingeniously designed. Both have been meticulously put together. Both require maintenance. Both bring joy and laughter and pleasure to those who interact with it.
To me, this unique carousel serves as an exclamation point to the fact that people are so personal, so individual, so one-of-a-kind.
We've probably heard the comparison of people to snowflakes--no two alike. It's common knowledge that everybody's finger prints, even footprints, are completely different, so much so that they are relied on as verifiable sources of identity.
The Psalmist, speaking of God, wrote, "Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with yours" (Psalm 86:8).
Mankind, created in God's image, shares this amazing quality. Truly, there is none like you, no deeds can compare with yours.
While the Coolidge Park Carousel serves as an excellent illustration of the one-of-a-kind aspect of the nature of man, as with all the things of earth, it too falls short of the full revelation.
The carousel is an inanimate, life-less machine that one day Bible prophecy declares will melt with fervent heat and revert to the basic elements (2 Peter 3:10). Mankind, on the other hand, was designed to exist forever. The only question is where.
Christ did not die for machines or animals or buildings or political ideologies. Jesus died to redeem people back to Creator God estranged by sin.
You are so loved by God! You are so unique! You are so special! You are so valuable! You're priceless! You are God's masterpiece! You were created by a loving father who wanted a son or daughter. Earth would be a little poorer without you and heaven a little richer with you.
In a world that craves and often demands conformity, celebrate your individuality! Enjoy who you are and realize that God did not make a mistake when He made you. Scripture verifies that who you are, where you are, what ethnicity you share, and all the other details of you that are beyond your control were all part of God's master plan when He invented you.
My goal is to take all of me, just as I am, such as I am, and use everything I am to fulfill God's purposes for my life.
Let's consider today what God would have us do to make our unique, one-of-a-kind contribution to our world that no one else on earth can make in our place.
DSR
7/9/05
To celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary (July 4), my wife and daughter and I took a quick trip to Chattanooga, Tennessee to relax and play.
We stopped by Coolidge Park, one of the city's newest parks located next to the Tennessee River. At the park, there is a large fountain for the kids to run through, lots of greenery to stretch out on, and a pedestrian bridge crossing the river.
However, without question, the focal point of the park is the one-of-a-kind carousel, a machine that has a storied history and combines the old and new techniques of carousel carving.
In the early 1980's, a man named Bud Ellis founded "Friends of the Carousel" in Chattanooga and taught his friends and other supporters how to carve. When Coolidge Park opened, the carousel was its centerpiece. The ride utilized clear white lights, had a mirrored center column, beautiful round sweeps and fifty-two hand-carved animals that adorned it. In addition to the carvings, it featured two band organs, a Wurlitzer and a new Stinson organ.
The Coolidge Park Carousel combines 1895 carving techniques with 21st century technology to produce a one-of-a-kind ride. Painted on the bottom of the Stinson organ are the words, "Dedicated to Children of All Ages."
What impressed me about this unique carousel is that there is not another one like it in the world. These are not mass produced in an automated factory in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. There are not two of these carousels; there is one.
The story behind the labor of love, commitment, and dedication of a small army of men and women banded together for the cause of the preservation and restoration of a piece of history may never be fully told. And the best part of all this is that my wife and my daughter and I got to ride it! A priceless memory was made thanks to the efforts of people we will never know.
This carousel is a one-of-a-kind creation harvested from the imagination of man. In the same way, when God makes a human being, he or she is a one-of-a-kind creation originating from the very heart of God.
In many ways, the Coolidge Park Carousel and a human being are similar. Both are ingeniously designed. Both have been meticulously put together. Both require maintenance. Both bring joy and laughter and pleasure to those who interact with it.
To me, this unique carousel serves as an exclamation point to the fact that people are so personal, so individual, so one-of-a-kind.
We've probably heard the comparison of people to snowflakes--no two alike. It's common knowledge that everybody's finger prints, even footprints, are completely different, so much so that they are relied on as verifiable sources of identity.
The Psalmist, speaking of God, wrote, "Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with yours" (Psalm 86:8).
Mankind, created in God's image, shares this amazing quality. Truly, there is none like you, no deeds can compare with yours.
While the Coolidge Park Carousel serves as an excellent illustration of the one-of-a-kind aspect of the nature of man, as with all the things of earth, it too falls short of the full revelation.
The carousel is an inanimate, life-less machine that one day Bible prophecy declares will melt with fervent heat and revert to the basic elements (2 Peter 3:10). Mankind, on the other hand, was designed to exist forever. The only question is where.
Christ did not die for machines or animals or buildings or political ideologies. Jesus died to redeem people back to Creator God estranged by sin.
You are so loved by God! You are so unique! You are so special! You are so valuable! You're priceless! You are God's masterpiece! You were created by a loving father who wanted a son or daughter. Earth would be a little poorer without you and heaven a little richer with you.
In a world that craves and often demands conformity, celebrate your individuality! Enjoy who you are and realize that God did not make a mistake when He made you. Scripture verifies that who you are, where you are, what ethnicity you share, and all the other details of you that are beyond your control were all part of God's master plan when He invented you.
My goal is to take all of me, just as I am, such as I am, and use everything I am to fulfill God's purposes for my life.
Let's consider today what God would have us do to make our unique, one-of-a-kind contribution to our world that no one else on earth can make in our place.
DSR
7/9/05
Monday, July 4, 2005
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 (Mark 16:17-18).
I'm ready to forsake sin, resist temptation, take my own thoughts captive for the praise of His glory (2 Corinthians 10:5).
I'm ready to be fully delivered so I can work with the Spirit to get others delivered fully.
I'm ready to pay 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 (2 Timothy 2:15).
I'm ready to take the promises of the Bible and walk them out in practical, 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 wandering aimlessly, lost and alone on life's highway.
I'm ready to pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit and pray in the Spirit through His anointing.
I'm ready to believe God for the supernatural to work in and through my life.
I'm ready to be like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18).
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 (John 14:12).
I'm ready to fulfill those good works that God has prepared in advance for me to do (Ephesians. 2:10).
I'm ready to rise up and conquer, to be an overcomer and not be 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 (Luke 19:13).
Are you ready?
I'm ready!
Ready or not, devil, here I come!
DSR
7/4/05
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 (Mark 16:17-18).
I'm ready to forsake sin, resist temptation, take my own thoughts captive for the praise of His glory (2 Corinthians 10:5).
I'm ready to be fully delivered so I can work with the Spirit to get others delivered fully.
I'm ready to pay 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 (2 Timothy 2:15).
I'm ready to take the promises of the Bible and walk them out in practical, 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 wandering aimlessly, lost and alone on life's highway.
I'm ready to pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit and pray in the Spirit through His anointing.
I'm ready to believe God for the supernatural to work in and through my life.
I'm ready to be like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18).
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 (John 14:12).
I'm ready to fulfill those good works that God has prepared in advance for me to do (Ephesians. 2:10).
I'm ready to rise up and conquer, to be an overcomer and not be 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 (Luke 19:13).
Are you ready?
I'm ready!
Ready or not, devil, here I come!
DSR
7/4/05
Sunday, June 26, 2005
A Model Christian?
by David Scott Robertson
The man appeared to be a model Christian.
He didn't smoke, didn't drink alcohol, not even an occasional glass of wine. He didn't watch dirty movies, and wouldn't even allow a PG-13 movie in his house. He didn't read trashy novels, didn't subscribe to questionable magazines, avoided scanning the sexy headlines on the tabloids at Wal-Mart, and even had a filter on his computer to safely surf the Internet.
The man appeared to be a model Christian.
He didn't gossip about his co-workers and was a faithful, dependable employee at the same company for 32 years. He was a good husband and provider, a decent father that went to all his son's ballgames, gave blood regularly, and was a volunteer fireman.
The man appeared to be a model Christian.
He attended church each Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night, and even had earned a Sunday School perfect attendance pin two years in a row. He drove the teens to youth camp in the church van, and took his turn on the rotating schedule of mowing the church grass.
The man appeared to be a model Christian.
He was clean cut, voted in every election, sent flowers to his mom on Mother's Day, was faithful to his marriage vows, and on the surface you would think that this man had it all together.
The man appeared to be a model Christian.
The only problem with this man is that if he were to die right now he would go straight to hell.
What's up with that? The sad reality is that this man, for all the good he does, is not born again.
Jesus frankly declared the startling truth of salvation to all when He said in John 3:3: "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
This mostly good man I'm describing in this thought (who probably lives in your neighborhood and possibly attends your church) has never truly been regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Oh sure, he knows about the gospel, but he's never embraced Christ as Lord. He knows how to "do church" and he speaks fluent "Christian-ese" but he never quite bought into the whole "lordship-of-Christ" thing. To the average church-goer he looks obedient enough but, Lord knows, there's something missing.
Here's the deal: His wife doesn't see it, his pastor doesn't see it, his Sunday School teacher doesn't see it, his boss and friends don't see it, but God sees it.
Truth is, in his heart of hearts, this man questions the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The most influential people in his life are not his spiritual leaders but his fishing and golfing buddies who continually tempt him to compromise his integrity. He wonders if all of God's Word is infallible and struggles over some of the apparent contradictions. He is not pro-life and believes that every woman has a choice concerning the fate of the fetus inside her. He has given money to the church over the years but has never been a tither. He is critical of his pastor, but never publicly. He suffered a verbal wound from a co-worker years ago that has grown into a root of bitterness.
Questioning some of the fundamental tenets of the Christian faith is not, in and of itself, enough to disqualify you from heaven and consign you to hell. Who among us has perfect understanding of the Scriptures? The real question is not semantics but "what are you going to do with Jesus?"
In light of that question, this "mostly good man," appears on the outside to be a model Christian, but on the inside, he is not saved.
I'm concerned that this man is representative of multitudes in the church of Jesus Christ today. They go through the motions of religious activity to soothe their "religious conscience" but they don't have an authentic relationship with the Son of God. One preacher I heard called pretenders like these "tippin', dippin', and sippin' saints," if you know what I mean.
Religion never saved anyone. Jesus spoke out boldly against men like this and it cost Him His life.
Good works are good but not good enough to get to heaven. Noted Evangelist David Ring preached one time that "if you miss heaven it will be by eighteen inches. That's the distance between your head and your heart."
Knowing about God is not enough. Believing there is a God is not enough (demons do that). Going to church is good but it is an insufficient substitute for knowing God intimately, experiencing God ultimately, and dwelling with God eternally.
Jesus plainly indicated that He alone was the pathway to eternal life: "…I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).
Luke wrote in Acts that "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12)
We can fool some of the people some of the time, but we can never fool God anytime.
My encouragement to you today is to pursue your love relationship with Jesus with your whole heart and seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and then everything else in your spiritual life will fall into place (Matthew 6:33).
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
DSR
6/26/05
The man appeared to be a model Christian.
He didn't smoke, didn't drink alcohol, not even an occasional glass of wine. He didn't watch dirty movies, and wouldn't even allow a PG-13 movie in his house. He didn't read trashy novels, didn't subscribe to questionable magazines, avoided scanning the sexy headlines on the tabloids at Wal-Mart, and even had a filter on his computer to safely surf the Internet.
The man appeared to be a model Christian.
He didn't gossip about his co-workers and was a faithful, dependable employee at the same company for 32 years. He was a good husband and provider, a decent father that went to all his son's ballgames, gave blood regularly, and was a volunteer fireman.
The man appeared to be a model Christian.
He attended church each Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night, and even had earned a Sunday School perfect attendance pin two years in a row. He drove the teens to youth camp in the church van, and took his turn on the rotating schedule of mowing the church grass.
The man appeared to be a model Christian.
He was clean cut, voted in every election, sent flowers to his mom on Mother's Day, was faithful to his marriage vows, and on the surface you would think that this man had it all together.
The man appeared to be a model Christian.
The only problem with this man is that if he were to die right now he would go straight to hell.
What's up with that? The sad reality is that this man, for all the good he does, is not born again.
Jesus frankly declared the startling truth of salvation to all when He said in John 3:3: "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
This mostly good man I'm describing in this thought (who probably lives in your neighborhood and possibly attends your church) has never truly been regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Oh sure, he knows about the gospel, but he's never embraced Christ as Lord. He knows how to "do church" and he speaks fluent "Christian-ese" but he never quite bought into the whole "lordship-of-Christ" thing. To the average church-goer he looks obedient enough but, Lord knows, there's something missing.
Here's the deal: His wife doesn't see it, his pastor doesn't see it, his Sunday School teacher doesn't see it, his boss and friends don't see it, but God sees it.
Truth is, in his heart of hearts, this man questions the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The most influential people in his life are not his spiritual leaders but his fishing and golfing buddies who continually tempt him to compromise his integrity. He wonders if all of God's Word is infallible and struggles over some of the apparent contradictions. He is not pro-life and believes that every woman has a choice concerning the fate of the fetus inside her. He has given money to the church over the years but has never been a tither. He is critical of his pastor, but never publicly. He suffered a verbal wound from a co-worker years ago that has grown into a root of bitterness.
Questioning some of the fundamental tenets of the Christian faith is not, in and of itself, enough to disqualify you from heaven and consign you to hell. Who among us has perfect understanding of the Scriptures? The real question is not semantics but "what are you going to do with Jesus?"
In light of that question, this "mostly good man," appears on the outside to be a model Christian, but on the inside, he is not saved.
I'm concerned that this man is representative of multitudes in the church of Jesus Christ today. They go through the motions of religious activity to soothe their "religious conscience" but they don't have an authentic relationship with the Son of God. One preacher I heard called pretenders like these "tippin', dippin', and sippin' saints," if you know what I mean.
Religion never saved anyone. Jesus spoke out boldly against men like this and it cost Him His life.
Good works are good but not good enough to get to heaven. Noted Evangelist David Ring preached one time that "if you miss heaven it will be by eighteen inches. That's the distance between your head and your heart."
Knowing about God is not enough. Believing there is a God is not enough (demons do that). Going to church is good but it is an insufficient substitute for knowing God intimately, experiencing God ultimately, and dwelling with God eternally.
Jesus plainly indicated that He alone was the pathway to eternal life: "…I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).
Luke wrote in Acts that "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12)
We can fool some of the people some of the time, but we can never fool God anytime.
My encouragement to you today is to pursue your love relationship with Jesus with your whole heart and seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and then everything else in your spiritual life will fall into place (Matthew 6:33).
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
DSR
6/26/05
Sunday, June 19, 2005
The Lord is With You
by David Scott Robertson
"The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand" (Genesis 39:2-3).
* * *
The Lord was with Joseph.
Hated by his brothers, betrayed and thrown in a pit, sold to an Egyptian officer to live the life of a slave, a victim of a lustful conspiracy by his master's wife, unjustly sentenced to prison to live the cruel life of a prisoner, forgotten by those he helped…
Yet the Bible says the Lord was with Joseph.
It's hard to see that the Lord was with Joseph when he suffered wave after wave of injustice and unfair treatment. Maybe you're reading this today and you are in such a hard place that you find it difficult to believe that the Lord is with you.
For Joseph, before he was promoted to the palace as a prime minister he had to face the pit, Potiphar, and prison (in that order).
Why? How is that fair? What's the point to all the pain? How can God possibly get glory out of all Joseph's suffering? Does God really care?
Could it be that God had to prepare Joseph's character to match the enormous call on his life?
To be entrusted with spiritual gifts (interpreting dreams), godly wisdom (inspiration to save a nation from famine), and ultimately bring about God's will for the twelve tribes of Israel (relocating Jacob and his sons to Egypt) was an incredibly tall order! God knew that Joseph would have to walk in forgiveness, humility, and great wisdom in order to bring about God's will for the nation of Israel. Hence, the tests, trials, and tribulations to forge Joseph's character.
Are you in a test, trial, or tribulation today? Do you doubt whether or not the Lord is with you? All the outward evidence may suggest otherwise, but if you are a Christ-follower then the Lord is with you. God is causing all things to work together for your good simply because you love Him (Romans 8:28). Don't let a bad report and unjust accusations by well-wishing but ignorant people guide your perception of God's presence in your life.
God is up to something with you. All suffering has a purpose. Weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). Through your pain God may be preparing you. Don't grow weary in well doing for in due season you will reap (Galatians 6:9).
The Lord is with you.
"…Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).
DSR
6/19/05
"The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand" (Genesis 39:2-3).
* * *
The Lord was with Joseph.
Hated by his brothers, betrayed and thrown in a pit, sold to an Egyptian officer to live the life of a slave, a victim of a lustful conspiracy by his master's wife, unjustly sentenced to prison to live the cruel life of a prisoner, forgotten by those he helped…
Yet the Bible says the Lord was with Joseph.
It's hard to see that the Lord was with Joseph when he suffered wave after wave of injustice and unfair treatment. Maybe you're reading this today and you are in such a hard place that you find it difficult to believe that the Lord is with you.
For Joseph, before he was promoted to the palace as a prime minister he had to face the pit, Potiphar, and prison (in that order).
Why? How is that fair? What's the point to all the pain? How can God possibly get glory out of all Joseph's suffering? Does God really care?
Could it be that God had to prepare Joseph's character to match the enormous call on his life?
To be entrusted with spiritual gifts (interpreting dreams), godly wisdom (inspiration to save a nation from famine), and ultimately bring about God's will for the twelve tribes of Israel (relocating Jacob and his sons to Egypt) was an incredibly tall order! God knew that Joseph would have to walk in forgiveness, humility, and great wisdom in order to bring about God's will for the nation of Israel. Hence, the tests, trials, and tribulations to forge Joseph's character.
Are you in a test, trial, or tribulation today? Do you doubt whether or not the Lord is with you? All the outward evidence may suggest otherwise, but if you are a Christ-follower then the Lord is with you. God is causing all things to work together for your good simply because you love Him (Romans 8:28). Don't let a bad report and unjust accusations by well-wishing but ignorant people guide your perception of God's presence in your life.
God is up to something with you. All suffering has a purpose. Weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). Through your pain God may be preparing you. Don't grow weary in well doing for in due season you will reap (Galatians 6:9).
The Lord is with you.
"…Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).
DSR
6/19/05
Monday, June 13, 2005
Testimony of a Transformed Life
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 your coming to rescue me from my sin.
Nevertheless, in spite of my having no real claim to God in any way, Jesus the Christ heard from His eternal throne in heaven a distant and feeble cry for help of a fallen soul lost in a dark and lonely earth realm.
Lord, you heard my voice long, long ago…
And though there were innumerable angels worshipping you at the very moment, your attention departed from their perfect praise and focused instead on my impoverished cry. Angelic worship could not drown out a voice crying in the wilderness:
"O God, help!"
"O Lord, I need you!"
"O God, I'm lost without you."
And wonder of wonders, you came. You actually and literally left your place of perfection.
You left the throne of your glory where all properly recognized and correctly responded to your righteous and absolute power, authority, and holiness.
You voluntarily left all that behind and with an iron-will incarnated as a helpless baby in a manger at just the right time; a divine visitor to the land that you had created long before.
You knew, before you ever slipped into humanity while retaining your divinity, you knew that multitudes would despise and reject you and ultimately require your very breath and blood.
And knowing all this, you came. You not only came to earth, but you came to me.
You came to me by way of the cross. You came to me through the way of death.
You didn't travel the scenic route to get to me either; you took the way of suffering that led up a hill called Mount Calvary.
And all this because it was the only way - the only path to my heart - my sin-cursed heart.
And the amazing part is that you found me! Your single act of selfless sacrifice in your state of sinless perfection rescued me and my fellow sojourners collectively called "mankind." Once for all the sin problem had been resolved through the power of the cross of Jesus Christ.
And I lived to tell about it.
Me, who was doomed - hell-bent and hell-bound - bound and determined to squander my brief life span with low living before making the tragic but eternal journey from the light of the world to impenetrable darkness and the place of everlasting torment.
But the Light of the World shone on me and disaster was averted!
And I lived to tell about it.
I met a Man who told me all things I ever did. He knew my jaded past and came anyway.
I have met Jesus - the Savior of the world - the Lord of my life - the greatest Hero of all time.
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 humbly thank you, Lord Jesus, for providing me the testimony of a transformed life.
DSR
6/13/05
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 your coming to rescue me from my sin.
Nevertheless, in spite of my having no real claim to God in any way, Jesus the Christ heard from His eternal throne in heaven a distant and feeble cry for help of a fallen soul lost in a dark and lonely earth realm.
Lord, you heard my voice long, long ago…
And though there were innumerable angels worshipping you at the very moment, your attention departed from their perfect praise and focused instead on my impoverished cry. Angelic worship could not drown out a voice crying in the wilderness:
"O God, help!"
"O Lord, I need you!"
"O God, I'm lost without you."
And wonder of wonders, you came. You actually and literally left your place of perfection.
You left the throne of your glory where all properly recognized and correctly responded to your righteous and absolute power, authority, and holiness.
You voluntarily left all that behind and with an iron-will incarnated as a helpless baby in a manger at just the right time; a divine visitor to the land that you had created long before.
You knew, before you ever slipped into humanity while retaining your divinity, you knew that multitudes would despise and reject you and ultimately require your very breath and blood.
And knowing all this, you came. You not only came to earth, but you came to me.
You came to me by way of the cross. You came to me through the way of death.
You didn't travel the scenic route to get to me either; you took the way of suffering that led up a hill called Mount Calvary.
And all this because it was the only way - the only path to my heart - my sin-cursed heart.
And the amazing part is that you found me! Your single act of selfless sacrifice in your state of sinless perfection rescued me and my fellow sojourners collectively called "mankind." Once for all the sin problem had been resolved through the power of the cross of Jesus Christ.
And I lived to tell about it.
Me, who was doomed - hell-bent and hell-bound - bound and determined to squander my brief life span with low living before making the tragic but eternal journey from the light of the world to impenetrable darkness and the place of everlasting torment.
But the Light of the World shone on me and disaster was averted!
And I lived to tell about it.
I met a Man who told me all things I ever did. He knew my jaded past and came anyway.
I have met Jesus - the Savior of the world - the Lord of my life - the greatest Hero of all time.
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 humbly thank you, Lord Jesus, for providing me the testimony of a transformed life.
DSR
6/13/05
Sunday, June 5, 2005
Dynasty of Evil
by David Scott Robertson
(1 Ki 11:38 NIV) If you [Jeroboam] do whatever I [God, speaking to Jeroboam through the prophet Ahijah] command you and walk in my ways and do what is right in my eyes by keeping my statutes and commands, as David my servant did, I will be with you. I will build you a dynasty as enduring as the one I built for David and will give Israel to you.
* * *
David, the son of Jesse, is well documented in Old Testament scripture as one of the Bible’s brightest personalities. He set a high benchmark for doing that which was right in the sight of the great God Jehovah.. God commended him for it and not only rewarded David with an unparalleled reign of success, but even promised David an enduring dynasty, ultimately fulfilled through Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
God promoted this young psalmist from the sheepfolds of his father Jesse all the way to the king’s throne governing the twelve tribes of Israel, God’s chosen people. God loved David and David loved God, with his whole heart.
Interestingly, there’s another personality who was offered basically the same deal as David was by God--a young man by the name of Jeroboam. In the verse we opened with, God extends the invitation to Jeroboam to build him a lasting dynasty if only he would stay faithful to God’s statutes and commands like David did.
Unfortunately – tragically - Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, allowed the power of his office to so thoroughly corrupt him that he became as high a benchmark of evil as David was of good.
“When he [God] tore Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat their king. Jeroboam enticed Israel away from following the LORD and caused them to commit a great sin. The Israelites persisted in all the sins of Jeroboam and did not turn away from them until the LORD removed them from his presence, as he had warned through all his servants the prophets. So the people of Israel were taken from their homeland into exile in Assyria, and they are still there” (2 Kings 17:21-23).
The scriptures painstakingly list the kings whom God disqualified one by one because they were thoroughly corrupted by Jeroboam’s poor example and heinous sins:
1. King Omri - (1 Ki 16:26 NIV) He walked in all the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat and in his sin, which he had caused Israel to commit, so that they provoked the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger by their worthless idols.
2. King Ahab - (1 Ki 21:22 NIV) I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat and that of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have provoked me to anger and have caused Israel to sin.'
3. King Ahaziah - (1 Ki 22:52 NIV) He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, because he walked in the ways of his father and mother and in the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin.
(1 Ki 22:53 NIV) He served and worshiped Baal and provoked the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger, just as his father had done.
4. King Joram - (2 Ki 3:3 NIV) Nevertheless he clung to the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit; he did not turn away from them.
5. King Jehu - (2 Ki 10:29 NIV) However, he did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit--the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan.
6. King Jehoash - (2 Ki 13:11 NIV) He did evil in the eyes of the LORD and did not turn away from any of the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit; he continued in them.
7. King Zechariah - (2 Ki 15:9 NIV) He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, as his fathers had done. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit.
8. King Pekahiah - (2 Ki 15:24 NIV) Pekahiah did evil in the eyes of the LORD. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit.
Think of it! Eight kings corrupted by the poor example of one guy! Eight governments that were morally corrupt! Eight administrations that operated independently from godly wisdom. Eight kings who followed the trend of evil rather than using their power and position to blaze a new trail for good.
Those who followed in the footsteps of David enjoyed a generational blessing while, conversely, those who imitated the ways of Jeroboam suffered a generational curse.
What shocks me to sober thinking is how profoundly enduring our bad example can be. Our poor choices and compromise can manifest generations later in a child, grandson, or any number of other persons we influence.
A probable epitaph inscribed by the finger of God on the tombstone of Jeroboam might have read: “Turn from the sins of Jeroboam, Son of Nebat.”
Instead, if God were to inscribe a saying on our tombstone may it read: “And [fill in your name] loved God.”
DSR
6/5/05
(1 Ki 11:38 NIV) If you [Jeroboam] do whatever I [God, speaking to Jeroboam through the prophet Ahijah] command you and walk in my ways and do what is right in my eyes by keeping my statutes and commands, as David my servant did, I will be with you. I will build you a dynasty as enduring as the one I built for David and will give Israel to you.
* * *
David, the son of Jesse, is well documented in Old Testament scripture as one of the Bible’s brightest personalities. He set a high benchmark for doing that which was right in the sight of the great God Jehovah.. God commended him for it and not only rewarded David with an unparalleled reign of success, but even promised David an enduring dynasty, ultimately fulfilled through Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
God promoted this young psalmist from the sheepfolds of his father Jesse all the way to the king’s throne governing the twelve tribes of Israel, God’s chosen people. God loved David and David loved God, with his whole heart.
Interestingly, there’s another personality who was offered basically the same deal as David was by God--a young man by the name of Jeroboam. In the verse we opened with, God extends the invitation to Jeroboam to build him a lasting dynasty if only he would stay faithful to God’s statutes and commands like David did.
Unfortunately – tragically - Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, allowed the power of his office to so thoroughly corrupt him that he became as high a benchmark of evil as David was of good.
“When he [God] tore Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat their king. Jeroboam enticed Israel away from following the LORD and caused them to commit a great sin. The Israelites persisted in all the sins of Jeroboam and did not turn away from them until the LORD removed them from his presence, as he had warned through all his servants the prophets. So the people of Israel were taken from their homeland into exile in Assyria, and they are still there” (2 Kings 17:21-23).
The scriptures painstakingly list the kings whom God disqualified one by one because they were thoroughly corrupted by Jeroboam’s poor example and heinous sins:
1. King Omri - (1 Ki 16:26 NIV) He walked in all the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat and in his sin, which he had caused Israel to commit, so that they provoked the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger by their worthless idols.
2. King Ahab - (1 Ki 21:22 NIV) I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat and that of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have provoked me to anger and have caused Israel to sin.'
3. King Ahaziah - (1 Ki 22:52 NIV) He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, because he walked in the ways of his father and mother and in the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin.
(1 Ki 22:53 NIV) He served and worshiped Baal and provoked the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger, just as his father had done.
4. King Joram - (2 Ki 3:3 NIV) Nevertheless he clung to the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit; he did not turn away from them.
5. King Jehu - (2 Ki 10:29 NIV) However, he did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit--the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan.
6. King Jehoash - (2 Ki 13:11 NIV) He did evil in the eyes of the LORD and did not turn away from any of the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit; he continued in them.
7. King Zechariah - (2 Ki 15:9 NIV) He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, as his fathers had done. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit.
8. King Pekahiah - (2 Ki 15:24 NIV) Pekahiah did evil in the eyes of the LORD. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit.
Think of it! Eight kings corrupted by the poor example of one guy! Eight governments that were morally corrupt! Eight administrations that operated independently from godly wisdom. Eight kings who followed the trend of evil rather than using their power and position to blaze a new trail for good.
Those who followed in the footsteps of David enjoyed a generational blessing while, conversely, those who imitated the ways of Jeroboam suffered a generational curse.
What shocks me to sober thinking is how profoundly enduring our bad example can be. Our poor choices and compromise can manifest generations later in a child, grandson, or any number of other persons we influence.
A probable epitaph inscribed by the finger of God on the tombstone of Jeroboam might have read: “Turn from the sins of Jeroboam, Son of Nebat.”
Instead, if God were to inscribe a saying on our tombstone may it read: “And [fill in your name] loved God.”
DSR
6/5/05
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Lamentations
by David Scott Robertson
I lament that I didn't invent the personal computer.
Traffic lights weren't my idea. I didn't create sticky notes, cell phones, or toilet paper.
I lament that I have never won an Olympic gold medal, never ran a marathon, and that I don't have six-pack abs.
I lament that I have never had a book published, never acted in a motion picture, and have never been on Larry King Live.
I lament that I can't play a single musical instrument, can't paint worth a lick, nor carry a tune in a bucket.
I lament that I will probably never hold a public office, never sing the national anthem at a major sporting event, and may never do anything most 21st century Americans associate with greatness.
I lament that I haven't come up with a cure for cancer and don't have the education to even try. I won't re-invent the wheel, won't balance America's budget, and won't eliminate racism.
So what's a faceless nobody like me to do? Am I destined to live and die in obscurity? Has my life been of no effect and have I lived in vain thus far? Will I leave a legacy that will outlive me?
Just because I am not directly or indirectly responsible for life-saving, time-saving, space-saving or money-making inventions doesn't mean that I am insignificant.
To the contrary, along with the Apostle Paul I can say, "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect" (1 Corinthians 15:10).
" I have value to God because I am His child.
" I have value to my wife because I am her husband.
" I have value to my daughter because I am her father.
" I have value to my parents because I am their son.
" I have value to my brother because I am his brother.
" I have value to my friends because I am their friend.
You and I can choose to spend our time lamenting over what we never did and what we never owned and where we never went and who we never met or…
…we can rejoice in the fact that we are what we are by the grace of God and His grace given to us is not without effect having promise in the present life and in the life to come.
DSR
5/29/05
I lament that I didn't invent the personal computer.
Traffic lights weren't my idea. I didn't create sticky notes, cell phones, or toilet paper.
I lament that I have never won an Olympic gold medal, never ran a marathon, and that I don't have six-pack abs.
I lament that I have never had a book published, never acted in a motion picture, and have never been on Larry King Live.
I lament that I can't play a single musical instrument, can't paint worth a lick, nor carry a tune in a bucket.
I lament that I will probably never hold a public office, never sing the national anthem at a major sporting event, and may never do anything most 21st century Americans associate with greatness.
I lament that I haven't come up with a cure for cancer and don't have the education to even try. I won't re-invent the wheel, won't balance America's budget, and won't eliminate racism.
So what's a faceless nobody like me to do? Am I destined to live and die in obscurity? Has my life been of no effect and have I lived in vain thus far? Will I leave a legacy that will outlive me?
Just because I am not directly or indirectly responsible for life-saving, time-saving, space-saving or money-making inventions doesn't mean that I am insignificant.
To the contrary, along with the Apostle Paul I can say, "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect" (1 Corinthians 15:10).
" I have value to God because I am His child.
" I have value to my wife because I am her husband.
" I have value to my daughter because I am her father.
" I have value to my parents because I am their son.
" I have value to my brother because I am his brother.
" I have value to my friends because I am their friend.
You and I can choose to spend our time lamenting over what we never did and what we never owned and where we never went and who we never met or…
…we can rejoice in the fact that we are what we are by the grace of God and His grace given to us is not without effect having promise in the present life and in the life to come.
DSR
5/29/05
Monday, May 23, 2005
Idol Talk
by David Scott Robertson
Psalm 115:4-8 (NLT)
Their idols are merely things of silver and gold,
shaped by human hands.
[5] They cannot talk, though they have mouths,
or see, though they have eyes!
[6] They cannot hear with their ears,
or smell with their noses,
[7] or feel with their hands,
or walk with their feet,
or utter sounds with their throats!
[8] And those who make them are just like them,
as are all who trust in them.
* * *
The idols described in Psalm 115 are images shaped by human hands that have body parts but no power to use them. They are like a flashlight without batteries; a car without gasoline; or an electric appliance not plugged in to an outlet. It's like comparing a piece of plastic fruit with the real thing. They are completely lifeless.
The idols the psalmist pictures here are senseless, useless, powerless, and fruitless. They are stone dead - blind, deaf, and dumb.
The interesting thing in this passage is that God says that "those who make them are just like them, as are all who trust in them" (verse 8).
In essence, God is saying that those who participate in any form of idol worship are senseless, useless, powerless, and fruitless. They have hard hearts and are spiritually blind, deaf, and dumb. They are, in fact, spiritually dead, completely lifeless.
In our culture today, most of us are far removed from literal idols made of wood, stone, gold, or silver shaped in the images of men or monsters or mythological creatures. But in reality, an idol is anything that stands in between you and God.
With that expanded definition, we can readily see that the American culture is steeped in idolatry, for there are many things that stand in between God and Americans.
Sports, career, relationships, hobbies, religion, entertainment--you name it--these and a thousand other distractions form the figurative "American idol." At these pagan altars, worshippers present their generous offerings of allegiance, time, and money. An easy method of measuring the idolater's level of passion is to look over their calendar and check register (or credit card statement).
The problem with substituting the One True and Living God, Jesus Christ, with an idol is that no real life, fulfillment, or lasting satisfaction fills the hearts of idol worshippers. Solomon described the futility of pursuing pleasure apart from God as "a vanity of vanities" (Ecclesiastes 1:2 KJV).
The tragic flaw with choosing to serve idols over God is that not only is this a bad decision long-term (resulting in disqualification from receiving eternal life), but it also short circuits God's plan for sharing His abundance in this present life (John 10:10).
For truth be told, unless one is "born again" (John 3:3) or "born of the Spirit" (John 3:6), he or she are ineligible to receive (and manifest) the fruit of the Spirit. Therefore, those who live life independently without God cannot experience true love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Such is the predicament of all people who are not saved.
This problem of idolatry compounds when a person who claims to be a Christian nevertheless has many objects, issues, or persons that obscure their view of God. Believers though they may be, Christians who tolerate idols in their life will always live a quality of spiritual life far below God's privileges and experience God's chastening and loving discipline required to expunge the competing false gods.
The conclusion of the matter? I can't improve upon Solomon's final comments about putting anything in between you and the Lord:
"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
DSR
5/23/05
Psalm 115:4-8 (NLT)
Their idols are merely things of silver and gold,
shaped by human hands.
[5] They cannot talk, though they have mouths,
or see, though they have eyes!
[6] They cannot hear with their ears,
or smell with their noses,
[7] or feel with their hands,
or walk with their feet,
or utter sounds with their throats!
[8] And those who make them are just like them,
as are all who trust in them.
* * *
The idols described in Psalm 115 are images shaped by human hands that have body parts but no power to use them. They are like a flashlight without batteries; a car without gasoline; or an electric appliance not plugged in to an outlet. It's like comparing a piece of plastic fruit with the real thing. They are completely lifeless.
The idols the psalmist pictures here are senseless, useless, powerless, and fruitless. They are stone dead - blind, deaf, and dumb.
The interesting thing in this passage is that God says that "those who make them are just like them, as are all who trust in them" (verse 8).
In essence, God is saying that those who participate in any form of idol worship are senseless, useless, powerless, and fruitless. They have hard hearts and are spiritually blind, deaf, and dumb. They are, in fact, spiritually dead, completely lifeless.
In our culture today, most of us are far removed from literal idols made of wood, stone, gold, or silver shaped in the images of men or monsters or mythological creatures. But in reality, an idol is anything that stands in between you and God.
With that expanded definition, we can readily see that the American culture is steeped in idolatry, for there are many things that stand in between God and Americans.
Sports, career, relationships, hobbies, religion, entertainment--you name it--these and a thousand other distractions form the figurative "American idol." At these pagan altars, worshippers present their generous offerings of allegiance, time, and money. An easy method of measuring the idolater's level of passion is to look over their calendar and check register (or credit card statement).
The problem with substituting the One True and Living God, Jesus Christ, with an idol is that no real life, fulfillment, or lasting satisfaction fills the hearts of idol worshippers. Solomon described the futility of pursuing pleasure apart from God as "a vanity of vanities" (Ecclesiastes 1:2 KJV).
The tragic flaw with choosing to serve idols over God is that not only is this a bad decision long-term (resulting in disqualification from receiving eternal life), but it also short circuits God's plan for sharing His abundance in this present life (John 10:10).
For truth be told, unless one is "born again" (John 3:3) or "born of the Spirit" (John 3:6), he or she are ineligible to receive (and manifest) the fruit of the Spirit. Therefore, those who live life independently without God cannot experience true love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Such is the predicament of all people who are not saved.
This problem of idolatry compounds when a person who claims to be a Christian nevertheless has many objects, issues, or persons that obscure their view of God. Believers though they may be, Christians who tolerate idols in their life will always live a quality of spiritual life far below God's privileges and experience God's chastening and loving discipline required to expunge the competing false gods.
The conclusion of the matter? I can't improve upon Solomon's final comments about putting anything in between you and the Lord:
"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
DSR
5/23/05
Saturday, May 14, 2005
A Boy and His Bike
by David Scott Robertson
My mom gave me some old photos the other day. She had held on to them for over forty years!
The first one pictured a 2 ½ year-old me on my tricycle.
The next photo was taken in Springfield, Illinois when I was 5 ½, on a bike where the pedals always pedaled and it had no brake (great invention for a kid’s bike, right?)
The last snapshot (this one in color) showed me at age 6 – a handsome young lad with a very cool red bike that coasted!
Early this morning I rode my 21-speed mountain bike to the park so I could jog and later this afternoon I will probably ride my 800cc shaft-driven, liquid cooled, 1997 Honda Pacific Coast joyfully down the back roads of Tennessee.
When I was a kid I loved to ride just for the thrill of it. At some point I left training wheels behind and raced through the neighborhood at blinding speeds. As I grew, to the delight of my friends and dismay of my mom/nurse, I learned to pop wheelies, jump ramps, and skid sideways on loose gravel. Way cool.
As I entered the teen years, my bike graduated from “just for fun" to basic transportation getting me from point A to point B without adult intervention. Less cool but utilitarian.
Nowadays, I ride for altogether different reasons. I ride my mountain bike for the cardio-health benefit, but it’s my passion to ride my motorcycle that I want to briefly tell you about.
Interestingly, I find that I have no need for speed. My motto has become “arrive alive.” I even wear a fluorescent orange vest when I ride. I can just imagine what other motorists are thinking when they see me coming: “Hey, have a look at the geek with the orange vest on!” But that’s the point exactly, they actually SEE the geek with the flourescent orange vest on and I live to ride another day!
But here’s the point in telling you of my love affair with bikes since I was a kid...
Each time I put on my helmet to begin my ride - without fail - I say this Bible verse out loud:
“Now unto Him that is able to keep [me] from falling, and to present [me] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy…(Jude 1:24)
(The operative phrase in this scripture prayer is “keep me from falling”!)
From that opening scripture on I enter into my “secret place.” I ride and I pray. I ride and I sing to the Lord. I ride and I meditate on His Word. I ride and I listen. I ride and admire God’s pleasant creation and the simple pleasure of cruising through it.
I teach a class at church at 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoons. When I take my motorcycle to make the 1 mile commute to the church from my home I usually take the scenic prayer route. It usually ends up taking me 20-40 miles to get from my house to the church to teach my class. But when I arrive, I’m prayed up!
It just goes to show you that God can
help a Christian man or woman convert a commute into communion.
That being said, the next time you pass a tattooed Harley rider on the road, you never know...they may be like me having a time of revival with Jesus Christ inside that helmet.
DSR
5/14/05
My mom gave me some old photos the other day. She had held on to them for over forty years!
The first one pictured a 2 ½ year-old me on my tricycle.
The next photo was taken in Springfield, Illinois when I was 5 ½, on a bike where the pedals always pedaled and it had no brake (great invention for a kid’s bike, right?)
The last snapshot (this one in color) showed me at age 6 – a handsome young lad with a very cool red bike that coasted!
Early this morning I rode my 21-speed mountain bike to the park so I could jog and later this afternoon I will probably ride my 800cc shaft-driven, liquid cooled, 1997 Honda Pacific Coast joyfully down the back roads of Tennessee.
When I was a kid I loved to ride just for the thrill of it. At some point I left training wheels behind and raced through the neighborhood at blinding speeds. As I grew, to the delight of my friends and dismay of my mom/nurse, I learned to pop wheelies, jump ramps, and skid sideways on loose gravel. Way cool.
As I entered the teen years, my bike graduated from “just for fun" to basic transportation getting me from point A to point B without adult intervention. Less cool but utilitarian.
Nowadays, I ride for altogether different reasons. I ride my mountain bike for the cardio-health benefit, but it’s my passion to ride my motorcycle that I want to briefly tell you about.
Interestingly, I find that I have no need for speed. My motto has become “arrive alive.” I even wear a fluorescent orange vest when I ride. I can just imagine what other motorists are thinking when they see me coming: “Hey, have a look at the geek with the orange vest on!” But that’s the point exactly, they actually SEE the geek with the flourescent orange vest on and I live to ride another day!
But here’s the point in telling you of my love affair with bikes since I was a kid...
Each time I put on my helmet to begin my ride - without fail - I say this Bible verse out loud:
“Now unto Him that is able to keep [me] from falling, and to present [me] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy…(Jude 1:24)
(The operative phrase in this scripture prayer is “keep me from falling”!)
From that opening scripture on I enter into my “secret place.” I ride and I pray. I ride and I sing to the Lord. I ride and I meditate on His Word. I ride and I listen. I ride and admire God’s pleasant creation and the simple pleasure of cruising through it.
I teach a class at church at 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoons. When I take my motorcycle to make the 1 mile commute to the church from my home I usually take the scenic prayer route. It usually ends up taking me 20-40 miles to get from my house to the church to teach my class. But when I arrive, I’m prayed up!
It just goes to show you that God can
help a Christian man or woman convert a commute into communion.
That being said, the next time you pass a tattooed Harley rider on the road, you never know...they may be like me having a time of revival with Jesus Christ inside that helmet.
DSR
5/14/05
Monday, May 9, 2005
I Heard His Voice
by David Scott Robertson
I was prayer-walking this morning and God spoke to me.
Now when I say that "God spoke to me" some reading this will know what I'm talking about and some won't. I'm not going to elaborate on HOW I heard His voice in this thought; I want to ponder for a moment WHY I heard His voice.
- Maybe it was because as I walked down the street I confessed to the Lord that I wasn't really good at hearing His voice lately.
- Maybe it was because instead of taking the short prayer route (the one I take when I'm in a hurry) I made a decision to take the longer prayer route today.
- Maybe it was because I quit talking for a change and was determined to listen.
- Maybe it was because I made the connection for the first time in a long time that it was more important to hear God than to finish my "prayer list."
- Maybe it was because I had spent time listening to several worship songs before I left the house and my spirit had been primed to receptivity by praise and worship.
- Maybe it was because I approached the throne of grace with humility and an attitude of gratitude instead of viewing God as a genie or Santa Claus whom I had to somehow persuade in prayer to give me what I wanted.
- Maybe it was because I was relaxing in my Heavenly Father's presence and enjoying the delight of just being His son - no strings attached.
- Maybe it was one or a combination of these things…whatever it was, I heard His voice.
The result? Revelation. Breakthrough. Fresh perspective. New insight. Encouragement. Excitement. I felt warmth in my soul in spite of the cool temperatures touching my body.
As amazing as it was THAT I heard His voice WHAT He spoke to my heart, my spirit-man, was really the most important thing.
God pointed out something to me that He had been doing in my life in recent months. It had to do with a new direction in my life - a positive shift - an adjusted paradigm - God-inspired tweaks that had been slowly but surely adding value to my life. It seems that God had been "setting me up" for some time to bless me and only this morning, as He spoke affirming and reassuring words by His Holy Spirit did I discern it.
It is typical and almost a trademark of God to work behind-the-scenes in such a way that you could be tempted to explain things away as coincidence or good fortune if you believe in such nonsense.
I subscribe to the belief that "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way" (Psalms 37:23).
Have you noticed that God works out His plan in our lives like that? We sort of wake up one day and ask ourselves, "Wait a minute, how'd I get here?"
It's like when I was a kid my Dad would scoop me up from the bed, still asleep, and pour me into the car at 4:00 a.m. and drive four hours to Grandma's house. I went to bed in the suburbs of Chicago and woke up in rural Southern Illinois. I loved it when Dad would say, "Son, wake up, we're there!" That's how our Heavenly Father does it sometimes.
My Heavenly Father "woke me up" this morning during my prayer walk and basically said, "Wake up, son, we're there!"
DSR
5/9/05
I was prayer-walking this morning and God spoke to me.
Now when I say that "God spoke to me" some reading this will know what I'm talking about and some won't. I'm not going to elaborate on HOW I heard His voice in this thought; I want to ponder for a moment WHY I heard His voice.
- Maybe it was because as I walked down the street I confessed to the Lord that I wasn't really good at hearing His voice lately.
- Maybe it was because instead of taking the short prayer route (the one I take when I'm in a hurry) I made a decision to take the longer prayer route today.
- Maybe it was because I quit talking for a change and was determined to listen.
- Maybe it was because I made the connection for the first time in a long time that it was more important to hear God than to finish my "prayer list."
- Maybe it was because I had spent time listening to several worship songs before I left the house and my spirit had been primed to receptivity by praise and worship.
- Maybe it was because I approached the throne of grace with humility and an attitude of gratitude instead of viewing God as a genie or Santa Claus whom I had to somehow persuade in prayer to give me what I wanted.
- Maybe it was because I was relaxing in my Heavenly Father's presence and enjoying the delight of just being His son - no strings attached.
- Maybe it was one or a combination of these things…whatever it was, I heard His voice.
The result? Revelation. Breakthrough. Fresh perspective. New insight. Encouragement. Excitement. I felt warmth in my soul in spite of the cool temperatures touching my body.
As amazing as it was THAT I heard His voice WHAT He spoke to my heart, my spirit-man, was really the most important thing.
God pointed out something to me that He had been doing in my life in recent months. It had to do with a new direction in my life - a positive shift - an adjusted paradigm - God-inspired tweaks that had been slowly but surely adding value to my life. It seems that God had been "setting me up" for some time to bless me and only this morning, as He spoke affirming and reassuring words by His Holy Spirit did I discern it.
It is typical and almost a trademark of God to work behind-the-scenes in such a way that you could be tempted to explain things away as coincidence or good fortune if you believe in such nonsense.
I subscribe to the belief that "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way" (Psalms 37:23).
Have you noticed that God works out His plan in our lives like that? We sort of wake up one day and ask ourselves, "Wait a minute, how'd I get here?"
It's like when I was a kid my Dad would scoop me up from the bed, still asleep, and pour me into the car at 4:00 a.m. and drive four hours to Grandma's house. I went to bed in the suburbs of Chicago and woke up in rural Southern Illinois. I loved it when Dad would say, "Son, wake up, we're there!" That's how our Heavenly Father does it sometimes.
My Heavenly Father "woke me up" this morning during my prayer walk and basically said, "Wake up, son, we're there!"
DSR
5/9/05
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