Saturday, November 29, 2014

November 30, 2014

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." Psalm 23

The grateful sheep has already made the care that when the Lord is your Shepherd the future is your friend!

But he goes beyond that declares that when the Lord is your Shepherd forever is your friend!

"Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever"

The secure sheep says, "'Surely' my Shepherd will care for me for the rest of my life!" He will keep me in His care and He will love me for as long as I live!

"Surely" means - "for sure", "for certain", "sure thing", "bank on it", "I am sure", "count on it"!

Are you that certain about your future?

You could be if you had the Lord as your shepherd!

Continuing in his song of praise, the satisfied sheep says, "My shepherd will care for me all my life and when my future ends then my forever will begin!" "My shepherd will live with me all my days and when I run out of days I will go to live with Him forever!" 

When the Lord is your Shepherd your forever is your friend!

Surely!












Friday, November 28, 2014

November 29, 2014

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."  Psalm 23

A Good Shepherd provides for the care, comfort and companionship for His sheep.

Who is your shepherd?

If the Lord is your Shepherd, you should be sharing in the praises of the satisfied sheep of Psalm 23!

Once He leads His sheep through the Valley of the Shadow of Death He celebrates with them and honors them with a victory dinner!

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."

The more this sheep shares about the goodness of his Shepherd, the better the Good Shepherd looks! 

Not only is this a victory dinner it is more than that! The Good Shepherd is not only touting their safe passage through the Valley of Death but He taunts the enemy who could not harm them or prevent them from passing through the Valley!

This is the Good Shepherd's way of saying, "We won and you lost!" 


Then He pours anointing oil over the sheep's head as if to say to the enemy, "This is my man and you can't touch this!"


When the Lord is your Shepherd, the future is your friend! He will defend you, He will defeat the enemy and then He will defame the enemy as He dignifies you! 


I brings to mind this great verse: "The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing."


Wow, what a Shepherd!

What a blessed sheep!

















Thursday, November 27, 2014

November 27, 2014

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." Psalm 23

Every day was a day of thanksgiving for this sheep who had a Good Shepherd!

His Good Shepherd provides everything he needs and he is thankful!

His Good Shepherd pampered him and he is thankful!

Also, this sheep had a Good Shepherd who placed him on the proper path! - "He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."


Righteousness is a person - "He guides me....."


Righteousness means being right with God and there is only one way to be right with God and that is through the Person of Jesus Christ!


"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." II Corinthians 5:21


Who better to guide you in righteousness than the Righteous Shepherd?


What does this tell us?


Righteousness is a path - "....in paths of righteousness...."


"In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality." Proverbs 12:28



"You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever." Psalm 16:11
"I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths." Proverbs 4:11

When you took your journey to your Thanksgiving destination, you didn't take the first road you came to or even the second, perhaps. You went to the right road because there is only one best way to get from where you live to where you are now.

Righteousness, by its definition and by its nature is exclusive. There is a right way and any other way is wrong. You must make sure you are on that right.

Righteousness is proof - "......for his name's sake."

When your Shepherd is righteous and walks on the path of righteousness, how would you be identified as one of His sheep?

A shepherd tags or brands his sheep to identify them as his. If he wonders off and is found, whoever finds the sheep will know who he belongs to and will know where to bring him back.

What brands a sheep belonging to the Good Shepherd is his righteousness! That righteousness is the "namesake" of his Shepherd!

This satisfied sheep is thankful to be lead by a righteous Good Shepherd!

Who are you following?

What path are you walking?


Tuesday, November 25, 2014

November 26, 2014

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." Psalm 23:1-6
It's great to have a Good Shepherd!
Don't just take my word for it. Listen to the testimony of a grateful sheep! That's what the 23rd Psalm is!
After rejoicing in the knowledge that the Lord is His Shepherd Who meets all his needs, the sheep gives some examples to support his claim.
"He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul."
How does the Good Shepherd supply the needs of His satisfied sheep?
"He makes me lie down in green pastures......"
A sheep will only lie down if it feels completely safe and satisfied. A Good Shepherd knows that and leads his sheep to lush meadows where they can graze to their heart's content.
".....He leads me beside still waters....."
Sheep are terrified of running water. They won't go to drink from a stream if there are rapids or currents flowing. 
When you look at a sheep with a full coat of wool, with their spindly little legs, they are top heavy. Should a sheep tumble into the moving current of a stream it is unable to swim and its saturated coat of wool would pull it under the water.
The Good Shepherd is aware of the fears of His sheep and leads them only to a pond where the waters are cool and quiet.
"....He restores my soul."
A safe, secure and satisfied sheep will find his soul and spirit restored! This reminds me of Isaiah 40:29-31:
"He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
30 
Even youths grow tired and weary,

    and young men stumble and fall;
31 
but those who hope in the Lord

    will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint."

What a Shepherd! I am so thankful to have such a Good Shepherd!





Monday, November 24, 2014

November 25, 2014

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."  Psalm 23:1-6

The 23rd Psalm, one of the most beloved Scripture portions of all time! 

It has comforted countless numbers of people over the ages and it will for ages to come.

Maybe you have never thought of it as a great expression of Thanksgiving. It is one satisfied sheep sharing his gratitude for his shepherd.

"THE LORD is MY Shepherd.....!" 

When you are a helpless dependent sheep it is vitally important to have a good shepherd. You can look at a sheep and tell what sort of shepherd he has.

The Psalm 23 sheep is thankful to have a good shepherd!


The Lord is a Good Shepherd! That is great news for all of us "sheep"!

Jesus identified Himself as a Good Shepherd in John 10:

"I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. Ad other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd." John 10:14-16

I am very thankful the Good Shepherd found me and brought me into His flock. I am grateful I can pass under His rod each day as I enter His fold! 


Because the Lord is my Shepherd I know I will never want for anything I need! He will shelter me! He will sustain me! He will see that I am safe!


Having such a Good Shepherd makes me want to be a better sheep!


The Lord is my Shepherd and I am one thankful sheep!

Who do you have for a shepherd?








Sunday, November 23, 2014

November 24, 2014

"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Luke 9:23

The best definition of discipleship that I have heard comes from Eugene Peterson, a prolific Christian writer and author of The Message translation of the Bible. He describes discipleship as "a long obedience in the same direction". Isn't that good? A long obedience in the direction of God and His Word and His will!

It sure fits with Jesus' call to His disciples here in this verse!

A disciple decides every day to aim his desires at God and shape his feelings, emotions and decisions around obeying Him. And then, the next day he awakes and does the same thing - and the next and the next and, well, you know. That is a "long obedience" in that direction.

A disciple daily chooses to deny himself of any desire, thought or habit that would tug the disciple in an opposite direction. Moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day, he guards every thought and reigns in every action. And then the next day he awakes and does the same - and the next and the next and, well, you know. That is a "long discipline" in God's direction.

A disciple takes up his cross daily - not the necklace or the bracelet or the lapel pin - the one that hurts, the one that demands him to die to self and sin. The disciple doesn't actually carry his cross, he lays down on it and dies. He dies to self so Christ can live through him in the power of the Holy Spirit.

And then the next day he awakes and does it again. And the next day! And the day after that! That is what it means to die daily - a long obedience in God's direction!

As you begin this Thanksgiving week, where will you aim your life? How will you direct your way? Who will you follow? Who will you please? What will you serve? Will you have to get back on course? Have you back tracked or strayed in another direction? Will you aim yourself in God's direction - again?

Saturday, November 22, 2014

November 23, 2014

Thursday night in his national prime time address, The President quoted a Scripture verse near the end of His remarks. The Verse was from Exodus 23:

 “Do not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt.” Exodus 23:9

President Obama quoted this verse to lend the force of Scripture to his justification of an execute order many claim is illegal and unconstitutional.

To set the record straight allow me to put that verse in its proper context:

“Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd, and do not show favoritism to a poor person in a lawsuit. “If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to return it.  If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help them with it. “Do not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits.  Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty. “Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent “Do not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt.Exodus 23:1-9

When you see that verse in the context of the verses that preceded it, not only does the verse not support his argument but the truth and justice this passage calls for would, in fact, indict him!

Twisting Scripture to justify your point of view is a dangerous practice. And in fairness, the President is far from the only person guilty of using Scripture out of context.

Pastors have done it.

Lay people have done it.

Church denominations have done it.

Every one of us must follow the Biblical admonition to “study to show yourselves approved, a workman who needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of God.”

If a person has no qualms about twisting Scripture to fit his purposes, that person would probably have no problem twisting other highly revered authoritative documents like, for instance, the United States Constitution.


Friday, November 21, 2014

November 22, 2014

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." Matthew 13:44-46

I have been commenting on the Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price recently:

There are two popular and common interpretations of these parables given to describe the Kingdom of God:
  • Parable of the Hidden Treasure
1) You are the man in the field and God/Salvation/Kingdom are the treasure.
2)  To possess His Kingdom you must sell all you have
3) When you sell all you have to possess it, you will find great JOY!

OR,

1) God is the man in the field and you are the treasure
2) God sold all He had (Jesus) to purchase you
3) Purchasing you gave Him great JOY!

“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
  • Parable of the Pearl:
Two popular interpretations:

1) You are the merchant and God/Salvation/Kingdom are the precious pearl
2) You must sell all you have to purchase and possess the pearl and the JOY

OR,

1) God is the merchant and the Church is the precious pearl of great price.

·       Pearls are precious because they are so rare
·       Most precious pearls are found in deep water
·       Pearls are found in oysters buried in the sea bed
·       Pearls are found in an “unclean” animal
·       Pearls are organic and are formed in response to pain

2) God JOYFULLY sold all He had to purchase the Church for Himself.

The second version fits the context better and is most likely the proper interpretation. But either way it clearly illustrates the marvelous grace of God and the blessing of His Kingdom!


Let me ask you, if Jesus gave His all to purchase you for His Kingdom, should you hesitate to surrender all you have in order to gain His Kingdom?




Thursday, November 20, 2014

November 21, 2014

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." Matthew 13:44-46
These are two of seven parables Jesus told about the Kingdom of God in Matthew 13:44-46.
The Kingdom exists where ever people submit to the authority and sovereignty of God.
In these three verses He makes the point that to buy into His Kingdom you have to sell out of yours.
You can't live in His Kingdom and in yours at the same time. You can only have one king and it shouldn't be you. 
By nature, you have a rebellious selfish will that strives against God's will and seeks to build it's own kingdom. That is the essence of sin arising from the fallen nature you were born with.
These two parables make it clear that God has called you out of your sinful rebellion and into His Kingdom. 
There are two ways these parables are interpreted.
Some claim the man or the merchant is you and the treasure or the pearl represents the Kingdom of God. In the parable, when the treasure/pearl was found they brought such joy that the man counted it a joy to sell every thing he owned in order to own the treasure/pearl.
Others, including me, believe the man/merchant in these parables is God Who counts you such a great treasure He was willing to give up His Son to purchase you from your sinfulness! And, He did it with great joy!
Think about that!
You are so treasured by God that He joyfully offered His Son to purchase your salvation and redeem you from the kingdom of darkness into His Kingdom of light!
Will you let His Kingdom come?



Wednesday, November 19, 2014

November 20, 2014

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." Matthew 13:44-46

Like the other parables, these two are short stories long in truths!

Over the past several posts I have been unpacking some of those truths. Today I want to explore others.

First, there is the calling.

Jesus came to call you out of the world and into His Kingdom.

He calls you out of your darkness into His light.

He calls you out of your bondage into His freedom.

He calls you out of your lostness into His love.

He calls you out of your guilt into His grace!

He calls you out of your fear and into His faith!

He calls you out of your shame and into Himself!

He saw you as a lost treasure buried under your sins and the sinfulness of this world!

Second, there is the cost.

It might surprise you to realize that not even God can have it all! He had to give His Son in order to gain you!

He declared that, "Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin."

The price to atone for Adam's sin was the sacrificial death of the Second Adam, Jesus Christ the Son of God! Because you had been sold out you had to be bought back with a price. When you deserved God's justice He gave you His mercy. Rather than His judgment, He dispensed His grace!

You were able to receive His righteousness because he received your judgment on the cross.

Think about it, if God couldn't have it all without paying a price what makes you think you can?

Third, there is a condition.

You must answer His call to leave your kingdom and come into His.

You can't remain in the kingdom of darkness.

You can't construct your own kingdom.

You must renounce your pride, your self-dependence and your self-deception and humbly submit to His Sovereignty! You must cash out your self-righteousness, sell out your rebellion and buy into to a relationship with Him by faith!

To buy into His kingdom you must sell out in yours!