"The voice of your brother's blood is crying to Me from the ground."
Confronted by God's absolute awareness of all things, Cain was in shock. What he wanted to accomplish in solitude was in fact enacted coram Deo "before God." All things are! (Hebrews 4:13) As his parents, Adam and Eve, discovered as well, there is no successful hiding from the living God. Humanity has been attempting it down to the present day, to no avail. And the blood of victims has been crying to Him who hears, without ceasing.
In particular I am thinking of more than fifty million victims, since the early 1970's, deliberately-taken lives, whose blood continually cries out to God. What America has done in secret will be made known in judgment. God is not mocked (Galatians 6:7). Should the Freedom of Choice Act become law, nullifying all restrictions on abortion in America, this land will be storing up wrath for itself in terrible ways. The righteous Judge of all the earth will do right. He will act on behalf of the innocents.
"Father, it is only by Your great mercy and compassion, for the
sake of the remnant, that You have stayed Your hand thus far.
Our nation is so ripe for judgment, and Your church is so ripe
for Your woodshed. Forgive for Your children's dissatisfaction
with You, and what You provide. Forgive our greed. Call us
back to simplicity, to knowing You are enough.
Grieve our hearts over the killing, the ongoing killing... may we
never "get over" it.
In the Lord Jesus' Name,
Amen."
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Proverb 23:7a
"...as (a man) thinks within himself, so he is."
A.W. Tozer had it right when he said, “What comes to mind when you think of God is the most important thing about you.”
There is no more serious business in all this life than to think of God aright. For, to the extent that our concept of who He is varies from the truth, we are guilty of idolatry.
To think unworthy thoughts of God is to impugn His righteous character, besmirch His holy Name, and call into question His flawless faithfulness. It comes as no surprise when a lost and spiritually-blind world doubts the goodness of their Creator, but it is unutterably grievous to the LORD when His own blood-bought children do so. And how do unworthy thoughts manifest themselves?
Most often in our speech, since our mouth speaks from that which fills our heart (Luke 6:45). Unworthy thoughts produce unclean speech (Ephesians 4:29; 5:4). In the former we lose our joy of worship, in the latter our testimony among men.
Philippians 4:8 is vital, if we are to be restored in thought and speech. May the Holy Spirit increase our desire and determination to think on our God worthily.
A.W. Tozer had it right when he said, “What comes to mind when you think of God is the most important thing about you.”
There is no more serious business in all this life than to think of God aright. For, to the extent that our concept of who He is varies from the truth, we are guilty of idolatry.
To think unworthy thoughts of God is to impugn His righteous character, besmirch His holy Name, and call into question His flawless faithfulness. It comes as no surprise when a lost and spiritually-blind world doubts the goodness of their Creator, but it is unutterably grievous to the LORD when His own blood-bought children do so. And how do unworthy thoughts manifest themselves?
Most often in our speech, since our mouth speaks from that which fills our heart (Luke 6:45). Unworthy thoughts produce unclean speech (Ephesians 4:29; 5:4). In the former we lose our joy of worship, in the latter our testimony among men.
Philippians 4:8 is vital, if we are to be restored in thought and speech. May the Holy Spirit increase our desire and determination to think on our God worthily.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Ephesians 5:16
"making the most of your time, because the days are evil."
It's eerie to feel days slipping away, to be keenly aware of time's passing... knowing all the while the seconds can't be slowed, the minutes called back, nor the hours retrieved.
What to do? Listen. "Incline your ear, and come to Me. Listen, that you may live."
It's eerie to feel days slipping away, to be keenly aware of time's passing... knowing all the while the seconds can't be slowed, the minutes called back, nor the hours retrieved.
What to do? Listen. "Incline your ear, and come to Me. Listen, that you may live."
Jeremiah 32:17
" 'Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You.' "
Interesting is the irony that, in this age when each one does what is right in his own eyes, the Lord providentially incorporates each one's most minute maneuverings into His sovereign design.
Without outward coercion, without violation of individual integrity, and without the slightest miscarriage of justice nor love, the living God fulfills His every purpose, proceeding precisely as He has declared in His Word to do, all in perfect consistency of character.
Only One who sees the end from the beginning, before Whom all things are open and laid bare, could there exist such supreme coordination of immeasurable complexities!
Interesting is the irony that, in this age when each one does what is right in his own eyes, the Lord providentially incorporates each one's most minute maneuverings into His sovereign design.
Without outward coercion, without violation of individual integrity, and without the slightest miscarriage of justice nor love, the living God fulfills His every purpose, proceeding precisely as He has declared in His Word to do, all in perfect consistency of character.
Only One who sees the end from the beginning, before Whom all things are open and laid bare, could there exist such supreme coordination of immeasurable complexities!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Psalm 103:1--5
"Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit; Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle."
Of the distinctives that mark the believer's life which can cause a watching world to sit up and take notice, attitude and perspective surely rank near the top. And of the passages of Scripture used by the Lord to warm our hearts, and elicit our adoring worship, this is among the choicest. It is a self-sermon, preached by David to his own soul, in which he exhorts himself to hold nothing back in praising the LORD. And notice a key shift he makes in this process of praise: he moves from the general to the specific-- from general adoration of His holy character, David contemplates specific gracious acts the LORD has accomplished on his soul's behalf. By so doing, intensity is added to his praise, his perspective is transformed more deeply than had he stayed general in his praise, and his attitude becomes worshipful in the process.
As we meditate on specifics represented by each of these phrases, we too will experience such change, to the praise of His Name!
Of the distinctives that mark the believer's life which can cause a watching world to sit up and take notice, attitude and perspective surely rank near the top. And of the passages of Scripture used by the Lord to warm our hearts, and elicit our adoring worship, this is among the choicest. It is a self-sermon, preached by David to his own soul, in which he exhorts himself to hold nothing back in praising the LORD. And notice a key shift he makes in this process of praise: he moves from the general to the specific-- from general adoration of His holy character, David contemplates specific gracious acts the LORD has accomplished on his soul's behalf. By so doing, intensity is added to his praise, his perspective is transformed more deeply than had he stayed general in his praise, and his attitude becomes worshipful in the process.
As we meditate on specifics represented by each of these phrases, we too will experience such change, to the praise of His Name!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Psalm 9:10
"And those who know Your name will put their trust in You,
For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You."
From the very first tempting of Eve by the serpent, with his seemingly innocent question, "Indeed, has God said....?" (Gen. 3:1), doubting God's goodness has permeated mankind's spirit. Sin's effects, such as misery, disease, death, and destruction have caused some to reject His existence, while others question His character in causing/allowing such to occur. Such blame makes it plain they do not know Him.
To others, however, He has revealed Himself through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, renewing their mind as He quickens their spirit, giving the ability to know Him, spiritually. From that moment of salvation onward, the unrelenting goal of the believer is to know Him, ever more intimately.
For, to know Him is to love Him. To know Him is to speak of Him artlessly, without thought of others' scornful response. To know Him dearly is to find Him more precious than any other relationship. And, yes, to know Him is to trust Him, finding Him flawlessly faithful, wonderfully worthy of waiting upon for wisely-timed responses.
"Remind me, too, Father, of this verse in times of feeling forsaken... for You have promised here to never forsake Your seeking ones. Sometimes I'm not even aware I'm pursuing You, but Your blessed Holy Spirit quietly urges me into Your presence, to find grace to help in time of need. How deeply I know You is Your gracious doing; how little I trust is my own. Thank You for not being through with me, yet.
In the Name of Your risen, sovereign Son, I pray,
Amen."
For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You."
From the very first tempting of Eve by the serpent, with his seemingly innocent question, "Indeed, has God said....?" (Gen. 3:1), doubting God's goodness has permeated mankind's spirit. Sin's effects, such as misery, disease, death, and destruction have caused some to reject His existence, while others question His character in causing/allowing such to occur. Such blame makes it plain they do not know Him.
To others, however, He has revealed Himself through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, renewing their mind as He quickens their spirit, giving the ability to know Him, spiritually. From that moment of salvation onward, the unrelenting goal of the believer is to know Him, ever more intimately.
For, to know Him is to love Him. To know Him is to speak of Him artlessly, without thought of others' scornful response. To know Him dearly is to find Him more precious than any other relationship. And, yes, to know Him is to trust Him, finding Him flawlessly faithful, wonderfully worthy of waiting upon for wisely-timed responses.
"Remind me, too, Father, of this verse in times of feeling forsaken... for You have promised here to never forsake Your seeking ones. Sometimes I'm not even aware I'm pursuing You, but Your blessed Holy Spirit quietly urges me into Your presence, to find grace to help in time of need. How deeply I know You is Your gracious doing; how little I trust is my own. Thank You for not being through with me, yet.
In the Name of Your risen, sovereign Son, I pray,
Amen."
Sunday, November 2, 2008
John 11:43---46
"Lazarus, Come out!" It was a command from the sovereign Son of God, and compliance was instantaneous. There in the inky blackness of the sealed tomb, Lazarus' pulse was restored, his awareness returned, and suddenly light invaded his space as trembling hands loosened his wrappings! As he emerged alive from that place of death, some rejoiced. Some rejected. But no one remained the same. The Lord of life did not leave that option open, and He still doesn't today.
He either is who He said He is, or He isn't. His claim to being the one and only avenue of access to the heavenly Father (John 14:6) is either true, or it isn't. He leaves no room for a third choice, for to not decide is a decision in itself: it is a thinly-disguised rejection, which bears the same consequences as outright denial.
Does it matter? Is it all that important? Many say "no" today. God says, "he who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life." (I John 5:12).
Will we take Him seriously?
He either is who He said He is, or He isn't. His claim to being the one and only avenue of access to the heavenly Father (John 14:6) is either true, or it isn't. He leaves no room for a third choice, for to not decide is a decision in itself: it is a thinly-disguised rejection, which bears the same consequences as outright denial.
Does it matter? Is it all that important? Many say "no" today. God says, "he who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life." (I John 5:12).
Will we take Him seriously?
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