Psalm 28 November 4, 2009

The LORD is My Strength and My Shield—Of David

To you, O LORD, I call:  my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.

Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.

 

Reading Proverbs everyday like we have this last month gives us principles on which to live wisely.  Proverbs remind me of the way less direct people talk.  They give examples or tell stories or talk around what they are really trying to get across. Not that that is bad communication; it is just less direct and to the point.  Like some less patient people, the commands of scripture are more directive!  Do not commit adultery.  Do not bear false witness.  Flee sexual immorality (I Cor. 6:18). Contrast these directives with Proverbs 7:6-27:  For at the window of my house I have looked out through my lattice, and I have seen among the simple, I have perceived among the youths, a young man lacking sense, passing along the street near her corner, taking the road to her house in the twilight, in the evening, at the time of night and darkness….Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death.

In all of these, sexual purity is the point.  No matter the style or the time or culture from which it was written.  In this case, from Moses to Solomon to Paul.  Look how different their circumstances, cultures, and times were.  Moses was wandering in the desert with a homeless people, Solomon was one of the world’s richest kings, and Paul was a missionary to non-Jews within the Roman Empire.  Inerrancy of scripture, though, teaches us that all the Bible is from God in some mysterious way–whether directive or not.

My point is that there are differences in style among the writers of the Bible.  Naturally that would be so.  But, that doesn’t mean interpreting its meaning is open to individual style and preference or cultural ways.  We need to remember this when reading through the Bible and seeking its truth for our life and knowledge of God.

At any rate, reading the Bible in our own language for ourselves is a hallmark of the Protestant Reformation.  It is a treasure to hold on to and pass on to our children and grandchildren.

And reading the Bible for ourselves shows us our need for mercy.  Who could ever really live as wisely as Proverbs calls us to do?  Who could ever be entirely sexually pure in mind, body, and desire?  That is why we need a Savior and why we need mercy from a just and sovereign God.  David sees this in Psalm 28.  He is crying out for the Holy Spirit to strengthen him and stir his heart to remember His Savior.

I hope He will stir our hearts today–to read His word, to remain sexually pure, to tell the truth.

Let’s read Psalms this month.

Halloween and Reformation Day November 2, 2009

We should all teach our children and remind ourselves of our Christian heritage.  October 31, 1513 is when Martin Luther tried to call the church back to the Bible.  His simple act of protest plus the invention of the printing press led to revivals across Europe as people began to read the Bible in their own language.  A cry to reform the worship and practice within the church rose as hearts were stirred when they began to understand the Bible’s teaching of  justification by faith ALONE.  This struggle continued all through the 1500’s until by the middle of the 1600’s the Protestants were able to declare their understanding of the Bible’s clear teaching on faith, worship, and the Christian life.  Several similar statements of  faith were published: The Baptist Statement of Faith, the Westminster Confession of Faith, and the Savoy Confession.  This was the REFORMATION which was so important to Western Civilization as to be a major division in every secular history book.

What difference does it make now?  Martin Luther should be honored for his courage and sacrifice in standing on the plain teaching of scripture:  “for by grace are you saved through faith…”  and “The just shall live by faith…”  John Calvin, a pastor in Switzerland, should be remembered for his faithful verse-by-verse explanation and application of the scripture.  His ability to apply the teaching of the Bible to the heart and everyday life led to many revivals of true religion and to many publications in English, German, and French.  He was very influencial on the British Puritans and their Scottish and American “friends.”

To be “REFORMED” today, means to be reforming all the time in this same tradition of revering the scriptures as God’s word to us — seeking to worship and live in ways that please God, using  the Confessions of Faith as a guide to what the Bible says, and holding on to salvation by grace through faith in Christ Jesus alone. Hearts have been stirred and lives changed, families strengthened and nations built on these reformed traditions.  It could happen again!

Try getting your 8-12 year old to read biographies of these men or their wives.  Having the four year old dress like Calvin instead of a pirate might not be the best idea!  Luther was known for his love of children and his ability to engage them in conversation; he could probably think of a way to teach this history lesson.

Are You Contentious? October 24, 2009

Thinking about Proverb 21 today?  What about 21:9?

“Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, than in a house shared with a contentious woman.”

or 21:19..

“Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.”

Ask yourself:  What does this mean?

To be contentious is to strive or quarrel…to be in conflict; in discord…to be belligerent.  Notice in verse 19, anger is added.  It is all about verbal strife with an undertone of anger.

This kind of “communicating” ruins a home.  You’re better off getting out of the house!  It would be true of anyone, but in this case, an angry, argumentive woman is singled out.

In verse 23, everyone is urged to guard his mouth–whether male or female.  And in v. 24, a man who is haughty and proud is singled out for his arrogant pride.

Of course, the point is the arrogant pride, not the male vs. female.

The root of this home’s problem is pride.  That has to be faced and turned from–rooted out, so to speak, and then the arguing and strife can be stopped.  And if there are two of you ruled by this SELF- LOVE, then the home is ready to explode.

Being contentious just reveals your own arrogance.  Stop it; then go further and love others more than yourself.

My, we need a Savior’s righteousness don’t we?

October 21, 2009

Which Proverb did you decide to make your own today?  To chew on…to meditate about…to apply to your life today?

What about:

“Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.”  Proverbs 20:1

or….

“The lazy man will not plow because it is winter; He will beg during harvest and have nothing.”  20:4

or….

“It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel.”  20:3

or a political statement:

“Mercy and truth preserve the King, And by lovingkindness he upholds his throne.” 20:28

Are you drinking too much, not working enough, braced for a fight, or failing to expect honesty, mercy, and tenderness in your leaders?

Chewing on A Proverb October 18, 2009

The Proverbs are simple and short.  But, they require us to think about the Bible’s themes in order to get their meaning right.  You have to have those themes firmly in your mind or you’ll miss the point of the proverb–and therefore, apply it wrongly to your life.

“By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.”  Proverbs 16:6
The LORD referred to here is the God of  all Creation who keeps his promises, and is in personal relationship with individuals He has known intimately and loved from eternity past.  You must get this biblical theme right or you will misunderstand this proverb.  It is all over the Bible–from Adam to Noah to Abraham to Moses to David to Isaiah to Jeremiah to Peter to Paul to you and I.  Ephesians 1 sums it up.  Romans 1-8 explains it in detail.

Since salvation is never about our doing or being good enough to qualify for God’s love, the steadfast love and faithfulness is that of Jesus Christ.  He fulfilled His promise to die for those whom His father had given Him.  So our sins were paid for, blotted out, made irrelevant.  They no longer block our relating to God!  John 3:16 says it all.  Someone might even die for a good man, but Christ Jesus died for us who are always missing the mark and going astray.  That is why its all about grace–favor we have not merited or earned in any way.

But, the other side of the coin–man’s responsibility–is here contrasted with God’s choice and rule.   “…by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.”

Who wants to ruin a great relationship?  Fear of offending this ONE who has sought us out, set His love upon us, died for us causes us to clean up our act.  To repent, to turn aside from doing or saying or being something that would cause Him shame or that He would disapprove.

Read the rest of chapter 16 and pick out what most applies to you right now.  Turn aside from it, practice what is good.  For me, it is:

“Gracious words are like a honeycomb…”

Which verses most hit you today?  Your responsibility is to turn aside from evil because of  how faithful and loving God is to you.

See how you think and chew something over?  You must keep coming back to biblical themes.

You and your children and your grandchildren need to be taught how to do this for their good and for God’s glory. How would you teach this to a six year old?  More about that later.

Habits That Build Homes October 16, 2009

Here is an easy way to keep reading the Bible in a way that applies it to your everyday life:

Take the day of the month and find the chapter in Proverbs for that day.  Read the chapter for wise living principles.  Then pick out one that really hits you and think about it all day.  Chew on it as time and activity allow. Ask yourself, how can I improve my life by implementing this into my personal and family life?

Proverbs are practical, helpful, and short.  Teens respond well to them for those reasons.  I used to keep a book of Proverbs on top of the refrigerator where it was handy.  As the girls passed thru the kitchen, I’d read one quickly in the passing.  Then I’d pray God would bring it to their minds again as they rode horses or played tennis or golf.

“In all labor there is profit.

But idle chatter leads only to poverty.”  Proverbs 14:23

Summer Memories September 29, 2009

The Summer of 2009:

Expect Revival September 27, 2009

Thinking like a Christian is what this blog is all about.

Try hard to think like a Christian no matter what comes your way.  To do that you will have to read the Bible and be honest about what it says.  The Bible isn’t really all that complicated.  Some religious leaders try to make it so.  That is just a power play.  But, if you read the Bible in your own language–the way your culture today uses that language–it really is plain and simple.

The Protestant Reformation in the 1500’s and all the evanglical revivals since have been about this very thing–getting the Bible into the hands of the people in their language.  Try reading the new English Standard Version and see what I mean. You might be revived again!  Refreshed by a strange stirring of your heart with truth you haven’t really seen before.  Order one at www.cvbbs.com for about a buck.

I’ll add some pictures soon when I can figure out how.  My grandchildren and collie dog are all fine,  and I am getting older each day.  The summer has now become too long.  We Floridians are waiting impatiently for a cool change in the air which should come any day now.

Keep reading your Bible and trying to think like a Christian.  Expect the Holy Spirit to sweep across your heart like a refreshing fall breeze.  Look for it.

“…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…” (Acts 1:8)

Praise to the King September 8, 2009

The main point of Walter Chantry’s book, Habbakuk, (cvbbs.org) is that we are to keep on praising God–even if what we are seeing is His justice on display as He disciplines the western church and punishes those who have rejected Him and His ways in our culture.  Praise is your key rather than fretting about what you fear is coming.  Europe and China and even Latin America may end up owning America….but you are to think like a Christian and watch in wonder as God displays His wrath (settled anger) against those who have opposed Him.  We are to stand amazed at His power yet expect His mercy within that anger against sin.  Habbakuk wrote a prayer for us all to sing (see the last chapter in the prophet’s book).  He learned to expect and look for mercy…”In wrath, remember mercy.”

God has a remnant who will keep on believing and will always see His mercy and deliverance.  A remnant is like a little bit of left-over cloth. ( I used to buy a remnant to sew a pillow or even a dress. )  The image is a little bit torn off the bolt.  That little bit is always shown mercy in the midst of God’s wrath toward others.  Look for His mercy to you and your children and grandchildren even as you watch current events wondering about their end and praising God for His sovernighty over the nations.  After all, He is our glorious King.

“O LORD, I have heard Your speech and was afraid;

O LORD, revive Your work in thye midst of the years!

In the midst of the years make it known:

In wrath remember mercy.” Habakkuk 3:1

“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever –the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.  I will not leave you orophans;…” John 14:16-18

Fun With Grandmother August 26, 2009

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I tried to post a picture of John-John enjoying ice cream with me this summer.
Read HABAKKUK by Walter Chantry (cvbbs.org); also delight in and discipline your children and grandchildren.