Month: June 2020

My brother, blessings and greetings to you on this Tuesday morning in the powerful and precious name of Jesus!

Read Psalm 19. Selah.

This compelling psalm of David can help us keep our minds stayed on the LORD. As you read, notice how the passage is divided into three distinct parts:

In the first part, David celebrates the majesty of God’s creation, marveling at the heavens.  The writer details how the movement of the stars and the sun testify of God, the LORD who spoke those very same heavens into existence.  As you read this part of the passage, be reminded that David spent many a night in the fields watching the stars and awaiting the rising of the sun – as a result, he was uniquely qualified to see God’s “heavenly testimonies”.

In the middle part of this scripture, the psalmist exalts the law of the LORD (His commandments, statutes, judgements, testimonies).  David refers to the LORD’s law as “perfect”; the commandment of the LORD as “pure”; and the fear of the LORD as “clean”.  As you read this portion of the psalm, take note of each of the benefits resulting from embracing our Good God’s injunctions.

LORD, help each of us to fear You, and renew in our hearts a love and respect for Your precepts!  Amen!

Finally, the psalm closes with a personal and practical application for each of us – how the wonder and marvel of the LORD and His creation; coupled with a respect for the LORD and His law can actually keep us from transgression and “presumptuous sins”. In a world becoming more wicked each day, we would all do well to apply the pattern and instruction contained in this psalm to our own lives, as we declare vv 14 this morning:

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.”  Amen!

A great Monday morning to you, my brother.  As we begin this new week, let us give thanks to the LORD for His great grace and mercy.

Read John 15:1 – 8

In these few important verses, part of what is known as “The Farewell Discourse of Jesus”, our Savior imparts both instruction and revelation to each of us.  Focus on these key points as you read:

Each one of us is expected to bear fruit.  And the Father will prune us so that we can produce more fruit.  If you are in a season of pruning, remember that our Good God is the Vinedresser, and He is the One who is doing the pruning.

“Abide in me” – this is a commandment from Jesus, for us to desire and embrace and actively pursue our relationship with Him. Literally, we should be living our lives with a focus on drawing nearer to Jesus the Messiah.  And because we follow this simple “abide” commandment, He abides in us!  Amen!

The abiding relationship each of us is commanded to pursue with Jesus empowers us to bear more Kingdom fruit.

We need Jesus to abide in us, because, according to this passage, without Him we can do nothing.

When we abide in Him, and He and His words abide in us, three wonderful things result: 1) our prayers are heard; 2) our Father is glorified; and, 3) we become disciples of Jesus.

Lord Jesus, You are the true vine – strengthen my desire for You and help me to always abide in You.  And Jesus, I ask that You and your words will constantly abide in me, just as You have promised!  Amen!

Another week complete!  Praise God with me on this Friday morning, my brother!

Read 1 John 4:1 – 19.

In this passage from his first epistle, the apostle John begins by clearly stating that there are two different forces, two different spirits at work in this world.  And because we, as believers, walk in the Spirit of God, John encourages us by stating (vv 4) “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

He then moves on to define both loving God and the love of God by using the tools of contrast and comparison. As you read this passage, take note of these two distinct differences outlined by John:

Who hears us? The world?  Or God?  As people of God, we know and are assured that He hears us.

Do we love each other?  As His people, who know and have experienced the love of God, we can have only one response – to love others like we have been loved by Him.

Finally, John states that the perfection of God’s love in us is a removal of all fear from our lives, so “that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.”

And John writes “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.”

What a magnificent and loving God we have!  Through His love, we have been designated as overcomers. Men prepared by Him to walk in these very days, these crucial times – without fear, with boldness, and showing His love to a world that needs Him.  Amen!

Thursday morning, my friend, and another day that our Good God has given us – let us praise Him in this day!

Read Colossians 3:1 – 17.

This portion of the epistle written by Paul to the young church in Colosse can be easily divided into three important groups of edification for each of us as men of God:

1 – What do I think about?

2 – What are the things that I need to lay down; that I need to “put off”?

3 – As a new man in Christ, what do I need to “put on”?

As you read this passage today, pay close attention to the detailed listing of the actions and characteristics to be “put off” and “put on”.  Paul makes it extremely clear for us why the “old man and his deeds” is to be put off; and equally evident what qualities we, as new men, should be embracing.

But I want to focus on question 1 today – What do I think about?  This word tells us that “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”  So, we are to be truly heavenly-minded. And this is an important admonition for us living in the world today!  We are to be thinking about the LORD and His Kingdom, and doing what we can to build up His Kingdom here on the earth.

But practically, it is sometimes difficult to stay focused on the “big picture”, that is, God’s Kingdom plan, and our role in His plan.  Fortunately, and because God is so good to us, His word gives us useful and effective instruction on how we stay heavenly minded in this fallen world (vv 15 – 17):  “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”.  Amen!

Good Wednesday morning, my brother!  Let us praise our Good God together as He leads us through this week!

Read Isaiah 40:10 – 31.  Selah.

As men created by the LORD, He has placed in each of us certain of His characteristics – and I believe two of those qualities include restoration (or a desire to “fix things”); and an inherent need to protect and defend those whom we love.

In these times where it seems that all of the earthly news we receive is doom and gloom, despair, divisiveness, and wickedness, it is easy for us to become overwhelmed and downhearted.  As men, as individuals, we realize that we cannot “fix” everything that is broken in this world; and we begin to doubt whether we will be able to even safeguard those we love.

Today’s important passage from Isaiah reminds us that the LORD our God is big – He is bigger than the problems the world is experiencing; and He is certainly bigger than our individual needs and our individual worries. He is big!  “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, Measured heaven with a span And calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales And the hills in a balance? (vv 12)”.
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According to the word, this big God, Our Great LORD, the One who created the heavens and the earth – this very God says that He desires to empower us when we are weak; and strengthen us when we have exhausted our own might.

As you read from Isaiah today, be comforted.  The LORD is with you. Wait on Him. Trust in Him. Give your cares and your worries and your every concern to Him. He will never fail.

“But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. (vv 31).”  Amen!

Good Tuesday morning to you, my friend!  May the LORD bless you and keep you and yours today!

Read Galatians 6.

This chapter from Paul’s letter to the early church in Galatia is filled with reminders about how we, as Believers, are called to interact one with the other.  Included in those interactions are truly important relational concepts – as you read the passage and consider the list below, think and pray about how you might better apply these principles to some of the personal relationships in your own life:

Restoration

Gentleness

Empathy (sharing each others’ burdens)

Humility

Self-examination

Responsibility

Sharing

Endurance

Goodness

As we walk, let us always be mindful that our Good God is indeed a God of relationship. He desires to have a personal relationship with each one of us, so much so that He sent His Son so that the personal relationship could be forever restored.

And it pleases Him for His people to live in healthy relationship with each other.  According to Psalm 133, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!”.
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Therefore, my brother, let us commit to receive the excellent relational counsel given to us in Galatians 6, and “as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (vv 10)”. Amen!

Good Monday morning, my brother, and blessings and felicitations to you as we start a new week!

Read I Chronicles 16:8 – 16

This psalm of David, sung in thanksgiving as the ark of the covenant of the LORD was placed in the tabernacle, is a wonderful way for us all to begin our week.

This wonderful psalm is filled with specifics on how we should relate to and approach our Good God – as you read this passage, note the call for each of us and all of us to raise our voices in…

…thanks.

…acknowledgment of His works.

…rejoicing.

…pursuit of the LORD.

…testimonies.

…proclamation of His salvation.

…reverence.

…honor.

…glory.

…worship.

…declaration of His holiness.

…blessing.

And the psalm closes with:

“Blessed be the LORD God of Israel From everlasting to everlasting! And all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the LORD.”

You are a mighty man of God – I declare over you today: may His praises ever be at the forefront of your mind; may His praises always be stirring in your heart; and let His praises ever be on your lips. Amen!

Good morning, my friend!  It’s Friday, and let us praise our Good God for walking with us through another week!

Read Psalm 111. Selah.

What a wonderful passage to consider as we head into the weekend – a series of praises to the LORD for His faithfulness!

Also contained in this passage of praise is a verse that is notable and well worth our close consideration (vv 2):  “The works of the LORD are great, Studied by all who have pleasure in them.”.  The psalmist is telling us that we should STUDY the great works of the LORD.

So what does that look like?  Well, certainly we should look to the scriptures and become familiar with all of the mighty acts of our Good God as recorded in the word.  By doing so, we are encouraged as we see that the LORD moves; and through His actions, we become more familiar with Him. His works help us see that He is powerful and righteous and holy and loving and merciful and eternal (and on and on, Amen!).

But there is another aspect to studying the great works of the LORD – we should be well-studied in what our Good God has done in our own lives. We should take note of what He has done for us, and keep those memories (our testimonies) at the forefront of our minds. By doing so, we can encourage ourselves during difficult circumstances; and those same testimonies can certainly encourage those around us when they are walking through their own trials.

So, my brother, let us commit this morning to become students again – and always remember to study the great works of the LORD!  Amen!

Good morning!  This is the Thursday morning that the LORD has made, so let us be glad in it, my brother!

Read II Peter 3:9 -18.

And as you read from Peter’s second letter today, take note of these key points:

– Our Good God keeps His promises.

– Because He is good, He wants every person to be reconciled to Him.  Everyone.

– The Day of His judgement is coming.

– Because He has shared with us that His promised judgement is coming, He wants us to walk in holiness and godliness.

– We all, as His people, are eagerly looking forward to a new earth filled with righteousness.

– We are to be diligent and steadfast as we await God’s promised restoration.

Through this passage, Peter is plainly and directly telling us that we are to be looking forward to that Day in which the LORD will fulfill His promise and execute His plan of restoration. So, while we can certainly grow weary of dwelling in this fallen world, we, as His sons, are to be encouraged because we have been given “inside information” – the promise that “new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells (vv 13)” are on their way!
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So, my brother, be diligent, be steadfast, and “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”  And Amen!

Mid-week greetings and felicitations to you, my brother! I pray you are having a good week!

Read Psalm 73.

In an age in which the daily news is filled with stories of rioting and the wickedness of men, it is easy for us to get caught up in despair and to become discouraged. Indeed, we read about lawlessness in our nation, we view videos of people committing violent acts without either remorse or even a response from the authorities, and our hearts are filled with sorrow. As men of God, we long to see justice done – we want to see righteousness in the earth – we grieve for those impacted by violence.

These are exactly the responses captured by the psalmist in today’s scripture. We want to understand what is going on in the world around us, but according to the word, it is too painful for us – our hearts are grieved, and our minds are vexed.

Apparently, injustice and wickedness have been around a long time!

So, what is the proper response to this evil as prescribed by the psalmist? Well, like so many things, we turn to God and trust in Him alone:

vv 23 “Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.”
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vv 26 “My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
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vv 28 “But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works.”
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Our Good God is not surprised by anything that is taking place on the earth today – Psalm 73 assures each of us that He will deal with the wickedness.

And as for us, my brother, we will abide in the promise of today’s word (vv24):

“You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.” Amen!