Mary and Her Gift

Matthew 26:7,10,13,  Mark 14:9,  John 12:3, 6
Matthew 26:7:
"a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.-
10:

Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 13: "I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Mark: 14:9 "Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” John 12:3 "Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 6: “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial."   Lord, there are so many religions in this world who give no worth to women.  Here You honored a sinner; a woman who showed her deep devotion and gratitude to You .  The disciples saw her as extravagant and wasteful, but You rebuked them and gave her honor.  That is precious!  She was not trying to showboat or earn points with You.  And true to Your word, she is still remembered today.   Thank You, Lord, for elevating us women to the same place of importance as men.  Unfortunately the feminists have taken that WAY out of balance.  They no longer want equality, but dominance.  They have figuratively emasculated men, taking away the roles and balance You mean for us to have- equally important and treasured by You but with different roles in the home and leadership in the church. Lord, please help me to live within the boundaries You give to me.  I want to honor You every day.

I Tell You the Truth Matthew 25 The End of the Age Part 5 Sheep and Goats

Matthew 25:32-33, 40
"All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. 
 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world."  “The King will reply, ‘ I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.’

41,45-46 “Then He will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and His angels. “He will reply, ‘ I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.’  “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Lord, what a joyous time this will be for believers, and what a horrible terrifying time it will be for unbelievers!  Those who ministered to others selflessly and sacrificially will be rewarded.  Those who lived selfishly to provide for "me and mine" only will receive a reward they did not expect.  There "reward was what they received on earth during their lifetime...but eternity is VERY long time to suffer punishment! 

Especially at this time of the year, Lord, we receive many many pleas for help from all of the charities...some true Christian, some not.  Some will give out of a sense of guilt or to have their name proclaimed as "magnanimous" for their own glory.  Lord, we need Your guidance as to whom to help.  I know Operation Christmas Child and the Salvation Army are truly Christian and evangelistic.  But there are also some in our very own church who are hurting and need assistance too.  Help us to be selfless in our giving.

I Tell You the Truth Matthew 25 Signs of the End of the Age Part 4

Matthew 25: 1, 6, 10-13  Parable of the Ten Virgins
1-“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 
3-" The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.'

6-“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

8-13- The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’  “ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’  “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.  “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’“But he replied, ‘ I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’  “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour."

O, Lord!  There are so many, even in the church who are not ready to meet You when You come!  They may be thinking they have all the time in the world to decide whether to become a true follower, but not now.  Some have been told of Your Gospel over and over and  want to hold onto their worldly lifestyle as long as they can thinking they can get saved just before they die and still go to Heaven.  Even sadder yet are the ones who "prayed the prayer" but never repented, serve in church etc. and think they are going into the wedding feast, but will not be allowed in because they deceived themselves and are not truly part of the Family.
      Lord, I once was one of them.  Thank You for opening my eyes to the truth.  It is ONLY by Your unspeakable grace and mercy because of Your precious blood that I am one of the "prepared".  I pray for all those who are like I was, living in my own strength in my own power and my own wisdom.  I was as lost as one can be!  I had been in church and done all the "church" things, but my heart was FAR from the Lord.
Lord, if You had come before I trusted You at age 26, I would be one of the foolish virgins.  Thank You, Lord, for opening my eyes and heart to the truth before it was too late.

IF ANYONE IS READING THIS, I WOULD BEG OF YOU TO PLEASE DO NOT WAIT TO PUT YOUR WHOLE TRUST AND FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIM ALONE.  DO NOT DEPEND ON THE FAITH OF YOUR FAMILY OR CHURCH OR ANY OTHER god.  YOUR FAITH AND TRUST MUST BE YOUR OWN.  YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN...YOUR SPIRIT MUST BE MADE ALIVE BY GOD, JEHOVAH, THE ONLY TRUE GOD in order to be allowed into the Wedding Feast of the Lamb.  Your invitation will be validated ONLY if your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life".
Read the book of John and Romans to learn the truth and let the God of Heaven and earth open your eyes too.

I Tell You the Truth Matthew 24:1-33 Signs of the End of the Age Part 2

Matthew 24:1-33
26-35: "So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.  For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.  Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.  “Immediately after the distress of those days “ ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.  And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.  “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.  Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.  I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."

Lord, I must confess that I am puzzled by the statement, " this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened."  when You are talking about Your second coming and in the area before You were talking about the Rapture of the church.  None of these things has happened you and it 2000 years plus later.  Even those who believe there is no rapture or Tribulation and Milenial Kingdom cannot explain this.
Yes, the disciples and followers of Jesus were persecuted, Jerusalem was destroyed, and when You died there was  darkness over all of the earth and lightning as well as an earthquake.  However; the moon still gives light and the stars have no all fallen to the earth.  The sun comes up every day.  Certainly ALL the people of the earth have not mourned Your coming in the clouds with great glory and You have no sent Your angels with the loud trumpet to gather all believers from the four winds.

Please, Lord, help me to understand.  I know the Holy Spirit will guide me into ALL truth!

I Tell You the Truth Matthew 24:1-33 Signs of the End of the Age Part 1

Matthew 24:1-33

1-2 "Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

O Lord,  You saw what would be in Jerusalem's future the day You said this.  And to this day the Temple has yet to be built back up again.  Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans.
BUT You knew that the "temple" would be each of us as believers!
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."

Lord, help me never to forget WHO resides within me and that I am not my own.  Remind me when I am about to take something in either by my ears, eyes,  mouth, or mind, or am keeping a "treasured" sin without looking at it through Your eyes that would defile Your dwelling place.  Remind me when I sin so I might confess and repent quickly as to keep it clean and holy unto You. 

I Tell You the Truth Matthew 24:1-33 Signs of the End of the Age Part 3

Matthew 24:1-33
44-47
 “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?

 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.

"

I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions." O Lord, I want to be found doing what You have called me to do no matter what time You come.  Help me to live every day as if You could come at any moment, just like a theif in the night.  I long to be holy as You are holy in my thoughts, in my deeds, in my heart, and in my words.  Lord, I know I cannot do any of these without your help, guidance, protection, and Holy Spirit's filling."

I Tell You the Truth Matthew 23:33-37 Woes to the Parisees

Matthew 23:33-37
"You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?  Therefore I am sending you prophets and sages and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town.  And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
 " I tell you the truth, all this will come on this generation."

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.  Look, your house is left to you desolate.  For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’"   Here, Lord, You have personally given several "woes" to the Pharisees.         O Lord, You had to be, and are still so very sad over the state of Your chosen ones.  Even today, the unregenerate Jews reject You as their Savior and long awaited Messiah .  She is like a bride that never left her family and their "traditions" to be wholly committed to her husband.       That generation did indeed see the "woes" happen because in 70 AD the temple in Jerusalem was burned and the Jews were scattered all over the earth. Lord, don't ever let me become like them in my walk with You.  Do not ever let me become proud of my works not done in the Spirit, that I walk away from You!

I Tell You the Truth Matthew 21:31 Two Sons in the Vinyard

Matthew 21:31
“Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “ I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him."

Lord, You have been talking with the priests and elders, and here You tell the parable about the two sons.  The father had asked them both to go work in the vineyard.  The first said he would and did not.  The second said he would not, but then changed his mind and went.

Sweet Lord,  I was like the first son!  I grew up in a good home, was exposed to the Bible in church, was baptized at age 13, sang in the choir, etc. but never came to You in submission and repentance admitting I was a sinner and in need of salvation, asking You to rule and reign in my life until I was twenty-six.
      You tell the priests and the elders that John came and they would not believe and repent but the tax collectors and prostitutes did.  Thank You, Lord, for opening my eyes, ears, and spirit to Your truth!

I tell You the Truth Matthew 10:5-7, 11-15 The Deciple's Charge

Matthew 10:5-7, 11-15
"These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.

Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.  As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave.  As you enter the home, give it your greeting.  If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.  If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town." NIV Sweet Lord,       I am sure most all folks in that era knew the story of what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah.  They were gentile town whose sins were so great You led Lot and his wife and daughters out of Sodom and then rained down fire and brimstone which destroyed them and all that lived within them.  Their sins were great indeed.       Lord, You make it very plain that the Jews in those towns to which the disciples were sent would suffer a greater fate if they rejected their Messiah.

I Tell You the Truth Matthew 21:21-22 Jesus Withers the Fig Tree

Matthew 21:21-22
"Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.  If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Sweet Lord, Here You were hungry and passed  a fig tree that was bearing no fruit.  You cursed it and it withered immediately.  Of course Your disciples were amazed, so this is what You told them.
O Lord, I lack faith in some things I'm afraid.  You tell me in several places that if I had even tiny faith I could...
If I look at myself and at Your church as a whole, I must confess that we have lost our first love and have become like the Laodicians.  Most are lukewarm because they have let more of the world into the church than church into the world and we are content with that.  I do not mean the politicians and the culture, I am speaking of our zeal to win the world to You.  We compromise and are in fact more worldly than godly.  We have lost the urgency to win as many as possible into Your kingdom.  We talk about the woes in the world but do nothing to capture the ones who are pushing these things for You.

You tell me here that if I believe, I will receive whatever I ask for in prayer.  I believe You can do all things, so here You are:
I ask that You send revival not only to me and my family, but to Your church. 
I ask that if it be Your will, to heal Dick of his constant pain and rid him of his addiction.
I ask that You would use all of my children in a mighty way for Your Kingdom; that their homes would be a haven of peace and love; that the evil one would not have dominion over them, their children, and their children's children.
I ask that You use me in a mighty way in the lives of those You bring to me, for Your glory alone.

I Tell You the Truth Matthew 19: 23, 28-29 The Rich Young Ruler an Us

Matthew19: 21-23, 28-29
"Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.hen Jesus said to his disciples, “ I tell you the truth, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven."
27-29: "Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”  Jesus said to them, “ I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life."

Oh, Lord, there is not one bad reason to follow you wholly.   This world and all its treasures and pleasures is passing away.  My citizenship is not here, but in Heaven.  This is but a temporary stop on the way.  I liken my life here as being sent from home to be a missionary in a foreign land.  I know that while I am there I will experience difficulties and opposition, and in some areas it might require my earthly life as a martyr.
How I long for Home!  To be with my Family forever and ever in Your presence!  Being with You, even if I have nothing else is fine with me.

I Tell You the Truth Matthew 18:1-3, 6, 13-14 18 Jesus and Children

Matthew 18

1: "At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2: He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them.
3: And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
      Humility and trust!  OH, Lord!  This is such a precious passage and such a grave warning.  You certainly are unconventional in Your teaching style compared to the arrogance and self righteousness of the Pharisees of the day.  You also were toppling the idea that just because the Jews were Your "chosen people", their attitude and condition of the heart was more important than their knowledge and lineage.  Children, because they do know to do otherwise, trust their parents and teachers to tell them the truth, and follow them. You also gave these "Chosen" a lesson in humility too.
6. "“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."
      You go on to give a woe to anyone who would cause a little child to stumble.
Unfortunately, this happens in our homes and in our schools.  Children are brought up on hypocrisy and then fall away leave when they are old enough.  Some are provoked to anger and are so deeply hurt they resort to substance abuse just to be able to survive.

18:13-14 "And if he finds it,  I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.  In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish."
      You are talking about  little children again.  Here you tell the parable about the 99 sheep who stayed in the field and the one who wandered off.  The Shepherd left all of them and spent the whole night searching for the one that was lost. The tenderness and diligence of the shepherd searching and searching for the lost "one"until he finds it is so powerful.
      In the church, I can see where there might be grumbling just as the Prodigal's brother did:
"Why doesn't the shepherd just let that dumb sheep go?  Why, he wandered off didn't he?  No one threw him out.  Doesn't that prove that he is a rebel and doesn't want to be with us?  He's spending all of his time running around looking for that dummy while we need him here to watch over and protect us!"
      If we are not diligent, Lord, how selfish and arrogant we can become.  We become complacent in our churches and have the attitude that we do not need more in our church, that we are fine just as we are.  That is NEVER Your plan.  We all ought to be as concerned for the wanderer as the Father is.  We have got to realize that at any time, the enemy can cause one of us to wander away...sometimes unwittingly.  We are to seek and share salvation to the lost among us too.

18:18-19 "I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. “Again,  I tell you the truth that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
      It is such a precious promise that You are with us in our homes, churches, schools, at work and at play wherever two Christians are together.  Here you were speaking about confronting a brother who has sinned against You and how church discipline should work, but the child is still in their midst, or at least it looks that way.
      Oh, Lord, may we bind our children and grandchildren in our homes, and bind the fallen in our churches.  And if one proves not to be repentant may we be willing to loose them as well.

I Tell You the Truth Matthew 17:20 Faith the Size of a Mustard Seed

Matthew 17:20
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Dear Savior, this is such a precious verse and such an encouragement.   In fact, I have taped a mustard seed on every business card I give to students and parents at Liberty University where I work.  I ask each one if they can quote the verse.  To the person, if they can quote any of it, quote the part about "faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. I have seen You turn despair into hope and discouragement to encouragement with this tiny seed and this verse.
       You had given your disciples power in Matthew 10 to cast out demons, raise the dead and heal the sick.  They had done much, but in this section they could not cast the demon out of this young boy.
After You did, they came and asked You in private why they could not and this was Your reply to them.
      I tease the students and parents a bit and tell them that I really do not think You are telling them to move our SnowFlex that is on Liberty Mountain to their home town, or to do major landscaping.  However You are telling us that there will be mountains in our lives that seem to be unmovable: sickness, disabilities, financial problems, relational problems, academic issues, etc., and if we have faith the size on the tiny seed, nothing will be impossible for us.  I also believe that You are telling us that without You, we can do nothing, but with You (Because it is You working in our lives, not us) that nothing You have given us to do will be impossible for us.
      This last spring, I asked You why You chose the Mustard seed out of all of the seeds in the world that You created.  It is not the smallest seed.  In my spirit, You encouraged me to plant some to see.  I did, and I saw a wondrous thing!  Most seeds take at least 7 days to germinate and send out a root.  I planted some seeds on Sunday afternoon and on Tuesday the sprout was above ground!  You taught me that if the seed of faith is planted in the fertile soil of a heart, watered with Your word, and kept in the Son-shine, it will grow very quickly.
The seeds I planted in the large pot at home grew to be about a foot tall, were robust and even flowered.  The pot was out in the yard where it was in the elements.  We had some hard downpours of rain and big wind storms this summer.  The plants took a bit of a beating, but thrived.
We were to have a major storm so I brought the pot up to the house and placed it just outside the front wall of our screened in porch under the eves troth for protection.  It survived the storm, but in 2 days most of the leaves had been stripped off by worms.
I may be wrong, but I believe God showed me that trials are good for us and keep our faith strong and healthy, even though we get a bit beaten up while they are being endured.  But if we are placed, or keep ourselves placed, in a "safe" place; the little worms of doubt, disappointment, fear, bitterness, etc. can eat away at that faith and eventually kill it altogether.

I Tell You the Truth Matthew 16: 27-28 Son of Man Coming into His Kingdom

Matthew 16:27-28
"For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. “ I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Sweet Lord, I know the first statement relates to Your second coming.  The second puzzles me a bit because the disciples and those "standing here" 2000 years ago are all long in the grave.  However; I believe You mean that after You arose, Your Kingdom began.
Thank You again, Lord, for loving us enough to tell us what the future holds.  You told them and You tell us now too!  You certainly did not have to do that, but You chose in grace and mercy to do so.  May my life stand as a testimony of that grace, and may You be able to give me rewards and crowns I can cast at Your feet in worship.

I Tell You the Truth Matthew 13:16 Seeing Christ!

Matthew 13:16-17
"But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.  For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."

      Lord, thank You for opening my eyes and ears to the truth!  Thank You for the Holy Spirit who leads, teaches, and guides me through Your word.
      How it must have grieved You in that day that those who were awaiting their Messiah, and had waited so very long to see Him and to hear His words did neither when You were in the flesh among them.  You had been foretold for thousands of years and there You were!  You healed the sick, raised the dead, cast out demons and did miracle after miracle to show Your deep abiding love for them, and they ignored You or tried to kill You as a blasphemer because of envy and jealousy!
      You love us that much too and have told us of the glory of heaven and have given us the promise of resurrection and being in Your presence forever.  You have shared the future with us and told us how this story ends.  We need simply to trust and have faith.  Some day, Lord, we will be face to face and I will be able to worship You there.  Until them, I must trust and believe that what You have told me is the truth, and that for me is enough.

I Tell You the Truth Matthew 11:11 John the Baptist in Prison

Matthew 11:11
"I tell you the truth, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

Lord,
     John is in prison and is having second thoughts about who You might be.  He sends a messenger to You to ask You for assurance.  You answer the messenger and then turn to the crowd and say this, "yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."
     Everything You taught is opposite of how the world thinks.  In the world, those who do the most, accumulate the most , give the most, and are the most are held in the highest esteem.  John, like Samuel, Jeremiah, and Isaiah, were specially born to do special tasks to advance the Kingdom.  Noah, Abraham, Aaron, Moses, David, Solomon, Josiah, and Ruth were specially chosen to do especially important things for Your Kingdom.  We hold them in high esteem.
      Here You say that the thief on the cross that trusted You for salvation that day is greater than not only all of them, but is greater than even John was.  I believe You, but for me, this is still a great mystery!

I Tell You the Truth Matthew 10: 41-42 Rewards

Matthew 10: 41-42
"Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward.  And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple,  I tell you the truth, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” NIV

Lord, in all of these passages so far, you are speaking of rewards.  Given the times in which You spoke and from what I have learned from history, You were speaking of rewards in Heaven, not here on earth where thieves can steal, or governments can tax and confiscate.  You do not tell us what the rewards will be, and I am glad that you don't.  In this world, Lord the very best reward would be to hear You say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
Lord, it is funny how You weave all things together.  In the past few weeks, I have heard more preachers talk about rewards than I think I have ever heard.  They are all different and come from all different sources.
John Piper and Bruce Wilkerson both spoke in Convocation here at Liberty and several radio preachers have dealt with the same thing.
You have a wonderful way of letting us know what is important.

Matthew 10:34 Prince of Peace?

Matthew 10:34 “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword." NLT  “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." ESV  Isaiah 9:6-7 "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."  Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”NIV "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased." ASV "“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" ESV Matthew 10:38  “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me." NKJV "If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine." NLT John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." NIV Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus." ASV "Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." NLT "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ESV Jeremiah 6:14: "They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, peace, peace, when there is no peace". My Sweet Savior and giver of Peace!       As I read all of these passages, Lord, I see the difference between believers and unbelievers.  You are not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  However; in Your omniscience, You are well aware that not all who live will repent and believe.  You died for all and want peace for all, but only the ones who will humble themselves and confess their sin, repent of them, and wholly believe and trust in Your GIFT of salvation will have the peace You speak about.  We have peace even when there are terrorist attacks, mass shootings, bombing at sporting events, and all manner of other catastrophes.  We mourn and pray for those who have been deeply hurt and damaged by them, but are not afraid.You give peace even in the midst of our personal trials and tribulations because we know that You are in control. We know that evil will not ultimately triumph because we know what happens in the end.       I have personally seen the devastation evil can bring to personal lives and to a country.  Without You, Lord, Prince of Peace in my life, there would be no peace at all.  Thank You, Lord!  My peace is so undeserved.

I Tell You the Truth Matthew 10 Mental Conversation

Lord, I can't even begin to imagine what was going through the minds of the discpiles and the emotional roller coaster they were on while You were speaking with them.  I can almost hear their thoughts.
v5-

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. v6- Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. v7- As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ This might have brought a sigh of relief as the Jews hated the Gentiles and vice-versa.   "I get to go to my own people.  WHEW! I don't have to go to the Gentile "dogs"!   v8- Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. WOW, Jesus! You are giving us the power we have seen in You to do great things!  This is going to be SO COOL!  I can only imagine how many people are going to flock to me! v9- “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep." Uh, Lord...You want me to go to the cities of the lost sheep, but with no money to buy food, no extra coat if I get cold or wet, no extra sandals and no staff to protect myself?  Ok...this is starting to lose the appeal here.  How in the world am I supposed to survive?  What if I am not accepted or what if no one will acept me into their house?  Will I have to sleep outside and go hungry?   v 10-15 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave.  As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.  If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.   I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. Lord, isn't that a bit harsh?  I mean we ALL know what happened at those cities.  They were burned with fire and brimstone and everybody but Lot's family died!  What could be worse than that? v16a “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves." What, Lord?  Really?  I thought You said You loved me!  Why would You give me all of this power just to send me to my death among the "wolves"  How am I supposed to do this hard thing? v16b-17a   Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.   Be on your guard; I guess so, Lord!  I am a strong outdoor type that has fought storms, lived under Roman rulers who are ruthless, but I have also seen how the Pharisees have treated us when You were with us...now You're sending us out without You to protect us?  This is obviously not going to be a fun outing is it? v 17b you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues.  On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles Now wait a minute, Lord! This is not a maybe thing is it?  You are saying that we WILL BE turned over to the authorities! Arrested?  I don't know as I knew beforehand that I signed on for flogging.  So, OK...Maybe it won't be too many times, but what will I come up with when they as me why I am preaching about You?  v 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. THANK YOU, LORD!  That will be a huge relief. v 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.  Lord, by "everyone" do you really mean EVERYONE will hate me, but not because of who I am, but because of who You are?  Lord, You are so gracious , loving, and kind.  You have done so much good! v10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.   OK, Lord.  Thanks for telling us everything and giving us the warnings and the encouragements. I would much rather follow Yoy who can save me forever than serve the one who hates me and who can send me into hell forever! Lord, You have called us to the same thing...not to the lost sheep of Israel, but to the white and black sheep that live around us.  The spiritual temperature is getting ever more anti-Christ in our nation.  We may come to this in our own country soon too. I want to be able to say that I will follow You no matter what.  You will have to give me the grace and courage at that time, Lord, because I will not have any of my own.  I am not afraid to die, because I will not, but it is the torture that terrifies me.  On my own I am not at all sure I could stand up against "flogging" in whatever form it might come to me, but Lord, I trust You!!!!

I Tell You the Truth Matthew 8:5-12 Faith of the Centurian

Matthew 8:5-12
"When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.  “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”  Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”  The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.  I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.  But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Lord ,

Thank You for this prophesy!  It includes me and my family into the Family if we trust in the work at this time had yet to be done.  As much as it delights me and makes me thankful; it also fills me with great sadness as I am sure it did for You at the time.  Your chosen people for whom You had done so very much from Abraham  to Your time here on earth rejected You as Messiah, and do so even today.

"I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. " 

Lord,with this statement, You are telling the disciples and all of those following You that even their faith in You was lacking.  All of the "religious" ones had more faith in their rituals and traditions than they did in You.
Thank You for FAITH!

I Tell You the Truth Mathew 6:16-18 Fasting

Matthew 6:16-18
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting.  I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." NIV


Sweet Lord,
      In these area of  Matthew, the times You say "I tell you the truth",You contrast doing "acts of righteousness" in secret instead of publicly.  You are telling me not to show off to get the attention and glory of men.  If I do, then the reward of men will be all I will ever get.  However; if I do them in secret so just You and I know it, The Father, who sees will reward me.
Because you emphasize this with "I tell you the truth", it must have been that the Pharisees were saying otherwise.

     O Lord, please keep me from being a haughty believer who would parade my acts in front of others to get the praise of men!  Thank You that I do not get feedback from others who might read this blog and if You use it in the lives of those who do, I do not get the praise.  If what You teach me through Your word helps someone else, then AMEN!  But don't let me know about it unless someone has a question.  These are indeed my conversations with YOU done in private.

I Tell You the Truth Matthew 6:1-5 Do Your Works in Secret

Matthew 6:1-5
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.  “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others.  I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.  But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,  so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.  “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full." NIV

Lord,

      I find it very interesting that You spoke the emphatic, "I tell you the truth" twice in this small section of Your Sermon on the mount.  Both times You were comparing how we should be doing our ministry of prayer and giving with the Pharisees' way which was to draw attention to how very good and righteous they were.  You called them hypocrites.
      You also tell me that when I do something in that way, the reward (praise, accolades, the esteem of men) I receive here will be the only reward I will ever get.  However; if I do these things in secret, the Father will reward me.
      Lord, the praise of men is fickle and is of absolutely no value.  All it does is feed my ego and makes me prideful.  I become more self centered and less God centered, fellowship with You and the Father is broken and the works I do will not be multiplied for the Kingdom's sake because they will not be in the Spirit. Help me to never be a hypocrite, Lord.  You and You ALONE deserve all of the praise and glory for anything I accomplish for without You, I can do nothing!  I want my rewards to be in Heaven...my Home!

I Tell You the Truth Matthew 5:25-26 Settle Matters Quickly With Your Adversary

Matthew 5:25-26
“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.   I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny."NIV
Dear Sweet Savior,

      I praise You this morning for giving me another day to love and serve You and Your people.  Your word is truth, a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.  It is never changing, set in heaven before the foundations of the world.  From it, I gain wisdom, knowledge of who You are, who I really am, what You do, and also what You want of me.  You share history and prophesy with me so I know from where we have come and to where I am going, what it was like and what it will be like.  You let me know ahead of time what is best for me and the consequences I will suffer if I disregard Your instructions.  I do not have to learn by making my own mistakes because You have caused the writers of Your word to include theirs so I can learn from them instead.

     
       Lord, this morning in my journey through the New Testament "I tell you the truth"s,  You make it very plain:  obviously in this instance You tell me to pay my debts promptly so there never gets to be a point where I am headed to court with the person to whom I owe the debt.  In our flesh, Lord, it is tempting to try to get something for nothing, or to try to rationalize why we should not have to pay.  It is certainly better to settle out of court!  Especially since You warn me that If I do not, I may be sent to prison until I can pay it.  In prison, I could not make enough money to pay the debt at all.

      Sweet Savior!  How can I ever thank You enough for paying my debt for my sins on the cross!  In so great a love, You set me free from the sentence of death in the prison of Hell where I could never pay that debt in all eternity!

I Tell You the Truth Matthew 5:18 Introduction

Dear Lord,
     You know that I give every student that comes to my office a mustard seed on my business card and we talk about Matthew 17:20  You also know that not one student, staff or parent has ever quoted all of the verse.  All they remember is the "faith of a mustard see can move mountains", part.  Well, I lovingly get after them a little bit and tell them that the rest of the verse is maybe more important than the part they quote, since I do not see major landscaping going on at the student's word.  I tell them that the "I tell you the truth", part and the "nothing shall be impossible for you." part is the most important.

      I asked a student last week, "How many times have you read right past all of the "I tell you the truth" or "Verily I say  unto you" parts of verses and don't even notice the importance?"  Lord, You convicted me with those words!  How many times I have read those verses and not given them any special thought either.  I don't know if it is because I believe everything You say is true or if I am not attentive when I read.  Whatever the cause; Lord You have challenged me to find them all and to ponder them in depth.  All You said to the people back then was true, as You are God and cannot lie.  However; at times You felt it extra important to stress the truth of the statement You were about to make for special importance.

      So, Lord, I ask You to guide and teach me as I go through all of the times in all of the Gospels that You say, "I tell you the truth" and really pay attention this time.

The first time I see this particular "I tell you the truth", is in Matthew 5:18.  I do not find this in any other of the Gospels:
( For some reason the translators in the NIV that I have copyrighted in 1978 by the New York International Bible Society and published by Zondervan Press uses the wording, "I tell you the truth". In the Blue Letter Bible online this is now "Truly I tell you".)

  "I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved." NLT

"For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished." ESV

"For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled." NKJV
 
       You had just been speaking about how we are to be salt and light.  Then You start talking about how You did not come to abolish the law or the prophets, but to fulfill them.  It is after these You state what is in this verse.
  
      First You confirm that heaven and earth will indeed pass away, be destroyed, at some point in the future but You also confirm to me that You are indeed accomplishing something.  You are not just frittering away Your time in Heaven while the world falls apart.

      Then You  reassure me that Your word will stand against time and events until the end of time.  That means I can trust it at all times no matter how evil things get on earth.

      You go on to say, "So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven." NLT


      That is such a strong admonishment and also encouragement to all of us who teach Your word to others!  May I always remember that, O Lord!  Please do not let me forget!

Psalm 119 My Pleas- My Part Part 9

Psalm 119:161-176

Dear Lord,

Now that I am at the end of this longest Psalm, I have learned so much of what my part must be, but also all You have taught me about how obeying and studying Your commands, precepts, statutes, and laws being the most important in my life. I do find it puzzling that David's last sentence in this great Psalm where all through he tells You how he loves,obeys, meditates on, pants for, and follows them all he end with, "I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands."  That tells me that no one is perfect.

My Condition:
Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word.
All my ways are known to you.
I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.

My Praise:
All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.
Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.


My Pleas:
May my cry come before you, LORD; give me understanding according to your word.May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise.
May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees.
May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.
May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me.

My Part:
I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil.

I hate and detest falsehood but I love your law.

Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.
I wait for your salvation, LORD, and I follow your commands.


I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly.
I obey your precepts and your statutes.
I long for your salvation, LORD, and your law gives me delight.

Psalm 119 My Pleas- My Part Part 8

Psalm 119: 129-160

Sweet Lord,
THANK YOU FOR INTERVENING AGAIN AND SAVING MY SON LANCE'S LIFE!  He had been in the hospital with a fever of 105 degrees caused by a blood infection induced by dialysis.  BUT YOU,O Lord, have healed him once again.

Lord, there is more and more persecution of Your people in our world every day.  There are about one million children in refugee camps outside Syria because of the civil war there.  In Egypt, churches are being destroyed and Christians killed, tortured, and imprisoned.  It is not different in Jordan.  Only by Your grace is that not happening in our country!  This Psalm may be the Psalm for the nation of the United States sooner than we think.  So do not let us sleep the sleep of unawareness, Lord!


My Condition:
Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed.
My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore your words.
Though I am lowly and despised.
Trouble and distress have come upon me.
Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from your law.

Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out your decrees.
Many are the foes who persecute me.
I look on the faithless with loathing, for they do not obey your word.

My Praise:
Your statutes are wonderful;
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
You are righteous, LORD, and your laws are right.
The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy.
Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true.
Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live.

Yet you are near, LORD, and all your commands are true

 Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.
 Your compassion, LORD, is great;
All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.

My Pleas:
Look on my suffering and deliver me.
Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.
Redeem me from human oppression, that I may obey your precepts.
Make your face shine on your servant and teach me your decrees.
Give me understanding that I may live.

I call with all my heart; answer me, LORD, and I will obey your decrees.

I call out to you; save me.
Hear my voice in accordance with your love; preserve my life, LORD, according to your laws.
Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise.
Preserve my life according to your laws.
See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, LORD, in accordance with your love.

My Part:
Therefore I obey them.
I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands.
I do not forget your precepts.
But your commands give me delight.
And I will keep your statutes.
I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.
My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.
For I have not forgotten your law.
But I have not turned from your statutes.

Psalm 119 My Pleas- My Part Part 7

Psalm 119: 105-128

Lord,
I do not have any human enemies that I am aware of that are seeking my life at this moment, but I do realize that I do have enemies in dominions and princes and powers of the air!  There are those I love, Lord, that are under attack in their bodies and it breaks my heart.  You, Lord, are the only one who can intervene for and heal them.

My Condition:
I have suffered much;
The wicked have set a snare for me,
Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God!
My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws.
My eyes fail, looking for your salvation, looking for your righteous promise.
 
My Praise:
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.
You are my refuge and my shield;
You reject all who stray from your decrees, for their delusions come to nothing.
All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
And because I consider all your precepts right,

My Pleas:
Preserve my life, LORD, according to your word.  
Accept, LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws.
Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.
Uphold me, and I will be delivered
Do not leave me to my oppressors.
Ensure your servant’s well-being; do not let the arrogant oppress me.
Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees.
I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.
It is time for you to act, LORD; your law is being broken.

My Part:
I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.
Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law.

but I have not strayed from your precepts.
My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.
I hate double-minded people, but I love your law.
I have put my hope in your word.
I have done what is righteous and just;
Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold,
I hate every wrong path.
I will always have regard for your decrees.
Therefore I love your statutes.

Psalm 119 My Pleas-My Part Part 6

Psalm 19:97-104

Lord, this section is hard to put into any categories.  There are a lot of "I" statements here which might be viewed as a prideful Psalm telling God how very wonderful a man he is.  However: this psalm actually resonates to me what is My Part and what is Your part.

My Part:
Oh, how I love Your law! 
I meditate on it all day long.
Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies.
I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on Your statutes.  
I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey Your precepts.  
I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey Your word.  
I have not departed from Your laws, 
How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!  
I gain understanding from Your precepts; 
Therefore I hate every wrong path.

Your Part:
For You Yourself have taught me.  

What an awesome thing it is to be taught by the almighty, omniscient Creator of heaven and earth!  Lord, I have had some rally great teachers over my walk with You: Pastors, teachers in the classroom, on the radio, and Bible studies.  BUT GOD!  You, O Lord, are the greatest teacher because You dwell within me as the Holy Spirit and You lead me into ALL truth!  Hallelujah!

Praise the Lord With Me!

Psalm 150

Sweet Lord, Your word says You inhabit the praise of Your people!  Praise can be a whisper or can be loud and joyous.  It can be one word in prayer, or a long song in my heart, or coming from my mouth!

Praise the Lord,
Praise Him in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty Heavens.
Praise Him for His acts of power; Praise Him for His surpassing greatness.
Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet.
Praise Him with the harp and Lyre,
Praise Him with tambourine and dancing,
Praisse Him with the strings and flute,
Praise Him with the clash of cymbals, Praise Him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord!

Psalm 119 My Peas- My Part Part 5

Psalm 119: 64-96

Lord,  In this section I see there are actually four things David has in his song prayer.

My condition:  Here he explains to You what he is going through, (As if you didn't know already).  He is not afraid to fill you in on what's going on in his life.
.

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies
Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.
And that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
My eyes fail, looking for your promise; I say, "When will you comfort me?"
Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke, NIV
I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke NLT
How long must your servant wait?
The arrogant dig pits to trap me, contrary to your law.
For I am being persecuted without cause.
They almost wiped me from the earth,
The wicked are waiting to destroy me,


My Praise: Even in his trials, He praises You and Your work and word.  May I remember to do so as well!

You are good, and what you do is good;
The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. 
Your hands made me and formed me;
I know, LORD, that your laws are righteous,
All your commands are trustworthy;
Your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.
Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.
If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. 
To all perfection I see a limit, but your commands are boundless. 

My Pleas:  Here, David pleads with You for what he needs.

Do good to your servant according to your word, LORD.
Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
Teach me your decrees.
Give me understanding to learn your commands.
May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. 
Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes.
May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees, that I may not be put to shame. 
When will you punish my persecutors?
Help me,
In your unfailing love preserve my life,
Save me, for I am Yours;

My Part:  This is what he is doing and what I must do as well.

For I trust Your commands.
But now I obey Your word. 
I keep Your precepts with all my heart.
But I delight in Your law.
For I have put my hope in Your word.
For Your law is my delight. 
But I will meditate on Your precepts.
But I have put my hope in Your word. 
I do not forget Your decrees.
But I have not forsaken Your precepts. 
I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have preserved my life.
I have sought out Your precepts.
That I may obey the statutes of Your mouth. 
But I will ponder Your statutes.

Lord, keep me faithful in following You.  I would expect You to  keep Your promises to me as You cannot lie or change.  I must confess that most of the time I am more willing to do the first three of these segments than the fourth.  Lord, forgive Your servant.  Restore a fire to read, memorize, live out, and trust Your laws, statutes, commands, decrees, and precepts so they may guide my heart, mind, actions, and mouth!

More Lessons from a Mustard Seed

Matthew 17:20

I planted some mustard seeds because I wanted to see why the Lord chose that out of all of the seeds he had created.  I grew up on a farm and have planted thousands of seeds. All of the seed  packets it said that it would take seven to ten days to for the seeds to germinate let alone show above the ground.
The seeds I planted on a Sunday were an inch above the ground by Tuesday!  God showed me that the smallest faith, when "planted" in the fertile soil of a soul, kept watered with the Word, and kept in the "Son"shine will grow quickly.
The seeds I planted in the large pot at home grew to be about a foot tall, were robust and even flowered.  The pot was out in the yard where it was in the elements.  We had some hard downpours of rain and big wind storms this summer.  The plants took a bit of a beating, but thrived.
We were to have a major storm so I brought the pot up to the house and placed it just outside the front wall of our screened in porch under the eves troth for protection.  It survived the storm, but in 2 days most of the leaves had been stripped off by worms.
I may be wrong, but I believe God showed me that trials are good for us and keep our faith strong and healthy, even though we get a bit beaten up while they are being endured.  But if we are placed, or keep ourselves placed, in a "safe" place; the little worms of doubt, disappointment, fear, bitterness, etc. can eat away at that faith and eventually kill it altogether.

Psalm 119 My Peas- My Part Part 4

Psalm 119: 49-64

My Pleas:
Remember Your word to Your servany
You have given me hope
My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise renews my life
You are my portion
Lord be graciuos to me according to Your promise
The earth is full of Your love, O Lord
Teach me Your decrees

 My Part:
I do not turn from Your law
I remember Your ancient laws, O Lord
I find comfort in them
Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge
In the night I remember Your name, O Lord
I will keep Your law
I have promised to obey Your words
I have sought Your face with all my heart
I have considered Your ways
I have turned my steps to Your statutes
I will hasten and not delay to obey Your commands
Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget Your law
At midnight I rise to give thanks for Your righteous laws
I am a friend to all who fear You, to all who follow Your precepts

Precious Lord, You have given me HOPE!  It is one of the things You gave me at salvation, the moment I believed.  You gave me so much: the Holy Spirit to lead me into ALL truth, forgiveness, grace, mercy, a new heart, ears, eyes, prospective on life and death...and HOPE!  All I had before then was optimism, which can be false leading.  I have hope that I can live a life that would glorify You and bless others, hope that I will not die when this body expires, but will live eternally in Your presence with all others who are Family.  I have hope that I can believe Your promises.
Lord, the earth is filled with Your love.  If we just look at mankind and how animals treat each other, we would have to wonder if that were true.  David says: "Though the wicked bind me with ropes", and says that "indignation grips him because of the wicked who have forsaken Your law".  However; when I look at all You have given us to enjoy, Your creation, sunrises, sunsets in glorious vibrant colors, the variations of plants and animals, and food...Your love is abundant.  You did not have to do any of this for us; but You did!  You have even given Dick and me "Crazy Eddy" the squirrel as a companion in the yard!
You know we are but dust and have feet of clay.  But You saw fit to give us salvation and the Holy Spirit, hope of heaven, and a way to remain faithful in confession and repentance!  What precious gifts that cost You so very much!  How can I ever thank You enough?

For His Name Sake

Romans 1:5 "Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name."NLT
"Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name's sake." NIV
"through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations," ESV

O, Lord!  I am so very blessed that You gave the Apostles the privilege and authority to tell Gentiles what You have done for them!  Where would I be if You had not?  You could have died for the sins of the Jews only, as they were and are Your chosen people.  But You died for us ALL...Jew and Gentile alike!  99.8% of all of the Christians I have met were Gentiles!  My Lord, and my God!  How can we Gentiles ever thank You enough for our so great salvation?  May we never get an "entitlement" attitude, Lord, but instead never lose the wonder and gratitude of Your inclusion of us in Your plan for Your name sake!

Psalm 119: My Pleas- My Part Part 3

Psalm 119: 41-48

My Pleas:
May Your unfailing love come to me, O Lord
Your salvation according to Your promise
Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth

My Part:
Then I will answer the one who taunts me (the world)
I trust in Your word
I have put my hope in Your laws
I will always obey Your law for ever and ever
I will walk about in freedom
I have sought out Your precepts
I will speak of Your statutes before kings
I will not be put to shame
I delight in Your commandments because I love them
I reach out my hands to Your commandments which I love
I meditate on Your decrees

Dearest Lord, a few of David's phrases jump out at me today:  walking in freedom does not mean doing as I please.  It means being free in my soul because of Your salvation and Your word that I have hidden in my heart.  These things are what give me hope no matter where I am and no matter what is happening to me.
I would at this time have to change something he said.  He said,  "I will always obey Your law for ever and ever".  I know me!  I would have to say that "I want to", or "I wish I would" obey Your law for ever and ever".
However; in reality it is a choice I make on a moment to moment basis whether to obey all of Your commandments or disobey them, isn't it?  I stand convicted!  Please forgive Your servant for my disobedience and disregard for your commandments at times.
The world and our culture taunts those of us who walk with You by Your word.  It is ONLY because of my salvation and You lifting the blindness from my eyes and heart that I am different and free.  Thank You for Your undeserved grace and marvelous mercy!  There may come a time sooner than I think when all of us Christ Followers will have to speak of Your statutes before kings.  At that time give us the word to say as You did for Paul as he spoke before King Agrippa, so they do not hear us, but You, Lord!  May we be bold not fearful, even if it means the end of our earthly time here that You will be glorified!!!

Psalm 119: My Pleas- My Part Part 2

Psalm 119: 25-48

My Pleas:
Renew my life accoprding to Your word
Teach me Your decrees
Let me understand the teaching of Your precepts
Strengthen me according to Your word
Keep me from deceiptful ways
Be graciuos to me through Your law
Do not let me be put to shame
Teach me to follow Your decrees
Give me understanding
Direct me in the paths of Your commands
Turn my heart toward Your statutes and not for selfish gain
Turn my eyes away fom worthless things
Renew my life according to Your word
Fulfill Your promise to Your servantr so that You may be feared
Take away the disgrace I dread
Renew my life in Your righteousness


My Part:
I recounted Your ways and You answered me
I will meditate on Your wonders
I have chosen the way of truth
I have set my heart on Your laws
I hold fast to Your statutes, O Lord
I run in the paths of Your commands
I will follow Your decrees
I will keep them to the end
I will obey them with all my heart

Sweet Lord,  I cannot love , meditate on, and obey what I do not know.  It is only be spending time with You and Your word that You can teach, lead, strengthen, guide, and renew me!  Help me to meet with You EVERY day, undistracted in Your throne room!
Lord, You have been so gracious to us in the wonderful sweet brothers and sisters You have given us here.  Needs have been met before we ever knew they would be there.  Thank You for ALL of our provisions and for providing our needs...not just for material things, but the sweet fellowship and prayers of other believers.

Psalm 119: My Pleas- My Part Part 1

Psalm 119:7-24

My Pleas:
Don't let me stray from Your commands
Teach me (through the Holy Spirit)
Do not forsake me (You have promised)
Do good to Your servant, and I will live
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law
Do not hide Your commandments from me
Remove from me scorn and contempt

My Part:
I will praise You with an upright heart
I will obey Your decrees
I will live according to Your word
I will hide Your word in my heart that I may not sin against You
I will recount all the laws that come from Your mouth
I will obey Your word
My soul is consumed with longing for Your laws at all times (Not usually)
For I keep Your statutes (I try most of the time)
Your servant will meditate on Your decrees
Your statutes are my delight, they are my counselors (delight, Lord?  I probably cannot say that either)

Lord, of course I want You to fulfill my pleas, but You know "my part" has not been true enough and You know I need help.  Dearest Lord, thank You for Your grace.  When I was first saved all of this "My Part" was true.  I could not get enough of Your word.  I thought about it all the time and woke up thinking about it,  Lord, I need You to restore me to the joy of my salvation and revive me!  Don't let me stray but convict me of unconfessed sin so I may confess and repent.  Restore our fellowship to that beautiful, wonderful state of completeness!

Lord, You Need to Be FIRST!

Psalm 119:1-6 "Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!  You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments"

Oh Lord,
I have got to confess to You that I have not been seeking You with my whole heart.  I know that not one of us, even the Apostles, ever walked blamelessly all the time.  That's why You had John Write 1 John 1:8-10,
" If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."  However; I can walk blamelessly if when I sin I stop, confess, and repent.
My dad had a saying he would quote to us when we told him that we were "going to", or "meant to do" something.  He would say, "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions."  I don't know if he heard that from a preacher at sometime, read it in a book, or his parents said that to him.  But I heard it often enough to remember it.  I also know if I really want to do something I will find the time to do it.
Lately, Lord, I SAY that I want to spend time with You in prayer and in Your word in the morning.  I even have the coffee pot set to brew at 6 AM so it is ready by the time I get to the kitchen.  My Bible and tablet are always on the table where I eat my breakfast.
BUT:
I get up and come out and pour my coffee
My leg hurts and I need to walk so I go out and get the paper and read the headlines on my way back into the house.  Bad Idea!
I come in and do my morning thing in the "Blue Room"
Come back into the kitchen and fix my breakfast and put it next to my coffee on the table next to my Bible and tablet.
Lexi, our cat, uses her litter box, so I get up to clean that because it smells so bad
I remember that there are clothes in the dryer from last night so stop and fold them
I sit down to breakfast and my time with You and see that the dishwasher has been run and dishes need to be put away so I take care of them
While doing so, I find the  plastic containers I use to take my lunch things to work
I stop and prepare my lunch
With breakfast done, I turn to You. 
By this time it is 7:00 and my mind is already on my "to do" list for the day when I get to work or on what I have to do on my way.  I still have to shower and dress for work and do Dick's eye drops before I leave at 8.
If there are no clothes or dishes to take care of, I remember an email I was supposed to read or send yesterday that I forgot so come in to look and then check Facebook to see if there's anything from our kids etc. and before I know it it's 7:30!
The "Blue Room" takes another 15 minutes so I brush the cat while I sit.
I come back to the kitchen and sit down for "our time" and see "Crazy Eddy, our squirrel we feed peanut butter to twice a day.
I get up and prepare his breakfast and on the way out the back door see that the garbage needs to be taken out.
I gather all of the garbage and take that out.
By this time, it's time to shower, dress for work, do Dick's eye drops, grab my lunch and am out the door.
ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There You sit at the table in the kitchen waiting for me to stop getting distracted and spend time with You, listen to You and learn from You!
Oh, Lord!  I am so sorry.  Have I lost my first love?  MAY IT NEVER BE! Lord, I need your help me not to get distracted by the duties of this world, even if they are good and needful.  Help me to put You FIRST!

Prepare a Highway of Holiness

Isaiah 40- Nancy Leigh DeMoss "Revive Tour" Thomas Road Baptist Church, Lynchburg, VA 2013

Lord, what a privilege to be able to attend this conference, and  free of charge!
The book of Isaiah has 66 chapters- just like the Bible has 66 books.  The first 39 chapters are lie unto the Old Testament 39 books.  They are chapters of warning and judgment.  Then in chapter 40, the tone changes to comfort, joy, and the Messianic prophesies - just like the New Testament!

v.1) Comfort Ye my people. We were as lost and sinful as the Israelites!  In our world today, we really need comfort!  Bombings, shootings, recession, joblessness, divorce at an all time high, abortion rate and abuse rates at all time highs, wars and rumors of wars abound!  If I pick up the news paper, I see scandals galore at every level.  Wow!  We really need Your comfort, Lord!
v2) Speak gently to Jerusalem.  Even though Israel had disregarded God and had run after other gods, yet He still loved them...and us!
      Her hard service is done and her sin has been atoned in full and sufficient payment.  Isaiah is speaking of the judgment she had been under for her sin of adultery against her husband, God.  He had chastened her because He loved her and wanted her to return to Him.  the Babylonian captivity had not happened yet, but God is seeing past that time in chapter 40.
v.3) A voice crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the dessert a highway for our God.  This makes me think of John the Baptist.  Nancy said that in the ancient days, there were no roads as we know them...and I can understand that.  She said that when a king would be coming to a certain area, messengers would be sent out before hand to alert everyone.  Crews were sent out to clear a road for the approaching king.  There might be trees, brush, boulders etc. in the way.
      For us, we know that King Jesus is coming, and we are to build a Highway of Holiness for His return.  Verses 4-5 talk about how that is to be accomplished.  It is also a prescription for us in how we are to perfect our personal "highway".
4) Every valley is to be lifted up, every mountain and hill made low; the crooked places straight; the rough places plain:
So what does that mean to me, Lord?
Valleys- low places lifted up:
      Some low places can be: unfulfilled promises to the Lord, spiritual laziness, frittering away my life on inconsequential things, wanting to be more connected to people on a shallow level than with You on a very deep level.
To lift them up, I need to pray, fast, obtain Biblical Literacy, confess and make things right...maybe make restitution.
Mountains and hills made low:
      What stands between other believers, God, and me?  This can be outright sin, addictive behavior, and pride!  So full of ME there is no room for anything else. Maybe it is the list of wrongs I may be keeping that grows that nasty tree of bitterness with roots that go down the China that keeps me from You: rehearsing, "I did not deserve to be treated that way!"  Or maybe it is self pity, or even worse, self righteousness!  "I would never do that, say that, feel that way, or be that way!"  Lord, blow that mountain all to pieces!
Crooked places straight/ rough places straight:
      This means uneven ground, little knolls I can trip on, etc.  It can be deceit, crooked ways of thinking (more like the world, less like Christ), hypocrisy- dishonesty with God and other Christians, as well as with myself.  Do I love my "stuff": sports, movies, celebrities, TV, media (again) more than I love and serve God?  What and who gets the most time? Obviously I can't live in a monastery and do nothing all day but pray and read the Word.  But in my non-work times...how do I spend it?
Rugged places plain:
      These are the distractions of life.  What are my priorities?  This reminded me of trying to pray in the car in quiet on the way to work...didn't happen!  I was already thinking about things I had to do at work and when I got home.  Business can be an awful distraction.  Even at His busiest during His ministry here on earth, Jesus took time away in quiet to commune with the Father.  In our day, we don't like quiet!  We have to have some kind of noise going on.  I found the only way I could concentrate on God in the car was to play quiet praise music!
      This reminded me of when someone calls me on the phone...they call ME, I do not call them.  While we are talking, they are looking at the computer, answering another call, talking with another friend, watching TV or something on the internet, ordering food at a drive through, or paying for something at the store and it seems as though they totally forget that I am on the phone at their request.
      That is how You must feel, Lord.  I come to you in prayer and all of a sudden my mind is everywhere but with You.  Lord, forgive me and help me!  Help me to re-arrange my priorities!

And what happens when these things are accomplished and my Highway of Holiness is finished?

Verse 5 "Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The LORD has spoken!" 
      Precious Lord and Savior of my wretched soul!  I talk about how I want to see Your glory revealed in this rotten, depraved, sinful world I live in...but am I building the Highway of Holiness?  Is mine a voice, "crying out in the wilderness", or am I just a complainer wanting my life to be more comfortable and better for my own comfort and well-being?
Oh, Lord, may it never be!  Make me aware of my sins that I may confess and repent!  Remind me O Lord, that You deserve more than that!

God Saves Gentiles Too!

Romans 1:6 "And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ."

Most gracious and merciful Lord,
I praise You today for who You are.  No other god would stoop down to his creation to save them out of their miserable state of lostness and death, sacrifice himself to pay for their sins, and allow them to live with them in his abode forever because he loved them that much.   You came to serve Your creation, not to be served with unwilling slaves to gain Your favor!
You chose the Jews first, BUT then You adopted us Gentiles too and allowed us to become part of Your Family!  I am just really starting to understand how wonderful my salvation really is.  I could have been left out; lost forever without hope of redemption because I was not born into the right lineage!  Oh, Lord-THANK YOU!  How can I ever praise You enough for that?  It will take all of eternity!

Good News- He is Jesus Christ our Lord

Romans 1:2-4
"God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures.  The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David's family line, and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit.  He is Jesus Christ our Lord."

Lord,God of all creation, eternal One.
      Lord, I deal with people all the time, and have been one myself, that say when confronted with a law they have broken, a deadline they have missed, or something about the instructions on how to operate or care for their appliances or machinery: "No one told me",  "How was I supposed to know that?", or"You're kidding, right?  You couldn't have given me that information.  I never saw it!".

      Well, Lord, no one can say that about the fact that You ARE the Good News.  You told the world back in the Garden, You saved Noah, gave the covenant with Abraham and David, You were proclaimed by angels at your birth,and by the Father Himself twice wile You ministered on earth, as well as called Messiah by John the Baptist, and then showed it when You were risen from the dead!  The Word says that ALL creation speaks of You so there is none that have an excuse.

      And yet, there are those, like I was, that heard it, even memorized scripture that said it, but in blindness and deafness ignored the meaning of it.  I then had the gall to ask why my ministers in my church never "told me"  I had to make a decision one way or the other as to whether I would actually believe and act on what I had been taught!

      Lord, precious Savior!  You ARE indeed the Good News!  Help me to help others understand that too!

Me- a Slave?

Romans 1:1 "This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News-" NLT

      Yes, Lord, it is time You and I went through this book Paul wrote as the times demand it. Lord, I am, as a Christ Follower, a slave of Yours too, and am also set apart and sent out to share the Gospel.  That is my primary job.  However; unlike a slave in reality; I can choose each day to serve You and others and to share the Gospel, or serve myself.  There are two different types of slaves: those who are bought and sold and have no "rights", and those who choose to place themselves under bondage to another to serve and to be provided for by the Master.  The funny thing about me is that I am both.
      You bought me "Redeemed" me out of the slave market of sin.  Therefore I have no rights because You own me.  You did not use the mammon of this world to purchase my soul...You gave Your own life's blood!
However; because our Your great love and grace, You gave me the choice to become a bond slave or not.
I am So very glad that You are my Master.  You are loving, kind, provide more than my needs daily, listen to me, answer my prayers, and treat me as a precious child not simply a slave.  In fact, You have adopted me into Your family .

      It's kind of funny as to how You dovetail things together.  I had not thought of the book of Romans until this morning when You impressed it upon me.  I just read our pastor's email to us.  Yes. it was about slavery.
      "I was reading the other day about the difference in how African-American pastors and white pastors pray.  It said that because of slavery when an African-American pastor prays his first words are usually about gratitude to be alive, for God waking him up that day.  The writer went on to point out that those words or thoughts are not the first thing you'll hear white pastors praying. 

     As I thought about that discovery I had to ask myself, what is the first thing I voice in prayer each day.  Am I grateful to be alive or is the first thing on my heart a need that I want met or a request for God to act? 

     Fact is when we wake up each day it is a new day God has given to us to live and to honor Him.  You see slaves never knew what tomorrow held so they lived in the present.  My friend when you approach the Father why not thank Him for today and decide that no matter what your circumstances you will live for Him and enjoy the day that He has given you.  Remember, "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it", (even if we are not sure of tomorrow)."

Heavenly Father, help me to live out my life of bond slavery to You so as to glorify You in all things.