Month: April 2020

Last Sunday was Easter, but it was different because we were not free to worship in our church buildings as we normally would. I went to drive-in church.  That experience reminded me of the movie, “Cars” and made me wish the bumper of my Encore could smile and my mirrors could wave in the excitement of being (somewhat) in the presence of other Christians. I was blessed to see the smiles of others parked closest to me as we listened over our radios to the songs of praise, joining in with the recorded music.

Our preacher proclaimed the gospel from the rooftop-literally! (see Matthew 10:27) He used I Corinthians 15:1-6 to show the four parts of the gospel: The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus followed by many witnesses of the resurrected Jesus. Referring to Romans 5 and 6 he went on to explain how we participate in the gospel and are saved.

A believer is baptized, dying to sin, buried in water, and raised up to walk a new life in Christ as a witness for what Christ has done. That’s  Easter! Christ died to pay the penalty for our sin, but three days later He rose from death to live forever. We can receive the gift of eternal life by participating in His death, burial, and resurrection. What a gift! Spread the word!

So, Monday, after the blessings of Sunday, I woke up to no power.  I am thankful for a generator that started so I could have my coffee and a hot breakfast. A generator is a blessing, too. And my brother was a blessing when he filled the fuel tank for running it.

I’m trying to look for blessings during these days at home and to remember to praise God for them. At the same time I’m praying for those in authority to begin opening our country for business again. It’s time!

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe” Proverbs 29:25

I found a helpful study of Psalm 119 by Warren Wiersbe  (biblegateway.com). I decided to make a list of verbs that appear in the psalm: those that apply to the psalmist and me and those that apply to God.  And I’m writing another list of names used for God’s Word.

Names for God’s Word (in verses 1-40) are: word, laws, commands, statutes, decrees, precepts, and Your ways. (According to the NIV. KJV also includes: testimonies, judgments, and promises.)

Today I read verses 33-40 and noticed how the psalmist asked God to do something to help him live his life in obedience to God’s word. He asks God, “Teach me . . . give me understanding and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.” How often do I request God to teach me and give me understanding?  I admit I don’t do that often enough. That should be my prayer every time I sit down to read the Word. My obedience depends on how well I understand what I read.

The psalmist had another request of God in verses 36-38.

“Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared.”

Warren Wiersbe says, “To have one eye in the world and the other on the Word is to be double-minded, and God does not bless double-minded people.” (James 1:5-8)  A good reminder for all of us.

The psalmist depends on God’s promises and recognizes God’s awesome power and authority. He lives in a wholesome fear of the Lord. Again, I like Warren Wiersbe’s quote. “The fear of the Lord is the fear that conquers every fear. The fear of man is the fear that leads to bondage and defeat.”

I trust this virus-filled news environment does not have you living in fear. Trusting in God, not fearing the news, will benefit us as we live through these next days. God sees what’s happening and He’s still in control. Let’s keep our eyes on Him and His Word.

Dear God, I ask You to take away this virus. Help those who are sick to recover. Help all of us to trust You and keep us safe through this ordeal. In the Name of Jesus, Amen

Happy Easter! Christ is risen! Let us worship the One who will one day raise His children to live forever with Him!

I finished reading Psalm 119 this morning, but it was such a blessing to me I’m thinking about reading through it again before moving to Psalm 120.

As you may know Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem with the verses of each stanza beginning with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet. I  wish I could read the Hebrew language. I’m sure there are ideas missed by the English translation. It’s an amazing Psalm even in English. The verses are about God’s Word and how the writer responds to that Word. 

Here are a few nuggets:

          “Blessed are those who keep His statutes.”

          “I will praise You . . . as I learn Your righteous laws.”

“I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against            you.”

“I rejoice . . . I meditate . . .  I delight in your decrees.”

“I long for Your precepts . . . I will walk about in freedom.”

“I remember Your ancient laws . . .  and I find comfort in them.”

“At midnight I rise to give You thanks for Your righteous laws.”

“Oh, how I love Your law! I meditate on it all day long.”

“I have put my hope in Your word.”

“Great peace have they who love Your law.”

“Let me live that I may praise You, and may Your laws sustain me.”

Maybe you have more time during these days to spend in God’s Word. It’s where I’m finding comfort and peace and strength to keep going, even when I don’t feel like it.

“I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight. Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me. I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands” (Psalm 119:174-176).