I wish you blessings on this lovely Father’s Day.  I hope you have had a joyous and restful day with your father, or the father of your children, or spent some time today reflecting on your blessings from our Holy Father God.  I thank God that I was greatly blessed with a godly father, and although he has been with our Lord for more than 20 years I oft-times miss him as if it were yesterday.  Not all of us had good earthly fathers, but regardless of your past, if you have been born again, you now have God as your “Father”.   John 1:12-13 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”   God in his grace and mercy sent Jesus to redeem us and make us his own children—and as it says here we are “born” spiritually, not of blood (our heritage), nor of the will of the flesh (our determination), nor the will of man (the bestowment of others, any other).

As we looked last week at friendship, I’d like us to go a little deeper and look at “Family”, not just family in general but the “Christian Family”.  Let us consider what God’s word has to say about families, particularly “Christian Families”.

First of all let’s answer the question “What is a Christian family?”  I’d like to answer this question first with what it is NOT!!  A “Christian Family” is not simply a ‘Christian’ who marries and starts a family.  It is also not two ‘Christians’ who unite in marriage and start a family.   Regardless of the “political correctness” it is not professing “Christians” or non-Christians, living together in states other than marriage—that includes adulterous relationships, polygamous, homosexual, or any and all other immoral unions that our world has tagged “family”.   Without getting deep into politics, we must take a stand on truth, and if we, God’s own genuine children, will not speak and live the truth, why on earth would we expect the world to live by God’s standard.

Now, if none of these things define a “Christian Family”, what does?  Of course God’s word does!!  There are so many scriptures to choose from but I think the best place to start is at the beginning.  Genesis 2:21-24 “And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”  Here we see that GOD established marriage!!  And in verse 18, “And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.”  God establishes this “godly” union for companionship and procreation.  Jesus expands on this by telling us in Matthew 19:5-6 “And (HE) said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”  Marriage is the joining of a man and a woman, and the establishment of a new branch of the family.  What an accurate term “family tree” is!  God established marriage to meet our needs for companionship, to meet our physical needs (and yes God created “sex” not Satan), and to bring the next generation into the world and prepare them for carrying on a godly heritage.  Psalm 127:3 says, “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”

So, what then, is a “Christian Family”?  It must be a Christian man, and a Christian woman committed first of all to God, then to each other, and extending on to the children and grandchildren.  Not just two ‘Christians” but two committed Christians devoted to God, His word and ways, and consistently, diligently passing this on to their children.  Not just taking them to church, but training them at home as we see in Deuteronomy 6:5-9,20, & 24-25 says “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates……. 20 And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord our God hath commanded you? 21 Then thou shalt say unto thy son,…….. 24 And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. 25 And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our God, as he hath commanded us”.  Here we see a “Christian Family”. What does this mean to you and me? Regardless of our age, we are commanded to –love God ourselves, have His love and word in our hearts, TEACH OUR CHILDREN —CONTINUALLY IN ALL THAT WE DO, EVERYWHERE WE GO, ALL THE TIME?   Quite a tall order isn’t it?  A Christian family has “parents” who follow God and love Him devotedly.  Parents who teach God’s word and His principles with honor and integrity before their children every day, in every way.    Living and expecting godly behavior in the family!!!

Are we willing to follow our God with this kind of devotion? To proclaim and then hold our loved ones to the sacred truth of God’s word?  Or do we accept moral turpitude (depravity and wickedness) from those closest to us without intervention for righteousness or warning of judgment?  I hear so many say “Well, if I say anything they’ll do…..this or that thing (you fill in the blank)”… that would cause us sadness or separation.  If you remember, Jesus’ family didn’t believe Him and wouldn’t follow Him until after His resurrection.  Well, friends what price do we put on acceptance?   Is acquiescence or consent to wickedness the price we are willing to pay to have cordial relations with those we love?  Or are we willing to call those dear to us to live righteously and follow God’s plan?  Are we willing to speak the truth to them and let them know what God says about any particular behavior. (and in order to do that we must know for ourselves what God has said—that’s called Bible study).  Now, I understand that we can’t make choices for others, nor am I talking about cramming things down someone’s throat, but we are compelled by God’s word, and His Spirit to let others know that God judges sin–to speak His word faithfully. In the matter of marriage the scripture is clear, Hebrews 13:4, “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”    The rules haven’t changed, regardless of what the world says!  Marriage is one man+one woman for all time!

Galatians 6:7-8 reminds us that ALL will give an account “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”  I can choose to be popular, accepting and  ‘open-minded’ to the ways of sin, or I can choose to honor God, speak the truth in love and call people to righteousness.  Especially those who claim the name of Jesus.  Especially those with whom I have an intimate relationship—my family!!!  Our Christian Family??!!!  What about you?

God bless you, grow you and speak to and through you this week.

Greetings to you on this lovely summer evening.  We’ve had a lovely Lord’s Day here In Virginia and heard a wonderful message on God’s love and the certainty of it.  We are so blessed to serve a God who loves and provides for us.  As Jesus tells us in John 15:15 “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.“, we see that we are called friends by our Lord.

I think of Abraham and his relationship with God as James 2:23 relates “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.“   John 15:17 “These things I command you, that ye love one another.”  When we believe God, and trust Jesus as our Lord and Savior, His Spirit takes up residence in our hearts.  Romans 5:1-5 reveals our new relationship with God, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”  Hence we see that the “love of God” is poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who comes to lead us into all truth (John 16:13).  As the Spirit bestows God’s love within us, we are enabled to be a “friend” to others.  I’d like us to look at friendship this week.  After spending the last few weeks with some dear and long-term friends, I have been thinking about the blessing and joy of having and being “friends”.

Proverbs 18:24 “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”  How do we make friends?  There are many answers but I’d like to focus on this Biblical answer.  To have friends we must be willing to be a friend.  I once heard Charles Stanley relate a comment, which I paraphrase; “we can never earnestly pray for that, for which we are unwilling to be used as the answer”.  I found that to be most profound.  We often make requests of God when we are unwilling to be part of the answer.  I think this can have a direct correlation to friendship!!!  To have a friend we must be willing to “BE” a friend.  When we are willing to be a friend we will find that God brings people into our lives who not only need a friend, but also can become a true and dear friend to us.  How many blessings do we miss because we aren’t paying attention to those around us?

What does a friend look like?  Exodus 33:11 “And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend…”  A friend is one to whom we can speak “face to face”, with confidence and trust.  Job 6:14 “To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend…”,  one who can empathize, sympathize and relate to our grief, sorrow or our times of confusion.  How often do people languish away for lack of a “friend”?  How many people spend tens of thousands of dollars on psychiatrists and psychologists, when a good friend could have met the need, and been an ear to hear.  Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”—One of my favorite “friend” verses tells us here that a “real” friend loves at all times—ALL TIMES!!  That treasured friend who knows all our bumps and warts, and still loves and encourages us.  The one who helps us get up and start over again!!!   Proverbs 27:6 “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”   Oh, how blessed we are when we have a friend (and if you have more than one you are abundantly blessed) who will speak the truth when we’d rather not hear it!!   One who cares enough to help us see ourselves as we really are, and as we ought to be.  Also Proverbs 27:9 “Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.”  A friend that leads and directs us to the word and heart of God rather than to the world=hearty counsel. As Mark 5:19 says, “Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.”  The greatest thing a friend can do is to share Christ.  Do our friends know that Jesus is the most important person in our lives?  Are we living in a way that reflects His love and Holiness to our friends—to all?  Am I calling those around me to a higher way or settling for what the world offers?

John 15:13 calls us to the highest,  “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”  Mostly we think of this verse in light of “dying” for ones friends, but I think there is a deeper, harder meaning here.  I believe that many times it is easier to “die” for something/someone, but much more difficult to “LIVE” for that thing/person.  What limits do I put on those who need me?  Now I am not saying that we shouldn’t have healthy boundaries, but are we willing to be available for those who need us, when they need us?

Oft times friendship, true friendship is costly in time, emotions and energy.  Am I willing to be there when others need me, or am I more concerned with convenience than the sacrifices of friendship?  It is sometimes very “inconvenient” to be there when our friends need us.  Let’s determine to be a friend to Jesus, first of all and then, by His grace and power (which His Spirit supplies), to be Jesus to the world.  As a contemporary song illustrates with the little blind girl, who asks if the one helping her is Jesus, let us commit ourselves to be “Jesus” to others.  Not only to those whom we easily love but to all those that God places in our path—especially those who may be difficult to love.  Keep your heart door open—God may have a new friend right around the corner.  And don’t forget to treasure those old and dear ones who have walked through the fire with us!!

May God bless you to not only be a godly friend, but to be abundantly blessed with a friend like Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”   May we be iron sharpening iron each to the other—godly, Biblically faithful, loving friends.

I pray that your week has been blessed and productive.  Summer seems to be upon us and we all are tossed about by the demands around us.  It is often difficult to stay focused on the things of God amidst the turmoil. As we looked last week at the sovereignty of God and found that HE IS IN CONTROL, let’s focus this week on Isaiah 1:11-20.  Although it is a lengthy passage I think we can benefit from this call of God to us to “…come now, and let us reason together”.  Used here, the word reason is referring to the ability to think through, to assess, ‘the power of the mind to think, understand, form judgments by a process of logic’ (as stated in the dictionary).

In order to reason together with God beneficially we must first recognize that HE IS GOD AND WE ARE NOT!!!  Or as the popular sign says–‘there is only one God, and YOU’re not Him’.  Otherwise we will end up justifying ourselves or others and not come to good and profitable conclusions.  We will be tempted to follow the reason of men which 2 Timothy 3:1-7 describes for us, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  Here Paul clearly tells us that men will become saturated with their own “reasoning” rather than the true “reasoning” of God.  As we look at the things in this list, it’s like reading the headlines of the paper or the evening news.  To me the key, is seen in verse 2, in a phrase that we often overlook.  “Men shall be…..”  Men will not only “think/reason” their own ways but BE (continually) rejecting the ways of GOD.  Paul calls this kind of “reasoning”, perilous!!  Yet we have in our day integrated most of these attributes and behaviors into our culture as acceptable and common place:  Self-love, envy, boasting, pride, blasphemy—pay any attention to the words that come out of you TV–, disobedient, ungrateful, unholy, no natural affection (parents neglecting their own children, and spouses abusing and abandoning one another, etc.), liars, false accusers, out of control, mean, hateful toward good people, traitors, arrogant, self-absorbed, hedonistic (loving pleasure as god), and most  egregious—having a FORM of godliness, but denying the power thereof (wanting to be called by God’s name and ways, but not accepting HIS WAY, through JESUS ALONE).  I could go on, but you get the picture.  What offences against God are we willing to tolerate just to be “entertained” or be “affluent”.

Now, let’s go on to the passage in Isaiah and see what God clearly says about “our ways”.  Isaiah 1:11-20  “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. 12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? 13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. 14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. 15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. 16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; 17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. 18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.”  If I may take the liberty of paraphrasing for the sake of time and space, God declares ‘OUR EFFORTS’ as purposeless in verse 1.  When we come to God any other way but HIS WAY it is not acceptable.  No matter the form, religious piety or diligence—only coming to God HIS WAY will deliver us.  Anything else offends and sickens God.  He demands our total submission and devotion to HIS WAY–the Cross.  And HE has made His way known clearly (read Romans 1) through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice.

Jeremiah 2:12-13 remind us “Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the Lord. 13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.”  And Isaiah 55:1-3 tells us that we must come to God for supply, “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. 3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.”   So what can we reason/conclude from these passages?  Although they are long, we see that our God has a way, HIS REASONING, and that if we will come to Him empty of ourselves and seek His grace and mercy through faith, HE WILL MEET US THERE!!   We won’t have to drink out of leaky, muddy cisterns, but have fresh fountains of the water of life–Jesus.   And we can get that water without money by “grace through faith” (Eph. 2:8-9).  As Titus 3:5 says, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;.”   We can be ‘washed’ and made clean through Jesus.  And according to Phil 2 we can have the mind of Christ and peace with God (Rom 5:1-5) by this ‘new covenant’ which the Holy Spirit works in us when we are saved, and He works it out through us as we yield to His working in us, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10.   So when we reason with God and accept HIS ways, we can be born again, and walk in His Spirit, with His power and grace.  We can be God’s living testimony to the world that Jesus loves all, and HE IS ALIVE!

It’s been a long week of anxiety, grief, fear, questioning, sorrow and yet at the same time, gratitude for the sovereign God we serve.  Our God is a good God—ALL the time.  We got the news of the horrific disaster in Moore on Monday from a neighbor and then I called my dear friend whose daughter lives in Moore, only to hear that she had lost her home and her 8 year-old daughter was missing at the Plaza Elementary School.   I can’t describe the deep and immediate grief that gripped my heart, especially being 800 miles away. The thought that she was in harm’s way was almost more than I could bear. After an agonizing evening, our precious little one was found safe and sound.  Oh, praise be to God, how blessed we have been.  At the same time, such a deep grief for those families who did not receive the same good news as we did.  Too many of her classmates will never return home.  Gal. 6:2 reminds us of our obligation, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”  Our prayers are with that grieving community.

How do we deal with this?  What is our answer to those around us who question the “GOODNES” of a God who would allow such things to happen?   Those are deep questions and ones that we cannot answer fully in this short format but let’s take a little time to at least share some of the scriptural basis for our confidence in the “goodness” of our God.  Daniel 2:20-23 is a prayer of thanksgiving that Daniel prayed (regarding God’s answer to his request)  “Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: 22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. 23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers……”.   Now some of you may be saying, ‘this is a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s deliverance but what about the tragedies like what has happened in Moore, OK’?  Where is God when things are darkest? When things don’t make sense to us?

Let’s look at the “epitome” of suffering in the scripture (other than Christ), Job. Job 1:8-12 “ And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect (spiritually mature) and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth(hates) evil? 9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.”  What do we learn about Job?  He was a 1) spiritually mature (perfect) man, 2) upright, 3) feared God and 4) hated (eschewed) evil.  We see that God had blessed, protected and provided for Job and his family so immeasurably that Satan himself had noticed!!!  Yet what did God “allow” Satan to do to Job?  Afflict him. Why?   Bad things happen to good people in a fallen world (see Genesis 3). God has a purpose even when I don’t know it!

Well, without presuming on God’s reasoning, we could see if we had the time to share the whole book, that God reveals HIS SOVEREIGNTY—HE IS IN CHARGE.  A few of the verses that I find helpful and revealing about God and His character include: Job 1:21-22 “And (Job) said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”  This was Job’s response to the first set of tragedies.  When put through more (after Satan requests permission from God to afflict his body) he responds thus: ”Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. 10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil(adversity)? In all this did not Job sin with his lips”.  How often do we respond as Job’s wife did, rather than as Job did? I also love Job’s confidence in God–: Job 13:15 “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.”   How did Job have such confidence in God? He KNEW HIS GOD!!!!  He knew that what God has promised, God will do!  We see this in Job 19:25 “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:” Job knew HIS God and that He was coming for His own at a time in the future.  His confidence was in the God who keeps His word, and that’s where our confidence must rest.   But I must know His word to have confidence in it!!!

In John 14:1-6 we see that Jesus comforted His disciples with similar words about the future hope, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”  In one of the most important scriptures of the New Testament, Jesus clearly reveals that HE IS THE ONLY WAY TO GOD!!!!  Jesus unashamedly proclaimed to be the ONLY WAY—I didn’t say it God did!!  And yes, Jesus is God (remember John 1:1-3).  Our confidence is in the creator of the universe, who came, lived a sinless life, and then died on the cross for my sin!!!  Not His own! (See Heb 4:15 & 2 Cor 5:21)

So what about the suffering?  John 16:33  “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”  And Romans 8:18-22 “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. … 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.”  We live in a fallen world that won’t be fixed until Jesus returns. In the meantime we must know our God and learn to trust and rest in HIM! (Ps 37:3-8 & Prov 3:5-6) May your week be filled with HIS glory and grace no matter the difficulty?

Blessings on this glorious day!!  I hope that you had a wonderful time in the Lord’s house today.  We were blessed to be with our dear friends at my son Jimmy’s church in MS this morning.  Then this evening we had a most lovely time at the Baccalaureate service for our granddaughter, Alison.  It was most refreshing to see young people wiling to stand up and publicly proclaim the name of Jesus, in their songs, prayers and comments.  How refreshing in this time we live in.

We’ve been on the road traveling this week and have seen God’s provision on every hand.   On the way to MS, we got to spend time with our former pastor and his wife, who are now ministering in Gainsville, TX.  The fellowship was sweet, and God used that ‘time’ delay, so to speak, to keep us out of harms way!  We wound up being about 20 minutes behind the big storm front that left hail all over I-49 south of Shreveport for about 10-15 miles.  The ground was covered with white and at first I thought it was cotton, and then realized it was “hail”.  God’s hand was upon us.  I couldn’t help but think of Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”   And I fret?

How good is our God.  Psalm 1 says, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”  Do we want to walk in God’s ways or reap the consequences of the “Ungodly”?   We all want to be blessed –but there is a price for being blessed by God!  Look at the progression of the Psalm.

Blessed is the man—that “WALKS” not in the counsel of the “UNgodly”. To walk among is to spend time with, and/or be influenced by those we may encounter on our journey.   Secondly, the Psalmist continues the blessing on the one who “STANDS” not in the way of sinners.  Standing in contrast to walking reveals not only being in the company of “others” but also lingering in their presence with more influence.  To go beyond merely being in the passing presence of ‘them’, and desiring to “stay” with them and thus to be influenced even more than walking by them.  Thirdly, as we see the flow, we “blessed”, are advised not to “sit” among them!!!  Now one has gone beyond just walking, and standing to “sitting” among the “UNgodly”.  As Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 15:33 “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” or as another translation puts it “bad company corrupts good morals.”  We can choose our companions but we must be aware of the often-unrealized consequences of poor choices in ‘friends’.  Choose wisely!!!

The consequence to the righteous is unimaginably marvelous—to be like a tree planted by the rivers of water– bringing forth fruit in season, and having leaves that wither not and bring healing to others.  Oh, to be God’s tree , nurturing and bringing life to others.

As we have talked before, God has said, “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”  1 Peter 1:16,  and we know that the only way that we can be “holy” is to have God’s holiness applied to us!.  1 Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”  And Romans 5:1-6 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”  We are made right with God, not by our own righteousness, but by the blood of Jesus, which when applied to us, makes us able to have and exhibit the “holiness” of God.  Paul also refers to this in Philippians 3:7-10 “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”  God’s righteousness applied to us at the expense of Jesus!!!  What next?  Once again the word provides the answer!!

Proverbs 3:5-6 calls us to  “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”   Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”  God’s name is our safety!!!  I can trust Him!! I can follow Him with complete confidence!!!   And as we close, let’s remember Hebrews 13:5-6 “ Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”  Psalm 17:5 “Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.”   And Psalm 119:105 tells us how we can keep our way aright, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”  It is God’s word that keeps us going the right way!!  And that’s why we spend this time together each week, to keep our “eyes on Jesus”—and on His Word.  That we might be challenged to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.  I hope that this will bless your week and that you will see God at work around you each day as He keeps you safe in the storms of nature and of life.   We’ll meet back here next week—same time, same place (online, that is!!) till HE returns.