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.

I pray that you’ve had a marvelous and blessed week.  I also hope that the past few weeks looking at “Spiritual Gifts” have been of benefit to you.  I surely enjoyed revisiting the subject.

As I was thinking about what to write this week I felt led to take our hearts and minds to the fleeting nature of life.  I saw on the news this morning that several women were burned up in a limousine as they were out for a night on the town.  Now, not that there’s anything wrong with limousines and “girl” time with one’s friends, but here we have 5 young women -30 something women-who left home with every intention of returning after a night out with their friends, several got out of the car, but 5 will never return home.

God tells us in Ps 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”   And if we back up to verse 10 we see more about our days Ps 90:10 “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” We see that our days are very brief.  The older I get and the grayer my hair turns I am more and more impressed with the brevity of our days and the fleeting nature of life.  I can’t help but think of this as I reflect on the years of child-rearing and how quickly they have passed and now we have a grandson approaching 30, and grandchildren in college and high school, it seems like only yesterday that they were all babies and small children and now they are mostly adults!  Oh, where does the time go?  Psalm 103:15 reminds us that our days are like the grass “As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.”  And James 1:11 says almost the same thing “For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.”   Our lives are fragile and life flies by as quickly as the grass fades in Oklahoma.

What about the approaching summer?  Do we treasure each day? Do we live each day, as we should?  It’s so easy to just take “summer” as a time to have no focus or direction, but to  “roll with the flow”.  But as God’s children we are compelled to live for Jesus every day.  Matt. 6:24-34 “ No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”  Our commitment? To be devoted to God—to seek FIRST God’s kingdom!!!

The difficult thing is to stay focused on God’s kingdom, to seek, and keep on seeking His will, His word, His ways—in other words HIS KINGDOM!!   Matt. 7:7 “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:”  We are not only to seek, but to keep on seeking, keep on knocking and keep on asking God until we find, have the doors opened unto us, and hear God’s answers. Luke 18:3-8 shows us another side of persistence, “And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”  Here Jesus reminds us that even the “un”righteous judge answered the persistent widow, how much more will our loving Father hear and answer us as we persistently seek HIS face?

What does this have to do with “numbering” our days?  Well, I think, a lot!! If we realize the sufficiency of our God to save, keep and supply our needs, then we can appropriately estimate and value each day as a gift from God.  To see each day as an opportunity to worship and serve our God with all of our being.  As Oswald Chambers so aptly put it, “Our utmost, for HIS highest”!!  What less could we justify giving to our Lord and our God?   I have no promise of tomorrow –only today—of NOW!  Am I willing to live today for God, to know that I have so much to be thankful for and give each day and hour to my Lord and my God?  If I knew I only had today would that make me look at each opportunity differently?  I think that should be our mindset moment by moment.  To trust in God to direct our steps, as James 4:13-15 declares “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that..”  Let’s commit ourselves anew and afresh to seek God’s face moment by moment for our daily living. Acts 17:28 “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; …..”   How?  By feeding on HIS WORD, by spending time in prayer–talking and listening.  Have a blessed week and count each day precious—keeping our “eyes on Jesus”.