Promises of God

43 Thus the Lord gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers. And they took possession of it, and they settled there. 44 And the Lord gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the Lord had given all their enemies into their hands. 45 Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.

Joshua 20:43-45 esv
 
As you have found out by now, I like to number/bullet my thoughts.  so here goes with this passage I read during my daily Bible time.
  • Three times in the verses it is said God kept His promises.
  • God is faithful to His word even though His people fail.
  • When God claims He is sovereign over enemies He means it.
  • Sometimes God's promises take a while to fulfill.
  • God's promises are good.
  • No promise God makes will not succeed in coming true.
 
Jesus, let me relax in the promises that you made to me.  Let me not waver but stand firm and believe that whatever you said will indeed come to pass.  Your Word is true, help my unbelief. 
 
 

Words are such a hurtful weapon at times

Over the past couple of days, I have engaged in a email conversation with an old friend from high school.  The mail was quite harmless.  She was asking to have another person added to a mail list of which I am the moderator. 
 
We have had a relationship over the years filled with bantering back and forth.  and this is how the mail went until yesterday when I replied.  I believed that I was continuing in the bantering but my friend did not read it that way.  In her reply she was rather upset at my words.  I then replied that I did not mean anything negative and asked for her forgiveness.  Her mail back said she was very close to writing some very mean words last night but did not.
 
I was once again reminded just how powerful words are and how quickly they can turn ugly.  Some lessons I learned from this experience, and am sure will violate sooner or later are:
  1. Any words can be interpreted as hurting even if they weren't intended to be.  Lord, may I think before I speak.
  2. Written words don't carry tone, inflection, facial expression, body language and the such.  They are much more likely to be seen as hurtful when they aren't written that way. 
  3. be quick to ask for forgiveness, and not the "If I offended you" kind.  Make your forgiveness not dependent upon anything.  Humility should rule the day.
  4. Words should always be seasoned with grace and loving-kindness.  Perhaps there isn't even a place for friendly jesting even amongst the closest friends. 
  5. The book of Proverbs has much to say about words and communication, read it frequently.
 
Even though I wish this episode hadn't occurred, I am grateful that it reminded me about the power of words. 
 
Lord Jesus, guard my tongue and pen as I speak and write.  May my words uplift people and not bring them down.  May I exalt you in my speech. 
 

From Others

Albert Mohler writes concerning the Death of Antony Flew a well known atheist of his time.  Of most interest is Mohler's first conclusion.  He states that we need to answer the questions of youth honestly.  To do that may I recommend Josh Harris's book "Doug down Deep".  You can read Mohler's post
 
From Scotty Smith's prayer today
"     Father, may the gospel continue to free me from “cheap-gracewhich ignores your law, and from grace-less legalism which ignores your Son. I want to continue growing in the obedience of faith and love… until the Day when Jesus, who has perfectly fulfilled the law for me, perfectly fulfills the law in me. So very Amen, I pray, in His holy and loving name."
 
 

From Scotty Smith prayer for today

     The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers… Deuteronomy 7:7-8

     Most holy and gracious Father, like every day, this day begins with the bodacious promise of your steadfast love and new mercies for me. Yet I am still foolish enough, at times, to look for some generating basis… some causal motivation… some rooted explanation in me for why you love me as much as you love any and all of your people. Here my cry for mercy…

     Where do these moments of temporary insanity come from? Why in the world do I have days when I think there’s something I can do to prompt you to love me and stimulate you to even greater affection?

     Isn’t it because I want to manipulate and control you? Isn’t it because I want less mystery and more predictability in my walk with you? Isn’t it because I’d rather spend the Monopoly money of self-salvation than declare my real bankruptcy? Isn’t it because I’d rather work my way out of guilt than be shut up to sheer grace? Isn’t it because I want to make you responsible for my bad days and hard circumstances? Isn’t it because I want to justify my critical attitude towards other less-disciplined more-irresponsible people? Oh, how much I need the gospel, today and every day…

     Indeed, Father, all day long, I will rehearse this good, humbling and liberating news. You have set… settled… secured your affection on me NOT because of anything in me… not because of anything I have done, do or ceased doing. You have chosen me not because I am choice, but simply because you have chosen to redeem and restore me for your glory. It’s only because of your covenantal faithfulness—promises you have made that you alone can keep, that I have the absolute assurance that I am loved with your everlasting unwavering love.

     The only mirror I want to consistently stand in front of is the mirror of your Word, where I behold Jesus, the author and perfecter of my salvation. For Jesus is your “Yes!” to every promise you have made on my behalf. So very Amen, I pray, in His matchless and merciful name.

 
In the Journey,
 
Ron
 

From Others

Tim Challies has a first look at a book written about listening to preaching.  It will now be on my to read list. 
 
In the Journey,
 
Ron
 

Esther -- Where is God in the everyday

I just finished reading Swindoll's book on Esther.  Esther has always been one of my favorite books of the bible. 
 
I was reminded that:
  1. Do you need to know that God is working even though He is silent?  Read Esther!
  2. Do you need to be reminded that God wins?  Read Esther!
  3. Do you need to be encouraged that God uses ordinary people to achieve great things?  Read Esther!
  4. Do you need courage to do something for God in a difficult situation?  Read Esther!
  5. Do you need reminding that you should celebrate God's victories in your life?  read Esther!
  6. Do you need to know that God is faithful to His children and promises?  Read Esther!
  7. Do you need to remember that good will triumph over evil?  Read Esther!
 

The Death of Moses

5 So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of

Moab, according to the word of the Lord, 6 and he buried him in

the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth-peor; but no one

knows the place of his burial to this day. 7 Moses was 120

years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor

unabated. 8 And the people of Israel wept for Moses in the

plains of Moab thirty days. Then the days of weeping and

mourning for Moses were ended.

Deut 34:5-8 ESV
 
As I read this passage today several truths came to mind.
  1. God is faithful to His word.  He told Moses much earlier that because of his sin he would not enter into the promise land.  That is what indeed happened. 
  2. Even though we sin, God extends His grace and mercy toward us.  Moses, although he could not enter the promised land, did get a tour of it  from God.
  3. When our work is done on the earth god brings us to Himself.  Moses could have lived several more years and been fruitful but that is not God's plan and purpose for his life. 
  4.   The work of God will march on when we leave this earthly temple.  Joshua was ready and took the reigns of leadership from Moses. 
  5. Grieving for those who die is a natural human emotion.  And yet, after grieving for a period we must go forward with the work God  has for each of us.
 

Prayer of Compassion

In his daily prayer for this morning Scotty Smith prays for those who are suffering physically and spiritually. 
 
As I read his prayer, I am reminded of my brother-in-law, Gary, who has suffered with back pain for so many years.  He is looking at still another surgery this week. 
 
So I pray,
jesus, show your compassion on Gary.  He has been your servant for these many years while suffering pain that I can't even imagine.  May your  mercy, compassion, and grace rain down on his life this very day.  Lord, take the pain away! 
I pray this in the name of the one who suffered, bled and died for our sins and restoration back to you Mighty and sovereign God.
amen
 

Romans 1:8-15

In this passage we learn several truths about Paul and his ministry.

  1. Paul gives thanks because of the church at Rome.  He has the habit of thanking God for the church no matter what state it is in.
  2. Paul prays for others.  In this letter like almost every other one, Paul begins with prayer for his readers.  In this case, he prays for them even though he has never met them. 
  3. Paul's eagerness to preach Christ everywhere he can is demonstrated here.  He wants the gospel to be spread to the world. 
  4. Paul also wants to be a part of the Romans life and growth in Christ.  He also desires to fellowship with them and receive from them. 
  5. Paul understands that he has been given a work to do among the Gentiles.  Because of the work of Christ in Paul’s life he is obligated to be a servant of the risen Lord.

 

 

Application

  1. Am I thankful for those who have influence in my life?  Do I praise God for them?  Today, I thank God for my family, parents, brother and sisters, nieces and nephews, Wife, daughter and son.  
  2. How often do I pray for the church world wide, for those suffering oppression?  Not enough!  Lord Jesus, strengthen my brothers and sisters who are standing faithful to you even when life is at risk.
  3. We sponsor two African children through compassion.  I don’t pray for them nearly as I should.  I support them financially but that should just be the starting point.  
 

Two Books Worth your Consideration

In the last couple of days I finished a number of books two of which I want to recommend.
 
What is the Gospel
By Greg Gilbert
this rather small and easy to read book, about 122 pages, clearly and concisely defines the Gospel. 
He asks four questions him the first chapter and then spends the rest of the book answering them.
1. Who made us, and to whom are we accountable?

2. What is our problem? In other words, are we in trouble and why?

3. What is God's solution to that problem? How has he acted to save us from it?

4. How do I—myself, right here, right now—how do I come to be included in that salvation? What makes this good news for me and not just for someone else?

 

As many different opinions about the scope of the gospel are prevalent in the realm of the church today, this book sets forth the Biblical Gospel. 

 

Scandalous

by D. A. Carson

this small book consists of five lectures that Dr. Carson gave at Mars Hill church in Seattle.  each chapter is an exposition of a passage of Scripture.  here are the chapters:

1 The Ironies of the Cross: Matthew 27:27-51 a

2 The Center of the Whole Bible: Romans 3:21-26

3 The Strange Triumph of a Slaughtered Lamb: Revelation 12 75

4 A Miracle Full of Surprises: John 11:1-53

5 Doubting the Resurrection of Jesus: John 20:24-31

 

 

From Others

Here is the 2nd post from Tim Challies on how to read a book
 
 
In the Jour

Trust

 
I am currently backing up an external drive to another so I can reformat it and then copy the data back.  Backups are always good, that is what the experts say.  In fact, I am going to make two backups just in case.  don't want the only backup not to be good.  Besides, this is important data, pictures!
 
In my work, it would almost be a firable offense if I lost data and did not have a backup.  We do both onsite and offsite backups.  Can't have enough of those backups. 
 
Yesterday, I listened to a sermon preached by Josh Harris at Southern Baptist Seminary.  He spoke on Proverbs 3:5-6.  The main point was trust.
 
 
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
   and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
   and he will make straight your paths.
ESV
 
If we have a backup plan with God, we truly aren't trusting Him with all our heart.  There are times when I truly don't like the word "all" in Scripture.  All my heart?  I guess 3/4 is not enough.  God I trust you but if it doesn't work out then  I have this backup plan ready to go.  That isn't trust at all but being double-minded as James says. 
 
the second part of verse 5 drives home this truth.  Lean not on your own understanding:  translation "no backup plan".  Is my god big enough that I don't need a second alternative?  How often do I try and figure out the best solution for the issue and totally forget about God and His solution.  
 
Looking at verse six there it is again "all".  In whatever I do I must have a mindset that God is over all and is sovereign in all things.  I need to acknowledge His rule of the universe even down to my every life decision. 
 
Then comes the last part of verse six.  Our paths will be made straight.  He will take the crooked and make it straight.  When we "trust" and "acknowledge" with "all" then our path is made straight.
 
Lord Jesus, may I trust in you today with all my heart.  May I acknowledge that you are the sovereign ruler of my life and that whatever you have for me is for my best.  May I put aside my own understanding and plans  relying on You.