Law in the Heart

The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. (Psalm 37:31)

Put the law into the heart, and the whole man is right. This is where the law should be; for then it lies, like the tables of stone in the ark, in the place appointed for it. In the head it puzzles, on the back it burdens, in the heart it upholds.

What a choice word is here used, "the law of his God"! When we know the Lord as our own God His law becomes liberty to us. God with us in covenant makes us eager to obey His will and walk in His commands. Is the precept my Father's precept? Then I delight in it.

We are here guaranteed that obedient-hearted man shall be sustained in every step that he takes. He will do that which is right, and he shall therefore do that which is wise. Holy action is always the most prudent, though it may not at the time seem to be so, We are moving along the great highroad of God's providence and grace when we keep to the way of His law. The Word of God has never misled a single soul yet; its plain directions to walk humbly, justly, lovingly, and in the fear of the Lord are as much words of wisdom to make our way prosperous as rules of holiness to keep our garments clean. He walks surely who walks righteously.

-C.H. Spurgeon

Numbers 6:24 (Spurgeon's daily devotional)

He Blesses and Keeps

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. (Numbers 6:24)

This first clause of the high priest's benediction is substantially a promise. That blessing which our great High Priest pronounces upon us is sure to come, for He speaks the mind of God.

What a joy to abide under the divine blessing! This puts a gracious flavor into all things. If we are blessed, then all our possessions and enjoyments are blessed; yea, our losses and crosses and even our disappointments are blessed. God's blessing is deep, emphatic, effectual. A man's blessing may begin and end in words, but the blessing of the Lord makes rich and sanctifies. The best wish we can have for our dearest friend is not "may prosperity attend thee," but "the Lord bless thee."

It is equally a delightful thing to be kept of God; kept by Him, kept near Him, kept in Him. They are kept indeed whom God keeps; they are preserved from evil; they are reserved unto boundless happiness. God's keeping goes with His blessing, to establish it and cause it to endure.

The author of this little book desires that the rich blessing and sure keeping here pronounced may come upon every reader who may at this moment be looking at these lines. Please breathe the text to God as a prayer for His servants.

-C.H. Spurgeon

Psalm 115

To Your Name Give Glory

1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory,
for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

2 Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in the heavens;
he does all that he pleases.

4 Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
5 They have mouths, but do not speak;
eyes, but do not see.
6 They have ears, but do not hear;
noses, but do not smell.
7 They have hands, but do not feel;
feet, but do not walk;
and they do not make a sound in their throat.
8 Those who make them become like them;
so do all who trust in them.

9 O Israel,a trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.
11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.

12 The Lord has remembered us; he will bless us;
he will bless the house of Israel;
he will bless the house of Aaron;
13 he will bless those who fear the Lord,
both the small and the great.

14 May the Lord give you increase,
you and your children!
15 May you be blessed by the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!

16 The heavens are the Lord’s heavens,
but the earth he has given to the children of man.
17 The dead do not praise the Lord,
nor do any who go down into silence.
18 But we will bless the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore.
Praise the Lord!

Providence/Mission Alaska 2011

Here is a video attempting to capture the images from Alaska. Jesus is there, as you can see in the faces of the children. Thank you for your prayer and support for this trip....Grateful

Mercy and love needed

22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
24 "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."
- Lamentations 3:22-24

As I sit here on the plane flying back to Texas; My mind is spinning in circles. I am so torn on leaving Alaska. I miss my wife and kids so bad. I also feel so broken to be leaving all those wonderful children Jesus has allowed me to love this week. My heart hurts. I am also praying for one of my brothers in Christ, who lost his mom while we were in Alaska.

I can't process all that is going on in my heart, so I will immerse into this promise.

Jesus, I am so thankful that Your love and mercies are never ending. They are perfect in times of hurting and in times of joy. Lord, You are my portion. Now, I need Your grace and love to overwhelm me. Wow, Your hope is so comforting. I am so hopeful for Your time of revelation on all these things, I will wait for You.

Because of His grace,

Be Merciful to me.....Random thoughts this morning.

Your mercy is true. Your grace Is so deep I can't even speak of it out of fear of falling short of words. Your love for us is beyond my understanding. My heart is full of joy when I utter the name Jesus. Teach me wisdom so I can be more prepared to be a Light. I surrender to your call.

Jesus, I want to grow in fellowship with you. I want to know You more. It seems the more and more I learn about this walk with You, I learn about brokeness. Make me broken for Your hurting children. Let me feel every anguish of Your birthing creation. Jesus, I want your name to come off my lips with power. Spirit, draw me to the end of me. Can I truly become an instrument of Your Grace?


Out from the deep I call, to you oh Lord. Revive me, so that you may be made famous in my circumstance. I feel lacking as a shepherd, I know that the emptiness is not from You. I feel You have chosen me to be an instrument of Your Love.

from the garden to the cross your mercy never faded. You never once stopped loving Your creation. I can't comprehend that type of enduring love.

What do you mean in John 1:16 when you say "grace upon grace"? How can you pile on a double portion when I can't comprehend a single. Wow! You love me so.

Today I Surrender

Yesterday, I was reminded that I am nothing without the leading of the Spirit in my life.

Each mission team here this week has divided the city into sections, each section has a park in it that we work with the state to serve food daily. Our team (team Yellow) has a new park this year; it is located in the middle of a trailer park that has around 400 houses in it. As we pulled into the park yesterday, it was apparent that we were essentially pulling into the midst of a third-world country. The poverty level is very high, most of the kiddos that were at the park have little to no parental guidance, and they pretty much raise themselves. Alaska is a very diverse State; the public school system has around 93 different languages. These kids speak broken English, is any at all?

I tell you all of this so you can walk with me on the journey and the realty that the Lord revealed to me yesterday. I have been involved in the Lord’s work for many years now; I have served in many different areas in church ministry. So, I am guilty sometimes of using my experience and education to minister to people. Yesterday, the Lord crushed this bondage or self-reliance that I carry. I was reminded of one verse:

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. –Galatians 2:20

In order for the Spirit to work in midst, we must get out of the way, and surrender to His Plan. I must die to self daily.

So, not only is the Spirit at work today in the hearts of the people of this land, He is also molding me and teaching me how to walk in the Light. Praise Jesus!

Jesus, today I surrender to you, and Your Plan. Forgive me for getting in the way of your redemptive plan. I pray that Your name be made famous today.

Because of His Grace,

Will you Pray?

As I set here this morning, there are many things running through my mind. Do I have everything packed that I need for the trip? Did I forget something? How am I going to make it 7 days without seeing my precious wife and boys?

All of a sudden a peace fell over me, the Spirit reminded me that He has already written the story. I am simply playing a part in a redemptive story of Jesus saving His creation. So I will take refuge in His sovereignty.

Will you pray for us while we are away?

Here is how you can pray;

-Pray that we are obedient to His plan daily. We must remove our plans.

-Pray the Spirit is already wooing the hearts of people for the Good News.

-Pray that we grow in knowledge of Him by staying in His Word.

-Pray that salvation falls on the land. Jesus gather Your children.

Thank you for allowing the Lord to use you to make this trip possible. I pray that you are molded today by the truth of His Word.

"In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame." Psalm 71:1

Because of His Grace,

Fathers, Pray for Future Generations

Fathers, Pray for Future Generations


Charles Spurgeon writes:

May our own dear ones be among the better generation who shall continue in the Lord's ways, obedient to the end. And their seed shall be established before thee. God does not neglect the children of his servants. It is the rule that Abraham's Isaac should be the Lord's, that Isaac's Jacob should be beloved of the Most High, and that Jacob's Joseph should find favour in the sight of God. Grace is not hereditary, yet God loves to be served by the same family time out of mind, even as many great landowners feel a pleasure in having the same families as tenants upon their estates from generation to generation. Here is Zion's hope, her sons will build her up, her offspring will restore her former glories. We may, therefore, not only for our own sakes, but also out of love to the church of God, daily pray that our sons and daughters may be saved, and kept by divine grace even unto the end—established before the Lord.

Excerpted from The Treasury of David (Psalm 102:28).

The Word became Flesh

John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

• This entrance set in motion redemption.

Psalm 85:9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him that his glory may dwell in our land.

• This entrance changed His dwelling place. From Heaven to Earth.

John 6:51 “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

• This entrance changed His possessions. From riches to poverty.

Luke 9:58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

• This entrance changed in His glory. From glory to obscurity.

John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.

John 17:5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

• This entrance changed His position. From equality with God to servanthood.

Matthew 20:26-28 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

• This entrance changed His form. From “form of God” to the “likeness of men”
Philippians 2:6, 7 who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness
• God became incarnate in Christ in order that He might die for sinners, and save us from our sins.
• God became incarnate in order that we might share with men His own eternal life.
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

The Word

The Beginning John 1:1,2
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:31

The Gospel of John seems to be the simplest of all books in the Bible to understand. That is why we urge new Believers to begin their study of God’s word in this very Gospel. But at the same time, it is the most profound book in the Bible. Scholars have spent many years investigating its terms and their implications. The apostle John, the author, paints a comprehensive picture of the Lord Jesus Christ-majestic In His humanity yet simply presented in His deity. And so, this gospel communicates perhaps the most profound truths about Jesus Christ found anywhere in Scripture. John not only recalls as an eyewitness the events in Christ Life, he also interprets the meaning behind the miracles. When Jesus presents himself as God, the Jews react in a violent confrontation, leading to Jesus’ crucifixion. This gospel tells of the impact this controversy had on the disciples, and in a broader sense, the implications for us today. The ultimate purpose is that readers will believe the life and death of the Son of God and receive eternal life.

The message of the book is underlined by the use of two key words, believe used 98 times, and life used 36 times. It is summed up by the the verse we read earlier, John 20:31.

John 1:1,2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.

His Deity- Webster dictionary defines deity as the rank or essential nature of a god. Here John introduces Christ as the Word by emphasizing His Deity. John uses a similar parallel as we see in the first chapters of
Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth..

This beginning speaks not of the Jesus as the incarnate Christ, which lived as a man as we see later described in verse 14 which we will tackle another day. John is speaking of the first born BEFORE all creation.

Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

When we talk about the creation of the world, to us this is the beginning of all time, John is reaching back far before that, he is reaching into eternity. Creation is not mentioned here in this Gospel until verse 3, so the first two verse speak of earlier period.
When all things began, the Word already was…………………….wow!

The Word- The Word is Christ. The literal translation in the Greek is theos en ho logos. This is declaration simply put ‘the Word was God, declaring the deity of the Word. This is where the Jehovah Witness mistranslates in the New World Translation as “the word was a god” which fits very well with their denial of Christ’s deity.
John is making it clear here that this Word or all infinite wisdom is born of the second person is the Trinity, the firstborn over creation…….Jesus, the Son of God, the Messiah. This infinite Author of all wisdom, which we call the Word is both the life and light of all mankind, and today, by believing in Him, you may become a child of God. By trusting in Him, grace and truth is imparted to you. Do you know Him….?


Beginnings- vs 2 Christ is the author of beginnings, author of our Word. This was the confusing fact that the Jews had with him, they thought he was the incarnate of Abraham. But Christ makes them understand in

John 8:58 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"

And Christ is the Author of all of your beginnings, new beginnings. Do you realize that we are given new beginnings daily through new mercies
Lamentations 3:23,24 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,for his compassion's never fail. They are new every morning;great is your faithfulness, and what about your salvation?

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come

Here in the letter to the Corinthians, Paul says that when we surrender our lives to Christ we embody a new creation. Don’t miss this….He transforms us, we become new.
Do you know Christ? or if you do are you still walking in your old cloths? he has set you free from those rags you where, he has granted you new robe. A robe of Ambassador, heir and considered worthy by the King. Why do you still walk around in defeat, for Christ went to the cross to set you free, to walk in abundant grace. Have you surrendered to it………………today is the day. Because we will later discuss that this Word, it became flesh, and it was Jesus. Do you know why the Word (author of infinite wisdom) became flesh? Because our sin had created a gulf between you and God…..and the only way to build a bridge between that gulf their had to be a attainment, Christ was the perfect attainment. So my wrath and your wrath was poured on The Word that day at Golgotha so you could have a new beginning. Have you surrendered your life to the Author of Life, do you believe in Christ. Do you have life???????

Abundantly Available

“God is our refuge and strength and ever present help in of trouble” – Psalm 46:1

I am currently reading through a prayer book, it is an alphabetized list of hidden names of the Triune God through out the Bible.

Today’s name is Abundantly Available. As I prayed this morning, I began to think about the “Bigness” of this name. Our creator has established a direct line between His children and He, that line is prayer. He is available to us in every season of our lives, both in times of joy and suffering.

This attribute is not one we can we relate with. We live such busy lives; we have devices that set our schedules for us. Sometimes we fill our day with so much stuff that there is no time for things that really matter.

The Lord is not bound by the limits that we face. The scripture tells us that He is not bound by time or space. He desires to be our safe place, our home. He desires to hear your heart; He wants to hear your hopes and dreams.

When is the last time that you spent time with the One who knows you best, the One who knows your every thought? Do you ever feel alone is your circumstance? God is the Author of that very circumstance. Do you ever feel at a crossroad of life? God has already ordained it.

The victory that was won at the Cross when Christ died established a new dwelling place for the Spirit. Did you know that you are that dwelling place?

Cry out today to the One who loves you, in spite of you. He is Abundantly Available to you ANYTIME.

Blessings,

Prayer

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”
Colossians 4:2

During a recent Elder’s meeting we discussed at length the tragic reality that prayer is not a foundation of our homes and marriages. This burden the Holy Spirit laid on our hearts brought us to the understanding that people don’t pray because they don’t know how. As I sit here at the High School and talk to the students, the majority of them come from broken homes.

Do you think these fractured homes are because of an absence of Christ at the center?

How many marriages would still be a strong union if prayer and daily surrender to Christ was at the center of homes?

When is the last time you prayed with your spouse? When is the last time you prayed with your children? Is your marriage is trouble?

The Word teaches us that we have a direct connection to the throne of God. That connection is through prayer. Pride is the reason that we pray for some things and not others.

I challenge you to test this. Pray with your spouse, pray with your kids. Allow them to see you pray, surrender your worries and sin to the only one that can deal with them.

Blessings,

Claiming God's Promises for 2011

On New Years day I had the opportunity to teach at our Saturday Night Family Bible Study. As everyone had their resolutions fresh at hand, I challenged the group to seek a new level of fellowship with Christ this new year. Listed below is a copy of the notes that guided us through a few of the promises God has in store for us daily and the year to come.

Claiming God’s Promises for 2011


God promises new troubles, new mercies and new hope every day this year.
–John Piper


New Troubles- We are promised that we will struggle, hurt and suffer. It is the result of a fallen world around us.

• “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34



New Mercies - Troubles will pass, put his Mercy and Grace are perfect.
• The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:22-24

• LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. Psalm 16:5


New Hope – He is the source of our hope of things of the present and of things to come.

• So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 2 Cor. 4:16

• But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

• “And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.”
John 17:19


All things NEW……………………….And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5

I pray that this year as you chase your goals and dreams, that your number one pursuit is Him, and making Him famous to all nations.

Because of His Grace