Author: Travis Manhart

Psalm 1:4&5  ” The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgement, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.”

In Part 1 I made a statement ” we are all ungodly, therefore we are sinners.” Some might take offense to this statement. I would reply by saying, your concept of God’s holiness is not correct. Scripturally God’s holiness is likened to an all consuming fire and His holiness is so great that no natural eye can look upon Him without perishing. Personally I liken God’s holiness to the center of a bonfire, the portion of the fire that is so pure and so hot that we call it “white hot.”  There is no way I would stand next to such heat without some protective gear. My son in law is a fireman/paramedic and he has shown me the  protective gear they use when entering a burning house, it’s literally their life saver. So for us, without salvation, which is defined as the Holy Spirit abiding within via faith in Jesus Christ, we have no protection from the Holiness of God. As fire is to wood so is holiness to sin, the two cannot coexist. Therefore we must be saved, or “born again.” This is a term Jesus used to explain the action of the Holy Spirit upon a repentant soul. In John 3:7 he says,  ” do not marvel that I say to you, you must be born again.” It is simply a heart  broken over it’s own sin crying out to God for a second chance. In so doing, finds God’s love and forgiveness and the aid of the Holy Spirit. There still remains a sin nature, but now there is a new nature within borne by the Holy Spirit, and its desire is to please the Lord. This new nature is nurtured and strengthened through times of Bible study and prayer, and as a child matures to adult, so too this spirit nature matures.

What does it mean to be like “chaff?” Prior to machinery the only way to release the seed from the sheath was to beat it, or grind it between heavy stones. Then since the seed was heavier than the remains, it was all tossed into the air with the seed falling down, but the “chaff” the wind would blow away. Therefore in context, ” the ungodly shall not stand in the  judgement, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.” The implication is as the chaff is blown away. The ungodly in the presence of God shall not stand (be established) but be removed from his presence. A statement that deeply grieves the heart of God and is beyond words to describe.

The Bible receives criticism for statements like this and therefore God himself is criticized. For the creation to criticize the creator is like the painting to find fault with the painter. The painter has authority over his painting, just as the Creator has authority over his creation. Yet to even question God and his will for us is to totally miss the meaning of the Cross. The Cross speaks to us of our need to repent, but it SHOUTS to us of the love that put Him there so that forgiveness could be offered, and communion with God could be reestablished… To miss this KEY POINT is to miss it all, and fail to understand how the Cross answered God’s dilemma of a Holy God earnestly desiring to have fellowship with His creation.

So we can choose to be offended at the scriptures, or we can be grateful that God is demonstrating his love to us by teaching us right from wrong; like any good parent that loves their child. Problems only arise because we want to do it our way, and then blame God for being in tolerate? If we would but remember this saying – I, sin and pride all share one letter in common, the letter ” I.” There is always a choice, my way or God’s. God’s way draws me closer to Him, my way, I, sin and pride, separates me from Him, which will bring injury to ourselves and others.

Father God,
Thank you, though this be a hard study it is no less filled with your love and care for me. Help me to listen and heed your teachings. You say in Proverbs that the wise man or woman heeds correction, but the foolish reject it. Let me be wise and give you a heart that listens. I do not need to understand it all, I just need to understand the Cross – that says it all. Thank you and Amen.

Dios lo Bendiga – Arthur

Psalm 1:3 ” And he/she 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.”  

The meaning of words are often influenced by our culture. Unfortunately the meaning is reduced to a single concept. Such has happened to the word prosper. As we study this phrase, “his leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper,” the word that stands out is “prosper.” We completely read past “wither” and miss its significance. As Americans we all like the idea of prospering. It’s ingrained within our culture and is seen as an “American right.” We define it as financial gain, yet the Hebrew definition means something more. The word is “Salah,” meaning to rush, as into battle, or to break forth, as from a hindrance, to come mightily, or to overcome. “Bionically it references” the Holy Spirit’s affect on a person, making them victorious. “According to Proverbs 28:13, even moral issues are involved in our prospering.” He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”  By Hebrew definition we see that the meaning of the word is much broader than just financial gain which our culture limits it to.

Jesus told a parable about a rich farmer who had such a bumper crop that he became wealthy. The  farmer built bigger barns to hold his produce and basically just retired with his wealth. The god of “mammon” is the Hebrew term for the idol of wealth. One of the main idols of our culture. We all look up to the person that “has made it.” Successful in business, popular, nice car, big home are all the values that have been ingrained within us. We even have a T.V. show called “How I Made My Millions.” Yet The Lord’s comment to the rich farmer was “what good is it if you gain the whole world, yet lose your own soul?” Christ always saw the temporal in light of the eternal. We only see the temporal but ACT as if it’s eternal – it’s not. All we have to do is walk a cemetery to get a true perspective on life.

So what is it to really prosper? There is a Hebrew axiom that says,”may you prosper even as your soul prospers.” Based on our Hebrew definition, which is summed up in this axiom, true prosperity is more than financial wealth. It goes deeper, to the soul of the individual. It involves our decisions, our choices and the person we are becoming. Most importantly, who or what is our “source.” We all have one, be it “self,” husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend, job, family, or the Lord etc., we all have something that we run to. The first part of this phrase speaks indirectly about that source. It says, “;his leaf also shall not wither…” Plants only whither when they are under heat stress and/or need to be watered. To not “wither” implies the ability to withstand adversity because your “roots” are deep and drawing from a sustainable source.

This sustainable source Bionically is defined as God, or ” the Holy Spirits affect on a person making them victorious,” as mentioned. The definition has nothing to do with finances, which in many ways can be a hindrance to one’s dependency upon God. Wealth can be like an intoxicating drink which makes us believe that we do not need The Lord. Like the rich farmer who felt he had control  over his destiny. Yet Jesus said, “you fool, this night your soul shall be required of thee and to whom will all your wealth go.” In other words, wealth has no benefit beyond this life, and if mismanaged it becomes more a curse than a blessing. If it is not money, it can be something else that we put first. Our work, our knowledge, even our family can be an obstacle for us, a type of “wealth.” This is when the good becomes a hindrance, even at times an enemy to the best. We are so satisfied with our current life that we have no room, time or need for God. A life in balance acknowledges God as priority, family as second, followed by our jobs and other responsibilities.

True prosperity then is to walk in communion with The Lord. Allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and impact our lives. Having deep roots in Him from which to draw strength and hope against the day of adversity…, for it will come. Lastly, a heart that seeks to be an “ambassador for Christ.” For truly no life is complete outside of Him.

There is no amount of money or worldly priority that can grant the peace, joy, wholeness, and love from God and others than a life in communion with God can bring.

Father God,
It is true that much of the world’s values are in me. Yet I know your word is true, and to live out the values I see on T.V., or hear discussed are not the values that I want to guide my life. So help me to go deeper and seek to be open and transparent before You. Heal me where I need healing, and change me where I need changing. And help me to be patient with the process. Thank you and Amen.

Dios lo Bendiga – Arthur

Psalm 1 vs. 4. ” And he/she 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.”

Two devotionals back I ended with a question. I asked is there something we can do to receive God’s blessing over our life? Based on this verse, the answer is yes. There is much benefit/blessing to the reading of the scriptures. However, I have to ask another question. Is it right to read the Bible so that God will bless us, as though it is a formula; or is the point of studying the Bible to get to know The Lord and because of that relationship our lives are blessed? The Bible can be read from many different perspectives other than from the one it was given. Studying the Bible to be able to answer questions is good, it is even scriptural. Though if that’s the main motive, it tends to make one prideful. Yet reading the Bible to deepen one’s relationship with God not only are the scriptures learned, but it engenders a quiet and confident spirit. Same Bible, different motives, with different results. To read to accumulate knowledge to be viewed by my peers as wise, is self fulfilling. To sit quietly and allow the Holy Spirit to teach me, desiring to be pleasing to Him is not only is the correct motive, but it fulfills the purpose of my life.  One Bible, different motives, with very different results. I have read the Bible from both perspectives, and reading to know Him is so much more peaceful and healing. It simply feels right.

From this latter perspective then is what the verse references. ” And he/she shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;..”  “Rivers of waters” is exactly what agriculture needs to insure its crops. Without a water source there would be no agriculture. To be a tree planted by a stream of water, is like being a mouse locked up in a cheese factory. Life could not be sweeter! God is our source of water, as Jesus himself said ” I am the living water, and he who drinks of me shall never thirst.” There are many “waters” from which to drink, only the “living water” forever satisfies, the rest – thirst will ensue.

“That bringeth forth his fruit in his season; ” it takes time for fruit to develop on a tree. We apply the McDonalds concept to our Christian life. We want it our way, and in 5 minutes or less. It takes much time for the Spirit to work with us. I would liken it to a spiritual Boot Camp. The Spirit needs to break down our pride and self focus and re-build in us a dependence and a focus or faith in God. It takes time, many “screw – up’s,” (unfortunately) and this is assuming that there is a consistent reading of the scriptures. There is so much bad fruit in us that it takes time for the Holy Spirit to change us. And if we read the Bible only here and there, it will take longer and be more frustrating. In the T.V series “The Biggest Loser,” how long do you imagine the contestants need to stay at it before they see any measurable results, five to six months? Yet the whole time “they’re dying.” It takes us much time to learn to die to self, let alone to even want too! The encouraging part is that fruit will come. There will be the “season” of ripe fruit where the quiet times with the Spirit and the scriptures will begin to manifest in our actions, speech and deeds. And for the most part, we won’t even be conscience of it. We are becoming “ambassadors” for Christ.

The balance of this verse we will discuss in next week’s devotional. In the meantime consider what are the obstacles that keep you from spending time with The Lord. Write them down and then write down what you feel would be the benefits to you and your family. Post the sheet where you will read it, and each time you read it ask the Lord to help you prioritize the benefits over the demands. It might mean you need to get to bed a little earlier to get up earlier when the house is still quiet; or leave work during lunch and find a quiet place to read. This is what work’s for me.

Father God,

Thank you for the practicalness of your teaching. Help me to see myself as you see me, in need of your “living water.” Cause me to be sensitive to the ” waters of men,” human praise and worldly values that seek to take the place of my need for You. Whatever gain I could have here, grant me the wisdom to understand that it pales in comparison to your love for me and an eternal relationship with You. Thank you and Amen. Arthur

Psalm 1 vs.1 –  Blessed is the man/woman that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful, but his delight is in the law of The Lord.”

When I was young (pre teen) I would watch adults, observing their lives. Most of them were the parents of my friends. I would ask them about their moral beliefs and it was always an interesting conversation. Most 13 and 14 year olds would not have such conversations, but I found them very insightful.  As I continued to ask, I began to see a pattern emerge. Many of the parents beliefs were very similar to the Ten Commandments, whether they themselves were “religious” or not. It became increasingly evident that those who adhered to more of the commandments, as opposed to less, were the happiest. So my conclusion became,”why not just obey them all?” The happiest man I found was Jewish, and he obeyed all the commandments. Though being Jewish, he did not believe in Jesus Christ, and because of that I saw the “disconnect” with God in his life. God was up there, and I am down here and hopefully I’ve lived a good enough life so that some day we’ll meet. Which was very interesting and sad in and of itself; to be so close and yet so far. However, his life and his family were blessed nonetheless because of his obedience.

So in studying these next verses I want you to understand the terms “ungodly, sinners and scornful” as degrees of rebellion from God’s laws. We are all ungodly, and hence all sinners, and some of us have active dislike towards the scriptures, being “scornful” of them.  We think very little about God, except when we are in need, or we blame him when something terrible happens to us. This reaction is interesting as well. It would be like me blaming my cousin, who lives in Ohio, for something bad happening to me here in California? How could I blame him when we never see each other or even talk?

Also the terms, walketh, standeth and sitteth, need to be understood from a  poetical application. Most of the Psalms are written as such, truth spoken through poetry and such is Psalm 1. If we imagine a specific area where advisers congregate and I go there, “walk” to receive instruction, and then leave “walking out” their instruction, this would explain the usage of the word. As I continue to visit this area, I start hanging around,”standing” and conversing with them, and soon, because I frequent them so much, I now become one of them, “sitting” with them.

There is a saying we tell our kids, ” bad company corrupts good morals,” so choose your friends wisely. This Psalm in a broader sense, is conveying the same message. Two roads, choose one, is ultimately the point of this Psalm. Next week we will see why it is important to choose the road of faith, but let’s  conclude with a statement, then a question. Statement, I don’t know anyone except for  people who do not  believe in God, that would not want God to bless their lives. So since that is true, is their something we can do on this side of heaven to receive God’s blessings? We’ll see next week.

Father God,

Thank you for this study and for your scriptures. There is much practical advice that if followed will bless my life. But even beyond that there are blessings that come from being in right relationship with you. Let my heart be willing and pliable, valuing your blessing in my life above things that I seek that would take me from you. Thank you and Amen.

Dios lo Bendiga –

“A New Year” Part 2

Lamentations 3: 22 – 24  “It is of The Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassion’s fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.”

What does it  mean ” The Lord is my portion?” The word “portion” is defined from the Hebrew as a parcel, a part of something, a portion and normally land is in mind. The easiest understanding would be that of an inheritance. This is my portion or inheritance given to me by my father or mother, is another way to understand the word. However in context the word is much more personal. To say that the “Lord is my portion” is to say that out of all the “desires and lust” that rival for my soul’s attention, I give to it The Lord. As a bride gives herself to her husband at the exclusion of all others, so is this word in context. He will be my portion, my chief joy and desire. It is a very strong and intimate statement…and ” therefore will I hope in him” is the natural conclusion of what you give your soul too. As a wife chooses her husband, she will naturally “hope” in him.

Hope, is a complex emotion. Implied with hope is a sense of waiting. I am hoping for this job promotion, or I’m waiting for this package to arrive. It is a waiting combined with a positive expectancy. Hope is one of the deepest human emotions we have. It comes from the very core of who we are. Therefore it is critical that who or what becomes our portion is able to come through, or what happens? I think we all know, disappointment, heartache, and at times even feeling betrayed. ” But I hoped in you,” is the same as ” but I trusted in you.” For that which becomes our portion, becomes our hope, our trust and our confidence. It becomes quite an intricate maze of emotions, but the bottom line is our sense of well being and security is placed in that person, or desire that we have made our portion.

“The Lord is my portion”  is what Jeremiah concluded. And he concluded that in the face of great difficulty. Who or what is your portion? If it is not the Lord, are you sure that another human being, a future hope or desire can carry such a load? How can I presume that another human being, who is just like me, can be my hope? Will not he or she, or any other thing fail me? Of course, for they are “only human.” Therefore if we fail to meet each others needs, how can we make each other our portion and  hope? That is a lot of emotional responsibility to regulate to another human being, or to a future hope, or desire for that matter.

Should not the Creator, the Author of Life and the lover of our soul, not be the only one that we principality give ourselves too? Our husbands, wives, children, friends and all other desires should play a secondary role in our lives. “To love The Lord thy God” is the first commandment, and  “to love your neighbor as yourself” is the second. When these get reversed, is when we start having relational problems. By making others fulfill the longings in our heart that God can only fulfil, not only is it not wise, but it causes expectations that can’t be met. “The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore I will hope in him,” is the right order.

Let’s start the New Year out right, giving to people and desires that which is there’s, but giving to God that which is His; our deepest trust and hope. And be wise in trusting God. He is fitting us for eternity, not for our pleasures here. We want to root in and build castles, but He wants our hope and life to be in Him. So if He allows adversity in our lives, it is so we let go of this life, and learn to value that which is eternal and put our life where it is safe, in Him.

Father God,

Such a hard lesson. It is so easy to allow people, desires and earthly hopes to steal my focus and the attention that should be with you. I understand that as I am faulty, others also are faulty. And to make them my hope is not only hard for them, but it adds undue expectancy to the relationship. Help me to learn of You, so as to transfer these hopes, desires and needs over to you. Thank you and Amen

Dios lo Bendiga

Arthur