Category: Devotional

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“The Greatest Gift ” Part I

Matthew 26:26-28:  “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it, broke it and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ And he took the cup and gave thanks and gave it to them saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the New Testament (New Covenant), which is shed for many for the remission of sins.’”

Matthew 27:50-51:  “Jesus, when He had cried out again with a loud voice, yielded up His spirit (crucifixion).  And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth did quake, and the rocks were split….”

Aside from Christmas, Easter is the next greatest religious holiday. Its significance to faith and to man cannot be overstated, and this short devotional is very limited in discussing all of the significance of Christ’s passion; however, just in these verses alone, we find enough at which to learn and marvel. The significance of the first Passover, which Christ had with his disciples, was not understood by the disciples until after His resurrection. From that point forward, all but one would give their lives for Christ and for the message that so radically changed them.

“For this is my blood of the New Testament (New Covenant)”:  In the day and age in which Jesus lived, animal sacrifice, even human sacrifice in pagan cultures, was practiced. So the concept of shedding blood to atone for one’s sins, as was the purpose in the Jewish culture, or to appease an angry deity, as was the purpose in the pagan cultures, was something known. To us, this practice is cruel and unnecessary; however, it probably would still be a practice if it were not for the Cross. The Cross represents a “complete work”; once and for all, Christ became the Sacrificial Lamb, our Ransom Redeemer. The transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament acknowledges this. The word “Kaine” is the Greek word for “New,” and it implies “qualitatively new.” It will always be new, as in a “New Dispensation.” It implies something not known before, newly introduced, and not impaired by time or use. This is contrasted against the other definition that means “temporarily new,” e.g., a new car or a new pair of slacks or shoes—they can only be new once. So with a new dispensation or era, we will never need to go back to animal sacrifices. Christ’s passion atones more than enough for the sins of each repentant soul and the advent of His resurrection is enough “Life” to enable us to live a qualitatively new life. The energies of my life progressively change from doing what pleases me to doing what pleases Him, which in so doing, I am rewarded with joy and peace.

The term “Testament” speaks of a Covenant: an agreement between two parties. We can have a Will or a Trust that once the maker of it dies, it cannot be ratified or changed if such provision was not written beforehand into the Covenant—it stands uncontested.  So, too, salvation, forgiveness, and redemption are all new provisions in the New Testament that were not a part of the Old Testament. Faith on our part in these provisions and Christ’s work on the Cross are what “ratifies” the Covenant for us, making us receivers or “beneficiaries” of such treasures.

“For the remission of sins”: There cannot be a more beautiful word for those who are seeking a second chance. In the world, we get labeled because of our past failures. In Christ, remission means that all of my past offenses, shortcomings, etc., are released. Literally, it means “to cause to stand away.” They are no longer a part of my record, and I am free to start anew. We may still face physical or relational consequences for our mistakes, but between God and me, I am renewed and have the hope of change. And, furthermore, God will not leave me to face my consequences alone—through them and by them, I will see the faithfulness of God.

God’s grace is so vast that at the Passover, the cup and bread did not pass over Judas, who was going to betray Christ that night—such is God’s grace. How is it that we get doubtful or fearful that we are beyond His help? Or how is it that we seek not God’s grace, but we live on our own terms, believing that God is distant? The scripture teaches that the veil, which separated the presence of God from man, was torn in two, from top to bottom. This was not the action of a man’s hand. The veil was so woven and heavy that no human hands could have torn it.  It was God proclaiming, “I am not a God that is distant, but nigh, even abiding within your soul to those who welcome me in.”

This Easter, if you have not considered Christ, would you take time to consider this message? It would be one of the best changes ever to benefit you and your family. It is said that the shortest distance between us and eternity is the distance between our knees and the floor.

Father God,

I will never understand all that occurred between the Cross and your Resurrection, but what I do understand is that my sins have been atoned for and, consequently, forgiveness has been granted. My life, now, benefits greatly from the energizing life that is in the Holy Spirit that revives me even beyond this life, granting me eternal life. Even this is beyond my comprehension. Thank you for such a gift.  Amen

Dios lo bendiga

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“The Gift of Prayer” Part IV

Psalm 119:44-45: “So shall I keep Thy law continually, forever and ever, and I will walk at liberty: for I seek Thy precepts.”

To appreciate the truth hidden in this verse, I am going to contrast it with other verses in Proverbs 5:21-23: “For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD and he pondereth all his goings. His own iniquities shall take the transgressor himself, and he shall be held fast (in the sense of being trapped) with the cords of his sin. He shall die without instruction, and in the greatness of his folly, he shall go astray (to wander, to be deceived).”  In context, this verse follows several verses that speak to the entrapment of sexual lust. I have witnessed this as a young man with my friend’s dad, and since then, many times over. My dad’s friend had given himself over to sexual lust, and his cords had bound him till he became a slave to that which had promised him freedom, life, and pleasure.

So in contrasting these two verses, we now have a clearer understanding of “liberty,” for many see “liberty” the other way—that obeying God takes away my freedom, not understanding that seeking God and His precepts sets the soul free. Following our own ways, seeking life by our limited resources and driven by emotional hunger, we entrap ourselves, never really sure if we have found the truth. We hope that the happiness we have found will last and not “wear off” like other pursuits, but there is no guarantee. Or as mentioned in the last devotional, we settle for something much less than what God would have for us.

True Christian life is walked out where God gives us freedom to choose—to say “no” to our own desires and “yes” to God’s. He does not force obedience. Obedience is chosen, and obedience is not legalism with all its “rituals.” Obedience comes from the heart, a real “fresh and blood” struggle, which may be hard at first. However, in time, it becomes a natural choice as the Holy Spirit “takes more ground” in our soul. An example I have is to liken our soul to a hotel. When we accept Christ, we are saved and forgiven, but there is still much in us that has not changed. So like our example, the Holy Spirit needs to go into each and every room and clean it, even the closets that no one knows about but us. This is the process of sanctification, which will last our entire life here. To not allow the Holy Spirit in a room stops the process; therefore, God waits. There’s a neat verse that speaks to this truth, but before I share it, let me ask a question. What  is your attitude when you are waiting on someone, especially when to you, the choice is so obvious? Do you get impatient? Is God the same way? After all, he has a very busy schedule being God. Isaiah 30:18:  “… and therefore the Lord will wait that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore He will be exalted…”  So, there is no impatience with God. He waits with the intent purpose to be gracious (kind) to us. If we could only get this, that God’s ways argue for our freedom and for our good, even when it may appear to the contrary.

“And I will walk at liberty, for I seek thy precepts.”  Liberty, as we are discussing, is an interesting word. We define it as being able to do what we want to do, when we want to do it, but is that true liberty?  It sounds more like a two-year-old child. “Rahab” is the Hebrew word, and by definition means a broad, open space—freedom to walk and live; not confined or restricted; not to be ruled over to our harm. In context, it gives the understanding that as God’s laws become a part of my being, the vices—selfishness, pride, lust, etc.—those weaknesses that entrap us will be overcome. In God’s laws, there is freedom, and the very person of God indwells us, bringing freedom with Him. Jesus gave unto us the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that represents to us the love of God. As we follow Him, denying ourselves and saying yes to Him, “the ground of liberty” is won.

Father God,

I have much yet to learn, but I understand that within me is the means to self-destruct and the means to choose righteousness. God grant me the strength and wisdom to choose righteousness. Thank you and Amen.

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“The Gift of Prayer” Part III

Psalms 119:38-39:  “Establish Thy Word to Thy servant, As that which produces reverence for Thee. Turn away my reproach which I dread, For Thine ordinances are good.” (NAS version)

 

The end goal of all scripture reading is that the heart and mind come into relationship and agreement with the Lord, so that what is said in scripture becomes our reality and that which is seen with the eyes or that which is experienced is secondary. For example, we lose our job. It is natural for us to worry, for it is our means of provision, but we can minimize our worry by believing scripture: “Trust in the Lord with all thy heart and lean not unto thy own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.” (Proverbs 6:6-7)  Another example, one of our children is really struggling academically or socially and we are in despair for them. We can carry that despair or we can “cast” (take) our burdens to the Lord, for He cares for us.”  As one pastor put it, “The cares of the sheep are the concerns of the shepherd,” meaning Jesus, who is the “Good Shepherd.”  So, by believing the scriptures, faith is exercised, and when faith becomes our reality and “reality” becomes submissive to faith, opportunities to see God’s hand move in our life and on behalf of our loved ones is exactly what the Christian life is about. This, in a nutshell, defines a relationship or “walk” with God. If we are not experiencing this in our daily lives, then we are limiting ourselves from the fullness of the life God has for us.

 

How then do we experience this? Now before I answer this question, let me say that the Bible says a lot about several key things that pertain to a life with God and little about other questions we might have. It is as if God’s single message is, “I love you; come into relationship with me through my Son and let’s walk this life together. All the other questions you have will either be answered, or in time, they will not matter.”  So, as we study these next verses, there will be repetition in the message–things that have been discussed in prior studies.

 

“Establish Thy Word….”  Establish, the Hebrew word Qum, means to arise, to stand up with the objective of remaining standing. Other figurative meanings are to show honor and respect, to establish or strengthen, or to be victorious.  God often gets a “bad rap,” but as you study the meanings of the words used to define God, you learn that God is a great Dad. He is on the sidelines cheering you on or even in the game seeing that you succeed. “Thy Word” is in reference to the scriptures. This is the achilles heel for most believers, for we really do not know what the Bible says and hence miss opportunities to see God act on our behalf.

 

“To Thy servant….”  This is key. Do we see ourselves as God’s servant or do we see Him as ours?  We would never say that God is our servant, but by our actions, we show it. When we have prayed for something or someone and things only get worse, how do we respond?  We want the sunshine but not the rain. Yet both are needful, especially the rain. Growing faith encompasses a clearer understanding of my relationship to Him–that it is His Will that needs to be done, not mine. His Will encompasses now and eternity; my will only entails what I can perceive for the present. We get discouraged when prayers go unanswered, but maybe the fault is ours. We pray “amiss,” as Jesus said to His disciples. Instead, after we have prayed, end by saying, “You love that person more than me, so let your plans be established, or you gave your life for me, so if that situation is not what you want, then remove it, or give me the grace to excel through it.” Keep praying but apply trust and confidence to a God that would move heaven and earth on our behalf, if it is what is best. Remember, His concern is for our faith to grow; that the person of Christ is seen in us, not our specific comforts and wants, etc.  To this end goal, He is most faithful.

 

The best prayer is, “Lord, let my life honor you and bring you praise. If the rain is needful for this, then let it rain and teach me to praise you in the rain, for the sun will soon follow.”  It takes courage to mean a prayer like this, but it is a very fruitful prayer.

 

Father God,

Thank you for giving me a clearer perspective on prayer and my relationship with You. Give me the courage to live life as you see it–to not be afraid, but to trust you fully and let you be Lord of my life. Let the Cross be my assurance of your love. Thank you and Amen.

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“The Gift of Prayer” Part II

Psalms 119:35-37:  “Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. And turn my eyes away from beholding vanity, and in your way give me life.”  (The last portion is NAS translation.)

 

I mentioned in our last devotion that we would start with the “heart of prayer.” It is better stated, “heart for prayer.” For prayer starts with the heart’s acknowledgement of our need for God. If we believe that we can keep our “world” together, then it is doubtful that prayer will be of interest. Yet for King David who wrote the Psalms, he found prayer to be critical, despite his affluence and busy schedule. In fact, because of his affluence, he prayed to keep his heart from covetousness or vanity–that he not be trapped by them but that his “life” would receive only from the Lord.

 

And as it was true then, it is true now; there are many things that call out to us. These enticements “promise” us happiness, fulfillment, security, etc., beckoning us to go down yet another “rabbit trail” that could prove to have a “wolf ” at the end. We waste precious time and limited life resources in these pursuits. Our souls can only take so much abuse before cynicism or bitterness begins to take hold, or we just accept less from life, settling for status quo when God has so much more.

 

So what is the psalmist asking from The Lord in these verses? First, “Make me to go in the path…” This is acknowledging our need for help as mentioned. I can’t do it; I need you to channel my life, limit my choices, and let me see your way above the rest. These are all phrases that seek the same end: “Therein do I delight.” Hopefully, you have experienced the joy of spending time alone with God, both in prayer and in the scriptures. If not, then these words may not resonate with you, but it is wonderful and a very necessary practice for faith to grow. Scripture teaches that faith comes by hearing (internally or audibly) the Word of God. It may seem awkward at first reading the Bible or praying. There can be many mental distractions and interruptions, etc., and you may walk away frustrated; but the harder it is, the more important it is to do. The more resistance we have, the more assured we are that this practice is critical to our well-being. Remember, the last thing the enemy of our soul wants is for us to draw close to God (reference John 10:10).

 

When reading the Bible, especially initially, it is most meaningful when you can read verses that pertain to where you are. If you are having relationship struggles, hassles with your kids, personal struggles with temptation, etc., reading verses that address these concerns makes the Bible most relevant. In the Bible bookstores, there are help books, usually titled “Bible Promises,” where the table of contents lists many of the concerns we struggle with and where to turn in the Bible to find counsel and help. You will be surprised to learn how “real to life” the Bible is.

 

Covetousness and vanity have been plagues of man since time began and especially in a society that provides and promotes them at the fingertip of an iPad or laptop. But they would not have power over us if we were not such empty vessels. Filled with the life of the Holy Spirit, we will still be tempted by these things because of our human nature, but as we grow in our faith, we find that God completely satisfies.  In reality, this is the missing part that these other vanities promise to fulfill but do so only temporarily. Wisdom would say my Creator knows best, and as I seek Him in prayer and study, I will learn of His answers and gain His resources.

 

So the heart for prayer first starts with an earnestness—an earnestness to find out what God says about your circumstances. Then, take the verses and pray them back to Him, “Father God, you say I am to love you with all of my heart, soul, and strength, so please purify my heart so that becomes true. Thank you and Amen.” Now that is a good prayer. Be ready for God to answer by giving you choices to say no to yourself and yes to Him. Continue to pray His words back to Him, and as you do, you will find faith beginning to grow. Most of us can find fifteen to thirty minutes by turning off the television sooner, having lunch alone, or getting up fifteen minutes earlier. I can guarantee you that if our boss told us we would receive a dollar-an-hour raise if we arrived thirty minutes earlier each day,  we would make the time, and that is for something temporal. A walk with God is eternal. Nothing is greater in importance. Make the time; it is only for your life and the lives of those for whom you care.

 

Father God,

I am in agreement with your teaching of making prayer and study a priority in my life. Please change me so I value this and make time for it. Show me my need of you and the things I currently do that are interfering with my relationship with you or taking your place.  Thank you and Amen.

 

Dios lo Bendiga – Arthur

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“The Gift of Prayer” Part I

Psalms 119:32 & 33   “Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.”

 

The Psalms have been an inspiration for many and the foundation for numerous heartfelt prayers. As such, the book of Psalms will be our study for the following devotions on prayer. The importance of prayer cannot be overstated. Prayer is the umbilical cord for the life of faith. Failure to pray, is to sever the cord. Though God is always present, our lack of prayer makes God seem distant. This causes worry and stress, in essence a lack of faith. A spiritual anemia if you would. Also when we do pray, it is seldom with the understanding that we are entering into spiritual warfare. Prayer is an offensive weapon, and the enemy recognizes that all too well. We are the ones that underestimate its power and influence. There is nothing more faith building than to pray for someone or for a specific situation, and then to have that person in sharing repeat almost word for word what you have been praying for them. Also to have a situation resolve itself according to the wisdom God gave you in prayer is awesome. Your whole spirit shouts out, Amen  God! You feel invincible with God.

 

In this next series we will cover insights into prayer. Starting with the heart of prayer. First however let me generalize two kinds of prayer. Jesus said to pray without ceasing. This is to be in communion with God via the Holy Spirit throughout the day. As issues arise in your heart, or things are brought to your attention you begin to voice them to the Lord. Your lips may never move, but your heart and mind are busy. I would call this “communion prayer,” for in essence there is no Amen to it, it is on going.

 

The next type of prayer is intercessory prayer. Anytime when I feel the weight of concerns bearing down on me, communion prayer is not sufficient for me. The weight continues as my attention is divided between my concern and what I am doing at the moment. It is God’s way of calling me into intercessory  prayer. This is when I leave my phone behind and I find a solitary place to be alone with the Lord. The Lord did this often, as he would leave the disciples and the crowds and go into the hills for prolong periods of time. He was done when all “business” resulted in peace, and such is intercessory prayer. Intercessory prayer is  work. It takes effort, focus and persistence. When I am interceding for someone or for myself, I must have a “pit bull” intention. We have developed a “MacDonald’s” attitude to prayer.  We are not willing to put the time into really praying for someone, or praying over an issue in us that compromises our walk with Christ. We think that just because we have  spoken some words, we think we have prayed. Intercessory prayer is entering into a realm of focus and intent where you sense the Spirit beginning to pray through you. That cannot be done in a few distracted minutes. We must be serious. God is just as serious about conforming us into his image, and saving us a well as others from the tentacles of sin that so easily entrap us.

 

The work and consequence of such praying is freedom, but it first starts with a willingness to pray. To want to pray is just as important as knowing how to pray. Though a sincere “God help me” is only three words, it is nonetheless a good prayer. Know this, when you are determined to pray or plan to have a Bible study, all “hell will break out,” testing your resolve to stay the course. Because many of us fail at this point; we never get started or experience victory over our struggles. We need to be purposeful about our time with the Lord. If it is first thing in the morning, at lunch, or after the kids are in bed ask “God help me reserve this time for You.” Do not become legalistic, I did that, it defeats the whole purpose. If your devotions don’t work out that day trust The Lord. He knows our need and our intent.

 

For starters, lets pray this verse, and if you desire to pray more then pray the next 10 verses; they are one of the key stanzas I pray when I am in the Psalms.

 

Father God,

May prayer become a habit of spiritual joy and discipline in my life. I agree with the importance of it for me, as well as for others. Let me “stand in the gap” for those that can’t, and count it a privilege and blessing to be used as such. Thank you and Amen.

 

Dios lo Bendiga – Arthur

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“To Be Blessed” Part V

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

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“To Be Blessed” Part IV

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

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“To Be Blessed” Part III

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

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“To Be Blessed” Part II Psalms 1 vs. 2

 Psalms 1 vs. 2 – “But his/her delight is in the law of The Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”
There are two key words in this verse, “delight” and “meditate.” The root word for delight is ” to be inclined towards something” and from that we have, ” to find pleasure in, to be of value, or a valuable thing.” The best way to describe it is by answering this question. If we had one free hour for ourselves, what activity would you chose? It would obviously be something that we enjoy, delight in, or find pleasure doing, that is this word.
To “meditate” means to ponder, contemplate, take to heart or give serious thought to. When something is meaningful to us, we give study, thought and time to it, ” day and night.”  And the knowledge gained in that transforms us. Therefore it is very important to chose those influences wisely. We are seeing the affects of young people’s “meditation” on things of violence, and how in time they act out the violence. Even in our own lives, that which we give ourselves too, stress, worry, fear, or faith, trust, meditation on God’s Word, etc., all have an affect not only on us, but on our families as well.
To “delight” and “meditate” does not mean you take the Bible and go live in a monastery avoiding one’s duties and functions here. It does mean though that the anchor of who you and I are becoming can be traced back to the times spent in the study of scripture. We may have very busy schedules with family and work, but when the “dust settles” we find ourselves reading the Bible. Of all the desires, this one has risen to the top and it is the first personal need we address. This desire or the lack of it, determines our ability to “weather the storms of life.” An active faith walk keeps us focused on that which is most important and enables us to trust God with the things that are beyond us. Without this, we lose our focus. God becomes small, problems become big, and as a ship caught in a storm we start taking on water. Unless we get rescued, we can sink as the problems drown us in stress and fruitless worry. A big God equals small problems, or at least manageable ones.
If I made one exhortation overall, this would be it. I find most believers spend very little time in personal devotion. Studying the scriptures, or praying for more than 5 minutes is just not something we do. If we read, we would rather read books about the Bible than the Bible itself. And though books can be helpful, they should never take the place of the scriptures. It is not the same, and our lives show the “disconnect” of faith when difficulties come. If being busy is all the enemy has to do to keep us from reading and spending time in prayer, then guess what, say hi to a life of being very busy.
The scriptures are God’s messages to us, drawing us into closer fellowship with Him. I have grown up hearing all critic’s of the Bible, and nothing that is being said now is new. The same criticism’s in a different package. Yet those that read from a heart seeking truth and are willing to accept correction, are blessed. And God’s blessings are evident in their lives. If the Bible is good enough for the Holy Spirit to use consistently to teach those that would read, then the Bible stands the test as the written Word of God.
So decide, there’s two paths, chose one. Don’t sit with the scornful, don’t stand with the sinners or walk in the counsel of the ungodly. Rather seek the narrow path that makes its way upward. Expect hard times, for the path is narrow, meaning constrained, forcing us to make decisions between this world and God’s calling. (Matthew 7:13,14) God is fitting us for a new life, a life that knows His love and forgiveness, His joy and peace and His wisdom and truth, and it’s WORTH THE PRICE.
Father God,
 Thank you for these words of exhortation and encouragement. Please place in my heart the desire and need to be with you. Enable me to stop bowing to the false gods of this world that promise much, require much, but deliver little. Help me to dedicate myself wholly to you. Thank you and Amen.
Dios lo Bendiga – Arthur
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“To Be Blessed”

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 –