Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Monday, March 30, 2015
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Friday, March 27, 2015
Consider God's Glory - He is Faithful
He is Faithful.
He never changes.
He remains the same forever.
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Consider the King of Glory - He is Good
God is Excellent in all that He does and
His deeds are full of Loving Kindness
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Monday, March 23, 2015
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Consider the King of Glory - He is the Light
Let us follow the Light of the World,
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
in faith and obedience.
His promise assures us that when we do this,
we will not walk in darkness. (Jn. 8:12)
Honour Christ's great sacrifice by living as children of light.
Friday, March 20, 2015
Consider the King of Glory - His Kingdom consists of Joy
Let the truth - that when we trust and depend on God for all things, He orders all our steps after His way - be deeply rooted in our everyday thoughts and actions.
Let joy characterize our attitude, convinced that no matter what we are led into, God who is in control, ordains all things for our good. When we fall, we shall not be hurled headlong; because the Lord is the One who holds our hand.
(Psa. 37:23,24)
Consider the King of Glory - His Kingdom is of Peace!
God has purposed that His children on earth can
display His glory by the trust and confidence
they hold in Him who never fails.
The fruit of this trust is the peace that surpasses understanding. (Php. 4:7)
May His kingdom of peace
be established on earth as it is in heaven.
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Consider the King of Glory - His Kingdom is of Righteousness
God has purposed that His kingdom of righteousness be revealed on earth through the Church.
Let us be diligent therefore to not only ensure that we are clothed with the righteousness of Jesus but also be faithful to walk, by His help, in righteousness and holiness before Him.
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Monday, March 16, 2015
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Friday, March 13, 2015
The Benefits in Living in The Fear of The Lord
Apart from the well known fact that
the Fear of the Lord is the starting point of all wisdom,
here are some more blessings.
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Monday, March 9, 2015
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Psalm 145 - Consider God's Righteousness
Other broad meanings of the word, "Righteous" are:
Just, Fair, Covenant-keeping, Right, True
Friday, March 6, 2015
God, Our Help – An Insight into Psalm 146
Psalm 146 appears to be comparing our incomparable God with the so-called strong and influential people of this world. The apparent contradiction in the statement I just made is for all to see – for how can an incomparable God be compared and that too with mere mortals? Yet He has done this because of the hardness of our hearts.
Sin has so conditioned our mind that the Holy Spirit has had to urge us, through the Apostle Paul, to be transformed by the renewing of our mind (Rom. 12:2). Naturally, because of the great reliance we have placed on what we see rather than what we do not see, our first instinct is to look to people and things we can relate to for help. We consider that if we have influence; or if a person puts in a word for us; or if so-and-so could sponsor (or financially help) us… the list can go on; we could achieve our purpose. However looking at the example of Moses, the Bible tells us that though this Prophet knew whom he was up against (Pharaoh was considered as the most powerful man in the known world at that time) yet he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen (Heb. 11:27).
Repeatedly God has revealed His displeasure when we put our trust and hope in people instead of looking to Him. Apart from Psalm 146, which is the subject of this writing, we see this in other portions of scripture as well. Consider some of them:
His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
Nor His delight in the legs of a man;
The Lord delights in those who fear Him,
Who put their hope in His unfailing love. (Psa. 147:10, 11)
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, (a metaphor for the world)
Who rely on horses, who trust in the multitudes of their chariots
And in the great strength of their horsemen,
But do not look to the Holy One of Israel,
Or seek help from the Lord. (Isa. 31:1)
Incidentally, after the above passage, the Lord God makes a comparison once again which we see in verses 2 and 3 in our Bibles.
Or consider what is written in Psalm 118:8, 9 –
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.
Coming to Psalm 146, we see our Almighty God, full of awesome glory and majesty once again warning us saying:
Do not put your trust in princes,
In mortal men who cannot save.
When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
On that very day their plans come to nothing (v. 3, 4).
Moving on from there, God then lists out several reasons why we need to look to Him for help. It is almost like a Résumé. What kindness we have been shown from our God who sits in glory and splendor; who reigns in majesty on high; at whose presence the earth trembles (Psa. 114:7) and the mountains melt like wax (Psa. 97:5) – that He should still condescend to help us understand why we should put our trust and hope in Him; and why we should seek His face (Psa. 27:8) and call unto Him for help (Jer. 33:3).
Here then is how the Psalm lists out God’s credentials so that we can make the Lord God our help.
- Whose help is the God of Jacob: When we look at the context in which the Psalmist refers to the Lord as the God of Jacob, we see that He is willing to be identified with Jacob, the supplanter – or the schemer. My understanding of this is that despite our weaknesses and straying ways; despite our disobedience and stubborn attitudes; God is willing to be our help. His mercy and compassion is truly beyond our understanding.
- Whose hope is in the Lord his God: I often remember with tears of gratitude the words of our risen Lord Jesus to Mary Magdalene, following His resurrection. He said, “… but go to My brethren, and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’ ” (Jn. 20:17) God Most High has through Jesus, identified with us mortal, created beings as Father and God. What greater comfort is there to know that the One we are called to hope in is not a stranger but One who receives us welcomingly.
- The Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them: Here is another reason why God is more able to be our all-sufficient help than any of the powerful, influential men (or women) of this world. His might and power, wisdom and glory are evident in all that we see – the work of His hands. Is there anyone who can compare with this ability and power that is with our God?
- The Lord, who remains faithful forever: He never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. The so-called constants like the rising of the sun or the fixedness of the earth may fail, but God assures us repeatedly, He and His Word can never fail.
- He upholds the cause of the oppressed: How wonderful it is for us to know that the God we run to for help is the One who upholds us when we are burdened. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power (Isa. 40:29).
- And gives food to the hungry: Consider the care that our all-sustaining God has for us. The oft-quoted examples of Jesus in Matthew 6:25-34 still remain more often verses in a picture frame than our way of life. The gentle rebuke of our Lord, “Are you not worth much more than they?” or “Will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith?” – is one that still rings clear to the heart that is keen to listen to His still, small voice. I am often reminded that the Lord God provided for man before He even made man (Gen. 1:25-30). What greater help do we need when we have One whose care and concern for us is far greater than we can ever think of or imagine?
- The Lord sets prisoners free: David said of God, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer.” (2Sam. 22:2). He is not only our protection but also the One who saves, delivers and rescues. No matter what the stronghold; no matter what the difficulty; no matter what prison bars keep us bound – be it fear, anger, pride, any form of sin – the Lord saves; and He save constantly, even daily. Like the thick walls of Jericho, He can break the walls that hold us down (Heb. 11:30). Like Daniel in the lion’s den, He can protect and deliver us (Dan. 6:27). He will not let us be burned nor will He let us be drowned (Isa. 43:2). Is there anyone who can compare to Him? What greater help can we need?
- The Lord gives sight to the blind: Which other help can give me insight, clarity and understanding when I am groping in darkness? He is our light. He opens our eyes. He shows the way. “I advise you,” says our exalted Saviour, “to buy from Me… eyesalve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.” (Rev. 3:18)
- The Lord lifts those who are bowed down: Consider the kindness of God. Our help is not from a stern, arrogant ruler but from Him who will not break a bruised reed nor will He extinguish a dimly burning wick (Isa. 42:3). He is our God of encouragement. Before Him, hopelessness and despair flee. From our true Helper come plans for our welfare and not for our calamity. In Him there is a future and a hope for us (Jer. 29:11).
- The Lord loves the righteous: In this, we find an expectation that goes beyond just looking to God for help. It is necessary for us to recognize that while the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is good, merciful, loving and kind; while it is true that He is overflowing with compassion and is patient with all our weakness – He is also a holy God. Righteousness, justice, fairness, truth and purity are hallmarks of His character. We would be deceiving ourselves to think that while God has opened His arms out to help us, He will tolerate unrighteousness, sin and disobedience. No! The Lord is holy and he who come to Him must be holy also in all he does (1Pet. 1:15, 16). Walking therefore in righteousness before God, we can be confident that our help is made more certain because God loves the righteous.
- The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow: I understand that the foreigner is one who is highly vulnerable; more prone to danger or being taken advantage of, outside than s/he is at home. In the same manner, the orphans and the widow, with no strong, protective father or husband, are equally susceptible to danger. They make easy targets for those who want to prey on them. Yet, the Lord God, who neither slumbers nor sleeps, is more than able to guard and keep us. Though we may find ourselves vulnerable or in situations where we are being taken advantage of; we can confidently call unto Him who watches over us. He alone can rescue. He alone can save.
- He frustrates the ways of the wicked: I often remind myself of this word which was first given to us in the Old Testament and then reiterated in the letter to the Hebrews: …God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Heb. 13:5, 6) The philosophy of the world is that the strong and the bullies always triumph. We see and sometimes experience this in several ways. The mind of the world is: Blessed are those who push their way ahead, even if it is at the cost of others. The mind of Christ is: Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth (Mt. 5:5). Now some may laugh at this and throw scorn at this teaching. You say, “Do you not see how the intimidators always get their way? Observe those in power. They have not risen to what they are by being meek, have they?” But the Lord laughs at the wicked, for He knows their day is coming (Psa. 37:13). Wait for the Lord and keep His way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it (Psa. 37:34).
- The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations: Hallelujah! What comfort! What joy! The One to whom we run for help, reigns forever. He is in control. His rule and authority is over all. His power and sovereignty continues without end.
The Lord says through Isaiah, the Prophet, though in a different context: Come now, let us reason together (Isa. 1:18). After closely looking at what a great help we have in our God, is there any more need to reason? To use a contemporary phrase: The Lord God wins hands down.
Let us therefore cry unto God to help our unbelief. Let us plead with Him to increase our faith. God is faithful (Deut. 7:9). His ears are attentive to our cry (Psa. 34:15). He will surely help us. In time, as we faithfully walk each day, exercising this teaching that we have obtained from Psalm 146 and other portions of scripture, we will find ourselves increasingly leaning on the great I AM; and though unseen with our natural eyes, our hearts will be glad, yes, delighted with a joy that none can take away. For in Him, we have the greatest help there is. Praise be to His holy name.
Psalm 145 - Consider God's Goodness and Faithfulness
The background image corresponds
to verse 14 of the Psalm -
The eyes of all look to You,
and You give them their food at the proper time.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Psalm 145 - Consider God's Kingdom and Glorious Majesty
The background has colours that
God commanded Moses to use in the Tabernacle
- Blue and Purple and Scarlet
Ex. 26:1
Psalm 145 - God's Compassion
The background on which the message is placed
is an image of scarlet wool.
This was inspired from the passage in Isaiah
where the Lord God said,
"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
Isa. 1:18
How great is the gracious Mercy and Compassion of our God!
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Psalm 145 - God's Greatness
Psalm 145 brings out at least five attributes of our glorious God. Here is the first of them - God's Greatness.
Monday, March 2, 2015
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