- Tuesday, 12/8/20 Psalm 51:3, For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. True washing and true cleansing comes with a price tag that many absolutely
WILL NOT pay: acknowledgment of their own transgressions and facing their own sin. (The resale shop sells other people's sins...) Psalm 10:6, [The wicked] hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity. It seems that it is bad, terrible, sinful, and stupid to not plan on negative possibilities. Don’t be a “pie in the sky” believer. God PROMISED us trials and tribulations. Much of our angst at Him (yes, you often have it, as do I) comes from what we perceive as a lack of sunshine, puppy dogs, and roses in our lives. But, really, that sunshine often burns us; those dogs chew up the furniture and leave piles that we step in; and the roses have thorns. Read the verse again.
- Wednesday, 12/9/20 Isaiah 46:4, And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you. For those of you with gray hair (not me...anymore...sigh...), I hope this encourages you. Read it over and over. Colossians 1:1-2a, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse... Two groups: saints (sanctified ones; believers; born-again people) and also faithful brethren. 1) There are those who’re saved and then there are those who live what they know and do it over the long-term. 2) God (and good men) are willing to speak to those in both groups. With which group are you more readily identified? Are you “good enough” and simply happy to be saved, but you put a thick ceiling to what you’ll do for God. Or, are you a faithful doer and teacher?
- Thursday, 12/10/20 Isaiah 50:4, The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, THAT I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. If God has blessed you, it’s so you can be a blessing. Are you using what He’s entrusted to you? Could you do more? Who’s benefitting from your relationship to God? Isaiah 49:5, And now, saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength. God called the prophet to call Israel back to Him, but they wouldn’t come, i.e. Isaiah had little to show for his efforts. A reminder to everyone trying to win souls and reclaim lives: the results are up to God, and people may choose to believe or not. But for His servants, God rewards according to efforts expended, not on outcomes observed. So keep on being faithful. Payday’s a’coming!!
- Friday, 12/11/20 Psalm 57:1, Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. Pray for yourself that you’ll be faithful “until.” (Hang on: it IS coming.) Pray for others to make it to their “until.” Psalm 57:5, Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth. Here is some graduate level Christianity. Throughout the psalm the author states how much trouble he is in, but here, he simply wants God to get glory out of his situation. Blunt question: are you willing to continue to endure your burden if you doing so will get the Lord more glory than answering your prayer for deliverance? Are you willing to “be martyred” for Him, or does He HAVE TO bail you out (or face your accusation of Him not being faithful and loving)? Paul said, “That I may know him, and the fellowship of his sufferings...” Fellowship means “sharing.” Realize that Christ died for all, but most won’t believe, so He wasted much of His blood and pain. Are you willing to share in that kind of suffering?
- Saturday, 12/12/20 Psalm 15:5b, He that doeth these things shall never be moved. Do you want to ensure that you’re a perpetually stable Christian? V2-5a detail 12 things that will nail us firmly in place so that the hurricane-force winds of adversity CANNOT move us. Twelve of “these things” guaranteeing we “shall never be moved.” Find them. Psalm 19:14, Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. It is a very wise practice to locate and (sincerely) pray Bible prayers. This verse ought to be a daily, no, an moment-by-moment constant prayer for each of us.
- Sunday, 12/13/20 Psalm 19:1, The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. The greatest speech, the most beautiful picture are wasted and worthless to the one who isn’t listening or watching. How eager are you to hearing and listening to God? What’ve you heard recently? Luke 1:13, But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. Note: his prayer WAS heard, but Elizabeth wasn’t pregnant yet. God may hear and make His decision about answering, but may still postpone the answer for His own reasons. Question for self: are you willing to accept God’s will about your matter, AS WELL AS His chosen timing, or does it have to be YOUR way and YOUR timing? (You may need the Holy Spirit to help you search your heart to give an accurate answer...)
- Monday, 12/14/20 Luke 23:21, But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. These people were Jews; they’d seen the ministry of John and Jesus, so at least some who were saying this were saved. Remember the purpose of Christmas is Calvary. Go think of what He did for you, and weep, and say “Thanks.” Psalm 22:2, O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. It’s easy to see the negatives here: the psalmist is in deep trouble, and seemingly, God is ignoring him. However, there’s great good: he didn’t give up on God (though he felt He’d given up on him.) Just keep on praying and believing: God’s character is impeccable. He may seem late, but He’s always right on time.
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