"Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." Psalm 37:5
There is a difference between trusting and committing. Committing is rolling it all on God— giving your way to Him and letting Him carry it. When I commit my way to the Lord I allow Him to lead me as if I am blindfolded and gagged. Too often, we allow God to lead us only when we can see where the road is going. As soon as the way becomes uncertain, we start running our mouths like an obnoxious backseat driver.
That is not committing.
"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" Matthew 6:25
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7
That is committing.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Imperatives From Psalm 37, Part 4
"Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." Psalm 37:4
Most of the time I have heard this verse taught or preached, it is given in reverse. Essentially, if you want the desires of your heart, then delight in Him. As a teenager, that was my focus on this verse. There were things I wanted — not even bad things. I tried to delight in the Lord so that I could have those things my heart desired.
Now, as a middle-aged grandmother, I have finally realized my error. It is not about the things my heart desires, it is about the Person I delight in! It is so very important that the LORD should be my delight, my joy, my life.
It is imperative.
Most of the time I have heard this verse taught or preached, it is given in reverse. Essentially, if you want the desires of your heart, then delight in Him. As a teenager, that was my focus on this verse. There were things I wanted — not even bad things. I tried to delight in the Lord so that I could have those things my heart desired.
Now, as a middle-aged grandmother, I have finally realized my error. It is not about the things my heart desires, it is about the Person I delight in! It is so very important that the LORD should be my delight, my joy, my life.
It is imperative.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Imperatives From Psalm 37, Part 3
In review, the Lord has told us not to worry about evil doers and not to be envious of those who work iniquity.
Verse three begins some positive imperative commands.
"Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed." Psalm 37:3
God commands us — don't worry about those other people — what's important for you is trust Me and do good! Sounds simple, huh? Try it. It's not as simple as it sounds but the Lord uses the imperative to emphasize the importance of it.
I think, that for many Christians, the one thing that we find the hardest is trust — trusting the Lord. We find it hard to trust Him to do the best thing for us. We find it hard to trust Him to care for us. We find it hard to trust Him to take care of our enemies. So we skip the trust part and attempt the "do good" stuff. That makes us feel better.
However, we can't properly do good until we Trust in the LORD.
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Verse three begins some positive imperative commands.
"Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed." Psalm 37:3
God commands us — don't worry about those other people — what's important for you is trust Me and do good! Sounds simple, huh? Try it. It's not as simple as it sounds but the Lord uses the imperative to emphasize the importance of it.
I think, that for many Christians, the one thing that we find the hardest is trust — trusting the Lord. We find it hard to trust Him to do the best thing for us. We find it hard to trust Him to care for us. We find it hard to trust Him to take care of our enemies. So we skip the trust part and attempt the "do good" stuff. That makes us feel better.
However, we can't properly do good until we Trust in the LORD.
Trust and Obey
Words by John H Sammis
Words by John H Sammis
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Imperatives From Psalm 37, Part 2
"Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity." Psalm 37:1
The second imperative in verse one, says "neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity." Oh, my! I am more guilty of this one than the first. I'm sure you've never done this, but there have been times when my sinful self has asked the question, "Why does that person seem to be doing so well when she isn't even trying to life for God? Here I am trying to do right and I'm struggling!"
I blush to admit that I've ever thought this way because I'm sure none of you ever have. God looked through time, saw what I was going to do and wrote a verse just to tell me, "Don't do that!"
"Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long." Proverbs 23:17
The problem is, I focus my thoughts on the wrong thing. Instead of focusing on God, I look at the people around me. If I concentrate on my relationship with the Lord, I have plenty enough to keep my busy without becoming envious of the workers of iniquity.
These first two were the negative commands. Now that we've looked at a couple of things God told us not to do, tomorrow we will begin looking at those things God told us to do!
The second imperative in verse one, says "neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity." Oh, my! I am more guilty of this one than the first. I'm sure you've never done this, but there have been times when my sinful self has asked the question, "Why does that person seem to be doing so well when she isn't even trying to life for God? Here I am trying to do right and I'm struggling!"
I blush to admit that I've ever thought this way because I'm sure none of you ever have. God looked through time, saw what I was going to do and wrote a verse just to tell me, "Don't do that!"
"Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long." Proverbs 23:17
The problem is, I focus my thoughts on the wrong thing. Instead of focusing on God, I look at the people around me. If I concentrate on my relationship with the Lord, I have plenty enough to keep my busy without becoming envious of the workers of iniquity.
These first two were the negative commands. Now that we've looked at a couple of things God told us not to do, tomorrow we will begin looking at those things God told us to do!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Imperatives From Psalm 37, Part 1
Psalm 37:1 "Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity."
Do you remember your grammar? Do you remember the four types of sentences? Let’s review: there are declarative sentences or sentences that state a fact; there are exclamatory sentences or sentences that express strong emotion; there are interrogatory sentences or sentences that ask a question; and there are imperative sentences or sentences which express a command as distinguished from the discretionary. The imperative is important. When one uses the imperative, the implied meaning is that the command should be followed.
As moms, we use the imperative all the time. “Go clean your room. Wash your hands. Stop tormenting the cat.” God also uses the imperative often in Scripture. I’ve been watching for imperatives when I read my Bible. The first seven verses of Psalm 37 have several imperatives in it.
For today, I’m only going to point out one of them. In verse one, God says, “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.” I know that if I allow myself, I can really fret because of evildoers. I worry about what evil people are doing. I worry about people who don’t like me and if they could, would do evil against me. I worry about the wicked people trying to take God out of my country. I worry about evil people. Much to my shame, I sometimes envy the workers of iniquity — not because they work iniquity but because they seem to prosper doing it. God looks down and says, “Don’t do that.” It’s imperative.
Are you worried about or envious of evildoers? Don’t be.
Do you remember your grammar? Do you remember the four types of sentences? Let’s review: there are declarative sentences or sentences that state a fact; there are exclamatory sentences or sentences that express strong emotion; there are interrogatory sentences or sentences that ask a question; and there are imperative sentences or sentences which express a command as distinguished from the discretionary. The imperative is important. When one uses the imperative, the implied meaning is that the command should be followed.
As moms, we use the imperative all the time. “Go clean your room. Wash your hands. Stop tormenting the cat.” God also uses the imperative often in Scripture. I’ve been watching for imperatives when I read my Bible. The first seven verses of Psalm 37 have several imperatives in it.
For today, I’m only going to point out one of them. In verse one, God says, “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.” I know that if I allow myself, I can really fret because of evildoers. I worry about what evil people are doing. I worry about people who don’t like me and if they could, would do evil against me. I worry about the wicked people trying to take God out of my country. I worry about evil people. Much to my shame, I sometimes envy the workers of iniquity — not because they work iniquity but because they seem to prosper doing it. God looks down and says, “Don’t do that.” It’s imperative.
Are you worried about or envious of evildoers? Don’t be.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Water!
"And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.
"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
"Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation."
"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
"Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation."
Isaiah 12:1-3
I love it when I read God's Word and a passage jumps off the page and grabs hold of my heart! I was saved as a five-year-old little girl on Palm Sunday in 1966. My Sunday School teacher taught the crucifixion using paper flannelgraph pictures. I remember being the feelings that rushed through my little soul as I realized that Jesus went to Calvary for just me! I bowed my head and asked Him to forgive me of my sinful state and thanked Him for taking my place. Even as a little girl who hadn't even started kindergarten, I remember the joy!
Now, more than 42 years later, that same joy sprang up in my heart when I read the words, "he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation."
Do you remember the joy you felt when you first asked Jesus to be your personal Savior?
If you can't remember a time when you realized you were a sinner in need of salvation, let me take just a moment to share some things with you:
There are Four Things You Must Know To Have Eternal Life
1. Realize You Are a Sinner
Romans 3:10 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
2. God Has Placed an Awful Penalty on Your Sin
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death”
Luke 16:23 “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments,…”
3. Jesus Died to Pay the Price for Your Sins and Offers Salvation as a Free Gift
Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 6:23b “…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
4. You Must Receive the Gift of Eternal Life the Bible Way
Romans 10:9-10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
“Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe you died for me on the cross and rose again to pay for my sin. I am trusting you as my personal Savior. Forgive me of my sin and save me as the Bible promises. Amen.
Join my in my joy!
Now, more than 42 years later, that same joy sprang up in my heart when I read the words, "he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation."
Do you remember the joy you felt when you first asked Jesus to be your personal Savior?
If you can't remember a time when you realized you were a sinner in need of salvation, let me take just a moment to share some things with you:
You Can Know You
Will Go to Heaven
I John 5:13 says “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”Will Go to Heaven
There are Four Things You Must Know To Have Eternal Life
1. Realize You Are a Sinner
Romans 3:10 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
2. God Has Placed an Awful Penalty on Your Sin
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death”
Luke 16:23 “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments,…”
3. Jesus Died to Pay the Price for Your Sins and Offers Salvation as a Free Gift
Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 6:23b “…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
4. You Must Receive the Gift of Eternal Life the Bible Way
Romans 10:9-10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
You Can Pray and Trust Christ as Your Savior Right Now
If you will come to Christ as a sinner, you can be saved. Pray this simple pray and call on Jesus as your Savior.“Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe you died for me on the cross and rose again to pay for my sin. I am trusting you as my personal Savior. Forgive me of my sin and save me as the Bible promises. Amen.
Join my in my joy!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Today
Attitude Determines Attitude
I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight.
I have responsibilities to fulfill today.
I am important.
My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.
Today I can complain because the weather is rainy
or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.
Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money
or I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.
Today I can grumble about my health
or I can rejoice that I am alive.
Today I can lament over all that my parents didn't give me when I was growing up
or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.
Today I can cry because roses have thorns
or I can celebrate that thorns have roses.
Today I can mourn my lack of friends
or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.
Today I can whine because I have to go to work
or I can shout for joy because I have a job to do.
Today I can complain because I have to go to school
or eagerly open my mind and fill it with rich new tidbits of knowledge.
Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework
or I can feel honored because the Lord has provided shelter for my mind, body and soul.
Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped.
And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping.
What today will be like is up to me.
I get to choose what kind of day I will have!
Have a Great Day...Unless you have other plans?
—Author Unknown
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Always Remember
Several years ago, we were leaving a church that my husband had started and we had nursed for thirteen years of our lives. I had one last time that I needed to speak to my ladies. I had cried with these ladies. I had laughed with these ladies. I loved every single one of them. The lesson that I gave was the five things that I hoped I had taught them that I always wanted them to remember. This is that lesson.
1. Always remember God is in control.
"The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will." Proverbs 21:1
"Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?" Proverbs 20:24
"A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps." Proverbs 16:9
"Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth." Psalm 124:8
My daughter Wendy wanted to ride a roller coaster when she was very young. But she was terrified of losing control. Finally, her desire was so great that we did a unit study on roller coasters. We studied how they were engineered. We studied the science behind them. We looked up the safety standards. We researched the history and the various kinds of roller coasters. At the end of our study, we went to Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, and rode the Orient Express. After all of our reading, she still had to sit down in the car and trust someone else to throw the switch. And she had the time of her life. She loves roller coasters now.
We can try our very bests to control our lives, but ultimately we have to trust God to control the ride. When we do, we can enjoy the ride.
2. Always remember God is real.
I've been in church now for over 45 years. I've been accepted Christ as my Savior when I was five, over 42 years ago. I've seen Christians suffer and triumph. I've seen Christians suffer and give up. The reason some Christians make it through the grievous storms of life and others run from the sprinkles is that to the first group, God is real.
We serve a real God. He has a real will for our lives. He really will work in your heart and in your life.
"But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works." Psalm 73:28
"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." Hebrews 3:12
"Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice." Psalm 55:17
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Hebrews 11:6
Walk with God page after page, verse after verse, day after day.
3. Always live with eternity's values in view.
"Only one life, so soon it is past. Only what's done for Christ will last."
"How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!" Proverbs 16:16
"Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven." Proverbs 23:5
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." 1 John 2:15-17
4. Always remember: I must decrease and He must increase.
God's purpose is infinitely more important that my preference.
"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30
"And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." Colossians 1:18
5. Always live simple.
That's really the bottom line, isn't it, that we have a testimony that we please God.
1. Always remember God is in control.
"The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will." Proverbs 21:1
"Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?" Proverbs 20:24
"A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps." Proverbs 16:9
"Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth." Psalm 124:8
My daughter Wendy wanted to ride a roller coaster when she was very young. But she was terrified of losing control. Finally, her desire was so great that we did a unit study on roller coasters. We studied how they were engineered. We studied the science behind them. We looked up the safety standards. We researched the history and the various kinds of roller coasters. At the end of our study, we went to Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, and rode the Orient Express. After all of our reading, she still had to sit down in the car and trust someone else to throw the switch. And she had the time of her life. She loves roller coasters now.
We can try our very bests to control our lives, but ultimately we have to trust God to control the ride. When we do, we can enjoy the ride.
2. Always remember God is real.
I've been in church now for over 45 years. I've been accepted Christ as my Savior when I was five, over 42 years ago. I've seen Christians suffer and triumph. I've seen Christians suffer and give up. The reason some Christians make it through the grievous storms of life and others run from the sprinkles is that to the first group, God is real.
We serve a real God. He has a real will for our lives. He really will work in your heart and in your life.
"But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works." Psalm 73:28
"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." Hebrews 3:12
"Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice." Psalm 55:17
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Hebrews 11:6
Walk with God page after page, verse after verse, day after day.
3. Always live with eternity's values in view.
"Only one life, so soon it is past. Only what's done for Christ will last."
- An inconvenience today is worth a victory tomorrow.
- Nothing on this earth outside of the souls of men is anything more than temporary to God.
"How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!" Proverbs 16:16
"Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven." Proverbs 23:5
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." 1 John 2:15-17
4. Always remember: I must decrease and He must increase.
God's purpose is infinitely more important that my preference.
"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30
"And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." Colossians 1:18
5. Always live simple.
- Fear God and keep His commandments.
- Be a good wife.
- Be a good mother.
- Have a good testimony.
That's really the bottom line, isn't it, that we have a testimony that we please God.
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