"That Your beloved may be delivered. Save with Your right hand, and hear me." Psalm 108:6
In the above prayer the psalmist David refers to himself as the Lord's beloved. David seemed to grasp a truth that many of us have a hard time laying hold of. This man who had a heart after God, knew his relationship with his Lord was a tender loving relationship, he understood he was greatly loved and cherished. It is easy for me to see God as liking me, or caring for me, or even me and God being "BFF", but being the Lord's beloved is a bit beyond me. This truth of being the Lord's beloved may be hard to grasp, but it is a foundational truth that we all need to grow in. Is the wonder of His great love for you fixed in your heart? Do you know that God is crazy in love with you? There is no greater proof for His love, in that He gave His life for you. Take some time to ponder the fact that you truly are the Lord's beloved. As you grow in the marvelous understanding of His great love for you, I promise you will have an increase of peace and joy and strength. Oh how very much He loves you.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Fresh Hearts
"strengthening the souls of the disciples...." Acts 14:22
World War One had become a stalemate. Neither side was winning and they were locked in horrible trench warfare. The war had become a war of attrition, which is a slow grinding down process, until one side loses the will to fight or resist. I am absolutely convinced through experience, that attrition is a favorite strategy of the enemy of our souls. We all burden ourselves with a busy day to day grind which begins the attrition process. Then the enemy or the world throws in who knows what....a physical ailment, an unexpected bill, your child's school project, a discouraging word, fearful news, a looming pay cut, a funny clunking noise from the car, or any number of things. The daily toil can wear you down and weaken the soul. The above words from Acts 14 describe Paul and Barnabas' ministry to the churches they had visited. These shepherds knew that their disciples had been in tribulation and therefore needed their souls fortified. I love J.B. Phillips' translation of the verse, he says, "they put fresh heart into the disciples." I love the idea of the "fresh heart", because so often the daily onslaught leaves us disheartened, and unable to fight or resist. God's desire is to strengthen our souls and make us stout of heart. No doubt if Paul and Barnabas were passing through our town today they would look to put "fresh heart" into weary troops. They would set our hearts right in reminding us that our battle is not a stalemate. We have already won in Christ, the enemy is defeated and victory is assured. The proper heavenly perspective is crucial. If our eyes are fixed on the battle alone we will grow weary, but if we fix our hearts on the triumph of Jesus, we will be heartened.
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony...." Revelation 12:11
World War One had become a stalemate. Neither side was winning and they were locked in horrible trench warfare. The war had become a war of attrition, which is a slow grinding down process, until one side loses the will to fight or resist. I am absolutely convinced through experience, that attrition is a favorite strategy of the enemy of our souls. We all burden ourselves with a busy day to day grind which begins the attrition process. Then the enemy or the world throws in who knows what....a physical ailment, an unexpected bill, your child's school project, a discouraging word, fearful news, a looming pay cut, a funny clunking noise from the car, or any number of things. The daily toil can wear you down and weaken the soul. The above words from Acts 14 describe Paul and Barnabas' ministry to the churches they had visited. These shepherds knew that their disciples had been in tribulation and therefore needed their souls fortified. I love J.B. Phillips' translation of the verse, he says, "they put fresh heart into the disciples." I love the idea of the "fresh heart", because so often the daily onslaught leaves us disheartened, and unable to fight or resist. God's desire is to strengthen our souls and make us stout of heart. No doubt if Paul and Barnabas were passing through our town today they would look to put "fresh heart" into weary troops. They would set our hearts right in reminding us that our battle is not a stalemate. We have already won in Christ, the enemy is defeated and victory is assured. The proper heavenly perspective is crucial. If our eyes are fixed on the battle alone we will grow weary, but if we fix our hearts on the triumph of Jesus, we will be heartened.
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony...." Revelation 12:11
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