"The nations shall know that I am the Lord,” says the Lord God, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes." ~ Ezekiel 36:23

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

in Him I have a shelter

"How happy is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How happy is the man the LORD does not charge with sin, and in whose spirit is no deceit!

When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy on me; my strength was drained as in the summer's heat. Selah Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not conceal my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and You took away the guilt of my sin. Selah

Therefore let everyone who is faithful pray to You at a time that You may be found. When great floodwaters come, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble. You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance. Selah

I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with My eye on you, I will give counsel. Do not be like a horse or mule, without understanding, that must be controlled with bit and bridle, or else it will not come near you. Many pains come to the wicked, but the one who trusts in the LORD will have faithful love surrounding him. Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart." Psalm 32 (HCSB)

Unconfessed sin; in my silence I feel the weight of guilt bearing down onto me. The Lord's hand heavy upon me, reminding me that there is something we need to discuss and bring into the open.

Giving up, I turn to God and confess what He already knows; He has been waiting to hear me admit my transgressions. With my honest admission relief comes like a wave. I open my mouth and my heart to my God and He removes the oppression of my stubbornness, my deceit, my disregard for His instruction. He forgives.

In my God I find release and relief, in Him I have a shelter, a peace, a joy, His comforting presence.

He reminds me that He has plans for me, structure, progress, purposeful travel. He whispers to me and I incline my ear to His voice. He corrects my stubbornness and reminds me that faithfulness is rewarded with understanding, His love encompasses me and brings my heart to song.
I shout out, "I am loved by the God of All Creation! He knows my name!"

I am His anew, again.

Monday, February 11, 2008

There has never been a time such as this, when we have had such a wealth of resources to assist us in our study of God's Word, the Holy Bible.

Please enjoy one of my recently updated pages, Bible Helps and Study.

It is my prayer that your study of God's Word may be helped in some way by the information gathered here.

Saturday, February 02, 2008

"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY"." 1 Peter 1:14-16

Author Jerry Bridges, in his book "The Pursuit of Holiness" states, "God has called every Christian to a holy life.". He defines holiness as, "nothing less than conformity to the character of God".

"Your eyes are too pure to look on evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing." Habakkuk 1:13a

God is holy, does not consider evil, always does that which is right and just.

He is the standard.

I wonder how the gaps between my family and I, and everyone else around me, would be bridged if I took to heart, to purpose, the mandate to walk in a Godly character all the time.

My family would be blessed to see God emulated and I would be blessed to see my family following an example to live a life in pursuit of Godlike character.

Father God, help me to consider your heart before I open my mouth to speak. Help me to consider your holiness before I take a step in any direction.

I know that I shall be misunderstood-understood, ridiculed and persecuted for standing for your righteousness. I know that those who remain "in ignorance" will not fathom you and will not understand your perfection.

Help me, Lord, to be unbending and unyielding in following you; not without mercy or compassion, but without compromise.

Help me, Lord. to be that beacon of light you designed.

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Matthew 5:10-16

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It's no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men.

You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."