Needing to be Sharpened

Proverbs 27

17 As iron sharpens iron,

so a friend sharpens a friend.

I am in need of some sharpening this morning. feeling rather blue and quite dull, actually. I know that all will work out, but I have played a role in a situation that could have easily been avoided. I forgot about youthful enthusiasm and assumed a matrix that hasn’t quite fully kicked in yet, and now I have placed several of my brothers in a less-than-desirable position. I should have known better, thought things through a little more, and reminded myself (and others) of the “no surprises” rule of communication. Yes, I am in need of being sharpened today.

Public Proclamation

Psalm 111

1 Praise the Lord!

I will thank the Lord with all my heart
as I meet with his godly people.
2 How amazing are the deeds of the Lord!
All who delight in him should ponder them.
3 Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty.
His righteousness never fails.
4 He causes us to remember his wonderful works.
How gracious and merciful is our Lord!

I am so privileged to meet with my brothers and sisters in Christ this morning to Celebrate Jesus. I do not want to EVER take this weekly gathering for granted, because there are many on this planet who gather to celebrate Jesus at great personal peril. Many who must do so in secret. In the United States of America at this point in our history, it is perfectly legal for us to gather to proclaim the glory of God in a corporate setting. Should that legality change, I will still proclaim God’s glory, and I will still meet with others to do so. God’s righteousness never fails, and my need to publicly remember His wonderful works will never end.

Nomads

Hebrews 11

13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. 14 Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. 15 If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. 16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

The roll call for the Hall of Faith has started, and then the writer reminds us that these Old Testament Heroes of the Faith all had one very important thing in common: they died still believing what God had promised them, even though they hadn’t received it, having only seen it from a distance. How pitiful it is for me to have doubts when I have been shown the full Promise of God through the person of Jesus! Instead, may I emulate these Old Testament Heroes, remembering that I am a nomad on this earth. This is NOT my home, nor my homeland. I long for the day when I am in the very presence of God, just as these Old Testament Heroes longed for that day, and are now experiencing it.

Encouraged

Hebrews 10

23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Meeting together with other believers on a regular basis is crucial if I am to hold tightly without wavering to the hope I affirm. I know that God can be trusted to keep His promise, but I also know that I am easily distracted by the things of this world. I am easily led astray by my own desires. I need the encouragement of brothers and sisters in Christ to hang in there. I love the fact that I not only get to meet with the body of believers known as Vero Christian Church each Lord’s Day, but that I am involved in small groups, praise team, and a couple of different mentoring situations. Having these sprinkled throughout my week keeps me on track, and keeps me encouraged. I praise God for these people and these times of meeting together. I wish everyone had such times of meeting throughout their week as well. The body of Christ would be greatly strengthened by such meetings.

Your Love O Lord

Psalm 108

1 My heart is confident in you, O God;

no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart!

2 Wake up, lyre and harp!

I will wake the dawn with my song.

3 I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.

I will sing your praises among the nations.

4 For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens.

Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.

May your glory shine over all the earth.

I have spent a good part of the day talking with folks who are in the midst of marital problems, family disintegration, and severe spiritual attack. God has placed me in a position to “be there” for these folks. Not that I have any words of wisdom for them, but I am there for them. I have had the privilege of praying for four different situations today, and in each of these situations, folks are straying from God, while others are hanging on for dear life. I am praying that God’s Almighty Hand intervenes in each situation; that people turn their hearts toward Him. Meanwhile, I praise God that He allows me to approach Him on behalf of these dear ones. I am so thankful for the lovingkindness God showers upon me each day. His love reaches to the heavens, and His faithfulness stretches to the clouds. May that love and faithfulness cover the folks with whom I am spoken and prayed for today.

Speak Out

Psalm 107

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!

His faithful love endures forever.

2 Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out!

Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.

Has God redeemed me from my enemies? Of course! So, how could I dare to keep silent? To do so would be to heap insults upon my Redeemer! I will gladly let everyone know that my Redeemer lives, and that He loves me. I will loudly proclaim that Jesus is the Christ, and I will live my life in such a manner that there is no mistaking this fact.

Focus

Ezekiel 18

 23 “Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their and live. 24 However, if righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things and act like other sinners, should they be allowed to live? No, of course not! All their righteous acts will be forgotten, and they will die for their sins.”

God does not desire than anyone would perish, but that all would come to Jesus and have eternal life. God also does not wish anyone who has once tasted eternal life through Christ to turn their back on that free gift of salvation. Alas, both scenarios play out in the lives of humans daily. Lord, help me to guide others to Christ, and to keep them focused on Christ always. May my focus be laser sharp, and may Jesus be the only One on Whom I focus.