My Birthday Musings Continue

 

“From birth I have relied on you…”

—Psalm 71:6

How would you describe your life? I’ve been thinking about this question a lot over the course of the last five months. You see, back in early August, I celebrated my 67th birthday. Even after all this intervening time, I haven’t fully formed an answer yet to the question: “How would you describe your life?”

But, in thinking about this question with respect to Scripture, I’m seriously leaning in the direction of the words of the Psalmist from Psalm 71:6, 8-9:

From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.

I will ever praise you. My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.

Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.

Yes, that sums up the direction I want to pursue, as I consider how to sum up my life so far. I certainly have learned to rely on God. Even as a relatively young boy, I had a sense that God loved me and was in the process of laying out a plan for my life. While I could never have predicted the pathway my life would take, I had a calm assurance that God was preparing a straight path for me to follow.

Then, when my health began to fail and especially when my mobility became more and more impaired, while I didn’t like what was happening to me, deep down in the core of my being I sincerely believed—and continue to believe—that what was happening to me was a part of God’s plan for my life.

Oh, I still complain to Him from time to time—almost every day, in fact. I even become quite ornery that I cannot do the things that I once did with ease. But, underneath all of my disappointment, and even discouragement at times, I still know that God is at work in my life “to will and to do of His good pleasure.”

I want to make certain, particularly in these last years of my life, that my mouth is filled more with praise than with complaining. I want to be quick to acknowledge that all I am and all I have has come to me as a precious gift from God—a gift that, quite frankly, I do not deserve.

May we lift our voices in praise to God this day: first and foremost because of who He is—the all-powerful God of the Universe. And then, let’s praise Him because He loves us and has given us His Son as our Savior and Lord.

Surely, if we praise Him as we should, He will prove Himself gloriously faithful to the end.

 

_{Copyright © 2015 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Directed Footsteps

 

“The unfolding of your words gives light…”

—Psalm 119:130

What do you desire most in life? Wealth, fame, or power? Health, strength, talent?

Maybe you are more selfless and wish for your family to experience the fullness of everything this life has to offer? Or, perhaps you desire world peace, the eradication of poverty, and wealth redistribution?

Notice the stated desire of the Psalmist when he wrote these words in Psalm 119:130, 132-133:

The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.

Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.

Here the Psalmist reaches for values that seize the best in this life and reach beyond this world and into the spiritual. He prizes obedience to God's will and to His Word.

As we begin this day, let us direct our desires to eternal values. Let us determine to follow the pathway of obedience.

 

_{Copyright © 2015 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

God Is Listening!

 

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

—Jeremiah 33:3

Have you ever tried to talk with someone who doesn’t answer you? What’s that you say? Your husband, or wife, or teens do that to you all the time?

Okay. But I’m talking about a time when you were in danger or needed help right away. Did the person hearing your cry for help ignore you?

You see, God is not like that. He is always listening for our voices. He wants to be attentive to our prayers—our cries for help.

Notice what the Prophet Jeremiah says in Jeremiah 33:2-3:

This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is his name: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

We should take great comfort from knowing God is always listening for the sound of our voices.

 

_{Copyright © 2015 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Facing Trials

 

“Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.”

—Psalm 119:163b

Everyone faces trying circumstances at one time or another in his or her life. Sometimes the trial is minor. Sometimes the trial is life-shattering.

In reading the longest Psalm in the Bible, Psalm 119, we can see that the Psalmist felt his enemies were closing in on him. He alternates between lament and praise.

But praise for the faithfulness of God always wins out over the Psalmist’s laments. Here’s Psalm 119:163-168:

I hate and detest falsehood but I love your law. Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.

Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. I wait for your salvation, Lord, and I follow your commands.

I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly. I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you.

No matter what condition we find ourselves in this new day, God loves us, listens to our cry for help, and responds in the way that is best for us, just as He did in the trouble-filled days of the Psalmist.

Because of God’s unfailing mercy, grace, and love, we can face whatever may confront us this day.

 

_{Copyright © 2015 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

“They are not ‘Be’ Attitudes”

 

“Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.”

—Matthew 5:1

I’ve heard many sermons on the introductory verses to Jesus’ famous “Sermon on the Mount.” On a recent Sunday, I heard a pastor preach a very different take on these statements of our Lord. ¹

Sharing his insights, with support from an analysis of this passage by the late Dallas Willard, the pastor urged the congregation to read these verses, not as “attitudes” to which they should aspire and emulate, but as a list of normal human conditions into which God would pour His blessing.

Rather than adopting each attitude in order receive blessing, one should accept the truth that in whatever condition one might find himself or herself, he or she was blessed by God.

Out of His inexhaustible mercy, grace, and love, God chooses to bless those who belong to Him in spite of the external circumstances of their lives.

Let me suggest you read these familiar verses with this new interpretation in mind. Here’s Matthew 5:1-12:

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.He said:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

No matter what circumstances may arise in our lives, God pours out His blessing on those of us He has chosen to belong to Him

Take heart this day! God loves you and will bless your inner being with every available spiritual blessing. No matter what is happening on the outside of your life, God is at work within you to fill your life full-to-overflowing with His choicest blessings.

 

______________________
¹ Special thanks to Pastor Rick J. Crocker, Executive Director of the Erie City Mission, for preaching this powerful message on August 3, 2014, at Redeemer Presbyterian Church (EPC) in Erie, PA.

 

_{Copyright © 2015 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Judging Rightly

 

“Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”

—1 Samuel 16:6b

“Here’s lookin’ at you, kid!” With those words, one of the most memorable scenes from the movie “Casablanca” is capped with an expression of ultimate approval. It’s as if Rick Blaine, played by Humphrey Bogart, has passed judgment and given his nod of acceptance and approval to Ilsa Lund, played by actress Ingrid Bergman.

How do you judge a person? I’m quite serious. I’m asking you—yes you! How do you judge a person?

Our culture places an enormous emphasis on how someone looks. Everyone from elementary school children to men and women in their eighties is challenged by our culture to “manage” how he or she appears to others.

We live in a highly judgmental society. We applaud people who look a certain way and look down on people who don’t meet the standard imposed by our culture.

Because I have always been very obese, all of my life I’ve been subjected to discrimination due to the way I look. I could tell you many stories that, looking back from this point in my life, have some really humorous elements to them. But, in fact, these incidents were very hurtful to me at the time.

Add to the “turn off” my physical appearance provides, I am very socially inept. I’m reasonably intelligent, but I never really learned how to relate to other people. My Concrete-Sequential Mind Style^™ often leads me to say things that appear too blunt or harsh. Even though I care deeply for certain people, in general I come across to most people as quite off-putting. Many people who may begin a casual relationship with me soon head for the hills. Most often, all through my life, I have been judged as not worthy to be included—not fitting in, as it were.

Having now reached old age, I take a great deal of comfort in the fact that such a judgmental perspective is not new. Please take note of these few verses from 1 Samuel 16:1-7:

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”

The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”

Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”

Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.”

Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.'”

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Of course there is much more to this intriguing account of the ultimate anointing of the shepherd-boy, David, to become king over Israel, replacing King Saul.

But notice the key truth: God does not measure our value and worth by our outward appearance. Instead, God looks at our hearts.

And that, dear ones, is really great news. Especially for someone like me.

 

_{Copyright © 2014 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

“Shout for Joy to the Lord!”

 

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.”

—Psalm 100:1

Whenever believers gather for worship, some contemporary Christian songs call the Church to praise and to the adoration of our Lord. Such a song is “Shout to the Lord” by Darlene Zschech out of Hillsong Church in Australia:

Shout to the Lord, all the earth,
Let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,
Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand,
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

My Jesus, My Savior,
Lord, there is none like You;
All of my days
I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love.

My comfort, my shelter,
Tower of refuge and strength;
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth,
Let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,
Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand,
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

Of course, as rousing as that song may be, the Psalmist also declared a day of praise in Psalm 100:1-5:

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

This blessed day, let us look forward to the next time we will gather with others of like precious faith and worship the God who loves us with His unfailing love!

 

_{Copyright © 2015 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

The Hand-off

 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

—Proverbs 3:5-6

What do you do when you’ve done all you can do and there’s just no more that you can do?

King Solomon offers this answer from Proverbs 3:5-10:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Now that sounds like excellent advice to me! And, it clearly gives direction as to what we must do when we’ve done everything we can possibly do on our own.

 

_{Copyright © 2015 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

What’s It All About?

 

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!”

—1 Peter 1:3

From time to time, a 1966 melody wafts through my brain reminding me of my college days. The song was written by Burt Bacharach and recorded by a number of artists including Cilla Black, Cher, and Dionne Warwick. It was entitled simply “Alfie.” It was specifically written to publicize a movie by the same name.

This song has a haunting melody and the opening line asks the question: “What’s it all about, Alfie?” Countless radio station airplays cemented this tune in the minds of the listening public.

I never saw the movie, but I wonder if the first part of the question this song asks doesn’t trouble many people today: “What’s it all about?”

The Apostle Peter opens his first letter by answering that question for those who believe in the life-transforming power of the Lord Jesus Christ. As we begin this new day, let’s meditate on what Peter wrote in 1 Peter 1:3-9:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.

This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

That is clearly the answer to the question: “What’s it all about?” Praise God!

 

_{Copyright © 2015 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

“Look What Jesus Has Done For Me!”

 

“What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?”

—Mark 5:7

Sometimes we wonder whether we are in the right place—the place where God can best use us. To answer that question, we can learn from this account in Mark 5:1-20:

Jesus and the disciples went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him.

This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!”

For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”

“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.

A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.”

He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened.

When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

That’s quite a story, isn’t it?

When the man healed from demon possession asked Jesus if he could join the band of wandering disciples, Jesus told him to go home and give a testimony of what God had done in his life to every one who would listen.

That’s a word for us today. Unless God instructs us otherwise, we’re to stay right where God has planted us and share the good news of what He has done for us with the very people who cross the pathway of our lives.

Let’s make a bold decision today to gladly share with the people who inhabit our lives, in as gentle and as loving a way possible, the miracle of God's mercy, grace, and love.

 

_{Copyright © 2015 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Which Fork?

 

“My son, do not forget my teaching…”

—Proverbs 3:1

Almost daily, we come to forks in the road of our lives. Which path will we choose to follow?

King Solomon offers these words of wisdom from Proverbs 3:1-4:

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

It is important that we remember God’s teaching through His Word. Obedience to this teaching will protect us from Satan’s evil intrusion into our lives. It will keep us from taking the wrong fork in our life’s road.

We can live in true peace and security if we remain obedient to God’s Word and yield to the guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Let us remember, obey, and live!

 

_{Copyright © 2015 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

A Great Mystery

 

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…”

—John 1:12

The process through which God reconciles sinful humans to Himself remains a great mystery in so many aspects. Why would God choose to do this? I don’t know. We surely have done nothing to make us worthy of His love.

The Apostle John explores this great mystery when He writes about God’s Son, Jesus, in John 1:10-13:

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

Let us rejoice this day that, through the power of the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ, God has transformed us from mere “creatures” (creations) to His own dearly loved “children.”

 

_{Copyright © 2015 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Supporting Families

 

“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.”

—Proverbs 1:8

In almost every case, the ultimate direction of children is set by their parents. Study after study has proven the value of a nuclear family unit where a father and mother teach solid Judeo-Christian values to their children.

In a society that increasingly celebrates a broad definition of diversity, certain well-established truths sometimes seem to become ignored.

Yes, in the reality of some particular situations, “some family” is better than no family. And, though quite rare, it is also possible to cite individual cases where non-nuclear families have produced well-adjusted children. But, in both cases, I fear that this “evidence” actually stands as outliers, where the “exception proves the rule.”

As Christians within the community of believers, we need to stand ready to help orphans and single-parent families to the maximum of our ability. We need to extend God-breathed love and also practical assistance. We need to support these dear ones with strong and caring arms of love.

We also need to encourage, value, and celebrate those mothers and fathers who work hard to form and maintain nuclear family units.

King Solomon expressed a worthy sentiment most eloquently in the opening verses of his Book of Wisdom, as recorded in Proverbs 1:8-9:

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.

Let us pray that, in His mercy and great grace, God will strengthen and preserve our family units. And, may fathers and mothers teach their children the values of right living through the life-transforming power of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Where our fellowships include orphans and single-parent families, let us do all we can to love them and support them.

 

_{Copyright © 2015 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Do You Hide Your Light?

 

“You are the light of the world.”

—Matthew 5:14a

When you walk along a path in the dark, you don't put your flashlight in your pocket. You grip it tightly in your hand, turn the switch to “on,” and walk carefully, as the light reveals the hazards that might block your forward progress.

That is exactly what Jesus was telling His followers in Matthew 5:14-16:

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.

“Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

This new day, let’s not hide the light God has given us through His Word and through the indwelling Presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Instead, let’s declare the goodness of the Lord. Let’s tell the world of God’s mercy, grace, and boundless love. Let’s let the light of Christ shine brightly through us to light the pathway of a needy world.

If we do this, people who need help finding their way through this ever-darkening world will be drawn to the light and will come to know the life-changing power of our Savior and Lord.

 

_{Copyright © 2015 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

A Matter of Timing

 

“Whenever the impure spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, ‘You are the Son of God.’”

—Mark 3:11

“Timing is everything!”

Have you heard that phrase? I'm quite certain you have. I also imagine that you’ve experienced a number of times in your life when timing played an important role.

I have a vivid memory of an incident in third grade. I particularly liked one very special little girl in my class. Because we were seated alphabetically, we were often paired to work together. At such times, she seemed to really like me and often laughed at the funny things I would say to her as we worked on our assignments.

However, when she would play with a group of other little girls at recess, she would ignore me. No matter what I said, she would act like I didn't even exist.

One day, when she had a group of other girls around her, out of frustration and impatience with not knowing how she really felt about me, I asked her rather loudly, “Do you like me?”

“No!” she replied. “You're a fat creep!”

I was devastated. Sure enough, as soon as recess ended, the teacher asked us to form our study groups. I was mortified. How could I possibly work with this girl who had just so strongly rejected me.

When we turned our desks around to begin working, she whispered, “You shouldn’t have asked me that question with the other girls around. It wasn’t the right time.”

“Timing is everything.” That phrase helps explain a somewhat mystifying account recorded in Mark 3:7-12:

Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. When they heard about all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon.

Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him.

Whenever the impure spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.”

But he gave them strict orders not to tell others about him.

Why didn’t Jesus want to acknowledge that He was, indeed, the Son of God? Because His time had not yet come. And, timing is everything.

Well, fortunately we no longer need to conceal the wonderful reality that Jesus is the Son of God. He is the Rose of Sharon, the Lilly of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star, the Fairest of Ten Thousand, our Savior, Lord, and King.

We can shout from the rooftops that Jesus is Lord of All. This is the Good News that fills the hearts of men, women, boys, and girls with God-breathed love and with great joy.

Hallelujah!

 

_{Copyright © 2015 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Placing Our Trust

 

“Your word, Lord, is eternal…”

—Psalm 119:89a

In our ever-changing culture, most of us would like to find something in which we could put our trust—something we could hold on to that's doesn’t change. We’re looking for something “immutable.”

Immutaable—that’s a word not often used in normal conversation. It means “unchanging over time.”

When something is immutable it has an inherent stability. In a time where almost everything seems to change, finding something immutable provides an anchor to hold our “ship of life” firmly at rest and able to weather whatever storm may blow against that “ship.”

The Psalmist celebrates such an immutable anchor point in Psalm 119:89-90:

Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.

This day let us turn our minds and hearts to God’s Word and find there everlasting security in the immutable truth. And, let’s bask in God’s unfailing and undying love.

 

_{Copyright © 2015 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Love-based Justice

 

“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you…”

—Luke 6:27b

For most of my life I’ve been a “beat ’em with a big stick of justice” kind of guy.

Recently, I’ve begun to realize that my view of justice does not mesh at all with the view of justice that Jesus expressed in Luke 6:27-36:

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

“If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.

“And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.

“And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.

“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

When we read Jesus’ words carefully and determine, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to be obedient to this teaching of our Savior and Lord, our lives will change dramatically—for the better.

 

_{Copyright © 2015 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Praising God

 

“Praise be to his glorious name forever…”

—Psalm 72:19

For me, the best part of worship services has always been the singing of hymns. I particularly like hymns of praise.

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation.
O my soul praise Him for He is my help and salvation.

A congregation marked by enthusiastic hymn singing always brings joy to my heart and a sense of well being to my soul.

I suppose that’s why I look to the Psalms for inspiration at the beginning of a new day. These ancient hymns of praise taught the children of Israel, God’s chosen people, about the wonders and majesty of the God who loves them.

For example, notice what the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 72:18-19:

Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.

Let us begin this new day, and every new day, with praise to the God who loves us with His everlasting love.

 

_{Copyright © 2015 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

A Fortress of Refuge

 

“In you, Lord, I have taken refuge…”

—Psalm 71:1a

When you were in elementary school did you ever build a fort?

Growing up in the eastern edge of northwestern Pennsylvania, I used to spend many winter hours building an elaborate snow fort. Since I was the only male child on my side of East Main Street, I never had to worry about being attacked by marauding children. But I was certainly ready for any attack. I was safe and secure my icy fortress.

Sometimes, when the storms of life increase in ferocity, I often wish I could retreat to the safety of my fort.

Apparently, I am in good company. The Palmist seems to share my desire when he writes in Psalm 71:1-3:

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me; turn your ear to me and save me.

Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.

Life always offers challenges. As believers in the life-transforming power of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have the best possible place of refuge: safe in our Savior’s loving arms.

Let’s be certain tell God how grateful we are for His protective care.

 

_{Copyright © 2015 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

A Great Cloud of Witnesses

 

“…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.”

—Hebrews 12:1b

Anyone who engages in a musical performance, or a dramatic presentation, or a sporting event will tell you what a key role the audience plays. Those who watch you provide a significant boost of energy that greatly enhances your performance.

So it is for we “Christ-ones,” as we struggle to follow God’s pathway. A great crowd watches us from heaven.

The writer of the letter to the Hebrew Christians explains this in Hebrews 12:1-3:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Each time we gather for worship, let’s remember the saints who have gone before us who now abide in the very Presence of our Lord. They are witnesses to our faith journeys.

They are cheering us on, as we obediently follow the pathway God has opened up before us. Praise God that we follow His path for us with their enthusiastic support.

 

_{Copyright © 2015 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Crying Out for Help

 

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry”

—Psalm 40:1

When you cry out for help, whom do you hope will respond?

The Psalmist answers this question from his perspective in Psalm 40:1-3:

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.

God listens with an ear tuned to our cries for help. Why does He do this? Because He loves us with an everlasting, unfailing, undying love.

When you need to cry out for help take heart! God is listening. He will send help your way—powerful help, love-bound help, perfect overcoming help.

 

_{Copyright © 2015 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

His Love Never Changes

 

“Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens…”

—Psalm 36:5a

“Life is moving faster than it ever has before.” So writes the author of the gospel song from the 1970s: “Praise the Lord, He never changes.”

That author echoes the words of the Psalmist from Psalm 36:5-9:

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep.

You, Lord, preserve both people and animals. How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!

People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.

As we begin another New Year, let us lift our voices in praise this day that the God who loves us with His everlasting love never changes.

We may confidently count on Him to always have our best interest in mind. No matter how confusing or troubled things may seem, He gives us light to show us the way forward.

And, as a reminder of God’s unchanging love for us, let me suggest that you listen to this gospel song:

 

_{Copyright © 2015 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}