Daily IMPACT!

ARE YOU SATISFIED?

I read a book a long time ago about eating.  Only eat when you are hungry and then stop eating when you are no longer hungry.  I lost nearly 20 pounds eating that way.  Probably would be a good thing for me to go back to that regimen.  Sometimes I eat because I’m bored.  And when I’m bored, I eat anything that’s easy to snack on: chips, pretzels, bread, cookies, etc.  Sometimes I eat when a commercial comes on and entices me–hate those pizza ads.  When I am stressed I seem to crave sweets.  But when I am hungry…all that satisfies me is a good well-balanced meal.

“The poor shall eat and be satisfied; Those who seek Him will praise the Lord; Let your heart live forever!” Psalm 22:26

In this passage I “the poor” aren’t looking for food.  I think the psalmist is talking about the same hunger that Jesus refers to in Matthew 5:3~~”the poor in spirit”.  For those who are poor in spirit hunger and thirst after righteousness and when they do, they are filled.  And they receive the kingdom of heaven.

“Those who seek Him will praise the Lord.”  That’s what happens when poor are hungry.  They long for the well-balanced and what is best for them.  They seek Him.  Without Jesus, they cannot be satisfied.  But with Him, their hearts “live forever”.  Whenever we find ourselves hungering for something to satisfy our desires, our hopeless estate, our personal needs–it is only Jesus who can meet the need.  Only Him.  We simply won’t be satisfied until we sit and sup from His cup.  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]

NO CAUSE TO BE ASHAMED

There are times in my life I have been extremely ashamed.  I’ve been ashamed of things I’ve thought.  Things I’ve allowed myself to dwell upon.  Bitterness I’ve held.  Anger I’ve exhibited.  Remarks I’ve made.  Deeds I’ve done and deeds I have not done.  I do not want a cause to be ashamed anymore.  I want to be ready and able to stand in the righteousness of Christ and run the race He has set before me with patience and endurance.  How does one accomplish this?

“Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing  [rightly handling and skilfully teaching] the Word of Truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15

I’ve been studying.  I am eager.  But I fail many times to do my “utmost” to present myself to God.  Many times I do my utmost to present myself to man.  And now that I consider this verse very carefully, I realize if I were to present myself to every man, woman and child as if I were actually presenting myself to God, I could be a much better presentation for all the world to see.  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008] 

TAKE REFUGE

There is a story I read months, maybe years, ago of a soldier running from the enemy in the jumgle.  They were fast on his heels when he came upon a cave.  He could hear them nearby and huddled into the dark refuge of that cave.  Within moments of his entering it, a spider began to spin a web at the entrance.  When the enemy approached, they saw the web and didn’t bother searching it because the web was undisturbed. 

“The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him [who revere and worship Him with awe] and each of them He delivers.  O taste and see that the Lord our God is good!  Blessed is the man who trusts and takes refuge in Him.  O fear the Lord, you His saints [revere and worship Him]!  For there is no want to those who truly revere and worship Him with godly fear.” Psalm 34:7-9

I don’t understand how God does it.  I just know He does.  I know that in the most frightening of circumstances that He is encamped around me.  I know that there is nothing that can hurt the me that trusts in Him.   Not enemies, not slander, not gossip, not accusations, not hatred, not illness, not death, not one single solitary thing.  For my Lord encamps around me.  Because I am in awe of Him and know He is greater than anything in this world.  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]    

WHILE I LIVE

What plans do I have for eternity?  This is a question that came to my mind as I read the passage of scripture the Lord led me to today.  I think about the fact that Jesus gave His life to attone for sin–my sin.  I think about how glorious it will be to meet my loved ones when I die–a great reunion.  Such comfort I have in that thought.  I think about the joy of meeting the saints of old and hearing the praise of people who have met Jesus as a result of our prayers–people we never met, never knew by name–but prayed for all the same.  I think of praising Jesus all day long–with an unending day.  Oh how marvelous that seems to me!  To dance in the meadows of heaven with children in tow.  To listen to eternal laughter and feel the warmth of never-ending Light and Love.   And I cannot help but praise the Lord today.

“Praise the Lord, O my soul!  I will praise the Lord while I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.” Psalm 146:1

Yes, heaven is a wonderful place.  It’s wonderful to think of no more sorrow, no more struggle, no more tears.  But the marvel of life is praising the Lord Who makes all this possible for me–for others today.  Oh, to remember this as I walk the grocery aisles and pass folks on the streets of everyday life.  Such blessings cannot and should not be kept to myself “while I live and have my being” on this earth.  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]

IN FRIGHTFUL TIMES

Tonite the tornado sirens sounded in northern Oklahoma.  The sky was black as pitch.   The probability of 100 mile an hour wind and baseball size hail prompted a friend of mine to seek refuge.  She and her family went to a neighbor’s home to take shelter in their cellar.  I can’t blame her.

In the past few weeks many folks have reported near-death experiences clinging to loved ones in closets while their entire home has been swept away.  I have friends who were in one of those closets in Missouri and the walls all around them were destroyed, but they remained safe.  In frightful times, we cling to those we love and we look to He Who loves us.  Often we gain peace in the midst of our fear because we seek help in Him.

The disciples had left Jesus to pray and got in a boat to sail to the other side of the lake.  A storm arose and while they battled the elements, Jesus came walking on the water.  This was an unbelieveable sight–foreign to them.  They thought He was a ghost and were terrified.

“But instantly He spoke to them, saying, Take courage!  I AM!  Stop being afraid!”  Matthew 14:27

Peter got out of the boat and went to Jesus but sank when he doubted.  Jesus caught Peter’s hand and brought him back to the boat.  “And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  And those in the boat knelt and worshipped Him, saying, Truly You are the Son of God.” Mt. 14:32,33.

I’m sure the disciples were grateful that the storms ceased.  I’m sure Peter was thrilled that Jesus saved him.  The magnitude of their gratitude was expressed in humility and exaltation.  They were humbled.  Jesus was exalted.  In our frightful times, are we humbled?  Do we immediately exalt Jesus and worship Him?  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]    

REJOICE IN HOPE

In my darkest moments of life, I have always had hope.   I might not feel as though there is hope, but there is hope.  I’ve lived through some pretty tumultous times but none can compare to what the saints of old endured.  Especially, Paul.  Beaten, shipwrecked, imprisoned–yet, he still wrote:

“Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer.”  Romans 12:12

The hope I have is in Jesus.  Not this world.  Even when the things of this world is what I hope to see change, it is not where I can place my hope.  If I do, it is misplaced.  I can hope things will get better, but what if they don’t?  Then my hopes are dashed.  That is why my hope can only rest in Jesus; He is the surety of my joy and my hope forevermore.  When life assails, He prevails.  When all is lost, He does not fail.  With Him, suffering and tribulation is but a temporary thing.  With tribulations I am reminded to “be constant in prayer”.  And some glad day, the Lord will reign forever and ever, and we will live in the rejoicing of our hearts eternally.  So rejoice, my friends, rejoice.  “Again I say rejoice.”  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]

REST IN THE TABERNACLE

My daughter can’t use her grill.  A bird made a nest inside it.  It laid four eggs that didn’t hatch.  Just when my daughter thought they should be hatching, she pushed one aside and laid four more.  It’s an exciting thing for my little 3-year-old granddaughter.  Not so exciting for my daughter.  She needs her grill.  It appears that the bird has taken up permanent residence.  She has found safety in that grill.  It’s not so strange for a bird to seek the safest spot to build a nest.  It’s ironic that she chose this precise time as my daughter is moving from one home to another.

“Yes, the sparrow has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young–even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.”  Psalm 84:3.

For Christians, our tabernacle is God.  We rest in Christ and security is sound.  We don’t have to worry whether someone will come and shoo us out.  Whether our building will crumble or be wiped out by a storm.  We rest in the House of Jesus.  We are His temple, and He lives within each who cling to Him and abide in Him.

“Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence; they will be singing Your praises all the day long.  Selah.” Psalm 84:4

There’s a lot of wind and bluster we face each day in life.  Yet, we who know God and love Him are protected through all life’s storms.   Knowing this, may we forever have a song in our hearts and the lyrics of His praise on our lips as we abide in Jesus and He in us.  May our joy be made known throughout the land as we focus on Him and His refuge.  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]

WITHOUT HYPOCRISY

There are times I must speak out.  There are times I cannot remain silent in the face of evil.  Love for Jesus must be without hypocrisy.  How can I profess to love Jesus and condone evil–or ignore it.  When confronted with the evil in this world, is it not my obligation to address it and stand against it as God so leads?

“Let love be without hypocrisy.  Abhor what is evil, cling to that which is good.”  Romans 12:9

When we cling to the good in life and promote good, evil is squeezed out.  The more we do to exalt the name of Jesus, the more men are drawn to Him and are saved.  Our love for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ must be without contradictions.  We cannot say we love and act unbecoming of our calling as Christians by speaking against our brothers or sisters.  We cannot withhold generosity, kindness, forgiveness or goodness.  We must cling to what is “good”.  Hold on to it.  Cradle it.  Nurture it.  Spread it.  To do less would be hypocritical.

Lord, help us to be more of what you desire us to be for Your glory and honor.  Let us cling to that which is good and share all You are with others.  In You we have our own righteousness.  In You.  Keep us ever mindful of that fact.  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]      

KEEP THE DEPOSIT

I was given an 1876 silver dollar when I was about 10 years old.  My dad told me he’d put it in the bank with some other money I had and brought me a little book that showed he put it in the bank.  One day when I was around 15 years old I asked my dad to get my silver dollar out of the bank.  To my surprise (and financial education), I discovered that when you give money to the bank to keep for you, they don’t put it in a safe place.  Dad had simply deposited the coin into a savings account.

The deposit was still there.  But the coin was no longer mine.   As Christians, we are given a deposit on eternity with the faith we’ve placed in our Savior.  He and He alone keeps us and assures us of our eternal life.  We have no other name by which to claim any inheritance into the kingdom of God except Jesus the Christ.  There is no other way except through Him.  We do well when we remember that and not be tossed from one doctrine to another as some have done after hearing of Jesus.

“O Timothy, guard and keep the deposit entrusted [to you]!  Turn away from the irreverent babble and godless chatter, with the vain and empty and worldly phrases, and the subtleties and the contradictions in what is falsely called knowledge and spiritual illumination.  [For] by making such profession some have erred (missed the mark) as regards the faith…” 1 Timothy 6:20, 21a.

We are living in strange times.  Thousands of religions and false teachings abound.  We are bombarded with voices urging us to be tolerant of others–to be careful how we share Christ so as not to offend others.  We must not listen to these babblings and godless chatter.  We must hold fast to the faith we have in the Lord Jesus.  We must not water down His message, nor reduce the power of His birth, life, death and resurrection.  These are our deposit.  Someday we will find our deposit has grown with great interest as we are faithful to His calling to share His Truth.   Someday we’ll stand in awe at His return and join all nations when we bow at His feet and all men confess He is Lord.  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]

HIDDEN THINGS

A young man and his brother were told to plant peas in the garden.  After tediously placing one pea at a time in a row of soil, they got tired and wanted to go swim.  So they just put the remainder of the peas in a hole and covered them with dirt.  When they returned home their mother asked if they’d planted all the peas.  Without hesitation, they both answered yes.  About a week later the peas sprouted and the truth of what they did showed exactly how they had planted the peas.

Sin is like those peas.  While we think we have taken care of them and no one knows, eventually they will be made known.  Some sin may be quite evident at the time while others may appear much later.  (1 Timothy 5:24)

“So also, good deeds are evident and conspicuous, and even when they are not, they cannot remain hidden [indefinitely].” 1 Timothy 5:25

Sometimes we watch the sinfulness of man and never see the justice meted out for wrongs committed.   We may feel angered, bitter or want to give up doing the right thing–especially when we see the wicked prosper.  But we mustn’t grow weary.   Our own acts of goodness may seem to go unnoticed but they are not “hidden indefinitely”.   God sees all.  He knows exactly what good we are doing.  And eventually all will be revealed–good and bad.  Our job is simply to be faithful to what He has called us to do and leave the rest to Him.  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]