by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Psalm 84-89
A day in your courts is better than a thousand (Psalm 84:10)
There is nothing which will take the place of the presence of God in our lives. In the time of the psalms, God’s manifested presence was in His house. The ark of the covenant – in the Holy of Holies – was the place of His presence.
Today is different. God’s presence is within the hearts of believers. Now don’t get me wrong; God is everywhere. But we are talking about His manifested presence – the presence which we are aware of. The presence which gives us those ah-ha moments – sometimes correcting us and sometimes showering us with His love.
What isn’t different, however, is that His manifested presence is still the greatest experience we can have. There have been times when I would be having some “down” opportunities, and God’s presence would “show up.” Suddenly, I would go from near depression to the mountaintop with lightening speed. His presence, when encountered, is like a touch of heaven – where there is nothing negative at all. Complete peace. Complete joy. Amazing!
Today we have that opportunity to spend time with our Lord and experience Him in new ways. If you have never experienced what I am talking about, I want you to ask Him for it. Ask the Lord to speak to your heart and show you His thoughts. Ask Him to let you experience His closeness. He will do it for you, as He has for me.
Today as you read His Word, listen for His voice behind the words. He desires a close walk with you.
Romans 11
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out. (V. 33)
As we move through these epistles (letters) of Paul, if we scan them too quickly, we could seem to be bogging down in theology. However, I would like to encourage you to slow down and reread any passages which are confusing. These letters give us insight which we can’t find anywhere else. There are hints and clues in the Old Testament and the four gospels, but understanding only comes through the letters.
Why is that? The new birth, with Holy Spirit actually living within the hearts of man, was a mystery only to be revealed after the fact. Before we received the new birth, we couldn’t understand it or embrace it.
Paul was the apostle chosen by God to understand and explain to the rest of us just what we are experiencing and how we are to walk in it. If we can allow ourselves to truly tap into this new revelation, we will be living extraordinary lives with our Lord. If we don’t, we will never rise above the Old Testament concepts of our God.
In the Old Testament, God established a covenant with the descendants of Abraham. This was a natural covenant, in that these natural men were to follow the plans of God and walk according to His ordinances. In that manner, they were to keep their part of the covenant, and they were to be blessed by God – in great provision and protection.
Always they were looking for a Messiah which would one day come and be their King. They thought that this King would establish a more perfect Israel. Yet that is not what God meant.
The Messiah was Jesus, and He did indeed come as expected. However, instead of coming with obvious power, He came as a carpenter, with an insignificant birth, and grew up among the Jews as a regular boy. Obviously, the shepherds in the field who heard the angels announce His birth and the wisemen from Egypt who saw the star in the east knew that something extraordinary was happening. Yet years passed and Jesus seemed to be just another boy, although He was indeed wise.
As an adult, Jesus demonstrated God’s plan, but still people found it hard to understand. He was actually showing what a person, filled with God’s Spirit was capable of. Every healing, every word, every miracle was a demonstration of a gift of the Spirit which would come to the Christians once they were transformed. (Just remember that He had all of the gifts and all of the knowledge. No one human since has had it all; each has had a part).
Only born-again believers, with the Spirit of God living on the inside could truly understand what God’s plan was all about. It surpassed the human mind. Indeed today, those who just want their minds to grasp God’s plan can never understand it. It’s super-human and exceeds the realm of the intellect.
Paul was a chosen vessel God used to receive the revelation and to give it to us through his letters. The message is not only for the Jews, but for the gentiles who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior. When we are born again, we literally become new people, with God’s Spirit residing within us. As we continue in His plan for our lives, we see more and more of the depths of his plan. He reveals these things to us by His Spirit.
Today let’s meditate on these things and ask God to show us more. We want to receive all the revelation He has for us. It’s all in the Word, but we have to have it revealed to us to really “get it.” My prayer for you and for me is that we truly receive all that He has for us.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Psalm 78 – 83
What is your personal history with the Lord? Is it written?
I would like to encourage you to sit down and write your own history. I have counseled many people over the years, and have heard horror stories about abuse and injustice done to them. That’s the glass half empty.
If they would take a more positive approach to their story, they would tell it differently. They would not think of the disaster as much as the deliverance. (After all, they’re still here, aren’t they)?
If you write your own history, you will include the many times that you can see God’s hand trying to lead you to Him. There were those times when you said, “No.” But He didn’t stop, did He? When you didn’t deserve it, His loving hand was trying to get you to the right people and places – the right moment – for you to receive His love.
As you look back, you know that He was always there for you. And He is there for you now.
Add to your history the times when you knew how closely He was guiding you, loving you. The miracles. The grace.
As you develop your own history, your faith will grow. You will begin to discover in a new way how important you are to your God – and how much He loves and cares for you.
His grace is always there.
Romans 10
There is power in the Word of God. We see that premise in many places and demonstrated in many different ways.
That’s how we get saved. The Word is near us – in our mouths and in our hearts. The Word of faith. So if we “confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead,we will be saved.”(V. 9)
There are those who are “seeking their own righteousness.” (V. 3). These are doing this and that which are “good works,” but that is not what makes us right before God. Our faith in the sacrifice of Jesus is the only way to have right standing with God.
Often we encounter people who aren’t believers but who seem to be “good” people. That’s a stumbling block for many. They say, “Isn’t that good person acceptable to God?” But they are asking the wrong question.
The question is, “Do they have a reborn spirit?” That’s the key. When a person seems to be good, God loves them, but they have to do things His way. He has made a way for every person on earth to be born again. That’s what matters in being acceptable to God.
A reborn spirit, through faith in Jesus Christ, is the only thing which is acceptable. Only the reborn spirit can communicate effectively with God. And only the reborn spirit can partake of God’s heavenly realm.
Are you born again? That’s the question – and therein lies the answer.
by Suellen | Uncategorized
Psalm 73-77
Have you ever felt almost jealous of some unbelievers as they prosper while you are going through turmoil? That’s common, and that’s what this first psalm is all about.
Asaph, one of David’s chief musicians, is the writer of this psalm, and he doesn’t mind expounding his jealousy. Yet he finally comes to his senses, as he remembers the goodness of God.
Ultimately every person has to make the decision for their focus: a moment of pleasure on earth or a life lived with God at the center. Of course, God brings great pleasure, but there are times when “things just don’t seem to be going so well.” What do we do then? That’s the big question.
When my heart was embittered and I was pierced within,
Then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before Thee.(73:21-22)
But he goes on to say
Thou hast taken hold of my right hand
With Thy counsel thou wilt guide me
And afterward receive me to glory. (73:23-24)
When we stay faithful to God, He will guide us through the problems we face and bring us out to glory.
These next psalms continue in a similar vein. There are problems we face, and sometimes we can feel hopeless and helpless. However, if we turn our hearts back to God and allow Him to speak to us and strengthen us, our joy will return. Then we will see the answers before us.
Faithfulness is the key. He is faithful to us. Are we faithful to Him?
Romans 9
“Not the children of the flesh, but the children of the promise.” (V. 8) That’s the key phrase when we approach chapter 9.
Paul is explaining to the Romans that the covenant of God is established by faith – and not by works. This difficult concept continues to cause hangups until this day.
As Paul elaborates on the differences between the children of the flesh and the children of the promise, he digs into the annals of Israel’s history to bring out Jacob and Esau, and even the Pharoah of Egypt.
God started His covenant with the Jews, but He eventually extended it to the gentiles. The key from man’s perspective, is to have faith in the covenant – faith in God Himself. The covenant is powerful with many benefits. It doesn’t just fall on you; but neither do you work for it. It comes to those who believe in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and trust in His blessing of grace.
Today, as we go about our routines, let’s ponder this sacrifice and this great grace. Do we believe? Do we receive what He has for us? It’s here for us if we do. We are the children of the promise.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Psalm 70-72
David’s prophetic bent continues as he presents a more detailed understanding of the coming Messiah. The true King of Israel wil also be the King of the whole earth.
“As long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations, they will fear You.”(72:5)
“He shall have dominion also from sea to sea…Yes, all kings shall bow down before Him.”(72:8,11)
“He will deliver the needy.”(72:12)
“His Name shall endure forever.”(72:17)
“And let the whole earth be filled with His glory.” (72:19)
As we meditate on these verses, we see a picture of the coming King. He is clearly not just for the Jews, but for all throughout the world who believe in Him.
When we see such a clear projection of God’s plan, it makes me wonder why the Pharisees and other leaders had a hard time with the gospel being preached to all nations. They probably didn’t pay much attention to the scriptures which didn’t agree with what they already thought.
That’s still a tendency today. (Actually, it’s always been a tendency). It’s human nature to dig out the scriptures which agree with our doctrine and pound those over and over. Then if we come to some which don’t agree with what we already believe, we dismiss them.
If we are to grow as Christians, we need to see the whole counsel of God. As we are reading scriptures, there will be times when our beliefs will be challenged. When that happens, those challenging scriptures are the very ones we need to hear. We need to break out of the box we have built and reach for more of what our God has for us.
None of us knows it all. We will be learning and growing all the days of our lives, if we are living for Him. So don’t be afraid to be challenged.
Reach for all that He has for you. That’s how we move from “glory to glory.”
Romans 8:18-49
These verses are some of the most significant in the whole Bible. Paul is sharing his insights into the power of the new birth and the indwelling Holy Spirit.
There is a glory which will be revealed in due time which shall be beyond anything we have imagined. There is a plan of God to transform us and His creation to the perfection He intended all along. In the meantime, we patiently wait for His coming plan.
Now this is the mystery being revealed in these verses: the whole creation is waiting for the revealing of the sons of God. And who are they? They are us! We are the sons of God.
There are three Greek words for “sons.” One means babes, one means young children, and one means mature sons. This word in Romans 8 is huios, or mature sons. This word also means “pupil.” So the whole creation is waiting for the mature pupils of God to be revealed. When these mature pupils of God show up, they will take their rightful place and operate in the way God has intended.
Part of the plan is for these mature sons to allow the Holy Spirit to pray through them. Verse 26 addresses this issue. The Holy Spirit of God helps our prayers when we don’t know how to pray. He intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (We pray in the spirit).
He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.(26-28).
When we look at these verses we see how important our prayers are in the big scheme of things. In God’s plan, when we allow the Spirit to direct our prayers, we are praying according to the perfect will of God. And when we do that, we know that will these things are working together for the good.
If God is for us, who can be against us? The answer is “no one.” No one can stand before the God of the universe. When He is standing with us, there is no demon or human being around who can stop His purpose. God’s purpose in our lives is absolute – when we are walking closely with Him.
Nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Nothing!
My husband and I start every day with a recognition of God’s unwavering love for us. His lovingkindness is everlasting. Whatever we face, we know that our God is with us, and He will neither fail us nor forsake us.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Psalm 68-69
These two psalms are longer than many and they reflect very different moods. Psalm 68 extols the greatness of God as He “rides upon the earth.” There is reflection of His appearance to the Israelites at Mt. Sinai. The earth quaked and the heavens dropped rain at the presence of God.
“The chariots of God are myriads – thousands upon thousands.” (68:17) Such majesty! Such grandeur and glory! God is being extolled as the God of all the earth!
Ephesians 4 quotes this psalm. In speaking of the ministry gifts which God will bring to the earth, it is written:
“You have ascended on high,
You have led captivity captive,
You have received gifts among men,
Even among the rebellious,
That the Lord might dwell there.”(68:18)
David is prophesying again, as he often does.
Then the mood changes in Psalm 69, as David has an urgent plea for help in trouble. Actually, as we read this, it is clear that this too is prophetic. This time, many references to the crucifixion of Jesus come up, as they have in other psalms.
“Zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who have reproached You have fallen on me.” (69:9) (John 2:17)
“They also gave Me gall for My food, and for My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink.” (69:21) (Matthew 27:34)
Then the psalm even mentions Judas when it says,
“Let their dwelling place be desolate; let no one live in their tents.” (69:25) (Acts 1:20)
So the sorrowfulness is really referring to the coming work of Jesus – as He pays the price for us. That’s why the psalm ends in such an upbeat tone. Israel – and the earth itself, will praise God. His descendants shall inherit the advantage bought by God, and those who “love His name,” shall dwell in it.
As you read these psalms, think in terms of prophecy. You may discover other lines in which the future is being projected on the screen.
Romans 8: 1-17
Flesh versus spirit. That’s one of our major challenges as we live our lives for Christ.
When God created man, He created us in three parts: spirit, soul, and body. The spirit died when man first sinned, but came back to life through Jesus Christ – thus the born again experience. The soul is the part of man which consists of the mind, the will, and the emotions – the seat of personality. The spirit is the part of man which is aligned with God and hears from Him.
So this is the problem. Your soul and mine, before we were born again, was mostly self-centered. Me, me, me! If it feels good, do it!
So along comes the Spirit. After we are born again, our spirits come alive and are Christ-centered. This part of us wants to live for God and for His glory. Our spirits want to do what is right and be led by God.
It’s like there are two different sources of strength within us. If we let our souls go unchecked, our flesh rules. If we live by the spirit, we are in line with God’s desires for us. He is ordering our steps, bringing us direction and favor. (Plus grace to live our best lives).
If we keep these concepts in mind as we read Romans 8, it’s easier to understand.
“To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (V. 6-7)
“We did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but we have received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.'” (V. 15)
To be led by the Spirit is the healthiest thing we can do – not only for ourselves, but also for all those around us. “Abba, Father” literally means “Daddy, God.” When we are in agreement His Spirit, we are in agreement with all that is good – for us and to us.
