Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble. NIV

What is your reaction?

So you are driving on the interstate with a speed limit of 65 and your speed is around 77.  You turn the corner and off to the side a state police car sets under the overpass.  What is your reaction?  If you are like me all my attention with deep groaning in prayer is on that car.  I am hoping officer does not notice me.  Why do we react this way?  Because there is an authority represented by this car which can arrest, fine, take away drivers license etc.  This is a healthy fear.

Letter from the IRS

How about a letter from the friendly IRS. (Sorry for the oxymoron)  This letter is always last one I opened.  Because within the walls of the IRS there is power and authority to enter your life and make changes that are not pleasant.

BLESSED is the one who trembles before God

The scriptures states BLESSED is the one who trembles before God.  Blessed means a better than normal life.  Goodness is following you.  Easier living than others.  You are blessed.  The blessing always come from outside ourselves. Those with power are protecting us rather than chasing us.  In the descriptions above some fear of Law enforcement and tax law would keep you driving slower and not cheating on taxes.  So when you see the car or letter you do not panic.  Your healthy fear kept you safe.

 

Jesus said we should fear God.

Matthew 10:28  Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. This same statement is made in Mark and Luke.  Around this statement are words from Jesus describing God cares for us and  He knows the numbers hair on our heads.  I do trust God,  I do believe in Christ and follow Him.  I am always asking the Holy Spirit to help me and guide me.  But I am also aware of the power of God.  He will judge me as I give an account for my life.

The Bible also has some warning that should put some fear in us.  Like right after the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 Jesus says in verses 14-15  For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.   And verse 22-24  “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!  “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Do you have a health fear of God?

I don’t know where you stand on once saved always saved.  I am not totally in that camp myself but a healthy fear of God is healthy.  One day your will be driving along in your life and as you turn the corner…the end.  We will stand before God.  He is the judge.  He will welcome or reject.  Have a healthy fear now and your life will be most blessed.   If your heart become hardened you will be heading for trouble in this life and the next.   A healthy fear of God will keep your lightnside.

Tonight will be the first state of the union address by President Trump.  Many people are supporters of Trump and many resist his leadership.  Tonight President Trump will discuss the positives of our nation and in a way give credit to his own leadership.  This is what every president does.

You Heavenly Beings

In my devotions today I read Psalms 29 which gives glory to God in His position over all creation.  I will let the chapter stand on it’s own but with this one note.  In verse one it says ” Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings…”  You are a heavenly, supernatural being.  You will live throughout eternity.  The physical world will pass away and a new heaven and earth will be created but you will remain never to die.  You are a heavenly being.  I pray you are heaven bound with lightnside.

 

And now,  the state of the universe address…

1 Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters;  the God of glory thunders,  the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.

4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic.

5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.

6 He makes Lebanon leap like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox.

7 The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning.

8 The voice of the Lord shakes the desert; the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.

9 The voice of the Lord twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever.

11 The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.

17 Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own. 18 Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death 19 is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!” 20 Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down. 21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife. 22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.

 

One of the things I have come to learn in life.  There are people who enjoy a heated, angry conflict rather than the joy of  hard work or helping others.  Normal life to them is creating strife through gossip and arguments,  then sitting back and enjoy their work.

Gossip can be delicious.

Be careful to not get bitten by this desire.  There is something in all of us that wants to hear some secret news of others.  This is the fuel of many TV and Social Media programs.  Maybe it’s the excitement.  Maybe it’s the danger.  Verse 22 does say “the words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down to the inner most.”  You can get a taste for it.   

Be aware of smiling people who want to share

Put your guard up.  Many people lift themselves up by pushing others down.  Please be aware of the darkness that begins to flood your heart as the gossip and quarrels bring their excitements.  It is a quick path away from God’s presence as hunger for more juicy bits increase.

Soon your only joy will be other peoples pain.

 

Proverbs 26:23-28

23 Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware  are fervent lips with an evil heart.

24 Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit. 25 Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.

26 Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. 27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.

28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.  

Take your lightnside and run away from these people. Be at peace with others and God.

Psalm 23:1 NIV

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

GOD is more than my creator, inspector, and judge.  He is my shepherd and I am His sheep. I know His voice. I feel safe and secure in His flock. I follow His direction and I am at peace.

I am an employer shepherd.

I am an employer. People work for me. I am their boss. If I want to be successful I must be more than time keeper or a scheduler.  If I want a long term healthy committed and caring workforce I must be more than the one who signs payroll checks. I must also be  a shepherd.

The remainder of this blog are quotes from the small but powerfully insightful book “The Way of the Shepherd” by Dr. Kevin Leman and William Pentack.  Below are the chapters and I copies one quote from each chapter.  This book is a must for those who wish to lead.

1. Know the condition of your flock. “Get to know your flock, one sheep at a time.”
2. Discover the SHAPE of your sheep.  ” Your choice of sheep can make flock management easier or harder.”
3. Help your sheep identify with you. “Remember that great leadership isn’t just professional; it’s personal.”
4. Make your pasture a safe place. “Pull chronic instigators from the flock.”
5. The staff of direction. “Know where you’re going, get out in front, and keep your flock on the move.”
6. The rod of correction. “Inspect: Regularly inquire about your people’s progress.”
7. The heart of the Shepherd. “Every day you have to decide who’s going to pay for your leadership—you or your people.”

Well worth your time to read and glean truths. The principles of shepherding a company will place a lightnside your business or ministry.

For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness.

Notice the tense of the verse.  Is being revealed.  Present tense.  If I read this right the today there is wrath from God being revealed upon people.  This is certainly a different picture of God than we normally hear and is a little disturbing.

Wrath of God?

Some questions:  Why does God have wrath?  What is God’s Wrath? How is it displayed?

Why  and What:  The character of God is holiness.  He is pure without blemish of any wrong doing.  God established rule in eternity and any resistance to that rule He must deal with.  Satan himself was at one time one of the high angels and then pride entered into him and he tried to raise himself to God’s level.  God’s wrath kicked Satan out of his position and the angels that followed Satan out of heaven. (Isaiah 14:12-15, Luke 10:18) God’s holiness demanded His wrath and action to re-establish the Holiness and Purity of heaven.

How is it displayed?

Before Adam and Eve sinned there was perfection in the garden of Eden.  Then the sin caused from temptation of Satan to Eve and Adam’s lack of following God’s law.  God’s wrath effected Adam and Eve, Satan, and even the world (Genesis 3).  Adam and Eve had to leave the perfect garden into a world that no longer was perfect.  Satan was also cursed to crawl and be feared over all animals.  The world was cursed because of sin and will never be perfected again until after Revelation (Rev 21:1).  We all live under the wrath of God because we all are born into sin.  The earth’s weather, earthquakes and other global issues of nature are part of God’s wrath.  We are born enemies of God from birth because of Adam and Eve’s rebellion.  This sin has placed in us a rebellion toward God and birthed all kinds of evil, violence, disease, addictions, fear, depression and death.  Satan is very active in keeping mankind away from God to remain under this curse.

Much of God’s wrath is simply allowing the results of sinful decisions bring disease, destruction, and perversions to exist.  There are times when God adds to His original wrath with additional judgments as He sees necessary.

Is God mad at everybody?

OK, But I thought God desired to have everybody in heaven. He does. 2 Peter 3:9

I thought God would provide a way to be blessed and happy.  He did.  John 3:16-17 

THEN WHY DOES GOD’S WRATH REMAIN?   People suppress the truth of God even though God’s nature is everywhere in creation.  (Romans 1:19-24, John 3:36)

Is there a way out of God’s wrath?  YES. (Romans 1:17, Colossians 3:13-21, Psalms 23)

While we live in a broken world. We can also live in peace under God Righteousness that is being revealed through a daily walk of faith in Christ.  The choice is our’s to make.  If you want lightnside even through difficult times,  believe in Christ.

 

For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, NIV

 

“For” – connects today’s verse to  the previous verse – I am not ashamed of the Gospel, the power of God to salvation for all who believe… The righteousness of God is revealed through the gospel – through Christ.

Righteousness is a position word.

I am at a right relationship with the bank or credit card company.  No past due payments owed.  I have a right relation.  The right relationship with God would be called righteousness.  The problem is this.  There is no way any of us would ever have a right standing with God because all are broken and part of the fallen nature from sin.  So we could never, ever have a right standing with God, unless we received it from someone else.  God has REVEALED His righteousness over us as we believe in Christ which is the gospel.  As we have faith in Christ, God places a right standing on us.  He makes us righteous before Him.  He sees the reflection of Christ on us.

Received by faith alone!

Faith alone! Not by works of the law.  Faith alone! Not by obedience to the Church. Faith alone! Not by human righteousness. Faith alone! Not by baptism. Faith alone! Not by good intentions. Faith alone! Not by the sacraments. Faith alone! Not by penance or almsgiving. Faith alone! Plus nothing and minus nothing.  

Faith is complete reliance upon another person to do that which you could never do for yourself. 

Ever have surgery?  Did you have faith in the doctor?  When you walk into a plane you have faith in the pilot and machinery to take you and the other thousands on pounds of people and luggage up thirty thousand feet in a tin can traveling at four hundred miles an hour.  Every day I have lightnside through  faith in Christ that today God’s righteousness will surround me because I rest in Christ’s words, presence and teachings.

 

If you find honey, eat just enough— too much of it, and you will vomit.  Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house— too much of you, and they will hate you.  Proverbs 25:16‭-‬17 NIV

 

Have you seen people lose control of …self-control?

They give themselves over to either a pleasure, an escape, or have been hooked by an unrealistic opportunity.  Soon the care of their health and surrounding relationships are ignored.  Blinded to any warning signs they run forward to unexpected pain.   Only destruction of health, job or relationship can wake them out of their “single player dream.”

 

 Better to set a slow pace to good things in life.

I wrestle with weight and it’s always the lack of control with the chips, bread or pasta. Funny I don’t seem to have this problem with salad or veggies :).  Maybe you are like me. I send to be compulsive when starting something new.  Full speed ahead until  I suddenly run out of gas. Better to set a smart pace and increase effort slowly taking care to observe  the effects on yourself and others. Starting  a scripture and prayer plan requires simple expectations at first.  Some will start with a Olympic  devotional plan that would impress the  twelve disciples only to crash with feelings of failure and quilt.  Set a daily simple  commitment and if you miss a day don’t worry,  just get up the next day and continue without quilt.

Anything can be abused…

Anything can be abused and cause the opposite result of the original goal.  Honey is sweet but too much will make you puke or as the 1970 TV sitcom  Alf called it, “the techno-colored yawn.” [Sorry]   Be careful of frequent communication to others in the office or family.  Don’t be a pest or over needy.  You will turn potential friends and supporters into busy signals .  Pace and appreciate other people’s help as you respect their space.  Do you call and text continually? Be careful, be patient  and try to work out problems on your own first.

Keep your life, devotions  and your relationships healthy by pacing yourself.  Watch out for compulsive behaviors and your lightnside  will shine bright.

For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness.

 

These two opposite actions of God are present today.  God is actively revealing His righteousness to those who are placing their faith in Christ.  Also God is actively revealing His wrath  against unrighteousness.  Both are active. Both are present today. Both depend on where we stand in our hearts toward God.

Being Revealed

In the NIV version both the righteousness and the wrath of God are BEING (active) REVEALED (God is one preforming this action).  I plan on tackling both the righteousness and wrath in separate blogs but I wanted to first show both are at work today. And it is God’s doing.

One sided worship songs

One of my issues of worship songs today is they are mostly one sided.  They land on the righteousness and love of God toward us. Although this is true, many songs  imply no matter our choices in life or no matter how far from God we run,  He is chasing us and picks us up in His safe arms and smiles.  Where are the songs about worshiping His Holiness.  Songs like  “All to Jesus I surrender”.  Songs about the hopelessness of man without a savior.  Where are the songs about us following God and  us running after Him?  We need both types of songs.

Righteousness or wrath is our choice

God today is both revealing to us His righteousness.  But God is also revealing His wrath against all unrighteousness.  The reception of either is in our hands.  God is not only love or a Santa Claus type person seeking only our joy.   He is the Holy Almighty Unblemished Pure God that has provided a way for us to come out from under His  wrath into His righteousness by our faith in His Son who died for this very reason.  This hope puts lightnside my heart.

 

The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.  Psalm 19:7 NIV

 

God’s word effects our mind, spirit and path.

The greatness of God’s word and it’s effect on our lives are recorded in the second half of this Psalms. The word is active. It is alive and brings with it an active influence into one’s life.  Even if you don’t remember what you read yesterday,  the fact that the word went through your mind and heart, it creates a reaction.  This Psalms records the effect of God’s word in your mind and soul.

Attributes and Reactions

The Psalmist elegantly describes the attributes of God’s words  then list’s it’s effect in our mind, body and soul.  God’s word is perfect, trustworthy, right, radiant, pure, firm, more precious than gold. The Word’s produces refreshing, wisdom, joy, light, endurance, righteousness, and sweetness.  Want to be sweeter to others?  God’s Word!

There are also some preventive properties in God’s Word.  These properties are the added results beyond the benefits mentioned above.  These properties are like taking vitamins or getting a flu shot.  Protection and insulation are the added benefits from God’s word. This protective effect of a daily intake of scripture is found in verses 11-13.

Verse 11: “BY THEM” (the daily dose of God’s word):

We are warned – Understanding consequences of choices.

Exposes hidden faults cannot see –  Brings to the surface hidden behaviors and beliefs that have secretly caused us harm.

Keeps us from allowing willful sins to rule over us. 

Keeps our life away from choosing life destroying paths. 

Because of the scrubbing, correcting, healing and joyful  work of God Truths we conclude and desire with David as we say with lightnside:

“Let our words and thoughts be pleasing to God. My Lord (relationship), my Rock (security), my redeemed (active Grace and Mercy).” 

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.  Psalm 20:7 NIV

What would chariots and horses be in today’s world?

Ships, planes, trains, space travel, cell phones, internet.  Not sure which would be considered as the chariot.  Maybe all of them.  The chariots and horses were seen and greatly admired.  They gave power to take over kingdoms.  The incredible power of man’s ability to create mind blowing machines and electronic marvels would blow away previous generation.  Maybe the horses could also represent God creating  man’s ability to reason and build  the vast financial, military, scientific structures of today.

It is easy to trust what can be seen.  But…

We trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Invisible yet more powerful than what is seen.  Pull trust away from what can be seen to the almighty unseen that is more real and powerful. The verse does not say don’t use chariots or horses.  Use them,  but put your trust and faith in the one that made you, the world, the horses, and  the materials to make chariots.  The one who designed the abilities of the horses.  The one who knows and can intervene in the natural world as He sees fit.  Trust Him.

It is a wonder what man can do.  After all, it was God who gave man the understanding and ability to understand, dream and discover.  Let’s not allow our eyes and heart to place hope and trust in what is seen.  Put your trust in the one that made your eye to see. Trust in God.