THE LORD OF ALL MY NEED

THE LORD OF ALL MY NEED!

Summer, although still very hot in our corner of the world, is winding down. Soon the sounds of school children will echo from the school yards. Already shelves are stocked with notebooks, pens, pencils and all the debris necessary to education.

It has not been a summer of rest but of flurry and sometimes worry. Our nation is in a crisis of leadership and there is great discontent. Yet we have a shepherd who is the Lord of all our needs. 

Ps 23

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

When I need peace – he makes me lie down in green pastures beside still waters. I think this is modern man’s greatest and most elusive need.

When I am week – he restores my soul [renews my strength]. Even young people are consuming popular “energy drinks” at an amazing rate but I have peace like a river.

When I am afraid – he walks with me through my darkest valleys. He protects me with his rod and guides me with his staff. My foot doesn’t stumble though the way is narrow and rough. When enemies and predators roar he sets me inside a perimeter of safety and prepares a quiet dinner in the midst of it.

When I am troubled and frustrated – he anoints my head with oil protecting me from the burning of the sun and from the annoying flies and worries that buzz my head.

When I fear a lack of supplies – my cup, my portion, he fills to overflowing. I am given more than enough, sometimes through miraculous means.

When I think of my future – I realize that his goodness and mercy has led me all the way and I rest upon the promise that I will be welcomed into the House of the Lord where I have an eternal home.

Dear Lord, thank you for being my shepherd. Nothing will approach me today for which you are not prepared. I rest in you today. AMEN

TURNING ENEMIES INTO FRIENDS

TURNING ENEMIES INTO FRIENDS!

Prov 16:7

7 When a man's ways please the Lord , he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

           If a person lives long enough, and is honest with himself and others, he will have a few enemies. This will happen without much effort as opposing opinions and convictions collide. As with most collisions, there is wreckage and debris.

           Our proverb does not focus on either opposing party. Instead it focuses on the Lord. When our ways please God it is amazing how He works in our life to minimize conflict. That is not to say that all who please God will be totally free of conflict for that would require the cooperation of both parties and that is never guaranteed.

           Turning enemies into friends requires forgiveness. Former hurts need not remain as current irritations. A painful past need not remain a painful present. Grace is essential.

Rom 12:18

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Dear Lord, may my ways be pleasing to you and my enemies become friends. AMEN

CORRUPT COMMUNICATION

CORRUPT COMMUNICATION!

Eph 4:29

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

The White House Press briefing room, along with that mysterious room behind it, now resembles a school yard brawl with dares, double dog, and triple dog dares all around. Disparaging remarks about mothers and all other things sacred hang in the air with each questioning the other’s veracity. But … that’s politics.

What Paul urged the Ephesians to consider was the product of their words. The word “corrupt” is the Greek word sapros and means “rotten; worthless literally or morally.” The product of such communication is confusion, pain, anger and inefficiency. According to one commentary: “logos ‎‎sapros ‎signifies a useless, putrid, unsavory, and obscene word or conversation.” The Ephesian believers were to communicate at a level far above that. The word edify means to build up and not to tear down.

Col 4:6

6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Dear Lord, let my words be sweet because I may one day have to eat them. AMEN