THE LORD OF ALL MY NEED

THE LORD OF ALL MY NEED!

Summer, although still very warm in our corner of the world, is winding down. The sounds of school children echo from the school yards. Already shelves are stocked with fall decorations, Halloween things, and even Christmas trees.

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.  The wicked beareth rule and the people mourn. 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 weak – 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

AIN'T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT

AIN’T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT!

Rom 13:11-12

11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

Ain't Nobody Got Time for That is a viral YouTube video of Kimberly "Sweet Brown" Wilkins which originally aired on Oklahoma City NBC affiliate KFOR-TV, where she escaped a fire in an apartment complex. It garnered Sweet Brown many appearances on television, including a visit to ABC's The View.

           I know it’s strange but my first thought this morning was “ain’t nobody got time for dat.” After a few moments of thought, I realized that there are many things we do not have time for as Christians.

           We don’t have time to practice our favorite sins! God is pure holiness and believers will soon, very soon, meet Him face to face. We don’t want that meeting to take on the character of a congressional hearing regarding our behavior. We just don’t have time for it.

           We don’t have time to spar with other believers! We need to heed the warning of  Romans 12:18 which says: “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” This is especially true of our relationship with other believers. We just don’t have time to strain at gnats!

           We don’t have time to postpone outreach and evangelism! If you have a friend or loved one who is unprepared for heaven, they are in great peril. We need to pray for them and plead with them to trust Christ before time runs out. Missionary endeavor is of utmost importance now more than ever. A deep conviction of the nearness of eternity is a strong motivation for an upright life! We just don’t have time to wait.

Dear Lord, help us to live as if your coming might be today. AMEN

BEFORE YOU ASK HIM

BEFORE YOU ASK HIM!

Matt 6:8

Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Acts 9:6

6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

           Both our needs and our deeds are known to God beforehand! Oh! If only God were not so frustratingly invisible we might not fret to know the fearful unknown. If He were flesh and nearby we could rest in Him but, of course, that is what faith is all about.

           Our needs are well known by the Lord before we actually need them! Along the way God provides for those needs. Sometimes He provides our needs through what we call normal and natural means. We work and earn and our needs are met. At other wonderful times God provides by unexpected means. When God provides unexpectedly He often does so by bringing us close to disaster just before the need is met. Living by faith is an exciting way of life – much like sleeping on a roller coaster.

           Our deeds, if they are surrendered to the Lord, are also planned out for us. Paul had just encountered the risen Christ on the Damascus road. Because he was totally captivated by a vastly superior force, he asked God what he was to do. Jesus simply told him to continue on to Damascus and when he got there it would be told to him what he must do. The word “must” indicated that the guidance system for Paul’s life had suddenly and drastically changed.

           We are given daily bread. It is not God’s plan for most of us to have bread to store. We are given daily tasks and these are generally not the ones on our list of “things to do.” We are given just enough light to see the path. He gives us a lamp unto our feet and not a floodlight to see the future. We must walk carefully but confidently in that light.

Deut 29:29

29 The secret things belong unto the Lord  our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Lord, I desire to know what you know and to do what I am supposed to do. Because of your vast wisdom, you reveal both to me in measured amounts. Thank you for your provision and your guidance. AMEN