In Your Heart And In Your Mouth

Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, "Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, "Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so that we may obey it?" No, the word is near you; it is in your heart and in your mouth so that you may obey it. Deuteronomy 31:13

Yesterday, when the scripture was being read in church, I was thinking, "I would obey you, God, if you would only make it clear to me what you want." Then this scripture was read, and I almost laughed out loud. God is saying to us that we don't have to run all over the place trying to be taught about God. We don't have to feel desolate because we haven't learned something that we think is crucial. He is saying that his sheep really do hear his voice. He has put his truth in our hearts. God is faithful. It comes back to having our hope in God and his faithfulness to us. We can be at peace and have confidence that God will care for us. Be still and know that he is God. Cast all your cares on him because he cares for you. We live in a humanistic society that says that it is all on our shoulders. Aren't you glad that God is a good Father and that he is responsible for you? Rest in his love. He will show you the way.

A New Righteousness - The Real Thing

God is beginning to teach me about a new righteousness. He showed me a picture of the righteousness that I am trying to live. It is man made. I can't explain it well because I have lots to learn, but God's righteousness looks natural. It is just me, the way God wants me to be without man's goofy intervention.
God is asking me to give up the man made righteousness and choose Jesus'. It is about Jesus giving us his righteousness, maybe like an organ transplant. He took my self righteousness, which is filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), and gave me his righteousness. He became sin, so that I can become righteousness. (2 Corinthians 5:21) I remember being taught that justification means,just as if I have never done it.(Romans 5:1) In the end, when I stand before God, I will have Jesus' righteousness and not be condemned.(Romans 14:10) There is therefore no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)
Years ago, God told me that one day I would be naked and not ashamed. When Adam and Eve sinned they saw their nakedness and were ashamed. God clothed them in the skin of animals that were sacrificed for them. Jesus was sacrificed on my behalf. I am clothed in his righteousness.(Isaiah 61:10) I am naked because I am not wearing self righteousness. I am not ashamed because I am wearing Jesus' righteousness. I am free.

God Sees You

The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness.
1 Samuel 26:23

As we read this I felt God's desire to encourage his people. God sees us and our attempts to do the right thing and be faithful to him. He sees the little choices we make for the good. He sees each time we look at him. He sees, no matter how small. He will reward us. Be encouraged. God sees and is proud to call you his own.

God Takes Hold Of Your Right Hand

For I am the Lord, your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13

This morning we read more about David and Saul. I am so impressed with God's divine intervention. David played a trick on Saul and God helped him succeed. I bet God got a chuckle out of the whole thing. I am so aware that David did things according to his personality and yet totally respected God and King Saul. He was given the freedom to be himself, and God even blessed his efforts.
I know, it looks like I am on a tangent about this topic. That is because God is really wanting us to learn this well. We are uniquely made and he will work with us as we step out to be ourselves while following him. He will bless us and intervene on our behalf. He will strengthen us and give us victory.

You Are Not Mary Poppins

This morning we read from 1 Samuel 25 about how God intervened and kept David from making a big mistake. David was going to get even with Nabal by killing him and all the males in his household. God sent Abigail to intervene.
I keep thinking that if I can just try hard enough I will be like Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way. Well guess what. I don't have it in me. Neither does anyone else. I tend to be more like Peter. I leap before I look and, God has to go around fixing all of my mistakes. Others tend to look and never leap. Then there are those that appear to have their act together. Finances are in order. Health looks good. They are everyone's hero. Many of them are even nice to be around. Well, I am pleased to announce that they are not perfect either. I have good news for all of us. God is perfect. He knows that we are frail humans that need God. The burden of being perfect is too heavy for any of us. God is the perfect one. He is asking us to lay down this burden of perfection and let him carry it. He wants us to put our hope in him. He is faithful to lead us. He will make everything work together for good in our lives, even our biggest mistakes. The more we hope in God, the more we will be aware that he is at work in and through us. Thank God for what is right in your life. Be more and more aware of God's perfection. Let him carry you. You were never meant to be an independent orphan. You are a child of God, beloved and well cared for. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Put your trust in him. He will never fail you.

Infused With The Truth

Praise be to the Lord, For he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy, and I will give thanks to him in song. The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Psalm 28:6-9

I love much because God rescues me from much. Last night the darkness was so palpable that I couldn't be at peace or sleep. I tried to meditate on the truth, but my mind kept going blank. I cried out to the Lord and he rescued me and filled me with his peace. He reminded me of the truth. Actually, it was more like being infused with the truth. The lies had to high tail it out of there and leave me alone. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8

Turn To The Lord

We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ has it been taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But when anyone turns to the Lord the veil is taken away. 2 Corinthians 3:13-16

I love learning new things, but there is a tendency to run after knowledge instead of God. Today I sense Jesus continuing to call us to come back to him. I am so thankful for his mercy. I am glad that he is so persistent. It reminds me of the scripture that says, whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." (Isaiah 30:21) There are many teachings out there. This is good, because there is much to learn. On the other hand, one can get caught up in teachings and leave God behind. This is how we get led astray. The Apostle Paul had lots of Biblical knowledge and lots of zeal. It wasn't until he encountered Jesus that he knew the truth. I know that I am stuck on this theme of keeping our eyes on Jesus. That is because Jesus is adamant about it. We need him more than anything. He is the truth.

I love music, and as I wrote this blog today this song kept running through my mind. It is even being performed by the actual composer.