Pastor Johnnie's Devotional Archives
September 2004
September 1, 2004
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
The progression toward increasing involvement in evil is evident in this
passage. The idea behind 'walk' is to keep apace with, even behave like.
Happy is the person who does not get interested in or involved with this
morally wrong, noisy crowd (Psalm 64:2-3)! The idea behind 'stand' is
to stay behind (like, Hmm, I think I want a closer, lingering look at
what's happening here!), even be employed by or stay up (like at night,
pondering what you've seen). Happy is the person who avoids this offending,
sinful crowd and heads in the other direction, toward the only level ground
there is (Psalm 26:12)! The idea behind 'sit' is obvious, isn't it? The
word can be applied for marrying and simply for sitting down with. Happy
is the person who avoids consorting with such hypocrites (Psalm 26:4),
who instead sits down with others whose focus on walking, standing, and
sitting is clearly eternal: I love the house where you live, O Lord, the
place where your glory dwells (Psalm 26:8)!
Precious Father, in that holy place where Your glory dwells, we hear
Your sweet, tender voice: 'Now that you know these things, you will be
happy if you do them'. (John 13:17). Glorify Your name in all the earth!
Amen.
September 3, 2004
Psalm 3:8 is a wonderful reminder: From the LORD comes deliverance. May
your blessing be on your people.
The word used for 'deliverance' can also be translated
'salvation', 'welfare' and 'victory'. It has been said that God promises
a safe landing, not a calm passage. I'm still desperately trying to apply
that knowledge to my daily life. I continue to struggle with the natural
penchant to reject or resist the 'process' of sanctification, or minimally,
to complain about it. I mean, couldn't it be over with in just a few minutes?
No, I think not. I really need to learn - by experience - that He is my
stronghold in time of trouble (Psalm 37:39). I really need to learn that
because I take my refuge in Him, He delights in helping, delivering from
the wicked, and saving me (verse 40). I mean, sure, I can flag me down
a semi, or jump on my horse to escape, but victory rests with the LORD
(Proverbs 21:31). And, the result of faithfully trusting Him? Blessing,
such as turning me away from sin and further careless words, deeds, thoughts,
or attitudes (Acts 3:26). Blessing, such as spiritual strength to accept
a difficult situation from God without giving Him a deadline to remove
it (that's patience). And peace in the midst of that situation (Psalm
29:11). Blessing, such as the fruit of the Holy Spirit: self-control in
difficult times (I Peter 3:9).
Father, right now and right up to the very end we
join with that great heavenly multitude: Hallelujah! Salvation and glory
and power belong to our God! Amen.
September 5, 2004
Psalm 5:1 Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing.
Built into and 'understood' within these few words are wonderful statements
of Christian belief regarding prayer. I believe in the power of prayer.
I believe God hears prayer. I believe God answers prayer. I believe He
is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant (I knew I was in the
Bible!) and those who are going astray (Hebrews 5:2). I believe He is
fully aware of my weaknesses, my idiosyncrasies, my proneness to go south;
so I approach Him, in brokenness, with the confidence that He will pour
out mercy and grace in my time of need (Hebrews 4:15,16). I believe He
is incomparably compassionate and mind-bogglingly ready, able, and willing
to help those who are being tempted (Hebrews 2:18). I believe I do not
yet fully comprehend the profound need I have to constantly draw near
to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having my heart
sprinkled to cleanse me from a guilty conscience and having my body washed
with pure water (Hebrews 10:22); but I want to, I long to.
Give ear to my/our words, O Lord. We are not of those who shrink back,
who draw in their sails and sit dead in the waters of prayer through unbelief
(Hebrews 10:39). Glorify Your name in us and in all the world, we humbly
pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
September 7, 2004
Psalm 7:11 follows the thought that God saves the upright in heart. God
is a righteous judge, a God who expresses his wrath every day.
What unparalleled comfort it brings to the child of God to realize that
the Lord knows those who are his. And, of course, a characteristic of
the righteous is that they turn away from wickedness (II Timothy 2:19).
If God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting
them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment; if he did not spare
the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but
protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; if he condemned
the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them
an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued
Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless
men (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented
in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard) - if this
is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to
hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment.
(II Peter 2:4-9)
O righteous Judge, majestic in holiness (Exodus 15:11), may we today
walk in the light as You are in the light, that we might reflect Your
glory to the lost and sinful world in which we live. For Jesus' sake,
Amen.
September 9, 2004
I'm smiling as I sit here reading Psalm 9:10 early this morning. Tons
of experiences through many, many years of ministry are flooding my heart
and mind. I agree wholeheartedly with David when he says: Those who know
your name will trust in you, for you, Lord have never forsaken those who
seek you.
He will be called Wonderful. For centuries, mankind has unfairly misused
this word to describe great meals, expensive and magnificently designed
cars, the greatest symphonies of the world, and the achievements of those
whom we call 'brilliant' people. The wonder of Jesus' name ("Jehovah
is salvation") is that it's a name above every other name (Philippians
2:9). It's the name at which every knee in the world - bar none! - will
one day bow in worship (2:10) and confess that He is Master, Lord, and
Final Word (2:11)! It's the name which, while carefully defined and clearly
translated by linguists for centuries (like King of Kings and Lord of
Lords Rev. 19:16), yet no one but He Himself knows (Rev. 19:12). Repentance
and forgiveness are found in that name (Luke 24:47); true and eternal
life is gifted to mortals through that name (John 20:31); prayers are
answered through that name (John 14:13); health and healing are given
by faith in that glorious name (Acts 3:6, 16); evil spirits and clear
and present dangers are cast out and thwarted in the power of that name
(Acts 16:18). You better believe its true: Those who know your name will
trust in you!
Father, in the incomparable and glorious name of the Lord Jesus Christ,
I give You thanks for everything! (Ephesians 5:20) Amen.
September 11, 2004
Proverbs 11:8 is a good verse for the righteous to reflect on as we commemorate
9/11:
The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked
instead.
Because a day is like a 1000 years and a 1000 years like a day with the
Lord, we earthlings get impatient and caustic with the Lord when He doesn't
'zap' His enemies immediately after they perpetrate their evil. When it
comes to God's justice and how He metes it out, it is imperative that
His people have an eternal perspective. Yes, it often looks/seems like
He's doing nothing on our behalf. But He is. The evil person will eventually
be trapped by his own evil (Proverbs 12:13). The way of the wicked will
perish (Psalm 1:6). Haman learned that sweet truth (Esther 7:9-10), and
so did Daniel (Daniel 6:23-24). Isaiah's gruesome description of how Israel's
enemies walked all over Israel "like a street to be walked over"
did not go unnoticed by the sovereign God Whose cup of wrath would indeed
one day be put into the tormentor's hands (Isaiah 51:22-23) and 'the tables
turned'. Meanwhile, today, in the depths of our hearts, we rejoice in
the constant and eventual goodness of God, though now for a little while
we may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials (I Peter 1:6).
Just and holy Father, strengthen our faith, which is of greater worth
than gold. May it be proved genuine so that it will always result in praise,
glory, and honor to You and to Your worthy Son, Jesus. Amen. (I Peter
1:7)
September 13, 2004
Proverbs 13:13 is a startling reminder that He who scorns instruction
will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded.
A motorist was driving in the country when he came upon a priest and a
rabbi standing on the shoulder of the road, fishing. Next to them was
a sign that read Turn around! The end is near! The motorist didn't like
to be preached to, so he rolled down the window and yelled, Mind your
own business, you religious nuts!! A few seconds later, the two fishermen
heard tires screech, then a splash. The rabbi turned to the priest and
said, I told you we should've just written: BRIDGE OUT! To scorn instruction,
God says, is a serious thing. When King David had his extramarital affair,
God's question to him was: Why did you despise the word of the Lord by
doing what is evil in His eyes? (II Samuel 12:9,10). Because of his spiritual
carelessness, the Lord said, the sword will be a constant threat to your
family. When the Lord had pity on Israel and they mocked His messengers,
despised His words and scoffed at His prophets, He brought up against
them the king of the Babylonians, who killed their young men, women, and
the elderly (II Chronicles 36:16,17). The best way to please God and show
our love for Him, is very basic: This is love for God: to obey His commands
(I John 5:3).
Merciful Father and gracious Judge, grant us the godly resolve required
for obedience, lest through impudence and disobedience we insult the Spirit
of grace at great cost! (Hebrews 10:29) In Jesus' name and for His sake
we pray. Amen.
September 15, 2004
Psalm 115:1 is a verse of which no authentic Christian should have to
be reminded: NOT to us, O Lord, NOT to us but to YOUR name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness.
I am not often enough sickened and angered by the pride within me that
seems to need, require, and feed off the kudos of others. I am also deeply
troubled - at this moment - by the tendency of my heart to justify my
pride by wanting to cite other verses which may appear to "balance
the picture", allow me some glory, and ease the guilt of what I know
to be self-centeredness and a subtle deficit within me to consistently
honor His great name. Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:37) learned the hard way
that God is able to humble those who walk in pride. To truly fear the
Lord is to hate pride and arrogance (Proverbs 8:13) and to be more concerned
for the greatness of His name (Joshua 7:9) than for my own. Fools mock
His name all day long (Psalm 79:9-10)! One way they do that is by foolish
self-focus which foolishly heaps attention on themselves and foolishly
feeds the insatiable human craving, except for moments of dire need, to
be independent of God: to do what they want, when they want, how they
want; and then to receive the glory for accomplishments. For devotion
to such idolatry, our jealous God said to His people: for the sake of
my name I did what would keep it (my name) from being profaned.....(Ezekiel
20:14-22).
Father, we confess the sin of self-idolatry and our need to receive
attention and glory and kudos for what we know we could never have accomplished
without You in the first place. We submit our self-aggrandizing resumes
to You as well. Burn within our hearts the truth that You will not let
yourself be thus defamed; You will not yield Your glory to another (Isaiah
48:11), not even for a moment. Amen.
September 17, 2004
Psalm 17:1 is provocative, for sure! Hear, O Lord, my righteous plea;
listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer - it does not rise from deceitful
lips.
In chapter 51, David affirms the extent of his unrighteous nature: he
was not just sinful 'at birth'; so invasive was the power and presence
of sin that he possessed it and all it's evil, wicked, and corrupt ways
from conception (Psalm 51:5). How can someone like that (i.e., like David;
like me!) speak of 'my righteous plea'? Or refer to 'the cleanness of
my hands' or 'my righteousness'? (See Psalm 18:20). Or pray that God would
rescue him from deceitful and wicked men (Psalm 43:1) when he himself
was one of them?! The answer, of course, is justification by faith. David,
I, and all the other grossly wicked people of the earth are invited by
our merciful and gracious God to believe/trust that our sins are forgiven
through the death of another: Jesus Christ. In faith, David lived in the
present by acting on and trusting in the immeasurable mercy of God's unfathomable
forgiveness for sin. In faith (Psalm 51:1-4; 65:3; 103:4; 130:7), looking
ahead, he 'saw' (believed/trusted) what you and I now 'look back' on:
the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. God Himself declares
us to be 'righteous' by faith in His Lamb, Jesus, through whose death
our sins have been forever forgiven (Romans 3:20, 22-24). And now, our
'righteous' pleas (prayers) rise to be heard by Him. Glory to God in the
highest!
Gracious Father, we do not make requests of you because we, in ourselves,
apart from Your forgiveness, are righteous, but because of your great
name (Daniel 9:18). Glorify Your name in all the earth! Amen.
September 19, 2004
Psalm 19:11, referring to the law of the Lord (statutes, precepts, commands,
ordinances), David says: By them is your servant warned; in keeping them
there is great reward.
One of the most frustrating ministry tasks a pastor has in today's fast-paced,
incredibly busy world, with already tired, over-scheduled, multi-tasking
people is to get them to be men, women, and young people of the Bible.
Through the Word of God, we are warned of the dangers which can rob us
of the life God intends us to live. Through the same Word, we receive
instruction as to what we can do to please Him. And, believe it or not!,
when that Word is in us, we shine and send out an unmistakable light into
the world around us (Matthew 5:14). Solomon challenges his sons to let
the Word of God become an integral part of their daily lives because it's
a lamp, a light. Obedience to its disciplines, he asserts, should keep
a person on the right path of life (Proverbs 6:23; Psalm 119:11). And,
David promises: there is great reward. Time and space won't allow us to
list the 'benefits' of obedience to the Word of God. But, think about
this: The Lord told Abraham: I am your very great reward (Genesis 15:1).
That glorious truth remains the same several thousand years later, for
you and me. Conclusion: my Christianity will be obvious in (at least)
two significant ways: the way I inwardly value the Word of God, and the
outward way I demonstrate my love and passion for the God of the Word!
Father, nothing we desire can compare with You and Your Word. May
we walk humbly before You today, confident in the vast wealth of our Great
Reward. (Proverbs 3:13-15)! Amen.
September 21, 2004
Psalm 21:7 is a good verse as we think about the upcoming election and
about the President our sovereign God has placed over us at this critical
time in our history.
The king trusts in the Lord; through the unfailing love of the Most High,
he will not be shaken.
While it is certainly the most prestigious position of leadership and
authority in the entire world, the Presidency in a 'free' nation is also
a "sitting duck" position where the envy and wrath of others
can be poured out on you, especially for holding firmly to values whose
foundation and propagation are attributed to the God of heaven. Mr. Bush,
as you and I are, is a sinner saved by the grace of God; this by his own
testimony. And, there is wonderful evidence that he is trusting in the
dependable, inexhaustible, enduring, unfailing love of God (Psalm 13:5),
which should prompt us to double our prayer efforts on his behalf. Interviews
have revealed that God is his Rock in Whom he takes daily refuge (Psalm
18:3). Going against the flow, he has overtly put his trust, not in chariots,
or armies, or WMD's, but in the name of the Lord our God (Psalm 20:6-9).
Thus, in a time of massive, public anti-God rhetoric, we must pray that
he will remain resolute, without wavering (Psalm 26:1b). And, regardless
of the outcome of the upcoming election, we must trust, on behalf of our
brother in Christ, that the LORD will command His angels concerning him,
to guard him in all his ways throughout the entire process (Psalm 91:11).
Glorious God of all nations, increase the days of the king's life.
Appoint Your love and faithfulness to protect him (Psalm 16:8; 61:6-7),
for Jesus' sake. Amen.
September 23, 2004
Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
The Safe Gate through which the sheep pass leads to unbridled provision
for every need. The sheep come and go..."and find pasture" (John
10:9). The Chief Shepherd's integrity is on the line here as His promise
is to meet all needs in accordance with His mind-boggling storehouse of
riches (Philippians 4:19). Jesus even laid down the gauntlet one time
for His disciples, challenging them to come up with a time when He did
not provide: When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack
anything? (Luke 22:35). We are the sheep of His pasture, the flock under
his care (Psalm 95:7). The LORD takes delight in his people (Psalm 149:4).
God, obviously, has a different perspective on 'needs' and 'lack' than
do I. So, I must work hard at bringing my mind and all I am into line
with His eternal perspective, that I may see as He sees (Psalm 119:18),
and think as He thinks (Philippians 2:5). I firmly believe I'll never
be in legitimate want. He is able to do immeasurably more than all our
compiled lists may conjure up. So, in faith, I must be diligent in my
efforts to wrap my mind, my heart, and my very life around this all-encompassing
reality: how wide and long and high and deep is this incredible love of
Christ! (Ephesians 3:18-20)
Glorious and faithful Provider, Who did not spare Your own Son, but
gave Him up for us all (Romans 8:32), those who seek You lack no good
thing (Psalm 34:9-10). Please teach us the power of authentic contentment
(Hebrews 13:5). Amen.
September 25, 2004
Psalm 25:12 has some great insight for us today: Who, then, is the man
(or woman) who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way chosen
for him.
One of the biggest problems with living in a radically independent, self-governing
age is that many Christians are influenced more than they think by that
wrong, self-idolizing philosophy. Those who live according to the sinful
nature have their minds set on what that nature desires (Romans 8:5-8).
And, since the sinful mind is hostile to God, that's why those who are
still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God (TLB).
The natural man hates the instruction the Lord might desire to give. And,
when the child of God is "walking in the flesh", he also will
fight and resist instruction and life-direction because it may not 'agree'
with his/her independent thinking. The answer? To fear, honor, and respect
the Lord by giving Him the right that is His alone to lead, guide, direct,
and instruct us regarding the way we should go. We need to trust Him in
this! Believe me: it'll be like a highway of holiness; the unclean will
not journey on it; it'll be for those who walk in that Way; only the redeemed
will walk there (Isaiah 35:8-9).
Father, we are so naturally unteachable. We are so naturally prone
to independence from You and Your ways. Forgive us. Teach us to display
our respect for You by submitting to Your will and Your way. Amen.
September 27, 2004
Psalm 27:5 is a continuation of verse 4 which speaks of seeking the Lord
and gazing upon the Him in his temple: For in the day of trouble he will
keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle.
In a recent E-mail from friends who have had to evacuate their lovely
retirement home in Florida due to storms, they write: deep down in our
hearts we know He cares and loves us. So many of the Lord's people are
among those whose physical or material well-being has been jeopardized
by the many storms; we must continue to pray for them to remain confident:
surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach the godly (Psalm
32:6). In difficult times, it is so important that the child of God remain
"in His dwelling", "in the shelter of His tabernacle".
Our proneness, of course, is to turn and run, but not toward Him; to seek
shelter, but not in Him; to long for troubles and difficulties to be alleviated,
but not necessarily in His way. Nevertheless, of those needing rescue
and deliverance, the Lord says: Because he loves me, says the Lord, I
will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will
call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I
will deliver him and honor him (Psalm 91:14-15). What glorious rest we
find in the shelter of the most High, in the shadow of the Almighty! (Psalm
91:1)
Dear and Holy Father, as the hearts of Your children grow weary and
faint through trial and testing, set their feet on a rock; give them a
firm place to stand; put a new song in their mouths, a hymn of praise
to our God (Psalm 40:2,3). Glorify Yourself in all the earth! Amen.
September 29, 2004
Psalm 29:4 is a good verse to reflect on as we approach election 2004:
By justice a king gives a country stability, but one who is greedy for
bribes tears it down.
Justice is not only an act but can also refer to a process by which an
act deciding a case is brought to pass. To execute judgment is to reflect
attributes of either God or of what we call a 'good', 'moral' person (Romans
3:10). Saul did not bring his country stability (I Samuel 13:13). David,
by God's grace, did (II Samuel 8:5); and so did Solomon, by that same
grace (I Kings 2:12). As we approach Election '04, it is imperative that
we Christians pray for the man of God's choice to be in office. What do
we look for in the man for whom we should vote? The man who, without shame,
will consistently stand for and propagate righteousness and justice for
the nation. That stand will reflect the true foundation of his authority
(Psalm 89:14). And, from heaven, God will be pleased to see that love
and faithfulness 'attend' him in his government. We should look and vote
for the one who detests wrongdoing related to the sanctity of human life,
business ethics, taxation, poverty, terrorism, marriage, and a host of
other political and social issues. Certainly not an 'easy' task; but,
by God's grace, if we carefully consider the various political platforms;
as we prayerfully listen to the candidates speak; as we observe their
lives - past and present - the Lord will lead us wisely in our vote.
Father of righteousness, prompt Your people to exercise the privilege
of the vote in November. And, may You be pleased and praised as the man
of Your choice is sovereignly allowed to rule this great nation of ours.
For Jesus' sake, Amen.
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