Pastor Johnnie's Devotional Archives
August 2006
Most of the next few months' devotionals will have
been written in the jungles of Panama, an airplane, isolated cottage,
or other location during the wonderful sabbatical the Lord has graciously
given us... and which terminates the end of August. It'll be fascinating
to 'see' how the Lord 'anticipated' the various needs of our lives beforehand
and is addressing them today. The thought gives joy to my heart. I'm smiling
as I write this. Blessings!
August 14, 2006
Psalm 93:1, 2 The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed
in majesty and is armed with strength. The world is firmly established;
it cannot be moved. Your throne was established long ago; you are from
all eternity.
I don’t know what’s going on in your life right now. But usually
our (human) view or perception of the Lord is impacted by what we’re
going through.
For example: from what we have heard others say about the Lord and perhaps
what we ourselves have thought about Him during particularly stressful
experiences of life, it is reasonable to ask our self if we steadfastly
maintained a “He is robed in majesty and armed with strength!”
mindset.
Or, in momentary unbelief or distrust, did we reduce His omnipotence to
a sense of wimpiness and inability to carry out His good purpose in further
forming us into the likeness of His Son, the Lord Jesus.
Today, may we enjoy deep peace in the acceptance of His established, well-known,
and time-honored authority over - and purpose for! - our life!
Eternal Father, in all the activities and experiences of today, may
we see you high and lifted up, gloriously robed in majesty, lovingly and
graciously possessing absolute authority over our lives for the praise
of your glory! Amen.
August 18, 2006
Psalm 92:12 “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree; they
will grow like a cedar of Lebanon…”
We’ve recently spent time in airports, both domestic and international.
It’s been interesting to readily identify both maintenance and service
personnel of the various airlines. They are easily identifiable by their
colorful, attractive, and functional uniforms.
It’s the same with the Mundial 2006 soccer playoffs with which so
many countries of the world are presently absorbed: every team is easily
identifiable by their uniforms.
Enter ‘the righteous’! They too are ‘obvious’
and recognizable on the main streets of life, not so much by an outer
‘uniform’, but by flourishing expressions of righteousness
as they represent the Lord of glory. They are like the sturdy, strong
palms which bear beautiful leaves that spread out from the growing trunk
of the tree. They are like cedars, the finest of earthly materials which
grow in fertile soil and whose beautiful branches reach towering heights.
As one Bible dictionary says, “Every aspect of Lebanon echoes the
supreme beauty and earthly glory of the cedars”.
Father, grant us a spirit of obedience as we seek to live as you have
described we should live in this world. For Jesus’ sake, and for
the sake of the decaying world around us, we pray. Amen.
August 24, 2006
Psalm 92:1, 2 “It is good to praise the Lord and
make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning
and your faithfulness at night.”
I get waves of sadness rolling over me when I’m in the presence
of those ‘Christians’ who seem to seldom have anything good
to say about life or of those around them. And, of course, they have nothing
good to say about the Lord, either.
Someone has taken advantage of them. Or, a neighbor has said something
bad about them. Or, the bank closed before they were able to make their
deposit; the store closed before they were able to buy the pound of butter
they so desperately needed; the lift bridge raised and they had to wait
an interminable 5 minutes in a massive traffic jam; they took a phone
call while baking and the cake burned; they perspired and their makeup
‘ran’ and destroyed their appearance; the ball team they were
so rooting for, lost; they were late for an appointment and the Dr. attended
the patient who was scheduled after them.
It is physically, emotionally, and spiritually good to praise the Lord.
It is of inestimable value to scan the minutes and hours of our lives
and to clearly and intentionally identify those precious breaths of His
love and faithfulness on our behalf. Today, pray for someone who needs
that fresh breath of His presence!
Father, we exult in your love and faithfulness in our lives! Amen.
August 29, 2006
Psalm 91:1 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will
rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
The authentic, Bible believing Christian understands that there is no
place where the love of God will lead me that the grace of God cannot
keep me. Simply stated: we believe in the omnipotence and omnipresence
of Almighty God.
So, wherever we are right now, and in whatever circumstance we find ourselves
at this moment, we are able to dwell (that is, to sit and rest, with our
feet on a chair, as it were) in His sheltering presence. For some, today
may be a day of trouble (Psalm 27:5). For some, it may be a day to experience
the intrigues of men (Psalm 31:20) or of those who seem to be our enemies
(Psalm 61:3). For others, it may be the blessed sunshine of a clear, blue-skied
day (Psalm 27:1; 36:9; 43:3). The one thing we all have in common: we
rest in the shadow of the Almighty!
Thank you for the soothing comfort, consolation, relief, and reassurance
we find in your glorious presence, Father. You are truly our sufficiency
for this day! We praise you with joyful hearts in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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