In Psalm 56, it starts with David asking God for mercy, for his enemies are constantly attacking him. Then, in verse 3, is the first time we see the word "afraid."
"But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you."
Again, David pleads with God that there are those plotting against him and his words are being twisted, he is being spied upon, and hopes that God's anger can do away with their wickedness.
In verse 8, it states that God has all of our tears collected in His book. And for myself, especially four weeks ago when my wife passed away, the amount of tears collected from me has risen many times over.
Because of God's incredible power, our enemies retreat. God is on our side! We praise God! We trust in the Lord!
In verse 11, it says, "I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?" Hence the title of this post. Put your complete trust in the Lord and all of your fears in your mortal enemies are erased.
Friday, February 14, 2020
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Loser language (i.e. let's talk about suicide)
Before I go on with this post, let me share with you some resources. First is the Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Their website is: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ Their toll-free number is 1-800-273-8255. Also, what I am about to share are personal anecdotes and should not be construed as professional advice. If you need professional advice, seek help immediately.
Okay, with that being said, let's chat.
It was my freshman year of college, 1991. I won't share the circumstances surrounding this event--my first real suicidal thought--but I remember riding the elevator to the top floor of the 12-floor student residential hall. This might have been sometime during the winter, but I went to the window . . . opened it . . . and gazed down at the ground below.
I felt like a complete loser. A failure. Why wouldn't someone want to be with me? Okay, so I wasn't as good looking at Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise, but then again who was?
I thought of how difficult it would've been for me to squeeze my way through the window, and even then I didn't know if it would work. I came to the realization, rather quickly, that I didn't want to die. But I came as close as I ever been.
And it certainly wasn't the last.
There have been times over the years that I couldn't find a single day where I didn't contemplate suicide. "Hemingway or Williams," I would ask myself. Hemingway shot himself. Robin Williams hung himself. Neither appealed to me, but who cared? I didn't have to clean up the mess.
Then I thought of what I would leave behind. My wife (who passed away less than a month ago) and three kids. I had a decent job. Nothing spectacular. And my writing career was nothing to call spectacular, but I had fun doing it.
Starting in early 2019, I made a further commitment to read the Bible more, read more non-fiction Christian books and devotionals, give more to my local church, and even attend more often. Prior to this, I prayed but starting in 2019 I also made a commitment to pray more often. I would carve out time each night, alone, in the bedroom and pray/read. Even at work, I would spend more time improving myself.
And you know something? Thoughts of taking my own life have dwindled. Oh, sure, those thoughts would creep in every once and a while, but it was rare. And I attribute it to simply having a greater relationship with God. The more and more I talked with Him, Our Heavenly Father, and the more trust I put in His Holy Hands, the less time Satan had to allow the loser language of suicide into my thoughts.
Have you ever thought of yourself as unworthy, a loser, a complete waste of humanity? I sure have. But remember that all of us were made in God's image. And what God has created in us is good. Not only are we His finest creation, He sent His only Son Jesus to earth, to be among us, to teach us and guide us toward a greater relationship with God.
Okay, with that being said, let's chat.
It was my freshman year of college, 1991. I won't share the circumstances surrounding this event--my first real suicidal thought--but I remember riding the elevator to the top floor of the 12-floor student residential hall. This might have been sometime during the winter, but I went to the window . . . opened it . . . and gazed down at the ground below.
I felt like a complete loser. A failure. Why wouldn't someone want to be with me? Okay, so I wasn't as good looking at Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise, but then again who was?
I thought of how difficult it would've been for me to squeeze my way through the window, and even then I didn't know if it would work. I came to the realization, rather quickly, that I didn't want to die. But I came as close as I ever been.
And it certainly wasn't the last.
There have been times over the years that I couldn't find a single day where I didn't contemplate suicide. "Hemingway or Williams," I would ask myself. Hemingway shot himself. Robin Williams hung himself. Neither appealed to me, but who cared? I didn't have to clean up the mess.
Then I thought of what I would leave behind. My wife (who passed away less than a month ago) and three kids. I had a decent job. Nothing spectacular. And my writing career was nothing to call spectacular, but I had fun doing it.
Starting in early 2019, I made a further commitment to read the Bible more, read more non-fiction Christian books and devotionals, give more to my local church, and even attend more often. Prior to this, I prayed but starting in 2019 I also made a commitment to pray more often. I would carve out time each night, alone, in the bedroom and pray/read. Even at work, I would spend more time improving myself.
And you know something? Thoughts of taking my own life have dwindled. Oh, sure, those thoughts would creep in every once and a while, but it was rare. And I attribute it to simply having a greater relationship with God. The more and more I talked with Him, Our Heavenly Father, and the more trust I put in His Holy Hands, the less time Satan had to allow the loser language of suicide into my thoughts.
Have you ever thought of yourself as unworthy, a loser, a complete waste of humanity? I sure have. But remember that all of us were made in God's image. And what God has created in us is good. Not only are we His finest creation, He sent His only Son Jesus to earth, to be among us, to teach us and guide us toward a greater relationship with God.
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
The importance of great counsel
In the book of 2 Chronicles, chapter 24, we read about king Joash, who reigned in Jerusalem for forty years.
The Lord's priest, in the early years of his reign, was Jehoiada. He helped to guide Joash in rebuilding the Lord's Temple, which had gone neglected for many years and had suffered through much ransacking. As an act of faith toward his people, Joash and his priest set an empty chest outside the Temple, and asked that all give what was imposed by Moses into the chest. Day and night, the chest was filled by the people and the Levites assigned to watch over it emptied it.
The Temple was repaired.
Jehoiada died at the age of 130, having lived a much longer life than usual. Afterward, rulers from Judah came and poisoned the mind of Joash and he worshiped false gods, despite pleading from Jehoiada's son Zechariah to not do so. The Lord was not pleased, especially after Zechariah was stoned to death by command of the king.
Because of these acts, a small Aramean army invaded Joash and he was assassinated. Had he not listened to the vileness of Judah and kept his faithful mind on the Lord, his life would have, more than likely, turned out much better.
Be aware of who gives you advice. It's always wise to take matters of advice and pray upon it.
The Lord's priest, in the early years of his reign, was Jehoiada. He helped to guide Joash in rebuilding the Lord's Temple, which had gone neglected for many years and had suffered through much ransacking. As an act of faith toward his people, Joash and his priest set an empty chest outside the Temple, and asked that all give what was imposed by Moses into the chest. Day and night, the chest was filled by the people and the Levites assigned to watch over it emptied it.
The Temple was repaired.
Jehoiada died at the age of 130, having lived a much longer life than usual. Afterward, rulers from Judah came and poisoned the mind of Joash and he worshiped false gods, despite pleading from Jehoiada's son Zechariah to not do so. The Lord was not pleased, especially after Zechariah was stoned to death by command of the king.
Because of these acts, a small Aramean army invaded Joash and he was assassinated. Had he not listened to the vileness of Judah and kept his faithful mind on the Lord, his life would have, more than likely, turned out much better.
Be aware of who gives you advice. It's always wise to take matters of advice and pray upon it.
Friday, January 17, 2020
The Spirit is the glue that binds the Mind and Body
"I love you with all my heart, soul, and being."
These words my wife has spoke to me every single day since the day we were married--and probably for months previous.
The other day, I reflected on those words and their meaning. We go through our daily trials and our physical and mental well-being are assaulted by sin. But through it all, by the power of God and the Holy Spirit, our souls bind us together.
God's Spirit binds our minds and body together. Without it, we would be nothing. It has been said that our actions are judged by our thoughts, words, and deeds. In other words, our mind and our body. Our body encompass both our words and our deeds.
Through it all is God. And without Him, we are nothing.
His Spirit is truly the glue that binds us together.
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Jehoiada's wisdom
In the 23rd chapter, from the book of 2 Chronicles, we find ourselves seven years into the evil reign of Athaliah.
It was at this time the priest Jehoiada decided to act. With great skill, he made a pact with five army commanders, where they traveled in secret throughout Judah to summon the Levites and clan leaders to Jerusalem. There, they would gather at the Temple of God to both welcome and protect Joash, their new king.
If you remember from the previous chapter, Joash's brothers were all slaughtered by Athaliah and we went into hiding. Now it was time to act!
Jehoiada addressed those whom were summoned and divided them up to serve in various capacities at the Temple. Under no condition was anyone except them to be allowed to be near the new king. When everything was in place, they placed a crown on Joash's head and pronounced him as their new king.
Athaliah was not pleased. She shouted threats of treason, but she was quickly taken away and executed.
Jehoiada then made a covenant between himself, the king, and their people that they would be the Lord's people. They then destroyed the temple of Baal as well as the false priests.
It was at this time the priest Jehoiada decided to act. With great skill, he made a pact with five army commanders, where they traveled in secret throughout Judah to summon the Levites and clan leaders to Jerusalem. There, they would gather at the Temple of God to both welcome and protect Joash, their new king.
If you remember from the previous chapter, Joash's brothers were all slaughtered by Athaliah and we went into hiding. Now it was time to act!
Jehoiada addressed those whom were summoned and divided them up to serve in various capacities at the Temple. Under no condition was anyone except them to be allowed to be near the new king. When everything was in place, they placed a crown on Joash's head and pronounced him as their new king.
Athaliah was not pleased. She shouted threats of treason, but she was quickly taken away and executed.
Jehoiada then made a covenant between himself, the king, and their people that they would be the Lord's people. They then destroyed the temple of Baal as well as the false priests.
Friday, January 10, 2020
What can you control?
Most of the time, we worry about things beyond our control. If you were to worry about something, pause and take a mental step back. Ask yourself, "Can I control this?"
The weather.
Other people.
Other nations.
The economy.
And the list goes on and on.
But if you do find yourself worrying, ask God to relieve you of the stress and handle your worries. For example, my wife has end stage liver failure. The end is more than likely near. How near, I don't know. Only God does. Instead of worrying about it, I cherish every single moment I am with her as I ask God to take all of my worry from me.
Years ago, my wife and i were in a severe financial situation (full disclosure, we have been in situations like this several times). We then prayed to God to relieve us of the worry and show us what to do. You know what happened? God showed us what to do.
What are you worrying about today? Even if it's within your control, ask God for help.
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Poor advice leads to a short reign
In the 22nd chapter, from the book of 2 Chronicles, Ahaziah is King Jehoram's youngest son. Since all of his older brothers were killed, he was named the next king.
He reigned for only a year.
Like King Ahab, Ahaziah was encouraged by his mother of doing wrong. God was not pleased. Even his advisers were giving him poor advice.
Ahaziah was soon killed and his mother vowed revenge by destroying the rest of Judah's royal family. But one of his sons was hidden by his sister, along with his nurse. The son was named Joash and he remained in hiding for six long years while Ahaziah's mother Athaliah ruled over the land.
He reigned for only a year.
Like King Ahab, Ahaziah was encouraged by his mother of doing wrong. God was not pleased. Even his advisers were giving him poor advice.
Ahaziah was soon killed and his mother vowed revenge by destroying the rest of Judah's royal family. But one of his sons was hidden by his sister, along with his nurse. The son was named Joash and he remained in hiding for six long years while Ahaziah's mother Athaliah ruled over the land.
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