Diamonds or Paste

“I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.”  Psalm 18:3

Better is a sure answer from the real Source than a voice that echoes back without an answer!  A jubilant spirit is an expression of the heart that receives the evidence of its faith!

If GOD is not the foundation of our hope and our dependence is on anything other than Him, hope is diminished to a dream; we are left in despair and full of disappointment!

Hope without Christ is like a river without water a mountain without elevation or a rainbow without color.  Hope in self is worthless made of plastic, counterfeit and dissolves.  Hope in Christ is a diamond set in pure gold, eternally leading the way!

I made a call to JESUS! He picked up right away!

I told Him about my problems, this is what He had to say.

You have come to the right Source, I will hear it all!

Nothing can hurt you now; it was Me that took your fall!

No matter how big your problems, I can lick them all!

I will speak the Word and on their knees they’ll crawl!

So take your fear and cast it from your worried soul!

No matter how big the problem, I can make you whole!

“I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” 2 Samuel 22:4

The Right Aid

“The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”  Psalm 18:2

I don't know how many have made death bed confessions of faith in CHRIST but I do know it is far better to have been prepared for such a time!

The above words written by David are far more than just another group of words put together in a sentence.  They are the expression of his heart using every word to reveal what he is feeling.  

How sad it is for those that don’t understand the true meaning of what this verse is saying!  Only those that have tasted the grace of CHRIST can truly understand the depth of its significance. 

How marvelous it is to know, the LORD is my GOD and my SAVIOR! 

The One that always brings victory! No matter how tough it is!

I was once weak without hope.

I was feeble and full of despair!

Always trying to help myself.

Most of the time, I didn’t care!

There were family and friends

That had offered their aid.

They tried to bring me through.

But my weakness remained!

Fears could not be restrained!

The enemy continued to pursue!

Out of darkness The Light appeared!

His strength was solid as a Rock!

My fear did flee, the despair did run!

Now my enemies CHRIST will mock!

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”  Romans 8:31.

CHRIST Our Victory

“To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said, I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.”  Psalm 18:1

Every victory that comes through the LORD causes the heart to rejoice with overwhelming gratitude toward Him!  It puts a song in our heart and a skip in our step!

Looking over my life I see a clear picture of GOD’s grace over me, when I failed He was there to lift me from my repulsive state!  In times of sorrow, He was there to comfort my weariness! Every moment of every day my LORD has brought victory to me.  

It breaks my heart to realize the times of joy I have missed because my walk was not instep with His precepts.  But today my heart is full of joy, I have this song in my heart that will not leave, it’s an everlasting tune that cries out, “I will love thee, O LORD, my strength!

Above the mountains,

Deeper than the seas,

Wider than the ocean,

And taller than the trees!

Brighter than the sun,

Stronger than the storm,

Sweeter than the blossom,

Or anything you can form!

Is the victory in JESUS!

Nothing can compare!

Every time I need His help,

He is always there!

I love you LORD!

“Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust;” Psalm144:1&2

When Our Imagination Turns to Reality

“As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.”   Psalm 17:15

This is the conclusion of the “Man after God’s own Heart”.  While the eye gives us vision it is what we look at and how we see things that are most important. Does the eye desire the things that surround us now in the temporary or does it look beyond to the hope we have in CHRIST JESUS?

Looking forward to the glorious place GOD has prepared brings wonderful thoughts of hope. However it is the One that will welcome us that is most important! This is the fulfillment of full and final satisfaction!  This is when the theophany becomes a physical reality!

We will see Him as John did not only like “the Son of man” but The One and only “Son of man”, “clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.” Revelation 1:13-15.

Only when I see my Savior and King will my satisfaction be fulfilled in its entirety!

There is a day that’s coming

When I shall see my LORD!

Just to be in His presence

Will be my full reward!

I know I’ll be overcome

To my hearts delight.

Just to see my JESUS

Standing in full sight!

I don’t know what I’ll do,

When I see Him standing there.

I’ll be overcome with His majesty

As I look at Him and stare!

I’m sure the tears of joy,

Will then begin to fall.  

With shouts of Hallelujah

To the ONE who gave all!

As sure as I’m writing these words, the KING of Glory is coming back for His Church.  I don’t know if there are words written in my heart to express the splendor of that day!

“But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” Hebrews 11:16

Fortune Giver

“From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.”    Psalm 17:14

To know what the future is is a wonderful thing!  The expectation of what we have in Christ is awe-inspiring!  There are no doubts whatsoever for the future of the believer.  

It is sad to watch those that find their peace in the things of this world and its riches. It is their god! They are overwhelmed by the now and forget the future. It is temporary and will flee them in the end and their later estate will be most horrifying! 

I would say it is very heartbreaking to GOD when the believer is occupied with the things of this world and forget the glorious future they already possess!  It is the responsibility of all that enjoy this glorious future to point others to Christ that they might have the same!

I’m not worried about tomorrow.

Tomorrow has ceased to be.

Every day is part of my future.

They will never cease for me!

Not earned by all my goodness.

My goodness could not pay the bill.

It’s true I have life everlasting.

But through JESUS it was made real!

Now I look forward forever.

All the clocks have ceased to run.

Time is no longer relevant.

Through JESUS I have already won!

“For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”  2 Timothy 1:2b.  

Lifting Up and Casting Down

“Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:”    Psalm 17:13

Taking action of our own on those that abuse us only creates a larger problem and we are then as bad as they are.

Christ arose on our behalf and hears our every cry; He stands ready to comfort those that are His. Give Him the reins and He will take control. He will cast down each and every thing that causes such despair!

You don’t need to fight this battle.

It is CHRIST’s alone you see.

There’s nothing self can do to win.

Only through JESUS can victory be!

They’ll hear the rumble from Heaven

And fire will strike the sky.

Their knees will be weak and limber

And no one will hear their cry!

But to you the beloved of JESUS,

Will never have to stand alone.

CHRIST sits to the right of the FATHER

In Glory upon His Holy Throne! 

“Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you,” 2 Chronicles 20:17a 

Ready For Real Life

“Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.”    Psalm 17:12

I have noticed something about the deer that eat in the field by the house.  While they seem to be enjoying the fresh green alfalfa, after each bite they look up, standing at attention watching for predators  that may harm them.  The coyote howls to bring its prey and the house cat walks silently ready to make its move on the mouse. I have seen the eagle swoop down from the clear blue sky and with its claws grab its dinner. And man is no different! “Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.” This is a picture of this world and it’s not very pretty!

They seem to want for self,

To satisfy the flesh.

Constantly taking from others,

And causing such distress!

The flesh is like a magnet

Drawing what it can.

Its strength is so mighty

It deceives every man.

But there is a place called Heaven,

Where the flesh desires will be no more.

It will go with death and hate,

And the Believer CHRIST will restore!

“But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.”   Hebrews 11:16

“For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.”   Proverbs 25:7

A Sure Promise

“They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;”   Psalm 17:11

Fear may come upon the believer when they are surrounded by those that hate them and want to cause them harm.  These are those that watch our every step waiting for the opportunity to bring grief, sorrow and discouragement!  They don’t give up easily but are as raging bulls with heads bowed, digging into the ground, ready to attack at any moment!  These are subtle brute beasts that many times it is hard to make a distinction whether they are friend or foe!

Don’t forget you have the victory; CHRIST is on your side!  He has promised “never to leave nor forsake you”!  He provides all the help you ever need to withstand the enemy’s woe! It’s in the Book, I have read it!  The Bible told me so!

So keep your eyes pitched toward heaven and watch for the Kings return. His promise is real, it will happen and I’m praying it will be soon!

Everywhere around me,

I feel them far and near.

Those that want to harm me

But with JESUS there’s no fear!

They come with toxic venom

Waiting for a chance to attack

Sneaking up behind me,

Not giving any slack!

They come in darkened alleys,

Waiting for the perfect time!

Watching for me to slip up

To do their deed of crime!

But I never have a worry

I know I’ll be okay.

JESUS is my Savior,

In the end they’ll have to pay!

“We also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” Hebrews 12:1.

The Fat Boy

“They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.”   Psalm 17:10

Better it is to be in need than to be captivated by our prosperity and puffed up with our gain!  A foolish heart is surrounded by self while the wise one is dependent upon the LORD!  It is the proud that elevate themselves but eventually fall! The humble lift up the LORD and move to heights far above their expectation!

I had bathed in my riches.

I thought I had it all.

Not in need of anything

Neither big nor even small!

Then one day it all came down

It just vanished all away.

I will never again trust in self

In the end I had to pay!

But when I fell I looked up

And saw The Way so clear.

Now I have all I need.

It’s CHRIST that I revere!

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:19

Peace by Power

“From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.”  Psalm 17:9

The matchless protection of GOD is given to the believer!  You will never win the battle on your own. To think you can is a deceitful lie of the devil which oppresses you on every front. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” 1 Peter 5:8. 

We are oppressed and surrounded by desperately wicked and lethal enemies.  “Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD” 2 Chronicles 20:17a. O LORD, “Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,”!

The secrete of my victory

Is found in the SON!

His protection it is matchless

By my side, CHRIST will run!

When the enemy arrives

I will turn it over to my KING!

Nothing can ever harm me.

He’s in control of everything!

Wow, I am so excited

And feel so much at peace!

When all the power of my JESUS

On my foes He does release!

“Who (we) are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:5

Shechinah Glory

“Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,”    Psalm 17:8

These two statements of hope are additive to the reader. When we understand our weakness and the need for assistance and protection we will understand what David was speaking of. 

The pupil (apple of the eye) while being a most treasured part of our body is more dependent than any other. Shielding the eye is essential if we are to walk in light and have vision.

How loving and tender the thought of the bird sheltering the chicks under their wings, this soothes my heart and great peace is present when I read it.

I acknowledge my weakness and need for protection from my loving GOD! O LORD hid me in the shadow of Your Shechinah Glory! 

“He keeps me as the apple of the eye,”

On the LORD’s protection I do rely!

No greater defense could one obtain.

All my enemies CHRIST will restrain!

When I find myself in utter gloom,

He pulls me close to His strong room!

“Under the shadow of thy wings,”

Your Shechinah Glory, my heart sings!

There is no better feeling than this peace,

Reach out to JESUS, and from self-cease!

Protection will come once you’ve asked.

Security is sure, from death you’ve passed!

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

Transcendent Love

“Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.”   Psalm 17:7

Imagine in your mind the greatest feeling of love you have ever experienced, whatever it is it could never be compared to the transcendent love of GOD! His love is not brief or estranged but it is perpetual and never disloyal. O this marvelous love that GOD offers, to those that trust Him. It is action love that not only captivates the heart but is the protector of the soul. “His hand is still stretched out” to all that need refuge and are yearning for this transcendent love!

Oh how wondrous the love of JESUS.

His love so mighty and so true!

Oh how glorious the love of JESUS.

Took the penalty that I was due!

Oh how wondrous the peace of JESUS.

Always there to keep me safe!

Oh how glorious the peace of JESUS.

Oh just to look upon His face!

Oh the newness when I trusted JESUS.

My life it changed from old to new!

Oh the freedom CHRIST did give me.

What He gave me, He’ll give to you!

We don’t trust JESUS because of a feeling we have but the person that turns their life over to Him is overwhelmed with glorious joy and a peace that passes all understanding!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:22-24

HE that Hath an Ear

“I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.”    Psalm 17:6

Calling out for help when help cannot be found is a most miserable situation.  Calling on the right source makes all the difference!  A deaf ear to our pleading brings much grief but the reply from the One that is continually present and hears our speech brings joy unspeakable and peace that passes all understanding!  A sure answer from GOD brings light that dims our sorrow, Trust Him!

I call out to the One that listens.

All my cares He hears and helps.

All it takes is a call to the MASTER.

When I do all my sorrow melts!

Wherever I go I keep Him present.

His promise is not to leave or forsake.

I am mindful of where I take Him.

So that my flesh won’t overtake!

But when I fail and I am sure to.

He is there to hear my cry.

Thank you JESUS O my SAVIOR.

Why You love me, I know not why!

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” 1 John 3:1

Follow the Leader

“Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.”  Psalm 17:5

The path we walk can make our lives a most miserable one or one that is delightful. The key is who we are following. The leader always directs us to our destination. A good leader will guide us to the right destination and protect us along the way.

Following Christ gives us the power to overcome anything we may ever be faced with and our footsteps slip not! As sure as Jesus rescued Peter when he began to sink in the stormy waters, He saves all that rely Him! “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.” (Matthew 14:30). LORD, help us to hold tight to the right leader, JESUS!

I once followed a fool.

My path was a winding way.

Always falling down,

Could never stand or stay.

I thought I knew it all.

No one could tell me a thing.

Constantly having trouble,

I would mess up everything.

But when I took a look

At myself in the mirror.

I wasn’t much to look at,

And nothing to revere.

Then I read the Word of God.

It spoke of the Savior's love.

I fell upon my knees that day.

I found peace from above.

Now I follow JESUS.

He’s the only Way.

One day I’ll hear the trumpet.

He’ll carry me away...

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13

The Glory of the Word

“Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.”   Psalm 17:4

Just as prayer was an indispensable part of David’s life so was his reliance on the Word of GOD.  It is not strange that failures come when we are lacking these essentials in our lives. The lack of nourishment makes a body weak and feeble so it is when we leave GOD’s Word out of our daily lives.  We are left defenseless! 

Without it I would be defenseless!

Without it I would be incomplete!

Without it I would be unforgiven!

My life would be full of defeat!

Without it I would be unhappy!

Without it I would be without hope!

Without it I would be full of fear!

My life would be impossible to cope!

In my heart it keeps me singing!

In my mind it sets me free!

GODs Word is ever before me!

That’s why the devil will flee!

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:11