Don't Walk in Circles

“My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.” Psalm 26:12

Thinking on the past and all the unsteadiness that went on in my life makes me rejoice to have found a better Way. No longer is the insecurity present in my life.  My foot is standing in an even place.  

In the beginning the road I was on was maintained by me and my ability to keep it straight and level was lacking.  No matter how hard I tried the road was still uneven.  A slanted walk makes you go in circles.

I’m not saying that I don’t have problems sense I trusted JESUS, I most certainly do. There are pits and sorrow along the way but the certainty that I will come through them is security and peace. I walk the road of full assurance with the knowledge that one day I’ll walk on the “streets of pure gold”!

There is a road that twists and turns,

It’s base is uneven and worn.

I’ve walked upon this rugged road,

It’s the one to which I was born.

I was told of a road that’s paved,

Where your foot is sure and free.

The pits and holes are gone away,

And a steady ride is a guarantee.

The sign I saw before me read,

“You must be born again”!

I made the turn, I went the Way

A level road, did now begin.

“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 1:12b

Yes You Can

“But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.” Psalm 26:11

Taking a stand is easy when there is no resistance.  But what about when we do?  Is our faith strong enough to bring us through?  It is if we are living up to our commitment to CHRIST.  Don’t expect GOD to deliver you when you are speaking out of both sides of your mouth.  (James 3:10) “But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity”, 1. Because I love the LORD.  2. Because I want the world to see a difference in me and desire what I have.

We understand we aren’t perfect in this body of flesh. We also understand our only hope of redemption is in CHRIST.  Our hearts desire is perfection but the cry of the flesh is, “we can’t”.  The flesh in this sense is not lying, we can’t, but JESUS can! “redeem me”  

If we lack power to take a stand for the LORD, He will provide it “and be merciful” to us if we are depending on Him.  We can only expect failure if we aren’t.  

Oh my JESUS how I need You,

My heart cries, out to Thee.

I’m so weak and inconsistent.

Take my hand and rescue me.

Oh the failure when without You.

On my own, so petrified.

Take me through the fire before me.

In Your strength I’m justified!

“Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:24-27

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire

“In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.” Psalm 26:10

Deception is the tool of the devil.  In regards to man his deception began in the garden and continues to this day.  He tried to deceive JESUS during His temptation but utterly failed.

Satan paints with a twisted brush, each stroke seems beautiful but it is not in perspective. Borderline beauty is not beauty at all.  He promises riches but he pays in counterfeit money.  He promises diamonds but gives you paste.

The intent of Satan is not happiness but it is enslavement to the wickedness he represents. When we look through an eye dimmed with the desire of the flesh we are sure to fall to the delight of what we see.  Satan is the ultimate  “flimflam artist”!  He gives you what you want and you miss what you need! This is deception!  

If you think you are smarter than Satan, you have already been deceived.  Your only defense is JESUS!  He will clear the clouded eye!  He paints with the brush of perfection, each stroke is peace and happiness.  No counterfeit money and no paste for diamonds.  Trust JESUS and live!

The glitter of the object 

Seemed so fair to me.

I thought if I could have it,

How delighted I would be.

I reached out and I took it.

My heart began to throb

It wasn’t what I expected

I knew I had been robbed.

“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:3

A Happy State of Mind

“Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:” Psalm 26:9

My heart no longer strives to find a place of hope, peace and protection, I found it all when JESUS came into my life.  What more could I ever need?  What could ever entice me away from such a splendid life?

I have found the pot at the end of the rainbow!  My ship has come into the harbor, it is filled with every hope and desire I could ever want.  My barn is full and my cup runs over. 

I’m surrounded by others with the same peace and love as I have.  These are those that are also filled with the HOLY SPIRIT and resting in the SAVIOR.  My joy is filled when I’m with them, there is not a better place for me.  Where else could I be where I can meet others and fall instantly in love with them.  A true love that only the King of Glory can bring.  This is Family!

I’ve found a pleasant place,

It is where I want to stay.

Encircled by those You love,

It is such a grand display.

Keep me from the vile ones

Who’s nature is full of hate.

Take my hand, walk with me.

Holding tight, I’ll not escape.

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1 John 2:16-17

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”  1 John 4:7-8  

Church is Family

“LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.” Psalm 26:8

When a firefighter in years past we were taught what ingredients you have in most fires to create combustion.  It was called the “Fire Triangle”.  The ingredients were Heat, Fuel and Oxygen.  

The successful Christian has a similar “triangle” which is essential in their lives, Prayer, Fellowship and the Word! Eliminate anyone of the three and you are incomplete and in danger of losing the so great peace you have been given.

To say you are a Christian and never enter the door of the Church is contrary to the Word of GOD.  It is a fact that those that are truly saved will have the desire to be around other Believers.  We associate ourselves with those of a like mind.  CHRIST is the head of the Church, Believers are indwelled with the SPIRIT.  It is just natural for Believers to come together in one mind worshiping their LORD.

Beside all the above, I really love the Church and want to be there.  I love my brothers and sisters, I love the preacher and the message he preaches. I love the children and the aged of which I’m one.  The Church is family and I belong to it!  

There is a place I long to be

Where my spirit is lifted high.

With tranquil peace in the air

And joy is beyond the sky.

Kind thoughts and love is sure

From those that fill the room.

We talk about the One we love,

We are waiting for the Groom! 

“My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.” Psalm 84:2

No Secret Agents

“That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.” Psalm 26:7

I’m remembering back forty six years ago to the day of my personal encounter with CHRIST.  After having a anguishing type of life and than the complete change that came after trusting Him.

It would be impossible for me to tell you how many times I have given testimony of the difference JESUS made in my life.  It started the very day it happened and continues today.  How could I ever hold back the peace CHRIST brought to me?

I have often wondered if those that claim to know the LORD and never give witness of their salvation know Him at all.  You may think this is judging but is built within the Word of GOD. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9-10

This confession of the mouth doesn’t stop after salvation but becomes a continuing part of our daily lives. GOD has no secret agents!

On a mountain high above

Where not a tree could live.

I shouted out with all I had

The things CHRIST did give.

No comparison to anything

Can match His grace so full.

Oh my JESUS, LORD of mine.

I will shout and others pull.

All my words are meaningless if JESUS isn’t at the center of what I speak!

“I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.” Psalm 9:1

Don't Give Up - Pray Up

“I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:” Psalm 26:6 

It should be the desire of every believer to keep themselves clean.  Yes, while we live in this body of flesh, we will have our failures but it should never keep us from doing our best and lean on the One that made us pure in the first place.

To often the one that has a failure feels the shame that comes with it and quits.  Quitting is never the answer.  Failure brings shame and shame brings us back to the Throne of GOD!  When we quit the devil wins a victory and those that are watching us lose sight of the very One we are trying to convince them of.

Wrap your arms around the Throne of GOD, hold tight and never let go.  Grab to the promises of the LORD in your hands and heart and never stray.  Lift your head high and show the world the power of the loving SAVIOR.

My hands were dirty, with filth inscribed.

My heart was heavy, and I was terrified.

Just to clean them, this was my goal.

If I could wash them, I would be whole.

I didn’t have the power, to make them clean.

I scrubbed them raw, Till the bone was seen.

I was told of a cleanser of deep crimson red.

That would wash me clean, and take my dread.

I knew just a drop could set me free.

But I was told, He shed it all for me!

Now on bended knee before His throne,

I’m pure as white and never alone. 

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Muddy Water

“I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.” Psalm 26:5

Is there anything to the thought, “I hate the sin but love the sinner?”  The answer to the question is a resounding, yes! The fact is this is exactly what JESUS did for the believer and for all that will call upon His name.

Friends we are living in a time of great compromise.  You can’t hate sin and be a part of it.  It is honorable to want to win the soul that is living in sin but you’ll never win them by condoning or even seemingly condoning what they are doing.  If we really love them we’ll stand firm on what the scripture tells us and live a separated life.

The Word tells us to be separated from them but today we mingle with them, thinking we will somehow win them over.  If they are to be won over they must come to CHRIST like all come, calling upon the name of JESUS asking for the forgiveness for sin.  When we do it any other way we are telling GOD, we know a better way!

I saw a sad man deep in sin

My heart began to sink for him.

How could I bring this sad one out?

I’ll crawl in with him so he’ll turnabout.  

I began to tell him how to escape his fate.

He said, why should I you’ve made the same mistake!

You can’t get in the dirt and come out clean.

Come out from among them, and on JESUS lean!

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” Corinthians 6:17

Get in the Boat and Stay There

“I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.” Psalm 26:4

Many have heard or read the phrase, “The Christian is in the world but not of the world”!  I have always loved this thought especially when it comes to taking a stand.  It encourages me when I realize this world is different than the one I belong to. I am an alien in a foreign land!  Mine is much better! 1 Peter 2:11

I wish that all who claim to be believers would understand this biblical concept but I’m afraid many don’t or at least it isn’t apparent in their lives.  Once we are saved we no longer live for the things of the world but we live for CHRIST and His Kingdom.

JESUS was sent by the FATHER and we are sent by CHRIST.  JESUS didn’t come to make things beautiful in this world. His purpose was to replace the first Adam by keeping the law that we couldn’t, die for our sins and be raised from the dead, promising all that would believe, the same.

While attending a church, singing songs of praise and learn all the things about our most precious LORD is wonderful, we can’t forget why He sent us just as the FATHER sent Him.  The death burial and resurrection was the commission JESUS had and ours is to tell the world of His marvelous redemption!  May I be bold in saying we will never fulfill our commission if we are living for the world and not Him. 

I was in a boat floating on the sea

When a thought happened to come to me.

I was in the boat and not the sea.

The boat was between the water and me. 

I looked and saw others struggling to swim.

I asked myself how I could bring them in?

The waters raged and tossed them about.

I threw them a life line as I began to shout.

Get in the boat and you’ll find safety there.

CHRIST will calm the seas and your life repair.

Once your aboard don’t sit on your hands

Bring others to safety, this JESUS demands!

“I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.” John 17:9-11

About Face

“For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.” Psalm 26:3

GOD shows His love in everything He does.  He has shown His love by the beauty that surrounds us. From the crystal pure stream to the majesty of the snow caped mountain.  A valley all green with a blanket of pretty flowers and a blue sky with fluffy white clouds.  Get out of the city and glare into the night sky and you will see His love in the heavens above you.  It’s full of diamonds He has placed before us. “GOD is love”!

Man has done everything they can to pollute the love of GOD, from the beginning in a beautiful garden to the present day.  Sin has tried to change GOD’s love in every respect. Whether it be His beautiful creation or His promise of forgiveness, sin destroys but “GOD is love”! 

GOD will one day take this tarnished earth and restore it to the beauty He meant it to be.  He does this today in the lives of the sinner that places their faith and trust in His son, JESUS!  I know, He did it to me! “GOD is love”!

I have seen a glimpse of Glory, 

By the love You have shown.

The forgiveness of the Savior,

As He sits upon His throne.

Wretchedness now has left me. 

My future is bright and clean.

Your love is ever before me.

I never knew life was so serene.

I’ll keep my eyes upon You.

I’ll walk within Your truth.

You’ll always be before me.

Your love is all my proof!

“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16

Do I Smell Right?

“Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.” Psalm 26:2

Here we see the call for an examination.  Not to prove to GOD how good we are but rather to make sure we are maintaining the walk we ought to have.  Have we gotten out of step? Are we to comfortable or complacent?

It is so dangerous for us to get caught up in ourselves, thinking we have reached the pinnacle of achievement.  Once we find ourselves in this place we have lost our dependence on the LORD.  The believer will never make it on their own.

We must ask GOD as David wisely did, “prove me”, do things in my life smell right to you LORD?  Is the gold of my life pure in its content or is it just partial?  Does my diamond sparkle as it should? Is my water clean or is it polluted?  Test me LORD, shake up my heart that I might be what You want me to be. 

I’ve been tried and I’ve been tested.

I thought my life was pure as gold.

I asked the LORD if He would test me.

He found some tarnish, I was told.

I’m not discouraged by His findings.

I’m thankful for the things He's found.

My purpose is to be more like JESUS

Now LORD, my life I’ll turnaround.

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2 Corinthians 13:5

Almost? Not Good Enough!

“A Psalm of David. Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.” Psalm 26:1

This would be a terrifying statement to ask GOD to judge us unless adequate provision had been made for us.  Perfection is imposable on our own.  “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”. Romans 3:10  

Perfection is an absolute when we stand before the LORD, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10  The question is, have any of us kept the law in its entirety? “No, not one”.  The penalty is not a slap, but death!  “For the wages of sin is death;” Romans 6:23a

David’s ability to ask GOD to judge him was answered in his statement, “I have also trusted in the Lord”.  Even though we do our best to do good we are lacking when we are on our own.  JESUS is essential for our perfection.  Only through CHRIST is our integrity true, “but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23b

JESUS said, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48  Want to be perfect and not fear death? Want to boldly stand before GOD and say, “judge me”?  Trust the perfection of CHRIST and not your own.

I found the source to perfect delight.

I found JESUS, and He made me right.

I’m finally able to stand before GOD.

Receiving perfection and not the rod.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9-10

The Rich Heart (E)

“Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.” Psalm 25:22

A rich heart is one that is not only concerned about their own troubles but also for the troubles of others.  This still another reason David was called, “a man after GODs own heart.”  He understood he was not alone in his misery, others had the same heartache as he did. So he pleads for them also.

It is sad we often get so tangled in our own misfortunes we can’t see what others are also going through.  It is so important for us to share the love of CHRIST and propagate the victory we have in Him.  We can say it is selfish when we only worry about ourselves and are not concerned that others are going through the same things.

I have heard it said by some, “I don’t have the gift of witnessing to others”.  May I say this is only a feeble excuse for an unconcerned heart.  The LORD brought the believer out of great troubles and continues to help them in their daily walk.  How could one not want to share their freedom with others?  “Redeem (Them) O God, out of all (their) troubles”.

Oh, my sorrow how I hurt.

My troubles overwhelm me.

To the LORD I will make my cry,

And all my troubles will flee.

But what of others near and far,

Who are in this dreadful place?

Oh, my God, I’ll cry for them.  

That all their troubles, you’ll erase…“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14