In His Grip

As we come to the end of 2021, I thought I would take the time to revive an entry from December 2010, to be reminded of the timelessness of the Incarnation and solid Rock of our hope. Are you ready for Christmas? This time of year is so full of emotion and memories.  Some seem almost magical and full of hope, while others are full of despair, and even more so as time marches on.   What is on your mind and heart this Christmas season? Are you ready for Christmas? "BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "GOD WITH US."  (Matthew 1:23 NASB, quoted from Isaiah 7:14) "God with us." - !      As we look at some of the Messianic Scriptures today, I would like for us to consider a couple of questions:  How was it that the Messiah - God with us - was introduced to the world over 2,000 years ago?  How is it that He will be introduced to our world today? I believe ...

( Click here for an audio version . Music is from 'Godpleaser' by Petra. )   ""For I proclaim the name of the LORD; Ascribe greatness to our God! "The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He." ( Deuteronomy 32:3-4 )   "I will bow down toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name." ( Psalms 138:2 )   "The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;’ ( Psalms 19:7 a)   " How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of the LORD. How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart." ( Psalms 119:1-2 )     Approach As I introduce this topic, I encourage you to approach it with two key principles in mind: perfection an...

 ( Click here for an audio version.  Music is from 'Run for the Prize' in vintage vinyl by Petra.) In the last couple of sessions we have examined, primarily from the Psalms, the desire of the godly to be taught and to be changed .   The surrender of repentance is the crucial first step, and yet, the process is anything but passive. What is next as we sharpen our focus on Jesus? "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit."   (2 Corinthians 3:18) "… but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus ."     (Philippians 3:13-14) "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangle...

( Click here for an audio version . Music is from 'Godpleaser' by Petra. ) " Teach me , O LORD, the way of Your statutes, And I shall observe it to the end. Give me understanding , that I may observe Your law And keep it with all my heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it. Incline my heart to Your testimonies And not to dishonest gain. Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, And revive me in Your ways. Establish Your word to Your servant, As that which produces reverence for You. Turn away my reproach which I dread, For Your ordinances are good. Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me through Your righteousness." (Psalm 119:33-40) How do the prayers of the Psalmist here compare to yours?  What are you asking God FOR? Continuing our theme from last week, ‘Teach Me’ , we go further to ask God to change us.  Notice the Psalmist does not pray things like, ‘Lord enable me to…’ , o...

(Click here for an audio version.    Music is from 'Godpleaser' by Petra. ) "Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day." (Psalm 25:4-5) I wake up desperate.   No matter how refreshed my rest, my mind just takes off, and more often than not in a negative direction, one that, if left in its default mode, will sink into anxiety and depression. I desperately need God to teach me. Earlier this week I read Psalm 119:66: "Teach me good discernment and knowledge, For I believe in Your commandments." Strongly implied here is that I will be lost unless God directs me – and so will you.   Objectively speaking, the amount that we don’t know is infinitely greater than the amount that we do. God began to bring to mind other verses with the phrase ‘teach me’, and so I did a search for the phrase in the Bible.   It o...