The Past, the Present, and the Future

Deut 1 “The God of Our Past,  Our Present, and Our Future”

He is the same today as he was yesterday and will be tomorrow. Failure only happens because of our unbelief of this truth.

How often are we set to take on a new project but forget to ask God to go before us and when we step out we lose heart because we see with our earthly eyes rather than our heavenly eyes. How often, like the children of Israel, see the enemies and lose confidence because we forget that God has given us all we need and wisdom for the asking. Remember this truth: the fear of man is a snare but he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted. [Prov 29:25a]

The same God that took them out of Egypt would be the same God that would go before them. He would carry them; fight for them; provide direction for each step ahead and place terror in the eyes of the enemy. And the same is true for us today!

Is God the same promise keeper to you now as he was in your past? If you are wavering, you might want to check your salvation because this principle is still true: “trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and He will make your paths straight.”

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Don’t Be Satan’s Bait!

Proverbs 29 “Are You Satan’s Bait?”

“The fear of people becomes a snare but whoever trusts in the Lord will be set on high”

There are two kinds of fear; the fear that comes as a natural reaction due to an outside source to protect oneself from danger. The second is a fear that is not real but falls into the category of “what do they think…about me.” When “me” is inserted into the equation, and we listen to those voices, we have broken God’s Commandment “You shall have no other gods before “ME.” It can happen when we see or hear whispers and the receiver’s eyes are focused on “me.” Immediately we think; what are they saying about “me.” When we fall for Satan’s snare, he seeks to stamp “unworthy” on our foreheads. But we know that we are worthy in God’s eyes because Jesus died for us and we have stamped “Believer” on our foreheads. If we are not careful and fall for Satan’s tricks, we quench the Holy Spirit that has sealed us. “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” [Eph 4]

Now, right in the middle of this verse is the little but powerful word “but” which means there is a contrast to what came before and what follows. The phrase that follows is: “whoever trusts in the Lord.”  Do we really trust in the Lord? If we are fearful of people’s words or looks, we have fallen for Satan’s snare which a dead end street. Remember this, Jesus is on your side, He has never forsaken His own: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart… therefore, do NOT lean on your own understanding.” [Prov 3]. Open your ears to God speaking: “This is the way, walk in it,” [Is 30] He has the escape route. [1Cor 10]

All Scripture is taken from the FREE online Bible Study Tool: https://lumina.bible.org

What Can We Learn from a Fool?

King Solomon has taught from chapter 1 how we might observe and learn to be wise. Today in chapter 26 his focus is on the fool. “The dullard or fool is not merely a man of low intelligence. He is the kind of fool who is obtuse [that is not quick or alert in perception] because of smug overconfidence.” [Jewish Study Bible] So why spend time studying the “fool or dullard?”  “Just as our Lord did not forbid us from discerning the character of fools, the Book of Proverbs commends this assessment as a necessity for those who would be wise.” [Bob Deffinbaugh]

Who is this person? He is the one that says there is no God and thus he responds according to his folly. A fool considers himself to be wise in his own eyes and is blind to the ways of truth and the giver of wisdom “Each…does what he considers to be right…in their own eyes. ”[Judges 21 They are noted by their argumentative spirit, blameshifting, ox stubbornness and when reproved lack discernment that they might learn from their mistakes. The fool is characterized by the quote: “fools rush in where angels fear to tread.”

Principle to glean:  We should look in the mirror. If we see the warning signs of a fool don’t walk away but learn and change! [James 1]

The bottom line?  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.” [Prov 3]

My Hope When I Fall…..

Mark ended his gospel message with hope but there was one disciple who still was lingering and wondering; Peter. Where is he emotionally, spiritually, physically at this time as he considers the possibilities of what may lie ahead? He recoiled at the memory of his courtyard experience where he had denied Jesus three times just as prophesied and had left weeping bitterly. From that point he returned to the only safe haven he knew; with his beloved friends, the disciples who had followed Jesus. John tells us that they were hidden behind closed doors for fear of the Jews. Perhaps they were wondering if they too would be crucified if others found them knowing that their very accents betrayed them. As they sat and mourned the loss of the one they had followed for three years their thoughts did not return to the words of Jesus: “when I am raised, I will meet you in Galilee” but rather their thoughts replayed and rehearsed the past few days and the questions of why, when, how and more. Peter of all would be wondering if ever he could forgive himself and could or would God forgive him? We too have times when we fall and wonder and at these times where we can turn. It is then that we have this promise from Psalm 37:

24 When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.

Did Peter recall these words? We know that John tells us that after Jesus’ resurrection Peter was fully restored…but we are not there yet. Peter yet has to walk the road of misery, mourning, wondering and questioning. But, later he will write what truly happened in his personal letter to those who are suffering. He knows the path and he knows how to encourage. Listen to his words and be encouraged if you too have like Peter experienced a time of falling away: “His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Today, if you are walking with Peter through the agony of dismay, discouragement, despondency for having fallen in some way; take heart, when you repent there is hope. Where there is hope there is joy. Where there is joy there is peace and God’s protection. It is then that the rest of Psalm 37 rings forth with words of comfort and peace: Trust in the Lord, Delight yourself in the Lord, Commit your way to the Lord; Rest in the Lord. This is our journey back to God.