"And (Jesus) said to them, 'How is it that you sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?'"
This is a subject that is broader than I can cover, but I will do my best to cover the subject based on my limited knowledge. What was the business of Jesus? The first thing that I thought of, based on what Jesus did while He walked among people, was that His business was to encounter people. It is safe to say that Jesus was not afraid of crowds. When Jesus began His earthly ministry, He found ,Peter, Andrew, James and John, and made them his first disciples. Time after time in the gospels, we see Jesus encountering individuals and crowds of people. He wants to encounter you in a saving relationship. Jesus promised that He would never leave us. If you do not encounter Him, it will not be His fault. The second thing that I thought of, was that Jesus' business was to love people. He was criticized by the Pharisees because He loved people that they did not consider worthy of their company. .Jesus loved, and still loves, people today. You might consider that He loves you. This is why we have churches. We are to share Jesus' love with all people and help them to see that Jesus loves them. Encountering and loving people is the business that He has called us to as Christians. The third thing that I thought of was that Jesus' business was to heal people. He healed people physically, mentally and spiritually. Every church that I attend has a list of ailing people for which they are praying. That is because Jesus set the example for us in His earthly ministry, that He wanted to heal people. We should never cease praying for people who have needs of all kinds; because that is one of the ministries to which Jesus has called us. It is not our responsibility to heal people, but it is our responsibility to pray for them and to help them experience the healing power of Jesus. Jesus died on the cross to save us from sin because of the great love that He has for us. We need to lead people to the forgiveness of Jesus to be saved. There is not a person that you will encounter that does not need Jesus. Jesus' business is our business. Let's be about His business! Bro. Joe
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"Consider my enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred. 20. O keep my soul, and deliver me; and let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. 21. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee. 22. Redeem Israel, O God out of all his troubles."
David was faced with great enemies, because King Saul was intent on killing him. I hope that none of us have enemies that hate us to that extent. Whoever our enemies may be, we will need God's help in dealing with them. For our purpose, let's consider that we are dealing with Satan who does hate us with "cruel hatred." David's prayer here gives us some good advice on how to deal with him. : In verse 20, David prayed "O keep my soul." (The NIV translates this "Guard my life.") The only way that we can deal with our enemy, Satan, is to ask God to guard our lives and keep us from making mistakes, or decisions, that will harm us, or that will harm our witness for Jesus. (Another of my long sentences. lol) David also prayed for deliverance to keep him from doing things that would cause him shame. David trusted in the Lord to deliver him, for he prayed: "For I put my trust in thee." Now that is real good advice. In verse 21, David prayed that God would help him to live in "integrity and uprightness." He was concerned that his life reveal to others what God can do in one's life. I guess all of us wish that, at times, we had prayed such a prayer for ourselves. If this was prayed before the "Bathsheba incident," he let his guard down. If this was prayed after that incident, he knew from example what happens when we forget our "integrity and uprightness." Whatever the case, this is a prayer that all of us should pray, that we can be witnesses to the fallen world. We need to "wait upon the Lord," or depend on the Lord to deliver us in times of temptation. David closed this psalm/prayer by praying for his country: "Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles." As well as praying for himself, David prayed for his people. This teaches us to pray for ourselves, and to pray for other people as well. I pray that these lessons from Psalm 25 have been a blessing to you, and have helped you in your walk with Christ. Bro. Joe "My eyes are ever toward the Lord: for He shall pluck my feet out of the net. 16. Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me: for I am desolate and afflicted 17. The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O brind'thou me out of my distresses.. 18. Look up and my pain and forgive all my sins."
David,, who wrote this psalm,was a man of prayer, for he wrote: "My eyes are ever toward the Lord..." This means that he continually prayed. This didn't mean that he spent all day in his prayer closet. This meant that, at this point in his life, David's mind and heart were ever on the Lord. He was conscious of God's presence at every moment of the day. He gave his reason for constant prayer: "For He shall pluck my feet out of the net." :All of us have or "nets." and we need the power and presence of God to keep us out of them. In verses 16-17. God pleaded for God's mercy, for he wrote, " I am desolate and afflicted." David was called "a man after God's own heart," yet he knew that he needed God to keep his life in line. The lesson for us is that we need to confess our penchant for sin, and that we need God's power, presence and love to rescue us from the power of sin. (This is an important lesson for us...) In verse 17, David expressed the basis of his problem: "The troubles of my heart are enlarged." Like us, if we will admit it, David's problems were in his heart. He had a "heart problem." Our churches problems could be solved if we would confess that we have sin in our hearts and that we need God's forgiveness and His presence in our daily lives. In verse 18, David called upon God to "look upon my afflictions and my pain, and forgive all my sins." One important lesson here is that we will not rid ourselves of our affliction and pain until we have asked for God's forgiveness. Lesson: We need God's forgiveness if we are to live victoriously. Jesus stands ready to forgive you and make you whole. Take advantage of this opportunity, go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to forgive you and make you whole. Bro. Joe i "What man is he that fears the Lord? Him will He teach in the way that He shall choose. 13. His soul shall dwell at ease: and his seed shall inherit the earth. 14. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He shall show him his covenant."
We will continue with our series on Psalm 25, in today's article. Verse 12 is concerned with the importance of the person who fears the Lord. The one who fears the Lord is the one who will follow the lord. By the fear of the Lord, a person will learn about God's plan for his, or her, life, The natural man or woman can have no idea of the will of God for his, or her, life. This wisdom comes through the Holy Spirit, and His leadership comes to us when we are in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Even when we are saved, we have to listen carefully to the Spirit's leadership in order to know, and follow, the will of God for our lives. Verse 13 reminds us that those who fear the Lord are those who Jesus refers as "the meek." In the Sermon on the mount, Jesus said that "The meek shall inherit the earth." Matthew 5:4. "The meek" are those men and woman who have a deep reverence for our Holy God. There is nothing in the Bible that tells us that we can have a slack attitude toward God. When "Saul of Tarsus" encountered the Risen Christ on the Damascus Road, "he fell to the earth" in worship. (Acts 9:4) When is the last time that you fell to your knees in reference to God? (I have to confess that it has been a while for me, which I just corrected.) Verse 14 reminds us that those who fear the Lord, know "the secret" of the Lord. "The secret of the Lord" is that we are saved by believing in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. There is no other way to know this "secret." Jesus said "I am the way the truth, and the Life. No man (or woman) comes to the Father. but by me." (John 14:6) He will show those who fear the Lord 'His covenant." The "covenant" is, of course, salvation b faith in Jesus Christ. These verses are loaded with truth. I hope you found deep meaning in them. Bro. Joe “As one, whose mother comforts him, so will I comfort you; and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”
The depiction of a mother in our text is as one who comforts us. The Bible often speaks of a mother’s influence. I am aware that not all mothers are ideal, and I can really only write authoritatively about the mothers that I have known: the mother of my children, my mother and my wife’s mother. All of them are in heaven, but they were “the wind beneath my wings” for this article. A mother’s love A good mother loves her family, and would give her life for her family. They love us enough to want the best for us, and make sure, to the best of their ability, that we have the best. A good mother’s love is a selfless love. Sometimes we don’t act like we need the best, but they love us anyway. The mothers that I have been involved with in my life have loved me in spite of myself. I hope, and trust, that you can say the same about your mother. Someone wrote that a good mother’s love is the next thing to God’s love. A mother’s care A good mother’s care is very important. What a heavy responsibility God has placed upon mothers. A good example of this is Jesus’ mother at the cross on the day of his death. A good mother’s care never stops, even as her children get into adulthood. My wife, Mary, my mother, Dorothy and Mary’s mama, Ruby are three good examples of this. I don’t have the space in this short article to enumerate all that these women did in my life, and the life of my children and grandchildren. We had good days and bad days, just as all people do, but looking back, my family has been fortunate for the mothers that God placed in our lives. I hope and pray that you can say the same. A mother's influence I think of the stories that I could tell of mothers and grandmothers in the congregations that I have served. I have known some great women in my years in the ministry and I have seen their good influence in the lives of their families. There are many stories that I could tell of the three mothers in my life. I thank God for my mother’s influence in my life. She was one of those mothers who “drug” her children to church. I thank God for Mary’s influence in my life and in the life of Faith and Hope – who are both good mothers. I thank God for my mother-in-law, and the influence she has had in our lives. I thank God for all of the godly women that I have known over the years. Happy Mother’s Day to all of you and God bless you. Bro. Joe "Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will He teach sinners in the way. 9. The meek will He guide in judgment, and the meek will He teach in the way. 10. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies 11. For thy name's sake O Lord, pardon my iniquity for it is great."
It is probably not news to us that God is "good and upright." In fact, we know that He is righteous and perfect in every way. The real good news for us here is that "He will teach sinners in the way." He has given us scripture, and He has given us the Holy Spirit to minister to, and to teach us His way. That includes all of us - by the way. Those who are meek will be led by Him and will heed His teaching. The "meek" are those people who have humbly submitted to God's holiness and guidance, and, indeed, are teachable. We need to stop and think whether or not we are meek, or teachable? God's word is available to all who will read it, or listen to it, but it is particularly available, or receivable, to those who have truly submitted themselves to God. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said "blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." The "meek" are the true people of God who have followed the leadership of the Holy Spirit and have received Christ by faith. In verse 9, David wrote that "the meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way." The word "judgment" here means, in plain language, that they make their decisions in life, based on the teachings of God in scripture and through the leadership of the Holy Spirit. The "meek" are guided by God through life. Of course, this does not mean that they never disobey his teachings, but, for, as David proved in His sin with Bathsheba, they will stray from the truth, but will repent and seek forgiveness when they wander. (As David did in Psalm 51) David wrote in verse 11: "For thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity for it is great." This is the prayer of those who are truly meek, for they know that they will be forgiven by the grace and mercy of God. Those who are meek and follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit, discover that: "All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies." The "meek" are not self-righteous, but know that their righteousness is from God. The truly meek are those who have surrendered heart, mind and body to the Lord to follow His will. Those who are truly meek will pray: "For they name's sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity for it is great." In other words, their closeness to God makes them more sensitive to their sins, and the need to seek, and to receive, His forgiveness. Selah Bro. Joe "Meek" is not spelled "Weak." "Lead me in thy truth, and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. 6. Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old. 7. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember me for thou me for thy goodness sake o Lord."
I want to settle for few days on the dynamic themes in Psalm 25. During this time David was undergoing some hardships and he went to the right source to deal with them. One of the favorite themes of our lives should be "take it to the Lord." Frankly, I am dealing with growing old and it is not for weaklings, nor is it for people who do not "take it to the Lord." In verse 5. David deals with his need for the wisdom of God. He refers to God's leadership and dependability: ":Lead me in thy truth." I recall that Jesus once referred to Himself as "the way, the truth and the life." The Lord is not just the dispenser of truth; rather He is the truth. In God there is nothing but truth. Like David, we need to reach for God's truth for it is unalloyed truth. We need to seek the truth of God in prayer and in the reading of scripture. In verses 6-7, David recalls two of God's great assets, i.e., God's mercy, compassion and forgiveness. The only way that people do not experience these rich assets is that they go their own way and forget the great mercy, compassion and forgiveness of God. Do not be one of them!!!!! Bro. Joe "Unto thee, O Lord do I lift up my soul. 2. O, my God, I trust in thee; let me not be ashamed; let not mine enemies triumph over me. 3. Yea, let none that wait on thee : be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. 4. Show me thy ways, O Lord, teach me thy paths."
I read Psalm 25 this morning in my devotional Bible reading. I want to share some of the great truths that I found in this psalm this week/ In verses 1-4, David dowas seeking the dynamic leadership of the Lord. I do not know the time that this psalm was written, but is obvious that it was a trying time, perhaps it was written while he was being hunted down by King Saul. Whatever the case, he was under duress and was expressing that he wanted to be led by the Lord in that time, and that he trusted the Lord to help him. In this prayer, David lifted up his soul to the Lord. This is an expression of great need and of great determination to depend on, and trust in, the Lord during this trying time. It would be good for us to lift up our souls, all that we are, to the Lord. How often do we fret through life's trying times without realizing the Lord is aware of our discomfiture, and is always available to be with us and ready to lead us through, over or around the trying situation. This would be a good time now to offer up your soul to His care. In verse 2, David expressed his trust in the Lord. As we lift up our souls to the Lord, we need to remember that we can always trust in the Lord. We will not always "win," but with our trust in our savior, we can prevail. When we are down, the Lord is the strong hand that reaches down and helps us and lifts us up. I have learned the truth of this in my own trials. There have been times that I have been weak, but the tremendous love that the Lord has for me has brought be through. Whatever you are facing now, the Loving Lord is with you to guide you through. Don't give up....Pray and seek the Lord. - In verses 2-3, David expressed that when he depended on the Lord, he would not be ashamed because he would know that the Lord was present with him. In verse 4, he asked for the Lord's leadership and guidance: "Show me thy ways, O Lord, teach me thy paths." Open up your heart, mind and soul to the Lord and He will show you the way and teach you His "paths." If all of this was true for David, it is true for you, lift up your soul, all that you are, to Him!!! Bro. Joe There are many reasons why I believe that the Bible is true, but one of the main reasons is that the Bible is honest about it's "heroes." It does not hide the flaws of all of the great men of the Bible. For example, we are told that Abraham, the father of Jews and Christians, went into Egypt out of God's will and lied to Pharoh about Sarah. (Altough technically she was his half-sister.) Moses, who, according the Bible, was one of the most humble of men and was entrusted with the care of the Hebrew children, was a murderer and a fugitive from justice. He wasn't allowed into Canaan because he disobeyed God in the matter of striking the rock instead of speaking to it. He was also given to temper tantrums. When he came down from Mount Sinai with the ten commandments, he "broke" all ten of them by throwing them to the ground when he saw the folly of the Israelites.
Who is more of a hero in the Bible than David? He was the one who saved the Israeli army by slaying the giant, Goliath. Goliath was nine feet tall, and David was just a boy, but David took him on and defeated him. David was God's anointed king of Israel, and was called "a man after God's own heart," yet we are told about his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba. As we move to the New Testament, we will observe that the only person there above reproach was Jesus. We are told that "He was tempted in all points, like as we are, yet without sin." The same cannot be said for the followers of Jesus. I guess the greatest example is Simon Peter. He was the one who always spoke up and, quite often, "stuck his foot in his mouth." At the transfiguration, he blabbed out: "Let's build three tabernacles, one for you (Jesus) and one for Moses and one for Elijah." (not an exact quote) This was ignored as the silly statement that it was. It was not a sin, but showed Peter's tendency to speak without thinking. This was not Peter's only fault. He bragged about how he would protect Jesus, then when confronted at Jesus' trial, denied Him three times. He was called "the Rock" by Jesus, yet didn't always act like "the Rock." He went on to greatness, but not before we are made to realize that he was a flawed human being. What is the lesson for us? We all have our flaws. We are all "sinners saved by grace." Not a one of us is good by the Bible's standards, yet as flawed as we are, God still uses us. Being a flawed human being is no excuse for not trusting Jesus as our savior, and for not serving Him. All of us are saved by His grace, and we serve in His grace. I consider myself a prime example of that. Bro. Joe “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
“Very present help” has also been translated as “an ever present help.” Both of these translations get to the heart of this wonderful promise of the Lord’s help in our inevitable troubles. The Lord is “very present” and He is “ever present” in the lives of His people. What a wonderful promise and what a wonderful reality. Jesus illustrated this promise in John 14:16-17: “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever. 17. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, neither knoweth Him: but you know Him; for He dwells with you and shall be in you.” Jesus was assuring His disciples that when He ascended to the Father, they would not be alone, because the Holy Spirit would be, “very present" in their lives. He is present in our lives at all times, but His presence is especially needed, and felt, in times of trouble. You can be assured that you are never alone. His eyes, which are also “on the sparrow” are truly watching over you. (Luke 12:6-7) Jesus promised His presence in Matthew 28:20b: “Lo I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” As the ages roll, we have the promise of His presence, and of His care. This promise is made in the conclusion of what we call “The Great Commission.” “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the ages.” The Lord saved us to be His witnesses to the world. There is no promise that there will not be trouble in fulfilling this command, but there is a promise that we will not be alone. For He is “a very present help in trouble!!!" Put your faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. You have His promise that He will be with you in all that you face in life. Believe me, in the last few years I have come to really know the truth of this promise. For example, I have come to know the truth of this promise made to Israel in Deuteronomy 33: 27: “The eternal God is thy refuge; and underneath are the everlasting arms and He shall thrust out the enemy from before you; and shall say destroy them” I have read that this is only a promise to the Jews. You can believe that if you want, but I have experienced those “everlasting arms” under me. You can know that too. as you join David in his declaration in Psalm 16:8-9 “I have set the Lord before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices: my flesh also shall rest in hope.” Believe it! Bro. Joe |
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