Yahweh, Day 31

Day 31 Yahweh ... Proclaiming ... The Name ... #1
...  Humanity Falling Further ...

In a sudden and inconceivable act of rage Moses shatters the tablets that had been prepared by Yahweh at the first ... Think about this for a moment. Does one hear a sound of ... Regret … on the part of Yahweh?

Exodus 34:1 (HCSB)
The Lord said to Moses, "Cut two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke."

... and recalling the dread event itself ...

Exodus 32:19 (HCSB)
"Moses became enraged and threw the tablets out of his hands, smashing them at the base of the mountain."

The work by the hand ... of Yahweh ... unfathomably precious ... SHATTERED.  Could you not grieve with me for just one moment here?  Yahweh's personally crafted jewel ... graven on each side with a holy laser of love and redemptive purpose ... shattered... by both sin ... and now the wrath ... of man.

Then, Yahweh says to the man, "Now... you carve the stone..."

Now we understand a little fuller the meaning of James 1:20, "... Man's anger does not accomplish God's righteousness." (HCSB)

Intercessory Prayer:  Oh God!  We have sinned!  And then in our arrogance we thrash about in our fits of indignation … when we should be flat on our faces in solemn repentance.  Oh God!  Forgive … for Your Names sake.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Daily Nugget

     Friday, January 31st, 2014, Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

"True happiness... is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose” (Helen Keller).

Success in this world can be confused with happiness. I find people who have success and financial stability that they have achieved on their own; however, many would do something else that they enjoy if they could could increase their income.

I also find people who find purpose and joy giving themselves away even if they do not have a dime. Scripture reminds us that if we keep God in our lives, He will mold our direction. The writer of Psalms 37:4 reminds us to follow that reminder: “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

God, thank You for directing our thoughts and paths so to bring us to a true state of happiness. Amen.
Bro. Bill

In GOD We Trust!

The Desert Rat speaks

“The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with Him, WE WILL ALSO LIVE with Him; if we endure, WE WILL ALSO REIGN with Him...” (2 Timothy 2:11,12). There is one King over all the heavens and the earth; allegiance to Him and His Kingdom is true life, eternal life – as the Puritan William Perkins said, “living blessed forever.” Keep your eyes on the King and live.
• “When Jesus had spoken these words, He lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son that the Son may glorify You, since YOU HAVE GIVEN HIM AUTHORITY OVER ALL FLESH, TO GIVE ETERNAL LIFE TO ALL WHOM YOU HAVE GIVEN HIM. And this is eternal life, that they know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom You have sent’” (John 17:1-3).
• “...if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness REIGN IN LIFE through the one man Jesus Christ...as sin reigned in death, grace also might REIGN through righteousness leading to ETERNAL LIFE through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:17,21).
• “For as in Adam all die, so also IN CHRIST ALL SHALL BE MADE ALIVE. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For HE MUST REIGN until He has put all His enemies under His feet” (1 Corinthians 15:22-25).
• “Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. THEY CAME TO LIFE AND REIGNED with Christ for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:4).

Yahweh, Day 30

Day 30 Yahweh ... Revealing ... Sovereignty
... The Right of Choice...

Exodus 33:19 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
"...I will proclaim the name Yahweh before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."

Here we have the scriptural introduction and first use of the compassion of Yahweh ... and Yahweh insists that we understand first that Yahweh alone is Master of His compassion ... and Master of who shall receive His compassion ... and He shall not stand in human judgment on this.

Yet ... Yahweh desires us to know that there is an offer issued from Glory for humanity ...

Isaiah 55:7
"Let the wicked one abandon his way, and the sinful one his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, so He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will freely forgive." (HCSB)

Have you yet received the Sovereign Compassion of The Eternal One ... and humbly yet ecstatically basked in the glow and glory of His acceptance and love?

If ... your answer is ... No ... you have not yet lived ... and know nothing of life.

Yahweh has declared that He will show compassion to who He pleases ... when He pleases ... and if you will but cry out ... Yahweh has declared that He will be pleased to shower you ... with blood.

Intercessory Prayer:  Oh Father!  In Your great love You have sent Your Son to pay the penalty for our sin.  You have not only reached out to us, You have provided the path to true righteousness … Your righteousness … through the sacrifice of Your loved Son.  Oh God!  We praise You and thank You for coming to us in our misery … to give us true life in Christ.  We owe You everything!  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Daily Nugget

   Thursday, January 30th, 2014, Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves” (James Matthew Barrie 1860 – 1937).

Every day I try to bring joy to others and for the most part I do. To some, I bring joy by coming around and hanging out, and others get happy when I leave. If I am able to bring a smile to someone, it brings happiness to me also.

The apostle Paul said this about some of his friends in Philippians 1:3-5,  “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”

God, help us to be the one who brings sunshine into the lives of others. Amen.
Bro. Bill

In GOD We Trust!

Yahweh, Day 29

 

Day 29 Yahweh ... Revealing ... Grace
... The Place of Grace ...

Exodus 33:18-19 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
"...I will proclaim the name Yahweh before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious..."

The first to find this place of grace was Noah in Genesis 6:8 ... then the flood.  The last to find grace in the Old Testament ... the last to stand in this place of power?  It would be you my friend.

Zechariah 12:10 (HCSB)
"Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the house of David and the residents of Jerusalem, and they will look at Me whom they pierced."

Have you yet found the way to the Place of Grace ... the place of grace mingled with grief and supplication that rises to the Throne ... as an oblation offered in desperation ... to see the glory of Yahweh revealed ... as observed on Calvary … and ... felt the weight of it?

This is why:

"Moses would return to the camp, but his assistant, the young man Joshua son of Nun, would not leave the inside of the tent."
Exodus 33:11 (HCSB)

Joshua here being representative of our Savior, YahShua/Jesus ... who inside the tent of God's Presence ... would not leave ... but relished the Presence of Yahweh.

And dear one ... Today ... this is your place.

Intercessory Prayer:  Oh Father!  Grant Your grace to us today?  Grace that would lift our eyes past the cheap, glittering, wares of this world … and in their place may we see the glorious splendor of Your glory and Your presence.  For the honor of Your Name, I pray in Jesus Name.  Amen.

Daily Nugget

     Wednesday, January 29th, 2014, Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“We must reject the idea that every time a law's broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions” (Ronald Reagan).

“Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It’s not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument or your age that is to blame. You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make. Period” (Susan Gottesman).

The apostle Paul shared this thought in 1 Corinthians 13:11, “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.”

God, help us, as did the apostle Paul, to grow up taking responsibility for our actions and making better decisions today than yesterday. Amen.

Bro. Bill
In GOD We Trust!

Yahweh, Day 28

 

Day 28 Yahweh ... Revealing ... Glory

... and the wondrous danger we behold.

Exodus 33: 18-19 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Then Moses said, "Please, let me see Your glory." 19 He said, "I will cause all My goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim the name Yahweh before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."

Moses ... audaciously, yet humbly asks ... for one brief moment ... to see Him.

The One Who … Is ... Was ... and Will Be ... the Eternal One ... All Power ... All Authority ... All Knowing ... The Holy One ... separate from any and all imperfection.  Yet, mortal man ... fallen ... separate from the Eternal ... dare ask for a glimpse ... of The One.

Moses ... survived.

Yahweh ... is Good.

Intercessory Prayer:  Dear Father.  You are Holy, yet You not only have spoken to us, You have revealed Yourself to us in Your Son.  And, You have come to us that we might live … and not perish … and have life eternal.  We owe You everything.  Thank You.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Daily Nugget

   Tuesday, January 28th, 2014, Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength”  (Unknown).

With all the challenges the apostle Paul had, it could have been an option to quit for a lesser man. He wrote these words of encouragement and personal testimony in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  With God on our side, we can walk where He wants us to go.

God, what a blessing it is to have You with us and having our best interests on Your mind. Amen.
Bro. Bill

In GOD We Trust!

Yahweh, Day 27

Day 27 Yahweh... is a Banner/Standard!

It is under this Standard/Banner by which we war.

Exodus 17:15-16  (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
And Moses built an altar and named it, "The Lord Is My Banner." [Or Yahweh-nissi as footnoted]  He said, “Indeed, [my] hand is [lifted up] toward the Lord’s throne. The Lord will be at war with Amalek from generation to generation.”

Joshua had led the army of Yahweh into the valley of battle ... 'Joshua' being our Savior's given Hebrew name ... 'Jesus' being the Greek name.

The picture here ... Our Savior ... Joshua/YahShua/Jesus ... leads His people into battle under the Flag/Standard of Yahweh ... the Eternal One.  Yahweh is here seen as both present/involved and superintending the onslaught of the Kingdom of God against the Gates of Hell.

Yahweh is a Warrior ... as are His people.

Intercessory Prayer:  Oh Father!  We are locked in a life and death battle for the souls of men!  Oh God!  We are far too often more concerned for the pleasure of our own estates than in the conduct of Your mission!  Oh God!  Forgive!  Oh God!  For Your Name’s sake … inspire and send us out on to the field of battle!  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Daily Nugget

    Monday, January 27th, 2014, Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

"Sometimes leadership is planting trees under whose shade you will never sit."  (Gov. Jennifer M Granholm of Michigan).

Everything we do has consequences. In light of such consequences, we must be sure the seeds we plant are the right kind.  The apostle Paul in Galatians 6:7 reminds us: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap."  That reminder should lead us to question our legacy.

God, help us to leave behind a better world than we entered. Help us to plant seeds of righteousness for the next generation to find their way back to You. Amen.

Bro. Bill

In GOD We Trust!

Yahweh, Day 26

 

Day 26 Yahweh ... a Warrior promoting ... JUSTICE

Justice has a unique focus in Yahweh's requirements for humankind... a focus that is often not perceived by many. We get a pretty good indication of what Justice is to Yahweh in the Torah...

Deuteronomy 10:18 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
"He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreign resident, giving him food and clothing."

When most humans think of "justice" they will think of executing judgment against a law breaker.

However... the majority of times Yahweh speaks of "Justice" it is in reference to making sure we care for those unable to care for themselves... and to help the hurting and wounded.

Most of the time when we find Yahweh's indignation being spewed upon Israel... it was the result of them having perverted justice... taking advantage of... the least of these.
Yahweh is a warrior.

Why will Yahweh go to battle over justice? It is because Yahweh actually... cares. How much does He care... why does He care? Prepare and steady your self, friend, for this we see in our Great High Priest, Jesus, in Hebrews 4:15...

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin."

The key quality here is that our High Priest is able to sympathize with our weaknesses ... the Greek word here ... 'sumpatheō' ... means very simply, succinctly, and marvelously ... to feel another person's pain. Don't miss this ... to literally FEEL another's pain.

Only Jesus can say this. You and I will never actually FEEL another's pain. We may relate to it ... have experienced similar, etc ... but only Jesus feels it.

Every time the weak, wounded, least able ... are offended by those who should before Yahweh, care for, defend, and protect them ... Yahweh ... feels their offense.

This is why the Psalmist declared in 45:4 ... that Yahweh will indeed "ride triumphantly in the cause of truth, humility, and justice."

Intercessory Prayer: Oh Father! You feel the offenses of the least of these! Oh God! For Your sake, open our eyes to see how You see, to feel like You feel, to hurt like You hurt, to care like You care! In Jesus Name. Amen.

Daily Nugget

     Sunday, January 26th, 2014, Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“It is in the process of being worshipped that God communicates His presence to men” (C.S. Lewis).

The writer of James 4:8 reminds us to “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”  We must take time each day to worship and express our adoration to our heavenly Father that He might reveal more of Himself to us.

God, thank You for this beautiful day You have set before us. May we be good stewards of the time You give us. Amen.

Bro. Bill

In GOD We Trust!

Waking up

 

The EPA is lying to Americans and is engaged in a full assault on our economy.  That is the report given in this article and is certainly worth a read.

"The Environmental Protection Agency has been in a full assault on the U.S. economy since the 1980s when the global warming hoax was initiated. It has been assisted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA.  To put it in other terms, our own government has engaged in lying to Americans and the result has been the expenditure of billions of taxpayer dollars on something that was not happening and is not happening...."

Go read the whole article.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Yahweh, Day 25

Day 25 Yahweh ... a Warrior defending ... HUMILITY

Humility is at the very core of Yahweh's being.  Jesus reveals this in Matthew 11:29 ...

"All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart" (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

The instruction of the Master is that we become like Him ... at our core.

Why will Yahweh go to battle over humility?  It is paramount to defending His Son ... with whom He is well pleased ... and as the Psalmist declared in 45:4 ... Yahweh will indeed "ride triumphantly in the cause of truth, humility, and justice."

Say ... would you see the triumphant glory of Yahweh?  Learn humility.  It will take you to the core.

Intercessory Prayer:  Oh Father!  We are far to often full of ourselves.  Grant us a desire to learn to be as was Your Son … gentle and humble.  This I ask for the honor of Your Name.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Daily Nugget

     Saturday, January 25th, 2014, Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill. 

 

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken” (Oscar Wilde).

Isn’t it great that God loves us in spite of our sin and even our quirks? He loved us enough to send His only begotten Son that if we believe in Him we can have eternal life (John 3:16).  Because we are family, He forgives our sin but tolerates our quirks.  Thankfully, because we are with family, we can be ourselves (without the sin, of course).

God, thank You for Your undeserved love and everlasting mercy. Amen.

 

Bro. Bill

 

In GOD We Trust!

Yahweh, Day 24

 

Day 24 Yahweh ... a Warrior defending ... TRUTH

We saw yesterday that Yahweh is a warrior that defends truth, humility, and justice.

The first use in scripture of "truth" is found in Genesis 24:27 where Abraham's faithful servant is sent to find a wife for his son from Abraham's kinsmen. The servant desires to know what to do if the lass would not be willing to leave her homeland ... and Abraham responds that Yahweh had made a vow that his decedents would be from his own tribe ... his own seed.

When the servant finds the willing Rebekah, he worships Yahweh for the truthfulness of the word sworn to his master, Abraham.

The unique blessing here ... the Hebrew word for truth and the Hebrew word for swear or to make a vow ... are both from the same word ... the Hebrew word seven. The Hebrew word picture in this is of one repeating a vow seven times ... as a sign of ultimate reliance that the one swearing will do what the one has said ... Seven ... the number of completion.

Yahweh stands by His Word ... Yahweh will do what Yahweh says ... His very character depends on it ... Therefore ... Yahweh will go to war over the veracity of His Word ... TRUTH.

Genesis 24:7 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
"The LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and from my native land, who spoke to me and swore to me, 'I will give this land to your offspring'"

Abraham knew that when Yahweh made a vow ... it was truth ... seven times over.  We must know this. Yahweh is a warrior that will fight to guarantee the truth of what He has said.

Intercessory Prayer:  Oh Father!  You have made vows to we humans, and You will do exactly the thing that You have said You would do … for Your Name’s sake.  Yet we so often question and doubt the veracity of Your Word.  Please forgive our doubting nature.  We have no one but You to depend on … and what You have said.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Daily Nugget

    Friday, January 24th, 2014, Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill. 

“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear” (Martin Luther King, Jr.).

Jesus Christ, the greatest leader of all, set the following example for us. At a time when He was being abused, falsely accused, and crucified, He prayed this way to our Heavenly Father: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”

God, help us to follow the example set by Your Son Jesus. Amen.
Bro. Bill

In GOD We Trust!

Yahweh, Day 23

Day 23 Yahweh... is a Warrior!

And He is concerned about His people ... and will wage war for them.

 Exodus 15:3 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
"The LORD is a warrior; Yahweh is His name."

There are three causes that Yahweh will go to war over as revealed in Psalm 45:3-5:

"Mighty warrior, strap your sword at your side.  In your majesty and splendor — in your splendor ride triumphantly in the cause of truth, humility, and justice.  May your right hand show your awe-inspiring deeds.  Your arrows pierce the hearts of the king's enemies; the peoples fall under you." (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Truth, humility, and justice.  We must embrace these three, for they are embraced ... and defended ... by Yahweh.  For the next three days we will look at each of these characteristics of Yahweh’s passion.

Intercessory Prayer:  Oh Father!  For the honor of Your Name, and for the purpose of Your Kingdom, and that Your will might be accomplished here on earth as it is in heaven … teach us the passion of Your heart … a passion that will drive us … to embrace and defend the passions of Your heart.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Daily Nugget

   Thursday, January 23rd, 2014, Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Stewardship is not a classroom exercise in fractions. It is a homework assignment in total living” (Kenneth L. Wilson).

I often hear people choking on the question of “What do I have to give God?” This is the same question asked of Jesus more than once in regard to having eternal life. Jesus started by telling the people to keep the written laws. Then He brought up the issue of money, and at least one went away sorrowfully (Matthew 19:16-21) because the money had his heart.

As the rich young ruler found out, we all face a test, not by percentages, but a pass/fail test. In other words, it is all or nothing.

God, help me to walk with You obediently in all areas. Amen.
Bro. Bill

In GOD We Trust!

Yahweh, Day 22

Day 22 Yahweh... Initiating

Simple, yet essential point to grasp today.  Yahweh ... is always ... the initiator ... in any relationship with humans.  We would never … we could never … reach God in heaven or even desire to do so … without God first reaching out and revealing Himself to us.

Exodus 6:7 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
"I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. You will know that I am Yahweh your God, who delivered you from the forced labor of the Egyptians."

Intercessory Prayer:  Oh Father!  We can be so arrogant as to imagine that we could/would turn to You in and of our own wishes, whenever we so desire!  Please forgive us our ignorance and open our eyes.  You have chosen to reveal Yourself to us … for Your own sake and for Your own purpose … to bring honor and glory to Your Name.  For Your Name’s sake … give us understanding.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Daily Nugget

   Wednesday, January 22nd, 2014, Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

"Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day" (Sally Koch).

Each day we have opportunities to affect those around us. Someone needs a ride. Someone needs a hand to help them up. Someone needs a hug. Someone just needs a cup of cool water and a kind word. Someone needs a smile.

Jesus reminds us of our contribution with these words in Matthews 25:44, “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

God, help us to seize the opportunities to serve You every day. Amen.
Bro. Bill

In GOD We Trust!

Yahweh, Day 21

Day 21 Yahweh ... and Judgment

Hoards of contemporary theologians miss the major biblical application of Yahweh's judgment ... therefore the Church often suffers in theological ignorance.  Here on day 21, the conclusion of the third week of seven days, let's pay attention to the way judgment is used in our verse, and for what purpose judgment is used.

Exodus 6:6 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
"I am Yahweh, and I will deliver you from the forced labor of the Egyptians and free you from slavery to them. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and great acts of judgment."

Typically, when most consider the "judgment" of God, the immediate picture that comes to minds is that of an earthly judge pronouncing a just sentence with the crack of the gavel on the judges' bench ... the pronouncement of judgment ... followed by the appropriate sentence.  "I, Judge So-and-So, do hereby find you to be guilty of said crime ... and I do hereby sentence you to serve 500 years of hard labor!"

That only problem with this picture is that IT IS NOT the major sense of God's judgment in sacred scripture.  The major presentation of Yahweh's Judgment is God moving on behalf of, and in defense of, the weak, abused, neglected, defenseless, and down-trodden in society. As Yahweh states in Isaiah 45:21, "There is no other God but Me, a righteous God and Savior." (HCSB)

Yahweh is "Righteous" (just) but Yahweh is also a "Savior." Yahweh is going to move to release Israel from Egyptian bondage, this is the Justice of God at work, setting the captives free.  As well today, Yahweh is concerned about the "least of these" because of this very foundational understanding of His character.

There are broad applications with this truth, many are heart rending when considering the abuse of the very ones that Yahweh intends to protect ... intends for us to protect ... and they receive from us instead of God’s protection and deliverance … the tail of a scorpion.

Intercessory Prayer: Oh Father!  We have far too often placed ourselves as judge on the judgment seat, instead of taking up the armor of the deliverer!  When we have done so we have misrepresented You to our world.  Oh God!  Forgive.  Oh God!  Have mercy on us and teach us Your ways, for the honor of Your Name.  Please forgive, in Jesus Name.

Daily Nugget

   Tuesday, January 21st, 2014, Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“I imagine our first glimpse of Heaven will cause us to gasp in amazement and delight. That first gasp will likely be followed by many more as we continually encounter new sights in that endlessly wonderful place” (Randy Alcorn).

I have had some pretty good “Wow” moments in my life; when I felt God’s forgiveness at salvation, when I realized my wife loved me and wanted to share our life together, when my children were born, when my grandchildren were born, and when my great-granddaughter was born. On the other hand, I can’t begin to imagine my first day in heaven experiencing all the grandeur of that entrance into eternity.

That is why I am still overwhelmed by the simple verse in John 3:16, which reminds me, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

God, thank You for loving us and giving us moments of great expectation until the day arrives when we get to see You face to face. Amen.
Bro. Bill

In GOD We Trust!