Month: June 2016

Take Shelter in the Lord in Every Storm

Scripture: Psalms 55: 1-8

Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught at the voice of the enemy, at the stares of the wicked; for they bring down suffering upon me and revile me in their anger. My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me. Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest – I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.”

Scripture Commentary: God is our shelter in every storm

More than likely David wrote this psalm during the time of Absalom’s rebellion and Ahithophel’s betrayal. Even those who are especially close to God, as David was, have moments when they cry out to the Lord for shelter from their pressures and problems.

We are plagued by internal problems in our homes, cities, and churches. Violence, strife, malice, abuse, destruction, threats, and lies appear to be all around us.  As a result, we also feel the need to cry out to the Lord to shelter us.

Although a constant threat, external enemies are not nearly as dangerous as the corruption inside. Even today, churches often look to defend themselves against trouble from the sinful world while they fail to see that their own sins are causing their troubles.

Nothing hurts more than a wound from a friend. Even though it hurts, there may be times when friends will need to lovingly confront you in order to help you. Your real friends will stick by you, especially in times of trouble, and will help bring healing, love, acceptance, and understanding.

What kind friend are you? Don’t betray those you love.

God is our helper, protector, and friend.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 55

Do Not Continue in Sin – You Have Been Set Free

Scripture: Romans 6: 1, 12, 14, 18, 22

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?(1) Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye shall obey it in the lusts thereof.(12)  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.(14)  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.(18) But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.(22)

Scripture Commentary: Do not continue in sin;  put your life in the Lord’s hands

Now that our Lord Jesus Christ has removed the shackles of death and sin from you, how does it feel? If you do not know, then you are still living your old sinful life.  Do not continue in sin.

If you think because you were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ that you are one of his, but you still live your old life, you are wrong. The body we inherited from Adam is the rebellious, sin-loving body.  Let that sin-loving body go.

Set yourself free to do God’s work by letting your old sinful nature die once and for all.  Let the Spirit of God grow in you and let the weak flesh melt away.

Through faith in Jesus Christ, you are acquitted. Put your life in His Hands and you will no longer be a slave to sin. If you truly do this you are now resurrected into a new life with Christ and have an unbroken fellowship with God, and freedom from sin’s hold on you.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Romans Chapter 6