Heavenhigh

Hear!

# 23 2019. Dev. Psalm 64:10. Hear! Read all of Ps. 64 The purpose of these devotionals is to draw Gremar and I closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ps. 64:10 “The righteous will rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him; all the upright in heart will glory in him!”

This is the last Psalm of this series of four Psalms praying for protection, for refuge, for relief from the current situation. David’s prayer begins with addressing God as his God; “Hear me, my God” hear my complaints, protect my life! David is in fear for his life as he is fleeing from Jerusalem during the time of Absalom’s rebellion.

Vs. 2-6 is David’s compliant, he is facing a conspiracy that turned into a rebellion; Absalom wants to be king.

Vs. 7-8 David reaffirms his confidence in God’s care.

Vs.9-10 David anticipates the people’s response and the response of the righteous to God’s justice. The righteous will rejoice, rejoice is a play on the Hebrew word “hear”, the beginning of David’s prayer, though he is overwhelmed with his situation he expects a positive outcome for the righteous.

The back story in 2 Sa.16-18 which describes a political situation and in Ch. 17 vs.1-14 we see that God is in control. “Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.” ‘For the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom” (2 Sa.17:14).

Followers of Jesus must come to grips with the reality of God’s intervention into the social issues in our country. This is always true given what we read in Ro. 13:1-6 and verses 8-10, “the debt to love”, related to giving to everyone what we owe. God’s intervention may be more obvious during the times we are in now. It does not appear that God will be silent as full term babies are allowed to be aborted, rather murdered, not to mention the other issues that violate God’s laws.

Like David the followers of Jesus anticipate answers to their prayers for this country and for the world: “Hear me, my God”! “The righteous will rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him; all the upright in heart will glory in him!”

Calling

# 22 2019 Devotion, 2 Th.1:11. Calling! Read all of chapter one. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw Gremar and I closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

2 Thessalonians 1:11 “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.”

Paul wrote to the Thessalonica church around 51 AD while on his second missionary journey. He fled from there after a short visit because of persecution, see Acts 17:1-9. Paul’s purpose for writing 2 Thessalonians is the same as for 1Thessalonians. Paul wrote the early believers to give them encouragement under persecution, to be steadfast and to give them further instructions, some of it eschatological, doctrine of last things, Christ’s return.

Paul starts with a greeting from himself, Silas and Timothy. “Grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” After greeting Paul gives thanks to God for them and prays for them. He gives thanks for their growing faith during trials and for “the love all of you have for one another is increasing.” Are we able to give thanks to God for what goes on in our churches?

Paul points back to what he is thankful for: “All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, !verse 5) and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just:” God will not ignore those who reject Him and he will take care of those who trust Him. Persecution in America is increasing for all religions but much of the discord in our churches comes from within: music, tradition and gender issues are disrupting our worship and attendance. Are you one of those who have left the church where God has placed you? Do we have adequate faith, acknowledging that our Bible believing church is the church of Jesus Christ?

Paul tells us, that those troubling the church will be troubled by God; We don’t know exactly how that happens in this life but we know that God will be glorified. In the future every person who every lived will see and acknowledge God’s glory on the “Day of the Lord”. As Paul says: “He comes to be glorified in God’s holy people…” Only by faith do we understand it!

Paul, in v. 11, points back to what he said before: “with this in mind” Paul prays. It is a prayer we must all pray daily for our churches and her leaders, for our government and its leaders, for every follower of Jesus and for our fellow church members: “that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith ¹²We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Amen and Amen!

Are you allowing God to make you worthy of His calling?

Clinging

# 21 2019. Dev. Psalm 63:4. Clinging! Read all of Ps. 63 The purpose of these devotionals is to draw Gremar and I closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ps. 63:4 “I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.”

This is the third Psalm of this series of four Psalms praying for protection, for refuge, for relief from the current situation. The current geographical place is the Judean desert putting David and his men in a condition of thirst and hunger. It is generally accepted that Absalom’s rebellion is the reason that David is in this situation. (See 2 Sa. 15:1- 18:18).

It is a personal struggle for David, between him and his beloved son and as a result most of the prayer is in the first person. This prayer was recommended as a daily prayer for followers of Jesus in the early church. It is a prayer we identify with when we have relational difficulty, when life overwhelms us, when the political situation is tentative, and when we need assurance of God’s care for us and ours.

David seeks God: “My God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you. My whole being longs for you.” David reminisces about worship in the sanctuary and on God’s power and glory he has experienced. Do we dwell on God’s grace and love we have experienced in our lives?

David does not fear death; “your love is better than life.” He doubles down as he reflects on his life: “I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.” We do not need to fear death, we move from this life to life with Jesus as if we go through a door and this life prepares us for that life. David lifts up his hands in prayer and worship and I know we will be doing that a lot in God’s presence. If the Spirit moves you to raise your hands in worship or prayer by all means do so. There is a Biblical precedent to do so, mostly in the Psalms; 28:1, 63:4, 88:9, 119:48, 134:2, 141:2, 143:6, Ch.6:12-13 and 1Tm.2:8 just to mention a few. Think about how you pray and worship!

David for all his faults is completely devoted to God and God sees him “as a man after his own heart.” “On my bed I remember you; through the watches of the night, you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.” Vs.6-8 gives us David’s complete dependence and devotion to God. How much do we cling to Jesus in this life? Are we holding on for dear life? Could it only be lip service; no heart, no hands?

At the end of the prayer David trusts God to protect him from his enemies, he “will rejoice and will glory in him. This is our legacy as well, we are protected, our families are protected, we will see and now do see salvation in Christ, we will rejoice and now do rejoice and we will glory and now do glorify our God. Praise Jesus!

Rejoice!

# 20 2019 Devotion, I Th.5:16-18 Rejoice! Read Ch. 5:12-28. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw Gremar and I closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Thessalonians 5:16 “Rejoice always¹⁷pray continually ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”.

After dealing with the “Day of the Lord” Paul gives the Thessalonians his final instructions. He gives the church seven areas of how to treat each other. Respect and love those who work among you, today that would be Pastors and church leaders. “Live in peace. Warn those who are idle. Encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” After that Paul gives the theological basis; “make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.” Take note: “and everyone else”, an important principal in today’s social environment.

Further, Paul gives four areas of spiritual advice; “do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold onto what is good, reject every kind of evil”.

Paul connects these two areas of instruction with the center of his final instruction giving us the theological principals for living as followers of Jesus: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”.

Paul ends his letter with greetings to God’s people and he extends to them and to us God’s love and faithfulness for his people.

^“23May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ ²⁴The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it”. Christ will do it, we don’t have to do it because we can’t do it, only Jesus saves!

Remember to rejoice, pray for each other every day and praise God!

Rest

# 19 2019. Dev. Psalm 62: 5-6. Rest! Read all of Ps. 62 The purpose of these devotionals is to draw Gremar and I closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ps. 62:5,6 “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. ⁶Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken”.

Psalm 62 is the second of four Psalms praying for protection, for refuge, for relief from the current situation. If these are psalms of David as they appear to be, it has been suggested that he wrote these prayers during the time of Absalom’s rebellion, or during a time of intrigue by Saul’s family to regain the throne. It appears that David is in a weakened position; he turns to the only help available to him and that help is available to us in this life.

In vs.1,2 David confirms his absolute trust in God: “Truly my soul finds rest in God, my salvation comes from him”, truth that followers of Jesus need to confirm every day.

Vs. 3-4 addresses David’s situation: he is weak, he addresses his antagonist, they intend to bring him down, “this leaning wall, this tottering fence?” How often in our lives and in our spiritual life don’t we feel weak and inadequate: oppressed by secular culture, are overwhelmed with the injustices of politics and divisiveness of governments around the world. We are appalled by the the hate different groups display to each other and the disinformation that drives it covering up the truth. We desperately pray for peace, truth and harmony.

Vs. 5-8 is the center of the prayer, here David’s faith, trust and dependence is confirmed and God’s care for his people as the only place of rest, comfort, and salvation is also confirmed. Here we find the only place of rest for followers of Jesus: “Trust in him at all times, you people, pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”

Vs 9-12 puts all people on the same plane; rich and poor, leaders and kings, they all amount to “only a breath”, fleeting and temporary! Trust not in riches, “do not set your heart on them”. David ends his prayer with two powerful statements: “power belongs to you, God, and with you, Lord is unfailing love and, you reward everyone according to what they have done.”

Along with David, those who follow Jesus are rewarded for all we do in Jesus’ name and are not condemned for where we may have failed. If only all followers of Jesus understood that Jesus does not condemn us for failures, but forgives and remembers them no more. We end with a question: who are we that we think we have a right to judge others in the body of Christ? We are but a “breath” under God’s unfailing love!

That Day!

# 18 2019. Dev. I Th.5:2. That Day! Read Ch. 5:1-11. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw Gremar and I closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Thessalonians 5:2 “for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night”.

After Paul enlightens the Thessalonian church concerning those who have fallen asleep in the Lord and gives them and us a picture of the the Rapture on the last day, he moves to “the Day of the Lord” in chapter 5.

The Day of the Lord will come when no one is expecting it, everyone that does not follow Jesus that is. For those left on the earth on that last day, it will be destructive and unexpected. Followers of Jesus “are children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. ⁶So then let us not be like others who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober”. Commentators talk about a tribulation that is coming but the fact is, for Christians tribulation is here and it has been with us from the early church up to today. Persecution of all religious groups is increasing today, indicating to followers of Jesus that the time is short. However, Paul thought the time was short in his day. No one knows the day but we can be ready by “putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet”.

Many Christians suffer today: after the Easter Service bombings it was reported that every month, world wide 300+ Christians are killed, 200+ are arrested for no good reason, 250 buildings associated with Christians are destroyed. Those statistics are hard to believe for Christians living in this country, yet we are not insulated here because persecution is increasing. Jesus says to his followers while he walked on this earth: “I am rejected and you will be rejected because of me”.

Paul ends this section on the “The Day of the Lord” with these encouraging words and they are meant for us as well: “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁰He died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep, (followers who have died) we may live together with him.Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up”, Praise be to God!

The Rock!

# 17 2019. Dev. Psalm 61:2 The Rock! Read all of Ps. 61 The purpose of these devotionals is to draw Gremar and I closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ps. 61:2 “From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Ps. 61, is one of four Psalms praying for protection, for refuge, for relief from the current situation. If these are psalms of David as they appear to be, I it has been suggested that he wrote these prayers during the time of Absalom’s rebellion.

David is overwhelmed, he cries out to God, “hear my cry, O God; Listen to my prayer”. We identify with this prayer more then a few times in our Christian lives, we are overwhelmed with life, with sin, with evil, with rejection. We identify with the innocent people killed at worship on Easter Sunday. We ask ourselves – where is God? Like David, we call “from the ends of the earth”, from a bad place, a place that seems far from God. We despair, our “hearts grow faint”. We have no place to go Lord Jesus, but to you. “lead me (us) to the rock that is higher than I”, higher than we are, the rock of Jesus.

God, we have hope because you have always been there for us, “my refuge, a strong tower against the foe”. Make no mistake, we are in a spiritual battle, those who follow Jesus are under siege all over the world, including our own county.

We all want to belong, to be protected, to feel God’s presence, to “take refuge in the shelter of your wings”, Lord Jesus! That is Jesus’ desire as well, Jesus, speaking to his own people: “how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing” (Mt. 23:37).

We are blessed, and like David we have “the heritage of those who fear your name”. Speaking for my wife and I we come from a long heritage of followers of Jesus, church attendance and years of reading God’s Word, leading us to the Rock that is the living Jesus. Thanks be to God!

In the power of the Holy Spirit David ends this prayer with a messianic reference: “Increase the days of the king’s life, his years for many generations. ⁷May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever;” Our God reigns and Jesus is alive and among us! We thank Him!

Rapture!

# 16 2019. Dev. I Th.4:15. Rapture! Read Ch. 4:13-18. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw Gremar and I closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Thessalonians 4:13 “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.”

There are various positions about the reign of Christ for a thousand years and the idea of the rapture. We mention the four predominate views here but will concentrate on the reformed view: 1) There is the post tribulational, pre-millennialism. 2) the next view is the pre-tribulational, dispensational pre-mill., 3) The third view Is post- mill., 4) the last view is Amillennialism held by Reformed and Presbyterian believers.

We believe Amillennialism is the more correct biblical position. The thousand-year reign of Christ is going on right now, “Our God Reigns”! One thousand years is a symbolic number covering the time from Jesus’ birth, death on the cross, resurrection at Easter and His ascension into heaven to the coming “Day of the Lord” – when Christ comes again at the end of time, as we know it. Jesus will come with great glory, all people on earth will see Him coming and He comes to judge the living and the dead.

So what is the great hope of the followers of Jesus? Paul explains what will happen to those who have fallen asleep in the Lord: When Jesus comes again all His followers will be risen from the grave and meet Him as He is coming and His followers still alive at the time will be taken up to meet Him, all in their glorified bodies; a great multitude will accompany Jesus as He comes to judge the living and the dead. The rapture happens on the day of the Lord; at the end of time.

Jesus said to Martha at Lazarus’ death: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (Jn. 11:24-28). Eternal life, our hope and our reality! Praise be to God!

A Lament!

# 15 2019. Dev. Psalm 60: A Lament! Read all of Ps. 60 The purpose of these devotionals is to draw Gremar and I closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ps. 60: 4-5 “But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow ⁵Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered.”

This Psalm is a prayer to God for help and protection. It is a national prayer the psalmist is praying for all the people and for the land. The prayer moves from lament to confidence in God’s love for the righteous, “Those who fear you” (God). The lament was a prayer but also a teaching tool (title) and may be connected to 2 Sam 1;17-27, a lament for Israel when Saul and Johnathan where killed by the Philistines. It was a major defeat for Israel brought on by King Saul’s unfaithfulness.

We live in a time of lament today, the disruptions of nations by war, and by leadership corruption sending thousands upon thousands fleeing as refuges the world over. Our own country is divided by those throwing off all norms dictated by the love of God and those who continue to be faithful. As good as life is now under a strong economy we are heading to a morally corrupt existence.

May the many followers of Jesus pray unceasing prayers of lament to God who is faithful and loves those who serve Him. There is an increasing responsibility of the Church of Christ, her leaders and ministers of the Word of God to proclaim God’s will, make His Word clear and encourage her members to live Jesus in the face of immoral trends all around us.

As David points out that God is in control, see verses 6-8, He still is in control today and will “Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless.With God we will gain the victory”, We are “more than conquerors”, Praise be to God!

The Good Life?

# 14 2019. Dev. I Th.4:1. The Good Life! Read Ch. 4:1-12. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw Gremar and I closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Thessalonians 4:1 “As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living.”

Paul wrote the Thessalonians to give them further teaching and to encourage them to stand firm while being persecuted. In Chapter 4 Paul moves to how they should live as Christians. The Greek life style during Paul’s time was pagan; their religion included many deities and the temple cults was based on prostitution. The new Christians were not only persecuted but there were daily temptations.

Here, Paul is very specific: “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified.” He says: “avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable,” do not live like the godless people around you. Further, Paul adds something very important in that regard; “and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.”

In this short statement Paul hits us where we are today in terms of the culture we live in. Frankly, we no longer are able to say that we live in a Christian country. We thank God that there are many Jesus followers throughout the land but we are under the same pressure the Christians of Thessalonica were under.

It is God’s will that we live the Good Life; love others, morally pure, joyful, thankful, satisfied with what God gives us, not taking advantage of others, physically or physiologically. We are to be not only good example to those around us but if there is no repentance from lose living, God punishes those who do not heed his instruction.

The Good Life includes a simple life style, working diligently, taking care of yourself, your family and the family of God. God’s family is based on the human family that follows Jesus and includes: “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” In their daily living and relationships. Living to please Him and being Christ’s example to others is God’s will for us, thereby becoming the true church of God! The good life begins now, living in Jesus’ presence but ends in heaven face to face with God. Praise The Lord!