Archives for March 2013

Like It Never Even Happened

March 30, 2013 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given March 27, 2013

I heard an advertisement recently for a cleanup service that states they will clean up your mess, “Like it never even happened”. We’ve used them before and they do a pretty good job. But let’s look at another kind of mess that we ALL need cleaned up…SIN.

As we agonize over the death of Jesus during this Easter season then celebrate His resurrection, let us remember why He went through this. “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5). The word “healed” in the Hebrew means, make whole, repair, become fresh or purified. Think of the guilt we feel when we make a mistake and sin then realize that Jesus accepted on Himself the guilt and pain of all the sins of everybody who would ever live! He took our sins on Himself and suffered the consequences so we wouldn’t have to, so we could be “refreshed”.

But there is something we must do to take advantage of His sacrifice; when we sin, we have to ask for His forgiveness. And, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9). We admit we have sinned, go to Jesus and ask Him to repair us, clean us up, before we go in to see the Father. Now watch this: “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” (Colossians 1:21-22). When Jesus forgives us, He presents us to God and God sees us as holy, pure, clean…like the sin never even happened! Oh, praise God! “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” (Isaiah 43:25). God did this for us by sending His own Son to earth to die for us.

This Resurrection Sunday or anytime you read this, if you have ANY un-forgiven sin, confess it to Jesus and let Him present you to God and He won’t see any mess, you will be clean…like it never even happened!

The Journey of Psalm 23

March 25, 2013 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given March 17, 2013

I have been reminded of the 23rd Psalm on several occasions lately and wrote about it HERE and HERE a few weeks ago. There are many good lessons to be found in this passage and another aspect was shown to me recently.

I noticed that the whole passage can be seen as a journey, beginning in the early years and ending when we are old. Let’s look at this journey today. “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1). A baby is helpless; others must meet every need on the first leg of this journey. The Shepherd has to lead the child to food and water, “green pastures and still waters” (Psalm 23:2) and keep it safe along the way. And as with all good parents, the Good Shepherd “leadeth me in the paths of righteousness”, (Psalm 23:3), we are led, then later directed, down the right paths on this journey.

However, sometimes we must go through troubled times, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” (Psalm 23:4). But we are not to be afraid because He is with us on this part of the journey; He will protect us. And at the end of the dark valley, there is a light. When we emerge from the darkness we find that the Shepherd has prepared a banquet and we are the guest of honor! As we step into this leg of the journey we notice all our enemies who were harassing us in the dark valley are now forced to watch us being honored and there’s nothing they can do about it. “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:” (Psalm 23:5). We are blessed! (“Our cup runneth over.)

As we leave the banquet and continue on our journey, we have some traveling companions, “Surely Goodness and Mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” (Psalm 23:6). We have been traveling with the Master and now He continues to bless us. But where are we going? Where is our final destination? “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6). We began this journey depending on the Shepherd for everything, continued to receive what we needed as we traveled, and end up living in His house for eternity. Where are you on this journey?

Psalm 23 – Part 2

March 9, 2013 by Bill Leave a Comment

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble.” (John 16:33), so we know bad things are going to happen; it began in the Garden of Eden. Sometimes we are on the mountain top above trouble but sometimes we find ourselves in the valley. The point is to, “walk through”, don’t camp there. And it’s not the Valley of Death but the SHADOW of death. For something to have a shadow there must be light. Fear no evil; it’s only a shadow because Jesus, the Light, is with you. And, like the Good Shepherd, He has a big rod, (a weapon to beat off the enemy), and a staff, (an instrument to rescue stray lambs). We can be comforted by that level of protection.

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” Imagine this scene: A big banquet is prepared by the King and you are the guest of honor. You and your family and friends are seated around the table but, standing around the wall, are all your enemies, those who hate you and all the demons who’ve been harassing you. But wait, this scene is not in Heaven, you won’t have any enemies in Heaven! It’s on earth! You are “anointed” which is to be made sacred (consecrated); to be set apart and dedicated to serve God. This is happening to you at this banquet. And the King, who is doing this for you, gives you everything you need…and more, your cup runs over!

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:” In addition to having the Good Shepherd taking care of you and being with you, you also have two of His staff, Goodness and Mercy, following you around to meet your needs as you go.

“and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” Think about it, you have all the benefits mentioned in each of these verses, and that would be good enough. But you also get to live in the King’s house forever because you are His child! So… you now have to answer one very important question: Is the Lord YOUR Shepherd?

The 23rd Psalm – Part 1

March 3, 2013 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given February 18, 2013

I help out with BibleTime Ministry, a group that goes into local schools here in Southwest Virginia and teaches biblical principals to children. I will sometimes tell Bible stories, relaying the content in such a way that the kids can understand based on what I have learned telling stories to my grandkids when they spend the night. I call them Pawpaw’s Bible Stories and plan to record them and make them available soon. And sometimes I do simple lessons on Bible topics such as Love, Power, Forgiveness, or Words. I’ve realized that many of the things we read or tell are not understood by children and that’s why I teach in simpler language. This “lesson” on Psalm 23 is one of those. However, I did this for my church newsletter but will adapt it for the kids. I hope you gain new insights into this familiar passage.

“The Lord is my Shepherd,” Without a shepherd, the sheep would wander and be in danger. Sheep do not choose their shepherd, but the shepherd chooses them. John 15:16 says, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,” God chose us but gives us the choice of following Him. We have to say, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” Is He your shepherd AND are you willing to follow Him?

“I shall not want.” The shepherd takes care of the sheep and supplies them with everything they need. They want for nothing; they have everything they need as long as they stay with the shepherd. On their own, the sheep would not make it. If we follow Jesus, our Shepherd, we will have everything we need. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33). So, what does the shepherd do for the sheep?

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.” The shepherd leads his sheep into abundant pastures where there is ample food and is also in the open so he can keep watch for animals that would kill the sheep. They are safe and can eat in peace. The shepherd also leads them to drinking water that is safe. Sheep, because of their wool covering, are susceptible to drowning if caught in running water. They don’t realize the danger and can be caught unaware. Still, calm, safe water is where they need to drink. The shepherd takes them there.

“He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” By doing the things we’ve read above, the shepherd restores, revives, and refreshes the sheep. He sustains them. He directs them to go the right way as they go from the pen to the pasture, to the streams, then to the bedding place or back to the pen and safety for the night. He is the shepherd and his reputation is on the line. If he loses the sheep or some are killed or die, it is bad on him. He will not be trusted and will not have “followers”. Jesus, our Shepherd, has never lost even a lamb; He can be trusted to lead us in the way we should go, ALWAYS.

Do you have any comments? Part two will follow.

Archives for March 2013

Like It Never Even Happened

The Journey of Psalm 23

Psalm 23 – Part 2

The 23rd Psalm – Part 1

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Archives for March 2013

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