David Confessing the Lord as His Strength~Bob Hoekstra

David Confessing the Lord as His Strength

The LORD is the strength of my life…The LORD is…my strength, in whom I will trust. (Psalm 27:1 and 18:2)

Living by grace involves depending upon God to work in our lives. For the greater part of his life, David was an outstanding Old Testament example of such living. This was certainly evident in the way David frequently confessed the Lord as his strength.

Everyone in this fallen world needs strength just to deal with the daily responsibilities and challenges of life. When you add the calling and desire of believers to please and honor God, much strength is needed day by day. David confessed the Lord as his strength for living. "TheLORD is the strength of my life." How wonderful to know that the Lord is with us to impart His strength in us for every aspect of our lives, whether home, or work, or ministry, or whatever.

In our earthly pilgrimage, we need strength to stay on course. The world, the flesh, and the devil want to prevent us from progressing down the Lord's perfect path. David found in the Lord the strength for this need as well. "It is God who arms me with strength, And makesmy way perfect" (Psalm 18:32). At times, when walking along our designated path of life, we get trapped in circumstantial nets, laid by the enemy of our souls. When David experienced these traps, he cried out to God for the necessary strength. "Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, For You are my strength" (Psalm 31:4). At other times along our path, the problem is not a trap, but an all-out battle. Once again, David found the strength he needed in His Lord. "For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me" (Psalm 18:39).

Sometimes, the need for strength pertains to what is going on within (or flowing forth from within). The thoughts we are thinking and the words we are expressing might need to be anchored again in the will of the Lord. David also knew how to turn to God for this essential strength as well. "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14). When he weakened within and stumbled in failure, David still knew where to turn for the only help that will ever prove sufficient. "My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strengthof my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73:26). Whatever the need for strength, David learned to rely upon the Lord. "The LORDis…my strength, in whom I will trust."

O Lord, my strength, I need Your strength for daily responsibilities, strength for staying on track with You, strength for periodic battles, strength for weaknesses within, strength to please You. You are my strength; I trust in You!

Psalm 82 — God's Demand for Justice 82:3 Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy.~Bob Caldwell

Psalm 82 — God's Demand for Justice 82:3 Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Throughout the Old Testament, the call to bring justice into the daily life of the nation of Israel was central to God's mandate to its leaders or "judges." These judges would be referred to as "gods" or "mighty ones" because, above all else, they were to represent God's demand that the vulnerable in society would not receive unjust treatment. Cultures change, but one thing has remained the same since the dawn of civilization. Those who are at a disadvantage in society often are not given equal justice. As those who claim to be sons and daughters of God through Jesus Christ, it must be our mandate that fighting for justice for those who cannot fight for themselves is one of the tests of real faith. Psalm 83 — When God Will Not Defend Us 83:1-2 Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, And do not be still, O God! For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; And those who hate You have lifted up their head. From its origin, Israel has often found itself the target of aggression from their neighboring nations. Their confidence lay in being a nation that God Himself had birthed and called to witness to the entire world. To attack Israel was to attack God. The enemies of Israel were also enemies of God. Based upon this relationship, Israel could confidently expect God to rise up and defend them. However, when Israel broke their covenant with God and began to follow the wickedness and idolatry of their neighbors, God withdrew Himself. They were on their own. This same principle is true for the "church" in general, as well as each Christian. When we forsake a genuine relationship of love for God and His Word, we soon discover how "nothing" we are apart from Him and how much bondage and oppression fills the vacuum that God once filled. Psalm 84 — The Pleasures of God 84:10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness. In this psalm, the joy of worshiping God is elevated to its rightful place in the heart of every true believer. For those who know God and whose hearts are after Him, time given in undivided fellowship and worship is bliss. One of the reasons this time with God is so desirable is the tangible result that each worshiper enjoys. Grace and glory become our portion, and unexpected good follows us as we walk on God's path of life. For those who experience the richness found only in God, they become living proof that the person who knows and trusts in God is genuinely and richly blessed. Psalm 85 — The Kiss of Righteousness and Peace 85:10 Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. This psalm opens a portal for us to the amazing way in which God's holiness and love meet within the soul of a believer. Like Israel, God's people find ourselves turning our backs on God at some point in our lives (v. 2). This result is sin that creates alienation not only with God but also with each other, and even ourselves. The loss of God's holiness leaves its lonely vacuum within our souls and we unavoidably cry for revival and renewal. Some will turn to the endless array of manmade solutions that inevitably bring more manmade problems. Others will turn to God. What they find always amazes them. The same God who is also full of grace and mercy meets the God whose holiness they so thoroughly violated. God's righteous demands are met by His offer of peace, which is offered solely based upon His mercy. There, within the vacuum of an alienated soul, holiness and grace meet; righteousness and peace kiss (v. 10). The life of revival and renewal is sparked and a new life is begun.
Psalm 82 A Psalm of Asaph 1 God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods. 2 How long will you judge unjustly, And show partiality to the wicked? Selah 3 Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4 Deliver the poor and needy; Free them from the hand of the wicked. 5 They do not know, nor do they understand; They walk about in darkness; All the foundations of the earth are unstable. 6 I said, "You are gods, And all of you are children of the Most High. 7 But you shall die like men, And fall like one of the princes." 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth; For You shall inherit all nations. Psalm 83A Song. A Psalm of Asaph. 1 Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, And do not be still, O God! 2 For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; And those who hate You have lifted up their head. 3 They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, And consulted together against Your sheltered ones. 4 They have said, "Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more." 5 For they have consulted together with one consent; They form a confederacy against You: 6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab and the Hagrites; 7 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; 8 Assyria also has joined with them; They have helped the children of Lot. Selah 9 Deal with them as with Midian, As with Sisera, As with Jabin at the Brook Kishon, 10 Who perished at En Dor, Who became as refuse on the earth. 11 Make their nobles like Oreb and like Zeeb, Yes, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, 12 Who said, "Let us take for ourselves The pastures of God for a possession." 13 O my God, make them like the whirling dust, Like the chaff before the wind! 14 As the fire burns the woods, And as the flame sets the mountains on fire, 15 So pursue them with Your tempest, And frighten them with Your storm. 16 Fill their faces with shame, That they may seek Your name, O LORD. 17 Let them be confounded and dismayed forever; Yes, let them be put to shame and perish, 18 That they may know that You, whose name alone is the LORD, Are the Most High over all the earth. Psalm 84To the Chief Musician. On an instrument of Gath. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. 1 How lovely is Your tabernacle, O LORD of hosts! 2 My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the LORD; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. 3 Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself, Where she may lay her young— Even Your altars, O LORD of hosts, My King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You. Selah 5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage. 6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca, They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion. 8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah 9 O God, behold our shield, And look upon the face of Your anointed. 10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly. 12 O LORD of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You! Psalm 85To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. 1 LORD, You have been favorable to Your land; You have brought back the captivity of Jacob. 2 You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people; You have covered all their sin. Selah 3 You have taken away all Your wrath; You have turned from the fierceness of Your anger. 4 Restore us, O God of our salvation, And cause Your anger toward us to cease. 5 Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations? 6 Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You? 7 Show us Your mercy, LORD, And grant us Your salvation. 8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak, For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly. 9 Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land. 10 Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. 11 Truth shall spring out of the earth, And righteousness shall look down from heaven. 12 Yes, the LORD will give what is good; And our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness will go before Him, And shall make His footsteps our pathway.
Psalm 82 For some people, this psalm presents a "theological" problem. We are used to the word g-o-d referring only to the one, true God. But occasionally the poets of Israel would call the pagan deities "gods," and then show how they are powerless and unrighteous in comparison to Israel's God. In this psalm, these pagan gods are pictured as subordinate beings to whom God had delegated the oversight of foreign nations. Now the true God arises in the divine council to rebuke them for injustice and judge them. He strips them of their status and reduces them to mere mortals, and He will ultimately take over the direct rulership of the world. v. 1 Asaph – The chief Levite musician under King David. "Psalms of Asaph" later came to refer to a type of song or a particular collection of psalms. God stands – A sign of authority and power; judges stood up to pass sentence. v. 2 How long will you judge unjustly – This is the accusation brought against the false gods: they defend injustice and show partiality to the wicked. v. 3 Defend the poor – This is what a real God should be doing, says the poet: defending the weak and giving justice to the needy. v. 5 They do not know – But the pagan gods are blind and unintelligent; they are unable to declare what is right and wrong. the foundations of the earth are unstable – The misrule of these "gods" agitates the very foundations of the world. v. 7 But you shall die like men – Now, says the poet, they will be reduced to the status of mortal men and die like human beings. v. 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit the nations – The psalm closes with a prayer for God to exercise His lawful jurisdiction over all nations. He shall, says the psalmist, take direct rulership over the entire world some day. Psalm 83 This is a community lament, in which Israel grieves at the hatred and aggression shown against her by the surrounding nations. v. 1 Do not be still…do not hold your peace…do not be still, O God – Israel pleads with God to act and defend her. v. 2 those who hate you have lifted up their head – Lifting one's head in the presence of the king was a sign of immense arrogance. v. 3 crafty counsel – All of Israel's enemies throughout history are pictured as united in a single conspiracy to destroy the nation. v. 6 tents of Edom – These nations, with the exception of Assyria, were all neighbors of Israel. Edom…the Ishmaelites…Moab – In addition to being neighbors, these nations had ancestral ties to Israel: Moab and Edom were descendents of Lot, Abraham's nephew; the Ishmaelites were descended from Abraham's first son, Isaac's half-brother. Hagrites – a desert tribe that lived in the desert to the east of the Jordan River, beyond Moab and Ammon v. 7 Gebal – Probably the Phoenecian city of Byblos, located in modern Lebanon. Amalek – The Amalekites were among the most bitter enemies of Israel throughout her history. It is possible that Haman, the evil counselor of the Persian king described in the book of Esther who tried to exterminate the Jewish people, was a descendent of the ruling house of the Amalekites (1 Sam. 15:8, Es. 3). v. 9 Deal with them – The song asks God to destroy Israel's current enemies as He did those in the past (Judges 4-8 describe the historical background). v. 16 That they may seek Your Name – Israel reminds God that it is His Name that is to be exalted, so that all nations will know that He alone is the ruler over the earth (v. 18). Psalm 84 On an instrument of Gath – The "gittith," a musical instrument; perhaps originating from the Philistine city of Gath. the sons of Korah – The "Korahites" were one of the traditional levitical guilds in charge of guarding the gates to the Temple (1 Chr. 9:29). This is a pilgrim song, probably sung by the Israelites as they went up to Temple for one of the three pilgrim feasts. v. 2 tabernacle – dwelling place the courts of the Lord – the courtyards of His Temple in Jerusalem cry out – a joyous call; like "calling" birds (see next verse) the living God – Israel knew her God is the "living God." The idols of the nations are lifeless wood and stone, or demons; but He is "the living God and the everlasting king" (Jer. 10:10) v. 3 the sparrow has found a home and the swallow a nest – The pilgrims reflect on how fortunate the little birds are that live in the Temple—they are always in the courtyards of the Lord. v. 4 they will still be praising you – The swallows and sparrows are constantly "praising God" with their calls as they flit through the Temple grounds. v. 5 whose heart is set on pilgrimage – Literally "whose heart is set on the highway" (i.e., the pilgrim road leading up to Jerusalem and the Temple). v. 6 the valley of Baca – means weeping; probably a valley on the road to Jerusalem v. 9 our shield…Your anointed – The king was anointed to protect the nation (their "shield"; Ps. 89:18); he also took part in the worship services in the Temple. Nevertheless, the Lord is the true and ultimate "sun and shield" of His people (v. 12), who cares for and protects them. v. 11 no good thing will He withhold – This is not an insurance policy that we will receive everything we want when we walk with God; rather, we can have the confidence that He will ultimately use everything that comes to us in life for our good, no matter how difficult and tragic it may seem (Rom. 8:28). those who walk uprightly – those who live in integrity, consistent with God's plan and purpose for life Psalm 85 Title: The Chief Musician – the head of the Levitical singers in the Temple the sons of Korah – The "Korahites" were one of the traditional levitical guilds in charge of guarding the gates to the Temple (1 Chron. 9:29). This is a mourning song of Israel, a lament, reminding God of His past mercies and asking Him for forgiveness and renewal of the nation. v. 1 You have brought back the captivity of Jacob – This psalm is probably from the time after part of Israel returned from Babylonian exile (Haggai 1:5-11). v. 2 You have covered all their sin – For Israel, sin was "covered" by the blood of the sin offering coming "between" their sin and the just wrath of God (v. 3). v. 4 Restore us – The people ask God to now grant forgiveness and restoration. v. 8 what God the Lord will speak – A spokesman for the congregation (probably one of the singers) represents the people in their prayers as they wait for a word of prophecy from God. v. 10 Mercy and truth – The prophet sees in faith how God responds in love on behalf of His people. God's attitude and actions are coupled together in pairs: mercy-truth; righteousness-peace; He shall give that which is good/our land will yield its increase (i.e., the harvest).
Thank You, Lord, that You care about those society often does not. Thank You that we are able to freely worship You, no matter our income or social status. We pray today to love all of the things that You love, including those who are not in mainstream society. Show us how to love like You do.
Juvenile Detention Center The doors continue to open in the juvenile detention centers. Calvary has been asked to begin a weekend church service at the Nampa Department Juvenile Corrections Facility the first weekend of every month. Currently we are doing one-on-one clergy visits. We will begin next month with our first service. Prayer Points that God will work on the hearts and minds of the youth incarcerated that we continue to have favor with the staff at NDJC for the right group of ministry volunteers for this ministry

Leadership: Are you working hard but forgetting to lead? (83-3)~Barry Werner

Are you working hard but forgetting to lead? (83-3)

August 19th, 2009 in 1 Samuel, Leader Qualifications, Leadership Development, Leadership Principles, Mentor,Old Testament, Personal Development | leave a response

Leaders are ultimately responsible for what happens within their organization. It is not enough to understand and be good at the work of an organization; if a person is to lead, they must also understand leadership. Read 1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22-25 and 3:11-14.

Eli served as both priest and judge in Israel. As judge Eli dispensed justice between opposing parties. As priest he oversaw and entire nation’s relationship with God. Eli had tremendous influence. People depended on him for their social, political and religious well-being. And every sign (almost every sign) in the Biblical narrative indicates that Eli took his job seriously.

In 1 Samuel 1:1-20 it appears Eli did not let his status as a leader go to his head. He showed up on the job everyday and even though his first impression was wrong when he saw Hannah praying (he thought she had been drinking), he was observant to see Hannah and he confronted her and he listened to her explanation and gave her advice. He must have been pretty good at his job as priest because “Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.” Eli did more than conduct the formalities of his office; he ministered to the people.

Eli was a good man. It is probably even accurate to say that he did his work well. But, as a leader, he was responsible for more than his own actions. Eli was also responsible for the conduct of the other priests. Eli succeeded as a priest but he failed as a leader. In failing to develop the priests who worked for him (actually for God), Eli failed to build an effective team and an effective organization.

The double tragedy in Eli’s case is that two of his sons were priests. Eli’s failure to lead created an environment where his sons could take unacceptable liberty with the requirements God had established for the temple. Eli’s sons were so evil that God pronounced a terrible judgment on Eli’s family line. Notice the distinction: God didn’t condemn Eli because he was a bad priest but because he was a poor leader of the other priests.

Leaders are ultimately responsible for what happens within their organizations. Being a good worker is required of every leader, being a competent worker is noble and commendable but if God has appointed you to a leadership role and you want to be an effective leader, then leadership also must be a big part of your focus. When a leader works through an organization, they can produce quality only by developing the people they lead. Take extreme care that in your leadership role you don’t give preference to your daily work over your role as a leader. Effective leaders understand their work and they understand leadership is a major part of that work.

When you face a tough situation in your leadership role, is your normal response to focus on the work or to focus on your leadership responsibilities? If you find solace and relieve stress by focusing exclusively on your work you may be moving toward a leadership crisis. Identify the last time you had a stressful leadership situation and ask God to help you clearly remember your response. Now ask God if that response was the response He desired you to have. If you pray asking God for wisdom, be prepared for His answer. It may not be what you expect.

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Tags: Development, Leadership, Work

« How do you resist the temptation to always take circumstances at face value? (83-2)

Are you fair when leading your family? (83-4)

Parables from the Beach, Part 2~Greg Laurie

Parables from the Beach, Part 2

September 1st, 2009 Posted in Pastor's corner, sermons, video | No Comments »

Here is a another on-location video teaching for you. I have received a lot of positive feedback on the last one we posted.

These were all done at the same time down at the beach, thus we have called the seriesParables from the Beach. All these teachings relate to things Jesus said and did around the Sea of Galilee.

In this part, I talk about Jesus being captain of your boat. We have a couple more of these to post in the future.

true success means becoming the person God has called you to be~Charles Stanley

Success God's Way

Joshua 1:5-9

A meaningful study of success must start with a proper definition. The world uses words like wealth, fame, and position to describe the good life. While those are types of achievement, true success means becoming the person God has called you to be and reaching the goals He helps you set.

God wrote the Book on triumphant living. He has woven His principles into the lives of saints, laid them out in Proverbs, and placed them on the lips of prophets and apostles. He is so thorough on this subject that no one has ever devised a better system. Plenty of people have tried to sell their own brand of success. But if you read their books, you'll notice something interesting: many of those authors have borrowed biblical standards, often unknowingly.

Even if a person reads every success book available, results are not guaranteed. In fact, the only sure way to live victoriously is God's way. The Lord stressed to Joshua the importance of remaining within His will. As long as Israel's new leader was abiding by scriptural precepts, he would be triumphant, as God intended. We can read a lot of books about living well, eating healthy, getting out of debt, climbing the corporate ladder, raising responsible kids, etc. Or we can follow the one Book that provides principles for success in all of those areas.

Some people look as if they're doing well on their own, but underneath is soul-deep turmoil. In contrast, God not only sets up believers for success; He holds them safely in His hand. When we are obedient to Him, even if we fail in the world's eyes,
we still have joy, peace, and contentment.

A prompting is a "knowing" down on the inside of you telling you what to do~Joyce Meyer

But now we are discharged from the Law and have terminated all intercourse with it, having died to what once restrained and held us captive. So now we serve not under [obedience to] the old code of written regulations, but [under obedience to the promptings] of the Spirit in newness [of life].
—Romans 7:6

According to this passage, we are no longer under the restraints of the law but now serve the Lord under obedience to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. A prompting is a "knowing" down on the inside of you telling you what to do. First Kings 19:11-12 describes the "still, small voice" the Lord used with Elijah: "And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; And after the earthquake afire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire [a sound of gentle stillness and] a still, small voice."

A prompting from the Lord is not like hitting someone over the head with a hammer to prompt them to do something! The Lord did not use the great and strong wind, the earthquake, or the fire as a prompting but instead came as "a sound of gentle stillness" and "a still, small voice."

The prompting of "a still, small voice" is not necessarily a voice; it can be God's wisdom giving you direction in that moment. First Corinthians 1:30 tells us, "But it is from Him that you have your life in Christ Jesus, Whom God made our Wisdom from God." If we are born again, Jesus is living inside us. If He is inside us, we have God's wisdom in us to draw on at any moment! But unless we listen to wisdom, it won't do us any good.