tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57892326204153072792024-03-05T03:15:29.770-05:00Bob Delaneythoughts and musingsBob Delaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648133744253760700noreply@blogger.comBlogger566125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789232620415307279.post-31981825726278516692017-05-15T08:32:00.002-04:002017-05-15T08:32:18.688-04:00Amazing Likeness<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Amazing
Likeness<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“The members of the
council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they
could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the
Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. (Acts
4:13 NLT)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What was different about Peter and John that caused
them to stand out as special before the religious leaders of the Jews? No
special training—just ordinary! No fancy clothes—homespun duds! No special
hairstyles—shaggy hair and beards! No fragrant aroma—smelled of fish! What then
was the reason for their boldness?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The key
factor is that they were recognized as <b>being
with Jesus</b>. What is it about being with Jesus that made Peter and John look
different than those around them? What did they have that others did not have? It
was the same thing that you will have if you spend time with Jesus. What
exactly will these changes look like in your life?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> First, if
you spend any amount of time at all with Jesus, there is bound to be a
transformation. Everything about you changes. Your attitude! Your mannerisms!
Your manner of speech! Your thought life! Your actions! EVERYTHING!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Second, you
will have a new boldness—a valiant spirit. You won’t be ashamed of Christ or
the gospel. You will be willing to put
your life on the line for the sake of the good news.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Third, you
will imitate the loving spirit of Christ. You will think kindly, speak kindly,
and do kindly, so that others may say of you, “He/she has been with Jesus.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Fourth, you
will imitate Jesus in his holiness. You will keep your life pure, free of the
taint of sin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> To be “like
Jesus” is to be fervent in prayer, submissive to his will, forgiving of your
enemies, and persevering in the midst of trials. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Is “Amazing
Likeness” possible? Yes, it is feasible, but only through the grace of God. It
all depends upon how much time we are willing to spend with Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prayer: Dear Lord, how blessed to hear someone say,
“He’s been with Jesus.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bob Delaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648133744253760700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789232620415307279.post-61271395195352969942017-05-12T08:33:00.002-04:002017-05-12T08:33:12.000-04:00Spiritual Slumps<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Spiritual
Slumps<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“O Lord, how long will
you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? How long must I
struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? (Psalm
13:1-2)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Have you ever experienced a “spiritual slump”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Athletes
hate slumps. They’ll try anything and everything to get out of those times when
they can’t hit the baseball or make a free throw or catch a pass or get the
puck in the net or make a putt. Baseball
players change bats, shave their beards, choke up on the bat. Basketball
players change shoes, socks, head bands. Football players change their routine.
Golfers change clubs or balls. They’ll try anything to get out of the slump. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Christians
should hate slumps too. We should try anything to eliminate those dry spells
when we can’t seem to pray past the ceiling or when reading the Bible seems
more frustrating than helpful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> A spiritual
slump can make us feel forsaken by God. We struggle with a joyless attitude.
Our hearts become heavy and we feel a weariness that we can’t explain. The
bright side to life seems to have vanished. If not remedied, we lose our sense
of hope. We get to the place where we feel we are fighting a losing battle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> As we read
the words of David in Psalm 13, we realize that we are not alone. David found
himself in just such a predicament. He cries out to God in the midst of his
“spiritual slump.” How long, O Lord, is his cry! Will you abandon me forever? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> We need to
take heed of David’s words in the remainder of the Psalm. He knew how to work
his way out of the slump. First, he appealed to God who is the true source of
spiritual refreshment in dry times (vv. 3-4). Second, he trusted in God’s
unfailing love (v.5). Third, he sang praises to God, recognizing how important
worship is (v. 6). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> If you fall
into a “spiritual slump” follow the procedures outlined by David. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prayer: Dear Lord, we are all susceptible to
“spiritual slumps.” Help me put into
practice the advice of David.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bob Delaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648133744253760700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789232620415307279.post-33819593050973027722017-05-11T09:47:00.002-04:002017-05-11T09:47:30.015-04:00Flawless Words<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Flawless
Words<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“And the words of the
Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven
times.” (Psalm 12:6 NIV)</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How reliable are the promises of your neighbors,
co-workers, family members or friends? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The
Scripture is clear when it says, <b>“<i>Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore;
those who are loyal have vanished from the human race. Everyone lies to their
neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts.”
(Psalm 12:1-2)<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When was the last time
a neighbor or a co-worker borrowed something from you with the promise that
they’d return it as soon as they were through with it, but it never returned?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The
Psalmist David must have had such an experience for he said, “<b><i>The
wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers.” (Psalm
37:21)<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I have
never forgotten a time many years ago when I promised to take my grandson
fishing and then reneged on the promise. Not only was my grandson very upset
with me, but his mother reminded me of the broken promise. I immediately sought
to limit the damage done to his trust by orchestrating an outing to make up for
my mistake. It’s not the first time the Lord has used a child to humble me and
teach me a valuable lesson. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> People are
quick to give their word, but sometimes we can’t rely on what they tell us.
It’s very possible that David was having trouble with this issue; otherwise,
why did he pen these thoughts in Psalm 12. We don’t know the specific words or
circumstances that prompted his remarks, but he must have felt surrounded by
untrustworthy people. His lament was: “everyone lies” (v. 2). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Everyone,
that is, except God. His words are “pure and flawless,” like silver that has
been through a refiner’s fire seven times (v. 6). We can believe God. His promises
stand. He cannot lie. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prayer: Dear Lord, what a joy to know that your
words are forever true and trustworthy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bob Delaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648133744253760700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789232620415307279.post-14483157071016420712017-05-09T07:55:00.002-04:002017-05-09T07:55:42.187-04:00Head for the Hills<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Head
for the Hills<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“When
the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What is the first inclination when facing danger of
any kind? A man with a gun! Shots fired! A ferocious dog with barring teeth!
The cry goes out – run, run for your life! Get away as far as you can. These
are all natural or normal reactions when we are threatened or feel our life is
in danger. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> People are
fleeing today. Husbands are fleeing their families with the intent to get out
from under their responsibilities; thus abandoning their children. Others are
fleeing to the hills hoping to find peace away from crime or terror. Refugees
are fleeing from their homeland because of the fear of death from anarchy or
other rebel factions. If you are waiting for good to win out over evil in
society, you may be in for a long wait. Things appear to be going from bad to
worse. As we look around us today, we see values that used to stand for
something being crumbled under foot. You
can’t blame upright honest people from feeling that they have nowhere to
turn—that they must escape. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Psalm 11
was written by David at a time when Israel may have felt that escape was the
only viable action. The people feared the attacks of their enemies and sensed
that the foundations of justice were crumbling. That’s why some of them were
saying to David, “Flee like a bird to your mountain. For look, the wicked bend
their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart.” (v. 1-2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> But escape
is not the answer. Elimelech and Naomi tried that back in the book of Ruth and
looked what happened to them. What happens when you try to “head for the hills”
to get away from your problems-- “your problems go with you?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> David gives
the solution in verse 4 – “The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his
heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them.” What is
David saying? Keep your focus on God—he is in control. He’s keeping his eyes on
things—he will have the final word. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Don’t “head
for the hills,” instead, trust God and keep doing what’s right. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prayer: Dear Lord, may we always remember, no matter
how everything seems you are the one who is in control and makes the final
decision. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bob Delaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648133744253760700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789232620415307279.post-55187789008258019452017-05-04T09:50:00.003-04:002017-05-04T09:50:26.348-04:00A Time to Move Forward<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A
Time to Move Forward<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now
the LORD said to Samuel, <b><i>“How long will you grieve over Saul, since I
have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go;
I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have selected a king for Myself
among his sons.” (1 Samuel 16:1)<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Notice in the beginning of this passage that God
approves of a time of mourning, but there comes a time when his plan and
purpose must move forward. Grieving over a lost loved one is necessary for
healing purposes, but if it turns to self-pity God is not pleased. Samuel is
deeply grieved by the failure of Saul as king. But God will not permit His
servant to be immobilized by grief, as we ourselves sometimes are. Samuel is
told to take a flask of olive oil and go and anoint one of the sons of Jesse to
be Israel’s future king in place of Saul. At first, Samuel is full of fear. He
says, <b><i>“How can I go? When Saul hears of it, he will kill me.” </i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I can
relate to that fear. When I received my first preaching assignment in a little
church in Stanton, Missouri, I was so scared that my knees were knocking
together. Had it not been for the pulpit to hide me, I surely would have
collapsed from fright. The Holy Spirit, however, sustained me, and I made it
through the service. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> God gave
Samuel help and assurance for his fear by telling him to take a sacrifice with
him. Taking the Lord at his word, the Scripture says, <b><i>“So Samuel did what the Lord
said,…” (v. 4)<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I have felt like Samuel
many times, but God always provided the necessary means and courage to take on
the task. In the end, the job was accomplished and God received the glory and
the kingdom of God moved forward. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> What do we
learn from this? When God gives you a task to accomplish or an open door to go
through, trust in the Lord and move forward in his strength. When Israel became
“frightened” at the Red Sea, God told Moses, <b><i>“Tell the sons of Israel to go
forward.” (Ex. 14:15) </i></b>Because of their obedience, the people were able
to walk across on dry ground. God will do the same for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prayer: Dear Lord, let me always remember that you
are my source of help.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bob Delaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648133744253760700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789232620415307279.post-59734628547201540992017-04-21T10:44:00.002-04:002017-04-21T10:44:21.868-04:00Stand Your Ground<div style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 4.0pt 0in;">
<div align="center" class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: center;">
Stand Your Ground<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Scripture
Reading: Exodus 14:1-14<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But
Moses told the people, “<i>Don’t be afraid.
Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see
today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay
calm.” (Ex. 14:13-14 NLT)<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A growling, snarling dog is charging. What should
you do? One part of your mind says, <i>stand
still</i>, but another part says, <i>let’s
get out of here</i>. The dog appears to be in an attack mode, and as fear
whelms up in your throat your feet seem to be paralyzed. Standing your ground
in the face of threatening circumstances may be the hardest thing you’ll ever
be called upon to do. It certainly was for the children of Israel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The
children of Israel faced such a situation when they came to the Red Sea. The
ground was shaking from the rumble of the many chariots racing toward them. They
were terrified and complained to Moses. What shall we do? Where can we hide?
They were caught between the sea and the advancing army of the Egyptians. They
couldn’t go back even if they wanted to and the mountains and sea had them hemmed in on all sides. All appeared to be
lost. Moses called out to God and then commanded them to, “Stand still and see
the salvation of the Lord.” I’m sure they must have thought, <i>Are you serious Moses? Don’t you hear the
rumble of the chariots? Can’t you feel the shaking of the ground under our
feet? Stand still , you say! We are about to be overtaken and slaughtered and
you want us to stand still. That’s ridiculous! You’re out of your mind. We want
to run and hide except there’s nowhere to go. </i>That’s what fear will do to a
person. Fear paralyzes our minds. Only as we exercise faith can we move
forward. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> What
would you have thought? How would you have responded? The growling, snarling
dog is getting closer. Can’t wait much longer! If I decide to stand still, I
will have to exercise faith and trust in the Lord. That’s what the children of
Israel had to do. The Lord God was testing their faith to see if they would
rely completely upon him for their salvation. Finally, the Lord gave the
command to move forward. This was another test of their faith. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Our faith
is being tested on a daily basis. How will we handle life’s struggles? Will we
try to handle everything in our own strength? Will we rely upon our own
abilities to see us through? Or will we be like the children of Israel and be
willing to <i>stand still</i> and see how
God works things out? Trying circumstances have a way of showing up at our
doorstep. When our paycheck doesn’t come! When our child is sick! When we are
misunderstood and falsely accused! When we face circumstances that threaten our
security, do we reach out by faith and lay hold upon the promises of God, or do
we allow fear to immobilize us? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The
Psalmist said, <i>“But you, O Lord, are a
shield to me, my glory, and the one who lifts my head high” (Ps. 3:3). </i>Stand
fast and trust the one who is fighting for you. The battle is the Lords.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bob Delaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648133744253760700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789232620415307279.post-28481342168744561742017-02-16T08:50:00.000-05:002017-02-16T08:50:02.974-05:00"My Cup Overflows"<div style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 4.0pt 0in;">
<div align="center" class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: center;">
The 23<sup>rd</sup>
Psalm<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“My
cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5c)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How was it possible for David to include the words “<i>my cup overflows” </i>in this Psalm? Is he
thinking only about his experience as the shepherd of a flock of sheep, or was
he reminiscing about his life?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Wasn’t
David the one who committed adultery with Bathsheba and then murdered her
husband, Uriah? Wasn’t he guilty of a grand cover-up, but was exposed by a
“whistle-blower” – God? Who would ever think that Israel’s mighty and powerful
king with servants to do his bidding would suffer hard times! Two of his own
sons, Absalom and Adonijah, turned against him and tried to steal his throne.
One of David’s trusted advisors betrayed him, and his army chief deserted him.
Yet in spite of all this turmoil, David sang, <b><i>“My cup overflows.”</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Surely,
David had in mind his job as shepherd of the sheep. Drawing water for the sheep
was an ominous task. Wells were deep and the only way to get water was with a
long rope with a leather bucket. It’d take a lot of water to quench the thirst
of a “mob” of sheep. How many hours would it take? How many buckets of water
would be needed? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> This
reminds me of Jesus’ meeting with the Samaritan woman by the well outside
Sychar. In the course of their conversation about water, Jesus said, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Whoever
drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that
I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal
life.”(Jn 4:14) <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Just think
of it! One drink of the life giving water that Jesus possessed provided eternal
life – but that’s not all. Through daily faith that life-giving water keeps on
coming and continuously overflows with eternal life. The shepherd boy, David,
had placed his faith in the right source and as a result he could say without a
doubt – “my cup overflows.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Is your
“cup overflowing?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for your sacrifice that
keeps my cup overflowing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bob Delaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648133744253760700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789232620415307279.post-73793538741292338002017-02-15T09:31:00.000-05:002017-02-15T09:31:00.062-05:00"You anoint my head with oil"<div style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 4.0pt 0in;">
<div align="center" class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: center;">
The 23<sup>rd</sup>
Psalm<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You
anoint my head with oil…” (Psalm 23:5b)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The hot days of summer are a special challenge to
the shepherd. Summer is the time when insects and parasites are the most active
and the shepherd must keep a close watch on the sheep. When he sees the sheep
rubbing and banging their heads on brush and other objects he knows that the
nasal fly has made its appearance. These nasty insects attempt to lay their
eggs on the damp nucous membranes of the sheep’s nose. In a few days, if
successful, the eggs with hatch to form small, slender, worm-like larvae.
Unless the shepherd takes immediate action these larvae will work their way up
the sheep’s nasal passage into its head and burrow into the flesh. To free the
sheep of this irritation and severe inflammation, the shepherds in the Middle
East take a home remedy consisting of olive oil mixed with sulfur and spices
and rub it on the sheep’s nose and head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> In the
Christian life, our thoughts, ideas, emotions, choices, impulses, and desires
are all shaped and molded through the exposure of our minds to other people,
mass media, and other schemes of the evil one. In order to counteract the
influences of our worldly tormentors, we need to follow the urging of our Good
Shepherd and ask the Heavenly Father for His anointing oil of the Holy Spirit.
It is this daily anointing of the Holy Spirit upon my mind that produces the
fruit of the Spirit in my life. (Gal. 5:22)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The summer
months are not only noted for the “fly time,” but it is also “scab” time. Once
this tiny parasite infects one sheep, it is transmitted to the entire flock by
their habit of rubbing heads together. Here again, the solution lies in
applying the “linseed” home remedy to the sheep. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The
antidote for the believer against these worldly demonic originated infestations
is found in Ph. 4:8, “<b><i>Finally, brethren, whatever is true,
honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, if there is any excellence, or
worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray for the continuous
anointing of the Holy Spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bob Delaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648133744253760700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789232620415307279.post-79285509243653187052017-02-14T12:49:00.003-05:002017-02-14T12:49:30.926-05:00You Prepare a Table before Me.<div style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 4.0pt 0in;">
<div align="center" class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: center;">
The 23<sup>rd</sup>
Psalm<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">”You
prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (Ps. 23:5a)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In Western U.S. such as Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming
sheep grazing ranges are referred to as “mesas” – the Spanish word for
“tables.” It appears that David’s use of a table in Psalm 23:5 is actually a
reference to the entire high summer range. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Sheep are
well suited for vegetation management. On the Paonia Ranger District range in
Colorado, sheep are used to graze areas of tall larkspur a week or so ahead of
the incoming cattle. This prevents the cattle from getting a lethal dose of the
poisonous alkaloids that are found in the larkspur plants. It also allows
different livestock producers to use the same area of land without the need for
fencing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Raising
sheep is a labor-intensive operation. Early in the season, even before all the
snow is melted, the shepherd is surveying the summer range, and preparing the
tableland for their arrival. Salt and other minerals are strategically placed
around the range to benefit the sheep. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Can you
picture young David walking over the summer range leading his sheep? He keeps a
sharp eye out for poisonous plants and pulls them up before the sheep can reach
to them. No doubt he has armfuls to get rid of for the safety of his flock. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> In a
similar fashion, our Good Shepherd goes ahead of us in every situation,
anticipating the danger we may encounter, and praying for us that our faith
might not fail. Jesus did this for Peter when Satan wanted to tempt him and
sift him like wheat. (Luke 22:31-32) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The
shepherd must also keep a keen eye out for predators. On the Paonia Ranger
District in 2001, 171 sheep were killed by coyotes, 110 by bears, and 27 by
poisonous plants. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> And again,
we take courage in the fact that our Good Shepherd prepares the table for us by
protecting us against the wiles, snares, tricks, and treachery of the evil one.
Always we are subject to his attacks. Jesus has provided us with the “amour of
God” as our protection. Putting on the “amour” is our responsibility (Eph.
6:11-17) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prayer: Dear Lord, prepare the table before me by
keeping me close to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bob Delaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648133744253760700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789232620415307279.post-83817116539452704282017-02-10T09:23:00.003-05:002017-02-10T09:23:38.563-05:00Your Rod and Staff Comfort Me<div style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 4.0pt 0in;">
<div align="center" class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: center;">
The 23<sup>rd</sup>
Psalm<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Your
Rod and your Staff, they Comfort Me” – Ps. 23:4b<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When the shepherd moves his flock to the mountain
pastures, it is customary to take a minimum of equipment. Of course there is
his “caboose” or living quarters, but also two essential items in his arsenal
are his “rod and staff.” Without these two pieces of equipment he could not
adequately defend and protect his sheep. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> During the
hours he is walking in the field he carries only a rifle slung over his
shoulder, a rod, and a small knapsack with water, sandwich, and a few first-aid
supplies. In the Middle East, the shepherd carries only a rod and a staff. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The rod is
the shepherd’s weapon of power, authority, and defense. He can use it as a
club, or throw it with extreme accuracy. You may recall that God used Moses’
rod to demonstrate His power over Egypt and its gods. Therefore, the rod
pictures the spoken word and implies the authority of divine power. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Just as the
sheep in David’s day were comforted and consoled in seeing the rod in the
shepherds hand, so in our day there is great assurance in knowing that the word
of God is invested with power, veracity, and authority.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The other
item in the shepherd’s arsenal was his staff. The staff had a curved crook on
one end designed especially for use with the sheep. The staff revealed the
concern and compassion the shepherd had for his charges.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The staff
played a significant role in the care of the sheep. First, it was used to bring
a newborn lamb close to its mother when hundreds of ewes were lambing together
simultaneously. Second, it was used by the shepherd to draw sheep to himself
for examination. Third, the staff was used for guiding the sheep. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> In like
manner, our Comforter, the Holy Spirit draws us together in closer relationship
with the Father, guiding and teaching us the Truth, and aiding us in our
prayers. (John 16:13)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Prayer:
Dear Lord, it is a great comfort to know that our Good Shepherd carries the rod
and staff for our protection, discipline, and comfort. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bob Delaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648133744253760700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789232620415307279.post-81507281844990693812017-02-09T09:41:00.003-05:002017-02-09T09:41:35.849-05:00Walking through the Valley<div style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 4.0pt 0in;">
<div align="center" class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: center;">
The 23<sup>rd</sup>
Psalm<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“…Even
though I walk through the valley of deep darkness, I fear no harm, for You are
with me…” (Ps. 23:4a)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Up to this point in the Psalm, the picture is of a
sheep standing by a fence and talking to a neighboring sheep, and telling it of
the tender care received from the shepherd. Now it turns to address the
shepherd directly. Take notice of the inclusion of the personal pronouns <b><i>I</i></b>
and <b><i>You.
</i></b>The relationship between the shepherd and his sheep take on a more
personal affectionate nature. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> During
the times the sheep are pasturing on mountain ranges they are entirely alone
with the shepherd. They are in intimate contact with each other and under his
personal attention day and night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Both in
Palestine and on our western sheep ranches dividing pasture lands between
summer and winter is a common practice. Shepherds lead the flock up to the
mountains in the spring, and bring them back down to the lowlands in the fall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> A few years ago I was sitting on my porch on
Fruitland Mesa in Colorado when a “mob” of sheep (over 500) were being moved
down the road from the mountains to their fall/winter grazing. The shepherds or owners were on horses
guiding them along, making sure they stayed on the road. After they had passed,
the gravel road was littered with little black pellets causing breath to be
held and noses pinched. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> In the
Christian life, we speak of mountain top experiences, and sing “Higher Ground.”
Like sheep, the only way to get there is by climbing up through the valleys.
Notice how the passage is worded: <i>“We <u>walk</u>
through the valley of death” – </i>it
doesn’t say I die there or stop there – but rather “I walk through.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> When
adversity comes to the sheep, as it often does, the shepherd’s presence is
there to console and protect. Jesus, the Good Shepherd said, “Surely I will be
with you always” – yes, even in the valley of darkness. What a comfort and what
a delight!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prayer: Dear Lord, you know the valleys I walk
through. Thank you for your presence, comfort, and grace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bob Delaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648133744253760700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789232620415307279.post-57626993526531485892017-02-08T09:50:00.003-05:002017-02-08T09:50:45.747-05:00"He Guides me..."<div style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 4.0pt 0in;">
<div align="center" class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: center;">
The 23<sup>rd</sup>
Psalm<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He
guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:3)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Different kinds of pastures are needed to graze
horses, sheep, goats, and cattle. Horses graze by nipping grass with their
upper and lower front teeth and chewing. Sheep and goats graze in a similar
way. But cattle only have teeth on their lower jaw and use their tongue and
teeth in combination. As a result, they need pastures with taller grass so they
can wrap their tongue around it and rip it up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> If left
alone without proper supervision by a shepherd, sheep can nip grass in a
pasture down to the very roots. The pasture would eventually become a barren
field and the grass unable to revive. It is the shepherd’s responsibility to
move his flock from one pasture to another so as to avoid overgrazing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Sheep are
not only are timid, restless, and stupid, but they are cantankerous and
stubborn. Sheep cannot be driven, they must be led and guided by someone they
know and trust. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Is it a
mere <i>whim</i> that God refers to us as
sheep? Scripture points out that Israel was a stiff-necked, stubborn people. <b><i>The
LORD said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold they are a
stiff-necked people.” (Ex. 32:9</i></b>)
We tend to follow our own fancies and turn to our own ways. <b><i>“All
we like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way…” (Is.
53:6a)<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> What changes
do I need to make in 2017 to show that I am being guided by the Good Shepherd
into paths of righteousness?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1. Instead of insisting on my rights, I will forego
them in favor of others.
2. Instead of being “top ram,” I’m willing to be at the bottom of the
heap. 3. Instead of finding
fault and always asking “Why?” I am willing to accept every circumstance of life with an attitude of
gratitude.
4. Instead of choosing my own way, I’m willing to follow in Christ’s
way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> What this
boils down to is straight forward obedience. It means doing what Christ asks me
to do. Jesus said it in the garden, “Not my will, but Yours be done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prayer: Dear Lord, help me in 2017 to follow Your
will and not my own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bob Delaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648133744253760700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789232620415307279.post-68848400402008817912017-02-07T10:07:00.002-05:002017-02-07T10:07:57.815-05:00He Restores My Soul<div style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 4.0pt 0in;">
<div align="center" class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: center;">
The 23<sup>rd</sup>
Psalm<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He
Restores my Soul” (Ps. 23:3a)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As we continue to meditate on the 23<sup>rd</sup>
Psalm, we need to remember that David is writing from the viewpoint of a sheep,
who is in the care of the Good Shepherd. This being the case, one might well
ask, “What could possibly happen that would warrant the need of “restoration?” In
like manner, believers who are secure in the arms of Jesus might ask, “Why the
need to “restore my soul?” David himself asked this question in Psalm 42:11, <i>“Why are you cast down, O my soul? Why have
you become disturbed within me…”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Sheep who
are in the care of the shepherd can be in danger of becoming a “cast sheep.”
What do we mean by that? A heavy, fat, or long-fleeced sheep will lie down in a
little hollow or depression to rest. It might roll over slightly to stretch out
its legs. Suddenly the center of gravity shifts and its legs go up in the air.
The sheep panics when its feet no longer touch the ground and begins to flail
around making matters even worse. It now becomes a “cast sheep” and in grave
danger of death unless the shepherd can find it in time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Like David,
we as believers, though secure in Jesus, find that circumstances, poor decisions,
and broken relationships cause us to become “cast sheep.” When that takes place
the Good Shepherd comes alongside offering restoration, comfort, assurance, and
compassion. Jesus’ restoration of Peter after his terrible tragedy of
temptation and denial is a perfect picture of the care and concern of the Good
Shepherd. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> In Psalm
56:13, we are given an accurate picture of the Christian’s life, <i>“For you have rescued me from death; you
have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in your presence, O God, in
your life-giving light.” (NLT)<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Do you feel
as if you are “cast down,” forgotten, one of God’s lost sheep? Fear not, for
the Good Shepherd is searching for you. He has left the ninety and nine and
will not rest until you are “restored” and brought back in to the fold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prayer: Dear Lord, be with those today who feel as
if they are abandoned of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bob Delaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648133744253760700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789232620415307279.post-69643369299394143312017-02-06T08:36:00.003-05:002017-02-06T08:36:24.146-05:00He Leads Me Beside Still Waters<div style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 4.0pt 0in;">
<div align="center" class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: center;">
The 23<sup>rd</sup>
Psalm<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He
leads me beside still waters” (Ps. 23:2b)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sheep do well in semi-arid country such as we find
around Palestine, but water is a necessity. If there is heavy dew on the grass
each morning, the sheep arise before dawn to get enough water to satisfy their
thirst. When it’s too hot the shepherd has to lead them to wells, springs, or
pure streams to drink. David, who wrote the 23<sup>rd</sup> Psalm, knew this.
That’s why he wrote, <i>“He (the Good
Shepherd) leads me beside still waters.” </i>The shepherd knows where the
still, quiet, deep, clean, pure water is to be found that can satisfy His sheep
and keep them, fit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Just as
sheep need pure water, so also the human body can survive for three weeks
without food, but only three days without water. The Scriptures clearly point
out that the human personality, the soul, has a capacity and need for the water
of the Spirit of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> When sheep
are thirsty they become restless and wander away in search of water. If not led
by the shepherd to good, pure, clean water, they will end up drinking out of a
muddy, polluted pot hole where they pick up parasites as nematodes, liver
flukes, or other diseases. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Christ, our
Good Shepherd, makes it perfectly clear in the Bible that thirsty souls can
only be satisfied by drawing on Himself. In Matthew 5:6 Jesus said, <i>“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness, for they will be filled (satisfied).”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> In Jesus’
conversation with the Samaritan woman, he<i>
said, “Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but
the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up
to eternal life.”(John 4:14)<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">David knew the secret
of spending time with God; <i>“In the
morning O Lord, You will hear my voice; in the morning I will order my prayer
to You and eagerly watch.” (Psalm 5:3)<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prayer: Dear Lord, every morning I can feed on your
word and get refreshed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bob Delaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648133744253760700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789232620415307279.post-72693443796632048372017-02-03T09:06:00.003-05:002017-02-03T09:06:33.675-05:00He Makes me Lie Down -- Pt. 2<div style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 4.0pt 0in;">
<div align="center" class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: center;">
The 23<sup>rd</sup>
Psalm<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He
makes me lie down in green pastures” (Ps. 23:2a) Part 2<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> A second
source of fear that a shepherd has to deal with is tension, rivalry, and cruel
competition within the flock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> There
exists within the animal kingdom an order of dominance or status. In a flock of
chickens, we call it the “pecking order.” With cattle it is called the “horning
order.” Among sheep we speak of the “butting order.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> In a pen full
of chickens, I have witnessed roosters pecking away at hens until they were
half dead. I’ve watched the pecking order of turkeys going to roost at night. The
older birds get the first choice tree limbs while the younger birds wait on the
ground for their turn. With big horn sheep, elk and moose the male butts
against rival heads to gain dominance. Stallions will fight other stallions to
gain control over the herd of mares.<b> </b>I’m
sure other animal groups follow<b> </b>the
same practices.<b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This is a graphic
picture of the struggle for status in human society. In any business workplace
whether large or small, the desire for self-assertion and self-recognition
takes place. Individuals battle to be “top sheep.” We butt and quarrel and
compete to “get ahead.” It even took place among the disciples at the “last
supper.” <b><i>“And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was
regarded to be greatest.” (Lk. 22:24)</i></b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Because of
this rivalry, tension, jealousy, and competition for status and self-assertion,
there is friction among the flock. The sheep cannot lie down and rest in
contentment. They must stand up and defend their “rights.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> It was the
shepherd’s presence that put an end to all rivalry. I have learned that keeping
my eyes on my Master, the Shepherd, they are not on those around me. This is
the place of peace and contentment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prayer: Dear Lord, as the Good Shepherd, you dispel
all my fears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bob Delaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648133744253760700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789232620415307279.post-25894121424883312922017-02-02T12:54:00.002-05:002017-02-02T12:54:57.055-05:00The 23rd Psalm -- "He Makes Me Lie Down"<div style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 4.0pt 0in;">
<div align="center" class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: center;">
The 23<sup>rd</sup>
Psalm<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He
makes me lie down in green pastures” (Ps. 23:2) Part 1<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sheep are fickle, timid, fearful, restless and
stupid. It is almost impossible to make them lie down in restful posture unless
they are free from fear, tension, aggravations, and hunger. Are we as humans
any different?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The
Christian life is full of hazards and troubles. We live in an uncertain
troublesome world. Every day brings new problems and challenges. Many of us
live either with a sense of anxiety, fear, and foreboding, or in a sense of
quiet rest. Which is it for you? What is our tendency when panic sets in, or
the unexpected happens? Or when cruel circumstances arise? Or when fear
overcomes us? Often our first impulse is simply to get up and run from them. If
you have ever experienced these issues, you know the only solution is the
presence of the Shepherd. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> When the
sheep are fearful and running for their lives the Shepherd comes into their
midst and quiets them down. His presence makes all the difference. Suddenly, things
aren’t half as bad as they seemed. A calmness of spirit takes over. Fear
subsides as we submit to the will of the shepherd. Instead of fear there is
hope. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> As I grow
older and more mature, the knowledge that my Master, my Friend, my Shepherd has
everything under His control, even in the midst of the calamities, brings calm
and quietness to my timid heart by pointing me to His word. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The Apostle
Paul’s protégé, Timothy, was a very timid young man. Paul encouraged him by
saying, <i>“For God has not given us a
spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” (2 Tim. 1:7)<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Psalmist wrote, <i>“In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Jesus is
the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep. Put your trust in Him
and “He will make you lie down in green pastures.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for giving me hope and
peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bob Delaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648133744253760700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789232620415307279.post-65401135297814140852017-02-01T08:59:00.002-05:002017-02-01T08:59:49.527-05:00The LORD is my shepherd<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The entire message of this poem is based upon the
first six words – “The Lord is my shepherd.” These words formed the foundation
of David’s faith as well as our own. To whom was David referring when he
mentions the name LORD?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> When David
used the name LORD he was referring to <i>Yahweh.
</i>The name Yahweh was so much in awe that the Hebrew people rarely spoke the
name, but rather used a lesser name out of respect. Yahweh who inhabits
eternity is the God that David calls “my shepherd.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> David’s use
of the name LORD – <i>Yahweh</i> speaks of
an unchanging God, an uncaused God, and an ungoverned God. He is creator and
master of the universe. He formed mankind out of a piece of clay and breathed
into him the breath of life and man became a living soul. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Yahweh is
an uncaused shepherd. No one breathed life into Him. He always was, always is,
and always shall be. He is the self-existent one. No act brought him forth.
Moses said of him; <i>“Before the mountains
were born or you gave birth of the earth and the world, even from everlasting,
You are God.” (Ps. 90:2)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> We might
also take note of the fact that David used the verb “<i>is” </i>in his description of the LORD. David’s relationship with God
as his shepherd was not a past happening or something to look forward to in the
future, but a present reality. Each and every day God was a shepherd leading
him down the path of life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> We also see
David claiming the LORD as a present possession. The LORD is <b>MY</b> shepherd. This means that David saw
himself as one of the sheep dependent upon the leadership of the shepherd. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> As sheep,
we are totally dependent upon the shepherd for our daily needs. Our faith is
wholly in Jesus Christ as Savior. He is not only the Good Shepherd who lays
down his life for the sheep (Ps.22), but the Great Shepherd who was resurrected
for the sheep (Ps.23), and the Chief Shepherd who rewards his sheep. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prayer: Dear Lord, I am completely dependent upon
you as my shepherd. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bob Delaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648133744253760700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789232620415307279.post-35247868952981327522017-01-23T14:05:00.000-05:002017-01-23T14:05:05.710-05:00Tell All to God<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tell
All to God <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“The
Lord has heard my plea; the Lord will answer my prayer.” (Psalm 6:9 NLT)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Have you ever found it difficult to pray? Are you
reluctant to tell God everything that is happening in your life? Are you afraid
that he will not understand, or doesn’t care, or isn’t interested in your
feelings? Perhaps you are fearful of being disrespectful of your heavenly Father.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> A trip
through the Psalms will help remove your reluctance to reveal all to God. After
all, he knows everything already. Listening to David’s prayer life you will
realize that he was not afraid to be completely honest with God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> As you
overhear David crying out in Psalm 6, <i>“O
Lord, don’t’ rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your rage.” V.1) “Have
compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak.” (v. 2) “I am sick at heart. How long, O
Lord, until you restore me. (v. 3) “O Lord, why do you stand so far away?”
(10:1) “Listen to my prayer for mercy as I cry out to you for help.) (28:2) “O
Lord, oppose those who oppose me. Fight those who fight against me.” (35:1)
“Listen to my prayer, O God. Pay attention to my plea.” (54:2)<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> What can we
learn from David’s approach to God? Does it sound like he was praying in
desperation? Were his prayers expressing the depths of his soul? Was he bold in
his requests? Did he pray expecting an answer? What was he really saying to
God? “Help me!” “Listen to me!” “Don’t be mad at me!” “Where are you!” “Come to
my aid!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> How do you
approach the Lord when you pray? Like David, do you go boldly to the Lord and
tell him what’s on your mind or are you reluctant to <b><i>“Tell all to</i></b><i> <b>God.”</b>
</i>We are told in Hebrews 4:16, <i>”So let us
come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy,
and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (NLT)<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> You don’t
have to be afraid to tell God what you are thinking & feeling. The next
time you talk to your heavenly Father – tell it all. He’ll listen! He’ll
understand!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prayer: Dear Lord, forgive me for failing to be
totally honest with you in prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bob Delaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648133744253760700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789232620415307279.post-51024393671415213122017-01-06T09:29:00.002-05:002017-01-06T09:29:50.172-05:00Peaceful Repose<div style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 4.0pt 0in;">
<div align="center" class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: center;">
Peaceful Repose<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me.
I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side.” Psalm 3:5-6 <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">King David was not a stranger to troubles. He
experienced painful family issues – wayward sons, disloyalty, rape, and death.
People under his rule turned against him and he had to flee for his life. In
spite of these threatening difficulties, David continued to place his faith and
confidence in the Lord his God. How else could he say, “I lay down and slept?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> How do you
and I respond when our day is filled with one problem after another? Do we
allow anxiety to fill us with dread? Do we wring our hands in frustration? Do
we get distraught and find it hard to function. Can we lay down our head on the
pillow at night and rest? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Our Lord
Jesus faced some terrifying situations during his earthly walk? Satan tempted
him three times in the wilderness to sin against God. The people of Nazareth
attempted to throw him off a cliff. The Pharisees tried on several occasions to
trick him. The religious leaders accused him of blasphemy. His brothers and
sisters denied he was God. The Sadducees plotted against him. All of these
attempts to discredit Jesus ended up in failure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Like David,
Jesus was able to lay down and sleep in <b><i>“Peaceful repose.” </i></b>It reminds me of
his experience with the disciples while on the Sea of Galilee in the midst of a
fierce storm, “<i>Jesus himself was in the
stern </i><b>asleep</b> on the
cushion…” (Mark 4:38) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> If we trust
the Lord and seek to do his will, He will work on our behalf even while we’re
asleep; <b><i>“He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not
slumber. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your
protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.”
(Psalm 121:3 and 5)<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank you for the nights rest
and your protection over me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bob Delaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648133744253760700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789232620415307279.post-50442402477652558712017-01-05T12:10:00.001-05:002017-01-05T12:10:25.172-05:00Bob Delaney: Jesus -- Our Bodyguard<a href="http://bobfdelaney.blogspot.com/2017/01/jesus-our-bodyguard.html?spref=bl">Bob Delaney: Jesus -- Our Bodyguard</a>: Jesus our bodyguard “But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.” (Psalm 3:3) Usually...Bob Delaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648133744253760700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789232620415307279.post-67718763998441818912017-01-05T12:09:00.003-05:002017-01-05T12:09:49.612-05:00Jesus -- Our Bodyguard<div style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 4.0pt 0in;">
<div align="center" class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: center;">
Jesus our bodyguard<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“But
you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my
head high.” (Psalm 3:3)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Usually only wealthy or prominent people hire bodyguards
such as presidents, celebrities, mob bosses, famous athletes, and kings. Most
of us can hardly imagine having someone walking by our side every day of the
year watching, guarding, and protecting us. Without our even being aware of his
presence, we have the Lord Jesus walking beside us as our bodyguard. He has a
multitude of guardian angels who are assigned to help to manage our security. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> If only I
had known of this protection as a child, what a difference it might have made.
I was harassed, bullied, chased, pushed, beaten and berated from the time I
stared school until about the age of fourteen. It took a long time for me to
build up the courage to say, “Enough is enough” and defend myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> David was
clearly in the need of a bodyguard. His son, Absalom spent hours and days
building up support to overthrow his father, the king. He was handsome, a
smooth talker, and a gifted liar who knew how to please the people and steal
their hearts. (2 Sam. 15:1-6). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Why had God
allowed this disgraceful uprising? It was part of the consequences of David’s
adulterous sin with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah. God in his
grace forgave David when he confessed, but he reaped bitter family problems –
death of his son born to Bathsheba and rape of his daughter Tamar and the final
death of his sons Ammon, Absalom, and Adonijah. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Like David,
we often suffer hardships of our own making or from the actions of others, but
we can say with confidence that God is our shield. David’s faith and dependence
was in the Lord. We, too, can cry out to God, like David did, and know that he
will answer us. (Ps. 3:4) Our Savior, the Lord Jesus, is our bodyguard and
walks beside us through all the storms of life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Do you
daily trust in Jesus -- your bodyguard? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prayer: Dear Lord, I need you, Lord Jesus, to be my
bodyguard – watch over me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bob Delaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648133744253760700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789232620415307279.post-71226324176304236732017-01-04T09:14:00.005-05:002017-01-04T09:14:55.689-05:00God's Son Reigns<div style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 4.0pt 0in;">
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God’s Son Reigns<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ask
of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very
ends of the earth as Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron,
You shall shatter them like clay jars.” (Ps. 2:8-90)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In this section of Psalm 2, the Heavenly Father
highlights and exalts his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The sonship of Christ is
reinforced by the Apostle Paul in Acts 13:33, <b><i>“that God has fulfilled his
promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in
the second Psalm, ‘You are My Son; today I have begotten You.” </i></b>The fact
of Jesus being the only begotten Son of God is also referenced in John 3:16 and
at Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist, <b><i>“and behold, a voice out of heaven said, ‘This
is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” </i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Here in
Psalm 2, the Father promised the Son complete victory over the nations. He will
set up His kingdom and rule the peoples of the world with a “rod of iron,”
meaning that total righteousness will prevail. Anyone who rebels against the
Son’s authority will be dealt with swiftly and justly. In that day, all
dissenters will be shattered and smashed down like broken clay jars. Warren
Wiersbe in his commentary “Be Worshipful” says, “Before going to battle,
ancient eastern kings participated in a ritual of breaking clay jars that
symbolized the enemy army and thus guaranteed the help of the gods to defeat
them. Jesus needs no such folly; He smashes His enemies completely (Rev.
19:11ff; Dan. 2:42-44. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Make no
mistake! The “futile rebellion” of the nations will bring only laughter from
the one who sits enthroned in heaven. God is in full control of all events,
seasons, times, people, places, and nations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> What should
be our response in light of these truths? The Psalmist said it best, “<b>Worship the Lord with reverence and rejoice
with trembling. Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish
in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take
refuge in Him!<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There it is! He is our
refuge, our strength, our delight, and our savior. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prayer: Dear Lord, in time of trouble there is no
one else to go to but you, O Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bob Delaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648133744253760700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789232620415307279.post-69209566874599952182017-01-03T09:15:00.001-05:002017-01-03T09:15:54.450-05:00Bob Delaney: Laughing and Scoffing<a href="http://bobfdelaney.blogspot.com/2017/01/laughing-and-scoffing.html?spref=bl">Bob Delaney: Laughing and Scoffing</a>: Laughter and Scoffing “He who is enthroned in heaven laughs” (Ps. 2:4) What picture comes to your mind as you envision God sitting o...Bob Delaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648133744253760700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789232620415307279.post-67102789445126665982017-01-03T09:14:00.003-05:002017-01-03T09:14:49.526-05:00Laughing and Scoffing<div style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 4.0pt 0in;">
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Laughter and Scoffing<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He
who is enthroned in heaven laughs” (Ps. 2:4)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What picture comes to your mind as you envision God
sitting on His throne? Do you see Him looking down on earth with a smile of
pleasure on His face, or do you visualize Him looking down with a scroll of displeasure?
Would it come as a shock and surprise to find out that God <i>laughs? <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I remember the shock
the first time I heard someone refer to Jesus as a “party goer” as if it was
somehow wrong or irreverent to picture Him in that manner. Jesus loved parties.
He was involved along with his mother at the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-12). He
went to Zacchaeus’ house and Simon’s for a celebration. But to hear that God
laughs would be a surprise to many. Our concept of God may well depend upon the
level of our understanding and relationship to Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The
peaceful scene that is described in Psalm 2:4 is a great contrast to the roar
and rage pictured on earth. Down here the nations are in rebellion against the God
who loved them so much that “He sent his only begotten son to die for their
sin,” while in heaven we find God sitting on his throne <i>laughing</i> at their feeble efforts. Little do the nations realize
that they have been weighed and found wanting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> It was God
who set David upon his throne, and gave him victory over his enemies. Now in
heaven God laughs in mockery and scoffs at the futile rebellion on earth. He
speaks to them in his anger and terrifies them in his fury saying, “<i>I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy
mountain.” </i>Yes, it is Jesus the son of David who is the King of Kings and
Lord of Lords. In that day He will occupy his throne and rule the nations with
a rod of iron. (Revelation 19:11-16)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Are you
ready for that day when King Jesus, the Son of David, comes in the clouds to
receive His bride and escort her to His heavenly home? Only those who have
believed in Jesus as their Savior will qualify to be a part of that great
celebration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> In 2017,
all believers need to be looking and listening for that trumpet call. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prayer: Dear Lord, we are looking for the day when
our King, Jesus Christ, returns.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bob Delaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648133744253760700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5789232620415307279.post-28445186401709964312017-01-02T09:09:00.003-05:002017-01-02T09:09:58.441-05:00Futile Rebellion<h2>
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Futile Rebellion<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Why
do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth
rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed,
saying, ‘Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.’” (Psalm 2:1-2)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Several contrasts exist between Psalm 1 and 2. Psalm
1emphasizes the law, while Psalm 2 focuses our attention on prophecy. In Psalm
1, we see the godly versus the ungodly, while in Psalm 2 we see the wicked in
rebellion while God sits on his throne and laughs. Psalm 1 is never quoted in
the New Testament, while Psalm 2 is quoted directly or alluded to at least
seventeen times. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Psalm 2
begins with a rhetorical question that requires no answer. The question asked
is more of an astonishment than a question. After establishing the peoples and
nations, after providing for their basic needs, after guiding them and keeping
them alive, and after sending a Savior to bring forgiveness and salvation, why
would anyone possibly want to rebel and cast off all authority? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Where did
this rebellion get its beginning? In the larger sense, rebellion began in the
beginning when Adam and Eve disregarded God’s command by eating of the
forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. It generated into a conspiracy during
the Tower of Babel and continued down through history to the Crucifixion of
Christ and ends with the Battle of Armageddon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> This
“futile rebellion” has as its goal the defiance of the Messiah, Jesus Christ,
the Son of God as clearly stated in Luke 19:14, <b><i>“But his citizens hated him and
sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over
us.’”</i></b><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus said that the
world hated him and would also hate those who followed him Matthew 24:9, “Then
they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated
by all nations because of my name.” The phrase “set themselves” means “get
ready for war.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> We are in a
spiritual warfare and must be diligent and on guard to defend the “truth.”
Thank God that Psalm 2:4-6 reveals Him still in control.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prayer: Dear Lord, I can be at peace because you are
still on your throne in control.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</h2>
Bob Delaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09648133744253760700noreply@blogger.com0