Oppression & Hair

"Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul observes them. The unfolding of Thy Words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for Thy commandments. Turn to me and be gracious to me, after Thy manner with those who love Thy name. Establish my footsteps in Thy Word, and do not let any iniquity have any dominion over me. Redeem me from the oppression of man, that I may keep Thy precepts. Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant and teach me Thy statues.” Psalm 119:129-135

The word for oppression means to be low, to hang down, to be afflicted, humbled. It is used sometimes to describe spiritual poverty. The word originally had to do with the state of someone’s hair; and meant disheveled hair, the poorest of people (who were easily oppressed) had no way or interest in caring for the way they looked, so their hair would hang down and cover their faces because it was dirty and matted. It would have made somethings hard to see and somethings hard to do. When we have sin in our eyes it oppresses us.

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray for those who are still battling illnesses and disease; and see if you have a way to “put feet to your prayers”. And pray for David, who has been struggling through new chemo treatments, dialysis and who has just had, what they suspect, is another mild heart attack.

Perfection's Limit

“Forever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven, Thy faithfulness continues throughout all generations; Thou doest establish the earth, and it stands, they stand this day according to Thine ordinances, for all things are Thy servants. If Thy law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Thy precepts, for by them Thou hast revived me. I am Thine, save me; for I have sought Thy precept, the wicked wait for me to destroy me; I shall diligently consider Thy testimonies. I have seen a limit to all perfection; Thy commandment is exceedingly broad.” Psalm 119:89-96

All that we see that we think of as perfection is nothing compared with our loving Father. Sometimes we need to look around us at the beauty that is in the hand of a child, or the eyes of a wise elderly person, a vast expanse of mountain or plain or a living creature swimming in the sea. Our wonder at His creation is challenged with each vision, yet perfection we see now is limited and will be diminished in the light of His loving embrace.

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray for those who are still battling illnesses and disease; and see if you have a way to “put feet to your prayers”. And pray for David, who has been struggling through new chemo treatments, dialysis and who has just had, what they suspect, is another mild heart attack.

Reasons

“Thy hands made me and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I may learn Thy commandments. May those who fear Thee see me and be glad, because I wait for Thy Word. I know, O Lord that Thy judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness Thou hast afflicted me. O may Thy loving kindness comfort me, according to Thy Word to Thy servant. May Thy compassion come to me that I may live, for Thy law is my delight.” Psalm 119:73-77

He made you who you are for a reason and one reason was that you would hunger and thirst after the truth of His Word. He would have you reverence Him, that others may see a reason to be attracted, not to you, but to your Inspiration.

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray for those who are still battling illnesses and disease; and see if you have a way to “put feet to your prayers”.

My Word !!!

“May Thy lovingkindnesses also come to me, O Lord, Thy salvation according to Thy Word; so I shall have an answer to him who reproaches me, for I trust in Thy Word. And do not take the Word of Truth utterly out of my mouth, for I wait for Thine ordinances.” Psalm 119:41-43

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” II Timothy 3:16-17

Why is it we read, study, meditate and teach His Word? Because He asked us to, so we could draw other men unto His Cross of Salvation!

“—for “Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher.” Romans 10:13-14


Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray for those who are still battling illnesses and disease; and see if you have a way to “put feet to your prayers”.

Enlarge My Heart

“I have chosen the faithful way; I have placed Thine ordinances before me. I cleave to Thy testimonies; O Lord do not put me to shame! I shall run the way of Thy commandments, for Thou will enlarge my heart.” Psalm 119:30-32

“And He asked his father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ And he said, ‘From childhood. And it has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!’ And Jesus said to him, ‘’If You can!’ All things are possible to him who believes.’ Immediately the boy’s father cried out and began saying, ‘I do believe; help my un belief!’” Mark 9:21-24

He even offers to enlarge our capacity to not just understand but to be filled with the joy of knowing He is able. Think about that today as you tackle what you have before you.

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray for those who are still battling illnesses and disease; and see if you have a way to “put feet to your prayers”.

Memorise This !!

“How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their hearts. -- How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Thy word. With all my heart I have sought Thee; do not let me wander from Thy commandments. Thy Word I have treasured in my heart. Blessed art Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statutes. With my lips I have told of all the ordinances of Thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate on Thy precepts, and regard Thy ways. I shall delight in Thy statues; I shall not forget Thy Word.” Psalm 119:2, 9-16

Psalm 119 is both the longest of the Psalms, with 176 verses and the longest chapter in the Bible. Ezra is believed to have written it after the Temple was rebuilt. It is a meditation on the beauty of God’s Word as the “soap” that helps us stay pure and grow in faith. There are 22 carefully worded sections – one for each letter in the Hebrew alphabet and each verse begins with the letter of it’s specific section.

As we slow down to look more closely over the coming days, note how almost every verse mentions God’s Word. This was done purposefully as a way to help people memorise this Psalm, as people did not have Bibles.

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

Coincidence

“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:22-24

I was trying to choose between these two verses this morning, when it dawned on me how they relate. Today is His day for you no matter how difficult or challenging. Treasure it!

[Jesus speaking]: “’I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.’” John 10:9-10

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray for those who are still battling illnesses and disease; and see if you have a way to “put feet to your prayers”.

Universal

“Praise the Lord, all nations; laud Him, all peoples! For His lovingkindness toward us, and the truth of the Lord is everlasting. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 117

“Now the Lord said to Abraham, ‘Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you; and I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:1-3

God holds the whole world in His hands and all the people. His desire is that every individual learn of Him and His love for them. Each of us who love Him have the privilege of standing ready to serve Him. He has a desire to embrace all those who do not know Him yet: those in your family, your friends and work mates, those in your neighborhood, in your city, state, nation and – well, all the world.

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

Always Cares

“Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yes, our God is compassionate. The Lord preserves the simple. I was brought low, and He saved me. Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. For Thou hast rescued my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. I shall walk before the Lord in the land of the living. – What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me? I shall lift up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. I shall pay my vows to the Lord. O may it be in the presence of all His people. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones.” Psalm 116:5-9, 12-15

Not a hair falls from your head that He does not note the loss. Not a sparrow falls to earth without His caring. He cares about our tears. He cares about the way we think. He cares about our walk before Him. He cares that we keep our word. He cares how others see us. And when our life comes to a close through struggles or through surprise He is there, caring for us even then. Most of all He cares to hug us once we come Home.

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

He Knows...

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Thy name give glory because of Thy lovingkindness because of Thy truth. Why should the nations say, ‘Where, now, is their God?’ But our God is in the heavens; but He does whatever He pleases. Their idols are silver and gold the work of man’s hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but they cannot hear; they have noses, but they cannot smell; they have hands, but they cannot feel; they have feet, but they cannot walk; they cannot make a sound with their throat.” Psalm 115:2-7

Your God is the God who came to earth to open the door of a personal relationship with each of His children. So you can know that no matter what you are presently experiencing, no matter how difficult or challenging it may seem to you, He knows and He cares to be right there beside you. You can relax in His care…..He knows….

“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

Rock Water & Doubt

“When Israel when forth from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language, Judah became His sanctuary, Israel, His dominion. The sea looked and fled; the Jordan turned back. The mountains skipped like rams, the hills, like lambs. What ails you, O sea, that you flee? Or Jordan, that you turn back? O mountains, that you skip like rams? O hills, like lambs? Tremble, O earth, before the Lord, before the God of Jacob, who turned the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a fountain of water.” Psalm 114

In this short Psalm we see two amazing miracles around water: the parting of the Red Sea and when Moses struck a rock and water gushed out to satisfy God’s grumbling people. Both acts were impossible. Both acts saved the lives of God’s people. Both acts demonstrated God’s power and care for His children. Yet we sometimes wonder IF He is able or if He is willing or if He actually cares. He cares more than we can ever appreciate and is willing and able. We just need to call to Him.

“But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some were doubtful. “ Matthew 28:16-17

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

God's Humility

“Who is like the Lord our God, who is enthroned on high, who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth? He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of His people.” Psalm 113:5-8

“All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men, and the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:3-5

To “grasp” God, all of us search for ways to “identify” Him with what we do know. Most times we struggle and yet, personify Him – making Him to be like the best person we have ever known about. Yet our Father in Heaven is infinite perfection, sufficiency, and joy. Can you imagine Him condescending to even consider us? Even more, would He would send His only Son to die for our sinfulness? Certainly, when we think of humility, we rarely ever think of God’s humility to reach down to us and be our friend, but that is the extent of His love for us.

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

Strange Fear

“It is well with the man who is gracious and lends; he will maintain his cause in judgment. For he will never be shaken; the righteous will be remembered forever. He will not fear evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is upheld, he will not fear, until he looks with satisfaction on his adversaries. He has given freely to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be exalted in honour.” Psalm 112:5-9

We'd all love to live without fear. So many things to fear in our world today and constant reminders through so many ways of just how vulnerable and unsafe life is. The fear of God is a strange thing. When we fear God we respect and reverence Him as the Almighty and trustworthy Lord. We don’t quake and want to hide. We realize we MUST trust Him. And when we trust God completely to take care of us, our fears (even of death) lessen, because we KNOW He is able and enjoys taking care of us..

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Now that the holidays are over, we return to the Psalms series. Please pray for all those who spend most of the year almost forgotten by others and are overwhelmed with “general” love during this time. They are now feeling the isolation harder.

Source of Wisdom

“The works of His hands are Truth and Justice; all His precepts are sure. They are upheld forever and ever; they are performed in truth and uprightness. He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant forever; Holy and awesome is His name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.” Psalm 111:7-10

To be wise in the Lord you must first realize and acknowledge that you are not the source of wisdom; that wisdom doesn’t come from earthly pursuits at “education” but through Him. When you know this, there is a reverential fear that covers you with awe for your Father.

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Now that the holidays are over, we return to the Psalms series. Please pray for all those who spend most of the year almost forgotten by others and are overwhelmed with “general” love during this time. They are now feeling the isolation harder.

He is Waiting

“The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies a footstool for Thy feet.’ The Lord will stretch forth Thy strong scepter from Zion, saying, ‘Rule in the midst of Thine enemies.’ Thy people will volunteer freely in the day of Thy power, in holy array, from the womb of Thy youth are to Thee as the dew.” Psalm 110:1-3

This Psalm is one of the most-quoted in the New Testament because of its clear references to the Messiah. Many people have a vague belief in God or a god, but refuse to accept Jesus any anything more than a great human teacher. The Bible does not allow for this option. And this Psalm, in particular, shows God’s promise. Even in the New Testament we find this struggle: was He just a great teacher or was He, in fact, the Messiah? If you believe in the one true God and His Word, you know the Truth.

“And I saw heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and wages war. And His eyes are a flame of fire, and upon His head are many diadems; and He has a name written upon Him which no one knows except Himself. And He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood; and His name is called The Word of God.” Revelation 19:11-13

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Now that the holidays are over, we return to the Psalms series. Please pray for all those who spend most of the year almost forgotten by others and are overwhelmed with “general” love during this time. They are now feeling the isolation harder.

Accusers

“Help me, O Lord my God; save me according to Thy lovingkindness. And let them know that this is Thy hand; Thou Lord, has done it. Let them curse, but do Thou bless; when they arise, they shall be ashamed, but Thy servant shall be glad. Let my accusers be clothed with dishonour, and let them cover themselves with their own shame as with a robe. With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the Lord; and in the midst of many I will praise Him. For He stands at the right hand of the needy, to save him from those who judge his soul.” Psalm 109:26-31

For all your efforts someone will misunderstand your actions and/or motives. Sometimes this means you cannot make progress, lose friends or even joys in your life. But the Lord is there to support you through these times and those who accuse you watch carefully to see how you will react to their accusations. He will defend you for His purposes; just trust Him and lean on Him through the difficult times.

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Now that the holidays are over, we return to the Psalms series. Please pray for all those who spend most of the year almost forgotten by others and are overwhelmed with “general” love during this time. They are now feeling the isolation harder.

Just Once

“I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord, among the peoples; and I will sing praises to Thee among the nations. For Thy lovingkindness is great above the heavens; and Thy truth reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and Thy glory above all the earth.” Psalm 108:3-5

“And as He was not approaching near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, saying, ‘Blessed is the King, who comes in the name of the Lord; peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’ And some of the Pharisees in the multitude said to Him, ‘Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.’ And He answered and said, ‘I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!’” Luke 19:37-40

There is only one time when Jesus accepted men’s general praise and that was as He entered Jerusalem for the last time. He knew He would soon be killed at the hands of the multitude; but in that multitude were individuals whose lives had been touched by Him for Eternity. Jesus doesn’t appeal to the masses, nor does He attempt to. Jesus reaches out to us one-by-one because His love is not a general, “feel-good” love, it is personal and specifically for us. Isn’t that a neat reason to give thanks and to praise Him!!

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Now that the holidays are over, we return to the Psalms series. Please pray for all those who spend most of the year almost forgotten by others and are overwhelmed with “general” love during this time. They are now feeling the isolation harder.

My Gift

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every for prayer for your all, in view of your participation in the Gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel, you are all are partakers of grace with me. For God is my wit ness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And I pray, that your love may about still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:2-11

Today is my birthday and you are a gift the Lord has given to me. I pray this next year of my life finds me even more faithful to you and this ministry; and that somehow I may have the opportunity to see many of you face-to-face.

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

Work the Plan

“Even so faith, if it has no works, if dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, ‘You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.’ You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognise, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? -- For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.” James 2:17-20, 26

It is always important to remember the day of our own understanding of our own personal salvation. And remember how motivated we felt to share with others this new life. That was part of His plan for your life, you know?

“Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Thy ways, and sinners will be converted to Thee.” Psalm 51:12-13

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

Remember the Plan

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” Matthew 28:18-20

“’but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.’” Acts 1:7-8

His Plan is simple: Trust Him. Empty yourself of you. Draw on the power of the Holy Spirit, not your own. Go and witness. Make disciples for Him, not you. Baptise in His name and help others understand the things Jesus did and taught through the way you live out your life.

Nothing seems harder to do! My New Years prayer for myself and for everyone of us is that this New Year brings us so much we never expected but always dreamed of in our relationship with the Lord and that we will stay close to His Word and His will each day!

Stay near God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene