Tag: Lord

God’s All. Man’s All.

Promises by Anneliese Rypkema
Watercolor by Anneliese Rypkema


Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Psalm 103:1.

All that’s within me. Do I bless?

 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:

Do I know some of His gracious gifts. Could I ever know them all?

What are the good reports?

 He forgives all our iniquities.

He heals all our diseases (Psalm 103:3).

All? Bless the Lord because He forgive all my sin and failure?

What are our iniquities? How quickly we forget?

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Romans 3:23. All of mankind has fallen short. All of man have gone their own way. As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one Romans 3:10.

For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water Jeremiah 2:13.

Am I guilty of these evils. Will the Lord forgive my stubbornness?

Who is God that I should bless? Do I give ear to His Word?

He heals all my diseases? All my sicknesses? He heals in His time?

Do I scoff at this? Or am I willing to hear? Can I be still and know who is the LORD?

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness” 2 Timothy 3:16.

In this day of justice, who will execute it? What does the Bible have to say about this?

The Lord executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed. Psalm 103.

Who executes justice for the oppressed,
Who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners.

The Lord opens the eyes of the blind;
The Lord raises those who are bowed down;
The Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the strangers;
He relieves the fatherless and widow;
But the way of the wicked He turns upside down Psalm 146:7-9.

Do I bless the Lord for all of this? I have choice..

We all have choice.

Today. The choice is mine to make. This day.

Can I trust God? What are the benefits when I choose this path?

“Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” John 1:12.

All who receive and believe in Jesus become His children. God’s very own . . .

Do I believe? Have I received? These are the questions in these present dark ages.

Do I choose to walk it alone? Or do I choose to trust all to Him?

If faith is the victory that overcomes the world for whosover is born of God, (1John 5:4), then I can choose to strip my garments of stubbornness and strife. I can put on the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in Him. I can grow to know all He has done for me.

Or not?

The loss? All.

So, what’s my choice this day?

I surrender all.

Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name . . .

He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever.

He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him.

For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more.

But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children,

To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them.

The Lord has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all.

Bless the Lord, you His angels,Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word.

Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.

Bless the Lord, all His works, In all places of His dominion.

Bless the Lord, O my soul! Psalm 103:7-22.

Together We Pray to God Who Is on the Throne

Because the LORD is Omnipotent in wisdom and power, I invite you to speak aloud His Word back to Him:

I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
    you have become my salvation.

 The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;
 the Lord has done this,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes.
 The Lord has done it this very day;
    let us rejoice today and be glad Psalm 118: 21-24.

Together we pray to the LORD, Creator of heaven and earth His Word:

Listen to (our) my prayer, O God,
    do not ignore (our) my plea;
     hear (us) me and answer (us) me . . . Psalm 55:1.

Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words,
    for I see violence and strife in the city.
Day and night they prowl about on its walls;
    malice and abuse are within it.
 Destructive forces are at work in the city;
    threats and lies never leave its streets Psalm 55:9-11.

 As for me, I call to God,
    and the Lord saves me.
Evening, morning and noon
    I cry out in distress,
    and he hears my voice . . . Psalm 55:16,17.

 My companion attacks his friends;
    he violates his covenant.
His talk is smooth as butter,
    yet war is in his heart;
his words are more soothing than oil,
    yet they are drawn swords Psalm 55:20,21.

God, who is enthroned from of old,
    who does not change—
he will hear them and humble them,
    because they have no fear of God Psalm 55:19.

We unite in prayer and pour out our complaints to a Living God, Sovereign over all the affairs on the earth:

Your words were found, and (we) I ate them,
And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart;
For I am called by Your name,
O Lord God of hosts.

 I did not sit in the assembly of the mockers,
Nor did I rejoice;
I sat alone because of Your hand,
For You have filled me with indignation. Jeremiah 15: 16,17.

The LORD spoke in regards to Jeremiah’s cry. What is the LORD saying to me? To you? To US? Let’s speak the Word of God aloud that we might have ears to hear and hearts as soft clay in the potter’s hand, that He might work in us,

 Therefore thus says the Lord:

“If you return,
Then I will bring you back;
You shall stand before Me;
If you take out the precious from the vile,
You shall be as My mouth . . .

 And I will make you to this people a fortified bronze wall;
And they will fight against you,
But they shall not prevail against you;

For I am with you to save you
And deliver you,” says the Lord.
 “I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked,
And I will redeem you from the grip of the terrible” Jeremiah 15: 19-21.

Can we hear the cry of the LORD, “Will you come back to Me?”

Can we hear His voice over the noise, “You’ll be able to extract the precious from the vile.” “Come back to Me. I am able to make all grace abound. I make all things work together for good to those who are the call according to My purpose.”

Together, evening, morning, and at noon we will:

22 Cast (y)our cares on the Lord,

we recite together His faithful Word. We will seek His face forevermore:

. . . He will sustain you;
he will never let
    the righteous be shaken.
But you, God, will bring down the wicked
    into the pit of decay;
the bloodthirsty and deceitful
    will not live out half their days

But as for me, I trust in you Psalm 55: 22,23.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (Eph. 3: 20).

In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

“Mary had a Baby. Yes, Lord . . . “

It’s Christmastime. The music changes. Suddenly Jesus’s name is heard in Department Stores, and it’s acceptable. Christmas Carols, children’s voices, the sound of music is everywhere.

Today, I pull out an ol’ gospel spiritual Mary Had a Baby, Yes, Lord.

Little ones light up singing this tune.

You might remember the song. It has a sweet, childlike simplicity, yet it births some  deep, important thoughts for the soul:

Mary had a baby, yes, Lord,
Mary had a baby, yes my Lord,
Mary had a baby, yes Lord,
People keep a-comin’ an’ the train done gone.

There’s a natural flow to the words even if the true melody is unknown.  

There was a lot going on then. And there’s a lot going on now. This story isn’t only about the past, this story is about today, this very moment. This story is for now.

Mary had a baby, yes, Lord.

This is a good excuse to open up the Scripture’s pages and read the story stright from the Bible:

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.

So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. And Joseph also went up . . . out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to . . . Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, Luke 2: 1,4.

A lot of people began coming to town. And the song brings it all to mind, the atmosphere of that place and time.

The people keep a comin, . . . 

There’s traveling here and there, for everyone. Days are busy. We, like they, are  occupied with important things. We’re counting on many things.

Does this song bring about urgency?

What’s all this about the train done gone?

Is there a train we might miss?

The kids sing: 

What did she name Him? Yes Lord?
What did she name Him, yes my Lord,
What did she name Him, Yes, Lord,  . . .

There must be something about that name. 

And the Bible let’s us know that God gave a title along with a name. There’s something special about this Baby of Mary:

A virgin shall be with Child and they shall call His name, Immanuel (Matthew 1:23). 

Immanuel, God . . . with . . . us. 

There’s so much to do, no time to be still, so, . . .

The people keep-a-coming, and the train done gone.

Have I missed something? Do I even realize something’s missing? Do we miss the Everything?

God’s Word tells the story in Luke 2, famously:

So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

‘Mary had a baby, Yes Lord . . .

What did she name Him? Yes,  my Lord . . .

‘She named Him King Jesus, Yes Lord,

Named Him King Jesus, Yes, my Lord. 

Wrapped him in swaddlin’, Yes Lord.

the people keep a coming but the train done gone.”

Wrapped in rags? A King wrapped in poor ol’ rags. “No room in the Inn, but you can have the barn?”

What’s going on in this ol’ gospel song?

A cold, smelly cave where the animals all stay? Is this the story that we read every year.

God has come down to be with us, the Immanuel has come down. But who even knows? 

Is this a picture of my very own heart? Am I going to miss what’s most important? Concerned about the gifts I’m going to give, or not able to give? Am I allowing other expectations fill my mind?

Is the train done gone? 

Not if I can make the choice, each new day, even, moment by moment at times.

Though the terrain be rough, (as it was for Mary and Joseph), though there’s no room in the traditional sense, no Inn, or culturally acceptable dwelling places, . . .

perhaps the barn door, smelly and raw, of a broken spirit toward God, and a heartfelt prayer, “Lord, I’m desperate for You. Change me that I might overcome every trial as You did, and have grace and mercy as a gift to give.”

This Babe left all His glory of heaven to be born in a barn . . . for me, for every person in the whole entire world to be Savior, our Forgiver, our Redeemer.

‘Mary had a baby, Yes Lord. The glory train is here now. Can I see it?

What’s my choice?

I’m getting on. And again, each new morning.

It’s my choice to choose Love before the opportunity’s gone, but I can’t do it alone.

What should we do? I will take His hand and trust He’ll help me make the step.

The Scripture says, 

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold,

an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid, Luke 2:8.

And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” 

“Take my hand. Don’t be afraid. Trust Me. I am enough.”

My mail might not bring good news. The doctor’s report might not have good news, but Jesus, He has brought news of great joy for me, and all people of the world.

Jesus is bread. Jesus is light. Jesus is my Good Shepherd, my living water, the bright and morning star. Jesus is my peace, your peace, the Prince of Peace.

He has broken down every wall. He is our everything.

I must turn aside, from the mainstream flow of traffic, and step right up. And with each new day, never let this train pass me by.

“She named Him King Jesus, Yes Lord!”

She named Him King Jesus,

“Yes my Lord.” 

I choose to make Him King. Let’s get on that train, step by step, minute by minute.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever would believe in Him . . . 

should not perish  . . .

but have everlasting life, John 3:16.

Not just a Teacher

Not just a Teacher with impossible commands, “Be holy, be blameless, let love rule your heart. Trust Me with your life, take hold of My hand.” So much of His Word, we simply don’t understand.
Impossible with man, His commands prove to be. For example, “Love  – your – enemy.” But Jesus is more than a Teacher – He is. He’s Redeemer. He takes from us weakness, and gives His power in return. He takes from us doubt and reason of thought, and gives us hope and faith beyond what we are.
He’s not a rule-book, or judge, yet He is both of these. But first and foremost, He’s Redeemer and puts His very nature in me. Who wants to hear, “Blessed be the poor in spirit,” ? Jesus’ words exactly.
So the book is closed, because it brings about a storm, in the heart of man as we walk out our paths. And, step by step, our feet  become worn, and in our own strength, we become defeated and torn.
But, His Book is the main event. His Book is the main Story. Not about man and how he messed it all up, but about Jesus who was given to bring life back from death, to restore man’s weak breath, to open blind eyes to see, and give to ‘the poor in spirit’ the power of God’s glory.
The Book, the Bible, God’s Holy Word is a love letter to His Bride, His Redemptive Story. There is no understanding at all for a man, until he’s poor in spirit, then God fills his heart and his mind to understand.
Then a complete change in the spirit so poor, filled with the love of God that just wasn’t there before. Power to overcome, to hope, to believe. Resurrection power, not once and for all, but step by step, by the Spirit within. The Spirit of God, beyond our comprehension.
He’s not just a Teacher. He’s the Son of God. He’s been sent to be Savior, Savior of the whole world.  And He died, but He rose – that we might receive, all that He is at work now, in me. The very nature of God empowers a surrendered heart, forgets all that’s lost and brings a new start.
The Holy Spirit Comforts and guides and helps us at best. He reminds us, Jesus is not just a Teacher – He is Peace, He is Love, He is Hope, He is Life, He is Bread, He is Shepherd, He is Patient, He is Kind, – the whole entire Book, the whole of the Story is about the Redeemer, that we might presently, and eternally – have rest.
______________
Matthew 5:
1One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes
3“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
6God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
7God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
9God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
10God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” Matthew 5:1-10.
These are the words of Jesus. New Living Translation, simple, not sweet. But written for life’s transformation.

 
 
 

"Thy power … can change the leper's spots …"

“Lord, now indeed I find, Thy pow’r, and Thine alone, Can change the leper’s spots And melt the heart of stone. Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.” Elvina Hall, 1800’s hymn.
“Lord, …” means, master, or, captain of my ship. “Lord, now …,” means, this moment, the one I take orders from, or the one I choose to obey.
“Lord, now indeed I find, …” brings me to a place where I’m searching for what You have to say, NOW.
“I hear the Savior say, ‘Thy strength indeed is small; child of weakness watch and pray, find in Me, thine all in all.”
“ Even before he, (God), made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.  God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, …
and it gave him great pleasure.” (1) The Bible is said to be true. Ask God to show you if these words are trustworthy. Ask God, Himself. He will answer you. 
“But, I’m full of fault, Lord! Now what do I do? I fail, everyday. I am far from being holy. Sin has left a crimson stain, tell me again, the Gospel Story.”
“Long ago, even before he made the world, God chose us to be his very own, …”(2) – don’t you remember, “His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into His … family.” (3) His desire is to bring us back home.
The Father sent His only Son, Jesus Christ to die for us. He paid the debt we couldn’t pay, He laid down His life in sacrifice. So “we stand before him covered in his love.” (4) We are perfect, we are washed, we have hope of heaven. We have peace in this life.
“For nothing good have I Whereby Thy grace to claim; I’ll wash my garments white in the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb. Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”
“He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son, …” (5), this is the Good News found in Ephesians 1.
 “He forgave our sins.  He has showered his kindness on us, … along with all wisdom and understanding …” God now reveals to us, all that regards Christ – all that’s mysterious!
God reveals, He will fulfill His own good plan. “And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ – everything in heaven and on earth.” (6) He was, He is, He is coming again.
The Gospel Story is that He saves you. He saves me. We can’t save ourselves – we all desperately need help.  But we are surrounded by voices, we are deceived by lies. But God reminds and instructs each one of us: Look up. “I will guide you with My eyes.”(7)
” … when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised, …”(8) He has purchased us with His blood on the cross, this is how Jesus proves that He – loves – us.
“Lord, now indeed I find Thy pow’r, and Thine alone, Can change the leper’s spots, and melt the heart of stone. Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”
We’ve been bought with a price. He knows our weakness. He knows our strife.  Yes, in receiving Christ, we become His Bride. “I am my lover’s, and my lover is mine. He browses among the lilies. (8) He is the rose of Sharon, the lily of the valleys” (9) I am my Beloved’s and He is mine. 
For now, for tomorrow, for all of time.
“And when before the throne, I stand in Him complete, I’ll lay my trophies down, All down at Jesus’ feet. Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”
He washed it white as snow. My past – I let it go. In the present, I choose to go:
“And now complete in Him, My robe, His righteousness, Close sheltered ‘neath His side,  – I am  – divinely – blest. Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”

  1. Ephesians 1:4, New Living Translation
  2. Ephesians 1:4, Living Translation
  3. Ephesians 1:4, Living Translation
  4. Ephesians 1:4, Living Translation.
  5. Ephesians 1:5, Living Translation.
  6. Ephesians 1:7, New Living Translation.
  7. Ephesians 1:10, New Living Translation.
  8. Psalm 32:8, New Living Translation.
  9. Song of Solomon 6:31.