Today's Worship: The threshold of judgment.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 2:10-11,

 

"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, 'Do not commit adultery,' also said, 'Do not murder.' If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker."

 

Here is a sobering thought. One infraction of God's law makes any of us a lawbreaker, subject to the judgment of God. As logical as this is, it is a frightening thought. James here is not telling us that all sins are equal. He is telling us that any law of God we break is equal in making us sinners.

 

The commission of any sin carries us across the threshold of God's judgment. We read in Revelation 21:8, "The cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." To make matters worse, we don't even need to do anything wrong, if we fail to do what is right, that is a sin as well, "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." James 4:17. Paul tells us, "... everything that does not come from faith is sin." Romans 14:23b.

 

What hope do we have beyond the grave? As we consider the advent of the Son of God, what an opportunity comes our way! Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."

 

God is intensely loving and intensely just. All sins will be accounted for. Woe to the man who feels he can trifle with the intensity with which God pursues his interests and agenda! As the writer of Hebrews says, "For we know him who said, 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' and again, 'The Lord will judge his people.' It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

 

May we all find refuge from God's judgment in the Child born on Christmas day!

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: Mercy triumphs over judgment!

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 2:13b,

 

"Mercy triumphs over judgment!"

 

In speaking of our comportment with others, and reflecting on the consequences that become apparent with the choices we make regarding our treatment of others, James makes the observation that those who treat others poorly will suffer on judgment day. It indicates their sins are not forgiven as the love (expressed in mercy toward others) that should be apparent in their lives as children of God filled with the Holy Spirit is missing.

 

While James doesn't go into the reasons why the mercy may not be there, we can fill in the detail from other passages of Scripture, especially 1 John 4:7-12. James' purpose is to let us know that if we fail to be merciful toward one another, we will not find mercy on judgment day. The Lord will not be at our side as the choices we make in this life in our treatment of others manifests we are not his.

 

What captures my heart in James statement, "Mercy triumphs over judgment!" is what God reveals about himself. When the Lord revealed himself to Moses on Mt. Sinai he said, ""The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation." Exodus 34:6-7. Here the Lord speaks of mercy and judgment. Also, the Lord reveals of himself, "...let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight..." Jeremiah 9:24. "Kindness, justice and righteousness": mercy and judgment. Our God has two defining characteristics, love (mercy) and justice. Paul encourages us, "Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness." Romans 11:22.

 

The wonderful observation James makes in regard to the chief characteristics of God (relative to man) is that mercy triumphs over judgment! God sent his Son to save us from his own wrath, his own judgment for the sins we have committed. He has made his Son accessible to us simply on the basis of trusting in him. I don't have to earn his forgiveness, I don't have to perform to any particular standard. If I embrace Jesus Christ in faith, mercy triumphs over judgment for me. I freely admit I deserve the judgment. How wonderful it is that God's mercy triumphs over that judgment so that I have a place at his table for all eternity!

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: God brings maturity and completeness.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 1:4-5,

 

"Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

 

If anything, this passage speaks to the "needy" condition we come into God's family with and God's willingness, his generosity, in meeting that need. In spite of any accomplishments we may have attained in this life, no matter the successes we have enjoyed in what ever pursuits we have chased, we all enter into the family of God as anything but "mature and complete".

 

We are loved by God, we have been pursued by God. In his wonderful grace he has reached out to us, providing the Son of his love as payment for our sins. He has expended the lives of many to reach all, including us, with the gospel message. With loving arms outstretched, he welcomes all into his family who will place their trust and faith in him. All this for people who are spiritually destitute, spiritually broken, a people who come from a race of beings that are in rebellion, enslaved to a sinful nature. A people, who coming into the family of God, are needing maturity and completeness.

 

James tells us here that God gives generously. The wisdom he provides to those of faith lends itself to bringing about the maturity and completeness we need. Later in his letter, James tells us what this wisdom looks like, "the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." James 3:17-18.

 

Apart from what God gives us, we would continue in a darkness, stumbling over what we do not see, what we do not understand. At Christmas time, the passage concerning the advent of the Son of God that touches my heart as one of the most dramatic is Isaiah 9:2,6-7, "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned... For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this." It is this very darkness that makes us so needy. It is this  very light that dispels the darkness, brings about our adoption into God's family and brings about a much needed spiritual maturity and completeness to our lives.

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: We answer directly to God!

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 4:12,

 

"There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?"

 

The Lord has what might be called a flat organizational structure. Where there be plenty of ecclesiastical self-appointed "authorities" who would claim for themselves to speak for and act in God's behalf, and insinuate themselves in a supposed hierarchical structure within the things of God, James tells us there is but one "Lawgiver and Judge", God himself! We all answer directly to God.

 

To be certain, we are told in the Scriptures to acknowledge the authorities established by God: our governing authorities, Romans 13:1-5, authority within our families, Ephesians 5:22-6:4, authority in our employment, Ephesians 6:5-9, and the position God has given elders within the church, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13.

 

However there are those who would tell us that if we want to have access to God, if we want to secure the promises of God and enjoy his love and the wonderful grace he lavishes on us, then we have to submit to them, to their church organization and the ecclesiastical authorities within them. They present themselves to be the arbiters of the things of God.

 

Unfortunately, it is altogether too often that many of us get a little judgmental toward others and assume a position of authority. James would tell us, "You- who are you to judge your neighbor?" We stand or fall before God directly and no one stands between us and the Lord. Paul puts it this way, "Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand." Romans 14:4. There Paul says that we should not condemn other believers we disagree with as God himself has accepted him, Romans 14:3. In another place he says, "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God." 1 Corinthians 4:5.

 

Here is an amazing thing about the Lord: in his "flat" organizational structure each of us answer directly to him. Something both exciting and potentially frightening is that we all will stand before him. The wonderful thing is that believers will have Jesus Christ at their side. My anxiety over it is relieved as I read the words of Jude:  "To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." Jude 24-25. It will be a time of joy when believers stand before God! A glorious and inexpressible joy!

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: God determines what is acceptable.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 1:27,

 

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

 

In his rebellious nature man feels the freedom to define and promote "religion" as he sees fit. With a streak of arrogant pride, we often feel it our prerogative to determine what God should find acceptable in the way we live our lives, that is, our religion, and the manner in which we worship him. A cursory review of the differing religions of the world painfully illustrates just how true this is. Even within the community of folks who call themselves "Christians", they have so many differences, and irreconcilable ones at that, it makes this point inescapable.

 

James has a different perspective of God. God will not be dictated to. He will not be subjected to the whims of mankind. God determines what an acceptable lifestyle is. God determines which religious activity it is that is pure and faultless and informs us of it here. He determines how he will be worshipped acceptably.

 

God is the objective reality. He exists and we are merely his creation. It is simply foolishness to invent our own perspectives of God, our own path to God, our definition of what pleases him and how a spiritual life is to be lived. As the writer of Hebrews says, "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire.'"

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: God invites all who will trust in him.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 2:5,

 

"Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?"

 

One of the many things I love about God is that he has chosen to welcome into his family all who will embrace him in faith. He could have limited access into his family to only those who do good deeds all the time and never sin. I never would have made it into his family if that were his choice. I don't do good deeds all the time, and as for sinning... like I say, I would never make it.

 

God could have chosen to welcome into his family only those who are rich, attractive or accomplished in some area. Again, I'd never make it if that were the criteria God had chosen. I've never been accused of any of those things!

 

God could have chosen to welcome into his family only those who go on spiritual pilgrimages or who engage in all sorts of religious exercises and disciplines. Again, I'm afraid you all would miss me there in heaven if that were the criteria God chose to use.

 

However, I can happily and excitedly let you all know that you will have to put up with me in heaven, as he has made it possible for even someone like me! God has chosen those who will embrace him in faith. All who respond to the gospel by trusting in the Lord will have a place at his table. How wonderful God has chosen to bring into his family all who will place their trust in him! Even someone like me can do that.

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: God gives to those of faith.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 1:5-8,

 

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."

 

James speaks of how giving our heavenly Father is. He "gives generously to all without finding fault...". However, he goes on to qualify the remark by saying that those who would ask God for wisdom, "...must believe and not doubt". The person who persists in unbelief "...should not think he will receive anything from the Lord...".

 

What I glean from this is that our heavenly Father is a giving God. After all, out of his matchless grace, he lavished upon us his Son who made possible our adoption into God's family. As Paul observes this he says, "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" Romans 8:32.

 

I also learn from this passage that our heavenly Father is looking to bless those who approach him in faith. It is by faith we receive anything from God. As James says, we "must believe and not doubt." With God, it always has been about faith. Centuries before Moses, Abraham was found by God to have the faith he looks for in all of us. We are told, "Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness." Genesis 15:6. It is because of Abraham's faith that the Jews became God's chosen people and received the promises of God. See Romans 4. He is looking for that same faith in us today. Those who embrace God in faith receive his promises, his gifts, his blessings.

 

I also note in James' comments that God himself decides who will receive things from him. It doesn't depend on our desire or effort but on God's mercy. He blesses whom he chooses and judges whom he chooses. As Paul says in Romans 9:18, "Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden." In that chapter Paul makes clear that God has chosen for himself all who will embrace him in faith, "What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone." Romans 9:30-32.

 

It is God's to decide, it is God's to give. How wonderful he has chosen to adopt into his family all who will embrace him in faith! If I had to "earn" it, I'm afraid I just wouldn't make it on my own.

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: Joy, our inescapable outlook!

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 1:2,

 

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers..."

 

Joy is found within those who have embraced Jesus Christ as their savior in faith. Having trusted in him, believers find themselves immersed in a community where joy is experienced, even in the difficult aspects of being a child of God. James here speaks of "trials" encountered in this life as something to be faced with joy.

 

The on-line Merriam-Webster dictionary defines joy as  "the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires : delight." It also goes on to say that joy is "a state of happiness", a "source or cause of delight."

 

It appears to me that the world lacks much of this wonderful emotion. Although we have all been created in God's image and have a capacity for joy, it seems many desperately seek it and fail to find it. They look in all the wrong places.

 

Joy is something believers experience in their new-found life with their Creator. Becoming united with the One who created us, who is the source of life, provides us the purpose and fulfillment we were designed for. Who, but our Designer can provide us that fulfillment? As we find it, as we look forward to the wonderful inheritance that will be ours in the resurrection, we become filled with what Peter calls "an inexpressible and glorious joy", 1 Peter 1:8. And, James tells us, that joy is ours, even in the midst of the painful part of maturing as God's children!

 

As the psalmist says, even in the midst of his mourning, while feeling "disturbed", while feeling a need for vindication and feeling threatened:  "... God, my joy and my delight." Psalm 43:4.

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: God's strength in our trials.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 1:12,

 

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."

 

This conclusion of James refers back to the beginning of this chapter. There he tells us to consider it "pure joy" when we face "trials of many kinds". The purpose of the trials is to test our faith and develop perseverance in our lives. Here in this verse James tells us the one who does persevere in these trials is truly blessed, as he is one who will receive "the crown of life". He can look forward to an eternity of life with our Creator and all those who are his.

 

We never face these trials alone. In fact, Paul points out that it is God's faithfulness itself that sees us through them. "He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." 1 Corinthians 1:8-9. Those who may even profess faith, but haven't really embraced God in faith will not have this empowerment by God to withstand the trials that come our way.

 

Persistence of faith through trials is the proof we are God's children. As such it is these very ones who will receive the "crown of life". Eternal life! How can anyone pass up on such an opportunity! What a God who has done such things for us! As the psalmist says, "... God, my joy and my delight." Psalm 43:4.

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: The Lord may bring us to our knees!

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 1:2-4,

 

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

 

All believers are on a trajectory while still in this life. We are all headed in a common direction and there is no stopping it. It is God's agenda for each one of us and he will have his way in our lives. This unalterable process is to conformed us "to the image of Jesus Christ." Romans 8:28-29. There, in that passage, Paul tells us that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him". It is this perfecting of our lives that the Lord uses the circumstances we encounter. James calls them "trials". The writer of Hebrews calls it "discipline", Hebrews 12:5-11. So does Jesus himself in his letter to the church in Laodicea, "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent." Revelation 3:19.

 

We become God's children not by being good but by embracing him in faith. Most of us enter into his family not looking so good. I know I did. Now that we have embraced him in faith and are his, he has an agenda for us. He is going to bring about some needed changes in our lives.

 

We might be loathe to admit it, but we all have struggles with our sin natures. I know I do and I also know you do. We all do. None of us came into God's kingdom with impeccable credentials of godliness and the Lord has committed himself to bringing about the changes that are needed to conform us to the desires he has for us: "that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

 

It matters not how stubborn we are, how given we might be to old ways and the pull of pride, the Lord will have his way in our lives. Rest assured, he can, and if need be will, bring us to our knees to bring about the changes that he seeks in our lives.

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: Our unchanging God.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 1:17,

 

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

 

There certainly are many people who have heard these words from their spouse, "I've changed, we've grown apart, so I am leaving you." The relationship is broken and the two go their separate ways. What if God were like that? Where would that leave us? What if one morning we woke up to hear the Lord say, "I've changed, so I'm leaving you."? Or, "I've decided to do something different, you all can fend for yourselves." What a frightening thought!

 

How confident can we be that the wonderful gift of salvation has permanence? Can we know the love God has for us is an eternal love, something never to change, something that is the same today, tomorrow and forever?

 

God has spoken to us in the pages of Scripture because he wants us to know some things about him. Clearly, he expresses himself as being driven by two chief principles: justice and love. Whether it was God's revelation of himself to Moses on Mt. Sinai, or to the nation of Israel through the prophets as he prepared to judge the nation for turning its collective back on God, or the gospel accounts of Jesus and his ministry: God's justice and love are on full display.

 

Likewise there are other things God wants us to know about him. Among them, he wants us to be confident that he never changes. Our "Father of the heavenly lights..." "...does not change like shifting shadows." The love he has for us today will be ours to enjoy forever. The satisfaction of the payment Jesus made for our sins lasts an eternity. God considers those who have embraced him in faith as holy and blameless in his sight and this will never change.

 

Those who have responded to the gospel message have a place at his table and will never, ever be asked to leave! Along with the writer of Hebrews, may we all be convinced: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8.

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: God invites us all.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 4:8,

 

"Come near to God and he will come near to you."

 

No one is more welcoming than our loving and kind God. It is his agenda to populate his kingdom for all eternity from this world. He has mankind busy here making babies and then he equips and sends out those who have responded to his invitation to take his offer to all in the world. 

 

He doesn't take just anyone. Only those who respond to his invitation by faith are welcome into his kingdom. We all make our choice. His offer is to all and all have an opportunity to join his family. The reason the Lord has held off his return to planet Earth, bringing this age to a close, is that he is building his kingdom, seeking everyone. "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9.

 

We come near to God by embracing him in faith. Placing our trust in him. Of himself, Jesus Christ said, "The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." Luke 19:10. All come into this world as lost sinners, members of a mankind that has turned its collective back on its Creator and gone its own way. He stretches out his hand to us all as all have come into this world as lost.

 

I am reminded as well, that as believers, we also need to draw near to God continually in order to live lives pleasing to God. The do-gooders would have us all following a list of "dos and don'ts". Paul tells us such a pursuit is destined to fail at bringing about changes in our lives. He tells us in Colossians 2:23-3:2, "Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." In other words, "Come near to God and he will come near to you."

 

Paul told the Athenians God is near, engaging in what will hopefully draw us to him. "God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us." Acts 17:27. No one is more welcoming than our loving and kind God!

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: James found his reasons to serve Jesus Christ.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 1:1,

 

"James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings."

 

James, who grew up with his older brother, Jesus, in the same household, and who, as one of his brothers, ridiculed Jesus prior to his attending the Feast of Tabernacles, John 7:1-9, now calls himself a servant of God and of this brother of his whom he had treated with contempt, our Lord Jesus Christ! The One whom he previously ridiculed is now the one he calls Lord, and to whom he serves as a servant! What a change!

 

What was it that James saw in his older brother whom he would now embrace as his Lord? Just what was it that James found worthy in his older brother, that although he once held him in contempt, he now bows to as his master? Perhaps what James saw might be helpful to the rest of us to hold Jesus Christ in the rightful place he should have in our lives.

 

Certainly, the resurrection of his brother must have had a tremendous impact on James. It clearly identified his brother as someone like no other. Someone connected to God and squarely in the middle of God's purposes and agenda.

 

How can you not serve someone like that?

 

In that James grew up in the same home with Jesus Christ, he knew of all of Jesus' lifestyle, his habits, proclivities, behaviors and mannerisms. Anything to be personally known of Jesus Christ must have been known by James. James beheld perfection right in his very home. This may have been what generated the earlier contempt of Jesus' brothers for him. His matchless perfections must have left the rest of the boys in the home look wanting by comparison. Having beheld this perfection of character and nature within his brother as he was growing up must have had an impact on James.

 

How can you not serve someone like that?

 

It is difficult for me to contemplate how James might have felt, seeing his brother dragged before the various Jewish and Roman rulers, endure a kangaroo court, suffer and die a horrible death. But as he learned that this was Jesus' intent, that in fact this brother of his existed from before time began as a member of the triune God, and came purposefully to die on the behalf of all, taking the punishment of sins for the whole world on himself, must have had a tremendous impact on him. The mercy, love and kindness expressed by his brother must have moved James.

 

How can you not serve someone like that?

 

As James witnessed the birth of this new entity, the church, and saw how the Holy Spirit now indwelt it and caused this fledgling infant to become a powerhouse to be reckoned with in the world, this new expression of the agenda of his brother, Jesus Christ, must have had an impact on James. All that Jesus sought to do was accomplished and was now advancing upon the world. The Holy Spirit his brother promised had now arrived and was working miracles within the midst of the followers of his brother.

 

How can you not serve someone like that?

 

Much could be said here. An endless list could document many of the possible reasons why James found himself serving his older brother as a servant. What would you add to the list as reasons why we all should find ourselves serving Jesus Christ as his servants?

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: Wisdom from heaven.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 3:17-18,

 

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."

 

There is a wisdom that comes from heaven. This wisdom is recognizable to those who know what to look for. It is couched in the matchless perfections of our wonderful God. Those who express this wisdom reflect the very beauty of God's own character and nature.

 

One of the many wonderful things of our God is that he makes wisdom available to all. "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5. Wisdom, herself, speaks out in Proverbs 1:20, 33, "Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares... 'whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.'" In Proverbs 9:4-5 she invites all who will come to her, "'Let all who are simple come in here!' she says to those who lack judgment. 'Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.'"

 

I have learned quite some time ago that wisdom, the kind that comes from heaven, reflects our transcendent God whose nature is unmistakable in its beauty and perfection. He sits on the throne there and if what is being expressed doesn't reflect him, it just may not be wisdom that has its origin there.

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: God yearns for all.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 1:9-10,

 

"The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower."

 

God loves all people. It matters not whether they are held in high esteem in this life. Indeed, in 2:5 James makes a point that God has sought those who are poor in this life. This world seeks the attractive, the powerful, the wealthy and the strong. God is not moved by these things. We are told in 1 Corinthians 1:25-29, "The foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength. Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him."

 

What God does desire is that we turn to him. Perhaps it is easier to turn to God when we find a need for him in this life. The reality is that we all desperately need him, it is just that some fail to recognize that need. Paul knew something of this, and in his efforts with the Gentiles, it was his hope that as his own people, the Jews, saw the Gentiles turning to God it might cause a sense of envy and develop within them a desire to have what the Gentiles were receiving. "Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them." Romans 11:13-14.

 

In that God has chosen for himself all who will embrace him in faith, whatever it takes to bring about that faith when the gospel message is presented is useful for the purposes of God.

 

The wonderful thing of God's heart displayed in all this is that his heart yearns for all. Not a select few, not just the attractive, not just the rich, not just the strong, he wants us all, "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:3-4.

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: The Lord desires his beauty reflected in his people!

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 1:19-21,

 

"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you."

 

God has a desire regarding the way we live our lives, the choices we make. It is his desire that we live a "righteous life". There is that which is righteous and that which isn't. There is that which God desires and there is that which isn't.

 

What is a "righteous life"? What does that look like? Our concept of "righteous" is that which is consistent with God's own character and nature. In defining what is righteous or holy versus the profane or sinful, we recognize it is that which reflects our Creator's heart is what is righteous and that which is not, is not.

 

That God wants us to live a righteous life is found in verses such as Romans 8:29, "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." Being conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ involves bringing "about the righteous life that God desires."

 

The beauty of this is found in the character and nature of our Lord Jesus Christ. As Paul speaks of the "fruit of the Spirit" it is just these very things that make up the righteous life that God desires for each of us. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23. Here are the qualities that we find so wonderful and compelling. We find ourselves drawn to those who emulate them - because they emulate the beauty of the Lord himself!

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: The Lord transforms lives!

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 2:1,

 

"My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism."

 

James admonishes his readers to keep from favoritism. As our faith is tested to bring maturity and completeness to our lives, verse 1:4, it should have an impact on us. Here is but one way our lives should change.

 

The author of this letter is not the James whose brother was John that we read so much of in the gospel accounts. That James was a part of Jesus' inner circle, along with his brother John and Peter. If you recall, he was the first apostle that was martyred prior to this letter being written, Acts 12:2. This James is the Lord's own half brother. We see him listed with his other siblings, Joseph, Simon and Judas, Matthew 13:55.

 

What is striking to me is how James had changed so much following the death of Jesus Christ. On one occasion the contempt of Jesus' half brothers for him was evident as they taunted him John 7:1-9. But following the Lord's resurrection we see James in this passage call Jesus, "our glorious Lord Jesus Christ".

 

As James tells us of maturity and completeness in the Lord and about "religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless", 1:27, he knows of what he speaks. James is a changed man. It isn't that James is wonderful - it is the Lord that brought transformation to the life of this man. This is what the Lord does: he transforms lives!

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: God's law brings freedom!

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 1:25,

 

"The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does."

 

The law was given to Israel through Moses three and a half millenia ago. It's purpose was to reveal to the Israelites, and through them to the whole world, that man has a fatal problem: sin. From the beginning God has made clear that sinfulness brings the judgment of eternal death. Paul says, "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23. We deceive ourselves all to easily and so to help us recognize our sinful condition, God provided the law, "The law was put in charge to lead us to Christ..." Galatians 3:24. Its purpose, therefore was to show us our need of the Savior.

 

The Mosaic law, which the New Testament calls the "Old Covenant" prepares us for the gospel message. We might say God's message is, "First the bad news: you are sinful and facing eternal death. Now the good news: embrace my Son in faith and receive eternal life." The writer of Hebrews tells us that God instituted a new covenant, "For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. But God found fault with the people and said: 'The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.'" Hebrews 8:8 He goes on to say, "For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant." Hebrews 9:15.

 

Paul explains that those who have identified themselves with Jesus Christ have, figuratively, died with him and are released from the law. Indeed, when it comes to serving God, he says, "But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code." Romans 7:6.

 

However, we are told by James to live by the "royal law", "If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing right." James 2:8. John says, "Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining." 1 John 2:7-8.

 

This, we are told by James is law that brings freedom! We are now no longer condemned by the law that brought death, but now through the gospel we have freedom. Freedom from God's condemnation, free to serve him in a manner that is pleasing to him! We are now free from having to serve that sinful nature and live lives that are pleasing to him.

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: The righteous perfection of our God.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 1:13-14,

 

"When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed."

 

We live among others who are often driven by motives that are not always transparent and worthy. All too frequently it is our own selves we are less than  honest with as we make choices and pursue the things we do. The contemporary proverb, "Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me." is predicated on the perception (perhaps I should say "reality") that so much we encounter from one another is suspect. Our hearts are simply deceitful as we all struggle with an abiding sin nature that dwells within us in this life.

 

As a race of people, we long for that which we instinctively sense is missing in what Solomon would call life "under the sun". Life was never designed to be lived apart from our Creator. We were made to live with One whose pristine and flawless character is missing in a world estranged from its Creator. It is no wonder so many find disappointment and despair in this life. It is God's very nature we yearn for and often look for in those around us. As such, we are often disappointed as we find what we are looking for in others is compromised by the influence of sin, no matter how well veiled or hidden.

 

Not so our God! Nothing can tempt our God nor does he tempt anyone as James tells us. Indeed, the very definition of sin is that which is at odds with his character. When we say God is holy and righteous, what we are saying is he is completely consistent with his own character and nature: perfectly consistent, with nothing in him that would cause him to be any other way at any opportunity.

 

As the psalmist says, "As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord's word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him." Psalm 18:30.

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: The gift of the crown of life!

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 1:12,

 

 "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."

 

In a number of places in Scripture we are told that perseverance is a mark of salvation. As John warned against false teachers, his readers would know who they were because they would abandon the faith. "They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us." 1 John 2:19.

 

"The crown of life"... promised! Once given, the gift of salvation is a promise that the Lord will keep. We read that the Lord himself guarantees our safe trip home to him based on his own faithfulness. "Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." 2 Corinthians 1:21-22. Also, "He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." Verses 8-9.

 

Here is gift that is like no other. Last night my friend Dave told me of his thoughts of receiving gifts, wrapped in gift wrap with ribbons and bows, and how wonderful it is to receive gifts from those who love us. And to think, the Lord himself has a gift for those who embrace him in faith! A gift beyond our wildest dreams, a gift given with certainty, with God's promise standing behind it! A gift we have received, which we open, which we delight in and which will be ours throughout eternity! I share in Dave's delight and wonderment over this gift beyond all others: the crown of life!

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: God, the giver of every good and perfect gift!

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 1:17-18,

 

 "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created."

 

In order to shore up a theology lacking coherence, some teach a bizarre doctrine that the new birth, being "born again" or what is known as "regeneration" is something God does to a select few that they will place their faith in him. Much like a date rape drug, a select few, apart from their own choice are manipulated into becoming Christians, and like robots obeying a command, now embrace God in faith. The concept is regeneration precedes repentance. All others, literally, will go to hell. No one has a choice and no one has the free opportunity to choose God's wonderful gift of the new birth. It all happens apart from any exercise of our will that we all thought God had gifted us with.

 

Nothing could be further from the truth. Salvation is by faith, not by appointment and in this wonderful passage James presents us with the beauty of the God who is so giving, the giver of "every good and perfect gift". As James tells us, salvation is for those who love God, verse 12, and who respond to the gospel message, "the word of truth". This is the gift of God, the offer of eternal life with him offered through the gospel message.

 

Paul speaks of this in Romans 10:17, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." That message contains a wonder offer of love with the gift of righteousness for any individual who will embrace him in faith. The offer is made to all men, "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:3-4.

 

What a love this is! Jesus Christ died on the cross for the whole world, paying the penalty for the sins of every person who has ever lived, and offers all mankind the opportunity to spend eternity with him if they but embrace him in faith, place their trust in him. The invitation is to all mankind and the offer contained within the gospel message provides a wonderful gift that no one could ever match, the gift of righteousness, the gift of salvation! "... in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God... " Ephesians 2:7-8.

 

"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23. How wonderful is our God, from whom "Every good and perfect gift" comes!

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: God's love the midst of rebellion.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in Hosea 4:7,

 

"The more priests there were, the more they sinned against me; they exchanged their glorious God for something disgraceful."

 

Although there were plenty of priests to represent Israel to God, plenty of opportunity to express themselves to the Lord, Israel turned from God. As the opportunities increased to meet with God, for Israel to taker her concerns to her Maker, to seek out his forgiveness for straying from him and seek his help, his blessing and to take comfort in him, they nevertheless turned from him. Opportunity was not in any way a limiting factor for Israel's faithfulness to the Lord. Having more than what might be needed with the priesthood, as custodians of God's word in the Scriptures, with the heritage of the faithful patriarchs, the temple and the temple worship, Israel "exchanged their glorious God for something disgraceful."

 

In his letter to the Romans, Paul speaks of the advantages Israel had,  "Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen." Romans 9:4-5. Israel certainly had every opportunity to remain faithful to their Lord. Such is the sinful nature of man. In spite of every opportunity, mankind retains a rebellious and deceitful heart.

 

So too, today, we have every opportunity. With Bibles available, gathering dust on coffee tables, with the gospel message going to every corner of the world, with the perspective of a 20/20 hindsight of the things of God from today's historical perspective, with the legacy of God's apostles and prophets from the infancy of the church, with the presence of the Holy Spirit in the world to bring conviction, many today reflect the same sinful proclivity to turn from God when given every opportunity to turn to him.

 

And yet, it is within this miserable state of rebelliousness and sin that our loving heavenly Father sent his Son to die a horrible death on our behalf! How could it be that our Creator has such a love in his heart that in his great kindness and compassion he should do such a thing for us?! To think of the length he has gone to bring us into his family is mind-boggling!

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Worship for Today: The Lord is grooming us!

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 1:2-4,

 

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

 

James begins his letter by pointing out the importance of the trials, the difficulties we encounter  in life. Where our natural inclination is to find difficulty something to avoid, something to view with disdain, James tells us it plays an important role in bringing us to maturity in our faith.

 

Difficulty in life can be debilitating, disheartening and discouraging when we don't know the Lord. For those of us who do know him, all we encounter has a positive, constructive purpose in our lives, even difficulties. Paul tells us, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters." Romans 8:28-29. This includes the difficulties that come our way. God uses them to fashion us into the image of his Son, Jesus Christ. I find this amazing!

 

The writer of Hebrews tells us that God goes out of his way to shape us, to mold us into the thing of beauty he has in mind for each of us. "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son... No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:5b-6, 11. Also Jesus, in his letter to the church in Laodicea said, "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline." Revelation 3:19. In the book of Proverbs Solomon tells us, "My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in."

 

I don't know about you, but there is a lot in my life that needs the touch of the Master's hand to bring some maturity to it. Here is a wonderful and mystical aspect of our relationship with the Lord as believers: he is grooming us!

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: The Lord is our helper.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in Hosea 13:9,

 

"You are destroyed, Israel, because you are against me, against your helper."

 

It appears very unseemly that Israel would turn their backs on the Lord who is their helper. Their existence, their place in the world, their subsistence, their fortunes were all due to the Lord, who calls himself their "helper".

 

I am reminded that the Lord is actually the helper of all peoples everywhere. In my mind, the existence of all peoples from moment to moment is directly due to the active work of God himself. The writer of Hebrews tells us, "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word." Hebrews 1:3. Should God withdraw his hand in maintaining our universe, I am convinced it would spin out of control and cease to exist.

 

Paul tells us the orderly maintenance of the world through governments and authorities, while at times may drift from him, are established by him, "there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." Romans 13:1b.

 

It is the Lord that provides for life and everything in it. The food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breath. When a nation is prosperous and blessed, it is at his hand. The Lord is the helper of us all.

 

I am astonished at the fools today who reject the very notion of the existence of their Creator. They fail to recognize the source of all they have in life as did Israel who had turned her back on her "helper". Woe to any people who do likewise!

 

May we all say, as the Psalmist, "The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies."

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: The kindness and sternness of God.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in Hosea 14:4-7,

 

"I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them. I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots; his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon. People will dwell again in his shade; they will flourish like the grain, they will blossom like the vine— Israel's fame will be like the wine of Lebanon."

 

What a contrast! The Lord calls to Israel to return to him, to take a change in direction. When the time comes that they seek the Lord and ask him to "Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously..." the Lord responds to them with these wonderful blessings.

 

What a contrast to the horrors of God's judgment proclaimed in the previous chapter, "I will have no compassion, even though he thrives among his brothers. An east wind from the LORD will come, blowing in from the desert; his spring will fail and his well dry up. His storehouse will be plundered of all its treasures. The people of Samaria must bear their guilt, because they have rebelled against their God. They will fall by the sword; their little ones will be dashed to the ground, their pregnant women ripped open." Hosea 13:14b-16.

 

What a difference is made in the fortunes of a people when they turn from rebellion against God. God's severe judgment is turned into wonderful blessings as he responds in his forgiveness, mercy and kindness. I am reminded of Paul's words in Romans 11:22-23, "Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again."

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in Hosea 2:23,

 

"I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called 'Not my loved one.' I will say to those called 'Not my people,' 'You are my people'; and they will say, 'You are my God.'"

 

As the Lord brings his indictment against Israel and tells of the judgment he will bring upon her, he speaks of a future time, a time when he will establish a new covenant. Within the bounds of this new covenant things will be different. It will be a day when God's people will refer to him as "my husband", verse 16. Idolatry will no longer exist, wars will cease and in righteousness, justice, love and compassion the Lord will wed himself to his people, verses 18-20.

 

I note that God says he is going to do these things for himself, "I will plant her for myself..." This passage in Hosea is used by Paul to demonstrate that God foresaw the day when he would reach out to the Gentiles to join them together with Jews as a new people that we call the church: all those who respond to the gospel message by embracing the Lord in faith. Romans 9:25-26.

 

What captures my heart this morning is that God says he is saving people for himself. Certainly we are the beneficiaries of God's plan of redemption, but knowing he is doing it for himself brings to mind that God desires us. He doesn't just "accept" us but he wants us! This brings with it some comforting thoughts. One is that God intends we arrive in his presence one day and is looking forward to that happening. That day will be a day of joy, not just for us but for the Lord as well. I love Jude's doxology as it expresses this so well, "To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—  to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." Jude 24-25.

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: God's tenacious heart!

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in Hosea 7:1,

 

"Whenever I would restore the fortunes of my people, whenever I would heal Israel, the sins of Ephraim are exposed and the crimes of Samaria revealed."

 

The "whenever" in this verse speaks to the Lord's repeated desire to embrace Israel and bless her. Over and over, the Israelites turned from God. Over and over, his people rejected him and went their own way. Over and over, the Lord sought to embrace his people in his love and "restore the fortunes of my people". Over and over, they were unwilling.

 

I am reminded of the proclamation of Jesus to Israel seven millenia after Hosea, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing."

 

What a tenacious heart our Lord has for his people! It is this very yearning in his heart that prompted him to send his Son to redeem us from his judgment, to make us his own, to provide a place for us at his table! This is a love that transcends my ability to see its full scope, its full depth. All I know is, is that our God so loves us he sent his Son to die a miserable death for each of us.

 

What a heart! What a God!

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

 

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: God's heart of compassion in judgment.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in Hosea 11:8,

 

"How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboyim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. "

 

Admah and Zeboyim were towns local to Sodom and Gomorrah. As cities of the plain where Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, they suffered the same fate when the Lord brought his judgment, Genesis 10:23-29. As the Lord contemplates his destruction of Israel, he asks how he can treat Israel like the plain of Sodom and Gomorrah.

 

After recounting his tender love for his people, likening himself to a loving parent teaching a child to walk, treating them with "cords of human kindness" and "ties of love", the contemplation of bringing his horrific judgment to his people who have rejected him brings a stirring of conflict to his heart. He says his heart is changed, that all of his compassion is aroused.

 

These are not words that sit well with the theology of many today. Yet, they form the expression of the innermost feelings of our God. His heart is changed within him and he experiences the arousal of his compassion as he speaks of the judgment he contemplates for Israel.

 

I marvel at the way God reveals the intimate emotions he experiences as he interacts with his people. Our God is a real person with real emotions and a real heart. We are but a reflection of what God is like as we are made in his image and so it is not surprising to find him wrestle with his emotions as he reveals to us here. I don't suggest that God was conflicted about what he intended to do, just that he reveals how the turn of events impacts his heart.

 

This causes me to think of the great white throne judgment,at the end of the age, where all who have not embrace him in faith will be cast into a fiery lake of burning sulfur. The very ones he loved so much that he sent his Son to die for, to pay the penalty of sins for, he will cast into an eternity of torment. I suspect that on that day our God of both justice and loving kindness will again experience the same emotional conflict as he does here in Hosea.

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: God is a "black and whiter".

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in Hosea 4:10-11,

 

"They [the Israelites] will eat but not have enough; they will engage in prostitution but not flourish, because they have deserted the Lord to give themselves to prostitution; old wine and new wine take away their understanding.".

 

The people of Israel abandoned the Lord and will suffer the consequences of their choice. Here we read the Israelites deserted the Lord to pursue sin. Pursue the Lord or pursue sin, both cannot be done. God makes clear through Hosea he is a "black and whiter".

 

Many today see the varying shades of gray to consider in an issue. From the lofty perch of enlightened education and reason, these folks feel free to weigh the multiple shades of gray to be considered as choices befall them. Those who tend to see only black and white in an issue are looked on with contempt by these "enlightened" ones, with the accusation that the finer nuances to an issue have escaped these "black and whiters". Apparently they lack the enlightened reason these erudite intellectuals possess. Somehow, these shades of gray seem only to offer grounds to pursue that which appeals to the baser instincts of the sinful nature of mankind.

 

A man's morality determines his theology. Looking for cover to pursue sin by finding the finer shades of gray in any choice is not just a facade, it is self-deception. The truth is that our Creator is a "black and whiter". Something is either holy or profane. A thing falls inside of what God finds acceptable or it does not. There is no "center ground", no place where we can bring the two sides together. We either pursue God, or, as the Israelites did, abandon God to pursue sin. As the Israelites engaged in their prostitution, they had to desert the Lord. You can't serve two masters. It is either sin or righteousness. I appreciate deeply how Paul put it in Romans 6:17-18, "Thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." We all will serve one or the other.

 

One of the wonder qualities I love about our Lord is that he is a "black and whiter". This quality of his does not spring from a presumed simple and flat perspective. Far from it, in a depth of pristine precision, wisdom and insight no man can approach or match, it leads right back to a simple clarity of black and white, right and wrong, holy and profane. I don't have to consult the intellectual elites and weigh all of the issues of gray. There is no shadow with our God. He has articulated quite clearly in the pages of Scripture the faith he is looking for in us to make us his people. He has provided simple and straightforward direction for those of us who have embraced him in faith. Those who find otherwise are simply missing a view of one of the many-splendored beautiful qualities of our Lord.

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: God is the arbiter of all!

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in Hosea 9:17,

 

"My God will reject them because they have not obeyed him; they will be wanderers among the nations."

 

Their disobedience to him earned Israel's rejection by God. So great will be the judgment of God, he says, "Even if they bear children, I will slay their cherished offspring." Hosea 9:16. In their rebellion, Israel managed to find the end of God's love and mercy, and will now discover his judgment. I note that God rejected Israel on his own terms. It mattered not a whit what Israel thought about their own actions. It doesn't appear that God was interested in what their intentions were. Had they repented of their turn from God perhaps history would have been recorded differently. The whole of Hosea's ministry as a prophet was to portray God as the broken hearted husband of an adulterous wife. God decided what was acceptable to him and what wasn't. He didn't confer with anyone and he didn't take the matter "under advisement".

 

We live in a day where many have determined to define for themselves what their responsibility is to their Creator. Indeed, many who say they believe in a "higher being" feel the freedom to define for themselves who and what this "higher being" is and how life should be lived in light of their own thoughts and ideas.

 

As Israel discovered, God will not be defined by anyone. He exists objectively and determines for himself what is acceptable among mankind and what isn't. He will be the only one to determine the fate of all. He maintains his own "Book of Life" and whatever one's theology, "belief system", position on abortion, homosexuality, promiscuity or whatever, will make no difference. God didn't appear to be interested in evaluating Israel's lofty thoughts on the issues of the day. They turned their backs on God and it has now come time to face the consequences.

 

I am reminded of what the writer of Hebrews had to say, "It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Hebrews 10:31. What a frightful place to find oneself in! How I thank the Lord Jesus Christ that, even though I deserve his judgment, God visited that judgment on him on my behalf, that I might have a place at his table!

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: Fearing God brings wisdom.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in Hosea 4:6a,

 

"My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge."

 

Earlier in the chapter we read that the Israelites had ceased to acknowledge God, "There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land." Hosea 4:3. As a result, the Israelites came to their destruction through a "lack of knowledge."

 

I am reminded of Proverbs 1:7, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction." It is from God himself that true wisdom comes. Mere intellect and the acquisition of information is not wisdom. The ability to assimilate information in a way that results in a life well lived comes from God. It starts with not just recognizing that God exists, but having a healthy reverence for who God is, what he has done, and what he is capable of that brings the beginning of the knowledge that Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, tells us of in Proverbs 1:7.

 

God is a willing source of wisdom. James, the Lord's half-brother, tells us that if we ask God in faith for wisdom, he gives it generously. "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt... " James 1:5-6a.

 

The wisdom God provides is boundless. We are told that the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom. 1 Corinthians 1:25. From our perspective we view the wisdom and knowledge of God as limitless resource, a resource he has made available to those of us who embrace him in faith. 

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: Our passionate God.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in Hosea 12:14,

 

 "Ephraim has bitterly provoked him [the Lord] to anger; his Lord will leave upon him the guilt of his bloodshed and will repay him for his contempt."

 

Israel had turned from God, rejecting him, "The land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the Lord." Hosea 1:2. The resulting and inevitable decline as a nation into increasing sin and wickedness is clearly evidenced by the Lord's indictment of the Israelites. He will repay Israel for their guilt of bloodshed and contempt.

 

What is clear here is that God is no mere ethical principle or standard to live up to. He is a real person with real feelings, and as seen here, a passionate person at that. The sin of the Israelites has "bitterly provoked him to anger". God is not pictured here as a judge at his bench dispensing justice in some impersonal, untouched manner. He reveals himself as intimate as the husband of a wayward and unfaithful wife. He has been provoked to anger, "bitterly".

 

I often think of God in terms of bright bold colors, not soft pastels, in the overwhelming booming intensity of an horrific thunderstorm, not in the soft flutter of humming birds. I see him in an intensity that we all might find impossible to survive were we subjected to it at too close a proximity. I don't mean to say that I don't see him nudging us in the tenderness of his love and affection, just that that love and affection comes from one who loves immeasurably and intensely, the dimensions of which we struggle to wrap our minds around (see Ephesians 3:17-19.) Whether it be his justice or his love, it is frightful or overwhelming to behold. Here in Hosea he has not simply been angered. In his great passion, God has been bitterly provoked to anger. While this speaks of the degree to which the Israelites sinned, it certainly speaks of the intensity of his anger.

 

I am mindful that God does not only get angered, he also loves, both of which I see as expressions of his heart in an intensity or a level of passion that surpasses my comprehension. He has revealed other passions of his in Scripture as well, for instance we are told in James 4:5 that he "envies intensely". Additionally, he has also revealed to us these passions of his collide with one another from time to time. In the midst of his proclamation of his judgment upon Israel he says, "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused."

 

We live in a world that is removed and estranged from God. We don't see him today as we will one day. In the absence of that view, I want to ensure my impression of God, of his personality, is shaped by what he has revealed to us through the Scriptures. One thing is clear to me: he has passion I can scarcely conceive. The cross of Jesus Christ is the great expression of this. At the cross of Jesus Christ I see both the expression of God's passionate wrath as he visits his horrific punishment upon the Son of his love as well as his passionate love for all mankind by sending his Son to pay the penalty for our sins.

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: The Lord is our refuge in times of trouble!

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in Hosea 7:11,

 

"Ephraim is like a dove, easily deceived and senseless— now calling to Egypt, now turning to Assyria."

 

As Israel became desperate due to the poor choices they made as a nation, rather than turning to God for help and deliverance, they turned to either the big power to the south, Egypt or the big power to the north, Assyria. It has been said that Israel at this time was like a house cat caught in an alley with a ferocious tiger at each end, Egypt on the one end and Assyria on the other. Israel sought alliance with one or the other. Eventually it would be the big cat from the north, Assyria that would consume Israel.

 

Although God said he desired to redeem them, verse 13, he observed that Israel refused to turn to him for help, verse 16. Sadly, it had been forgotten that God loved them and was, in fact, the only one that could help them. As Israel turned to her powerful neighbors for help, it was these very neighbors that God used to bring his judgment against them.

 

This morning I am reminded that God is the only one that is a reliable help in time of need. He is the one that can deliver. He is the one who has the power to provide all that is ever needed, regardless the circumstances. "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you." Psalm 9:9-10. Another wonderful passage that speaks to this is Psalm 34:7-8, "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: The beauty of God, the ugliness of sin.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in Hosea 4:2,

 

"There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed."

 

Israel had wandered from God. In his indictment against Israel, the Lord says of her, "... the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the Lord." Hosea 1:2. This verse in 4:2 is furnished proof that Israel had, in fact, wandered from the Lord. The actions prompted by the condition of their hearts provided indisputable proof of their rejection of God which resulted in a certain, unavoidable consequence: their embrace of sin.

 

What this points to is that those who have an active relationship with God reflect his character and nature in their lives. We find the beauty of the Lord - his beauty, his wonderful qualities - displayed in the lives of those who are near him. All others inevitably drift to those things that reflect the ugly nature of sin. The Israelites had drifted.

 

The Israelites have not been the only ones. Paul wrote to Timothy about the terrible nature of the godlessness prevalent in our day, "There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power." 2 Timothy 3:1-5. This is what mankind sinks to when God is rejected. As with Israel in the days of Hosea, the ugliness of sin permeates people who turn from God.

 

On the other hand, when God is embraced, the beauty of his character becomes reflected in his people. Things like, "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23.

 

There is no beauty like the magnificent beauty of our God. What a wonderful thing to behold when God's people reflect him!

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: The great mystery of God's heart!

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in Hosea 11:12,

 

"Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, the house of Israel with deceit. And Judah is unruly against God, even against the faithful Holy One."

 

Here is something of a summation of the sinfulness of Israel. Lies, deceit and unruliness against God. Israel, as a nation, displayed the sinfulness within her heart and the Lord will act. His judgment against Israel will be certain and severe. "Swords will flash in their cities, will destroy the bars of their gates and put an end to their plans." Hosea 11:6.

 

However, as we see in the final chapter of Hosea's prophetic book, God's judgment is part of a plan that will ultimately bring restoration to the nation. "I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them. I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots; his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon." Hosea 14:4-6.

 

As I read of Israel's sinfulness, I am reminded she is but a mirror of the sinfulness of all of mankind. Lies, deceit and unruliness against God is certainly the mark of mankind as a whole. In Jeremiah 17:9 we read, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" Paul's perspective is as true today as it was in his day and in Hosea's day, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." Romans 3:23. And, yet, as with Israel, in spite of sin, God seeks to redeem and to restore.

 

In light of this, here is the great mystery that I do not understand. To me, it is as astonishing as anything I have ever considered: in light of my sinfulness, in light of the sinfulness of all mankind, how is it that, "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

 

To me, it is a great mystery. I can't fathom it. All I can do is marvel at the boundless love and mercy of the great, kind and compassionate heart of our God! How he could do such a thing for someone such as me is bewildering! I know it. I believe it. I am astonished by it. I am bewildered by it. Most of all, I am eternally grateful for it!

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Today's Worship: The timing of God's terrible judgment!

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in Hosea 10:10,

 

"When I please, I will punish them; nations will be gathered against them to put them in bonds for their double sin."

 

God's judgment awaited Israel. She had sinned to the point she found the limit of God's mercy and now she faced the punishment due her. This verse points to not "if", but the "when" of God's judgment. It will be when he pleases to do so. The historical record tells us it was 722BC when God's judgment finally overcame the northern ten tribes of Israel.

 

Today the world awaits the judgment of God. Again, it is not a question of "if" but "when". We are told this age will come to a close when Jesus Christ comes back to planet earth to gather to himself those who are his. The rest, all of those who will not embrace him in faith, will be brought to God's terrible judgment.

 

Peter speaks of this. In 2 Peter 3:10-12 we read, "The day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat." Here is a frightening scene! The story doesn't end until those who will not embrace God in faith are cast into a fiery lake of burning sulfur. We read of it in Revelation 20.

 

Peter makes a wonderful point about God's patience in all this, however. Where Israel had no opportunity to avoid God's judgment by the time he proclaimed it through Hosea, God patiently awaits today, holding off his judgment of the wicked, that there may be more who will embrace him - to join his kingdom. "Do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:8-9.

 

God's terrible judgment is coming! It is not a question of "if", but "when"!

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Worship for Today: Seeking the Lord.

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in Hosea 7:10,

 

"Israel's arrogance testifies against him, but despite all this he does not return to the Lord his God or search for him."

 

As the list of Israel's wayward actions are given, the Lord points out that Israel did not return to the Lord or even seek him. When confronted with their sins they didn't look to God for his forgiveness.

 

When David was confronted with his sin regarding Bathsheba, he recognized his transgressions and sought the Lord's forgiveness. Having been confronted by Nathan, the prophet, David sought the Lord and begged for forgiveness. In Psalm 51:1-5 we read, "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me." David goes on to ask the Lord to cleanse him from his sin.

 

David turned from his sin and sought God. Several hundred years later, during Hosea's time, when the nation became ensnared with sin, it failed to seek the Lord and look for his forgiveness. Seeking the Lord is important when we sin. The failure to do so places us squarely in the hand of God's judgment. In speaking of the sinfulness of mankind, Paul quotes Psalms and Ecclesiastes in Romans 3:10-12 , "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."

 

The Lord told his followers to seek first the kingdom of God. Matthew 6:33. He said that if we seek him we will find him, Matthew 7:7. Paul tells us that God determined the times and places peoples would live so they might seek him, reach out for him, and find him, Acts 17:26-27. The writer of Hebrews tells us, "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

 

How wonderful it is the Lord will respond to us when we seek him!

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com