Be Like God: Defend, Speak Up

Psalm 8

14 But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.

 16 The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land.

 17 You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; 
       you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,

 18 defending the fatherless and the oppressed, 
       in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.

I'm still mulling over (consider at length) what I am to do when the "vision" is unclear.  God has been teaching me much.  In one regards, it has been a true revelation in itself.  Here is more of what is being discovered or rather, unveiled.  

If I have lost clarity of the vision (of purpose, of God, of my life) and need to draw near, what am I to do?  Ofcourse as believers, we should always pray, and I have always taught that during times of "drought" or as one author terms "the dark night of the soul".  We are to continue doing what we did last.  But even more than doing what we did last, we are to draw closer to the Father.  But the question is then do we draw closer to God?  Simple...here it is...do what pleases Him!  Here's another...do what captivates His heart.  

What will garner God's attention?  Here are a few things.  First of all, holy living.  Living a distinctly Christ-led life in which we bring glory to His name (rightful living, forgiving others, giving testimony of Gods goodness, exhibiting love, joy, peace, patience, ...Galatians 5:22-23) and secondly, loving our neighbors.

  

http://www.un.org/apps/news/photostories_detail.asp?PsID=31

If you are working on the first and are lost in it (don't know where to go next), practice the second.  God is attracted by us helping those in need.  Read the verses on top.  He helps the fatherless. 

So here is my point for the day.  We are called to stand up for those without a voice, help the fatherless, the widows, the orphans, the imprisioned, the poor, and those castigated from society.  We are to champion their cause.  When do we these things, we act like the Father, and when we do, we draw near to the Father.  God loves a compassionate heart. 

Matthew 25:34-36, 40

34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

 40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Why not research on needs out there.  Here are some:

     Ed Young, Jr. 

    http://www.edyoungblog.com/2008/11/c3-and-toms-shoes.html

    Bishop T.D. Jakes http://www.tdjenterprises.com/blog/?p=58

    Compassion International 

    http://www.compassion.com/default_a.htm

   Compassion Blog  http://blog.compassion.com/

   Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Solders 

    http://www.child-soldiers.org/childsoldiers/child-soldiers

I'm sure you can find others.  

May you find the heart of the Father as you do what is near and dear to his heart.  

Clear Vision

James 4:8a  Come near to God and  [H]e will come near to you.

I've been hungering for God's direction for the past few days more than ever.  Sometimes I go through bouts of asking God "what is going on" and other times I sense this connection so deep I can see the whole plan.  Anyone out there feeling lost just when you thought we were connected?  

I think the easiest thing to do is to give up or to even discount what I've been learning about God, but I've walked too long with the Lord to give in to deceiving thoughts.  These are not from my Father.  In the name of Jesus, I command these thoughts to cease.  Now Lord, give me thoughts that honor you.  Show me what You are doing.

Sue and I had a great dinner yesterday.  She shared with me what God taught her through her difficulties with her vision (eye problems).  When she shared this, God gave me this great image.  Think with me.  Most of us are near sighted.  If you somehow lose your glasses (lose clarity of your vision) what do you have to do to read something or see something clearly?  Simple right?  Get closer!  

http://homerepair.about.com/od/toolsmaterialsyouneed/ss/dt_safety_intro_6.htm

Here is what I was reminded.  Sometimes I will "feel" like I am disconnected from the vision that God has placed in my heart.  Sometimes I lose "sight" of the "vision" that He has placed on my life or just simply lose sight of Him.  What am I to do?  Draw near to Him.  Seek Him.    

When my nephew was scared, he would hold closer to me for safety.  I'm telling you, this is God's intention for us.  When we feel disconnected from Him, the "vision" of our life, or just feel that peril will over take us thats when we need to draw closer to God.  Afterall, aren't we sons and daughters of the Most High?

Father, thank you for your help.  Your wisdom abounds. I pray for more of it.  I need you today- especially today.  Please show me a glimpse of the worth of my life to You.  Amen.

Let God Lead You

Psalm 5:8  

       Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness 

       because of my enemies— 

       make straight your way before me.

What a beautiful verse for the morning.  Check out The Message translation:

 8  ...here I am, prostrate in your inner sanctum, 
   Waiting for directions 

      to get me safely through enemy lines. 

Here is the psalmist (writer of this passage) showing his total reliance on God.  It reminds me of the Santa Claus devo I wrote a few days ago.  As children of God, we must seek him.  No greater a posture of reverance than to lay prostrate before him.  Have you tried it lately?  To simply come before God, maybe a little worship music or instrumental in the background, and just lay before him and groan- there are very few things beyond this that will connect you will God in such a powerful way.  Simply coming to God asking the Spirit to intercede for you.

image taken from http://www.jennifermorser.com/id5.html

Start your day right.  Come to God in humble prayer.  At times, when you are hard pressed or when your "enemies" come at you, the easier approach would be to get even or find a way to justify yourself.  Why spend so much time so focused on justifying your cause?  If you have honored God, done what you could before all eyes, and simply have relied on the Spirit's guidance, let God, your Father, speak for you.  How about today you lay yourself before Him, and simply say, "...here I am, ...waiting for directions, ...get me safely through enemy lines"?

Dear Father.  I wait for you this morning.  Despite my fierce desire to justify myself or render pay back, I simply will trust that you will cause all things for my benefit and that you will justify me.  Lead and guide me today.  Teach me humility.  Do this for me today- this my humble prayer.  Amen.

  

He Lifts My Head

Psalm 3:3-5

3 But you are a shield around me, O LORD;
you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.

4 To the LORD I cry aloud,
and he answers me from his holy hill. Selah

5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me

Growing up Vietnamese was confusing at times especially if you were educated in the states. At home I was taught to “live in humility and respect” towards those older or in higher authority. No doubt we were influenced by the Chinese philosopher, Confucius. I grew up always looking at the ground instead of looking directly at people.

In school I was encouraged to “speak up” and ask questions, but at home “speaking up” was taken as challenging authority. What a dichotomy. My teachers were frustrated that I never asked questions in class, and then when I mustered the nerves to speak up, my parents would remind me of my place- never question them.

As I study God’s word, I am reminded of the liberty we have in Christ. We don’t have to walk around like we are ashamed or as if we are the lowliest people on earth. Surely humility is not just found in “the posture”. If it were, Asians would be the humblest people on earth, and you and I know that Asians are not that humble! It takes more than bowing our physical body to be humble- especially towards God.

Back to my original thought- God lifts our head up high. Our heavenly Father sustains us and gives us reason to lift our head. We don’t have to walk around like we are the lowliest of people, but we can hold our head high because our Father is pleased with us because we are made right with Him through His son, Jesus.

As you go about today, here are three things to think about:

1. God is our shield. What is one to do with a shield? Hind behind it and seek its protection. Praise God that He is our shield and protection. Ask Him to protect your heart, your thoughts, your body, your family, and your spiritual growth today.

2. God answers us. Yes, He hears your prayers. Call to Him.

3. We have no fear of what is ahead and even the events passed because our God watches over us and turns all things for our benefit. And because I know God watches over me with good intentions I can rest without fear. Walk about today knowing that whatever comes your way is in God’s sight.

Dear Father, I rest in you today. You are my strength and shield. Thank you for my rest last night, and please continue to keep your eyes on me. Where are you at work that I may join you? Amen.