Uncategorized

Uncategorized

Psalm 17:12-14

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 26, 2020
Psalm 17:12 “…the wicked who assail me…are like a lion hungry for prey, like a great lion crouching in cover.”
[Our powerful enemies, Satan and his hordes, are like a beast desperate for food: dangerous, destructive and determined–burning churches, killing Christians, persecuting children. They are terrifying and terrible, too strong for us. We are in desperate need of help before they overcome us.]
Psalm 17:13 “Rise up, O LORD, confront them, bring them down;”
[In your might, Lord, you can easily win this battle. You are the Creator of the universe, Breather of the stars, Bringer of the dawn, Captain of history and Ender of time. You are strong enough to deliver us from any enemy.]
Psalm 17:14 “rescue me from the wicked by your sword.
O LORD, by your hand save me from such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life”
[The wicked are in the hand of the evil one; they live only for this world: they are shortsighted, focused on only what they can get in the short run and are short-lived.
But praise you, Lord, that in contrast, you have given us the long range perspective of living for eternity, living for greater things than the values of this world. You have lifted us from the narrow, dark pit of sin and slavery, and brought us into a wide, pleasant position before you, into the light of your Word, into the place of your presence, into the peace and joy of your love.
Praise be to you for all the good you share, all the beauty you bring, all the gifts you give. To look at those forces of men and devils who attack us and what they want to force on us—slavery, fear, despair, hopelessness and death–and then to look at where you have brought us—into the Kingdom of light, into your grace, into your embrace–the contrast is stark, deep, powerful and wonderful.
To you be glory and honor for sharing your goodness with the naturally godless like us, making us your children, putting your divine nature in us, placing us in your family, your Kingdom, your plan and your heart.
May you be glorified in my life today through gratitude, gratefulness and being a glory-giver in each instance, each decision, each challenge, by offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving.
Image may contain: cloud, sky, tree, outdoor and nature
Filed under:

The Big Move

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 26, 2020
Our plan, on the recommendation of friends, was to drive to the Western edge of Greece and take a ferry to Venice. That would eliminate the need to drive through the patchwork of countries that used to be Yugoslavia, which would have been a difficult and time consuming process.
 
After two long days of driving on switchback roads through the mountains of Greece, we arrived at the port city and began looking for information on ferries. We found that there was a one leaving the next morning, so we bought tickets.
 
When we came out of the travel agency, there were four fellows standing around our van, looking in the windows to see what was inside. That made it clear to us that this was not a safe place. With all the port traffic going in and out of the country, there were plenty opportunities for thieves.
 
I decided to sleep in the van that night to forestall any loss. We got a triple room for Barb, Nat and Abby, while I crawled onto our air mattress, laid out on top of all our stuff in the van and spent a restless night, listening for thieves who never came.
 
The next morning we boarded the ferry, taking our air mattresses and sleeping bags up to the passenger deck for the thirty hour trip to Venice.
 
Although the seats we had were comfortable, and we were able to put down two air mattresses, the next night was a restless one for all of us, what with the continual thump of the ship’s huge engines and a constant stream of people coming and going. When morning came I was more exhausted than the night before—and grouchy. I was not thinking much about praising God, unfortunately.
 
I was also still working through the trauma of having to leave Turkey to move to Germany, along with all the uncertainty that entailed. Living in Germany was certainly not on my list of things I wanted to do; it was so regimented and inflexible, quite the opposite of Turkey. I was glad that Nat was with us to drive much of the next day after the ferry reached Italy, as I was too tired to drive safely.
 
We left the warmth of Venice, made our way up into the Alps, and drove right into a snowstorm. Passing through it, we went down the other side into Germany. That night we stayed in a clean but frigid guesthouse, had a delicious German breakfast and were off for our last day of travel.
 
On the way we stopped in a beautiful and ancient town called Rottenburg on der Tauber. It had not been bombed in World War II, so was still in its pristine medieval form, complete with a full city wall, tudor-type houses, cobblestone streets and old signs.
 
There were a lot of shops selling things from the Middle Ages, including one that was full of knights’ armor and weapons. It was a reminder of the spiritual warfare we lived with every day, and the need to keep ourselves on the spiritual weapons of Ephesians 6, which God has given us–a reminder to me to give up my complaining and to start praising again.
 
In mid-afternoon we arrived in Barbara’s mother’s village. After greeting her, we went on to the little apartment the Lord had provided for us. A Christian friend of Barbara’s who lived in the village had found this place for us, a cozy little apartment up under the roof. The landlady’s daughter-in-law, Gerlinda, turned out to also be a believer, and she was excited to help us get settled.
 
Normally when you rent an apartment in Germany there is nothing in it beyond the bathroom furnishings: no closets, no lights, no appliances, no kitchen furnishings, no cabinets and no sink, and often no faucets! That means you have to buy everything and either install it yourself or have it put in.
 
In our case, however, the Lord went before us and provided everything necessary. The kitchen had all we needed, including a stove and under-the-counter refrigerator. Gerlinda had also collected furniture for us from two older women in the village who were entering a nursing home.
 
So, when we arrived, there were big cabinets in the living room and bedroom, couches, chairs, two tables, an ironing board, a clothes-horse, a fold-out couch for the guest room and even an electric recliner!
 
We had brought our Turkish rugs, so we only needed to lay them down and move in. The Lord was providing for us in a wonderful way
 
Other items were then given to us by Barbara’s relatives: a huge bed from her uncle, a TV and stand from her cousin and some pots and pans from her mother.
 
With a few items of Barbara’s from her childhood, we were fully furnished! It was the easiest move in we’d ever made. Little did we know God had even more marvelous provisions planned for us.
Pictures: Arriving in Venice; our new little apartment
 
Image may contain: sky, outdoor and water
Image may contain: indoor
Filed under:

Psalm 17:9-11

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 25, 2020
Today’s devotional is so applicable to me, as a neighbor has decided to attack me in the public square. These truths here are very encouraging.
 
Psalm 17:9 “… hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.”
 
[For David, these enemies were actual people; for us it is sometimes people acting like our enemies, but it is actually our spiritual foe, Satan and his forces of demons and devils, who regularly use people to attack God’s children.
 
This opposition is real, it is powerful, it is beyond our abilities to withstand and overcome. We know that Satan’s goal is to rob us of joy, to destroy our testimonies, families, churches and lives, and to kill, as he is doing in the Middle East and parts of Africa with attempts by terrorists to wipe out all Christians in their area. We need help desperately!
 
Praise be to you, Lord, that you do want to hide us in the shadow of your wings. You are our rock, our salvation and our high tower. You call us to take shelter in you–just as David is doing in Psalm 17 by pouring out his heart to you and asking for help–so that we will never be shaken.]
 
Psalm 17:10 “They close up their callous hearts, and their mouths speak with arrogance.”
 
[People used by Satan are certainly callous—I read recently that a young man publicly executed his own mother for opposing his joining ISIS! And when you hear the pronouncements of those who oppose biblical truths and standards, there is huge arrogance as they exalt their own intellect above the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them. As pawns in Satan’s plans, mercy and grace are foreign concepts to them. May this not be true of us!]
 
Psalm 17:11 “They have tracked me down, they now surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.”
 
[Satan intentionally sends his servants out to track us down and attack. This description of spiritual warfare is expanded on in Psalm 62:3-4: “How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down– this leaning wall, this tottering fence?”
 
We are weak and unable to stand on our own against the attacks of Satan’s forces, whether he uses people or events, sickness or accidents, fear or frustration.]
 
“Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place;”
 
They want to have us forget who we are in Christ–children of the Most High God, chosen, forgiven, adopted and delighted in–to forsake Him as our high tower, to topple us into the swamp of self-pity, materialism and despair.]
 
“they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.”
 
[Satan’s forces can be slick, sounding so positive and constructive at times (“we welcome all, we don’t want anyone to be offended”), but their goal is destruction, causing people to accept lies and harmful values–as we see happening all around us today, with abortion, rampant divorce, twisting of the definition of marriage and political correctness.]
 
Our strength is inadequate, but yours, Lord God, is mighty, invincible, far more than adequate–you who breathed the stars, who hung the earth on nothing, who brings the dawn each day, you are able to empower us to stand in any situation.
 
Help us to remember these truths: that we are in a spiritual battle every day; that our real enemies are not people, but Satan’s forces using them. Help us to keep on the full armor you have provided, to fight with praise, prayer and persistence in obedience and to see your mighty power triumph in our lives and in those of people we are called to serve.]
Image may contain: tree, sky, outdoor, nature and water
Filed under:

Psalm 17:8

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 25, 2020
 
 
Psalm 17:8b “hide me in the shadow of your wings.”
[You, Heavenly Father, actively shelter your children, covering us with your Presence and Power, keeping us safe from what is truly evil. But we, like chicks, must choose to stay under your wings, to abide in your love, as you, Jesus, command us in John 15:9-10, “Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”
If we choose to disobey your commands, Lord Jesus, and in arrogance and selfishness elevate our intellect and desires above your Word, as Adam and Eve did, we remove ourselves from the protecting shelter of your love.
Even then, though, you never stop loving us. You are always there, calling us, waiting for us to come and again abide in your shelter, your grace, your unconditional love.
And when we do stray in disobedience, you actively, in your love, chasten us by letting us suffer the consequences of our poor choices (Heb. 12:1-17). You do this so we will come to our senses and return to obedience to you. You WILL hide us under your wings, if only we will come and abide there.]
Help us, Lord, to do that, to abide in your love, obeying what we know to be true, reveling in the Truth of your great and wonderful compassion and care for us. May we have the glow of your love in our hearts, in our souls and on our faces as we go with you into today, that we may bring light and hope to all those we meet.
Image may contain: plant, flower, nature and outdoor
Filed under:

Psalm 17:6-7

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 22, 2020
 
 
Psalm 17:6 “I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.”
[Your faithfulness, Lord, is the impetus for prayer. You Will hear, you Will answer, you Will help–because it is your nature to be faithful!
We can be so certain of your answering, that in any circumstance we can give thanks before we see any sign of an answer, we can fully rest in you, we don’t have to panic, we don’t have to cling to our desired outcome, we don’t have to be afraid. We can, before an answer comes, know that you will faithfully do what is best. Your promise to hear and answer was David’s hope–and ours, too.]
Psalm 17:7 “Show the wonder of your great love,
[Yours, Lord Jesus, is a love far richer and deeper, more committed than even David could know in his time. He was not able to see your great plan to move through immense suffering–spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically and volitionally–which you were willing to endure because of you love for your rebellious creatures. To say your love is wonderful is a woefully inadequate statement! Praise you for your immeasurable, mighty, all-encompassing, all consuming compassion]
“you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.”
[Your right hand, the hand of honor, is powerful and adequate to save us in any danger. You are our sure Refuge, our high Tower, our mighty Rock, our righteous Redeemer and sufficient Savior who is every watching over us. We must, however, run to you and take shelter in that refuge. We are called to partnership with you and need to actively join you so you can do your promised part.
I praise you, Lord God, that you, in your immense might, your persistent power, your notable knowledge of all and your pervasive presence, can never be defeated. No one can trick you, fool you or get around you. Therefore, you are fully able to protect us, to bring us through whatever events you allow and bring us down your green path and out into the wide and pleasant place you have prepared, into the green pastures of your pleasure.
We praise you now for what you will do today in protecting us, preparing all for us and providing what we need. May we live in the light of this truth and rest in you, no matter what comes.]
Image may contain: tree, plant, grass, outdoor and nature
Filed under:

Psalm 17:3-5

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 21, 2020
Psalm 17:3 “Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing;”
[Here is a statement I find hard to understand. I cannot say this–only a slight probe in me will find a multitude of wrong in my motives, thoughts and actions. Perhaps David was speaking more of the fact that he has not responded incorrectly in his present situation; maybe he has forgiven and prayed for the good of his enemies. Perhaps he has already confessed his sin in the situation and now stands cleansed as far as he knows.]
“I have resolved that my mouth will not sin.”
[He’s not going to give a response of the flesh, but speak what he knows is pleasing to you, Lord. That hints at checking his motives, thinking through his possible responses and choosing to obey what he knows is right. May I live like that.]
Psalm 17:4 “As for the deeds of men—by the word of your lips I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.”
[Perhaps here David, who was a man of war, is talking specifically of the instance before him where he did not respond to these people in violence (which he could have done), acting instead according your commands in grace and quietness. May I do the same!]
Psalm 17:5 “My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped.”
[As David sought to obey, running in the paths prepared by you, Lord, he did not stumble or fall. It was only when he strayed from your path that he slipped, fell and took many others down with him.
Lord keep me on your path, surround me with your hedge of thorns, pricking me immediately when I zig or zag off your way so I can quickly repent and get back on your path. May I not slip today and thereby bring you honor.]
Image may contain: flower and nature
Filed under:

Psalm 17:1-2

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 19, 2020
Psalm 17:1 “Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry.”
[You, Lord, are the prayer-answering God. Intercession was your invention, giving us a way to enter your presence, your arms, your heart, your plans.
You are the God who
–heard Joseph and gave him the interpretation of dreams;
–who heard Moses and opened the Red Sea;
–who heard David and defeated his enemies;
–who heard Daniel and told him the dream of the king;
–who heard Jesus and raised Lazarus from the dead.
–And you are the God who hears us still and will answer in the same faithfulness and power you always have.]
“Give ear to my prayer—it does not rise from deceitful lips.”
[Your part is to hear, ours is to come to you in integrity, not trying to manipulate you or paint ourselves as better than we are, or trick you into moving against someone unjustly. To do any of these is, of course, ridiculous, for nothing is hidden from your eyes, including our motives. You are the all-seeing, all-knowing, all-present One.
Praise you that we can and must be totally transparent before you—and that such honesty does not negatively affect your openness to us one bit, “for you are good and ready to forgive and plenteous in mercy to all who call upon you” (Psalm 86:5).
Psalm 17:2 “May my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right.”
[Truly, real vindication can only fully come from you, Lord, for only you know fully what is good. We can rest in that awesome truth that you see everything, both right and wrong, and love us anyway.
Your Word is clear on how we should trust you to deal with those who oppose us. As it says in the Old Testament, “Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psa. 37:1-4).
This concept is repeated more powerfully in the New Testament: “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:19-21).
In the picture here, the beauty of these leaves was revealed by the recent frost. Likewise, the beauty of the Lord is revealed in us through difficulties, if we respond according to His Word.
Lord, help us to look to you for vindication and for dealing with those who treat us like their enemies. May our delight be in you, not in vengeance or winning. May you thusly be glorified before all those around us, especially before those who oppose us. And right now, I am in the midst of such a conflict with a renter who sees me as the enemy, so I must apply all this personally! I praise you for how you will answer in faithfulness and righteousness and bring vindication.]
Epilogue: as I asked, the Lord gave wisdom through Psalm 37 (do good) in how to do good to this renter who treated me as an enemy, and he straightened out.
Image may contain: tree, plant, sky, outdoor and nature
Filed under:

Moving Out

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 19, 2020
At the beginning of September 2008 we had an opportunity for a short break at the seashore with both our sons and daughters in-law. It was a pleasant and restful time, just what we needed after the extreme stress of the conferences and my subsequent stent insertion. I felt good, strong and refreshed.
 
As soon as we returned from our break, we had a tour group arrive for a guided trip to the seven churches of Revelation. Such tours were part of our business venture; this was to be our last one.
 
Barbara and I traveled with them by bus for ten days, giving them the inside story of what Turkey was like spiritually in Paul’s time and what it was like now.
 
We walked on the marble paving stones of the streets of Ephesus, the same ones the Apostles Paul and John had walked on. We sat in the amphitheater where the crowds who rioted against Paul’s preaching shouted, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians.” We stood in the ruins of the synagogue in Pisidion Antioch and read from Acts the sermon Paul gave on that same spot. In Iconium, we visited one of the old city gates, perhaps the one Paul walked through. These were, for me, spine tingling connections with biblical history.
 
It was a stimulating trip, but also a strenuous one, what with spending every night in a different hotel, traveling long distances and having continual interaction with people.
 
During the tour Barbara and I also made a side trip. Our visas would run out a week before our scheduled departure for Germany, so we wanted to make a quick exit to a Greek island to extend them. However, we discovered that the harbors in Greece were all closed by a strike, so we could not get that accomplished. This meant we would have to leave our apartment and Turkey a week earlier than planned.
 
If you have ever completely closed down a house, disposing of everything in it, leaving it repainted, empty and swept clean, then you know how much time that takes. It is a much more difficult process than just moving. And we were now under a time crunch to get this completed a week earlier than planned.
 
The Lord helped us with the good assistance Josh and Sarah, Robert and others gave us. We stored some things with Robert in faith that we would sometime come back. The rest we were able to sell, give away or put on the street so we were fully moved out in time to have the apartment painted.
 
The Lord even worked it out so that the landlady gave back all of our sizable deposit—something she rarely did for her renters. We then moved in with Josh and Sarah for the last few days before our departure.
 
One of our teammates very generously offered to loan us his van to drive to Germany, and Nat and Abby volunteered to go with us and drive the van back. The thought of spending some extra days traveling with Nat and Abby made the prospect of our trip much more pleasant.
 
Our visa expiration dates forced us to leave in the midst of a major four-day Muslim holiday, but that turned out to be a gift from the Lord, too. First, there was very little traffic on the roads, and second, all the tolls on the turnpikes and the bridge over the Bosporus were waved. We zoomed our way out of Turkey and into Greece in record time.
 
Picture: on our way to Germany; note how skinny I am after the very stressful summer.
Image may contain: 1 person, standing and outdoor
Filed under:

Prayer requests

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 18, 2020
 
 
Please post this on your FB page
 
Today – Global Day of Prayer for Turkey – Sat Apr 18
In 2009 we asked the world to join us each year for a Global Day of Prayer for T on April 18, the day in 2007 when three of our brothers were tortured and brutally murdered in T. We offer these requests for your individual use or in your churches tomorrow.
 
As you pray, consider Paul’s words…
He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. (2 Cor 1:10-11)
 
1. Please pray for the blessing and peace of T in general, as the Lord desires us to bless and be a blessing to all.
By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted…. (Prov 11:11)
 
2. Pray the Lord will display His love and mercy to the people of T by pouring out His Holy Spirit upon our land, revealing His glory through healings, signs and wonders.
3. Pray the Lord breaks down the lies and the endless disinformation about Christ, the Bible and Christians that has blinded and hardened hearts in our land. Pray that God redeems the negative memories of history.
 
Of course, we are living in the flesh, but we do not fight in a fleshly way. For the weapons of our warfare are not those of the flesh. Instead, they have the power of God to demolish fortresses. We tear down arguments and every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive in order to obey Christ.. (2 Cor 10:3-5)
 
4. Pray that hearts and eyes are opened to see Jesus as the way, the truth and the life.
 
5. Pray for the Turkish believers who are always on the frontline to walk close to the Lord. Pray for refreshing, emboldening, strengthening, protection and encouragement.
 
6. Pray for more servant hearted leaders. For good role models. For faithful laborers.
 
7. Pray for the ongoing unity amongst the churches and for its increase and deepening.
 
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus that together you may, with one voice, glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom 15:5-6)
 
Thank you for your prayers. May the Lord’s hand be upon you always.
 
On behalf of the Body of Christ in T,
Alliance of Protestant Churches (Turkey)
Filed under:

Psalm 16:8-11

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 18, 2020

Psalm 16:8b,9 “…he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;”

[You, Lord God, are the reason I can be glad and rejoice, for you are mightily faithful, lovingly good, totally wise and graciously giving. There is no lack for those who follow you. “The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing” (Psa. 34:10). It is in you, in your character that all comes together, that all is provided, that all stability rests. It is SO right to rejoice in you!]

Psalm 16:10 “my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.”

[This is a prophetical statement about you, Lord Jesus, written 1000 years before you were born. You died on the cross, but your body did not deteriorate; it was brought back to life and transformed into the new and eternal form our bodies will have.

Right now, we live in the land of the dying, but being in you, but we already are in the Kingdom of the eternally living. And along with this, you have given us three wonders for life right now:]

1) Psalm 16:11 “You have made known to me the path of life;”

[In your love and grace, your compassion and forgiveness, your Spirit has opened and is opening my eyes to your way, so I can walk on the path, “of the righteous” which “is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever more brightly til the full light of day” (Prov 4:18).

And every day, as we walk on your way, we can give you glory and honor by responding to every situation with praise. To know you is wonderful!]

2) “you will fill me with joy in your presence,”

[Truly, know Jesus is enough for joy! The more we know you, the deeper our joy goes, overflowing, energizing, transforming and guiding. It is not our circumstances, but the certainty of your presence that is the well-spring of joy in our lives. And this will be multiplied a thousand-fold when we pass through death into eternal life. We praise you for it!]

3) “with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

[The certainty of spending eternity with you, Lord Jesus, at your right hand, enjoying the pleasure of your presence, the wonders of your being, the marvels of your new Heaven and new Earth–this is a prospect beyond comprehension. To have this certainty is a further aspect to our present joy.

Yes, Lord Jesus, to know you is enough for joy, a joy that will be ever increasing until death and then exploding into all the dimensions in which you now live, expanding throughout eternity as we learn more and more of your marvelous, infinite character. May I walk together with you in that joy this day, Lord Jesus, so that I can shine the light of your joy on all those I meet.

Image may contain: plant, flower, tree, outdoor and nature

Filed under: