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God’s Embrace

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 12, 2018

Praise be to you, Lord, for how faithful and good, wise and powerful you are. We see this in the expanse of the heavens, which you stretched out for billions of, not just miles, but light years. You filled it with stars, gathered them into galaxies and the arranged the galaxies into formations—and you know the name of each of these trillions of stars; you know their number and you keep them in place.

As you are able to administrate all that, so you are certainly able to deal with the details of my life. Being outside of time, you know every event that will come and can shape them to be useful in our lives, or prevent them if it is best.

I think of the many times I’ve had close calls in driving, including one this week: you prevented an accident each time and kept us safe. And I’m sure there are thousands of times you have protected us in every area over the years that we were not aware of it. You are certainly the Deity of details, the Shepherd of strength, the Lord of lavish love. You are the One we can trust, rest in and rejoice in.

Last night when I went to give a discipleship lesson, the couple had just gotten a new little dog. He’d been suddenly taken from his familiar environment where he’d lived all his 3 years and was feeling very unsure and insecure in this new situation. For some reason he would not got to the two females in the house but jumped up on the man’s lap for a bit, then onto mine where he snuggled down and stayed for the whole lesson. Somehow he felt safe there, and enjoyed the scratching I gave him.

So it is with us and you, Lord. No matter how challenging our situation or how dangerous and painful the happenings in our life, we can snuggle down in your embrace, knowing that you have already prepared a path through whatever is facing us, that you will accompany us along the way and carry us through. You have a plan, you are faithful, you are able to carry it out.

The only element we have to add is trust, based on our knowledge of who you are; then you will pour peace, joy and hope into our lives (Rom. 15:13), along with more than enough grace (undeserved help) to move through any circumstance with power.

I praise you now, Lord Jesus, for the day you have laid out before me. Help me to keep on the full armor you have provided, to trust you by getting up the shield of faith through offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving and to join you in what you are doing so that I may give you more and more honor each day.

 

 

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God’s Direction

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 11, 2018
In 1981 we made a trip to Eastern Turkey. On the way our transmission gave out, so we had to leave our car, travel back to Ankara and order a new transmission from Germany. When it came, we got on a bus and made the 12 hour trip to our car. I subsequently had to make another trip to Ankara for more parts and had the same driver going and coming. He invited me to have breakfast with him, and we struck up a friendship.
 
After our car was fixed, we started home, stopping in a small city for lunch. There were about 10 small stores on the main street and I randomly went into one, and there was my new bus driver friend, Adnan, sitting there! He said, “I’m only home one day a month and you find me!”
 
He took us to his home where we met both of his wives and his many children. Subsequently when he passed through Ankara driving his bus, he would come for a visit. We shared the gospel, gave him a Bible and had some good discussions.
 
Then 2 years later we went to visit and found that Adnan had been killed in a traffic accident! We were so sad, for he had become a real friend. The Lord had given us the opportunity to share Truth with him, as the Lord knew he was going to die soon. We hope that he responded to the gospel before he died. Since he was in a coma for four days before dying, he had a clear opportunity to accept Christ.
 
In the picture below, taken in 1983, Barbara and the boys are sitting in Adnan’s house.
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Glorifying God

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 10, 2018

Praise be to you, Lord God, that you were there, waiting for me this morning, after watching over us all night. I praise you for your grace and goodness, your power and provision which you’ve prepared for me for today.

Thank you so much for the purpose you give us in life: living for you, joining you in your great plans and giving you glory–which means revealing you to those around us. And how can we do that?

First of all, by being people of praise. As we respond to the events swirling around us by offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving in whatever comes, we reveal to others your Sovereignty and Love. We live the truth that you are in control, so whatever comes to us flows with your permission and purpose, from your wisdom and love.

As we trust you in the events of our days, you give us joy and peace and make our lives overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:13). Then, as you promised (2 Cor. 12:9)), your power will come and you will show us your salvation in the events that face us (Ps. 50;23). As we note your power and salvation and talk about them, we are revealing your faithfulness and power to those around us.

Which brings us to another way of giving you glory: seeing God-sightings  you bring into our lives daily (when you provide, protect and  guide), and then share them with those around us. Like yesterday while shopping, I had a question about an electrical item, but there was no one to help me. However, as I went around the corner, there was my neighbor who is an electrician and he readily answered my question. God at work. God revealed.

Another way of revealing Him to others is to share what we are learning as we read, study, memorize and meditate on Scripture. The insights and understandings He brings are far above human thinking and help us shift from a natural worldview to a biblical one.

For instance, in 1 Peter 1, where I am re-memorizing now, it says that trials come to us to test the genuineness of our faith (are we responding with the sacrifice of thanksgiving, trusting God, or do we complain, revealing the falseness of our faith?). Every negative event is a test and a chance to reject our natural response, to trust and grow.

But there is a further reason for trials: if we respond with faith, then when Jesus is revealed at the end of time, we will be given praise, honor and glory by God Himself!

That’s a worldview shift–moving from the momentary, myopic goal of being comfortable, to the wide, high and deep understanding of how this particular discomfort fits into God’s great scheme for the finishing of history and ushering in an eternity where He will share His glory with those who have lived by faith here.

This is the call for us to fix our eyes on Jesus, who for the joy that was set before Him—the joy of redeeming all mankind, pleasing the Father, being glorified as the Savior, ending evil and ruling forever in righteousness–endured the cross, despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb. 12:2).

Even in writing this, I am glorifying God, revealing to you, more of His powerful and pristine Character, helping you to worship Him more and better. May we be aware of the everyday opportunities to reveal God’s glory to those around us by praise, by offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving, by noting and sharing God sightings, and by sharing what we are learning at the feet of the Holy Spirit.

May we live out the purpose of our existence today, glorifying God in our lives!

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Retirement

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 9, 2018

Day one of my retirement.

Praise you, Lord, for this, the first real day of my retirement from Christar. At this point it is primarily a financial change, as I plan to keep on doing all the things I did before (teaching, counseling, writing, and traveling to speak as opportunities come), I just won’t get paid for them!

So, this will be a financial adventure, too, seeing how you, Lord, provide beyond social security. One thing we know for sure is that the Lord is our Shepherd and therefore we will not want.

A second way that retirement will change me is in attitude. I now feel free to do spontaneous things, like going out to breakfast with the guys after men’s prayer meeting on Friday mornings.
I don’t want to become less disciplined in how I use the time left, but want to be less focused on work and more on people.

This retirement coincides with my turning 70 this year. In the past, I’ve found that decadal milestones often bring changes in focus and responsibilities. I expect this to be a bigger one than previous “big O” years.

Hebrews 12:1-17 is my map. It certainly is a pleasure to walk with Jesus into the future, knowing that He has the course laid out for us, calling us to join Him in the adventure of the rest of our lives. I want to obey His command to lay aside every weight and sin that can so easily entangle, and to run with patience and perseverance the race He has set out before me.

It will require patience, for as we move into the future, I’m going to be losing things: strength, endurance, hearing and other physical abilities. Truly, old age is the process of losing things, but maturity is letting them go and using these losses to focus on what God has for us. I suspect that worship and intercessory prayer will become the primary focus, with discipleship and counseling being the second.

Whatever it is, I can take my cue from Jesus, fixing my eyes on Him who, “for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross (for me that’s old age), despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Truly, to know Him is to have hope, to have peace and joy as we trust in Him, so we can move into the future with His presence, provision and protection. I look forward to living this out on a new level!

 

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Psalm 15:4-5

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 8, 2018
As we read through Psalm 15, every quality the LORD requires for dwelling in His sanctuary is found in Jesus.
 
Psalm 15:4 “who despises a vile man”
 
[You see all, so nothing is hidden from you; you know what is vile and rightly reject it. In righteousness you despise what is unrighteous, while somehow still loving every sinner and seeking to bring them into your Kingdom, into your Family, into your Forgiveness.]
 
“but honors those who fear the LORD,”
 
[You are able to discern what really motivates a man: fear of people or fear of God (Psalm 34:11-14). And you will give glory and honor to those who walk in your ways because they love you and trust you.]
 
“who keeps his oath even when it hurts,”
 
[You are the One who always keeps your Word—you kept your Word to be a Savior who could only redeem through intense, infinite suffering, and you, Lord Jesus, followed through by submitting yourself to anguish, pain and an unjust punishment of death. Praise you for your faithfulness.]
 
Psalm 15:5 “who lends his money without usury”
 
[You are generous and gracious, pouring out your riches on us without thought of profit.]
 
“and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.”
 
[You are absolutely just, you cannot be swayed by any bribe. No one can bribe you to move against your children, who through Christ’s sacrifice, are declared innocent in your sight. A bribe has no influence to change your mind to condemn them.
 
On the other hand, we believers can’t get you to change your mind with our “good works,” our fasting or self-denial; we can’t twist your cosmic arm, to “make” you answer our selfish prayers. Praise be to you for your unbending goodness and purity.
 
Lord, help us to live like you, to follow your example in each of these wonderful qualities and thereby bring honor to your name by showing your glory to all those around us.
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Stability

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 7, 2018
From EDIFIED!
 
Praise you, Lord Jesus, the Lover, the Liberator, the Leader of my soul. You are a marvel, so different from any human being, so pure, so persistent, so powerful, so perfect in your character. You never change, you never vacillate, you never alter your ideas. You are rock solid stable, ever loving, ever correcting, ever forgiving.
 
With you we can move through the valleys of failure and selfishness, sin and poor choices and still come out to a good place because of your grace and goodness. You faithfully work to convict us, guide us, warn us, call us, protect us, chasten us—with you there is always hope for growth and progress. You reverse the second law of thermodynamics, bringing order out of chaos!
 
I give you honor and praise and glory, Lord Jesus, for to know you is to be given stability in your love, grace in your commitment, hope in your power, peace in your forgiveness, joy in your presence, delight in your beauty, wisdom in your Word, strength in your might, help in your compassion and guidance in your wisdom.
 
Your goodness and desires for us are summed up with this: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13).
 
Prayer: “Glory be to you, honor be to you, obedience be to you in my life today, Lord God, that your Name may be lifted up before men and angels. Help me to hear you, to comprehend and obey you for your glory. Amen.”
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Paragon of Perfection

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 6, 2018
Day 94
 
Jesus is the perfect Paragon of excellence, the sinless Savior and Shepherd, the marvelous and majestic Maker and Master of our faith. As we read through Psalm 15, every quality the LORD requires for dwelling in His sanctuary is found in Jesus.
 
Psalm 15:1-2 “LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless”
 
[I praise you, Lord Jesus, that you are blameless. In you there is no sin, no evil, no slipping into error, no darkness, no injustice or rebellion; you are without blame, without accusation, without sin. Praise you for your perfection, your purity, your pristineness, that you are the summation of all virtues.]
 
“and who does what is righteous,”
 
[All you have done and will do is right, Lord Jesus, there is no error in your ways, no wrong, no fault, no unrighteousness. Therefore, you are absolutely trustable and believable in your faithfulness and goodness.]
 
“who speaks the truth from his heart”
 
[You are Truth itself and therefore speak only Truth from the center of your being. All you say is true, right, correct, positive and good.]
 
 
Psalm 15:3 He “has no slander on his tongue,”
 
[When you accuse or judge, Lord Jesus, it is correct, it is spoken to the right person with the right motive at the right time in the right way. There is no malice, selfishness, evil motive or wrong desire in your speech. Instead you speak correctly to convict, to bring repentance, to restore and lead, giving light, love and healing.]
 
“who does his neighbor no wrong”
 
[You only do what is right, pure, helpful, good and positive. To live with you is to experience the light of your goodness, the power of your purity and the provision of your positiveness.]
 
“and casts no slur on his fellowman,”
 
[You never speak unjustly, you never maliciously cut people down, or try to put them in a bad light. In fact, as the good Shepherd, you will work to protect people rather than expose them to ridicule. You always first nudge us towards repentance before having someone come and confront us. As you are light, and live in the light, so you shine light on what is true, not to condemn people, but to bring them to repentance and restoration.
 
May we walk in your light today, Lord Jesus, giving you honor and pleasure.]
 
 
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Psalm 15:1-4

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 5, 2018
 
Psalm 15:1 “LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?”
 
[Praise be to you, Lord God, the High and Holy One, who invites us into your sanctuary, to live with you on your holy hill–through believing on the risen Jesus.
 
This possibility is a delightful demonstration of your great love, your glorious grace and your generous goodness, offering us life and love while we were dead in sins. It is your pure and positive Character at work in the midst of a sinful, twisted and destructive world.
 
Psalm 15:2-4 “…who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the LORD; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind….”
 
Each of these conditions for living in close relationship with you, Lord, is unreachable for us in our own strength; our sinful flesh prevents this, even when our spirit is willing.
 
But, in the face of our inability, you, Lord God, in your rich and powerful, persistent and active agape love have, through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus, provided these qualities for all who believe. “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Pet. 1:3).
 
You have imputed the qualities of Christ to us and have made us qualified to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the Kingdom of light! This is against all logic, all normal justice, all human reasoning and contrary to the heavenly expectations of angels.
 
This grace–giving us the opposite of what we deserve–is more than marvelous. It is the demonstration of your infinitely loving, lovely, lustrous Character at work in mysterious and majestic ways, moving us from hopelessness and despair to certainty and grace.
 
I praise you for the great and transforming truth of your total commitment to save all who are willing. Therefore, we can trust you totally, rest in you fully and follow you wholeheartedly.
 
May we honor you today by resting in your goodness, obeying in your power and living as carriers of light and hope to all around us. Praise you for what you will do today!
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Psalm 14:4-7

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 4, 2018

Psalm 14:4 “Will evildoers never learn—”

[Lord, this means you are consistently working at teaching all rebels the error of their ways, letting them suffer the consequences of their destructive choices as you, in your faithfulness and love, are calling them to repentance and surrender–but they are not listening!]

“those who devour my people as men eat bread and who do not call on the LORD?”

[These rebels commit two evils: they abuse people and they trust in themselves, rather than you, Lord. They delusively believe they are in control, able to handle life on their own as they bully all those around them.]

Psalm 14:5 “But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous.”

[In spite of their bravado, inside they have dread because they sense God’s presence among believers. That’s why they so viciously attack those who call themselves followers of Jesus Christ, as has happened all down through history. And we see this today as Isl.amic ter.roists and leaders try to wipe out all Christians in their territory.

Such evildoers are afraid of death. They may be aware of the coming judgment, and that they are apart from the righteous–those have surrendered to Christ–but they do not repent.]

Psalm 14:6 “You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge.”

[Ungodly people prey on the poor instead of praying to God. But when the poor turn to you, Lord, you are their help and protection. You are faithful, you are good and you are powerful. As it says in Psalm 68:6, “God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.”]

Psalm 14:7 “Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!”

[And it was brought by Jesus, who was a Jew!]

“When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people,let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!”

[Yes, the first believers, who were all Jewish, as well as we gentiles who are your children, have rejoiced and will rejoice in our salvation!

And we can continue to rejoice in your daily ongoing practical protection and salvation, Lord Jesus, as you lead us out of our personal prisons, further up and further into your glorious Kingdom,. Truly, you are our Good Shepherd and we will not lack anything we need, as we follow you.]

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Psalm 14:1-3

Published by S.M. Wibberley on October 3, 2018

Psalm 14:1 “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”

[This is a clear definition of a fool: one with no spiritual discernment or interest, who rejects truth in favor of his own unfounded opinion.

The statement that there is no God is so far from reality, so entirely limited to this tiny earth, moment, and view that it is a sorry position, void of hope, truth, goodness, meaning and a future. I pity the person who believes this, as he is caught in his own delusion and ends up in the darkness of a meaningless, hopeless existence.]

“They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.”

[We are all by nature fools, making ourselves our own god until we meet Jesus, the true and living God. In our natural selves there is no good, no ability to do true good, for all we do is corrupted by our selfishness.

This is reality, this is why we desperately need you, Lord Jesus, you who are goodness itself and desire to give all people a new heart filled with righteousness, joy and peace so we can do the good works you have prepared for us (Eph. 2:10).]

Psalm 14:2 “The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.”

[This means, Lord, that you look into the heart of every single person, you check them out, you are concerned for them. Only an infinite God could be in close contact with 6 billion people all at the same time! And in doing so, you love all of them, wanting each to come to you, giving each chances to enter your Family, your Kingdom, your Eternity with you. You are a wonder!]

Psalm 14:3 “All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

[This is the sad truth: not one single person in the whole world, in the whole of history since the Fall, ever sought you out on their own. Not one naturally followed you in the right way. We all turned away from you, we were all corrupt. And because we are sinners, any good that we did was tainted with selfishness, pride and deceit; we futilely try to convince ourselves we are good.

What a hopeless situation! In ourselves we are unable to alter it. But praise you, Lord Jesus, that you have entered history, paid the great price and made it possible for us to be released from the hand of the enemy and our own wickedness so we can come into your Kingdom of Light and Life and Love! Like in this picture below, you bring life and beauty out of what is dead and decaying.

May we be ever thankful for your unwarranted grace, goodness and love. May my life, being focused on you, reflect your love and light to all around me today.]

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