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As we prepare to fly back to CT tomorrow

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 4, 2018
 
 
You, Lord Jesus, are my serene Security, my superb Stability, my unshakable Surety, my mighty Rock. With all that swirls around us in life, we could not make it without you as our powerful Foundation, our strong Anchor, our great Shepherd, our powerful King. Praise you that you are our impenetrable Shield, our impregnable Fortress, our undefeated Defender, our eternal Stronghold.
 
In you and your protection there is no gap, no chink, no forgotten loophole for the enemy to come through. You are total salvation from evil as well as the great and gracious gateway through which comes all that is profitable, helpful and positive.
 
Praise you that you protect and provide through your wide wisdom, your complete knowledge, your rich love and your perfect patience.
 
You are the One to be trusted, Lord God, Triune God, Holy God. I praise you for what you will bring today in your wisdom and love, your purpose and plan. Help us to follow you well, joining you in what you desire to accomplish today–in, through and around us.
 
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Psalm 30:4-5

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 4, 2018
 
 
Psalm 30:4 “Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name.”
 
[YES! This must be our response to you, Lord, singing and praising you for your marvelous character, which is displayed in your holy name, Yahweh. You are sinless, separate, and strong; you are glorious, gracious, and great; you are worthy of worship, worthy of praise, worthy of our surrender, love and obedience. To you be honor in song, glory in praise, exaltation in thanksgiving.]
 
Psalm 30:5 “For his anger lasts only a moment,”
 
[Praise you that you are angry with sin, that you move to justly judge and properly punish, that you don’t draw back from chastening us. And that your anger ends when your desire is accomplished.]
 
“but his favor lasts a lifetime;”
 
[You are the God of forgiveness, of grace and of goodness, pouring out your undeserved favor on us forever. As it says in Psalm 18:19, “He brought me out into a spacious place. He rescued me because he delighted in me.”
 
Praise be to you that you can delight in your redeemed but still crooked children. We rejoice in your favor, we exalt in your goodness, we revel in your love, we bask in your grace. You are wonderful, you are marvelous, you are incredibly, unbelievably, beyond-conception-good!]
 
“weeping may remain for a night,”
 
[You do take us through loss, disappointment, difficulty and heartbreak, but for good and wise reasons. Some of them are to mature us, to shape us, to deepen us that we may be more useful for you, share more in your glory and earn a greater reward in heaven.]
 
“but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
 
[Weeping in the night, especially the weeping of repentance, is followed by joy in the morning as we see what you have done, how you have forgiven, how you embrace, accept and love us. As we move out of the darkness of our limited understanding into the light of your deep and broad wisdom, we are able to comprehend more of your great and marvelous mind.
 
To you be glory, O Lord, to you be honor, to you be trust, praise and thanksgiving, for you are worthy of worship at all times, in all circumstances, in all outcomes. May you be honored today in my heart, my mind, my soul and my strength. Amen.
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Psalm 30:2-3

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 3, 2018
 
 
Psalm 30:2 “O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.”
 
[You, O Triune God, are revealed in your names: you, Yahweh, are the final authority; you, Elohim, are the infinitely Powerful One; you, Adonai, are the absolutely Faithful One.
 
To you I can call in my distress, for I know that in your authority, power and faithfulness you answer in wisdom, goodness, and grace. Although I don’t deserve it, in your wisdom you answer, you act, you help, you heal. Praise you that you are real, you are loving, you are present and you are powerful. I can trust you in all.]
 
Psalm 30:3 “O LORD, you brought me up from the grave; you spared me from going down into the pit.”
 
[You can heal when all hope is lost, you can restore when no possibility remains, you can give life when death is imminent. I praise you for your grace in preserving us when we deserve destruction. And you can take us to be with you when the right time comes.
 
To know you is to have a rich life, a full life, eternal life; to trust you is freedom from worry, fear and anxiety; to rest in you brings true, lasting and powerful peace.
 
I give you glory for your goodness to me, Lord, for the certainty of your activity in my life, and for the joy of a future with you. I am so blessed, so filled with your goodness, so gifted with joy and knowledge and experience with you, so privileged to be able to join you through prayer in what you are doing.
 
To know you, Father God, King of Glory, Lord of the Universe, to be your child, to be given a place at your table, in your family, in your Kingdom, to have instant access to your heart and attention, to be called to join you in your work—these are great and powerful privileges, undeserved, totally from grace, wonderfully bestowed, gratefully received.
 
Lord Jesus, may you be exalted in my life today; Heavenly Father, may you be pleased with my life today; Holy Spirit, may you be honored through obedience in my life today.
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Psalm 30:1b

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 3, 2018
Psalm 30:1b “and did not let my enemies gloat over me.”
 
[I praise you, Lord Jesus, that you do not want my enemies–primarily Satan and his forces–to gloat over me, so you are consistently at work to deliver me at the right moment. You will, at times, allow me to suffer enough to learn the lessons I need, but it will certainly be far less suffering than I deserve!
 
You, Lord Jesus, are the Great and Powerful One, the Mighty and Wise One, my Rock, my Fortress and my Defender. You persistently reach down into this world of sin and evil to protect your children. I praise you that in the day of trouble you will keep me safe in your dwelling, you will set me high upon a rock and exalt my head above the enemies that surround me (Ps. 27).
 
I praise you that as I commit my way to you and trust also in you, you will bring the best to pass, you will bring forth the righteousness you’ve given me as the light and my judgment in your forgiveness as the noon day sun (Ps. 37).
 
I praise you that you give us your Shield of Victory, that you support us with your Powerful Right Arm, that you stoop down from your Throne to make us great as your children (Ps. 18).
 
To you be glory and honor and praise, O Lord God, the Triune One, the Perfect One, the Powerful One, the Most High Ruler of all. To you I bow down today, for you I rise up to live in obedience so that you may be honored. Give me the direction and wisdom you know I need for this day, O Lord, and I praise you now for what you will do.
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A new day, a new week, a new month, a new year–all fresh opportunities to live for Jesus!

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 1, 2018
 
Psalm 30:1 A song. For the dedication of the temple. Of David.
 
“I will exalt you, O LORD, for you lifted me out of the depths….”
 
You, O Triune God, have lifted us out of the depths of Satan’s dominion of darkness, out of death, out of the prison of our evil desires and selfish rebellion. You have brought us out into your light, into your love and into your life where we will live forever. You have made us your children, your partners, your friends.
 
So I exalt you, Lord Jesus, for you are a marvel, a wonder–too good to be true, yet Truth itself. I exalt you for cleansing us in your blood, washing us with the water of the Word and setting us upon the Rock.
 
You are worthy of praise for bringing us from the darkness of death into the light of your delight, into the warmth of your love, the acceptance of your grace and the wonder of your goodness.
 
You brought us out into a spacious place because you delighted in us, even before we believed in you; you did this because of your great love that works against all reason, against all odds, against all human idea of justice.
 
You are worthy of exaltation, Jesus, for you are the LORD Yahweh, King of glory, Savior of the world, Shepherd of the redeemed and Leader of all who will follow.
 
Help us this day, this week, this month, this year, Lord, to live in the light of your goodness, to be your disciples by denying our natural selfishness so we can live in otherness, obeying your Word, taking up our cross daily and following you with all our hearts. May we run with endurance the race you have set before us, looking to you so that you may finish our faith.
 
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Speak to Yourself

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 1, 2018
From EDIFIED!
 
“Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”
John 8:31b,32
 
As we watched my mother-in-law struggle with old age, it was painful to see her fight for her significance. All her life she had been strong, talented and successful: a professional cook and seamstress, an avid and productive gardener, a wonderful housekeeper and hostess. These abilities and the resulting achievements made her feel significant and satisfied.
 
But as they were gone, she had only an inner, undefined emptiness, which she didn’t know how to deal with. She rejects help even though she needs it. She seeks relief by forcing herself to do things that cause her unnecessary physical pain. She is unhappy, sad and angry.
 
Although she had accepted Christ in her youth, it seems there was no one to teach her how God has given us in Christ all the significance we could ever want: a love and acceptance that nothing on earth can alter, a position of status as a child of God and an invitation to join God in His great work, primarily through prayer.
 
Recently I heard of one practice that can prevent all of us from falling into this trap of self-pity and living in such frustration: we should stop just listening to ourselves and instead start talking to ourselves. The difference is huge.
 
Only listening to ourselves is a trap: “What a terrible day with all this rain” “No one loves me” “Nothing ever goes right” “I can never get ahead” “No luck for me today!”
 
It is good to recognize these thoughts, but then evaluate them according to God’s Word. After that we can speak truth to ourselves, which is the way out of this swamp of sadness.
For example, we should say such things as, “Well, I had hoped for a sunny day, but praise God He knows that we need this rain!” “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” “Praise you that you bring to me what I need, Lord, both what is pleasant and what is not!” “Thank you for the lack of progress, as this reminds me that my times are in your hands.” “Thank you that you the one who arranges my days.”
 
We can then with David, point ourselves to the only true Hope in this world, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Ps. 43:5). This moves us from the swamp of despair onto the firm ground of God’s Word.
 
Listen to the inner monologue going on in your heart; break in and speak truth to yourself. This is one step towards the joy that Jesus has for us. Then we can say with Asaph, “Whom have I in heaven but you, and earth has nothing I desire besides you” (Ps. 73:25).
 
Prayer: “Lord, help me to be aware of what I am saying to myself, to evaluate it according to your Word, and to think Truth, so that you may be glorified and I may walk in the freedom you have bought for your children. Amen.”
 
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Prayer needed

Published by S.M. Wibberley on December 29, 2017
As our time here draws to an end here (flying back to the States on January 6), the Lord continues to give ministry opportunities. For the next few days we will be working with a believing family that has a total snarl of unhealthy relationships. There’s no way they can be solved because every session devolves into “he said, she said, they said.”
In praying about this, the story of the Gordian Knot came to mind. The story was that whoever could untie the knot would become the emperor for all of Asia. Alexander the Great tried to untie it to no avail; finally he took out his sword and cut through it, effectually untying it (that incident happened about 100 miles from Ankara about 300 BC).
 
The only way we are going to see progress in this family is if they follow Joseph’s example of fully forgiving his brothers, even though they did not repent or ask forgiveness. That act of obedience and trusting God cut through the anguish, bitterness, hurt and resentment that was surely there in Joseph’s heart. Such forgiveness freed Joseph up to serve his master well and eventually become the second in the kingdom.
 
Pray with me that all the members of this family will be willing to forgive as fully as they have been forgiven, and to obey Colossians 3:12-13 “…as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
 
If they will do this, what a victory that will be for the Lord, the family, the church local and national! Thank you for your prayers.
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Perspective

Published by S.M. Wibberley on December 29, 2017
From an entry in my worship journal several years ago during a difficult time of my life:
 
Lord, we are weak; in ourselves we are defenseless against the wiles of the enemy. You are the only One to whom we turn, for you are our Rock, our Fortress, our Defender. You are our Shelter, our Shield, our Strength and our Stronghold. Help us to quickly seek shelter in you when trouble comes, to trust you, to join you and to be more than conquerors in you.
 
Lord, there are a number of difficult situations going on around me now that weigh on my heart:
–A previously successful team has been torn apart by internal conflicts
–A newly married wife has left her husband.
–A leader is under great pressure personally, in his work and in his leading.
–A disciple is being hit with multiple disappointments and injustice.
 
I pray for each one with these thoughts from Psalm 37 and 2 Corinthians 12:9,10
–May each person involved hear what God is saying and heed Him.
–May they “trust in the Lord and do good.”
–May they “delight themselves in God” so that He may place proper desires in their hearts and then “give them the desires of their hearts.”
–May they “commit their ways to the Lord and trust in Him.”
–May He “bring forth their righteousness as the light, their judgment as the noon day sun.”
–May they delight in their weaknesses so Christ’s power can come on them.
–May they willingly be broken (learning to trust in God, not in themselves).
–May God thwart the plans of Satan in each person’s life.
–May there be repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation on every level.
–May God be glorified rather than shamed by the outcomes.
 
I praise you, Father, that in each case you are there, at work, chastening and protecting, shaping and guiding, exposing and shielding. Lord, help each one to turn to you, to follow hard after you, to embrace their suffering, disappointment and pressure, to take up and use your grace.
 
I praise you that our eyes must be on you, for we know not what to do. To be weak is unpleasant, but it is good when we are driven into your arms, into your truth, into your goodness, into prayer and your Word. May that be my response and that of each one involved in these difficulties.
 
I praise you now, Lord, for your gracious provision before I see it worked out. Thank you, that you are the Almighty One who breathed the stars, who holds every atom together, who loves your children and answers prayer. To you be glory for what you are doing in each of these people.
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Psalm 29:11b

Published by S.M. Wibberley on December 27, 2017
 
Psalm 29:11b, “the LORD blesses his people with peace.”
 
[You, Lord Jesus, are the Prince of Peace, the Purchaser of Peace, the Purveyor of Peace. I praise you that in your willing sacrifice for our sins, you opened the way for a three dimensional peace—peace with you, with ourselves and with others.
 
Thank you that you have placed in our hands you the power to provide peace through forgiveness. This is the power to move against the way of this twisted world where we naturally seek revenge, hold grudges and strike back.
 
Instead we can be both grace receivers and grace givers—as in the picture below–receiving your forgiveness as we confess and repent; forgiving ourselves; and forgiving others as you have forgiven us. In this way we are extending grace by doing what is healing and gracious, freeing and equipping.
 
In this you have richly blessed us, displaying your marvelous love in your kind, transforming forgiveness, offered to all, efficacious to everyone who receives it.
 
I praise you for your love that is higher than the heavens, wider than the universe, longer than eternity, deeper than our imagination.
 
I praise you now for what will come to pass today and what will not, for success and failure, for opportunities to forgive myself and others, thereby giving you glory and passing on your blessings to others.
 
You are worthy of our worship and love, our praise and honor, our surrender and obedience. May we live in these continually, exalting your name before the nations, before the unseen hosts of angels and the domain of the devil.
 
May our obedience to what we know to be right bring you honor in all, Lord Jesus, as we confess our sins to you and receive your forgiveness, as we forgive ourselves and forgive others, bringing peace to all around us.
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Psalm 29:10-11

Published by S.M. Wibberley on December 26, 2017

Psalm 29:10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;”

 

[You, O Yahweh, as Creator, Sustainer and Ender of All, sit above the flood of time, the flood of events, the flood of nations and peoples. You are unchanging, without age, without growth or alteration, for you are timeless perfection itself. You are mighty, all knowing and all seeing, for you dwell outside of time, you reign over time, and will end time, ushering in eternity,. You are the Most High, the Almighty Creator, the Everlasting God.]
“the LORD is enthroned as King forever.”
[There is no end to your righteous rule: your dominion extends through all eternity, your power will never diminish, your plans will always work out. No one can defeat you, no one can fool you, no one can out think you. You are our Savior forever, the coming Judge, the wholehearted Forgiver and the Good Shepherd. To you belongs all honor and glory and awe.]

 

Psalm 29:11 “The LORD gives strength to his people;”

 

[You in your good graciousness draw us into your embrace and share your power with your people, even though we deserve the opposite. We are by nature rebels, evil, worthy of punishment, failure, suffering and death.

 

But in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are called, cleansed, claimed as your people, commissioned and equipped to special service and cherished as your children. You pour your strength into each area of our lives: spiritual, intellectual, volitional, emotional, physical, social and financial. Therefore, we can continually move forward even when all human resources fail.

 

Praise you, Lord, for all your gracious love and provision. You are totally worthy of honor, of worship, of obedience, and I bow before you today, to walk in happy submission, joining you in what you will do, praising you in and for all.

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