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The Purpose of our Lives

Published by S.M. Wibberley on May 7, 2017
Thank you, Lord, that all which will come to us today will come from your hand.
 
Praise be to you, Lord God, for your wonderful wisdom, working consistently in the lives of your children, bringing protection, guidance, goodness and difficulties.
 
You know what is best, you know what is right, for you are the wise and powerful One, that entirely good One whose heart is set on bringing glory to yourself through doing what is righteous and merciful.
 
I praise you that in your mercy you bring positive pressure on us to see truth, to come to ourselves and surrender to you. You are the One we can trust, the One who is our refuge and strength, our joy and wisdom, our Shepherd and King.
 
Through challenges and adventures (including suffering, tragedy and persecution) you give us opportunity for faith-responses, for glory-giving, for grace-demonstrations, for clenched-teeth praise, for faith-filled obedience. These provide chances to fulfill the purpose of our existence: to bring honor to you, to be reflectors of your glory, exalting your name and your Word above all other things.
 
I praise you now for another day, another opportunity to live for you, to live by faith, to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving and thereby honor you while opening the way so your salvation can flow further into my future and that of those around me (Ps. 50:23).
 
May you be glorified today in my thoughts, actions and words, may those around me be touched by your Spirit overflowing from me. May grace be the fragrance of my life. For your glory may I be a strong scent of life to those around me who are looking for truth. May many more be swept into your Kingdom. Amen.
 
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Psalm 23:6

Published by S.M. Wibberley on May 5, 2017
Psalm 23:6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;”
 
[Goodness and mercy are your constant gifts to your children, Lord; it is a certainty that in each situation you are pouring these out into our lives. However, very often we cannot see them at the moment– but when we can look back at a difficult situation, there they are: goodness and mercy were following us!
 
Like the disappointment I had recently. After waiting two weeks for an overhead door installer to come, he only did half the job and then left, saying, “I’ll be back in about two weeks!”
 
I could see no goodness and mercy in that! But, the next day while talking to one of my disciples, I found that he had worked as a door installer and he offered to come and finish the job for me.
 
We both profited: he needed some extra income; he knew where to get the springs I needed at a very reasonably price; and I got the doors done earlier. We both saw God’s goodness and mercy in the first man not finishing the job.
 
This pattern has been and will be true throughout the whole of our lives with you, Lord Jesus. You are always faithful, you are consistently good and you are deeply merciful– whether we can see it at the moment or not. Praise be to you my wonderful Shepherd!]
 
“And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.”
 
[What a hope for the future: I WILL be in your presence for eternity. Therefore, death need hold no fear, the shortness of life no panic, the uncertainty of future no threat. We dwell in hope as we press on to what you have for us in this life, and more so in the next.
 
You, Lord Jesus, are the One we yearn for, live for, hope for. And our hope is as certain as your Love, as your Word, your Power, and your present Presence!
 
Glory and honor are due your wonderful Name, Lord Jesus. May my life give you that honor today as I trust you through praise and thanksgiving in and for all–before I see your goodness and mercy.
 
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Psalm 23: 5b,

Published by S.M. Wibberley on May 4, 2017
Psalm 23: 5b, “You anoint my head with oil;”
 
[Shepherds put oil on the heads of their sheep to keep away pesky insects, to heal wounds, to refresh.
 
Oil here can represent many things: the Holy Spirit, protection, blessing and healing. You, Lord, provide for us all these blessings and more in your gracious giving, pouring out continually from your unending, inexhaustible store of riches.
 
As it says in Ephesians 1:2 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians goes on to detail some of these blessings:
–He chose us before the foundation of the world.
–We are holy and without blame before Him in love.
–He predestined us to be adopted as His children.
–It was His good pleasure to adopt us.
–We are accepted in the Beloved, Christ.
–In Him we have redemption through His blood,
–We have the forgiveness of ours sins according to the riches of His endless grace.
— And in 1 Peter 1:3 it says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life….” ]
 
Truly, “My cup runs over.”
 
[You, Lord, give us what we need–and far more. What I actually need is air, water, food, clothing, shelter and love. But when I look at all you have given me, it is way beyond that, much more than what I need spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, physically, socially, financially and in every other realm.
 
Now it is my privilege and responsibility to share these with others, to let your blessings flow through me to those around me.
 
For example, the joy you give me should bring joy to others as I am kind, thoughtful, positive and helpful to them, whether I feel like it or not.
 
The material provisions you’ve given I should be sharing around. The spiritual riches you give I should also be passing along, for, in your Kingdom, getting and hoarding is not the norm, but receiving and giving.
 
So when we go to church on Sunday, we can go filled with the riches, grace and insights from our quiet times during the week, ready to give to others as they have need, as well as to receive what the Lord may have for us.
 
May we continually overflow with the wonder of our walk with our Shepherd, Jesus, bringing encouragement, hope and perspective to all around us.]
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Psalm 23:4b-5a

Published by S.M. Wibberley on May 3, 2017
“I will fear no evil for You are with me….” Ps 23:4b
 
You, Lord God, are ever present, ever with us, your little lambs. If there is evil threatening, you are there, watching, providing, protecting in whatever way you deem best.
 
Often we are living in limbo, in fear of possible danger or disappointment, uncertain of what is going to happen; when the doors to the future open, we will have no idea what is on the other side. But there is one thing we can be sure of: that you are there in the future, waiting to greet us with the path prepared.
 
As you announce in Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” In you we can rest.
 
“Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
 
Lord, the shepherd’s rod is a club to beat off attackers. Your rod is powerful, effective, more than sufficient to protect us from whatever Satan can bring against us–for you are undefeatable, invincible and all powerful. You have already won every battle at the cross.
 
And then there is your staff, the shepherd’s crook used to guide and correct sheep as they stray. You are faithful to warn us when we wander willfully out of the way: you tap us on the shoulder, or you pull us back. You guide us persistently, even when we insist on rebelling, trusting ourselves rather than you.
 
You are absolutely faithful, fully wise and eternally good. Praise you that your pristine and positive character assure us of your perpetual protection and provision, all shown in the next phrase:
 
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”
 
As the good Shepherd, you bring us into positive places to graze. On the edges of the pasture may lurk wolves, bears, lions, or the great serpent, Satan.
 
Their presence, however, does not need to disturb us, for you are our protector. No one can skirt you, no one can thwart your plans or purposes. We can ignore the threats of the enemy and quietly, peacefully feed on what you have given, resting in your goodness, greatness and glory.
 
You are our Shepherd, our Warrior King who has defeated the enemy. As we remain in the shelter of your Word, your Way, your Wisdom, praising you in and for all, we are safe from true harm. You may lead us through many challenges, but in these you will protect and carry us through as we follow you. Help us to do so today.
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Psalm 23:4

Published by S.M. Wibberley on May 2, 2017

Psalm 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;”

[At least one of the paths of righteousness you will lead me on, Lord, goes through this dark valley. It may be a time of dying to a desire, to my will, to a possession or it may be physical danger and sickness or death of a loved one or myself. Whatever it is, I do not need to fear that evil will triumph.

There may be loss and suffering, but in the end, evil will not win because Jesus is already the Victor and I belong to Him.

Think of Paul in his shipwreck described in Acts 27. In the midst of a great storm there were days and nights of uncertainty where Paul was cold, wet and hungry; and then the crashing of the ship into a sandbar and everyone having to swim to shore through crashing surf. There was evil: the soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners, Paul included, so they couldn’t escape, but that was prevented. Then the viper bit Paul, but God protected him and no harm was done.

It was a dark valley, but in it, the witness of Paul shone brighter in his faith, in his declaration of God’s sovereignty, in his prediction (all possessions will be lost, all people will be saved), and in his being protected. Without that dark, the light would have not been seen so clearly.

As we take refuge in His love, power and truth, God does not always protect us from what will harm us physically, but from what would harm us spiritually. Then we can shine in the darkness of this world as a light house for those seeking Truth.

The valley of the shadow of death is not a threat but an opportunity to fulfill the purpose of our lives: honoring the One who walked this road before us and will walk with us through it again.

So, let us look to Jesus, “who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2).

Let us follow the advice of the Word to “throw off everything that hinders [our natural worldview] and the sin that so easily entangles [addiction to comfort, selfishness and security, to name a few] and run with perseverance the race marked out for us [some of which will go through the valley of the shadow of death], fixing our eyes on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2a) and we will come out on the other side, in a pleasant place: “He brought me out into a spacious place, he rescued me because he delighted in me” (Ps. 18:19).

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Psalm 23:2b,3

Published by S.M. Wibberley on May 1, 2017
 
As my “Psalm 23” Shepherd, Lord Jesus, you lead me beside the still waters—you give me opportunity to be with you, to take in, to gain eternal perspective.
 
You lead, but I must both follow and then drink. I must choose to spend time in your Word, in worship, in intercession and confession, in pouring out my heart and lifting up my soul to you. And I can do this because you are “good and ready to forgive and plenteous in mercy to all who come to you” (Psalm 86:5 KJV).
 
As I choose to drink from your Word and revel in your presence, you will restore my soul: bringing refreshment, insight, wisdom, understanding, greater faith and more praise.
 
You work to restore my soul to more of its pre-fall perspective, making me more like yourself. “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory…” (2 Cor. 3:18).
 
You will then lead me in paths of righteousness for your name’s sake—but again, I must choose to follow. And I can be sure that the way you lead me will be righteous and upright, pure and positive, godly and good, bring honor to your Name.
 
If I sense leading which is not one of these, then I can know that it is not of you, but from the subtle and sinister call of the world, the flesh and the devil. This I want to reject, so I can give you glory in all I do. Therefore, for the sake of your name, help me to gladly follow your righteous lead, no matter how much self-denial it requires.
 
Praise you, Lord Jesus, for you are my Shepherd, my King, my Sovereign, the One to be obeyed and feared, loved and served. Praise you for the wonderful and powerful privilege of being both your sheep and your ambassador in a fallen and faulty world, bringing your light to deluded and deceived people.
 
Praise you for your Holy Spirit to fill, empower, guide and encourage. I praise you for your care, your protection, your provision and your presence throughout the day.
 
May I be filled with your Spirit; may I be a vessel of grace to all I meet today; may I be a useful instrument in your hand, Lord, obeying you, living worthy of your calling and pleasing you in every way. To you be glory, honor and praise in and through my life today.
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Psalm 23:1-2

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 30, 2017
Psalm 23:1, 2 “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.”
 
You, Lord Jesus, as my Shepherd, MAKE me to lie down in green pastures—you don’t ask what I think or want. You select the pasture I need now and keep me there as long as is necessary so I can grow and deepen, mature and develop to become more like Christ, a better instrument in your hand.
 
Joseph in the OT didn’t particularly want to be a slave, or go to prison, but those were the green pastures you had for him.
 
There he learned to deny self, to live for you and to be a good administrator. This made him fit to save many others, including his family, the Egyptians, and the line of Jesus–so the Messiah could be born and eventually save us!
 
When finding ourselves in green pastures that aren’t pleasant (sickness, loss, disappointment, heartache or failure, to name a few), we can follow this advice: “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” (James 1:2-4).
 
In the hand of our Shepherd, difficulties are directive, problems are providential and heartaches can be healing if we cooperate with Him, continuing to lie down in the green pastures He selects.
 
A key aspect here is to embrace what He brings with thanksgiving rather than just suffering through with discontent and complaining.
 
To embrace is to receive grace, to complain is to reject it: “God resists the proud [who reveal their pride by complaining] but gives grace to the humble [who accept what He brings]” (James 4:6).
 
So, let’s trust Him to know what is a green pasture for us and join Him in what He’s doing in and through it, in and through us.
 
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Worship Journal

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 29, 2017
I praise you that as I awoke this morning, Lord Jesus, you were there–my God, my Shepherd, my elder Brother, my King.
 
I praise you that this day I shall not want, for you in your wisdom, your riches and your power have already provided all that I need and much more.
 
As it says in 2 Peter 1:3,4 “[Your] divine power HAS GIVEN us EVERYTHING we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of [you] who called us by [your] own glory and goodness.”
 
We just need to learn to take up your provision and use it—to get to know you more and more, to be filled with the Spirit, to put on the whole armor of God daily, to lift our souls to the Father and off-load our junk stress, to meditate on your Word and to flee temptation, taking refuge in you.
 
In addition, through your glory and goodness, Lord Jesus, you have “given us [your] very great and precious promises, so that through them [we] MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE DIVINE NATURE and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
 
Wow! We are able to participate in YOUR divine nature! What a gift, to have the Holy Spirit indwell us, as He did David, Isaiah and Daniel. We are truly different from all other creatures and peoples because, as your born-again children, your divine nature dwells in us!
 
As John wrote in astonishment, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1).
 
Help us, Lord Jesus, to live today in the reality of your personal indwelling and powerful provision. Help us to take up and use all that you have given us so we can live godly lives, bringing you honor, while shining your light and hope on all those around us.
 
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Psalm 10:16-18

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 28, 2017
Psalm 10:16 “The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land.”
 
[You, the Eternal One, set up and take down rulers and nations, you begin and end all, you will remove the wicked and restore the righteous. Of this we can be certain, because you, O God, are faithful and good forever.]
 
Psalm 10:17 “You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,”
 
[Praise be to you, the God who hears, who listens with complete understanding, who knows our hearts and answers in wisdom and power, with comfort.]
 
Psalm 10:18 “defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.”
 
[Praise you, Lord, that you defend, you provide, you protect and encourage. You will move us out from the oppression Satan wields through wicked men. Your love and care, your protection and deliverance will bring you glory and praise, honor and exaltation, for you are the King of Salvation!]
 
Help us to live today in the light of your goodness, trusting in the sure hope of your deliverance, whatever our situation might be.
 
You hear our cry, you will faithfully answer in the right way at the right time with the right deliverance, whether it be in this life or the next. Help us to trust you fully so that you may use us fully.
 
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Today's entry in my worship journal.

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 27, 2017
 
 
Praise be to you, my Lord and God, the Lover of my soul, the Redeemer of my life, the Ruler of all, the Author and Finisher of my faith. I exalt you for your Love, I extol you for your patience, I rejoice in you for your persistence, I revel in you for your forgiveness. I desperately need each of these every day.
 
I thank you that your love for me never wavers—for in human terms it should, as I think evil things, act out of negative, selfish motives, and indulge in greed, anger, impatience, unthankfulness and complaining.
Yet in your unquenchable love, you forgive, you carefully correct, you patiently wait for me to repent, and consistently seek to lead me in paths of righteousness. Thank you so much for your goodness to me, your care and unmerited favor, your kindness and power.
Thank you for your grace in revealing again my selfishness, impatience, anger and my setting my heart on earthly things, thereby setting myself up for disappointment, failure and rebellion against what you have allowed. Forgive me, although I do not deserve it.
 
Thank you for this answer to prayer for ongoing revival, by
–revealing more of my sinfulness,
–highlighting your graciousness, Love and goodness,
–bringing me to a deeper surrender in you.
I do not like the pain of it, but embrace it because you are at work there, doing what is best,
–leading me forward in the race you have set before me (Heb. 12:1,2),
–breaking me of trust in myself,
–deepening my trust in you,
–finishing my faith,
–giving me further opportunity to earn glory, honor and praise (1 Pet 1:6,7),
–teaching me to embrace whatever cross you have for me,
–helping me to despise whatever shame I or others would put on me,
–teaching us to find our joy in the hope you’ve given us for the future.
 
Praise you, Lord Jesus, for your faithful work of Shepherding us. Praise you Heavenly Father, for your faithful work of answering our prayers. Praise you, Holy Spirit, for your faithful work of convicting us of sin, teaching us about the God-head, glorifying Jesus and giving us wisdom.
 
To you, O Triune God, I bow afresh, to you I surrender, to you I commit myself again to praise you in and for all, offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving, boasting in my weakness.
 
To you I lift up my soul and praise you for the cleansing, strengthening and joy that you give me in the process. To you be honor and glory today in all I think and do.
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