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Psalm 19:9-11

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 31, 2017
Psalm 19:9b “The ordinances of the LORD are sure”
 
[There is no doubt, no shakiness, no uncertainty in your Word, Lord. What You command and reveal is absolutely true, fully trustable and entirely correct. We can have confidence in, rely on and rest in all that you reveal to us by your Word.]
 
“and altogether righteous.”
 
[There is no sin, no wrong motive, no dark side, no hidden evil, no selfishness, no imbalance in your ordinances, Lord. They are purely, positively, powerfully right. We can always bank on them, for you promise is to “lead me in paths of righteousness for your name’s sake” (Ps. 23:3).]
 
Psalm 19:10 “They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;”
 
[Your ordinances are better than gold, for they last forever. Plus they are perfect, they are pure, they cannot perish, their value is immeasurable, and they are vast beyond conception. Much greater in value than gold—and much easier to transport from one situation to another!]
 
“they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.”
 
[In revealing Truth, your ordinances bring to us the sweetness of life, the nectar of joy and a taste of heaven.]
 
Psa 19:11 “By them is your servant warned;”
 
[They reveal danger, show us how to avoid evil and protect us from our own wrong desires. We must pay attention to your warnings, for it is up to us to obey what you have revealed.]
 
“in keeping them there is great reward.”
 
[Not just preservation from danger and disaster, but immense rewards come from obeying your commands, Lord. These rewards are both for now and forever: peace, joy, strength, wisdom, grace, love, positive relationships, fulfilling significance and purpose, security both for today and for eternity, continual growth and many others–an ongoing stream of your goodness being poured out on your children who love you with all their heart and strength and mind and soul.]
 
Today, Lord, help me to care deeply about what you think in all my decisions. Guide me in doing what will last forever, making plans based upon your perfect and pristine Word, rather than on my own feeble and faulty reasoning.
 
May I wholeheartedly, consistently, confidently, humbly exalt and obey your Word in every area, every situation, every thought of my life so that I may constantly give you an ongoing flow of glory and honor, O Lord Jesus, my Shepherd and King.
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Another excerpt from Canterbury Characters

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 30, 2017
 
 
Recently I visited Rick, a fellow I’ve known from his youth, now 40 years old. Humanly speaking he is in bad shape, and has been for years. Having severe genetic diabetes (even though he is not at all overweight), he has had parts of both legs amputated, first below the knees, then above them, as well as some fingers; his kidneys have failed so he is on dialysis 3 times a week; his arms are one mass of scars from infections from plastic inserts to deal with dialysis; he has continual reflux and scaring on his esophagus, partly from severe vomiting when he was poisoned by infections in his legs; in addition, he has experienced heart attacks and insulin attacks and could die at any time.
 
My intent in visiting him was to give him some encouragement and perspective. How wrong I was! I came away so encouraged! Sitting there in his wheelchair, Rick was cheerful, upbeat and positive. He said that he is still alive because God has a purpose for his life. He believes that his job is to pray, so he intercedes about everything: what he sees on the news, what he hears from others, the people he has met in his medical world.
 
He may be handicapped humanly speaking, but he is focused spiritually on what God has for him. He has allowed these difficulties to drive him into the arms of Jesus, not into the swamp of despair and bitterness. I’m sure that he has had his times of discouragement and self-pity, but he has moved out of them into the light of God’s continual presence.
 
I thought to myself, “If I were in Rick’s place, would I think positively like that?” The answer is, humanly speaking, “No!” But if, like Rick, any one of us took up the grace of God and let these difficulties drive us into the Word and into a deeper dependence on God, we, too, could be joyfully useful in His hand.
Hebrews 12:15 says, “Take heed lest any man fail of the grace of God [meaning we fail to take up and use the grace that God offers], lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you and many thereby be defiled.”
 
Rick is a living example of obeying this verse and principle. He takes up the grace of God every day and rejects the temptation of self-pity and selfish thinking, instead praising God in and for all. Therefore, he is not bitter, and does not spread the poison of discontent to others; instead he is sweet, bringing help and joy to all he meets. May we who have much easier lives, be and do the same.
 
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Psalm 19:9

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 30, 2017

Psalm 19:9 “The fear of the LORD is pure,”

[To obey you, Lord, out of reverence, awe and fear takes us in the direction of genuine holiness, away from the pollution of the world, our old nature and the devil. To obey you moves us towards fearing you–that is, caring deeply what you think about our issues and actions, our thoughts and words–while helping us fear the negative consequences of following our own reasoning.

To fear God, not man, to obey you while rejecting the fear of man–this leads to purity. The “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe” (Prov. 29:25).]

“The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.”

[What we do out of our great reverence for you will be pure and positive, as well as lasting forever. To obey Truth because we love you is something that will have significance for all eternity. Even if it is a tiny, one second act (rejecting grumbling and instead offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving ; or rejecting self-pity and instead thinking truth ), it has eternal consequences.

Every decision is potentially a glory-giving, grace-displaying, goodness-granting opportunity–even if it’s internal and no one else knows about it but God. It is a possibility in which we can fulfill the purpose for which we were created: to bring honor to Him. This perspective can change our motives from wanting to do what is natural, to bringing glory to God by revealing Him to those around us through our actions and reactions.

Help us, Lord, to make multiple “pure and enduring forever” decisions today, based on our awe and fear of you, and thereby bringing more and more honor to you!]

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Psalm 19:8

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 29, 2017
Psalm 19:8 “The precepts of the LORD are right,”
 
[You, Lord, make the lines clear: this is right, that is wrong. And praise you that you do it as much in principles as in particulars, like, “honor your father and mother,” which can be lived out differently in different cultures.
 
Then you present us with the wisdom to know how to apply these principles in various situations in our lives, giving us guidance in the grey areas. “If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God….” (James 1:5)]
 
“giving joy to the heart.”
 
[Knowing what is right and wrong brings security, for having clear boundaries lessens the stress of decision making. Knowing truth brings joy, one of the pleasures you desire for us to have in growing amounts.
 
As you, Lord Jesus, said in John 15:11, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Joy is there, offered to us for the taking–we just need to take your Word seriously, reject the tendency to complain and choose to live the truth that knowing Jesus is enough for joy.
 
Such joy does not come from circumstances (as happiness does) but from our relationship with you, which will never be altered from your side–meaning joy is always available, no matter how we may feel.]
 
“The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.”
 
[Your Word shines like the noon day sun, showing us the way, illuminating what is right and wrong, falling on our path so we can know what can cause us to stumble, where to step and what to reject]
 
I can know what to avoid: do not lie; do not steal; do not commit adultery. And what to do: be faithful; be kind; forgive; love by obeying Truth; find your delight in God; do what is best; pray all the time.
 
There is no question about many things. And where it is not so clear and simple, you wholeheartedly give wisdom to discern and live in integrity.
 
Help us to walk in your light today, seeing and circumventing the traps that the world, the flesh and the devil have set for us. May we, living in the light of your Word, be more than conquerors with you.]
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Psalm 19:7

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 27, 2017
Psalm 19:7 “The law of the LORD is perfect,”
 
[You make no mistakes, Lord–what you revealed is exactly right, perfectly presented, totally trustable. Your law is without flaw, without error, without lack. It is the one thing in this world that we can fully lean on. It is like an open door, beckoning us into the garden of your delights.]
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“reviving the soul.”
 
[To learn your law, to obey your ordinances brings life, refreshment, growth and strength to our souls; that is, to our minds, our wills and our emotions. In learning to think your thoughts, our soul is brought more in line with what you originally intended—giving us a tiny taste of pre-fall goodness, a tangible touch of eternity. Praise you for putting it within our grasp by putting perfection within your Word.]
 
“The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,”
 
[Your revelations are absolutely right, fully true, totally correct and therefore we can rest in them. Even if people take some verses out of context and twist them to their own purposes, that does not negate the genuine wisdom stored up in your statues for those who handle and understand the Word of God correctly, taking it at face value and in full context.]
 
“making wise the simple.”
 
[We are all foolish in our natural, fallen selves, and in the light of your deep and wide, full and powerful wisdom. In comparison with you, Lord, we are all very simple. Especially in the light of your complexity, your creativity, your designing all aspects of the universe with deep detail–just think of the structure of a cell, as complex as any city, complete with systems of communication, transportation and manufacturing.
 
And who can understand the power that holds together the positive protons in the nucleus of an atom? Who can know the paths of the stars? Who can know what is right in every situation? Only you, Lord God–and you have graciously revealed a portion of that wisdom with us in your Word.
 
Praise you for your generosity in sharing some of your deep, wide and powerful thoughts with us! Help us today to admit our simplistic approach to life and to embrace instead your rich wisdom, submitting ourselves to your Way, your Word, your Wonderful love–doing good to our enemies, praying for those who persecute us, blessing those who harm us, giving thanks in all things.]
 
 
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Psalm 19:4b-6

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 26, 2017
Psalm 19:4b-6 “In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.”
 
You, Lord, in your wisdom, goodness and might created the sun, making it exactly the right size, burning at preciously the right temperature. Then you placed the earth in just the right orbit around it, not too far, not too close, providing exactly the right amount of heat, light and energy for carbon-based life. The sun speaks to us of your provision and love, your wisdom and power.
 
When simple observation shows us the exactness and wisdom of your design, with so many factors being preciously what is needed, why do so many not believe?
 
Your Word tells us that they have a veil over their faces, put there by Satan and held there by our sin and selfishness. Only as we turn to you is it taken away (2 Cor. 3:15, 4:3,4).
 
Praise be to you, Lord, that you call all to turn to you, even though you know that all will not believe. Like the sun, you constantly shine out on us your warm love, your light giving grace and your energy providing goodness.
 
You are the God of undying, unending kindness, of supremely positive provision, of ever-flowing grace and goodness. And, in spite of what we are in our nature, you are good to us, because it is your nature do so: you are Love, you are Light, you are Life. And you will go on doing good to your creatures no matter how they respond.
 
I praise you for your graciousness, for your righteousness, for your holiness, for your loveliness. I praise you that you have caused your face to shine upon us, that you in your great love, you have equipped us for life and godliness, that you protect us from true evil, that you call us to partnership with you in the great plans you have for the conclusion of the world, for the sweeping of many into your Kingdom, and for the ending of evil in the universe.
 
You are completely worthy of all worship, you are supremely worthy of honor and praise, you are richly worthy of all exaltation and obedience.
 
I bow now before you this morning, Lord; help me to rise up to give you glory and honor and praise by walking in the light of your Word, living an obedient life worthy of you, doing what I know pleases you. I praise you now for your provision to do this.]
 
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news

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 25, 2017

Going this morning for a radio interview for my new book. Pray for it to go well and produce many sales!

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From Edified

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 25, 2017
 
 
“…he leads me beside the still waters., he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
Psalm 23:2b
 
Glory be to you, my Good Shepherd, Lord Jesus, for leading me beside the still waters. Every day you call me to your Word to drink deeply from the waters of Truth, to be refreshed with the revelation of your character, to be washed with the water of the Word.
I don’t see a great deal of change on a daily basis, but you are definitely at work, altering my soul, bringing growth, deepening and transformation. You are moving imy soul in the direction of its original, pre-fall condition so your relationship to me can be more profound, more transparent, higher and deeper.
 
Praise be to you, my Great Shepherd, my Heavenly Father, my Heavenly Brother, my Heavenly Spirit, for this faithful, powerful and wonderful work in my life. As I spend time with you in worship each day, you have been giving me strength in my soul, you have been quietly transforming my being into the likeness of Christ, so that when the disappointments of life come, there will be strength in me to pass through them with your endurance.
 
As a result of your work, my soul is no longer weak and flabby, able to be pushed this way and that by circumstances, feelings, and discouragements that come in life. You are making my soul strong, firm, muscular, able to stand in the face of opposition.
 
You are removing my fear of man, empowering me to make tough decisions for the good of the people involved without letting fear of how they will react control me. You are teaching me to think like you, rather than being swayed by my feelings.
 
This is your doing, to your glory, in line with your greatness. I praise you for your faithful, deep work, your gracious goodness in bringing this change as I spend time gazing upon your marvelous Character. You truly are Glorious, Great and Gracious!
 
I praise you, Father, for you have set your Spirit in me to lead. I praise you for your great patience in working with me to help me to quit worrying, to reject complaining, to refuse to feel sorry for myself, to walk away from disappointment and discouragement, choosing instead to walk with praise in the demanding paths of righteousness that you have prepared and where you lead me.
 
I praise and thank you for your wonderful shepherding, for your faithful goodness, for your continued, gracious patience. You are marvelous, merciful and magnificent in your persistent, powerful, positive transforming work in the lives of your children.
 
As the Great Shepherd, you are leading, guiding, disciplining, protecting, providing, commanding—therefore you are worthy of all exaltation, worship, glory, honor and praise. It will require more than eternity to give you what you deserve, and I glorify you for that!
 
Prayer: “Today, may my drinking of the pure waters of your Word and my walking in the path of righteousness you have prepared, bring glory to you, Lord, and transformation to me so that I may give you more and more honor each day. Amen.”
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Psalm 19:1-4

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 24, 2017
Psalm 19
 
Praise you, Lord, that you are the God of communication, laying out before all mankind the message of your existence: the Almighty One who is there. As it says in Psalm 19:1,
 
“The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
 
[Even in its fallen and twisted state, creation shouts out that there is a good and wise Creator. Anyone honestly looking at the way things are has to see that they are intentionally designed–made, not the result of chance. The beauty, the complexity, the rhythms of life, the power, the expanse—all speak of a Creator.
 
Psalm 19:2 “Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.”
 
[We are constantly surrounded with the message of the skies and stars, of birds and butterflies, ants and elephants, blooms and babies. Plan and purpose are everywhere, beauty abounds, colors bring joy–the happy yellow of a daffodil, the royal purple of a tulip, the bright blue of the sky all shout, “There is a Creator and He is wise and wonderful, powerful and present!”]
 
Psalm 19:3,4 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”
 
[I think of my 78 year old Eskimo friend who grew up on the Eastern shore of Siberia at the ends of the earth. As a teen, looking at the beauty of the animals, sea and mountains, he came to the conclusion that the demons they worshiped, who did such ugly things, could never have created all this beauty. “There must be a good creator God,” he thought. And, at 18, God brought him into contact with a follower of Jesus, who opened the Bible for him, and he was ready to believe. He had heard the message of creation and understood it, and has now been a follower of Jesus for 60 years!
 
Paul echoes this same truth in the New Testament, “…what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse” (Rom. 1:19,20).
 
You, Lord, have revealed yourself to all through creation, giving all a chance to see and understand that there is a good Creator God. You give them enough light to make them think, and if they want to know more, you will bring further light into their life.
 
Praise be to you for your great love for your rebellious creatures, your marvelous grace and your persistent pursuit of sinners, saving all who are willing. You are the One we can trust, if we will just look around us! Open our eyes so we may delight in your love of beauty, that our faith may deepen every day!]
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Is God Fair Part 3

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 22, 2017
 
Is God Fair? Part 3
 
In answering the question, “Is God fair?” (meaning, in today’s thinking, “Does He give everyone the same things?”), we have looked at the first two parts of the answer: “No” and “Yes.”
 
The third answer to this question is another, “No.” In His dealings with us, in what He gives to His creatures in general and His beloved children in specific, God is , humanly speaking, divinely, magnificently and magnanimously unfair.
 
God loves diversity and we see this in how He works in our lives. He is able to take the negative effects of the Fall, where all creation was twisted, and use them for good in us. In this scheme of things each gets what he or she needs to come to know Him and then to serve Him.
 
–Some people He creates with great intelligence, others with simple minds.
 
–Some are born beautiful, others plain, the rest are somewhere in between.
 
–Some are born healthy , others with birth defects or serious illnesses.
 
–Some grow up strong and live long, some die as babies, others die in between.
 
–Some grow up with many opportunities, some with few, others with none.
 
–Some have wonderful parents, some are totally neglected and abused, most have average ones.
 
–Some live in wealth, some in poverty, some in middle class income.
 
–Some have prominent spiritual gifts, like teaching, or leading, while others have gifts used in the background, like mercy or service.
 
–Some have leading roles, others do not.
 
Humanly speaking God is unfair in this, but divinely speaking, we know that He is wise and has a purpose for each in what He gives and allows; we can trust Him to do and give what is best for each.
 
He knows what challenges each person requires to see his or her need for a Savior, and then to grow spiritually. He does what is best for each, individually tailoring circumstances and events.
 
This is very “unfair” from the politically correct perspective, but very loving and wise from God’s perspective of truth, wisdom, and his ultimate goal to eliminate evil, save all who are willing and bring in a new and perfect heaven and earth.
 
God has distributed roles as He sees fit, much to the consternation of many today. This includes roles in the spiritual (gifts), intellectual, physical and relational realms.
 
Here are some very obvious, yet in our society, often rejected examples of the roles He’s given to men and women.
 
Men are to procreate. Women are to bear and nurse babies.
 
Men are generally physically stronger than women and are to protect them.
 
Men are to teach and lead mixed groups in the Kingdom. Women are to teach and lead women and children in the Kingdom.
 
Men are to voluntarily, wholeheartedly love, be understanding, nurture & encourage their wives. Women are to voluntarily respect and follow their husbands.
 
Men are to lead their families. Wives are to be helpers to their husbands. Men are to listen to women’s perspective and take them into account in making decisions.
 
In this “unfair” distribution of roles, God knows and does what is best. We can trust Him in His wisdom, love, grace and sovereignty to give to each person what that one needs to come to Him, to live a useful and meaningful life, to develop in a healthy and effective way.
 
So is God fair? “No,” “Yes,” and “No.” Does God have the right to be so? Absolutely: He is the Creator of all, the Most High, the Almighty, the Beginner and Ender of time. There is no one who can challenge Him (as Job found in chapters 38-41 of his book), for the Lord God is perfect in every way.
 
No human could think up such a wonderful God whose character is multifacetedly perfect and beyond comprehension in His Wisdom, Power, Grace and Love. He is totally independent from His creation in His triuneness where perfect community, love and completeness have existed forever. This the God who knows what He’s doing and I choose to trust Him! How about you?
 
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