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Psalm 1:1a

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 25, 2017
Psalm 1:1 “Blessed is the man…”
 
[Praise be to you, O Lord God, for your desire is to bless people, to bring goodness and grace into their lives, to give them joy and satisfaction, fulfillment and positive pleasure. But this is not automatic, as the rest of Psalm 1 tells us.
You give us the power to choose–power we can use to bring blessing or curses down on ourselves. It is like you give us a powerful machine which can lift gigantic blocks of stone: with the push of a button, the pull of a lever, we can move great weight and volume.
 
In the spiritual realm, as we obey your principles, as we submit to the clear directions of your Word, as we obey the leading of your Spirit, as we whole-heartedly embrace your commands, then you move mountains to accomplish your will, to do great things in and through us, while bringing joy, grace, goodness, provision and safety to us and those around us.
 
As you said in John 15:10-11, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.”
In you, Lord Jesus, is all we need, and you have given us the privilege and power to access it as we choose your way over that of the world, of our old nature and of the devil.
 
Help us to choose for you through each moment of today that you may be lifted up before humanity and the spiritual forces that surround us.]
 
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Example of Lifting My Soul to God

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 24, 2017
Written in my worship journal some years ago after a run in with a team mate, an example of lifting my soul to God.
 
Lord, I think of the many refugees in the Middle East, forced out of their homes, villages, towns, jobs, security, possessions and forced into uncertainty, insecurity, physical and emotional needs, without safety or the necessities of life, living in tents, sleeping on the ground, never being sure of food the next day. They are without hope, without a future, without peace.
 
That’s what is difficult, not the present uncomfortable conflict I have. Help me to remember how much you give me every day, Lord: so much good, so much protection, so much provision.
 
Praise you for your rich, warm, positive, supportive grace and love. Help me to walk in the light of your presence all day long so that you may be glorified through the faith you have given me.
 
Give me wisdom in how to proceed in the conflict before me. Thank you so much, heavenly Father, that I am not left in this alone, but have your presence, your help, your wisdom. Instead of fighting to win, to protect my ego and my sense of significance and position, I want to focus on who I am in you, and operate out of a position of weakness and humility, for then your power will be made perfect in my life. Therefore I can move through difficulties with others from the solid foundation of your goodness, grace and greatness.
 
Truly, my soul finds rest in you alone, Lord Jesus. No other can give me what I need, weak and needy as I am–but you, Lord Jesus are eternal, infinite and perfect. You live forever to intercede for me. You have given me worth in creating me in your image, in choosing me before the foundation of the world. You left all in heaven and, for your Father’s glory, died for all and defeated death. You chose me, called me, you transformed me into a new creature, you adopted me as your son, you have given me your Holy Spirit, you invite me to live with you, work with you, be your partner in all that you are doing.
 
In you I have significance, for you have made me important with your love. In you I have security, yfor ou have made me safe in your power. In you I have meaning, as you have made me a partner in your plans. In you I have purpose, as you have granted me the possibility of giving you glory in everything I do.
 
You, O God, are my King, my Lord, my Shepherd, my Protector, my Guide, my Corrector, my Loving Brother. Praise you, Lord Jesus, that in you I am complete, need nothing else and can live a life of giving rather than of getting.
 
Help me to live in this light, to be a spring of living water rather than a sponge, a source rather than a sucker who is dependent on others’ approval and acceptance. In you I already have all that and can trust in you with all my heart.
 
Praise you, Lord Jesus, that you are the God of completeness, full of far more than I need, always pouring out grace and goodness and greatness into my life. I give you praise and today want to honor you with all my heart. Guide and direct me, Lord, especially in resolving this conflict, that you may be lifted up before all those around me. Amen.
 
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Proverbs 8:18

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 23, 2017

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Bountifully Blessed

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 22, 2017
 
Praise be to you, Lord God, King of glory, Lord of love, Shepherd of my soul.
 
I thank you for the rich and deep privilege of being your child, swept up in your arms of love, warmly welcomed into your family, given an important role in your Kingdom, equipped and empowered to serve you, filled with your Spirit, interceded for consistently by Jesus and the Spirit, led personally by the Good Shepherd and destined for the new Heaven and new Earth!
 
This is what you have graciously given me, in total contrast to what I deserve—only you in your wonderful mercy and grace, your marvelous love and lavishness could and would do such a counter-intuitive thing.
 
I rejoice in your wonderful and magnificent being, I praise you for your beautiful and majestic character, I bow before you in awe and thankfulness. I rise up in obedience to love you by carrying out your commands, and they are not burdensome.
 
I praise you that you have given me faith with which I can overcome the world, be a hope-carrier to all around me, and shine your light of joy, peace and grace throughout each day. Guide me in doing that well so your Name may constantly be lifted up before all in the seen and unseen world around me today.
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Update on Barbara

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 21, 2017
Update on Barbara.
 
This week’s sessions with her two counselors were significant, with breakthrough insights in each one. These helped her to be able to accept painful truth, to realize some lies she’d accepted about herself and to be able to effectively replace them with truth.
 
The enemy, of course, did not let those advances go uncontested. The next night, Barbara fell while getting back into bed during the night and bruised her back on the night stand. Painful as this was (as continues to be), there was nothing broken, no serious damage. And, in the Lord’s timing, the visiting nurse was scheduled to come the next day, confirming that there was no damage and giving us help in treating her pain.
 
It is a battle, but the Lord is with us and we are praying on the armor every morning. Thank you again for your prayers.
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Psalm 37:38-40

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 20, 2017
Psalm 37:38 “But all sinners will be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.”
 
[The certainty of your judgment, Lord, is absolute: sin and all who choose to remain in it will be condemned, destroyed in this world and removed from your presence forever. Then the new earth and the new heaven will have no evil, no sin, no wickedness– only obedience, love, glory-giving and worship of you, Lord God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. You are worthy, the only One to be exalted, for you are the wise and good God.
 
Now David ends his Psalm with a reminder of how you are the Protector and Savior of your people.]
 
Psalm 37:39 “The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.”
 
[we should look nowhere else for salvation, for no one and nothing else can save us, protect us, keep us as You can, Lord God, our Savior, Shepherd and Warrior King.]
 
Psalm 37:40 “The LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,”
 
[You, Lord, are active, powerful and always present; you allow pressures that are good for us and remove those which are destructive. We can trust you to work all things out, as you did in defeating the wicked at the cross.
 
And lastly, here’s God’s desire and His condition for protecting us:] “because they take refuge in him.”
 
[You call us, Lord, to find our refuge in you, our great and good God. When difficulties come we so naturally and quickly flee to other help. We run first to the doctor for a pill, to the banker for a loan, to the politician for influence, instead of first coming to you in prayer, seeking wisdom, direction, help and healing.
 
You give us direction here: “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14). After we seek you in prayer, you may direct us to human help that you will use, although many times you act without that help.
 
I praise you, Lord, for your calling us to partnership with you. Help us to remember to come to you first, all the time, displaying before men and angels our trust in you, for you have proved yourself many times over to be our refuge, our fortress, our shield and our defender. And then from this refuge, you will guide us in utilizing whatever human resources you choose to bring about the conclusion you desire for us in each difficulty you allow.
 
Praise be to you, the God of Abraham, the Lord of Joseph, the Shepherd of David, and the Savior of the world. May you be honored, exalted and glorified as we respond in all things with the sacrifice of thanksgiving, the calmness of faith and the obedience of trust.]
 
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Psalm 37:35-37

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 19, 2017
Psalm 37:35,36 “I have seen a wicked and ruthless man
flourishing like a green tree in its native soil, but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.”
 
[Think of Stalin, of Hitler, of Genghis Khan, and Napoleon. They all died and are no more. Their evil was dealt with, their powerful condemnation is now implemented.
 
You, Lord God, are just, working out the proper punishment, while using the evil of men to bring about your purposes in the lives of many. Continue to do so in these days, Lord, to work against the designs of the devil, to destroy the plans of death and darkness.]
 
Psalm 37:37 “Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace.”
 
[Abraham, Elijah and Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekial and Paul–these all live on, having an endless future and joy with you. So do we, being safe in the arms of Jesus.
 
I praise you, Lord, for the certainty of our future with you, filled with life, light, love and lavish goodness. I praise you for your unending, undeserved, unreserved, unrestrained grace, flowing from your heart of holiness into our lives of light.
 
We stand in your presence, chosen, cherished, dearly loved, deeply cared for, doted on and delighted in. You, Lord God are a wonder–no, you are THE Wonder, the God who lives in multi-dimensions, full of multi-goodness, operating out of multi-wisdom.
 
In the light of these great Truths, help us to consistently listen to your Word and respond to your Spirit, to grow in humility, brokenness, obedience and praise.
 
May we daily take up your grace, receive your wisdom, add endurance to our obedience, and become ever more godly, extending brotherly kindness and love to all those around us. May you be honored, glorified and pleased with our walk today.
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Psalm 37:32-33

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 17, 2017
Psalm 37:32 “The wicked lie in wait for the righteous,seeking their very lives;”
 
[This is an unavoidable fact of life here on earth: the wicked will attack the righteous, those who follow Jesus. They hate the righteous, they are motivated and guided by Satan who seeks to use them for his purposes.
 
We should not be at all surprised when such attacks come. To expect them is to have a biblical view of things, remembering Jesus’ words, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first” (John 15:18).]
Psalm 37:33 “but the LORD will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned when brought to trial.”
 
[You, Lord, are faithful, and are always with those you have made righteous, your children. You will guide us and carry us through each attack, as we rest in you.
 
You will rescue us, whether it be by some divine intervention, by giving justice, by giving grace to endure through or by taking us to yourself. Praise you for the certainty that you will guide, direct and protect us in all. This is what we experienced in being arrested and put on trial for our faith in 1988. In the end, you led the prosecuting attorney to defend us and define our freedom of religion widely and officially—all glory to you.]
 
I praise you, Lord, for the security, the rest, the peace, the joy that comes from knowing you, the great and sovereign King, Ruler of time and space and every single thing in them.
 
You are the truly good One, the wise One, the gracious One, the patient One. In you we can trust, in you we can rejoice when all goes sour, for your grace and goodness are enough, lifting us above the evil and hurt of life. Thank you, Lord God, for your care which will come in each succeeding moment.
 
To you be honor and glory in my life today, Lord Jesus, through my listening to your Word, submission to your Spirit, obedience to what I know to be true and praising you in and for all.
 
 
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Psalm 37:30-31

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 16, 2017
 
Psalm 37:30 “The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just.”
 
[Lord, this is certainly not the natural me. Help me to move ever more in this direction, spotting ungodly advice I give myself, rejecting the temptation to stand in the way of sinners, and certainly refusing to sit in the seat of the scornful.
 
Help me to be like Job who properly and positively rebuked those who gave him ungodly advice. Help me to know how to talk about the situation with a destructive man in my life in a way that will be edifying, speaking wisdom, uttering what is just. May you be glorified in it.]
 
Psalm 37:31 “The law of his God is in his heart;’
 
[Here is the key: your Word is hidden in the heart of a righteous man, flowing out constantly, influencing his thoughts, motives, words and actions. Praise be to you, Lord Jesus, for your great and wonderful work to bring such change in us through Scripture. Help me to cooperate with you in the process by consistently memorizing and meditating on your Word.
 
Thank you, Lord, for your gracious wisdom, your careful discretion, your good direction. Help me to walk in them, to be alert to the wisdom you offer each moment. Bring to mind the Scripture, the truth, the principles I need to heed.]
 
“his feet do not slip.”
 
[When we walk in your path, Lord, this will be true: our feet will not slip, our ankles will not turn, we will not fall, for you open the way, bring the changes, protect us from our natural, sinful pitfalls.
 
I praise you, Lord, for the great and sweet privilege of walking on your way, of belonging to you, of being given such wonderful gifts. I praise you much, Lord God, for the greatest gift of all: being your beloved son, dearly loved, deeply cared for, doted on and delighted in—the opposite of what I deserve.
 
This is the outpouring of what you are, Lord God: the great Lover, the great Forgiver, the great Transformer. Praise be to you for all you will do today out of your goodness, righteousness, wisdom and power. May I join you in wisdom and obedience so that your Name may be lifted up before all the unseen hosts.
 
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Psalm 37:27-29

Published by S.M. Wibberley on January 15, 2017
 
Psalm 37:27 “Turn from evil and do good;”
 
[Simple, clear command. This is part of fearing God, walking in His way, and part of bringing blessing to our children. Our primary motive should be our love for you, Heavenly Father, and our desire to give you glory, then our secondary motive is to bring what is good to our children: “their [the righteous’] children will be blessed” 37:26.]
 
“then you will dwell in the land forever.”
 
[Such obedience places us squarely in the center of your will, meaning we will dwell with you, live with you, in whatever good place you have chosen for us, ending up in the everlasting New Heaven and New Earth.
 
We can praise and glorify you at each juncture, knowing that you are in control, guiding, directing, protecting each moment, To live in such certainty is a wonder, Lord, we praise you for your faithful, powerful goodness–especially in the midst of difficulties, like the one I’m in now with my wife again fallen into the deep hole of despair and darkness, an attack of the enemy after the advances of this week. But I choose to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving, knowing that you are good, powerful and with us. ]
 
Psalm 37:28 “For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones.”
 
[You, the Holy and Perfect One, love those whom you have justified—Ah, if only all people would come to you and have that forgivness, cleansing, transformation and joy!
 
In you, Lord, there is no end to our joy, to our getting to know you, to our growth and your glory. Praise you, Lord, for what you are doing, for how you are working, for what you will do.
 
Your commitment to your children is iron clad, rock solid and mountain strong, something we can rest in more and more as we get to know you. Praise be to you, Lord, for your strength of character, your utter dependability, your never changing, perfect and powerful love.]
 
“They will be protected forever,”
 
[There is no end to this protection, for you, Lord Jesus, live forever to intercede for those you have purchased with your blood. You live forever, so our protection will go on forever-]
 
“but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off;”
 
[sadly, those who refuse to submit to your Kingship, your Word, your Truth, your provided salvation and love, will be cut off from life forever–they and their children who follow them. How sad this makes your heart, yet you rejoice for each one who believes and follows you.
 
Psalm 37:29 “the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.”
 
[A repetition, a bookend to this thought of your great and gracious giving of what is good to your children. Yes, we will inherit your land and we will live in it with you forever: no end, no death, no depression, no loss, no evil, no sadness, sickness or sin.
 
You, Lord God, are the One to be followed, obeyed, worshiped and exalted. You are worthy, you are wonderful, you are the One and Only True God. I bow before you this morning, I give you glory, exaltation and praise. May you be honored in my life today as I give you praise in and for all. Amen.]
 
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