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Psalm 36:3

Published by S.M. Wibberley on December 8, 2016
Psalm 36:3, “The words of his [the wicked man’s] mouth are wicked and deceitful;”
 
[Such a person deceives himself, as well as others. He is good at giving a positive spin on whatever he desires to do. Just as Satan deceived Eve by making himself look good while implying that God was withholding something good from her (“when you eat of it…you will be like God, knowing good and evil” Gen 3:5), so a person without fear of God can convince himself that doing the opposite of what God commands is good.
 
We see this every day around us as people attempt to use Scripture to support abortions, unbiblical forms of marriage, living together, or putting unqualified people into church leadership–to name a few of many such examples. What they are actually using is culture rather than God’s Word. They let their desire to fit in and be accepted deceive them into rejecting God’s wisdom for that of the world.
 
In contrast, one who fears God, spends time in His Word, learns to think God’s thoughts and puts them into practice. God’s perspectives are consistently the opposite of our natural ones (“Love your enemies.” “Do good to those who persecute you.” “Forgive as you have been forgiven.”)—and we could never come up with such beautiful ideas on our own. Each command is God protecting us from unnecessary negatives and harm, such as bitterness, worry and fear.
 
A God fearer will check his desires and plans before God rather than trust his own devious heart. One way to do this is to wait on making a decision, taking time to think it through, asking God for wisdom, looking for direction in His Word, listing out the pros and cons. George Mueller described “God fearing” as bringing his heart to the place where receiving a “yes” or a “no” to his prayer was the same, for he wanted God’s will, not his own.
 
Fearing God is standing in awe of His majestic power, marvelous wisdom and mighty goodness. It is caring deeply what He thinks about each thing in our life. Fearing God will protect us from the deception of the world and from deceiving ourselves; it will bring wisdom and will open the way to His greater working in and through us. Why would anyone ever want to reject it?
 
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Freedom in Truth

Published by S.M. Wibberley on December 7, 2016
An entry from EDIFIED, written more than ten years ago, but so relevant to our situation today; applying these truths has brought peace in problems and God’s grace in trouble.
 
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.” Psalm 143:8
 
While in a difficult situation recently, someone asked me how I could be so cheerful. The answer is a Scripture-based phrase that I often use to give myself perspective: “God is moving history to a conclusion and is taking us with Him!” Whatever the present event, it is part of God’s plan to finish history and move us into eternity. He is in control; I can trust Him.
 
This perspective is found throughout Scripture. Colossians 3:2-4 expresses it well: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” This gives us the wider, God-focused perspective.
 
“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” We can leave behind our old culturally-based, performance-oriented, comfort-focused value system. Instead we can choose to rest in the security we have in Christ.
 
“When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” He WILL appear, and He WILL bring us with Him, and He WILL give us a place in His glory—we can focus on this long-term truth rather than our short-term accomplishments or failures!
 
This understanding gives us a wide and long view of what’s happening. This view can change our goal from being comfortable and safe, to joining God in what He’s doing, to embracing the adventures He’s prepared for us.
 
If, from a human perspective, my whole life collapses around me (illness, accident, loss, poverty, persecution, injustice, war), I can look at it within the bigger picture of God’s glory, greatness and grace, knowing that He is doing something significant through it; therefore, I can praise and trust Him in it. My favorite verse sums it up: “My soul finds rest in God alone” (Ps. 62:1).
This is a huge shift from “normal” human thinking. And we can cooperate with God in making this shift by internalizing Scripture, then putting it into practice in little every day events. Disappointments, delays, little hurts and small losses then all become opportunities to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving (Ps. 50:23) and honor God.
In giving thanks, we affirm that God is good, that God is in control, that God is at work using each irritation to expose my sin, to transform me, to give me opportunity to be a light to those around me, to give Him glory before the unseen hosts. Truly, knowing Jesus is enough for joy, period! Let’s join Him today in living in this truth!
 
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Psalm 36:1,2

Published by S.M. Wibberley on December 6, 2016
 
Psalm 36:1 “An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes.”
 
[Fear of God means, among other things, to care deeply what God has to say. This then leads to obeying Him. In the words of Psalm 34,13,14, fearing God means to “keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Depart from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it.” The practical outworking of valuing His Word.
 
In contrast, the wicked person elevates his own intellect above God’s Word, deciding what is right and wrong himself—a dangerous and destructive practice, for we were created to follow God’s definition of what is right and wrong, and thereby be protected from much harm.]
 
Psalm 36:2 “For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.”
 
[Two acquaintances of mine died within the last two weeks. Both of them had heard the gospel from me and others multiple times, but both felt they were just fine on their own. One said, “My conscience is clear.” That can only be so if you have very low standards of right and wrong.
 
This reminds me of the rich young ruler in Luke 18:18-21, who came to Jesus and asked, “What must I do to obtain eternal life?”
Jesus answered, “You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’
“All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.
 
What!!!??? Who is he kidding? He thinks he never lied, never was disobedient to his parents (dishonoring them), never looked at a woman with lust, never stole anything? In order to convince himself of this, he had to have really low standards, rejecting God’s standards for his own to justify himself. No fear of God here.
 
The reality is that every single person is guilty before God when measured by God’s holy standards. To flatter ourselves by thinking we are fine on our own has only one result: entering an eternity without God, separated from all good forever.
 
How much better it is to lay aside our pride and self-centered thoughts, bowing to God’s beautiful and protective ways, living in the light of His Word, in the warmth of His love and receiving true life, eternal life.
 
For those who have not yet bowed their knee to Christ and for those of us who have, to be teachable, humble, and fear God is to be wise, and leads only to what is good. Let’s all cultivate our fearing of God. Memorizing and frequently praying Psalm 34:12-14 would be a good start.]
 
 
 
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Lifting My Soul To God

Published by S.M. Wibberley on December 5, 2016
Today is an example of “lifting my soul” during the ongoing team conflict that occurred several years ago, which I mentioned a few days earlier. Lifting our souls (telling God what we are thinking, feeling, wanting and measuring these against God’s character) is the way to get things out, to give ourselves perspective, to remember who the real enemy is and to seek God’s help.
 
Had trouble getting to sleep: was cold, had to go to the bathroom several times, so was awake often, struggling with negative thoughts about the team’s conflicts.
 
Praise you, Lord Jesus, that in the midst of this turmoil, you led me to think about you and how incredibly powerful and wise and faithful you are.
 
You are the star breather, the One who arranged them into galaxies, who put our solar system in just the right place so we can observe the universe, who hung the earth on nothing, who put it in just the right orbit at the perfect speed, who tilted its axis and spun it perfectly so each day and night are of optimal length. You set each condition of the solar system exactly right so that carbon-based life could exist on earth. Praise you for you great wisdom and power displayed in that.
So it is with our lives: in your mighty power, your deep wisdom, your gracious love you bring to us what you will use for good. This present painful situation, these messy and hurtful circumstances have come with your permission and you are using them to develop us leaders and give opportunity to develop our followers.
 
Lord, help us to let go of our feelings of failure and frustration, and instead to stand firm in Truth, such as, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various trials, knowing this, that the trying of our faith works patience. And let patience have its perfect work that we may be perfect and mature” (James 1:2,3).
 
Help us to swim in your Truth, Lord, letting you carry us along in the right direction. Help us to reject despair, feeling sorry for ourselves, to reject the embarrassment of failure along with our weariness and to instead embrace what you bring through our offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Help us to thereby honor you and open the way so that you can show us the salvation of the Lord.
 
I thank you now for what you will do with this mess, for how you will work in and through it to bring growth, transformation and deepening for us as leaders so that you can bring the same thing to all involved in the midst of this situation.
 
I praise you in faith, Lord God, our Great Shepherd, our Glorious Transformer, our Wonderful King. As you used the sins of Joseph’s brothers to provide a way of salvation for the Jews, so you can use the sins in this situation to bring about good and progress for us all.
Do that Lord, move in your might, defeat the plans of the enemy, bring glory to yourself. Answer us out of your faithfulness, your righteousness, your goodness and your power. Answer to bring glory to your name, honor through your might and maturity to your children. I praise you now for the answers you will send. Amen.
 
Epilogue: God did not resolve the situation as I desired, but He did answer to deepen and mature us through it all.
 
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Conformed to Christ

Published by S.M. Wibberley on December 4, 2016
I praise you, Lord God, for your great Love, your persistent Faithfulness, your mighty Power, your wide Wisdom, your deep Knowledge, your pure Righteousness, your perpetural Perfection.
 
You are the One I can trust today, the One who rules every day, who rights, who redeems, who restores, who reigns in every circumstance. You are God, you are Great, you are Glorious and you are Gracious.
 
I commit to praise you with all my heart, with all my being, all the time. I choose to embrace what you bring, what you reveal, what you allow. I thank you for my failures which point me away from myself to you, breaking me of self-reliance, of pride, of independence, of selfishness.
 
Thank you for your very specific working in my life, your personal, careful, exact plan to fashion me more into the image of Christ. While I do not like such breaking, I love the outcome of seeing you more, of worshiping you better by faith, of growing in trust, of seeing your great power at work.
 
In thinking about my inability to bring a good resolution to the team conflict mentioned earlier, you used my failure to reveal my unhealthy desire for success and praise, my pride, my selfishness, my wanting a specific time table.
 
Well, all that cannot be changed now, but I can repent, change and grow through it all, To you be glory in it, Lord. I see right now that this failure is a blotch on your name, but you can turn it into a positive as you desire.
 
Thank you for helping me to recognize my weakness, my smallness, and to see more clearly your greatness and power. It is such a wonderful thing to be your child, to be your servant, Lord, to join you in what you are doing. Help me, help all of us to be humble, to discern what you are doing and to join you in it.
 
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A Poem of Worship

Published by S.M. Wibberley on December 3, 2016
 
From EDIFIED!
 
Here’s a poem of worship, flowing from meditation on Psalms 62:1 and 73:25. May it encourage you as it did me.
 
 
Whom have I
in heaven but you?
And Earth has nothing
I desire besides You.
Knowing Jesus is Enough for Joy!
 
Elohim—Creator
Adonai—Master
Yahweh—Savior
Nissi—Defender
Knowing Jesus is Enough for Joy!
 
Stars’ Creator
Day’s Designer
Life’s Sustainer
History’s Ender
Knowing Jesus is Enough for Joy!
 
Creation’s Redeemer
Sinners’ Savior
Hearts’ Transformer
Mansions’ Maker
Knowing Jesus is Enough for Joy!
 
Strong Shepherd
Living Bread
Church’s Head
Judge of all dead
Knowing Jesus is Enough for Joy!
 
Day Giver
Need Provider
Spirit Refresher
Soul Purifier
Knowing Jesus is Enough for Joy!
 
Heart Pursuer
Spirit Lifter
Soul Lover
Heaven Bringer
Knowing Jesus is Enough for Joy!
 
Worthy of Praise
You Ancient of Days
Your name we raise
In endless praise.
Knowing Jesus is Enough for Joy!
 
Whom have I
in heaven but you?
And Earth has nothing
I desire besides You.
Knowing Jesus is Enough for Joy, Period!
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Light in Darkness

Published by S.M. Wibberley on December 2, 2016
Praise you this morning, Lord, for your provision of a wonderful bed, of a warm house, of a fine wife, for Josh being here to visit us, for challenges in life.
 
I praise you for your perfect faithfulness, perfect love, perfect wisdom, and perfect provision. Because of these I can rest in you in the midst of difficulties. No matter what, I can choose to exalt in you and take shelter in you. I give you honor, glory and praise, for it is your due.
 
But all the exaltation I can give you is far smaller than what you deserve. I praise that in spite of what I am, you have given me the privilege of being a called member of your family, of being allowed to give you worship, and having the privilege of praise in every moment of life.
 
It is a glorious thing to belong to you, Lord Jesus, to walk with you, to bask in your love, to gaze upon your beauty, to be in the process of transformation.
 
I praise you again, Lord God, my dear Heavenly Father, for the weaknesses you have put in my life. Primarily I think of my inability to help my little wife get well. Yesterday was another relapse with what appears to be low sodium; this brings on confusion, and loss of memory. Giving her lots of electrolyte drink and salty foods seems to help, but doesn’t bring her up to proper levels.
Praise you that we already had a doctor’s appointment scheduled for today and that he ordered a blood test yesterday to determine her sodium level. He will tell us what to do medically from there.
 
But in this midst of this setback, you are at work. As a result of it Barbara is bringing out more and more of the things that bother her, wrong thoughts, ideas and feelings that have entrapped her for years. Now under the pressure of her illness these are surfacing so they can be dealt with. And in my weakness I desperately need God’s wisdom in how to proceed from here in helping her.
 
Lord, I praise you for your answering my long term prayers for ongoing growth for us both. You have answered with problems; we determine to respond with praise. I thank you now for the wisdom, direction and help you will give today, and tomorrow, and on into the future. Amen.
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Beautiful Words

Published by S.M. Wibberley on December 1, 2016

Each morning as we drive to Barbara’s group therapy sessions, we sing this song together. What beautiful words to describe beautiful thoughts about our beautiful God’s creation.

 
Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing
Praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the world
 
Sweet the rain’s new fall, sunlit from heaven
Like the first dewfall on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where his feet pass
 
Mine is the sunlight
Mine is the morning
Born of the one light Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise ev’ry morning
God’s recreation of the new day
 
–Steven Curtis Chapman & Eleanor Farjeon
 
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Psalm 35:28

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 30, 2016
David, envisioning God protecting him and exonerating him before his foes, finishes his psalm with this commitment:
 
Psalm 35:28 “My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long.”
 
[At this point God had not yet acted to deliver David, but since he had appealed to the goodness and love of God, to the power and the faithfulness of his Lord, he was confident of His help coming. So David promises to be a man of praise, continually exalting his Savior.
 
This must be my practice, too, whether things work out according my desires or not.
 
Praise be to you, Lord, that you are in control, that I awake each morning to your safeness, to your surrounding love, to your eternal faithfulness, to your indwelling, unceasing presence. You are always here, patiently unfolding the intricate plan you have for my life, giving me wisdom, direction, endurance, grace, love and joy.
 
It is only in you that we can have joy, for without you this world is meaningless, randomly dangerous and utterly pointless. You, however, are here, being our rock, our foundation, our fortress, our shield, our high tower and our deliverer.
 
In you there is order, meaning and purpose. In you there is protection, power and provision. In you there is love, light and life. In you there is goodness, grace and greatness. In you there is caring, compassion and completeness. In you there is healing, help and hope. In you there are answers, reasons and wisdom.
 
To live without you is death in delayed degrees, ever spiraling downward towards eternal destruction. With you there is life with increasing light, love and joy, ever spiraling upwards towards our eternal home.
 
So, in you I can rest–for in you I am protected, in you there is rightness and clarity, even in the most difficult of situations. I thank you for the great privilege of being your child and praise you now for the outcome of the present challenges in my life, for whatever you will do in our situation. You, O Lord, are trustworthy.
 
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Being a Glory Giver, not a Glory Stealer

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 29, 2016
From Edified
 
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.”
Hebrew 13:15
 
My plane had taken off from Istanbul over an hour late and was now circling Frankfurt for the second time. It was 6:15, my train left at 7 pm. and my train ticket was for this train only. It looked doubtful that I would make it. I could feel the tension of worry building in my body.
God often gives me tests like this, opportunities to trust Him, Will I praise Him in faith, or worry in fear? If I give a response of faith and praise, then God gets great glory, for we are all being watched continually in the battle of life by spiritual beings—angels and demons—as well as people. If I give in to fear, I rob God of glory because I am worshiping the idol of having everything go my way, of being comfortable.
In this case, with His grace, I remembered to praise Him while still struggling with worry, and the inner tension lessened. After the plane landed, I quickly made my way to passport control, then to baggage claim where I waited for my bag—and waited and waited—another chance to turst and praise. Finally it came out. Then there was the long dash to the train platform—I got there with 7 minutes to spare. Whew!
Then it began again, for my train was late! Late enough so I would probably miss the next connection. Another chance to praise God! And I did, this time with more enthusiasm, telling Him that if He allowed me to miss my next train, I was sure He had something better for me.
That is a key aspect here: if our plans don’t work out, we can be certain that God has a better plan. We can trust Him with that. If we are praising Him in the midst of the changes and challenges, we will be more alert to the opportunities He will give, having us meet someone, be an example, share a word of comfort or witness.
In the end, the other train waited for our arrival and I made it home that night. In all this God showed Himself faithful again, while giving me a chance to grow in my faith.
Each such “test” is another chance to put a brick in the wall of faith that God is building in our lives, a chance to live by truth, to give Him honor. We just have to recognize what is happening: “He who offers the sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me and opens the way that I may show him the salvation of the Lord” (Ps. 50:23).
 
Prayer: “Father, help me to praise you when things are not working out, when failure and problems loom. Help me to be a glory giver, not a glory stealer, praising in faith based on your good character. May you be honored in my life today. Amen.”
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