He Is Our Hope All Day, On the Road of Life

"Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."

- Psalm 25:4-5

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Commentary:
On the paths, the roads we ride, may we be reminded that it is GOD who guides us (not a GPS). Whether on or off the bike, He is our hope all day. Whether we ride 25 miles, 50 miles, 100 miles or more; or a conversation with our fellow man or woman orchestrated by GOD in order to encourage in truth and love -- as we should in the saddle -- He is our hope all day!

GOD's Armour, Not Our Own

I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.

- Psalm 44:6-8


... be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

- Ephesians 6:10-12

Genesis 2:7 -- Breathe Wisely

"Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." -- Genesis 2:7

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Commentary:

Each time we breathe, may we remember we are created in the image of GOD, and that He gave us our soul -- "the breath of life". This is what makes us unique from the beasts of the ground and sea and air. May our breath be used wisely.

Psalm 39: 1-7 - Getting Real With GOD

Getting Real with GOD

I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.” So I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good. But my anguish increased; my heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: “Show me, Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. “Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be. “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.

- Psalm 39: 1-7


(Bold letters added for emphasis.)

Sin, Mercy and Hope

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do---this I keep on doing.

- Romans 7:15-19


Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassion never fails. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”

- Lamentations 3:22-24


“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

- Revelation 22:16

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"Mars in the Morning", a poem, a prayer inspired by the above scripture.

Galatians 6:3-10 - Always Forward With Doing Good

If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

- Galatians 6:3-10

Matthew 28

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.  Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.  When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money,  telling them, “You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.' If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
- Matthew 28:1-20

Psalm 8:1, 3-6, 9 - Greater Than the Stars!

Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. ... When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: ... Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

- Psalm 8:1, 3-6, 9

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Commentary: When one thinks of the Universe, even just the Milky Way, one has to consider a Master Designer -- GOD of all! This same GOD gave humans this gift to marvel and wonder. This same GOD cares for His creation, and He cares for those He created in His image -- the image of Love -- greater than the stars!

Move This Mountain - Matthew 21:18-22

Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered. When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked. Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

-- Matthew 21:18-22

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Commentary: What mountain? Any mountain? Was Jesus speaking figuratively? Jesus and his disciples were in and around the temple, which was built on a mountain, at the time he made this declaration. This indicates that Jesus was referring to moving the hearts and minds of those around them -- even of the pious religious leaders who were present. I can imagine him pointing to "this mountain", gazing in love at those around him. He was continuing to build on the role in which his disciples would commit -- "... and on this rock [speaking of himself] I will build my church ..." (Matthew 16).
May his church continue to move mountains as the power of Jesus' Spirit moves the hearts and minds of those around us.

Matthew 16:13-27

Matthew 16:13-27 NIV

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
"But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”
Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

Fear GOD!

Moses wrote in Deuteronomy to “Observe the commands of the LORD your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him.” We are to give God our reverence. The Bible also says in many places to fear God. From the minds of his creation this seems counter to his love. But it is not. In fact, “the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom,” (Proverbs 9:10). “God is love,” (1 John 4:16), and he desires what is best for his creation which comes from his wisdom. Fear God.

But what does it mean to fear God? In the original language the word for fear is “yirah” in Hebrew which means awe or fear. In the New Testament fear is used forty-six times, and is the Greek word “phobos,” which literally means “fear.” Some translations use “awe” in Acts 2:43, or “respect” in 1 Peter 2:18 and 3:2. It is translated as “reverence” in 1 Peter 3:15 with the use of the word is a variation of “phobos.”

When the prophet Isaiah entered the presence of God he fell flat on his face and cried, “Woe to me – I am ruined. For I am a man of unclean lips [the guilty, a sinner], and I live among people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” This is a prime example of the fear of God. We are to have a healthy fear of him and show him respect, reverence and awe – not because he is tyrannical and cruel, but because he is the perfect, righteous, almighty, holy God who loves his creation.

What is wonderful about the fear of God is that he “delights in those who fear him and place their hope in his unfailing love.” (Psalm 147:11) The psalmist knew by faith – looking forward to the Messiah – that he could “enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise …” (Psalm 100:4). Jesus the Messiah is our advocate by his death on a cross and resurrection. The Christ-follower will not have to face God’s wrath for sin. The Apostle Paul wrote, “God showed his love for us in that while we yet sinners, Christ [Messiah] died for us.” And the Apostle John wrote “… we have an advocate with the Father [God], Jesus the righteous.” (1 John 2:1). He is the propitiation [substitute] for our guilt, our sin, so we can enter into God’s presence with a healthy fear – because he is the Almighty perfect God. And we can enter his presence in love – because he “so loved the world, he gave his only begotten Son [Jesus the Messiah] that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). Fear God, who loves us – who loves you..

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Fear GOD, the Creator, and not the creation. Because the latter will only result in being scared.

Genesis 18: 20-33 - Persistent Prayer & Appropriate Fear

... the Lord told Abraham, “I have heard a great outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah, because their sin is so flagrant. I am going down to see if their actions are as wicked as I have heard. If not, I want to know.”
The other men turned and headed toward Sodom, but the Lord remained with Abraham. Abraham approached him and said, “Will you sweep away both the righteous and the wicked? Suppose you find fifty righteous people living there in the city—will you still sweep it away and not spare it for their sakes? Surely you wouldn’t do such a thing, destroying the righteous along with the wicked. Why, you would be treating the righteous and the wicked exactly the same! Surely you wouldn’t do that! Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”
And the Lord replied, “If I find fifty righteous people in Sodom, I will spare the entire city for their sake.”
Then Abraham spoke again. “Since I have begun, let me speak further to my Lord, even though I am but dust and ashes. Suppose there are only forty-five righteous people rather than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?”
And the Lord said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five righteous people there.”
Then Abraham pressed his request further. “Suppose there are only forty?”
And the Lord replied, “I will not destroy it for the sake of the forty.”
“Please don’t be angry, my Lord,” Abraham pleaded. “Let me speak—suppose only thirty righteous people are found?”
And the Lord replied, “I will not destroy it if I find thirty.”
Then Abraham said, “Since I have dared to speak to the Lord, let me continue—suppose there are only twenty?”
And the Lord replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the twenty.”
Finally, Abraham said, “Lord, please don’t be angry with me if I speak one more time. Suppose only ten are found there?”
And the Lord replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.”
When the Lord had finished his conversation with Abraham, he went on his way, and Abraham returned to his tent.

Genesis 18: 20-33 [ESV]

 

Commentary: There are many lessons to be learned from this passage. But, two in particular strike me:

1)    The consistent and persistent prayer Abraham has with the LORD GOD. Abraham asked the LORD to spare a certain number of righteous if the LORD found such a number. Throughout the conversation Abraham continued to plead with the LORD. This is a lesson for all of us, never to give up praying for something which is on our hearts. GOD listens!

2)    When Abraham approached the LORD, he did so knowing with whom he was talking: the Almighty Creator of the universe! Each time Abraham addressed GOD, he acknowledged who GOD is and who he was in relation to GOD: “… let me speak further to my Lord, even though I am but dust and ashes.” (v27). There seems to be a foreshadowing reference to Isaiah 6 when the prophet Isaiah approached the LORD GOD and he bowed before the LORD with the cry, “Woe is me!”; and it took an angel to cover his lips with a touch of coal in order to cleanse him before the perfect GOD. There is definitely the same fear in both men as they approached and spoke with the LORD GOD. For GOD “delights in those who fear Him, and put their hope in His unfailing love.” (Psalm 147: 11).

Lastly, remember prayer is not something we may do to persuade or bargain with the LORD, it is something we may do to align ourselves with His will.