Month: June 2010

Our slide-show for the last Friday Fellowship on June 11 is now on line. Just go to: http://www.psalm19ministries.org/psalm19ministries/Slide_Shows.html and enjoy.

A new teaching video is up at our Psalm 19 web site. Here is the direct link. We trust the Lord Jesus to bless you with the teaching of His Word!

Go to: http://www.psalm19ministries.org/psalm19ministries/Videos.html

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:4-6 NKJV

I have purposely made the word “together” bold in the quote above. As I was reading this section of scripture this morning, I noticed that this word was key in understanding the entire passage. The emphasis is that this was done, not just for us, but with us. We are good to understand these things were done by our Lord Jesus Christ, for us. However, this is not what the passage says. These things were done “together,” that means “with.”

When I understand something wonderful was done for me (and we do have that in scripture), then we can be eternally grateful and live in reference to the action. However, when we begin to understand and receive that these awesome things were credited by God – seen by God – counted by God – as have been done “with” me. It was not a separate action apart from us, but an action to produced for the Father many children who had died (2 Cor. 5:14), been resurrected, and empowered to live a life of divine royalty based on the work done in them through Christ Jesus. “…and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves but for Him who died for them and rose again.” (2 Cor. 5:15)

It seems, it was not our Father’s intent to make us forever grateful only. But instead to create for Himself “one new man” (Eph. 2:15) able to interact with Him face-to-face, with the power of God released through mortal flesh. Moving into our inheritance as His sons and daughters, fully empowered to live and move as He does in this world – is a trust in the Word that is seldom seen – certainly not generally lived in.

I believe the Word of God. My call in life is to teach what this Word says. These words are true words. Lord enable us to enter, to receive, and then to walk in the faith that releases your sonship in our lives.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 KJV

I am amazed at how much in my life does not build faith. All of us read, watch TV, engage on the net, on and on – and of course none of that is wrong – but neither does it build faith.

Now the personal interchanges we have, may indeed encourage us toward faith, but the only thing that will build that trust in Jesus is deeply hearing His word. That means more than skimming it, or hunting through it to teach a lesson, or just reading — all of those help, but will not in and of themselves build our faith. We must actively engage ourselves in the process – allow our lives to rest on the Rock which is Jesus, and receive His words as true. Our circumstances will lie to us. Much about us (including the news) will interpret matters wrongly.

He is truth and faith in that truth is found through an active engagement in His word. This is not a dull exercise – but a Spirit breathing matter which brings life. May we actively engage in His Word, whether by memory or by reading and registering what is being said. May we saturate ourselves with His truth, so the lies that surround us  become a dim voice  while the truth in Him becomes the loud roar of reality.

Another teaching is on our web site: http://www.psalm19ministries.org/psalm19ministries/Videos.html Enjoy!

We had a wonderful retreat at Stella Maris Retreat Center last week. I have developed a couple of slide shows for those who would like to see the day in picture form. Diane Hernandez does a fantastic job of recording our events in photo. We are very blessed to have such a history in pictures of the work the Lord is doing in and through Psalm 19.

Lauren led the worship ensemble for the morning session and I spoke. Tina Hook led the ensemble for the afternoon session and Lauren spoke. The entire day was wrapped around Psalm 91 and choosing to believe the word of God.

How blessed we are to have such joy – worshiping Him and teaching His word.

The link to the slide shows: http://www.psalm19ministries.org/psalm19ministries/Slide_Shows.html

I tried to put it here, but no soap, so you will have to go to the Psalm 19 web site to study with me. Several of you have been wanting to be present at our Friday Fellowship meetings but are not able to do so – some due to several states between us. So just go to this page, get your Bible, notebook and plan on studying with me for a bit. http://www.psalm19ministries.org/psalm19ministries/Videos.html

This sweetheart is blooming in my front yard flower bed right now. Isn’t she beautiful? I have such joy in these beautiful plants. A couple of years ago a friend gave me these pink iris’ and this is the first season they have bloomed. God’s intricate detail in them is just amazing to me. The Word tells us that the creation displays for us “the invisible things…even his eternal power and godhead;” When you know Him you see, feel and experience Him everywhere.

Yesterday was Psalm 19’s Stella Maris Retreat Day. We have taken a Wednesday for 25 years and gone to Stella Maris Retreat House for a day away with Jesus. We had a nice group of over 50 folk who joined us and what a wonderful day we had working with Psalm 91. Our Lord’s love, care and provision was clearly seen in the Word and we rejoiced in Him as we worshiped. The day was lovely in every way. Lord, thank you for such times of refreshing in you. Thank you for always being with us and unfolding for us yourself. In Jesus name, Amen.

Thank you for joining us this way.