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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.

I have begun a new web site, primarily to record a different type of writing and observations I have about grace. It is called: My Glimpses of Grace and if you wish to look and read, just click the title and the link will take you there.

Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? Song of Solomon 8:5a

I used this passage this morning in my prayer letter to our Psalm 19 Intercessors and it just keeps being in my mind, so I will write a bit here about it. This speaks to me of a believer who has a measure of maturity in their relationship with their Lord. They have moved from being a person whose prayers are primarily “beggar” prayers and/or “wormy” prayers. Those who beg are usually those who have not yet understood they are truly co-heirs with Christ Jesus, and the Father is always listening and always moving on their behalf. Those who pray “wormy” prayers are stuck in the “sinner” but never “saint” mode and can not quite get their heads up to trust anything much but their own flesh.

However, a somewhat mature believer who understands, at least in some small measure, their position and the great gift of forgiveness and grace we have been given, are those who rush into the the Throne of Grace, knowing help is already flowing and the Father has already heard and is already moving on their behalf. So here in the Song, the lady is trusting her lover – she leans on his arm as she moves up from the wilderness. She leans to walk.

During the past 6 weeks, as I have been healing from a broken shoulder, I have needed a lot of assistance. The arm could not be set, so a sling was all the support that I had for the arm. In the first week or so, every movement was very painful and there was no movement without assistance. As the weeks have passed, and healing is flowing, I do most things by my self – most of the time. However, there is a bar on the bath tub – to hold to – lean on, and often an arm of a friend or family member. The equilibrium of my body was affected as I sought to always protect the arm.

So as we walk up from the wilderness, we must to lean and to allow Him to hold, support and lead. In order to do that, I must trust Him and His support. He is trustworthy. Thank you Lord, you will hold me in the middle of all. You will stabilize everything in my life so my walk is steady and paced. Bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me, bless His holy Name!

I am amazed as I read the Scriptures at the provision our Lord has made for us. Romans 1:19-29 says:

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (KJV)

Before we were created, the Almighty God made provision for all to know Him – even if all they ever had was the creation. He is not, and never has been, willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance in Him.

What an awesome, magnificent God. He is worthy of all our lives and our thoughts. I am just constantly amazed at His beautiful creation – intended to teach me of Him. So as I look at this iris in my front yard, my heart is filled with wonder.

Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights. Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded and they were created. He hath also stablished them forever and ever: he had made a decree which shall not pass. Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word: Mountains, and all hills; frutiful trees and all cedars…Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.” Psalm 148:1-9,13 KJV

This was my delight this morning – just sharing our Lord’s wonderful creation!

“I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry: for I am brought very low; deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name; the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.” Psalm 142:5-7 KJV

This is the psalm of my daily reading schedule for today. In the first four verses the Psalmist talks to the Lord about his trouble and how he is very alone. People are trying to “get him,” and “do him in,” then in verse 5 he pours out this beautiful cry of faith.

The Lord is all we need in the land of the living. He does hear our cries at all times and is deep comfort and encouragement to us when all around fail us. He is our portion. There are times we are brought very low, yet He is always with us to deliver and to be strong for us. Eventually righteous people will be our fellowship circle and the Lord will deal with us in a way of bounty.

These are awesome, faith-filled words. May we take them to heart and enjoy their truth today – regardless of our circumstances. Matters may be good or we may be struggling – yet He is there with us always to be for us and to work matters for us. How wonderful is our Lord Jesus Christ.