Let’s pick up from yesterday with the “Golden Rule”. In Matthew 7 verse 12 we read, Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Growing up, my Mom would repeatedly tell us to “do unto others as we would have them do unto us.” I knew the so-called “golden rule” was in the Bible but I didn’t have a clue where it was. All I knew was, as far as my Mom was concerned, it was a standard to live by.

So, we basically grew up with the understanding of never doing anything to anyone that you wouldn’t want them to do to you. This simple rule can keep one from a whole heap of trouble. Only God knows the grief we were spared by keeping this simple command.

Now let’s look at some of the things Father God says to us over and over again. One phrase we read repeatedly is “Do not be afraid.” In fact, it appears over 300 times in Scripture. Why? Do you think it’s something He might actually mean and expect us to listen to? Hmmm. That’s definitely something to chew on isn’t it?

How about this one in Philippians chapter 4 – which by the way is one of my favorites. God has Paul repeat something that we could all pause and practice. In verse 4 we read, Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! God knows that each and every one of us has moments when we are dense and knuckled-headed and – just like our children – we therefore needed to be reminded to rejoice in the midst of trials.

So far we’ve only looked at 2, “do not be afraid” and “rejoice.”

The place I hear God repeating Himself most often is in the Old Testament. Sometimes the repetition is almost redundant and boring, and yet, God took the time to inspire the writing of it. Again my nature asks why?! Why?!
Why?!

One writer explains it like this: “When God repeats Himself, He does it for a reason…to begin with repetition was common in ancient literature. This was the accepted way to tell a good story. Repetition builds suspense…repetition also reinforces the memory.”

Relative to the building of the tabernacle in the Book of Exodus, the writer says,
“What better way to learn about the layout of the tabernacle and the structure of our salvation than to read about it more than once…When God repeats something, He wants us to pay more attention, not less.”1

A few more to ponder are:
* Isaiah 40:1 “Comfort, yes, comfort My people!” says your God.
* I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me, that they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting that there is none besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other; Isaiah 45:5-6
* O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD! Jeremiah 22:29
* Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. Joel 3:14
* Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: “Consider your ways! You have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but do not have enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes.” Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Consider your ways!” Haggai 1:5-7

With this list, too, I am sure I could go on, but I’ll leave that up to you to discover on your own. The last 2 I will leave you with can be found all through the Old Testament. I discovered this anew last year when I began reading through the Bible as if it were a book. There were many times I was humbled and awed by the repetition of these two phrases which the Father spoke to His children over and over and over again!!

1. I am the Lord Your God!
2. I am Holy!

Stephanie

DIGGING DEEPER
Psalm 37: 8-9
Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
9 For the evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.

1 http://books.google.com/books?id=gXk8HK3y9hIC&pg=PT1080&lpg=PT1080&dq=when+God+repeats+himself&source
Exodus: saved for God’s glory, Volume 2 By Philip Graham Ryken, R. Kent Hughes

I’m a mom and, well, you know what that means. It means I say “mom stuff.: For example, I’m fifty and my mom is still here with me. Today it’s wet and rainy and windy and just plain yucky outside and while I was getting ready for work she called to ask me a question and to chat a bit. True to her “mommyness,” she asked me if I had galoshes to put on as I go from building to building here at Keswick. After I got over the shock of hearing the reference to galoshes, I said, “huh? What?” This, of course, opened the door for her to repeat her question and add some further “mom stuff.”

Ya gotta love it though. As a mom of a now 23-year-old son and 25-year-old daughter, I find that, in spite of their ages, I say all sorts of stuff to my kids that they now know as “mom stuff” – all the stuff I get to say just cuz I’m a mom and it needed to be said…well sorta. And then there are the times I say certain things just so I can sleep better at night.

If you’re a mom and/or if you had a mom, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Here are a few examples of the sort of the things that I would classify as mom stuff:
* Don’t take any wooden nickels. (a favorite of my Mom’s.)
* Be sure and drive the speed limit or drive safely.
* Make sure you wear your seat belt.
* Be wise.
* Be careful not to trip.
* Make sure you wash your hands before you come to the table.
* Call me when you get there, just so I know you’re okay.
* Make sure you drink plenty of water and take your vitamins.
* Clean up after yourself!
* Did you flush?
* Be careful crossing the street.
* Make sure you hold on tightly to your purse.
* Make sure you don’t share anyone’s comb or brush or lip balm.
* Don’t go out with a wet head, you’ll catch cold.
* Don’t sit too close to the television, it’ll ruin your eyes.
* Eat your vegetables, they’re good for you.

I could go on, but I’m sure you get the point.

What I find so amazing and fascinating is our Heavenly Father, the Sovereign God of the universe, does the same thing with us. For no other reason than the fact that He loves us and has a plan for us (Jeremiah 29:11), He faithfully and consistently tells us stuff, and some of it He repeats to us over and over again.

The first that comes to mind are the commandments and statues of God. Most of us know the basic ten – ‘You shall have no other gods before Me. ‘You shall not make for yourself a carved image–any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.’ ‘Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ‘You shall not murder.’ ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ‘You shall not steal.’ ‘You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.’1

On of the things my mother taught us growing up was something from Scripture but I always knew it as “the golden rule.” Tomorrow, we’ll look at that and then turn our attention to words that the Father repeatedly says to us.

Stephanie

DIGGING DEEPER
Psalm 37:5-6
Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him, and he will act.
6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.

1 Exodus 20 http://www.biblegateway.com

This week, we turn our focus to Psalm 37. Are you seeking to memorize along with us? Let me encourage you. You will NOT remain UNCHANGED through our journey together. God’s Word is powerful. Hebrews 4:12, For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

PSALM 37:3-11
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him, and he will act.
6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.
7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices!
8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
9 For the evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.
10 In just a little while, the wicked will be no more;
though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.
11 But the meek shall inherit the land
and delight themselves in abundant peace.

COMMENTARY:
“…it (the Psalm) addresses the problem caused when godless people prosper, it helps the faithful to see that it really is better to stay loyal to the Lord – a loyalty expressed in contentment, honest dealing, generosity, and just speech. The Lord will make the distinction between the two groups clear in his won time, and the faithful must wait patiently.” ESV study notes, pg 982 (parenthesis added)

I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!
I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and delivers them.
Oh taste and see that the LORD is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!
The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Points to Ponder and Apply

Bless the Lord at all times, or in other words, bless Him NO MATTER WHAT!
To bless, boast, magnify, exalt, taste and, let us not forget, fear the LORD!
To seek, humble, hear, cry out and be saved from WHATEVER is ailing or dogging you is possible because those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Sisters, my challenge to you after this week’s meditation in Psalm 34 is to choose today to cry out!! If you are brokenhearted, crushed in spirit or faced with many troubles, take some time right now to bless His name! He is the Holy One!

Just in case you are wondering, the God who saves us and keeps us cares, hears and is listening even if all you can manage is a whisper.

Stephanie

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed and overflowing with gratitude.
Colossians 2:6-7 NASB

“This world can be pretty brutal at times; in fact, most of the time. People disappoint us. We disappoint them. The flesh gets the upper hand. Satan is relentless in his assault, whether by accusation or temptation or taunting. Circumstances get out of hand and dreams are shattered. Society as a whole just seems to unravel before our eyes. And worst of all, we begin to wonder if our lives are going anywhere or producing anything of value.

“That’s why I am so wonderfully encouraged by Paul’s choice of words (and verb tenses) in Colossians 2:6-7. I “have been rooted” in Jesus Christ. God has graciously seeded my soul into the soil of Christ’s unchanging and unconquerable grace. My life is rooted in him. My hope is grounded in his goodness. This is my identity. This is my security. This is my strength when I feel like I’m wandering aimlessly and hopelessly through one disappointment after another. Whatever I may encounter, whether good or bad, of this I may be certain: I have been rooted in Christ. But what about those times when so little spiritual progress is being made? Again, it feels like I am stuck in concrete, immobile, immovable, unchangeable. That’s when I remind myself once more of Paul’s words: Not only have I been rooted in Christ in the past; I am being built up in Christ even now, in the present. I may not always see it or feel it or be aware of major developments. In fact, there are times when I feel like I am regressing rather then progressing. If I’m moving at all, it must be backwards.

“No! Paul assures us that however imperceptible it may be, we are being built up in Christ. We are ever and always under ongoing construction. A brick here, a board there, but always and persistently being built up by divine grace. Yes, every so often we dismantle what God has done. But God will not give up on us. What he began by grace, he’ll finish by grace. The building will be completed. Our souls will grow in conformity to Christ and one day we will be like him for we shall see him as he is (1 John 3:1-3).”

This was from The Hope of Glory by Sam Storms, Chapter 46. It is titled “Thanks, I needed that.”

Well, Mr. Storms, thanks, I needed that, too!

Kathy Withers

DIGGING DEEPER
Psalm 34:8-10
8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9 Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Proverbs 25:20 Singing light songs to the heavyhearted is like pouring salt in their wounds.

Have you ever been there? You are hurting and discouraged and someone comes along and tries to cheer you up. You know they mean well, but their insensitivity to where you are makes it hurt all the more.

Most of us can remember what that is like – so the question comes – how do I comfort without hurting people even more? I found this quote once and it is probably true of most of us… “I would like to help. I really would. But I just don’t know what to say. I’m sure I say too much, and sometimes I think what I say hurts more than it helps. So, most of the time, I stay away and don’t do anything at all.” (Source unknown)

I am in almost daily contact with hurting people and most of you all know people that are hurting. The questions that always seem to come up are… How do I help and how to I give comfort? Let me first suggest to you what comforting is not, then ideas on what it might mean to be comforting.

Comforting is not having all the answers or being able to explain God’s will. Only God knows what is going on and the purpose for situations and suffering in our lives. As friends we can just remind them that God is on the throne and He knows. It is not about knowing the whys, but helping them walk through the pain (Isaiah 41:10, 43:2,3a).

Comforting is not fixing the problem. Many of us are fixers, we want people to be all better and we want to get them better. Sometimes we fix it by trying to make people look on the positive side, or cheer them up. During times of pain and hurts, only time and God can truly heal the wounds. Our role again is to listen, to allow them to cry, to help in ways that are practical which allow them to focus on their healing process. (Psalm 147:3)

Comfort is making yourself available. As I already alluded to, the best things we can do for someone is be there (2 Cor. 1:3-5). Maybe it’s doing tasks that are now hard for them to do, possibly it is bringing in food, or helping to drive them places. Oftentimes we help by just being present – even without saying a word (James 1:19; Job 16:2).

Maybe you are a shoulder to lean on or a listening ear. We can listen with compassion and nurture. In John 11 Jesus allowed Martha to express feelings regarding the death of her brother Lazarus (vs. 21-22). He gave Mary the same courtesy (vs. 32). He was Jesus, he knew exactly what was going on and going to happen, but He allowed them the freedom to express their heart. David expressed his feelings and thoughts often through his Psalms (Psalms 27:6 & 9; 34:6).

Comfort is letting them experience their pain. A key factor in moving on through our difficulties is to face them head on. In many ways we need to encourage them to feel the hurt, pain, and sorrow that is in their life at that point in time (Ecc. 3:1-8). God has allowed it to happen for some reason, and in order for the pain to accomplish its work it is important for them to move with the pain, not away from the pain (Jer. 29:11-14).

Most of all… Turn to God for Direction and POINT THEM TO CHRIST… Matt. 11:28-30, Psalm 32:8, Psalm 55:22.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted Matthew 5:4.

May you and I serve to be Christ-like comforters not salt pourers…

Lynne Jahns

DIGGING DEEPER
Psalm 34:6-7
6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.

I became a Christian as a child and was raised in what would now be called a legalistic environment. Unfortunately I learned to judge a person’s outward appearance very quickly: too much make-up, hair too short, attended movies, danced, belonged to a lodge…how could that person possibly be a Christian? When my husband and I joined the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ and moved to California, I was in for a major culture shock. First, the Lord allowed me to hear a person’s testimony. It was obvious by their behavior and changed life that they knew Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. BUT they didn’t live the way I did, and they didn’t even go to MY church. But I watched these people…they definitely knew the Lord. Was it possible? But according to me, their theology was all mixed up. Yet I enjoyed being around them. I saw their love for the Lord and for me.

I had the privilege of hearing Dr. Howard Hendricks while I was tussling with this issue, many, many years ago. He said we need to make sure we know the difference between Christian standards and standards of Christians. Aha, that was it! I got tripped up by standards of Christians when I should have been paying more attention to Christian standards. Christian standards are in the Bible, and they don’t change…ever. Standards of Christians can vary from church to church, state to state or family to family. Let’s not get tripped up.

When we are in Christ Jesus, it is not important if we are circumcised or not. The important thing is faith-the kind of faith that works through love (Galatians 5:6, NCV).

MWH

DIGGING DEEPER
Psalm 34: 3-5
3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.

I trust you are being blessed by the reading of the word each week. A number of you have emailed letting us know of your intention to join us on the journey. Personally, I am finding that I really can memorize larger portions of Scripture, and I know you can, too. Don’t believe the lie that you can’t memorize Scripture, or that you are too busy. We all have time each day/week that can be redeemed for the memorization of Scripture. Here are a few suggestions that we, the staff, have found: during our ride to work, during our daily walk, during daily devotions, during treadmill time. I’m sure there are many other times in our days that we can find a few minutes to meditate and memorize. Be creative. You will not regret it. We are looking forward to hearing the stories of how God is moving in your life throughout our journey. Don’t be left behind, join now right here.

This week’s Scripture for our DIGGING DEEPER journey is Psalm 34:1-10:

1 I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD;
let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9 Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

COMMENTARY:
This Psalm is written by David and associated with a time in his life that is recorded in 1 Samuel 21:10-15: And David rose and fled that day from Saul and went to Achish the king of Gath. And the servants of Achish said to him, “Is not this David the king of the land? Did they not sing to one another of him in dances, ‘Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands’?” And David took these words to heart and was much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. So he changed his behavior before them and pretended to be insane in their hands and made marks on the doors of the gate and let his spittle run down his beard. Then Achish said to his servants, “Behold, you see the man is mad. Why then have you brought him to me? Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this fellow to behave as a madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?”

Psalm 34 is David’s heart of thanksgiving, praise and rejoicing. Will you join him today?

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.
Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.
One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.
For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.
And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the LORD.

Points to Ponder:
Did you know that, just like David, you can cry out to God? In your moments of distress, insecurities or desperate loneliness you can be confident that the LORD hears you and He will lift you up; You can have the great assurance that your Father – just as He was with David – will be your light and your salvation!!

Application:
No matter what the stronghold is or appears to be in your life, choose today to confidently and boldly seek after, to ask of the LORD. Sing to Him the song that your heart longs to sing, and sing it like no one is watching but Him!! I dare you!!

In a few days is Valentine’s Day and for some that is just another reminder that you are alone. Perhaps you have been alone every Valentine’s Day or your Valentine is no longer a part of your life either through death or divorce or for some other painful reason. Perhaps this Valentine’s Day you are looking forward to being with your new or not-so-new Valentine. Regardless of what situation you are in today – YOU HAVE A VALENTINE – A DIVINE VALENTINE.

Before you scoff at the thought, let me assure you, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, He is your Heavenly Husband and if you allow Him He will be the best Valentine. Embracing your Divine Valentine in no way negates or minimizes your past or present valentine.

Jesus is alive and active in the life of His bride. He delights in giving good gifts.

You may be thinking, “that’s all well and good, but I need someone with skin on.” Beware! As long as you believe that, you will never allow Jesus to be enough.

Jesus desires to fulfill the deepest longings of your heart, no matter where you find yourself today. He completely satisfies (You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works. Psalm 145:16-17)

He delights in you (As for the saints who are on the earth, “They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” Psalm 16:3). He is Mr. Right(eous)(For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright. Psalm 11:7). You are His bride (I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice, In lovingkindness and mercy; I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, And you shall know the LORD. Hosea 2:19-20) and He desires fellowship with you (God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9). He so desires relationship with you that He went to the cross to die to gain your release from sin and death and to gain your freedom (But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. Romans 6:22; Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36).

Oh, sister, go to Him today and tarry with Him until you experience His fullness, His love, His delight in you.

Treasure your Divine Valentine.

Diane
(modified from VICTORY CALL posted 2/14/07)

DIGGING DEEPER
Psalm 27:6
And now my head shall be lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the LORD.