My Help and My Deliverer

                                                                       Psalms 40:1-10

 May 24, 2022

 

My Help and My Deliverer

I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.  He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.  He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.  Man will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.  Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!  You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you!  I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.   In sacrifice and offering, you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear.  Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.  Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”  I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.   I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.

 

When I read a testimony such as this, many thoughts come into my mind, first I examine myself, to see if I’m waiting patiently for the Lord, and I confess that has not been my long suit.  But over two months in a hospital setting and being told you should have died at least twice has a way of getting you to become patient and look to and wait on the Lord.

 

During my time in ICU, both times my only prayer was, Father, I am ready to come home, Jan needs me, I do not have any understanding of your will in this matter, but the desire of my heart is to stay and help my wife.  He heard my cry, and many who were praying and still are He heard your prayers. 

 

He did pull me out of a pit of sickness and show me the value of each person to Him,  My faith has always been small but in a very big God, but the Lord has begun a new work in my life, and I want only to finish strong, not in words but in following the plan He has for my life.  I know He makes my steps secure.  My heart is full of thanksgiving, for so many who are blessing my life each day with your faithfulness in asking the Father to guide and give me health. 

 

We are living in what seems to be a dark world, people killing people they do not know, who have been in the wrong place, for some evil person to shoot them.  But let’s not dwell on the darkness, and the lack of leadership, but on being the light that they will see Jesus in our actions and deeds.

 

Did David hit on the head when he said; “You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you!”  And the sentence above that tells us about the man who makes God his trust will be blessed.   One must wonder how many are missing out on this by following a political party and not the path God has for them.

 

The big question is will you and I proclaim to those in our concentric circle all that Jesus has done in our lives?  Your family, your friends, those you work with, and your neighbors.  It is going to require you to ask the Holy Spirit to give you the courage and the words you need to share when it is His timing for you to do so.  But make sure it is His voice that you are listening to.  I understand that when it comes to giving my time and money, to bless another is always God and not self-centered Bob.

 

Will you be like David?  The desire of my heart is to share the peace and joy of telling a lost world about their Creator, and His love for them.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

Keeping quiet about our evil Culture

 

Psalm 39

 

April 23, 2022

 

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.  Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools.  I was silent; I would not open my mouth,  for you are the one who has done this.  Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand.  When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin, you consume their wealth like a moth—surely everyone is but a breath.

                                                                                                     

“Hear my prayer, Lord, listen to my cry for help;  do not be deaf to my weeping.
I dwell with you as a foreigner, a stranger, as all my ancestors were.  Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again before I depart and am no more.”

 

Have we who go by the name of Christian done as David has done, just kept quiet?  The so-called Christian Church is more involved in political parties than in sharing that freedom is found in Christ alone, and so are peace and joy.  I am blown away by the emails from people who claim they are Christ-followers, but calling the person of another political party names that will divide will not bring the opportunity to share why you have taken the stand based on God’s Word.

 

I  believe we fall into two camps, one will not voice any opinion yet evil is being preached from some so-called church, where they have no fear of God and His written Word.  Being quiet will not be my stance, I cannot be quiet when they are trying to brainwash little children, that God made a mistake and they need to be the opposite of the way they came out of the mother.  Or that one is born a homosexual, that does not hold up to the teaching of the Bible.  I am also a Constitutionalist but we must not put anything above being a follower of Christ.  I was called as an Ambassador of Christ, and only Him.  I must confess it is easy to get caught up in a world that Jesus tells us is passing away.  You can find that in 1 John 2:7, “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

 

Take an inventory of where you put your hope, and it will become clear to whom you are putting your trust.  David makes it clear his hope is in God, not his military nor his many battles, for David was aware that it was God who fought for him.

 

Do you ask God to hear your prayers, ICU will get you there fast, you ask for forgiveness for looking down on people who are carrying a little too much weight, to those who have tattoos yet it was many such people who show the most compassion and love for me and would talk to me about how God had a plan for my life, and I no longer saw tattoos are overweight people, nor black or white, but people that had great value to my Father in heaven.  God has such love for us that He gave His Son, His only Son to become lower than the angels for the time He was a man and take the sins of an evil man like me to the cross, so I could make a choice to by faith and grace to put my faith in His finished work of the cross.  And at the age of 27 in a hotel room, I did just that.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

Waiting for the Lord

 

Psalm 38:13-22

 

April 21, 2022

 

I am like the deaf, who cannot hear, like the mute, who cannot speak; I have become like one who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply. Lord, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God.   For I said, “Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.  For I am about to fall,  and my pain is ever with me.   I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.   Many have become my enemies without cause,  those who hate me without reason are numerous.  Those who repay my good with evil lodge accusations against me, though I seek only to do what is good.  Lord, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God.   Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior.

 

Is it common for a man to seek after their flesh, one of the best definitions of our flesh in a spiritual way is from my friend Bill Gilliam; “Getting my need met outside of Christ.”  1 Corinthians 10:13, has this to say on the subject:  ^“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”  You’re a young girl and the captain of the football team who does not have good moral ask you to go on a date.  You know his reputation, you have a little voice that says tell him no, but he is so cute.  (First provision of escape) He tells your parents you are going to the burger place and just get to know each other better.  But you drive right past the burger joint and you ask why did we not stop, His answer; I wanted to show you a place I like to go and you're going to like it. ( second provision of escape), and by 10:00 you are doing things you will be ashamed of for years.  That is trying to get your need met outside of Christ.  We find this truth in Galatians 5:17, For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want.

 

Now we understand David was a man after God’s own heart, yet we have an example of  David allowing his flesh to control him. Now listen, to David’s call for the Lord’s help, and he is sure the Lord will answer. David, understand truth, the Lord's time not David, and David is willing to wait on the Lord’s answer, many today are not willing.  How does David understand he is in trouble, and God is his only answer, are you in a place like that today?

What does David do; he confesses his sins and has a brokenness before God.  He understands his enemy has more power than he does, so he runs to God.  The enemy of your soul has come to kill, steal, and destroy all that you deem of value, your integrity, your family, and your fellowship with the Lord. Will you run to Jesus?  He has told us to cast all our cares on him for He cares for us.  But he also knew he could ask God to come to his defense, for Lord was his salvation.

 

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

Sin and it Cost

                                                                         Psalm 38:1-12

 

April 20, 2022

 

Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.  Your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down on me.  Because of your wrath, there is no health in my body; there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin. My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.   My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly.  I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning.  My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body.   I am feeble and utterly crushed;  I groan in anguish of heart.   All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.   My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes.   My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away. Those who want to kill me set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they scheme and lie..

 

Have you experienced a time or times when God opened your eyes to sin in your life that had taken you captive and you, like David, said; “My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.”  Some call that being broken, and it is with no joy that I share the captivity of sin in my life.  Now we have talked about the Law and it came through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17 is very clear on this statement; “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” 

 

How often have you been raked through the coals over the sin​ of the past, you confessed it before God and man and you ask the Father for forgiveness, if you were serious in seeking God’s forgiveness, it is written, He remembers it no more.  You will find that in Hebrews 8:12, “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”

 

If it is not the Father, nor the S​o​n, and in that Christ is my life it is not me, it only has one source the one Jesus calls, the acc​u​ser​ of the brothers.  Yes, that old serpent, the devil.  You do not have the ability to take the dude on but that is why we need to run to Jesus and ask Him to fight for us.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

 

He has Risen indeed

 

Psalm 37:16-31

 

April 17, 2022

 

He has Risen indeed

 

Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked.   For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.  The Lord knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever; they are not put to shame in evil times; in the days of famine, they have abundance.   But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the Lord are like the glory of the pastures; they vanish—like smoke, they vanish away. The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives; for those blessed by the Lord shall inherit the land, but those cursed by him shall be cut off. The steps of a man are established by the Lord when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.

 

I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.   He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.  Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever.  For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints.
They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.  The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever. The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.

 

When Jan and I got married we were both Baptist, both had joined the Baptist church but had not entered into Christ.  We believed that he was born of a virgin, a young girl of 13 years, that He was God, and the Father sent His only Son to redeem and forgive sinful people, all people, no matter how evil they were if they did what Roman 10:9-10 required of them.

 

I remember this verse in Proverbs 22:7, “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.”  Jan and I decided we would not be slaves to the lender and that required both of us to not allow our desires to rule us.  So often we had little compared to our friends, but we were free and God honored us because we were keeping His word.  Verse One tells us in so many words to wait on the Lord, He knows your desires, and He also knows about those rental places where you store all the stuff too good to give to someone who would put it to use.

 

Jan and I were not righteous, that came later for both of us and we are in an agreement that being a Baptist did not give us peace, joy, or hope, but when we ask Jesus to forgive us for trying to take His place and to enter into His peace, we experience the fruits of the Spirit.

 

My hope is, when it looks like all is lost I will recall this verse; “But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the Lord are like the glory of the pastures; they vanish—like smoke, they vanish away.”

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

Do not Fret or be envious of those who are Evil

 

Psalm 37: 1-15

 

April 16, 2022

 

Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants, they will soon die away.  Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.   Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:  He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.   Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.  For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.  A little while and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.   But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.  The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them;  but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.  The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.  But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.

 

If the Church and I'm not talking about a denomination or a building, but people who have entered into Christ and He has entered into them. It is by faith that God the Father has given them, not by works, or good deeds, but by grace and mercy of the Father, and the finished work on the cross by Jesus dying and conquering both death and the grave, and His blood covers all sin. If they believed these verses and acted by faith in a big God who keep His word, we would not be so angry and worried about these evil people.  But that is not the Church of 2022, many have no understanding of Truth, Jesus tells us all truth is found in Him for He is the Word that was in the beginning with God, and He is God, and all that was created was made by Him.   You will find that in John's gospel chapter 1:1-5.

 

I’ve had to ask the Holy Spirit to give me insight into the truth, and I’ve highlighted words and sentences that I need to act on through the power of Christ and the Holy Spirit.  But I know the Church is much smaller than what shows up on Sundays, and it is also very powerful when it obeys the Lord's commands and is still and waits for Christ's timing.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

 

There is no fear of God before their eyes

 

Psalm 36:1-12

 

April 15, 2022

 

Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart,  there is no fear of God before his eyes.  For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated.  The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good.  He plots trouble while on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not reject evil.  Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,  your faithfulness to the clouds.  Your righteousness is like the mountains of God your judgments are like the great deep; man, and beast you save, O Lord.  How precious is your steadfast love, O God!  The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.  They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.  For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.  Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteousness to the upright of heart!  Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.  There the evildoers lie fallen; they are thrust down, unable to rise.’

 

The Dictionary defines “Wicked” in this way: “evil or morally wrong: a wicked and unscrupulous politician.”  How true and it goes all the way to the big guy, I believe they have proven it to the same man who is posing as President. But it does not stop at the super-rich or the CEO who long to be super-rich, it goes to the pews on Sunday.  Your church building where the Church is to assembly is full of posers.  What is a poser: a person who acts in an affected manner in order to impress others?

 

Do you understand your flesh pattern, we all come with flesh that is wanting to not be subjected to the Spirit, it is important to understand your flesh, the enemy of your soul does.  My flesh likes to have you think higher of me than both God and I know to be true.  It desires to be noticed, and I often and I mean on a daily routine to help me overcome that evil flesh.

 

Let me be clear you better have a fear of God, for the enemy cannot make you do anything but he is a liar and a deceiver always looking for someone to destroy.  When we get full of self, we reject the quiet voice of the Spirit and believe God is happy with our sins.  He not and you need to examine yourself to see in you try to get to Jesus outside the cross, and the price paid for your sins by the blood of Jesus Christ

.

Many who attend church buildings and go by Christian are more into a political party than the power and grace and mercy that can be found in Christ Jesus.  They support people who have no respect or fear of God and call good evil and evil good.  If you are a poser run to Jesus and confess, that is what I did in a hotel after reading Romans 10:9-10.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

Two Faced People

                                                                       Psalm 35:15-28

 

April 14, 2022

 

But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; assailants gathered against me without my knowledge. They slandered me without ceasing.  Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked; they gnashed their teeth at me.  How long, Lord, will you look on?  Rescue me from their ravages, my precious life from these lions.  I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs, I will praise you.   Do not let those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; do not let those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye.  They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land.  They sneer at me and say, “Aha! Aha With our own eyes, we have seen it. Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent.  Do not be far from me, Lord.   Awake, and rise to my defense!  Contend for me, my God and Lord.   Vindicate me in your righteousness, Lord my God; do not let them gloat over me.   Do not let them think, “Aha, just what we wanted!” or say, “We have swallowed him up.”   May all who gloat over my distress be put to shame and confusion; may all who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and disgrace.   May those who delight in my vindication
    shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, “The Lord be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant.”  My tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long.

 

It does seem as If David is surprised because these were not enemies but his people who were rejoicing at the trouble he was going through.   They were deceitful and slandered, two face people, James has the following to say about them in James 1:8, He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Paid attention to David’s request of the Lord, first David ask the Lord to rescue him from them.  He tells the Lord they have no reason to do this and are making fake accusations against those who live quietly in the land.  Am I in David’s time or 2022?

David, ask this of the Lord; rise to my defense, contend for me, my God and Lord.  He also asks to be vindicated by the Lord.  He asks God to put them to shame and confusion.

David has promised to share how God faithfulness will be shared from his lips.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

 

 

 

 

 

Taste and See That the Lord Is Good

 

 

Psalm 34:1-12

 

January 24, 2022

 

 

Taste and See That the Lord Is Good

Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech so that he drove him out, and he went away.

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 camps 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.  Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.  What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?

 

Abimelech was an enemy of Israel, David's goal was to seek refuge, but the king's leadership warned the king of David being a mighty warrior, and so David began acting like a man who had lost his mind and the King ran him out of his kingdom.  

 

Once more thoughts enter my small mind, that often they are not good, and when I read, 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.  I know I’ve fallen short.  I’m experiencing Covid-19 and it has been a long week and a few days, with little sleep. I was told to go to an E.R. and after filling out a book, I was taken back, they confirm what I knew, I had Covid-19, yet my fever had been normal all but one day, the nurse, came in and gave me a steroid shot, and did not give much reason for doing so, and I reminded him I was taking blood pressure meds, and he still gave it to me.  For two nights, my blood pressure has been way too high, and last night I got two hours of sleep.  

 

This verse I am living out, 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.  There is no doubt I often lose the battle of being humble. Have you noticed how often we are reminded to fear God?  In verse 12, we are asked this question, What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?  My prayer is to finish strong, to be about loving my neighbor and looking to the Lord, as my only hope, learning to worship the Father in my life, as I go.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

The Steadfast Love of the Lord

 

 

 

Plasm 33:13-22

 

January 23, 2022

 

 

The Steadfast Love of the Lord

 

The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man; from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.  The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might, it cannot rescue. Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.  Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.  For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.  Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

 

Jan and I established before Nat was born and made a decision not to lie to our little girl about untruths, like a person called Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and Tooth Fairy, for we knew she would learn at a young age that we had lied about them.  And as she got older, she might wonder if Jesus was also just a made-up fable?  Our families on both sides were not happy with our decision to do that to our child, and our friends did not approve.  But we believed it was the right call, and we stuck with our decision our little girl at a young age asked Jesus into her life.  We never tried to teach this conviction, never tried to push this in our teaching of young couples.  

 

Why did I share that story, because I know more now than ever before, he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds?  

 

I now need to share on a very personal note, two of my biggest struggles as a follower of Christ, and it is not having a fear of God, It is not believing He loves me and has paid the full price for my sin for I am sure Jesus did that on the Cross.  But is waiting on Him, and being patient to be still till He speaks.  I have many requests in my prayer life, most are not for me, but for others, but I’m convinced that I prefer to sleep, more so than waiting for the Father to answer. The other is also critical and often I have a judgmental spirit.  God has done work in my life in this area and is still teaching me to not just read and study the Scriptures, that without application, it is of little real value.  I’m asking you to join me in this prayer and encourage me to listen and wait.  To not look at my understanding but to apply what I’m studying and being shown in the Bible.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

Placing our desire above God's Will

                                                                           Psalm 33:1-12

 

January 21, 2022

 

 

The Steadfast Love of the Lord

 

Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous!  Praise befits the upright. Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!  Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.  For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.  He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.  By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host.  He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses.  Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!  For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
he frustrates the plans of the people.  The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.  Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!

 

These first 12 verses give me some deep reflection, not so much about the culture no it is the present, but how little in my life reflected this truth, for so many years.  James 4:17 has this to say on the subject;  ^“So, whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”  You may be that way also, but we are given this word in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  

 

As a follower of Christ, it is dangerous when we place our desires above His will, so give thought to how you enter into being righteous, and Whose places you are putting before the one who created all that is?  The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice