Tremble at the Presence of the Lord

 

Psalm 114:1-8

 

September 26, 2022

 

Tremble at the Presence of the Lord 

When Israel went out from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language, Judah became his sanctuary, Israel his dominion.  The sea looked and fled; Jordan turned back.  The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs.  What ails you, O sea, that you flee?  O Jordan, that you turn back?  O mountains, that you skip like rams?  O hills, like lambs?   Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a spring of water.

When was Jacob told about a promised Land for His people?  We go back to the book of Beginning and Genesis 28:11-16 has the answer.  ^“When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying.  Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

 

If God had made that promise to you that He made to Jacob, would you share it with your sons and family?  A good amount of news today is fake, it is not reliable, so allow me to share some truth with you, if you have received God’s only Son, Jesus Christ, God has made you a better promise. It begins with the same one He made to Jacob, Joshua, and Solomon, He has made to you, in Hebrews 13:5, “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Did I not say better, I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:28

Two verses and there are many more that give us our true Identity in Christ.  ^“ For, you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:3-4) And Galatians 2:20,  I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Bill Gillham always used a Key Concept, which is one that is very important: “God accepts you based upon what you have done with Christ.  If you base acceptance upon anything other than Christ, you have higher standards than God.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Who Is Like the Lord Our God?

                                                                         Psalm 113:1-9

September 23, 2022

 

 

Who Is Like the Lord Our God?

Praise the Lord!  Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord!  Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore!  From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised!  The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens!  Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people.   He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children.  Praise the Lord!

 

Have you reflected, and I mean pondered the question: “Who Is like the Lord Our God?”  I have and the short answer is no one.  I’m not one to read the last page of a book, I like to begin at the beginning.  We find that not going to be easy with God, for Scripture tells us the following; Psalm 90:2, states; “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”  Now this is beyond our understanding and that is why we need God to give us insights into the gift of faith.  No beginning, and no end, that our God, but there is so much more in John gospel chapter 1:1-5, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.  In him was life, and the life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Adam and Eve did not ask who are you.  For they walked and talked with God.  But we do find in Scripture a man named Moses, who was being sent by God to a nation called Egypt that had enslaved the people of God and He asked this question: “He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of   Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?”   God said to Moses, “I am who I am. ”  “I am has sent me to you. ”  

 

Now, as we skip to the Psalm, we find David and the prophets calling Him Lord.  And you and I who are Truth Seekers do the same. So should we not want as much understanding as possible of our God?

 

God’s attributes, taken from the Internet with thoughts and Scriptures added by this writer:

 

Omnipresence:  You must check these Scriptures to understand that God is everywhere, Deuteronomy 4:39, Psalm 139:7-12, Proverb 15:3, Acts17:26-27 but my favorite is Jeremiah 23:23-24.  “Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away?  Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord.”

 

Wisdom: “Wisdom is the ability to devise perfect ends and to achieve these ends by the most perfect means.” In other words, God makes no mistakes. He is the Father who truly knows best, as Paul explains in Romans 11:33-36, “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!  “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”  “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?”  For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him, be the glory forever! Amen.

Infinitude: God knows no boundaries. He is without measure.  Some Scriptures that tell of this are Job 42:2, Psalm 115:3, Isaiah 43:13, and Matthew 19:26, “But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Sovereignty: This is “the attribute by which He rules His entire creation.” It is the application of His other attributes of being all-knowing and all-powerful. It makes Him absolutely free to do what He knows to be best. God is in control of everything that happens. Man still has free will and is responsible for his choices in life.  God is in charge, not Presidents, Kings, or Dictators, learn from Proverbs 21:1, “The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.”  Now look at 1 Timothy 1:17, “To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Holiness: This is the attribute that sets God apart from all created beings. It refers to His majesty and His perfect moral purity. There is absolutely no sin or evil thought in God at all.  Leviticus 19:2 Moses speaking to the congregation, gave this instruction from God; “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.”

Trinity: Though the actual word is not used in the Bible, the truth of God, revealing Himself in three persons is included. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all called God, given worship as God, exist eternally, and are involved in doing things only God could do. Although God reveals Himself in three persons, God is One and cannot be divided. Romans 8:9, “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.”
Omniscience: “Omniscience means all-knowing. God knows everything, and His knowledge is infinite. It is impossible to hide anything from God. In the Gospel of John 16:30, we find the disciples telling this to Jesus; “Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.”  

Faithfulness: Everything that God has promised will come to pass. His faithfulness guarantees this fact, and whatever He has said in the Bible about Himself is true. Jesus even said that He is the Truth in John 14:6-7, Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you had known me, you would have known my Father also.  From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

 

  This is extremely important for the followers of Jesus because it is on His faithfulness that our hope of eternal life rests. He will honor His promise that our sins will be forgiven and that we will live forever with Him.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

The Righteous Will Never Be Moved

                                                                      Psalm 112:1-10

 

September 21, 2022

 

The Righteous Will Never Be Moved

Praise the Lord!  Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments!  His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.  Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.  Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.  It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice.  For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever.
 

He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.  His heart is steady; he will not be afraid until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.  He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.  The wicked man sees it and is angry; he gnashes his teeth and melts away; the desire of the wicked will perish!

 

Praise the Lord; is that something one does at Church with song?  Or is it expressing one's respect and gratitude toward what God has and is doing in your life?  Then it should be both and shared with all believers only, not on your life.  With your neighbors, friends, family, and the people you work with and come in contact with. 

 

Do you have a fear of God?  It is my understanding from reading the Scripture that we should, first and foremost it is the beginning of Wisdom.  You will find 167 verses I am told on “Fearing the Lord”, and our Father in heaven takes very seriously His commandments, do you?

 

I often wonder if we do not as men, believe what we say we believe.  Do we really believe that God pours out blessings on those who fear Him and keep His commandments?  If so why are those who go by the title Christian not doing so?

 

 

What parent would not want their children to be blessed by God, and be a leader in their area of influence?

 

This Psalm makes clear that it will go well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice.  But also talked about eternity.  For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever.

 

As we get to the end of Psalm we find this; He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.  His heart is steady; he will not be afraid until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.  This week Jan and I make a trip to Kerrville to see Bob and Kathryn Keese, a couple of great value to our family, and especially to me.  Bob is the man that God used to bring me out of religion and get me to see Jesus and His love for a mess like me. Bob's title was Barber, but He was allowing God to use him as a workplace minister.  But I come to grasp this truth, we are all messes, and need Jesus.  I asked Bob during our visit how he was handling the evil world and the uncertainty that it was bringing about.  His words were few, Bob, I read the Book, I know who going to win. 

 

How the wicked do not like a man who has no fear of what coming, for that person has the assurance of what Jesus has done by shedding His blood to cover all sin.  I was a lost Baptist for 13 years and if I had died, my home would not have been heaven, but a place of torment and isolation, but now it is with Jesus, and that heaven.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

Great Are the Lord's Works

 

Psalm 111:1-10

 

September 20, 2022

 

Great Are the Lord's Works

Praise the Lord!  I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.  Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.  Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.  He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful.  He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.  He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations.  The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy; they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.  He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever.  Holy and awesome is his name!  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!

 

In case you did not understand the message of this Psalm, what God has established for His people both the Chosen and His Church; is the work of the Lord forever. 

 

·      Precepts: a general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought:

 

·      Covenant:  an agreement which brings about a relationship of commitment between God and his people

 

·      The Fear of the Lord:  Without a fear of God mankind has no wisdom, but the ones that practice it have a good understanding.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

Sit at My Right Hand

 

Psalm 110:1-7

 September 17, 2022

 Sit at My Right Hand

A Psalm of David.

The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.”  

Once more shall we turn to the Scriptures to see who King David is referring to in Matthew 22:41-46, While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question,  saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he? ” They said to him, “The son of David.”  He said to them, “How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet”’?  If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?”  And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter.  Rule in the midst of your enemies!  Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power,  in holy garments;  from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours.  The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

Melchizedek is often talked about in the Scriptures, from Genesis to Hebrews.  Shall we begin in Hebrews 6:19-20,  ^“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,  where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”  Now move to Hebrews 7:1-3,  “For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and to him, Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.  He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.”

 

The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath.   He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses; he will shatter chiefs over the wide earth.  He will drink from the brook by the way; therefore he will lift up his head.

 

As one who has a personal relationship with our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ, we can find great peace that Jesus will be at our right hand, as our protector.  But the evil leaders of nations and those who follow them will be destroyed.  And yet we as followers of Christ, must do as our Lord, in prayer to the Father, asking Him to forgive them and open their eyes to the control of sin over them.  For we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

Leaders that our Culture were not Politically polished

 

Psalm 109:16-31

 

September 16, 2022

 

For he did not remember to show kindness, but pursued the poor and needy and the brokenhearted, to put them to death.  He loved to curse; let curses come upon him!  He did not delight in blessing; may it be far from him!   He clothed himself with cursing as his coat; may it soak into his body like water, like oil into his bones!   May it be like a garment that he wraps around him, like a belt that he puts on every day!   May this be the reward of my accusers from the Lord, of those who speak evil against my life!

 

Note: David the Warrior King, would not be accepted in our culture, no like President Trump, he was not polished, not politically correct.  But He was God’s man, and we who claim to be followers of Christ, know that God put over us a President for blessing or curses. 

 

One should never look for answers without first asking the Lord to give you the answer, in my case today I was reminded of, Mathew 7:12,  ^“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”  We also found in Luke 6:27-31, these insights on how to live the Christ life.  “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.  To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.  Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.  And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”

 

But you, O God my Lord, deal on my behalf for your name's sake; because your steadfast love is good, deliver me!   For I am poor and needy, and my heart is stricken within me.  I am gone like a shadow at evening; I am shaken off like a locust.   My knees are weak through fasting; my body has become gaunt, with no fat.   I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they wag their heads.

 

As the Psalmist fasting and prayer, it seems as if the Lord has not seen or heard his cry for help but his enemies have and are mocking him.

 

Help me, O Lord my God!  Save me according to your steadfast love!   Let them know that this is your hand; you, O Lord, have done it!   Let them curse, but you will bless!  They arise and are put to shame, but your servant will be glad!  May my accusers be clothed with dishonor; may they be wrapped in their own shame as in a cloak!

With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord; I will praise him in the midst of the throng.   For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.

 

When reading this last paragraph it becomes clear that David's help is in the Lord, he has a clear understanding of God’s love.  David is praying that their curses become blessings.  I have been also praying for my Nations that those who seek to follow their father the devil, the chief of liars, will come to an understanding of Truth, for Jesus is Truth.  But if they will not and only God knows a person's heart, they would be exposed, and punished for the evil they are doing.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

 

Psalm 109:1-15

 

September 16, 2022

 

Help Me, O Lord My God

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

Be not silent, O God of my praise!  For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues.  They encircle me with words of hate and attack me without cause.   In return for my love, they accuse me,  but I give myself to prayer.  So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.   

 

 Appoint a wicked man against him; let an accuser stand at his right hand.  When he is tried, let him come forth guilty; let his prayer be counted as sin!  May his days be few; may another take his office!   May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow!  May his children wander about and beg, seeking food far from the ruins they inhabit!   May the creditor seize all that he has; may strangers plunder the fruits of his toil!  Let there be none to extend kindness to him, nor any to pity his fatherless children!  May his posterity be cut off; may his name be blotted out in the second generation!  May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the Lord, and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out!  Let them be before the Lord continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth!

 

The first thing that came into my mind was the word “tolerance”, now I have no doubt most of you have a clear understanding of that word.  It is something that one side of our government when not in power preaches. very loud “tolerance”.  So let me share the meaning of the word, for I found many on both sides of the aisle need a better understanding of the word.  Tolerance is open-mindedness, patience, and acceptance.

 

As you read the first part of these 15 verses, it seems as if David might be alive today.  Such a thing as what President Trump called “fake news” and by using the name Trump, many of you will not be open-minded, to the message, that David was experiencing.  The enemy has no tolerance for truth, but he loves lies, Jesus tells us the devil is the father of lies.  He loves division, and the Church is where he uses it the most.  In the Church we should only share what can be stated in Scripture, for feelings and opinions not based on Truth is tools of the evil one.

 

In the world system “Tolerance” means keeping your mouth shut if you do not agree with me, it is not about patience, nor being open-minded, it is about, do not disagree with me or I will do my best to destroy you.

 

Now King David was overcome that some would do the following;  For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues. They encircle me with words of hate and attack me without cause. In return for my love, they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer. So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love. 

 

That sounds like the world you and I or living in, but stay in the first five verses with your action, for one must remember King David was a warrior and had no tolerance for those who did evil.  But if you have received God’s grace and forgiveness for sins, why would you not forgive those who have no understanding of the Love of Jesus? 

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice