Psalm 34: ¹⁷ The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

¹⁸ The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

¹⁹ Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

It was a very dark night on December 15, 1987 as a young man drove down those dark country roads in Missouri on his way to talk to his father, just to visit.  There had been a terrible storm the previous night and the road crews had been cleaning up the debris all day.  As he drove down that dark road the lights from his truck cutting into the darkness.  He came over the small hill and lights peered into the small valley.  Just as his truck lights moved upward to the next hill, there imminently in front of him loomed a very large tree across the road.  There had been no warning signs placed, no "road closed" posted; though the neighbors had reported it throughout the day. He pressed hard the brake as well as the emergency brake with his 6’3" body arching back, head pressed against the rear window. The tires screeched and it appeared that the truck might just stop short of the trunk when a large tree branch shattered through the window ripping through the metal frame, scrapping across his chest and piercing through his neck as the branch lifted his body pinning it on the tool box in truck bed; and the young man had died.  I received the call from mom, telling me my dear brother had died. My mind whirled as I remembered that only 2 weeks prior he had sat at my dinette in my home in Texas.  I remembered his soft curly blonde hair framing his face and the sparkling blue eyes framed with the longest, fullest eyelashes I had ever seen; while I teased him that what a waste he got both and I neither.  It had been God’s gift to send him to my house that week to help repair the mess a contractor had left behind.  Our lives had gone such different directions; it was one of the first times I had told him how much I truly admired him.  Master’s in finances, he had chosen to teach agriculture and shop in the poorest school in the area because it was the only hope of a future most of his students would ever have; and he wanted them  prepared to face the world.  The news of his death cut like a knife through my heart.  So I quickly ran to tell my husband that we needed to all go.  I did not realize then and would learn later that he was frightened of funerals and funeral homes.  All I remember is that he said that he nor my sons would be going, I would have to go alone.  I did not want to leave my sons and I did not want to go alone; but I knew I must go, I could not leave my father and mother alone in this.  There was complete silence on the way to the airport and then as I was getting out of the car, my husband said, "Maybe when you get back, we need to talk about possibly a separation or divorce."  He never meant that as the conversation never came up again; perhaps, it was the only way he knew to deal with grief was to attempt to separate from it.  Still, I felt so alone and broken at that moment.  Sitting on the plane, I leaned against the window and tried to close my eyes.  I thought back on my life and wondered, "Why Charlie and not me?"  He was so noble and just; while I was the one who stumbled her way through, uncertain of the choices I had made in life and wondering why God still loved me.  Death certainly makes one think about life.  As I sat on that plane, suddenly I began to hear a song playing in my head.  It was not a song I had ever heard; but it was comforting.  That was the first time God gave me a song which I later wrote down; and, it was the only poem which also came with music in my head.  It would be many years before I would start hearing and writing poetry in my head which comes at odd moments and for seasons of time; yet, the words carried me through that week and back home where everything had gone very well and I was welcomed home by my husband and children with loving arms.  Let me assure you that no matter what the sorrow is that you face today, God can put a song in your heart to comfort, to uplift and to help you through.  Below is that song which I later had sent to Hilltop Records who placed this tune to it and recorded it; but the music I hear in my head that goes with this song, I think is far better than this arrangement–still I hope you find comfort in it.  We are never to strive in this Christian walk alone; God is there and He will finish the work He began in you.  I remembered the night Charlie as a teenager had accepted Christ as His Savior and I know that one day I will see him again as we both stand in the presence of our Glorious Savior, our Comforter, our greatest love, and our Best Friend–Jesus Christ.   

When I First Came to Know Him

When I first came to know him

So many years ago

I vowed that I would serve him

With heart and mind and soul

Then I found that in my strength

I would but only fail

Then He came and He told me

As we walked down life’s trail

1^st chorus

I’ll be your strength when you are weary

And your hope when skies are gray

I’ll be your faith when yours is failing

And your light on each dark day

I’ll be the love your lonely heart

When it’s breaking in despair

I’ll be all in all your everything

If you look to me in prayer

I strove on in my strength

And strayed so very far

Until my life was broken

And sin had left it’s scar

Then I cried, Oh, my Father

How deeply I had failed

Then He came and He held me

And His love prevailed

2^nd Chorus

Now He’s my strength when I am weary

And my hope when skies are gray

He is my faith when mine is failing

And my light on each dark day

He is the love to my lonely heart

When it’s breaking in despair

He is all in all my everything

When I look to him in prayer

Now if you have strayed from

Or never knew His love

Then turn your eyes toward Jesus

And seek Him from above

He will take all your brokenness

And fill it with Himself

He will take all your sin away

And fill each empty shelf.

3^rd Chorus

He’ll be your strength when you are weary

And your hope when skies are gray

He’ll be your faith when yours is failing

And your light on each dark day

He’ll be the love to your lonely  heart

When it’s breaking in despair

He’ll be all in all your everything

If you look to Him in prayer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LbHd6eZrgk

1 Chronicles 16: ²³ Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation.

²⁴ Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations.

²⁵ For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.

²⁶ For all the gods of the people are idols: but the Lord made the heavens.

²⁷ Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.

²⁸ Give unto the Lord, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength.

²⁹ Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

Show forth His salvation every day and sing praise unto His Glory.  There are many gods and idols formed by mankind; not only religious ones; but also how many make idols of possessions, money, position in life, appearances, society, family, friends, and anything that we place before Him.  What offering could be enough?  So, I must give Him my life.  Turn off the TVs, set the alarm a little earlier and sit in His presence.  There is where you will find strength and gladness as you are filled with His Glory and Honor.  Then in a spirit of humble love and devotion; worship Him with the beauty of a holy life, offering all that you do up to Him.  As much as is in you serve the Lord.  1 Corinthians 15:  ⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.  How will you have the strength to battle against sin, if you never take the time to quietly sit in His presence? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9vwyRTQZh4

 

 

Psalm 9:  ⁸ And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.

⁹ The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

¹⁰ And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Do you seek Him with all your heart and being?  Do you know that the Creator of the Universe wants to talk with you about your worries, your failures, your hopes, your joys, and even when you are uncertain of what you need? You can trust Him with whatever you are facing today.  When King Solomon had completed the building of the temple, he stood back in amazement that God would promise to be there in presence to hear the cries of His people.  At the altar there was forgiveness of sin and there was hope because it was the picture of what was to come, the Messiah who would pay the penalty for all our sins.  God had made an unbreakable oath that He would be present to hear the cries of all who would seek Him. 

1Kings 8:

²⁷ But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?

²⁸ Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O Lord my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day:

²⁹ That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.

After Christ came to complete the work needed so that man could fully commune with God and took the sins of you and I upon Himself, the veil of the temple tore open; because it would no longer be needed to provide a sacrificial lamb to symbolize the atonement of Christ to come, for He had finished the work.  Mark 15: (amp) ³⁷ And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed out His life.³⁸ And the curtain [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

Now, when we accept Christ’s atonement for our sin; the Holy Spirit (God the Spirit) enters in to dwell with us.  For that reason our bodies become the temple of the living God. 2 Corinthians 6: for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

So do not think that your prayers, your thoughts, and your actions are only for the moment you are in church; but reverently recognize that all your thoughts are as a conversation with God.  Yet, just like when you are in a crowd of friends and someone is talking to everyone around them; it is not the same as when a friend takes the time to quietly, one on one speak with you.  God knows your needs; but He also knows that you need to talk about it with someone you can trust–Him.  He knows that you need to spend that quiet time alone with Him, so you can feel the power of His might, the comfort of His Grace, and the hope of His promises. 

All of this to say, have you spent any time alone with God in prayer today?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5BnVuEl1jY

 

Romans 10: ¹³ For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

¹⁴ How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

¹⁵ And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

¹⁶ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

¹⁷ So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

I Corinthians 9: ¹⁶ For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!…¹⁹ For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more…..

²³ And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

²⁴ Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

²⁵ And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

²⁶ I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

²⁷ But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (counterfeit)

Do you know Christ as your Savior?  Do you treasure the gift of salvation that you have so freely been given?  Do you look around you and agonize over the lost in the world?  If you really believe the gospel and know that there is no hope for anyone unless they come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ; then why are you sitting contentedly in your own salvation without spreading the "good news"?   If you heard tomorrow that everyone who asked would be pardoned from all debt and given $1,000,000.00, who would you tell? Yet, the eternity of all who are lost is hanging in the balance; and who do you tell?  Are you daily exercising, studying and preparing your mind and your life for that opportunity to proclaim Christ to someone?  If you love Christ with all your heart and soul, why would you not want the world to know about this great love?  Are you like Paul compelled with a passion that necessitates your proclaiming His name so that if you didn’t you would grieve with great sorrow?  Do you have a great passion for Christ and in that have a passion for the lost?  "How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?" Nor do I mean that you go out and talk about Christ while at the same time you are unwilling to  come under subjection to Christ, in your life.  I must continuously lay down my life, study His Word, repent of my sins so that I might live the life which can draw men toward Christ?  Can I live a life filled with selfishness, pride and unrepentant sin while proclaiming His name?  Can my words be constantly destroyed by my example?  Each morning I must be willing to undergo the Master’s shears (found in His word and prayer) and lay all that is left of self at the feet of the cross; so as not to be found a counterfeit.  Only then can I hear His soft, gentle voice telling me what I am to say and to whom I must speak today?

A TALK WITH GOD

Oh, let me Lord delight in You

And lay all else I hold aside

For no desire could mean as much

As hear Your voice, to feel your touch

And in Your arms abide

I feel the safety of your arms

Surrounding me throughout each storm

And when the bitter winter wind

Would bid my very spirit bend

Your breath will keep me warm

Forgive me Lord, this fragile heart

Sometimes desires too much

Forgetting You are all I need

Then comes my tears, my plead

To stop and feel Your touch

I then can hear your gentle laugh

The love within Your voice

“My child I love you evermore

My gifts on you I freely pour

The best for you my choice”

Oh, Lord I want to stay right here

And sit here at Your feet

To never step away from You

And then I cannot lose my view

No chance for fear, defeat

“But child I ask then who would go

To tell the wounded broken heart

That I their lonely heart would mend

If not but you, who can I send?

If you refuse to start”

Then Father, Dear, I must say yes

To go and run Your bidding do

And You will cast aside my fears

Your hand will wipe away my tears

And keep my eyes on You

I know that You go with me now

You’re ever present in my heart

I feel Your joy arise within

I feel Your wondrous strength again

Your love will ne’er depart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHjdRDBS25k

Matthew 16: ¹³ When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

¹⁴ And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

¹⁵ He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

¹⁶ And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

¹⁷ And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

¹⁸ And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 7: ²⁴ Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

²⁵ And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

John 14: ⁶ Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

⁷ If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

⁸ Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

⁹ Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?

It has become a popular idea to say that there are many paths that lead to God.  Many people who do not believe that Christ is the only living Son of God will even comment that they are better Christians than most "Christians"; yet, they do not proclaim the name of Christ as their Savior, nor do they believe that Christ is the only means of having a relationship with the living God.  It is sad; but true that many people who call themselves Christians disgrace the name of God.  A lot of those people are also religious only for what they think they might gain were they to "believe in God; after all, name it-claim it- God is one big Santa Claus" is an idea that has grown rampantly throughout the churches.  Many claim that Christ was a great prophet and teacher.  Many believe that their own "good works" will take them to heaven.  I wish I could say that my own life was a continuous shining example, always saying and doing the right thing; but, alas in the wee hours of the morning as the Word of God cuts through me, dissecting my motives, actions, thoughts, and desires, I realize how unworthy I am of this Grace I have been given.  There before the throne of God I can no longer pridefully compare myself to other people; but as I study the word and see the Majesty, Glory and Righteousness of God displayed I must fall before Him in utter failure.  Yet, there is this rock of truth that I can build my life and my future Upon–that rock is the revelation of the undeniable truth that Christ is the Son of the Living God.  If I really believe that, then I must believe that my only way to find God is through Christ.  To believe anything else would be to deny that He is the Son of the Living God; because His words must every one be true and He declared that He was the only way.  All my best righteousness is worthless compared to the righteousness that would be required to stand in the presence of God; therefore, I need to be clothed in the righteousness that only can be given to me by the very one who left the splendor of heaven to suffer and die on a cross bearing the penalty for all my sins. 

The following prayer by Jesus to His Father was among the last words that the disciples heard before Christ went to the Garden of Gethsemane where He awaited the arrival of those whom He knew would come to arrest Him.  When you can read the entire chapter.  Look at what He asked of the Father to give to all who would believe in Him as their Savior. 

John 17:  ³ And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

⁴ I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

⁵ And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was….

¹³ And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves….

¹⁷ Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth…

¹⁸ As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

¹⁹ And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

²⁰ Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

²¹ That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

²² And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

²³ I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

²⁴ Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

²⁵ O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

²⁶ And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

So, my final question to you is "Who do You Say Christ is?"