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Today we will wrap up our time in Psalm 103 by reading verses 20-22. “Praise the LORD, all His angels of great strength, who do His word, obedient to His command. Praise the LORD, all His armies, His servants who do His will. Praise the LORD, all HIs works in all the places where He rules. My soul, praise Yahweh!”

Psalm 103 hits it all. God is a forgiving and healing God. God is a just God. We are frail, and temporary but He is solid and enduring. We are left with a choice - how do we respond to God such as He is? In short answer - we praise. But what is praise? The hebrew word is “barak” and means to bless. It’s literally to say good things. To use your energy to speak well of God. To kiss God with your words. To choose to celebrate Him and let your feelings and emotions follow. They will.

Do you find it difficult or strange to praise God? Does God seem just too far away to engage? Is He a non-physical essence that’s easier to just contemplate? Well okay. Understood. Then why not just simply follow the pattern of David here. Let’s repeat what he says and see what that does. After all we say day after day that seeking God is the risk we take. We make a choice to reach out into the void. Eventually that means actually doing it. So let’s say these together. Close your eyes for a moment, say it loud or soft. It doesn’t matter so long as you say it…

“Praise the LORD

All His angels of great strength who do His word,

obedient to His command.

Praise the LORD all His armies

His servants who do His will.

Praise the LORD, all His works

in all the places where He rules.

My soul, praise Yahweh!”

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Today we will read Psalm 103:15-19. It says, “As for man, his days are like grass - he blooms like a flower of the field; when the wind passes over it, it vanishes, and its place is no longer known. But from eternity to eternity the LORD’s faithful love is toward those who fear Him, and His righteousness toward the grandchildren of those who keep His covenant, who remember to observe His precepts. The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.”

Everything you and I experience in this world is man-focused. We see everything through our eyes, and process it in our brains. We work feverishly to feed ourselves and our families, to make a name, to get along and negotiate with others, and vainly cling to the life that is rapidly slipping through our fingers.

Yes you will bloom like a beautiful flower. You’ll have your moment in the sun and all will look on you and your talents and your accomplishments and applaud. And just as quickly as the accolades come they will fade and move along to another - younger - better. And you will fade as the flower does. Eventually you’ll pass on and just perhaps be remembered by a generation or two before your memory fades into oblivion.

And then there’s God - solid - unchanging - forever. He’s always been here and always will. And fortunately for us fading humans, He is a God “Hesed” - of faithful, enduring, loyal love. You may fade, He does not. You’re unfaithful, He is faithful. You lack love - He has it all. You do not have the capacity to keep the little you have - while He is the unshakable King of an unshakable Kingdom.

So you have a choice to make today. What will you invest in? Can you keep the bloom alive? Can you keep the flower from fading? Of course not. Enjoy it for what is and embrace its imminent demise. But fix your thoughts, attention, devotion, obedience, and energy on the One who not only has it all, but desires to share it with you, and your children’s children. What good reason do you have then to not seek God? No one likes to think about our limits. But it’s as obvious as the rising and setting of the sun. Get a jump now on being a member of God’s Kingdom. And just see what He does with you.

“God, I know my time is limited. But I’m limited. I need You to take these truths and bring them home.”

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We’re continuing in our reading of Psalm 103 - a psalm of David. This is a beautiful and encouraging psalm. If you’re new, you might want to check out the last few episodes on Psalm 103. We’ve been encouraged to praise God - our ultimate healer - a God full of benefits - who enacts real justice. Even now, go ahead and take a few seconds and repeat after me out loud. Say, “I praise You God - my healer - in You I have everything.”

Today we’re looking at verses 11-14 which say, “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His faithful love toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He knows what we are made of, remembering that we are dust.”

How much do you think God loves you? Not someone else. Not someone more deserving. You - how much do you think God loves you? You wouldn’t believe it if I told you. It’s a lot. In fact its infinite. It’s as high as the heavens are above the earth. No one could measure that. That’s how much God loves you - yes you!

But what about all the stupid junk you’ve done? Maybe even yesterday, or 30 seconds ago? Isn’t He mad? Doesn’t it tarnish how He loves? Hardly. You just don’t understand the love of God yet. He has separated you from all your stupid junk as far as the east is from the west. Not sure if you’ve noticed, but there’s a limit to north and south. You can only go so far north and then you have to go south. But you can go east or west forever and ever. He has separated you from your sin by that much.

But isn’t He a mighty King? A powerful and holy sovereign? Isn’t He to be dreaded? Shouldn’t you cower in his presence? Well, do you cower in your dads presence? He’s your father. A good father loves his children and God is the perfect father. He has compassion on you. No need to cower.

But doesn’t He have high expectations of us that we fail at moment to moment? Surely He sees us as pathetic and weak. Surely we have failed Him.

Well - sorta. It is true He has lofty “Plans” for us. But He is keenly aware of what He’s made. He loves, forgives, and has compassion on you knowing that you - and this may seem odd - are dust. You are a transitory temporary tenant here. You are fragile, earthy, and limited. There are reasons you are this way and there are accompanying weaknesses. But God is aware of all of them. His expectations of you take your entire context into account. He’s a much better Father than you can possibly imagine.

You have one responsibility. And it’s right there. Your job (if that’s even the right word) is to “fear” Him. We’ve addressed this word before. But for now just ask yourself, “what is it you fear?” Do you fear the recession, losing your job, getting sick, losing a loved one? You fear something and probably lots of things. But do you actually fear that which has real power? God has all the power and resources. Why not elevate your fear to one object? God Himself. And there find out that He is supremely wonderful. This is what your soul needs. And there is an infinite supply in God Himself.

God I love You - You love me - I need You - You want me - I’m dirty - You forgive and pursue me…show me today how to live in light of that.

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We’re continuing our time in Psalm 103. We began by praising God and then observed the incredible benefits we get in God. Perhaps listen to the last couple of episodes, or take a moment and say, “God I praise You. In You I have everything.” Go ahead…

Today we are looking at verses 6-10 which say, “The LORD executes acts of righteousness and justice for all the oppressed… The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and rich in faithful love. He will not always accuse us or be angry forever. He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve or repaid us according to our offenses.”

Some don’t like the idea of a punishing God. Others relish in it. But what is God actually like? Is He punitive? Is He permissive?

What would you want to God to be like if you could choose? At the very least, we want a God who is easy on us since we esteem ourselves as mild offenders. We prefer a light-handed God.

But do you want to live in a world where the victim is left holding the bag? Let’s say someone is murdered and God simply says, “I forgive you.” Who is paying the consequence? Well, it’d be the victim and their family. Or suppose the murderer is locked up, hung, or faces a firing squad - has justice been served? Has life been returned? Punishment has been meted out but has justice been restored?

These are the questions that haunt our souls because we are faced with such extreme suffering and injustice. Only God can be the solution to all of it. And here we see how.

The Lord does execute righteousness and justice for the oppressed. In other words, He restores the loss. He repays and restores. That’s nice - but what about when we’re the offender? Well, in that case He is gracious, slow to anger and rich in faithful love. While He accuses, and is angry, He’s not that way permanently. Other passages say this mercy is new every morning. Ultimately, He is lenient. He doesn’t treat us as we deserve. Are you grateful for that?

Ask yourself, are there any one of these characteristics of God that you wished were different? Is anything left unsatisfied? Only this God could truly bring all things back in order. But how? Well, the grand story of scripture, and certainly this one, is that in Jesus, all the injustice of the world, the righteousness, compassion, grace, and anger of God, came to a head and was dealt with in a thorough, God-sized way. How exactly? That’s for God to know. Our response is to marvel, praise, and express gratitude.

God, You’ve got it all under control. You will deal as You see fit, and I’m so grateful. Thank you for dealing with injustice in a real way, and thank You for dealing with me kindly.

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Today we will continue in Psalm 103. We began by looking at verse 1 & 2 as an encouragement to our soul to praise God. Even now, take just a moment and encourage your own soul. You can simply say softly, “I praise You God, I praise You God, I praise You God.” Go ahead.

We continue in this Psalm in verses 3-5 which say, “He forgives all your sin; He heals all your diseases. He redeems your life from the Pit; He crowns you with faithful love and compassion. He satisfies you with goodness; your youth is renewed like the eagle.”

What sticks out to you as you hear these verses? Personally, it’s the “heals all your diseases” part. Great songs have been written on it. But He clearly doesn’t heal “all” diseases. At least not yet. Indeed some suffer with ailments for years until their physical bodies succumb. Perhaps some of us focus on the “diseases” because it’s the most visceral, most obvious.

But look at the other things God is doing…forgiving all your sin, redeeming your life from…well…whatever the Pit is. Crowning you with His love and compassion, satisfying you, renewing your youth and energy.

My goodness, if He’s truly doing these things, then what a God! Healing disease is the easiest bit. God is treating you and me like royalty. Do you want that? Do you want God?

We are strange people. We can tie our sense of wellbeing to facebook likes - people that can offer us nothing more than a passing bit of attention. Meanwhile the God of the Universe is giving us infinite attention and treasure. Just think about that.

But again, facebook likes, like diseases, are immediate, here and now, and fleeting. Whether or not a disease takes you or me today, or in 20 years remains to be seen. But in the heavenly’s and for all eternity, you have God Himself and all the benefits that come with Him. Be blessed and live in that light today.

God, You forgive, heal, redeem, crown, and satisfy. I want to know You and rest in You today. Praise You God.

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We’re going to be spending a few days in Psalm 103 - a beautiful song by David. Today we will read verses 1 & 2 which say, “My soul, praise Yahweh, and all that is within me, praise His holy name. My soul, praise the Lord, and do not forget all His benefits.”

Good morning to you (or whenever you’re listening). Have you noticed yet that life is a rat-race and it doesn’t take much to get overwhelmed by the frenzy of your life? Of course you have. Things you want to do, things you fear you’ll never get to. Want to know what to do? King David tells you. “My soul, praise Yahweh.”

Start here. David is giving an order to his own soul. What’s the soul? It seems to be the immaterial part of you. David doesn’t say, “I’m going to praise.” He’s not that brazen. Rather he’s encouraging something within him.

What is he telling his soul to do? Obey Yahweh? Think about Yahweh? Evangelize others about Yahweh? Pray to Yahweh? No. He tells his soul to praise. Praise - to express warm admiration.

How do you praise someone? You applaud them, verbally express their qualities, recount their exploits, lift your voice or your hands to participate in their triumph… there are any number of ways to praise. And as a human, you do this naturally. And you should be lavish in your praise of others.

And if you’re comfortable praising and celebrating a worthy person for their work, how much more appropriate to praise God for His? Of course with most things, especially important things, it’s not that easy. Why do you think David has to tell his own soul what to do? Perhaps you should too. Soul - praise God - and don’t forget all the advantages God gives.

Why not do that now right where you are? Even open your mouth and hear your own voice say, “Soul - praise God. God you are worthy to be praised for the following…” go ahead.

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Today we will read Mark 16:19 which says, "After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.” And we’ll also read Hebrews 7:25 which says, “Therefore, He is always able to save those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.”

Happy Ascension! Technically the Ascension of Christ is 40 days after Easter. And spoiler alert, Pentecost (or the outpouring of the Spirit) occurs 10 days after Christ’s Ascension.

Central to Christianity, is our namesake - Christ Himself. If Jesus didn’t rise bodily from the dead, as in literal flesh and blood, the literal stuff that made up His body, then what hope is there for you? What hope is there for anything or anyone if God does not resurrect? Jesus is the start of it all. And our faith says it really happened. But then what?

The passage says that Jesus ascended and sat down at the right hand of God. Did He have to travel far? Or was the Ascension a type of transition out of our 4 dimensions into infinite dimensions of spirit realms all around us? God knows. Regardless, Jesus took up His position of power and sovereignty at the throne.

And what is He doing with all that power? All that position? Well, He’s talking to God. He’s talking to God about You. Right now, the King of All - the Creator - the Sovereign - the One with all resource - is talking to the Father about you. He’s asking for things on your behalf. He’s actively concerned and caring for you. Yes you - right now. Whether you realize it or not.

How does that make you feel? How does that make you view God? How does that make you feel about Jesus? You don’t have to get His attention. You have it. Does He have yours?

What would you like Him to do for you? What do you want? If you’ve got His full attention, why not ask? Do it now.

Jesus, I trust You to know what I need. I need You - the King of all.

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Today we will read Mark 4:4-9. This is the Parable of the Sower and it says, “As he sowed, this occurred: Some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground where it didn’t have much soil, and it sprang up right away, since it didn’t have deep soil. When the sun came up, it was scorched, and since it didn’t have a root it withered. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it didn’t produce a crop. Still others fell on good ground and produced a crop that increased 30, 60, and 100 times what was sown.” Then He said, “Anyone who has ears to hear should listen!”

Jesus taught in parables or stories. They memorable and easy to share. But what do they mean? Fortunately for us, Jesus explains the meaning of this parable just a few verses later. The soil is the human heart and the seed is the word of God. What is the word? The word is whatever God communicates culminating in the God-man Jesus Himself. But unfortunately not everyone receives the communication of God as readily.

Jesus categorizes the hearers into four groups. The first hear the word but it is of no affect. The birds quickly come and eat the seed. Or rather, Satan removes it. The result is simple, the word does nothing. It’s as if it was never there at all and the listeners go on their merry way oblivious.

The second group hears the word and are even excited. There’s an explosive and enthusiastic growth that is obvious and visible, but with just a little pressure and adversity, it withers and is no more. This group is a bright flame that extinguishes quickly.

The third group hears the word, and it even takes root! There’s growth. Everything looks great. Except there’s something else - thorns. The word is not alone. These thorns represent worries, the seduction of wealth, and the desire for things. They begin to crowd and choke the word. Slowly over time the thorns suck the nutrients and energy. There just isn’t enough resources to go around. Just not enough room to breath. Apparently the word needs space, freedom, and energy to be productive.

Lastly, some of the seed makes its way to fertile soil. Here the word is welcomed, allowed to grow, and produce a crop. Incredibly the production isn’t double or triple what is sown. It’s not even 10 times what is sown. Nope. It’s 30, 60, or even 100 times what is sown! The rate of return is exponential!

I suppose the takeaway, if I’m honest, is that I see all these groups active in my life. How about you? Do you fall into one category or several? If you’re listening, and if you care, it’s all but guaranteed that you’re not in the first group. But let’s ask God to spare us from groups two and three, and to help us produce an exponential return on what He sows in us.

God, multiply, exponentially multiply Your word in us. God, help us to eliminate anything, literally anything, that would choke out your word.

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Today we will read 1 Corinthians 1:18,21 which say, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is God’s power to us who are being saved…For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of the message preached.”

We believe in a man who walked the earth 2000 years ago and is said to have risen from the dead. We largely (though not entirely) take this account from texts that are said to be breathed out by God and written by man. For many, for most, this is pure folklore - utter foolishness. But for others, this is an expression of the power of the God of the universe.

What do you think? If I’m being honest, there are days, many days, I wake up and think, “Am I sure I believe this?” If you ask that question, it’s okay. It’s okay to examine important things. It’s good to ask of your marriage, “Will I stay true to what I’ve promised today?” So long as the answer is yes. Or to your children, “Will I choose today to my own desires aside to seek your good?” These questions determine what you value. It’s no virtue to turn our brains off or to leave the most important things in life unexamined.

But what do you think? We pride ourselves on being knowledgeable. I mean Google is at our fingertips. We have all the answers right? Maybe not. Quote, “In God’s wisdom the world did not know God through wisdom.” If you look all the way back to Genesis 1, the Bible claims that the universe had a finite beginning. Whenever that beginning was, it was a beginning. And yet the prevailing wisdom of humanity all the way back to the Greeks and up until the last century has believed that the universe is eternal and static. So much for human wisdom. It would be a cruel burden for God to demand of us perfect understanding in order to know Him. Could you do it? Is there anyone who has the wisdom to know God via their brain? The philosopher is just guessing.

So God places the burden somewhere else. He is pleased to save those who believe. And believe in what? Through a message preached. A communication. Those who believe the communication of God are basically taking Him at His word. Believing someone is the basis for a genuine relationship. And God offers that.

So what say you? There’s a whole lot in scripture we can debate. But this passage focuses on just one thing. The cross. What say you about the cross? Is it God’s power to save? Or is it foolishness. Those are the options. And you must choose. And if you’re unsure, or vacillating, why not reach out to God and simply ask for His wisdom.

God, I believe, but I also struggle to believe. I know You’re a communicating and saving God. I’m not even sure why I doubt. But help me believe. Give me your thoughts.

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Today we are looking at revival - what scripture says about it, and even perhaps what we can do to experience it. And while there are numerous passages we could look at, we’ll look at two that seem to capture scriptures’ overall teaching on the subject. First is Isaiah 6:1, and 5-8 which say, “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, and His robe filled the temple. Then I said: Woe is me for I am ruined because I am a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips, and because my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts. Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said: Now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed and your sin is atoned for. Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: Who should I send? Who will go for Us? I said: Here I am. Send me.”

And then the famous passage found in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “(if) My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land.”