We read in Isaiah 52:7, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" (KJV).
As believers, we are a walking illustration of God's mercy. Where ever our feet take us, we should be bearers of good news to the hurting and broken. Remember God is the one who ordains the foot steps of the righteous (Psalms 37:23).
Sadly, some of us have walked through doors we should not have entered to places where we sinned. Our feet stumbled and fell out of joint. We can't seem to walk a fine line anymore. Or we may feel our feet is just dragging us to church because we ran after other things all week that God never allowed or ordained.
There is good news.
Paul meets a man crippled from birth in Lystra. It says, "He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed" (Acts 14:9, NIV). There was a longing in this man to walk again. He longed to stand and walk as others around him. Faith was stirred in him as Paul spoke the good news. Paul perceived this man had faith to be healed and reached out to him.
Beloved, God will heal your feet - bruised, broken, immobilized by weights or shackles from sin and failure. God can make you to stand upright. And He will sustain you from toppling over and cause you to stand on His word! I'm reminded of another man unable to walk. This time it was Peter who took the hand of the man and set him on his feet. This man went into the temple dancing and leaping! (Acts 3:7). So God will do for you where ever you have fallen, God can put you back on your feet.
There is a wonderful promise for those may have weak ankles, shaking knees and unsure steps. God give us feet like a deer that will not stumble or be twisted on the roughest terrain. Psalms 18:33 says, "He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places." (KJV).
Beloved, no matter how rough, uneven or difficult the ground we walk on - God gives us beautiful feet - to be bearers of good news to reach those who may not be able to walk out of their bondage and sin.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Saturday, January 18, 2014
The Cry For Purity
Joshua commanded the people before crossing the Jordan into the Promise Land, "Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you." (Joshua 3:5, KJV). Another word for sanctify means to set apart.
When we go into the prayer closet we set apart time to be with the Lord. Or when we attend church on Sunday the time spent worshiping, praying and listening to the word of God is consecrated for the Lord's purposes and desires.
Of course, sanctification goes much deeper than time set apart or attending church service. We read in 2 Timothy 2:21 the purpose of being set apart, "If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work." (NLT).
We can think of many things in our lives that are not pure and holy. Sinful habits, thoughts and actions that cloud our mind and taint our spirits. We must be careful not to take a religious approach to sanctification. Remember it is Christ who sets us apart for His purposes. I Corinthians 6:11 says, "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." (KJV).
Beloved, when the Holy Spirit points to a certain area in our hearts like unbelief, impurity, sensuality or some other sin we must agree to His word. God is right and just. Don't argue or defend your sin with excuses and faulty reasoning. Submit to Him both the sin and the desire to sin. From personal experience, it's one thing to make a good show of trying to stop sinning but the desire to sin was often evidence that I was not completely surrendered.
When we set ourselves apart we read this promise in Job 17:9, "The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger." Out of purity flows power!
God gives abundant grace for us to seperate from worldly passions and lusts so we can cleave to Him in love and obedience. It matters in these days that we are a prepared people to see God do wonders in our generation.
When we go into the prayer closet we set apart time to be with the Lord. Or when we attend church on Sunday the time spent worshiping, praying and listening to the word of God is consecrated for the Lord's purposes and desires.
Of course, sanctification goes much deeper than time set apart or attending church service. We read in 2 Timothy 2:21 the purpose of being set apart, "If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work." (NLT).
We can think of many things in our lives that are not pure and holy. Sinful habits, thoughts and actions that cloud our mind and taint our spirits. We must be careful not to take a religious approach to sanctification. Remember it is Christ who sets us apart for His purposes. I Corinthians 6:11 says, "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." (KJV).
Beloved, when the Holy Spirit points to a certain area in our hearts like unbelief, impurity, sensuality or some other sin we must agree to His word. God is right and just. Don't argue or defend your sin with excuses and faulty reasoning. Submit to Him both the sin and the desire to sin. From personal experience, it's one thing to make a good show of trying to stop sinning but the desire to sin was often evidence that I was not completely surrendered.
When we set ourselves apart we read this promise in Job 17:9, "The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger." Out of purity flows power!
God gives abundant grace for us to seperate from worldly passions and lusts so we can cleave to Him in love and obedience. It matters in these days that we are a prepared people to see God do wonders in our generation.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Bear and Lion Country
David did not boast when he told King Saul, "Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God." (I Samuel 17:36, NIV). No, David spoke from a place where God had tested and proved him.
It was also a place where David found the promises of God to be true in bringing about a supernatural deliverance while watching sheep. Later, David (a Christ type figure) would be a shepherd king watching over an entire nation. To conquer a giant or lead a nation required his faith to grow and mature in bear and lion country.
Beloved, at times we will encounter and lions and bears in our Christian walk. Paul writes, "If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." (I Corinthians 15:32, NIV). Paul was not merely speaking of people but demonic powers working through human flesh to oppose the work of God. Remember we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12).
To avoid these spiritual beasts will be to our disadvantage. In conflict, we find His strength and in confrontation we learn the truth of God's promises to sustain us. In lion and bear country we move beyond the printed page of God's promises to experiencing the reality of them as God fights for us. Lion and bear country is a wilderness that many saints had to walk through before tasting personal victory or entering into ministry.
Moses ran from Egypt after murdering a man. He spent 40 years in the back of the wilderness tending his father-in-law's sheep before God called him to deliver Israel out of bondage. After his conversion, Paul spent three years in the desert before going to Jerusalem as a minister of the gospel (Galatians 1:17). Jesus full of the Holy Ghost was lead into the wilderness where He was sorely tested by the devil (Luke 4:1).
Beloved, every beast you slay in His name trust in God deepens. You see His hand at work fulfilling His word. An excitement grows because what God has done for you will help others be set free like David who slayed Goliath.
It was also a place where David found the promises of God to be true in bringing about a supernatural deliverance while watching sheep. Later, David (a Christ type figure) would be a shepherd king watching over an entire nation. To conquer a giant or lead a nation required his faith to grow and mature in bear and lion country.
Beloved, at times we will encounter and lions and bears in our Christian walk. Paul writes, "If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." (I Corinthians 15:32, NIV). Paul was not merely speaking of people but demonic powers working through human flesh to oppose the work of God. Remember we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12).
To avoid these spiritual beasts will be to our disadvantage. In conflict, we find His strength and in confrontation we learn the truth of God's promises to sustain us. In lion and bear country we move beyond the printed page of God's promises to experiencing the reality of them as God fights for us. Lion and bear country is a wilderness that many saints had to walk through before tasting personal victory or entering into ministry.
Moses ran from Egypt after murdering a man. He spent 40 years in the back of the wilderness tending his father-in-law's sheep before God called him to deliver Israel out of bondage. After his conversion, Paul spent three years in the desert before going to Jerusalem as a minister of the gospel (Galatians 1:17). Jesus full of the Holy Ghost was lead into the wilderness where He was sorely tested by the devil (Luke 4:1).
Beloved, every beast you slay in His name trust in God deepens. You see His hand at work fulfilling His word. An excitement grows because what God has done for you will help others be set free like David who slayed Goliath.
Saturday, January 4, 2014
His Providence
Psalms 107 is for every day and for every season of our lives.
During my devotional this morning I read the psalm often stopping to praise the Lord for His rich mercy and goodness. I thanked Him for His many benefits: healing, salvation, deliverance, provision etc. And I praised Him for the comfort of His providence in the every day things of life. Providence means the protective, sustaining power of God who cares for us.
Throughout the psalm there is a repeated cry to to give thanks to the Lord for He is good and His mercy endures forever. It's not what He does or can do that matters as much as His character. God's nature is merciful and good. This should always be the focus of our worship.
Have you wander far from home? God delivers you from the hand of the enemy and brings you home (verses 4-7). Thank Him for His mercy and goodness! Have you been brought low because of disobedience and rebellion? Have you found yourself bound in shackles from addictions, sinful habits or a trouble mind? God can bring you out of the darkness, shatter the iron chains and break gates of bronze that keep you from freedom (10-16). Praise Him for His mercy and goodness!
Have you been foolish and find yourself near death because of sin's grip? God will send His word to heal you (17-20). Are you stormed tossed and afraid that you will sink under the waters of dismay and depression? Are you at wit's end? God will guide you to a safe harbor (23-30).
At the end of the psalms it reads, "Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD." (verse 43, KJV).
The Lord charged my heart to observe these things in His body. Not to narrowly view my brother or sister by their weakness or some deficient personality trait but observe the goodness of God in them. We truly don't know the difficulties people have faced (or going through) but God will give us new eyes to observe the power of His mercy at work in their lives. Why? Because we are also being observed by them and others as God's mercy is extended to us.
Beloved, we are truly wiser when we shift our eyes away from ourselves and see the work of God in the lives of others. It can only cause us to be thankful of God's providence.
During my devotional this morning I read the psalm often stopping to praise the Lord for His rich mercy and goodness. I thanked Him for His many benefits: healing, salvation, deliverance, provision etc. And I praised Him for the comfort of His providence in the every day things of life. Providence means the protective, sustaining power of God who cares for us.
Throughout the psalm there is a repeated cry to to give thanks to the Lord for He is good and His mercy endures forever. It's not what He does or can do that matters as much as His character. God's nature is merciful and good. This should always be the focus of our worship.
Have you wander far from home? God delivers you from the hand of the enemy and brings you home (verses 4-7). Thank Him for His mercy and goodness! Have you been brought low because of disobedience and rebellion? Have you found yourself bound in shackles from addictions, sinful habits or a trouble mind? God can bring you out of the darkness, shatter the iron chains and break gates of bronze that keep you from freedom (10-16). Praise Him for His mercy and goodness!
Have you been foolish and find yourself near death because of sin's grip? God will send His word to heal you (17-20). Are you stormed tossed and afraid that you will sink under the waters of dismay and depression? Are you at wit's end? God will guide you to a safe harbor (23-30).
At the end of the psalms it reads, "Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD." (verse 43, KJV).
The Lord charged my heart to observe these things in His body. Not to narrowly view my brother or sister by their weakness or some deficient personality trait but observe the goodness of God in them. We truly don't know the difficulties people have faced (or going through) but God will give us new eyes to observe the power of His mercy at work in their lives. Why? Because we are also being observed by them and others as God's mercy is extended to us.
Beloved, we are truly wiser when we shift our eyes away from ourselves and see the work of God in the lives of others. It can only cause us to be thankful of God's providence.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Special Message
Dear Beloved,
A year ago I committed to do one blog entry each day for 365 days. By God's supernatural strength and grace I was able to fulfill this goal.
How little did I know what challenges I would face in writing a daily message from God's word. In 2013 I was given an opportunity to teach a few Bible lessons on Wednesday nights at church, lead a Bible study in our home and take on a leadership role in the prayer ministry. Then the Lord spoke to my heart to move to New York. It's what I call an Abraham moment. After 14 years in Oregon, my wife and I sold our home and most of our belongings to lighten the load. We drove some 3,000 miles to the East coast.
Even on the road I wrote before the stroke of midnight so it would count for that day. At one point my wife had to push me out of bed to do an entry that I'd forgotten and thought it was too late. Fortunately, the computer was still on Pacific Standard Time!
Then there was the challenges of learning a new job (though working with the same company), finding a reasonable apartment and adjusting to life in New York. I've learned much along the way when writing: to pray before and during the times I write, to lean on God's understanding and to be willing to change midstream if the Holy Spirit orders it. Overtime I've watched the readership grow to some 10 nations with very encouraging feedback. It was worth it all!
2014 is already proving to be a season of change. For sometime I've sensed the Lord asking me to write a book to encourage men and women in their walk with Christ. I didn't want to stop writing this blog but it will mean making an adjustment. So I will limit my blog writing to a Saturday devotional. There may be an occasion that I will write an additional post as the Spirit leads.
I hope you continue to visit and be encouraged by God's word.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16 (KJV)
In His strength,
Andrew Mark Scott
A year ago I committed to do one blog entry each day for 365 days. By God's supernatural strength and grace I was able to fulfill this goal.
How little did I know what challenges I would face in writing a daily message from God's word. In 2013 I was given an opportunity to teach a few Bible lessons on Wednesday nights at church, lead a Bible study in our home and take on a leadership role in the prayer ministry. Then the Lord spoke to my heart to move to New York. It's what I call an Abraham moment. After 14 years in Oregon, my wife and I sold our home and most of our belongings to lighten the load. We drove some 3,000 miles to the East coast.
Even on the road I wrote before the stroke of midnight so it would count for that day. At one point my wife had to push me out of bed to do an entry that I'd forgotten and thought it was too late. Fortunately, the computer was still on Pacific Standard Time!
Then there was the challenges of learning a new job (though working with the same company), finding a reasonable apartment and adjusting to life in New York. I've learned much along the way when writing: to pray before and during the times I write, to lean on God's understanding and to be willing to change midstream if the Holy Spirit orders it. Overtime I've watched the readership grow to some 10 nations with very encouraging feedback. It was worth it all!
2014 is already proving to be a season of change. For sometime I've sensed the Lord asking me to write a book to encourage men and women in their walk with Christ. I didn't want to stop writing this blog but it will mean making an adjustment. So I will limit my blog writing to a Saturday devotional. There may be an occasion that I will write an additional post as the Spirit leads.
I hope you continue to visit and be encouraged by God's word.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16 (KJV)
In His strength,
Andrew Mark Scott