June 2022 – Page 3 of 3 – Sonshine's Journal

June 10, 2022June 10, 2022

In Debt or Free?

Ps 50-51 In Debt or Free?

Our world offers temporary peace and security yet they seek to encroach more and more on our freedoms with rules upon rules. They offer temporary peace and security only to take it away in a panic. If we love this insecure world, we are not of God. [1John 2:16] Instead, we are worshiping the creation more than the Creator.[Rom 1:25] The world is striving to do the right “thing,” yet it lacks the one thing needed; a humble spirit and a repentant heart and so remains indebted. But, thanks be to God that Jesus paid our sin debt.

In the OT, people brought animal sacrifices to the Tabernacle/Temple, and the High Priest would acknowledge such and pray for the individual. As temporary forgiveness, it had to be repeated over and over. On the cross, Jesus said, “it is finished,” and the veil in the temple was rent in two from top to bottom, opening the way to God. Now we can confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace. [Heb 4:16]Today we are to offer our bodies, alive, holy, and pleasing to Him, which is our reasonable service for all He has done. [Rom 12:1].

Are you still walking around with the sin label, or are you set free?

June 9, 2022June 9, 2022

“A Mighty Fortress is our God”

Ps 46 Martin Luther composed this hymn based upon Ps 46 as he faced numerous threats and dangers from the Pope and his forces regarding his stand that “salvation is by grace and faith alone.” When the enemy of fear came calling, Martin Luther would say to his friend and co-worker, Philip Melanchthon, “Let us sing the 46th Psalm.” Luther’s composition declares one’s absolute reliance on God and His power and is still a comfort to believers today.

Martin Luther noted the character of God: He is our refuge (a place of safety, thus the mighty fortress), He is our protector; He is our Commander in Chief, the Lord of Hosts (Jehovah Sabaoth), and He commands His armies to fight for us. God is with us “in” times of trouble.

If we don’t know God in times of peace, we will not recognize Him in times of trouble. We should know that God is all around us; He is on our side. He goes into battle with us and commands His heavenly armies to fight for us and with us. We are never alone! He is our ever-present help in times of trouble. Surely, “A Mighty Fortress” is Our God, A bulwark never failing, Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing; For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; ….The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever.”

June 8, 2022June 8, 2022

Let God be the Healer

Ps 43 Self Talk when Troubled

Today many are what we call the “walking wounded.” They are wounded by others, by illness, by tragedies beyond our ability to understand the “why’s.” These are those whose hearts are shattered. The psalmist falls into that category. Some may turn to outside sources for escape or healing, but the psalmist shows us the true healing path. It lies in turning to God. He is the source of our strength, He is the light that illuminates our understanding, and He is the true faithful Father who will not abandon us.

Satan has his minions that work for him to send his arrows of hurt into our souls, and we, like the psalmist, ask why. If God is, as he says, the source of his strength, why is he mourning, why is he upset, why is he depressed. Sometimes, like Job, there is no answer. But, one thing we can be sure of God is the light source that will illuminate understanding. So, the psalmist turns to God with songs of praise.

Today if your heart is shattered and you wonder why, take a page out of the psalmist’s diary and turn to God in praise…even if you do NOT understand the reason. Let God do the healing.

June 7, 2022June 7, 2022

“Life is Short…Eternity is Forever”

Ps 39-40 It seems like only yesterday that Bible.org began its ministry, yet we are still sharing the love of God to millions! We are here proclaiming the majesty of our God! How about you?

As Noah built the Ark, the words of the God deniers echoed in his ears: It has never rained and will not rain. However, Noah knew this truth: “always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess.” [1Pet 3:15]

Lot in Sodom heard: Life goes on as before; there are no changes now or in the foreseeable future. But Lot knew this truth: “You do not know about tomorrow. Each one is like a puff of smoke that appears for a short time and then vanishes”. [James 4:14] Be prepared today for tomorrow.

Men railed against Christ on the cross and said: Come down from the cross, and we will believe. Yet the one thief turned to Jesus and sought his forgiveness. “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.”[Luke 23:42] Only he turned to Jesus. Will you also?

Today appreciate the brevity of life—it could end in a heartbeat. Today join the psalmist in singing a new song praising God so that many see what God has done and swear allegiance to him and trust in the Lord. [Ps 40:3]

June 6, 2022June 6, 2022

Count Your Blessings

Ps 37 David counsels “us” on how to handle life when the bad guy wins, and you are striving to do good, and it seems that you have lost out. You strive to save your money and shop frugally, yet the guy next door has it all. But does he really? Let’s take a look. David says those guys “seem” to succeed, but in reality, they are the guys who are living hand to mouth every day of the week. If you could look at their bank accounts, you would see that reality!

David speaks to those who don’t see the glitter and glamour. He says don’t fret three times! Instead, trust God. Commit your future to the Lord. Wait patiently for Him. Don’t envy! When Peter complained: we have left all to follow you; what’s in it for us, Jesus promised blessings which he enumerated in the Sermon on the Mount [Matt 5:3-11]

Trust in the Lord, Delight in the Lord. Today, don’t fret, don’t envy. And count your blessings, name them one by one, and you will see what God has done!

June 5, 2022June 5, 2022

Deep and Wide

Ps 36:5-6 Deep and Wide

These verses remind us of that children’s song “Deep and Wide, there is a fountain deep and wide.”

The psalmist extols the depth and width of God’s love which reaches to the skies. We can send astronauts and spaceships to the moon, but we have never reached the end of this marvelous universe. We can’t ever come to the end of it except by a telescope! God’s faithfulness reaches to the clouds which we see with the naked eye but we can’t see into the galaxies beyond that. God’s justice is higher than Mt. Everest! His judgments are deeper than the deepest part of the sea where even the robots seek the treasures of the Titanic.

When we go outside to observe the details of our garden we can look up and see little father Cardinal sitting in the boughs singing his sweet song and we marvel and stop and ponder the psalmist’s words.

June 4, 2022June 4, 2022

When in sin…

Ps 31 Turn to God

Job was blameless, yet he experienced the effects of Satan’s hand upon his life, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. On the other hand, David is experiencing the effects of his iniquity, and the results are much the same. Therefore, it behooves us to know the difference.

David begins with much bravado but then asks God for His mercy. In his plea, he says to God: I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also. For my life nears its end in pain; my years draw to a close as I groan. My strength fails me because of my sin, and my bones become brittle. The effects are even seen here: people disdain me; my neighbors are appalled by my suffering— those who know me are horrified by my condition; those who see me in the street run away from me.

When we are experiencing the effects of sin, our plea should begin with seeking the mercy of God. Turn to God, seek His mercy, and let God heal the brokenness we are experiencing.

June 3, 2022June 3, 2022

The Voice of God

Ps 29 The Voice of God

If you are an avid music lover, you are aware of a program called “The Voice.” It is a popular music program to keep your mind occupied with the world’s noise about us. The psalmist did not listen to the world’s sounds but to God’s voice, the eternal voice from heaven. His voice shouts over creation, and we stand in awe. We hear it in the waterfalls of nature, the birds that begin our day, and the sounds of cracking limbs in the wind. Our world is full of His voice if we stand quietly to listen.

The Holy Spirit is His voice to our souls, speaking words of His love and tenderness as He calls us to His side that we might praise Him.

Where do you hear the voice of the Lord in your world today? Take a moment and stand to listen.

June 2, 2022June 2, 2022

Do you “know” God or just “about” God

Ps 25 -27 How much do you know God?

As we read each day, ask yourself: Who is God that I should desire to be like Him? How do I define Him? Do I look for those things that will make me feel good, or do I seek ways to honor God? Do we look for ways to behold God, His person, and His attributes just as Romans 1:19, 20 says: “what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain…therefore, we can know that it was He that formed us for His glory, thus we are without excuse.

As David ponders all of what he sees about him, he stops and says; I have walked in my integrity and then ends with I will walk in my integrity. Integrity is a mindset of those who seek God and desire to please Him. Paul reminded his Roman readers that he “was not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power for salvation.” [Rom 1:16]. David prayed in these psalms, “do not let me be ashamed and then reminds himself that he who waits for God will not be ashamed.” [Ps 25:3NASB]

Do you know the author of creation? Where are you today in your walk with Him?

June 1, 2022June 1, 2022

The Good Shepherd

Ps 22 – 24 The Shepherd, Strong and Mighty

No matter what the world throws our way, we can be assured of God’s presence beside us, before us, behind us leading us. Psalm 22 reflects the thoughts of David, the King, amid the trials of life. He knew that one day the Messiah, the eternal King, would come and face trials of which he never knew or experienced, yet this he knew; His name is strong and mighty; He is trustworthy.

Indeed, David knew that he was one of the sheep of God’s pasture. Just as then, the Good Shepherd calls us out of the darkness of sin into His glorious light. He directs our steps and takes us to the refreshing quiet living water. He knows that rushing water and the swirling waters of today’s news are unnerving, yet in His pasture, we find peace. In His pasture, we can feed on the lush green grass which is the Living Word. He is the Good Shepherd who leads us, for we require His tender care. [Psalm 23]

What a blessing to know that out of His love, He ransomed us with His blood.