Pride

Eze 16:49  Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. 

Just think about this thing called pride, I think we all have it. 

 "If there is a sin that is universal, it is this. Where is it not to be found? Hunt among the highest and loftiest in the world, and you shall find it there; and then go and search amongst the poorest and the most miserable, and you shall find it there. There may be as much pride inside a beggar's rags as in a prince's robe; and a harlot may be as proud as a model of chastity. Pride is a strange creature; it never objects to its lodgings. It will live comfortably enough in a palace, and it will live equally at its ease in a hovel. Is there any man in whose heart pride does not lurk?"

 "Wherever pride is found, it is always hateful to God. Why! pride is even hateful to men. Men cannot bear a proud man; and hence it is that a proud man, who has any sense left, often sees that it is so, and he therefore tries to affect manners of modesty. He will seem to be humble, when he really is not, if he has the suspicion that all about him will dislike him if they know him to be proud. But God cannot bear pride; it is a part of his daily business to put down the proud." (Spurgeon)

Psa 101:5  Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. 

1Pet 5:6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 

Chasing the sunset

There were only a few clouds that reflected the warm rays of the setting sun. I drove west in my car to find a place with no wires to get a picture of the sunset. I remembered chasing the sunset when I first moved north  in the early 1970's. I was living in a small cabin rental in the midst of the oaks and manzanitas.  Color slide pictures were taken then and when the sunset was glorious I would take my 35mm camera and run looking for a tree to silouette against the sunset. One such picture was called the black oak sunset and was used in the camera club competition. I found the sunset last night against a few slender trees near the highway.

Pro 16:17  The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. 

Pro 16:18  Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 

Pro 16:19  Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. 

Near the highway is the train tracks. My photography business was next to the train tracts in the center of the old town. The train used to stop in town in the early days of California, but now the trains pass through. The train cars would pass by my store window and sometimes I would watch them. They were covered with gang graffiti. There is little respect; I remember in the 70's that the hippies would throw rocks at the new cars brought in on the trains. They were against materialistic America. This spirit is still out to destroy our nation, throwing rocks at our laws and the constitution. We look to Jesus. He is coming, make his way straight.

Isa 40:3  The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 

Isa 40:4  Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: 

Isa 40:5  And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. 

We have a nice Senior Citizen hall. Each friday morning my wife meets there with a crochet group. There is a small country western music band that plays their guitars singing old songs. These are old guys too, getting together loving to play music even if their are few to hear them.  Often I will listen to their music while reading the Bible or the newspaper. At the end of each song muffled applause follows and the rapping of my coffee cup on the table. A little encouragement is good. As we were leaving the center I noticed the trees blooming, the blossoms do not last very long, but I had left my camera at home.

These trees were on my mind as I parked my car at the senior center in the dim light, I wanted a picture of these trees. 

Jer 6:16  Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. 

The light was dim, but it was soft. At home I was able to bring out the features of this lovely tree of early spring. We must capture the glory of God when it comes in his creation. The creation glorifies the Lord and so must we. Forget the evil news and let us focus on the goodness of our LORD. Let us praise God with continuous prayer.

Rom 15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 

Rom 15:5  Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 

Rom 15:6  That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Eaglewings Ministries

Day of the LORD

Isa 2:12  For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:

Stripes on the Rock of Ages.

 The Day the Lord Jesus came was 33 years and ended by his rejection by the religious leaders. His back striped with whipping, a crown of thorns on his head. He was nailed to a cross, his blood shed for our healing, body and soul and spirit. He paid the price for our redemption and salvation.

The prophets spoke of a Day of the LORD, warning a backslidden and idolatrous Israel to repent, for God would send in Assyria and then the Chaldeans to remove them from their land. It was a time of judgement.

Joel 1:15  Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.

 Amo 5:18  Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light. 

Isa 10:3  And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory? 

The Day of the LORD is a terrible time of judgement for those who reject the God of Israel and their Messiah. At the end of this time we live in, the wrath of God will be poured out on the wicked.

Joe 2:10  The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: 

Joe 2:11  And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? 

Joel 2:12  Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 

Joel 2:13  And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

Repent all of you who sin and be covered with the love of God through faith in Jesus Christ. The time of judgement is near.

Jesus is the Rock, the chief cornerstone of the Church of God.

Mat 21:42  Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? 

Mat 21:43  Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 

Mat 21:44  And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. 

Repent for the Day of the LORD is near.

 

The Mighty has fallen

A mighty oak at the park has fallen. Some say it is because being on the lawn it received too much water. It was also very old. In 2002 our tall redwood fell and shortly after this my father-in-law Arthur died. He was a mighty fine man, a WW2 Seabee and a very gifted man with his hands and a humble man.

2Sa 1:17  And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son: 

2Sa 1:19  The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen! 

The Chinese Sumach, or Tree of Heaven, with the many green leaves are invasive. They grow fast and crowd out other native plants.The root bark of this plant is a natural antibiotic used around the world to treat malaria and kill parasitic worms. It is an important herb in traditional Chinese medicine. What we call a nuisance is a blessing to others.

Rev 22:1  And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 

Rev 22:2  In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 

Look but don't touch. This oak tree has poison oak vines on it. They are already beginning to show their Fall colors.

Gen 3:2  And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 

Gen 3:3  But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 

These are Blue Elderberries. They are used to make wine or jam. They also have medicinal properties. 

Rev 4:10  The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 

Rev 4:11  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. 

Blackberries are still ripe along the trails. They make a sweet snack. It is hard to beat the flavor of a Blackberry pie.

Pro 30:8  Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 

Pro 30:9  Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. 

Serving God

Those who seek to be in positions of authority have a duty to God, to be His servant. Jesus is our example of the greatest person, being a servant of others.

John 13:3  Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
John 13:4  He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
John 13:5  After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
John 13:6  Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
John 13:7  Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
John 13:8  Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
John 13:9  Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
John 13:10  Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
John 13:11  For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
John 13:12  So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
John 13:13  Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
John 13:14  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
John 13:15  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

 

I see three things that are important. Outward ceremonies are not enough to save you, you must have Jesus in your heart by faith. Judas was among them, but his heart was elsewhere, perhaps on money. Satan had entered Judas even with Jesus so near. Second is that when we are saved by faith we still need the daily cleansing as in (1 John 1:9). The third lesson I wish to mention is that Jesus, who is the Son of God, stooped to serve his disciples as an example to them. The greatest among you will be your servant. Jesus showed his greatness and love by taking our punishment and sin to the cross. His work was finished, now it is our time to serve while it is still day. He is making a place for us as he rests at the right hand of His Father. They are one in Spirit; God is Spirit, the one true God Almighty.

 

Two Covenants

Deu 8:1 All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers. 

Deu 8:2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
Deu 8:3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
Deu 8:4 Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.
Deu 8:5 Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.
Deu 8:6 Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.

They were to obey God's commands and he provided manna, food from heaven for body and soul. He provided their needs all the way. Their clothes did not wear out, nor did their feet swell from years of walking with him. They were tested to see if they would obey and most failed the test. He had to punish them as a loving father.

Now consider the walk of God's people under the new covenant. God still wants obedience, we are tested by trials and he does provide for us when we follow him.

Mat 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Jesus gave us a sample prayer as a guide for our prayers.

Mat 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Mat 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

He will provide our daily bread and Jesus is our Manna, the Living Word of God. We are to get up early and gather it, eat it, and meditate on it.

Joh 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

Last night in a private chat room twelve of us gathered together for a communion service. First we had to pray to ask forgiveness for any sins we had. Then we took the elements; the unleavened bread, the body of Christ broken for us. We did eat it. Next we took the juice of the grape, symbolizing his blood. We drank it, as a reminder of his blood shed for our sins. What is the difference between the old and new covenant? Jesus gave us grace. He kept all the laws that we could not keep. We still are to obey God, but if we fail, grace keeps us from the eternal punishment of separation from God. Trials and tests will come. He loves us and will make a way for us to escape them (1cor 10:13). He may still correct us as a loving father, but we stay close to him all the way to the eternal kingdom of God.