James 1:19-20 Santiago 1:19-20
“Mis queridos hermanos, tengan presente esto: Todos deben estar listos para escuchar, y ser lentos para hablar y para enojarse; pues la ira humana no produce la vida justa que Dios quiere.” NVI
“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” NKJV
Swift to Hear
--Willing to seek out and live off the wisdom of others.
--To quickly set aside any previous thoughts and needs to give your full attention to another.
Slow to Speak
--To, as you have already given your attention to the person, wait until they are fully ready for input before tossing in your two cents.
--To be careful of what your tongue and your flesh would blurt out. To consider your words and their impact before putting them to the ears of others.
Slow to Wrath
--To always assume and hope the best of other people, trying to see the situation from their eyes to better understand why you have been wronged.
“For the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God”
In other words we are, in the eyes of God, incapable of bringing true justice. Only the blameless can condemn the sinners, but we are all sinners. When wronged against we are not justified in the eyes of God to even hold anger in our hearts because we have committed much worse towards Him.
I relate personally more with the first two sections of this verse, though the truth about anger and hate is always a good lesson to store in my heart. I see a lot of dying to self in those first two commands. Be quick to lend someone your ear, and then place your own opinions and ideas at the lowliest pile and only bring them in if they are significant or useful to the conversation. This is especially difficult for me when there is a question being asked. I want everyone to know what my opinion is because I always think it must be something amazingly worthwhile. Of course, most of the time it isn’t, and I often regret fighting my way in to speak for something that--after it was spoken--really doesn’t seem that profound after all.
Today I will be especially careful to consider what I say and weigh it’s importance before speaking it. I will also look for opportunities to listen full heartedly.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Mini Update
Hello everyone,
El Salv team has a lot of sore muscles and a few hurt feelings but so far we're doing okay. Christopher, one of my teammates is trying to lead us all into a discussion of God's word each day and trying to help strengthen our group. He is such a blessing to have around right now and I thank God for his willing spirit.
As of today I think there has been three scorpion sitings in our house and two giant spider sitings--as well as a multitude of ants which luckily don't seem to bite but are still annoying when they crawl into computers and faces and whatnot. The ants at La Casa do bite, but we're slowly learning new ways I think of keeping them off our legs--as well as just being more observant. My first day in San Martín I got what seemed like a whole ant hill up my legs and onto my back before I knew what was going on.
The kids at San Martín are a lot of fun, both Los Niños and the kids who come in the afternoon for the day school.
Other than that just remember to keep us in your prayers for the same reasons mentioned in the newsletter. I'm sorry it took so long to get an update up here, but my computer really is on the fritz right now. I'm going to try to be more diligent in this even though I don't know when I'll find the time. In a few weeks after the Pastors Conference we should be getting Mondays off so I'll at least be able to do bi-weekly updates if not weekly ones.
Dios les bendiga,
God Bless,
~Kayla
El Salv team has a lot of sore muscles and a few hurt feelings but so far we're doing okay. Christopher, one of my teammates is trying to lead us all into a discussion of God's word each day and trying to help strengthen our group. He is such a blessing to have around right now and I thank God for his willing spirit.
As of today I think there has been three scorpion sitings in our house and two giant spider sitings--as well as a multitude of ants which luckily don't seem to bite but are still annoying when they crawl into computers and faces and whatnot. The ants at La Casa do bite, but we're slowly learning new ways I think of keeping them off our legs--as well as just being more observant. My first day in San Martín I got what seemed like a whole ant hill up my legs and onto my back before I knew what was going on.
The kids at San Martín are a lot of fun, both Los Niños and the kids who come in the afternoon for the day school.
Other than that just remember to keep us in your prayers for the same reasons mentioned in the newsletter. I'm sorry it took so long to get an update up here, but my computer really is on the fritz right now. I'm going to try to be more diligent in this even though I don't know when I'll find the time. In a few weeks after the Pastors Conference we should be getting Mondays off so I'll at least be able to do bi-weekly updates if not weekly ones.
Dios les bendiga,
God Bless,
~Kayla
Newsletter Update One
Dear Friends and Family,
It has now been about two weeks since leaving the states. It feels longer. Not out of boredom or resentment but almost the opposite. It feels like a long time because I have learned and adjusted to so much in that short amount of time. There were a lot of things that surprised me when coming here. I didn’t know much about El Salvador before coming here, but I was shocked to find myself living deep within a city. I would compare driving here to New York, with less traffic but stranger laws. Other than that graffiti seems to be a national art form. On the darker side, it is hard to see so many houses made entirely of a frame and some metal roofing used as roof walls and a door. I’ve never seen what they look like on the inside because we aren’t allowed to go anywhere aside from inside church grounds and highly Americanized malls and the like but I can imagine how badly the rains would have effected 50% of the housing in San Salvador.
The first week of our stay here was during a “national catastrophe” AKA rain. It rained for the entire first week of our stay, and while it was only raining really hard for a few select moments, it was apparently the most rain this place has had since 1960. Just under four thousand people were evacuated. That is something I’m still trying to wrap my head around because that amount of rain is normal where I come--in fact, it would be normal for rain like that to last a month. But schools were closed, entire areas flooded and even our own team had to evacuate because of possible land slides. Luckily nothing happened to Pastor Carlos’ house (the one at which we are staying), but the possibility was still there. The roads were so bad that first week that we weren’t even able to go to San Martin until a few days ago. San Martin is where the orphanage is, which we call “La Casa” or “La Casa de Los Niños“.
But the rain stopped a few days ago and we were able to spend the last three days going out to San Martin. The boys there are really sweet, and they really do love to beat us at soccer. We were out working in the field the other day just cleaning up a small but very overgrown waterway and a few of the boys spent their day off just helping and spending time with us.
There are a lot of things we would appreciate prayer for, but I’ll mention just a few. Help and diligence in learning Spanish. We are all at different levels of speaking at this point but we all definitely have room for improvement, and it is very hard to find time to do our assigned homework much less find the time to really get deep into studying it.
Safety is a big one. We’ve found ants that bite and can make a whole arm numb to two different types of scorpions and very large spiders in our house alone. These won’t endanger our lives at all but unfortunately the diseases that the local flies and mosquitoes carry can. Also the driving is dangerous and the fact that we’re all gringos. I know we are all in God’s will and so anything that happens He’s got covered, but just be praying for caution and common sense on our part.
Many of us still need funding for Potter’s Field and that is going to be very hard to do overseas with how busy we are.
And on a personal note, something is wrong with my computer. It’s only been working about half the time and it will be very difficult to stay in contact with you should it die completely--not to mention make it very difficult to post my blogs.
Thank you for your support and prayer. If you know anyone else who might like this newsletter please email me back or tell them to, it is really easy to add more people on to my list.
God Bless,
~Kayla Harrington
It has now been about two weeks since leaving the states. It feels longer. Not out of boredom or resentment but almost the opposite. It feels like a long time because I have learned and adjusted to so much in that short amount of time. There were a lot of things that surprised me when coming here. I didn’t know much about El Salvador before coming here, but I was shocked to find myself living deep within a city. I would compare driving here to New York, with less traffic but stranger laws. Other than that graffiti seems to be a national art form. On the darker side, it is hard to see so many houses made entirely of a frame and some metal roofing used as roof walls and a door. I’ve never seen what they look like on the inside because we aren’t allowed to go anywhere aside from inside church grounds and highly Americanized malls and the like but I can imagine how badly the rains would have effected 50% of the housing in San Salvador.
The first week of our stay here was during a “national catastrophe” AKA rain. It rained for the entire first week of our stay, and while it was only raining really hard for a few select moments, it was apparently the most rain this place has had since 1960. Just under four thousand people were evacuated. That is something I’m still trying to wrap my head around because that amount of rain is normal where I come--in fact, it would be normal for rain like that to last a month. But schools were closed, entire areas flooded and even our own team had to evacuate because of possible land slides. Luckily nothing happened to Pastor Carlos’ house (the one at which we are staying), but the possibility was still there. The roads were so bad that first week that we weren’t even able to go to San Martin until a few days ago. San Martin is where the orphanage is, which we call “La Casa” or “La Casa de Los Niños“.
But the rain stopped a few days ago and we were able to spend the last three days going out to San Martin. The boys there are really sweet, and they really do love to beat us at soccer. We were out working in the field the other day just cleaning up a small but very overgrown waterway and a few of the boys spent their day off just helping and spending time with us.
There are a lot of things we would appreciate prayer for, but I’ll mention just a few. Help and diligence in learning Spanish. We are all at different levels of speaking at this point but we all definitely have room for improvement, and it is very hard to find time to do our assigned homework much less find the time to really get deep into studying it.
Safety is a big one. We’ve found ants that bite and can make a whole arm numb to two different types of scorpions and very large spiders in our house alone. These won’t endanger our lives at all but unfortunately the diseases that the local flies and mosquitoes carry can. Also the driving is dangerous and the fact that we’re all gringos. I know we are all in God’s will and so anything that happens He’s got covered, but just be praying for caution and common sense on our part.
Many of us still need funding for Potter’s Field and that is going to be very hard to do overseas with how busy we are.
And on a personal note, something is wrong with my computer. It’s only been working about half the time and it will be very difficult to stay in contact with you should it die completely--not to mention make it very difficult to post my blogs.
Thank you for your support and prayer. If you know anyone else who might like this newsletter please email me back or tell them to, it is really easy to add more people on to my list.
God Bless,
~Kayla Harrington
Pray without a Doubt
James 1:7-8 Santiago 1:7-8
“Quien es así no piense que va a recibir cosa alguna del Señor, es indeciso e inconstante en todo lo que hace.” NVI
“For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” NKJV
It is better to not believe at all than to doubt. Jesus said with only a mustard seed of faith we could move mountains and yet how often do I lack even that? I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before but I’ve never really struggled with the concept of God’s sovereignty and power. I know He is fully capable of answering any prayer, I just doubt that He would answer one for me.
This is an all or nothing verse. I need to either pray for something I am confident is in his will or don’t bother praying at all.
“Quien es así no piense que va a recibir cosa alguna del Señor, es indeciso e inconstante en todo lo que hace.” NVI
“For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” NKJV
It is better to not believe at all than to doubt. Jesus said with only a mustard seed of faith we could move mountains and yet how often do I lack even that? I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before but I’ve never really struggled with the concept of God’s sovereignty and power. I know He is fully capable of answering any prayer, I just doubt that He would answer one for me.
This is an all or nothing verse. I need to either pray for something I am confident is in his will or don’t bother praying at all.
A Wave of the Sea
James 1:6 Santiago 1:6
“Pero que pida con fe, sin dudar, porque quien duda es como las olas de mar, agitates y llevadas de un lado a otro por el viento.” NVI
“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.” ESV
Ask without doubting. Sounds simple. But how? For the most part all you have to do is have faith. But what about those times when the devil is constantly attacking your faith? You sit down to read your bible, he starts off with “Is this really inspired by God?” You bow your head to pray and he whispers “Does God really exist or are you here being the fool the atheists make you out to be, on your knees talking to yourself.” You say with defiance “I believe in God” and all you hear is “But does He believe in you? I mean, just look at yourself. Why would He?”
I myself have been though as similar hole a few years ago but it wasn’t nearly to the extent that a dear friend of mine was going through a few weeks ago. She said she had tried everything. She had tried to pray without doubts, she had even prayed for God to help her with her doubting, but every day she heard those words spoken to her. In those times we’re often able to muffle the doubts when they come, but we can’t in our own strength stop them from coming at all.
My advice to her at the time was one that struck even my own understanding. After much prayer for God to help me find the words to say to help her I told her this: Not doubting in your mind is obviously impossible in those situations, but the things you can control are your actions. This is where perseverance comes in. Even when we feel abandoned and without hope we still need to hold on to God though we cannot feel Him there.
When those times come, I need to continue my devotions, increase my time in prayer and live each moment saying “I believe” with my actions though my mind might whisper otherwise.
“Pero que pida con fe, sin dudar, porque quien duda es como las olas de mar, agitates y llevadas de un lado a otro por el viento.” NVI
“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.” ESV
Ask without doubting. Sounds simple. But how? For the most part all you have to do is have faith. But what about those times when the devil is constantly attacking your faith? You sit down to read your bible, he starts off with “Is this really inspired by God?” You bow your head to pray and he whispers “Does God really exist or are you here being the fool the atheists make you out to be, on your knees talking to yourself.” You say with defiance “I believe in God” and all you hear is “But does He believe in you? I mean, just look at yourself. Why would He?”
I myself have been though as similar hole a few years ago but it wasn’t nearly to the extent that a dear friend of mine was going through a few weeks ago. She said she had tried everything. She had tried to pray without doubts, she had even prayed for God to help her with her doubting, but every day she heard those words spoken to her. In those times we’re often able to muffle the doubts when they come, but we can’t in our own strength stop them from coming at all.
My advice to her at the time was one that struck even my own understanding. After much prayer for God to help me find the words to say to help her I told her this: Not doubting in your mind is obviously impossible in those situations, but the things you can control are your actions. This is where perseverance comes in. Even when we feel abandoned and without hope we still need to hold on to God though we cannot feel Him there.
When those times come, I need to continue my devotions, increase my time in prayer and live each moment saying “I believe” with my actions though my mind might whisper otherwise.
Seeking Wisdom
James 1:5 Santiago 1:5
“Si a alguno de ustedes le falta sabiduria, pídasela a Dios, y él se la dará, pues Dios da a todos generosamente sin menospreciar a nadie.” NVI
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who give to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” NKJV
“But first, we shall pray.” --Pastor G
Isn’t this what we do every day before IBS? We ask for His Spirit to guide us in His wisdom when applying His Word. Kind of like our situation here in El Salvador, we let the more experience and knowledgeable do the deep thinking for us.
It is perfectly logical to seek God’s wisdom on these interpretations, for who would know the Word of God better than God?
But then, God knows all things better than me, down to my own minute to minute decisions.
Today I am going to seek God’s wisdom throughout the day for various tasks.
“Si a alguno de ustedes le falta sabiduria, pídasela a Dios, y él se la dará, pues Dios da a todos generosamente sin menospreciar a nadie.” NVI
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who give to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” NKJV
“But first, we shall pray.” --Pastor G
Isn’t this what we do every day before IBS? We ask for His Spirit to guide us in His wisdom when applying His Word. Kind of like our situation here in El Salvador, we let the more experience and knowledgeable do the deep thinking for us.
It is perfectly logical to seek God’s wisdom on these interpretations, for who would know the Word of God better than God?
But then, God knows all things better than me, down to my own minute to minute decisions.
Today I am going to seek God’s wisdom throughout the day for various tasks.
"Missions Training"
James 1:4 Santiago 1:4
“Y la constencia debe llevar a feliz término la obra, para que sean perfectos e íntegros, sin que les falta nada.” NVI
“But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” NKJV
Perseverance. Boy I am finding out right now how to persevere. 5:30 in the morning and the only thing keeping my eyes open and is from rocking back and forth to keep my body awake.
But how can forcing myself awake one morning make me lack nothing? I still lack a content heart and a bond slave’s mindset, and how can staying up like this even begin to help me with those?
Well it says “Let patience have its perfect work.” So in other words we have to be patient with patience in order for us to become more like Him.
And what does it mean by “lacking nothing”? If I lacked nothing, there would be no reason for me to persevere.
But what I think it’s talking about is lacking nothing in the form of spiritual tools. When we are faced with trials not only do they increase our perseverance, they give us practical lesson tools for future trials as well. By surviving one struggle we are more prepared and equipped to face the next, bigger trial.
I need to be more diligent in recording my life, especially my trials, in my journal, so I may remember the ways God and I overcame them.
“Y la constencia debe llevar a feliz término la obra, para que sean perfectos e íntegros, sin que les falta nada.” NVI
“But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” NKJV
Perseverance. Boy I am finding out right now how to persevere. 5:30 in the morning and the only thing keeping my eyes open and is from rocking back and forth to keep my body awake.
But how can forcing myself awake one morning make me lack nothing? I still lack a content heart and a bond slave’s mindset, and how can staying up like this even begin to help me with those?
Well it says “Let patience have its perfect work.” So in other words we have to be patient with patience in order for us to become more like Him.
And what does it mean by “lacking nothing”? If I lacked nothing, there would be no reason for me to persevere.
But what I think it’s talking about is lacking nothing in the form of spiritual tools. When we are faced with trials not only do they increase our perseverance, they give us practical lesson tools for future trials as well. By surviving one struggle we are more prepared and equipped to face the next, bigger trial.
I need to be more diligent in recording my life, especially my trials, in my journal, so I may remember the ways God and I overcame them.
Various Trials
James 1:2 Santiago 1:2
“Hermanos míos, considérense muy dichosos cuando tegan que enfrentarse con diversas pruebas.” NVI
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” NKJV
Various trials. Maybe that means something like a house full of ants, no seat belts in a van, and being constantly told how dangerous this place is and then having everyone stare at you wherever you go.
Maybe it means things like being able to take a shower faster than you can brush your teeth, or not being able to flush the toilet paper--or not having toilet paper at all--or not being able to use the tap water for anything.
I’m not complaining or anything. These things are all very small in perspective and in a month I probably won’t even think of them. But still, I need to remember to count them as joy, because if I cannot count these little things this way what will I do in a month when I’m really sick or we have giant spiders, or it’s over a hundred degrees? Will I be able to count these as joy if I can’t even handle a few miniscule ants on my bible? (No joke, the ants really are on my bible right now. And on my computer. And on me.)
I need to consider the little things and the big as joyous, so that my patience may profit through perseverance.
“Hermanos míos, considérense muy dichosos cuando tegan que enfrentarse con diversas pruebas.” NVI
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” NKJV
Various trials. Maybe that means something like a house full of ants, no seat belts in a van, and being constantly told how dangerous this place is and then having everyone stare at you wherever you go.
Maybe it means things like being able to take a shower faster than you can brush your teeth, or not being able to flush the toilet paper--or not having toilet paper at all--or not being able to use the tap water for anything.
I’m not complaining or anything. These things are all very small in perspective and in a month I probably won’t even think of them. But still, I need to remember to count them as joy, because if I cannot count these little things this way what will I do in a month when I’m really sick or we have giant spiders, or it’s over a hundred degrees? Will I be able to count these as joy if I can’t even handle a few miniscule ants on my bible? (No joke, the ants really are on my bible right now. And on my computer. And on me.)
I need to consider the little things and the big as joyous, so that my patience may profit through perseverance.
Open-minded
James 1:1 Santiago 1:1
“Santiago, siervo de Dios y del Señor Jesucristo, a las doce tribas que se hallan dispersas por el mundo:
Saludos.” NVI
“James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ
To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad:
Greetings.” NKJV
At first this greeting doesn’t seem like anything special. Most of us probably already know what a bondservant is and the rest implies he is writing to all of the Jews.
What I didn’t know before is that the person proclaiming here to be a willing slave of Christ Jesus was Jesus’ half-brother. Someone who used to mock Jesus for his claim as Christ. Apparently it wasn’t until after the resurrection that James and Jude believed in Him
Application:
Sometimes I unwittingly mock or doubt what my family or close friends tell me. And while I know none of them are Christ, as Jesus was, they have Christ in them and He could--after all--be speaking into them or showing them something I cannot see. I need to keep a more open mind about such things.
“Santiago, siervo de Dios y del Señor Jesucristo, a las doce tribas que se hallan dispersas por el mundo:
Saludos.” NVI
“James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ
To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad:
Greetings.” NKJV
At first this greeting doesn’t seem like anything special. Most of us probably already know what a bondservant is and the rest implies he is writing to all of the Jews.
What I didn’t know before is that the person proclaiming here to be a willing slave of Christ Jesus was Jesus’ half-brother. Someone who used to mock Jesus for his claim as Christ. Apparently it wasn’t until after the resurrection that James and Jude believed in Him
Application:
Sometimes I unwittingly mock or doubt what my family or close friends tell me. And while I know none of them are Christ, as Jesus was, they have Christ in them and He could--after all--be speaking into them or showing them something I cannot see. I need to keep a more open mind about such things.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
The Marks of a Christian
Psalm 23:6
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” NKJV
What does it mean to have a state of being follow you? If hatred and malice follow the footsteps of a man, is it not that man who leaves such turmoil in his wake?
Likewise, if someone leaves goodness and mercy in the hearts of those he passes all the days of his life, is that not a mark of God? For who can reach such perfection apart from God?
I don’t know if this is correct or not, but I read the second half of this verse as “And then I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
To me this verse looks like the mark of a believer on the earth--to leave God’s goodness and mercy on every heart within his path--and the mark of a believer after death--to spend eternity with our creator.
Application:
Today especially and hopefully everyday hereafter, I want to leave people with the feeling and peace of mercy and goodness. When I leave a room, I want it to remember my passing with joy and not resentment.
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” NKJV
What does it mean to have a state of being follow you? If hatred and malice follow the footsteps of a man, is it not that man who leaves such turmoil in his wake?
Likewise, if someone leaves goodness and mercy in the hearts of those he passes all the days of his life, is that not a mark of God? For who can reach such perfection apart from God?
I don’t know if this is correct or not, but I read the second half of this verse as “And then I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
To me this verse looks like the mark of a believer on the earth--to leave God’s goodness and mercy on every heart within his path--and the mark of a believer after death--to spend eternity with our creator.
Application:
Today especially and hopefully everyday hereafter, I want to leave people with the feeling and peace of mercy and goodness. When I leave a room, I want it to remember my passing with joy and not resentment.
In the Presence of my Enemies.
Psalm 23:5
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.” NKJV
David mentions this right after saying he walked through the valley of the shadow of death. Then he says God is faithful. This verse is how God showed his faithfulness.
“You prepare a table” sounds as if God is making some sort of grand feast that David has to look forward to, and the ones who hate him see this happening.
But who were David’s enemies? Well, King Saul to start. Saul knew that God had chosen David to be king instead of him and because of this he tried desperately to kill him. At one point Saul even admitted that David would be king because of what the Lord had done for him (1 Samuel 24:20). Of course, right after this Saul went right back to trying to kill him again.
“You anoint my head with oil” is obviously reminiscent of 1 Samuel chapter 16 where God sends His prophet to David’s house, rejected every one of David’s older brothers, and anointed him because of his heart.
God loved David so much that He promised to make him king over all Israel. However, David had to wait several decades running in fear for his life before that promise was fulfilled.
Application:
When God makes a promise, I need to be willing to take God’s long and winding path to get there and be patient along the way.
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.” NKJV
David mentions this right after saying he walked through the valley of the shadow of death. Then he says God is faithful. This verse is how God showed his faithfulness.
“You prepare a table” sounds as if God is making some sort of grand feast that David has to look forward to, and the ones who hate him see this happening.
But who were David’s enemies? Well, King Saul to start. Saul knew that God had chosen David to be king instead of him and because of this he tried desperately to kill him. At one point Saul even admitted that David would be king because of what the Lord had done for him (1 Samuel 24:20). Of course, right after this Saul went right back to trying to kill him again.
“You anoint my head with oil” is obviously reminiscent of 1 Samuel chapter 16 where God sends His prophet to David’s house, rejected every one of David’s older brothers, and anointed him because of his heart.
God loved David so much that He promised to make him king over all Israel. However, David had to wait several decades running in fear for his life before that promise was fulfilled.
Application:
When God makes a promise, I need to be willing to take God’s long and winding path to get there and be patient along the way.
Fear no Evil
Psalm 23:4
“Yea, though I walk though the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For you are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
1 Samuel 17:34-37--When King David was a shepherd he put his life on the line for a single sheep. He chased after a bear and a lion and slew them both as a young boy, for the Lord was on his side.
David knew that as he was the protector of the sheep, so God was his protector. As the sheep no doubt recognized their shepherd by the staff in his hand, so we are comforted by the outward signs of God.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death:
In fear for his life (the shadow of death) and no way to escape aside from going forward or looking back (valley) David walks. Not run. Not tip toes. He walks. Because he feared not death nor evil.
But everyone fears death. Everyone fears the traps of the evil one. For who can escape death? Who can predict the traps of the deceiver?
Surely no one can aside from God--and those He chooses to save. David knew that God loved him and would not forsake him. David knew that God was with him always.
“Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; If I make my bed in the depths you are there…. Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” Psalm 139:7-10
David also knew that God is more powerful and more sovereign than anything Satan could throw at him. The promise described in 1 Corinthians 10:13 no doubt rang in his heart, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
If God promises that we can endure every trial and we know that he has overcome death, what then is there to fear?
Certainly not death or temptation. That is why His presence can comfort us though death is near and we are surrounded by the looming walls of ambush.
Application:
Not to fear. Last night even I was tempted by sin so strongly that I feared I had already given in, but 1 Corinthians 10:13 came to my mind and I prayed for the way to “Stand up under it” until He delivered me from it.
Because of this I feel I should memorize 1 Corinthians 10:13 so that promise will always be engrained in my heart.
“Yea, though I walk though the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For you are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
1 Samuel 17:34-37--When King David was a shepherd he put his life on the line for a single sheep. He chased after a bear and a lion and slew them both as a young boy, for the Lord was on his side.
David knew that as he was the protector of the sheep, so God was his protector. As the sheep no doubt recognized their shepherd by the staff in his hand, so we are comforted by the outward signs of God.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death:
In fear for his life (the shadow of death) and no way to escape aside from going forward or looking back (valley) David walks. Not run. Not tip toes. He walks. Because he feared not death nor evil.
But everyone fears death. Everyone fears the traps of the evil one. For who can escape death? Who can predict the traps of the deceiver?
Surely no one can aside from God--and those He chooses to save. David knew that God loved him and would not forsake him. David knew that God was with him always.
“Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; If I make my bed in the depths you are there…. Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” Psalm 139:7-10
David also knew that God is more powerful and more sovereign than anything Satan could throw at him. The promise described in 1 Corinthians 10:13 no doubt rang in his heart, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
If God promises that we can endure every trial and we know that he has overcome death, what then is there to fear?
Certainly not death or temptation. That is why His presence can comfort us though death is near and we are surrounded by the looming walls of ambush.
Application:
Not to fear. Last night even I was tempted by sin so strongly that I feared I had already given in, but 1 Corinthians 10:13 came to my mind and I prayed for the way to “Stand up under it” until He delivered me from it.
Because of this I feel I should memorize 1 Corinthians 10:13 so that promise will always be engrained in my heart.
"Por amor a su nombre"
Psalm 23:3
“He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.” NKJV
The Lord restores my soul, but how? By leading me down paths of righteousness. He takes a lost and corrupted soul wandering astray on the path of destruction and sets it on a different path--a path of healing.
But why would He take us, his disobedient children, and try so hard to set us right?
This is answered in the last part of the verse “For His name’s sake.” For the love of His name He makes us righteous so in our righteousness we should glorify Him.
Application:
I need to give God the glory for every good thing I do because apart from Him I am nothing.
“He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.” NKJV
The Lord restores my soul, but how? By leading me down paths of righteousness. He takes a lost and corrupted soul wandering astray on the path of destruction and sets it on a different path--a path of healing.
But why would He take us, his disobedient children, and try so hard to set us right?
This is answered in the last part of the verse “For His name’s sake.” For the love of His name He makes us righteous so in our righteousness we should glorify Him.
Application:
I need to give God the glory for every good thing I do because apart from Him I am nothing.
I shall not want
Psalm 23:1-2
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters.” NKJV
The Lord is my shepherd. The thing that sticks out to me most is that Kind David use to be a shepherd. He knew at a young age how to watch over sheep. He knew how to tend their every need. He led them to green pastures where they could rest and eat, and to still waters where they could drink without fear or apprehension of the crashing waves.
He provided for them everything they needed: rest, water, and food to eat. In the same way, David said, the Lord provides for us, we just have to be sure we do not wander from His presence.
“I shall not want.” This, to me, sounds like a statement of determination. The NIV puts it as “I shall not be in want.” That makes it sound as if we will never desire anything else ever again. And while that is true on some level, God will not take away the day to day temptations of the evil one until we meet Him in heaven.
“I shall” is different than “I will” is the sense that “shall” implies more of a choice and a constant conviction to not go there.
My application is this:
I shall not want. I shall not desire my old life, I shall not dwell in future dreams. I shall not daydream of things I don’t have nor try in my own strength to get things I don’t need. I shall desire a closer relationship with my God and remember that He is all I need.
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters.” NKJV
The Lord is my shepherd. The thing that sticks out to me most is that Kind David use to be a shepherd. He knew at a young age how to watch over sheep. He knew how to tend their every need. He led them to green pastures where they could rest and eat, and to still waters where they could drink without fear or apprehension of the crashing waves.
He provided for them everything they needed: rest, water, and food to eat. In the same way, David said, the Lord provides for us, we just have to be sure we do not wander from His presence.
“I shall not want.” This, to me, sounds like a statement of determination. The NIV puts it as “I shall not be in want.” That makes it sound as if we will never desire anything else ever again. And while that is true on some level, God will not take away the day to day temptations of the evil one until we meet Him in heaven.
“I shall” is different than “I will” is the sense that “shall” implies more of a choice and a constant conviction to not go there.
My application is this:
I shall not want. I shall not desire my old life, I shall not dwell in future dreams. I shall not daydream of things I don’t have nor try in my own strength to get things I don’t need. I shall desire a closer relationship with my God and remember that He is all I need.
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