Today on my birthday we traveled to Lakewood for Caedmon’s water baptism. It was a special day as much for that events as my 64th birthday and fourth since my health crisis. Dad and mom had the privilege of “dong the honors.”

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “I am determined to keep your decrees to the very end.”  Psalm 119:112 NLT

I was recently re-reading Psalm 119. As I read most of this psalm in one sitting in my daily devotional time, I picked up on a theme that I had missed in my previous readings. It was a commitment to obey the Lord’s instructions and to follow His ways regardless of what life brings.

Perhaps that was due to some recent mass murders that have taken place in such a compressed timeline from Las Vegas, to New York to Texas. It is always during this time that people question about God’s love and sovereignty and care. This is especially the case when the victims include the lives of innocent children.

We read in verses in this section the psalmist recognizing God as creator and the One who gives life and purpose. As such it only makes sense to follow the One who is the Creator of all.

“You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands.” (Psalm 119:73 NLT) Obeying God’s commands is the way that we demonstrate our love for Him. John would write in the New Testament, “Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3 NLT)

So we see the psalmist express a dead-fast commitment to follow the Lord….regardless. Regardless of the assaults and attacks of others. He says, “They almost finished me off, but I refused to abandon your commandments.” (Psalm 119:87 NLT)

Even in the midst of facing death and all the questions that can come when life takes unexpected turns. “My life constantly hangs in the balance, but I will not stop obeying your instructions.” (Psalm 119:109 NLT)

Even when it was necessary to “stand alone.” Even when the taunts and temptation come not from our own hearts, but from those in the world around, the psalmist stands firm in his commitment. “The wicked have set their traps for me, but I will not turn from your commandments.” (Psalm 119:110 NLT)

The Lord’s ways and instructions to us are not just “good suggestions.” They are not to be viewed as a supplement to my own ways or thoughts. They are to be viewed with great value and held with great tenacity. “Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight.” (Psalm 119:111 NLT)

What we treasure is held on to tenaciously. So it is to be with the instructions that we have from the Lord. God’s commands tell us what to do and what to avoid. They are of great value, they are a treasure and they are a reward. “They are a………great reward for those who obey them.” (Psalm 119:11 NLT)

Following the Lord’s instructions with a firm commitment reveals that we understand that He is our Creator, the He is God and “not we ourselves,” It shows that we hold them as a “treasure” and it shows we understand that following them results in “great reward.” 

Prayer for today…. Lord help us to understand that your instructions are more than suggestions or “nice” guidelines for our life. They are to be held on to tenaciously as a path of reward regardless of what we face or what comes against us. 

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “I will be careful to live a blameless life…I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them.”  Psalm 101:2,3 NLT

As I once again read Psalm 101, I was struck with the words that communicate the commitment of one who would lead or rule. David was God’s anointed leader over a nation, but he realized that he had to rule his own heart. That lesson for him came with some great heartache.

However, this psalm has some challenges for us whether we are in a position of authority and leadership or whether we are seeking to live an honorable life as one who commands a rule over our own passions, character and focus. The Lord’s promise is that those who follow Him will “rule” with Him in His coming kingdom. So this psalm is instructional on how to be prepared for that calling.

David begins with a statement of resolve and a plea. “I will be careful to live a blameless life – when will you come to help me?” Without the Lord’s help and without dependence upon the Lord our commitments will be short lived and a source of constant struggle and failure. The goal of any leader should be to live “above reproach.”

Paul desire for the Philippians was for them to be, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” (Philippians 2:15 NIV) Paul told Titus that church leaders,  “…must be above reproach.” (Titus 1:7 NIV) Paul admonished Timothy, “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching.” (1 Timothy 4:16 ESV)

David’s next commitment is, “I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.” David realized that real leadership and commitment was both public and private. I have been saddened to hear of accounts of ministers and other leaders who were failures at home; not because of their lack of focus, but due to their words and actions that caused a spouse and children pain and emotional or even physical harm.

David realized that importance of putting a guard over his own heart and mind. He says, “I will refuse to look at anything vile or vulgar.” I don’t know how that was applicable thousands of years ago, but it is constantly in “our face” in our day of television, movies, internet and in our modern culture.

David then realized that “those around you determine the level of your success.” I recently viewed a video where a speaker was addressing teens and told them, “show me your friends and I will show you your future.” 

The type of people that David would allow to be in his presence and on “his team” is articulated in several statements in this psalm. David’s key qualification for those who served him is stated in these words, “I will search for faithful people to be my companions. Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me.” (Psalm 101:6 NLT) David doesn’t mention intellect or skill or experience. He focuses on character and conduct that is above reproach.

In our world more than ever we need leaders of churches, communities and families who will make the same commitment as David did. David learn some tough lessons, to understand the importance of these commitments. We are well advised to pay attention and learn.

Prayer for today…. Lord without your help, we are indeed, “helpless.” As we make a commitment to live a blameless life and one above reproach and to surround ourselves with those who are individuals of integrity and character, we ask for your strength and guidance. 

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “…may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.” Galatians 6:14 NLT

I arrived home on Wednesday of this last week and then early on Thursday morning Debbie and I flew to Dallas for the National Legacy Coalition Summit. This was the second annual conference on Christian grandparenting. During one of the sessions, I was grabbed, unexpectedly by the words of an old hymn. I believe Isaac Watts may have had the verse above in mind when he penned the words,

“Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my God! All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.”    (When I Survey the Wondrous Cross)

My heart was pierced and my mind fixed on those words, “all the vain things that charm me most…”  It is interesting how those words written in 1707 would have such relevance over 300 years later. “Charm” is defined as “the power or quality of giving delight or arousing admiration.” It means to allure, captivate, fascinate, seduce, hold spellbound.

There are many things in our modern world that are out there to charm us and most of them are “vain.” They are empty and void of any real lasting value. It would be easy to brainstorm the list. Many of them perhaps not bad in and of themselves and others that are just traps and substitutes for lasting satisfactions and joy.

We need to understand that the vain things that “charm” us, pull us away from our full and total devotion to Christ. They compete for our attention, our thoughts and even our resources. They are a distraction and even worse a trap if we are not sensitive to them and what they are.

The vain things that charm us are to be “nailed to the cross.” The hymn writer uses vivid words, “I sacrifice them to to His blood.” This is not only a challenge, but shows that surrendering those “vain things” can be a challenge.

Paul recognized that there were some vain things that he could hang on to. When he considered all that brought him recognition and status he said, “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…” (Philippians 3:7,8 NLT)

If we are “charmed” by anything, it is to be God’s love for us and Christ’s sacrifice for us on the cross. We find the cross, that in the natural can be so repulsive, is to be for us alluring and a point of fascination. Paul says, that it is because of the cross that his interests in the world have been crucified and that the world’s hold on him has been released.

The Lord’s desire is not to take, it is to give. It is not to restrict, it is to bring true freedom. It is not death, it is life full and everlasting.

Prayer for today….. Lord we live in a day when there is so much to distract and to allure. Give us greater sensitivity to those “vain things that charm us most.” All us to stay close to you and live in the fullness of the life you have died for us to know.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.” 1 John 3:2 NLT

I’m visiting Stephanie and her family in Georgia this week. Today, while it is sunny and 70 degrees in Fort Collins, it is windy and cold here in Canton. Carter had a Lacrosse game today and we endured our way through it all bundled up. Most of the other games planned for the weekend were cancelled. Mason did play his football game yesterday.

At the church service I attended this morning the pastor made reference to a statement by another pastor that said, “we spend a lot of time, resources and money getting people “to like” Jesus, but our real call is to “be like” Jesus.

That concept is part of the call and the mystery of the gospel. Our relationship with Jesus does begin with our desire to know Him, because we like who He is and what He has to offer. But a commitment to Him goes deeper to where as we walk with Him we become like Him.

I think of human relationships. A man and woman begin a relationship because they “like” each other. But it is interesting to observe that after several years of marriage a couple can become “like” each other. I think of the disciples in Acts, those who tried to stop them declaring the gospel observed, “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13 NIV)

I believe this was more than just a recollection that theses men had been followers of the Nazarene. I believe there was something about them, that reminded them of Jesus and then they made the connection.

We see that God’s plan is for us to be like Jesus in our character. “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” (Romans 8:29 NLT)

Being like Jesus is seen in reflecting the fruit of the Holy Spirit. “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22,23 NLT)

Being like Jesus is reflected in doing what Jesus did. “…whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12 NIV)

Being like Jesus is reflected in our faithfulness and resilience for the cause of the gospel. “I want to know Christ–yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” (Philippians 3:10 NIV)  “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21 NIV)

Being like Jesus is found in our destiny and hope for eternity. “Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:54 NLT) This is what we see in John’s observation that we are “now” the children of God, but when He appears, we shall be like Him…” 

Christ calls us and invites us into a transformed life. We don’t lose ourselves and our uniqueness with which He has made us, but as we follow Him, we are to become more like Him in this life and to look forward to the day when His work of transformation will find its fulfillment when He comes.

Prayer for today…. Lord, thank you that when we become like you, we don’t lose ourselves, but we find the true fulfillment you have for each of us. Help us to be those who are recognized as those who have “been with you” through our character, conduct and works.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him….do not waste your strength on women…Rulers should not crave alcohol….Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves…” Proverbs 31:1

About a month ago, I attended a business appreciation lunch where the Colorado Governor was the keynote speaker. During his speech, he shared some of the concepts about life that his mother held which had an impact on his life.

Proverbs 31 is known for the verses on the “wife of noble character” found at the end of the chapter. However, the first part of this chapter provide some insight and are of significance as well. The reference to “King Lemuel” is uncertain, but seems to have evidence of a reference to King Solomon. We can certainly see some reinforcement of these concepts from his mother in many other proverbs of Solomon.

The “Queen mothers” of the east were held in high regard. If this is Solomon, we know that his mother was Bathsheba which holds some significant history and context.

This advice from a mother relate to that which can render a ruler ineffective at best and allow him to become a tyrant at worst. The failure of some of this advice can be seen in Solomon’s weakness.

Solomon was to guard his heart and control his passions. His mother cautions the King to not, “give your strength to women.” We see that Solomon had hundreds of wives and concubines and that in his old age they turned his heart away from fully following after the Lord.

Solomon was to control that which would control him. “It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol. For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed.” (Proverbs 31:4,5 NLT)

Mothers advice provides the “why” – the consequence – of allowing a mind and heart to be influenced by alcohol and a “party priority.” A leader is first to learn to lead himself. The adage I am often reminded of is, “the higher the calling, the fewer the choices.”

The final advice in this triumvirate is related to governing with justice and equity. “Speak for those who can’t speak for themselves.”  We see this priority reflected in Psalm 82:3, “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” 

A King, a leader, is to understand the entire spectrum of individuals who are in his kingdom. When John the Baptist asked about the ministry of Jesus the report was, “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” (Matthew 11:5 NIV)

Wise leaders are to give attention to and guard their hearts, their minds and to speak for those who can’t speak for themselves. That is good advice for any leader and for any follower of King Jesus.

Prayer for today…. Thank you for godly advice and wise instructions from mothers, fathers and others that “speak into our lives.” Allow us to be wise in paying attention and applying those principles to our lives.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….   “…everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:13,14 

It looks like my website got hacked!! Sorry about that. I thought I had even purchased some extra protection. I trust this will not create problems for any who get my blog via email.

I will confirm that I have everything straightened out before I post again.

Ken Summers

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Evil people don’t understand justice, but those who follow the Lord understand completely.” Proverbs 28:5 NLT

What is fair? What is right? What is just? These questions that we see addressed in our day, have been questions of concern through the ages. As we view demonstrations in cities of all kinds, related to all types of issues; often the term “justice” is in the forefront.

The use of the term “justice” can be easily misused, because who wants to be on the side of injustice?

Justice is an important biblical concept. We see the psalmist declare, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne….” (Psalm 89:14 NIV) He prophet Micah said the Lord’s will is for us “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8 NIV)

In the Old Testament injustice was reflected in how the poor were treated. It was seen in the paying of bribes, unjust judgments, mistreatment of widows and those who could be taken advantage of.

In our day, what is labeled as “unjust” can be similar to but still a far cry from what we can observe in different times and cultures. Many feel it is “unjust” that some have greater financial resources than others. Some feel it is unjust to enforce certain laws, expectations and behaviors across the spectrum of society. For example, I often point out that we can have compassion and show respect for the poor, but poverty is not an excuse to be self-centered, rude and inconsiderate. Let alone to break the law.

Our verse for today reveals that those who are “evil” don’t understand true justice. That can be reflected in those in power, who are guilty of oppression having a distorted view of “justice.” It can also be those who claim to be for marginalized groups in our world today, accusing others of being “unjust” in order to push their social agenda.

The poetic contrast of the proverb then states, “those who follow the Lord understand it [justice] completely.” That brings the focus to what the Lord has to say and not what an individual or an interest group would have to say. We need an impartial judge or perspective to help us understand justice. That comes from the Lord and His Word. The challenges still persist, but the frame of reference and the orientation makes all the difference.

I am on the board of an organization called, “G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice.” Our challenging name speaks to “Geo-political Leadership Opportunities for Biblical Advocacy and Leadership” related to justice.

While our founder addresses a number of “justice” issues in a variety of settings, both secular and sacred; the perspective that is offered comes from an understanding that true justice comes from the One who is Just, Holy and True.

Instead of looking at the Lord and declaring Him and His ways “unjust” we need to ask the Lord to give us understanding and insight into that which is truly just. Moses declared of the Lord, “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” (Deuteronomy 32:4 NIV)

Justice is an issue that continually needs to be addressed. But if we are going to understand it completely, we need to look to the Lord and make sure our thoughts, actions and attitudes align with His character and words.

Prayer for today….. Lord thank you that you are just in all of your ways. When we follow you, we can understand true justice and how to apply it to our world and lives today. 

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.” Psalm 73:13.14 NLT

Following the Lord is a path of life and blessing. But challenges and trials arise from life, a secular world and the rise of wickedness and evil. Keeping on the “straight and narrow” can often be a challenge is we focus too much on “all that is happening around us.”

That is what we see expressed in this psalm written thousands of years ago. The same thought process and temptation to “throw in the towel” in the fight of faith has been faced by believers down through the years. As a matter of fact we see as the second coming of Christ comes near that “spiritual casualties” will be greater than anticipated. Jesus even asked, “…But will the Son of Man find faith on earth when he comes?” (Luke 18:8 GNT)

In Psalm 73 we see a reflection on the “prosperity of the wicked.” The struggle here is, the life of faith was filled with hardship and the life of the wicked was one of ease. Just the opposite of what we would expect, or the way we would want it to be.

It was a conundrum, that defied human reasoning. It was in a sense “driving the psalmist crazy.” He says, “I was like a brute beast.” But something happened. Insight did not come by human logic or some simple formula or cliche. It came by time in God’s presence. “Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.” (Psalm 73:17 NLT)

The psalmist was able to see the wicked and life from God’s perspective and from the vantage point of eternity. The wicked and those who reject God reject hope and a future. They will be quickly gone and God views their dreams and plans and “laughs.”

But we see that in spite of all the confusion, frustration and anger in the heart of the psalmist, he had the assurance that God was with Him. God was with him in the time of question. The time of doubt. The time of wanting to “give up” or even “join the other side.”

“Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant—I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.” (Psalm 73:21-24 NLT)

The Lord is able to deal with our “nearsightedness” and is not quick to give up on us. He holds to us even when we don’t hold to Him as tightly as we should. If we hang in there, we will find Him guiding us to a glorious destiny.

I think of an Old Testament and a New Testament verse that relates to this theme of faith and our future. The Lord though Malachi gives this promise to those who hold fast to the Lord,

“On the day when I act,” says the LORD Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.” (Malachi 3:17-18 NIV)

When Peter asked the Lord, in a sense, “what’s in it for us?” He responded,  “I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.” (Mark 10:29,30 NLT)

Eternity itself will prove that it is “worth it” to follow the Lord and to trust in Him.

Prayer for today…. Lord thank you that you know us and love us anyway. Our doubts, temptations and frustrations with life, don’t throw you off. You are there and if we recognize your presence and seek you, we will be steady and strong in all kinds of storms, life may bring.