No One Righteous

December 21

(Psalm 143:1-12 NIV) "O Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. {2} Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you. {3} The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead. {4} So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. {5} I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. {6} I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah {7} Answer me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. {8} Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. {9} Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in you. {10} Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. {11} For your name's sake, O Lord, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. {12} In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant."

(Romans 3:10-24 NIV)  "As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; {11} there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. {12} All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." {13} "Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit." "The poison of vipers is on their lips." {14} "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness." {15} "Their feet are swift to shed blood; {16} ruin and misery mark their ways, {17} and the way of peace they do not know." {18} "There is no fear of God before their eyes." {19} Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. {20} Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. {21} But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. {22} This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, {23} for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, {24} and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."

Most of us tend to think we are pretty good people. At least we’re not as bad as those others that we hear about on the news. At least we don’t do all of the bad things they do. And if we’re not careful we can begin to think that we have a shot at heaven based on our relative goodness in comparison with others. The bad news is that God doesn’t grade on a curve. The good news is that even though we flunk the test, we can still receive a passing grade because of Christ’s redemptive work on the cross. The bad news is that in light of God’s holiness, there is no one righteous enough to make it to heaven on their own merit -- not a single one of us. The good news is that because of God’s unfailing love we can be acquitted of our sin when we put our faith in His Son. By grace we are saved -- through faith. Merry Christmas! Lift your soul to God. Put your trust in Jesus. He is our salvation. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Cave Days

December 20

(Psalm 142:1-7 NIV) “A maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer. I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. {2} I pour out my complaint before him; before him I tell my trouble. {3} When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who know my way. In the path where I walk men have hidden a snare for me. {4} Look to my right and see; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life. {5} I cry to you, O Lord; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living." {6} Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. {7} Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.”

(Psalm 13:1-3 NIV) “For the director of music. A psalm of David. How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? {2} How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? {3} Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death…”

When you are hiding in a cave, “Peace on Earth and good will to men” won’t likely connect with your fainting spirit. When no one is concerned for you -- when no one hears your complaint, “Joy to the World” makes no sense. When it seems like no one cares whether you live or die, being of “good cheer” can feel impossible. There are folks around us this Christmas season who are in need... not for toys and gifts, but for hope and love. The cave where they hide is so dark that “merry and bright” is a foreign concept. Their days are filled with loneliness and depression, rather than with peace and joy. They cannot see out of their windowless prisons. Their hearts are blind to the light of Christmas. They desperately need the love of God. Believer, the Light of the world lives in you. The love of God has been given to you. They are yours to give away this Christmas. Be a giver. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day   

Getting Our Eyes Fixed

December 19

(Psalm 141:1-10 NIV) “A psalm of David. O Lord, I call to you; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to you. {2} May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. {3} Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. {4} Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies. {5} Let a righteous man strike me--it is a kindness; let him rebuke me--it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it. Yet my prayer is ever against the deeds of evildoers; {6} their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs, and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken. {7} They will say, "As one plows and breaks up the earth, so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave." {8} But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge--do not give me over to death. {9} Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, from the traps set by evildoers. {10} Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.”

(2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV) “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. {17} For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. {18} So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Many of us suffer from broken hearts that only God can mend. But what we often don’t realize is that our eyes are just as broken as our hearts. We must fix our eyes as well. They tend to focus on the wrong things. They tend to see what they want to see, instead of what’s real. Hearts and eyes often live in denial together. The solution (both short and long term) is to fix our eyes. It won’t help to just close them -- we must fix them on something different. David recommends that this “something” be the Lord. In the midst of wicked evildoers, he chose to fix his eyes on God. He found his way through trouble and found his way home because of who his eyes were fixed upon. Paul had essentially the same advice for the Corinthians: “Stop fixing your eyes on the temporary and begin to hone in on the eternal. See the unseen with new eyes of faith.” This is still good advice today. Fix your eyes. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Serpent’s Tongues

December 18

(Psalm 140:1-13 NIV) "Rescue me, O Lord, from evil men; protect me from men of violence, {2} who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day. {3} They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent's; the poison of vipers is on their lips. Selah {4} Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from men of violence who plan to trip my feet. {5} Proud men have hidden a snare for me; they have spread out the cords of their net and have set traps for me along my path. Selah {6} O Lord, I say to you, "You are my God." Hear, O Lord, my cry for mercy. {7} O Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer, who shields my head in the day of battle-- {8} do not grant the wicked their desires, O Lord; do not let their plans succeed, or they will become proud. Selah {9} Let the heads of those who surround me be covered with the trouble their lips have caused. {10} Let burning coals fall upon them; may they be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, never to rise. {11} Let slanderers not be established in the land; may disaster hunt down men of violence. {12} I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy. {13} Surely the righteous will praise your name and the upright will live before you."

We live in an unfair world where evil seems to triumph on a regular basis. Violence, murder, and mayhem are daily news items. Enemies lay traps for us, hoping to snare us and bring us down. We are surrounded by institutions and people who want to harm us. The wicked spread their poison with serpent’s tongues. Slander and gossip are a billion dollar industry. Even amateurs can succeed at it. Like Mafia hit men, anyone with a Facebook or Twitter account can destroy the reputation of another. Truth and love seem to be in hiding. Grace and mercy are scarce. This is the world Christ was born into. This is the world He came to save. It went after Him and sought His destruction, even as a baby. But He triumphed, and is now our Strong Deliverer. His fire will purge evil and bring justice for the poor and needy. The righteous will praise His name. Why wait? Praise God today! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Examination Time

December 17

(Psalm 139:23-24 NIV) “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. {24} See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

(2 Corinthians 13:5-6 NIV)  "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test? {6} And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test."

As this year winds down, it’s always good to take inventory in our lives. David sets the tone in Psalm 139 by asking God to do five things for him: search me, know me, test me, examine me, and lead me. Start by opening every room and closet in your life to the Lord. Let Him do a thorough search. Give Him access to all your files -- hide nothing. Let God know you. Be intimate with Him on a spiritual level. After all, you will be spending eternity together. Invite the Lord to test your heart and correct you where needed. Request a head to toe examination. The searchlight of Christ can expose any offensive ways that may be lurking in your life. Humbly ask God to lead you -- and then, actually follow Him. Jesus came to model godly behavior. When we follow His leadership, we can become godly people. And who of us could not use more of that quality in the year to come? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day    

Peace On Earth

December 16

(Psalm 139:19-22 NIV) “If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men! {20} They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. {21} Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord, and abhor those who rise up against you? {22} I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.”

(Matthew 5:43-48 NIV) ““You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' {44} But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, {45} that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. {46} If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? {47} And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? {48} Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

(Romans 12:9-21 NIV)  "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. {10} Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. {11} Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. {12} Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. {13} Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. {14} Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. {15} Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. {16} Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. {17} Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. {18} If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. {19} Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. {20} On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." {21} Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

David was a warrior and many times spoke as a warrior. In the midst of this great Psalm, he declares his hatred for the wicked. He wants those who curse God’s name to be eliminated. Those who have dealt with evil can identify with his feelings. But when God came to Earth in Christ, He came as a man of peace. Jesus taught that loving friends was easy, and that His followers were to love even their enemies. They were to be known for loving, not hating. Paul later wrote that those who belong to Christ were not to repay evil with evil and were not to be among those who seek revenge. Instead, they were to care for their enemies needs. They were to conquer evil with good, and overcome hate with love. This is hard teaching, but what else would we expect from the One who so loved the world that He gave us His Son… and who came on that first Christmas as the Prince of Peace? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Beyond Comprehension

December 15

(Psalm 139:17-18 NIV) How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! {18} Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.”

(Isaiah 55:6-9 NIV) ““Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. {7} Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. {8} "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. {9} "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.””

God is omniscient. He knows everything there is to know. God is also infinite. This means that there is no limit to His knowledge. When David says that God’s thoughts outnumber the grains of sand, he is barely scratching the surface. The mind of God is beyond comprehension. No super-computer could hold His thoughts. Nothing can compare to the knowledge of our Lord. As we look into deep space from earthbound telescopes, we are seeing light that is billions of light years away and billions of years old. This speck of a planet we live on is like our minds. The vast, seemingly infinite, universe is like the mind of God. This truth alone should cause us to seek the Lord. We have a God with infinite knowledge who wants us to know Him. Why would we not want to know as much as humanly possible about a God like this? God must wonder the same thing at times. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Knit Together

December 14

(Psalm 139:13-18 NIV) “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. {14} I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. {15} My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, {16} your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

(Isaiah 49:1-6 NIV) ““Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the Lord called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name. {2} He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver. {3} He said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor." {4} But I said, "I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the Lord's hand, and my reward is with my God." {5} And now the Lord says-- he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength-- {6} he says: "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.””

(Jeremiah 1:4-5 NIV) ““The word of the Lord came to me, saying, {5} "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.””

When Scripture says something once, it speaks with authority. When Scripture says something three times, we had better take note. Three prophetic voices (Isaiah, Jeremiah and David) speak essentially the same message to us today. God formed you in your mother’s womb, He knew you before you were born, and He has a plan for your life. The Lord knit us together. He is the Creator of life. When the pre-born are snuffed out, a creation of God’s is destroyed. Someone that God had plans for -- someone that God wrote a storyline for -- someone with a future ordained by God -- is eliminated and a page is torn from God’s book of lives. Woe to those who tear pages from God’s book. But if you are alive today, you were not an accident. God has set you apart for something special. You were created with a purpose. Discover it, and live it out in all the days ordained for you. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

No Place to Hide

December 13

(Psalm 139:7-12 NIV) “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? {8} If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. {9} If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, {10} even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. {11} If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," {12} even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.”

(Jeremiah 23:23-24 NIV) ““Am I only a God nearby," declares the Lord, "and not a God far away? {24} Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?" declares the Lord. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the Lord.””

Trying to hide from God is futile. There are no secret places where God cannot find us. He always knows where we are. Nothing is hidden from God’s sight. His eyes see everything! When we sin, this is a terrifying truth. We cannot conceal our transgressions. Our lives are an open book. When we are trying to hide our sin, we hate the prying eyes of God. We despise this God who will not leave us alone. But when we are lost, it becomes a different story. Now we want a God who knows all things, who sees everything, and who knows where we are. When we are lost and in distress, we appreciate a God who can track us down. We love having a God who can find us anywhere. There is a fine line between hiding and being lost. Our hiding souls can realize in a heartbeat that we are lost. Pray for that revelation. It will change everything. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day     

Knowledge Too Lofty

December 12

(Psalm 139:1-6 NIV) “O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. {2} You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. {3} You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. {4} Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. {5} You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. {6} Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.”

(Romans 11:33-36 NIV) “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! {34} "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" {35} "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" {36} For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.”

(Hebrews 4:13 NIV) “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

Our God is all knowing. The fancy word for this quality is “omniscient”. God knows our past, present, and future. He knows what we did yesterday. He knows what we are doing today. He knows what we will do tomorrow. Some object to God knowing the future. They think it eliminates our free will. But while creation lives on a linear time line, the Creator lives above time, in the eternal now. In time, we are free to act. In eternity, God is free to know what we will do. There is no “tomorrow” in eternity -- there is only the present. God told Moses His name was “I Am” -- not “I was” or “I will be”… but “I Am”. This is difficult for human minds to fathom. It is unsearchable. It is too deep and rich -- too wonderful and too lofty for us to comprehend. Humanity cannot approach this level of knowledge. But what we can do is worship our God and give Him glory. Praise the Lord today! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Proud and the Lowly

December 11

(Psalm 138:6-8 NIV) “Though the Lord is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar. {7} Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me. {8} The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever-- do not abandon the works of your hands.”

(1 Corinthians 1:25-31 NIV) “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength. {26} Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. {27} But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. {28} He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, {29} so that no one may boast before him. {30} It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. {31} Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.””

Pride has been called the deadliest of sins. Man looks upon the work of his hands and boasts of his accomplishments. God hears our boasting and laughs at our audacity. We are the work of God’s hand. Because of His enduring love for man, He does not abandon us, but He will humble us. It is always best when we humble ourselves, but if we won’t, God will provide circumstances that bring us to humility. The Lord knows we cannot receive His Kingdom unless we abandon our pride. When we treasure that pride, God cannot fulfill His purposes for us. We must come to a place where we see the wisdom and necessity of putting God above us. God uses the lowly, the foolish, and the weak to humble the wise, the strong, and the arrogant. It started in a manger stall. It ends when we fall on our knees and declare that Jesus is Lord. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Bold and Stouthearted

December 10

(Psalm 138:3-5 NIV) “When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted. {4} May all the kings of the earth praise you, O Lord, when they hear the words of your mouth. {5} May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great.”

(Acts 4:23-31 NIV) ““On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. {24} When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. {25} You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: "'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? {26} The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.' {27} Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. {28} They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. {29} Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. {30} Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." {31} After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.””

One of the most needed qualities in the church today is boldness. Many have great knowledge. Many have good and generous hearts. But we lack the boldness necessary to share the gospel with those around us. We have the words. We have the songs. Now we must pray for stout hearts to speak up and speak out. When Peter and John were threatened and told to silence the gospel, they did not comply. Instead, they prayed that God would enable them to speak even more boldly. They praised God that they had been found worthy of persecution. They were thankful that their message had been clear enough and strong enough to be seen as a threat to the status quo of spiritual darkness. They asked God to help them be even bolder in their proclamation. For many, the answer to their prayer would mean martyrdom. But it would also mean salvation for millions. Pray for boldness! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

The Name and the Word

December 9

(Psalm 138:1-2 NIV) “I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; before the "gods" I will sing your praise. {2} I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.”

(Philippians 2:9-11 NIV) “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, {10} that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, {11} and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

(Hebrews 4:12-13 NIV) “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. {13} Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

David valued two things above all others: God’s name and God’s word. Both have great power. They reflect God and make Him known. They have power to transform and heal. That has not changed. The name of Jesus and the word of God still have great power to transform and heal. They represent the light and the glory of God in this dark world. Both should be exalted -- lifted up high in the Christian’s life. Yet, these are the two things believers often hide under a bowl. Mention either in public, and you risk being labeled a “Bible thumper” or a “Jesus freak”. So we hold our tongues. The name of Jesus and God’s word become unmentionable. The power of God remains cooped up inside of us because we fear the labels more than we fear the Lord. Christians, this should not be! Speak the name of Jesus. Share the word of God. Value them above your reputation -- above all things. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Weeping Over What Was

December 8

(Psalm 137:1-9 NIV) “By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. {2} There on the poplars we hung our harps, {3} for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!" {4} How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land? {5} If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. {6} May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy. {7} Remember, O Lord, what the Edomites did on the day Jerusalem fell. "Tear it down," they cried, "tear it down to its foundations!" {8} O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is he who repays you for what you have done to us-- {9} he who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.”

Sometimes we don’t realize what we have until it is lost. Sometimes we don’t appreciate freedom until we wake up in bondage. Our hearts despair that we may never experience joy again. We hang our heads. Weeping is the dominant sound in our life. In our torment, songs of gladness are a distant memory. Our world is painted black. The destruction appears to be irreversible. Our hearts can become darkened to the point that we wish death upon those we deem responsible for our plight; even upon their children. We see their demise as our only hope for recovery. Hate and bitterness take command of our souls as we abandon Christ’s call to love our enemies. We conveniently forget that our walk led us here. Our choices took us down the road to this slimy pit. We invited our captors in. We drove the nails that keep us on our cross. Only one name can free us: Jesus. He is our only hope. Call on Him. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Love in Action

December 7

(Psalm 136:23-26 NIV) “To the One who remembered us in our low estate His love endures forever. {24} and freed us from our enemies, His love endures forever. {25} and who gives food to every creature. His love endures forever. {26} Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.”

(1 Corinthians 13:1-13 NIV) “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. {2} If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. {3} If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. {4} Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. {5} It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. {6} Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. {7} It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. {8} Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. {9} For we know in part and we prophesy in part, {10} but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. {11} When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. {12} Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. {13} And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

A second reading of Psalm 136 reveals that God’s enduring love is not just love in words -- it is a love in action. For every word about God’s enduring love, there is a corresponding action that demonstrates that love. Paul the apostle echoes this theme in 1st Corinthians 13. If we have many spiritual gifts, but lack a love that serves, we have fallen short. If we speak often of love, but fail to love with deeds, our “love” is just meaningless noise. True love demonstrates patience and kindness. It is not self centered -- it is other-centered, always flowing outward. It always forgives, protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres. All these love qualities are fleshed out in actions. They are something God does, and something we should do if we are filled with God’s love. This is what it means to grow up in Christ. God’s love never fails… neither should ours. His love endures forever… so should ours. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day   

His Love Endures Forever

December 6

(Psalm 136:1-26 NIV) “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. {2} Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. {3} Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. {4} to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. {5} who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. {6} who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. {7} who made the great lights-- His love endures forever. {8} the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. {9} the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever. {10} to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt His love endures forever. {11} and brought Israel out from among them; His love endures forever. {12} with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever. {13} to him who divided the Red Sea asunder His love endures forever. {14} and brought Israel through the midst of it, His love endures forever. {15} but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea; His love endures forever. {16} to him who led his people through the desert, His love endures forever. {17} who struck down great kings, His love endures forever. {18} and killed mighty kings-- His love endures forever. {19} Sihon king of the Amorites His love endures forever. {20} and Og king of Bashan-- His love endures forever. {21} and gave their land as an inheritance, His love endures forever. {22} an inheritance to his servant Israel; His love endures forever. {23} to the One who remembered us in our low estate His love endures forever. {24} and freed us from our enemies, His love endures forever. {25} and who gives food to every creature. His love endures forever. {26} Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.”

The Lord is worthy of our thanksgiving and praise. He is good. He has done great wonders. His understanding has no limit. He created the heavens and the earth. He set the “great lights” in place: the sun, the moon, and the stars. He freed Israel from bondage and oppression and led them safely to their new home. He gave them a land of their own. Even today, He does not forget us when we are at our lowest. He sets us free and feeds us. His love for us is great, and if you read the Psalm for today, you should know by now that His love and mercy endures forever. He loves us so much that He gave us His one and only Son, and through Him we can have eternal life. His love endures forever. He is long suffering with us. He does not treat us as our sins deserve. He forgives us our trespasses. His compassions never fail. His mercy endures forever. Is this the God you serve? It should be. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Praise the Lord

December 5

(Psalm 135:19-21 NIV) “O house of Israel, praise the Lord; O house of Aaron, praise the Lord; {20} O house of Levi, praise the Lord; you who fear him, praise the Lord. {21} Praise be to the Lord from Zion, to him who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the Lord.”

(Revelation 5:11-14 NIV) “Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. {12} In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" {13} Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!" {14} The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.””

Christians today are quick to say, “Praise the Lord”. We say it so much that it has almost become a cliché. We often say it so mindlessly that it has no meaning. It becomes a flippant phrase; a trivial pursuit. Make no mistake about it, we are called to praise the Lord. But we are called to do it in the same way we love the Lord: with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Praise should come from deep within us. It should be our heart cry as we wait for our redemption. It will certainly be our song for eternity. As we encircle the throne of God, along with millions of others who have believed God down through the ages, we will join together in a loud voice of praise like none ever heard before. We give honor, glory, and praise to the Lamb of God, for He is worthy. All power, wealth, wisdom, and strength belong to Him who sits on the throne. Praise the Lord! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Created Gods

December 4

(Psalm 135:15-18 NIV) “The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. {16} They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; {17} they have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. {18} Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.”

(Isaiah 2:7-11 NIV) “Their land is full of silver and gold; there is no end to their treasures. Their land is full of horses; there is no end to their chariots. {8} Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made. {9} So man will be brought low and mankind humbled-- do not forgive them. {10} Go into the rocks, hide in the ground from dread of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty! {11} The eyes of the arrogant man will be humbled and the pride of men brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.”

(Romans 1:22-25 NIV) “Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools {23} and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. {24} Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. {25} They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen.”

Man has always struggled with idolatry. The first two Commandments clearly forbid it, but like moths to a flame, we seem hopelessly addicted to creating gods in our own image. They may be crafted out of wood or stone or made from silver and gold, but they have one thing in common: they cannot create. Neither can they speak, see, or hear. They can do nothing without the help of man. They have no breath, because they are not living. When we worship created things, we become like them: deaf, mute, and blind. We become fools who exchange God’s truth for the lies of man, and in the end, suffer humiliation. The God of Scripture is a Creator God. He is a living, hearing, seeing, and speaking God who wants to relate to His creation. He even came and walked among us in the God-man Jesus. This is the only God who deserves our worship. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day   

The Name That Vindicates

December 3

(Psalm 135:13-14 NIV) “Your name, O Lord, endures forever, your renown, O Lord, through all generations. {14} For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants.

(Romans 10:9-13 NIV)  "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. {10} For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. {11} As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." {12} For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, {13} for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.""

(Colossians 1:21-23 NIV)  "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. {22} But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-- {23} if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant."

Those who nailed Jesus to the cross probably thought that his name would disappear from recorded history, but His name endures forever. His renown is phenomenal. His name is still changing lives. It still brings joy, healing, salvation, and hope. But it is still one of the most divisive names in history. When it comes to the name Jesus Christ, no one is neutral. All over the world His name is loved and hated. Perhaps it is because only His name can bring vindication for eternity. Only His name can remove shame. Only His name can save us from hell. Thus, we are forced to decide. We must choose whether or not to allow His name to reconcile us to God. We must decide whether or not to call on His name and put our faith in Him. We will either confess His name… or we will end up cursing His name. What will it be for you? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

No Permission Slip

December 2

(Psalm 135:6-12 NIV) “The Lord does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths. {7} He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses. {8} He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, the firstborn of men and animals. {9} He sent his signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants. {10} He struck down many nations and killed mighty kings-- {11} Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan and all the kings of Canaan-- {12} and he gave their land as an inheritance, an inheritance to his people Israel.”

(Psalm 115:1-3 NIV) “Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. {2} Why do the nations say, "Where is their God?" {3} Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.””

(Galatians 4:4-5 NIV) “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, {5} to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.”

Our God is sovereign. He needs no permission slip from us to accomplish His will. He is King of kings. We are His subjects. God does not live for the pleasure of man -- man lives at the pleasure of God. He gives life and takes life away. He chooses people and gives them an inheritance. He strikes down people and nations who do not honor Him. Some modern theologians need to re-learn this truth. They have discovered a God hidden in Scripture who is not sure of the future and who is dependent upon the actions of man. The will of humans cannot thwart the plans of God. When God was ready, He sent His Son to redeem us and make us His children. He sent a willing Savior to an unwilling people. And when God is ready, He will send His Son again, to gather His Church and strike down His enemies. God moves as it pleases Him. He has never needed man’s permission and He never will. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day    

I Am the Greatest

December 1

(Psalms 135:1-5 NIV) “Praise the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord; praise him, you servants of the Lord, {2} you who minister in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. {3} Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant. {4} For the Lord has chosen Jacob to be his own, Israel to be his treasured possession. {5} I know that the Lord is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods.”

(Exodus 18:9-11 NIV) ““Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. {10} He said, "Praise be to the Lord, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. {11} Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.””

(Exodus 20:1-4 NIV) ““And God spoke all these words: {2} “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. {3} You shall have no other gods before me. {4} You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.””

In the last century, there was a star athlete who told people, “I am the greatest”! At the time, in his particular sport, that seemed to be very true. Today, our Psalm writer makes the same claim about God. He maintains that God is the greatest -- greater than all other gods. He stands on solid ground because God Himself declares that He is the greatest. The Lord commands His people not to worship other gods. God is worthy of our undivided praise. He says that His servants should know this, His ministers should proclaim it, His musicians should sing about it, and His chosen should always remember it. Israel was never to put another god ahead of Yahweh. Neither should we! There are other gods who will vie for our affection, but there is no other god worthy of our worship. The command is to never put another god before Him. Heed it, because He is the greatest! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day