The Highway to Hell: Part 1

March 31

(Psalm 36:1 NIV) “An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes.”

(Proverbs 7:16-27 NIV) “I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. {17} I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. {18} Come, let's drink deep of love till morning; let's enjoy ourselves with love! {19} My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. {20} He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon." {21} With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. {22} All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose {23} till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. {24} Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. {25} Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. {26} Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. {27} Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.”

God knows the difference between “wickedness” and “righteousness”. The reason we often don’t know the difference is that we don’t know God well enough. Righteousness and wickedness travel different roads. One road leads to heaven, the other to hell. In Psalm 36, David starts with the wicked road. He tells us the “on ramp” for the highway to hell is losing the fear of God. We mistake God’s grace, and the fact that God is love, for God’s blessing on any and all behavior. We forget God is holy and righteous. We forget that sin and God are completely incompatible. We forget that God holds the keys to eternity. We cease to fear God in the proper context. But God will judge us, and if we are on the wrong road when our day comes, we will not be able to simply turn around and go the other way. Our fate will have been sealed by the godless road we chose to travel. Choose the Jesus highway. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Two Highways

March 30

(Psalm 36 NIV) “An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. {2} For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin. {3} The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and to do good. {4} Even on his bed he plots evil; he commits himself to a sinful course and does not reject what is wrong. {5} Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. {6} Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O Lord, you preserve both man and beast. {7} How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. {8} They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. {9} For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. {10} Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart. {11} May the foot of the proud not come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away. {12} See how the evildoers lie fallen-- thrown down, not able to rise!”

(Matthew 7:13-14 NIV) “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. {14} But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Many times in life, our problem is not a lack of opportunity, but of having more than one opportunity and choosing wrongly. We come to that proverbial fork in the road and we go the wrong direction. The roads diverge and we take what looks like the easy road -- but it soon turns into a crooked road -- and then into a dark path -- and before you know it we end up in the ditch, mugged by our own life choices. In Matthew 7, Jesus spoke of a narrow road that leads to life. The poet Robert Frost called it “The Road Less Traveled”. Jesus also spoke of a second way; a way that is wide, but which leads to destruction. Psalm 36 is a testament to these two ways and where they end up. It’s a tale of two highways. In the next few days, we will look down both highways and hopefully gain enough wisdom to get onto the right one and stay on it for the rest of our lives. Choose your road wisely. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

God Our Protector

March 29

(Psalm 35:1-10 NIV) ““Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. {2} Take up shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid. {3} Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, "I am your salvation." {4} May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay. {5} May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away; {6} may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them. {7} Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me, {8} may ruin overtake them by surprise-- may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin. {9} Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation. {10} My whole being will exclaim, “Who is like you, O Lord? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.””

 At first reading, Psalm 35 does not appear to be a Christ-like prayer. It certainly does not come across as “loving our enemies”. But if you study it further, you see that David is asking God to deal with his enemies. He asks God to defeat them. He asks the Lord to defend him; to contend for him against those who would kill him. In short, David asks God to be a righteous judge and protector. He begs God to thwart the plans of evil men and protect the innocent and the powerless. If you read the Psalm in this light, it takes on a whole new meaning and may even sound like the prayers of many New Testament saints. A day is coming when Christ will take the enemies of God to the woodshed and many will never return. We are called to pray for enemies, but not necessarily for their victory. Prayers that God will deal with our mortal enemies and the enemies of Christ’s Bride are also appropriate. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Benefits of Obedience

March 28

(Psalm 34:17-22 NIV) “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. {18} The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. {19} A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; {20} he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. {21} Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. {22} The Lord redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.”

Whenever God issues a call, there are always benefits to being obedient. Our God is a delivering God. He delivers us from things that have chained us down and held us captive; our addictions, our fears, our demons. He is a redeeming God. When we take refuge in the Lord, He takes our wasted lives and redeems them like a paper store coupon. God changes the meaning of our past and transforms our present into something of value in His Kingdom. The Lord is our Healer. The crushed and the brokenhearted receive the healing balm of Jesus. He hears our cry. He is the Answer to our pain. Seek the Lord today. He is near and He is waiting with open arms. Come to Him. Blessed are the brokenhearted and the crushed, for God loves you and is calling you to Himself. Will you open your heart and respond to His call today? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Fear = Respect

March 27

(Psalm 34:6-16 NIV) “This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. {7} The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. {8} Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. {9} Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. {10} The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. {11} Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. {12} Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, {13} keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. {14} Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. {15} The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry; {16} the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.”

In Psalm 34 God makes promises to those who “fear Him”. This fear is about respect and obedience. We respect one who has the power of life and death. In David’s time, kings had the power to do whatever they wanted. When you entered the presence of a king, you did so with respect. Fearing the Lord is not in vogue today. In our mouthy republic, we are more likely to bad-mouth those in authority. Besides, people want a user-friendly God. We are looking for a buddy, not a Lord. But when we are in the presence of a God who has our life in His hands, a bit of fear and respect is healthy. David feels that it should keep us from lying and gossiping. It should cause us to turn away from evil things and to do that which is good. This is the God who delivers us from those who seek our demise. This is a God who is attentive to our cries for help. Serve Him. Honor Him. Love Him. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Radiant Believers

March 26

(Psalm 34:5 NIV) “Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”

(Exodus 34:29 NIV) “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.”

(2 Corinthians 3:7-18 NIV) “Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, {8} will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? {9} If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! {10} For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. {11} And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! {12} Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. {13} We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. {14} But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. {15} Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. {16} But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. {17} Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. {18} And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

When we begin to look upon the Lord more than we look upon ourselves, our lives begin to shine with the light of God. We become radiant, just as Moses was radiant when he came down from the mountain after being in the presence of God. Self-worship makes us dark and brings shame. Self-worship is turning our whole culture dark, but those who look to the Lord will become radiant. Those who spend time with God on the mountain of glory will shine like stars in this dark world. When God’s Spirit lives in us, we begin to reflect God’s glory. We are transformed as we grow in Christ, and our radiance increases in direct proportion to our surrender to the Holy Spirit. Be filled with His Spirit. Remove the veil from your life today and allow the radiance of God to shine forth in this dark world. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Sought or Seeking

March 25

(Psalm 34:4 NIV) “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

(Psalm:34:10 NIV) “The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”

(Luke 15:4 NIV) "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?"

Two pictures of God’s relationship with man emerge in Scripture. The first is of a Shepherd searching for His lost sheep. God comes looking for us. We see this when God came to the Garden seeking Adam and Eve. We also see it in the shepherd motif found in both the Old and New Testaments. God seeks us and finds us. But another contrasting picture can also be found in Scripture. The Prodigal son ran away from the Father and squandered his inheritance on wild living. The Father did not go after him or hunt him down. He waited and watched for the son to come home on his own. The lost son had to become the seeker. So which is the correct picture of God? Does He seek us or do we seek Him? The answer is, “Yes”. The Lord seeks us out and calls us to follow Him. But He is found by those who seek Him. Seek the Lord, Christian. Never stop. He is seeking you. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

God Calling

March 24

(Psalm 34:1-3) “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. {2} My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. {3} Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.”

(2 Timothy 2:6-11 NIV) “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. {7} For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. {8} So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, {9} who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, {10} but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. {11} And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.”

Every Christian has a calling. Some callings are very specific to the individual. Other callings are general for all Christians. In Psalm 34 we see a general calling. All Christians are called to these things. We are called to extol the Lord; to speak well of God. Lift up His name at every opportunity. Be a name dropper for Jesus. If we are going to boast, we are called to boast in the Lord. This starts in the soul and works its way out in words of continual praise for God. We are also called to glorify the Lord and exalt His name. This is the real purpose of life. Are you still asking the classic questions: Why am I here? What is the purpose of life? The answer is this: We are here to glorify God with our lives. That is our purpose. Extol the Lord, boast in the Lord, glorify the Lord, and exalt His name. This is our calling, Christian. This is your calling. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

We Worship God by Choice

March 23

(Psalms 33:21-22 NIV) “In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. {22} May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you."

(Romans 14:9-12 NIV) ““For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. {10} You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. {11} It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'" {12} So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.””

(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.”

Coerced worship is not worship at all. It can look and feel like worship, but God knows the heart. Genuine worship comes out of a free will that rejoices, trusts, and hopes in God’s holy name. Only then have we entered the land of heart to heart worship. However, a day is coming when every soul will kneel before God. The age of grace will have ended. A day of judgment will have arrived. We will come before God’s throne and account for our life. We will worship him regardless of our eternal fate. Every heart will know. Every knee will bow. Every mouth will confess that Jesus is Lord. Today, we have a choice to make. Then, our time for choosing will be over. You cannot worship a God you do not know. Choose to know the Lord. Love Him today. Who we worship here will determine where we worship for eternity. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

We Worship a Saving God

March 22

(Psalms 33:16-17,20 NIV) “No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. {17} A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save… {20} We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.”

(Isaiah 25:9 NIV) ““In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.””

Only God can save us. We will realize this as our government crumbles and falls short on its grandiose promises to care for our every need. As our power diminishes and our Armed Forces wane, we will have to confess that no nation is saved by the size of its army. As our strength weakens, we will be forced to trust in God, because in the end, only God can save us. We will cry out to the God we have been systematically deleting from our lives. The God we have been crowding out of our schedules is the only God who will have time for us. After we squander our lives on things that are not of God, He is the One we turn to. After we have invested our time, energy, and money into things that will not last, only the Lord offers us eternity. After we discover that we really can’t save ourselves, we turn to the only One who can. This is a God who deserves our worship. Why wait? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

We Worship an Omniscient God

March 21

(Psalms 33:13-15 NIV) “From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; {14} from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth-- {15} he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do…”

(Psalm 147:5 NIV) “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.”

(1 John 3:19-20 NIV) “This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence {20} whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.”

How do we deal with an entity who knows our every thought? How do we relate to a God who knows everything? The Lord knows what we do and why we do it. He knows our every thought. Here are a few suggestions about how to deal with an omniscient God. Deal with Him honestly because you cannot fool, deceive, or con God. Open your life to God -- He already knows the truth. Fall on your face before God and beg for mercy. Worship this God. Any God who knows our every thought and action, but does not turn us into burnt toast, deserves our worship. How many dishonorable thoughts have you had this week? How many dishonest things have you done? How many lies have you told? How many people have you hurt? God knows, but you are still here. Our God is patient with us. The Lord is full of grace and forgiveness. A God like this deserves our worship. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

We Worship a Blessing God

March 20

(Psalms 33:12 NIV) “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.”

(Matthew 28:19 NIV) “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, {20} and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

God blesses nations that worship Him. But in recent days, our nation has turned hostile. God has been written out of our laws and banned on public property. We no longer have one God, but many gods. The blessing of God is played down; human achievement is played up. Faith-based national holidays have been co-opted by consumerism. One by one, institutions founded to bring honor and glory to God (hospitals, colleges, and churches) are selling out to godless thinking. We have turned our backs on God, and we are experiencing the withdrawal of God’s blessing. When a nation spits in the face of God, there are consequences. If we continue to trivialize God and ban the name of Jesus in all things public, the nation will continue to decline. There is only one road back: genuine and heartfelt repentance. It begins right here at home. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

We Worship a Sovereign God

March 19

(Psalms 33:10-11 NIV) “The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. {11} But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.”

(Daniel 7:13-14 NIV) “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. {14} He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”

God is sovereign. Life is not just a chain of random chance events. With God, we have a sense that we were created with a purpose. With God, we realize that history is headed somewhere. God knows where that somewhere is. God knows the beginning and the end. He has a plan -- for the universe and for us. His plan will be accomplished. His will, will be done. The chaos we live in, the random events that seem to plague mankind, are indicators of man’s rebellion against God and His sovereign will. God created man to serve and worship Him, but man worships himself. Man does his own thing instead of God’s thing, and he is decimated by the consequences of his bad choices. Fallen humanity struggles against the bit of God’s sovereignty, but history will culminate just as God planned. His kingdom has come. God is sovereign and worthy of our worship today. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

We Worship a Creator God

March 18

(Psalms 33:6-9 NIV) “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. {7} He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. {8} Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. {9} For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.”

(Colossians 1:15-17 NIV) “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. {16} For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. {17} He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

The marvelously complex and vast universe we live in was created by God. The physical laws of the universe that bring order to our existence were created by our Lord. God is the creator of all things, and that includes you and me. You were God’s idea. He chose to create you. That’s why we worship Him. The evolution versus creation debate really boils down to who will be worshipped. If everything in the cosmos just happened, if we did simply evolve from some single-celled creature into all that we see now, then why worship God? Maybe we should worship nature. Some religions do exactly that. Or perhaps we should even worship man himself, as the end result of evolutionary progress. Some people today also do that. But, if God created and sustains the universe, this world, and us -- He is worthy of our worship. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

We Worship a Loving God

March 17

(Psalms 33:4-5,18-19,22 NIV) “For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. {5} The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love… {18} But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, {19} to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine… {22} May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you."

(John 3:16 NIV) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Psalm 33 reads like a checklist of reasons to worship God. First and foremost, God is faithful and loving. He loved us before we ever loved Him. He loves us even after we have loved Him and turned away. He is faithful, when we are not. It is in God’s unfailing love that Christians put their hope. His love for us endures our folly and was proven beyond a doubt when He came here to die on a cross for our sins. God did not have to do that. Our Creator could have wiped the slate clean and started over -- but He didn’t. Instead He made the greatest sacrifice of love man has ever known. Jesus provides for us. He cares for us. He loves us. Any God who would do this deserves our worship. “God so loved the world” - and whoever believes in Him will worship Him for eternity. But first, we start by worshipping Him here. Worship the Lord today. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Worship in Song

March 16

(Psalms 33:1-3 NIV)  "Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. {2} Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. {3} Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.”

(1 Peter 2:9) "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light".

The word "worship" comes from two Old English words: weorth, which means "worth"; and scipe or ship, which means “shape” or "quality." You find the Old English word “ship” in modern words like friendship and sportsmanship – the quality of being a friend, or the quality of being a good sport. “Worth-ship”, then, is the quality of having worth or being worthy. When we worship God, we attribute worth to God. We declare that the Lord is of the highest worth to us. One of the ways we can do that is through music. Songs help us free our souls to offer God joyful praise. The music itself is not the worship; it is but a vehicle or a tool to help us get outside ourselves and give expression to what’s in our heart. And to truly worship, our songs must be truthful. We cannot worship God when we lie to Him when we sing. Sing joyfully. Sing truthfully. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Saved AND Discipled

March 15

(Psalms 32:8-11 NIV) “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. {9} Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. {10} Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him. {11} Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!”

(Matthew 28:19-20 NIV) “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, {20} and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

Jesus Christ came to save sinners, but He wants more than just salvation for us. He also came to make disciples. The plan is that we be saved and discipled. Faith is an extended journey, not a trip to the corner Quick Shop. Many today have “given their life to Christ”, but their lives don’t look like it. They have failed to become disciples. Psalm 32 lists several steps to discipleship. The first is prayer; prayer that listens as much as it talks. We must also receive instruction. The twelve called Him Teacher. So should we. Jesus wants to counsel us. He’s into counsel more than control. After all, we are not horses or mules. Part of the reason so many Christians crash and burn is their refusal to accept good counsel. That has to change. We must also learn to worship the Lord. Express your love. Give Him glory. Prayer, instruction, counsel, and worship: four steps to discipleship. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Two Step Plan

March 14

(Psalms 32:1-7 NIV) “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. {2} Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. {3} When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. {4} For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. {5} Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord” - and you forgave the guilt of my sin. {6} Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. {7} You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”

(Romans 10:9 NIV) “… 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.”

Even in the Old Testament, before Jesus came to Earth; before the Gospels and the Epistles were written; David knew God’s simple plan of salvation. God does not change, so the plan has not changed. The steps to salvation were in place before the Garden fall. The first step is to acknowledge and confess our sin. This is crucial. Our sins have been paid for, but we must recognize those sins before we can accept God’s payment. The second step is faith in Christ. Everyone needs a Savior, but not everyone chooses the right one. Who we place our faith in is important. We need the right hiding place. These two steps lead to blessing and salvation from God. The blessing comes when we stop hiding from God and start hiding in God. When our sins are covered, forgiven, and not counted against us, we are truly blessed. Are you blessed today? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Love the Lord

March 13

(Psalm 31:19-24 NIV) “How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. {20} In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues. {21} Praise be to the Lord, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city. {22} In my alarm I said, "I am cut off from your sight!" Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help. {23} Love the Lord, all his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full. {24} Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”

Life is often difficult. But God stores up goodness for those who have taken refuge in Him. God is our shelter. When we are besieged, He shows His love to us. When we can’t see through the fog to another day, He hears our cry for mercy and provides a light to direct us home. When we truly hope in the Lord, we will do three things: we will love the Lord; we will remain strong; and we will take heart. Faith, hope, and love are decisions. We must choose to trust in God. We must choose to take refuge in the Lord. We must choose to put our times into God’s hands. We must choose to commit our spirit unto his care. Have you done that? Have you put your hope in God? Have you taken refuge in Him? Have you put your times in his hands? Have you offered up your spirit to Him? If not, today would be a good day to do that in your heart of hearts. Love the Lord! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit

March 12

(Psalm 31:5 NIV) “Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth.”

(Luke 23:46 NIV) “Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.”

Yesterday, we heard David declare that his times were in God’s hands. God had been his refuge in the past and his present was in the hands of the Lord. Today we hear David commit his spirit to God. This is about the future. He entrusts his ultimate destiny to the ultimate Judge. He commits his eternal spirit into God’s hands. David probably had no idea that his words of faith would end up being the last words Jesus breathed on the cross before He died. King David and Jesus, the King of kings, both entrusted their spirits to God. We are all called to put our spirit into God’s hands; to trust Him with our eternity. Have you done that? Have you said to God, “Into your hands I commit my spirit”? Have you given your past, present, and future to the Creator of time? Have you trusted Him with your life and with your death? This is what it means to have complete faith in God. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

My Times Are In Your Hands

March 11

(Psalm 31:14-15 NIV) “But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, "You are my God." {15} My times are in your hands.”

(Psalm 139:13-16 “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.”

At the beginning of Psalm 31, David made a Statement of Faith based on past experience with God. Now he makes a Statement of Faith based in the present. David puts his life, his “times”, into God’s hands. He gives his today to the Lord. God knows all his days -- the days of his birth, life, and death. Our times really are in God’s hands. No one controls time except God. Life cannot be controlled; it can only be lived. We cannot control tomorrow; we can only live in the now. This is the essence of the great Twelve Step mantra: “one day at a time”. Can you say to God with integrity, “My times are in your hands”? Or are you still under the illusion that you are in charge of time? Have you given your past to Jesus, or does it still run your life? Will you give Him your today and surrender your anxiety about tomorrow? God has been our refuge in the past. Put your times in God’s hands today. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

God is Our Refuge

March 10

(Psalm 31:1-13 NIV) “In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. {2} Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. {3} Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. {4} Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. {5} Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth. {6} I hate those who cling to worthless idols; I trust in the Lord. {7} I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. {8} You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place. {9} Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. {10} My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak. {11} Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors; I am a dread to my friends-- those who see me on the street flee from me. {12} I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. {13} For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life.”

Psalm 31 opens with a Statement of Faith. David says, “God is my refuge.” A refuge is a place of protection; a place of safety. God is our refuge from traps set by our enemies. He is our refuge in times of affliction, anguish, and distress -- in times when there is no place else to hide. God is our refuge from enemies who intend to harm us. If you stand for anything in this life, you will have enemies; those who want to see you fail and who seek your demise. They may not attack with guns or knives, but with tongues that slander. God is our refuge from “fair weather friends”-- those who like you when things go well, but disappear when things get broken in your life. David’s statements of faith are based on God’s past behavior. He trusted God with his future because God had been faithful in the past. Will you? God is our refuge! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Changes

March 9

(Psalm 30:11-12 NIV) “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, {12} that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.”

(1 Chronicles 16: 31-34 NIV) “Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, "The Lord reigns!" {32} Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them! {33} Then the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. {34} Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

When grace finally takes root in our stubborn hearts and light finally dawns on our blinded eyes, changes begin to come. Jesus changes our step. We dance more and sulk less. We run more and stumble less. Our steps are lighter because of God’s joy. God changes our clothes. Instead of the rags of sin, we are dressed in robes of righteousness and arrayed with joy. Our tears and wailing are replaced with laughter. Jesus changes our tune. Instead of constantly singing the blues, we are filled with new songs of praise. All these changes cannot be hidden. The glow of our new life will shine for all to see. Our song can be heard by all who come near. Our steps inspire others to follow and join in the dancing. If your life is slogging along in a rut right now, let the Father change your step; let the Son change your clothes; and let the Spirit change your tune. You’ll be glad you did. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Confident or Cocky

March 8

(Psalm 30:6-12 NIV) "When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken." {7} O Lord, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. {8} To you, O Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy: {9} "What gain is there in my destruction, in my going down into the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? {10} Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me; O Lord, be my help."

(Isaiah 31:1 NIV) “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord.”

(Romans 12:3 NIV) "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."

David went from rags-to-riches and became the most powerful man in the world. On the surface, he was the picture of a self-made man; the ultimate success story. When David felt secure, he sometimes became a bit cocky. But he discovered that cockiness was a formula for failure. God would have us be confident in Him, but He warns against cockiness. The wealthy are warned not to trust in riches. Armies are warned not to trust in their horses and chariots. People are warned not to trust in their own goodness for salvation. In spite of the warnings, many still put their faith in themselves, instead of God. Christian, the antidote is to recall who you were before Christ, recognize who you are now, remember who gets the credit for the change, and realize what you should be doing. David knew his help came from the Lord. He gave glory to God for His mercy, love, and guidance.  -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Everything Here is Temporary

March 7

(Psalms 30:1-5 NIV) “I will exalt you, O Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. {2} O Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. {3} O Lord, you brought me up from the grave; you spared me from going down into the pit. {4} Sing to the Lord, you saints of his; praise his holy name. {5} For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”

(1 Timothy 1:12-16 NIV) “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. {13} Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. {14} The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. {15} Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. {16} But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”

One of the problems we have in this world is that everything is temporary. Nothing seems to last. We just get things fixed up and they fall apart and break down again. But it is also true that one of our greatest blessings in this world is that everything is temporary. Nothing lasts forever here and that includes trials and troubles. David had been to the pit of despair, but it was temporary. God lifted him up. He had been in great need, but God had spared him. He had been near death, but God had healed him. He had been on the wrong side of God and knew God’s anger; but he was forgiven, and once again enjoyed God’s favor. Whatever you are going through right now, remember you are going THROUGH it. That means it has an end. Weeping and pain will not last forever. Joy will come again. Everything here is temporary. Hang on to this great truth. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Voice of God

March 6

(Psalm 29:3-9 NIV) “The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters. {4} The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. {5} The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. {6} He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox. {7} The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning. {8} The voice of the Lord shakes the desert; the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh. {9} The voice of the Lord twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, "Glory!"”

(1 Kings 19:11-13 NIV) ““The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. {12} After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. {13} When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?””

Sometimes, the voice of God thunders; sometimes, He whispers. Sometimes, the voice of the Lord breaks cedars; sometimes, it breaks our heart. Sometimes, God’s voice causes us to skip with the joy of a young calf; sometimes, we lower our gaze and cover our face. Sometimes, the voice of the Lord shakes the entire Earth and brings Him glory; sometimes, it shakes our little world and we cry, “Glory!” Sometimes, the voice of God comes to us as an impression we cannot shake; sometimes, it jumps off the printed page of Scripture and shakes our soul. Sometimes, God’s voice can be heard in the potent words of a prophetic preacher; sometimes, it comes to us through the words of a little child. However God speaks to us, His voice is powerful, majestic, authoritative, instructive, comforting, and challenging. Hearing the voice of the Lord always changes us. Listen for God today. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day   

Ascribe to the Lord

March 5

(Psalm 29:1-11 NIV) “Ascribe to the Lord, O mighty ones, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. {2} Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. {3} The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters. {4} The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. {5} The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. {6} He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox. {7} The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning. {8} The voice of the Lord shakes the desert; the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh. {9} The voice of the Lord twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, "Glory!" {10} The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever. {11} The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”

The word “ascribe” is not used much today. It’s only used ten times in the entire NIV Bible. It means to attribute or assign. David’s heart was full of worship for the Lord. In Psalm 29 he ascribes glory, strength, splendor, and holiness to his God. He sees God as majestic and powerful. He calls on all those who consider themselves mighty, to bow down before the One who is “King forever”. One of our tasks as Christians is to think rightly about God -- to attribute to Him the glory due His name. It will be difficult to “ascribe” holiness, strength, splendor, majesty, and power to a God that we think of as our “buddy”. Jesus is indeed a friend of sinners, but let us remember: He is also the Holy One, enthroned for eternity as King of kings -- the One whose powerful voice can shake the Earth, bringing lightning, thunder, fire and flood. This is the Lord David knew. Do you know this God? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Those Other People

March 4

(Psalm 28:3-5 NIV) “Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts. {4} Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back upon them what they deserve. {5} Since they show no regard for the works of the Lord and what his hands have done, he will tear them down and never build them up again.”

(Ephesians 4:25-32 NIV) “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. {26} "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, {27} and do not give the devil a foothold. {28} He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. {29} Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. {30} And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. {31} Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. {32} Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

One of David’s strengths was recognizing his constant need for God’s help and God’s covering. This is seen as weakness by some, but in God’s eyes, it’s a highly desirable trait. He talked to God when he was glad, sad, fearful, joyful, successful, and defeated. Do you? David wasn’t perfect, but he consistently put God ahead of himself. Do you? He knew it was God’s word that kept him from sliding down into the pit. Do you? He often cried out for mercy as he lifted his hands in worship. Do you? David saw God as his strength and shield. Do you? David had a grateful heart and often thanked God in joyful song. Do you? He saw God as his Shepherd and eternal Carrier. Do you? David knew for sure that he had an inheritance from the Lord. Do you? David trusted God as his fortress of salvation. Have you? This is what it means to be a person of faith -- one after God’s own heart. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

One After God’s Own Heart

March 3

(Psalm 28:1-2, 6-9 NIV) “To you I call, O Lord my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit. {2} Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place… {6} Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. {7} The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. {8} The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. {9} Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.”

One of David’s strengths was recognizing his constant need for God’s help and God’s covering. This is seen as weakness by some, but in God’s eyes, it’s a highly desirable trait. He talked to God when he was glad, sad, fearful, joyful, successful, and defeated. Do you? David wasn’t perfect, but he consistently put God ahead of himself. Do you? He knew it was God’s word that kept him from sliding down into the pit. Do you? He often cried out for mercy as he lifted his hands in worship. Do you? David saw God as his strength and shield. Do you? David had a grateful heart and often thanked God in joyful song. Do you? He saw God as his Shepherd and eternal Carrier. Do you? David knew for sure that he had an inheritance from the Lord. Do you? David trusted God as his fortress of salvation. Have you? This is what it means to be a person of faith -- one after God’s own heart. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

God Changes Things

March 2

(Psalm 27:6-14 NIV) “Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. {7} Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. {8} My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, Lord, I will seek. {9}Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior. {10} Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. {11} Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. {12} Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. {13} I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. {14} Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

(1 Samuel 10:6 NIV) "The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you in power, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person."

A God who does not change us, is no God at all. If Christ does not change your life, He is not really Lord of your life. Genuine faith always changes people. God opens our mouth to praise Him and sing to Him. When we believe God hears us, we begin to hear Him. We seek God’s face. We want to know what He looks like, so we can look like Him. We learn His way and walk in His way. Christianity becomes a way of life, instead of just a set of beliefs. We become followers as well as believers. We wait for the Lord. We trust His timing. God is not on our schedule, we are on His. God does not wait on us, as if we were ordering in a restaurant -- we wait on Him. As you wait, take heart and resist being discouraged. God is more about changing us than changing our circumstances. Waiting on God does not tear us down -- it builds us up and we end up stronger. Let God change you! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Who is God to You?

March 1

(Psalm 27:1-5 NIV) “The Lord is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid? {2} When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. {3} Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. {4} One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. {5} For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.”

(Isaiah 12:1-6 NIV) “In that day you will say: "I will praise you, O Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. {2} Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." {3} With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. {4} In that day you will say: "Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. {5} Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. {6} Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you."

““Who is God to you?” David had an answer and he wasn’t afraid to declare it. He wrote that God was his light. The idea that “God is light” is found throughout Scripture, but this is more personal. He says, “God is MY light.” He also says, “God is my salvation.” This is what salvages his life. David knows that he is made from dust and to dust he will return. He prays he may live with God all his days here on Earth, and then, when death comes, that his soul may live with God for eternity. God is David’s “stronghold”, his place of safety and security. God is his impregnable fortress, a place where no one can do lasting harm to him. This is not some manmade structure or human idea. This is the essence of trust and faith. David knew who God was to him and adjusted his life accordingly. Who is God to you? Your answer will make a difference in how you live and die. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day