An Open Book

April 29

(Psalm 40:9-10 NIV) “I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O Lord. {10} I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.”

(Isaiah 44:8 NIV) “Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”

(Acts 1:8 NIV) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

When God and His Book have saved and changed us, our lives should become an open book so that others can be saved and changed. We should be telling the story of Jesus. We will be speaking it and living it, because when something as big as Jesus happens in our life, we cannot keep it a secret. We tell anyone who will listen. We do not hide what He has done for us. We start by being an open book in our local church. We share our life in the great assembly and in the sanctuary. We confess with our mouths what God has done for us. We are honest about our needs. This encourages other believers and it strengthens the church for her mission outside the walls. Do not seal your lips. When God rescues us, He gives us a “rescue” story. When we walk with God, we have “walking with God” stories. We are commanded by God to share them. We will be His witnesses. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Pierced Ear Society

April 28

(Psalms 40:4-8 NIV) “Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. {5} Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. {6} Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. {7} Then I said, "Here I am, I have come-- it is written about me in the scroll. {8} I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."

(Exodus 21:2-6 NIV) “If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything. {3} If he comes alone, he is to go free alone; but if he has a wife when he comes, she is to go with him. {4} If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free. {5} "But if the servant declares, 'I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,' {6} then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life.”

(Deuteronomy 15:12-18 NIV) “If a fellow Hebrew, a man or a woman, sells himself to you and serves you six years, in the seventh year you must let him go free. {13} And when you release him, do not send him away empty-handed. {14} Supply him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor and your winepress. Give to him as the Lord your God has blessed you. {15} Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today. {16} But if your servant says to you, "I do not want to leave you," because he loves you and your family and is well off with you, {17} then take an awl and push it through his ear lobe into the door, and he will become your servant for life. Do the same for your maidservant. {18} Do not consider it a hardship to set your servant free, because his service to you these six years has been worth twice as much as that of a hired hand. And the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do.”

God has a plan for our lives. He wants us to know His wonders. He wants us to put our faith in Him. His plan is that we come to him of our own free will, and that we grow to love him and become loyal to him. God is not into oppressive religion. In David’s day, slaves often had a term of service, after which they could become free again. But sometimes they had grown to love their master and would choose to stay on, serving voluntarily. When a slave did this they would use a sharp awl and pierce their ear lobe as a symbol of their loyalty for life. God could make us serve Him, but instead, He gives us our freedom. When we decide to serve Him freely, we have “pierced our ear” for Jesus. We desire to do His will. Serving him is not an obligation, but a joy. His law is written in our hearts. We have become part of the “pierced ear society”. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Rescued to Sing

April 27

(Psalms 40:1-3 NIV) "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. {2} He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. {3} He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.”

(Colossians 1:13-14 NIV) “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, {14} in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

When David cried out to God, the Lord heard his cry and turned to rescue him. God lifted him out of the “slimy pit”. He came to where David was stuck in the mire, pulled him out, and washed the mud off him. He gave David a place to stand where he would not sink again -- a foundation of solid rock. The Lord also changed David’s tune. He went from singing the blues, to singing songs of joy. He was rescued to sing God’s praise. Today’s verses are like a preview of the New Testament gospels. Jesus came down to rescue us from the “slimy pit” of sin. But for us to be lifted up, God had to reach down. For us to get clean, Jesus had to get His hands dirty. He reached into the slime of this world to rescue us. God does nothing by accident, so we know it is His will that we be saved. We’ve been rescued to sing His praises. Sing them well. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

 

 

Loving Discipline

April 26

(Psalm 39:9-13 NIV) I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this. {10} Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand. {11} You rebuke and discipline men for their sin; you consume their wealth like a moth-- each man is but a breath. "Selah" {12} "Hear my prayer, O Lord, listen to my cry for help; be not deaf to my weeping. For I dwell with you as an alien, a stranger, as all my fathers were. {13} Look away from me, that I may rejoice again before I depart and am no more.””

(Hebrews 12:5-12 NIV) “And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, {6} because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." {7} Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? {8} If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. {9} Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! {10} Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. {11} No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. {12} Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.”

When discipline comes from God, there is no use complaining, for we have earned it in some way. When God’s rebuke comes, He is treating us as a son or daughter that He loves enough to correct. Do not mistake the normal trials of life for God’s discipline. Every trial and difficulty is not connected with discipline from God. This is different stuff. This usually flows out of known disobedience. This is God’s loving but firm hand correcting us for our own good. The godly will realize this. Discipline is never pleasant, but it is necessary for continued spiritual vitality. It may feel like a death sentence, but it is a pathway to life. We cry out for help, but God is already with us. Discipline may produce weeping, but God will hold us and love us, even while rebuking us. Any pain we experience will be redeemed by increased strength. Any stress we endure will be replaced by God’s peace. God loves you. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Life is Short

April 25

(Psalm 39:4-8 NIV) "Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. {5} You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath. {6} Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it. {7} "But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. {8} Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools.”

(James 4:13-17 NIV) ““Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." {14} Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. {15} Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." {16} As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. {17} Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.””

Life is short. David describes it as “fleeting”. When compared to eternity, our life is like our breath on a cold morning. It appears for a brief moment and then disappears into the vast atmosphere as if it were never here. Our days are over in a blink of God’s eye. So what will you spend this brief moment doing? Will you squander this “handbreadth” of time we’ve been allotted bustling around trying to make money? Will you waste this pittance of a lifespan heaping up wealth that will belong to someone else in a heartbeat? Or will you spend your small allotment of days getting ready for eternity? Will you put your hope in the Lord who made you and who will take you home? Will you do the good that you know you ought to do? Never presume you will have tomorrow. No one is guaranteed even one more day. Live today like it was your last. Life is short. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Time to Speak

April 24

(Psalm 39:2 NIV) “But when I was silent and still, not even saying anything good, my anguish increased. {3} My heart grew hot within me, and as I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:”

(Ephesians 4:15 NIV) “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”

There is a time for godly silence and then there is a time when holding our tongue would be a sin. There is a time to be still and there is a time to speak up and speak out. Sometimes, truth has to be spoken, because not speaking the truth would be spiritual negligence. But what is spoken must be the truth. Too many personal opinions get passed off as truth these days. Lies are lifted up as truth and prefaced with a sincere, “I swear to God”. Along with being the truth, our words must be spoken in love. Words spoken to hurt and curse are not of God, even if they are the truth. The motive of our heart when speaking makes all the difference to God. So pray for wisdom and courage. Pray for wisdom to know when to speak and when to remain silent, and wisdom to choose words wisely. Pray for the courage to speak up when love requires it and then, speak the truth in love. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Silence is Golden

April 23

(Psalm 39:1 NIV) “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence.”

(Proverbs 12:18 NIV) “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

(Proverbs 18:21 NIV) “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

(James 3:5-12 NIV) “Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. {6} The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. {7} All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, {8} but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. {9} With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. {10} Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. {11} Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? {12} My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”

It has been said that silence is golden. For the most part, we are better off when we hold our tongue. It’s hard to get in trouble for words we do not say. The tongue can be a dagger that stabs and even kills. It can deeply wound those around us when wielded carelessly. Do your best to keep this knife in its sheath. Muzzling our mouths can prove to be difficult. It’s like trying to hold onto fire. It’s hard to restrain this kind of power. So we give in and let it all hang out. We employ a “scorched earth” policy when it comes to our words. Expressing ourselves has somehow become more important than exercising discretion. We have forgotten the destructive power that lies inside of our mouths. Get control of your tongue, Christian -- in public and at home with your family. Remember, silence is often more valuable than gold. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day   

Call the Rescue Squad

April 22

(Psalm 38:22 NIV) “Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior.”

(Galatians 1:3-5 NIV) “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, {4} who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, {5} to whom be glory for ever and ever.”

The rock band Head East had a great hit song in the 1970’s called “Never Been Any Reason”. One of the memorable lines from that song went like this: “Save my life, I’m goin’ down for the last time.” David had a “Head East” moment in his life and cried out to his Savior for help. We should do the same. All petitions of sinners who are sane end up in the same place -- an appeal for rescue. We cry out for God to save us. When sin threatens to inundate our souls, there is only one place to turn: Jesus, who laid down His life to rescue us. You will find no better Savior than Jesus. Are you struggling today with the weight of sin? Does it feel like you’re going down for the last time? Turn to God. Turn to Jesus. He is the Answer. Make David’s petition, your petition. Cry out to God, “Have mercy, don’t abandon me, rescue me.” It’s a prayer God will hear. He is listening. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Never God Forsaken

April 21

(Psalm 38:21-22 NIV) “O Lord, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God.”

(Hebrews 13:5-6 NIV) ““God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." {6} So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?””

(John 14:8) “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

When all the humans in our life have given up on us… when the world has turned its back… there is only one place left to turn. David cries out to God, “Don’t abandon me; stay with me.” And God says, “I am with you.” David still had his problems. He still had to deal with his sin here on earth. But he had someone who would walk with him through the valley of the shadow. As Christians, we have the assurance that Jesus will never leave us or forsake us. We may abandon him, but he will not abandon us. We often try every alternative but the one prescribed for us by the Great Physician. We grope around in the dark for answers, when the Answer is right in front of our face. In fact, He lives in us. Jesus is the Answer. Jesus is the Light. When all of your earthly streams run dry, remember Christ’s promise: "I will never leave you; I will never forsake you." -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Petition of a Sane Sinner

April 20

(Psalm 38:1 NIV) “O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.

(Luke 18:9-14 NIV) “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: {10} "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. {11} The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector. {12} I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' {13} "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' {14} "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.””

(Titus 3:4-6 NIV) “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, {5} he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, {6} whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior”

Sin is an expensive monstrosity that threatens to bankrupt and devour us. Psalm 38 is not just a testimony to the high cost of sin; it also contains the petition of a sane sinner. Once we realize we have moved away from God -- once we come to our senses, the sane sinner will petition God for help. We realize the desperate situation we are in and call out to the only one who can save us. David kicks off Psalm 38 with the greatest petition a sinner can produce. He asks God for mercy. He appeals to the Lord in a prayer of desperation. This is the prayer of a sinner approaching a holy and almighty God. It’s the wisest prayer we can pray when we have offended our Father in heaven. When we are drowning in sin, “Have mercy!” is the prayer to be praying. We have a great Savior. Jesus is His name. Cry out to Him. Appeal to His mercy. It’s the first step in our journey home. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Social Consequences of Sin

April 19

(Psalm 38:11,19-20 NIV) “My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away. {19} Many are those who are my vigorous enemies; those who hate me without reason are numerous. {20} Those who repay my good with evil slander me when I pursue what is good.”

As our sin splatters out from where it hits the fan, there are various social consequences. Many struggle with the broken relationships that sin produces. It can cost us our friends and family; those who matter to us the most. You can only abuse people so long before they decide they would be better off living without you. Many are haunted by the loss of loved ones because of chronic foolishness. Once respect is lost, it is difficult to regain. And if we have enemies, we hand them a loaded gun when we sin. Our indiscretions become like lethal weapons in their hands. The financial costs can be staggering as well. We could probably put our grandchildren through college with the money we have flushed down the stool of sin. It always costs us more than we thought we would have to pay. Those who are wise will find ways to avoid sinning. It just costs too much. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Kryptonite for Every Superman

April 18

(Psalm 38:3,5,7,8,10 NIV) “Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; my bones have no soundness because of my sin. {5} My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. {7} My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body. {8} I am feeble and utterly crushed… {10} My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes.”

(Proverbs 3:1-8 NIV) “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, {2} for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. {3} Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. {4} Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. {5} Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; {6} in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. {7} Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. {8} This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”

(Proverbs 4:18-22 NIV) “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. {19} But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. {20} My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. {21} Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; {22} for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body.”

As time goes by, sin wreaks havoc on our body. Many today bear the scars of foolish and dis-obedient behavior. We start out strong, thinking we are Superman. We don’t realize until it’s too late that the devil has the Kryptonite. Sin is persistent and steady in its quest to rob us of our health. Sometimes it comes swiftly, sometimes it takes decades. Psalm 38 describes the physical anguish: festering wounds, searing pain, feebleness, no strength, bad heart, bad eyes, and being utterly crushed. Doesn’t that sound like fun? We have all known someone who was taken down physically by their sin. We recall their young, vibrant faces, and we lament the condition they ended up in. We have visited them in treatment and in hospitals. We have attended their funerals. Don’t be a fool. No one is Superman when it comes to sin. Everyone is susceptible to the Kryptonite. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

 

Psychological Consequences of Sin

April 17

(Psalm 38:4,6,8,9,13,14 NIV) “My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. {6} I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning. {8} I groan in anguish of heart. {9} All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. {13} I am like a deaf man, who cannot hear, like a mute, who cannot open his mouth; {14} I have become like a man who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply.”

David was a man in deep psychological pain. His heart was in anguish to the point of audible groaning and sighing. He was shutting down emotionally. He had stopped listening and communicating. The silence of death was very near. He had entered the land of Depression, where we isolate ourselves and shut down so as to avoid the psychological pain. Guilt and shame can be overwhelming for the sinner. The devil never seems to mention this when he is luring us in by making sin attractive. Our conscience was given to us by God as a protection device. It is not good to consistently override its flashing red lights with chemicals, or smother it with counselors who tell us what we want to hear. We must deal with its source, not simply mask it. Turn to God. He has provided us an antidote. His name is Jesus. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Grabbed by the Back of the Neck

April 16

(Psalm 38:1-2 NIV) “O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. {2} For your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down upon me.”

(Hebrews 12:7-11 NIV) “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? {8} If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. {9} Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! {10} Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. {11} No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

Many of us had fathers who would grab us by the back of the neck and correct us when we behaved badly. So did King David. He endured God’s correction several times. His mistakes and infidelities are a matter of public record and his sin had spiritual consequences. Even kings cannot escape that. When we ignore God’s boundaries, He will sometimes grab us by the back of the neck and correct us. David felt the weight of God’s hand come down upon him more than once. He felt God’s arrows of conviction pierce his heart. One cannot ignore the arrows of God and His heavy hand. Only a fool would try. God loves us enough to discipline us. The Lord knows that if left unchecked, sin has disastrous consequences. And while His discipline can be painful, it can also change our direction and save our lives. Listen to God. Don’t force Him to grab you by the back of the neck. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

A Package Deal

April 15

(Psalm 37:39-40 NIV) “The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. {40} The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.”

(Joel 2:28-32 NIV) "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. {29} Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. {30} I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. {31} The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. {32} And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, among the survivors whom the Lord calls.”

Perhaps the greatest blessings from God are salvation and deliverance. And if you want proof that God’s blessing does not always translate into “the abundant life”, it’s found in these verses. God promises to deliver us “IN” times of trouble. How can God possibly be a stronghold in times of trouble, if blessing from God means a trouble free life? We all need the salvation that comes from the Lord. Without it, everything we call “blessing” is meaningless. Is Jesus your stronghold in time of trouble? Have you taken refuge in him? Have you been saved? Is there something you need to be delivered from today? Do you want the blessings God has in store for you here on this earth and for eternity? Come to Jesus. The ultimate blessing from God comes in His gift of grace to us. God wants to deliver you and save you. Will you accept His salvation and deliverance? It’s a package deal. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Stumbling Toward God

April 14

(Psalm 37:23-25,31 NIV) “If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; {24} though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. {25} I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken… {31} The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip.”

(James 3:2 NIV) “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.”

Perhaps the greatest blessings from God are salvation and deliverance. And if you want proof that God’s blessing does not always translate into “the abundant life”, it’s found in these verses. God promises to deliver us “IN” times of trouble. How can God possibly be a stronghold in times of trouble, if blessing from God means a trouble free life? We all need the salvation that comes from the Lord. Without it, everything we call “blessing” is meaningless. Is Jesus your stronghold in time of trouble? Have you taken refuge in him? Have you been saved? Is there something you need to be delivered from today? Do you want the blessings God has in store for you here on this earth and for eternity? Come to Jesus. The ultimate blessing from God comes in His gift of grace to us. God wants to deliver you and save you. Will you accept His salvation and deliverance? It’s a package deal. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Our Inheritance

April 13

(Psalm 37:11 NIV) “But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.”

(Psalm 37:18 NIV) “The days of the blameless are known to the Lord, and their inheritance will endure forever.”

(1 Peter 1:3-7 NIV) “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, {4} and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, {5} who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. {6} In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. {7} These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

Receiving an inheritance is indeed a blessing. Usually, it is something we did not work for. It was earned by someone else, and then in an act of kindness, it was passed on to us. Did you know, Christian, that you have an inheritance from God? You did not earn it. It is a gift from God that endures forever. It will not spoil or fade. A small portion of God’s inheritance can be had here on earth. We have God’s peace; a peace that passes all understanding. But the lion’s share of our inheritance is waiting on the other side of death. Jesus is building a mansion for us in heaven. Hang onto this truth, believer. While we live out our days here, we will struggle with grief and trials. We will suffer loss and live with pain. There will be many tests of our faith. But we who believe have this great hope: God will care for us. We will be blessed. Our inheritance is guaranteed. Believe it. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Shiner

April 12

(Psalm 37:5-6 NIV) “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: {6} He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”

(Matthew 5:14 NIV) “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”

When God blesses us with His presence, we become a light that shines in the darkness. We become a beacon to those dying in sin. We become a lighthouse to those lost in the sea of envy, anger, and grief. If we truly have the light of Christ, it cannot be hidden -- and nothing draws people to Jesus like those who shine with God’s love for the world. When we have lived through a long dark night, the light of dawn is always a welcome thing. As the Son rises, hope returns to the hearts of lost people. Christians, we can shine like the noonday sun when we stop fretting and fighting, trust in the Lord with all our heart, and do God’s work with a passion for Jesus. When we delight in the Lord and refrain from sin, our lives begin to glow with the love of Christ. His light shines forth and people living in darkness are drawn to it. What a blessing to be used by God to help others find eternal life! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Desires of Your Heart

April 11

(Psalm 37:4 NIV) “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

(2 Chronicles 1:6-12 NIV) “Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the Lord in the Tent of Meeting and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it. {7} That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." {8} Solomon answered God, "You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. {9} Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. {10} Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?" {11} God said to Solomon, "Since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, {12} therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”

What do you think of when you think of “the desires of your heart”? If you are thinking wealth or a new sports car, don’t forget the first half of Psalm 37:4. If we truly delight ourselves in the Lord, do you really think the things of this world will be as important as they once were? When we delight in the Lord, God changes what we want. If we think a sports car will complete our life, we are not yet “delighting in the Lord”. God will give us the desires of our heart when the desires of our heart line up with the desires of His heart. Do you really think God, who loves us enough to die for us, would give us something that would draw us away from his love? God loves us too much to give us the junk this world covets. He loves us enough to give us what he knows we should have. When our heart desires what will truly bless us and glorify God, we will take joy in receiving the desires of our heart. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Committing, Waiting, and Watching

April 10

(Psalm 37:5-8 NIV) “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: {6} He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. {7} Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. {8} Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it leads only to evil.”

(Psalm 37:34 NIV) “Wait for the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land…

(Psalm 37:37 NIV) “Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace.”

The blessings of God flow toward those who have committed their way to Him. They flow to those who move toward the light of righteousness. If we have indeed committed our way to God, we can trust that whatever we find on that way is something He can use to bless our lives. We may have more; we may have to do with less. It may come as blessing, or it may come in trials. We wait for the Lord. We still our hearts and our mouths and wait patiently for Him. We keep to His way and avoid wrath and anger. They lead nowhere and it’s hard to praise God through clenched teeth. Rage will murder blessing. And we are careful about who we watch. We observe the blameless and the upright; we look at the quality of life enjoyed by those who have loved the Lord for years and we emulate them. We leave lifestyles that corrupt, and cling to that which brings blessing. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Blessed Do Gooders

April 9

(Psalm 37:3-9 NIV) “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. {4} Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

(Ephesians 2:10 NIV) “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Blessing is a gift from God, but it is no coincidence that blessed people trust in the Lord and do good. Doing good can earn one the label of “do-gooder” among the carnal, but it is a desirable trait in the eyes of God. We receive God’s blessing in order to bless others. We receive in order to give, not hoard. Doing good will not earn us a place in heaven. But it can open doors of blessing here on Earth. We must also learn to delight in the Lord. We delight in the Giver more than the gifts. Until we learn to delight in God himself, no blessing God gives us will ever be enough. We cannot receive the desires of our heart if we do not delight in the Lord, for we will not recognize the blessings when they come. And if God’s blessings go unrecognized, his name will go un-praised, and we will go un-blessed (at least in our own minds). Do good and learn to delight in the Lord. – Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Directives for Blessing

April 8

(Psalm 37:3 NIV) “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.”

(Proverbs 3:5-8 NIV) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; {6} in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. {7} Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. {8} This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”

When we think of blessing, we usually think of it as a gift from God. While that is true, there are certainly some things we can do to get us into a position to receive blessing. Psalm 37 lists several. First, we must trust in the Lord. Life does all it can to create insecurity in us. When times are tough, we can easily slip into self-pity and begin to doubt God and his goodness. Faith is meant for such times as these. It’s easy to trust God when we have all we want. But when we suffer loss, or we see someone who appears to be blessed more than we are, we are faced with a choice. Do we trust that God has given us as much as he wants us to have, or do we focus on the quantities involved and grumble at God? We can never appreciate and receive blessing with an upright heart unless we fully trust God to give us what He wants, and trust that what He gives us is enough. Trust in the Lord. – Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Coveting Blessing

April 7

(Psalm 37:1-9 NIV) “Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; {2} for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. {3} Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. {4} Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. {5} Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: {6} He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. {7} Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. {8} Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it leads only to evil. {9} For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.”

(Exodus 20:17 NIV) "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

What do you think of when you think of blessing? Do you think of receiving a gift from God, or do you think of having more than others? When you receive a blessing from God, do you look up in thanksgiving, or do you look around in envy? Is blessing qualitative or quantitative for you? Early in Psalm 37, God says, “Do not fret.” He says it three times. God says it because, no matter what He blesses us with, we have this carnal tendency to look around and compare. We live in a culture of envy. We don’t feel blessed unless we have as much as, or more than, everyone else. We think God owes us the same amount of blessing as those around us. So instead of focusing on the intent of God’s blessing, we focus on the content of our blessings in comparison to others. This is sin. God says, “Do not fret. Stop coveting. Don’t envy.” Be thankful for what you have today. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Highway to Heaven: Part 4

April 6

(Psalm 36:9-10 NIV) “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.”

(Titus 2:11-14 NIV) “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. {12} It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, {13} while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, {14} who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”

The on-ramp for the highway to heaven is knowing God; not just knowing about God, but knowing God intimately. In Genesis, the KJV says that Adam “knew” Eve and she conceived and bore a son. The “knowing” that God speaks of here is more than head knowledge. It is as intimate as a husband and wife relationship. God wants us to know him. He offers us a hand. The Righteous one reaches down for the unrighteous. He lifts us off our backs and we join the “upright in heart”. We rise up and walk the highway to heaven. Grace begins to teach us. We learn to say “No” to things that would hinder our journey and our knowing Jesus. And God continues to love those who know him. Do you know God like this? Are you intimate with God? Does Jesus live in you? Are you living in Him? This is the kind of relationship God wants with us. This is the highway to heaven. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Highway to Heaven: Part 3

April 5

(Psalm 36:8-9 NIV) “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.”

(John 8:12 NIV) “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

(1 Peter 2:9 NIV) “But 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.”

Traveling God’s highway changes us. We no longer need to travel in the darkness. We have come into the light of God’s love and that changes us. We begin to see things differently in God’s light. In His light, we begin to focus on the positive. Things seem brighter when we walk in the light. The sun and the stars are brighter. Our burden is lighter. Our life is filled with hope. We begin drinking from a different fountain. It flows from the river of life and we fill up on God’s love. We do not live in denial of evil and wickedness, but we no longer bask in it, serve it, or fear it. We rise above it as God lifts us out of darkness and into his wonderful light. We see Jesus -- maybe for the first time. Where everything was once darkness, light now illuminates our life. The negatives of life are still there, but now we see more. We can see beyond them. We have been given new eyes. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Highway to Heaven: Part 2

April 4

(Psalm 36:7-11 NIV) “How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.

(Lamentations 3:22 NIV) “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.”

(Ephesians 2:4-5 NIV) “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, {5} made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.”

The highway to heaven is paved with mercy and love. Getting onto the highway involves realizing this great truth. We cannot buy this truth -- it is priceless. We can only accept it as a gift from God. On the highway to heaven we are all equal. Those of high earthly standing and those of lower standing, merge as fellow travelers. On the highway to heaven, we no longer view God as deficient. We realize that while we thought He was working against us, He was really dying for us. We begin to view the cross as more than just a cheap trinket to wear around our neck. We realize that it is the pearl of great price. It is the on-ramp to the highway to heaven. Our bitterness and hatred begin to fade away and we are drawn to God’s great goodness. We want it for ourselves and those we love. We take shelter in the shadow of His wings and fill up on His unfailing love. Welcome to God’s highway. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Highway to Heaven: Part 1

April 3

(Psalm 36:5-6 NIV) “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.”

(Isaiah 35:8 NIV) “And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it.”

Scripture describes two ways mankind can take; two roads, or highways, and they end up in very different places. Avoiding the highway to hell will require getting on (and staying on) the highway to heaven. Getting onto the highway to heaven involves appealing to the faithfulness and the love of God. The same God who created hell for the Devil and his angels, has a mercy that is never ending. Only our stubborn refusal to accept God’s Son can keep us from receiving His mercy and forgiveness. Christ offers us a new way. Take it! We must also recognize God’s righteous and holy justice. Recognizing the Lordship of Christ means we recognize His right to judge sin. It means we see God as worthy to make judgments regarding our eternity. He is the righteous and holy Judge. We are not. Recognizing Christ’s “otherness” is another on-ramp to the highway to heaven. Take it! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Highway to Hell: Part 3

April 2

(Psalm 36:4&12} “Even on his bed he plots evil; he commits himself to a sinful course and does not reject what is wrong. {12} See how the evildoers lie fallen-- thrown down, not able to rise!”

(Acts 9:1-9,17-18 NIV) “Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest {2} and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. {3} As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. {4} He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" {5} "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. {6} "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." {7} The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. {8} Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. {9} For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything… {17} Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." {18} Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized…”

On the highway to hell we stop listening to our conscience. We tune it out. It grows weaker and weaker. Things we said we’d never do become daily occurrences. The voice of God grows faint and eventually, our conscience is rendered useless. We’re committed to sin and we cease rejecting what is wrong. We begin to make deliberate decisions to sin. We plan to do bad stuff, even as we lie in our beds. We even begin to take pride in our sin. It becomes a badge to wear… a flag to wave… an anthem to sing. But eventually, the highway comes to an abrupt end. We don’t see it coming and we hit the proverbial brick wall. We fall and we can’t get up. We crash and burn and end up flat on our backs. But being flat on our back has one bright spot: it offers us one last opportunity to look up. God in his grace gives us one last chance. Are you there? Look up. Change the road you’re on. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Highway to Hell: Part 2

April 1

(Psalm 36:2-3 NIV) “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.”

(Jeremiah 6:16 NIV) ““This is what the Lord says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” But you said, “We will not walk in it.””

We have stood at a crossroads and chosen a direction. Once the roads diverge, we live with our choice. On the highway to hell, pride blinds us to our sin. Our ego becomes obese as we habitually flatter ourselves. Like Pharisees, we strut around pointing out sin in others, while ignoring our own. Our words betray our hearts, as our tongues broadcast what is hidden deep inside us. Gossip, slander, cursing, deception, lying, and boasting become normal speech patterns. While condemning others, we praise ourselves with the mouths God gave us to praise Him. We cease to be prudent. Wisdom and goodness end up in the ditches on the highway to hell. Rash and promiscuous behavior becomes the norm as our foolish deeds reveal foolish hearts. There is only one way off the slippery road leading down to the pit. Jesus is the way home. Choose a new direction. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day