Ransomed by God

May 16

(Psalms 49:1-15 NIV)  “Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world, {2} both low and high, rich and poor alike: {3} My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the utterance from my heart will give understanding. {4} I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle: {5} Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me-- {6} those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches? {7} No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him-- {8} the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough-- {9} that he should live on forever and not see decay. {10} For all can see that wise men die; the foolish and the senseless alike perish and leave their wealth to others. {11} Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves. {12} But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish. {13} This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. {14} Like sheep they are destined for the grave, and death will feed on them. The upright will rule over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. {15} But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself.”

(Mark 10:45 NIV) “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

(John 3:14-18 NIV) “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, {15} that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. {16} "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. {17} For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. {18} Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.”

There are only two classes of people in this world: the ransomed and the captives, the redeemed and the lost, the saved and the unsaved. Like lost sheep, the unsaved are destined to perish. Their coffins will be their eternal home. The corpses of the arrogant, who trusted in themselves alone, will return to the dust from which they came. No man, and no amount of earthly power or wealth, can ransom the unredeemed from the grave. There is only one who can pay the price for our life -- only one who can ransom us from the grave -- only one who can save us. His name is Jesus. God’s only Son gave His life as a ransom for many. Those who look to Him will be saved. They will be ransomed from death and see the light of life. Those who trust in themselves alone will remain captives of the grave for eternity. To which class of people do you belong? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

The City of Our God

May 15

(Psalms 48:1-14 NIV) "Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain. {2} It is beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth. Like the utmost heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King. {3} God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress. {4} When the kings joined forces, when they advanced together, {5} they saw her and were astounded; they fled in terror. {6} Trembling seized them there, pain like that of a woman in labor. {7} You destroyed them like ships of Tarshish shattered by an east wind. {8} As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord Almighty, in the city of our God: God makes her secure forever. Selah {9} Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love. {10} Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness. {11} Mount Zion rejoices, the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments. {12} Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers, {13} consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation. {14} For this God is our God forever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end."

(Hebrews 12:22-25 NIV) “But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, {23} to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, {24} to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. {25} See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?

Jerusalem, “city of peace”, is not a large city by the world’s standards, but is in the news almost daily. Aside from being one of the oldest cities in the world, what makes this place so special? It is the “city of our God”. Three major religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) consider it a holy city. The Christian Scriptures also call it Mount Zion, a holy mountain of God. The psalm writer sees it as impregnable, but it has been destroyed at least twice. Still it lives and grows and commands the world’s attention. That’s because it is the city of the Great King. The King of heaven owns it. God has claimed Jerusalem as His hometown. Jerusalem is also a “type” of the believing church, which the writer of Hebrews calls the “heavenly Jerusalem”. The church was born there. Christ died there, rose again there, and will return there to make it a true city of peace. Keep your eyes on this place. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Let Loose the Praise

May 14

(Psalms 47:1-9 NIV) "Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. {2} How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth! {3} He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet. {4} He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved. Selah {5} God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets. {6} Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. {7} For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. {8} God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne. {9} The nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham, for the kings of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted."

(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.””

Sometimes in the Psalms, David just lets loose with the praise. He has no deep theological truth to reveal, just a song of pure worship and exaltation with clapping hands, loud trumpets, and shouts of joy. He must have had one of the greatest worship bands of all time. Certainly the Lord deserves the best. Our God is an awesome God -- a mighty God. He subdues nations and reigns over all people. God owns the Earth and everything in it. He is Lord over all things, including the kings and rulers of this world. God is high and lifted up and sits on a holy throne, resplendent with light. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. The glorious list could go on and on, but you get the picture. Are you praising Him? Are you making known among the nations all that He has done? Are you letting loose with praise to the God who made you and sustains you? Don’t hold it back. Give it up! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day    

Turn it Down

May 13

(Psalm 46:10-11 NIV) “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." {11} The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

(Isaiah 30:15 NIV) “This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.”

(Luke 5:16 NIV) “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”

Noise is a narcotic and its incessant clamor is highly addictive. Life is loud. Everywhere we go someone is noisily vying for our attention. Jam boxes, car stereos, and personal headsets expose us to a constant din of advertising, music, and inane chatter. Our smart phones and iPads never sleep. Constant news talk keeps our hearts anxious for our next fix of information. From the moment we awake until the time we sleep again, we gorge ourselves, overdosing on the noise of life. God calls us to rest and quietness, but we will have none of it. We have been beaten into submission by the noise of living. Stillness and quiet time are like relics of the past. Turning the volume down so we can hear God is not easy. The withdrawal pains in noise rehab can be excruciating, but for our own well-being we must kick the habit. Turn it down. Get away. Be still and get to know God again. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

No More War

May 12

(Psalm 46:8-9 NIV) “Come and see the works of the Lord, the desolations he has brought on the earth. {9} He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire.”

(Isaiah 2:2-5 NIV) “In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. {3} Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. {4} He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. {5} Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.”

A day is coming when wars will cease. Nowhere on Earth will one man kill another. “Nice thought,” you say, “But it’s never happened yet.” That is true, but Christ has never returned before either. When Jesus comes back, the instruments of war will be destroyed by the Prince of Peace. There will be no more tears, no more hatred, no more evil, no more loss of life to guns and bombs. As we walk His path of light and learn his ways, we will trade our tools of war for tools of peace. Going to His mountain for worship will replace going to battle. Songs of joy will replace chants of war. The only rallying cries to be heard will concern our gathering around the throne of the Lord to praise Him. No longer will nations command our loyalty. No longer will borders be an issue. We will all look to one King. We will all serve one Lord. What a glorious day that will be! Pray for Christ’s return. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Our Refuge and Strength

May 11

(Psalms 46:1-7 NIV) “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. {2} Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, {3} though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. {4} There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. {5} God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. {6} Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. {7} The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

(Psalm 32:7 NIV) “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”

No matter how close to God we walk on this Earth, troubles will find us. Many times these troubles are of our own making, but often they just happen because we live in a world that is not safe. Earthquakes, hurricanes, fire, tornadoes, tsunamis -- this “mother” we call nature can be vicious and uncaring. And it’s not just nature. Tyrants oppress and nations wage war. Genocide, infanticide, and homicide gang up on us. Killing seems to be one of man’s specialties. We get more efficient at it as time goes by. But even in disaster and destruction, God is our hiding place. He is always with us and if God is within us we will not fall. Our times are in His hands. He alone is our refuge. He is our strength. And when that day of days comes, He will lift His voice and the Earth will melt. Walk closer to Him today than yesterday. He is our fortress and our deliverer. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The King’s Wedding

May 10

(Psalms 45:1-17 NIV)  "For the director of music. To the tune of "Lilies." Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil. A wedding song. My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. {2} You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever. {3} Gird your sword upon your side, O mighty one; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty. {4} In your majesty ride forth victoriously in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness; let your right hand display awesome deeds. {5} Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king's enemies; let the nations fall beneath your feet. {6} Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. {7} You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. {8} All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad. {9} Daughters of kings are among your honored women; at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir. {10} Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear: Forget your people and your father's house. {11} The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord. {12} The Daughter of Tyre will come with a gift, men of wealth will seek your favor. {13} All glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven with gold. {14} In embroidered garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions follow her and are brought to you. {15} They are led in with joy and gladness; they enter the palace of the king. {16} Your sons will take the place of your fathers; you will make them princes throughout the land. {17} I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever."

(Revelation 19:4-9 NIV) “The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: "Amen, Hallelujah!" {5} Then a voice came from the throne, saying: "Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!" {6} Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. {7} Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. {8} Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." {9} Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' " And he added, "These are the true words of God.””

The wedding of a king is a spectacular sight. As earthly events go, there is hardly anything to match it. But there is an even greater wedding coming. The King of kings will be returning for His Bride, the Church. He is enthralled with the beauty of His Bride and will anoint her with the oil of joy. We will forget our people, the way we formerly lived, and give ourselves fully to the King. Joy and gladness will replace sorrow and weeping. The Mighty One, clothed in splendor and majesty, will come in righteousness and truth. No longer will sin and deceit capture our attention. The nations will fall at His feet in worship. He will punish the wicked and reward the righteous. True justice will have come. His Bride will live with Him forever and ever and His reign will never end. It’s going to be a great wedding day. Be ready and waiting. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

A Sleeping God

May 9

(Psalm 44:23-26 NIV) “Awake, O Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever. {24} Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression? {25} We are brought down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground. {26} Rise up and help us; redeem us because of your unfailing love.”

(Mark 4:35-41 NIV) ““That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." {36} Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. {37] A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. {38} Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" {39} He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. {40} He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" {41} They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!””

When traveling with the Lord, storms sometimes arise, and do not quickly subside. This can cause great anxiety. We can be swamped and even despair for our lives. It can seem like God is sleeping and neglecting His duty to protect us. Our faith is tested. When Jesus walked this Earth, He needed sleep, but our risen Lord has no such need. The King of glory does not slumber or sleep. He needs no rousing. He is with us. He lives in us. Call on Him when the storms rage and you are fearful. God will not let us drown. The winds of testing and the waves of trouble cannot sink the ship of faith. God will not always take us around the storms, but He will always get us through them. There is something to be learned in the valley of the shadow of death. These days are not allowed so our faith will be depleted. They come so that our faith might be increased and strengthened. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Suffering in Righteousness

May 8

(Psalm 44:9-22 NIV) “But now you have rejected and humbled us; you no longer go out with our armies. {10} You made us retreat before the enemy, and our adversaries have plundered us. {11} You gave us up to be devoured like sheep and have scattered us among the nations. {12} You sold your people for a pittance, gaining nothing from their sale. {13} You have made us a reproach to our neighbors, the scorn and derision of those around us. {14} You have made us a byword among the nations; the peoples shake their heads at us. {15} My disgrace is before me all day long, and my face is covered with shame {16} at the taunts of those who reproach and revile me, because of the enemy, who is bent on revenge. {17} All this happened to us, though we had not forgotten you or been false to your covenant. {18} Our hearts had not turned back; our feet had not strayed from your path. {19} But you crushed us and made us a haunt for jackals and covered us over with deep darkness. {20} If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god, {21} would not God have discovered it, since he knows the secrets of the heart? {22} Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

(Hebrews 11:36-40 NIV) “Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. {37} They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated -- {38} the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. {39} These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. {40} God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”

If we buy into the idea that those who love God will always be blessed with trouble free lives, we have bought into a lie. Jesus told us that we would have trouble in this world and would suffer, not just because of our faith, but for simply being alive. We can be faithful to the Lord, be on the right path, be filled with truth and light, and still be overtaken by enemies and beaten down. Being a Christian is not so much about earthly blessing as it is about faithfulness and perseverance. The best of believers have spent time in the fires of trial and trouble. Who are we to think we can completely avoid what some in every generation of saints have endured? Your time of testing will come. There need not be a reason. Just living near the cross can bring pain. Persevere. Keep the faith. Even when it feels as though you’ve been forgotten and forsaken, God is with you. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Key to Victory

May 7

(Psalms 44:1-8 NIV)  “We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago. {2} With your hand you drove out the nations and planted our fathers; you crushed the peoples and made our fathers flourish. {3} It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them. {4} You are my King and my God, who decrees victories for Jacob. {5} Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes. {6} I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; {7} but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. {8} In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.”  

(Numbers 14:36-45 NIV) “So the men Moses had sent to explore the land, who returned and made the whole community grumble against him by spreading a bad report about it-- {37} these men responsible for spreading the bad report about the land were struck down and died of a plague before the Lord. {38} Of the men who went to explore the land, only Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh survived. {39} When Moses reported this to all the Israelites, they mourned bitterly. {40} Early the next morning they went up toward the high hill country. "We have sinned," they said. "We will go up to the place the Lord promised." {41} But Moses said, "Why are you disobeying the Lord's command? This will not succeed! {42} Do not go up, because the Lord is not with you. You will be defeated by your enemies, {43} for the Amalekites and Canaanites will face you there. Because you have turned away from the Lord, he will not be with you and you will fall by the sword." {44} Nevertheless, in their presumption they went up toward the high hill country, though neither Moses nor the ark of the Lord’s covenant moved from the camp. {45} Then the Amalekites and Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down and attacked them and beat them down all the way to Hormah.”

(Zechariah 4:6 NIV) “So he said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty.”

Sometimes we get to a place in our Christian walk where we begin to feel like we have accomplished great things. We begin to think that our strength, our righteousness, and our goodness are the main ingredients of our greatness. We begin to believe that ultimate victory depends upon the size of our army, the speed of our jets, or the number of missiles we can launch. In our human pride we put our faith in presidents, generals, and armaments instead of God. We may give the Lord lip service, but our trust is in our own might. This is a big mistake. It is God who defeats the enemies of His people. It is His strong arm, not our great strength that overwhelms our foes. We may need to show up at the battle, but God is the key to victory. If we forget that, we are destined for defeat. If God does not go before us, we will be beaten down. He is our strength and shield. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day       

Truth and Light

May 6

(Psalms 43:1-5 NIV) "Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; rescue me from deceitful and wicked men. {2} You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? {3} Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. {4} Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God. {5} Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."

(Ephesians 5:8-9 NIV) “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light {9} (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)”

The darker it gets, the brighter a candle appears to shine. The truth rises like a tower in a world filled with lies. As a nation becomes more ungodly and its people grow more deceitful and wicked, light and truth become targets to eliminate. Light and truth draw people to God, or they drive people deeper into hiding. That’s because sin cannot survive in the presence of God’s light and truth. If we cherish sin or despise God, we will work to extinguish light and truth, or we will hide from it in some way. As believers, we do not get to choose the response that people have to God’s light and truth; we only get to choose whether or not we lift them up and share them. We only get to choose whether or not we will become targets to eliminate. David had lived as a hunted man. He lived with the despair of being a target, but he did not stop shining and speaking truth. Neither should we. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Downcast Souls

May 5

(Psalm 42:5-11 NIV) ““Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and {6} my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon--from Mount Mizar. {7} Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. {8} By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me-- a prayer to the God of my life. {9} I say to God my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?" {10} My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, "Where is your God?" {11} Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.””

Even the strongest of believers will sometimes deal with a soul that is downcast. We try to keep our spirits up, but life has a way of letting the air out of our tires. And so our head goes down, and our soul feels as though it is drowning -- all the ocean’s waves are sweeping over us and we are sinking down. We feel forgotten by God. Our body aches. Our detractors taunt us and doubt the power of our God. But God is still with us. We cry out to Him and He hears us. We look back to past blessings and remember God’s faithful mercy in days gone by. We look ahead in hope and trust in the Lord’s promises to us. Deep inside we know God’s hand is still on us. His song is still in our hearts. We will live another day and lift our praise to Him. We will put one foot in front of the other and persevere.  We will sing His songs and pray to the God of life. God is with us. We will not give up. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day    

Panting for God

May 4

(Psalms 42:1-4 NIV) ““As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. {2} My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? {3} My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?" {4} These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.””

(Matthew 11:28 NIV) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

(Revelation 22:17 NIV) ““The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.””  

David reached a point in his life where his soul was thirsty for God. He had pursued God to the point of panting. He was gasping for the breath of God’s Holy Spirit. We do not know what had separated him from God, but does the “what” really matter? He was at the point of living on memories and tears. Those around David saw his plight and wondered aloud if God had abandoned him. While he had once walked with God in joy and thanksgiving, he now stumbled and struggled in the desert of despair. Are you painfully aware of where that desert is? Are you there now? Jesus calls us to come to his side. When we are tired and troubled He can give us rest. If you are panting, if you are thirsty, if you are weary -- come to Him. He has living water and it is free. He already paid for it. Come to Him. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Gathering Slander

May 3

(Psalm 41:5-13 NIV) “My enemies say of me in malice, "When will he die and his name perish?" {6} Whenever one comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it abroad. {7} All my enemies whisper together against me; they imagine the worst for me, saying, {8} "A vile disease has beset him; he will never get up from the place where he lies." {9} Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. {10} But you, O Lord, have mercy on me; raise me up, that I may repay them. {11} I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. {12} In my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. {13} Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.”

At some time, most of us have had friends who turned on us. Trusted people became enemies and damaged us in some way. Some who once wished us well, began to wish us ill. Old friends who shared our table and communicated face to face, now whisper lies behind our back and speak falsely to our face. David laments those who “gather slander” to spread like poison. Slander is like an aphrodisiac to those who harbor fear, bitterness, and hatred. The few can quickly become an angry mob, seeking our demise. This happens today, even in the church. Some forget that gossip and slander are on the same sin lists as adultery and murder. They boldly go where no one should go, running their victims into the ground. Are you busy “gathering slander”? Stop! God strongly condemns this behavior. Are you being slandered? Don’t slander back. Put it in God’s hands. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Regard for the Weak

May 2

(Psalm 41:1-4 NIV) “Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble. {2} The Lord will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes. {3} The Lord will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness. {4} I said, "O Lord, have mercy on me; heal me, for I have sinned against you."

(Acts 20:35 NIV) “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

(James 1:27 NIV) “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

God has a special place in His heart for the weak. Throughout Scripture, He calls His people to look out for orphans, widows, and those in distress. When others are vulnerable and unable to care for themselves, the follower of Jesus steps up and offers aid. For obedience to this call, the Lord offers blessing. David saw his deliverance, protection, preservation and healing as blessing for caring for the weak. The world today has little regard for the weak. Unborn babies are cut to pieces and their dead bodies used as fuel to heat buildings and generate electricity. Roaming gangs of youth molest, pillage, and steal from those who cannot defend themselves. Politicians talk compassion, but forget the poor after they’ve been elected. Is it any wonder that blessing seems to have slipped out the back window of our nation? Blessed are they who have regard for the weak. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

More Trouble than Hair

May 1

(Psalm 40:11-17 NIV) ““Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me. {12} For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. {13} Be pleased to save me, Lord; come quickly, Lord, to help me. {14} May all who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. {15} May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be appalled at their own shame. {16} But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!” {17} But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay.””

There are times in life when our troubles seem to outnumber the hairs on our head. They surround us and attack us. Our sins hunt us down and we are overwhelmed. Our heart gives out. Our head goes down in surrender. These are the days when we have no place left to go, except to God. We have no place left to hide, except in the Lord. We have no one else to help us, except Jesus. When we are being overrun by the Enemy, only Christ can provide air support. Only He can conquer our foes. So we cry out to our Helper: “Mayday, mayday! God of mercy, come quickly. You are loving and faithful. You are great and powerful. I am destitute and sit in darkness. Think of me. Bring me light. Give me hope. Help me. Protect me. Deliver me. Save me. Come quickly. Do not delay.” This is the heartfelt prayer of a desperate soul. It is also the first step toward genuine salvation. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day