Jehovah-m'kaddesh the thrice-Holy One
With glory surrounding His throne
All heaven and earth in oneness proclaim
His majesty reigneth alone.
Jehovah-tsidkenu the sole righteous One
In dazzling Glory revealed
The guilt of a world in its bondage to sin
Man's judgment forever is sealed.
Jehovah-jireh is the God who provides
A Lamb without blemish or stain
The proof of His love and His grace to atone
Are for those who call on His name.
Jehovah-rapha by whose stripes we are healed
From the sins of our bitter past
Bids us drink from the water that never runs dry
Then its sweetness forever will last.
Jehovah-nissi by His banner proclaims
The victory on Calvary's cross
Giving us power to face all our foes
In Jesus count all things but loss.
Jehovah-rohi the good Shepherd will lead
Through life's deepest valley below
In verdant green pastures of peace we may rest
His grace all-sufficient to know.
Jehovah-shalom is the giver of peace
Though wars and destruction appear
The prophets foretell at the end of the age
The coming of Jesus is near.
Jehovah-shammah will always be there
And will never forsake His own
In the power and strength of His Spirit each day
We shall conquer until we reach Home.
(Lev.19:2;Jer.23:5-6;Gen.22:14;Ex.15:22-26;)
( Ex.17:15; Ps.23:1;Judg.6:23-24;Ezek.48:35)
--B. Pent
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
JESUS' CRY TO THE FATHER
My God! My God! Why hast thou forsaken Me
I walked so close before Thee
But now Thy face in darkness hides
My broken heart I lift to Thee.
My God! My God! The agony of death is near
The mocking throngs surround Me
I am a worm, the Man of sorrows
My nail-pierced hands I raise to Thee.
My God! My God! This cup of death I offer Thee
My strength is drained within
But if Thy wrath for sin be quelled
My precious blood I offer Thee.
My God! My God! I lay Me in the dust of death
The weight of sin has bound Me
But if the Serpent's head be crushed
A ransom throng will come to Thee
--B. Pent
I walked so close before Thee
But now Thy face in darkness hides
My broken heart I lift to Thee.
My God! My God! The agony of death is near
The mocking throngs surround Me
I am a worm, the Man of sorrows
My nail-pierced hands I raise to Thee.
My God! My God! This cup of death I offer Thee
My strength is drained within
But if Thy wrath for sin be quelled
My precious blood I offer Thee.
My God! My God! I lay Me in the dust of death
The weight of sin has bound Me
But if the Serpent's head be crushed
A ransom throng will come to Thee
--B. Pent
Sunday, January 24, 2010
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT- Matthew 6:19-24
The Sermon On The Mount is God's instruction manual . His desire is for us to live a full and productive life. "I've come that you might have life and have it to the full" (John 10:19) To be blessed and be a blessing depends on who is in control because "no one can serve two masters" (v.24). In salvation we transfer ownership. "Sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace? (Rom.6:14). Yet, the lure of our old nature under Satan's control is not easily understood or fully acted upon in our new nature. That is what sanctification is all about! We are saved from the penalty of sin at the point of conversion but we are being saved from the power of indwelling sin throughout our earthly pilgrimage. One day we shall be saved from the very presence of sin at death or when Christ returns. Meanwhile the struggle continue (Gal. 5:17). What are the principles Jesus outlines under His management.
1. A Simple Strategy (vs.19-21) "lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth"
Jesus warns us that the lure of materialism will enslave the heart, the mind and the will. Treasures stored just for yourself is subject to decay, loss or theft. Is Jesus advocating monastic poverty? No! But He is trying to get us off the old treadmill of worrying about money, clothing, and storing up selfishly for our self. Verses 20-21 reminds us that under His management we are children of destiny and our investments of time, talents or possessions shared in kingdom ministry become"treasures in heaven".
2. A single Focus (vs.22-23) "the eye is the lamp of the body."
These 2 verses explain the meaning of verses 19-21. The "eye" is an illustration of the heart. What is the thing that takes up all your time, energy, and attention? "As one thinks in his heart, so is he." When I was 19 years old I began having trouble with my vision. I could not see at a distance because I was near sighted. Glasses gave me back the full range of vision. "If the eye is good (meaning clear or single) the whole body is full of light." Jesus wants His children to have a clear and full vision of who He is and how he wants us to live our our Christian lives.
3. A Superior Manager (v.24) "no one can serve two masters"
This word "master"is (Gr.) "lord" and refers to a slave owner. A slave owner has total control of the slave. The old Slave owner keeps us in bondage worrying about ourselves, what we can accrue, accumulate and keep for the here-and-now. But we eventually die and leave it all. Our new Master frees us from the tyranny of self-indulgence "if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed" (John 8:36). He then invites us to become His stewards so that he can authenticate through us the validity of Christianity to the unbelieving world by the way we love, forgive, and freely share in the lives of others. Joshua 24:15 should be our testimony: "choose this day whom you will serve. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
1. A Simple Strategy (vs.19-21) "lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth"
Jesus warns us that the lure of materialism will enslave the heart, the mind and the will. Treasures stored just for yourself is subject to decay, loss or theft. Is Jesus advocating monastic poverty? No! But He is trying to get us off the old treadmill of worrying about money, clothing, and storing up selfishly for our self. Verses 20-21 reminds us that under His management we are children of destiny and our investments of time, talents or possessions shared in kingdom ministry become"treasures in heaven".
2. A single Focus (vs.22-23) "the eye is the lamp of the body."
These 2 verses explain the meaning of verses 19-21. The "eye" is an illustration of the heart. What is the thing that takes up all your time, energy, and attention? "As one thinks in his heart, so is he." When I was 19 years old I began having trouble with my vision. I could not see at a distance because I was near sighted. Glasses gave me back the full range of vision. "If the eye is good (meaning clear or single) the whole body is full of light." Jesus wants His children to have a clear and full vision of who He is and how he wants us to live our our Christian lives.
3. A Superior Manager (v.24) "no one can serve two masters"
This word "master"is (Gr.) "lord" and refers to a slave owner. A slave owner has total control of the slave. The old Slave owner keeps us in bondage worrying about ourselves, what we can accrue, accumulate and keep for the here-and-now. But we eventually die and leave it all. Our new Master frees us from the tyranny of self-indulgence "if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed" (John 8:36). He then invites us to become His stewards so that he can authenticate through us the validity of Christianity to the unbelieving world by the way we love, forgive, and freely share in the lives of others. Joshua 24:15 should be our testimony: "choose this day whom you will serve. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT - Matthew 6:5-18
In this chapter, Jesus removes the mask of hypocrisy in our serving, in our praying and in our fasting. It is easy to stage piety through long or fancy prayers. The Pharisees were professional at praying. Their praying had been corrupted and perverted by rabbinic traditions. Prayer became ritualized, prescribed and lengthy. That is why His followers were confused about how to pray as God wanted. In our fast-paced world, we too can be caught up in tradition or just mechanical praying. The Lord's Prayer is in reality the Disciple's Prayer. In it Jesus gives seven important ingredients we would do well to rediscover and incorporate into our prayer life.
1. His Tenderness (v.9) "Our Father in heaven"
He is a caring Father. Over and over again we find Him calling us to "come" (Matt.11:18-29)
We are invited to come at any time; with any need;with every burden, under any circumstance
He is also compassionate. Psalm 103:13 reminds us that "as a father has compassion on his
children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him."
2. His Holiness (v.9) "hallowed be your name"
If we were invited to visit a king, we certainly would show the highest respect in his presence.
God is holy and He commands us to also be holy (I pet.1:16). He is of purer eyes than to
behold evil. Reflecting on all that His name implies should drive us to purity and repentance.
3. His Kingdom (v.10) "Your kingdom come"
Here is where the conflict begins! It is a battle between Satan's kingdom and God's
Kingdom. Too often we seem to pray: "my kingdom come!" But in 6:33 Jesus states, "but
seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you."
4. His Will (v.10) "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" Paul describes the battle of the wills in Gal.5:17, "the sinful nature desires what is contrary to
the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature." Prayer then becomes a
struggle between my will and His will. Even in the Garden as Jesus faced the cross, He prayed
"not my will but yours be done." Effective praying relinquishes self-will to God's will!
5. His Provision (v.11) "Give us today our daily bread"
While it is true that "God will supply all our needs" (Phil.4:19), too often we only focus on our
physical wants and needs. How about our emotional needs? Our intellectual needs? Our
spiritual needs? He wants to be involved is every aspect of our lives!
6. His Forgiveness (v.12) "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors"
Think of the debt charged against us because of sin and the awful price Jesus paid to release
us from sin's penalty, power and ultimate presence. Yet, we often receive His forgiveness
and hold an unforgiving spirit against others. Verse 14 and 15 certainly makes it clear that
an unforgiving spirit is hypocrisy in God's eyes. You are commanded to forgive! Read Eph.4:31-32 and rid yourself of an unforgiving spirit. This grieves the Holy Spirit.
7. His providence (v.13) "Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one"
What an awesome promise! He will lead us through the path of temptation victoriously and
deliver us from the evil one presenting us "faultless before the presence of His glory."
Try using this pattern of praying and you will see how much more productive and effective your prayer life will become!
1. His Tenderness (v.9) "Our Father in heaven"
He is a caring Father. Over and over again we find Him calling us to "come" (Matt.11:18-29)
We are invited to come at any time; with any need;with every burden, under any circumstance
He is also compassionate. Psalm 103:13 reminds us that "as a father has compassion on his
children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him."
2. His Holiness (v.9) "hallowed be your name"
If we were invited to visit a king, we certainly would show the highest respect in his presence.
God is holy and He commands us to also be holy (I pet.1:16). He is of purer eyes than to
behold evil. Reflecting on all that His name implies should drive us to purity and repentance.
3. His Kingdom (v.10) "Your kingdom come"
Here is where the conflict begins! It is a battle between Satan's kingdom and God's
Kingdom. Too often we seem to pray: "my kingdom come!" But in 6:33 Jesus states, "but
seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you."
4. His Will (v.10) "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" Paul describes the battle of the wills in Gal.5:17, "the sinful nature desires what is contrary to
the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature." Prayer then becomes a
struggle between my will and His will. Even in the Garden as Jesus faced the cross, He prayed
"not my will but yours be done." Effective praying relinquishes self-will to God's will!
5. His Provision (v.11) "Give us today our daily bread"
While it is true that "God will supply all our needs" (Phil.4:19), too often we only focus on our
physical wants and needs. How about our emotional needs? Our intellectual needs? Our
spiritual needs? He wants to be involved is every aspect of our lives!
6. His Forgiveness (v.12) "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors"
Think of the debt charged against us because of sin and the awful price Jesus paid to release
us from sin's penalty, power and ultimate presence. Yet, we often receive His forgiveness
and hold an unforgiving spirit against others. Verse 14 and 15 certainly makes it clear that
an unforgiving spirit is hypocrisy in God's eyes. You are commanded to forgive! Read Eph.4:31-32 and rid yourself of an unforgiving spirit. This grieves the Holy Spirit.
7. His providence (v.13) "Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one"
What an awesome promise! He will lead us through the path of temptation victoriously and
deliver us from the evil one presenting us "faultless before the presence of His glory."
Try using this pattern of praying and you will see how much more productive and effective your prayer life will become!
Monday, January 18, 2010
HAITI'S CRIES
I see them dying in the streets
Their cries disturb my rest
One hundred thousand bodies lie
With thousands in distress.
The weeping children without hope
Their outstretched hands for help
Are haunting scenes that move my heart
While tremors still are felt.
Mothers lie within the rubble
Husbands dig to free a wife
Smells of death are all around them
Little hope for them in sight.
Soon supplies begin to enter
Food and water meet some needs
But the overwhelming question
Are the orphans in the streets.
Mended bones can help the wounded
Food supply for those in need
But the future of this Nation
Is far greater than these deeds.
As we give and pray together
For our friends in deep distress
Let us share the love of Jesus
The true Source of happiness.
--B. Pent
Their cries disturb my rest
One hundred thousand bodies lie
With thousands in distress.
The weeping children without hope
Their outstretched hands for help
Are haunting scenes that move my heart
While tremors still are felt.
Mothers lie within the rubble
Husbands dig to free a wife
Smells of death are all around them
Little hope for them in sight.
Soon supplies begin to enter
Food and water meet some needs
But the overwhelming question
Are the orphans in the streets.
Mended bones can help the wounded
Food supply for those in need
But the future of this Nation
Is far greater than these deeds.
As we give and pray together
For our friends in deep distress
Let us share the love of Jesus
The true Source of happiness.
--B. Pent
Thursday, January 14, 2010
THEN FREEDOM CAME!
Once I stood in grave clothes
Bound by sin and shame
Then the voice of Jesus echoed
"Loose those bands!" then freedom came.
All at once my chains were broken
Satan's power no longer ruled
Sin had lost its claim upon me
On redemption's Rock I stood.
Heaven's Light burst all around me
Sin's dark shadow hid its face
All the past was now forgiven
As God's fullness took its place.
Then the shouts of victory sounded
Songs of praise were lifted high
As the blood of Jesus conquered,
Hallelujahs filled the sky.
--B. Pent
Bound by sin and shame
Then the voice of Jesus echoed
"Loose those bands!" then freedom came.
All at once my chains were broken
Satan's power no longer ruled
Sin had lost its claim upon me
On redemption's Rock I stood.
Heaven's Light burst all around me
Sin's dark shadow hid its face
All the past was now forgiven
As God's fullness took its place.
Then the shouts of victory sounded
Songs of praise were lifted high
As the blood of Jesus conquered,
Hallelujahs filled the sky.
--B. Pent
Sunday, January 10, 2010
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT - Matt.6:1-4
You can give without loving but you cannot love without giving. In Matt. 5, Jesus focused on the teaching of the Law: what men should believe about murder, adultery, divorce, taking oaths and loving your enemies. But in chapter 6 He focuses on the practice of the Law: what man does and how he should live. The scribes and Pharisees were good at teaching but their practice was hypocritical (5:20). They were actors on the stage hiding behind a mask of superficiality. True righteousness must be applied in our every day living. In other words, belief and behavior must be in balance.
Jesus teaches in Matt.6:1-4 that if we are to live authentic Christianity, we must check our motives. Motives are everything! Since He knows the thoughts and intents of the heart, the warning is clear: "be careful not to do your deeds of righteousness before men(v.1)." Kingdom ministry that is effective must emulate His principles. Verse 2 warns that the world's principles are built on human achievement: "announce with trumpets to be honored by men." At best man gives from selfish motives and looks for approval. Our nature is "hypocritical." We act as though we serve from pure motives but behind the mask is a desire for "the honor of men" and Jesus warns " you have received your reward."
So how can we serve so that we gain His approval? How do we know we are serving from right motives? Verses 3-4 reminds us that "giving or serving" must flow from a yielded, willing and loving heart. "God so loved that He gave" (John 3:16). Not letting "your right hand know what your left hand is doing" is simply serving without looking for man's approval. Paul puts it succinctly in Phil.1:10-11, "so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruits of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ." So when we serve out of love because of what Jesus did for us and allow His overflowing grace to be our motivation, then we can be assured that what we have done "in secret, the Father who sees what is done in secret, will reward us" (v.4). God wants us to take off the mask (hypocrasy) by living authentic Christian lives and letting "love to be without hypocrasy (Rom.12:6KJV). Remember, motives are everything!
You can give without loving but you cannot love without giving!
Jesus teaches in Matt.6:1-4 that if we are to live authentic Christianity, we must check our motives. Motives are everything! Since He knows the thoughts and intents of the heart, the warning is clear: "be careful not to do your deeds of righteousness before men(v.1)." Kingdom ministry that is effective must emulate His principles. Verse 2 warns that the world's principles are built on human achievement: "announce with trumpets to be honored by men." At best man gives from selfish motives and looks for approval. Our nature is "hypocritical." We act as though we serve from pure motives but behind the mask is a desire for "the honor of men" and Jesus warns " you have received your reward."
So how can we serve so that we gain His approval? How do we know we are serving from right motives? Verses 3-4 reminds us that "giving or serving" must flow from a yielded, willing and loving heart. "God so loved that He gave" (John 3:16). Not letting "your right hand know what your left hand is doing" is simply serving without looking for man's approval. Paul puts it succinctly in Phil.1:10-11, "so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruits of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ." So when we serve out of love because of what Jesus did for us and allow His overflowing grace to be our motivation, then we can be assured that what we have done "in secret, the Father who sees what is done in secret, will reward us" (v.4). God wants us to take off the mask (hypocrasy) by living authentic Christian lives and letting "love to be without hypocrasy (Rom.12:6KJV). Remember, motives are everything!
You can give without loving but you cannot love without giving!
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