Be With Me: 7 Minutes of Biblical Wonder

The death of Charlie Kirk has hit hard all across this country. Join me for 6 minutes as we apply some ancient wisdom to our current situation. We'll even hear from Alan Paton's Cry the Beloved Country to give a voice to the idea that we are all in this together. If this is "the heaviest thing of all your years," or even just a curiously heavy thing, then this is worth your consideration. Democrats and Republicans might just have common ground to meet upon.  Please join me now as we find it together. If this makes sense to you, subscribe to the YouTube channel.https://youtu.be/TdYtndAoY9Y

As this video goes out, it will find those who are crushed of spirit.  It will land upon those who are brokenhearted. If that is you today, the Lord has a sweet gift for you today in Psalm 34.  As I think of it, brokenheartedness is to be distinguished from rebellion. Rebellion is giving God the middle finger.  Brokenheartedness is reaching out to God with all our crushed fingers. The Lord promises a precious part of the experience of Him: HIS NEARNESS. To my crushed brothers and sisters, may the Lord be NEAR today.Please listen 7 minutes. https://youtu.be/Py7xuJ1hHz4

Certain TASTES can bring back the REALITY of a previous experience. I just experienced that while traveling to Norway.  Similarly, in Psalm 34:8, God asks us to TASTE and see THAT the LORD IS GOOD. God asks us to capitalize on using the gift of tasting to help us remember reality.  Join me for 7 minutes as I remember some of the tastes of Norway, as well as some of the tastes of Psalms. Please subscribe, like and comment. YouTube likes that kind of stuff. https://youtu.be/q_7-ynuhIYc

What exactly KEEPS you in heaven?  How you get there is another question, but we'll address a fundamental question: Upon what reality is your continuance in heaven dependent?We will find that we desperately depend upon the Dependablilty of God. It is upon one particular feature of His Character that KEEPS you in heaven  on day 10001. List 7 minutes today to find out about that day. Then subscribe if you are not going to heaven later today. https://youtu.be/aB7vgj-2Ke8

Maybe you are a serving grouch.  Maybe you cannot fathom the concept of actually being happy about doing some work for the Lord.  If so this video is for you.In it you will learn the great secret of the Church. There is a way to break through this stumbling block to cooperate with the process of getting you to gladness. There are secret agents inside your church that will help. Listen and subscribe.  This is a great 7 min listen. https://youtu.be/dZ5wbmsiMGY

The WHAT SHOULD I BE DOING is relatively straightforward in Ps100: making noise, serving, coming, and knowing a few things.  The HOW of the actions are the real challenge: Make the noise joyfully. Serve gladly. Come Singing. Know accurately. Enter thankfully. Approach with Praise. Ps100 is about the DOING and the HOW of doing. Listen 7 minutes to get you started on the right attitude.  Continue in the right attitude by subscribing on YouTube.https://youtu.be/AFnvBz-6L9c

The Bible does not promise an untroubled life, but without Him:        The outcome would have been different         The journey would have been different         The company would have been differentWe have in psalm 124:         the Lord ON our side           (HE's FOR us)           and AT our side                       (He's with us)          during real problems           (He's actually helping us.)Watch 7 minutes right after subscribing on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/O1_NY4Zrzro

If the Lord was not on my side..I was in big trouble and the Lord was at my side.  If He had NOT been at my side, I would have still been in the troubles, but I would have been there ALONE.The presence of bad circumstances and bad people does not indicate the absence of the presence of God. Join me for 7 minutes to think about this.  Then subscribe.https://youtu.be/F1FgIVyzv0w

What if we could actually SEE un-holy PRIDE as a necklace around the neck of our fellow humans.  Who would have the rocks of a Wilma Flintstone?  What would the size of my necklace be?Psalm 73 asks for a re-calibration of our spiritual sunglasses. Join me for 7 minutes to see if you look like Wilma. Subscribe.https://youtu.be/oaJv_uOOEKY

Asa my dog loves to chase deer.  He tries not to be tempted, but it is everything for him NOT TO.  Literally, I can watch him do DOG-MATH in his head as he weighs the pros and cons of this equation.Similarly, Asaph the psalmist does the same thing in Ps 73. Watch 7 minutes as he *nearly* gets the answer wrong.https://youtu.be/7MEN30gjHzo

Please join me and Asa for some thoughts about 2000 mornings with you.  We'll gratefully set out an argument for a renewed commitment from both of us.  This is especially for those who do NOT regularly listen/watch. We'll also remember a song I wont to commemorate the first 365 days of being with you in this podcast.  It is beautifully sung by Mikaela Smith, my daughter-in-law. https://youtu.be/hLWj-XUPxVIWatch, listen and join me for this milestone, as well as the one that comes tomorrow.  It is great to Be With You.Here is the video link to this 2000th podcast episode:   https://youtu.be/a_PGSdUyNm8

Asaph, the writer of Psalm 73 almost gets it all wrong.  His spiritual feet almost make a fatal mistake with a slip: He desires the wrong thing.If you desire the wrong thing, then you make decisions and behaviors that are the wrong thing.  This leads only to destruction ultimately.Listen 7 minutes as the knucklehead Asaph almost gets it wrong.https://youtu.be/R2RAb62cpH8

The only way to really understand our not-quite-right world is to drop it into the certainty that is in Psalm 23.  Yup, there is evil, and enemies and the shadow of death. Psalm 23 makes deliberate note of each of them.  But remember, none of them actually last.  We MUST use the granite certainties of Psalm 23 to really understand our world. Thank you for joining me for a final look at the World's favorite Psalm.  https://youtu.be/Cdo0-74gKnQ

I started today with the thoughts of duties and demands of Ps 23.  But I did not end there.  I concluded with the DELIGHTS of Ps 23.Join me for 7 minutes and take the journey of delight with me! Subscribe for another one tomorrow. https://youtu.be/1DyvPVcf5WI

David says some pretty bold things to conclude Ps. 23:I shall not want         I will fear no evil         I will dwell in the house of the Lord ForeverWe can only understand their boldness by the OTHER truths of the psalm. Join me for 7 minutes as we discover them.https://youtu.be/vagL1DvQEQA

Sorry no video. Technical difficulties while traveling. THIS IS A GREAT LISTEN.If you are out to sea on your sinking little boat, the best words you can ever hear over the loudspeaker of the Coast Guard helicopter is, "RESCUE SWIMMER IN THE WATER." They literally issue an all-crew announcement at that moment.  It is a big deal.  It is, for you, the biggest of deals.  Psalm 23 is the Old Testament version of this concept.  God has come for you.  God pursues you like a bad penny.  God chases you with His faithfulness.There is something for you today.  When you hear those mighty spiritual words as Jesus comes for you, "Rescue Swimmer in the Water." Cooperate with Him.To cooperate with Him tomorrow, subscribe. https://youtu.be/snXm4IDAec8

Do you need leading, or correction, or protection, or rest, or restoration, or refocusing on His name and priorities? Are you walking in a valley of the shadow of even death? Do you need the provision of not just necessities at a table, but oil on your head, cups that overflow? A special time of favor from the Lord?Then Psalm 23 is for you. Listen 7 minutes and subscribe.https://youtu.be/pCVIIBIvVho

For His faithful, God has valleys, fear, evil and death.  For His faithful, He also has one more secret ingredient.Listen 7 minutes to hear of the sometimes harsh realities of this world and what the Lord does about it.  Listen, I think you'll be encouraged.  There is more than just valleys, fear, evil and death. Subscribe if you like it.Sorry about no real video today.  Technical difficulties while travelling.https://youtu.be/YzxUWD6hbOs

A solo sheep is a sheep-emergency.  A solo sheep is a cause for worry and concern and intervention. A solo sheep is a sheep in trouble.There is no good understanding of a sheep outside of a flock, protected by a good shepherd. Perhaps you are a sheep fat and happy in the middle of a flock.  Or, perhaps you have made yourself a SHEEP EMERGENCY.  If so, be found. It will take 7 minutes.Sorry no real video for today's Podcast. Technical difficulties.  The  listen is excellent though:https://youtu.be/TX50uquEtoc

Though the Lord is busy in Psalm 23, so is our representative knucklehead David. Should I be doing the same things David does in the proclamation of the verses?Are we doing the activities of David in our valleys, shadows, and in the presence of enemies? Watch 7 minutes as we find David being led, deciding not to fear, and being content under the discipline of the Lord.   https://youtu.be/FZYNv7RiPUo

God is doing some stuff in Psalm 23 that we want to be aware of and even access for ourselves.  He's given us a great poet, David, to capture perhaps the most beautiful 6 verses in the Bible.  But this Psalm is more than just a pretty face.  There is real content for our heads, and real comfort for our souls. Join me for just 7 minutes as we take a first crack at  appreciation for this masterpiece. Please subscribe, like, and comment.  Especially, come back tomorrow.https://youtu.be/vmFQtYiLTbc

May your feet be dipped in OilMay He dwell between your shoulder bladesMay He be with you as He promised to JoshuaMay you see Him face to face as He granted Moses.Those and other prayers for you head your way this morning. Subscribe for what is next if the Lord gives another day: https://youtu.be/hw2LmvvLVoM

What do you do for what God has done for you? A response is required, or is at least requested.         We can use our Mind, mouth, hands, feet, wallet. Zipper, and service to respond.         In those sectors, our words, purity, devotion, cash, and service can be  the currency of our response. Pick any one you desire. But, make a response! subscribe to make a response today for tomorrow. https://youtu.be/WqhpNKumeRs

As we wind up this particular book of the Bible, you may find yourself attracted to God. It might seem strange, but it is exactly what you are designed for. This exposure that we have had might just increase our desire for Him.  It is exactly the point of going thru these "tastes of Him" in Deuteronomy. So if you find yourself unexplainably enticed, know this is precisely why you were formed in the first place. Subscribe and join me here for another 7 minute taste tomorrow. https://youtu.be/ztt61-7XinQ

Something written 3500 years old is modern.  It was authoritative by the behaviors seen at the cross, when it was "only" 1250 years old.It is modern in what it asks of us in sexual moralityIt is modern in what it asks us of LOVE; that is, if we find ourselves with an intrusive, inconvenient ox in our driveway.Listen 7 minutes to hear something from long ago come into our current world. Subscribe to have it visit tomorrow. https://youtu.be/n8S6w6H8_pA

We sit under the shade of the trees of JUSTICE and GENEROSITY.  We did not plant them. They are very well established.  Who planted them? Moses did with God's help.  How can I find out about their foundational days? Read Deuteronomy with me. At least listen for 7 minutes and then subscribe for another dose of shade for tomorrow. https://youtu.be/YcBoN0SgEg8

Much of the interaction of God with people surprises me.  I suppose it is a healthy thing to be taken aback with these things:The Lord loves the wobblyThe Lord loves a good partyThe Lord loves His bond-servantsThe Lord loves that Passover morphs into a PersonJoin. Listen. Subscribe.  Be surprised with me. https://youtu.be/ShERmuXA3GI

I had a friend who rebelled from God for more than 26000 days.  Then God got a hold on him, and he got a hold on God. After that, because he was old and in poor health, he was in a big hurry to treasure what God had given him and share it with others.  I liken that to "laying up treasures" or "laying up peaches." Why? because every day is not a late summer day of peach harvest.  Or, perhaps you are in community when somebody might need one of the peaches that you have laid aside.          Some days, there will be no sunshine, no warmth, & no big harvest.BUT if we do this correctly, it will not be a day without peaches.https://youtu.be/d6h37L5Yd-E

In the book of Deuteronomy, the good Lord reminds us that He has given us the 4 Superpowers of WORK, Intercession, Obedience, and Reachability.He's given us power to get wealth.He's given us access to Himself on behalf of those who are far off.He's given us the agency to accomplish what He sets before us.He's given us the understanding to know what He has for us.Listen 7 minutes with me to be reminded you have superpowers!https://youtu.be/DpWIZ6dJzK0

What is so surprising about Deuteronomy, 3500 years old, is how contemporarily relevant it is.  There is so much to glean from its' pages today. We ignore it at our peril.  In it the character of God, the place of Israel, the sweet language of God, and how we'd best interact with Him are revealed. Join me for 7 minutes as we soak in some truths that go back many many sets of 7 minutes ago. Thank you for being here.  https://youtu.be/UYFfsRbxiC0

There are a lot of treasures in Deuteronomy.  Here are 6 that are *Probably* the best.  More humbly, they are *possibly* the best.  Says who? Well that's the humbly part. We've exposed ourselves for 86 days to this important book.  You can pick your own.Come back tomorrow, for this podcast is designed for a daily watcher. If you do, no doubt there will be something even better.  The Bible works a lot like that. Comment with a favorite impression of Deuteronomy.https://youtu.be/ZlmVvJaqcmE

Could it be said of you that you know God "face to face?". Is it even possible? At the end of Moses' life, this is how his relationship with God is summarized.For you, have you "shown him your face?" With out that, there is no face to face. Have you sought the face of God? Perhaps that is a weak link in the system. May you see God face to face today. Subscribe and comment to see Him tomorrow. https://youtu.be/tZjboTb8J18

May your feet be bathed in BUTTER.  May your feet be dipped in OIL. This is the final highlight of the Song of Moses.Nobody knows exactly what this passage meansEverybody agrees it is a good thing.This refers to great abundance, even spiritual luxury.  To have enough bounty to have some for your feet; to be ministered to even with indulgence.This can be your prayer for your family: May their feet be dipped in OIL.https://youtu.be/ALbF59tlV80

You should be stealing something from Moses. Yes I know he was around 3500 years ago, but he's got something for you and your family today.He has for you the way he prayed for his family. If we love our real family, and love our spiritual family, we best be paying attention. Or, should I say, we'd best be praying attention.Come back tomorrow by subscribing to hear my favorite prayer of Moses.https://youtu.be/l7cJp3iSPnI

We'll be stealing the blessings of Moses today.  He's on the way out, and has some final words of blessing for his people and his family.Being a good pray-er is knowing what to steal. We will do so today as we learn how to pray for our family.https://youtu.be/VU2t8d270Hg

Moses says to a certain people group: Hey, the world will be a better place if there were less of you. Things could be improved around here if we could just have fewer of people like you. Our call today will to NOT be one of those of whom that is said.  Our charge is to go be a blessing today, while we still have opportunity.  Subscribe so you will be ready if the Lord gives you another opportunity tomorrow. https://youtu.be/cvzQDY0fCsM

If Moses doesn't make it into the "promised land" by his mostly wonderful life, what hope do we have?  The answer is NONE. That is, in and of ourselves, by our list of supposed "merits" and credits in some celestial ledger, NONE. We have no chance of achieving heaven by our merits alone.And that is the point. We are going to need some heaven-sent help.  We are going to need the perfect one, the unblemished one, the truly righteous one.  How do we know we need Jesus? Because even Moses didn't make it by his ledger-book-of-goodness. https://youtu.be/XsfGLlr0mjc

You get to decide what you "take (into) your heart" and what you don't. Each of us operates a discernment machine to allow certain stuff in , and keep certain stuff OUT.Moses writes a song before his death.  The Lord specifically asks that the truth of it be taken into our heart.  Join me for 7 minutes, and then comment for 1 minute, as we consider whether to really do what the Lord suggests.  https://youtu.be/li_8dLqrs0M

The Lord faithfully sings His love song to His people.  The bad news is that they have not exactly been faithful back.  It makes for a good song, for sure.When the music stops we find we have a faithful God to a not very faithful people.  He demonstrates His faithfulness to an uncooperative people.  He maintains covenant. Sing with me. Subscribe.https://youtu.be/gzvPpuCWi4s

Songs speak emotionally more clearly than regular communication.  If you've ever wondered what God thinks about you, it's not a bad idea to go to one of His songs.Today hear that you are the apple of His eye.  Hear that you are His portion. He cares for you like an Eagle.  Finally, He suckles you with HONEY FROM THE ROCK. So, how does God feel about you? Listen to His song about you. He is singing His answer.Subscribe to hear more music from God tomorrow.https://youtu.be/v1Hj55mypqI

Joshua is going to need all the help he can get in leading a pretty rebellious people group.  Before he starts he gets a treasure from God: "I will be with you."What might change for you if you could hear those precious words: I will be with you? Where would you be stronger? When would you be more courageous? In What circumstances would you rely on Him saying, right here, right now, in this moment I AM WITH YOU?https://youtu.be/1-Y-7Gk1nK8

Have you ever found yourself at a concert under the power of a song?  You know the moment. Everybody has their phone light out, waving it back and forth. What is holding everybody together?  A SONG.A song is entirely portable, low cost, memorable, and soul touching. God will use the power of a song, in a remote place, many years down the road, to bring His people back to Himself. God (and Cynthia Erivo!) will leverage the power of a song.https://youtu.be/V7KVMblui4Y