The Pilgrim Path---Psalm 11: 1—4

In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to my soul,

“Flee like a bird to your mountain,

For behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD’S throne is in his heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.

JUST CHECKING

Material comes to me from the OneCry Movement. It is affiliated with Life Action Ministries. Fine organizations concerned with renewal, reformation, and revival. I wanted to share some thoughts from Byron Paulus (OneCry Founder) on erosion within our culture. It is about the issue of the foundation. Please look over Psalm 11 and think about the questions that he poses. They seem soul enriching and soul illuminating…

The foundation of our culture is the church---not church buildings or church programs, but the people of God. The Psalmist asked a question when confronted with a faltering foundation: “What can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11: 3).

We must take time regularly to inspect our own hearts to make sure the key components to withstand the forces of the enemy are in place without fractures. We must make certain our foundations are not eroding underneath us.

Below, I would like to recommend five key areas we must all inspect to make sure our faith is firmly rooted in the LORD, and the foundations of our hearts are secure.

ONE---Authority of Scripture and the Lordship of Christ: Are God’s Word and the LORD Jesus Christ fully in control of our lives? Are you holding anything back from Him? Are you wanting to retain control?

TWO---Ministry of the Holy Spirit: Are we allowing the Holy Spirit to have His rightful place in our hearts? When is the last time you sensed the power of God’s Spirit doing what only He can do? When is the last time the presence of the Holy Spirit was overwhelming to you?

THREE---Power of a Life Message: Are we experiencing the power that comes with walking obediently, with living what we are preaching / teaching / reading? Do you know the freedom that comes with walking what you are talking?

FOUR---Message of the Cross: Are we embracing the cross? Is the resurrected power of the cross (the gospel) evident because you have died to yourself? Is there an area of your life that you are unwilling to die to or reluctant to nail to the cross?

FIVE---Priorities: Are we keeping our top three priorities in proper order---relationship to God, relationship to family, and relationship to others? How would those who know you best, answer this question?

Please set aside some time this week to get alone with God and allow His Holy Spirit to examine your heart. You will be glad you did.

From Samuel Rutherford: “O wretched idol, myself! When shall I see thee wholly decourted, and Christ wholly put in thy room? O, if Christ, Christ, had the full place and room of myself, that all my aims, purposes, thoughts, and desires, would coast and land upon Christ, and not upon myself! And yet, howbeit we cannot attain to this denial of me and mine that we can say I am not myself, mine own is no longer mine own; yet our aiming at this in all we do shall be accepted; for, alas, I think I shall die but minting and aiming to be a Christian.”

“---what we really need is the knowledge of God’s presence and face (verse 7). Only love makes you interested in gazing on someone’s face. Pray until God and his love become more real to you. Then you won’t run scared.” Tim & Kathy Keller

O Jesus, thou hast promised to all who follow thee,

That where thou art in glory there shall thy servant be;

And, Jesus, I have promised to serve thee to the end;

O give me grace to follow, my Master and my Friend.

John E. Bode, 1868

Grace and Peace in Jesus Christ Our Risen LORD, Pastor Jason