The Plumbline

Did you ever consider something you put on, thinking it would make you look good, then immediately pull it off, replace it back on the hanger and return it to the rack at the store?  Your first impression was, "I have seen others wear this and it looks so cute!"  Your first impression on you:  "Uh....this does nothing for me!"  Maybe it is a "girl thing", but I think guys go through this frustration once in a while, too.  They may just not admit it!  There is one form of "attire" which will never disappoint, never look odd on us, and always flatters us! 10-11   I will sing for joy in God,  explode in praise from deep in my soul!   He dressed me up in a suit of salvation,  he outfitted me in a robe of righteousness, a s a bridegroom who puts on a tuxedo  and a bride a jeweled tiara.   For as the earth bursts with spring wildflowers,  and as a garden cascades with blossoms, s o the Master, God, brings righteousness into fu...

 You are right and you do right,  God ;  your decisions are right on target.  You rightly instruct us in how to live  ever faithful to you.  My rivals nearly did me in,  they persistently ignored your commandments.  Your promise has been tested through and through,  and I, your servant, love it dearly.  (Psalm 119:137-140 The Message) You may have heard the saying, "It takes one to know one!"  In God's case, it is part of his character to not only BE right, but to DO right - - meaning there is no decision he makes that is NOT on target.  Don't you wish you could say the same about yourself?  How many times have you bought a certain outfit (on the best sale of the year), determined that the "price" was what mattered, not that it even looked all that great on you?!?   Price is important - - being something that falls well on your frame, compliments your coloring, and goes with other things in your wardrob...

I stood up for justice and the right;  don't leave me to the mercy of my oppressors.   Take the side of your servant, good God;  don't let the godless take advantage of me.   I can't keep my eyes open any longer, waiting for you        to keep your promise to set everything right.  (Psalm 119:121-123 The Message) Taking a stand for something in life is probably one of the most telling things about an individual.  The things or people that an individual takes a "stand" for reveal the priorities of the individual, the values developed in life learning, and the importance one places on that thing or person in their life.  Our psalmist reminds of two things worth taking a "stand" for:  Justice and the Right. Justice is simply the moral "rightness" of a matter or individual.  In daily choices, we'd say an individual is exhibiting "just" behavior when they are allowing "moral" principles ...

As a priest, Christ made a single sacrifice for sins, and that was it! Then he sat down right beside God and waited for his enemies to cave in. It was a perfect sacrifice by a perfect person to perfect some very imperfect people. By that single offering, he did everything that needed to be done for everyone who takes part in the purifying process.  (Hebrews 10:11-13   The Message) So many times we go about life trying hard to perfect what God has already declared perfect!  We try to "pretty up" our lives, only to find that God has done that already in the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus.  We are challenged by the struggle between what God "declares" us to be and what we see when we look in the mirror!   I find comfort in these verses quoted above.  Look at what God has said to us: 1)  One sacrifice was made - that was it!  No other sacrifice is any longer necessary to satisfy the "standard" God requires to bring about righteousness in our lives. ...

3   God  won't starve an honest soul,    but he frustrates the appetites of the wicked.  (Proverbs 10:3) God refuses to satisfy the cravings of the wicked - yet the child of God has every need met above measure.  There is a diligence that is to be part of our walk - the easy way is seldom the most rewarded.  The appetites of the wicked are many - yet each of them has "self" at the center (what is best for me).  The desires of a righteous man have "God" at the center.  Perhaps this is why he satisfies one over the other.   8  A wise heart takes orders;    an empty head will come unglued. (Proverbs 10:8) A wise man is glad for God's instruction - it is better to admit our need for his help, relying on his direction, than to fumble around on our own.  Whenever we are willing to submit to his direction, we find that the end is much better than if we'd relied on our own efforts.  The end of our own effo...

4-5  He turned to Jehoshaphat and said, "Will you join me in fighting for Ramoth Gilead?"  Jehoshaphat said, "You bet. I'm with you all the way—my troops are your troops, my horses are your horses." He then continued, "But before you do anything, ask  God  for guidance."   6  The king of Israel got the prophets together—all four hundred of them —and put the question to them: "Should I attack Ramoth Gilead? Or should I hold back?"  "Go for it," they said. " God  will hand it over to the king." (I Kings 22:4-6) This is just a short passage from the twenty-second chapter of I Kings.  It is just enough to set up the story before us this morning.  In encourage you to read the chapter in its entirety.  King Ahab is in control of Israel and Jehoshaphat is reigning over Judah.  Jehoshaphat was allied with Ahab through marriage (arranging for his son to marry Ahab's daughter) and was the fourth king of Judah (the southern king...

1   God , who gets invited to dinner at your place? How do we get on your guest list?   2  "Walk straight, act right, tell the truth.   3-4  Don't hurt your friend,       don't blame your neighbor; despise the despicable.   5  Keep your word even when it costs you, make an honest living, never take a bribe.  You'll never get      blacklisted if you live like this." (Psalm 15) David asks a simple question of God - one that is quite often a consideration of humankind.  He wants to know who it is that God shows favor to - who is it that is welcomed into his presence, made to feel at home, enjoying the very fruits of his rule.  Then, as he heard his answer from God, he recorded those traits that we see in a man or woman of God that make him/her free to move about in the presence of a holy God. It begins with learning to walk straight, act r...