HillThread ~ Supporting Missions

Psalm 27:11-14
“11Teach me your way, O LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing out violence.
13 I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.”

If a sermon is worth listening to, make it a habit to write down the important points. Writing etches wisdom deeper into your heart and mind, which is where you build a foundation of biblical theology.

Christians cannot afford to let a message wash over their ears and drift away: believers who aren’t listeners may panic upon walking into a spiritual valley. Since they’ve retained very little teaching, their understanding of the Lord will be limited. People with a shaky theological foundation don’t realize: 1) God
is upholding them through their difficulty (Isa. 41:10); 2) it has purpose (Rom. 8:28-29); and 3) they must surrender to His work in their life or be set aside—still a believer but useless to the kingdom (Rom. 12:1-2). Consequently, a believer without a solid biblical foundation may seek out counsel from worldly “problem solvers” who offer only temporary release from pain and fear.

David, the psalm’s author, said that he did not fear evil (Ps. 23:4). He knew God. What did he have to be scared of when the One who controls everything was on his side? How could he be stifled by anxiety while in the Spirit’s comforting presence? The writer held God to His promises and God delivered (Ps. 23). But the psalmist had to know those pledges in order to believe that the Lord would keep them.

A spiritual relationship heavy on emotion but light on facts falters in a valley. Believers must know how Scripture applies to life. Unless you have a belief system that can withstand pressure, pain, and criticism, you are at risk. Start building your biblical foundation so it will help you in times of need.

Psalm 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Where there are mountains, there must also be valleys—it’s a simple fact of the created world. The same is true in our spiritual life. To reach the place where God is leading us, we must sometimes traverse “the valley of the shadow of death” (Ps. 23:4).

Spiritual mountaintops are wonderful spots to rest awhile. At such times, we feel close to God and sure of His love. But we get to those high places by toiling through the valley, where we discover His character, the truth of His promises, and our own weakness. There are aspects of the Lord that we see only as we journey though shadow.

God is a jealous shepherd—He wants His followers relying entirely upon Him. He draws us through valleys in order to remove every habit, thought pattern, or external crutch that we use instead of trusting Him. In the low places, those suddenly seem inadequate. We discover whether our faith, courage, and wisdom are self-created or from the Lord.

While walking in valleys is an inevitable part of life, believers aren’t left comfortless. Verse 5 is about having needs met, including the desire to be soothed. Here is the image of a tender shepherd rubbing oil onto an animal’s scraped skin. God promises assurance, healing, and safety, even in hardship.

Believers can shout, “I trust God,” from the mountain because they have learned to live by faith in the valley. Walking in the shadow of evil is difficult and frightening work. But when we surrender to whatever the Lord has to teach us in this dark place, our spirit is quieted and our faith is strengthened.

Philippians 2:5-11
“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Naming a child was a major event for a Hebrew family. The household took great pains in the process of selecting a name, sometimes choosing one that had personal meaning for a parent. For example, Leah chose “Judah” for her fourth child, saying, “This time I will praise the Lord” (Gen. 29:35). Occasionally, a perceived personality trait would determine what a baby was called. Genesis 25:26 shows this to be the case with Jacob (“one who supplants”).

The name given at birth frequently symbolizes to others who that person is. In the ancient world, this was intentional. Even today people subconsciously associate character traits and experiences with names. We all hope that when others hear us called, they will have good things come to mind rather than a sense of dread!

Mary and Joseph had a far different experience from that of other Jewish parents. Instead of choosing the name themselves, an angel told them what their child would be called (Matt. 1:21). The heavenly Father selected His Son’s earthly name to represent His purpose in coming. A day will come when the very mention of “Jesus” will cause every knee to bow and every tongue to confess that He is Lord (Phil. 2:10).

The Hebrew form of “Jesus” means “salvation” or “He saves.” Christ is called many things: Lord, Emmanuel, Teacher, High Priest, etc. But His given name tells His story. He came to save the world from sin. No wonder God gave Him a name above all names!

Psalm 16:11
“You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”

In public, most people appear happy and confident. But beneath the surface, many feel empty. In fact, it is possible to be in a large crowd and yet feel alone.

A lot of men and women see no meaning or purpose in life. Attempting to overcome the emptiness, some become busy, others turn to drugs or alcohol, and still others strive for more money, power, or love. Though pleasure exists for them, it is usually short-lived.

There’s a reason why life can feel empty: God created man with a yearning—one that He alone is able to satisfy. Individuals cannot be fulfilled until they experience the Lord’s transforming and unconditional love. Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). In other words, God wants us to feel complete, which can happen only through a relationship with Him.

However, even a person who is saved can feel empty. This could result from disobedience: a slight detour in one’s walk with the Lord can become a way of life, depriving a believer of deep satisfaction. It’s also possible for Christians to live according to God’s Word without fully surrendering their desires to Him. For example, many believers still try to fill up their own void with achievement, wealth, or relationships. When aspirations like these are given higher priority than the Lord, they are a form of idolatry.

We can live a full life only when we seek God above all else. Pray for His guidance as you search your heart. Confess any sin or idolatry, and ask God to fill your life as only He can do.

Matthew 15:13-16
“He replied, ‘Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit. Peter said, ‘Explain the parable to us.’ ‘Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them.’”

Reality television has become popular in recent years. On this type of show, the world is invited to watch as people go about their daily lives while participating in staged situations. While we may not run into as much drama or glamour, our lives are similar, in that people are observing what we do.

Jesus likened believers’ lives to a city on a hill, which cannot be hidden (Matt. 5:14). When others watch us, they ought to see reflections of Christ—which means we must let the Holy Spirit express His life through us.

First, we need to realize that God’s goal is for us to become more like Him. Second, we are to read Scripture daily, because we get to know the Father better through His Word, and then our lives will more clearly reflect Him to others. Third, we should review how the Lord has worked in the past. Noting His faithfulness strengthens our trust and enables us to help others in similar situations.

The fourth step may seem unsettling, but it is wise advice: Be prepared and willing to suffer. God uses difficult times to draw His children close to Himself. So if you are facing painful circumstances, know that He has allowed them for your growth, His glory, and encouragement to others. Recognizing this will help you surrender your will and desires to His plan. As you do, He will build a beautiful message into your life.

Think about both your public life and your private life. Are both glorifying to the Lord? Allow God’s light to penetrate any “darkness” in your thoughts, words, or deeds. Then others may be drawn to the Father by what they observe in you (v. 16).

If God were impatient, we would all experience immediate wrath for sin. Imagine living in constant fear of doing something wrong! Fortunately for mankind, His patience is great.

One reason that the Lord shows mercy is because He knows we have a fallen nature. Just as a toddler has to learn obedience, God’s children also must learn to walk in His ways. He takes pleasure in watching us do what is right; therefore, He allows us time and room for mistakes.

Paul appreciated God’s patience. His life demonstrated that because the Father is slow to anger, unbelievers have a much greater opportunity for salvation (1 Tim. 1:16).

In Romans 2:4, the apostle affirms that our heavenly Father’s kindness and mercy lead to repentance. But in the following verse, he warns those with stubborn hearts that they will experience judgment and consequence. In other words, the warning is that God’s patience will at some point run out if someone continuously sins against Him.

In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel repeatedly experienced this painful truth. The people turned away from the Lord and did evil in His sight by worshiping idols. God patiently tolerated their waywardness so that they would return to Him, but eventually, He withdrew His protection until they’d cry out and return to Him.

Is there sin in your life that you haven’t confessed? Be thankful that God has been slow to anger. And be wise: do not test the limits of His patience.

Mark 14:32-36
“They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,’ he said to them. ‘Stay here and keep watch. Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. ‘Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.’”

Paintings of the Lord’s Table show one cup and one platter. The cup represents the blood Jesus shed to save us from sin. And the platter holds bread symbolizing His body, which was broken for us. What we don’t see is the second cup that Jesus drank alone— one that made our salvation possible.

The phrase “drink from this cup” refers to a person’s willingness to take part in an act. Jesus knew that He had come to earth for the purpose of dying for sin—in other words, this mission was His “cup.” While praying in Gethsemane, our Savior asked that this cup pass from Him if possible; however, He would willingly submit to His Father’s will.

Some people assume Jesus was asking to avoid the excruciating physical suffering of crucifixion. But even more difficult for Him to face were two spiritual agonies He knew He must undergo. First, our Savior would bear the world’s transgressions, actually becoming sin on our behalf (2 Corinthians 5:21) and dying so that its power over our lives could be destroyed.

The sinless One would know the weight, guilt, and sorrow of the incalculable wrongs committed throughout all time. But more than just experiencing the ugliness of sin, He would bear the Father’s full wrath for all human iniquity. And second, because holy God cannot look upon sin, Jesus would be separated from His Father for the only time since eternity past, and He would have to bear this unthinkable burden alone.

Jesus drank from the cup of suffering, sin-bearing, and separation so that we can share in the cup of salvation.

Matthew 17:5
“While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, ‘This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!’”

Our ability to hear the Lord is directly related to our relationship with Him. For example, an unbeliever can hear only one message from God—the call to repentance and salvation in Jesus Christ. If this vital step has not been taken, nothing else God does or says to that person will make a difference.

But what about believers? How does a Christian’s closeness with God impact his or her listening? This is primarily an issue of identification. Once we receive Christ as Savior, then we certainly have salvation and are eternally secure in Him. But beyond that, God wants us to grow and mature in our faith.

We grow in Christ by identifying ourselves more and more with Jesus. That continual identification brings us closer to God. And so, when we pray, we are not praying to some cold and distant god “out there somewhere.” Instead, we are praying to a God who loves us, sustains us, and molds us into His own image.

That changes how we approach Him, doesn’t it? Instead of crawling face down before Him, mourning and wailing because of our sin and pleading for His mercies, we can come to Him boldly and joyfully, assured that He loves us, forgives us, and rejoices in our prayers.

When we have unimpeded fellowship with the Father, we definitely hear Him better. As we grow closer to Him, our spiritual hearing continues to improve. Through Jesus, we can have unimaginable intimacy and clear two-way communication with almighty God. Let the Lord know that is your desire.

Psalm 51:1-2
“Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;
According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
And cleanse me from my sin. ”

According to the Bible, sin is a universal problem (Rom. 3:23). Consider David, someone God calls “a man after My own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14). We’d expect that a person with this qualification would surely “walk the straight and narrow.” But even this righteous king fell short. Not only did he commit adultery with Bathsheba; to cover up his sin, he also sent her husband to the front lines so he’d die in battle (2 Sam. 11:15).

Doesn’t it seem amazing that the Lord would refer to him as a man “who kept My commandments and who followed Me with all his heart, to do only that which was right in My sight” (1 Kings 14:8)? Yet because David repented (Ps. 51), God forgave him and regarded him as pure.

Scripture assures us that we are forgiven when we confess sin (1 John 1:9). Jesus bought our pardon with His death, and once we accept His free gift, God sees us as righteous. Of course, we’ll continue to wrestle with sin throughout life. Even the apostle Paul documented his struggle against doing wrong: “For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want” (Rom. 7:19).

As Christians, we’re free from the wrath of God and eternal death, but the battle against sin will continue until we reach heaven. Therefore, we must continually admit and repent of wrongs so that they don’t become a stronghold. We should also ask the Lord to reveal unknown areas of iniquity so that we can faithfully confess anything in our life that is not holy.

Ephesians 4:20-24
“You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

The word delight means to gain great pleasure, satisfaction, and happiness. Isn’t that exactly the kind of relationship you want with the Lord—one in which both you and He enjoy time spent in each other’s presence? If that sounds good to you, then I have great news. God also wants that kind of delightful friendship, which develops through commitment, trust, and patience.

First, a believer must commit his or her ways to God. This means that we welcome Him to examine our desires and plans. The Lord is invited to alter whatever does not fit His purpose or advance His plan for our life.

Second, a believer must trust God. Who is more worthy of our faith than the Father, who gave Jesus Christ to save wicked sinners? The One who would not spare His only Son will certainly provide all that His children need (Rom. 8:32).

Third, a believer must rest in God. When we fret about an issue or something that we consider necessary, we’re neither committing ourselves to the Lord nor trusting in Him. Because of our limited human viewpoint, waiting patiently is rarely easy. However, God knows when circumstances and timing are perfectly aligned for His will to be done.

A growing relationship with the Lord is not drudgery, though it can be hard work. But the effort is a labor of love, because humans are designed to derive joy from being in God’s presence. The greatest pleasure we can experience in life is walking hand in hand with a Father who adores us.