It's Provoking!

The dictionary says the word "provoke" has four meanings; 1.) To incite to anger or resentment; vex; irk: 2.) To stir to action or feeling, 3.) To give rise to; evoke: [provoke laughter] 4.) To bring about deliberately; induce: [provoke a fight]. Synonyms include; incite, excite, stimulate, arouse, rouse, elicit, evoke, kindle, enkindle, fire, raise, create, make, and stir. Provoke is a verb; provocation noun, provocative adjective, provocatively adverb.

We need to consider what the Bible says. There is a negative side to provoke and God identifies it clearly. This kind of provoking has serious consequences - in families... "And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath; but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4) and in God's people... The children of Israel provoked God to wrath continually. "How oft did they provoke Him in the wilderness, and grieve Him in the desert! Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel." (Psalm 78:40-41) For further reference, see, Numbers 14:11,23; 16:20; Deuteronomy 31:20; 32:21; Psalm 78:56; 106:33; Isaiah 65:3; Jeremiah 44:8; & Zechariah 8:14. In the New Testament church we still find this potential for provoking God... "Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than God?" (I Corinthians 10:22) and we are warned about repeating Israel's folly. See Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 3:15-19.

But provoke also has a positive side. The Bible says...
"And let us consider on another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25)

"For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. (II Corninthians 9:2)

"I say then, Have they [the Jews] stumbled that they should fall? God forbid! but rather, through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy... If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are of my flesh, [the Jews] and might save some of them. ...blindness in part is happened unto Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in." (Romans 11:11, 14, 25b)

In each of these instances, provoking is a good thing. Something good, something wonderful, something that reveals the hand of God is at work in salvation's plan, in history, in the hearts of His chosen people, to the end that He will bring both Jews and Gentiles into reconciliation and right relationship with Him throughout eternity. It's God's Plan for the Ages!

We Gentiles received the Truth in part because of the Jews faithfulness in recording the Word of God throughout their generations. We found mercy through their unbelief! Now, they, in turn, through our mercy and faithfulness are also going to obtain mercy. No wonder our message is - "Be ye reconciled to God."

Let us be about the business of provoking... of inciting... inviting... enlightening... ambassadors for Christ, and of the increase of His Kingdom, may there be no end!

"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out... For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to Whom be glory for ever. Amen." (Romans 11:33, 36)  

Psalm 119 - Special Requests

Taken from Psalm119:25-40

Consider adopting these requests (as made by the Psalmist,) as your own. Meditate on them. Ponder them. Embrace them. You'll find that the more you absorb of the Word of God, the greater will be your peace, your understanding, and your ability to see life's events from His perspective.

"Thy Word have I hidden in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee. ...Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law." (Psalm 119:11, 18) "For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword,piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)

Verse 25 introduces the word, "quicken." We'll deal with that concept as we complete this thought.

Verse 26 - "Teach me Thy statutes." One must first learn what God's statutes are. This understanding is foundational (vital) to every study endeavor.

Verse 27 - "Make me to understand the way of Thy precepts." In order to follow God's commandments whole-heartedly, we must understand (know) "the way." Thomas' question was, "...How can we know the way?" Jesus' answer gave the key. "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." (John 14:4-6)

Verse 29 - "Remove from me the way of lying." Requesting the removal of something so foreign to a love of the truth as lies and deceit, is like an insurance policy. Not only do we need to know the truth, we also need to be able to discern and avoid the false; false ways, false teachings, false doctrine, false brethren, false thinking... and fables too!

Verse 33 - "Teach me, O LORD, the way of Thy Statutes." We need to understand the way of the matter, God's mindset and thinking. His Word is careful to make it plain - both the what and the why.

Verse 34 - "Give me understanding." Understanding comes by illumination. The Holy Ghost is a teacher and the only way to truly understand the Word written by men who were inspired by the Holy Ghost, is to have that same Holy Ghost indwelling.

Verse 35 - "Make me to go in the path of Thy commandments." In another place, the Word says, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD." When the Lord, (through His Word, His Spirit, and His
ministry,) directs our path; safety is assured, nourishment is continual, and living water completely satisfies.

Verse 36 - "Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies." Invite Him to lead you to the place where your desire and delight is found in the Lord and His provision. Our God keeps His Word! If He said it... He'll do it!

Verse 37 - "Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity." Ask for spiritual blinders, specifically to things that turn you away from your Lord. The old song says, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face; And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace."

Verse 38 - "Stablish Thy Word unto Thy servant." It's one thing to read, "Forever, O LORD, Thy Word is settled in heaven." It's another thing when the Word proves itself to you, personally. When you've found the answer to your need in the pages of God's Word, applied it, and it worked out to your good, you gain immeasureable reassurance and the confidence to trust Him and His word again and again.

Verse 39 - "Turn away my reproach which I fear." Even with the help of the Word of God, the Spirit of God, and the man of God, human nature is prone to weakness and failure/s. Hebrews 13:17 says when those who give account (your pastor/s and leaders,) have to do it with grief, that is "not profitable." The answer for the weakness of the flesh is keeping short accounts and repentance is key. For when we repent and confess our sins, He is faithful. He forgives us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness! That's how He turns away our reproach!

"Quicken me" occurs three times in these few verses. "Quicken me according to Thy Word," (v 25,) "Quicken Thou me in Thy way," (v 37,) and, "Quicken me in Thy Word." (v 40) Notice the nuances; according to Thy Word, in Thy way, and, in Thy Word. This "quickening" makes the Word alive in our hearts and lives. We then can be used to share the Word and bless the lives of those around us. The quickened Word becomes a "rhema word," which is a word sent forth to quicken.

Glossary:
According - v. in agreement, in harmony.
Precept - n. a command or directive given as a rule of action or conduct.
Quicken - v. to become alive, to receive life, to stimulate.
Reproach - v. 1.) to blame, censure, upbraid, 2.) to be a cause of blame or a discredit to.
Stablish - v. 1.) to found or build on a firm or stable basis, 2.) to show to be valid or true.
Statute - n. law; a permanent, established rule.

mjk - 3/2/2012

Observations At My Birdfeeder

My daughter thought I'd enjoy watching the birds out my kitchen window as I sit at breakfast each morning. So she got me started, finding little helpful gadgets to make easy access for the birds and the task of keeping the feeders refilled. Keeping a Birds of North America handbook nearby makes identifying my little guests a fun little side projext. I've thoroughly enjoyed the whole process and am learning some valuable lessons from observing these little witnesses. Though they speak no human language, they are nonetheless wonderful teachers, if we but take the time to consider...

1. They come to the "table" rain or shine, hot or cold. When they're hungry, they come and eat; no pride, no pickiness, no pushiness. They're not bashful or reluctant. They require no coaxing.
2. They're patient. If others are there before them, they just wait until there's a place for them. Juncos and chickadees will hang around while a fiesty blue jay eats his fill.
3. They don't get bothered by intruders like ubiquitous, overbearing, pesky squirrels and the occasional rabbit. If the squirrels dump the seeds out of the feeder, no problem. They'll flutter down to the ground and feed there. They even willingly eat there right along side the rabbits!
4. One day, eleven doves came at one time. (They're too big to eat from a feeder so they eat what falls to the ground.) They congregated, sitting in nearby branches for a while before settling down to the ground to feed. One reason for this is hawks. When a hawk is spotted, (or at any sudden noise, for that matter,) the whole flock rises at once - but they scatter in all directions as they rise, thus decreasing the hawk's advantage in eyesight and speed.
5. A pair of cardinals, who nest nearby, are sharers. They bring food back to the nest, first to feed each other as they sit on the eggs, and then to feed the hatchlings. Others carry food away too, but I've observed the cardinals doing it most often.
6. Different kinds of food attract particular birds. For instance, the woodpeckers prefer suet. Blue jays love cracked corn and pluck the kernels off dried corn cobs. Finches and cardinals like thistle and sunflower seeds. Squirrels do too and will spill mixed seeds all over the place as they pick out the sunflower seeds. Happily, many birds are glad to eat whatever is set before them.
7. All kinds of smaller birds come. There's no prejudice or selectiveness as to who eats with whom. Cardinals, sparrows, chickadees, juncos, jays, red-winged blackbirds, doves, woodpeckers, even cowbirds feed together in harmony. If they're seed and/or suet eaters, they come.The fact that someone has provided for them becomes a common denominator, one that everyone can enjoy.
8. They seem to spread the word. New (to me) visitors come frequently. Once they've been, they return and bring others; mates, babies, and bird-friends.
9. An additional bonus comes with those who sing - before and/or after they eat. Their own brand of joyful thanksgiving adds a sweet dimension to any day.

Whlie birdfeeding and watching is enjoyable, it's important to remember that God sustains them even when I cannot. When I was away on vacation, when I was sick and could not refill the feeders, the birds did not suffer. So there's no sense in me getting the big head about what I do. It's His eye that's on the sparrow. not mine.

"Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father." (Matthew 10:29) If God sees the sparrow's fall (death) and set nature in order to provide for its sustenance, how can we think we could ever be out of His sight and care?

mjk