The Lord is My Keeper

Lord, you are my Provider

In you I have no want

You are the one who feeds me

You will quench my thirst

Your strength will fill my being

In my weakness you are strong

You keep me on the right path

Your reputation is secure

When I walk thru circumstance so dark

Fear will not defeat me 

You surround me with your presence

Your Spirit never leaves

When my enemies surround me

You prepare a banquet of peace

For no one can defeat you

I sit with you worry free.

In your Spirit I'm refreshed

My life begins to overflow

You are goodness and mercy

You will never let me get away.

In you I will live eternally.

Remorse

I just finished reading about Judas betraying Jesus. The thought that came to me as I read it this time: Judas was filled with remorse for his sin. But he wasn't willing to repent.

Don't let remorse for what you have done keep you from repenting. Remorse will kill you. Repentance brings forgiveness and life.

Identity

Our identity is not found in the construct of our own making. Our identity is from and in the the Creator. When we decide to recreate ourselves through our own imagination we will always do so through the filter of inferiority and insecurity. When we legitimize feelings as the only test for identity we invalidate God's creativity. He designed us to be Spirit driven, not emotion driven. Identity In Him; not in what I think of myself or what others think of me. We are created in His image. 

AUTHENTIC CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

UNITY

Our unity lies not in rules, rituals, and regulations. These imprison us within the walls of religion. The Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes (the church leaders) of Jesus day had the rules, the rituals, the regulations that were the law for uniformity, nothing more than behavior modification. But Jesus said they were blind to the truth, they were dead inside, they were whited sepulchers, graves of destruction.

 Uniformity brings condemnation to anyone not wearing the uniform.

True unity, this bond of peace, derives not from the striving to live up to an impossible standard of legalistic perfection and the practice of torturing others into the mold so they will be just as miserable as those already in the club. But in the realization and acceptance of the Holy Spirit within and without who brings the Prince of Peace into to room who joins our hands and hearts together to transform us into HIS likeness. Thus, Godly love prevails over rules, regulations, ritual and religion that fail to fill the heart with peace and joy unspeakable. Because rules, rituals, regulations and religion are only about what I do and what I look like and can be lived out in isolation.

 Jesus is about Relationship with us and each other. Only in His transformational work in our lives through the Holy Spirit can we live in community. ONLY Jesus brings unity to his body, His church, His people.

 

Blessed

Stripped of every resource, there is now no recourse;
but to trust in Him.

living as a mourner, leads me as a pauper;
to the Comforter.

The choice of the humble, is no need to grumble;
life’s needs are met in Him.

Hunger in need, quenched indeed;
By all of the Eternal.

By Mercy’s love required, by Mercy’s love inspired;
received and given.

The heart of purity, focus of integrity;
Brings Father into sight.

The power of peace, brings warring to cease;
In His children reflected.

Persecutions meanness, met by one’s forgiveness;
Reward awaits with Him.



Copyright jim risner 2018