Sweden Church - The Layman's Pen

A Man After God's Own Heart

9/12/2025

  God said that David was a man after his own heart (I Samuel 13:14).  Ever wonder why David was a man after God’s heart?  The answer is found in Acts 13:22 when God says that David will fulfill his (God’s) will.  In other words, David would do what God wanted him to.  The first proof of that is when David challenged Goliath (I Samuel 17).  David demonstrated his faith in God that day.
    David was a man who was not perfect.  He had failings.  One of the most notable ones is his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband, Uriah (II Samuel 11).  But he was also truly repentant (II Samuel 12).
    The most important thing to remember about David is that he was fully committed to following God.  Psalm 23 can be viewed as a reflection that David made about God and himself.  He was not perfect but he was willing to go and do whatever God’s will was for him.
    David became King of Israel at the age of thirty and served as king for forty years (II Samuel 5:4). Forty years of facing numerous problems from being hunted by King Saul, family strife, loss of his infant son, and many others that he faced.
    Psalm 23 is power-packed with David’s acknowledgement that were it not for God being his Shepherd, he would have perished.  Imagine him sitting somewhere reflecting back to all that has taken place.  Marveling, if you will, that he is still here, still breathing.
    At the same time being thankful for God’s guidance in his life.  As he ponders on everything his heart fills to overflowing with love for this wondrous Shepherd who led him through all of the obstacles.  Grabbing a pen, he quickly scribbles these words:
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:  thou annointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over (Psalm 23:5).”

Focus on the Shepherd

9/4/2025

   “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me (Psalm 23:4).”  Even though I go through the valleys of life that are full of dangers, I rest in the faith that my Good Shepherd protects me.  All of us suffer in life.
    Calamities lurk around the corner.  Sometimes, it just seems like we’re just waiting for the next ‘shoe’ to drop.  Our focus has turned to fear, anxiety, and worry.  We’re stuck in the valley and wonder if it will ever end.
    David, the author of Psalm 23, had his share of trials in life but the darkest day had to be when he fled from his son Absalom who wanted to kill him and take the throne.  It’s in II Samuel 16:20 through 19:8. It’s a sad story for David  but, also, a story of how the Shepherd guided him through this valley.
    It’s important to focus, not on being stuck in the valley covered with fear and worry, but to focus on the Shepherd by your side.  The lion (I Peter 5:8) and the wolf (John 10:12) lie in wait for their prey. But the Shepherd walks beside us and takes care of us.
    ‘Thy rod and thy staff’—the rod is a weapon of protection used for defense, and the staff is a tool used to guide and rescue.  The Shepherd/sheep relationship; in a world full of iniquity, we need the Good Shepherd to navigate the valleys and pitfalls of life.
    And who else is better suited to be our Shepherd?  He laid down his life so that we could choose salvation through him, Jesus Christ.  “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness (Isaiah 41:10).”  Praise God.

Psalm 23

8/25/2025

  “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake (Psalm 23:3).”  He, of course, refers to the shepherd in verse One of this Psalm.  The Lord is my shepherd.
    A shepherd is the one who is the caretaker of a flock of sheep.  Sheep tend to wander off unless there is some kind of action taken to prevent that from happening.  In addition to that, they are defenseless and can become food for any predator.
    Just like sheep who wander off, mankind has the same inclination to wander off.  A shepherd recovers (restores) the sheep to the fold.  Likewise, the Lord restores us.  From the beginning man was a living soul (Genesis 2:7).  God did not just pat himself on the back and walk away.  HE is in the restoration business.  Hence, he restores the souls of mankind.
    Paths are the well-trodden avenues of life that mankind sees before him.  There are so many ways to go.  Just like sheep, it’s easy to wind up in the ‘pigpen’ and struggle to be set free.  Life can be like a maze.  Following our shepherd takes us in the paths of righteousness.  “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left (Isaiah 30:21).”
    In Acts 13:22, God is speaking of David, “…I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.”  David had a personal relationship with God and, yet, he was not perfect.  He lived to understand God in a way that leaves a lesson from which to grow and have a personal relationship with God.
    Psalm 23 is David’s testimony.

The Good Shepherd

8/18/2025

   Anyone out there feel completely free from the pressures of life? Probably not, life has a way of challenging all of us at one time or another. Loss of a loved one, financial worries, taking on new responsibilities, not feeling equal to a task, injuries, fear of failure, etcetera: so many things in life take a toll on our feelings of self-worth.
          It’s easy to get caught up in events and forget the good shepherd. “I am the good shepherd… (John 10:11).” “But he was wounded for our transgressions…with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5).” “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want (Psalm 23:1).”
          It’s the opening of the 23rd Psalm, probably the most memorized scripture in the Bible. The Lord (God) ‘is’ my shepherd. Not was or will be. The present tense means that the meaning of the sentence is alive and active. God is there and waiting to be called on.
          Pray, pray, pray. He is there for you. He is the still small voice (I Kings 19:12,13). Elijah was fleeing Jezebel in fear for his life. He was scared witless. So much so that he asked God to take his life. An angel visited and told him to eat. He did and laid down again. The angel came back again and told him to eat which he did.
          Forty days and nights he journeyed and came to the mount of God and there he waited for word from God. God said, “What are you doing here?” Poor old Elijah was so beaten down and felt so defeated that he thought all was lost. God restored him and sent Elijah on his way (I Kings 19:15).
    God is the Good Shepherd. He restored Elijah and does the same for us. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters (Psalm 23:1,2).” Just ask.

Sin and Salvation

8/11/2025

Two verses: first, Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” and second, Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Three topics are in these verses: sin, savior, and salvation.
Sin began with Lucifer the angel. In Isaiah 14:12-14 it tells how Lucifer (also known as Satan) wanted to be God and not a servant. Ezekiel 28:12-18 gives a description of Lucifer. Lucifer had it all until iniquity (sin) set in. It’s interesting that the serpent in Genesis 3:5 used the same lure ‘and ye shall be as gods’ that caused his own iniquity. Romans 5:19 tells us that by one man’s (Adam) disobedience many were made sinners. Many? Sounds odd until we realize that there was one who was righteous, who did not sin—Jesus.
And it’s because of the obedience of Jesus that many will be made righteous. There’s that word again, many. It’s like the first line of an old poem, “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood”, everyone must choose which road they want to follow in life. Spiritually, it’s a choice between following or not following Jesus. Yes, it sounds simplified because it is that simple. Jesus said it himself that no one could come to God but through him (John 14:6).
There we have it. All have sinned. The seed of sin entered the heart of mankind beginning with Adam. The wages of sin is death. Everyone will die. After that, though, God has given us a gift. It’s called eternal life. For those who believe that Jesus is our savior, God has given them the gift of eternal life.
Jesus said it, “I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live (John 11:25).”

Dominion

8/4/2025

God said “Let us make man…and let them have dominion over the fish…fowl…cattle…all earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth (Genesis 1:26).” In verse 27 God creates male and female and in verse 28 tells them the same thing he said in verse 26. Dominion is more than just having authority, it’s a responsibility to take care of things.
     Then man was moved to the garden of Eden. God warned him not to eat from one particular tree in the garden but he did (I know, so did the woman). This caused sin to set in because man did something he was told not to do. And with it came death. Even though sin had taken place, God did not strike the man dead. God loved his creation even though He knew it would separate mankind from His presence.
     By the time of David it’s plain to mankind that God is necessary just to try and keep sin at bay. Psalm 119:133 is a plea to God to direct us in such a way that iniquity (sin) cannot get dominion over us. God has rescued His people from so many catastrophes in the 2500 or so years since He created them that man has finally realized that we don’t really deserve His love. Hence, we call God’s love His grace.
     There is no greater power than God’s grace. Romans 6:14 assures us that sin will not have dominion over us because we are under grace. Those who believe they are redeemed by the blood of Christ will inherit the power of God’s grace and become co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).
     Jesus said it in Matthew 28:18, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” For believers we have been set free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). The power of God’s grace through Jesus Christ; (1) justifies us (Titus 3:7). We have been declared ‘not guilty’; (2) sanctifies us (Ephesians 2:8-9). We are made holy; (3) protects us (II Timothy 2:1) We are made strong; (4) and, gives us the victory (Romans 6:14).

Hiding From God

6/3/2025

“When we try to play ‘hide and seek’ from God, he knows where we are.” said Pastor Josh. “It doesn’t work. It didn’t work for Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.” This is part of today’s sermon which he called Hiding From God. This was a thoughtful sermon leading up to the conclusion of the day of the Lord.
The ‘day of the Lord’ is an event that takes place at the end of history. The end of history—let that sink in. There is a day coming when our Lord Jesus Christ will call an end to this earth. The sermon text, Revelation 6:15-17, spells out what is going to happen when the ‘wrath of the Lamb’ is visited on mankind.
It's an awakening for those who didn’t heed all the warnings about this day that are cited in the Bible. One of the early ones is Isaiah 13:6, “Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.” One of the later ones is II Peter 3:10, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night…” Of course, there are many others in between. (I came up with 38. You may find more.)
It's much like the same thing as all the warnings we get about bad weather. They keep saying, “Get ready. We’re going to have floods.” Some take it seriously and others don’t. The same thing is at play here. Somehow, we’ll get lucky and dodge the bullet.
Not so here in Revelation 5:15. The sinners, hypocrites, proud, and rich will suffer the wrath of the Lamb (verse 16, 17). Remember that we serve a just, holy, and righteous God.
God also is gracious and merciful. Those who are on the treadmill of sin and sinful ways can always call out to God. Heed the warnings. God can save you. Only He can save you from the wrath to come.

Examine Yourself

3/3/2024

  “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup (I Corinthians 11:28).”  Then there’s John 13:1: “Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.”  To the very last breath on this earth, Jesus loved us.
          In the first verse Paul reminds us to take a good look at ourselves and see if anything has changed in us.  What have we done to honor the sacrifice that Jesus made for us?  Have we cleaned up our act or are we still continuing on just living life with no thought of what things are important.
          In the second verse we are reminded that Jesus really did suffer and die so that we may live.  Paul’s caution is a good one.  “Let a man examine himself…”  Are we carnal, worldly or are we Christ-like, spiritual?  Seriously sit down and take an inventory of how you are doing spiritually.
          First, do you believe God with your head or your heart?  Remember that even the devil and demons believe there is a God, they just refuse to believe in him.  Romans 10:10 says that you acknowledge with your mouth what your heart believes.  Second, what do you trust in?  Do you believe that you are saved by God’s grace/mercy, or do you need to do stuff to get there?  God doesn’t need you to do stuff.  He needs you.  Then, God will lead you to where you need to go.
          Third, what rules you?  Are you prideful or humble?  See God for who he truly is (Holy) and then measure yourself against that measuring stick.  Take the time to do it right and really measure yourself.  Fourth, what are your goals in life?  Write them down.  Take a good look at it.  Who are you serving, God or self?
          And fifth, who do you love?  It says, “For God so loved the world… (John 3:16).”  So, do you love God and some or God and all?  That’s the question.  It’s hard and takes real perseverance.
          Obey or disobey, know right from wrong, pray, forgive, love, follow the Word, worship, etc.  There’s a long list of choices in life.  Take time to do it right.  Your eternal life depends on it.

God Breathed

2/25/2024

   From the first breath of a newborn to the last breath of the living person who surrenders life to the grave, were it not for God, there would be no breath. Genesis 2:7 is clear that God breathed into man the breath of life and he became a living soul. It’s sad to say but there are many on this earth that don’t acknowledge this simple fact.
          Yes, the material part of man is made from the dust of the earth. And yes, again, he is also made up of an immaterial part which is God’s breath. Mankind is both physical and spiritual because God created him that way. Those who study the Bible know that God has created many creatures, beings, etc. John 1:3 says that all things were created through God.
          It also says in Genesis 2:7 that God leaned forward and breathed into man the breath of life and he became a living soul. God, who is Spirit (John 4:24), must be worshipped in spirit and in truth. God planned from the beginning that mankind would have both a physical and spiritual component. That he would be a living soul.
          Which begs the question: How many of us remember that we are living souls? This world focuses on identity. Who am I? People use all kinds of things to define themselves. Their professions, education, achievements, awards, family, titles; the list is endless. How many would say that their identity is in Christ?
          Jesus came to this earth both physically and spiritually. He suffered in the flesh. He had many obstacles which stood in the way that wanted to prevent him from accomplishing his mission. His mission: to die for the sins of the world and open the way for our salvation. Were it not for him, there would be no heaven for us.

Remember Your Savior

2/18/2024

  Remember God.  All people and all nations that forget God are doomed.  And I’m just putting that in a nice way.  Psalm 9:17 says, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”  So, do whatever you can to remember God.
          In this day and age, it’s too easy to prioritize God right out of one’s life.  There’s so much push to get people to forget values and beliefs they were raised with and to accept the new ‘culture, new ideas about morals, standards and conduct’.  It was C. S. Lewis that spoke of the slippery slope to hell.  God is clear in the Bible about those who forget God and also forget what He stands for.
          The words of the Preacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem (Ecclesiastes 1:1).  That would be Solomon, the wisest man who indulged and had access to everything that life could offer.  Besides saying that all on this earth is vanity, he also said, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shall say, I have no pleasure in them (Ecclesiastes 12:1).”
          The day is coming when the dust will return to the earth (v. 7).  Adam and Eve forgot and helped themselves to the fruit.  God cursed the ground they stood on and warned them (Genesis 3:19) they would return to the very dust they were created from.  Don’t forget God.
          Add Him to your plan book.  When your feet hit the floor in the morning, make Him your first thought.  Strive to be among those counted in Psalm 33:12: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his inheritance.”