Confidence in You

Psalm 88

Troubles, terrors, and trials can consume our lives. Many times we seek to understand and even question God’s hand. It feels like we have been abandoned, left to our own designs in the midst of our troubles. Why does it appear to be lonely in times of struggle?

Could it be that when we are in over our heads it is the Lord’s plan? As the waters are slipping over us in the crashing of the waves this is the way God reminds us that we cannot handle all this. We are powerless without Jehovah. Even the things we think we can handle, if truth be told, are still over our heads.

Here’s the place I’ve finally arrived in my thinking about our lives. The Father is orchestrating our lives in such a way that we finally admit to Him that we cannot and only He can. When you get to the end of yourself and realize that you have no ability, no skill, no intellect mighty enough to handle all that life throws your way – happy day!

You see friend the Lord has never planned for you to have to handle it all. He delights in coming through for you. He is waiting right now for you to admit that you cannot handle it. He is eager to rush in to your situation and show that He is your God.

Heman the Ezrahite in the middle of frustration and emotions of abandonment confessed this one thing he would not cease to do and that is cry out to God. “But to You I have cried out, O Lord, and in the morning my prayer comes before You.” Heman knew his only hope was still the Lord. Look at this confidence in Jehovah – to You I pray. Hear the consistency of his devotion – in the morning my prayer. See the pattern of prayer as it rises before the Lord.

Seek Him in the day when He can be found. Cry out to Him in complete confession – O Lord God Almighty I cannot and you never said I could. And you can and you always said you would. I have confidence in You O Ancient of Days.

Always Enthusiastic,

Dr. Rusty Newman

Put me on Trial

Psalm 26.2

If you were put on trial for being a Christ-follower would there be enough evidence to convict you?

“Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.” (Psalm 26.2 NLT) Sit on the witness stand. Prepare for the cross examination of a lifetime, eternity. Consider now your actions and attitudes.


Now, that you are on the stand, who do you wish to judge you? David in the 26th pleaded with the Father to be his judge. He knew something of the way man judges. You see man cannot see the heart, the intention, or even the final outcome. No man looks at the short side of things. Man has a way of taking a poll and determining the questions of right and wrong based from popular opinion not the Word of God.


The majority is not always right in this world. In fact, many times they are dead wrong because their plan is to do what’s right in their own eyes. Man has an agenda and judges from that standpoint. Man’s agenda is pride and selfishness.

Now when God is the Judge we have a different matter altogether. God also comes at this from his vantage point. But his perspective is perfect. His pathway is not one of variances and popular opinion. Last time I checked our God does not take polls or even consider the bent of culture.

No, God’s agenda never changes. His agenda is His love and righteousness. And since we cannot arrive at his righteousness on our own His love has provided for us a pathway. This way is a path to righteousness through the love of Jesus Christ his son.

So Judge me Lord, not according to the standards, whims, and ways of humanity. Judge me Lord according to your righteous standard. Yes, I know this is higher, challenging, and difficult. But, Lord, I would rather trust your standards that have not changed than my own kind. May I be found in you – yes, Lord – May I be found in you righteous and pleasing through my faith. May there be more than enough evidence to convict me of being your man – a true Christ-follower.

Always Enthusiastic,

Dr. Rusty Newman

Can Hope Return

Psalm 80.3,7,19

The day of grace is over. Israel has crossed that final line with Jehovah. Our God is gracious, merciful, and longsuffering; however, he is no push over. As Asaph pens the 80^th he can see the Assyrian army on the horizon. “Restore us, O God; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!” He cries out to Israel’s shepherd.

Years of drunkenness, debauchery, and immorality has eaten into the national character. No longer is the nation seeking after the Lord. Now there is no integrity or principles, not even a common faith that in any way would awaken the people. Hosea, on the scene, is unveiling the events: “Harlotry, wine, and new wine, enslave the heart.” (Hosea 4:11).

Here they come, one by one the nations fall to Assyrian Tiglath-pileser. The gathering storm is on the horizon. King Hoshea proved to be as unwise politically as he was ungodly; he crossed the line. Jehovah has had His fill. Now Assyrian King Shalmaneser advanced closer to Israel and dealt with her disloyalty.

It was autumn of 722 b.c. Israel is demolished because of Assyria. No, because of sin! Hold up a minute. Didn’t the psalmist pray the scriptural prayer of Aaron from Numbers 6 not once but three times? “Restore us, O God; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!” Yes, he prayed for the grace of God. The problem is Israel had sinned away her day of grace. Hearts cold from a lifestyle of sin no one seeks after God.

If God dealt this way with His nation what hope do we have as Americans? We are sinning away our day of grace. We seek counsel with the unwise and ungodly. We follow the appetites of political correctness. We murder the innocent and promote the open annihilation of the unwanted through abortion. Must I go on?

“Restore us, O God; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!”

Is there hope for us? Return and He will restore! He did for Israel – Hosea saw that too. “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for my anger has turned away from him…they shall be revived…” (Hosea 14:4-7).

“Restore us, O God; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!”

"The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26

Always Enthusiastic,

Dr. Rusty Newman

Trouble with bullies

Psalm 18

Bullies come in all shapes and sizes. Today we can easily refer to them as terrorist. They play on your emotions and get in your head. And even when they are not nearby they can rob you even of restful moments.

The enemy is the ultimate bully. He plays on your fears; introduces moments of doubt into your life; and can even attack you. James 4:7 gives us a solution to the bully situation. He says we must “resist the devil…” in other words stand up to the bully. From the days of Barney Fife this has always been the answer but it is never easy; even if you are decorated and dedicated lawman like “iron blood” Fife. You can stand up; but only when we follow the pattern in the entire verse, listen to it all. “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

The key of resistance is submission. Why do we know this works? Because we know who our God is completely. The psalmist, in a time of terrible terrorist torment, submitted to the Almighty. “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliver, my God, my mountain where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation.” (18.2)

We can resist because we can submit to Jehovah who personifies seven strengths. He is the Foundation; a stable place to stand. He is the Fortress; our security for the onslaught. He is my Freedom; our source of refuge in times of trouble. He is the Forever-One; our sovereign God. He is the Formation; our strength in high defenses. He is the Force-Field; our shield of protection that extinguishes all the flaming darts of the enemy. He is our Future; our sure salvation is secured in Jesus.

Bullies don’t stand a chance against our God!

Always Enthusiastic (always running to Him),
Dr. Rusty Newman

Deserves our worship

Psalm 137.4

Worship is the highest thing that we humans can do at the feet of the Lord God Almighty. We come into His presence, undistracted by the stuff, focusing upon Him. We praise the One who is altogether lovely, the One who is the bright and morning star, the One the only One worthy of our Worship.

Life brings us into circumstance and situations that rattle our worshipping heart. You may find your way into one of those valleys today. You may be wandering in a time of discouragement and distraction. The Psalmist felt this pain. He struggled with the ability to worship in spite of circumstances. “How can we sing the Lord’s song on foreign soil?”

Are you on foreign soil today? Are you at the edge of the enemy’s camp? Are you discouraged? Lonely? Despised?

“If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you…” (137:5,6)

He deserves our worship regardless of outer circumstances. He knows where you are today – worship him. Lay down your burdens at his feet – worship Him. Put aside the distractions by focusing on His beauty – worship Him. Lose yourself in Jesus today – he will cover your sins and comfort your sorrows.

Always Enthusiastic,

Dr. Rusty Newman

What Do You Think?

Psalm 104:34

Your brain is an amazing muscle. It stores unbelievable amounts of facts, figures, and images. The most powerful super computer ever developed is that 3.5 pound mass in your skull. A physician accustomed to performing autopsies humorously declared that he has never seen a brain even close to being over used.

Every once in a while you may want to think about what you are thinking. For just a minute consider the Lord. Think on Him. Allow your mind to flow with the powerfully images of who He is. Imagine if you would The Almighty seated upon the throne.

Can you see the majesty of the Lord? “He wraps Himself in light as if it were a robe, spreading out the sky like a canopy…He looks at the earth, and it trembles; He touches the mountains, and they pour out smoke.” (Ps. 104:2, 32) Dig in deep with your thoughts, He is inexhaustible! “But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." (1 Cor. 2.9).

Think about what you are thinking. Recognize that the Father delights in your thoughts of Him. The Psalmist thought of this as he prayed, “May my meditations be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the Lord.” (Ps. 104.34)

Father, may all our thoughts of you be sweet and please you. Allow all of us to open our minds in creativity as we consider you and worship. Amen.

Always Enthusiastic,
Dr. Rusty Newman

His eyes watch

Psalm 11

It’s a silly commercial, but apparently very effective. Unnerved, people realize that something is staring at them. As they attempt to figure it out another character in the sketch comments, “Oh that? That’s the money you could be saving with ____________.” Flash to the stack of money with the staring eyes.

Don’t look now, but there is someone staring at you. And believe me this is no silly matter. The ever present stare of the Lord is upon everyone. He sees you right now.

Now depending on what is occurring in your life that thought of the ever present gaze of God can be unnerving or reassuring. My hope today is you are reassured. In this society we are witnessing the crumbling of the foundation of our nation. The family is under siege. Finances and the markets remain volatile. It would appear as if we are living a page from the Old Testament in which “everyone did what was right in their own eyes.”

“When the foundations are destroyed what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11.3) Are we left powerless to watch the collapse? Do the immoral, ungodly, and wicked continue to operate unabashed and unleashed?

As the Psalmist struggled with similar situations of our day he took reassurance in the Lord. “The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes watch; He examines everyone.”

The Lord is still on His throne. The Lord is still in authority. The Lord sees. Oh yes, he sees you right now – knows it all. Take comfort oh lover of righteousness. Be of good cheer worshipper of Jehovah. He sees, hears, and guides.

What’s that? That’s the life you could be living with Jehovah!

Always Enthusiastic,

Dr. Rusty Newman