Open my eyes that I may see (Psalm 5)

Posted on March 16, 2020 by Steve Husting


Psalm 5:1 Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.

This word meditation is better translated as groaning. David is groaning in his praying. Something is weighing on him. Sometimes we can groan without being able to put a finger on what’s wrong. It seems to be the case in this psalm. It’s not clear to me what he’s groaning about here.

When we ask the Lord God to hear us as David did here, we have an excellent chance of being heard. Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, was buried, and rose again. He took care of that one issue that separated us from God: sin. When we are convicted of sin, we may come boldly to the throne of God for deliverance.

There is another person in scripture who groaned in His prayers, isn’t there? Jesus groaned in Gethsemane when faced with the weight of the cross before Him. He went forward with His mind and will strengthened to go through with it.

If you wonder whether God hears your prayers, come to Him through Jesus. Honor Jesus. Worship Him. Be thankful for Jesus. Welcome Him into your life again. King Jesus will hold out the scepter for you to advance.

Continue reading →
Posted in Encouragement | Leave a comment

Mary, did you know

Posted on December 22, 2019 by Steve Husting

Reflections on the Christmas story

Luke 1:26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

The angel Gabriel visited Mary. 500+ years earlier this same Gabriel visited Daniel to explain a vision given to him of upcoming warfare (in Daniel 8).

Six months ago, the angel Gabriel went and visited Zechariah in the temple, telling him that Elizabeth will have a son and to call him John, meaning Gift of God. Now Gabriel comes to visit Mary.

Later, Joseph will be visited by angels a couple of times in his dreams, to flee Herod’s massacre and to return when the danger was past. We don’t know for sure, but want to bet who those angels were?

Hebrews 13:2 tells us that God is still sending angelic messengers, but they have a human appearance. Angel means messenger. We see in the OT with the prophets and in the NT with the disciples that God has human messengers too. Any time you have personal devotions you have a message to share.

Continue reading →
Posted in Encouragement | Tagged | Leave a comment

Every Spiritual Blessing

Posted on December 2, 2019 by Steve Husting

God has blessed His people with every spiritual blessing in Christ. To get a handle on how great this is, let’s briefly backtrack to the Old Testament laws and the Kingdom of God in the Sermon on the Mount.

The OT laws were pretty straightforward. They were not impossible to keep. You did not have to be spiritual to keep them. Do not murder. When you build a rooftop, put a fence around it so people don’t fall off. No kidnapping. When you sin, bring the best from the flock to the priests and sacrifice it and your sin will be covered. Keep this feast on this day of this month. The laws are straightforward and mostly about what to do and not to do.

But then Jesus comes along and upsets the applecart (and the moneychangers’ tables). The Jews were pretty situated around their laws and doing their best with them and the many extra traditions added by the scribes and Pharisees.

Continue reading →
Posted in Encouragement | Leave a comment

Enter Christmas Prepared

Posted on November 22, 2019 by Steve Husting

As we enter this Christmas season, let’s do it from the solid foundation of scripture. (But then that’s how we’re to approach all of life, isn’t it?) So, what does the Bible say about the Christ Child? We already know that the season is primarily a commercial enterprise. Everybody gets stressed as they ponder what to buy, they’ll stress over the crowds at the malls and over Black Friday sales and their dwindling checking accounts, stress over being alone during the holidays. The tinsel and merry-making are masking a lot of sleepless nights.

But we have an advantage. We have a God who loved us and came in the flesh to save us. Before we approach this season based on warm feelings, memories of family traditions, home for the holidays, putting up decorations, fresh baking smells, sentimental songs, beautiful decorations, and gift-giving — before all this, let’s start with the facts of the Savior’s birth and what the implications are for us.

There’s a way to go through this season and give God the glory. I separated my observations into two groups: 1) Jesus’ birth fulfilled prophecy, and 2) Jesus’ birth is God becoming man. Continue reading →

Posted in Society and Culture | Tagged | Leave a comment

Musing on recent news as it relates to end-times prophecy

Posted on November 16, 2019 by Steve Husting

Thousands of northern Europeans are conducting cashless and cardless transactions by using an implanted device the size of a grain of rice. These recipients are the testing ground for the technology the antichrist figure will possibly use to flush out certain Christians, those faithful to the Lord who will not take the mark. This cashless system will also be a means for the Lord to test His saints — will they choose this present world or the kingdom of God?

An increasing number of grocery stores are incorporating checkout self-serve scanning devices to replace human cashiers. Next up will be various means of scanning without cash or cards. All retail businesses will be herded into a cashless state, and these grocers are a visible reminder of that. No one will be able to buy or sell unless the person had the mark in the right hand or forehead. How do we get ready for supporting ourselves in this system? Continue reading →

Posted in End Times | Leave a comment

The Way, the Truth, and the Life

Posted on November 9, 2019 by Steve Husting

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).

How can we understand this verse, these three aspects of Jesus? This passage takes place while Jesus is with His disciples in the upper room, just shortly before they leave for Gethsemane to be betrayed by Judas. Jesus told them several minutes earlier that He was leaving. That saddened them. That’s when this chapter starts and Jesus tells them not to be troubled. As part of His encouragement to them, He reveals this phrase about Himself.  Continue reading →

Posted in Encouragement | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Stories Continue

Posted on October 21, 2019 by Steve Husting

Some atheists attack the bible, saying it is full of fiction. The stories of God working in people’s lives are not true, they say. But the stories did not stop with the book of Acts. The biblical canon stopped with the book of Revelation, but the stories of God moving continue on today.

The missionary reports tell of a God who is still at work. Our home bible meetings divulge personal experiences of God moving still. Our own lives are testimonies that Jesus has risen. Continue reading →

Posted in Society and Culture | Leave a comment

Mindfulness

Posted on October 14, 2019 by Steve Husting

Sit comfortably in a quiet place. Breathe in deeply, count 1, then release. Repeat until all stress is gone and you are refreshed.

Is mindfulness pop psychology? My medical (IPO) sent me a slickly designed card with a handy card containing a mindfulness prompt to relieve stress.

There are countless coloring books for adults (in paper and app) with intricate designs where we can color between the lines, and take our minds off our daily problems. Their repetitiveness and simplicity are soothing and calming. Continue reading →

Posted in Society and Culture | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Life in the Kingdom, book 2 — Excerpt from Steve’s latest book

Posted on September 5, 2019 by Steve Husting

This is an excerpt from my latest book, Life in the Kingdom, book 2. Learn more about it here.

A Father’s Fury

18:5–6 “Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him that a huge millstone should be hung around his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depths of the sea.”

God has invested so much time and effort in creating a person to be like His Son that He pronounces dire judgment upon those who undo His work of salvation. It will be better that the stumblers be drowned deep in the sea than face what they will experience at the Judgment Seat. God so appreciates and loves all the work we expend to trust and obey Him, to fight the battles we fight to stand for Him, to cut off all those elements of sin to honor Him above all, that He will be furious at those who unravel all of our and His hard work. Continue reading →

Posted in Steve's Books | Leave a comment

End-times prophecy roundup

Posted on August 2, 2019 by Steve Husting

Musing on recent news as it relates to end-times prophecy.

Thousands of northern Europeans are conducting cashless and cardless transactions by using an implanted device the size of a grain of rice. These recipients are the testing ground for the technology the antichrist figure could possibly use to flush out certain Christians, those faithful to the Lord who will not take the mark. This cashless system will also be a means for the Lord to test His saints — will they choose this present world or the kingdom of God? Continue reading →

Posted in End Times | Leave a comment

Letter to my pen pals, July 2019

Posted on July 23, 2019 by Steve Husting

Grace and peace are multiplied to us through knowing Jesus (2 Peter 1:2-4). In some way, the more we know of him, the more his power is given. We may know ourselves and our weaknesses very well. We may be able to point to any number or weaknesses as reasons why we can’t do more or believe more or be more like him. The more we fixate on our inabilities or the circumstances, the less we feel we can do.

But grace comes, aid comes, through knowing him more, not self more. It comes through knowing him, not by trying harder with the hopelessness of our failures dragging us down. Continue reading →

Posted in Encouragement | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Our Father Prayer, part 2

Posted on July 4, 2019 by Steve Husting

Let me first point out how unusual this prayer is. We’ve heard it so often that we forget something: these are not thoughts that the average person would think of. Apart from Christ, we would not say these things on our own. These are words directed to God, and we in our sin would never think this way.

The Bible tells us that we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Here’s the prayer life of those who have been restored to God. They care about honoring God. They want to stay close to their heavenly Father. They want Him to rule in His kingdom. They want to do His will. Having these desires indicates a healthy spiritual life.

This prayer can awaken or shape these desires in the child of God, but not when it is said as a matter of repetitious religious routine. When God’s ways are earnestly sought, then these words of the Our Father prayer will transform us. They will give us new light about our relationship with God and each other. We can use this prayer as a model for your own time of prayer, but in our own words. Continue reading →

Posted in Encouragement | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Meditation: Colossians 1:26-29

Posted on June 15, 2019 by Steve Husting

1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

God raised up Paul to teach what had not been revealed in the Old Testament. However, how could Paul know about this mystery when men and angels have never gotten wind of it? How do you faithfully teach what God has never revealed before from ages and from generations in His own holy book?

Jesus came and pulled back the curtains to reveal the mystery God wanted to show us. He gave us a box called the Kingdom of God, and gave us instructions on what to do with it. We still have those instructions in the gospels. They give a fuller picture of God’s vision of the coming kingdom than we see in the OT. Continue reading →

Posted in Encouragement | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Strengthen Yourself

Posted on April 28, 2019 by Steve Husting

When I was lethargic, low on energy, or just feeling the blahs, I would watch TV, putter around the house, or waste my time in other ways. In the back of my mind, though, I knew there was spiritual power waiting for me if I wanted it. Unfortunately, I kept taking the easy way out. I decided to do something different and seek God for a recharge. But how? Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity | Leave a comment

Letter to my pen pals, February 2019

Posted on February 5, 2019 by Steve Husting

A new year has started, and with it new possibilities. I know, that sounds like a corny Hallmark card. Like the happily-ever-after of a fairy tale. Some people have a right to be skeptical. But not Christians. With a risen Savior, a happily ever after is guaranteed. Because God is for us and His mercies are new every morning, every day that begins with faith in God’s promises is a fresh start. Continue reading →

Posted in Encouragement | Tagged | Leave a comment

For to us a child is born

Posted on December 25, 2018 by Steve Husting

About 700 years before the Word was made flesh, God revealed details about the Savior of the world so we would know what He would be like. In Isaiah 9:6–7 we find these words:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

He is given several names here to whet the Jews’ appetites for the promised Messiah. We can see these names when Jesus shone His light in the darkness during His ministry throughout Israel. Continue reading →

Posted in Encouragement, Jesus | Tagged | Leave a comment

Attitudes of Faith

Posted on December 18, 2018 by Steve Husting

What does faith feel like? How do you know when you have it? As I was praying about my faith, several aspects of my faith over the years came to mind. I had demonstrated faith in different ways, but they all had one thing in common: they all moved me to action or to making decisions that honored God and His word.

Faith’s definition in the Bible does not mean to believe without proof. It means to have a conviction that something is so. So make sure you don’t apply modern definitions to this book written thousands of year ago.

Why is it important to examine our faith life? Because Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God. Also, the Holy Spirit in the believer teaches us that salvation is played out in a life of faith, as Roman 1:17 tells us, “the just shall live by faith.” This means that we are living unrighteously if we live according to our five senses and feelings, as though the unseen world does not exist. Living by faith means that we live our lives with the unseen God in view. Continue reading →

Posted in Religion and Spirituality | Tagged | Leave a comment

Put on the Whole Armor of God

Posted on October 15, 2018 by Steve Husting

After I finished reading In Christ Jesus: The Sphere of the Believer’s Life, by Arthur Tappan Pierson, I gained a greater appreciation for the salvation that Christ has accomplished for us. I highly recommend you read the free, online version of this short book here: https://www.whatsaiththescripture.com/Voice/In.Christ.Jesus.1.html The thoughts in that book gave rise to a new perspective on the Armor of God for the Christian, which follows. Continue reading →

Posted in Sin and Salvation | Leave a comment

The Our Father Prayer: Hallowed Be Thy Name

Posted on April 14, 2018 by Steve Husting

Excerpt from Life in the Kingdom, book 1
https://stevehusting.com/alivetogod/steves-books/

Pray Like This
Matthew 6:9a Pray like this

Notice that Jesus does not say “pray these words,” but “pray in this manner.” There’s nothing wrong with praying these words; we just don’t need to pray exactly these words. We don’t need a script. We don’t need a book of prayers. We may speak to God as naturally as we speak to one another. Jesus has opened the way. When He died on the cross, the veil in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. This means God opened the way into His presence through faith in Jesus. This is the true kingdom of God: we can talk directly to Him.

Now let’s see in what manner Jesus wants us to pray. In verses 9-10 Jesus starts the prayer with God and His will. I don’t know about you, but I usually start with me and what I want! When we pray in Jesus’ manner, however, we pray for God and His will first and our needs second.

Our Father
Matthew 6:9 Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.

We don’t find “Father” used of God very much in the Old Testament. The Psalms uses it twice in reference to God being a Father to the fatherless. Isaiah calls him The Everlasting Father in 9:6, referring to Jesus, and he calls God “our Father” in 63:16 and 64:8. But when we come to the Gospel of John we find God referred to as “the Father” over a hundred times! The Gospel of John is unique in that it persistently portrays Jesus as the Son of the Father. Jesus loved to use this term when addressing God. Continue reading →

Posted in Encouragement | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

After the Easter Story: Resurrection Power and the Christian

Posted on March 31, 2018 by Steve Husting

Edited contents taken from Living with the End in View, book 2, by Steve Husting
http://www.lulu.com/shop/steve-husting/living-with-the-end-in-view-book-2/paperback/product-753096.html

The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the defining aspect of the Christian faith. No other religion has this story of God dying for sinners. Yet the result of that resurrection — the aftermath of power available to us through the resurrection — is missing from the lives of most Christians. It’s like we heard enough of the gospel story to accept Jesus as our Savior, but not enough to live by the resurrection life and power He came to give us. When He ascended to heaven, He did not intend for us to fend for ourselves until we die and wait to be raised up to heaven. No. His death, burial and resurrection have an immediate effect on those who believe; He sends the Holy Spirit to dwell in us and make that new life a reality. Let’s look closer at the work of the resurrection in our lives. Continue reading →

Posted in Encouragement, How To | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

In Matthew 5:17, Doesn’t Jesus contradict the NT authors about the law continuing forever?

Posted on March 24, 2018 by Steve Husting

Here is the passage in Matthew 5:17-19:

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

Yet in the gospels Jesus does not appear to be preparing us for a time when the law or any portion of it will be done away with. In apparent contradiction to Jesus, Paul teaches that the law has come to an end (Romans 10:4; Galatians 3:13; 5:1-4). How do we reconcile Jesus’ words with Paul’s? Continue reading →

Posted in The Bible | 2 Comments

Continuing in faith

Posted on November 5, 2017 by Steve Husting

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him” (Colossians 2:6).

How did we receive Christ the Lord? When we heard the gospel and received it by faith. We realized that we were in need of a savior to save us from our sins. We knew we did not have it in us to save ourselves. God presented His Son to us and we believed, and were saved.

It was not supposed to stop there. We were not to go on in our own strength. We were to continue to believe. The Spirit will continue to show us where we are lacking. In those cases, we are to acknowledge our inability and find in Christ the ability. Continue reading →

Posted in Encouragement | Leave a comment

Happy in the Kingdom

Posted on October 5, 2017 by Steve Husting

[This is a book excerpt from Life in the Kingdom: The Gospel According to Jesus in the Book of Matthew, by Steve Husting, in  print now, then ebook soon.]

Introduction

Normally, we think that we can be happy only when certain pleasant conditions are met, such as everything going our way, or doing a fun activity we like to do, or just having peace between times of stress.

With the kingdom of God, the times of happiness are dramatically broadened. The verses at the beginning of Matthew chapter five begin with the word blessed, which means happy, fortunate, or well off. Therefore, in the kingdom of God people can be happy though poor, mourning, meek, hungering for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, a peacemaker, or persecuted. These are not normal areas for happiness. Who is happy when they have been mistreated or wronged? Rather than being merciful with a smile, the normal response is revenge, anger, or be scared. How can there be happiness in these situations? Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Using logic and reason to share the gospel?

Posted on September 9, 2017 by Steve Husting

Some Christians are frustrated when using arguments of logic and reason, such as from nature, to prove the existence of God or convince a person to become a Christian. The problem with this approach is that it does not take into account the corruption of our faculties, including our reasoning faculties, by sin. Our reasoning abilities don’t exist in a vacuum. Because of the polluted root at the base of our reasoning, our arguments will be co-opted by the flesh and not formed on purely logical grounds. Let’s see some examples. Continue reading →

Posted in Encouragement | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Posted on July 31, 2017 by Steve Husting

I recently re-watched the movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I found in this viewing some uneasy parallels with today’s church. In this episode, the Ministry of Magic took over the running of the Hogwarts school, denying the return of the enemy, He-who-shall-not-be-named (Voldemort), which occurred in the previous movie. The ministry made many efforts to squash any affirmation of his existence.

The Defense of Magic teacher was replaced by a Ministry official, Dolores Umbridge, who taught that the mere theory of defense was good enough to learn, as there was no enemy to defend against anyway. This was disturbing on several levels because it mirrors the affair of the church at present. Seminary-trained teachers have entered our pulpits and insist that there is no spiritual enemy. He-who-shall-not-be-named (Satan) does not exist as a literal person, and he and hell are only metaphors of evil or error. Continue reading →

Posted in End Times | Leave a comment

Jack Romey, 1956-2017

Posted on June 30, 2017 by Steve Husting

I want to talk about how my friendship with Jack changed my life and his. I first met him at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa around 10 years ago. We were both seated in front of Lessie, the sign language interpreter, for the 9:30am service, since both of us were deaf and needed the help. Eventually we got to talking and I found out that he lived in Fountain Valley like I did, about 20 minutes away. I offered to drive him up and back Sunday mornings. Then we began going out to dinner on Fridays then to the prayer meeting. We often had lunches on Saturdays and attended the matinee now and then together. In this way, our friendship took form. Continue reading →

Posted in Encouragement | 1 Comment

Sin Perverts the Law

Posted on May 30, 2017 by Steve Husting

A scribe asked Jesus which was the greatest of all the commandments. Jesus answered that these two laws are the framework upon which all the OT laws hang: love God with all you are and love your neighbor as yourself. From Jesus’ answer we can derive some fascinating aspects of the law and its connection to our sinful nature. If we love, then we already fulfill all the commandments; we are living as the God of love has designed us.

In a fascinating twist, all the commandments in the Mosaic books, Proverbs, Prophets, and Psalms are all about helping us see how we as sinners have turned away from loving God to loving self. The law helps us see in what way we are sinners — we don’t love God and man from the heart, or “authentically,” as some like to say. Continue reading →

Posted in Encouragement | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Meditation: Love for the Saints

Posted on May 1, 2017 by Steve Husting

“since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints” (Colossians 1:4)

The fruit of the Spirit is love. Not self-love; not love of the world’s cultures and values; not love merely as an emotional feeling. Rather, it’s a love for other people.

Paul was ecstatic to hear of their love for all the saints. It meant that the Spirit was working in them, and they were responding to the teaching of God. God was reproducing Himself in them, and they were being His helping hands in a needy world.

I’ve known how to be obnoxious, difficult, reclusive, and harsh with my lips. In addition, I’ve been a project-oriented person, doing things on my own. I want to build relationships with God and others. More and more, I watch what I say, because I know what impact my words can have, whether to heal or hurt, build or destroy. God’s word builds me up, and I know it can build up others as well, so I share it more.

To do:

  • Tame my bad attitudes about other people, for they are made in the image of God.
  • Guard my tongue, for I want to use words that will build healthy relationships.
  • Don’t be miserly with my time, goods, or talents, for others need what I have to offer.
Posted in Encouragement | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Meditation: Judging in the Kingdom

Posted on April 8, 2017 by Steve Husting

Matthew 7:1-2 Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

This judging refers to condemning someone, not judging whether something is right or wrong. Later in the chapter Jesus will tell us to know the difference between true and false prophets. So we are still to judge or discern among things good and bad. Jesus seems to have in mind here people picking on each others flaws, criticizing them harshly.

As Jesus said, the standards by which we judge others will be the standards people use to judge us. These words are true on a human level and a God level. I remember telling a woman her fault and she replied, “Oh yeah, what about you?” And so the measure we use is measured right back to us. We know very well that if we are not walking the talk when we are pointing out another person’s flaws, we open ourselves to ridicule. “Why are you blaming me? You do the same thing!” We are then revealed as hypocrites for knowing the standard and not living up to it. If we can’t, why are we imposing it on others? Continue reading →

Posted in Encouragement | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Meditation: Colossians 1:10, “A Higher View”

Posted on March 13, 2017 by Steve Husting

“That you may have a walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”

What do you long to have? Perhaps a simple and quiet life. Maybe more peace or security from ongoing troubles. A special person with whom to share your life. Recognition in your field. And more money wouldn’t hurt.

I’m glad I’m reading the Bible. It tells me of greater goals than I can come up with for myself. But the Bible’s views are rather high, aren’t they? “Walk worthy of the Lord.” Is that even possible? “Fully pleasing Him.” I barely please myself, with all these worries churning in my mind. “Fruitful in every good work.” My scraggly garden shows that I’m no green thumb. “Increasing in the knowledge of God.” Don’t we forget sermons within the hour?

When we think from a human perspective, we think small. Really small. But with the Bible, we get the mind of Christ. With a renewed mind, we find possibilities beyond ourselves that are worth desiring. And with those possibilities, we aim our lives in new directions.

Yes, there’s a catch. You have to want these things. Paul prays for these blessings because they are not automatic. If we settle for “small” things, we’ll aim our lives in that direction. If we aim higher, the Spirit will train us how to get there. We have not because we ask not.

To do:

  • Make a prayer list and add these high thoughts to it. Pray that they would be your own.
  • Baby steps: “Fully pleasing Him.” What one thing can I do today to please Him?
  • Baby steps: “Increasing in the knowledge of God.” What can I read to know God more?
Posted in Encouragement | Tagged , | Leave a comment