Jeremiah 5
20 “Make this announcement to Israel,
and say this to Judah:
21 Listen, you foolish and senseless people,
with eyes that do not see
and ears that do not hear.
22 Have you no respect for me?
Why don’t you tremble in my presence?
I, the LORD, define the ocean’s sandy shoreline
as an everlasting boundary that the waters cannot cross.
The waves may toss and roar,
but they can never pass the boundaries I set."
One of the online videos that goes along with Francis Chan’s book, “Crazy Love” has him sitting along the seashore. He writes the name “GOD” in the sand asking if we haven’t taken that name for granted. Does the name of GOD strike us with the awe and fear and trembling that it should? Or have we become a little too cozy with throwing that name around? I believe that when we take the name of GOD for granted, we misuse His name. That’s a violation of the 3rd Commandment as recorded in Exodus chapter 20:
7 "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name."
May the Name of Almighty God be revered in my life, and may this measly little life of mine bring glory, praise and honor to the Name of God always! May I never take God’s Holy Name for granted, and may I never misuse His Name again.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Foolish People of God
Jeremiah 4
22 “My people are foolish
and do not know me,” says the LORD.
“They are stupid children
who have no understanding.
They are clever enough at doing wrong,
but they have no idea how to do right!”
Those who claim to be Christians in America fit this description to a tee. People who have said they want Jesus to be their LORD and Savior far too often forget about that LORD part concentrating on the Savior part. Jesus is not interested in half-hearted followers…it’s an all or nothing proposition. In Richard Stearns’ book, “The Hole In Our Gospel,” he writes:
To be a disciple means forsaking everything to follow Jesus, unconditionally, putting our lives completely in His hands. When we say we want to be His disciple, yet attach a list of conditions, Jesus refuses to accept our terms. His terms involve unconditional surrender.
Like the people of Judah in Jeremiah’s day, Christians in America are clever enough at doing wrong. We are for the most part, stupid children with no understanding. Jesus must be LORD of all, or He is not LORD at all.
22 “My people are foolish
and do not know me,” says the LORD.
“They are stupid children
who have no understanding.
They are clever enough at doing wrong,
but they have no idea how to do right!”
Those who claim to be Christians in America fit this description to a tee. People who have said they want Jesus to be their LORD and Savior far too often forget about that LORD part concentrating on the Savior part. Jesus is not interested in half-hearted followers…it’s an all or nothing proposition. In Richard Stearns’ book, “The Hole In Our Gospel,” he writes:
To be a disciple means forsaking everything to follow Jesus, unconditionally, putting our lives completely in His hands. When we say we want to be His disciple, yet attach a list of conditions, Jesus refuses to accept our terms. His terms involve unconditional surrender.
Like the people of Judah in Jeremiah’s day, Christians in America are clever enough at doing wrong. We are for the most part, stupid children with no understanding. Jesus must be LORD of all, or He is not LORD at all.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Ignoring God
2 Chronicles 33
10 The LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they ignored all his warnings.
King Manasseh was an evil king of Judah, and God punished the people for his evil ways. God’s chosen people once again ignore God’s Word and do their own thing. Huh, sounds familiar. The American Church doesn’t seem to listen much to God and His warnings these days either. Makes me sad to think that we need to undergo the same kind of punishments God’s people went through in Manasseh’s time. May Christians in this nation (and around the globe) repent and pay attention to what God has to say! May it start with me.
10 The LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they ignored all his warnings.
King Manasseh was an evil king of Judah, and God punished the people for his evil ways. God’s chosen people once again ignore God’s Word and do their own thing. Huh, sounds familiar. The American Church doesn’t seem to listen much to God and His warnings these days either. Makes me sad to think that we need to undergo the same kind of punishments God’s people went through in Manasseh’s time. May Christians in this nation (and around the globe) repent and pay attention to what God has to say! May it start with me.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Filthy Rags
Isaiah 64
6 We are all infected and impure with sin.
When we display our righteous deeds,
they are nothing but filthy rags.
I just finished reading Mark Hall’s book, “Your Own Jesus” and in it is an illustration of this great biblical truth. Because we are infected with sin our righteous acts are nothing but filthy rags in God’s sight and those sin-infected acts of righteousness slow us down from being the people God intends for us to be. It’s not all about doing, it is about being. The doing comes from the being if you catch my drift. I must daily repent of my sins, so that I can be the person God intends for me to be. May I passionately pursue Jesus, and may HIS righteousness shine through in my life always.
6 We are all infected and impure with sin.
When we display our righteous deeds,
they are nothing but filthy rags.
I just finished reading Mark Hall’s book, “Your Own Jesus” and in it is an illustration of this great biblical truth. Because we are infected with sin our righteous acts are nothing but filthy rags in God’s sight and those sin-infected acts of righteousness slow us down from being the people God intends for us to be. It’s not all about doing, it is about being. The doing comes from the being if you catch my drift. I must daily repent of my sins, so that I can be the person God intends for me to be. May I passionately pursue Jesus, and may HIS righteousness shine through in my life always.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Putting it into Practice
Isaiah 63
7a I will tell of the LORD’s unfailing love.
I will praise the LORD for all he has done…
Yesterday, our college age folks executed a plan for a water extravaganza at our church building. We did a couple of hours for elementary age students, and a couple of hours for our teens. The details of what they planned and pulled off are not the important part here. The fact that these college students led the event in the planning stages and supervised the event as it occurred makes me bust at the seems with joy as I see God working in their lives. They did youth ministry, and I got to sit back and observe. Oh sure, I helped with some ideas in planning, and I helped fill LOTS of water balloons, but that is just it: I helped. I am praising the name of Jesus today because I see Him working in this generation, raising up folks who love Jesus and love students and anytime those two loves are combined, I am thrilled beyond words!
7a I will tell of the LORD’s unfailing love.
I will praise the LORD for all he has done…
Yesterday, our college age folks executed a plan for a water extravaganza at our church building. We did a couple of hours for elementary age students, and a couple of hours for our teens. The details of what they planned and pulled off are not the important part here. The fact that these college students led the event in the planning stages and supervised the event as it occurred makes me bust at the seems with joy as I see God working in their lives. They did youth ministry, and I got to sit back and observe. Oh sure, I helped with some ideas in planning, and I helped fill LOTS of water balloons, but that is just it: I helped. I am praising the name of Jesus today because I see Him working in this generation, raising up folks who love Jesus and love students and anytime those two loves are combined, I am thrilled beyond words!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
My Jesus
Isaiah 53
1 Who has believed our message?
To whom has the LORD revealed his powerful arm?
2 My servant grew up in the LORD’s presence like a tender green shoot,
like a root in dry ground.
There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance,
nothing to attract us to him.
3 He was despised and rejected—
a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
He was despised, and we did not care.
4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
a punishment for his own sins!
5 But he was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.
This morning, our Celebration Service focused on God’s Spiritual Stimulus Plan – Champions. Isaiah paints the picture of the Champion of the Universe: nothing beautiful or majestic about His appearance…despised and rejected…a man of sorrows…carrying our weakness, our sorrows…pierced for our rebellion…beaten so we could be whole…whipped so we could be healed.
That, my friends, is a far different picture of a
Champion than one that the world would paint. That, my friends, is the picture of my Jesus. Not some pretty blue eyed, Caucasian-type dude, but a non-descript guy physically Who took my sins upon Himself so that I could spend eternity with God. Reminds me of a Derek Webb song…”My Jesus” Check out the You Tube video: Which Jesus Do You Follow
1 Who has believed our message?
To whom has the LORD revealed his powerful arm?
2 My servant grew up in the LORD’s presence like a tender green shoot,
like a root in dry ground.
There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance,
nothing to attract us to him.
3 He was despised and rejected—
a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
He was despised, and we did not care.
4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
a punishment for his own sins!
5 But he was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.
This morning, our Celebration Service focused on God’s Spiritual Stimulus Plan – Champions. Isaiah paints the picture of the Champion of the Universe: nothing beautiful or majestic about His appearance…despised and rejected…a man of sorrows…carrying our weakness, our sorrows…pierced for our rebellion…beaten so we could be whole…whipped so we could be healed.
That, my friends, is a far different picture of a
Champion than one that the world would paint. That, my friends, is the picture of my Jesus. Not some pretty blue eyed, Caucasian-type dude, but a non-descript guy physically Who took my sins upon Himself so that I could spend eternity with God. Reminds me of a Derek Webb song…”My Jesus” Check out the You Tube video: Which Jesus Do You Follow
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Pay Attention to God's Commands
Isaiah 48
18 If only you had paid attention to my commands…
Some of the saddest words in all of Scripture – God lamenting with His chosen people, “if only you had paid attention to my commands.” We read what happened to the people of Israel for ignoring God’s clear commands. Yet, we as Christ followers today, we feel that we can treat God’s commands as optional. How foolish. How sad.
18 If only you had paid attention to my commands…
Some of the saddest words in all of Scripture – God lamenting with His chosen people, “if only you had paid attention to my commands.” We read what happened to the people of Israel for ignoring God’s clear commands. Yet, we as Christ followers today, we feel that we can treat God’s commands as optional. How foolish. How sad.
Friday, July 24, 2009
No God but the Lord
Isaiah 45
5 I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, 6 so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other.
From the rising of the sun, to the going down of the same, the name of the Lord shall be praised. I’ve sung those words numerous times over the years. I believe those words with ever fiber of my being. Let me be perfectly clear: there is no God other than the LORD, the Creator of the universe.
5 I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, 6 so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other.
From the rising of the sun, to the going down of the same, the name of the Lord shall be praised. I’ve sung those words numerous times over the years. I believe those words with ever fiber of my being. Let me be perfectly clear: there is no God other than the LORD, the Creator of the universe.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Grain of Sand
Isaiah 40
14 Has the LORD ever needed anyone’s advice?
Does he need instruction about what is good?
Did someone teach him what is right
or show him the path of justice?
15 No, for all the nations of the world
are but a drop in the bucket.
They are nothing more
than dust on the scales.
He picks up the whole earth
as though it were a grain of sand.
I just finished reading Francis Chan’s “Crazy Love.” One of the exercises while reading that book is to go to www.crazylovebook.com and watch a video he produced which shows the physical insignificance of the earth in the galaxy and beyond. You wind up getting a view back towards the Milky Way from a million light years away. Yeah, to say that the earth is a grain of sand when compared to the Greatness of God, well understatement doesn’t begin to cover it. How dare we think we can negotiate with God. How humbling it is to think that God loves us and is interested in the intimate details of our lives.
14 Has the LORD ever needed anyone’s advice?
Does he need instruction about what is good?
Did someone teach him what is right
or show him the path of justice?
15 No, for all the nations of the world
are but a drop in the bucket.
They are nothing more
than dust on the scales.
He picks up the whole earth
as though it were a grain of sand.
I just finished reading Francis Chan’s “Crazy Love.” One of the exercises while reading that book is to go to www.crazylovebook.com and watch a video he produced which shows the physical insignificance of the earth in the galaxy and beyond. You wind up getting a view back towards the Milky Way from a million light years away. Yeah, to say that the earth is a grain of sand when compared to the Greatness of God, well understatement doesn’t begin to cover it. How dare we think we can negotiate with God. How humbling it is to think that God loves us and is interested in the intimate details of our lives.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
The Dead Cannot Praise God
Isaiah 38
18 For the dead cannot praise you;
they cannot raise their voices in praise.
Those who go down to the grave
can no longer hope in your faithfulness.
19 Only the living can praise you as I do today.
Each generation tells of your faithfulness to the next.
I know that the context of these verses deal with King Hezekiah’s illness and subsequent healing from God, but as I read these two verses, it occurs to me that only the living can praise God. The spiritually dead cannot praise God. It just isn’t possible. How many people in the seats on Sunday mornings are simply going through the motions because they are spiritually dead? More than we care to admit. As a lead worshipper, I pray that God will help me lead people from death to Life so that they can indeed praise God!
18 For the dead cannot praise you;
they cannot raise their voices in praise.
Those who go down to the grave
can no longer hope in your faithfulness.
19 Only the living can praise you as I do today.
Each generation tells of your faithfulness to the next.
I know that the context of these verses deal with King Hezekiah’s illness and subsequent healing from God, but as I read these two verses, it occurs to me that only the living can praise God. The spiritually dead cannot praise God. It just isn’t possible. How many people in the seats on Sunday mornings are simply going through the motions because they are spiritually dead? More than we care to admit. As a lead worshipper, I pray that God will help me lead people from death to Life so that they can indeed praise God!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Don't Know Who They're Up Against
2 Chronicles 32
18 The Assyrian officials who brought the letters shouted this in Hebrew to the people gathered on the walls of the city, trying to terrify them so it would be easier to capture the city. 19 These officers talked about the God of Jerusalem as though he were one of the pagan gods, made by human hands.
In the days of king Hezekiah and the Prophet Isaiah, the Assyrians had laid siege to Jerusalem. Hurling insults, not just to the King or the people of the city of Jerusalem, but to the God of heaven and earth, these pagan invaders had no idea Who they were up against. In our culture today, Christians are under siege from pagans who hurl insults not just at us, but at the God of heaven and earth. In America, Christians are the last group of people the “PC Police” will protect from such insults and ridicule. In fact, those who preach tolerance will absolutely tolerate such ridicule of the name of Jesus. All I can say is: they don’t know Who they are up against. Maybe they should read on in 2 Chronicles to see the fate of the Assyrians who engaged in that truly stupid behavior.
18 The Assyrian officials who brought the letters shouted this in Hebrew to the people gathered on the walls of the city, trying to terrify them so it would be easier to capture the city. 19 These officers talked about the God of Jerusalem as though he were one of the pagan gods, made by human hands.
In the days of king Hezekiah and the Prophet Isaiah, the Assyrians had laid siege to Jerusalem. Hurling insults, not just to the King or the people of the city of Jerusalem, but to the God of heaven and earth, these pagan invaders had no idea Who they were up against. In our culture today, Christians are under siege from pagans who hurl insults not just at us, but at the God of heaven and earth. In America, Christians are the last group of people the “PC Police” will protect from such insults and ridicule. In fact, those who preach tolerance will absolutely tolerate such ridicule of the name of Jesus. All I can say is: they don’t know Who they are up against. Maybe they should read on in 2 Chronicles to see the fate of the Assyrians who engaged in that truly stupid behavior.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Obedience=Love
Micah 6
6 What can we bring to the LORD?
What kind of offerings should we give him?
Should we bow before God
with offerings of yearling calves?
7 Should we offer him thousands of rams
and ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Should we sacrifice our firstborn children
to pay for our sins?
8 No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good,
and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.
Steve Jones just completed a two-part sermon on Obedience, as part of the “God’s Spiritual Stimulus Plan” sermon series. As I study obedience as it relates to God’s desire from His people, it strikes me that obedience is the highest form of expressing our love for God. To do right, love mercy & walk humbly with our God (Steven Curtis Chapman wrote a great song using this passage of Scripture), is to obey God always! If I am to truly express my love to God, it must be seen in my obedience to His Word. Anything less is disobedience. Anything less is NOT an expression of love.
6 What can we bring to the LORD?
What kind of offerings should we give him?
Should we bow before God
with offerings of yearling calves?
7 Should we offer him thousands of rams
and ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Should we sacrifice our firstborn children
to pay for our sins?
8 No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good,
and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.
Steve Jones just completed a two-part sermon on Obedience, as part of the “God’s Spiritual Stimulus Plan” sermon series. As I study obedience as it relates to God’s desire from His people, it strikes me that obedience is the highest form of expressing our love for God. To do right, love mercy & walk humbly with our God (Steven Curtis Chapman wrote a great song using this passage of Scripture), is to obey God always! If I am to truly express my love to God, it must be seen in my obedience to His Word. Anything less is disobedience. Anything less is NOT an expression of love.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
False Prophets Misusing God's Word
Micah 2
11 Suppose a prophet full of lies would say to you,
“I’ll preach to you the joys of wine and alcohol!”
That’s just the kind of prophet you would like!
Peggy told me of a sermon she heard today in a “church” she visited where the preacher actually took the clear teachings of Acts 2:38 and tried to convince the people that it doesn’t say what is plainly says. When does the phrase repent and baptized for the forgiveness of your sins NOT mean that your sins are forgiven when you repent and are baptized? When you listen to someone who twists the Word of God for his own purpose. That, my friends, is a false prophet…pretending to speak for God, and leading people astray. It makes me nauseous and it makes me sad. It is nothing new, but I certainly cannot stand by silently and let such eternal damage be spread without speaking against it! Sigh.
11 Suppose a prophet full of lies would say to you,
“I’ll preach to you the joys of wine and alcohol!”
That’s just the kind of prophet you would like!
Peggy told me of a sermon she heard today in a “church” she visited where the preacher actually took the clear teachings of Acts 2:38 and tried to convince the people that it doesn’t say what is plainly says. When does the phrase repent and baptized for the forgiveness of your sins NOT mean that your sins are forgiven when you repent and are baptized? When you listen to someone who twists the Word of God for his own purpose. That, my friends, is a false prophet…pretending to speak for God, and leading people astray. It makes me nauseous and it makes me sad. It is nothing new, but I certainly cannot stand by silently and let such eternal damage be spread without speaking against it! Sigh.
Shhh...Be Quiet
Isaiah 30
15 This is what the Sovereign LORD,
the Holy One of Israel, says:
“Only in returning to me
and resting in me will you be saved.
In quietness and confidence is your strength.
But you would have none of it.”
Isaiah is warning faithless Judah in this passage of Scripture, but in the midst of the warning, he proclaims God’s message of hope, strength and rest. I am too guilty of the go-go-go lifestyle of a great number of Americans and a great number of Christians. Sometimes, we equate busyness with holiness. I struggle with resting in God. Quietness does not come easily for me. (Yeah, insert your own Scott joke here). I am working on slowing down, and on spending more quiet time with God. Only then, can I enjoy what God truly has in store for me…a peace that passes understanding.
15 This is what the Sovereign LORD,
the Holy One of Israel, says:
“Only in returning to me
and resting in me will you be saved.
In quietness and confidence is your strength.
But you would have none of it.”
Isaiah is warning faithless Judah in this passage of Scripture, but in the midst of the warning, he proclaims God’s message of hope, strength and rest. I am too guilty of the go-go-go lifestyle of a great number of Americans and a great number of Christians. Sometimes, we equate busyness with holiness. I struggle with resting in God. Quietness does not come easily for me. (Yeah, insert your own Scott joke here). I am working on slowing down, and on spending more quiet time with God. Only then, can I enjoy what God truly has in store for me…a peace that passes understanding.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Infectious Praise
Isaiah 25
1 O LORD, I will honor and praise your name,
for you are my God.
You do such wonderful things!
You planned them long ago,
and now you have accomplished them.
In the midst of some serious and not so fun words for the people of Judah, Israel, etc. Isaiah does break out in a song of praise to God. Reminds me that in the midst of trials and tribulations, I should do the same. Paul & Silas did it in the Philippian jail, resulting in salvation coming to the entire household of the Jailer (Acts 16:25-34). Who knows but what my praise to God in the midst of trials might not have the same effect on the people around me? May my lips be filled with praise for Jesus night and day, in the good times and the bad. May my life be filled with praise for Jesus, and may that praise be infectious.
1 O LORD, I will honor and praise your name,
for you are my God.
You do such wonderful things!
You planned them long ago,
and now you have accomplished them.
In the midst of some serious and not so fun words for the people of Judah, Israel, etc. Isaiah does break out in a song of praise to God. Reminds me that in the midst of trials and tribulations, I should do the same. Paul & Silas did it in the Philippian jail, resulting in salvation coming to the entire household of the Jailer (Acts 16:25-34). Who knows but what my praise to God in the midst of trials might not have the same effect on the people around me? May my lips be filled with praise for Jesus night and day, in the good times and the bad. May my life be filled with praise for Jesus, and may that praise be infectious.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Naked Devotion
Isaiah 20
1 In the year when King Sargon of Assyria sent his commander in chief to capture the Philistine city of Ashdod, 2 the Lord told Isaiah son of Amoz, “Take off the burlap you have been wearing, and remove your sandals.” Isaiah did as he was told and walked around naked and barefoot.
3 Then the Lord said, “My servant Isaiah has been walking around naked and barefoot for the last three years. This is a sign—a symbol of the terrible troubles I will bring upon Egypt and Ethiopia.
I am so glad that I don’t have to walk around naked and barefoot for three years to proclaim God’s message to anyone. So are the people who know me. However, as I consider this passage this morning, shouldn’t we lay bare ourselves to God’s message? Don’t we often clothe ourselves with pretense, when we should just be naked in our devotion to Jesus? Doug Fields tweeted yesterday something that has me looking seriously at my life. He said:
Talked w a guy who assumed I knew all ab Harry Potter. I've never read or seen a H.P anything. Hmm, do I do that when I talk ab Jesus?
Shouldn’t I stop assuming that everyone knows about Jesus, be naked in my devotion and love for Him, and show folks starting at “step one” how to get to know Jesus and fall in love with Him? Maybe some of my “priestly garments” are hindering this process. Hmmm…
1 In the year when King Sargon of Assyria sent his commander in chief to capture the Philistine city of Ashdod, 2 the Lord told Isaiah son of Amoz, “Take off the burlap you have been wearing, and remove your sandals.” Isaiah did as he was told and walked around naked and barefoot.
3 Then the Lord said, “My servant Isaiah has been walking around naked and barefoot for the last three years. This is a sign—a symbol of the terrible troubles I will bring upon Egypt and Ethiopia.
I am so glad that I don’t have to walk around naked and barefoot for three years to proclaim God’s message to anyone. So are the people who know me. However, as I consider this passage this morning, shouldn’t we lay bare ourselves to God’s message? Don’t we often clothe ourselves with pretense, when we should just be naked in our devotion to Jesus? Doug Fields tweeted yesterday something that has me looking seriously at my life. He said:
Talked w a guy who assumed I knew all ab Harry Potter. I've never read or seen a H.P anything. Hmm, do I do that when I talk ab Jesus?
Shouldn’t I stop assuming that everyone knows about Jesus, be naked in my devotion and love for Him, and show folks starting at “step one” how to get to know Jesus and fall in love with Him? Maybe some of my “priestly garments” are hindering this process. Hmmm…
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
How Could I Dare NOT Praise the Lord?
Psalm 147
4 He counts the stars
and calls them all by name.
5 How great is our Lord! His power is absolute!
His understanding is beyond comprehension!
6 The Lord supports the humble,
but he brings the wicked down into the dust.
7 Sing out your thanks to the Lord;
sing praises to our God with a harp.
Giving praise to God should be as natural as breathing. After all, without God, we would not have breath! The same God Who calls the stars by name, knows the intimate details of my life, and is interested in those intimate details. The same God Whose power is absolute, Whose understanding is beyond comprehension, loves weak-kneed sinners like me! How could I give Him anything less than my full attention, undying devotion, and absolute praise? May I be humbled before the Creator, so that He can lift me up in His loving arms. May my life be a song of praise to Him alone!
4 He counts the stars
and calls them all by name.
5 How great is our Lord! His power is absolute!
His understanding is beyond comprehension!
6 The Lord supports the humble,
but he brings the wicked down into the dust.
7 Sing out your thanks to the Lord;
sing praises to our God with a harp.
Giving praise to God should be as natural as breathing. After all, without God, we would not have breath! The same God Who calls the stars by name, knows the intimate details of my life, and is interested in those intimate details. The same God Whose power is absolute, Whose understanding is beyond comprehension, loves weak-kneed sinners like me! How could I give Him anything less than my full attention, undying devotion, and absolute praise? May I be humbled before the Creator, so that He can lift me up in His loving arms. May my life be a song of praise to Him alone!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Counting On Jesus
Psalm 130
3 Lord, if you kept a record of our sins,
who, O Lord, could ever survive?
4 But you offer forgiveness,
that we might learn to fear you.
5 I am counting on the Lord;
yes, I am counting on him.
I have put my hope in his word.
A record kept of my sins would be way too long; I’m sure folks would be concerned about the devastation to the rain forests because of all the paper having to be produced. Because of the Blood of Jesus, those sins have been wiped clean. I am counting on my ongoing relationship with Jesus, my attitude of fear (reverence), repentance, and the grace promised those of us who follow Christ. I put my hope in Jesus. That is the only way I can possibly stand before God on Judgment Day with any hope whatsoever. Praise God for my Lord Jesus, Who takes away my sins! Then, sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee…how great Thou Art, how great Thou Art!
3 Lord, if you kept a record of our sins,
who, O Lord, could ever survive?
4 But you offer forgiveness,
that we might learn to fear you.
5 I am counting on the Lord;
yes, I am counting on him.
I have put my hope in his word.
A record kept of my sins would be way too long; I’m sure folks would be concerned about the devastation to the rain forests because of all the paper having to be produced. Because of the Blood of Jesus, those sins have been wiped clean. I am counting on my ongoing relationship with Jesus, my attitude of fear (reverence), repentance, and the grace promised those of us who follow Christ. I put my hope in Jesus. That is the only way I can possibly stand before God on Judgment Day with any hope whatsoever. Praise God for my Lord Jesus, Who takes away my sins! Then, sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee…how great Thou Art, how great Thou Art!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Cry Out To God For Relief
Psalm 120
6 I am tired of living
among people who hate peace.
7 I search for peace;
but when I speak of peace, they want war!
I’m thinking of my brother Darren this morning. Had some email correspondence with him. He is struggling with some issues related to his job, and the people with whom he is surrounded, who whine and complain all the time (it is his job to “fix” things so that the whining stops). The constant negativity is getting to him. The selfish attitudes of the people to whom he is responsible is weighing him down. The Psalmist here can relate. Both the Psalmist and Darren are crying out to God for relief. I join them in this cry especially on behalf of my brother Darren today.
6 I am tired of living
among people who hate peace.
7 I search for peace;
but when I speak of peace, they want war!
I’m thinking of my brother Darren this morning. Had some email correspondence with him. He is struggling with some issues related to his job, and the people with whom he is surrounded, who whine and complain all the time (it is his job to “fix” things so that the whining stops). The constant negativity is getting to him. The selfish attitudes of the people to whom he is responsible is weighing him down. The Psalmist here can relate. Both the Psalmist and Darren are crying out to God for relief. I join them in this cry especially on behalf of my brother Darren today.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Obey God's Word
Psalm 119
9 How can a young person stay pure?
By obeying your word.
Interesting that God should lay this psalm and this verse before me on a day when the sermon was on Obedience. God desires our obedience more than He desires our sacrifice. It is quite simple, really. If we want to remain pure in God’s sight, then we need to obey His Word! Why do we try to make it so complicated?
9 How can a young person stay pure?
By obeying your word.
Interesting that God should lay this psalm and this verse before me on a day when the sermon was on Obedience. God desires our obedience more than He desires our sacrifice. It is quite simple, really. If we want to remain pure in God’s sight, then we need to obey His Word! Why do we try to make it so complicated?
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Not To Us
Psalm 115
1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
but to your name goes all the glory
for your unfailing love and faithfulness.
Obviously this verse is part of the inspiration for the “old” Chris Tomlin tune, “NOT TO US.” Some of the lyrics go:
The cross before me, the world behind
No turning back, raise the banner high
It’s not for me, it’s all for You
Let the heavens shake and split the sky
Let the people clap their hands and cry
It’s not for us, it’s all for You
Not to us, but to Your Name be the glory
Not to us, but to Your Name be the glory
May this song be the prayer of my heart in the days ahead!
1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
but to your name goes all the glory
for your unfailing love and faithfulness.
Obviously this verse is part of the inspiration for the “old” Chris Tomlin tune, “NOT TO US.” Some of the lyrics go:
The cross before me, the world behind
No turning back, raise the banner high
It’s not for me, it’s all for You
Let the heavens shake and split the sky
Let the people clap their hands and cry
It’s not for us, it’s all for You
Not to us, but to Your Name be the glory
Not to us, but to Your Name be the glory
May this song be the prayer of my heart in the days ahead!
Friday, July 10, 2009
The Awe-Inspiring Name of God
Psalm 111
1 Praise the Lord!
I will thank the Lord with all my heart
as I meet with his godly people.
9 He has paid a full ransom for his people.
He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever.
What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has!
10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom.
All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.
I praise God today as I think about the ransom paid for my sins in the Person of Jesus. I praise God today as I look forward to this coming Lord’s Day and the chance to meet with godly people proclaiming the Greatness of our Lord! I absolutely love verse 9, part b in this passage: What a holy, awe-inspiring name God has! I just want to stop and revel in the awesomeness that is the One True God!
1 Praise the Lord!
I will thank the Lord with all my heart
as I meet with his godly people.
9 He has paid a full ransom for his people.
He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever.
What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has!
10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom.
All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.
I praise God today as I think about the ransom paid for my sins in the Person of Jesus. I praise God today as I look forward to this coming Lord’s Day and the chance to meet with godly people proclaiming the Greatness of our Lord! I absolutely love verse 9, part b in this passage: What a holy, awe-inspiring name God has! I just want to stop and revel in the awesomeness that is the One True God!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Continually Seek & Search For God
Psalm 105
1 Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.
Let the whole world know what he has done.
2 Sing to him; yes, sing his praises.
Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.
3 Exult in his holy name;
rejoice, you who worship the Lord.
4 Search for the Lord and for his strength;
continually seek him.
You know, a big part of worshiping God is to continually seek Him and search for His strength. We far too often limit our idea of worship to singing songs or the assembly of the saints, but true worship is seeking God continually, every second of every day, searching for His strength to get us through the challenges and opportunities life throws our way. May this day be filled with worship as I search for God and His strength, and may I continually do so!
1 Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.
Let the whole world know what he has done.
2 Sing to him; yes, sing his praises.
Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.
3 Exult in his holy name;
rejoice, you who worship the Lord.
4 Search for the Lord and for his strength;
continually seek him.
You know, a big part of worshiping God is to continually seek Him and search for His strength. We far too often limit our idea of worship to singing songs or the assembly of the saints, but true worship is seeking God continually, every second of every day, searching for His strength to get us through the challenges and opportunities life throws our way. May this day be filled with worship as I search for God and His strength, and may I continually do so!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Shout To The Lord
Psalm 98
4 Shout to the Lord, all the earth;
break out in praise and sing for joy!
5 Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song,
6 with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn.
Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King!
As I take in the beauty of a July morning in Vero Beach, Florida, I cannot help but shout praises to the King of kings and the Lord of lords. God is so good! It is easy to get caught up in the hype of this world and in the way of worldly thinking, but I want to meditate on the thoughts of God as expressed in His Word. May my daily time with Him spill over into the rest of my day no matter what I am doing! May praising God come as naturally to me as breathing!
4 Shout to the Lord, all the earth;
break out in praise and sing for joy!
5 Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song,
6 with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn.
Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King!
As I take in the beauty of a July morning in Vero Beach, Florida, I cannot help but shout praises to the King of kings and the Lord of lords. God is so good! It is easy to get caught up in the hype of this world and in the way of worldly thinking, but I want to meditate on the thoughts of God as expressed in His Word. May my daily time with Him spill over into the rest of my day no matter what I am doing! May praising God come as naturally to me as breathing!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Proclaiming God's Love
Psalm 92
1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to the Most High.
2 It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning,
your faithfulness in the evening,
3 accompanied by the ten-stringed harp
and the melody of the lyre.
It is good to give thanks to the Lord. Every day. Every second of every day. To live a life of thanksgiving to the Lord God Almighty is to live the Christian life. God’s unfailing love is so evident in my life, how could I NOT proclaim His faithfulness? Thank You, Lord for loving me and for showing that love in every way every day of my life!
1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to the Most High.
2 It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning,
your faithfulness in the evening,
3 accompanied by the ten-stringed harp
and the melody of the lyre.
It is good to give thanks to the Lord. Every day. Every second of every day. To live a life of thanksgiving to the Lord God Almighty is to live the Christian life. God’s unfailing love is so evident in my life, how could I NOT proclaim His faithfulness? Thank You, Lord for loving me and for showing that love in every way every day of my life!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Lifesong of Praise
Psalm 33
1 Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord;
it is fitting for the pure to praise him.
2 Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre;
make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.
3 Sing a new song of praise to him;
play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.
4 For the word of the Lord holds true,
and we can trust everything he does.
5 He loves whatever is just and good;
the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.
Lord God, may my life be a song of praise to You. Only then, am I truly living a life worthy of being called a follower of Christ.
1 Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord;
it is fitting for the pure to praise him.
2 Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre;
make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.
3 Sing a new song of praise to him;
play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.
4 For the word of the Lord holds true,
and we can trust everything he does.
5 He loves whatever is just and good;
the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.
Lord God, may my life be a song of praise to You. Only then, am I truly living a life worthy of being called a follower of Christ.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Awesomeness of God
Psalm 47
1 Come, everyone! Clap your hands!
Shout to God with joyful praise!
2 For the Lord Most High is awesome.
He is the great King of all the earth.
This morning’s Celebration services at Vero Christian Church remind me of these verses. We did indeed clap our hands and lift our voices in praise to the great King of all the earth. When we proclaim the glory and majesty of God through His Son Jesus, we cannot help but be awed by the Awesomeness of our Lord Jesus. When we then think about Jesus humbling Himself, giving up the glory of heaven and coming to earth to live as a human being…well, it is mind-boggling. The depth of love shown to us by God sending Jesus to this earth makes me fall on my knees in worship.
1 Come, everyone! Clap your hands!
Shout to God with joyful praise!
2 For the Lord Most High is awesome.
He is the great King of all the earth.
This morning’s Celebration services at Vero Christian Church remind me of these verses. We did indeed clap our hands and lift our voices in praise to the great King of all the earth. When we proclaim the glory and majesty of God through His Son Jesus, we cannot help but be awed by the Awesomeness of our Lord Jesus. When we then think about Jesus humbling Himself, giving up the glory of heaven and coming to earth to live as a human being…well, it is mind-boggling. The depth of love shown to us by God sending Jesus to this earth makes me fall on my knees in worship.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Be Still
Psalm 46
10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”
I sit in amazement at the fact that on a day when the people of America celebrate Independence with fireworks and lots of noise, that I am reading this passage of Scripture. I am also reading/listening to the audio book, “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan, so God is definitely trying to get my attention to slow down and know that He is God (and I am not)! Today is not about America’s independence, for me today is about my Dependence on God for everything. Tomorrow will be about my total dependence on God as well. So will the next day…well, you get the pattern. In the midst of the noise of boisterous celebration, may I simply be still and know that God is God! May He be honored by every nation throughout the world.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”
I sit in amazement at the fact that on a day when the people of America celebrate Independence with fireworks and lots of noise, that I am reading this passage of Scripture. I am also reading/listening to the audio book, “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan, so God is definitely trying to get my attention to slow down and know that He is God (and I am not)! Today is not about America’s independence, for me today is about my Dependence on God for everything. Tomorrow will be about my total dependence on God as well. So will the next day…well, you get the pattern. In the midst of the noise of boisterous celebration, may I simply be still and know that God is God! May He be honored by every nation throughout the world.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Agur's Prayer
Proverbs 30
7 O God, I beg two favors from you;
let me have them before I die.
8 First, help me never to tell a lie.
Second, give me neither poverty nor riches!
Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.
9 For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?”
And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.
Solomon is said to be the wisest man who ever lived, but Agur, son of Jakeh is credited with this prayer. May it be the prayer of my life, Lord. You do supply my needs and frankly many of my wants. May I be known as a man of truth, and may the material things take care of themselves in Your loving care always. It is my desire to be dependent on You daily, and to give You the praise and the glory and the honor daily as well, O God! Help me to have the attitude of Agur!
7 O God, I beg two favors from you;
let me have them before I die.
8 First, help me never to tell a lie.
Second, give me neither poverty nor riches!
Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.
9 For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?”
And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.
Solomon is said to be the wisest man who ever lived, but Agur, son of Jakeh is credited with this prayer. May it be the prayer of my life, Lord. You do supply my needs and frankly many of my wants. May I be known as a man of truth, and may the material things take care of themselves in Your loving care always. It is my desire to be dependent on You daily, and to give You the praise and the glory and the honor daily as well, O God! Help me to have the attitude of Agur!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Words Wound
Proverbs 25
18 Telling lies about others
is as harmful as hitting them with an ax,
wounding them with a sword,
or shooting them with a sharp arrow.
There’s an old saying that goes” “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” That is simply not true. Words do hurt. In some of the wise writings of Solomon gathered by King Hezekiah’s advisors, we read that lying about someone is as bad as hitting them with an ax! Yeah, that sounds about right. Lord help me to keep my ax in check. May the words of my mouth not only be truthful, but may they be gracious as well.
18 Telling lies about others
is as harmful as hitting them with an ax,
wounding them with a sword,
or shooting them with a sharp arrow.
There’s an old saying that goes” “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” That is simply not true. Words do hurt. In some of the wise writings of Solomon gathered by King Hezekiah’s advisors, we read that lying about someone is as bad as hitting them with an ax! Yeah, that sounds about right. Lord help me to keep my ax in check. May the words of my mouth not only be truthful, but may they be gracious as well.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Worship Themes
2 Chronicles 29
11 “My sons, do not neglect your duties any longer! The Lord has chosen you to stand in his presence, to minister to him, and to lead the people in worship and present offerings to him.”
King Hezekiah is giving instructions to the Levites as he is trying to bring Judah back to repentance before the Lord. As a worship guy myself these days, these words hit home. I truly believe that I have been called by the Lord to stand in His presence, to minister to Him, and to lead the people in worship of the One True God. That doesn’t always mean singing happy songs. Sometimes it means to bring people to a place of sorrow and repentance. Sometimes, that means bringing them to a place of peace and quiet and solitude and reflection. Sometimes it means to bring them to a place of rejoicing, clapping and celebrating. Lord, help me to be faithful in my call to bring people to truly worship You!
11 “My sons, do not neglect your duties any longer! The Lord has chosen you to stand in his presence, to minister to him, and to lead the people in worship and present offerings to him.”
King Hezekiah is giving instructions to the Levites as he is trying to bring Judah back to repentance before the Lord. As a worship guy myself these days, these words hit home. I truly believe that I have been called by the Lord to stand in His presence, to minister to Him, and to lead the people in worship of the One True God. That doesn’t always mean singing happy songs. Sometimes it means to bring people to a place of sorrow and repentance. Sometimes, that means bringing them to a place of peace and quiet and solitude and reflection. Sometimes it means to bring them to a place of rejoicing, clapping and celebrating. Lord, help me to be faithful in my call to bring people to truly worship You!
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