When you are satisfied in God, praise Him.
When you are confused by the circumstances of life, praise Him.
When all the world is beautiful to you, praise Him.
When pain is your constant companion, praise Him.
When you are overwhelmingly depressed, praise Him.
In all circumstances of your life, every emotional high and low, before every corner you turn whether in fear or with great anticipation - you can never go wrong and will always be encouraged... when you praise Him.
Psalm 148
Creation's Praise of the LORD
1 Hallelujah!
Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise Him in the heights.
2 Praise Him, all His angels;
praise Him, all His hosts.
3 Praise Him, sun and moon;
praise Him, all you shining stars.
4 Praise Him, highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens.
5 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for He commanded, and they were created.
6 He set them in position forever and ever;
He gave an order that will never pass away.
7 Praise the LORD from the earth,
all sea monsters and ocean depths,
8 lightning and hail, snow and cloud,
powerful wind that executes His command,
9 mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,
10 wild animals and all cattle,
creatures that crawl and flying birds,
11 kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all judges of the earth,
12 young men as well as young women,
old and young together.
13 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for His name alone is exalted.
His majesty covers heaven and earth.
14 He has raised up a horn for His people,
praise from all His godly ones,
from the Israelites, the people close to Him.
Hallelujah!
How I long to praise Him with all of creation. To see the mountains praise Him will be such a wondrous sight! What part of His creation are you excited to see praise Him?
Friday, September 24, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
What Fault Did You Find?
God asked me a very interesting question today from the book of Jeremiah:
"Here is what the Lord says:
What fault did your fathers find in Me
that they went so far from Me,
followed worthless idols,
and became worthless themselves?"
Jeremiah 2:5
What fault do we find in Him that leads us to go astray? The answer is, None. There is no fault in our God, the Creator of all things. Therefore, the fault must lie in us. The sinful nature now born in each and every human being, turns us from Him. How interesting that our soul which longs so desperately for Him is at constant war with the sinful flesh which can not stand to be in the presence of His holiness. (James 4:1-7)
I am reminded today that every time I find I've been following anything other than God, it is worthless. "Repent!", I am reminded. Otherwise I will become as worthless as they.
"Don't collect for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don't break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.... No one can be a slave of two masters, since he will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You can not be slaves of God and money."
Matthew 6:19-21, 24
"Here is what the Lord says:
What fault did your fathers find in Me
that they went so far from Me,
followed worthless idols,
and became worthless themselves?"
Jeremiah 2:5
What fault do we find in Him that leads us to go astray? The answer is, None. There is no fault in our God, the Creator of all things. Therefore, the fault must lie in us. The sinful nature now born in each and every human being, turns us from Him. How interesting that our soul which longs so desperately for Him is at constant war with the sinful flesh which can not stand to be in the presence of His holiness. (James 4:1-7)
I am reminded today that every time I find I've been following anything other than God, it is worthless. "Repent!", I am reminded. Otherwise I will become as worthless as they.
"Don't collect for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don't break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.... No one can be a slave of two masters, since he will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You can not be slaves of God and money."
Matthew 6:19-21, 24
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
"Day" Dreaming
Today I've been daydreaming about the Day. The day I will get to see Jesus face to face.
At first I think I will study His toes. Granted I don't really know what will happen, but I think most likely I will fall at His feet. Perhaps I'll even be allowed to wash them as the prostitute did with my tears of love and gratitude. (Luke 7:37-50) I kinda hope so. He has forgiven so much...
Ooooh..., and we'll eat! (Luke 22:15-16) I've been waiting a few years for a good meal with Him, but Jesus has been waiting for me, and you, since just before He was crucified: What a joyous meal that will be! (Revelation 19:6-9) Perhaps I'll even get to dance with Him.... and dance before my Father.
There is just so much to dream about for that great Day.
And I can't wait to hear Jesus laugh....
At first I think I will study His toes. Granted I don't really know what will happen, but I think most likely I will fall at His feet. Perhaps I'll even be allowed to wash them as the prostitute did with my tears of love and gratitude. (Luke 7:37-50) I kinda hope so. He has forgiven so much...
Ooooh..., and we'll eat! (Luke 22:15-16) I've been waiting a few years for a good meal with Him, but Jesus has been waiting for me, and you, since just before He was crucified: What a joyous meal that will be! (Revelation 19:6-9) Perhaps I'll even get to dance with Him.... and dance before my Father.
There is just so much to dream about for that great Day.
And I can't wait to hear Jesus laugh....
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
That Thang That You Do
Why?
That is the #1 question in our house.
Truthfully, it's always been my number one. I want to know why.
It has helped me to understand my youngest. When I/he ask why we should do something we are told, it's not out of a challenge of authority. We just want to understand the principle behind the matter so that the best course of action can be accomplished both now, and in the future without having to be told again. (Well, I doubt the 7 year old has thought it out that far yet, but I have.)
So when I ask, "Why study/read the Bible?" I need more than the "Because you're suppose to" answer. Is it the best course of action? If so, which is the best method? When are the best times? And so on and so forth... Why? is the smallest question one can ask, which essentially asks it all.
There is actually one other question you need to answer - completely honestly - first: "What is your main objective in life?"
What were the first two or three things that popped in your head? Most likely, though we hate to admit it, one of them is your main goal. The honesty comes in realizing that. So now we can ask, "Why should I read/study the Bible?"
Were your main objectives raising your children, to provide a good home for your family, to make something of yourself, or to learn all you can? Well, then the Bible can help- but not like you think it will. The principles in the Bible are great because they were written by the Creator of everything. He knows how things work best. If that is the only, or main, reason for you to read the Bible, you might as well place it on the shelf with every other self help for dummies book. The Bible was not intended to just help with your goals.
As a Christ follower, our main, #1 purpose in life should be to glorify God. This perfect umbrella covers the spreading of the Gospel, worship, serving Him, learning His Word, listening to the Spirit, humbling ourselves, and any other Christian principle you could think of as a Sunday School answer. And yes, it even applies to raising our children, providing for our family, and making something of ourselves. The only difference is that it comes from the viewpoint of God's eternal kingdom instead of a few decades on this current earth. When I think of it that way, am I so selfish as to only want to provide good for those I know and love for a few years? Or am I concerned with their eternal state?
So, I ask again...."Why?"
20 From the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse. 21 For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles.
24 Therefore God delivered them over in the cravings of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Romans 1:20-25
That is the #1 question in our house.
Truthfully, it's always been my number one. I want to know why.
It has helped me to understand my youngest. When I/he ask why we should do something we are told, it's not out of a challenge of authority. We just want to understand the principle behind the matter so that the best course of action can be accomplished both now, and in the future without having to be told again. (Well, I doubt the 7 year old has thought it out that far yet, but I have.)
So when I ask, "Why study/read the Bible?" I need more than the "Because you're suppose to" answer. Is it the best course of action? If so, which is the best method? When are the best times? And so on and so forth... Why? is the smallest question one can ask, which essentially asks it all.
There is actually one other question you need to answer - completely honestly - first: "What is your main objective in life?"
What were the first two or three things that popped in your head? Most likely, though we hate to admit it, one of them is your main goal. The honesty comes in realizing that. So now we can ask, "Why should I read/study the Bible?"
Were your main objectives raising your children, to provide a good home for your family, to make something of yourself, or to learn all you can? Well, then the Bible can help- but not like you think it will. The principles in the Bible are great because they were written by the Creator of everything. He knows how things work best. If that is the only, or main, reason for you to read the Bible, you might as well place it on the shelf with every other self help for dummies book. The Bible was not intended to just help with your goals.
As a Christ follower, our main, #1 purpose in life should be to glorify God. This perfect umbrella covers the spreading of the Gospel, worship, serving Him, learning His Word, listening to the Spirit, humbling ourselves, and any other Christian principle you could think of as a Sunday School answer. And yes, it even applies to raising our children, providing for our family, and making something of ourselves. The only difference is that it comes from the viewpoint of God's eternal kingdom instead of a few decades on this current earth. When I think of it that way, am I so selfish as to only want to provide good for those I know and love for a few years? Or am I concerned with their eternal state?
So, I ask again...."Why?"
20 From the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse. 21 For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles.
24 Therefore God delivered them over in the cravings of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Romans 1:20-25
Monday, September 20, 2010
So In Love
Close your eyes and think about this... (Figuratively, of course. You'd have a hard time actually reading that way.)
What is it like when you tell your spouse, a family member, or a close friend, "I love you"?
Now, picture the difference in saying to them, "I am so in love with you." Honestly, might that not cut out a few of the people who you would have said "I love you" to? There is a difference in the emotion and devotion of those two phrases.
It is the same with our exclamations to God. We more easily tell God that we love Him, but how often have we sat back and declared to Him, "I am so in love with You." I've been blessed to have a few of those precious times in the last few weeks and they are quite vivid in my memory. Yesterday, I even had a member of my Life Group class mention that same concept. It was important enough a thought to bring it up aside from any lesson that may have been a reminder. It was as fresh on his mind as it was mine. I love when God works that way...
We need make sure to not fall into the rut of religion and forget the passion of our devotion.
Jesus said to the Pharisees and scribes who questioned Him about breaking rituals, "...Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: These people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. They worship Me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commands of men." Mark 7:6-7 They told God they loved Him. But were they so in love with Him? No.
Let's take some time to stop, think about it, and be so in love with Him today.
What is it like when you tell your spouse, a family member, or a close friend, "I love you"?
Now, picture the difference in saying to them, "I am so in love with you." Honestly, might that not cut out a few of the people who you would have said "I love you" to? There is a difference in the emotion and devotion of those two phrases.
It is the same with our exclamations to God. We more easily tell God that we love Him, but how often have we sat back and declared to Him, "I am so in love with You." I've been blessed to have a few of those precious times in the last few weeks and they are quite vivid in my memory. Yesterday, I even had a member of my Life Group class mention that same concept. It was important enough a thought to bring it up aside from any lesson that may have been a reminder. It was as fresh on his mind as it was mine. I love when God works that way...
We need make sure to not fall into the rut of religion and forget the passion of our devotion.
Jesus said to the Pharisees and scribes who questioned Him about breaking rituals, "...Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: These people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. They worship Me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commands of men." Mark 7:6-7 They told God they loved Him. But were they so in love with Him? No.
Let's take some time to stop, think about it, and be so in love with Him today.
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